Important Dates:
- Applications Open January 5, 2026
- Applications Close March 31, 2026
ITP-Vax Leadership:
- Director, Epidemiology Lead: Shannon Takala Harrison
- Associate Director, Clinical Lead: Matthew Laurens
- Associate Director, Basic Science Lead: Eileen Barry
Program Overview:
The Integrated Training Program in Vaccinology (ITP-Vax) is a novel training program that will give college graduates and master’s level graduate students a 9-month research experience with mentorship from Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health (CVD) investigators. Trainees will learn concepts in vaccinology and receive professional development skills. Trainees will also receive hands-on experience to help equip them for future success in a career in vaccinology. A stipend will be available for all accepted research fellows.
Vaccinology Training
At the start of the program, ITP-Vax scholars will participate in a Vaccinology Workshop that covers the basics of vaccinology from discovery through manufacturing to clinical trials and policy considerations.
The workshop will consist of seminars led by CVD faculty, as well as experts from government and industry, and will cover topics such as:
- the history of vaccination
- disease burden
- vaccine trials
- ethical considerations
- vaccine immunology
- pediatric and adult vaccines
- domestic and international vaccine policy
- modeling
ITP-Vax scholars will also attend CVD’s annual Frontiers in Vaccinology Symposium, a 2-day event where CVD faculty members present their data/projects, and a leading vaccinologist is invited as a guest speaker.
Research Experience
Scholars will complete a 9-month research project on a vaccinology related topic and will be paired with a CVD faculty member based on research interests. Projects may be clinical- or laboratory-based. Scholars will have the opportunity to present their research at University of Maryland Baltimore’s Graduate Research Conference.
Professional Development
ITP-Vax scholars will also attend professional development workshops on a variety of topics including: tips for applying to graduate/medical school, scientific communication, building successful mentor-mentee relationships, marketing your research, and networking, among others. Scholars will also receive training in the responsible conduct of research (RCR). In addition, scholars will have the opportunity to attend research seminars and journal clubs offered through the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Genome Sciences, and Department or Epidemiology and Public Health.
Eligibility
Potential scholars will have an undergraduate degree (or anticipated degree) in a vaccinology related field, e.g., microbiology, immunology, genetics, epidemiology, public health, with the intent to apply to a PhD or MD program within two years. Applicants must be a US citizen or permanent US resident.
How to Apply
Applications should be emailed to Lauryn Butler (Lauryn.Butler@som.umaryland.edu) and should include: a CV or resume, college transcript (unofficial is acceptable), personal statement describing your interest in the program, and 1-2 letters of recommendation (sent directly to Ms. Butler).
Application Deadline: March 31, 2026
Current Fellows
Raymond Ash
Ray Ash attended The University of Maryland - College Park, where he received a B.S. In Cellular Biology and Molecular Genetics. He joined CVD as a Master's student in December 2024 and will graduate in May 2026. He is working with Dr. Franklin Toapanta in the Mucosal Biology Research Center on a project examining non-neutralizing antibody responses in the context of mucosal H5N1 (Avian Influenza) vaccine development. He will attend Colorado State University starting this fall, where he will pursue a PhD in Microbiology.
Ngozika Emezienna
Ngozika Emezienna is a graduate of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), where she earned dual bachelor’s degrees in biology and public health. She is mentored by Matthew Laurens. Her research focuses on analyzing antibody responses to malaria vaccine candidates before and after vaccination, including responses to different vaccine doses and diverse parasite strains. Ngozika will attend pharmacy school this fall to pursue Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees.
Mohammed Ndiaye
Mohammed Ndiaye graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a Bachelor of Science degree in Neurobiology and Physiology. He is currently working under the mentorship of Rob McCann at the Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health. His research focuses on applying identity-by-descent-based methods to investigate population structure in malaria vector species in sub-Saharan Africa. He is interested in developing and implementing sustainable, evidence-based interventions that improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations and is applying to medical school.
Lila Saye
Lila Saye obtained her Master of Health Science degree in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and her B.S. in Public Health from Roger Williams University. Lila is working with Scott Baliban. Her research focuses on development of a multivalent conjugate vaccine against the O-polysaccharide of Klebsiella pneumoniae to prevent neonatal sepsis. She is applying to PhD programs with the goal of becoming an academic researcher investigating ways to prevent infectious diseases.
Amanuel Wolde
Amanuel Wolde earned his medical degree from the University of Gondar in Ethiopia and completed a Master of Science in Clinical Research and Epidemiology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Under the mentorship of Dr. Andrea Buchwald and Dr. Megan Kowalcyk, his research focuses on maternal infections and child health outcomes, specifically examining how in-utero exposure to HIV and SARS-CoV-2 may influence early childhood neurodevelopment. He plans to pursue residency training in Internal Medicine followed by fellowship training in Infectious Diseases, with the long-term goal of becoming a physician-scientist focused on vaccine research and global infectious disease prevention.