Track I: PhD and MD/PhD
Track I provides basic research training for postdoctoral applicants who enter the program with the Ph.D. degree, or both the Ph.D. and M.D. (D.V.M., D.D.S., etc.) degrees. As soon as possible, if not prior to matriculation, the trainee will identify a primary mentor or mentors. With advice from the mentor(s), the trainee will meet the other faculty, select a RAC, and develop a major research project. The trainee will then commence the research and required or optional courses. Throughout the training period, which is normally three years, the trainee will devote full-time to research, attend seminars, take or audit any courses recommended by the mentor or the RAC, and fulfill the required activities.

Trainees may enter the program at any time. The table below outlines a typical schedule for a trainee who enters the program at the start of the academic year. In August, the trainee will formalize the RAC, take the Course in Responsible Conduct, and begin the research. In February of the first academic year, the trainee will apply for the Molecular Pathogenic Mycology Course at Woods Hole, and in May, take the Medical Mycology course at Duke. That spring, the trainee may also attend the workshop on Mentoring and Career Issues at UNC-CH, and then recruit an undergraduate student to supervise for 10 weeks during the summer. If the trainee is accepted to the Woods Hole course, which he or she will learn in April, the undergraduate mentoring experience will be deferred to the following summer to ensure uninterrupted supervision during this internship. By the second year, the trainee will have presented his or her research at local seminars and a national meeting. At the end of the second year, the trainee will be assisted by the mentor and RAC to plan the next career move, either application for an individual fellowship, alternative grant support, or if ready, a permanent position.

Year 1	Fall • Take Responsible Conduct Course (4 days in August) • Select mentor(s), RAC, and obtain approval of research project • Begin full-time research in the mentor’s laboratory • Attend and participate in DUMRU and other seminars Spring • Pursue full-time research in the mentor’s laboratory • Attend and participate in DUMRU and other seminars • Apply for Molecular Pathogenic Mycology Course at Woods Hole • Attend the UNC-CH Workshop on career issues and mentoring • Select undergraduate research assistant for the summer Summer • Full-time research in the mentor’s laboratory • Attend and participate in DUMRU and other Seminars • Take the Medical Mycology mini-course at Duke (10 half-day sessions) • Supervise undergraduate summer research project (May to August) or • Attend the Molecular Pathogenic Mycology Course at Woods Hole in August
Year 2	Fall & Spring • Full-time research in the mentor’s laboratory • Attend and participate in DUMRU and other seminars • Complete research projects, submit papers, attend and present at meetings Summer • Full-time research in mentor’s laboratory • Attend and participate in DUMRU and other Seminars • Attend the Molecular Pathogenic Mycology Course at Woods Hole in August or • Supervise undergraduate summer research project (May to August) • Report research at national or international meeting(s) • Apply for individual grant, fellowship or job
Year 3	• Full-time research in the mentor’s laboratory • Attend and participate in DUMRU and other seminars • As desired, give didactic lectures in courses • Complete research projects, submit papers, attend and present at meetings

Note: Applications for the Molecular Pathogenic Mycology course at the Marine Biological Laboratories at Woods Hole are due in February, and trainees learn in April whether they have been accepted. Those who are not admitted in the first year will proceed with the undergraduate training experience and reapply for the course the following summer. Conversely, acceptance to the Woods Hole course in the first year will defer the summer undergraduate training. (While trainees in either track can take the Woods Hole course in any summer, only Track I trainees can supervise an undergraduate in the Year 1 summer because Track IIB trainees will require more research training.)

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