Education

The PCCI is determined to promulgate the concept of the immunocentric nature of disease to diverse audiences.  The Translational Immunology Seminar Series is the centerpiece of the group’s activities and is directed at basic scientists, clinician-scientists, clinicians, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows interested in immune-mediated diseases. The Center intends to offer Translational Immunology mini-courses in the Frontiers in Medicine curriculum to fourth year medical students.  In addition, the PCCI will offer spin-offs of the translational immunology theme to first year graduate students. We intend to sponsor annual health forums for patient groups dealing with new developments in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of immune-mediated diseases as part of a community outreach program.  In addition, we will offer at least one CME program each year for clinicians from diverse disciplines that convey similar themes. Given our concern for priming the pipeline of translational immunologists, we plan to offer educational programs that highlight the excitement of choosing a career in translational immunology.  One program under development is directed at undergraduate students.  The Center’s website will provide an additional source of updated information useful to physicians and scientists on campus, patients, referring physicians, potential corporate partners and philanthropists.  The types of useful information will include: ongoing clinical trials, breakthroughs in the diagnosis and treatment of immune-mediated diseases, timely announcements of publications by Center members, weekly schedule of seminars relevant to immune-mediated diseases, and links to relevant internet offerings.