Overall goals of the Training Program

The Basic Microbiology and Infectious Disease (BMID) Training Program at the University of Florida (UF) supports six predoctoral Fellows with the aim of producing independent investigators capable of sustaining productive research programs studying the molecular mechanisms of infectious disease. This program was established in 1978 and has just entered its 42nd year at UF. It has been responsible for training over a hundred predoctoral students since its inception. Our Fellows join our program faculty chosen for their outstanding research and training records in a wide variety of perspectives on infectious disease. The program provides activities that bring together basic science and clinical perspectives as well as providing innovative career development opportunities to better prepare our Fellows to learn, research, and lead.

The importance of infectious disease research

The HIV/AIDS epidemic, the resurgence of tuberculosis, the growing problem of antibiotic resistance, and the global emergence of novel pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 all attest to the fact that infectious disease is a continually evolving concern affecting an increasingly dynamic population worldwide. Constant vigilance in the form of fresh, well-trained researchers is crucial in order to further our understanding of existing problems and keep pace with developing challenges.