A major goal of the fellowship is to produce outstanding independent investigators in allergy and clinical immunology. The depth and diversity of the world-class research community at Hopkins represents a major strength of the training program. Program faculty sit on major advisory committees including those of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), the American Lung Association, American Board of Allergy & Immunology as well as various grant review study sections of the National Institutes of Health. Members of the faculty serve on the editorial boards of major allergy and biomedical journals, including the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and UpToDate, and co-edit the Middleton’s Allergy: Principles & Practice textbook.

The research program is constructed “without walls” with numerous possibilities for collaborative projects with colleagues at Hopkins Medical School, Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, as well as other departments and neighboring institutions such as the University of Maryland and the NIH. Productive external research collaborations are encouraged. Active programs are in place in virtually every aspect of allergic disease from genes to cells to human models of disease. Project topics range from molecular biology to signal transduction to inflammatory cell recruitment and survival in allergic diseases to the genetic epidemiology and pharmacogenetics of asthma to clinical trials. There exists a multidisciplinary approach to the investigation of asthma including classic cell and molecular biology, cell biology and human genetics. There are ample opportunities for both the fellow pursuing a career in basic science research as well as the fellow whose focus lies more in clinical medicine and clinical research. Virtually all of these research activities are supported by NIH-funded grants.

The synergy of intellectual talent, technology, collaboration and space provide a strong atmosphere for fellowship training. As a result, the applicant is not automatically assigned to a project and mentor in the program. Instead, there is a chance to broadly view the research endeavors of the program faculty during clinical training and to choose a project and mentor whose goals are consistent with those of each fellow. Career counseling and direction are provided to assist each fellow in the selection of an area of research. Each fellow selects a mentor at the start of the first year. This faculty member is available to assist with decision making around career choice during fellowship and beyond. Fellows also meet with the division chief and mentorship committee to further input regarding their research experience and career plans.