Global Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases

Project Summary/Abstract Our training program recruits diverse postdoctoral fellows, predominately physicians, and develops their skills to conduct infectious disease epidemiology research. The program stresses epidemiology as a key tool to face growing infectious disease threats. It highlights the global epidemiology of infectious disease, because the increased connectivity of human populations means that the epidemiology and control of infectious diseases requires a global perspective. The program will be interdisciplinary, engaging 29 faculty research mentors from seven Departments (Medicine, Pediatrics, Epidemiology, Biology, Pathology and Microbiology, Immunology and Civil and Environmental Engineering). Three trainees per year will be drawn from candidates for the Infectious Diseases Fellowship Programs in Pediatrics and Internal Medicine; exceptional applicants from other postdoctoral programs at Stanford may be considered if they have demonstrated prior commitment to Infectious Diseases epidemiologic research. Trainees will conduct research under the mentorship of a program faculty member committed to trainee success. Research is expected to be cross-disciplinary to take advantage of the breadth of campus faculty and the varied exceptional research expertise available at Stanford. To promote interaction among trainees and faculty we will convene research seminars conducted by trainees; interdisciplinary seminars in infectious diseases epidemiology; weekly infectious diseases grand rounds; lectures on infectious diseases, ecology and risks; and an annual one-day research retreat. Each trainee will be counseled by a Research Committee comprised of their mentors and others with expertise relevant to the research and to individual career goals. At least twice a year, trainees will meet with their mentors and the program directors to discuss their Professional Development Plan. In addition, as part of this T32 renewal, we propose to increase our emphasis on epidemiologic methods including requiring that all fellows supported by the training grant complete four courses taught by the Department of Epidemiology in global infectious disease epidemiology and modeling. This classroom instruction will complement the in-depth mentored research experience so that trainees will develop both the content expertise and applied skills critical to become independent researchers. All trainees will be strongly encouraged to apply for independent support. Trainees will be appointed to the program for a year at a time. They will spend between 1 and 3 years in the program. We envision that graduates of this program will assume independent research or public health leadership positions and engage in careers that address the great infectious disease threats of their generation.