Contact PD/PI: Dean, Gregg A.
Infectious Disease Research and Response Training Program (IDRRTP)
The Infectious Disease Research and Response Network (IDRRN) was established in 2016 and
has been recognized as a Program of Research and Scholarly Excellence (PRSE) at Colorado
State University. The IDRRN promotes the development of interdisciplinary teams to investigate,
study, and develop mitigation strategies for diseases locally, nationally and internationally. The
IDRRN uses team dynamics to focus on infectious and neurodegenerative diseases and
maximize the impact of its expertise in disease transmission and pathogenesis, development of
diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics, vector biology, epidemiology, and bio-engineering. The
IDRRN has a strong commitment and a proven track record in training the next generation of
research scientists who will continue to face pandemics while also confronting novel emerging
infectious agents. In addition to the rich scientific environment, there are vast, state-of-the-art
facilities featuring BLS2, BSL3, ABSL3 and GMP capabilities. The proposed training program will
support 5 predoctoral trainees for three years. The IDRRTP faculty are a diverse group
representing 7 departments from 3 colleges. Our preceptors include highly experienced senior
training faculty and 4 well-funded assistant professors to ensure training of future research
mentors. Trainees will complete personalized coursework training in microbiology, immunology,
pathology, statistics and bioinformatics to provide foundational knowledge, build critical thinking
skills, and ensure mastery of literature interrogation. Training in biosafety level 2 and 3
procedures, the responsible conduct of research, and methods to ensure rigor and reproducibility
will be specifically addressed and emphasized throughout every aspect of the program. Trainees
will participate in grant and manuscript writing courses that will yield submission-ready products.
Communication skills will be nurtured and practiced to ensure confidence and effective
engagement with scientific and lay audiences alike. A variety of other professional development
opportunities and tools will be provided to encourage life-long growth, improvement and ultimate
success. Finally, trainees will have opportunities to engage in research-to-market programs and
medium-scale biomanufacturing experiences to gain an in-depth understanding of the
translational process. Together, our training faculty, robust curriculum, synergistic training
activities, and unique experiential opportunities will provide diverse cohorts of predoctoral
trainees with the necessary skills to confront infectious disease threats to human health as they
embark upon academic or non-academic research careers.