# Molecular and Cell Biology of Infectious Diseases

> **NIH NIH T32** · STATE UNIVERSITY NEW YORK STONY BROOK · 2021 · $238,737

## Abstract

Project Summary
 The Molecular and Cell Biology of Infectious Diseases Training Program at Stony Brook University
provides predoctoral students with enhanced research training and career development activities. The goal
is to increase the number of students obtaining a highly productive PhD thesis, leading to a successful
career in infectious disease research. A major benefit of the program is that it provides a framework for
students from different Ph.D. programs to synergize in their training activities. Trainees are selected from
three participating graduate programs: Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Genetics, and Molecular and
Cell Biology. Required courses in Genetics, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Immunology,
Microbial Pathogenesis and Responsible Conduct of Research provide the necessary foundation of
scientific knowledge. The most promising students, based on undergraduate academic performance and
their achievements in graduate courses, laboratory rotations, and qualifying exams, are admitted to the
Program, typically in the third year of graduate school for a 2- to 3-year period. Trainees specifically benefit
from participation in Program-sponsored activities including a monthly meeting to introduce trainees to new
concepts in infectious disease research and experimental rigor, a seminar series, travel funds to attend
scientific conferences or perform field research, career development events, and funds to facilitate the use
of cutting-edge and multidisciplinary research approaches. Nineteen Full, Associate or Assistant Professors
from 5 different Departments serve as Mentors. The Mentors are well funded, have excellent training
records, and share a common interest in teaching and researching the pathogenesis of infectious diseases
at the molecular and cellular levels. The Mentors offer a wide range of opportunities for student research
training including: a) molecular mechanisms of bacterial, fungal, and viral replication and pathogenesis. b)
innate and adaptive immune responses to pathogens, c) regulation of pathogen and host gene expression;
d) development of diagnostics, drugs and vaccines against pathogens. The Program is overseen by a
Director, Associate Director, Advisory Committee and Executive Committee and has a strong record of
collaboration among Mentors and Trainees. A comprehensive plan for recruitment of a diverse cohort of
training grant-eligible students is in place and is highly successful. The Program includes a robust
mechanism for evaluating and improving all aspects of the training environment and for tracking the
success of previous Trainees for at least 10 years. The quality of the students and the outcome of their
training is highlighted by the strong research publications of the Trainees. A 5-year award to support 6
trainees is requested.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10199949
- **Project number:** 5T32AI007539-23
- **Recipient organization:** STATE UNIVERSITY NEW YORK STONY BROOK
- **Principal Investigator:** James B Konopka
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $238,737
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1998-09-30 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10199949

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10199949, Molecular and Cell Biology of Infectious Diseases (5T32AI007539-23). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10199949. Licensed CC0.

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