Comparative Virology Research Training Program

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACTThe proposed Comparative Virology Research Training Program (T32 Program) will leverage the expertise of19 faculty members from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and the University of Nebraska MedicalCenter to provide comparative research training for pre-doctoral students in human, animal, and plant viruses.With this comparative orientation, the program is ideally positioned to develop biomedical researchers who areequipped to lend expertise regarding infectious viral diseases and to apply newly acquired knowledge andskills to basic and applied biomedical research, animal and plant health, biodefense readiness, and emergingdiseases. The long-range goal of this T32 Program is to develop a cadre of junior scientists and researcherswho are well grounded in a fundamental knowledge of viral pathogenesis and laboratory research experience.The specific aims of the program are to: 1) Provide a stellar training environment where pre-doctoral traineesreceive an outstanding education in viral infections and disease that prepares them to succeed in a range ofanticipated careers, from academia to government to the private sector; 2) Support ongoing training efforts inhuman, animal, and plant viruses and bioinformatics, coalescing around comparative research experiences indifferent viral-host systems; and 3) Foster communication and collaboration among trainees and facultythrough core courses and program activities designed to exploit the intimate training and research environmentprovided at the Nebraska Center for Virology and the strong training record of faculty mentors. Students whohave 1) been accepted into the UNL School of Biological Sciences PhD program based on excellentundergraduate academic records and GRE scores and 2) expressed interest in the T32 Program will betargeted as potential trainees. These potential trainees will be supported during Years 1-2 of their graduateprogram with institutional funds before applying to the T32 Program at the end of Year 2. Students will beselected as T32 trainees based on their mentor's recommendation, their academic/research performance inthe first two years, and their potential to be successful researchers before being admitted into the T32 Programat the onset of Year 3. NIH funds support Years 3-4 of a trainee's five-year program, with mentor laboratoryfunding covering Year 5. In addition to specialized coursework and research experiences in mentorlaboratories, trainees will receive training in bioinformatics; instruction in research ethics and grantsmanship;guidance regarding career paths beyond academia, including access to industry and international internships;teaching experience; and participate in an annual symposium. The expected outcome is that this program willsupport a projected 12 trainees who will graduate with a strong background in research design, methodology,and analysis and thus be well equipped to pursue a range of career opportunities in academia, government,and industry that enable them to confront current and emerging viral infectious diseases.