Application to IGERT Program - Rob

Rob's essay application to the IGERT program, which he got into.

Application to IGERT Program, University of Cincinnati

My senior year at Brigham Young University I took a Medical Parasitology course from Dr. Jim Jensen, known for his research on malaria. As he told me about the lifecycle of the malaria parasite, my thoughts turned to how the immune system could be stimulated to either fight or prevent the 300 million annual cases throughout the world. As I have pondered this I have come to recognize the need for an effective malaria vaccine. I believe prevention is the key to fighting this disease as well as many others, including HIV.

In order to reach this goal I must gain an understanding of vaccine adjuvants. Nearly all adjuvants are agents that operate at interfaces. Liposomes have repeatedly been shown to provide this adjuvant active interface. It is this important interaction between liposomal membranes and the cells of the immune system that I want to research and utilize in vaccine development. Most interactions in the body occur between membrane interfaces. For this reason I must acquire a broad exposure to membrane science and technology in order to become a leader in this field. The IGERT Program at the University of Cincinnati can provide me with this exposure.

I am applying to the IGERT Program as a current graduate student at the University of Cincinnati. I was accepted into the Pathobiology and Molecular Medicine doctoral program and began my coursework in June of 2004. Naturally, as a second year student I would be willing to fulfill any extra requirements expected by the IGERT Program.

During my first summer semester I did my research rotation in the lab of Gregory Retzinger. I specifically selected his lab because of his expertise in liposomal biology, adjuvants, and his understanding of membrane science. I felt that studying with him as a mentor would provide me with the needed expertise to pursue a malaria vaccine. The project that would most benefit me in this goal is the research proposal that was accepted by the IGERT Program as a potential dissertation topic (proposal 05-09). Dr. Retzinger and I became aware of the IGERT Program and felt that it would be a tremendous opportunity to give me a broad knowledge of membrane science and technology, helping me become an expert in the field of liposomal vaccine adjuvants. I would get to benefit from the expertise of the many IGERT faculty at the University of Cincinnati, instead of just one. This broad knowledge will help me understand the many potential biological applications of liposomal technology.

My acceptance into the program would fulfill one of the goals of the UC-IGERT Program, to bring more students into the study of membrane science and technology, producing more experts. The project in the Retzinger lab will help me pursue both the program’s goals as well as my own. I believe that this program will help get us closer to a malaria and HIV vaccine.