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Research and Graduate Education
Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis
The Graduate Program in Immunology & Microbial Pathogenesis offers interdisciplinary biomedical research training leading to the Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D., and M.S. degrees.
Faculty members and students explore diverse areas of inquiry related to the medical implications of microbes and the human body’s response to them.
Current research areas include:
Immunology
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Effects of man-made pesticides and herbicides on the immune system
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Biochemistry of inflammatory cytokines
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Immune response in bacterial and viral diseases
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Regulation of signal transduction in immune responses
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Molecular aspects of cell signaling as it relates to cancer chemotherapy and cell growth
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Peptide and DNA vaccines for contraception
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Cytotoxic T cells in transplant rejection and disease pathogenesis
Microbiology
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Physiology of pathogenic microbes
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Microbial genetics
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Mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis
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Microbial virulence factors
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Chemotaxis and motility
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Interactions between microbes and their hosts
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Molecular mimicry and structure-function relationship of bacterial virulence factors
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Microbial biofilms
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Bacterial diseases including Lyme Disease, cystic fibrosis, inflammatory bowel (Crohn’s) disease, and streptococcal infections
Graduate education in this program emphasizes independent research training. Once you acquire a strong foundation in the core biomedical concepts, you will have flexibility in choosing advanced coursework in specific areas of interest.
Rosana Schafer, Ph.D., Graduate Director
Email: rschafer@hsc.wvu.edu
(304) 293-3104 ext. 3265
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