Research activities are an important part of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Training Program. All fellows will devote a minimum of 18 months to research activities. Understanding the basic science underlying pediatric infectious diseases and related disciplines is encouraged throughout the fellowship. This is accomplished through trainee presentations at research seminars, review at Journal Club of basic research articles and attendance at basic research seminars in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, the Department of Pediatrics, and the Department of Microbiology and Immunology.

All trainees participate in a major clinical, epidemiological, and/or laboratory research project during their fellowship. After beginning the program, all fellows will identify a faculty mentor. Research faculty can be drawn from division members in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, but also from Departments of Virology, Microbiology and Immunology, and Pharmacy at the University of Connecticut.

Fellows will be expected to partake in one or two additional smaller research efforts that would typically involve a quality-improvement aspect of systems-based practice or practice-based learning and improvement. A specific project will be identified in the area of antimicrobial stewardship with an expectation of submission as an abstract, the second will be in an area of the fellow’s choosing.

Dr. Salazar and Dr. Hawley are involved in congenital syphilis and work towards a potential vaccine candidate. Dr. Salazar is also involved in NIH supported COVID-19 related research.

Dr. Howard  is involved and has interest congenital infections and currently collaborating closely with the neonatology group.

Dr. El Chebib has interest in bone and joint infections, transplant related topics and collaboration with pharmaceutical companies for clinical trials of vaccines and antimicrobials.

Dr. Michelow has a long track record of basic and translation science in emerging infectious disease (such as Ebola and malaria infections). Other interest and work include pneumonia and bone and joint infections. He also has NIH support in research in Nigeria that involves antimicrobial resistance and malaria.

Dr. Held has interest and experience in medical school related work and refugee health.

Learn more about research support at UConn Health.

Learn more about research support at The Jackson Laboratory.