The area of medicine that I currently find most intriguing is organ transplantation. I believe that this domain is perfectly amenable to translational research, as conclusions gained through experimentation are useful in subsequent clinical trials. Though organ transplantation is seemingly a distinctly clinical act, experimentation on the processes of rejection and tolerance ask very basic scientific questions. Investigations within this area attempt to elucidate the fundamental immunologic mechanisms of T cell activation and duplication in relation to organ rejection. Thus, though transplantation is of immense intricacy clinically, it is studied on a very basic scientific level. I believe that this generates an inherent appeal in the MD/Ph.D. candidate. I desire an area of medicine which is both complex and fascinating clinically, yet requires examination of fundamental concepts of human existence (i.e. regulation of cell division) scientifically. Such a duality is unique to only a few medical subspecialties, one of which is transplantation.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31AI010665-03
Application #
6641106
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-BBBP-1 (06))
Program Officer
Hernandez, Milton J
Project Start
2001-09-01
Project End
2005-08-31
Budget Start
2003-09-01
Budget End
2004-08-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$27,915
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pennsylvania
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
042250712
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19104