medical microbiology phd programs

Georgetown University Medical Center

PhD in Microbiology & Immunology

Through the PhD in Microbiology and Immunology, students will learn the dynamics of the host/parasite relationship, including the host defense systems, and the relationship of microorganisms to diseases. Upon graduation, students will have a firm foundation in methods, tools, and techniques for a career in research as well as mentorship from Georgetown University faculty who are leading experts in the field.

Our PhD program is customized to the student’s interests. Upon entering the program, students will meet with their advisors to plan their coursework and select laboratories for research rotations.

PhD students can receive merit-based aid through fellowship and assistantship awards. The awards cover tuition, stipend, student health insurance, and mandatory fees. An average of 2 students are awarded each year. Visit the Biomedical Graduate Education website for more information on PhD Funding.

Learn about the application process and requirements.

Learn about the required exams, research rotations, courses, and PhD Dissertation here.

Check the list of required and elective courses.

Course Schedule

Find an example course schedule.

Student Resources

Browse resources and opportunities for our students.

Get more information about the program and department.

Career Advancement

Our students benefit from the services of the Biomedical Graduate Education career office, including one-on-one advising, skills workshops, leadership programs and more to help them take the next step in their professions.

• Education /
• Graduate School /
• Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences (IDP) /
• Microbiology & Immunology PhD Program

Microbiology & Immunology PhD Program at the Medical College of Wisconsin

Message from the Director

Michelle Riehle, PhD

Assistant Professor of Microbiology & Immunology Co-Director, Graduate Program in Microbiology & Immunology

[email protected] (414) 955-8592

Vera Tarakanova, PhD

Professor of Microbiology & Immunology Co-Director, Graduate Program in Microbiology & Immunology

[email protected] (414) 955-7480

Microbiology & Immunology

About the program, current students, course summary, tuition and fees.

Mission of the Graduate Program in Microbiology & Immunology The Graduate Program in Microbiology & Immunology (M&I) seeks to teach and train the next generation of research scientists in the molecular and cellular biology of bacterial pathogens, virus/host interactions, the innate and adaptive immune responses, animal and cellular model systems of infection and immunity, the microbiome, and the molecular mechanisms of gene expression, signal transduction, cell proliferation and cancer biology. It is the goal of the faculty and students to utilize classic and cutting-edge methodologies and technologies to conduct interdisciplinary research that will solve problems that are of significant biomedical importance.

Objectives of the Graduate Program in M&I Through participation in a variety of departmental activities, M&I graduate students receive a broad education and training base that encompasses various aspects of biomedical science including those centered in the fields of bacteriology, immunology, virology, molecular biology, microbe-host interactions, genetics/gene expression and cancer biology. Our students develop essential technical skills and/or capabilities that allow them to conduct independent research, and effectively communicate scientific accomplishments in both written and oral forms. In general, M&I faculty seek to promote accomplishment of these objectives by providing a stimulating work and learning environment in which scientific curiosity is encouraged, scientific questions of significance are investigated, rigorous experimental approaches to problems are designed and executed, data is critically interpreted, and sound and cogent concepts are developed. The M&I Graduate Program assesses accomplishment of these objectives through several mechanisms including didactic course requirements, required annual research in progress (RIP) scientific presentations, semi-annual meetings with dissertation committee members coupled with submission of mentor summary statements, and dissertation-specific qualifying and defense examinations. The ultimate goal of the M&I Graduate Program is to produce well-rounded scientists that possess the necessary maturity, experience, and knowledge base to become independent leaders in the biomedical sciences within academia, industry, government, or other health-related career venues. These goals are consistent with the mission of the MCW Graduate School and of the Medical College of Wisconsin as a whole.

Find out more about the Microbiology & Immunology PhD students.

Curriculum details to come...

25-210 Principals in Laboratory Animal Science - 1 credit A one-credit hour course surveying the issues fundamental to the successful use and care of animals in biomedical research. Students will gain knowledge of an array of core topics in laboratory animal science, including: understanding and navigating ethical and regulatory frameworks in which animal research occurs; basic biology and care of common laboratory species; managing rodent breeding colonies; contemporary issues in laboratory rodent genetics; important sources of non-experimental variables in animals research, including nutrition, microbial status, and pain; strategies for minimizing pain and distress in animal subjects; and basic techniques in laboratory rodent handling and restraint.

25-230 Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology - 3 credits This advanced course consists of introductory lectures on a selected topic followed by in-depth discussions of original research articles on topics such as bacterial invasion, virulence factors, immune evasion, virus-host interactions, T-cell functions, and viral regulatory proteins.  

25-234 Cellular and Molecular Immunology - 3 credits This course is an introduction to the experimental basis of immunology through readings from texts and current immunological journals. Topics covered include the cellular basis of the immune response, antigens, antibodies, and molecular basis for generation of immunologic diversity, and regulation of the immune response.

25-236 Cellular Microbiology - 3 credits Cellular Microbiology is designed for students who are interested in contemporary concepts of cellular microbiology and microbial/viral pathogenesis. We will emphasize host/pathogen relationships and illustrate how the study of bacteria and viruses has provided insight into the molecular and cell biology of many eukaryotic processes. This is by no means a classical microbiology course or a classical cell biology course, and does not provide a survey of microorganisms. Rather, students will gain an appreciation of the basic properties of bacterial and viral pathogens, the processes leading to acute and chronic infections, the strategies that these agents utilize to enter and traffic through cells and exploit host cell processes for regulated gene expression, and technical approaches to pathogen study. Faculty will present formal lectures and engage students in numerous paper presentations/discussions.   Students will be expected to acquire substantial background information in out-of-class readings. 

25-251 Advanced Molecular Genetics - 3 credits The goal of the course is to introduce students to current concepts in cancer biology, explore original research articles that form the basis of our current understanding of cancer, and provide students with experience in the critical evaluation of original cancer research. The course will consist of introductory sessions to place the course in context, followed by in-depth critical analysis and discussion of research articles relating to the topic being addressed. The introductory lectures within each unit will provide background information and establish a framework for the discussion of the research articles.  Chapters from Weinberg's "The Biology of Cancer" or reviews will augment the readings. Following an introduction to a topic by each instructor, the topic will be explored by discussion of original research articles that have contributed to our understanding of that topic. Papers will be posted on D2L as PDF files. Each student is expected to have read and studied assigned articles in depth prior to class and to participate actively in meaningful discussions. For each paper discussion session, students will be placed into teams with assigned responsibilities for setting up the background and hypotheses behind the papers, the experimental approaches and findings, and the discussion of what has or should be done to extend the work presented. The discussion sessions will require active student participation. In sum, the lectures and discussion sessions will provide students with a contemporary understanding of the fundamental biological processes involved in the initiation and progression of cancer. Moreover, the students will become familiar with the most important questions in cancer research today and the experimental approaches that can be brought to bear on these questions.  Prerequisites: There are no formal prerequisites, although students will be expected to have a firm understanding of molecular and cell biology, classical and molecular genetics, signaling, and techniques commonly used in these disciplines.  

25-259 Mucosal Immunity - 1 credit Gastrointestinal diseases are among the most common and least understood human health problems. Intestinal epithelial cells act as a dynamic interface between the external and internal environments and are polarized into an apical and basolateral domain. The primary functions of these cells are to maintain barrier integrity via tight-junctions with neighboring cells and function in absorption and secretion. Epithelial cell polarity is reflected by distinct protein localization. Those in the apical compartment are specialized for nutrient absorption and ion secretion. Basolateral localized proteins are specialized for maintenance of the electrochemical gradient and adherence to neighboring cells and the subjacent extracellular matrix. Intestinal epithelial cells are key participants in the mucosal immune response and maintain chronic physiologic inflammation characteristic of the intestinal mucosa. In response to pathogen infection or inflammatory stimuli, epithelial cells upregulate the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, antimicrobial peptides and chemokines and are a likely cause of pathologic inflammation in numerous gastrointestinal disorders. The primary objective for this course is to provide advanced information and conceptual knowledge regarding the mucosal immune system in health and disease.  

25-260 Mucosal Pathogenesis - 1 credit Mucosal Pathogenesis is an upper-level, 1-credit hour M&I course that focuses on the interactions of microbial pathogens with cells of the mucosal epithelium. Students will gain a detailed and comprehensive understanding of specific infectious microbial pathogens, and the mechanisms utilized by these microorganisms to associate, invade, and/or cause disease at the mucosal surface. Microorganisms to be discussed include those that target that respiratory tract, the gastrointestinal tract, and the genital/urinary tract. The course will comprise a combination of formal lectures by instructors, group discussions of scientific papers from the recent literature, and activity-based learning sessions including grant critique, manuscript review, and assigned topic presentations. Student participation in these activities will comprise 50% of the final grade. The remaining 50% will be based on performance of take home assignments associated with individual 2-week blocks.

25-261 Bacterial Toxin-Mucosal Cell Interactions - 1 credit Bacterial Toxin-Mucosal Cell Interactions is a 1 credit hour upper-level M&I course that addresses the interactions between bacterial toxins and mucosal cells. The goal of this course is to provide students an appreciation of how bacterial toxins that target mucosal cells function as virulence factors and utilized as vaccines and for the development of clinical therapies. The course format includes formal lectures and paper discussions. The course will meet for 6 weeks during the third block of the fall semester (weeks 13-18). Cellular and Molecular Immunology (25-234) or Cellular Microbiology (25-236) are a prerequisite for this course.  

25-262 Tumor Immunology - 1 credit Tumor Immunology is an upper-level, 1-credit hour M&I course that will focus on the interactions of tumor cells with various components of the immune system. These interactions are complex, and immune-based strategies for treating cancer have had limited success in the clinic. This course will examine the following: (a) How the immune recognizes tumor cells as “foreign”, (b) Immune strategies for targeting cancer, (c) Barriers to achieving effective tumor immunity, (d) Monitoring the immune response to cancer, and (e) Use of animal models to study the interactions between tumor cells and the immune system. The goals of the course will be to gain an in-depth understanding of the complex interactions between tumor cells and the immune system, and to learn how animal models can be used to better understand these interactions. While the course will be heavily weighted towards the discussion of important papers in the field of Tumor Immunology, it will also involve didactic lectures. Students will be evaluated through attendance and participation (30% of final grade) and a final exam (70% of final grade). The course will meet twice a week for a total of 6 weeks.

25-263 Signaling in the Immune - 1 credit Signaling in the Immune System is an advanced topic immunology course that focuses on different aspects of cell signaling and how these shape the immune response. Students will learn, in detail, how different immune cell types utilize distinct cell-surface or intracellular receptors to regulate their activity or differentiation state. The course will be divided into formal lectures by instructors introducing different topics, followed by a group discussion of scientific papers in that field.  

25-264 Developmental Immunology - 1 credit Upper-level 1 credit hour M&I course that focuses on the key molecular mechanisms regulating myeloid and lymphocyte maturation and adaptive immunity.  Students will gain a detailed understanding of T and B cell development and antigen receptor repertoire selection.

Key processes covered during formal lectures: 1. Commitment of progenitor cells to the myeloid and lymphocyte lineages 2. Rearrangement of antigen receptor genes 3. Selection events that shape the antigen receptor repertoire 4. Proliferation of progenitors 5. Differentiation into functionally and phenotypically distinct lymphocyte subpopulations.

Key themes linking the material: 1. Transcription factors in immunology: shared factors – different roles 2. Cytokines and growth factors drive functional diversification 3. Lineage “commitment” preserves lineage flexibility 4. Distinctions between steady state homeostasis and immune responses 5. Distinctions between mice and humans

In addition to formal lectures by the instructors, the course will feature group discussions of seminal papers that have shaped current thinking in the field.  Students will be evaluated by their participation during group discussion and by a single take-home final examination. The course will meet twice weekly for 6 weeks.

25-265 Immunological Tolerance - 1 credit Immunological tolerance is defined as unresponsiveness to an antigen that is induced by previous exposure to that antigen.  Tolerance to self-antigens, also called self-tolerance, is a fundamental property of a healthy immune system that is maintained by multiple overlapping mechanisms.  Failure of self-tolerance results in autoimmune diseases that can affect every organ system of the human body. Conversely, the induction of self-tolerance may also be exploited for therapeutic purposes.  In this mini-course, we will consider the general features and mechanisms of self-tolerance in T cells and B cells.  These mechanisms include (1) anergy, (2) deletion by apoptosis, and (3) suppression by regulatory T cells.  In addition, this course will consider select models of autoimmunity that have proven to be effective tools in our effort to understand tolerance as a complex biological process.  The mechanisms of immunological tolerance constitute essential knowledge for all students training in Immunology.

25-266 Clinical Immunology - 1 credit Clinical Immunology is an upper-level, 1-credit hour M&I course that will provide advanced information and conceptual knowledge regarding the human immune system in health and disease. The information presented in this course will: provide the student with a knowledge of general and specific tests to evaluate specific components of human immune function, lead to a fundamental understanding of diseases caused by primary or secondary abnormalities in immune function, provide a basic understanding of histocompatibility antigens in human disease and their role in bone marrow transplantation, provide knowledge of autoimmunity (systemic autoimmunity, autoimmune diseases of skin and the gastrointestinal tract), provide a fundamental knowledge of atopic diseases. We will also explore present and future therapies for disorders of immune function.

25-269 Advanced Bacterial Physiology - 1 credit Advanced Bacterial Physiology is 1-credit hour M&I course that focuses on fundamental and diverse aspects of bacterial physiology. Students will gain an understanding of the mechanisms bacteria use to execute, coordinate, and control basic cellular processes such as macromolecular synthesis, nutrient utilization and metabolism, signal transduction, and stress responses. The course focuses on critical evaluation and discussion of papers from the primary literature. These discussions will be augmented by short didactic presentations of background material by the instructor to place the paper’s topic and findings in context.

25-270 Advanced Virology - 3 credits Concepts in virology are illustrated by selected appropriate model systems of animal viruses. Topics include viral replication, genetics, antivirals, and virus-host interactions.

25-271 Membranes and Organelles - 1 credit Membranes and Organelles is an upper-level, 1-credit hour cell biology course that focuses on the topics of membrane protein trafficking and membrane biogenesis. Students will gain a detailed understanding of organelles and membrane protein trafficking and degradation, membrane vesicle fusion, secretion, and membrane biogenesis. The course will consist in part of readings of seminal papers describing the genetic screens done in yeast for secretion (sec), vacuolar protein sorting (vps) mutants, and autophagy (atg), as well as the Rothman in vitro vesicle fusion experiments. These experiments provide the first description of the proteins we know today to be involved in membrane protein fusion, secretion, and trafficking, and emphasize the power of yeast genetics. After grounding in the design and outcome of these historic screens, the class will focus on what is known today about the proteins identified in the original ground-breaking screens. The newer areas of membrane biology – the formation of lipid droplets and formation of autophagosomes – will follow similar format – the first session examining the discovery and formation of paradigm, and the second session delving into what is known today. Students will be evaluated by participation in paper discussion (40%) and a final take-home exam (60%). The course will meet twice a week for 6 weeks.

25-280 Classical Papers in Microbiology and Immunology - 1 credit Classical Papers in Microbiology and Immunology (M&I) is a course suitable for all students in the Microbiology and Immunology graduate program. Through this course, instructors and students will review, discuss, and critique notable papers from the last century that have made seminal contributions to the fields of molecular biology, bacteriology, virology, immunology, biochemistry, and/or genetics. The impact of these contributions in the present day will also be discussed. In addition to instructor-identified papers, students will also choose and formally present a recent paper for discussion that they feel has made a substantive contribution to the biomedical sciences. Papers to be discussed are expected to vary between semesters depending on topic of discussion and instructor(s) facilitating the discussion. Ultimately, this course is expected to provide students with an expanded knowledge base of seminal papers in the broad fields of microbiology and immunology. 

25-289 Career Internships in the Biomedical Sciences - 0 credit Career Internships in the Biomedical Sciences is a 0-credit training course that will provide students in the Graduate Program in Microbiology and Immunology with an opportunity to complete a semester-long internship in a biomedical science career outside the postdoc-faculty pathway. Currently, this new course is being developed with three internship modules (Teaching, Clinical Microbiology, and Research Core Management); however, it is expected that new internship opportunities will be developed in the future to address additional student interests. Each internship has been developed such that students will gain direct hands-on experience in the career opportunity. Each internship also includes extensive opportunity for one-on-one mentoring with individuals experienced in that career pathway (i.e. site directors, course directors, research core managers, etc.). As part of each internship, students are required to complete a “scholarly activity” that will employ the use of information and/or techniques that have been acquired during the training period. Finally, site directors and/or other participants active in the student’s training during the internship will complete evaluations providing the student with feedback regarding their performance during the internship.

25-290 Career Development Training in the Biomedical Sciences – 1 credit The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the skills needed to identify and prepare for career opportunities following graduation from MCW. The course will meet for 2 hours each work during the summer with the goal of helping students develop key documents and/or skill sets to facilitate future career planning including career assessment, career goal setting, career exploration and networking, job search strategies, building resume/CV, writing statements, interview skills, and negotiating job offers. Individual sessions will include a lecture by one of the Course Directors or an invited instructor experienced in the topic to be discussed. Within each session, students will also be split into small groups to facilitate interactions, and allow review and assessment of specific assigned activities. At the end of the course, students will have completed a series of individual assignments that will culminate in development of an individual career plan and career portfolio.

25-298 Immunology Journal Club - 1 credit The purpose of this course is to learn, evaluate and present cutting edge immunological research topics from leading journals to gain knowledge of new immunological findings and to stay current with emerging technologies. Students will attend and present in a weekly independently organized immunology journal club. During the semester, students will be required to attend the journal club and write a short paragraph after each presentation regarding what they learned. This should include: The knowledge gap being addressed, the hypothesis being tested, strengths and weaknesses of the study and resulting conclusions. If a journal club is not scheduled for a particular week, the students will be required to attend an independently organized immunology work-in-progress series. For the students’ presentations, students will select a research paper of immunological focus from a list of preapproved journals. While the student can choose any topic of interest, the selection will require approval from the course director. The presentation will consist of a PowerPoint style presentation including the following information: Why the student selected the article, the knowledge gap being addressed, background information supporting the hypothesis, the hypothesis being tested, discussion of the approaches and experimental data, strengths and weaknesses of the study and conclusions including potential future directions. Ultimately, this course is expected to provide students with an expanded knowledge base of current topics in the broad field of immunology.

25-300A Graduate Seminar - 1 credit In this course, students are trained to organize and present a scientific seminar. Students identify an area of interest and select one to several reports from the literature on which to base the seminar. Students are instructed on how to develop an effective introduction, how to progress through the description of scientific questions, how to effectively present data figures and conclusions, and how to logically tie the data and conclusions together into a coherent and compelling story. Students are required to meet periodically with the course director prior to their seminar to decide on the seminar topic, to discuss PowerPoint slides, and to conduct practice seminars. A video camera will be available for those students wishing to have their seminar videotaped. Students will meet with the course director following their seminar to discuss audience comments, recommendations for improvements, and prepare critiques from other seminar activities. Students will also attend and prepare written critiques of selected departmental seminars from invited outside speakers, and from students and faculty presenting their Research in Progress (RIP). The class will meeting two times during the semester following these seminars to discuss strengths and weakness of the seminars. Students in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology are required to enroll and complete the seminar course at least once as part of their departmental core curriculum. The class will be limited to four students per semester and priority given to third year students. Students receiving a grade lower than an A- on their first offering must take a second semester of seminar to complete the requirement.

Degree Offered The M&I Graduate Program offers a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Program Admission Requirements Those interested in pursuing education and research within the Department of Microbiology & Immunology should pursue admission through the Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Sciences (IDP) , the Neuroscience Doctoral Program (NDP) , the Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD) , or direct admission into the Microbiology & Immunology  program.

A Bachelor’s degree (either completed or in the process of completing) is required for admission to any MCW graduate program. Applicants will ideally have a 3.0 or higher grade point average (GPA). Personal statements and letters of recommendation from professors, advisors, research supervisors, etc. who know you well are highly regarded in the admission process. Prior research experience is also strongly considered.

Applications accepted by the priority application deadline of December 1st will receive first priority for admission the following Fall. Students are admitted once per year.

If you have questions regarding tuition or your account, please contact the Office of Student Accounts, at (414) 955-8172 or  [email protected] . Please refer to the  All Student Handbook  (PDF) for tuition payment policies and information.

• Tuition and Fees Schedule  (PDF)
• View your Tuition Statement  (login required)

PhD Students All full-time PhD degree-seeking students in good academic and professional standing receive the following financial support package:

• Full tuition coverage
• Yearly stipend ($33,612 for the '23-'24 academic year)
• Complimentary health insurance

There is no additional process to secure this package aside from accepting an offer of admission. Further, this package is guaranteed from the time of enrollment through completion of degree requirements.

Current MCW Employees Tuition Course Approval Form - Human Resources  (PDF)

Late Fees There is a $250 late payment fee for tuition not paid on time according to the Tuition Payments policy in the All Student Handbook.

• Faculty Bios & Research

Graduate Program Student Information

• Microbiology and Immunology Student-Faculty Handbook  (PDF)

Graduate School Forms

Please refer to the Graduate School student forms page  for more information.

Graduate School Suite H2200 8701 Watertown Plank Rd. Milwaukee, WI 53226

Graduate Studies

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology is one of 14 Stanford “home programs” that cooperatively recruit and train graduate students in the Biosciences .  Students apply to up to three such programs and then enter through one.  As the name implies, the “home” program serves as the student’s home from which to explore all that Stanford has to offer. Research rotations lasting three months (one quarter) can be done in any bioscience lab in the University (a total of over 280!) but at least one must be done in a lab that is part of the home program; in our case, that means over 25 faculty. The final thesis lab is chosen based on these research rotations and while most student ends up staying in the original home program, ones who discover a new passion during their rotations can transfer to a different home program or simply stay within the M&I home and do their thesis work outside the Department (assuming their thesis work will bear at least some connection to our discipline). In the autumn of their second year, students take their qualifying exam, an on-topic oral defense based on research that a student will be working on at Stanford. In the spring of this same year, each student presents a research proposal that will form the basis of the PhD thesis. All students are required to obtain some teaching experience, usually by serving as a teaching assistant in at least one department course. The normal time for completion of the PhD is about 5 to 5.5 years.

Graduate Advising Expectations The Department of Microbiology and Immunology is committed to providing academic advising in support of graduate student scholarly and professional development. When most effective, this advising relationship entails collaborative and sustained engagement by both the adviser and the advisee. As a best practice, advising expectations should be periodically discussed and reviewed to ensure mutual understanding. Both the adviser and the advisee are expected to maintain professionalism and integrity.

Faculty advisors guide students in key areas such as selecting courses, designing and conducting research, developing of teaching pedagogy, navigating policies and degree requirements, and exploring academic opportunities and professional pathways.

Graduate students are active contributors to the advising relationship, proactively seeking academic and professional guidance and taking responsibility for informing themselves of policies and degree requirements for their graduate program.

Expectations of faculty advisors in Microbiology and Immunology:

• actively promote a diverse and inclusive work environment
• serve as intellectual and professional mentors to their graduate students including regular meetings/interactions that focus on the student and student's project.
• provide knowledgeable support concerning the academic and non-academic policies that pertain to graduate students 
• help to prepare students to be competitive for employment
• maintain a high level of professionalism and open dialogue in the relationship
• establish and collaboratively maintain expectations of the advisor/advisee relationship consistent with departmental standard

Additional details and resources can be found in the  Guidelines for Advising Relationship Between Faculty and Graduate Students .

General Responsibilities of Faculty Advisors The University requires that within each department or program minimum advising expectations be set for both advisor and advisee.  Such minimum expectations must differentiate between master’s and doctoral programs, and between different types of advisors (academic/program vs. research.)  These department or program expectations must be distributed to faculty and graduate students on an annual basis at the start of each academic year and must be easily accessible on the web. Faculty are expected to affirm that they have received the advising expectations.  Each faculty member has the prerogative to augment the departmental advising expectations with their specific additional expectations, while remaining consistent with the departmental advising policies.

Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS)

Course Requirements (pdf)

Course Catalog

2023-24 Graduate Student Handbook (pdf)

• MD | PhD Program
• Master's Programs
• PhD Programs
• Postdoctoral Fellows
• Residency & Fellowship
• Non-Degree Programs
• Visiting Students
• Campus Life at U-M
• Health & Wellness
• Building Your Community
• Accessibility & Disability
• Departments
• Centers & Institutes
• Interdisciplinary Programs
• Facts & Figures
• Medical School Leadership
• News & Stories
• Requirements
• Interview Day
• Admissions Chats
• AAMC Michigan's 35 Answers
• AAMC Michigan's 10 Financial Aid Answers
• Admitted Students
• Overview & Highlights
• Patient Interaction
• Chief Concern
• Years 3 & 4
• Learning Informatics
• Training Sites
• Leadership Program
• Global Health & Disparities
• Healthcare Innovation
• Health Policy
• Medical Humanities
• Patient Safety & Quality Improvement
• Scientific Discovery
• Doctoring Course
• Evidence-Based Medicine
• Interprofessional Education
• DEIAJ Curriculum
• Language Opportunities
• Curriculum Diagrams
• Grading & Assessments
• Guideline Budget
• Loans & Eligibility
• Financial Aid Application Timeline
• Scholarships & Grants
• Documents & Forms
• Tips & Links
• Tuition Refund Policies
• Consumer Information
• Disbursement & Repayment
• MD Emergency Student Aid Fund
• MD Travel Grant
• Child Care Subsidy
• Residency Interviewing Loans and Resources
• Short-Term University Loan
• Contact the Office of Financial Aid
• Profiles & Demographics
• Culinary Connections
• Students with Disabilities
• Health & Wellbeing
• Arts & Humanities
• Diversity & Health Equity
• Dual Degrees
• More Possibilities
• Commencement
• Available PhD Programs
• Academic & Social Events
• MSTP Fellows
• Application Process
• Application Requirements
• MD | PhD Curriculum
• Undergrad Summer Program
• Contact the MD | PhD Program
• Bioinformatics
• Biological Chemistry
• Cancer Biology
• Cell & Developmental Biology
• Cellular & Molecular Biology
• Genetics and Genomics
• Health Infrastructures & Learning Systems

Microbiology & Immunology

• Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology
• Molecular & Cellular Pathology
• Molecular & Integrative Physiology
• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology
• Recruitment Events
• Interview Weekends
• Certificates & Dual Degrees
• Quantitative & Computational Biology Emphasis
• Training Grants
• Facilities & Resources
• Stipend & Benefits
• Professional Development
• Finding a Position
• Funding Your Postdoc
• Hiring Process
• Postdoc Preview
• International Postdocs
• ACGME Fellowships
• Non-Accredited Fellowships
• Postdoctoral Physician Scientist Training
• Salary & Benefits
• Prerequisites
• Visiting Residents & Fellows
• Application Overview & Requirements
• Tuition & Fees
• Timeline & Curriculum
• Information Sessions
• Program Details
• Undergrad Summer Research
• First Days Survival Guide
• Health Services
• Mental Health
• Health, Spirituality & Religion Program
• For Partners & Families
• Things to Do in Ann Arbor
• Getting Around
• Guiding Tools
• Graduate Medical Education
• Office of Continuing Medical Education
• Office of Faculty Affairs & Faculty Development
• Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies
• Physician Scientist Education & Training
• Office of Medical Student Education
• Points of Blue

Enriching the scientific community

Program Overview

Our Department of Microbiology & Immunology mission statement is that we are an inclusive community whose passion for discovery, service, leadership and sharing of knowledge addresses global microbiology and immunology challenges. As one of the earliest departments of its kind in the nation, the Department of Microbiology & Immunology has evolved from more than a century of pioneering excellence. Microbiologists study the molecular mechanisms by which bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites colonize a host, evade the immune response, and elicit damage to the host. Immunologists study the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms by which the immune response defends the host and regulates homeostasis using innate and adaptive mechanisms. 

In Microbiology & Immunology, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows work side by side with principal investigators to test hypotheses of medical or biological importance. Laboratory training is supplemented with rigorous coursework, seminar series, journal clubs, and presentation of research findings at national meetings. Our faculty use state-of-the-art tools to unlock the mysteries of the microbial world and the immune system. Most importantly, you will train in a collegial and collaborative environment with faculty that are dedicated to personalizing your training program to meet your own goals while also ensuring that you are fully prepared to advance in your career. The Department will continue to add new faculty and new research interests over the next few years.

Apply through our PIBS application

General research areas include:

• Viral pathogens
• Bacterial pathogens
• Eukaryotic pathogens
• Innate immunity
• Adaptive immunity
• Cell biology of infection
• Parasitology
• Microbial ecology
• Human microbiome
• Microbial epidemiology
• Computational modeling

We strive to understand the mechanisms by which viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites cause damage and disease in the infected host. Conversely, we also explore the pathways by which the host immune response overcomes these infections. These studies are carried out in the laboratories of 25 primary faculty, 16 joint faculty and 11 research-track faculty who receive substantial research grant support from the NIH and other funding agencies to perform this important research. 

Our faculty use state-of-the-art approaches such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, computational analyses, molecular and structural biology, quantitative microscopy and an array of immunologic assays and novel animal models. These efforts are supported by the outstanding core facilities at the University of Michigan and many collaborations established across our research-intensive university.  

Creative and innovative research and learning are the hallmark of our graduate program in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology. This ambitious program is designed to provide graduate students with the guidance to develop and express their intellectual interests, research talents, public speaking abilities and teaching skills. These goals are accomplished through an integrated program of independent research, graduate courses, seminars and teaching.

Required coursework includes immunology, virology and microbial pathogenesis and a choice of biochemistry, cell biology or genetics. Elective courses are designed to diversify knowledge, build skills, and teach critical thinking. Annual participation in our graduate seminar series hones public speaking skills and offers a chance to receive feedback on dissertation research outside of your dissertation committee.

Preliminary Examination

Checkpoint One (at the end of year one) tests broad knowledge and critical thinking skills, and is required for advancement to candidacy. This exam is based on knowledge and understanding of assigned primary literature articles in two of three possible areas and your ability to identify experimental next steps. Checkpoint Two is the first dissertation committee meeting consisting of an oral presentation of the student’s Ph.D. dissertation plan along with a written proposal. 

Dissertation Evaluation

Following the first committee meeting, students meet every 6-12 months with the dissertation committee to receive critical feedback and advice on completing a scholarly body of work worthy to constitute the dissertation. Our program requires that one primary research article be accepted prior to graduation.

Teaching Requirement

Our one-term teaching requirement builds teaching and mentoring skills through introductory lab or lecture courses. Additional opportunities are often available for students who enjoy teaching and seek more experience.

Expected Length of Program

This program is designed to require approximately five to six years for completion.

Our faculty and students, as well as the abundant resources available throughout the medical school, make the Department of Microbiology & immunology at the University of Michigan an exciting and supportive environment for academic research training.

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) activities are at the forefront of our department, with activities led by faculty, staff and students. We continue to add new activities and programs as suggested by a committee of graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, staff and faculty.

Collectively, we enjoy:

Tea @ 3, Tuesday afternoons in Winter

Invited speaker seminars and lunches including our student-invited and DEI seminar series

Annual department picnic and biannual departmental retreat

Journal Clubs in Microbial Pathogenesis, Virology, and Immunology

Weekly newsletters that highlight current student news along with other departmental information and university-wide offerings

Multicultural social gatherings and holiday events

Community service opportunities

After-hour social events (pizza and ping-pong, bowling, happy hours)

Occasional movie nights

More student-specific activities include:

Peer-to-peer mentoring program for incoming students

Organization of Microbiology & Immunology Students (OMIS), graduate student leadership

Opportunities to travel to scientific conferences

Opportunities to participate in a wide variety of student organizations

Faculty-Student mentoring workshops

Career and professional development programming

Internal grants, travel awards and dissertation awards

Student representatives attend faculty meetings and their voice carries weight in the department

Our department graduates approximately 7 PhD students per year. Students generally have opportunities to pursue their preferred interests following graduation. As a snapshot, 74% of recent graduates chose postdoctoral fellowships, 6% immediately entered business or industry and 20% sought employment in other sectors including scientific writing, teaching, or consulting, among others. By 5 years post-graduation, 13% enter faculty positions, 18% enter industry or business, 39% remain in training and 30% have found employment in other sectors such as those mentioned above.

Learn more about the Department of Microbiology & Immunology.

We transform lives through bold discovery, compassionate care and innovative education.

• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
• Find a Doctor
• Conditions & Treatments
• Patient & Visitor Guide
• Patient Portal
• Clinical Trials
• Research Labs
• Research Centers
• Cores and Resources
• Programs & Admissions
• Our Community
• Departments, Centers & Offices
• About the Medical School

Global Footer Secondary Navigation

• Prospective Students
• Current Students
• Residents & Fellows
• Give to SMHS

Integrated Biomedical Sciences (IBS)

Microbiology & immunology phd program.

The PhD in Microbiology and Immunology prepares graduates to become independent scientists in areas of GW faculty expertise, which include the study of host-pathogen relationships, inflammation, vaccine development, T lymphocyte activation, cancer immunology, molecular parasitology, molecular retrovirology (HIV/AIDS), and microbial genomics and proteomics.

GW is a proud partner in the  DC Center for AIDS Research  (DC CFAR) aimed at ending the HIV epidemic, and PhD students can pursue training and symposia from a number of experts in HIV research. Outstanding research programs also include the  Research Center for Neglected Diseases of Poverty , which aims to mitigate the burden of human disease in developing nations. Students have access to the  Cell Enhancement and Technologies for Immunotherapy  (CETI) lab, a state-of-the-art  GW Biorepository  resource to facilitate research on HIV/AIDS and cancer, as well as cutting-edge university core facilities for flow cytometry, imaging, and computational biology.

The GW Training Program in HIV Persistence, Co-Morbidities and Therapeutics (supported by NIH T32 AI 158105) is a prestigious program to prepare doctoral students with the knowledge, analytic and leadership skills to become successful future HIV research investigators. Research is focused on 1) cure research including T cell therapy and reversal of viral latency, 2) co-morbidities including malignances and CNS disease and 3) prevention research including vaccines and novel therapeutics. Students apply for this program at the end of their first year, with their mentor and HIV related research.

The PhD in Microbiology and Immunology begins with the interdisciplinary coursework in molecular, cellular, and systems biology and research rotations offered through  GW’s Integrated Biomedical Sciences curriculum . In the second and third semester students add a comprehensive introduction to the conceptual and experimental underpinnings of microbiology and immunology. Further electives, career development coursework in scientific writing, oral communication, and research ethics and laboratory rotations are provided. Following required laboratory rotations, students complete a. grant-style qualifier and then work with their research advisor and the Graduate Program Directors to complete remaining Microbiology and Immunology degree requirements, including the research dissertation.

Microbiology and Immunology Courses:

MICR 8210: Infection and Immunity MICR 8230: Molecular and Cellular Immunology MICR 8270: Advanced Topics in Immunology MICR 8271: Basics of HIV Persistence, Comorbidities and Treatment MICR 8998: Advanced Reading and Research Seminar Course MICR 8999: Dissertation Research

Some Suggested Electives:

PUBH 6276: Public Health Microbiology MICR 6292: Tropical Infectious Disease ANAT 6182: Fundamentals of Regenerative Biology and Systems Physiology

Courses in genomics, cancer biology, neuroscience, and pharmacology are also available.

Seminars/Journal Clubs:

MITM Seminar series is once a month on Thursday at noon.  CFAR seminars and events are posted .

Examples of Recent Microbiology & Immunology PhD Dissertations:

Indra Sarabia, PhD 2021 “In vitro tools to study the establishment of HIV-1 latency and evaluate latency revising agents for HIV-1 cure strategies” Mentor: Alberto Bosque. F31 awardee. (Now Scientist-Biosassay at BioLegend, San Diego, CA)

Allison Powell, PhD 2021 “Genetically modified immune cells secreting broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV: restoration of systemic immunity” Mentors: Russell Cruz, David Leitenberg. (Now Scientist at TCR2 Therapeutics, Washington DC)

Graduate Program Directors:

Alberto Bosque, PhD, MBA Associate Professor of Microbiology, Immunology, & Tropical Medicine Ross Hall 617 [email protected]

Rebecca M. Lynch, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine Ross Hall 622 [email protected]

How to apply  to the IBS and Microbiology and Immunology PhD program

For IBS Application Questions contact  Colleen Kennedy, IBS Program Manager  at [email protected]

MICaB Program

Medical School

• Faculty Membership Information
• Mentoring Resources
• How to Apply
• Financial Assistance
• Microbiology
• Cancer Biology
• Student Profile
• Student Resources
• Courses & Curriculum
• Class Photos

The primary objective of the Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology (MICaB) program is to train scientists in the fields of microbiology, immunology and cancer biology, and to equip our students for careers in the numerous scientific fields.

About the Program

The Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology (MICaB) graduate program is a broad interdisciplinary Ph.D program, with over 90 faculty members that represent 22 different departments across the university.  Our goal is to produce graduates who will become leaders in the fields of microbiology, immunology and cancer biology and use their training to excel in areas such as biomedical research, teaching, scientific policy and communication. To hear from our current MICaB students,  click here . 

Graduate Program: Microbiology Doctoral Training Program

Welcome prospective students.

Your career path is shaped by your ambitions, your ability to spot and seize opportunities, and your dedication and effort. Graduate programs are designed to provide these opportunities and experiences, aiming to recruit exceptional students and set them on a strong career trajectory. The Microbiology Doctoral Training Program (MDTP) offers a comprehensive experience, focusing on three key components: research, coursework, and teaching.

Graduate Program Highlights

Program Features:

• Over 80 faculty trainer labs with diverse scientific inquiries and methods.
• Rotation labs for short projects before selecting a thesis lab.
• Thesis proposal prepared by the third year for the preliminary exam.
• Research, paper writing, and postdoctoral training typically follow, with graduation usually after 5-6 years.

Coursework:

• Major and minor requirements of 10 credit hours each.
• One-credit hour course on responsible conduct in research during the first year.
• Most coursework completed within the first two years, with 1-3 courses per semester.

Teaching and Learning:

• Interconnected teaching and learning processes.
• Mentorship roles for both faculty advisors and junior students.
• One-semester teaching practicum, usually in the second year, under faculty supervision.
• Variety of teaching formats and levels in Bacteriology and Medical Microbiology & Immunology courses.
• Opportunity to teach in research focus areas or explore new areas while contributing to the teaching mission.

"The Microbiology Doctoral Training Program is committed to the strength only diversity can bring.  We fully support all members of our community - Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQ+, first-generation, people with disabilities and all marginalized groups. We all belong here at MDTP, all of us make our program great, all of us have a place in STEM." — MDTP Statement on Diversity

Graduate Program Links

• Graduate School Information More
• MDTP Website More

Graduate Program Coordinator

Terra Theim 

Email:  [email protected] 

Phone: (608) 265-0689

Address: 1326 Microbial Sciences Building

• Student Experience

• Site Search
• School of Dentistry
• School of Law
• Heider College of Business
• School of Medicine
• School of Pharmacy and Health Professions
• College of Arts and Sciences
• Graduate School
• College of Professional and Continuing Education
• College of Nursing
• Jesuit Community

Medical Microbiology and Immunology (Doctorate)

Doctorate, dual degree.

Advance your understanding of the smallest physiological systems, their defenses and mechanisms, and the scientific method through Creighton University’s Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology program. Through extensive research, this PhD program prepares students to be highly qualified experts in medical microbiology and immunology.

Creighton provides the specialized equipment, resources and broad expertise of a large university, but with smaller class sizes. This advantage allows you to have regular interaction with faculty members and other students in your cohort, as well as additional hands-on training with research equipment and tools in the lab. You’ll be inspired to think critically about pressing topics, engage in conversations about research ethics and spark your creative inquiry. Research at Creighton is mission-driven, making your work part of a larger effort to serve others and create a more just world.

Your research interests drive the program

From genome replication to the study of disease-causing bacteria and viruses, this program involves extensive research of topics within the different fields of microbiology and immunology. After completing the program’s core coursework and electives, you’ll work with faculty to identify a topic that interests you, put together a research project, and submit a proposal for a grant from the National Institutes of Health.

A supportive—and leading edge—environment for research

As a student in this clinical medical microbiology and immunology program, you will have access to a wide variety of resources. Your professors will work closely with you—guiding your studies and acting as teachers, advisors and mentors throughout your degree and career. Many of our faculty members collaborate and work with students long after they earn their degree.

Creighton's state-of-the-art facilities, such as the BSL-3 biocontainment facility  provide hands-on experiences that will help you develop skills to differentiate you after graduation.

Program Details

Program goals and curriculum.

Creighton’s PhD in Medical Microbiology and Immunology prepares students for a broad range of possible careers in research or as an educator in medical microbiology and immunology and related health science fields.

To earn this doctoral degree, you must complete 90 credit hours:

• Foundations of Microbiology
• Bacterial Physiology
• Advanced Microbial Pathogenesis
• Host Defense
• Cellular and Molecular Immunology
• Current Topics in Medical Microbiology and Immunology
• Biostatistics
• Department Seminar and Teaching (taken each semester)
• Directed Independent Research for Doctoral Students
• Doctoral Dissertation

Students who have already obtained their Master of Science in Medical Microbiology and Immunology may have a maximum of 30 credit hours transferred to the doctoral program.

Creighton’s Medical Microbiology and Immunology faculty are experts in research and instruction that relates to the intersection of microbial pathogenesis and host defense. Faculty works closely with staff, post-doctorates and students in an environment where individual and collective achievement through publications and presentations is encouraged.

Dual Degree and Master's Options

Master's program.

Master of Science in Medical Microbiology and Immunology  (30 credits)

• The courses required for the master’s degree serve as the foundation for the PhD program. Additional research and a doctoral dissertation are required to complete the doctoral program.
• Students who have already completed the Master of Science in Medical Microbiology and Immunology program may have a maximum of 30 credit hours transferred to the doctoral program.
• Available on campus only.

Dual Degree Programs

Students can complete a  dual degree program  to earn two degrees at once, saving both time and money. The following dual degree option is available in medical microbiology and immunology:

• Medicine (Doctor of Medicine)  + Medical Microbiology and Immunology

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the PhD in Medical Microbiology and Immunology program, applicants must:

• Complete an application & submit a $50 application fee
• Possess a bachelor’s degree in a related field with 3.0 GPA or higher
• Include coursework in biological and chemical sciences, and have a strong foundation in microbiology, immunology, molecular biology and biochemistry
• Provide official transcripts from all educational institutions attended. Read more about  sending transcripts here
• Include a resume or curriculum vitae
• Submit a personal statement (see application for specific requirements)
• Submit three letters of recommendation from persons other than friends or family members

 A personal interview may be requested in addition to the above requirements. The interview may be conducted in-person or virtually.

International students are welcomed into this program and F-1 visas will be supported upon admission.

International applicants must:

• Meet  English language proficiency requirements
• Complete and submit a Certification of Available Finances Form through the  Global Engagement Office  if admitted

Tuition & Financial Aid

Tuition is waived and health insurance is provided for students accepted into Creighton’s Doctorate in Medical Microbiology and Immunology program. A stipend is also provided for students in the PhD program.

Have questions?  Email  or call a friendly financial specialist at 402.280.2731 for any additional questions you may have.

Dates and Deadlines

The table below details the enrollment deadline and starting date of courses for the current academic year. If you have any questions about dates, deadlines, or application materials, please  contact an admissions advisor for personalized assistance.

• Master of Science in Medical Microbiology and Immunology
• Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department

Still Have Questions?

Let's Take the Next Steps Together

• Louisville.edu
• Health Sciences Center
• PeopleSoft HR
• PeopleSoft Campus Solutions
• PeopleSoft Financials
• Business Ops
• Cardinal Careers

Department of Microbiology & Immunology

• Departments /
• Department of Microbiology & Immunology /
• Graduate Programs /

Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology

How to apply.

The degree requirements are very flexible to allow tailored programs of study. In addition to original dissertation research, the Ph.D. Degree Program includes immunology, cell biology, biochemistry, molecular microbiology, laboratory rotations, research methods, participation in the Candidate Seminar Series and Journal Club, plus three courses from a broad range of electives. Both programs are designed to provide students with a strong background in integrated theory and mentored training in research design, grant writing, and oral presentation.

Areas of faculty research interest include molecular aspects of pathogenesis of infectious disease, and regulation of innate and adaptive immune responses in the contexts of autoimmunity, cancer, and infectious diseases. For more information, click on "faculty" or "immunology program" links on the left of the page. Areas of allied interest include microbiological and immunological aspects of cardiovascular disease, autoimmune diseases, cancer, diabetes, ophthalmology, surgical sepsis, and organ and bone marrow transplantation.

The department joined with the other four basic science departments within the School of Medicine to form the Integrated Programs in Biomedical Sciences (IPIBS) for the fall of 2001 semester. This approach will give students broad exposure to basic science disciplines and greater flexibility in choosing a dissertation research project and advisor during the first year in the program.

The University of Louisville School of Medicine offers a Physician Scientist training program for the fulfillment of requirements for M.D. and Ph.D. degrees. The comprehensive program includes two years in pre-clinical medical training, followed by graduate training in one of U of L's basic research departments, and two years of medical rotations for clinical training. Learn more about the  M.D./Ph.D. Joint Degree Program .

M&I PhD Program Flyer

Required Courses

A minimum grade of B- is required for all core courses

Scientific Electives

Professional Development Electives 

A minimum of 3 scientific electives is required. At least 2 electives must be offered in the Department MBIO.

Additional courses outside of the department can be taken as electives in consultation with the Research Advisor and Graduate Program Director.

Note: Students enrolled in the M.D./Ph.D. Joint Degree Program , who have completed step I of NBME, will have satisfied all of the required course requirements except seminar, Research Ethics, Research Methods, Scientific Writing and research. Three electives will be required. They will be required to satisfactorily complete the Qualifying Exam and successfully defend a dissertation research project, in addition to attending all journal club sessions and seminars.

Departmental Research Seminars and Journal Club

The departmental journal clubs meet during the Fall and Spring semesters on Tuesdays , 11 a.m. - 12 p.m .  Generally, graduate student and faculty research seminars are scheduled on Thursdays , 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. Attendance at departmental research seminars and Journal Club is required of all graduate students in the department. Attendance below 80% for either M&I seminar or M&I Journal Club will result in a failing grade for students enrolled in Seminar or a review of progress towards their degree for students in candidacy.

Program of Study

• Action Plan for Entering Class of 2024 PhD Students [PDF]
• Action Plan for Entering Class of 2022 PhD Students [PDF]
• Action Plan for Entering Class of 2022 MS Students [PDF]
• Action Plan for Entering Class of 2021 PhD Students [PDF]
• Action Plan for Entering Class of 2021 MS Students [PDF]
• Action Plan for Entering Class of 2020 PhD Students [PDF]
• Action Plan for Entering Class of 2019 PhD Students [PDF]
• Action Plan for Entering Class of 2018 PhD Students [PDF]
• Action Plan for Entering Class of 2017 PhD Students [PDF]
• Action Plan for Entering Class of 2016 PhD Students [PDF]

Selection of a Research Advisor, Dissertation Committee and Research Proposal

Selection of the Research Advisor and specific research area is one of the most important decisions of the student’s entire graduate training program, and is a joint decision by the student and faculty member. Students must select a Research Advisor for their dissertation research by the end of their second semester. Selection of the Research Advisor and formation of the Dissertation Committee must be approved by the Graduate School Dean. Upon approval of the Research Advisor, the student will formally decide upon a dissertation research project. The student, Research Advisor, and Departmental Chairperson will form a Dissertation Committee with a minimum of five (5) graduate faculty members by December 1 of their second year. The Committee will be composed of the Advisor, three faculty members of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and one additional graduate faculty member from another department. At least 3 members of the committee must have primary appointments in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology. If the Advisor does not have a primary appointment in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, one of the three other department members with primary appointments in the department must serve as Co-Advisor. The Chairman of the Department may serve as an ex-officio member of the Committee. The student will submit a specific aims page of the proposed research cosigned by the Dissertation Advisor to the Department chair on the planned Ph.D. dissertation topic by November 1 in their second year of the program.

• Research Advisor Recommendation [pdf]
• Lab Rotation Request Form 

Qualifying Examination for Ph.D. Candidacy

The Qualifying Exam (both oral and written components) should be completed by the 3rd week of the second year of study. It is highly recommended that students complete their qualifying exam as early as possible. Students will submit a title and abstract describing the qualifying exam to the curriculum committee in mid-January of their second year of study. By the first week of March, second year students must submit an original clearly written research proposal in an area of Microbiology or Immunology that is clearly different from the chosen topic of dissertation research. The purpose of this exam is to evaluate the student’s ability to independently interpret research literature and integrate material from the graduate curriculum into a research proposal. Consequently, the oral examination may encompass one or more of the areas in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology (e.g.… microbiology, virology, or immunology) appropriate to the proposal and to the proposed experimental technology. Three to five faculty with expertise in the area of the proposal will be selected by the Curriculum Committee to serve as the Examining Committee. The majority opinion of the Committee will stand as record of the student’s performance. If the student’s performance is judged to be unsatisfactory by the majority of the committee, the student may petition the Examining Committee for re-examination. Failure to pass the qualifying exam after two attempts will result in dismissal from the Ph.D. program. If extenuating circumstances exist, such as medical or family problems, the student and/or students' faculty advocate, may petition the Executive Graduate Faculty for a postponement of the qualifying exam (first or second trial) for a period of time which must be specified in the petition. Following completion of required course work with a minimum 3.0 GPA (with a grade no lower than a B- in MBIO 601, MBIO 602, MBIO 604, Pass grades in all required courses with Pass/Fail grading, and a satisfactory judgment from the Examining Committee on the Qualifying Exam, a student may enter degree candidacy.

Dissertation Research Proposal and Student Evaluation

All Ph.D. candidates will work with their mentor to prepare a dissertation research proposal in NIH Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31) grant format. The research proposal will be submitted to the student’s Dissertation Committee by October 15th of the third year. The Dissertation Committee will provide a written critique of the proposal and return to the student by October 31. The student will submit a completed research proposal to the department (Graduate Program Coordinator) along with accompanying documents (see Dissertation Proposal Guidelines pdf on M&I website) by December 1 of the third year. Students are strongly encouraged to submit the proposal as a predoctoral fellowship to the NIH or private foundation. Should the candidate change to a new, unrelated research project, the Graduate Director may require a replacement dissertation research proposal and approval by the student’s Dissertation Committee. Following approval of the research proposal, the Dissertation Committee should meet at least annually to evaluate the progress of the Ph.D. candidate on her/his research project. Students are expected to maintain satisfactory progress in their research project each semester. The student will also be required to present a research seminar to the Department each year until completion of the program. The student will present a research seminar to the Department in the first semester of their third year based upon her/his research proposal and preliminary experimental results. It is expected that graduate students' dissertation research will result in publication-quality work. First author publication (in press or in print) of dissertation original research in a reputable journal is a requirement for completion and award of the PhD degree. Students attaining 2 or more peer-reviewed publications will receive a Chair's Citation of Recognition for their accomplishments.

• Dissertation Proposal Guidelines [pdf]

Dissertation and Final Oral Examination

The dissertation is to be an original scholarly achievement in research conducted by the Ph.D. student, and should demonstrate a thorough understanding of research techniques in the specific area and the ability to conduct independent research. Following preliminary review and approval by the student's Advisor, the unbound dissertation will be submitted to the Dissertation Committee members, and a written request sent to the Graduate School Dean, at least two weeks prior to the scheduled date of the final oral exam. The final oral exam will be preceded by a research seminar open to all faculty, students and other interested persons. The oral exam will be administered by the Dissertation Committee, and will be open to any other interested graduate faculty members. To satisfactorily pass the oral exam, a student may not receive more than one unfavorable vote from a member of the Committee. The approved dissertation must be signed by members of the Dissertation Committee prior to submitting to the Graduate School by the published deadline date . Please refer to the Graduate School Website   and current Graduate Bulletin for specific dissertation guidelines.

• Course Descriptions

For more information

For admission to the Ph.D. program, the applicant must have earned the B.S or B.A. degree, or equivalent, with a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 point scale). In addition, the following should be submitted online directly to Graduate Admissions :

• A completed application form and $60 application fee
• Official TOEFL or IELTS scores (only international applicants)
• Three letters of recommendation
• A brief statement of purpose describing interests and career goals
• A current resume or curriculum vitae
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work (mailed to Graduate Admissions)
• International applicants must provide evaluations (WES or ECE) on transcripts completed outside of the United States to be admitted

The final application deadline is March 1st each year . Applications received before January 15th each year will receive full consideration for an IPIBS Fellowship . After that date, applications will be reviewed and considered for fellowship awards on a limited basis, depending on availability. Submission prior to deadline is strongly encouraged in order to ensure that all required materials (especially letters of reference) are received by the deadline. Qualified prospective students will be invited for a visit and personal interviews. Qualified prospective PhD students who apply by January 15 , may be invited to interview before March 1st.

A limited number of stipends with full tuition remission are available for highly qualified Ph.D. applicants. The stipend may be renewed annually, provided the student maintains good academic standing, demonstrates satisfactory progress in the research project, and devotes full-time to his/her graduate studies. It is expected that the student's stipend support and fees when the student is a Ph.D. candidate, will be provided by research or training funds from the Research Advisor's laboratory. All Ph.D. applicants, independent of funding source, will be reviewed by the Admissions committee, which will then make recommendations to the Graduate M&I Faculty.  Those selected by faculty will be offered admission following Chair’s approval.

Specific course prerequisites for all applicants to the Ph.D. Degree Program include:

• one year of biology
• one year of organic chemistry
• one semester (or equivalent ) of introductory calculus
• one semester of biochemistry

Apply Online Now

Please have universities mail your official transcripts to: University of Louisville Graduate Admissions Office 2211 S Brook St, Houchens Bldg, Rm 105 Louisville, Kentucky 40292 United States of America Email Address: [email protected] Phone Number: (502) 852-3101, (800) 334-8635 Fax Number: (502) 852-3111

Graduate Program Address

(transcripts are sent to  Graduate Admissions , University of Louisville,  NOT  the address below)

Department of Microbiology & Immunology School of Medicine 505 South Hancock, CTRB, Rm. 602A Louisville, KY, 40202 Graduate Program Office Fax: (502) 852-7531 Email: [email protected]

Clinical Translational Research Building, Rm 602A 505 S. Hancock Street Louisville, KY 40202

Office Hours

M-F 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

No Holiday Hours

[email protected]

Phone: 502-852-5351

Fax: 502-852-7531

Graduate Programs

Explore information.

The Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology at The University of Toledo is an exciting place to be. UToledo graduate students are mentored by some of the brightest research minds in the world. 

Our department is growing, thanks to the efforts of our nationally and internationally renowned faculty. Faculty members conduct research on infectious diseases, inflammatory disorders and organ transplant rejection. Our goal: help develop new vaccines and treatments that protect human health. 

The Medical Microbiology and Immunology track (MMIM) is part of the Biomedical Sciences program in UToledo's College of Medicine and Life Sciences. Students may pursue a: 

• Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (M.S.B.S.)  
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) 
• M.D./Ph.D. or M.D./M.S. degree, after acceptance into UToledo's  College of Medicine and Life Sciences 

Top Reasons to Study medical microbiology and immunology at UToledo

• Full financial support. Medical Microbiology and Immunology graduate students are fully supported by a graduate research stipend. This allows students to focus exclusively on their research projects. Doctoral students receive full-tuition scholarships, as well. 
• Teaching opportunities. Available for students interested in careers in education.  
• Collaborative research. Our faculty and students work with infectious disease and immunology experts on regional, state, national and international research projects.  

The [Toledo] Blade newspaper publishes monthly articles by our Biomedical Science graduate students. Through this partnership, our students learn to communicate about their research in terms the public can understand, which is an important skill for careers in science. After their stories were published, some students were asked to speak to veteran and patient groups. 

Our students also present their research at local, regional, national and international conferences. All students are mentored and encouraged to publish their research results in peer-reviewed, scientific journals. 

• Active student groups. Network and learn. Most of our grad students participate in The University of Toledo Graduate Student Association and the Council of Biomedical Graduate Students, which holds an annual graduate research forum.   

The Medical Microbiology and Immunology program is located on The University of Toledo Health Science Campus. Students use state-of-the-art technologies in modern, well-equipped labs to understand complex microbiology and immunology problems. Facilities include: 

• Tissue culture core facility 
• Roche LightCycler 96 for quantitative, real-time PCR 
• Fluorescent and bioluminescent live-cell or whole-animal imaging 
• Luminex multiplex cytokine detection 
• BD FACSCalibur, FACSAria and FACSCanto for flow cytometry (FACS) and cell sorting 
• Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) 
• Leica multiphoton laser scanning confocal microscope 
• Histology core facility 
• Genetic analysis instrumentation center 
• Blood clinical chemistry analyzer 

All graduate students in UToledo's Medical Microbiology and Immunology department conduct research and start working in labs during their first years. Most students publish their research in peer-reviewed journals. 

UToledo's Medical Microbiology and Immunology faculty members are internationally recognized in their fields. They have strong records of graduate student and post-doctoral Fellow mentoring. 

Our faculty: 

• Serve on national and international scientific committees and organizations 
• Publish extensively and act as peer reviewers on scientific journal editorial boards 
• Are officers in national professional societies 
• Are awarded national research funding from such institutions as the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense and the American Heart Association. 

Faculty research interests  include: 

• How microbes (bacteria, viruses and fungi) cause disease 
• Immune responses to infection 
• Autoimmune diseases (asthma, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and more) 
• The development, differentiation and activation of the innate and adaptive immune systems 
• New vaccines against infectious microbes 
• The mechanisms of organ transplant rejection 

What jobs can I get with a medical microbiology and immunology degree?

UToledo faculty recognize that an M.S. or Ph.D. in Medical Microbiology and Immunology opens doors to a wide range of career options. Students receive individualized training and mentoring based on their career goals, whether they want to pursue: 

• Academic research 
• Clinical trials administration 
• Government research 
• High school or higher education teaching
• Industry research 
• Policy work/consulting 

Graduates of UToledo's graduate program have been offered post-doctoral fellowships and research positions at prestigious institutions, including: 

• Duke University 
• Harvard University 
• Henry Ford Medical Center 
• Indiana University School of Medicine 
• National Institutes of Health 
• Ohio State University 
• University of Pittsburgh 
• University of West Virginia 
• Virginia Polytechnic and State Institution 
• Yale University 

How to Apply to Graduate School

Find your next steps whether you are a new student, readmit student or guest student.

Back to Top

• Quick Links

Tools & Resources

• Events Calendar
• Strauss Health Sciences Library
• Department A-Z Directory
• Campus Directory
• Faculty & Staff Resources
• Supporter & Alumni Resources
• Student Resources
• Mental Health Resources
• University Policies

CU Campuses

Cu anschutz medical campus.

• CU Colorado Springs
• School of Dental Medicine
• Graduate School
• School of Medicine
• College of Nursing
• Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Colorado School of Public Health

Microbiology

Graduate program, microbiology program.

The Doctoral Program in Microbiology provides advanced training and education for students with the desire and ability to thrive in a stimulating, research-oriented graduate program leading to careers in science in the academic, governmental, or private sectors.

MICROBIOLOGY GRADUATE PROGRAM STUDENT HIGHLIGHT

Elena wall, phd candidate,  lozupone lab.

Elena Wall is a 3rd year PhD candidate in the lab of Dr. Catherine Lozupone. The Lozupone lab is interested in understanding microbial products and interactions in the host gastrointestinal system so that they can harness those processes to improve human health. Elena’s research is focused on trying to understand mechanisms that drive ecological succession of the gut microbiome after a disturbance event (like antibiotic usage). She has been studying this by characterizing specific bacteria that are resilient to oxidative stress and colonize infant and disturbed microbiomes.

Elena found her love of the microbial world while she was a research assistant in a lab in Oregon. Since starting graduate school, she has given poster presentations at the Front Range Microbiome Symposium and the 2023 MPID symposium, and she was awarded the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRFP). She feels she is rewarded daily by getting to do “really cool” science and share her enthusiasm with other microbe admirers.

Outside of the lab, Elena plays the best (and most outrageous…) unicorn themed deck MTG. She dabbles in poetry and graphic art on her own, and goes rockhounding and chases eclipses with her partner and her dogs. Elena believes it’s important to remember that if you knew everything already, you wouldn’t need to be in graduate school. “Try not to get too upset if you don’t have all the answers to every question you’re asked.”

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We aspire to build a medical campus community that thrives on diversity, equity, inclusion and community engagement; strives to eliminate social injustices and health disparities through measurable commitments, strategic, systemic and sustainable systems of accountability; and demonstrates trust and respect for ALL through inclusive practices and policies.

As a world-class medical destination at the forefront of transformative education, science, medicine and health care, we will combine efforts and leverage all of the campus missions to attain our goal. This includes expanding on the endeavors of the former Community-Campus Partnership program and strengthening the collaboration with our hospital partners.

CU Anschutz Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement

Implementing best practices as it relates to diversity, equity and inclusion for students, staff, faculty and visitors on campus, and will maintain and develop mutually beneficial partnerships with the community.  Learn More .

CU Anschutz PhD Program Student Statistics

As a member of the  Coalition for Next Generation Life Science , the Graduate School provides detailed statistics from Biomedical Science programs on: Admissions and matriculation data of PhD students, Average time-to-degree and completion data for PhD programs, and Demographics of PhD students by gender, underrepresented minority status, and citizenship status.

See the Dashboard

Office of Disability, Access, & Inclusion

Partners with students and programs to ensure an accessible and inclusive experience.  Learn More .

Student Resources |  Learn more about requesting accommodations, policies & guidelines, and additional resources.

Campus Resources |  Learn more about general campus resources

The LGBTQ+ Hub as a one-stop shop that can achieve a campus and Aurora community culture where LGBTQ+ people are highly visible, are fully included and integrated in leadership, day-to-day living, communication and dialogue, and where vibrant partnerships exist between the LGBTQ+ Hub and the campus and Aurora communities-at-large.

Visit the LGBTQ+ HUB website

Education: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion 101

Make a report or learn more about important considerations related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) such as language, bias, and identity. Learn More

Undocumented Student Services

Our university remains committed to providing access to all qualified students, including students under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ( DACA ) and Advancing Students for a Stronger Economy Tomorrow ( ASSET ) programs. We are pleased to provide a variety of services, support, and information for students, faculty, and staff to help undocumented students succeed at CU Anschutz

Visit the Undocumented Student Services website.

• Send me more information
• Summer Research Programs
• PIKE-PREP (Postbac Program)

• Seeking Patient Care?
• Graduate Studies
• Doctoral Programs
• Microbiology and Immunology (Ph.D.)

Microbiology and Immunology

Application process.

Key Areas of Research

• Antibiotic Resistance of Bacteria
• Antigen-specific Immune Tolerance
• Cancer Immunotherapy
• Cellular & Molecular Immunology
• Microbial Genetics
• Pathogenic Bacteriology

Microbiology & Immunology Department

Miami, unfortunately, has a high rate of disease-afflicted individuals, but this gives us the opportunity to study the root causes of these diseases up-close and develop new therapies for the people that most need them. Miami is the right fit for me because of the interdisciplinary culture at many levels: collaborations between labs, other disciplines, and clinicians.  

• Departments & Centers
• Coronavirus Updates
• Patient Care
• Adult Patient Care
• Children's Health
• Education at MUSC
• Hollings Cancer Center
• Research at MUSC

College of Medicine

• Departments

Biochemistry

• Graduate Program

Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Basic Science Building 173 Ashley Avenue Room: 501 MSC Code: 509 Charleston, SC 29425

Get Directions

Main: 843-792-9318

View Details

PhD Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Program expectations & forms.

During the first year, students complete a comprehensive core curriculum offered by the College of Graduate Studies (CGS) that lays the groundwork for advanced coursework and research training in their selected PhD program. Students also complete three 9-week laboratory rotations before selecting a Mentor who will oversee their dissertation research. Students should discuss the Student-Advisor Compact with their prospective Mentor.

• Compact Between Students and Advisors
• Appointment of Dissertation Advisor Form

By the end of the first year, students should meet with their Mentors to develop a personalized program of study based on their research project, scientific interests, and career goals. As part of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program, students are required to attend and present annually at the Departmental Research and Methods and Science Club  seminar series, and to attend at least two thirds of the MCBP seminar series.

• Program of Study Form

In the second year, students complete additional coursework and conduct research that will establish the basis of their dissertation. Students also select an Examination Committee that includes: their Mentor, two faculty members from the Department, two faculty members whose primary appointment is outside the Department, and a CGS representative from an approved list. 

Admission to Candidacy

To qualify for admission to Candidacy, PhD students must pass both the written and oral components of a Qualifying Examination, typically by the end of June. For the written exam, students will write an NIH-style research proposal based on their proposed dissertation project (Specific Aims – 1 page, Research Strategy – 6 pages, single-spaced text, excluding references). Students will present their dissertation proposal to the Examination Committee followed by an oral defense covering both the research plan and underlying concepts. After passing all components of the Qualifying Examination, a student is certified as a Candidate for the PhD degree. Please refer to the College of Graduate Studies website for more information about the exam schedule and format.

• Oral Examination Rubric
• Evaluation of Oral Presentation
• Evaluation of Written Proposal
• Admission to Candidacy Outcome Form
• Admission to Candidacy Form  

After admission to Candidacy, a student’s primary effort is devoted to the completion of their research dissertation. Typically, the Examination committee continues to serve as the student’s Dissertation Committee, minus the CGS representative. Students are required to meet with their Dissertation Committee at least once a year and complete a summary of recent progress as part of the Committee Evaluation form. Changes to the Dissertation Advisory Committee must be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies for approval.

• Appointment of Dissertation Committee Form
• Change to Dissertation Committee Form
• Committee Evaluation Form

Dissertation Defense

Students should consult with their Mentor and Dissertation Committee to establish an appropriate timeline for completing all program requirements and scheduling the Defense. Students are required to publish at least one first-author research article in a peer-reviewed journal prior to graduation. A signed Notification of Defense Form must be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies at least three weeks in advance of the proposed Defense date. In common with all PhD students at MUSC, the Candidate presents their dissertation research at a public seminar, followed by a closed-door Defense administered by the Dissertation Committee. All requirements must be complete and submitted by the last day of class for the degree to be conferred that term. Please refer to the College of Graduate Studies website for more information about the Defense and Commencement.

• Notification of Defense Form
• Dissertation Guidelines
• Oral Defense Rubric
• Successful Defense Form
• CGS Final Requirements Checklist

Virtual Tour

Experience University of Idaho with a virtual tour. Explore now

• Discover a Career
• Find a Major
• Experience U of I Life

More Resources

• Admitted Students
• International Students

Take Action

• Find Financial Aid
• View Deadlines
• Find Your Rep

Helping to ensure U of I is a safe and engaging place for students to learn and be successful. Read about Title IX.

Get Involved

• Clubs & Volunteer Opportunities
• Recreation and Wellbeing
• Student Government
• Student Sustainability Cooperative
• Academic Assistance
• Safety & Security
• Career Services
• Health & Wellness Services
• Register for Classes
• Dates & Deadlines
• Financial Aid
• Sustainable Solutions
• U of I Library

• Upcoming Events

Review the events calendar.

Stay Connected

• Vandal Family Newsletter
• Here We Have Idaho Magazine
• Living on Campus
• Campus Safety
• About Moscow

The largest Vandal Family reunion of the year. Check dates.

Benefits and Services

• Vandal Voyagers Program
• Vandal License Plate
• Submit Class Notes
• Make a Gift
• View Events
• Alumni Chapters
• University Magazine
• Alumni Newsletter

SlateConnect

U of I's web-based retention and advising tool provides an efficient way to guide and support students on their road to graduation. Login to SlateConnect.

Common Tools

• Administrative Procedures Manual (APM)
• Class Schedule
• OIT Tech Support
• Academic Dates & Deadlines
• U of I Retirees Association
• Faculty Senate
• Staff Council

Department of Biological Sciences

Physical Address: Life Sciences South 252

Mailing Address: 875 Perimeter Drive MS 3051 Moscow, ID 83844-3051

Phone: 208-885-6280

Fax: 208-885-7905

Email: [email protected]

Web: Department of Biological Sciences

A Crowning Achievement

First Generation College Student Earns U of I Goldwater Scholarship

Gold, Bold and Cold

Moscow Brewer Scores With Vandal Victory Lager

Sustainable Science Innovations

U of I Leads Systemic Sustainability Research Efforts

Lampreys Safe Passage

Ensuring Mature Pacific Lampreys Reach Spawning Grounds

NASA Scholarship Winner Encourages Neurodivergent Students

Stemming Disease

Student Researchers Looking for Ways to Obstruct Malaria Parasite and Curtail Disease

Jumping Higher

Getting a Jump on Her Medical Career

Seeing Spots

Student Travels to Africa to Assist with Giraffe Research

Protecting Humans from Infectious Diseases

Nuismer Uses Mathematical Models to Predict Viral Spillover

Boosting the Honeybee Microbiome

Can Natural Viruses Kill the Bacteria Responsible for Massive Honeybee Deaths?

Passing Knowledge Down the Line

Pre-Med Mentoring Program Fosters Generational Relationships

Goldwater Scholar and Researcher

First Generation College Student Earns Prestigious Scholarship

Medical Marine

Midshipman Eyes Medical Career After the Marines

The University of Idaho’s Department of Biological Sciences takes a holistic, integrative approach to the broad spectrum of biological and life sciences. Curriculum and research opportunities connect and examine the living world’s biological complexities, from the cellular level through organisms, populations, and biological systems. In providing a better understanding of the building blocks of life, research allows undergraduate and graduate students to explore and find answers to a range of fundamental questions while helping advance the field and gaining hands-on experience to start a career in a biology-based discipline.

Undergraduate Studies

Our degrees offer an integrated view of the sub-disciplines within biology to prepare you for any profession in the field of life sciences.

Learn about our undergraduate degrees

Graduate Studies

We offer research opportunities for advanced study at the master's and doctoral levels.

Learn about our graduate degrees

Our faculty are here to prepare students to be the next biology professionals.

Meet our Faculty

We offer graduate and undergraduate research opportunities in biomedicine, cellular and molecular biology, ecology and evolution, and neuroscience.

See our research

The University of Manitoba campuses are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Ininew, Anisininew, Dakota and Dene peoples, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. More

Max Rady College of Medicine

What are you looking for.

• Digital viewbook
• Undergraduate admissions
• Graduate admissions
• Extended Education
• Indigenous students
• Financial Aid and Awards
• Apply to UM
• Experiential Learning
• Faculties, colleges and schools
• Academic Calendar
• Registrar's Office
• Undergraduate programs
• Graduate programs
• Extended Education programs
• Opportunities and support
• Research Chairs
• Centres and institutes
• Partnerships and Innovation
• Awards and recognition
• International Centre
• ResearchLIFE
• Academic supports
• Career Services
• Get involved
• Student health and wellness
• Military Support Office
• Respectful conduct
• Student services at Bannatyne campus
• Accessibility for students
• Indigenous community
• Arts and Culture
• Sport and Recreation
• Administration
• Our campuses
• The UM brand
• Facts and figures

University of Manitoba

University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, R3T 2N2

Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Welcome to the Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Established in 1884, we are dedicated to research and training in the area of infectious diseases of humans. We combine strong basic science research and graduate student training with excellence in clinical microbiology and infectious disease care and postgraduate clinical training. 

What we offer

Student supports, community and partners, faculty and staff.

Established in 1896 as the Department of Bacteriology, Pathology and Histology, our department has a rich and evolving history, undergoing several transformations: Bacteriology and Serology (1916), Hygiene and Public Health (1923), Bacteriology and Immunology (1929), and Medical Microbiology (1967). 

In 2016, it became Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (MMID), emphasizing both pathogen research and disease treatment. 

With over a century of history, MMID remains a leader in medical research, integrating robust basic science, graduate student training, clinical microbiology and infectious disease care.

The department supports a number of education programs, from undergraduate studies to post-doctoral training in specialty areas of microbiology.

Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (MSc)

The Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (MSc) program offers graduate students training in clinical microbiology and infectious disease care, as well as collaborative research opportunities in molecular pathogenesis of microbial disease, immunobiology of infection, molecular mechanisms of antimicrobial action, microbial resistance and epidemiology.

Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (PhD)

This program offers graduate students advanced training in clinical microbiology and infectious disease care, as well as collaborative research opportunities in molecular pathogenesis of microbial disease, immunobiology of infection, molecular mechanisms of antimicrobial action, microbial resistance and epidemiology.

Medical Microbiology Residency

Gain extensive training in human infectious diseases and explore a wide range of research opportunities in areas such as microbial disease, immunobiology of infection, molecular mechanisms of antimicrobial action, microbial resistance and epidemiology.

Post-doctoral Clinical Microbiology Training Program

This two-year training program offers PhD graduates in microbiology the opportunity to pursue a career as a clinical microbiologist and function within a diagnostic microbiology laboratory setting. The program meets the training requirements necessary to sit for the certification examinations offered by the Canadian College of Microbiologists.

Established in 1884 as the Department of Bacteriology, Pathology, and Histology, our department has a rich and evolving history.

It underwent several transformations, becoming Bacteriology and Hygiene in 1916, Bacteriology and Serology in 1919, Bacteriology and Immunology in 1929, and finally adopting the name Medical Microbiology in 1967. In 2016, the department evolved into Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (MMID), reflecting a heightened focus on both the pathogen and the patient's disease.

With a legacy dating back over a century, MMID remains at the forefront of medical research and care. The department seamlessly integrates robust basic science research and graduate student training with a commitment to excellence in clinical microbiology, infectious disease care, and postgraduate clinical training.

Watch a brief video to learn more about our department and what we offer.

UM is a community that cares. We offer a wide variety of supports to help you make the most of your time at university and reach your full potential. 

MMCF Jack Wilt Travel Award

The Manitoba Medical College Foundation (MMCF) has established the MMCF – Jack Wilt Travel Award at the Winnipeg Foundation through gifts from Dr. John Charles (Jack) Wilt's friends, family, medical institutions, and conferences. This award aims to assist students with travel expenses for conference participation, funded by the annual income generated from the endowment.

Eligibility

To qualify for the award, applicants must be in good standing and attending a professional meeting or conference to present research results (poster or oral presentation). Eligible candidates are enrolled in either the postgraduate medical education program in the Department of Medical Microbiology at the Max Rady College of Medicine or the Adult or Pediatric Infectious Disease Residency Training Program at the same college. Requests for funding should include evidence of paper or poster presentation acceptance.

Selection procedure

The dean of the Max Rady College of Medicine (or designate) will appoint the selection committee, including the head of medical microbiology and infectious diseases (or designate). The University of Manitoba's board of governors retains the right to modify award terms with complete consultation with the Winnipeg Foundation if changed conditions necessitate adjustments.

Information flow

Financial aid and awards send the award selection form to the PGME awards coordinator.

The PGME awards coordinator forwards relevant award details to the department-based award administrator.

After selecting a candidate, the department-based awards administrator provides the resident's name, student number, and award amount to the PGME awards coordinator.

The PGME awards coordinator sends a signed, completed award selection form back to the Financial Aid and Awards Office for processing.

Award status information cannot be provided by the department or PGME office via email, phone, or in person.

Notification and disbursement

The Financial Aid and Awards Office communicates the award to the recipient through a notification letter. Once the cheque is issued, it goes to the PGME awards coordinator for disbursement to the department-based award administrator, who then forwards it to the successful candidate.

department Research

The department produces excellent research to continually develop our understanding of microbiology and infectious diseases. Some of our research strengths include:

Antimicrobial resistance

• Global priority
• National surveillance 
• Resistance mechanisms

Host pathogen interactions

• International research cohorts
• Immunopathogenesis
• Vaccine and immune therapeutic development 

HIV prevention and control

• Largest critical mass of HIV public health and HIV academic researchers in Canada
• Strong international programs
• Consistently top three in CIHR-funded HIV research grants 
• SWOP program - HIV prevention and care to 37,000 FSW, MSM

Viral pathogenesis

• Includes high containment pathogens
• Nationally unique facilities
• Global leaders

Undergraduate Research Awards

Each year, the University of Manitoba provides a multitude of unique learning opportunities through the undergraduate research awards. This program allows undergraduate students to interact with the best minds and research leaders in their fields. This experience opens them up to new possibilities for a research career in either government, academic or industry sectors.

• About the program
• How to apply
• Available faculty

Our researchers

Researcher profiles.

Denice Bay, PhD Assistant professor

Kevin Coombs, BA, MA, PhD Professor

Keith Fowke, BSc, PhD Department head and professor

Yoav Keynan, MD, PhD Head, Section of Infectious Diseases, Associate professor

Jason Kindrachuk, PhD Assistant professor

Julie Lajoie, PhD

Linda Larcombe, MA, PhD

Lyle McKinnon, BSc, PhD Assistant professor

Bárbara Porto, PhD Assistant professor

Zulma Rueda, MD, PhD Associate professor

Xiao-Jian Yao, PhD

George Zhanel, PharmD, PhD, FCCP Professor

Explore the links below to learn more about our groundbreaking researchers, including:

• Heather Adam
• David C. Alexander
• Aruna Ambagala
• Heather Armstrong
• Logan Banadyga
• Amrita Bharat
• Stephanie Booth
• Catherine Card
• Silvia Cardona
• Kevin Coombs
• Maryanne Crockett
• Michael Drebot 
• Sergio Fanella
• Keith Fowke
• Lawrence Gelmon
• Morag Graham
• James Karlowsky
• Yoav Keynan
• Jason Kindrachuk
• Natalie Knox
• Darwyn Kobasa
• Ayush Kumar
• Philippe Lagacé-Wiens
• Julie Lajoie
• Linda Larcombe
• Kelly MacDonald
• Paul McLaren
• Lyle McKinnon
• Adrienne Meyers
• Celina Nadon
• Carla Osiowy
• Rosanna Peeling
• Brad Pickering
• Pierre Plourde
• Barbara Porto
• Md Niaz Rahim
• Zulma Rueda
• David Safronetz
• Frank Schweizer  
• Alberto Severini
• Meenu Sharma
• Souradet Shaw 
• Hafid Soualhine 
• Derek Stein
• Markus Stein
• James Strong
• Christine Turenne 
• Armelle Perez Cortes Villalobos
• Xiao-Jian Yao
• Andrew Walkty 
• George Zhanel

Search UM's expert directory

We are proud to partner with organizations worldwide to improve public health in the field of infectious diseases on an international scale.

Partners for Health Development in Africa (PHDA)

Partners for Health and Development in Africa (PHDA) is a non-profit organization registered in Kenya, working in the health and development fields in Kenya and elsewhere in Africa.

International Infectious Disease and Global Health training program (IID & GHTP)

For those who are lucky enough to spend a portion of their research career in a developing country, a common sentiment is that the experience changed their lives and refocused their field of investigation.

National Microbiology Lab

Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) works with public health partners in Canada and abroad to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Public Health Agency

The Public Health Agency of Canada activities focus on preventing disease and injuries, responding to public health threats, promoting good physical and mental health, and providing information to support informed decision making.

Our department is run by award-winning faculty and staff who are dedicated and passionate about their contributions to the field of medical microbiology. Contact us to learn more about our department and what we have to offer.

• Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME)
• Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME)
• Research associates and post-doctoral fellows

News and stories

UM team receives $6.9 million to test pneumonia treatment and expand network of research sites

Rady Faculty of Health Sciences

Medical breakthrough provides hope for early risk stratification of a deadly blood cancer

Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Research and International, Students

Rady HIV-AIDS researcher, educator receives inaugural postdoc fellowship in memory of AIDS trailblazer

New issue of radyum dives into the radyverse, pediatric partnership, northern remote stream residents ‘wear many different hats’, health professions education scholarship day - call for abstracts.

5:00 PM Online Zoom Session

Health Professions Education Scholarship Day Keynote Presentation: From Silos to Synergies: Bringing Education, Practice and Policy Together to Promote Person-Centred and Evidence-Informed Care with Aliki Thomas, PhD, OT

12:00 PM Online Zoom Session

Health Professions Education Scholarship Day Workshop: Moving Evidence into Educational Practice and Policy: The Promise of Knowledge Translation (KT) with Aliki Thomas, PhD, OT

2:00 PM Online Zoom Session

You may also be looking for...

Student culture and groups, health and wellness, ongomiizwin, student affairs.

Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Max Rady College of Medicine Room 543 - 745 Bannatyne Avenue University of Manitoba (Bannatyne campus) Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9 Canada

Faculty of the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

UMass Chan’s world-class faculty includes: a Breakthrough Prize winner, a Lasker Award winner, a Nobel Laureate, 4 Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigators, 8 National Academy of Science members, 5 National Academy of Medicine members, 3 Keck Award winners and 4 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists/Engineers recipients.

Updating results, please wait...

Nezar Alexander Abdennur, PhD

Assistant professor.

• Genomics and Computational Biology
• University of Ottawa , BS
• University of Ottawa , MS
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology , PHD
• Email Address: Click to show email
• Phone: 774-455-4376
• Systems Biology
• Faculty Profile

Ronald N. Adler, MD

Associate professor.

• Family Medicine and Community Health
• Tufts University , BA
• Tufts University , BS
• University of Massachusetts Medical School , MD
• Phone: 508-334-8830

Jeremy T. Aidlen, MD, FACS

• University of Illinois, Chicago , BA
• University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign , BS
• University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey , MD
• Phone: 508-856-2128

Karim Alavi, MD

• Surgery , Division: Colorectal & Rectal Surgery
• George Washington University , BS
• George Washington University School of Medicine , MD

Matthew James Alcusky, PhD, PharmD, MS

• Population and Quantitative Health Sciences , Division: Epidemiology
• University of Rhode Island , MS
• University of Massachusetts Medical School , PHD
• University of Rhode Island , PHARMD
• Phone: 774-455-4691

Mark Alkema, PhD

• Neurobiology
• University of Amsterdam , BS
• University of Amsterdam , MS
• University of Amsterdam , PHD
• Phone: 508-856-6158

Jeroan J. Allison, MD, MS

Chair and professor.

• Population and Quantitative Health Sciences , Division: Health Informatics And Implementation Science
• Samford University , BS
• Harvard University School of Public Health , MS
• University of Alabama, Birmingham , MD

Daniel J. Amante, PhD, MPH

• College of the Holy Cross , BA
• Boston University School of Public Health , MPH
• Phone: 508-856-8480

Victor R. Ambros, PhD

• Silverman Chair in Natural Sciences
• Program in Molecular Medicine
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology , BS
• Phone: 508-856-6380

Melissa Lee Anderson, PhD

• Psychiatry , Division: Psychiatry Research
• Boston University , BA
• Boston University , BS
• Gallaudet University , MA
• Gallaudet University , PHD

Raffi Van Aroian, PhD

• California Institute of Technology , PHD
• Phone: 508-856-8169
• Microbiology
• RNA Therapeutics Institute

Neil Aronin, MD

• Higgins Family Professor in Neuroscience
• Medicine , Division: Endocrinology & Diabetes
• Duke University , BA
• University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine , MD
• Phone: 508-856-3239
• Radiology , Division: Cellular Biology & Imaging

Arlene S. Ash, PhD

• Population and Quantitative Health Sciences , Division: Biostatistics And Health Services Research
• Harvard University , BA
• Washington University in St Louis , MS
• University of Illinois, Chicago , PHD
• Phone: 508-856-8922

Prabhani Upeka Atukorale, PhD

Adjunct assistant professor.

• Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology
• Vanderbilt University , BE
• Johns Hopkins University , ME
• Phone: 617-922-0478

David Ayers, MD

• Arthur M. Pappas, MD, Chair in Orthopedics

Distinguished Professor and Chair Emeritus

• Orthopedics and Physical Rehabilitation , Division: Joint Replacement
• University of Rochester School of Medicine , MD
• Phone: 508-334-9750

Ingolf M. Bach, PhD

• University of Konstanz , BA
• University of Konstanz , MA
• Paris Diderot University , PHD
• Phone: 508-856-5627

Eric H. Baehrecke, PhD

• Our Danny Cancer Fund Chair in Biomedical Research II
• University of Massachusetts Amherst , BS
• Texas A&M University College Station , MS
• University of Wisconsin, Madison , PH D
• Phone: 508-856-6733

Jong Gyu Baek, PhD

• University of Iowa , BS
• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor , MS
• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor , PHD

Christina E. Baer, PhD

• Wellesley College , BA
• University of California, Berkeley , PHD
• Phone: 508-856-6024

Bruce A. Barton, PhD

• Dickinson College , BA
• Pennsylvania State University , MA
• University of Pittsburgh , MS
• University of Pittsburgh , PHD

Samuel M. Behar, MD, PhD

• University of California, Berkeley , BS
• Albert Einstein College of Medicine , MD
• Albert Einstein College of Medicine , PHD
• Phone: 774-455-3682
• Lab: https://www.umassmed.edu/maps/research-labs/behar/

Jennifer A. Benanti, PhD

• University of California, San Diego , BS
• University of Washington , PHD
• Phone: 508-856-1773

Andreas Bergmann, PhD

• Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology , BS
• Universitat Tubingen , PHD
• Phone: 508-856-6423

Steven B. Bird, MD

• Emergency Medicine , Division: Toxicology
• Yale University , BS
• Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , MD
• Phone: 508-421-1400

Diane R. Blake, MD

• Pediatrics , Division: Adolescent Medicine
• Smith College , BA
• Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , MD
• Phone: 508-856-0011

Alexei A. Bogdanov, PhD

• Moscow State University , BA
• Moscow State University , MS
• I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical Academy , PHD
• Phone: 508-856-5571

Milena Bogunovic, MD, PhD

• Pathology , Division: Basic Pathology
• Mount Sinai School of Medicine , PHD
• Russian State Medical University , MD
• Phone: 508-856-1664

Daniel N. Bolon, PhD

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology
• Duke University , BS

Daryl A. Bosco, PhD

• State University of New York, Binghamton , BS
• Brandeis University , PHD
• Phone: 774-455-3745
• Lab: https://www.umassmed.edu/boscolab

Edwin D. Boudreaux, PhD

• Emergency Medicine , Division: Research
• University of Louisiana , BS
• Louisiana State University Baton Rouge , PHD
• Phone: 508-334-3817

Gabriella Lutz Boulting, PhD

• University of California, Los Angeles , BS
• Harvard University , PHD
• Lab: https://www.boultinglab.com/

Carol A. Bova, PhD, RN, ANP

Professor emeritus.

• Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing
• Salem State College , BA
• Salem State College , BS
• University of Massachusetts Medical School , MS
• Boston College , PHD
• Medicine , Division: Infectious Diseases

Michael A. Brehm, PhD

• Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science , BS
• Pennsylvania State College of Medicine , PHD
• Phone: 508-856-3130

Robert Charles Brewster, PhD

• University of California, Los Angeles , PHD
• Phone: 774-455-3695

Michael H. Brodsky, PhD

• University of California, Berkeley , BA
• Phone: 508-856-1640

Robert H. Brown, MD, DPhil

• Donna M. and Robert J. Manning Chair in Neurosciences
• Neurology , Division: Neuromuscular
• Amherst College , BA
• Harvard Medical School , MD
• University of Oxford , DPHIL
• Phone: 508-334-1271
• Lab: https://www.umassmed.edu/brownlab/

Vanni Bucci, PhD

• University of Florence , BS
• Northeastern University , MS
• Northeastern University , PHD
• Phone: 774-455-3854
• Lab: https://www.umassmed.edu/buccilab/

Vivian Budnik, PhD

• Worcester Foundation for Biomedical Research Chair I

Professor and Chair Emeritus

• University of Chile , BS
• Phone: 508-856-4341

Nancy Byatt, DO, MS, MBA

• Lehigh University , BA
• New York Institute of Technology , MBA
• New York College of Osteopathic Medicine , DO
• Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School ,
• University of Massachusetts Medical School ,
• Phone: 508-334-7839

Alexandra Catherine Byrne, PhD

• University of Toronto , PHD
• Yale University , Postdoc
• Phone: 508-856-8561

Daniel R. Caffrey, PHD

• Maynooth University , BS
• Trinity College , PHD
• Phone: 508-334-1000

Sharon B. Cantor, PhD

• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor , BS
• Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences , PHD
• Phone: 508-856-4421

Roberto Caricchio, MD

• Myles J. McDonough Chair in Rheumatology
• Medicine , Division: Rheumatology
• Catholic University , MD

Stephanie Pepper Carreiro, MD

• Rhode Island College , BA
• New York Medical College , MD

Maira A. Castaneda Avila, PhD

• Ana G. Mendez University , BS
• University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus , MS
• Phone: 508-856-8973

Lucio H. Castilla, PhD

• University of Buenos Aires , MS
• Phone: 508-856-3281

Lisa Ann Cavacini, PhD

• University of Scranton , BS
• Drexel University , PHD

Craig J. Ceol, PhD

• Yale University , MS
• Phone: 508-856-5509

Rigel Chan, PhD

• National University of Singapore , BS
• National University of Singapore , MS
• Phone: 508-856-8034

Robin E. Clark, PhD

• Appalachian State University , BA
• University of Connecticut , MA
• Phone: 774-443-2083

Kiera Leigh Clayton, PhD

• University of Toronto , BS
• Phone: 508-856-2521

Karen Mara Clements, MPH, ScD

• Wesleyan University , BA
• Harvard University School of Public Health , SCD

David Micah Cochran, MD, PhD

• Barrett Family Term Chair in Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Psychiatry , Division: Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
• Georgia Institute of Technology , BS
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology , MS

Andres Colubri, MFA, PhD

• University of California, Los Angeles , MFA
• Universidad Nacional del Sur , PHD
• Phone: 508-856-1217

Darryl Conte, PhD

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute , BS
• State University of New York, Albany , PHD

Silvia Corvera, MD

• Endowed Chair in Diabetes Research
• Colegio Madrid , BS
• Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico , MS
• Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico , MD

Roger W. Craig, PhD

• University of Sydney , BSC
• King's College London , PHD

Sybil L. Crawford, PhD

• Carnegie Mellon University , BS
• Carnegie Mellon University , MS
• Carnegie Mellon University , PHD
• Phone: 508-856-6683
• Medicine , Division: Preventive

Carol Curtin, MSW, PhD

• Trinity College , BA
• Boston University , MSW
• Phone: 774-455-6527

Sarah L. Cutrona, MD, MPH

• Yale University , BA
• Harvard University School of Public Health , MPH
• Columbia College of Columbia University in the City of New York , MD

Michael Paul Czech, PhD

• Isadore and Fannie Foxman Chair in Medical Research
• Brown University , BA
• Duke University , MA
• Brown University , PHD
• Phone: 508-856-2254

Chad E. Darling, MD

• University of Pittsburgh , BS
• Dartmouth College , MD

Maryann Davis, PhD

• Emory University , MA
• Emory University , PHD

Roger J. Davis, PhD, FRS

• H. Arthur Smith Chair in Cancer Research
• Queens' College Cambridge , BA
• Queens' College Cambridge , MA
• Queens' College Cambridge , PHM
• Queens' College Cambridge , PHD
• Phone: 508-856-6054

Job Dekker, PhD

• Joseph J. Byrne Chair in Biomedical Research
• Utrecht University , MS
• Utrecht University , PHD
• Phone: 508-856-4371

Mark Dershwitz, MD, PhD

• Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
• Oakland University , BA
• Northwestern University , PHD
• Phone: 508-856-2480

Janice A. Dominov, PhD

• University of Rhode Island , BS
• Case Western Reserve University , PHD
• Phone: 774-455-3751

J. Kevin Donahue, MD

• Medicine , Division: Cardiovascular Medicine
• Washington University in St Louis , BA
• Washington University School of Medicine , MD
• Phone: 774-455-3866

Jeffrey B. Driban, PhD, AT Ret, CSCS

• University of Delaware , BS
• Temple University , MED
• Temple University , PHD
• Phone: 774-455-4016

Catherine E. Dube, EdD

• Boston College , BA
• Boston University , MED
• Boston University , EDD
• Phone: 508-856-8999

Raymond M. Dunn, MD

• Surgery , Division: Plastic Surgery
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute , BS
• Albany Medical College , MD
• Phone: 508-856-5299

Richard W. Dutton, PhD

• University of Cambridge , BA
• University of Cambridge , MA
• University of London , PHD
• Phone: 508-856-4431

E. Kale Edmiston, PhD

• Hampshire College , BA
• Vanderbilt University , PHD

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

• University of Virginia , BA
• Hahemann Medical College , MD
• Phone: 774-441-8230

Charles P. Emerson Jr., PhD

• Neurology , Division: Wellstone Program
• Princeton University , BA
• University of California, San Diego , PHD
• Phone: 774-455-1571
• Lab: https://www.umassmed.edu/emersonlab

Patrick Emery, PhD

• University of Geneva , BS
• University of Geneva , MS
• University of Geneva , PHD
• Phone: 508-856-6599
• Lab: https://www.umassmed.edu/emerylab

Mara Meyer Epstein, ScD, ScM

• Medicine , Division: Geriatrics
• Emory University , BS
• Phone: 508-856-3305

Wenwen Fang, PhD

• Fudan University , BS
• Princeton University , PHD

Jamie Marie Faro, PhD

• Lasell University , BS
• George Washington University , MS
• University of Massachusetts Boston , PHD

Thomas G. Fazzio, PhD

• University of Utah , BS
• Phone: 508-856-6014

Kimberly A. Fisher, MD

• Medicine , Division: Pulmonary Medicine
• Phone: 508-856-3121

Thomas J. FitzGerald, MD

• Radiation Oncology
• University of San Francisco , BS
• Phone: 774-442-2062

Katherine A. Fitzgerald, PhD

• Worcester Foundation for Biomedical Research Chair III
• Medicine , Division: Innate Immunity
• University College, Cork , B SC
• Phone: 508-856-6518

William Alexander Flavahan, PhD

• Case Western Reserve University , BE

Josue Flores Kim, PhD

• University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez , BS
• New York University , PHD
• Phone: 508-856-4135

Terence R. Flotte, MD

• Celia and Isaac Haidak Professor
• Pediatrics , Division: Pediatric Pulmonology
• University of New Orleans , BS
• Louisiana State University Medical Center , MD
• Phone: 508-856-2107

Sarah Forrester, PhD

• Southern Adventist University , BS
• Capella University , MS
• Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , PHD
• Phone: 508-856-8338
• Lab: https://www.umassmed.edu/hearrt/

Michael M. Francis, PhD

• University of Florida , PHD

Michela Frascoli, PhD

• University of Insubria , BS
• University of Insubria , MS
• Institute for Research in Biomedicine , PHD
• University of California San Francisco , Postdoc

Jean A. Frazier, MD

• Robert M. and Shirley S. Siff Chair in Autism
• Dartmouth Medical School , MD
• Phone: 774-455-4120

Peter D. Friedmann, MD, MPH, DFASAM, FACP

• Medicine at UMass Chan - Baystate
• Boston University School of Medicine , MD
• Phone: 413-794-7324

Accalia Mai-Wan Fu, PhD

• University of Ottawa , PHD
• Phone: 508-856-3679
• Lab: https://www.umassmed.edu/fu-lab/

Kensuke Futai, PhD

• Kyushu University , BS
• Kyushu University , MS
• University of Tokyo , PHD
• Phone: 774-455-4318

Stefania Gallucci, MD

• Phone: 508-856-5245

Fen-Biao Gao, PhD

• Governor Paul Cellucci Chair in Neuroscience Research
• Peking University , BS
• Tsinghua University , MS
• Duke University , PHD
• University College London , Postdoc
• University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) , Postdoc
• Phone: 508-856-8504
• Lab: https://www.umassmed.edu/fen-biaogaolab

Guangping Gao, PhD

• Penelope Booth Rockwell Chair in Biomedical Research 
• West China University of Medicine , MBBS
• Florida International University , MS
• Florida International University , PHD
• Phone: 508-856-3563
• Lab: https://www.umassmed.edu/gaolab/

Manuel Garber, PhD

• Universidad Simón Bolívar , BS
• Phone: 508-856-2954
• Dermatology

Arvin Garg, MD, MPH

• Phone: 508-856-3199

Ricardo T. Gazzinelli, DSc, DVM

• Federal University of Minas Gerais , DSC
• Federal University of Minas Gerais , DVM
• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , Post-Doctoral Fellow
• Phone: 508-856-2400

Ben Steven Gerber, MD, MPH

• University of Illinois, Chicago , MPH
• University of Chicago School of Medicine , MD
• Phone: 508-856-8995

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Biostatistics
• Environmental Health and Engineering
• Epidemiology
• Health Policy and Management
• Health, Behavior and Society
• International Health
• Mental Health
• Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
• Population, Family and Reproductive Health
• Program Finder
• Admissions Services
• Course Directory
• Academic Calendar
• Hybrid Campus
• Lecture Series
• Convocation
• Strategy and Development
• Implementation and Impact
• Integrity and Oversight
• In the School
• In the Field
• In Baltimore
• Resources for Practitioners
• Articles & News Releases
• In The News
• Statements & Announcements
• At a Glance
• Student Life
• Strategic Priorities
• Inclusion, Diversity, Anti-Racism, and Equity (IDARE)
• What is Public Health?

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Policy and Management

Offered By: Department of Health Policy and Management

Onsite | Full-Time | 4–5 years

• MSPH Field Placements
• Master's Essays
• MAS Application Fee Waiver Requirements
• Master of Arts (MA) in Geography and Environmental Engineering
• Master of Arts and Master of Science in Public Health (MA/MSPH)
• Master of Arts in Public Health Biology (MAPHB)
• Master of Bioethics (MBE)
• Mission, Vision, and Values
• Student Experience
• Program Outcomes
• For Hopkins Undergraduate Students
• Master of Health Science (MHS) - Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Master of Health Science (MHS) - Department of Epidemiology
• Alumni Update
• MHS Combined with a Certificate Program
• Master of Health Science (MHS) - Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
• Alumni Highlights
• Post-Baccalaureate Program in Environmental Health for Pre-Medicine Students
• Bachelor's/MHS in Health Economics and Outcomes Research
• MHS HEOR Careers
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Master of Health Science (MHS)
• Concurrent School-Wide Master of Health Science Program in Biostatistics
• Master of Health Science - Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health
• Master of Health Science Online (MHS) - Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health
• Careers in Health Economics
• Core Competencies
• Meet the Director
• What is Health Economics
• MPH Capstone Schedule
• Concentrations
• Online/Part-Time Format
• Requirements

Tuition and Funding

• Executive Board Faculty
• Master of Science (MS) in Geography and Environmental Engineering
• Independent Professional Project and Final Essay 
• Program Objectives and Outcomes
• Internships
• Master of Science (ScM) - Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Master of Science (ScM) - Department of Biostatistics
• Master of Science (ScM) - Department of Epidemiology
• Master of Science (ScM) - Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
• ScM Faculty Advisers
• Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) in Geography and Environmental Engineering
• Bachelor's/MSPH in Health Policy
• FAQ for MSPH in Health Policy
• Field Placement Experience
• MSPH Capstone
• MSPH Practicum
• Required and Elective Courses
• Student Timeline
• Career Opportunities
• 38-Week Dietetics Practicum
• Completion Requirements
• MSPH/RD Program FAQ
• Program Goals
• Application Fee Waiver Requirements
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Department of Biostatistics
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Department of Epidemiology
• Program Goals and Expectations
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Clinical Investigation
• Track in Environmental Sustainability, Resilience, and Health
• Track in Exposure Sciences and Environmental Epidemiology
• Track in Health Security
• Track in Toxicology, Physiology and Molecular Mechanisms
• PhD in Geography and Environmental Engineering Faculty Advisers
• Recent Graduates and Dissertation Titles
• PhD Funding
• PhD TA Requirement
• Recent Dissertation Titles
• JHU-Tsinghua Doctor of Public Health
• Prerequisites
• Concentration in Women’s and Reproductive Health
• Custom Track
• Concentration in Environmental Health
• Concentration in Global Health: Policy and Evaluation
• Concentration in Health Equity and Social Justice
• Concentration in Health Policy and Management
• Concentration in Implementation Science
• Combined Bachelor's / Master's Programs
• Concurrent MHS Option for BSPH Doctoral Students
• Concurrent MSPH Option for JHSPH Doctoral students
• Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy (MD/PhD)
• Adolescent Health Certificate Program
• Bioethics Certificate Program
• Climate and Health Certificate Program
• Clinical Trials Certificate Program
• Community- Based Public Health Certificate Program
• Demographic Methods Certificate Program
• Environmental and Occupational Health Certificate Program
• Epidemiology for Public Health Professionals Certificate Program
• Evaluation: International Health Programs Certificate Program
• Food Systems, the Environment and Public Health Certificate Program
• Frequently Asked Questions for Certificate Programs
• Gender and Health Certificate Program
• Gerontology Certificate Program
• Global Digital Health Certificate Program
• Global Health Certificate Program
• Global Health Practice Certificate Program
• Health Communication Certificate Program
• Health Disparities and Health Inequality Certificate Program
• Health Education Certificate Program
• Health Finance and Management Certificate Program
• Health and Human Rights Certificate Program
• Healthcare Epidemiology and Infection Prevention and Control Certificate Program
• Humane Sciences and Toxicology Policy Certificate Program
• Humanitarian Health Certificate Program
• Implementation Science and Research Practice Certificate Program
• Injury and Violence Prevention Certificate Program
• International Healthcare Management and Leadership Certificate Program
• Leadership for Public Health and Healthcare Certificate Program
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Public Health Certificate Program
• Maternal and Child Health Certificate Program
• Mental Health Policy, Economics and Services Certificate Program
• Non-Degree Students General Admissions Info
• Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety Certificate Program
• Population Health Management Certificate Program
• Population and Health Certificate Program
• Product Stewardship for Sustainability Certificate Program
• Public Health Advocacy Certificate Program
• Public Health Economics Certificate Program
• Public Health Informatics Certificate Program
• Public Health Practice Certificate Program
• Declaration of Intent - Public Health Preparedness
• Public Health Training Certificate for American Indian Health Professionals
• Public Mental Health Research Certificate Program
• Quality, Patient Safety and Outcomes Research Certificate Program
• Quantitative Methods in Public Health Certificate Program
• Requirements for Successful Completion of a Certificate Program
• Rigor, Reproducibility, and Responsibility in Scientific Practice Certificate Program
• Risk Sciences and Public Policy Certificate Program
• Spatial Analysis for Public Health Certificate Program
• Training Certificate in Public Health
• Tropical Medicine Certificate Program
• Tuition for Certificate Programs
• Vaccine Science and Policy Certificate Program
• Online Student Experience
• MAS and Affiliated Certificate Programs
• Barcelona Information
• Registration, Tuition, and Fees
• Agency Scholarship Application
• General Scholarship Application
• UPF Scholarship Application
• Course Evaluations
• Online Courses
• Registration
• General Institute Tuition Information
• International Students
• Directions to the Bloomberg School
• All Courses
• Important Guidance for ONSITE Students
• D.C. Courses
• Registration and Fees
• Cancellation and Closure Policies
• Application Procedures
• Career Search
• Current Activities
• Current Trainees
• Related Links
• Process for Appointing Postdoctoral Fellows
• Message from the Director
• Program Details
• Admissions FAQ
• Current Residents
• Elective Opportunities for Visiting Trainees
• What is Occupational and Environmental Medicine?
• Admissions Info
• Graduates by Year
• Compensation and Benefits
• How to Apply
• Academic Committee
• Course Details and Registration
• Tuition and Fees
• ONLINE SOCI PROGRAM
• Principal Faculty
• General Application
• JHHS Application
• Our Faculty
• Descripción los Cursos
• Programa en Epidemiología para Gestores de Salud, Basado en Internet
• Consultants
• Britt Dahlberg, PhD
• Joke Bradt, PhD, MT-BC
• Mark R. Luborsky, PhD
• Marsha Wittink, PhD
• Rebekka Lee, ScD
• Su Yeon Lee-Tauler, PhD
• Theresa Hoeft, PhD
• Vicki L. Plano Clark, PhD
• Program Retreat
• Mixed Methods Applications: Illustrations
• Announcements
• 2023 Call for Applications
• Jennifer I Manuel, PhD, MSW
• Joke Bradt, PhD
• Josiemer Mattei, PhD, MPH
• Justin Sanders, MD, MSc
• Linda Charmaran, PhD
• Nao Hagiwara, PhD
• Nynikka R. A. Palmer, DrPH, MPH
• Olayinka O. Shiyanbola, BPharm, PhD
• Sarah Ronis, MD, MPH
• Susan D. Brown, PhD
• Tara Lagu, MD, MPH
• Theresa Hoft, PhD
• Wynne E. Norton, PhD
• Yvonne Mensa-Wilmot, PhD, MPH
• A. Susana Ramírez, PhD, MPH
• Animesh Sabnis, MD, MSHS
• Autumn Kieber-Emmons, MD, MPH
• Benjamin Han, MD, MPH
• Brooke A. Levandowski, PhD, MPA
• Camille R. Quinn, PhD, AM, LCSW
• Justine Wu, MD, MPH
• Kelly Aschbrenner, PhD
• Kim N. Danforth, ScD, MPH
• Loreto Leiva, PhD
• Marie Brault, PhD
• Mary E. Cooley, PhD, RN, FAAN
• Meganne K. Masko, PhD, MT-BC/L
• PhuongThao D. Le, PhD, MPH
• Rebecca Lobb, ScD, MPH
• Allegra R. Gordon, ScD MPH
• Anita Misra-Hebert, MD MPH FACP
• Arden M. Morris, MD, MPH
• Caroline Silva, PhD
• Danielle Davidov, PhD
• Hans Oh, PhD
• J. Nicholas Dionne-Odom, PhD RN ACHPN
• Jacqueline Mogle, PhD
• Jammie Hopkins, DrPH, MS
• Joe Glass, PhD MSW
• Karen Whiteman, PhD MSW
• Katie Schultz, PhD MSW
• Rose Molina, MD
• Uriyoán Colón-Ramos, ScD MPA
• Andrew Riley, PhD
• Byron J. Powell, PhD, LCSW
• Carrie Nieman MD, MPH
• Charles R. Rogers, PhD, MPH, MS, CHES®
• Emily E. Haroz, PhD
• Jennifer Tsui, Ph.D., M.P.H.
• Jessica Magidson, PhD
• Katherine Sanchez, PhD, LCSW
• Kelly Doran, MD, MHS
• Kiara Alvarez, PhD
• LaPrincess C. Brewer, MD, MPH
• Melissa Radey, PhD, MA, MSSW
• Sophia L. Johnson, PharmD, MPH, PhD
• Supriya Gupta Mohile, MD, MS
• Virginia McKay, PhD
• Andrew Cohen, MD, PhD
• Angela Chen, PhD, PMHNP-BC, RN
• Christopher Salas-Wright, PhD, MSW
• Eliza Park MD, MS
• Jaime M. Hughes, PhD, MPH, MSW
• Johanne Eliacin, PhD, HSPP
• Lingrui Liu ScD MS
• Meaghan Kennedy, MD
• Nicole Stadnick, PhD, MPH
• Paula Aristizabal, MD
• Radhika Sundararajan, MD
• Sara Mamo, AuD, PhD
• Tullika Garg, MD MPH FACS
• Allison Magnuson, DO
• Ariel Williamson PhD, DBSM
• Benita Bamgbade, PharmD, PhD
• Christopher Woodrell MD
• Hung-Jui (Ray) Tan, MD, MSHPM
• Jasmine Abrams, PhD
• Jose Alejandro Rauh-Hain, MD
• Karen Flórez, DrPH, MPH
• Lavanya Vasudevan, PhD, MPH, CPH
• Maria Garcia, MD, MPH
• Robert Brady, PhD
• Saria Hassan, MD
• Scherezade Mama, DrPH
• Yuan Lu, ScD
• 2021 Scholars
• Sign Up for Our Email List
• Workforce Training
• Cells-to-Society Courses
• Course/Section Numbers Explained
• Pathway Program with Goucher College
• The George G. Graham Lecture

About the PhD in Health Policy and Management Program

The PhD in Health Policy and Management is a full-time doctoral program that trains its students to conduct original investigator-initiated research through a combination of coursework and research mentoring. The curriculum includes core coursework that is common across the four concentrations and courses specific to each individual concentration. Applicants to the PhD in Health Policy and Management apply directly to one of four concentrations. All four options have the same deadline, structure, and funding.

Concentration Areas

This concentration is designed for students interested in conducting independent research on ethical issues in public health policy, research and practice such as domestic and international research ethics, learning health systems, emerging biomedical technologies, ethics and public health genetics, national and global food policy, access to care and health care priority setting. By the end of their training, students are equipped to function as independent researchers, conducting empirical research related to bioethics, public health and health policy, as well as prepared to provide practical and normative recommendations regarding ethics and public health policy.

View more program information about the Concentration in Bioethics and Health Policy.

This concentration is designed for students interested in preventing leading public health problems through the development, analysis, implementation and evaluation of public health policies. Students affiliated with this concentration employ an interdisciplinary approach to their research in areas such as environmental and occupational health policy, injury prevention and control, social policy, and health and the practice of prevention.

View more program information about the Concentration in Health and Public Policy .

This concentration prepares doctoral students for conducting innovative and rigorous research on the economics of health and healthcare. The curriculum stresses a solid grounding in applied modern microeconomic theory, quantitative methods, and econometrics applications. Students take courses through the Department of Economics in the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences.

View more program information about the Concentration in Health Economics and Policy.

This concentration prepares doctoral students for conducting innovative and rigorous quantitative and qualitative research and evaluation in health services delivery. The curriculum includes exposure to a wide variety of research methods, content areas, and datasets. It also offers the opportunity for in-depth study in areas such as public health informatics, quality of care and patient-centered outcomes research, including a focus on older adults, and health care disparities.

View more program information about the Concentration in Health Services Research and Policy.

Curriculum for the PhD in Health Policy and Management

Browse an overview of the requirements for this PhD program in the JHU  Academic Catalogue  and explore all course offerings in the Bloomberg School  Course Directory .

What Can You Do With a Graduate Degree In Health Policy And Management?

Our graduates graduates pursue research careers in top-tier universities, research and policy-making organizations, the health care industry and government agencies. Visit the  Graduate Employment Outcomes Dashboard to learn about Bloomberg School graduates' employment status, sector, and salaries.

Admissions Requirements

For general admissions requirements, please visit the How to Apply page. All concentrations follow the same admission process. Please see below for full details on the scope of each concentration.

PhD in Health Policy and Management – Bioethics and Health Policy

PhD in Health Policy and Management – Health and Public Policy

PhD in Health Policy and Management – Health Economics and Policy

PhD in Health Policy and Management – Health Services Research and Policy

For general information regarding tuition and fees, visit the Bloomberg School’s  Tuition and Fees  page.

Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the JHU PhD Union, the minimum guaranteed 2025-2026 academic year stipend is $50,000 for all PhD students with a 4% increase the following year. Tuition, fees, and medical benefits are provided, including health insurance premiums for PhD student’s children and spouses of international students, depending on visa type. The minimum stipend and tuition coverage is guaranteed for at least the first four years of a BSPH PhD program; specific amounts and the number of years supported, as well as work expectations related to that stipend will vary across departments and funding source. Please refer to the CBA to review specific benefits, compensation, and other terms.

Need-Based Relocation Grants Students who  are admitted to PhD programs at JHU starting in Fall 2023 or beyond can apply to receive a need-based grant to offset the costs of relocating to be able to attend JHU.   These grants provide funding to a portion of incoming students who, without this money, may otherwise not be able to afford to relocate to JHU for their PhD program. This is not a merit-based grant. Applications will be evaluated solely based on financial need.  View more information about the need-based relocation grants for PhD students .

Questions about the program? We're happy to help. [email protected]  

• Majors & Minors
• About Our Faculty
• Academic Experience
• Academic Support
• Graduate Programs
• Get Involved
• Athletics & Sports at UWEC
• Meet Blugolds
• Living in Eau Claire
• Music, Arts, & Culture
• First-Year Visits
• Transfer Visits
• Group Visits
• Plan Your Trip
• What to Expect
• Virtual Tour Options
• First-Year Student
• Transfer Student
• International Students
• High School Special Student
• Graduate Student
• Other Student
• UWEC Application
• Contact Admissions
• Tuition & Fees
• Financial Aid
• Scholarships
• Net Price Calculator
• University Mission
• Campus History
• Accreditation
• Campus Events and Calendars
• Collaborations and Partnerships
• Points of Pride
• Work at UW-Eau Claire 

Biology - Microbiology Emphasis

Uncover groundbreaking ways to improve our health and the environment.

Dive Into Life's Smallest Building Blocks

Through the study of bacteria, viruses, parasites, yeasts, and molds, you'll discover the many microbes that make life on earth possible — and those that cause disease and death. In-depth exposure to topics like virology, immunology, and bacteriology will further show you the beneficial and detrimental functions microorganisms have on plants, animals, humans, and the planet.

An excellent path for those who wish to enter the medical, pharmaceutical, dental, agriculture, food, veterinary, or health care field, the microbiology program will help you find your niche and be successful in your chosen career.

Through projects and collaborative research, you'll develop and enhance your accuracy, precision and observation skills. Unique internship opportunities will also provide you with practical experience and help you feel prepared and empowered to take on anything in the microbiology field.

No matter your path, UW-Eau Claire's microbiology program will give you the guidance, tools and experiences needed so you can push boundaries and make a positive impact wherever you go.

Program Details

At UW-Eau Claire, you will have many opportunities to learn and explore outside of the classroom. Our proximity to lakes, rivers, streams, forests and wildlife areas — including a 230-acre scientific natural area — offers the perfect environment for microbiology majors. Our biology department is also associated with Beaver Creek Reserve in Eau Claire County; the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs, Mississippi; and the Gerace Research Centre in the Bahamas.

UW-Eau Claire has strong ties to major clinics and hospitals, including Mayo Clinic Health System and Marshfield Clinic, as well as smaller health care facilities like the Chippewa Valley Free Clinic. Many of our microbiology students receive internship and research opportunities with these hospital systems.

Explore hundreds of thousands of specimens right on campus. UW-Eau Claire is home to extensive collections of amphibians, reptiles, fish, insects, invertebrates, mammals, and birds as well as saltwater aquaria and a herbarium.

Broaden your perspective and step outside your comfort zone on course-based trips to places like Costa Rica, the Charles Darwin Research Station in the Galapagos, rural Ecuador, Utah, Nebraska, and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

Blugold Stories

UW-Eau Claire's research agreement with Mayo Clinic Health System was one of the main reasons I applied to the university. Mayo Clinic is one of the best hospitals in the world, so knowing that it is heavily involved in our undergraduate research is exciting.

Kevin Mayer’s research is leading to new ideas and ways of thinking. By studying red light signaling, Kevin found that corn stalks have the potential to be altered — yielding smaller plants with bigger cobs of corn. But meaningful data isn’t Kevin’s only takeaway. He’s also working alongside expert faculty, exploring career paths and enhancing his critical thinking skills.

Your education will come to life through research opportunities offered in all areas of study. No matter your interests, the opportunity to explore and discover is available to you.

You work really closely with the professors here. At a large research institution, you wouldn't have that opportunity — you'd be working with a post-doc or graduate student. Working alongside the professors, you get firsthand knowledge of how to think, run the experiments, and work the equipment.

Just the facts

100% Employed or Continuing Education Every 2022-2023 graduate from this major is currently employed or continuing their education.

Investing in the Health Sciences UWEC was awarded $340.3 million to build a state-of-the-art Science and Health Sciences Building for students pursuing STEM careers.

3500 ft2 of Greenhouse Space UWEC features an abundance of greenhouse space — right on campus — for you to explore.

10 Pre-Professional Health Paths These robust programs will provide you with the support and academic planning needed to enter professional degree programs.

Surrounded By Nature Our campus is surrounded by Putnam Park, a peaceful 230-acre natural area right out your back door.

Where can the biology - microbiology emphasis program lead me after graduation?

Earning a microbiology degree from UW-Eau Claire empowers you to take on many different career paths and opportunities. 

Example Careers

• Agricultural scientist
• Food scientist
• Biological technicians
• Conservation scientists
• Environmental scientists
• Geoscientist

Recent Graduates

Analytical Specialist MillerCoors  Wisconsin

Genotyping Technician Marshfield Clinic  Wisconsin

Clinical Technician, Cytogenetics  Mayo Clinic-Rochester Minnesota

Quality Assurance Technician ReGen Theranostics  Minnesota

At UW-Eau Claire, you will obtain a well-rounded, diverse education. You'll have the opportunity to dive into liberal arts courses as well as those focused specifically on microbiology.

Here are a few courses in Biology - Microbiology Emphasis at UW-Eau Claire.

Foundations of Biology I

Introduction to cell biology, genetics, evolution, and microbiology.

Molecular and Cell Biology

Current concepts in molecular/cell biology including structure/function of cells and cell organelles, gene function/regulation, and cell signaling.

Current Topics in Virology and Immunology

Lectures and readings in immunology and virology. Emphasis on the mode of thinking and reasoning that led to earlier solutions. Discussions of current advances in the fields.

Get More Info

Sign up to receive additional information about our campus.

Related Programs

Thinking about studying biology - microbiology emphasis? You might also be interested in exploring these related programs.

What's Next?

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

105 Garfield Avenue  P.O. Box 4004  Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004 

715-836-4636