statement of purpose for phd in microbiology and immunology

SOP FOR PHD IN immunology

Do you need an SOP for PhD in Immunology? Getting a seat in a doctorate program in medical and health courses can be highly competitive. There will be an abundance of applicants who has the same credentials as you. In such a scenario, only a  well-written SOP  will set you apart from the crowd. The text will communicate to the university council about your passions and make them realize that you are a fit contender to their course. But the challenging phase for many students is when they have to come up with an eloquent SOP for PhD in Immunology.

SOP Samples For Masters

The key objective of writing a statement of purpose for a PhD in Immunology is to sway the favour of the university admission panel towards you. But a simple citation of your accomplishments and merits will not cut it for most universities. But what can make a difference is the craftsmanship and elegance of your content. Many students with good qualifications had to face rejection just because they overlooked the importance of an SOP and expressed themselves feebly. But for you, this is no cause for concern as we, the professional writers, at your service.

Most of the universities will provide directions regarding the word limit, style, and content to guide you in sop for PhD in Immunology. However, if you are not an experienced writer, it can be a bit perplexing to get your writing on track. This is where leafing through sample sop pdfs for immunology can help you out. After reading a fair amount of high-quality content you will get a feel for what ideas and topics you should include in your document. It will also show you the right tone for writing this serious document. Make sure to read more than one format so that you will have a vast choice of themes to pick out from. Below we have given you a few tips that we put to use when preparing SOPs for students.

• A premium quality statement of purpose for PhD in Immunology should exhibit your research aptitudes along with your brilliance in academics.
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• Justify your motives for pursuing advanced education in Immunology. Do not limit the essay to well-paying jobs. Portray yourself as a person with a purpose.
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• Highlight your fortes in every arena. Show that you are not just only a capable student, but can bring out a good performance in non-academic challenges as well.
• Avoid abbreviations, slang, and any type of informal writing
• Always be mindful of the word limit and stick to it

Sample sop for PhD

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About the PhD in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Program

Through a departmental core curriculum as well as research area-specific courses, laboratory rotations, qualifying examinations, mentored research, and professional development, all MMI PhD students are prepared to engage in cutting edge research and scholarship that advances knowledge. MMI PhD students hone their scholarship, research and professional skills. Course and laboratory work can address problems in microbial pathogenesis, immunology, disease transmission, and diseases related to malaria, mosquito and arboviral biology.

Students can choose to complete the traditional MMI PhD program or the MMI PhD program concentration in Rigorous, Reproducible, and Responsible Research Investigation in Immunology & Microbiology (R 3 IM). The concentration in Rigorous, Reproducible, and Responsible Research Investigation in Immunology & Microbiology (R 3 IM) conveys a broad background in immunology and infectious diseases research, with a special emphasis on critical thinking, logic, ethics, and written and oral skills to help graduates become communicators of complex scientific concepts and agents of change in their workplaces and communities.

What Can You Do With a Graduate Degree In Molecular Microbiology And Immunology?

Visit the  Graduate Employment Outcomes Dashboard to learn about Bloomberg School graduates' employment status, sector, and salaries.

Sample Careers

• Postdoctoral Fellow, Research Associate
• Science Communicator or Writer
• Scientist (academia, industry)
• Specialist in Science Regulatory Affairs
• Faculty, Professor
• Science Advocate (nonprofit agencies)
• Public Health Service (NIH, CDC, FDA)
• Science Policy Fellow

Curriculum for the PhD in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology

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 .

Current students can view the MMI student handbook on the MMI portal site.

Topic Areas

MMI faculty are recognized experts in a wide variety of infectious diseases research areas, allowing our PhD students to study the biology of disease based on their research interests and career goals. Our PhD students gain a comprehensive understanding of infectious diseases that provides a foundation to launch careers that directly tackle critical public health challenges.  

Topic Areas include: 

• Bacterial pathogenesis
• Cell biology 
• Fungal pathogenesis 
• Malaria 
• Medical entomology/Disease ecology
• Parasite pathogenesis 
• Rigor, Reproducibility, and Responsibility in Scientific Practice
• Tick-borne diseases
• Vaccine development 
• Vector biology
• Viral pathogenesis

Admissions Requirements

For general admissions requirements, please visit the How to Apply page.

Standardized Test Scores

Standardized test scores (GRE) are  optional  for this program. The admissions committee will make no assumptions if a standardized test score is omitted from an application, but will require evidence of quantitative/analytical ability through other application components such as academic transcripts and/or supplemental questions.  Applications will be reviewed holistically based on all application components.

Vivien Thomas PhD Scholars

The  Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative (VTSI)  is an endowed fellowship program at Johns Hopkins for PhD students in STEM fields. It provides full tuition, stipend, and benefits while also providing targeted mentoring, networking, community, and professional development opportunities. Students who have attended a historically Black college and university (HBCU) or other minority serving institution (MSI) for undergraduate study are eligible to apply. To be considered for the VTSI, you will need to submit a SOPHAS application, VTSI supplementary materials, and all supporting documents (letters, transcripts, and test scores) by December 1, 2024. VTSI applicants are eligible for an  application fee waiver , but the fee waiver must be requested by November 15, 2024 and prior to submission of the SOPHAS application.

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. Ashley Choi  Senior Academic Coordinator Alex Kim  Senior Academic Program Coordinator  [email protected]

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Microbiology and Immunology is a multidisciplinary program encompassing the areas of cellular and molecular immunology, virology, microbial genetics, and pathogenic bacteriology.

The goals of the department’s graduate program are to provide each student with the opportunity to acquire the theoretical background and conceptual framework with the technical research skills necessary to attain a PhD. During the first year of study, a broad educational base in all disciplines together with laboratory rotations introduce students to the diverse array of research topics. Students then choose one area of concentration for their research. The varied interests of the faculty provide numerous opportunities for student participation and a broad choice in dissertation research.

Active research in immunology includes the areas of cytotoxicity, programmed cell death, cytokine receptor signaling, clinical and experimental bone marrow transplantation, stem cell biology, gene therapy for cancer treatment, antigen recognition, cell differentiation and communication, aging of the immune system, interleukins, genetic control of immunoglobulin production, gene activation,  evolution of the immune response and immune therapy against cancer, infection and autoimmune diseases. Research in other areas includes molecular biology of virus-host interaction in both animal and human systems, control and regulation of bacterial pathogenesis, selective tumor chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and therapy of parasitic infections.

Contact Information

Zhibin Chen, MD, PhD , Graduate Program Director

Office of Graduate Studies Rosenstiel Medical Sciences Building, Suite 1128-A 1600 NW 10th Avenue Miami, FL 33136 305 243 2492

Admission Requirements

Applicants to biomedical programs should have a bachelor degree in a biological or related discipline (e.g., psychology, chemistry, engineering, physics). Although there are no prerequisite requirements, courses in general biology, cell/molecular biology, calculus, general physics, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, and biochemistry are encouraged. Applications are generally accepted from September to December for fall entry only. Select applicants will be offered an interview.

Competitive Candidates will have the following:

• Excellent academic record
• Research experience in a laboratory setting
• Publications of abstract and / or papers
• Co-authorship in a peer-reviewed journal is recommended
• Strong letters of recommendation from research scientists who know the candidate well
• Motivation to pursue state-of-the-art biomedical research  

Applicants must submit the following:

• Online Application
• Application Fee
• Official Academic Transcripts
• English Proficiency Exam (non-native speakers)
• Statement of Purpose
• Resume / CV

Full application instructions can be found  here .

Curriculum Requirements

Students in this program take PIB 700 twice for a total of 2 credits. Please see Plan of Study for more information.

Bioinformatics Requirement: All graduate students are required to complete a bioinformatics workshop or course before they graduate. This requirement can be met by taking either the PIB 706 (Bioinformatics for the Biomedical Sciences) or HGG 660 (Bioinformatics Theory and Practice), both tentatively offered every Spring. Students can also take Bioinformatics Workshops that are offered periodically.

Students accepted as Direct Admit into the Accelerated B.S. to Ph.D. track will be eligible to waive PIB 700 and PIB 701 and to replace those courses with other courses suitable for their academic background and training goals.

Suggested Plan of Study

Accelerated B.S. to Ph.D. Track

Students accepted as Direct Admit into the Accelerated B.S. to Ph.D. track will be eligible to waive  PIB 700  and  PIB 701  and to replace those courses with other courses suitable for their academic background and training goals.

The mission and objectives of the Microbiology and Immunology Ph.D. Graduate Program are to train students who wish to attain the PhD degree by active engagement in the design and performance of basic Microbiology and Immunology research with a Biomedical Focus that is intended to provide each PhD student with:

• A broad scientific reasoning ability and knowledge base in Microbiology and Immunology with a focus on its application in human health; 
• Creative, technical, analytical and ethical skills required for carrying out and interpreting experiments in a responsible manner in the area of Microbiology and Immunology; 
• The ability to successfully design, produce and publish scientific discoveries emanated from their own research in Microbiology and Immunology; and
• The ability to respond to the increasing demands of collaborative and interdisciplinary research, presentation and communication skills required for presenting results in scientific talks, writing manuscripts and seeking funding through grants and proposals, teaching skills and experience, and professional preparation for a scientific career in academia, industry, health care, patent law or teaching within five years or less. 

The goals of the MIC Graduate Program include training and acquisition of:

• A broad scientific reasoning ability and knowledge base in Microbiology and Immunology
• Technical skills required for experiments in the area of specialization
• Presentation skills required for teaching, scientific talks, manuscripts, and grants  
• A preparation for a scientific career in academia, industry, or teaching within 5 ½ years

Student Learning Outcomes

•  Students will demonstrate research skills and scientific reasoning in Microbiology and Immunology with a focus on its application in human health.  
• Students will demonstrate creative critical thinking and ethical skills required for carrying out and interpreting experiments in a responsible manner in the discipline.  
• Students will demonstrate scholarly written and oral skills in the discipline.

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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]

Doctor of Philosophy in the Field of Microbiology and Immunology (STEM)

The PhD in microbiology and immunology program provides flexible, rigorous training that prepares students to become independent research scientists in the areas of molecular virology, molecular parasitology, and immunology.

The program begins with interdisciplinary coursework in genes, cells and systems in biomedical sciences, professional development in scientific communication and science careers, and laboratory rotations offered through GW’s Integrated Biomedical Sciences program . After the first year of study, students work with their research advisor to complete remaining degree requirements, including the dissertation.

Faculty are drawn largely from the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences, including scientists from Children’s Research Institute of Children’s National Health System. Research strengths and training opportunities 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.

Students have access to extensive research facilities and libraries on campus and in the greater Washington, DC area. These include the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, GW’s Gelman Library and Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library, the Children’s Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, and numerous other research institutions.

This is a STEM designated program.

Visit the Integrated Biomedical Sciences program website for additional information.

Supporting documents not submitted online should be mailed to:

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Office of Graduate Studies The George Washington University 801 22nd Street NW, Phillips Hall 107 Washington DC 20052

For additional information about the admissions process visit the Columbian College  of Arts and Sciences  Frequently Asked Questions  page.

[email protected] 202-994-6210 (phone)

Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

The general requirements stated under  Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Programs .

The requirements for the  Doctor of Philosophy Program .

72 credits, including required core and elective courses. Successful completion of a grant-style qualifier examination is required for advancement to candidacy. In addition, students perform full-time research in faculty laboratories for the duration of their program.

Students are advised to complete 45 credits in the first two years of PhD study, including required interdisciplinary core courses, required microbiology core courses, electives, and advanced readings and research. Upon successful completion of a grant-style qualifier, students register for up to 27 credits of dissertation research through completion and successful oral defense of a written dissertation.

*Required courses may be waived at the discretion of the graduate program director based on written documentation of prior equivalent coursework. Any waiver increases the number of electives required by the number of credits waived.

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Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology Unit: School of Medicine (GM) Department: Microbiology & Immunology   Program Website   Academic Plan Code(s): MBIOPHD

Program Information

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology, in the School of Medicine, offers a program of study leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. The PhD program includes training in a broad range of research areas using state-of-the-art immunological, microbiological, and molecular technologies. A competitive stipend, health care benefits, a full waiver of tuition and fees are provided to all applicants accepted into the PhD Program.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

Our department strives to foster and sustain an environment of inclusiveness that empowers us all to achieve our highest potential without fear of prejudice or bias. We commit ourselves to building an exemplary educational community that offers a nurturing and challenging intellectual climate, a respect for the spectrum of human diversity, and a genuine understanding of the many differences-including race, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, and religion that enrich a vibrant metropolitan research university. We expect every member of our academic family to embrace the underlying values of this vision and to demonstrate a strong commitment to attracting, retaining, and supporting students, faculty, and staff who reflect the diversity of our larger society.

Admission Requirements

For admission to the PhD program, the applicant must have attained a BS or BA degree 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 the Graduate School, Graduate Admissions.

• A completed application form and application fee
• The TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo (when applicable)
• 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 coursework (submitted to the Graduate School, Graduate Admissions; international transcripts require NACES accredited verification) 

The applicant must meet the other general requirements of the Graduate School as outlined in the General Information section of this catalog. The application deadline is March 1 each year. Submission prior to March 1 is strongly encouraged in order to ensure that all required materials (especially letters of reference) are received by the deadline.

The applicant is expected to have completed the following undergraduate courses prior to admission to the PhD program (one semester of each):

• Introductory biology
• Organic chemistry
• Introductory calculus
• Biochemistry

Prospective students may be invited for a personal interview with members of the admissions committee and departmental faculty as part of the application process.

Student Financial Support

Students accepted into the PhD program will be considered for an IPIBS graduate student fellowship. The fellowship pays an annual stipend in addition to payment of student tuition and health insurance.

Program Requirements

Note:  Students enrolled in the MD/PhD Joint Degree Program, who have completed step I of NBME, will have satisfied all of the required course requirements except MBIO 606 , BIOC 630 , MBIO 690 , MBIO 623 , MBIO 619 , and three scientific electives. 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.

Qualifying Examination

Upon successful completion of the required course work, maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA, and upon the recommendation of the advisor or chair, the student may take the PhD Qualifying Examination. The Qualifying Examination will consist of a written research proposal related to the area of primary research and an oral defense of the project, both prepared independently without help from their mentor. 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 student may enter degree candidacy upon receipt of satisfactory judgment from the Examining Committee and successful completion of the final semester of coursework.

Selection of a Research Advisor, Dissertation Committee, and Research Proposal

Students must select a Research Advisor for their dissertation research by the end of their first year. Selection of the Research Advisor is a joint decision by the student and faculty member. Selection of the Research Advisor and formation of the Dissertation Committee must be approved by the Department Chair and the Dean of the School of Medicine (or their designees) . The potential advisor must agree, in writing, to provide stipend and candidacy fee support from his/her research funds upon entering PhD candidacy. Upon approval of the Research Advisor, the student will formally decide upon a dissertation research project. The student and Research Advisor will form a Dissertation Committee with five graduate faculty members. 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. If the advisor does not have a primary appointment in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, one of the three other departmental members with a primary appointment in the department must serve as Co-Advisor.

The University of Louisville is committed to and will provide equality of educational and employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, sex, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, pregnancy or veteran status.

Every effort has been made to make the catalog accurate as of the date of publication. However, the University of Louisville reserves the right to change programs of study, academic policies, academic requirements, fees, course information, procedures for the confirmation of degrees, or the announced academic calendar and related deadlines without prior notice. Copyright © 2024-2025, University of Louisville. All rights reserved.

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Creative and innovative research is the hallmark of our graduate program in the University of Michigan Medical School Department of Microbiology and Immunology. This challenging program is designed to provide a nurturing environment in which graduate students can fully develop and express their intellectual talents, research skills, and teaching abilities.

These goals are accomplished through an integrated program of independent research, graduate courses, seminars and teaching. Entering students select from a wide range of stimulating courses designed to complete their preparation for advanced study and research. Molecular and cellular immunology, microbial pathogenesis, molecular virology, microbial physiology, cellular and molecular networks, biochemistry and molecular genetics are some of the topics covered in our courses.

To facilitate development of skills necessary for a career in modern research and teaching, many courses are oriented towards discussion of the primary research literature.

Students can enter the PhD program in the Fall terms only.

The Program in Biological Sciences Department (PIBS), coordinates first-year graduate studies for 14 biomedical Ph.D. programs at the University of Michigan Medical School, including the Doctoral Program in Microbiology & Immunology. All admissions are handled through PIBS.

Please visit the PIBS webpage for an online application. All application materials should be sent to the PIBS Office.

Learn more & apply

Students accepted into the Microbiology and Immunology PhD program are provided with a stipend, full tuition, and healthcare. The department typically accepts between 5–8 students a year. The department is located on the U-M Medical Campus, adjacent to the University Hospitals and Cancer, Cardiovascular and Geriatric Centers.

• NIH training grant in Cellular Biotechnology
• NIH training grant in Cancer Biology
• NIH training grant in Human Genetics
• NIH training grant Molecular Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis
• Dr. F. G. Novy fellowship
• Dr. Frances W. Chin endowed fellowship
• Rackham Merit fellowship
• Regents' fellowship
• University fellowships
• Research assistantships

Applicants to the doctoral program are automatically considered for financial aid. In addition, applicants are encouraged to seek competitive national sources of fellowships. Because funding opportunities are more limited for foreign students, foreign applicants are urged to investigate fellowships provided by their governments or other local sponsors. All students admitted to the PhD program are supported by one of the above internal or external sources. Funding is guaranteed for all PhD candidates in good standing until completion of the thesis defense.

Department specific questions can be directed to:

Natalie Deeb, MPH Graduate Student Program Manager [email protected]

Each year, the Ward J. MacNeal Educational and Scientific Memorial Trust Distinguished Dissertation Award is given to a Microbiology and Immunology PhD graduate trainee for overall excellence.

Our graduated students defended innovative and rigorous dissertations. See who they are, what they did and where there are now.

During the first year as a member of Program in Biomedical Sciences (PIBS), students participate in brief research projects by rotating in up to four laboratories with approximately two-month rotations during the PIBS year. Laboratories for the rotation period are selected by the student in consultation with faculty members. Such research experiences provide exposure and training in the diverse research interests of our faculty and have proven valuable to students in their selection of a thesis research advisor after the first year. Beginning in the second year, students have the opportunity to develop their teaching abilities by contributing to instructional Medical School courses offered by our department.

As a vital part of graduate training, students refine communicative skills by presenting discussions of research literature in a weekly seminar course, Microbiology 812. Additionally, numerous journal clubs are organized by students and faculty around special topics, including molecular pathogenesis, virology, and immunology. Graduate students also meet regularly to discuss their research activities amongst themselves in an informal, relaxed setting. These activities are complemented by frequent departmental colloquia presented by recognized scientists from leading research institutions around the nation. Students are encouraged to participate in OMIS (Organization of Microbiology and Immunology Students), which sponsors events such as the annual department picnic, as well as holding regular meetings to discuss student issues within the department.

Meet current doctoral students in the University of Michigan Medical School Department of Microbiology and Immunology PhD program.

Students complete a two-step evaluation within two years of matriculation. The first checkpoint is an oral examination that occurs after the first year of classes to test mastery of coursework and analytical thinking. The students are examined on their broad and specific knowledge of three assigned papers. In addition, students will use one of the three papers as a platform to propose future experiments in outline form, which will be discussed during the exam.

The second checkpoint occurs in the second year of study and requires the student to write a six-page proposal of future work on the topic of their thesis research. During the student's first committee meeting, the committee will evaluate the student's knowledge of the literature and methodology relevant to this thesis proposal. PhD candidacy is achieved by successfully completing the formal course work and the two checkpoints.

The research experiences of students are expected to lead to productive scholarship in the form of peer-reviewed journal publications and conference presentations. Degree candidates will meet annually with their faculty committee to ensure satisfactory progress towards completion of the thesis project; first author publication of a primary research article is required for graduation. Students will receive constructive evaluations from the committee members after each committee meeting.

The PhD degree is granted upon completion of a scholarly body of work, submission of a written thesis and presentation of an oral defense based on the student's original, independent research. This program is designed to require approximately five years for completion, and graduates of our department have gone on to pursue outstanding postdoctoral positions and scientific careers.

Learn more about PhD program requirements and evaluation checkpoints.

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• Microbiology, PhD

The Department of Bacteriology in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology in the School of Medicine and Public Health (see separate course listings) administer the interdepartmental microbiology doctoral training program (MDTP). Incoming students have the opportunity to do laboratory rotations with any of the primary faculty, affiliate faculty, and trainers from multiple departments. This group includes more than 90 faculty members in numerous departments and programs involved in microbiology research and graduate training. In addition to this breadth of opportunities in microbiology research training, the program also encompasses graduate courses offered by both departments. Please refer to the separate Microbiology listing in this catalog for more detailed information, or visit the program website.

The PhD program prepares graduates for research and teaching positions in universities and colleges, for industry or government, and for clinical microbiology. Research emphasis includes, but is not limited to, prokaryotic (bacteria and archaea), viral and lower eukaryotic systems (fungi, oomycetes, and parasites); antibiotics and antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation; bioinformatics and computational biology; biotechnology and industrial microbiology, including biofuels; cell–cell signaling; cell motility and chemotaxis; DNA, including nucleic acid synthesis, DNA replication and recombination; food microbiology; fungal development, pathogenesis, and metabolism; gene expression and its regulation; immunology; microbial physiology and metabolism; macrophage activation and other cell immune systems; mechanisms of microbial persistence; mechanisms of pathogenesis; microbial cell division; microbial ecology; microbial microbiota and metagenomics; nitrogen fixation; quorum sensing; RNA, including molecular structure–function relationships of transfer RNA, small RNAs, RNA polymerase, and other components of transcription and translation; secondary metabolism; structural microbiology; symbioses, including host–microbe symbioses, plant–microbial interactions, animal–microbial interactions, microbe–microbe interactions; and virology, including host–virus interactions. Dissertation research emphasizes creative and innovative problem-solving using basic knowledge acquired through scientific interactions and collaborations in addition to a thorough understanding of the scientific literature.

In order to better train MDTP students for microbiology-related professions, students need a chance to gain knowledge and experience not just in academic research, but also in other fields where their microbiology education may be put to good use.

The professional development options encompass many professional development opportunities for MDTP students beyond academic research and teaching. Opportunities for professional development can consist of course work, an internship, a summer workshop, outreach experiences, or a second teaching-practicum experience.

Double Degree

Students may complete a double PhD degree in MDTP and another program on campus under the following conditions. The student must apply for admission to MDTP by the program's yearly deadline and be admitted using the same criteria applied to other applicants. The student must complete all requirements of the MDTP in addition to the requirements for the other program sponsoring the double degree. The student must pass a different preliminary examination in each program. The student's dissertation committee and preliminary examination must adhere to MDTP guidelines. The PhD advisor must be a trainer in the MDTP. A significant portion of the student's dissertation research must be completed in the laboratory of the PhD advisor. The student's program, including any deviations, must be approved by the steering committee.

Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.

Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online .

Program Application Materials

Note that all application materials are submitted through the UW Graduate School Admissions Office. See the Microbiology program website for more information and guidance for the application components.

• Personal statement, also known as “Statement of Purpose”.
• An applicant background statement describing how the applicant’s background and life experiences have motivated their decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Wisconsin.
• An unofficial copy of transcripts from each college or university attended.
• Three or more letters of reference from individuals (faculty, staff, supervisor, mentor) who can comment on the applicant’s qualifications.  This should include scholarly and academic qualifications, and can also include experiences in teaching, outreach, and community service.  Directions for submission will be provided once you have initiated your application.
• A brief resume/CV listing academic awards, scholarships, location and length of research experiences, co-authorship on any publications or presentations at scientific conferences.

This program is a research-intensive program. Therefore, strong letters of recommendation, a well-crafted personal statement, and extensive research experience often aid students with below-average grades.

Course Prerequisites

We have recommended courses based on material that previous students have found valuable for success in the program, both in the lab and in required graduate level coursework. However, we recognize that the backgrounds of many students — and future student career goals — are varied and diverse, and that this diversity is a strength of our program. In the online application process, you will be asked if you have completed the following prerequisites:

• Biology: Two semesters. Such as the following UW-Madison course equivalents: ( BIOLOGY/​BOTANY/​ZOOLOGY  151 and  BIOLOGY/​BOTANY/​ZOOLOGY  152 ) or ( BIOLOGY/​ZOOLOGY  101 , BIOLOGY/​ZOOLOGY  102 , and BIOLOGY/​BOTANY  130 )
• Genetics: One semester. Such as: MICROBIO 470 ,  GENETICS 466 , or ( GENETICS 467 and GENETICS 468 )
• Chemistry: Four semesters, including two semesters organic chemistry with one semester organic chemistry lab component. Such as: ( CHEM 103 and CHEM 104 ), CHEM 109 , or ( CHEM 115 and CHEM 116 ), and ( CHEM 343 , CHEM 344 , and CHEM 345 )
• Biochemistry: One semester. Such as: BIOCHEM 501 , ( BIOCHEM 507 and BIOCHEM 508 )
• Physics: One semester. Such as: ( PHYSICS 104 , PHYSICS 202 , or PHYSICS 208 )
• Mathematics: Two semesters of calculus or one semester each of calculus and statistics. Such as: MATH 171 , MATH 217 ,  MATH 221 , STAT 301 , or STAT 371
• Second semester of physics OR other quantitative reasoning course such as physical chemistry, differential equations, or upper-level course in computer programming, bioinformatics or statistics. Such as: PHYSICS 104 , PHYSICS 202 , PHYSICS 208 ,  CHEM 561 , ( CHEM 563   and CHEM 565 ), MICROBIO 657 ,  COMP SCI 319 , COMP SCI/​B M I  576 , STAT 303 , MATH 319 , or MATH 320

For each prerequisite, please be prepared to enter the course name and number.  If you do not have all the recommended coursework, please use the text box in the application system to explain any deficiencies.  We ask that you fill in the course list as appropriate, but more broadly that you include a dedicated section within your personal statement to note how your academic preparation has prepared you for PhD training in microbiology. 

Graduate School Resources

Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid.  Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.

Program Resources

Research assistantships are available for most students from department and college-level funding sources or from competitive fellowship and traineeship awards, with continued support contingent upon adequate progress in classes and research. Applicants with outstanding records will be nominated for special fellowships or for traineeships on one of several NIH training grants awarded to UW–Madison.

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

Major requirements.

Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements , in addition to the program requirements listed below.

Mode of Instruction

Mode of Instruction Definitions

Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.

Evening/Weekend: ​Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules.  Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.

Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.

Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats.  Contact the program for more specific information.

Online: These programs are offered 100% online.  Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.

Curricular Requirements

Required Courses

Students must enroll for the program's seminar ( MICROBIO 731 or M M & I 901 ) during their first three years. Students are expected to present during their third year when enrolled in the seminar as well as in their fourth year of the program, although they may not be enrolled.

Rotation Requirement

Incoming students are required to rotate in a minimum of three research labs. Students who are directly admitted into a lab are exempt from this rotation requirement.

Professional Development Requirement

Professional Development is a required part of the program's curriculum. Students are required to perform a second semester of teaching practicum, carry out an internship for as long as one semester, take at least 2 credits of coursework from the list of approved classes or through the Delta Program, or perform other professional development activities equivalent to 2 semester hours of coursework as judged by the thesis committee. The thesis committee must give approval for the student to participate in the chosen professional development activity. Thesis committees will also determine if each student has met the requirement. Students should complete the professional development requirement by the end of the fourth year.

Options for completing Professional Development requirement:

The Graduate School has agreed to allow dissertator students to enroll in courses from a limited list of classes appropriate for professional development of the program's students.  Students would take one or two courses in an area of interest after they become dissertators. Additional courses may be added to this list if they are appropriate for the program's students and are approved for this purpose by the Graduate School.

Teaching practicum

A second semester of teaching practicum may be the most appropriate training for students that seek a career in academic research and teaching. If students do not arrange for other professional development activities, the default professional development training would be a second semester of teaching in a teaching practicum.

The Delta Program

Students interested in teaching as a career can participate in the Delta Program, allowing students to take classes and gain experience in teaching. Successful students are granted a certificate from the Delta Program, and this achievement and experience likely make the students more attractive for teaching positions.

Summer courses or workshops

For students most interested in continuing in academic research, one or more summer courses or workshops may be the most appropriate training. Examples of such courses are those that cover research areas or methods or scientific writing or grant preparation.

As an alternative to class work or a second semester of teaching practicum, students could participate in an internship with a business or other organization. Students doing internships would have to arrange to be paid through the organization, and they would not be paid by their advisors while away from their research.

Teaching Practicum Requirement

All students in the program are required to complete a Teaching Practicum.  This Teaching Practicum is usually completed during the second year.  Students choose from a list of courses and work with faculty delivering instruction in a lecture or lab setting.

Graduate School Policies

The  Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures  provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.

Major-Specific Policies

Prior coursework, graduate credits earned at other institutions.

With program approval, up to 9 credits of coursework may be accepted from other graduate institutions. Coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission to a doctoral degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.

Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison

For well-prepared advanced students, the program may decide to accept up to 6 credits numbered 300 or above completed at UW–Madison toward fulfillment of minimum graduate degree credit requirements. This work would not be allowed to count toward the 50% graduate coursework minimum unless taken in coursework numbered 700 or above. Coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission to a doctoral degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.

Credits Earned as a Professional Student at UW-Madison (Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary careers)

Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.

Credits Earned as a University Special student at UW-Madison

The program may decide to accept up to 9 University Special student credits as fulfillment of the minimum graduate degree credit requirement. UW–Madison coursework taken as a University Special student would not be allowed to count toward the 50% graduate coursework minimum unless taken in coursework numbered 700 or above. Coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission to a doctoral degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.

Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy.

Advisor / Committee

Refer to the Graduate School: Advisor and Graduate School: Committees (Doctoral/Master’s/MFA) policies. Exceptions follow:

To ensure that students are making satisfactory progress toward a degree, students are required to meet with their advisor annually.

The committee is required to have five faculty members, two of which must hold appointments in either Bacteriology or Medical Microbiology and Immunology.

Credits Per Term Allowed

Time limits.

Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy.

Grievances and Appeals

These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:

• Bias or Hate Reporting  
• Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
• Office of the Provost for Faculty and Staff Affairs
• Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
• Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
• Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
• Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
• Office Student Assistance and Support (OSAS)  (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
• Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
• Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
• Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)

The program will follow the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Grievance Policy.  For clarity, the program director, vice-director and/or the program coordinator shall serve as grievance advisors.  The grievance advisor will refer complaints to the program's Steering Committee. 

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences: Grievance Policy  

In the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS), any student who feels unfairly treated by a member of the CALS faculty or staff has the right to complain about the treatment and to receive a prompt hearing. Some complaints may arise from misunderstandings or communication breakdowns and be easily resolved; others may require formal action. Complaints may concern any matter of perceived unfairness.

To ensure a prompt and fair hearing of any complaint, and to protect the rights of both the person complaining and the person at whom the complaint is directed, the following procedures are used in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Any student, undergraduate or graduate, may use these procedures, except employees whose complaints are covered under other campus policies.

• The student should first talk with the person at whom the complaint is directed. Most issues can be settled at this level. Others may be resolved by established departmental procedures.
• If the complaint involves an academic department in CALS the student should proceed in accordance with item 3 below.
• If the grievance involves a unit in CALS that is not an academic department, the student should proceed in accordance with item 4 below.
• If informal mediation fails, the student can submit the grievance in writing to the grievance advisor within 10 working days of the date the student is informed of the failure of the mediation attempt by the grievance advisor. The grievance advisor will provide a copy to the person at whom the grievance is directed.
• The grievance advisor will refer the complaint to a department committee that will obtain a written response from the person at whom the complaint is directed, providing a copy to the student. Either party may request a hearing before the committee. The grievance advisor will provide both parties a written decision within 20 working days from the date of receipt of the written complaint.
• If the grievance involves the department chairperson, the grievance advisor or a member of the grievance committee, these persons may not participate in the review.
• If not satisfied with departmental action, either party has 10 working days from the date of notification of the departmental committee action to file a written appeal to the CALS Equity and Diversity Committee. A subcommittee of this committee will make a preliminary judgement as to whether the case merits further investigation and review. If the subcommittee unanimously determines that the case does not merit further investigation and review, its decision is final. If one or more members of the subcommittee determine that the case does merit further investigation and review, the subcommittee will investigate and seek to resolve the dispute through mediation. If this mediation attempt fails, the subcommittee will bring the case to the full committee. The committee may seek additional information from the parties or hold a hearing. The committee will present a written recommendation to the dean who will provide a final decision within 20 working days of receipt of the committee recommendation.
• If the alleged unfair treatment occurs in a CALS unit that is not an academic department, the student should, within 120 calendar days of the alleged incident, take his/her grievance directly to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. The dean will attempt to resolve the problem informally within 10 working days of receiving the complaint. If this mediation attempt does not succeed the student may file a written complaint with the dean who will refer it to the CALS Equity and Diversity Committee. The committee will seek a written response from the person at whom the complaint is directed, subsequently following other steps delineated in item 3d above.

We offer funding to all students in the program through fellowships, trainees and research assistantships.

• Professional Development

Take advantage of the Graduate School's  professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career. 

In order to better train MDTP students for microbiology-related professions, students need a chance to gain knowledge and experience not just in academic research, but also in other fields where their microbiology education may be put to good use. Opportunities for professional development can consist of coursework, an internship, a summer workshop, outreach experiences, or a second teaching practicum experience. Professional Development plans must be approved by a student’s thesis committee. Please see requirements for more information.

• Learning Outcomes
• Gain a broad understanding of the microbiology principles that underlie all biological processes.
• Articulate, discuss and define limits to the theory and knowledge in microbiology.
• Think critically to address research challenges using a broad range of the theories, research methods, and approaches to scientific inquiry.
• Communicates complex ideas in a clear and understandable matter.
• Collaborate with investigators within the program, university, and beyond to advance the science of microbiology.
• Foster professional and ethical conduct in the sciences.
• Ethical design of experimental protocols.
• Reproducibility of experimental results.
• Professional behavior in industrial, government and academic settings.
• Develop communication skills that enable the articulation of research to fellow scientists and non-scientists.
• Develop teaching and mentoring skills in both lecture and laboratory settings.
• Explore career development opportunities in industry, government, academia and private industry to realize professional goals.

Faculty: Professors JD Sauer (program director, Medical Microbiology and Immunology), and Trina McMahon (vice-director, Bacteriology) lead the current MDTP Steering Committee. For a list of more than 90 participating faculty, see the  program website  or contact the program office.

• Requirements

Contact Information

Microbiology College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health microbiology.wisc.edu

Terra Theim, Program Coordinator [email protected] 608-265-0689 1326 Microbial Sciences 1550 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706

JD Sauer, Program Director [email protected]

Graduate Program Handbook View Here

Graduate School grad.wisc.edu

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Follow Stanford Immunology

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Enriching the Learning Community

The Stanford Immunology program   recognizes that the Supreme Court issued a ruling in June 2023 about the consideration of certain types of demographic information as part of an admission review. All applications submitted during upcoming application cycles will be reviewed in conformance with that decision.

The Stanford Immunology program   welcomes graduate applications from individuals with a broad range of life experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds who would contribute to our community of scholars. The review process is holistic and individualized, considering each applicant’s academic record and accomplishments, letters of recommendation, prior research experience, and admissions essays to understand how an applicant’s life experiences have shaped their past and potential contributions to their field and how they might enrich the learning community at Stanford.

The Immunology Home Program is one of fourteen Biosciences PhD programs at the School of Medicine. We welcome applications from students with a variety of scientific backgrounds and believe that diversity of previous experience enriches our multidisciplinary environment. Learn more about our program here .

The PhD Program in Immunology, founded in 1988, is one of fourteen Stanford Biosciences programs. The goal of the PhD Program in Immunology is to provide outstanding training and education for obtaining the PhD degree in Immunology and to develop young investigators who will carry out innovative research in the field. Our 60+ students benefit greatly from the long tradition of collaboration among the immunology laboratories, with an emphasis on the application of cutting edge approaches to problems in cellular, molecular, computational, and clinical immunology. Immunology faculty members are leaders in their respective areas of research, and often incorporate bench to bedside approaches. Our PhD core coursework requirements plus strong electives in related disciplines provide an integrated curriculum that spans basic and clinical immunology. Students can choose from either the Molecular, Cellular, and Translational Immunology (MCTI) track or the Computational and Systems Immunology (CSI – founded in 2011) track. Graduate students in immunology actively participate in seminars, journal clubs, and the annual Stanford Immunology Scientific Conference at Asilomar. Students have access to state-of-the-art research facilities in the immunology laboratories, located in various departments in the School of Medicine, the Department of Biological Sciences, and the Palo Alto Veteran's Administration Medical Center.

MCTI and CSI tracks

Click on the + icon for descriptions of the MCTI and CSI tracks

The MCTI track comprises interdisciplinary research that emphasizes the application of molecular approaches to open questions in cellular and clinical immunology. Graduate students in this track gain an advanced understanding of basic molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, genetics, and cellular signaling concepts and experimental techniques and apply this knowledge to immunology problems. MCTI faculty interests include both bench-to-bedside approaches and basic science research.

Click here for curriculum and course descriptions

The past decade has seen an explosion in the availability of high-throughput datasets spanning information on everything from DNA sequences to RNA transcript abundances, single-cell protein profiles, protein variants and metabolite profiles. These multi-dimensional omics datasets are complex to integrate, visualize and analyze for those not well versed in systems biology and bioinformatics. A new generation of scientists is needed to take advantage of these resources to ask and answer novel important questions in immunology. The CSI program will generate a class of hybrid scientists to identify important problems in immunology and to devise appropriate integrated computational/experimental plans for tackling them.

Students in the CSI track will be able to:

1. develop new computational tools that use multiple large-scale publicly available omics datasets to enhance the knowledge of immunology and immunobiology;

2. integrate of new computational omics analysis techniques into existing, well-established genomic data analysis pipelines/frameworks to better understand immunology and enable researchers/clinicians to rapidly leverage omics advancements;

3. develop new and innovative multi-omic simulation and / or visualization methods that make systems immunology accessible to research scientists with no programming experience, thus bridging the gap between computational data mining and human knowledge to extend insight.

Before You Apply

Thank you for your interest in the 14 Stanford Biosciences PhD Programs, including Stanford Immunology. The Application Deadline for Autumn 2025-26 is Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 11:59:59 PM (PST). The Interview Session will take place on Wednesday, March 5 through Saturday, March 8, 2025.

The online application for Autumn 2025-26 will open in mid-September 2024.

For information about the 14 Biosciences PhD Programs and How to Apply, please visit  https://biosciences.stanford.edu/how-to-apply/  and https://biosciences.stanford.edu/how-to-apply/application-faq/ . Please be sure to read through both of these pages carefully as a vast majority of the commonly asked application questions will be answered there.

For information about our admissions process, our faculty, and Stanford University, please visits the following websites:

Stanford Immunology Preview and Q&A: Oct 4, 2024

We invite you to attend a virtual preview of the Stanford Immunology program . Learn about scientific discoveries by faculty and trainees, meet current Ph.D. students, review the application and admissions process, and sign up to receive one-on-one feedback on your personal statement.

Friday, October 4, 2024 at 1:00-4:00 PM PST

Register here

“You Belong at Stanford” Virtual Seminar and Q&A: Oct 2 & Oct 9, 2024

You Belong at Stanford  is virtual recruitment series sponsored by Stanford University’s Biosciences Office of Graduate Education ( OGE ) in the Stanford School of Medicine. OGE offers programs and services to support graduate students and sustain the level of excellence achieved by the Stanford Biosciences, including in the admissions process.

Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024 or October 9th, 2024 at 3:00-5:00 PM PST

How to Apply

To apply or for more information on the admissions process and requirements, please visit the  Stanford Biosciences "How to Apply"   PhD admissions page.  Please indicate in your personal statement in your application which Immunology track you wish to pursue, the Molecular, Cellular, and Translational Immunology or  Computational and Systems Immunology track. 

Applying and Deadline

Thank you for your interest in the 14 Stanford Biosciences PhD Programs, including Stanford Immunology. The online application for Autumn 2025-26 will open in mid-September 2024.

The Application Deadline for Autumn 2025-26 is Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 11:59:59 PM (PST). The Interview Session will take place on Wednesday, March 5 through Saturday, March 8, 2025.

In addition to the information below, please review the  Graduate Admissions  website and their  FAQ  page prior to starting your application. When you are ready to start your application,  click here  to Apply Now.

The  14 Stanford Biosciences PhD programs  only accept applications once per year for the Autumn quarter entry only. The application deadline for Autumn 2025-26 is Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 11:59:59 pm (PST). Late applications will not be accepted.  Note:  Knight-Hennessy Scholars  applicants are required to submit their Stanford Biosciences PhD application by Sunday, December 1, 2024, at 11:59:59 pm (PST).

The admissions committees of the 14 PhD programs will promptly begin to review applicant files the day following the application deadline.  It is important that all of your application materials, including letters of recommendation, are submitted by the deadline. We cannot guarantee the review of any materials received after the deadline.

To check your application status,  click here  to Visit Your Status Page. There you will find the most current status of your application materials.

Any questions or concerns about the application process should be addressed to:  [email protected]

Letters of Recommendation

At Stanford Immunology, we are keenly interested in what your previous mentors and advisors have to say regarding your application to our PhD program. Furthermore, we acknowledge that not all applicants receive appropriate guidance around requesting strong reference letters from their letter writers. Thus, we recommend applicants go over the following resources to ensure they put forward the best possible application package:

Resources as a letter seeker:   Ten simple rules for navigating the reference letter seeking process

Resources as a letter writer:   Ten simple rules for writing compelling recommendation letters

Stanford Immunology Review Program for Applicants (SIRPA)

The Stanford Immunology Review Program for Applicants (SIRPA) is a CDIII committee-supported student-organized initiative that strives to assist individuals applying to the Immunology PhD program.  Participants will receive one round of feedback on their statements of purpose . Participation in this program does not guarantee admission, and applicants that don’t participate in this program will not be penalized in any way. Participation in this program will be kept confidential from Immunology Faculty and other members of the Immunology PhD Admissions Committee. 

Submissions for the Application Guide and SIRPA program have now closed. Please check back in September 2024 for additional information.

Official Transcript Requirement

Graduate Admissions only requires admitted applicants who accept the offer of admission to submit official transcripts that shows their degree conferral. More details on this can be found on the following Graduate Admissions  webpage . Please do not send or have sent any official transcripts to our office.

GRE Test Requirements

GRE General Test scores are not considered.

GRE Subject Test scores are not considered.

TOEFL Test Special Accommodations

Please see the Graduate Admissions " Required Exams " web page for information regarding COVID-19 and special TOEFL Test accommodations.

Stanford Biosciences PhD Admissions Contact Information

Website:  https://biosciences.stanford.edu/

Email:  [email protected]

The Stanford Biosciences Home Programs comprise nine departments and five interdisciplinary programs, which span the School of Medicine and the School of Humanities and Sciences. 

Admissions Highlights

Stanford immunology admissions.

The Immunology Program welcomes applicants with a variety of scientific backgrounds and a diversity of experience. View photos below.

2020 photos

2021 photos

2022 photos

Immunology Admissions

The immunology program welcomed applicants with a variety of scientific backgrounds and a diversity of experience. .

• Admissions 2022
• Admissions 2021
• Admissions 2020

Ph.D. in Immunology

General info.

• Faculty working with students: 35
• Students: 37
• Students receiving Financial Aid: 100%
• Part time study available: No
• Application terms: Fall
• Application deadline: December 2

Mari Shinohara, Ph.D. Director of Graduate Studies Department of Integrative Immunobiology Box 3010 Duke University Medical Center Durham, NC 27710

Phone: (919) 613-6977

Website:  https://immunobiology.duke.edu/

Program Description

The Department of Integrative Immunobiology offers graduate training in various areas of molecular and cellular immunology.  Research topics in the department include adaptive immunity, innate immunity, antigen receptor gene recombination and hypermutations, immune signaling pathways, lymphocyte development, leukocyte trafficking, autoimmunity, host defense against pathogens, lymphomagenesis, and cancer immunology.  The program offers courses covering fundamental knowledge and advanced topics in immunology.  Graduate training also includes active participation in seminars, journal clubs, group meetings, and student teaching.  Annual committee meetings and progress reports are required for on time completion of thesis projects.

• Immunology: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Immunology: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Immunology: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Immunology: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

Application Information

Application Terms Available:  Fall

Application Deadline: December 2

Graduate School Application Requirements See the Application Instructions page for important details about each Graduate School requirement.

• Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts required with application submission; official transcripts required upon admission
• Letters of Recommendation: 3 Required
• Statement of Purpose: Required
• Résumé: Required
• GRE Scores: GRE General: Optional This program does not require applicants to provide GRE (Graduate Record Examination) or other graduate entrance exam scores, but does allow you to upload scores if you feel they enhance your application. If you choose to submit test scores, you may enter them on the Test Scores page. If you choose to enter self-reported test scores, official test scores will become a required component of your application.
• English Language Exam: TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test required* for applicants whose first language is not English *test waiver may apply for some applicants
• GPA: Undergraduate GPA calculated on 4.0 scale required

Department-Specific Application Requirements (submitted through online application)

Writing Sample None required

Additional Components Optional Video Essay: How would a Duke PhD training experience help you achieve your academic and professional goals? Max video length 2 minutes; record externally and provide URL in application.

We strongly encourage you to review additional department-specific application guidance from the program to which you are applying: Departmental Application Guidance

List of Graduate School Programs and Degrees

• 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.

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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.

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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.

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Admissions | PhD in Microbiology & Immunology

Application requirements, tuition & stipend, training grants, gu-nih graduate program.

Apply to the PhD in Microbiology & Immunology program by submitting an online application through the Georgetown Graduate School of Arts & Sciences portal.

Admission to our program is highly competitive. To learn more about us, please visit our  contact page or fill out our Request for Information form .

Final Deadline to Apply for Summer Admission

International applicants are encouraged to apply early to allow sufficient time to submit all application materials and  apply for a U.S. visa if admitted.

The program starts July 1.

Applicants are to submit all required credentials and supporting documentation no later than the application deadline.

Applicants do not need to arrange a position in a laboratory prior to admission. Any prospective students who currently have positions in departmental laboratories must apply to the program through the same procedure as all other applicants.

    Bachelor’s degree

A 4-year bachelor’s degree or equivalent with a GPA of 3.0 or higher  (across all undergraduate coursework and/or institutions attended).

    Transcript(s)

List your postsecondary institutions in your application, and upload a transcript for each institution. Applicants are required to list/upload copies of official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions where more than 15 credits of coursework were completed and/or where program prerequisites were completed (any number of credits). This gives the admissions committee a more complete picture of your academic preparation for graduate study.

WES  or  NACES  credential evaluation services are highly recommended for international transcripts.

Follow the  transcript instructions in Admissions FAQ  to ensure you upload proper documentation.

    Three letters of recommendation

Recommendation letters may be from previous professors, research mentors, or employers in a position to appraise your potential for graduate study.

    Academic Statement of Purpose

The Academic Statement of Purpose should be at least one page, but not more than two pages long, and should cover:

• Factors (such as personal background, professional past experiences, or academic interest regarding department faculty or faculty research) that motivated you to apply for to our program
• Research background/experience, if applicable
• Long-term goals you wish to achieve during or after your PhD studies

    Full CV/resume

Your CV/resume should include relevant professional (such as research, volunteer and intern experiences) and academic experiences with dates and descriptions/responsibilities. When applicable, items in each section should be in reverse chronological order, with the most recent experiences listed first. For experiences involving research, please note clearly the name of the principal investigator of the lab. Include citations for your publications, abstracts and presentations (if applicable). Use 11pt font size or larger; allow your CV/resume to span multiple pages if necessary.

    Application fee

The application fee is nonrefundable but limited application fee waivers may be available.  View information about the application fee .

    Optional: Statement on Diversity, Personal Background, and Contributions

Applicants to any Georgetown program may choose to submit an Optional Statement that addresses diversity, personal background and contributions to community. A detailed prompt for the statement can be found in the application.

    Optional: GRE/MCAT scores

GRE and MCAT scores are not required, but we invite applicants to report these scores if they are available.  View instructions for submitting official test results .

    If Applicable: TOEFL/IELTS score

All applicants are required to demonstrate a level of proficiency in the English language sufficient to meet the admission requirement of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. Follow the  TOEFL/IELTS instructions in Admissions FAQ  to determine whether you need to send us test scores to prove your English language proficiency.

Biomedical Graduate Education PhD students can receive merit-based fellowship awards that cover tuition, stipend, student health insurance, dental insurance and mandatory fees. Visit BGE PhD Tuition & Stipend for more information.

Applicants with external (third-party) funding guaranteed for the entirety of their PhD program (e.g., scholarships, sponsorships or fellowships through governments, employers or any organization) should include a copy of their award/sponsorship letter with their application. If the sponsorship is awarded after you submitted your application, please send a PDF copy of the letter to [email protected]  to be added to your application file.

Students may apply to participate in Georgetown’s NIH-funded, externally peer-reviewed institutional training programs. Visit BGE T32 Training Grants to learn more about our programs.

Students who wish to conduct dissertation research at the National Institutes of Health should submit an application through the NIH’s partnership with Georgetown University Biomedical Graduate Education. Visit the  BGE Partner Institutions page  for details and application instructions.

Career Readiness

Our students benefit from the services of the Biomedical Graduate Education career office, including one-on-one advising, skills workshops, leadership programs and more.

Immunology, Microbiology and Virology PhD Program

The application for fall 2024 is now open.

The Immunology, Microbiology, and Virology (IMV) Program is designed for students interested in obtaining a Ph.D. in Microbiology & Immunology. 

We offer in-depth coursework and diverse research opportunities that focus on immunology, microbiology and virology.

The flexibility of our training program allows students to train in a number of exciting  research areas  including: cancer, autoimmune disease, respiratory pathogens and often allows students to develop highly effective interdisciplinary collaborations, resulting in cutting edge thesis projects.

Housed in the  Department of Microbiology and Immunology , the Immunology, Microbiology, and Virology PhD Program (IMV) houses a diverse group of faculty with expertise in bacteriology, virology, fungi, and immunology. Students interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in these disciplines should  apply  to the program.

Learn more about our program Student Perspectives Alumni Perspectives

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What Sets Us Apart

Learn more about the core courses, electives, and lab rotations that will be part of the IMV curriculum.

We support and guide trainees in several areas of research. Browse the current research our faculty and trainees are doing by research area.

Mentor Relationships

Our students most commonly reference the personal relationships and valuable mentoring they receive as one of the top reasons why they recommend URMC.

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Latest News

September 11, 2024 Research: How the Immune System Fails as Cancer Arises

June 20, 2024 What Is H5N1 Bird Flu, How it Spreads to Humans, and Safety Concerns

September 19, 2023 A Game Plan for Timing Your Flu, Covid and RSV Shots This Fall with Commentary by David Topham

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What Our Students and Alumni Say...

"The mentorship and the exceptional research experiences I had in the IMV program prepared me for my academic career. The program really does a great job of addressing many of the skills you will need to be successful once you complete your training. Aspects of the program that have been invaluable to my career were: the opportunity to present my work to an audience regularly, the exceptional classes (that I still rely on to teach my own coursework!), the responsibility of developing and completing a research project of the highest caliber and the support of the faculty in providing expert insight into my work and its potential. As a student I was held at a very high standard. I would not have been able to set up my own lab (at Rollins), make the right decisions regarding my research and the management of my lab if it weren’t for my training at UR."

Brendaliz Santiago-Narvaez, PhD

Dr. Santiago-Narvaez is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. She teaches courses for the Biology and Biochemistry/ Molecular Biology Majors and also has her own independent research lab.

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Medical Microbiology and Immunology

Application and financial support, stipend, tuition and health insurance (beginning august 2022).

Predoctoral (Ph.D.) students granted full admission into the Medical Microbiology and Immunology (MMI) Track, part of the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. program, will receive:

1.  Research stipend of $28,000/year;

2.  Full tuition scholarship;

3.  Paid student health insurance

Master's degree (MSBS) students granted full admission in the MMI Track will receive:

1.  Research stipend of $14,000/year;

3.  Paid student health insurance

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for the MMI Track are:

•  AN EARNED DEGREE: Baccalaureate (e.g., B.S., B.A.) or graduate degree (e.g., M.S.) granted by an accredited college or university.
•  GPA: A 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) or higher from the institution granting the baccalaureate or graduate degree. Applicants must arrange to have their official transcripts submitted to the University of Toledo College of Graduate Studies through the ETS system using institution code 1845. An applicant whose GPA is below 3.0 may be considered for "Conditional" admission. Copies of transcripts or unofficial transcripts are not acceptable.
• COURSEWORK: Prior coursework must be directly relevant to graduate studies in microbiology and immunology, including courses in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, organic chemistry, microbiology, immunology, statistics, epidemiology, etc.
• LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION:  Three or more Letters of Recommendation are required. Recommendation letters must be provided on official letterhead, must be signed by the letter writer, must provide full contact information for the letter writer, and should highlight work ethic, previous research experience, previous academic preparations, and intellectual contributions to research projects (if applicable).
• STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: Applicants are required to provide a Statement of Purpose, that highlights academic and research training prior to application,  MMI faculty and projects that are of particular interest, and future career goals.
• RESUME/CV: Applicants are required to submit a resume/curriculum vitae.
• TOEFL/IELTS : International applicants are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent English language proficiency scores.  Exemptions are granted if: 1. They have received a degree from a U.S. college/university;  or  2. English is the official language of their home country (see  this list ).
• GRE:  GREs are not required for U.S./domestic applicants.  GREs are required for international applicants, unless they have received a degree from a U.S. college/university. Students with low GPA (<3.0) or insufficient academic preparation may be admitted conditionally.

The MMI Track uses a holistic approach to assess and evaluate applicants. The MMI Admissions Committee carefully considers each applicant's GPA, college/university where previous degrees were awarded, previous coursework, letters of recommendation, previous research experience, publications/presentations (if applicable), statement of purpose, and resume/CV. For top applicants, a virtual interview (e.g., Skype, Zoom, WebEx) will be conducted. GREs are not required for U.S./domestic applicants. For international applicants, GRE scores may help the MMI Admissions Committee better assess academic preparation. 

How to Apply  

Students interested in Medical Microbiology and Immunology (MMI) should  apply online .  Completed applications are due by January 15 th  each year.  MMI encourages early application, with review, interviews, and early decision offers being made to top candidates before December 30 th .  Admitted students will enter either the Ph.D. or Master’s degree program, will complete a rigorous  1 st  year core curriculum , will perform 2-3 research rotations (each 7 weeks long) in faculty labs, and will join a MMI lab by May of the 1 st  year.

Please email questions about MMI graduate training to: Chair and Co-Director Dr. Kevin Pan  (Email: [email protected] ) (419.383.5466) or Associate Professor and Co-Director Dr. Travis Taylor (Email: [email protected] )  (419.383.6673)

Questions concerning application status should be directed to the College of Graduate Studies at 419.383.4112 or [email protected] .

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Application

All applications to the Graduate Program in Microbiology and Immunology must be submitted online . We look forward to receiving your application. Please contact us if you have questions about the Program and the application process.

Applications for admission to the Graduate Program in Microbiology and Immunology for Fall 2025 are now being accepted and must be submitted by December 1, 2024 . Please note that the Program does not offer admission in the Spring semester.

A complete application is comprised of the on-line application , three letters of recommendation submitted on-line, a transcript from each previous college or university attended and, for applicants whose primary language is not English, TOEFL or IELTS scores. We prefer that all transcripts be scanned and uploaded with the on-line application, so each candidate's entire file is in electronic format. Transcripts not in English must be translated and certified. Please note that original transcripts are only required of students who accept offers of admission. TOEFL scores must be submitted electronically to institution code 2548 (Stony Brook University Graduate School, no department code needed). More detailed information regarding English proficiency requirements and other topics may be found at the Graduate School website .

Application Deadline for the 2025 Admission Cycle : December 1

Interview Dates:  January 2025 (dates TBD)

Additional Information About the Application:

Application Form

The information supplied in the application enables us to identify the most promising applicants, and should be submitted as early as possible. There is an application fee of $100. All students admitted to the program receive stipends and full tuition scholarships, so a separate application for financial support is not required.

Personal Statement A page or two usually suffices.

GRE Scores We no longer require test scores for the General Graduate Record Examination; test scores that are submitted with your application will not be considered.

English Proficiency Exam Scores For applicants whose primary language is not English, an official report of an English proficiency exam is required. Minimum scores established by the Graduate School are 550 (paper-based test), 213 (computer-based test), 90 (internet-based test).

Transcripts Transcripts from each college or university attended are required but only unofficial copies of transcripts are needed at the time of application. Students who receive an offer of admission must provide official copies of transcripts at that time.

Letters of Recommendation Recommendations from at least three persons familiar with your academic and research potential are required.

Timetable All applications are reviewed on this schedule for entrance in the Fall semester.

• Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology (PhD)
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Go to programs search

The Microbiology and Immunology programme includes the study of bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites as well as the immune system. Students can investigate the ecology, evolution and environments of microorganisms, the diseases they cause, the microbiome and its influence on the immune system and our health, immunity and disease. We are seeking solutions to the problem of antibiotic resistance; using microbial engineering in industrial processing and environmental remediation; determining how our immune system can best protect us against infection and cancer; using this information to design new immunotherapies and treatments for inflammation and auto-immune diseases. Our research spans population and systems biology and ecology, organism behavior and function, as well as cell interactions and molecular mechanisms. Our graduates are extensively trained in analytical thinking, creative innovation, and effective communication. Degrees in our programme accelerate students in a wide variety of careers in industry, academia, not-for-profit organisations, and the business world.

For specific program requirements, please refer to the departmental program website

What makes the program unique?

Microbiology has been an integral part of UBC since the university's inception in 1915. Our programme is a strong and collaborative community of microbiologists, immunologists, biochemists and cell biologists, based at UBC and affiliated hospitals. We promote fundamental and translational research and we enjoy strong connections to clinicians, engineers, and epidemiologists across Canada. Many of our students are located in the Life Sciences Institute, a world-class collection of scientists with core facilities for advanced flow cytometry, microscopy and imaging, and high-throughput biology together with the Facility for Infectious Disease and Epidemic Research. Other researchers are located in the Michael Smith Laboratories. We also work closely with a variety of local organizations such as adMare Bioinnovations and the Genome Sciences Centre, with opportunities for commercialisation and entrepreneurship.

UBC's renowned reputation and commitment to quality research, along with its excellent location, solidified my decision to embrace the challenges of pursuing my PhD here.

Kabir Bhalla

Quick Facts

Program enquiries, admission information & requirements, 1) check eligibility, minimum academic requirements.

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please review the specific requirements for applicants with credentials from institutions in:

• Canada or the United States
• International countries other than the United States

Each program may set higher academic minimum requirements. Please review the program website carefully to understand the program requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.

English Language Test

Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.

Minimum requirements for the two most common English language proficiency tests to apply to this program are listed below:

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet-based

Overall score requirement : 100

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

Overall score requirement : 7.0

Other Test Scores

Some programs require additional test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Test (GMAT). The requirements for this program are:

The GRE is not required.

2) Meet Deadlines

May 2025 intake, application open date, canadian applicants, international applicants, september 2025 intake, may 2026 intake, deadline explanations.

Deadline to submit online application. No changes can be made to the application after submission.

Deadline to upload scans of official transcripts through the applicant portal in support of a submitted application. Information for accessing the applicant portal will be provided after submitting an online application for admission.

Deadline for the referees identified in the application for admission to submit references. See Letters of Reference for more information.

3) Prepare Application

Transcripts.

All applicants have to submit transcripts from all past post-secondary study. Document submission requirements depend on whether your institution of study is within Canada or outside of Canada.

Letters of Reference

A minimum of three references are required for application to graduate programs at UBC. References should be requested from individuals who are prepared to provide a report on your academic ability and qualifications.

Statement of Interest

Many programs require a statement of interest , sometimes called a "statement of intent", "description of research interests" or something similar.

• Supervision

Students in research-based programs usually require a faculty member to function as their thesis supervisor. Please follow the instructions provided by each program whether applicants should contact faculty members.

Instructions regarding thesis supervisor contact for Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology (PhD)

Citizenship verification.

Permanent Residents of Canada must provide a clear photocopy of both sides of the Permanent Resident card.

4) Apply Online

All applicants must complete an online application form and pay the application fee to be considered for admission to UBC.

Tuition & Financial Support

Financial Support

Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options, including merit-based (i.e. based on your academic performance) and need-based (i.e. based on your financial situation) opportunities.

Program Funding Packages

All full-time PhD students in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology will be provided with a funding package of $29,270 stipend plus a life supplement equivalent to tuition for up to five years of their PhD. The funding package may consist of any combination of internal or external awards, teaching-related work, research assistantships, and graduate academic assistantships.

Average Funding

• 19 students received Teaching Assistantships. Average TA funding based on 19 students was $6,612.
• 34 students received Research Assistantships. Average RA funding based on 34 students was $18,034.
• 7 students received Academic Assistantships. Average AA funding based on 7 students was $2,749.
• 37 students received internal awards. Average internal award funding based on 37 students was $15,581.
• 11 students received external awards. Average external award funding based on 11 students was $17,939.

Scholarships & awards (merit-based funding)

All applicants are encouraged to review the awards listing to identify potential opportunities to fund their graduate education. The database lists merit-based scholarships and awards and allows for filtering by various criteria, such as domestic vs. international or degree level.

Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)

Many professors are able to provide Research Assistantships (GRA) from their research grants to support full-time graduate students studying under their supervision. The duties constitute part of the student's graduate degree requirements. A Graduate Research Assistantship is considered a form of fellowship for a period of graduate study and is therefore not covered by a collective agreement. Stipends vary widely, and are dependent on the field of study and the type of research grant from which the assistantship is being funded.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA)

Graduate programs may have Teaching Assistantships available for registered full-time graduate students. Full teaching assistantships involve 12 hours work per week in preparation, lecturing, or laboratory instruction although many graduate programs offer partial TA appointments at less than 12 hours per week. Teaching assistantship rates are set by collective bargaining between the University and the Teaching Assistants' Union .

Graduate Academic Assistantships (GAA)

Academic Assistantships are employment opportunities to perform work that is relevant to the university or to an individual faculty member, but not to support the student’s graduate research and thesis. Wages are considered regular earnings and when paid monthly, include vacation pay.

Financial aid (need-based funding)

Canadian and US applicants may qualify for governmental loans to finance their studies. Please review eligibility and types of loans .

All students may be able to access private sector or bank loans.

Foreign government scholarships

Many foreign governments provide support to their citizens in pursuing education abroad. International applicants should check the various governmental resources in their home country, such as the Department of Education, for available scholarships.

Working while studying

The possibility to pursue work to supplement income may depend on the demands the program has on students. It should be carefully weighed if work leads to prolonged program durations or whether work placements can be meaningfully embedded into a program.

International students enrolled as full-time students with a valid study permit can work on campus for unlimited hours and work off-campus for no more than 20 hours a week.

A good starting point to explore student jobs is the UBC Work Learn program or a Co-Op placement .

Tax credits and RRSP withdrawals

Students with taxable income in Canada may be able to claim federal or provincial tax credits.

Canadian residents with RRSP accounts may be able to use the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) which allows students to withdraw amounts from their registered retirement savings plan (RRSPs) to finance full-time training or education for themselves or their partner.

Please review Filing taxes in Canada on the student services website for more information.

Cost Estimator

Applicants have access to the cost estimator to develop a financial plan that takes into account various income sources and expenses.

Career Outcomes

75 students graduated between 2005 and 2013: 1 graduate is seeking employment; 1 is in a non-salaried situation; for 7 we have no data (based on research conducted between Feb-May 2016). For the remaining 66 graduates:

Sample Employers in Higher Education

Sample employers outside higher education, sample job titles outside higher education, phd career outcome survey, career options.

A PhD in M&I prepares students for demanding high profile scientific positions in academia, biotechnology, government and charitable organisations, and entrepreneurial start-up companies. Our PhD graduates who plan an academic career proceed to postdoctoral positions across the globe and become professors at universities, research institutes and teaching hospitals. PhD graduates interested in scientific management and policy work within Government agencies such as the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Canadian Revenue Agency and the National Research Council of Canada. Many graduates employ their specialization in professional careers such as Law and Medicine while a large percentage are senior scientists in Biotechnology companies around the world such as Novartis, Genentech, Pfizer, BioRad and Tekmira.  

Alumni on Success

Costanza Casiraghi

Job Title Senior Scientist

Employer Chiesi Pharmaceuticals

Jennifer Geddes-McAlister

Job Title Humboldt Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Employer Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry

Job Title Research Scientist and Manager

Employer UBC

Elitza Tocheva

Job Title Assistant Professor

Employer Universite de Montreal

Enrolment, Duration & Other Stats

These statistics show data for the Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology (PhD). Data are separated for each degree program combination. You may view data for other degree options in the respective program profile.

ENROLMENT DATA

Completion Rates & Times

Upcoming doctoral exams, wednesday, 25 september 2024 - 10:00am - 1346, life sciences institute, 2350 health sciences mall.

• Research Supervisors

Advice and insights from UBC Faculty on reaching out to supervisors

These videos contain some general advice from faculty across UBC on finding and reaching out to a supervisor. They are not program specific.

This list shows faculty members with full supervisory privileges who are affiliated with this program. It is not a comprehensive list of all potential supervisors as faculty from other programs or faculty members without full supervisory privileges can request approvals to supervise graduate students in this program.

• Abraham, Ninan (Mammals, pathogens, genetic analysis, proper cell funtion, development, maintenance and proper functioning of T- and B-cells )
• Av-Gay, Yossef (Tuberculosis)
• Brown, Kelly (Medical, health and life sciences; childhood rheumatic diseases; Inflammation; phagocytes)
• Crowe, Sean (Geobiology, biogeochemistry, microbial evolution)
• Eltis, Lindsay (Biochemistry; Genomics; Immunology; Microbiology; Bacterial catabolism of steroids and lignin; biocatalyst development; Enzymes and Proteins; Metabolism (Living Organisms); Mycobacterium tuberculosis)
• Fernandez, Rachel (Bordetella pertusis, whooping cough, lipopolysaccharide)
• Finlay, B Brett (Infectious agents, bacteria, microbial infections and how humans react to it)
• Gold, Michael (understanding cell signaling, morphology, trafficking, and effector function of immune cells and tumour cells)
• Hallam, Steven (Microbiome; Microbial ecology; metagenomics; Biological engineering; Synthetic biology; Bioinformatics; Machine Learning; Entrepreneurship)
• Hancock, Robert E (Medical, health and life sciences; cationic peptides as anti-biofilm agents; systems immunology)
• Harder, Kenneth (Host-pathogen, tumours, infection, immunity, atherosclerosis, role of macrophages in inflammation)
• Hirst, Martin (Bioinformatics; Clinical oncology; Genomics; Immunology; Microbiology; Carcinogenesis; Cellular Differentiation; Epigenomics; Leukemia; Molecular Genetics)
• Horwitz, Marc (Mechanisms of viral-induced immune disease in a variety of complex chronic disorders)
• Jean, Francois (Medical virology; Protein trafficking in cell biology; Proteomics; Enzymes (including kinetics and mechanisms, and biocatalyst); Organelle function; Virology; Systems biology; Cellular virology; Emerging human viruses; COVID-19; Host-virus interactions; Broad-based antiviral agents; Antiviral agents; Natural products as antiviral agents; Lipid-modulating drugs; Cellular protease inhibitors; Viral protease inhibitors; Human coronaviruses; SARS-CoV-2; Human flaviviruses; Dengue virus; Zika virus; West Nile virus; Influenza A virus; Human microRNAs; Therapeutic microRNA; Viral and cellular biomarkers; Molecular diagnostics for detecting viral infection; Circulating exosomes; Exosomal microRNAs; Proteomics-based technologies; Multiplexed and Mass Spectrometric quantitation assays)
• Jefferies, Wilfred Arthur (Iron transport molecules)
• Johnson, Pauline (Diseases of the Immune System; Immunology; Inflammation; Immune-cancer interactions; Innate immunity; Macrophages and myeloid cells)
• King, Kayla (host-microbial parasite/pathogen systems)
• Kronstad, James (Bioinformatics; Immunology; Microbiology; Plant biology; Mycology; Fungal diseases of plants; Genomics and Proteomics; Medical Mycology; Molecular Genetics; Pathogenesis of infectious diseases; Plant-Microbe Interactions)
• Levings, Megan (Immunology; Cell therapy; Immune tolerance; Transplantation; Autoimmunity; Gene Therapy; Regulatory T cells)
• Manges, Amee (Health sciences; Immunology; Microbiology; Public and population health; Epidemiology; Molecular epidemiology; Public health)
• McMaster, W Robert (Molecular Immunology)
• Mohn, William (pollutant biodegradation, pollutant bioremediation, biological treatment of forest industry effluents and wastes, microbial ecology, environmental biotechnology, forest soil microbial ecology, tuberculosis, microbial genomics, Microbial ecology)
• Money, Deborah (Medical, health and life sciences; Reproductive Infectious Diseases,; Vaccine studies, vaginal microbiome, HIV, COVID in pregnancy)
• Murphy, Michael (Bacteriology; Enzymes (including kinetics and mechanisms, and biocatalyst); Alternatives to antibiotics; Bacterial pathogenesis; Biological and Biochemical Mechanisms; Functional and Structural Proteomics; Microbial metal metabolism)
• Osborne, Lisa (influence that the bacteria that live on and in our intestines, lungs and skin have on human health; understanding how the host recognizes the diverse species that reside in the gut - from microscopic viruses to large, multicellular helminthic worms - and tailors an immune response of the appropriate scope and magnitude necessary to achieve homeostasis)

Doctoral Citations

Sample Thesis Submissions

• Mechanisms of peptidoglycan remodelling and outer membrane biogenesis in the diderm Firmicute Acetonema longum
• Patrolling monocyte development and regulation of obesity, tumour metastases, and Alzheimer's disease
• Diet and the microbiome in Parkinson's disease
• Mechanisms by which plants shape the rhizosphere microbiome structure and function
• Using population dynamics to uncover key barriers and signals involved in enteric infection
• Exploring bacterial communication signaling in the context of the intestinal microbiota
• Investigation of L-type calcium channels as potential targets for cancer therapy
• Mechanisms by which beneficial Pseudomonas species suppress plant immunity and protect plants from pathogens
• Single cell profiling of the immune system landscape in Lyn deficiency and colorectal cancer
• Control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection by the macrophage Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3
• Control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection by the macrophage Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 : [supplementary material]
• Applications of metagenomic sequencing for virus detection and characterization of upper respiratory infections
• Hidden figures : an untold story of the impact of postnatal multiple micronutrient deficiencies on host phenome and gut microbiome
• Influences of tissue location and pathogen behaviour on CD8 T cell responses to intestinal viral infections
• Characterizing host protein post-translational modification in pathogenic Escherichia coli infection

Related Programs

Same specialization.

• Master of Science in Microbiology and Immunology (MSc)

Further Information

Specialization.

Microbiology and Immunology offers opportunities for original research in the areas of molecular and applied microbiology, biotechnology, cell and developmental biology, epigenetics, geomicrobiology, molecular biology, molecular genetics, molecular immunology, microbial ecology, microbial pathogenesis, and virology.

UBC Calendar

Program website, faculty overview, academic unit, program identifier, classification, social media channels, supervisor search.

Departments/Programs may update graduate degree program details through the Faculty & Staff portal. To update contact details for application inquiries, please use this form .

W. Austin Guild

I had a very enjoyable time at the UBC Okanagan campus over the five years I was completing my undergraduate studies. I really wanted to continue my education at UBC, however, I also wanted to experience life in a new city; therefore, I chose to pursue continuing education at the Vancouver campus.

Avril Metcalfe-Roach

I was gifted the book Let Them Eat Dirt during my undergrad, which describes how microorganisms have evolved over the eons to work in symbiosis with their animal hosts. Similar to how an unbalanced diet can cause nutrient deficiencies, changes in the levels of various gut microbes have been shown...

Christopher Lee

I decided to study at UBC because it has a strong standing in research output, and so far that impression has not changed. In addition to the research, Vancouver provides a lot to keep a strong work-life-balance for individuals like me that enjoy any sort of outdoor activity.

Curious about life in Vancouver?

Find out how Vancouver enhances your graduate student experience—from the beautiful mountains and city landscapes, to the arts and culture scene, we have it all. Study-life balance at its best!

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SOP for PhD in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology

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Molecular Microbiology Admissions

Students seeking admission to the Molecular Microbiology Graduate Program apply to the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

The application is completed online on the GSBS Application Portal .

Information about application deadlines and the application process can be found in the Admissions section of this website.

Selection Criteria

Our goal is to recruit highly motivated students who have a deep interest in microbiological research, show evidence of facility with experimentation, are collegial and communicative, and whose ambition is to excel in research and/or teaching as a career.

Candidates for admission to the Graduate Program in Molecular Microbiology are recommended to have prior training in genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, organic chemistry, physics, and calculus. A basic course in microbiology is also desirable. Acceptance is determined by the applicant's prospects of success, as demonstrated by academic transcripts and references. 

If GRE scores are submitted, those are also reviewed.

Prospective applicants are evaluated based on prior grades, three letters of recommendation, and responses to the short essays that are part of the application. Prior research experience is strongly valued but is not required.

The essay prompts for our program are:

• Academic Statement of Purpose (750 words maximum): tell us about your development as a scientist, your research experience, your vision for your professional trajectory, and why this particular program, in this particular location, is the right step for you now.
• Personal Statement (750 works maximum): Anything that can give reviewers a sense of you as a person, and your promise as a member of the Tufts community, belongs here.
• More Information (Optional, 250 words maximum): Our students have many different backgrounds, experiences, identities, interests, and talents that meaningfully inspired them to pursue a career in science. What inspired you?

The Molecular Microbiology program is committed to diversity and encourages applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences that will enrich the mix of students on our campus. These include individuals from racial and ethnic groups, persons who come from an economically disadvantaged background or have disabilities that have been determined by NIH to be under-represented in biomedical sciences. At any point during the admissions process, applicants may request information about student services, including counseling and tutoring and other academic support.

Tracks within our Program

Our program is supported by an NIH T32 training grant focused on microbial pathogenesis and a second NIH T32 training grant focusing on microbial genetics.

An applicant who is interested in the MERGE-ID track in the Molecular Microbiology Program must select this track when they apply to be considered for admission to the MERGE-ID Program.

Students being considered for admission will be invited to visit the Program for interviews with faculty members and interactions with current students.