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Scholar Awards

The Career Enhancement Core of the Congenital and Perinatal Infections Consortium (CPIC) invites applications to its Scholars Program. This program welcomes applicants conducting mentored research related to congenital and perinatal infectious diseases. While CPIC Scholar designation does not provide a stipend or funded effort, it does provide access to research and training opportunities of the NIH Rare Diseases Consortium Research Network and allows participants to highlight participation on their CVs. Scholars may request CPIC funds to attend meetings or participate in a mini-sabbatical research experience. The CPIC Scholars Program is open to interested fellows and early-stage faculty.

Each Scholar will take part in a research project overseen by a home institution mentor. In addition, Scholars will participate in a semi-monthly, one-hour CPIC Scholar Circles to discuss career development topics. Scholars are expected to attend CPIC-related meetings at the annual ID Week. Additional training opportunities are also available.

The CPIC Scholars Program is open to interested fellows and early-stage faculty.

  1. Cover page
    • Scholar name and degree(s), institutional email address and phone number
    • Institution and department/division name
    • Current title
    • Gender/ethnicity (used for NIH reporting purposes only)
    • Mentor name
    • Participation requires confirmation from supervisor of effort for the program
  2. Scholar NIH Biosketch (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms/biosketch.htm)
    • The Scholar’s Personal Statement (Part A of Biosketch) should include:
      • A brief description (2-3 sentences) of applicant’s research and career development goal(s)
      • A statement of how participation in the Scholar Program will connect to these goals
      • A description of proposed CPIC-related research
  3. Mentor NIH Biosketch
    • The mentor’s Personal Statement should include how the applicant Scholar will engage in the mentor’s CPIC-related research.
  4. Mentor Letter of Commitment
    • Because each Scholar will engage in a CPIC-related research project, a letter signed by the applicant and the mentor, stating a commitment to regular interaction as a Mentor/Scholar dyad is required and part of the application process.

The CPIC Scholars Program has a rolling application window. To apply, combine all documents into a single pdf (cover page, followed by documents in the order listed) and submit to Melissa McBrayer (mmcbrayer@uabmc.edu), program coordinator.

We invite a senior researcher to join Scholars in facilitated discussions about their career development in academic research. Apart from the (anticipated) in-person meeting during the annual ID Week, meetings will occur via Zoom. The schedule is semi-monthly with dates and times to be determined.

Rare Disease Research Training Program

The Rare Disease Research Training Program is an 8-week curriculum provided over an academic year employing specific tools and methods unique to rare diseases. Based at Children’s National and led by Debra Regier, MD, PhD, visit https://www.rarediseasesnetwork.org/researchers/training to learn more.

Clinical and Translational Science Training Program (CTSTP)*

The CTSTP provides an overview of clinical and translational science and can help prepare participants to conduct clinical and translational research responsibly. The six-month certificate program provides training in clinical and translational research, including about 50 hours of didactic instruction and interactive experiences. Course content represents the following modules: Clinical Trials, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Ethics, Clinical Genetics Research, Behavioral and Outcomes Research, and Dissemination of Results. Visit https://www.uab.edu/ccts/ to learn more.

EdgeforScholars (www.edgeforscholars.org)

An online resource and community for “…candid conversation about life in academics. We strategize about how to do great research, stay productive, network effectively, mentor well and be mentored, negotiate for resources, get grants, refine writing and editing, cultivate leadership skills, and achieve your goals.”

Case Studies in Collaboration and Teamwork*

Interdisciplinary efforts are critical for scientific discovery and translational research efforts. Facilitated by UAB’s Collat School of Business Executive in Residence, the series runs over 8 weeks as a case-based course. Using the NIH’s Collaboration and Team Science Field Guide, participants learn the basics of team science and collaboration and how to navigate the challenges of working in interdisciplinary teams. Pre-recorded lectures supplement readings. Participants meet weekly via Zoom to discuss cases and address questions or specific issues.

Case Studies in Mentoring*

This opportunity is open to investigators at any level, from pre-doctoral students to seasoned faculty members who mentor developing research scientists. Hear from seasoned mentors on how to handle common (and not-so-common) mentoring challenges. Case-based discussions help participants discover new strategies to maximize the benefits of this career-enhancing skill. All sessions are facilitated by experienced UAB mentors. Participants who complete all eight topics in the Case Studies in Mentoring series will receive a certificate documenting Excellence in Mentoring. This series is offered approximately every 10 weeks (about 2 and a half months).

*Center for Clinical and Translational Science, an NCATS-funded (UL1TR003096) CTSA Hub. www.uab.edu/ccts

Download Printable RFA

Key Dates

  • Applications accepted on a rolling basis.

Scholar Award Recipients

2024-2025

  • Ashley Howard, DO; Assistant Prof, Connecticut Children’s (mentor, Ian Michelow, MD) Adam Lee, MD; Pediatric Infectious Diseases Fellow; University of California, Irvine (mentor, Antonio Arrieta, MD)
  • Liliana Arriola Montenegro, MD; Resident PGY-2, University of South Alabama (mentor, Benjamin Estrada, MD)
  • Erica Prochaska, MD; Assistant Prof, John Hopkins University (mentor, Aaron Milstone, MD)
  • Anne Marie Rick, MD; Assistant Prof, Children’s of Pittsburgh (mentor, Judith Martin, MD)
  • Maria Vera Sanchez, MD; Resident, PGY-1; University of South Alabama (mentor, Benjamin Estrada, MD)
  • Diana Villarreal, MD, PhD; Pediatric Infectious Diseases Fellow, PGY-5; Los Angeles General Medical Center (mentor, Jeffrey Klausner, MD)
  • Megan Pesch, MD; Assistant Professor of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at the University of Michigan (mentor, Gail Demmler-Harrison, MD)

2023-2025

  • Monika Dietrich MD, FAAP; Assistant Prof, Tulane University (mentors, Efrem Lim, PhD, John Schieffelin, MD, Jay Kolls, MD, Soren Gantt, MD, PhD)

2022-2024

  • Carol Kao, MD, PhD; Assistant Professor, Washington University in St. Louis (mentor, Gregory Storch, MD)
  • Benjamin Liu, MBBS, PhD; Assistant Professor, Children’s National (mentor, Roberta DeBiasi, MD)
  • Hai Nguyen-Tran, MD; Assistant Professor, University of Colorado School of Medicine (mentor, Kevin Messacar, MD, PhD)
  • Patricia Pichilingue Reto, MD; Assistant Professor, LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport (mentor, John Vanchiere, MD, PhD)

2020-2023

  • Craig J. Bierle, PhD; Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota (mentor, Mark Schleiss, MD)
  • Keerti L. Dantuluri, MD; Assistant Professor, Levine Children’s Hospital (mentor, Amina Ahmed, MD)