Research

Our faculty research interests are diverse. Advancing knowledge that improves human health and the quality of life is the ultimate goal of each investigator. Faculty research interests include studies in molecular mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis and immunity, cell biology, and immunology. The department offers many opportunities to conduct groundbreaking research in these fields in a collaborative, stimulating environment. In addition, educational opportunities abound in the forms of lectures, seminars, and discussions. These programs provide students with the opportunity to develop depth and breadth of knowledge in their chosen field of research. Current research is conducted in immunology, molecular genetics / virology, medical bacteriology, parasitology, and medical mycology.

Active Research Laboratories

Immunology and Medical Microbiology 

• John B. Barnett, Ph.D., Professor and Chairman - Immunology 
  Effects of xenobiotics on the immune system
• Stacey Anderson, Ph.D., Adjunct Assistant Professor (NIOSH) - Immunology 
  Immunotoxicology and Hazard Identification laboratory
• Mariette Barbier, Ph.D., Assistant Professor - Immunology and Medical Bacteriology 
  Pseudomonas aeruginosa pathogen host interaction
• Donald Beezhold, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor (NIOSH) - Immunology 
  Allergy and Clinical Immunology
• Nyles Charon, Ph.D., Professor - Medical Bacteriology 
  Mechanisms of pathogenesis associated with spirochetes
• Christopher F. Cuff, Ph.D., Associate Professor - Immunology 
  Cellular and molecular events that result in the development of antigen-specific immune responses in the gastrointestinal tract
• Heath Damron, Ph.D., Assistant Professor - Immunology and Medical Bacteriology 
  Pathogenesis of Bordetella pertussus and vaccine development
• Timothy Eubank, Ph.D., Associate Professor - Immunology
  Breast cancer angiogenesis and tumor microenvironment regulation
• Jennifer Franko, Ph.D., Teaching Assistant Professor - Immunology
  Impact of environmental chemicals on the immune system and sexually dimorphic immune responses
• Laura Gibson, Ph.D., Professor - Immunology
  Lymphocyte development; apoptosis
• Brett Green, Ph.D., Adjunct Assistant Professor (NIOSH) - Immunology
  Allergy and Clinical Immunology
• Slawomir Lukomski, Ph.D., Associate Professor - Medical Bacteriology
  Pathogenesis of Group A Streptococcus 
• Ivan Martinez, Ph.D., Associate Professor - Immunology and Medical Virology 
  Non-coding RNAs and HPV related cancers
• Gordon Meares, Ph.D., Assistant Professor - Immunology
  Mechanisms of Neuro-Inflammation
• John Noti, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor (NIOSH) - Medical Virology 
  Understanding aerosol transmission of the influenza virus in healthcare settings
• Yong Qian, Ph.D., Adjunct Assistant Professor (NIOSH) - Immunology
  Effects of exposure to Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) 
• Jenny Roberts, Ph.D., Adjunct Assistant Professor (NIOSH) - Immunology
  In vivo models to evaluate lung inflammation, injury, immunomodulation, and development of pulmonary disease
• Cory Robinson, Ph.D., Associate Professor - Medical Bacteriology 
  Early life immunity during acute bacterial infection and Mycobacterium tuberculosis host-pathogen interactions
• Rosana Schafer, Ph.D., Associate Professor - Immunology
  Immune response to Listeria; vaccine development
• Edwin Wan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor - Immunology 
  Mechanistic studies of multiple sclerosis and stroke-associated pneumonia