Overview

Fellowships available to post-graduate Pharm.D

The in vitro division was developed in 2004, and has received uninterrupted funding from the NIH, VA, Rhode Island foundation grants and investigator initiated research from pharmaceutical industry. The focus of the fellowship is in the treatment, virulence inhibition, control and prevention of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other pathogenic drug resistant bacteria. Laboratory experiments are directed towards discovery of new knowledge in biofilm prevention and treatment, Antibiotic Lock Therapy (ALT), pharmacodynamic interactions of combination therapy, infection control and decolonization of MRSA and high throughput screening of novel agents (natural products and synthetic) that possess antimicrobial activity. The research environment is conducive to scholarly work. The fellow will receive formal training in both laboratory and clinically based research. Laboratory training will allow for the understanding and implementation of in vitro infectious diseases research including but not limited to, pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic modeling, molecular technologies, and statistical analysis. All research will include development of a research project and experience in Investigational Review Board (IRB). The fellow is responsible for submitting research proposal to the VAMC Institutional Review Board (IRB; human), and Research and Development Board (R&D).

Benefits

Fellows receive a competitive stipend that includes full medical and dental coverage (signal or family coverage). Additional benefits include paid membership in the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacy (SIDP) and American Society of Microbiology (ASM), book stipends, and paid expenses for professional meetings, fellow forums and conferences.

Rhode Island Infectious Diseases (RIID) Research Program

• Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), Providence, RI Funded Fellowship in conjunction with:
• The University of Rhode Island (URI) College of Pharmacy, Kingstown, RI
• Warren Albert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI

The RIID Infectious Diseases Research Program is focused on the prevention, treatment, virulence inhibition and outcomes associated with drug resistant bacteria. The program is divided into two divisions, the in vitro division and the clinical outcomes division. The clinical outcomes division offers a fellowship focused on antimicrobial stewardship, whereas the in vitro component is laboratory based. The program is located in the State of Rhode Island, at the Providence Veterans Affair Medical Center and the College of Pharmacy at the University of Rhode Island.

The program is directed by Kerry LaPlante, Pharm.D. who has over 10 year experience, and has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles, abstracts and textbook chapters in this area of research. Dr. LaPlante is a tenured associate professor of pharmacy at the University of Rhode Island and an adjunct associate professor at the Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University. Her clinical practice site is at the Providence VAMC where she serves as an infectious diseases pharmacotherapy specialist consultant.

Description / Purpose

Two-year fellowships are available in both the in vitro program, and the outcomes component of this program. The program is design to provide skills that are necessary to pursue a career in academia, clinical research and basic clinical practice focused in infectious diseases. The program integrates a formal hands-on laboratory experience (80%), teaching both in the classroom and experiential (10%), and practical clinical experience for the Infectious Disease Consult team (10%). A major focus of this program is in research design, development, analysis and writing for final publication. Fellows are responsible for submitting their research to national and international infectious diseases meetings and submitting their papers to peer reviewed journals for publication.

Teaching

The fellows will have several opportunities for teaching. The requirement will encompass classroom teaching at The University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy, Noon conference (given to Brown University medical students, interns, residents and staff), and assisting in precepting the 6th year Pharm.D. students during their Infectious Diseases experiential rotation.

Contact

Office Address
Veterans Affairs Medical Center (151)
Research Building #7
830 Chalkstone Avenue
Providence, RI 02908

Laboratory
Veterans Affairs Medical Center (151)
Research Building #7
830 Chalkstone Avenue
Providence, RI 02908

Fellowship Director
Kerry LaPlante, Pharm.D.
Office: 401.273.7100 x2339
Cell: 401.632.6009
kerrylaplante@uri.edu

Affiliates

Leonard A. Mermel, DO, ScM, AM (Hon), FACP, FIDSA, FSHEA
Medical Director, Dept. of Epidemiology & Infection Control, Rhode Island Hospital and Professor of Medicine, Brown Medical School
Focus: Antimicrobial lock therapy, infection control and prevention.

David C. Rowley, PhD
Associate Professor and Natural Products Chemist
The University of Rhode Island, University of Rhode Island.
Focus: Natural products discovery and development isolated from marine organisms.