A 2-year training program is offered to Ph.D.s and M.D.s interested in clinical microbiology. The program is designed to develop knowledge and skill in diagnostic microbiology, clinical consultation related to microbiology and infectious diseases, and clinical laboratory management. A strong emphasis is also placed on laboratory research, particularly on the development of new diagnostic tests and on collaborative projects performed in conjunction with clinical protocols ongoing at the NIH. Individuals appropriate for the program are:

• those interested in gaining knowledge and experience to help them direct clinical microbiology laboratories
• clinical microbiologists who want greater laboratory consultant and research experience
• individuals with a microbiology research background who are interested in applying modern research technology to enhance diagnostic laboratory procedures

The Microbiology Service provides comprehensive diagnostic services to the Clinical Center, which is a 250-patient bed referral hospital with a large outpatient service. It is one of five services of the Department of Laboratory Medicine (DLM), the others being Clinical Chemistry, Hematology, Immunology, and Phlebotomy. The patients admitted here are all participating in NIH clinical protocols, which cover a wide variety of diseases, including cancer, HIV disease, autoimmune diseases, cystic fibrosis, aplastic anemia and others. The investigational programs involve state-of-the-art medicine, such as gene therapy, bone marrow transplantation, and immunomodulation therapy, to name a few. Because of the nature of the patients and the clinical trials they are a part of, the Microbiology Service provides extensive diagnostic testing to determine infectious etiologies.

The Training Program

Two positions are available; for each we request a minimum commitment of two years. The trainee may request an additional year, but this requires approval of the professional staff. The fellowship program covers the following subspecialty areas of microbiology:

• Aerobic bacteriology
• Anaerobic bacteriology
• Antibiotic susceptibility testing
• Mycology
• Mycobacteriology
• Parasitology
• Virology
• Molecular diagnostics

During the first year in the program, the fellow will spend designated lengths of time in each of the subspecialty sections. The expectation is that the fellow will become knowledgeable as to the technical and theoretical aspects of the tests used in each section, the clinical as well as microbiological importance of the organisms, and the types of problems encountered in the section. After a brief one month orientation in the laboratory, the fellow assumes on-call responsibilities to address problems or special requests that may arise on weekends and evenings. The individual on call also organizes and presents daily laboratory rounds to the infectious-disease consultants. On-call responsibilities are shared with the rest of the Senior Staff of the Service, and are scheduled in blocks of one week at a time. Depending on the number of staff on the rotation schedule, the fellow is generally on-call once every fifth or sixth week.

During the latter part of the first year and into the second year, the fellow returns to each of the subspecialty sections for a longer period of time. During this second rotation, the fellow is given the responsibility of overseeing the section, and becomes more deeply involved with the method development for the section, trouble shooting and problem solving, serving as the technical and clinical consultant for the technologists and the supervisor of the section, and managing personnel-related issuses. The fellow meets on a weekly basis with the rest of the Senior Staff to discuss and decide on laboratory policies, problems, personnel decisions and management needs.

Involvement in research projects is encouraged after completion of the initial rotations through the sections. Appropriate types of research include development of new diagnostic tests, evaluation of new commerical products, review and analysis of laboratory data to help determine laboratory policies, and collaboration on clinical studies that have a microbiologic component. Fellows present their research at national meetings whenever possible, in addition to submitting their material for publication.

Professional Staff

Patrick R. Murray, Ph.D., Chief
Dr. Murray joined the Microbiology Service in 2002. His goals are to maintain and enhance the excellent clinical microbiology service, expand the training program, and explore new areas of research in the field of diagnostics. Because the NIH has unique opportunities to assess the feasablility of using advanced technologies for diagnostic purposes, he is working with other faculty members to explore how the fields of genomics and proteomics can be used in the clinical microbiology laboratory. He is also expanding a program in Biodefense diagnostics.

Frank G. Witebsky, M.D., Assistant Chief
Dr. Witebsky trained as a resident in the Microbiology Service, and subsequently became a member of the senior staff in 1976. His primary areas of interest are antibiotic susceptibility testing and diagnostic mycology and mycobateriology. He has been active in CAP workload recording and microbiology proficiency testing. His current research centers on rapid diagnostic methodology, especially the use of molecular methods for the identification of Nocardia species and rapidly-growing mycobacteria.

Daniel P. Fedorko, Ph.D., Microbiologist.
Dr. Fedorko joined the Service in 1993. His interests are in virology, parasitology and molecular method development. He is directing the implementation of new procedures to improve and broaden our diagnostic capabilities. One of his current research areas is the laboratory diagnosis of microsporidial disease, for which he has evaluated PCR methodology as one approach.

Steven H. Fischer, M.D., Ph.D., Microbiologist.
Dr. Fischer joined the Service in 1996. His primary clinical interest is in the development and implementation of nucleic acid amplification-based diagnostic tests for infectious agents. He is in charge of developing the molecular diagnostic section of the Service. His basic research interests have involved studies of the pathogenic properties of bacterial pathogens and host-pathogen interactions. His recent research has focused on potential virulence factors of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium.

Eligibilty Requirements

• Ph.D., D.Sc., M.D., or an equivalent degree acceptable to the professional staff
• 1-2 years postdoctoral or residency experience
• U.S. citizenship or eligibility to apply for U.S. citizenship within four years of beginning the program.

Applicants Should Submit the Following

• Letter containing a brief description of why you are interested in this program, and how it fits into your career goals.
• Curriculum vitae, with bibliography.

Send to:

Daniel P. Fodorko
Microbiology Service, DLM
Building 10, Room 2C385
10 Center Dr. MSC 1508
Bethesda, MD 20892-1508

Interviews

Interviews are letters of recommendation are requested only for those applicants we think may be best suited for the program. We urge any candidate contacted for an interview to arrange one if possible, although having an interview is not mandatory for selection for the program. The NIH cannot offer any travel compensation for this interview.

NIH is an equal opportunity-affirmative action employer.