# Graduate Training in Virology

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIV OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK · 2020 · $225,895

## Abstract

The Virology Training Program at the University of Maryland was founded 13 years ago on the principle that
transformative research on host-virus interactions and viral immunology/vaccine design would be facilitated by
a comprehensive understanding of virology that extends beyond selective, traditional training in human
pathogens. The central location of the University of Maryland in the most significant concentration of
virologists in the world (University of Maryland, NIH, NCI, Institute for Biosystems and Biotechnology Research
[IBBR], Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine [VetMed]), led to the establishment of a program that
today brings together 17 outstanding virologists (16 mentors) dedicated to training future leaders in the field.
This training program is the first of its kind to include participation by major researchers at the NIH, providing
trainees with an exceptional opportunity to explore how research is conducted in both academic settings and at
the nation's premiere research institute. The Virology Program also fully supports the NIH directive to offer
“structured, career development advising and learning opportunities for trainees to prepare them for possible
careers outside of academia” by partnering with MedImmune, the worldwide biologics research and
development arm of AstraZeneca, to offer interested predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees career mentors and
2-month internships. Our affiliated institutions and partnership with MedImmune provides trainees with
unmatched opportunities for research and career mentoring, and for exploring how research is conducted in
academic settings, at the nation's premiere federal government research institutes, and at one of the world's
leading pharmaceutical companies targeting viruses. The University of Maryland Virology Training Program is
requesting 3 predoctoral and 2 postdoctoral traineeships in years 1, 2 and 3, and 4 predoctoral and 3
postdoctoral traineeships in years 4 and 5. Through focused didactic training, monthly group meetings and
workshops where experts discuss the future of the field, an annual retreat, and individualized career and
research mentoring, our training program produces virologists who (1) have exceptional research skills
acquired from working in top Virology labs; (2) have gained a comprehensive background in basic virology
through didactic training in viruses that infect humans, animals and plants; (3) have an understanding of the
impact of their research in the context of broader biomedical and agricultural issues; (4) embrace the value of
integrative, collaborative research; (5) have developed a teaching portfolio allowing them to be competitive for
positions at traditional academic research intensive institutions and undergraduate research institutions; and
(6) can effectively disseminate the knowledge that they have gained. We are committed to offering this
exceptional training experience to highly-motivated predoctoral and postdoctoral students, ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9970155
- **Project number:** 5T32AI125186-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK
- **Principal Investigator:** Anne Elizabeth Simon
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $225,895
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-08-01 → 2021-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9970155

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9970155, Graduate Training in Virology (5T32AI125186-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9970155. Licensed CC0.

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