The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Bonn and the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) are jointly launching the EKFS doctoral program IMMUNE PILOT, which introduces medical students to clinical-scientific research at an early stage. The structured program is positioned at the interface of immunology, neuroscience, and genetics and is aimed at students with a strong interest in research who aspire to pursue a career as clinician scientists. The program is funded by the Else Kröner-Fresenius Foundation (EKFS) The program is funded by the Else Kröner-Fresenius Foundation (EKFS), one of the leading foundations supporting young investigators in medical science.
Structured Training at the Interface of Immunology, Neuroscience, and Genetics
IMMUNE PILOT combines the scientific excellence of the University of Bonn with the translational strength of UKB. Participants benefit from outstanding research infrastructure, including the Bonn Technology Campus, the DFG Cluster of Excellence ImmunoSensation³, and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE). In this environment, internationally leading researchers investigate key immunological and neurobiological mechanisms across the entire lifespan - with direct relevance to clinically important questions ranging from pediatrics and adolescent medicine to adult care.
The doctoral program is led by Prof. Kaan Boztug, Director of the Department of Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology at UKB, and Prof. Anne-Katrin Pröbstel, Managing Director of the Department of Neurology and Director of the Department of Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Disorders at UKB as well as research group leader at DZNE. PD Dr. Michael Sommerauer, senior physician at the UKB Department of Neurology, serves as deputy. The program is supported by an interdisciplinary team of clinician scientists and natural scientists at the Bonn site, including several ERC-funded researchers.
“With IMMUNE PILOT, the University of Bonn and UKB are jointly strengthening the next generation of clinician scientists and the Bonn research hub - with a clear focus on translation and future readiness,” comments Prof. Uwe Reuter, Chairman of the Board and Medical Director at UKB, on the launch of the initiative.
The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Bernd Weber, also sees the new doctoral program as an important building block for the further development of the faculty: “We are delighted that the outstanding clinical leaders and professors Boztug and Pröbstel, who were newly recruited only last year, have succeeded with the concept of this innovative doctoral program. It is an important source of motivation and strong support for early-career clinical researchers, who can prepare not only for clinical practice but also for the innovative research that will shape the medicine of tomorrow.”
Strong Mentoring, International Exchange, and Translational Focus
At the core of IMMUNE PILOT are experimental doctoral projects featuring a twelve-month full-time research phase, followed by continuation alongside the students’ medical studies. The program offers close individual supervision, a structured qualification framework, and a flexible curriculum with methodological training, seminars, and key scientific skills. Mentoring, international exchange opportunities with existing partner institutions of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Bonn - the Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC) at Osaka University and the Bonn-Cumming Program for Host-directed Therapies at the University of Melbourne - and early integration into the research community are integral components.
“With IMMUNE PILOT, we are closing the gap between traditional medical education and innovative translational research,” says Prof. Anne-Katrin Pröbstel. “This gives future physicians early access to cutting-edge technologies and prepares them for a scientific career that closely links clinical practice and research,” emphasizes Prof. Kaan Boztug.
Contact
Prof. Kaan Boztug
Director Clinic for Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology at UKB
ImmunoSensation3 at the university of Bonn
Phone: (reception) +49(0)228-287 37852
E-Mail: kaan.boztug@ukbonn.de
Prof. Anne-Katrin Pröbstel
Director Center for Neurology & Clinic for Neuroimmunology at UKB
ImmunoSensation3 at the University of Bonn & DZNE
Phone: (reception) +49 (0) 228 287-31431
Email: anne-katrin.proebstel@ukbonn.de
