The Summer Program in Infectious Disease Research (SPIDR) is one of several summer research enrichment programs collaborating with the Centers For AIDS Research (CFAR) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pathway Initiative (CDEIPI) to offer mentored summer research experiences for trainees from a range of academic levels.
CFAR Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pathway Initiative
The HIV research field would greatly benefit from a heterogeneous scientific workforce that is more reflective of communities at highest risk of HIV. The goal of the Centers For AIDS Research (CFAR) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pathway Initiative (CDEIPI) is to increase the number of interested and academically prepared trainees from diverse backgrounds for careers in biomedical research or academic medicine with an interest in HIV/AIDS research. These mentored research opportunities are provided within the CFAR network in partnership with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) throughout the United States. Sites provide mentored research opportunities to trainees at one or more level of training, from high school, undergraduate, graduate (masters, doctoral or medical) students, and post-doctoral trainees.
The Penn CFAR Scholars’ and Summer Program in Infectious Diseases Research (SPIDR) Programs
Penn CFAR/SPIDR scholars are provided an 8-week, funded, clinical, translational, or basic mentored research experience.
Eligibility:
- Undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, or medical students able to commit to 8-weeks of fulltime summer research
- U.S. Citizens or permanent residents are eligible to apply
- Have an interest in HIV/AIDS medicine or research
- Have had limited exposure to mentorship or mentored research experiences
All application components are crucial for evaluation. We ask applicants to share their meaningful life experiences in the research statement. We encourage sharing of personal history, and experiences that motivate your academic pursuit, as well as any challenges overcome.
Application Timeline
| Date |
Item |
| December 2, 2024 |
Summer 2025 applications open |
| February 7, 2025 |
Applications due |
| June 9, 2025 |
Program start date |
| August 1, 2025 |
Program end date |
You can complete your application using our online portal. Each section of the application needs to be completed before going to the next. You can preview all the sections of the application ahead of time.
As a Penn SPIDR scholar, you will have access to:
- Mentored research with a Faculty Member within the Penn ID Division
- Educational conferences in clinical and basic science departments on campus
- Direct interaction with senior ID trainees and faculty for career mentorship
- Targeted clinical experiences ranging from inpatient consult service time to outpatient clinic shadowing. Specific opportunities can be arrange based on scholar’s interested, e.g. working with hospital epidemiologists/infection control
- Stipend for living expenses
Program Leadership
Florence Momplaisir, MD, FACP
Director
Edward (Ted) Kreider, MD, PhD
Associate Director
Past Scholars
2024 Scholars
Carter Covington—University of Virginia
Mentor—Michael David
Project—Identifying Risk Factors for Staphylococcus Aureus/MRSA: A Dual Study Approach
David Del Valle Ortiz—University of Rochester
Mentor—Christie Osborne
Project—Comparison of molecular diagnostic techniques for detection of pathogens in tracheal aspirate samples from critically ill children
Sindy Desire—Lincoln University
Mentor—Aaron Richterman
Project—Characteristics of an Unconditional Cash Transfer Intervention to Improve ART Adherence for Pregnant Women with HIV in Rural Haiti
Nana Yaw Mensah—Princeton University
Mentors—Nancy Aitcheson/ Florence Momplaisir
Project—Integrating biomedical HIV prevention into gender-affirming care delivered via telemedicine
Sita Kottilil—Yale College
Mentor—Katie Bar
Project—Characterizing HIV Reservoirs in Acute and Early ART Initiated Participants
Willow Raine Jones—Xavier University of Louisiana
Mentors—Nia Bhadra-Heintz/Navid Roder
PASS CFAR scholar
Madison Burnett—Oakwood University
Mentor—Dennis Kolson
PASS CFAR scholar
Caleb Buell
Mentor—Kelly Jordon-Scuitto
SUIP CFAR scholar
Rasquinha Giselle
Mentor—Sarah Tishkoff
SUIP CFAR scholar
Kristin Stallings
Mentor—Daniel Claiborne
PREP CFAR scholar
2023 Scholars
Bernice Kear—Drexel College of Medicine
Mentor—William Short
Project—Exploring The Use of Long-Acting Cabenuva in Patients with Elevated BMI Living with HIV
Halle Bangura—Princeton University
Mentor—Laura Starbird
Project—E-Worth Cost Effectiveness Manuscript
Noelle Burwell—Columbia University
Mentor—Rebecca Clark
Project—Infant Feeding decisions of Parents Living with HIV
Maria Fernanda Rojas—San Juan Bautista School of Medicine
Mentor—Pablo Tebas
Project—Exploring Surgical Intervention: Bariatric Surgery in Individuals Living with HIV—A Retrospective Chart Analysis
Ugonna Adugba—Vanderbilt University
Mentor—Harald Schmidt
Project—Analyzing Alternative Methods for Tuberculosis Treatment Adherence Monitoring
Kayla Harrell—Graduate of Rosemont College
Mentor—Sneha Thatipelli
Project—Understanding OBGYN Facilitators and Barriers to providing PrEP Care
Sukaina Shivji—Princeton University
Mentor—Ebbing Lautenbach
Project—High Prevalence of Household Colonization by Extended-Spectrum Cephalosporin-Resistant Enterobacterales (ESCrE) in Botswana
Brianna Clifford—Lincoln University
Mentor—Steven Meanley
Project—Exploring The Virtual Presence of HIV Prevention Organizations: A Content Analysis for Community Engagement in Philadelphia
Elizabeth Garcia—University of Rochester
Mentor—Angela Desmond
Project—Developing an mRNA Vaccine that will Prevent Neonatal Herpes
Gabriela Grady, PASS CFAR Scholar—Bryn Mawr University
Mentor—Florence Momplaisir
Project—Clinics Engaged in Ending the HIV Epidemic in Philadelphia: Implementing an Organizational Intervention Addressing Structural Racism and Discrimination
Obinna Uzosike, PASS CFAR Scholar—Princeton University
Mentor—Edward Kreider
Project—In Vitro Assessment of HIV-1/SIV/SHIV Tat variants’ function in TZM-bl Cells
Brooke Solomon, SUIP CFAR Scholar—Howard University
Mentor—Robert Gross
Project—Examining the Reach of Community Health Workers: Preliminary Assessment of MAPS+ for Adherence to HIV Care
2022 Scholars
Brianna Lubin—Columbia University
Mentor: Liz Lowenthal
Project: The Effects of Depression on Neurocognitive Delays in Children with HIV
Raymond Zelada—University of Rochester
Mentor: Angela Desmond
Project: Developing an mRNA vaccine to prevent neonatal herpes
Chinweoke Ezeokoli—University of Michigan
Mentors: Steven Meanley, David Metzger, Deb Dunbar
Project: Awareness and attitudes regarding cure-related research among HIV care providers in Philadelphia
Dante Zanders—Mercer University School of Medicine
Mentors: Helen Koenig, Tiffany Yuh, and Nancy Aitcheson
Project: Acceptability and Feasibility of Implementing A Home-based HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Program In An Urban Clinic
Hiba Imad—Central High School
Mentors: Drew Weissman, Ted Kreider
Project: Synthesis of mRNA encoding Green Fluorescent Protein
2021 Scholars
Bria McKenzie—Princeton University
Mentors: Florence Momplaisir, Helen Koenig
Project: COVID-19 vaccination among people living with HIV
Naomi Fields—Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
Mentors: Florence Momplaisir, Helen Koenig, Suyung Kim
Project: Ending the HIV Epidemic implementation project and CEAL
Equal Opportunity Employment Statement
The University of Pennsylvania values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty and staff with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. The University of Pennsylvania does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected class status in the administration of its admissions, financial aid, educational or athletic programs, or other University-administered programs or in its employment practices. Questions or complaints regarding this policy should be directed to the Executive Director of the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs, Franklin Building, 3451 Walnut Street, Suite 421, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6106; or 215-898-6993 (Voice).