Program Area Sample Projects
Bioinformatics and Molecular Epidemiology
1. Using next-generation genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis to identify and track monkeypox (Mpox) and rabies viruses.
2. Analysis of wastewater sequencing data for detection of SARS-CoV-2 and public health threats.
3. Establish bioinformatics pipelines for surveillance and drug resistance prediction of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB).
4. Enhance detection of high consequence pathogens and novel pathogens that cause viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF)-like symptoms.
5. Incorporating public health data standards into messages.
Biosecurity and Biosafety
1. Assessment and implementation of Biorisk Management Program in accordance with ISO 35001.
2. Laboratory safety policy and risk assessment procedure updates.
3. Develop and update biosecurity protocols.
4. Evaluate decontamination methods of laboratory equipment.
5. Review biosafety outreach program with external partners including clinical and non-traditional laboratories.
Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR)
1. Develop and/or test of a continuity of operations plan (COOP) within a public health laboratory.
2. Develop drills and exercises to maintain readiness for emergency response to different public health threat scenarios.
3. Develop a tool to assist laboratories with surge capacity planning.
4. Form and convene a laboratory advisory group to strengthen public-private partnerships within a jurisdiction.
5. Evaluate the performance of field-based technologies and/or laboratory assays and technologies to detect priority threats.
6. Evaluate previous responses (e.g., mpox) and identify opportunities to strengthen laboratory preparedness and response for novel or other threats.
Environmental Health
1. Overdose polysubstance method development for human exposures and environmental investigations.
2. Novel prenatal screening program.
3. Radiochemical separations development for the isolation of isotopes from unique matrices.
4. Wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging pathogens.
5. Targeted and non-targeted analytical approach to identify exposures to environmental contaminants.
Food Safety
1. Evaluation and validation of quantitative PCR for
Listeria monocytogenes in foods.
2. Optimization of targeted DNA next-generation sequencing.
3. Validation of laboratory test methods for emergency outbreak response.
4. Highly Multiplex Amplicon Sequencing (HMAS) for direct stool foodborne pathogen identification and outbreak investigation trend analysis.
5. Mass-spectrometry for chemical food adulterants.
Infectious Diseases
1. Validation of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC).
2. Standardization of PCR laboratory device automations (LDAs) on the Panther Fusion with option to validate next-generation sequencing assays.
3. Tracking antifungal resistance: laboratory surveillance and building public health capacity.
4. Increasing test efficiency through multiplexing of real-time PCR assays.
5. LN34 pan-lyssavirus real-time RT-PCR assay.
Informatics
1. Providing support to the ongoing maintenance and development of the laboratory’s LIMS.
2. Developing laboratory workflow optimization strategies and streamlining processes across laboratory domains.
3. Establishing connectivity with data exchange partners.
4. Developing and supporting electronic interfaces.
5. Incorporating public health data standards into messages.
Newborn Screening
1. Validation and implementation of a 2nd tier next-generation sequencing assay for Cystic Fibrosis.
2. Development of newborn screening techniques: methods to improve sensitivity and specificity.
3. Improving newborn screening quality with business intelligence software.
4. Improving biotinidase deficiency screen and preparing for screening for Mucopolysaccharidosis.
5. Development and validation of a 2nd-tier LC-MS/MS method for the identification of Homocystinuria.
Quality Management
1. Conducting a Laboratory Systems Improvement Program (L-SIP) assessment.
2. Development of laboratory risk assessment and management.
3. The development of training courses for the Quality Management System (QMS).
4. Quality management modernization and training development.
5. Team-focused assessment and implementation of a new electronic non-conformance management system.
If you have further questions, please email
fellowships@aphl.org or join our fellowship team during our weekly
office hours on Wednesdays from 3:00–4:00 pm ET.