Virtual graduate immunology and immunotherapy education during COVID-19

Abstract The objective was to ascertain the impact of an online, virtual course in immunology and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy on trainee’s knowledge and interest in the field. The course occurred May 4–8, 2020. Students taking the course for graduate school credit received a pre-course and post-course survey. The survey included questions covering background, knowledge/confidence in skills, interests, and perceived ability to learn using an online platform. Students worked in teams to develop a research grant specific aims page. A total of 27 students took the course for graduate level credit and were surveyed, and all 27 (100%) returned the surveys. Students came from variable backgrounds and were at different stages of graduate training. After completion of the course, there was a statistically significant increase in self-perceived knowledge of immunotherapy (mean score of 3.7 +/− 1.0 standard deviation post-course vs 2.8 +/− 1.3 pre-course, on a 5 point Likert scale, P=0.0075), knowledge of the translational process (3.8 +/− 0.9 post-course vs 3.2 +/− 1.3 pre-course, P=0.0082), knowledge of the cancer treatment/immunotherapy patient experience (3.5 +/− 1.2 post-course vs 2.4 +/− 1.3 pre-course, P=0.0003), and confidence in immunotherapy grant writing skills (3.7 +/− 0.8 post-course vs 2.7 +/− 1.2 pre-course, P<0.0001). This course can serve as a model to help encourage training in translational research and enhance knowledge and interest in immunology, immunotherapy, CAR-T cell therapy, and regenerative sciences via an online platform in this era of COVID-19 and potentially beyond.