Fellowship Training Program in Vaccinology

APPLY NOW

Please Note: Applications are reviewed annually between March and April for the upcoming training period. The upcoming training period runs from July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027. The 2026-2027 application deadline is February 15, 2026.

Meet our 2024-2025 Fellowship Training Program in Vaccinology Fellows

Hanna Despres

Hannah Despres joined CVD as a postdoctoral fellow in September 2024. Her research focuses on SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development in individuals with comorbidities. She is generally interested in the intersection between public health and infectious disease.​

She obtained a PhD in cellular, molecular, and biomedical sciences from the University of Vermont. Her dissertation titled "The characterization of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern at multiple scales" focused broadly on the differences in infectivity between SARS-CoV-2 variants within wildlife, individuals, and at the molecular level. Primary mentor: Matthew Frieman

Shana Gregory

Shana attended the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) for undergrad. She has two B.S., one in Biological Sciences and the other in Environmental Science. Shana Gregory received her Ph.D.  in Immunology from Northwestern University in 2022, where she studied cancer immunology. She Joined the CVD as a postdoctoral fellow in April 2023 under the mentorship of Dr. Marcelo Sztein. Her current research project studies the long-term immune response in children vaccinated with the licensed live oral typhoid vaccine, Ty21a.

Megan Kowalcyk

Megan Kowalcyk joined CVD in September 2024 and is working with Andrea Buchwald in the Malaria Research Program. Her research focuses on the role of vaccines on vulnerability to the health impacts of climate change in low- and middle-income countries, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa. She is interested in the nexus of climate change, public health, social vulnerability, and global policy. 

She obtained her PhD in environmental and occupational health sciences from the University of Illinois - Chicago and a Masters of Public Health in environmental health sciences from The Ohio State University. 

Viktoria Van Nederveen

Viktoria Van Nederveen joined CVD as a postdoctoral fellow in September 2024. Her research focuses on the development, characterization and advancement of Shigella-enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) vaccine candidates. She is interested in vaccine design and development. Her primary mentor is Dr. Eileen M. Barry. Viktoria Van Nederveen received her Ph.D. in Emerging Infectious Diseases from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.  

CVD's Fellowship Training Program in Vaccinology

Vaccines are one of the most cost-effective approaches in preventive medicine. The National Research Service Award training grant is a unique opportunity designed to prepare MDs, PhDs, or those with equivalent degrees, for careers in vaccinology. Each fellow selects the laboratory research track, clinical track, or combined laboratory and clinical track. The program offers all trainees broad exposure to both laboratory and clinical trial phases of vaccinology.

• Laboratory track: Trains basic scientists and physician-scientists in laboratory research for vaccine development including molecular biology, immunology, animal and cell culture modeling, and biostatistics.
• Clinical track: Trains clinicians and epidemiologists in clinical trial study design for large scale field trials, protocol preparation, procurement of administrative, ethical and regulatory clearances, conducting trials, and data analysis.

Program Administration

• Marcelo B. Sztein, MD, Associate Director for Basic and Translational Research, CVD, T32 Principal Investigator and Director of the T32 Pathogenesis, Immunology and Antigen Discovery Track ​
• Kirsten E. Lyke, MD, Director, Vector-borne Diseases and Challenge Unit, CVD and Director of the T32 Clinical, Epidemiological and Policy Track​

Internal Advisory Committee

• Marcelo B. Sztein, MD
• Eileen Barry, PhD
• Matthew Laurens, MD, MPH
• David J. Riedel, MD, MPH
• Kirsten Lyke, MD​
  

Individuals interested in fellowship opportunities are required to contact individual faculty and discuss research opportunities before submitting their application.   

T32 Vaccinology Mentor List

Fellow Application Process

Eligibility /Qualifications:

• MD, PhD, MD-PhD, or equivalent degree.
• Appointments to this training grant are restricted to US citizens, non-citizen national (born in a U.S. territory like American Samoa or Swains Island) or permanent residents of the United States per NIH guidelines.
• Two year training commitment.
• Trainees are required to pursue their research training full time, defined as 40 hours per week to the program and its related research activities.

Vaccinology Training Program Fellows will receive:

• Annual stipend at the NIH-specified level, based on full years of relevant postdoctoral experience at the time of appointment.
• Tuition limited to that required for specific courses in support of the approved training program.
• Travel funds for a training experience, such as attendance and presentation of research at a national conference.

How to Apply:

Fill out the Application form:

Apply Now

If you do not meet the eligibility requirements for the fellowship training program but would like to be considered for other post-doctoral positions, please contact members of our faculty working in your area of interest to inquire about available opportunities. 

View faculty webpages.

For More Information:‌

Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health
University of Maryland School of Medicine
685 W. Baltimore Street, Room 480
Baltimore, MD 21201
+1 (410) 706-5328
CVD_training@som.umaryland.edu

• T32 Vaccinology Information Leaflet