M&I Training Grant Program

The Microbiology & Immunology Training Program aims to provide rigorous training for graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in the areas of microbiology, immunology, host-pathogen interaction, and to prepare these trainees for successful, productive, independent careers related to the complex interplay between microbe and host. Our Program provides students with a diverse community of peers and mentors that broadens their exposure to scientific topics, perspectives, and techniques. This holistic approach to scientific training seeks to enhance our trainee’s ability to contribute to a better understanding of our relationship with microbes, spanning from mutualistic to pathogenic, including viruses, bacteria, and eukaryotic parasites, leading to the effective treatment and prevention of infectious and chronic diseases. 

Investigations of host-microbe interaction, vaccination, pathogenesis, and host immune responses represent critical topics for inquiry in science and medicine. Not only do these areas of study provide a rich basis for the training in host-microbial interaction, the COVID-19 pandemic has reaffirmed that having passionate, innovative, well-trained scientists with expertise in these areas is critically important. Our goal is to have trainees transition to independent research-oriented positions in academia or industry, or positions in public health or science leadership, and apply their expertise acquired during training to address emerging and ongoing challenges related to human health and disease.