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department of Microbiology and Immunology

Microbiology involves the study of microorganisms and the pathogenesis of the diseases that they cause. Immunology involves the study of the immune response to these microorganisms, as well as the immune response to altered-self (antitumor responses and autoimmune disorders). The two fields are closely linked and are often difficult to distinguish. Microbiology and Immunology are involved in many disease processes. Our times are unique for studying Microbiology and Immunology and biomedical sciences in general. Recent technological advances have revolutionized Microbiology and Immunology, with a very significant impact on our understanding of these areas and the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for a number of life threatening diseases.

 

The Graduate Program in Microbiology and Immunology concentrates on three closely linked areas: molecular and cellular immunology, molecular and biochemical microbiology, and eukaryotic and prokaryotic molecular genetics. The Graduate Program is highly interactive. There are extensive collaborative interactions of the faculty within the program with other faculty of the School of Medicine and the University, and with investigators in other institutions. The faculty of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology is strongly committed to maintaining an excellent graduate program and to creating a strong academic environment in which graduate students are given every opportunity to experience the excitement of discovery and to develop into independent scientists who will initiate and maintain their own research programs. The research of the faculty is in the frontier of several areas of Microbiology and Immunology. This has been recognized in various ways, including the award to the faculty of substantial peer-reviewed grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other agencies, and the appointment of members of the faculty to many study sections, national and international committees and editorial boards.

 

Since its inception in 1965, over one hundred students have graduated from the program with PhD degrees. The graduates of the program have been very successful in seeking and obtaining excellent positions. Over 70% of them are holding academic and/or research positions. This academic year, we have 45 graduate students in the Program. The Graduate Program is supported by an NIH Training Grant in Microbiology and Immunology. Additional support is provided by research grants and departmental resources. Nearly all students in the program are fully supported financially.

 

The information included in this web site provides a comprehensive description of our graduate program. We hope that you will share our enthusiasm for the program, and that you will be encouraged to consider the opportunities that it provides.