Animal Models of Infectious Diseases Training Program

This is a predoctoral training program at UC Davis focused on research using Animal Models of Infectious Diseases (AMID). The AMID Training Program, launched in 2004, takes advantage of the unique resources at UC Davis, where we have co-localized on one campus the Graduate School, Schools of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, the California National Primate Research Center, the internationally renowned Mouse Biology Program, and the Center for Immunology and Infectious Diseases— creating a unique training environment that arguably exists nowhere else in the world. During the previous funding period, using this NIH grant and UC Davis matching support, we supported a group of 21 students who were mentored by 14 different faculty trainers, and included 3 students in combined DVM/PhD or MD/PhD programs. The success of the AMID Program during the past funding period is best highlighted by the accomplishments of the 21 students, which include authoring an average of 3.1 papers from their UC Davis graduate work (many in high impact journals, including Nature, Science, and Cell Press), receiving predoctoral fellowships and awards, and advancing to prestigious postdoctoral positions. Long-term success of the AMID program is also evident, as 8 of our past trainees now have Assistant or Associate Professor positions at major research Universities and others have equivalent leadership positions in industry. In addition, the AMID program has fueled collaborative research, enhanced student mentorship, provided campus-enriching seminars, and resulted in research grants to several participating faculty. This training program also spurred the development of several campus initiatives, including an interdisciplinary graduate program (equivalent to a minor) called the Designated Emphasis in Host-Microbe Interaction, two new graduate course offerings and enhanced pedagogy of responsible conduct of research. We request continued support of four predoctoral trainees per year, which will be supplemented by institutional funds to support three additional trainees. This Training Program addresses a critical need and we expect continued success of the AMID Program, with a large pool of prospective trainees; enthusiastic program directors; an expanded group of training faculty that is increasingly accomplished; and a research community operating in an ideal environment for studies on animal models of human infectious diseases.