CARING: Combating Antibiotic Resistance into the Next Generation

NIH Training Grant for Research-Oriented Infectious Diseases Subspecialty Fellows

The overarching goal of the CARING T32 training program awarded to UC San Diego from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is to train MD and PhD scientists who wish to pursue rigorous research training that will place them on the pathway to productive, independent academic research careers. CARING entails a high level of commitment to each trainee in terms of training duration and intensity, coupled with the multidisciplinary character of the training experience, thus enabling extremely successful trainees in progressing to the next stages of development of careers as physician investigators. Upon completion of the CARING program, trainees will be well-trained in modern infectious disease research focused on providing innovative solutions to the growing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis.

Our leadership structure, world class research faculty, proven successful educational and training elements, and innovative new offerings -- all galvanize to address one of the greatest challenges facing modern medicine and public health: the global AMR crisis. This new focus is organized into 6 research themes: 1) Deciphering Microbial Virulence; (2) Host Defense & Vaccinology, (3) Novel Therapeutic Discovery, (4) Microbiome Science, (5) Systems Biology & Engineering, and (6) Clinical Microbiology & Therapeutics.



The CARING T32 training program leverages the institutional investment and educational resources of a major new campus-wide initiative – CHARM (Collaborative to Halt Antibiotic-Resistant Microbes). CHARM is an interdisciplinary research and educational initiative who aims to leverage and deploy the unique AMR research environment, resources, and scientific talent at UC San Diego. Headquartered in the UC San Diego School of Medicine, Division of Host-Microbe Systems & Therapeutics, with 80+ faculty participants across the Health Sciences and General Campuses, representing all major research divisions of the University. CHARM hosts several events in which CARING trainees will participate: a monthly Colloquium with seminars from CHARM Faculty, local biotech innovators, and international AMR thought leaders; Research in Progress – a lunchtime trainee seminar featuring up and coming AMR research; and expert panels on AMR topics of interest.



How to Apply:
To be considered for the CARING Training Grant Fellowship you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and you must have a doctoral degree. To apply, please send the following information to Dr. Ericka Anderson (Program Coordinator) at e5anderson@health.ucsd.edu

MD (or
MD/PhD) candidates:
Clinically trained candidates for T32 training grant slots must first be accepted into the respective adult or pediatric ID Training Program at UC San Diego.

  1. Your CV – must be current and up to date
  2. 3 letters of recommendation (For MD/PhD candidates, one letter must come from their PHD mentor)
  3. Personal Statement – explain why you are a good candidate for the fellowship. Please state the specific AMR-related research that interests you, relevant experience that you have, and what your goals will be during and after the fellowship.
  4. Sample first author manuscript or abstract

PhD Candidates

  1. Your CV – must be current and up to date
  2. 3 letters of recommendation (one letter must come from PhD mentor)
  3. Statement of prior research accomplishments
  4. Sample First author manuscript
  5. Statement of interest in AMR research with future career goals
  6. Letter of support from the proposed T32 Research Mentor