The Emerging Infectious Disease and HIV Scholars Program (EIDS) program seeks to develop a physician-scientist workforce focused on clinical research to inform practical responses to HIV and associated infections over the next decades. The Alpert Medical School of Brown University has incorporated a Master of Science with specific coursework to provide an educational foundation for clinical research with a dedicated research block. The program offers financial support for pilot research projects and appropriate mentors will be assigned to guide scholars. Scholars in medical school will attend a relevant professional conference each year and program faculty and mentors will provide supplemental networking opportunities at these meetings. The program will work closely with the Rhode Island Department of Health to engage trainees in the investigation of ongoing epidemics in Rhode Island, such as HIV, COVID-19, monkey pox, hepatitis C, and escalating sexually transmitted infections including syphilis. In the first four years, we enrolled and supported 66 scholars who completed clinical research projects resulting in 72 abstracts and 31 publications. 25 out of 66 scholars (39%) were from groups identified as underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral, and social sciences (URM utilizing the NIH definition). This grant will continue to inspire, train, support, and retain a community of scholars to serve as “microbes hunters”. Specific Aim 1: Inspire future physician-scientists to rapidly address challenges of HIV associated infections and emerging epidemics. Specific Aim 2: Train future physician-scientists. Over the course of four years, medical students will complete coursework leading to a Master in Science degree. Specific Aim 3: Support future physician-scientists. All scholars will have access to resources to develop an independent research proposal. Support in clinical research tools, biostatistics, analysis, abstract development, and manuscript preparation will be provided through tailored coursework and program faculty, staff, and mentors, and funds will be available for scholars and program faculty and mentors to attend appropriate scientific conferences. Specific Aim 4: Retain the community of scholars throughout training. All aspects of the program will be evaluated on an ongoing basis in order to determine acceptability, relevance, and value of each component of the training program. Outcomes of interest include research project development and completion, abstract presentation and manuscript publication, and long-term engagement in clinical research related to emerging infectious disease.

The Emerging Infectious Disease and HIV Scholars at Brown University program is a collaboration between the Alpert Medical School of Brown University, the affiliated hospitals, and the Rhode Island Department of Health. The program seeks to develop a physician- scientist workforce focused on clinical research to inform practical responses to HIV and associated infections the important role of clinical research, particularly among marginalized communities, to help end the HIV epidemic. This program is committed to training scholars during medical school, including a Masters of Science and a mentored clinical research project. Scholars will be inspired, trained, and supported as “microbe hunters” to respond to the various challenges of HIV and emerging epidemics.