About Us

The Vermont Center for Immunology and Infectious Diseases (VCIID) was initiated at the University of Vermont to create a multidisciplinary group of scientists and clinicians undertaking collaborative research in microbial pathogenesis and the immune response to infections. The ultimate goal is that our collective findings will translate into new strategies for the detection, prevention, and treatment of infectious diseases. We are also mindful that some of our research themes (e.g. inflammation) have clear relevance to other diseases, such as cancer, autoimmunity, and atherogenesis.

The Center currently includes approximately twenty-three UVM faculty in eight departments and three colleges. There is also a robust collaboration with the Trudeau Institute in nearby Saranac Lake, NY, manifested by a joint P01 Program Project Grant and T32 Training Grant. Over the next few years there will be a continued expansion through the recruitment of new faculty to the Center. An active seminar series brings to campus outstanding international investigators in immunology and microbiology. The Center also supports core facilities in microarray, bioinformatics, proteomics, and flow cytometry.

A research training program in Immunology and Infectious Diseases exists with opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. This is supported by funds from both the COBRE and T32 Training Grant awards.

Clinical Trials for Infectious Diseases are conducted with the Division of Infectious Diseases, and for autoimmune and rheumatic diseases with the Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology.

Collaborating Partners

Location

Our Burlington home is nestled between the shores of Lake Champlain and the vistas of the Green Mountains.

We are located on the University of Vermont campus, and adjacent to The University of Vermont Medical Center, fostering a culture of collaboration and partnership.

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Message from the Director

The focus of the Vermont Center for Immunobiology and Infectious Diseases is the host response to infections.  During the first five years of Phase I COBRE funding from NIH we expanded from nine founding senior faculty to the current 25 faculty spanning eight departments in three colleges.  We published 213 original research papers and secured nearly $48 million in research dollars, not counting the COBRE funds.  During the first 10 years of COBRE funding, VCIID faculty published 419 articles and received over $92 million in funding.  This also provided funds to allow the Larner College of Medicine to build a new BSL3 facility in partnership with the Vermont Department of Health (opened spring, 2016), and to recruit new faculty to the theme of the host response to infection.  In 2016, we entered a third 5-year Phase III period. We also have a T32 Training Grant from NIH, also in its 13th year, to support the salaries of our graduate students.

Ralph Budd, M.D.
Director, Professor of Medicine