Research Training

Overview

The mission of the Infections and Immunoepidemiology Branch (IIB) is to discover infectious causes of cancer, to elucidate the determinants of malignancy for established oncogenic infections, and to clarify how alterations in immunity and inflammation relate to cancer risk.  At least 15% of cancers are directly related to known infectious agents, and many more result from chronic inflammation or dysfunctional immunity. Most of these relationships are poorly defined. In collaboration with laboratory scientists, clinicians, and statisticians, IIB uses appropriate designs (cohort, case-control, registry matching, and others) to conduct multidisciplinary research studies in domestic and international sites. In addition to epidemiologic and clinical data, most IIB field studies have collected blood samples that are stored in a DCEG repository until testing by a laboratory collaborator for infectious agents or measures of immunity and inflammation. Current areas of emphasis include malignancies among people with AIDS or organ transplant, non-AIDS lymphomas, Kaposi sarcoma (and KSHV/HHV-8), and cancers of the lung, stomach, prostate and breast. Many projects examine interactions with human genetic polymorphisms, often in collaboration with the NCI Core Genotyping Facility.

Working closely with tenured and tenure-track investigators, fellows take lead responsibility for analyzing and summarizing previously collected data. Senior staff assist them in writing manuscripts and bringing these to publication in the peer-reviewed scientific literature. Fellows become familiar with the entire IIB portfolio and are encouraged to participate in on-going and newly proposed studies. By participating in committees and attending seminars that are offered almost daily on all aspects of epidemiology, biostatistics, health promotion, and other biomedical topics, fellows become familiar with investigators, research studies, and procedures elsewhere in DCEG and NCI. Advice on scientific and career development is provided by primary and secondary mentors selected by the fellow. The modern, fully equipped semi-private office environment is highly collegial.  For further information about IIB opportunities contact Dr. Allan Hildesheim, Chief of IIB, by phone (301-435-3984) or email (hildesha@mail.nih.gov).

Current Training Opportunities

Postdoctoral and predoctoral positions in viral epidemiology are available.

Qualifications: Individuals with training in epidemiology or biostatistics, who have a strong understanding of human infections or cancer, or in related fields.

To Apply: See the DCEG Fellowship Information page and find the Application Form for full qualifications and application details, as well as, an overview of the fellowship experience in the Division.