The NIAID Office of Research Training and Development is celebrating the contributions of our predoctoral fellows (graduate students) during Graduate Student and Professional Student Appreciation Week from Monday, April 5 through Friday, April 9, 2021. Read about the exciting research being conducted by NIAID graduate students and learn about their experiences at NIAID.
Victoria Avanzato, M.D./Ph.D. Candidate
Victoria Avanzato, Graduate Student in the Virus Ecology Unit of the Laboratory of Virology
Credit:NIAID
Graduate Student in the Virus Ecology Unit of the Laboratory of Virology and Emory University/University of Oxford (NIH Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program)
“I enjoy training with a team of skilled scientists and virologists on impactful research projects relevant to current public health events.” – Victoria Avanzato
My research
My project initially focused on studying the antibody response to Nipah virus. I used techniques such as X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy (EM) to characterize the epitopes of neutralizing antibodies and identify sites of vulnerability on the virus surface. I also studied these antibodies in a hamster model to determine if they offered protection from Nipah virus challenge. When the pandemic happened, my research shifted to producing purified SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and optimizing the serology assays in the lab. I also studied a case of long-term infectious SARS-CoV-2 shedding from an asymptomatic immunocompromised patient with cancer with a prolonged infection.
Riccardo Castagnoli, Graduate Student in the Immune Deficiency Genetics Diseases Section of the Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology
Credit:NIAID
Graduate Student in the Immune Deficiency Genetics Diseases Section of the Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology and the University of Pavia, Italy (NIH Graduate Partnerships Program)
“Being at NIH is a unique opportunity to work on translational research that starts from dissecting disease pathogenetic mechanisms to offering the best cure for our patients.” – Riccardo Castagnoli, M.D.
My research
I am a pediatrician with a specific interest in immunology. I am in my last year of my Ph.D. research focused on translational medicine as part of the Graduate Partnership Program (GPP) between NIH and the University of Pavia, Italy. My research focuses on inborn errors of immunity, and I have had the great opportunity of working in the group of Luigi Daniele Notarangelo, M.D., one of the world’s leading experts in the field. My main project aims to characterize gut inflammation and microbiota composition in mouse models with Rag1 hypomorphic mutations, in collaboration with the groups of Yasmine Belkaid, Ph.D. and Julie Segre, Ph.D. Moreover, during the current COVID-19 pandemic, I worked both as clinician and researcher, participating in the NIAID-led worldwide effort to identify the molecular and cellular bases of COVID-19.
Jonathan Liang, Graduate Student in the Signaling Systems Section of the Laboratory of Immune System Biology
Credit:NIAID
Graduate Student in the Signaling Systems Section of the Laboratory of Immune System Biology and the University of Cambridge (NIH Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program)
“I enjoy working in an environment that is rich in expertise in many different areas of research and many useful research methods.” – Jonathan Liang
My research
I study the NLRP3 inflammasome, one of the innate immune system’s many danger sensors. In addition to detecting infections, NLRP3 causes a delayed inflammatory response to the presence of excess lipids, and it has been linked to the progression of several chronic diseases. My research aims to develop a more detailed understanding of the signaling pathways that connect saturated fatty acids to NLRP3 and how they compare to the pathways needed for NLRP3 activation by more acute triggers. Currently, I am focusing on the roles of different inflammatory caspases and reactive oxygen species in lipid-induced NLRP3 activation.
Recipient of the 2021 NIH Graduate Student Research Award in Biochemistry/Immunology/Cell & Molecular Biology
Elizabeth Lake Potter, Ph.D. Candidate
Elizabeth (Lake) Potter, Graduate Student in the ImmunoTechnology Section of the Immunology Laboratory at the NIAID Vaccine Research Center Credit Greg Bowen of Human Being Productions
Credit:Greg Bowen of Human Being Productions
Graduate Student in the ImmunoTechnology Section of the Immunology Laboratory at the NIAID Vaccine Research Center and Johns Hopkins University (NIH Graduate Partnerships Program)
“As a grad student at NIAID, I’ve formed amazing collaborations across the NIH. These collabs have allowed me to broaden my thinking and share my work with a more diverse audience.” – E. Lake Potter
My research
I study leukocyte trafficking—how immune cells move around the body. Leukocyte trafficking is critical to a functional immune response. Trafficking determines cellular location and the environment to which cells are exposed; these factors influence function and ultimately shape the immune response. As a graduate student at NIAID, I’ve developed a technique called serial intravascular staining (SIVS) (see publication listed below) that allows us to label cells in vivo and follow them as they migrate through the body. With SIVS, we can determine how long cells are in circulation, which tissues they migrate to, when migration events occur, and how long cells remain in tissue before exiting and recirculating. We are now using SIVS to evaluate how different conditions—like an active viral infection or receiving a vaccine—change cell trafficking and impact the overall immune response.
Recipient of the 2021 NIH Graduate Student Research Award in Bioinformatics/Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Structural Biology
Adeline Williams, Graduate Student in the Molecular Entomology Unit of the Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research
Credit:NIAID
Graduate Student in the Molecular Entomology Unit of the Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research and Colorado State University (NIH Graduate Partnerships Program)
“I like that my research explores novel strategies to prevent disease, and at NIAID I have gotten to work alongside some of the country’s top scientists in my field to achieve the common goal of impacting public health.” - Adeline Williams, M.P.H.
My research
I study how mosquito antiviral immunity impacts arbovirus transmission. At my home institution of Colorado State and in collaboration with the University of Missouri, we generated transgenic Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that expressed a Zika-virus specific double-stranded RNA, which triggered the mosquito’s endogenous antiviral immune pathway and rendered them largely resistant to Zika. Here at NIAID, I am studying how Aedes aegypti Piwi proteins interact with viral small RNA populations. We are interested in how these interactions impact long-term antiviral immunity and what they reveal about Piwi protein evolution and functional divergence across organisms.
NIAID's important clinical trial work cannot be done without the participation of healthy volunteers! Healthy volunteers are people with no known significant health problems.
Help Make a Difference
As a healthy volunteer you will provide researchers with crucial data because your health information can be used as a comparison. In some studies, researchers need to compare healthy volunteers with people who have a specific disease or condition.
Featured Clinical Studies
A healthy volunteer receives an experimental universal influenza vaccine known as H1ssF_3928 as part of a Phase 1 clinical trial at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Scientists at NIAID’s Vaccine Research Center (VRC) developed the vaccine and are leading the clinical trial. Floreliz Mendoza, nurse specialist and study coordinator at the VRC Clinical Trials Program performs the vaccination as trial principal investigator, Dr. Grace Chen, VRC Clinical Trials Program, observes.
If you are healthy, have some time, and have an interest in helping researchers make discoveries about influenza (the flu), we need you for a screening study.
About 15 million Americans have a food allergy. Because there are no cures or effective prevention or treatment for food allergies, researchers want to learn more about them.
How You Can Volunteer
Click on the button below to see a list of studies seeking healthy volunteers that are listed on the NIAID clinical trials pages. This list is not comprehensive and more studies may be found on clinicaltrials.gov.
Zenovia Wright, VRC Clinical Trial Participant Healthy Volunteer Program
Credit:NIAID
"I connected with the Vaccine Research Center (VRC) to promote HIV vaccine research. Ultimately, I want to do all I can to raise awareness in the community about HIV/AIDS and help those infected with the virus get the support they need. Together, we can stop the spread of this devastating disease."
For years, NIH has referred to such a notice as a funding opportunity announcement (FOA); although in deference to HHS-wide practices, effective immediately, NIH is changing its nomenclature.
Each of the following is a type of NOFO:
Program announcement (PA)
Request for applications (RFA)
PA with set-aside funds (PAS)
PA with special receipt, referral, and/or review considerations (PAR)
Most investigator-initiated applications are submitted through a parent NOFO, which is a generic program announcement that lists the requirements of its activity code (e.g., R01, R21) but not specific scientific priorities.
A notice of special interest (NOSI) is not a type of NOFO. Instead, it is a statement of scientific priorities that encourages investigators to apply using a particular NOFO (typically a parent NOFO) on a topic of concern for the sponsoring institute.
Contact Us
Email us at deaweb@niaid.nih.gov for help navigating NIAID’s grant and contract policies and procedures.
This year’s annual workshop proudly features a scientific image contributed by postdoctoral fellow Sazzad Mahmood, Ph.D., of the Laboratory of Bacteriology at Rocky Mountain Laboratories.
Credit:NIAID
The NIAID 17th Annual Fellows Workshop will return in person to the Natcher Conference Center on the Bethesda campus of NIH on Friday, December 1. The event, which is set to occur on World AIDS Day, will feature a plenary talk by H. Clifford Lane, M.D., NIAID Clinical Director and Deputy Director for Clinical Research and Special Projects. Dr. Lane is a pioneering contributor to HIV/AIDS research, contributing leading work that saved countless lives, turning HIV infection from a terminal diagnosis into a treatable, chronic disease. Set to open the workshop is NIAID’s 2023 Outstanding Mentor Cathryn Haigh, Ph.D., chief of the Prion Cell Biology Unit, Laboratory of Neurological Infections and Immunity, at the Rocky Mountain Laboratories.
A Dynamic Line-up of Fellows Speakers
Hosted virtually for the last several years, the Annual Fellows Workshop returns to the in-person format for the first time since 2019. This year, predoctoral, postdoctoral, research and clinical fellows will present a range of talk types, spanning quick speed pitches all the way to longer-form oral talks. Designed to build on fellows’ communications skills, the Workshop offers an outstanding way for the NIAID community to come together to network and learn about broad areas of science being conducted by NIAID researchers.
The Annual Workshop is open to all NIAID investigators, staff, and fellows and we encourage all to attend! Registration information and a full agenda can be found on the event website.
Note: All fellows are postdoctoral fellows unless noted otherwise.
Invited Speakers:
Dr. Cathryn Haigh (left) is this year’s NIAID Outstanding Mentor; Dr. H. Clifford Lane (right) will give the afternoon plenary talk.
Credit:NIAID
NIAID Outstanding Mentor
Cathryn Haigh, Ph.D., Chief of the Prion Biology Unit, Laboratory of Neurological Infections and Immunity, DIR
Afternoon Plenary
H. Clifford Lane, M.D., NIAID Clinical Director & Deputy Director for Clinical Research and Special Projects
Oral Talks
The fellows who will present oral talks at the NIAID 17th Annual Fellows Workshop are, clockwise from top left, Drs. Jenna M. DeLuca, Sazzad Mahmood, Andrea C. Pichler, and Sarah van Tol.
Credit:NIAID
Jenna M. DeLuca, Ph.D., Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, DIR
Sazzad Mahmood, Ph.D., Laboratory of Bacteriology, RML, DIR
Andrea C. Pichler, Ph.D., Laboratory of Immune System Biology, DIR
Sarah van Tol, Ph.D., Laboratory of Virology, RML, DIR
Concurrent Talks
The fellows who will present concurrent talks at the NIAID 17th Annual Fellows Workshop are, from clockwise left to right, Drs. Alexandria Wells, Kyle L. O’Donnell, Nathânia Dábilla, Eva Iniguez, Chang Huang, Victor Band, Simote T. Foliaki, Andrew Platt, Laura Willen, Allison N. Bucsan, Palak N. Patel, Samantha G. Muccilli, Paige Fletcher, Elisha Segrist, and Rodrigo Matus-Nicodemos.
Credit:NIAID
Alexandria Wells, Ph.D., Laboratory of Host Immunity and Microbiome, DIR
Kyle L. O’Donnell, Ph.D., Laboratory of Virology, RML, DIR
Nathânia Dábilla, M.S., Ph.D., Laboratory of Viral Diseases, DIR
Eva Iniguez, Ph.D., Research Fellow, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, DIR
Chang Huang, Ph.D., Laboratory of Immunogenetics, DIR
Victor Band, Ph.D., Laboratory of Host Immunity and Microbiome, DIR
Simote T. Foliaki, Ph.D., Research Fellow, Laboratory of Neurological Infections and Immunity, RML, DIR
Andrew Platt, M.D., Clinical Fellow, Laboratory of Viral Diseases, Clinical Center, DIR
Laura Willen, Ph.D., Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, DIR
Allison N. Bucsan, Ph.D., Immunology Laboratory, VRC
Palak N. Patel, Ph.D., Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, DIR
Samantha Muccilli, Ph.D., Rocky-Beth Fellow, Laboratory of Neurological Infections and Immunity, RML, DIR
Paige Fletcher, Ph.D., Laboratory of Virology, RML, DIR
Elisha Segrist, Ph.D., Laboratory of Host Immunity and Microbiome, DIR
NIH-funded research helped pave the way for development of Teplizumab, the first FDA-approved therapeutic for delaying type 1 diabetes (T1D) onset in at-risk patients. This delay reduces the potential for severe long-term complications in patients, thereby improving their quality of life.
The University of Chicago Howard Taylor Ricketts Laboratory (HTRL) is one of the NIAID-supported Biocontainment Laboratories. The HTRL is a state of the art BSL-3 facility constructed to support research on bacterial and viral pathogens. The HTRL is registered with the US Select Agent Program and its mission is to carry out cutting-edge translational research on biodefense-related agents as well
Click below for a video in which Camila Odio shares her Employee Testimonial: To view the audio-described version of the video, visit https://youtu.be/8JUIP8jcI88. Learn more about the NIAID Infectious Diseases Clinical Fellowship program.
Last Reviewed: July 1, 2024
Postdoc Spotlight – National Postdoc Appreciation Week 2024
In honor of National Postdoc Appreciation Week 2024, the NIAID Office of Research Training and Development is recognizing NIAID postdocs who enrich the NIAID training community through their outstanding mentorship. The following postdocs were nominated by their postbac mentees for their exemplary mentorship. Read about their research contributions and mentoring philosophies here.
Kyle O’Donnell, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, Immunobiology and Molecular Virology Section, Laboratory of Virology
My research focuses on emerging viruses, particularly filoviruses. I use flow cytometry and immunological assays to characterize immune responses to vaccination and filovirus challenge. My work involves cell culture studies as well as several animal models, ranging from mice to non-human primates, and has two primary areas of focus. The first is characterizing the complete functionality profile of the humoral immune response, including neutralization and Fc effector function analysis. The second is understanding the cellular immune response. I have a particular interest in analyzing early natural killer cell phenotypes and memory T-cell phenotypes.
What Good Mentorship Means to Me
Good mentorship is built on a two-way relationship of trust between the mentor and the mentee. I strive to give my mentees guidance and a framework to succeed, ensuring they have the proper training and skillsets needed to be successful in the lab. I have found that communicating expectations clearly, starting slow, and building up responsibilities sets the mentees up for success as they gain experience in their new research environment. Once the mentee has fully grasped the methodologies associated with their project, I give them the freedom to manage their work schedule and experimental timelines within set expectations. More importantly, I believe it is critical to give mentees the freedom to learn how to best manage expectations, drive their project, and view science from a bench-side perspective. I strongly believe allowing guided freedom cultivates a true passion for science because the mentee develops individual problem-solving strategies or realizes that perhaps another career path may be more suited for them. Regardless, either outcome is an absolutely wonderful achievement.
My Advice to Postdoctoral Mentors
For a successful mentor-mentee relationship, both parties must cultivate trust in one another from the start. Maintaining open communication and meeting often allows the mentor to set clear expectations and the mentee to advocate for what they need for their career development.
Emma Price, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, Molecular Pathology Section, Laboratory of Immunogenetics
My postdoctoral work focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of two key proteins, CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) and CCCTC binding factor-Like (CTCFL), across various biological contexts, including neurodevelopment, spermatogenesis, cancer, and aging. My research primarily involves the development and application of a novel humanized mouse model to investigate the role of Brother of Regulator of Imprinted Sites (BORIS), also known as CTCFL, in its normal cellular environment, specifically in spermatogonia, as well as in abnormal cellular contexts, such as tumorigenesis. The goal of this research is to provide tissue-specific insights that could lead to the development of biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for cancers associated with aberrant BORIS activation.
What Good Mentorship Means to Me
Mentorship has been crucial in my career. Reflecting on my journey, the guidance I received from good mentors profoundly impacted my development as a research scientist, helping me realize my potential and gain the confidence to take the next steps. Personally, I think it starts with truly listening to what your mentees aim to achieve, understanding their goals, and working together to tailor their experiences to meet those goals. Every mentee is unique—some may have well-defined plans, such as pursuing medical school or specializing in a specific research field, while others are still exploring their options and might need more guidance. As a mentor, it is essential to recognize these differences and adapt your approach to effectively support each individual's journey. By acknowledging their individual strengths and areas for growth, you can provide guidance, training opportunities, and tasks that best align with their aspirations.
Successful mentorship also means being approachable and maintaining open lines of communication. It involves being patient and understanding that mentees may sometimes need extra support, whether in relation to their lab work or personal challenges. Creating an environment where mentees feel comfortable discussing their concerns is vital. Being friendly and supportive goes a long way in building the trust necessary for effective mentorship. Furthermore, mentorship in science is not just about providing guidance—it is about fostering growth. This means helping mentees become more knowledgeable and skilled, setting clear expectations, and allowing them the opportunity to take the lead on their tasks. Encouraging independence builds their confidence and prepares them to stand on their own. Ultimately, mentorship is about creating an environment where mentees feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow into capable and confident scientists.
My Advice to Postdoctoral Mentors
Listen to your mentees’ goals, tailor their experiences to support their unique paths, and always be approachable. Good mentorship is about building trust, clear communication, and empowering the next generation of scientists to be skillful, knowledgeable, and confident.
Jordan Chang, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, DNA Tumor Virus Section, Laboratory of Viral Diseases
During a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection, the virus hijacks a wide array of host proteins to aid in its own replication. Within a replication focus, the virus must replicate its DNA genome and transcribe its viral transcripts all while keeping its own viral expression limited to evade the host immune response. However, it is unknown how these various processes are compartmentalized within given foci. My current work focuses on exploring the spatiotemporal organization of viral and host factors within HPV replication foci under the guidance of Alison McBride, Ph.D.
What Good Mentorship Means to Me
To be honest, I never saw myself as a mentor to any of my lab mates or students. I merely offered help when someone approached me with a question or a problem that I have experience with. Perhaps that is my approach to mentorship. A good mentor is different than being a good teacher. While teaching is regimented and deliberate in relaying as much information as possible, effective mentorship is giving the pertinent information needed to address a particular problem. It is not about having all the right answers or showing how much detail you know about a particular topic. Instead, it is about conversing with your mentee as a peer to work through the problem together. The relationship a mentor has with their mentee and how we as mentors interact with them is what defines good mentorship. Successful mentorship uplifts the mentee’s confidence in their own skills and inspires them to want to pursue the topic further. Through my many years of studies, I have had many mentors in my life. I find that I was more motivated and inspired when my mentor and I were speaking like colleagues rather than a teacher talking to a student or trainee. Collegial discussions helped build my confidence as a scientist to ask questions and critically assess data. These interactions truly fostered my critical thinking and research skills; they created a space that allowed me to make mistakes and entertain my ideas without fear.
My Advice to Postdoctoral Mentors
Treat your mentees as peers. Our job as mentors is not to make them feel as though we are a second boss for them to report to, but rather a colleague who they can trust to bring up problems and guide them through the problem-solving process.
Maya Sangesland, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, Molecular Immunoengineering Section, Immunology Laboratory, Vaccine Research Center
My research centers on using vaccines to interrogate basic principles of immunology. For example, we are curious about understanding public B cell immunity, which is an adaptive immune response that is recurrent, highly similar, and shared across many genetically unrelated individuals. Critically, public B cells and antibodies tend to be highly protective against pathogens or groups of pathogens. Thus, understanding their origin and development as well as how to best elicit B cell responses through vaccination is key for not only generating protective immunity but also for developing effective vaccines.
What Good Mentorship Means to Me
I have been very fortunate to have had great mentors throughout my scientific training, from which I have come to understand the importance of mentorship to the overall trainee experience. In graduate school, I was given the advice to “pick the mentor over the scientific research.” As a postdoctoral fellow, there are certain key elements from my previous experiences that I try to incorporate day-to-day while mentoring my trainees. First, I aim to create an overall positive environment where mentees feel comfortable asking questions, exchanging ideas, and are supported no matter their goals. With this in mind, I prioritize being available to answer quick questions or to have longer discussions if needed. Even now, I find my previous mentors are still readily available, even if it is via a quick email. Second, I believe that the mentor-mentee relationship should be one of equals, where junior trainees are respected and treated as future peers and not just a pair of hands. They are active contributors that help drive the project forward. From my experience, having the respect of my mentors allowed me to develop a sense of ownership and excitement for science, which is something I hope to instill now in my trainees. At the end of the day, I hope to show that it is possible to have fun while doing good science.
My Advice to Postdoctoral Mentors
Every trainee has different needs, and as a postdoc, it is important to start where they are and understand what they need to succeed.
Morgan Brisse, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, Viral Immunity and Pathogenesis Unit, Laboratory of Viral Diseases
My research in the Viral Immunity and Pathogenesis Unit led by Heather Hickman, Ph.D., focuses on how several aspects of the host immune system uniquely contribute to antiviral responses. Key areas include the contribution of the lymphatic system towards regulating antibody circulation, the behavior of monocytes recruited to sites of skin infection, and the interplay between viral infection and vascular permeability. We aim to guide our research using the increasing specificity against cellular, viral, and anatomical targets that has become available for modern medical treatment.
What Good Mentorship Means to Me
Like any other mentor, I seek to emulate mentors that have made a positive difference in my scientific career. Many of my most memorable and positive mentorship experiences are of the people who shared their own struggles from their times as early scientists. Laboratory research requires a lot of time, knowledge, and skill development to start generating any interpretable results, and there are many points during one’s start in science where a person can get derailed if not properly supported and encouraged. We all pass down scientific knowledge and our troubleshooting techniques, but we also gain something from sharing more generalized experiences of becoming a scientist. Sharing generalized scientific experiences helps equalize us as a team of people who have faced similar challenges and allows us to share celebrations in our successes. We also can see how much we all grow as scientists when we are on the same team, which I think is perhaps the most satisfying part of mentorship.
My Advice to Postdoctoral Mentors
Mentorship is an investment of your current efforts into your future performance. While it requires time and patience up front, you will be rewarded with a cohesive team that learns from each other and delivers quality science.
My research focuses on lung alveolar epithelial damage and repair following infection with respiratory viruses that cause severe disease. We have established human lung organoid models to study the comparative pathogenesis of multiple respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, Nipah virus, and H5N1 influenza A virus in human alveolar epithelium. Going forward, we are developing novel human lung organoid-based models to include additional relevant cell types and to facilitate studies of alveolar differentiation and tissue repair. This work will help us identify new host-targeted therapeutic strategies to treat severe lower respiratory tract infections.
What Good Mentorship Means to Me
Mentoring trainees is one of the most rewarding parts of science and has really contributed to my scientific development over the years. Supportive and engaged mentors opened the door for my scientific career, and I aim to provide the same level of support for my mentees to help them accomplish their goals. I have had the opportunity to mentor three postbaccalaureate fellows while at NIH. I have learned a lot from each of them and I am very proud of their scientific and professional development. To me, good mentorship involves understanding your mentee’s individual goals and learning styles as well as tailoring your mentorship to meet their needs. Leading by example and honestly discussing mistakes when you make them helps to create an open and constructive environment where mentees can learn and ask questions without judgement. Making yourself approachable, and encouraging other lab members to do the same, helps new and junior trainees feel comfortable participating in group discussions. This first step can be something simple, like connecting with them over a shared hobby or interest. Lastly, the most important (and most rewarding) aspect of mentorship from my perspective is helping trainees develop into independent scientists. Promoting scientific curiosity through discussion and helping them follow up experimentally on their ideas is important. Trainees bring fresh perspectives and ideas that can challenge the status quo, and it is exciting to see them take research in unexpected directions.
My Advice to Postdoctoral Mentors
Great mentors lead by example. Discovering your mentee’s learning style and fostering a supportive environment with open and honest communication will help you and your mentee become a successful team.
Samantha Crane, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, Bacterial Physiology and Metabolism Unit, Laboratory of Bacteriology
My research in the Bacterial Physiology and Metabolism Unit is focused on understanding the significance of peptide acquisition systems in the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, and the relapsing fever spirochete, Borrelia hermsii, during their enzootic cycle. As these pathogens are transmitted via hard or soft tick vectors, my research uses tick and murine models as well as in vitro approaches. My research background has focused on host-pathogen interactions and host responses, so I try to integrate these topics into my current work, which is primarily focused on bacteriology and molecular biology techniques.
What Good Mentorship Means to Me
Good mentorship exists inside and outside of the laboratory. In the beginning of a mentor-mentee relationship in the lab, I aim to assist without being overbearing to develop a mentee’s confidence and independence. I typically ask a mentee how comfortable they are with a technique and decide from there how involved I need to be in instructing. I usually start by modeling how a technique or experiment is done and then check in with the trainee throughout these processes. Over time, comfort and independence develop. Good mentorship also includes helping mentees understand why they are doing the work they do. I try to explain the big picture of a project frequently to contextualize smaller experiments that fit into the big picture and the main research question. I also strive to take a mentoring approach that emphasizes a growth mindset. It is particularly important for early career mentees who are developing resilience strategies to understand that failures and unexpected outcomes are important for growth and development. Failures and unexpected outcomes happen to everyone, and each opportunity is a chance to learn and grow.
Outside of the lab, effective mentorship means helping mentees achieve their goals. While it is easier for me if a trainee wants to follow my direct career path, it is unrealistic to expect or prepare for only this. I check in with my mentees to see what they are interested in and offer them advice or resources that align with their interests to nurture them. At conferences, I point out sessions and talks that would interest them and introduce them to people I know in order to help with networking. I aim to pay forward good mentorship shown to me in my career by helping mentees get farther than I have gotten in my career.
My Advice to Postdoctoral Mentors
The list of things to do is never-ending and there’s limited time to finish them. However, patience, empathy, and communication with mentees is critical. Self-care is also crucial for good mentorship. Mentors need to take care of themselves to effectively guide their mentees.
My research work focuses on the role of host E3 ubiquitin ligases in the defense against disease-causing pathogens, with a special interest in Toxoplasma gondii and SARS-CoV-2 infection. During infection, pathogens alter cellular pathways in their host cell to maintain their biological niche. Identification of such pathways and the mechanisms involved during these processes are another aspect of my postdoctoral research. In general, our study will provide deeper insight into how the pathogen uses the host’s cellular network for their development and how the host counters and restricts the pathogen’s growth.
What Good Mentorship Means to Me
Successful mentorship is more than just giving advice; it entails developing a supportive, trust-based relationship in which the mentor actively listens, offers constructive feedback, and assists the mentee in setting and achieving meaningful goals. It requires empathy, patience, and a genuine interest in the mentee's development, as well as a commitment to providing knowledge and sharing experiences that can assist with problem solving. Finally, it is about encouraging the mentee to build their own talents and confidence while nurturing a pleasant, progressive atmosphere.
My Advice to Postdoctoral Mentors
I believe that good mentoring begins with attentively listening to your mentee to understand their objectives and obstacles. Collaborate to establish specific, attainable goals, and give constructive and supportive feedback. Sharing your experiences and lessons learnt might provide helpful insights. Encourage your mentee to take the initiative and make individual decisions while staying accessible for advice. Be patient and adaptive, knowing that progress takes time, and that each mentee is unique.
Process to ensure financial disclosure forms/statements are completed by investigators for Division of AIDS (DAIDS)-sponsored clinical research studies.
The Tufts New England Regional Biosafety Laboratory (RBL) is one of the NIAID-supported Regional Biocontainment Laboratories. The RBL is available to researchers in industry, academia, government and not-for-profit, dedicated to the study of existing and emerging infectious diseases. More information about this resource is available at Tufts University Main Areas of Focus To study existing and
Strategies for an HIV Cure is a programmatic meeting to review research progress by awardees funded through the NIH Martin Delaney Collaboratories (MDCs) for HIV Cure Research program, foster communication and collaboration between the ten MDCs, and to collect feedback from representatives from each individual MDC Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) and Community Advisory Board (CAB).
By Nicole Haderlein, Summer Intern, Malaria Infection Biology and Immunity Unit, Laboratory of Immunogenetics (LIG)
Applying for funding is a great way to distinguish yourself on your CV in addition to adding a competitive edge to a Ph.D. application. Grant writing is also an important skill to develop as a scientist as it is one that will serve you throughout your career. If you are applying to a Ph.D. program, it may be important to consider applying for a grant. 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 NIAID postbacs to the grant application process. NIAID summer intern Nicole Haderlein reflects on the workshop and the practical advice shared by Dr. West.
While at the NIH, trainees have numerous resources to help them prepare grant applications for graduate school. NIAID postbacs can use the NIAID Fellows Training SharePoint page for a list of funding opportunities, neatly organized in an Excel spreadsheet. In addition, the NIH has an institutional license for the Grant Forward database, where you can search for grants related to your specific research area of interest or education goals. For feedback, NIAID postbacs can utilize one-on-one meetings with Dr. West as well as submit a draft of their grant applications to the NIH Fellows Editorial Board for review.
After attending this workshop, and having a conversation with Dr. West, I decided that applying to the Department of Defense SMART scholarship was the best option for me. I am interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in biostatistics after I complete my MPH in epidemiology at Brown University. Most biostatistics programs are in a university’s school of public health or medical school. I learned in this workshop that grant funding from the National Science Foundation is not applicable to a school of public health. This summer, I plan to draft my grant application, meet with Dr. West to review the outline and first draft, and submit a draft to the NIH Fellows Editorial Board. If you are considering applying to a Ph.D. program, I would highly recommend that you watch the recording of this informative workshop.
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 included:
Sila Ataca, Ph.D., M.S., Molecular Immunoengineering Unit, Vaccine Research Center (VRC)
Victor Band, Ph.D., Metaorganism Immunity Section, Laboratory of Host Immunity and Microbiome (LHIM)
Johannes Doehl, Ph.D., Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research (LMVR)
From undergraduate education and graduate school training to their roles as NIH scientists, panelists described the challenges and joys of learning how to conduct scientific research.
Here is a bit of advice shared by each of the three panelists
Making a memorable impression on a principal investigator can be a difficult part of the application process. However, Dr. Doehl emphasized the importance of trying to do so. He shared his own experience with the task and explained that the easiest way for him to stand out from the crowd was by always engaging in discussions and asking questions, whether in a class, after a seminar, or while attending a conference. This, Dr. Doehl said, is an opportunity to convey your curiosity and interest in a principal investigator’s research.
Dr. Ataca, who began her postdoctoral training during the COVID-19 pandemic, conveyed the necessity of acquiring the technical skills required for students interested in a research career. She stated a fluency in statistics is one such skill and explained that it should be honed by aspiring scientists as it is necessary to properly analyze data and avoid drawing the wrong conclusions.
Dr. Band compared working in a government institution to the experience of working in academia. He talked about some of the advantages of government employment, including the vast number of resources available to him while working at the NIH. Dr. Band also explained that working at the NIH allows him to dedicate his time to focus solely on research and not on teaching responsibilities, which is uncommon in a university research lab setting.
NIAID summer interns and postbacs interested in exploring different career opportunities can schedule a meeting with the NIAID postbac program coordinator, Jennifer West, Ph.D.
By Leanne Low, Ph.D., Visiting Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research
Julia Port, Ph.D.
Credit:NIAID
The “Rising Research” series aims to elevate the research conducted by NIAID intramural research fellows by featuring their work and stepping behind the bench to get to know the early-stage scientists who drive this work. The second article in the series summarizes the recent Nature Communications research paper by NIAID postdoc, Julia Port, Ph.D.
Julia Port, Ph.D., is a visiting postdoctoral fellow in the Laboratory of Virology at Rocky Mountain Laboratories. Her preliminary work was presented at the NIAID 14th Annual Fellows Virtual Workshop, earning her the award for best oral talk. This work has now culminated into her recent publication in Nature Communications, which contributes to our understanding of how different routes of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 results in different manifestations of the disease.
“One of the things I really value about NIH is that it allows risk taking and really facilitates you to become independent, to think creatively, and to just move forward,” commented Julia, “I have greatly enjoyed the collaborative environment here at RML and the technical and methodological opportunities provided here.” — Julia Port, Ph.D.
With the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, the scientific community has scrambled to discern as much as they can about its causative agent, SARS-CoV-2. For Julia Port, Ph.D., joining NIAID as a visiting postdoctoral fellow from Germany in February 2020 was not as she imagined, as she became one of many researchers to switch gears from their field of study to focus on mission-critical work.
A tropical hemorrhagic fever virus virologist, Julia was set on doing a postdoc that would allow her to focus on comparing bat and human immune responses to severe, highly infectious viruses. “I met Vincent Munster at the European Virology Congress in 2019, and we found that we had really overlapping interests in that regard,” says Julia. A month after arriving at the Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) in Hamilton, Montana, Julia found herself diving into coronavirus-related work. “I came with high-containment lab experience, so at least I was able to quickly pivot and be of help in other projects, as well as run my own experiments,” stated Julia.
The outcome of her efforts comes in the form of a recent Nature Communications paper, wherein Julia and her colleagues outline their findings on how exposure to the virus via different routes affects manifestation of disease and its severity.
To shed light on this matter, Julia used the well-established Syrian hamster model to study three routes of exposure: intranasal, which entails direct administration of the virus into the nasal cavity and is typically used in scientific studies; fomite, from contaminated surfaces of objects/materials; and aerosol, through small liquid or solid particles suspended in air. “Aerosol exposure, because it deposits the virus probably more efficiently in the lower respiratory tract, leads to more early and severe disease,” said Julia. In contrast, fomite exposure led to mild disease. Julia speculated that “this is because the initial immune response starts in the upper respiratory tract, leading to a functionally controlled clearance of the virus before you really have lung pathology.” Release of the virus from host to the environment, or “viral shedding,” was also observed to differ between aerosol and fomite routes, with the former leading to early shedding and, consequently, increased disease severity.
Julia also described the future for transmission studies that use a novel system the team developed. They found that while transmission by fomite was possible, it was far less efficient than aerosol transmission. “The strength of airborne transmission is really highlighted when there is a directional airflow. You can break that transmission…by redirecting the airflow,” said Julia. These preliminary transmission studies pave the way for aerosol transmission experiments that can characterize transmission over distances. “We designed a better system to characterize and modulate the droplets that travel between animals…this is a novel system that hasn’t been demonstrated before.”
Next, Julia hopes to investigate novel variants, particularly the Delta variant, to determine how and why transmission is occurring more easily.
While Julia acknowledges the difficulty of the past year of having to adjust to life during a pandemic, she expressed that the supportive and motivating nature of her work environment was pleasant. “One of the things I really value about NIH is that it allows risk taking and really facilitates you to become independent, to think creatively, and to just move forward,” commented Julia, “I have greatly enjoyed the collaborative environment here at RML and the technical and methodological opportunities provided here.”
She’d like to tell trainees who may be onboarding during the pandemic, “We’re not just doing science for the sake of science, we’re doing it for the sake of public health. I think that’s very important to keep in mind, especially if you work on COVID-19…but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the science you’re doing. I found a way to combine something I’m interested in with what the lab is also interested in, and which is currently really relevant, and that is incredibly motivating and has made me more productive and energized.”
See J Port et al. SARS-CoV-2 disease severity and transmission efficiency is increased for airborne compared to fomite exposure in Syrian hamsters. Nature Communications (2021), DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25156-8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34404778/.
NIAID-funded basic and clinical studies helped establish the fundamental knowledge necessary for the private sector to develop protein vaccines. These vaccines are safe and effective at preventing severe RSV in some target populations.
This NIH template Manual of Operations for Research Awards for foreign research institutions can be used as a starting point to document your processes.
The DAIDS Protocol Registration Team (PRT) establishes internal procedures and processes for the DAIDS RSC Protocol Registration Office (PRO). DAIDS PRO receives and processes all protocol registration materials submitted by Clinical Research Sites (CRSs) participating in DAIDS-supported and/or -sponsored clinical trials. The DAIDS protocol registration process verifies that sites have received
Last Reviewed: November 12, 2020
In Case You Missed It — NIAID Alums Return for Science and Health Policy Alumni Panel
Federica La Russa, Ph.D., former postdoc in the Lymphocyte Biology Section of the Laboratory of Immune System Biology. Trisha Tucholski, Ph.D., former postdoc in the Functional Cellular Networks Section of the Laboratory of Immune System Biology.
Credit:NIAID
By Megan Bohn, Ph.D.
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 have now moved on to careers that were bolstered by their leadership experiences with the policy group.
“The greatest thing I learned from SPDG is that clearly communicating science is not only essential to support research but also, if not more, to nurture crucial changes in our society as a whole. This helped me to realize that I wanted to be part of that change, contributing to delivering relevant information to people outside of academia, may they be the general public or policymakers,” says Dr. La Russa, now a health communications scientist with a digital media brand in Italy. Dr. Tucholski, an Associate Program Officer with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, also adds that “through the planning of SPDG seminars and panels, I was exposed to the full spectrum of different careers in science policy, which helped me refine my interests and goals. Not to mention, I made key connections through SPDG, and most importantly, a support system and friends I'll carry with me throughout my career!”
About the Science Policy Discussion Group SPDG
The SPDG was first formed by NIH postdoctoral fellows in 2009 as a self-managed group of early-career scientists who wanted to explore science policy and develop their skills. Their blog, “Science Policy For All,” has been running for over a decade and provides many articles that break down a vast array of scientific ideas ranging from antibiotic resistance to stem cell technology and beyond. These blog posts also provide another key opportunity for SPDG fellows: the chance to demonstrate their writing abilities to potential employers, as all panelists at the summer event noted that this had aided their job searches and applications.
To learn more about SPDG or to speak with Drs. Tucholski and La Russa, please send an inquiry to NIAIDTraining@nih.gov.
Learn more about post-doctoral training opportunities at NIAID.
The University of Pittsburgh Regional Biocontainment Laboratory is one of the NIAID-supported Biocontainment Laboratories. The Lab is a unique facility designed to support the research community and national biodefense network by providing state-of-the-art Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) and Animal Biosafety Level 3 (ABSL-3) laboratories, including dedicated facilities for aerobiology, imaging, and
The Rutgers University Regional Biocontainment Laboratory is one of the NIAID-supported Biocontainment Laboratories. The RBL is a highly secure facility designed to provide an ultra-safe work environment for scientists and support staff, as well as the public at large. More information about this resource is available at Rutgers University Regional Biocontainment Lab Main Areas of Focus To advance
The Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (DMID) supports extramural basic through applied research to control and prevent diseases caused by virtually all human infectious agents except HIV. DMID support for product development is provided in a variety of ways.
Last Reviewed: August 28, 2024
Postdoc Fellow Ashira Lubkin, M.D., Ph.D., Wins PRAT Award
Ashira Lubkin, M.D., Ph.D., postdoc in the Fungal Pathogenesis Section of the Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology
Credit:NIAID
By Megan Bohn, Ph.D.
Ashira Lubkin, M.D., Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in the Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, has been awarded a competitive NIGMS Postdoctoral Research Associate Training (PRAT) award. Dr. Lubkin is mentored by Fungal Pathogenesis Section Chief, Michail Lionakis, M.D., Sc.D., and studies fungal pathogenesis, primarily focusing on immune pathways that lead to susceptibility in mucosal candidiasis in genetically immunodeficient individuals. The PRAT program is a three-year competitive fellowship for NIH intramural fellows that also provides professional development opportunities designed to build leadership skills for trainees as they pursue biomedical careers. Below, Dr. Lubkin shares some highlights and tips about the PRAT application process.
What’s your main research question and how does it relate to the NIAID mission?
I study the fungal pathogen Candida albicans in oral infection. I want to understand how immune derangements in patients interact with virulence regulation in the fungus to cause disease. This basic research furthers the NIAID goal of better understanding infectious/ immunologic disease and has the potential to unlock new therapeutic options for patients with chronic oral candidiasis.
How do you think the PRAT award will help your career?
I am excited to join the PRAT community! Networking at NIH can feel overwhelming since it’s such a big place, having a community like this helps to make it easier to talk with people you wouldn’t otherwise meet. I look forward to the scientific and career seminars and the opportunities to engage with this diverse group.
Any tips for fellows who are considering writing a PRAT application?
You don’t need to do this alone. I got help from the NIAID Office of Research Training & Development, as well as from current PRAT fellows. Send me an email if you have any questions!
How do you maintain work/life balance?
As a postdoc parent, work/life balance is really critical. I find that I need to take time periodically to assess my work/life balance, what my goals are in both spheres, and recalibrate my activities to match my goals. It’s ok to get out of balance sometimes as long as you can recognize it and reset.
Interested in applying to the PRAT Program?
The NIGMS PRAT program will open its next cycle of applications in early September with applications due on October 3, 2023. More information about eligibility and the suggested application timeline can be found on the PRAT Program webpage.
