What is the Inter-American Training Program for Innovations in Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATIEID)?
A new interdisciplinary fellowship program for advanced-level trainees sponsored by the Fogarty International Center of NIH through the "Framework Programs for Global Health Innovation." The primary objective of this training program is to foster true innovation by mixing program fellow trainees from diverse disciplines, thereby creating an environment that requires trainees to get out of their "comfort zones" and "think outside the box."
How many trainees will participate?
We will accept two cohorts of four trainees each, all of whom will have diverse prior training backgrounds. Each fellow will participate in the program for 18 months.
When do I apply?
We are currently recruiting for the second cohort, which is scheduled to begin the program in July 2015. Applications are due via electronic submission on January 30, 2015.
Who can apply?
For most disciplines, participants must hold a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, DrPH, etc.) awarded within the last seven years. However, applicants from disciplines such as engineering will not be required to have a doctoral degree if they have completed the usual terminal degree in their field (e.g., a master's degree for engineering). Preference will be given to applicants who trained at, or are affiliated with, one of the program consortium institutions, but all applicants meeting the terminal degree requirement will be considered and interested individuals from other institutions are encouraged to apply. Candidates from all disciplines are eligible (e.g., School of Liberal Arts, School of Medicine, School of Engineering, etc.). Other eligibility requirements are listed below.
Who will be in the training cohort?
Each cohort will comprise four trainees, some of whom must be affiliated with an institution in Latin America (preference given to trainees from participating consortium institutions) OR have completed their studies at a consortium institution in Latin America prior to completing a doctoral degree at Tulane or Johns Hopkins. We will ensure that a mix of disciplines are represented, including liberal arts, engineering, and public health/medicine.
Why is this different from other post-doctoral experiences?
The primary objective of this training program is to foster true innovation by mixing program fellow trainees from diverse disciplines and creating an environment that requires trainees to get out of their "comfort zones" and "think outside the box." Within the program theme of emerging infectious diseases, post-doctoral trainees will receive individually tailored mentored training experiences and will work together as a team. Together, the team will identify problems in the diagnosis, management, or control of infectious diseases. The trainees will develop a joint research project or a group of complementary projects bridging disciplines to develop a new device, intervention, or innovation to address the problem. Some projects or innovative products developed by the first cohort of trainees will be further developed by this second cohort (e.g., innovative approaches to use of ultrasound for detecting pneumonia), but the second cohort may also pursue some new initiatives. While individual fellows may direct specific sub-projects, all projects will involve all of the fellow trainees.
In the final stages of the training, fellow teams will test their devices, interventions, or techniques, and research program products with favorable test results will be developed for marketing with the guidance of business and industry consultants.
How does the program work?
Initial Training Experience (Two Weeks)
Training will begin with a one-week core group training session at Tulane University led by key faculty from the fields of social sciences, biomedical engineering, and public health. Guest faculty from other IATIEID consortium institutions will also participate. Most of the training will take place during the two-month Peru or Argentina-based exploratory period at the start of the fellowship.
Peru and Argentina-based Research Exploratory Period (Two Months)
Following the introductory session, trainees and the Principal Investigator will travel to Peru to begin a two-month exploratory period in which they will become familiar with an array of interdisciplinary research projects involving consortium faculty, and trainees will begin to formulate ideas for a group research project. Participants will visit laboratory facilities and community field sites in Lima and Iquitos, Peru, as well as in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Beginning with the exploratory period and continuing through the individual training period, joint projects will be developed and evaluated by a Mentoring Committee through mock NIH-style reviews and other presentation and review formats. This will allow trainees to refine their study design and fully incorporate interdisciplinary approaches, collaboration strategies, and new methodologies.
Core Research Period - Individualized Training Program and Joint Research Project (14-15 months)
Fellows will be based in Lima, Peru and work from the Tulane Lima office during the Core Research Period, although they may have some travel for training or research proposed during this time. Before or concurrent with their joint research project developed during the exploratory period, participants will have an opportunity for an individualized training program that will include training experiences in disciplines outside of their primary training ("interdisciplinary models"), as well as intense laboratory and classroom training in their area of specialization ("core modules"). These modules can be individualized, vary in duration, and can be taken at any one of the consortium institutions.
Joint projects must propose innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to address issues related to emerging infectious diseases. These must result in development of a new device, intervention, or innovative technique that has the potential for evaluation and testing within the program time frame.
Trainee teams will test their devices, interventions, or techniques, and research program products. Favorable results will be developed for marketing with the guidance of business and industry consultants. At the end of the joint research period, participants will review progress and present results to program faculty as part of a second core training symposium based in Peru and open to faculty, post-docs, and students from Latin American consortium partners.
What are the eligibility criteria?
Selection criteria for program trainees include the following academic, language, logistical, and institutional requirements:
- Terminal degree in hand* - Candidates must have received, as of the beginning date of their appointments, a doctoral degree within the last seven years, including, but not limited to, PhD, MD, and DrPH. Preference is given to applicants who trained at, or are affiliated with, one of the program consortium institutions. Applicants from disciplines such as engineering will not be required to have a doctoral degree if they have completed the usual terminal degree in their field (e.g., a master's degree for engineering).
- Academic achievement - Outstanding doctoral program performance, with at least two highly favorable letters of recommendation.
- Language - Fluency in English and (at a minimum) conversational fluency in Spanish.
- Affiliation - Some trainees in each cohort will be affiliated with Latin American institutions or will have completed doctoral training at Tulane University or Johns Hopkins University after completing pre-doctoral training at a consortium-affiliated institution. Exceptional candidates who completed doctoral work at a non-consortium accredited U.S. or international institution may apply.
- Full-time effort - Willingness to devote full-time effort to the program for the 18-month period of participation is required. This includes freedom to travel and work from or live temporarily at program sites in Latin America during the time committed to the program. Applicants who intend to hold another job during the program period or who are not able to devote a full-time commitment to the program will not be considered.
- Collaboration - Willingness to work as part of an interdisciplinary team to achieve a common goal. While participants may develop sub-components of the joint project that address their individual areas of expertise, the program does not support individual projects for each participant.
What are the benefits for program participants?
- Stipend for 18 months, based on standard NIH post-doctoral stipend rates.
- Health insurance through the Tulane University student insurance program.
- Funding for program-related travel, individualized training experiences, and joint research projects.
- Exciting opportunity to participate in a new, cutting-edge training program for interdisciplinary and cross-cultural research.
*Applicants from disciplines such as engineering will not be required to have a doctoral degree if they have completed the usual terminal degree in their field (e.g., a master's degree for engineering).
