# Childhood Infections Research Program

> **NIH NIH T32** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2020 · $321,637

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
This application requests continued support for the Childhood Infections Research Program (CHIRP). The
overall goal of CHIRP is to facilitate the training and careers of MD and PhD investigators in infectious
diseases relevant to children. CHIRP is based on the tenet that MD and PhD scientists benefit from a training
environment that integrates mentors and trainees from both backgrounds. The objectives of CHIRP are: 1) to
identify the most promising MD and PhD candidates who are committed to a research career; 2) to support
intense mentored research training under experienced, productive scientists; 3) to use a career design
approach that maps out career pathways and timelines into post-training career objectives; 4) to utilize courses
and degree programs relevant to the individualized training plan; and 5) to incorporate interdisciplinary training
from basic to translational application. The 26 CHIRP faculty mentors are from Departments of Pediatrics,
Medicine, and Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, and draw on established research programs in Pediatric
and Medicine Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt Vaccine Research Program, the Vanderbilt CTSA, and the
Institute for Global Health. The mentors have experience and success in training researchers in virology,
bacteriology, vaccines, hospital infections, epidemiology, and global health. Assistant Professor “mentor-in-
training” faculty with exciting research programs and independent funding are included to enhance the
research opportunities of trainees and to facilitate the progress of young investigators. A Steering Committee
of senior mentors will direct the selection and ongoing evaluation of trainees and program progress. MD
trainees will be identified principally from Pediatric Infectious Diseases Fellows (MD and MD/PhD), as well as
other pediatric fellowship programs and adult ID fellows with research and career goals specifically relevant to
infections that impact children. PhD trainees will be selected from trainees in place or recruited to Vanderbilt by
CHIRP mentors. Plans are in place to continue and enhance training of URM and Women to enhance diversity.
Trainee selection will be based on a written application and interviews of the applicant by the Program Director
and Steering Committee. We request continuation of 4 positions per year (2 MD and 2 PhD), based on our
mentor and trainee pool and success to date. Evaluation of trainees will based on scholarship oversight
committee meetings, individual development plans (IDPs), trainee progress reports, trainee meetings with the
Program Director, and compliance with requirements for training in responsible conduct of research. Program
evaluation by the Steering Committee will use trainee progress reports, mentor and trainee evaluations, and
annual progress reports by the Program Director. Long-term program success will be based on outcomes of
trainees and will be assessed by program reviews conducted in years 2 and 4 by fac...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9952299
- **Project number:** 5T32AI095202-11
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Mark R Denison
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $321,637
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2011-08-01 → 2021-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9952299

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9952299, Childhood Infections Research Program (5T32AI095202-11). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9952299. Licensed CC0.

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