APHL-CDC Ronald H. Laessig Newborn Screening Fellowship

• Addition of a new analyte, orotic acid, to the newborn screening panel to screen for Ornithine Transcarbamylase deficiency

• Cost benefit analysis of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency screening within the laboratory

• Planning and conducting validation and pilot studies for a PCR/gel-based assay for GALT 5kb deletion

• Evaluation study of the utility of molecular analysis for hemoglobinopathies

• Evaluation study comparing the results from testing unsatisfactory specimens to their matched satisfactory repeat specimens

• Developing and validating Krabbe and Pompe sequencing assays

• Validation and implementation of sequencing assay for Cystic Fibrosis. 

​The program is a full-time working fellowship for bachelor’s-, master’s- and doctoral-level scientists. The program term is one year, with a possible extension. Fellows are placed in state, local and territorial public health laboratories, where they receive training in bench-level laboratory skills and methods and assist with newborn screening laboratory operations and research. 

Once in their host laboratories, fellows are supervised by an experienced mentor and work on bench-level projects proposed by the host laboratory. In addition to laboratory-specific work, fellows participate in program orientation and distance-based training and learning activities to achieve proficiency in select public health laboratory ​ core competencies.

Program Be​​​ne​​fits​​​

Fellows receive a stipend, allowances for health insurance and professional development, and complimentary student membership to APHL. The 2022 stipend range is $41,000–​68,000 depending on degree, experience and host laboratory location.

Fellow Eligibility and Req​​uirements

• Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents. 

• Applicants must have completed a minimum of a bachelor's degree by the program start date.

Applicatio​​n Process

​Fellows​​

Applications must be submitted using the online portal. The application includes a curriculum vitae or resume, narrative statement, unofficial transcripts (official transcripts will be required prior to start date), proof of US citizenship or permanent resident status, and three letters of recommendation. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all materials are received by the application deadline. ​

​Host Labo​rator​ies

APHL member state, local and territorial public health laboratories, environmental, chemical, agricultural and food safety laboratories, and occasionally federal laboratories, are eligible to host bioinformatics fellows. Laboratory staff interested in applying to host a fellow should review the Host Laboratory Information webpage before submitting their application.

Questions?

View a list of Frequently Asked Questions about the fellowship program and the application process. Still have questions? Contact APHL program staff at fellowships@aphl.org.​​​​​​​