Each fellow will actively participate in a research project during his/her three years of training, and will therefore have the opportunity to contribute and gain experience in the development, conduct, and statistical analysis of research directed at addressing unique hypotheses of interest in the area of allergy and immunology. The fellowship is structured to provide 40% time during the first year, 60% during the second year and 80% during the third for research and academic pursuits. The support for this research activity comes, in part, from an NIH Allergy/Immunology Training Grant.

In addition to involvement in basic science research, fellows will also gain experience in clinical research projects, and issues related to the conduct of clinical protocols. The Allergy Division has been awarded two prestigious network grants to study new and innovative therapies for asthma in children (Childhood Asthma Research Network, or CARE) and in adults (Asthma Clinical Research Network, or ACRN). Clinical protocols are designed with input from members of the Allergy faculty, and the investigations are supervised by a full complement of research support staff that have had over 25 years of experience in this area.

Choosing a Research Project

Most new fellows have little or no research experience, and one of the major goals of the Fellowship Program is to initiate this experience. To facilitate this program objective, fellows are provided the opportunity, in the first month of fellowship training, to meet with faculty members and learn about projects of interest in their laboratory. Following these initial interactions, fellows will join an ongoing project in the first year, and expand and individualize their project in the second and third years.

Research Oversight

Each fellow will meet regularly with a Scientific Oversight Committee consisting of at least three faculty members both within and outside of the Allergy/Immunology program. This committee will review the scientific progress of the fellow and provide advice on the research as well as provide career advice in terms of grant opportunities and customization of the fellowship program to achieve the fellow's goals. Towards the end of fellowship, this committee also assists in the job search and placement.

Presentations and Publications

Research findings are presented by fellows locally at the Allergy research conference (twice per year) and the Wisconsin Allergy Society (once per year). In addition, research findings are presented at the AAAAI Annual meeting, as well as other national meetings, depending on the focus of the individual research project. Based on the productivity of the fellow/faculty research interactions, it is anticipated that each fellow will publish at least one research paper during their fellowship.

Research-related Educational Activities

There are several short-term courses to introduce fellows to research techniques, design, and data analysis. Each of these courses is listed below along with its specific objectives.

Introduction to Laboratory Techniques. Review of diagnostic and research laboratory techniques related to Allergy and Immunology. This is a series of small group discussions with scientists and faculty with the Allergy section and some guest speakers. Weekly during July and August.

Clinical Instructor Preparatory Program Short Course on Clinical Research. A 2-3 full day course in late summer to prepare individuals for careers in clinical research addressing topics such as research ethics, informed consent, clinical trial design, basic biostatistics, and funding opportunities.

Biostatistics Courses. Two medical statistics courses (Biostatistics 541 and 542) are taken during the second year of fellowship to introduce the fundamentals of biostatistics and clinical trial design.