Interdisciplinary Program in Vaccinology & Immunotherapeutics

The University of Saskatchewan has created a new, highly interdisciplinary School of Public Health, offering innovative opportunities for graduate training. The new Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Vaccinology & Immunotherapeutics is unlike any other in North America.

Now accepting students for 2008, the program offers specialization in Vaccinology & Immunotherapeutics and thesis-based MA, M.Sc. or PhD degrees.

Students complete their programs on a campus with life sciences infrastructure and expertise that is unique worldwide.

Students may pursue degrees in one of the following streams:

1) Societal Issues. The research in this area will involve the complex social, health care, legal and ethical issues associated with vaccination and other immunotherapeutics. Students in this program will receive an MA or PhD.

2) Design & Production. The research in this area will focus on the design and production of vaccines and other immunotherapeutics. Students in this program will receive an M.Sc. or PhD.

3) Scientific Bases. The major focus of research in this area would be the science that underlies vaccines and other immunotherapeutics. Students in this program will receive an M.Sc. or PhD.

A flourishing discipline
The University of Saskatchewan is currently training graduate students in the broad areas of vaccinology and immunotherapeutics, with nearly 50 graduate students enrolled in various departments. Employment prospects for past graduates have been excellent.

The Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Vaccinology & Immunotherapeutics is unique in that it provides graduate students an opportunity to be exposed to a variety of disciplines in one institution and to interact with top-level national and international scientists and experts through the linkages that have been and will be developed.

Cutting-edge advances in immunology and biotechnology have allowed us to make great strides in developing effective vaccines and immunotherapeutics for some of our major diseases, and while we are on the edge of success in dealing with others, for many of our most prevalent challenges we simply do not have sufficient information regarding their biology to understand the best approaches to them.

Vaccinology and Immunotherapeutics students increasingly require exposure to and an understanding of a wide range of topics in science, medical science, social science and the humanities.This program offers trainees the opportunity to tailor their studies to achieve direct real-world impacts while also gaining unique interdisciplinary experience.

In addition to the basic sciences, a top-level graduate program in vaccinology and immunotherapeutics must involve the social sciences and the humanities. There are complicated social, health care, legal and ethical issues and other concerns regarding vaccination, perhaps to a greater extent than was ever the case before.

Program Infrastructure
VIDO is a cornerstone of the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Vaccinology & Immunotherapeutics. VIDO is a leader in the research and development of vaccine and immunotherapeutic technologies for humans and animals. We have a long history of providing research opportunities for graduate students, and our alumni go on to have successful careers, many holding senior positions in government, academia and the pharmaceutical industry around the world.

VIDO offers access to cutting-edge equipment and facilities with a new expansion opened in 2003 and the 145,000 square foot Containment Level 3 International Vaccine Centre (InterVac) laboratory under construction. Trainees have an opportunity to work in an organization with close links to industry, allowing networking and development of real-world skills.

See what trainees have to say about VIDO

Recently, the Pan-Provincial Vaccine Enterprise (PREVENT) was created, a new Centre of Excellence for Commercialization and Research. Based at the University of Saskatchewan, PREVENT will bridge a vaccine commercialization gap to accelerate the rate at which essential vaccines reach Canadians. Through their vaccinology training programs, students will have opportunities to conduct research that will advance vaccine candidates through the PREVENT pipeline.

The Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Vaccinology & Immunotherapeutics involves many departments and organizations of the University of Saskatchewan, each with qualified faculty and well-equipped laboratories.

New research additions are currently being completed to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and the College of Medicine. VIDO's International Vaccine Centre (InterVac) will be completed in 2010 and thus the program will gain access to additional highly advanced facilities and equipment.

Interested?

Applicants to the program must apply to the University of Saskatchewan College of Graduate Studies and Research. Applications for graduate studies may be obtained from CGSR or from Joyce Sander, Human Resources Manager, VIDO.