iDfellows: Hamburg Clinician Scientist Programme in Infectious Diseases

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Ansgar W. Lohse
• Subject Area: Clinical Infectiology and Tropical Medicine ; Gastroenterology ; Hematology, Oncology ; Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine ; Clinical Neurology; Neurosurgery and Neuroradiology ; Nephrology ; Rheumatology
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 493624519

Infections are a global challenge. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic can be seen as the tip of the iceberg. In addition to epidemic and pandemic outbreaks, the emergence of new pathogens, modern lifestyles, and globalization are factors that increase infection risks. Rising antibiotic resistance poses an additional threat, as does a significant increase in patients who are more vulnerable to infections due to trans-plants, intensified immunosuppressive or anti-neoplastic therapies, or congenital diseases. At the same time, we are currently experiencing a shortage of clinical infectious disease specialists, particularly in Germany. The newly introduced opportunity for internists to specialize in infectious diseases, combined with the excellent research prospects available in Hamburg, formed the foundation for the successful launch of the iDfellows program. With a total of 28 fellows - four more than initially planned, made pos-sible through additional funding from the medical faculty - the program has started very successfully, providing top-tier clinical training in combination with excellent research. The following key features distinguish the iDfellows program: - Attractiveness: Excellent training and research environment - Clinical expertise: Systematic clinical training and education at one of Europe's largest centers for in-fectious and tropical diseases - Scientific progress: Research projects are carefully selected based on quality and relevance - Mentorship: Outstanding clinical and scientific mentors, including experts from top universities abroad, guide the fellows - International networks: Diverse international collaborations provide opportunities for research stays abroad and participation in international studies. These key elements are reflected and translate into five central structural features: 1) Focused and modular training in diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases 2) Excellent research environment and network of the Hamburg region infectious diseases research institutions 3) Interdisciplinary and international mentoring by clinical, basic science and international infectious dis-ease experts, and encouragement and support for research periods abroad. Four iDfellows have al-ready began two-year research stays abroad (three supported by Walter-Benjamin scholarships), with more planned. 4) Flexibility and support to allow integration of family priorities into the career path 5) Sustainability based on follow-up funding provided by the faculty. The long-term prespective of the iDfellows program involves an expansion of its thematic focus beyond infectious diseases in line with the faculty's central research priority, namely Inflammation, Infection, Immunology (C3i), serving as a flagship Clinician Scientist program along with the five Collaborative Research Centers (CRCs) and additional research groups operating in this field.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Co-Investigators: Professorin Dr. Marylyn Martina Addo; Professor Dr. Martin Aepfelbacher; Professor Dr. Marcus Altfeld; Dr. Angelique Hölzemer; Professorin Dr. Blanche Schwappach-Pignataro