workforce
APHL Strengthens Ties with ASM’s CPEP Fellowship
Program
by Laura Siegel, specialist, Professional Development
Did you know, nearly a dozen APHL member laboratory leaders are former American Society for Microbiology
(ASM) CPEP Fellows? So what is the ASM CPEP fellowship and how can public health laboratories encourage
graduates to consider careers in public health?
T
he ASM CPEP Fellowship prepares PhD/MD post-doctoral fellows for
leadership roles in medical and public health microbiology. There are
currently 17 microbiology fellowships offered at medical centers around
the US. During the two-year fellowship, participants experience life in the
clinical microbiology laboratory and learn about the diagnosis, treatment and
prevention of infectious diseases. The two-year curriculum stresses proficiency
in clinical microbiology laboratory techniques and understanding of how
these relate to patient care plus laboratory leadership and management;
epidemiology and public health; and applied research. All fellows are required
to complete a two-week rotation in a public health laboratory, although many
programs support a longer stay, especially if fellows are interested in public
health careers.
“We love it when CPEP fellows spend several weeks, even months learning
about public health. The work we