# Vermont Immunology / Infectious Diseases Training Grant

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT & ST AGRIC COLLEGE · 2021 · $166,185

## Abstract

Abstract/Summary
In this application, we propose to build upon the highly successful multidisciplinary training program in
microbiology, immunology and infectious disease we have developed at the University of Vermont over the
past 14 years. The goal of the Vermont Immunobiology and Infectious Disease (VI2D) training program, which
supports four predoctoral students per year, is to produce outstanding independent biomedical scientists who
are equipped to study infectious disease mechanisms, prevention, and treatment. To date, we have had 19
trainees, 13 of whom have completed their PhDs in an average of 5.3 years; the other six are still in training.
Our trainees have published an average of 5.7 papers from their doctoral research (2.6 as first author) and
have been included on nine patents. Eleven of the 19 trainees have been women (58%), and five (26%) have
been from groups underrepresented in the scientific workforce. Importantly, all 13 of our graduates continue to
pursue careers in science or medicine. The average duration of T32 support has been 2.4 years, with a
maximum of 3, and the trainees have been distributed broadly among our 16 Faculty Mentors. The mentors
include a mix of basic, translational, and clinical researchers, with 12 Ph.D., one Ph.D./D.V.M., and three M.D.
faculty members. These training faculty are well funded (total current annual extramural support of $10.6
million), highly collaborative, and have a strong, demonstrated commitment to mentoring and graduate
education. At the core of the intellectual environment supporting the program are this engaged group of Faculty
Mentors, the graduate program in Cellular, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences (CMB), and two vibrant
Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence funded by NIH COBRE grants: the Vermont Center for
Immunobiology and Infectious Disease and the Translational Global Infectious Diseases Research Center.
Institutional support for the training program is exceptional. Training grant-eligible applicants are drawn from
the rich pool of students in the CMB Program and undergo a rigorous selection process before being appointed
to the training grant. The VI2D program has been designed to give our trainees a deep understanding of the
basic science underpinnings of immunology and microbial pathogenesis. In addition, and new to the program
going forward, our trainees will a) gain real-world exposure to clinical aspects of infectious and immunological
disease, through our “Clinical Connection” program that fosters interaction between the trainees and clinicians,
and b) become better prepared to function as effective research scientists through training in key aspects of
the “Practice of Science,” including effective communication skills, team building, career development, and
personal wellness. A detailed plan for regular internal and external evaluation of the program will enable us to
continuously evolve and improve the training experience. The integrated, well-resourced, mu...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10269965
- **Project number:** 2T32AI055402-16A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT & ST AGRIC COLLEGE
- **Principal Investigator:** GARY E WARD
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $166,185
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2005-09-01 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10269965

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10269965, Vermont Immunology / Infectious Diseases Training Grant (2T32AI055402-16A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10269965. Licensed CC0.

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