CDC Arboviral Analytical Studies Fellowship
*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
A research opportunity is currently available in the Dengue Branch within the Division of Vector-Borne Diseases (DVBD), of the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Chikungunya, dengue, yellow fever, Zika and other viruses transmitted by mosquitoes are serious health threats in the U.S. and globally. The public health response to the spread of these arboviruses throughout the tropics, where their mosquito vectors thrive, has been hampered by a lack of sustainable and effective interventions to prevent arboviral infections at the community level. Several vector control strategies that have failed to curb disease incidence, continue to be employed despite the absence of robust evidence for their effectiveness or optimal implementation. Novel approaches to arbovirus control are now available, but evidence of their impact on reducing infection incidence is limited.
The Dengue Branch Epidemiology Unit has a history of innovative research with broad implications for prevention and control of these diseases locally within Puerto Rico, in the continental United States, and internationally. The Unit played a central role in the Zika response, for example, implementing cohort studies to determine the duration of Zika virus RNA detection in different body fluids, conducting cohort studies to determine incidence at the community levels, analyzing the risk of severe disease, and identifying effective surveillance strategies. The Dengue Branch provides a unique opportunity for learning the skills needed to conduct interdisciplinary applied public health research in an endemic setting including studies of vectors, interventions, clinical management, and surveillance. Areas of active research include:
- The Sentinel Enhanced Dengue Surveillance System (SEDSS) is a facility-based surveillance system for acute febrile illness designed to better understand the immune response to dengue, develop and evaluate diagnostic assays, and monitor trends in the leading causes of fever in Puerto Rico.
- The Communities Organized for the Prevention of Arboviruses (COPA) project is an established community-based research platform in southern Puerto Rico. The aims of this project include to annually assess arboviral infection incidence and prevalence and evaluate the impact of a novel vector control strategy to reduce infections with arboviruses.
- Models to elucidate the relationship between surveillance data, incidence of infection, incidence of severe disease, and epidemic risk.
Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will be involved in the following training activities:
- Perform analyses of complex data
- Participate in the design, plan, and implementation of original research
- Assist in the conduct of research projects, by providing support to field staff or conducting field activities when necessary
- Present research and surveillance findings and methods at internal and external meetings
- Assist in the write up and publishing of scientific manuscripts communicating findings
- Specific research projects will consider the interests of the participant, the needs of the Division of Vector-Borne Disease, and the potential public health impact
This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and CDC. The initial appointment can be up to one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of CDC contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. The appointment is full-time at CDC in the San Juan, Puerto Rico, area. Participants do not become employees of CDC, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits.
If you have questions, send an email to ORISE.CDC.NCEZID@orau.org.