We propose to introduce early stage medical students to the challenges and excitement of research by providing a mentored summer research experience with the ultimate goal of inspiring trainees toward academic careers that incorporate basic biomedical and clinical research. The T35 Research Training in Immunology and Infectious Diseases (REIID) program will exist as a dedicated, NIAID-focused research and career development program that leverages the successful administrative framework of the Student Training In Approaches to Research (STAR) Program at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. The T35- REIID program will provide students between their first and second year of medical school with a focused eight-week mentored training experience pursuing NIAID-related research resulting in completion of a research project and formal presentation of their work. The Stritch School of Medicine is a rich academic environment and a leading institution in immunology and infectious disease-related research and clinical care. We have assembled a team of twenty-four experienced, extramurally funded mentors whose research covers epidemiology; genetics; molecular, cellular and pathophysiological mechanisms of disease; translational research; and patient-oriented clinical research. The student?s full-time research training will be supplemented with didactic conferences on topics including experimental design, data management, responsible conduct of research, professional development, and presentation skills. Trainees will be chosen through a competitive process based on their proposed research plan and goals for the summer experience. The T35-REIID program includes student and mentor assessments to evaluate the quality of the research experience and didactic offerings as well as our success at encouraging students to pursue academic careers that include research.

Public Health Relevance

The proposed training program provides mentored summer research opportunities for early stage medical students with the goal of inspiring a passion for biomedical research. Through hands-on research training supplemented with didactic conferences on research and career development topics, we will introduce students to the excitement and challenges of research and encourage them to pursue careers that integrate research with clinical care.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
NRSA Short -Term Research Training (T35)
Project #
5T35AI125220-03
Application #
9700577
Study Section
Microbiology and Infectious Diseases B Subcommittee (MID)
Program Officer
Coomes, Stephanie
Project Start
2017-07-20
Project End
2022-06-30
Budget Start
2019-07-01
Budget End
2020-06-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2019
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Loyola University Chicago
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
791277940
City
Maywood
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60153