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Coming Full Circle Leads to a New Path Forward

Oct 28, 2024

Dr. David Cho, associate director for preparedness and response in the U.S. FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), began his career at the University of Michigan as a PhD student co-mentored by Dr. John Maassab and Pathology’s Dr. Nick Lukacs. “My research was to develop potential Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine candidates using cold-adaptation techniques that Dr. Maassab had discovered when developing the influenza vaccine that would eventually become the nasal spray FluMist vaccine.” Cho would develop a potential vaccine candidate and conduct initial animal studies. “Then I would bring the vaccine to Dr. Lukacs’ lab to look at potential pathology of the vaccine given to the animals.”

After graduation, Cho spent two years as a postdoctoral fellow at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where he discovered the intersection of the CDC and the FDA in vaccine development and safety. He applied for an open position at the FDA at his boss’s urging, and soon transitioned to the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

Mohamed Mire_ headshot sm.jpgCho's connection with Lukacs proved fortuitous for recent MCP student Mohamed Mire. Mire was a graduate student in the Lukacs lab when Lukacs invited Cho back to the University of Michigan to provide a seminar at the Michigan Center for Infectious Disease Threats and Pandemic Preparedness. “After my seminar, Dr. Lukacs and I sat to debrief and he introduced me to Dr. Mire, knowing that Dr. Mire had similar interests in areas I worked in,” explained Cho. “I told Dr. Mire about the wonderful research opportunities working for the US government (FDA, CDC, NIH, etc.) and how this could open him up to numerous career opportunities.”

The potential for high-level work with Governmental Organizations (GOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) within the public health sphere was a motivating factor in Mire’s choice of graduate-level training, one he expressed in his application to the graduate program. He said he hoped to one day work at the World Health Organization (WHO) in infectious disease and vaccine research. However, until he heard Cho’s seminar, he had not considered opportunities with the FDA. “Through Nick, I was able to meet with David and all three of us had a really nice conversation about all the different avenues that become possible following graduate school. Luckily enough, there were several fellowship opportunities within the agency that really fit well with my research interests regarding infectious disease and vaccine research. Nick and David's advice and encouragement really played a big role in cementing my decision to pursue those fellowships.”

Cho and Mire remained in contact throughout the interview process as Mire sought his advice, and Cho was a welcoming and familiar face when Mire arrived on the FDA campus. “In my current role as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the CBER division, I continue to work with RSV along with SARS-CoV-2, and Influenza. I am really appreciative for Nick and David's advice to help make this opportunity possible,” concluded Mire.

A former graduate student returning as an expert successfully launched the career of another graduate student who is now well on his way toward becoming an expert in his own right. This is the power of our Michigan Alumni Network at work.

Join our current MCP students to network and learn at the 23rd Annual Pathology Research Symposium on Friday, November 8, 2024 at the Kahn Auditorim in the BSRB!

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