The research training is designed to meet the educational and professional goals of each individual fellow and to successfully fulfill the research requirements designated by the Subboard of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. Given the size of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Division and the vast diversity of research expertise at Baylor College of Medicine, the potential research projects for fellows are many.
Research projects range from those concerned primarily with fundamental mechanisms pertaining to microbial (bacterial or viral) virulence and host defense to those pertaining to antimicrobial or antiviral pharmacology and efficacy. Both clinical and basic science research projects are under the direct supervision and mentoring of one of the full-time faculty. As a result of long-standing collaborative and liaison relationships with several basic science investigators, research experience in laboratories in other divisions is also available.
In the first year of training, fellows meet with the faculty individually to identify a research mentor and outline a prospective research project. The majority of the basic science or clinical research activity occurs during the second and third years of training (nine research months/year). It is during that time that the fellow is allowed an opportunity to develop independence as an investigator. The quality of the research training is illustrated by the fact that since 1982, each of our trainees seeking an academic position at the completion of the fellowship has been successful in securing such a position. In addition, the work performed by current and past trainees has been presented at national meetings and published in peer-reviewed journals.
