# Molecular Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis Training Program

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2022 · $382,785

## Abstract

The Molecular Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis (MMMP) training program annually supports 5
predoctoral students and 2 postdoctoral fellows for advanced training in microbial pathogenesis and host
response at the University of Michigan. MMMP students and fellows gain advanced research training with
committed mentors in field-leading laboratories. They also benefit from academic and professional
development via theme-specific courses, seminars, journal clubs, public outreach, and career development
activities. Highly selected students are admitted through the UM Program in Biomedical Sciences (PIBS)
umbrella program, which supports their first year wherein students focus on courses and laboratory
rotations before selecting one of 14 degree granting programs. Mentors nominate PhD or MD/PHD
students for MMMP at the end of the first year based on thematic interests in the contributions of microbes
to health and disease. MMMP coursework is aligned with the Microbiology and Immunology degree
curriculum. Postdocs are admitted to MMMP after nomination by mentors or through centralized
postdoctoral recruitment events. Trainees access to the feature course of MMMP Science in the clinics, in
which trainees examine infectious diseases from a translational perspective by shadowing an Infectious
Diseases physician in the clinics and connecting basic research with clinical practice in journal club
discussion sessions. Trainees also gain experience in selecting, hosting, and enhanced exposure to
MMMP sponsored external speaker, which brings diverse and innovative investigators to campus as role
models for career development. Finally, trainees develop essential communication skills by participating in
an on campus science communication workshop before engaging with the public in a variety of outreach
opportunities. New initiatives in the upcoming funding period include having an annual IDP “party”, an
annual MMMP on site retreat, and implementation of exit surveys. Introduction of these new activities is
expected to further enhance the MMMP training experience as a means toward attaining trainee career
objectives.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10437045
- **Project number:** 5T32AI007528-23
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** Vernon Bruce Carruthers
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $382,785
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1998-09-30 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10437045

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10437045, Molecular Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis Training Program (5T32AI007528-23). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10437045. Licensed CC0.

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