# Molecular Biology of Viral Diseases Predoctoral Training Grant

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2020 · $203,363

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Existing and newly emerging viruses present a significant threat to human health. As such there is an ongoing
need for well-trained scientists who can help meet the scientific and public health challenges posed by viral
infections. To address this need, this renewal application for the UNC predoctoral Virology Training Program,
which has a long track record of success in training young virologists, requests support for 6 training slots per
year. The UNC Virology Training Program consists of 22 faculty members whose research focuses on a
diverse set of viruses. Together the UNC virology faculty provide cutting edge virology training in viral
pathogenesis, virus-host interactions, model systems, complex trait genetics of virus susceptibility, vaccine
development, carcinogenic mechanisms, gene therapy vector development, as well as exciting opportunities
for translational research on a number of important human pathogens. Our Program provides our students with
laboratory-based training in state of the art virology techniques coupled with training that develops critical
thinking skills and effective scientific communication. Our goal is to develop our trainees into well-rounded
scientists that are well positioned to successfully pursue scientific careers in virology related research. To
achieve these goals, our students receive one to two years of support from the Training Grant during years 3-5
of their training. Our students take part in three one semester courses covering molecular virology, viral
pathogenesis, and a special topics course focused on student review of the virology literature and student
presentations. Students routinely present their research at multiple in house seminar series, and also present
their work at local, national, and international scientific meetings. We provide students with career
development advice in the form of one on one meetings with the Program Directors, as well as career fairs and
internship programs sponsored in partnership with the UNC Office of Graduate Education. In this renewal, we
have expanded our student’s training in Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR), and provide new training in
how to enhance Reproducibility and Rigor in virology related research. Our program has an outstanding track
record of successfully training virologists, and our trainees routinely go on to perform postdoctoral training in
top notch research laboratories and have long term success in academic, industry, and government research
positions. The ongoing support for the UNC Virology Training Program will allow us to continue to train the
next generation of outstanding virology researchers.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9967948
- **Project number:** 5T32AI007419-28
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Mark T Heise
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $203,363
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1993-09-01 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9967948

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9967948, Molecular Biology of Viral Diseases Predoctoral Training Grant (5T32AI007419-28). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9967948. Licensed CC0.

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