Research Expectations and Opportunities
The fellow is guided through research training by the program director, together with a panel of faculty. The fellow will identify a mentor, laboratory and project under the guidance of the faculty research panel. Appropriate mentors may be selected from any school within the University of Pennsylvania or the Wistar Institute. A project is approved and the fellow's progress is reviewed twice a year. The fellow may choose between two different research tracks. There are basic science, translational and clinical research opportunities in Allergy and Immunology. There is also a strong relationship with pediatric and adolescent HIV research, including basic science and the NIH-funded AIDS Clinical Trials Consortium.
The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has an outstanding Immunology Graduate Group that can provide consultation, collaboration and mentorship of the fellow's project.
Fellowship funding is guaranteed in the 2nd and 3rd years. Competitive grant awards are encouraged.
Clinical research track
The fellow may take on more than one project. Appropriate mentorship is mandatory. The fellow is encouraged to enroll in the Master of Science program at the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (CCEB) at The University of Pennsylvania. Currently, there is ongoing clinical research in atopic dermatitis and food allergy.
Basic research track
This track allows for a laboratory or translational research experience. Basic science research is being performed in the fields of NK cells, T cell function in atopic dermatitis, HIV, neutrophil biology, DiGeorge syndrome, and other fields in basic immunology as described above.
