Research Training News offers readers an insight into the intramural research training experience and the possibilities this experience can open. Learn about NIAID trainees’ research, their goals, achievements, inspirational moments, and more.
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Alumni Connections — Impact of NIH Postbac Program on My HIV Global Health Research Journey
December 4, 2023
The “Alumni Connections” series highlights NIAID fellows who have taken the next step on their academic path. This interview features a former NIAID postbac who transitioned to an M.D. program in 2020. Read this interview with Samuel Owusu to learn about his experience as a postbac in the Viral Pathogenesis Section of the Laboratory of Immunoregulation and how his time at NIH prepared him to pursue an M.D. at Morehouse School of Medicine.

Alumni Connections — Blending Public Health With Pathogen Genetics
November 7, 2023
The “Alumni Connections” series highlights NIAID fellows who have taken the next step on their academic path. This interview features a former NIAID postbac who transitioned to a Ph.D. program in 2021. Read this interview with Emma Rowley to learn about her experience as a postbac in the Malaria Cell Biology Section of the Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research and how she made her decision to pursue a Ph.D. in the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Epidemiology and Human Genetics program.

Speakers Announced for the NIAID 17th Annual Fellows Workshop
November 1, 2023
The NIAID 17th Annual Fellows Workshop will return to an in-person format on December 1 for the first time since 2019. This year, predoctoral, postdoctoral, and clinical fellows will present a range of talk types, spanning quick speed pitches all the way to longer-form oral talks. The agenda will also feature work from the NIAID Outstanding Mentor awardee and a trailblazer in HIV/AIDS research.

In Case You Missed It — NIAID Alums Return for Science and Health Policy Alumni Panel
September 29, 2023
Over the summer, two postdoc alumni of NIAID’s Laboratory of Immune System Biology returned to NIH (virtually) to share how NIH career development resources shaped their careers. Federica La Russa, Ph.D., and Trisha Tucholski, Ph.D., served as speakers on the Science and Health Policy Alumni Panel organized by the NIH Science Policy Discussion Group (SPDG). Both former co-chairs of the SPDG, Drs. La Russa and Tucholski reflect on how their current careers were positively impacted by their leadership experiences with the policy group.

Postbac Spotlight – Meet the INRO 2023 Cohort
September 29, 2023
Introducing the 2023 Intramural NIAID Research Opportunities (INRO) fellows who began their postbac training in June 2023. INRO is an initiative to promote biomedical research training in populations underrepresented in the biomedical sciences and those dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion. Read about the unique experiences that led the 2023 cohort to pursue postbac research training at NIAID.

In Case You Missed It—NIAID Core Facilities Career Panel
September 5, 2023
Curious about the job opportunities available at the NIH? The NIAID Office of Research Training and Development recently hosted a career panel for summer interns and postbacs featuring NIAID staff from Rocky Mountain Laboratories, the NIH Library, the Research Technologies Branch, and the Visual and Medical Arts Unit. Postbac Taylor McGee recaps the insights and career advice shared by the panelists.

Postdoc Fellow Ashira Lubkin, M.D., Ph.D., Wins PRAT Award
September 5, 2023
NIAID postdoc Ashira Lubkin, M.D., Ph.D., recently won a NIGMS Postdoctoral Research Associate Training (PRAT) award. The PRAT program is a three-year competitive fellowship that prepares NIH intramural fellows for leadership positions in biomedical careers by providing them with mentorship and professional development opportunities. In this interview, Dr. Lubkin discusses her research and shares tips for successfully navigating the PRAT application process.

In Case You Missed It—Postdoc Career Panel
July 31, 2023
By Steve Grugan, Postbac in the Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research (LMVR) As part of the NIAID Summer Career Panels series, the NIAID Office of Research Training and Development recently hosted a Postdoc Career Panel where three NIAID postdoctoral fellows shared their experiences and what they have learned while navigating a career in science. Panelists

In Case You Missed It—Applying for Graduate Research Fellowships
July 3, 2023
The NIAID Office of Research Training and Development recently hosted a Grant Writing Skill Blitz led by Jennifer West, Ph.D., NIAID Postbac/Summer Intern Program Coordinator, to introduce postbacs to the grant application process and the benefits of honing this skill early. NIAID summer intern Nicole Haderlein reflects on the practical resources and helpful advice shared by Dr. West.

NIAID Fellows Have New Representatives to FelCom
July 3, 2023
NIAID fellows now have two new representatives to the NIH Fellows Committee, better known as FelCom. Read on to learn more about NIAID’s new FelCom reps, Vaccine Research Center postdoc Sila Ataca and Rocky Mountain Laboratories postdoc Arthur Wickenhagen, Ph.D., and the experiences that led them to their new roles.

NIAID Postbac Hailey Johnson to Represent NIAID at 2023 NIH Three-minute Talk Competition
June 5, 2023
NIAID postbac Hailey Johnson will represent NIAID at the 2023 NIH Three-minute Talk (TmT) Competition on June 22, 2023. She received the highest marks during NIAID's TmT competition last month for her talk titled, “Identification of Brugia malayi microRNAs Involved in Wolbachia-Host Symbiosis.” The NIH Three-minute Talk Competition occurs annually as part of an effort to improve efficient scientific communication while also showcasing the amazing research carried out by fellows across the NIH.

In Case You Missed It – Amplifying Science in an Era of Misinformation
May 1, 2023
On April 6, 2023, NIH postbac fellows participated in a seminar and discussion session led by Monica L. Wang, ScD, MS, a nationally recognized award-winning researcher and educator on health equity and science communication. Postbac Joanne Hunt recaps the insights shared about the rise and spread of scientific misinformation and actionable steps scientists can take to address this.

Achieving Success Through Mentorship
April 28, 2023
The postbac training experience is an important time for young scientists to develop the skills necessary for success in their future careers while contributing to NIAID mission research. A supportive mentor can help a postbac make the most of their fellowship as they navigate significant career decisions. Read reflections from postbac fellows on how being mentored by NIAID postdocs enhanced their training experience.
Four Tips to Design a Better Presentation
April 3, 2023
With the 2023 NIAID Three-minute Talk (TmT) Competition and NIH Postbac Poster Day just around the corner, now is a great time to examine your skills as a presenter and strengthen any areas that need improvement. Check out these strategies for designing great presentations that are memorable and engaging.

Postbac Spotlight - The Path to Pandemic Prevention Runs through the Gut
March 3, 2023
Jade Riopelle is a postbac researching infectious diseases with pandemic potential in the Virus Ecology Section of the Laboratory of Virology at NIAID’s Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML). She shares how her experience living and working in Hamilton, Montana has prepared her for the next phase of her career journey.

Four Alternative Approaches to Expand Your Network
February 28, 2023
Networking is a topic that often causes anxiety for many. But this doesn’t have to be the case. Postdocs Sharmina Deloer and Idalia Yabe share helpful strategies for growing your professional network and opening yourself up to unexpected career opportunities.

Postbac Spotlight - The Wild Ride of Becoming a Virologist
February 6, 2023
Guillermo L. Raimundi Rodríguez is a postbac in the Viral Epidemiology and Immunology Unit (VEIU) of the Laboratory of Infectious Diseases (LID), where he works under the supervision of Leah Katzelnick, Ph.D., MPH. Read about Guillermo’s transformative journey to becoming a virologist.
In Case You Missed It – The Case for Clear Writing
January 31, 2023
Effective writing is an important skill that will benefit a scientist throughout every stage of their career. Postdoctoral fellow Sivarchana Boada, Ph.D., highlights the key components of successful academic and professional writing from January’s three-part skill blitz series.

In Case You Missed It—The NIAID 16th Annual Workshop Shines a Light on Fellows’ Work
December 7, 2022
The NIAID 16th Annual Fellows Workshop is officially in the record books, honoring the NIAID 2022 Outstanding Mentor, hosting talks from leaders in the fields of cancer immunology and scientific journalism, and providing a platform for 81 NIAID fellows to present their research in oral presentations and short talks. In this article, we provide a brief recap of the event organization, the speakers, and the winners for best talks.

Alumni Connections—Unplanned Moments In Research
December 5, 2022
The "Alumni Connections" series highlights NIAID fellows who have taken the next step on their academic path. Read this interview with Samuel Chauvin to learn about his experience as a postbac in the Molecular Development of the Immune System Section of the Laboratory of Immune System Biology and how he made his decision to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. in the University of Pennsylvania's Immunology Program.

Postbac Spotlight – Meet the INRO 2022 Cohort
October 31, 2022
Introducing the 2022 Intramural NIAID Research Opportunities (INRO) fellows who began their postbac training in June 2022. INRO is an initiative to promote biomedical research training in populations underrepresented in the biomedical sciences and those dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion. Read about the unique experiences that led the 2022 cohort to pursue postbac research training at NIAID.

As NIAID Concludes its 2022 Grant Course, a Few Thoughts
October 31, 2022
NIAID fellows recently completed the 2022 NIAID Grant Writing Training and Mentoring Program, offered by the NIAID Office of Research Training and Development (ORTD). This course, which ran from March to September, was presented by experienced grant writers and reviewers. More than simple passive instruction, the course digs deep into the grant writing skill set, empowering participants to receive mentoring and guidance as they write real grants and fellowship applications. In this article, we share a few underlying tips that guide our philosophy on grant writing training.

Ten Tips To Make the Most of Your Postdoc Training
October 3, 2022
Zarna Pala, Ph.D., is a visiting fellow in the final days of her postdoc time in the Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research. As she gets ready to depart for an exciting next step in her career, Dr. Pala looks back with a reflective article about her top 10 pieces of advice for succeeding in your postdoc.

Alumni Connections – Virology Research From Postbac to Graduate School
October 3, 2022
The "Alumni Connections" series highlights NIAID fellows who have taken the next step on their academic path. This interview focuses on a former NIAID postbac who transitioned to a graduate program in 2021. Ms. Jessica Chen was a postbac in the RNA Viruses Section in the Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Harvard Medical School. Read this interview with Jessica to learn about her journey from NIAID to graduate school.

In Case You Missed It – 2022 Postdoc Spotlight Series
September 2, 2022
The NIAID Postdoc Spotlight Series was held virtually in 2022 to provide NIAID postbacs with the opportunity to learn about the outstanding research conducted by NIAID Postdocs. The postdocs selected for these talks come from various research areas with the aim of highlighting the scope of NIAID research. This summer's speakers included Ai Ing Lim, PhD., Sila Ataca, Ph.D., Kyle O'Donnell, Ph.D., and Guney Boso, Ph.D.