Other Training Programs at UW-Madison

There are five other training programs on campus with which some of our trainers are affiliated. Each has a mission and training objectives clearly distinct from the MPath Training Program, as indicated by their descriptions below. Our program is specifically focused on microbial pathogenesis and host responses. Cases of overlap may arise when a student is awarded a traineeship in more than one program, such as with the Molecular Biosciences Training Grant or the Biotechnology Training Program for a trainee studying molecular pathogenesis, the Cellular & Molecular Parasitology Training Program for a trainee studying pathogenesis of a protozoan, or the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) for an MD/Ph.D. student. In such an instance, the student will be offered the choice of program affiliation or could receive sequential funding, particularly in the case of MSTP trainees. Students in trainer labs who are not funded by the training grant due to other funding or to completion of three funded years will be encouraged to participate in all aspects of the training program and follow program guidelines as an unfunded trainee.

Training Programs

• Biotechnology: “The objective of this program is to educate a new cadre of scientists and engineers whose training and experience cross traditional disciplinary boundaries. Trainees receive Ph.D. degrees in their chosen field, such as bacteriology, chemistry, pharmacy, molecular biology or computer science. Students minor in a cross discipline, for instance a chemical engineer would take classes in biology, and vice versa.”
• Cellular & Molecular Parasitology: “This program offers a variety of course and seminar offerings in advanced parasitology, and exciting opportunities for research training in immunoparasitology, molecular parasitology, vector biology, parasite biochemistry neurobiology and physiology.”
• Environmental Toxicology: “The Center has an Environmental Toxicology Training Grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) which provides support for some predoctoral students whose career goals are directed toward health-related toxicology. Trainees choose the biochemical and genetic toxicology, immunotoxicology, or neurotoxicology focal area and have as a major professor one of the faculty trainers named in the grant.”
• Medical Scientist Training Program: “Our goal is to combine high quality medical training with a rigorous PhD thesis in a departmentally based or cross-campus graduate program. We are uniquely positioned to do this. Our Medical School is an integral part of a world-class research university that is strongly oriented towards graduate education.”
• Molecular Biosciences: “The goal of the MBTG program is to enhance the training opportunities available to graduate students in our strong Ph.D. programs in the cellular, biochemical and molecular sciences at UW-Madison.”