University of California, San Diego/Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego

TRAINING PROGRAM DIRECTOR: Stephen A Spector, MD
RESEARCH INTEREST: HIV, CMV, microbial pathogenesis, host- pathogen interactions, genetics of disease, HIV- related clinical trials

DIVISION DIRECTOR OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES: George Liu, MD, PhD
RESEARCH INTEREST: Phase I through Phase IV clinical trials of antibacterials, antifungals, and non-HIV antivirals

ASSOCIATES/DIVISION MEMBERS:

• Victor Nizet, M.D.
  Research Interest: Microbial pathogenesis and the innate immune system, with a special focus on invasive bacterial infections
• Alice Pong, M.D.
  Research Interest: Infection Control, Cellular immunity to tuberculosis
• Mark H. Sawyer, M.D.
  Research Interest: Immunization policy, assessment of coverage and education
• Rolando M. Viani, M.D., M.T.P.
  Research Interest: HIV, Phase I/II clinical trials of new antiretrovirals, International Health
• Grant Campbell, Ph.D.
  Research Interest: Studies the mechanisms that control autophagy in response to HIV-1 and M. tuberculosis infection
• Kumud K. Singh, Ph.D.
  Research Interest: Studies the unique role of innate immunity in HIV-1 neuropathogenesis and neurodegenerative diseases
• Edmund Capparelli, Pharm.D.
  Research Interest: Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling in pediatric clinical pharmacology and population pharmacokinetic modeling

TITLE(S) OF RECENT FELLOWS’ PUBLISHED PAPERS OR RESEARCH PROJECTS:

Campbell GR, Rawat P, Bruckman RS, Spector SA. Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Nef Inhibits Autophagy through Transcription Factor EB Sequestration. PLoS Pathog. 2015 Jun 26;11(6):e1005018. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005018. eCollection 2015 Jun. PubMed PMID: 26115100; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4482621.

Campbell GR, Bruckman RS, Chu YL, Spector SA. Autophagy induction by histone deacetylase inhibitors inhibits HIV type 1. J Biol Chem. 2015 Feb 20;290(8):5028-40. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M114.605428. Epub 2014 Dec 24. PubMed PMID: 25540204; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4335239.

Garg A, Rawat P, Spector SA. Interleukin 23 produced by myeloid dendritic cells contributes to T-cell dysfunction in HIV type 1 infection by inducing SOCS1 expression. J Infect Dis. 2015 Mar 1;211(5):755-68. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiu523. Epub 2014 Sep 18. PubMed PMID: 25234720; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4402373

Garg A, Spector SA. HIV type 1 gp120-induced expansion of myeloid derived suppressor cells is dependent on interleukin 6 and suppresses immunity. J Infect Dis. 2014 Feb 1;209(3):441-51. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jit469. Epub 2013 Sep 1. PubMed PMID: 23999600; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3883171.

Andrade RM, Chaparro JD, Capparelli E, Reed SL. Auranofin is highly efficacious against Toxoplasma gondii in vitro and in an in vivo experimental model of actue toxoplasmosis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2014 Jul 31;8(7):e2973. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002973. eCollection 2014.

Moodley A, Spector SA. Single high-dose vitamin D at birth corrects vitamin D deficiency in infants in Mexico. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2015 May;66(3):336-41. doi:10.3109/09637486.2014.992006. Epub 2015 Jan 13. PubMed PMID: 25582182.

Moodley A, Qin M, Singh kk, Spector SA. Vitamin D related host genetic variants alter HIV disease progression in children. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2015 May;66(3):336-41. doi: 10.3109/09637486.2014.992006. Epub 2015 Jan 13. PMID: 25582182

MAJOR FEATURES OF TRAINING PROGRAM:

The UCSD/RCHSD Pediatric Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program seeks to train highly-qualified physicians for teaching and research careers. Over a three year period, comprehensive instruction is provided in both clinical and laboratory disciplines. Clinical education emphasizes thorough development of skills and knowledge in pediatric infectious disease, including direct training in clinical microbiology and virology. Inpatient care experience is gained from a busy infectious disease consultative service provided to a tertiary-level Children’s Hospital and the University Medical Center. Outpatient care training is obtained in general pediatric ID, pediatric AIDS and pediatric TB clinics, as well as via phone consultations with community physicians. The detailed clinical component of this fellowship program ensures that graduates will be well-prepared to pass the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Board Certification Examination of the American Board of Pediatrics. Twenty-four months of the fellowship is protected time for development of skills in a selected area of microbial research and laboratory technology.

AFFILIATED HOSPITALS:
Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego

AVAILABLE FELLOWSHIP POSITIONS: Yearly

TRAINING FOR: MD, MD,PhD

FUNDING IS ENSURED FOR ALL 3 YEARS: YES

IS COMPLETION OF PEDIATRIC RESIDENCY TRAINING IN THE U.S. OR CANADA A REQUIREMENT? YES

THE PROGRAM OFFERS THE FOLLOWING TRAINING:

Program provides training in diagnostic microbiology using laboratories on site.

Program provides training in infection control and hospital epidemiology.

Program provides training in antimicrobial stewardship.

Program provides global health opportunities.

Program provides substantial experience for trainee in:

• HIV
• Bone marrow transplantation
• Solid organ/transplantation
• Travelers/adoptees

Opportunity to fulfill the ABP requirements for scholarly activity is available in the following general areas:

• Bacteriology/bacterial infections
• Epidemiology and statistics
• Infection control/hospital epidemiology
• Immunizations/Public health
• Mycology/fungal infections
• Parasitology/parasitic diseases
• Virology/viral diseases
• Antimicrobial agents/antimicrobial stewardship

Documented liaison exists offering opportunities for research experience in the laboratory of investigator(s) who is/are not faculty of the section.

Program offers the opportunity to obtain a Master’s degree in a field such as Public Health, Education, Clinical Sciences or Epidemiology (assuming appropriate arrangements are made).

Graduate School courses are available to trainee (assuming appropriate arrangements are made).

Program includes ABP-required core curricula in scholarly activities in didactic lecture and or experiential courses for fellows (epidemiology, statistics, research design, quality improvement and academic careers).

The Infectious Diseases Service is the primary care provider for HIV infected children and adolescents.