Applications for the APHL-CDC Ronald H. Laessig Newborn Screening Fellowship Summer 2022 cohort are open!
Apply to Become a Newborn Screening Fellowby
February 28, 2022
About the APHL-CDC Ronald H. Laessig Newborn Screening Fellowship Program
The
APHL-CDC Ronald H. Laessig Newborn Screening (NBS) Fellowship prepares laboratory scientists for careers in NBS and/or genetics research while strengthening state, local and federal public health infrastructures to support surveillance and implement prevention and control programs. The program honors Ronald H. Laessig, the former director of the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene and a national leader in NBS. Its mission is to provide a high quality training experience for the fellow while providing workforce capacity to the public health laboratory community.
Examples of previous projects and research include:
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.
Program Specifics
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 Benefits
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 Requirements
Application 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.
Apply to Become a Newborn Screening Fellowby
February 28, 2022
Host Laboratories
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.