MPath Trainees

Past trainees (alphabetical order)

Name	Research Interest	Program Information
Sharon Altmann	"I am interested in investigating the viral factors responsible for determining whether a particular strain of virus is virulent or not. I am also fascinated by the work being done in the Brandt lab on small peptides with antiviral properties."	Advisor: Curtis Brandt Graduate Program: MDTP Department: Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Application Year: 2004-06
Megan Bohse	"The yeast phase specific 3 gene (yps-3) of Histoplasma capsulatum encodes a protein that is expressed only during the pathogenic yeast phase of infection and is both secreted and surface localized. My research focuses on determining the role this protein plays in H. capsulatum virulence and the mechanism of Yps-3p secretion and surface localization."	Advisor: Jon Woods Graduate Program: MDTP Department: MMI Application Year: 2003-04
Carlene Chun	"Upon completion of my doctoral program in Microbiology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, my primary objective is to establish my own company in order to contribute to both the basic host-microbe research community and the healthcare industry. My mission is to increase the understanding of and to develop treatment and diagnosis options for microbial-related human diseases affecting today's society."	Advisor: Margaret McFall-Ngai Graduate Program: MDTP Department: MMI Application Year: 2005-06
Nicole Cooney	"My research experience to date has shown me that studying microbial pathogens and human disease is most interesting and most effective when done with a focus not on the pathogen or on the host, but on the interplay between the two organisms. Completing my graduate studies investigating the interaction of trypanosomes with their human and mouse hosts will allow me to gain the skills necessary to become a successful research scientist."	Advisor: Bruce Klein Graduate Program: MDTP Department: MMI Application Year: 2006-08
Bailey Freeman	"I was attracted to the field of immunology and microbial pathogenesis for several reasons, mainly my fascination with host-pathogen interactions and my desire for my research to be relevant to human health. I am especially intrigued by the unique problems presented by eukaryotic parasites and the clever tactics these organisms use to survive within their host."	Advisor: Donna Paulnock Graduate Program: MDTP Department: MMI Application Year: 2006-07
Holly Hamilton	"Eighty percent of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains contain a 57-kb gonococcal genetic island which encodes many homologues to type IV secretion system genes. My research focuses on elucidating the roles of the gonococcal type IV secretion system in DNA secretion and bacteria-host cell interactions."	Advisor: Joe Dillard Graduate Program: MDTP Department: MMI Application Year: 2003-04
Petra Kohler	"I am interested in how the cellular machineries of pathogens work to cause disease in humans and animals. After I earn my PhD, I plan to look for a position where I can apply my knowledge of molecular genetics while gaining training in understanding the host response to infections. My goal is to be a lead investigator in an aspect of infectious disease research in a government or industry research laboratory or at a research university."	Advisor: Joseph Dillard Graduate Program: MDTP Department: MMI Application Year: 2007-08
Carolyn Lipke	"To further understand the function and regulation of Xenorhabdus nematophila (an insect pathogen) virulence factors."	Advisor: Heidi Goodrich-Blair Graduate Program: MDTP Department: Bacteriology Application Year: 2003-05
Lindsey Moser	"I am interested in the pathogenesis of astrovirus-induced diarrhea. Specifically, I am investigating the effects of astrovirus on intestinal barrier permeability, as well as its effects on cytoskeletal arrangement and intracellular calcium levels."	Advisor: Stacey Schultz-Cherry Graduate Program: MDTP Department: MMI Application Year: 2003-05
Wilmara Salgado-Pabon	"I am extremely interested in infectious diseases and aware of their continuing threat to humankind. After finishing my doctoral training, I am interested in doing research that would provide knowledge on the basic biology of microorganisms and their mechanism(s) of pathogenesis, as well as the role of the immune system in halting or promoting infection and the disease process."	Advisor: Joseph Dillard Graduate Program: MDTP Department: MMI Application Year: 2005-06
Elitza Sevova	"After obtaining my PhD, I hope to remain in research and manage my own lab, be it as a primary investigator at a research university or as a clinical microbiologist in a hospital setting. This indecision stems from my two distinct aspirations - a compulsion to be in the forefront of basic scientific research and a desire to integrate these results into practical applications in the medical field."	Advisor: James Bangs Graduate Program: MDTP Department: MMI Application Year: 2007-08
Rose Szabady	"I've been interested in infectious disease since high school biology, but my experience as a postbaccalaureate research fellow at the National Institutes of Health cemented my interest in microbial pathogenesis. My current research project builds on discoveries made by current and former graduate students in the Welch lab about the pathogenesis of Escherichia coli and applies this knowledge to elucidate pathogenic mechanisms of Vibrio cholerae."	Advisor: Rodney Welch Graduate Program: MDTP Department: MMI Application Year: 2004-06
Joshua Troll	"It is my goal to become a professor at a research university studying the interactions between animals and bacteria. In my opinion, it is critical that we understand what host responses to bacteria are common between pathogenic and mutalistic associations. Understanding the baseline responses to bacterial colonization will be useful in refining our thinking about what constitutes a good target for pharmaceutical or vaccine therapies."	Advisor: Margaret McFall-Ngai Graduate Program: MDTP Department: MMI Application Year: 2006-07
Heidi Vonderheid	"The ultimate goal of our laboratory is to simultaneously better understand the relationship between microbial pathogens and the host's immune responses to them, to more efficiently control the microbe and ultimately prevent infection. I am particularly interested in the host's choice of specific immune tactics in response to pathogens. Upon completion of my doctoral training, I would like to enter the field of vaccine research and development for infectious diseases."	Advisor: Matyas Sandor Graduate Program: MDTP Department: MMI Application Year: 2006-08

Benefits of Trainee Awards

Stipend, fringe benefits, tuition, and fees. Stipend support will be provided at the standard NIH scale. The trainee's advisor is expected to supplement this amount, if necessary, to achieve the standard stipend level for the trainee's graduate program. Standard fringe benefits as well as tuition & segregated student fees will be covered for trainees.
Travel allowance. Up to $750 per year will be provided to each actively supported trainee for attendance at a scientific meeting. These funds may be used toward registration, transportation, housing, meals, and allowed expenses according to standard UW guidelines. Each trainee will be expected to provide information about the meeting and a copy of the abstract for any poster or seminar that s/he presents, if applicable.
Invited speakers. The four actively supported trainees have the opportunity to select and host up to two outside speakers each year. These speakers may be integrated into two existing and topically appropriate seminar series, the MMI 900 Journal Club series or the Bacteriology Colloquium series, pending approval of and coordination with the organizers of those series.

All students in MPath faculty labs, whether or not they apply or are selected for T32 appointment, are enthusiastically invited and encouraged to take advantage of numerous opportunities on campus that are associated with this research field. Examples include the course MMI 900: Journal Club in Microbial Pathogenesis & Host Responses which meets Fridays at noon during the academic year, monthly meetings of the Microbial Pathogenesis & Host Responses Group (MPHRG), and numerous invited seminars by visiting speakers in various series. Student participation by attendance and presentation of literature articles and/or their own research would be a great addition to these events, and would provide the opportunity for them to share their work with others who have similar research interests as well as receive feedback. Unsuccessful applicants are also welcome to reapply for a trainee position in future years pending the availability of such positions; such applications would receive the full attention of the Steering Committee during the selection process.