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The objective of this program is to provide high-quality training at the predoctoral and postdoctoral levels, and to prepare outstanding individuals for careers in research and teaching in basic mechanisms of AIDS pathogenesis. In 1988, investigators at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) were awarded one of the seven NIH-designated and funded Centers for AIDS Research (CFAR), which was sucessfully renewed in 1993. The CFAR faculty have competed sucessfully for a PEBRA, NCDDG, NCVDG, AIDS Infrastrucure program project grants, and an AIDS Clinical Trials Unit (ACTU) grant. Because of the rapid growth and strong commitment to AIDS research at UAB, there is now a great opportunity and demonstrable need for predoctoral and postdoctoral research training in this area.
The proposed UAB institutional training program in AIDS (Basic Mechanisms in AIDS Pathogenesis) will provide predoctoral and postdoctoral training in three interrelated basic research areas, reflecting the strengths and focus of the UAB participants: molecular virology and pathogenesis of HIV, anti-viral drug discovery and design, and mucosal immunology and vaccine development. These three research areas correspond to the established AIDS program projects which are interconnected by shared faculty participation. A concern which unifies all three areas is the elucidation of molecular mechanisms of viral pathogenesis as an approach to developing effective drugs and vaccines to combat HIV infection. Eighteen UAB faculty representing basic and clinical science departments will participate as preceptors in this multidisciplinary program. All eighteen preceptors are federally funded and have well-equipped laboratories. Four predoctoral and four postdoctoral training positions are requested. By pursuing work in these three areas, predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows will engage in high-quality basic research involving molecular virology, immunology, and biochemistry as these disciplines relate to AIDS. The participating faculty from the Departments of Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Microbiology, Infectious Disease, and Medicine believe that at UAB we have an excellent environment for providing outstanding predoctoral and postdoctoral training in areas of basic mechanisms of AIDS pathogenesis. Predoctoral trainees are required to meet the admissions and graduation standards of an innovative multidepartmental program, the Cellular and Molecular Biology Program (CMB), or a highly selective M.D./Ph.D. program. Specific requirements for predoctoral students and also for postdoctoral trainees enrolled in Basic Mechanisms in AIDS Pathogenesis include participation in advanced courses in virology, immunology, a journal club, and a weekly discussion group. Attendence at departmental seminars and the CFAR seminar series is mandatory. Trainees will be encouraged to apply for individual fellowships and awards and are instructed in how to write research proposals. In addition to research activities and courses, the training program includes participation in local, regional, and national scientific meetings. Recruitment of both predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees will be at a national level through a variety of recruitment programs and will encourage recruitment of minority participants through a defined affirmative action program.
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| Preceptors: |
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| Casey Morrow, Ph.D., Director |
Louise Chow, Ph.D. |
| George Shaw, M.D |
David Curiel, M.D., Ph.D. |
| Michael Saag, M.D. |
Paul Geopfert, M.D. |
| Pat Bucy, M.D., Ph.D. |
Beatrice Hahn, M.D. |
| Dale Benos, Ph.D. |
Victoria Johnson, M.D. |
| Etty Benveniste, Ph.D. |
John Kappes, Ph.D. |
| Thomas Broker, Ph.D. |
Jiri Mestecky, M.D. |
| James Collawn, Ph.D. |
Phillip Smith, M.D. |
| David Chaplin, M.D., Ph.D. |
Richard Whitley, M.D. |
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| Trainees: |
Mentor: |
| Anna Mleczko-McCulley (Predoctoral) |
Casey Morrow, Ph.D. |
| Maureen Kelly (Predoctoral) |
Casey Morrow, Ph.D. |
| Susan Nozell (Postdoctoral) |
Etty Benveniste, Ph.D. |
| Nicholas J. Genovese (Predoctoral) |
Thomas Broker, Ph.D. |
| Qiana Matthews (Postdoctoral) |
James Collawn, Ph.D. |
| Brandon Keele (Postdoctoral) |
Beatrice Hahn, M.D. |
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