When: April 22, 2004
Where: Hamilton, MT
Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

American Indian college students from a variety of places in Montana dabbled in electron microscopy, genomics, and robotics during a tour of the Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton, Montana. These laboratories, whose parent organization is NIAID, form a state-of-the-art research facility and attract world-class scientists to study infectious microbes that cause disease in humans and animals. Students belonging to the American Indian Science and Engineering Society requested the tour as part of the organization’s regional conference at the nearby University of Montana, Missoula.

Researchers Tom Schwan, Ph.D., and Olivia Steele-Mortimer, Ph.D., updated the group on current research under way at the facility, including tick-borne diseases and how Salmonella enteriditis infection is becoming a life-threatening illness for people with suppressed immune systems. Students also received information about job opportunities available through NIAID's Intramural Research Opportunities Program. Intramural programs are those that take place on the NIH campus.

Next Steps
Contact Ken Pekoc at (406) 375-9690.