Committee Update: Research Affairs

C. Buddy Creech, MD, MPH
Chair, Research Affairs Committee
President-Elect, PIDS

The PIDS Research Affairs Committee is responsible for many of the research-focused activities within the society. This includes efforts in recruiting physician-scientists to pediatric infectious diseases; increasing funding support for investigators; and partnering with sister societies, such as IDSA, SPR, and ESPID, to increase visibility of pediatric infectious diseases research. It also includes two specific activities that the committee has been working diligently on: administering the Pichichero Family Foundation Award and organizing the annual St. Jude/PIDS Conference.

First, the Pichichero Family Foundation Award is an exciting initiative made possible by the generous contributions of Dr. Michael Pichichero (Rochester, NY). Awards of up to $50,000 per year are funded multiple times per year; new applications may be received twice yearly (January 15 and July 15) and repurposed applications (e.g., unfunded NIH/CDC proposals) may be received on a rolling basis. Instructions for how to apply may be found here.  

Second, the St. Jude-PIDS Conference is the only pediatric ID-specific meeting in North America and brings together faculty and trainees from across the world to discuss issues related to basic and clinical research, transplant ID, career development, and global health. This year’s 20^th Annual St. Jude/PIDS Conference will be held virtually on March 4-6, 2021. Dr. Bonnie Bassler (Princeton University) will deliver the John H. Erskine Lecture in Infectious Diseases. A full description of the program, including information on how to register for this free event, can be found here.

If you are a basic, translational, clinical, or outcomes-based investigator and have ideas that you would like to share with our committee, please email us at pids@idsociety.org. We would love to hear your suggestions on how we can support current investigators and provide opportunities for others to contribute to our vision that all children, through excellent clinical care, education, advocacy, and research, may be free from infection.