Interdisciplinary Immunology Training Program

Yale University, New Haven CT

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

The goal of the Yale Interdisciplinary Immunology Training Program (YIITP) is to equip predoctoral trainees with the intellectual and research foundations necessary to become independent scientists/educators investigating basic mechanisms of immune system development and function. The YIITP, which is entering its 49th year, combines rigorous research training in a highly interactive environment and a thorough academic program of instruction in immunology and related disciplines with diverse opportunities for career and skill development. With the addition of a Concentration in Systems and Computational Immunology (CSCI), the YIITP is a PhD granting program that offers training in virtually all aspects of immune system development and function, as well as in how the immune system responds to infection and disease. The YIITP faculty mentors are 35 immunologists with outstanding records of research accomplishment and training whose labs interact and collaborate extensively. YIITP Program Co-Directors Carla Rothlin and David Schatz work together closely, in complementary roles, to direct the program. Drs. Rothlin and Schatz work together with four additional faculty, forming the YIITP Executive Committee, to develop new initiatives, evaluate program success based on internal and external review, and oversee trainee and YIITP faculty evaluations and appointments. The principal training entity is the Department of Immunobiology, whose graduate program has consistently been among the top ranked immunology graduate programs in the United States. YIITP students enter via application to the Immunology (predominately), Microbiology and CBB (for CSCI) Tracks of the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS) Program and are selected for YIITP appointment in year 2 based on a research focus on immune mechanism and function. YIITP training involves formal course work, research rotations, teaching, qualifying examination, and thesis research. A thesis advisory committee is formed for each student in year 2, with both immunology and computational committee members included for CSCI trainees. Intensive training in rigor, reproducibility and responsible conduct of research, along with travel support and departmental collaborations and interactions, enhances the training environment. YIITP trainees publish at high rates in top-level journals and have received prestigious predoctoral fellowships over the past 10 years. YIITP PhD recipients in the last 10 years have entered research intensive, research related, or scientific teaching careers and completed training at high rates. This proposal requests an additional 4 predoctoral slots dedicated to CSCI, to support 2 predoctoral trainees in each of years 2 and 3 of training, who are interested in utilizing and developing systems and computational immunology approaches to address immunological and biomedical research questions and goals.