Transplant / Immunocompromised Host Track

Infectious Disease program

All fellows will spend three months on an active Transplant ID (TxID) service during their clinical year of training. The clinical service is staffed by 11 core faculty committed to training ID fellows in the care of immunocompromised hosts. Duke is a high-volume solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant center with continued growth anticipated. Trainees receive intensive clinical exposure to a growing population of immunocompromised hosts including:

  • Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients

  • Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients

  • Patients with hematologic malignancy receiving chemotherapy

  • Ventricular assist device recipients

There are two options available for advanced training in Transplant ID. The first is one-year of training for trainees who have already completed two years of an accredited ID fellowship program. This includes rounding on the Transplant ID service for 6 months as well as dedicated time for an independent research project (6 months). The second option is a three-year training program on our NIAID sponsored T32 Transplant ID Training Grant (AI100851), the purpose of which is to train physician-scientists in the care of transplant / immunocompromised hosts (ICH) and innovative methods of scientific research in this population. Trainees on this track will spend 6 months on the Transplant ID clinical service during their second year and the remaining 2.5 years performing clinical or basic science research focused on transplant/ICH. Trainees in both tracks will have one half-day of TxID clinic per week.

Duke offers an exceptional environment and outstanding institutional resources for unparalleled training in TxID, including in infection prevention, clinical care, and research. We are committed to training the next generation of physician scientists who will ultimately advance the field of TxID and improve outcomes for the vulnerable and complex immunocompromised host.

Barbara D. Alexander, MD, MHS, DIrector, TxID Service and TxID Fellowship Programs 

Transplant ID trainees receive formal instruction on fundamental concepts in the art and science of transplantation including: immunobiology of transplantation; pharmacology of immunosuppressive therapy; advances in therapy and diagnostic guidelines; scientific writing; research design; and ethical and regulatory issues. Trainees will pursue transdisciplinary research in one of four areas of emphasis: 1) microbial epidemiology & pathogenesis, 2) host susceptibility & response to infection, 3) medical management & treatment outcomes or 4) laboratory medicine. Strong mentoring relationships are key to our trainees’ success; careful selection of mentors and research advisory committee members are the cornerstone for fostering productive mentor/mentee partnerships in our program.

26 faculty with primary appointments in six departments participate in the Transplant ID Training Program. 

Current and Former Transplant ID Trainees

BinNiMD

     Bin Ni, MD, PhD (July 2022-Present)
     Research Focus: BK Virus Reactivation in Transplant Patients  

emily eichenberger

Emily Eichenberger, MD (July 2019-2022)
Research Focus: Host immune response in transplant recipients with bacterial bloodstream infection.   

Julie Steinbrink

Julie Steinbrink, MD (July 2018-June 2021)
Research Focus: Development of biomarker-based diagnostics for acute infections in immunocompromised hosts. 

Marion Hemmersback-Miller

Marion Hemmersbach-Miller, MD, PhD (July 2016-June 2019)
Research Focus: Outcomes and infectious complications following kidney transplantation in older adults. 

Julia Messina

Julia A. Messina, MD, MSc (July 2015-June 2018)
Research Focus: The gut microbiome and risk for enterococcal bloodstream infection in acute leukemic and HSCT recipients 

Arthur Baker

Arthur W. Baker, MD, MPH (July 2014-June 2016)
Research Focus: Epidemiology of hospital-acquired infections in transplant populations, including surgical site and mycobacterial infections