Johns Hopkins and the U.S. Army have agreed to work
together to train scientists to develop
vaccines and medicines to defend against biological
attacks. Students accepted into the program will
study part-time to earn Johns Hopkins master of science in
biotechnology degrees with
concentrations in biodefense; simultaneously, they will
work for the U.S. Army Medical Research
Institute of Infectious Diseases, located at Fort Detrick,
Md.
Under a five-year agreement between Johns Hopkins'
Advanced Biotechnology Studies Program
and USAMRIID, graduate students will be employed under the
Army's Student Career Experience
Program and will be eligible for Army reimbursement of
their Johns Hopkins tuition.
"Based on a long history of excellence in
biotechnology research and education at both
institutions, this is an invaluable cooperative effort that
will significantly enhance the educational
opportunities of our biodefense students," said Richard
McCarty, chair of the Advanced Biotechnology
Studies program in the
Krieger School of Arts and Sciences' Advanced Academic
Programs. "We hope
it will lead to future interactions and joint scientific
research between our respective faculty and
scientists."
Johns Hopkins advisers will work with students to
select an appropriate course structure that
will capitalize on the resources being offered by USAMRIID,
such as research staff and laboratory
facilities.
USAMRIID does basic and applied research on biological
threats to develop vaccines, drugs and
tests to protect soldiers, but much of the science it
produces is also applied to civilian medicine.
"USAMRIID is very excited about sponsoring these
master's students and offering them the
opportunity to work at USAMRIID on vaccines and
therapeutics against extremely interesting
pathogens," said Peter Hobart, USAMRIID's science director.
"This is one more manifestation of the
institute's keen interest in working closely with colleges
and universities to train the next generation
of scientists."
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