Young and Early Career Investigators: Report from a Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise Working Group

Nicole Frahm,Jacques Fellay,Timothy Cardozo,Yong Liu,Dan Barouch,Jonathan Fuchs,Raul Rabadan,Bhavna Chohan,Alasdair Leslie,Penny Moore,Thumbi Ndung’U,Galit Alter

doi:10.1038/npre.2010.4800.2

Abstract

AbstractThe scientific challenges facing HIV-1 vaccine development are unprecedented in the history of vaccinology. As a result, investigators, funders, and other stakeholders generally agree that “game-changing” ideas are required. While innovation can certainly arise from investigators at all career stages, young and early-career investigators, defined as those under 40 years of age or within 10 years of their final degree or clinical training, are especially key contributors of novel and transformative ideas. Young and early-career investigators bring energy, enthusiasm, and fresh perspectives that are unbiased by prevailing dogma and that are essential to scientific progress.

Highlights

The scientific challenges facing HIV-1 vaccine development are unprecedented in the history of vaccinology
The Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise established a committee of Young and Early Career Investigators (YECIs) in 2008 to define key bottlenecks currently faced by YECIs in the HIV-1 vaccine field and to suggest potential solutions
Novel Funding Approaches We suggest a series of approaches to facilitate improved independent funding opportunities for YECIs

Summary

Introduction

The scientific challenges facing HIV-1 vaccine development are unprecedented in the history of vaccinology. The Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise established a committee of Young and Early Career Investigators (YECIs) in 2008 to define key bottlenecks currently faced by YECIs in the HIV-1 vaccine field and to suggest potential solutions.

Objectives

Results

Conclusion