Basic Microbiology and Infectious Disease

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PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Objective: The continuing goal of the Basic Microbiology and Infectious Disease (BMID) training program is to augment the training of outstanding predoctoral students in the areas of microbiology and infectious disease and to prepare them for exceptional and productive careers in biomedical research. Rationale and Need for the BMID: Infectious disease continues to have a major impact on human health and there is a growing need for well-trained and highly skilled researchers to study mechanisms of pathogenesis and to develop new methods of detection, treatment, and prevention. History and Leadership of the BMID Program: The BMID is entering its 42nd year at the University of Florida. Dr. David Bloom has been PD/PI since 2002 and has been assisted by Associate Director, Dr. Stephanie Karst, since 2016. The program is guided by an Internal Advisory Board as well as an External Advisory Board who visit annually for a site visit and Mini-Symposium and provide program evaluation. Design of the Program: The overarching goals of the program design are to: 1) expose our trainees to research on infectious disease from the combined perspective of clinical and basic sciences and 2) provide microbiology and infectious disease-centric professional development and career guidance to enhance future success. Research Areas and Faculty Composition: Seventeen faculty preceptors come from 4 colleges and 7 departments/divisions. Composition: 10 male, 7 female; 11 Professors, 4 Associate and 2 Assistant Professors; 6 bacteriologists; 6 virologists; 1 parasitologist and 4 infection-related immunologists. Institutional Support: UF provides specifically for the BMID: 1) 0.1 FTE for the PI/PD; 0.3 FTE for a program assistant; support for internships, seminars, professional development roundtables, summer internships for graduate and minority recruiting. Training Level and Duration of Training: We are requesting 6 predoctoral training positions. Trainees are generally appointed after their second year (after entering candidacy) for 2 years of support. BMID-specific Training Components: Combined Microbiology & Infectious Disease Case Conferences; Distinguished Lectures in Microbiology and Infectious Disease Seminar Series; Professional Development Meetings; Career Roundtables; Internship program; and Training in Responsible Conduct and Ethics. Progress: Over the last 20 years: 92% of trainees have graduated with a Ph.D.; 82% of those are in research- related careers and the remaining 18% are in medically-related careers. During the last 5 years, out of 15 trainees appointed, the composition: 8 females (53%) and 7 (47%) males; 3 (20%) URMs. Proposed New Components: Leadership Development Workshop and Summer Research Internships Internships in Microbiology (SRIMP) for recruiting top undergraduates to UF (and the BMID).