New York State International Training & Research Program

Postdoctoral Training Program

Post-doctoral training at the Wadsworth Center Laboratories in Albany offers an intensive one- to two-year program for individuals with MD, DVM and PhD degrees or PhD candidates who will conduct research for their dissertations in both countries. Trainees work under the direction of a dedicated mentor and participate in academic functions including courses at Albany SPH, seminars, journal clubs, and research meetings. The goal of this training is for the trainee to conduct sustainable independent research at a host country institution. Wadsworth Center faculty support trainees in developing: scientific presentations; grant writing skills; a strong background in bioethics, good clinical practice and biosafety; and acquiring the fundamentals of data management, research administration, and the management of intellectual property skills.

In-Country Training Program: Seminars and Workshops

Short-term in-country training programs will be held on a yearly basis. The curriculum for each of these courses will focus on specific issues of concern to the Eastern and Central European partners. The in-country program will use a workshop format that will utilize faculty members from the home country and faculty members from the US Program, with additional experts invited for formal presentations.

The short-term in-country programs have three goals:

• Provide a forum for the exchange of knowledge and experience in infectious diseases from all participants.
• Introduce participants to new laboratory and epidemiologic methods.
• Promote the New York State International Training Program and interview potential applicants.

Blood Safety Training Program

The objectives of blood safety training are to acquaint the fellow with current transfusion practice and issues, provide specific experience in a hospital transfusion medicine rotation, and to discuss in detail issues of blood safety, transfusion safety and the emerging public health role of blood centers. Trainees will participate in a 12-15 month program that combines epidemiology and biostatistics coursework at the School of Public Health in Albany with a preceptorship at New York Blood Center. Alternatively, trainees with a background in epidemiology may participate in a 4-month transfusion medicine and blood safety program exclusively at New York Blood Center.

Substance Use Behavioral Research Training Program

The Center for Drug Use and HIV Research at the National Development and Research Institutes (NDRI) oversees this internship, which is designed to provide training in community based research in drug and alcohol use. This may be offered as an independent short-term course of 3-7 months, or for a Fogarty trainee with an interest in IDU prevention and HIV/STI/TB prevention and control methods who is already enrolled in an MS or MPH program.

Advanced In-Country Research Training Grants

Advanced In-Country Research Training Grants support projects of fellows, once they have returned to their home country after training. The focus of these training grants includes transfer and application of knowledge and technical expertise; expanding research capacity; and expanding collaborative research efforts in the home institution to assist trainees in becoming independently supported scientists.