Promoting careers in bioscience through teacher training and student engagement
Official title: It's Contagious! Promoting the Biomedical Workforce Pipeline through Infectious Diseases
Funded at Texas Biomedical Research Institute · NIH-11128724 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping teachers and students learn more about exciting careers in bioscience, so they can inspire the next generation of scientists and researchers through special programs and resources.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Biomedical Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $255,018 |
| NIH project number | 5R25GM142021-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11128724 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are educators and students in K-12 and collegiate settings who are interested in STEM careers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not involved in education or do not have an interest in pursuing careers in bioscience may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the STEM workforce by developing programs that educate both teachers and students about career opportunities in bioscience. It aims to empower teachers through professional development and innovative classroom interventions, enabling them to engage students more effectively in STEM fields. The initiative includes two main programs: 'Teachers as Researchers' and 'Classroom to Career' curriculum, which provide resources and tools for teachers to apply research methods in their teaching. By bridging the knowledge gap about STEM careers, the project seeks to inspire the next generation of bioscience professionals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase student interest and participation in bioscience careers, ultimately strengthening the workforce in this critical field.
How similar studies have gone: Previous initiatives aimed at enhancing STEM education and workforce development have shown positive outcomes, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas Biomedical Research Institute
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Riggs, Rosemary — Texas Biomedical Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Riggs, Rosemary
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Targeting human HIV latency with super-enhancer RNA targets
A short, patient-friendly plan to explore how special RNA molecules in immune cells control HIV hiding in the body and how we might disrupt that to help control the virus.
-
Pathways to trigger protective MAIT cell responses against bacterial infections
A study to figure out which bacterial metabolite antigens activate MAIT cells through MR1 to defend against TB and tularemia.
-
IL-21 therapy to boost lung immunity in HIV/TB co-infection
A study tests an IL-21-based therapy added to HIV treatment to help the lungs control TB and reduce HIV persistence in people (or animal models that simulate them).
-
Focused ultrasound to open the blood-brain barrier and reduce HIV reservoirs in the brain
A new approach uses gentle ultrasound to temporarily open the brain’s protective barrier so HIV medicines can reach the brain and shrink hidden virus reservoirs in people living with HIV.
-
Macrophage biology and metabolism in TB infection
Researchers are studying human lung macrophages to understand how they regulate immune responses and support or limit tuberculosis infection, with the goal of improving treatments that help the body fight TB.
-
Understanding how genetics and immunity shape chikungunya brain disease
A research project uses genetically diverse mice to learn why chikungunya virus causes brain inflammation in some people and how immune responses contribute to this disease.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.