About Us
Advancing human health through innovation and discovery.
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What we stand for
The Department of Microbiology and Immunology was first established as the department of microbiology in 1951 and later added a robust immunology research program to become what it is today.
Our department has since matured into one of the leading basic science departments offering Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), combined MD/PhD and Master of Science (MSc) degree programs. All programs include robust training over a broad range of scientific and research areas using state-of-the-art immunological, microbiological, virological, molecular and bioinformatics approaches. Degree programs are designed to be flexible to allow for a tailored program of study developed by the student with the advisement of their research mentor. The department joins with other basic science departments within the School of Medicine in the Integrated Programs in Biomedical Sciences (IPIBS).
As evidenced by our research portfolio, the research strengths of the department include adaptive and innate immunology, virology, bacteriology, inflammation and pathogenesis. Our state-of-the-art facilities enable innovative discoveries with significant impacts on human health.
Our department offers one of the only graduate level microbiology and immunology degrees in the commonwealth of Kentucky and our graduates pursue a wide field of careers after graduating.
Primary Faculty
Yousef Abu Kwaik, Ph.D. - Professor - Manipulation and exploitation of the host cell biology by intracellular bacterial pathogens
Pascale Alard, Ph.D. - Associate Professor - Molecular and cellular regulation of autoimmune diabetes and lupus
Neal Bhutiani, MD, Ph.D. - Assistant Professor
Haribabu Bodduluri, Ph.D. - Professor, Department Chair- Signal transduction, leukotriene receptors in inflammation and host response
Carolyn Casella, Ph.D. - Associate Professor - Understanding vaccine adjuvants
Donghoon Chung, Ph.D. - Professor - RNA virus replication and antiviral discovery
James Collins, Ph.D. - Assistant Professor - Adaption and selection of enteric pathogens
Denada Dibra, Ph.D. - Assistant Professor - Oncogene-driven immune evasion and tumor–immune interactions studied using spatial and single-cell approaches, immunopeptidomics, and spontaneous in vivo genetic models
Ryan Doster, MD, Ph.D. - Assistant Professor - Pathogenesis of bacterial infections during pregnancy
James E. Graham, Ph.D. - Associate Professor - Global analysis of bacterial gene expression. Microbial adaptive responses and infectious disease pathogenesis
Venkatakrishna R. Jala, Ph.D. - Associate Professor - Microbiota and Microbial Metabolite in Inflammatory Disorders and Cancer
Irina Kirpich, Ph.D. - Professor - Gut-Liver axis and Host-Microbiota interactions in liver disease
Michele M. Kosiewicz, Ph.D. - Associate Professor - Immunoregulation, Tolerance, Autoimmunity and Microbiota
Matthew B. Lawrenz, Ph.D. - Professor, Director of Graduate Studies - Host-pathogen interactions, identification of bacterial virulence factors, regulation of virulence factors in bacteria
Thomas C. Mitchell, Ph.D. - Professor - Immunology of vaccine adjuvants and Toll-like receptors
Sharmila Nair, Ph.D. - Assistant Professor - Oncolytic viruses in cancer therapy
Kathryn Ramsey, Ph.D. - Assistant Professor - Bacterial virulence gene regulation
Carolyn Roberson, Ph.D. - Associate Professor - Medical Education
Kevin Sokoloski, Ph.D. - Associate Professor - Characterizing the role(s), and biological significance, of host factors on viral RNA function throughout the viral life-cycle, from entry to exit
Huang-Ge Zhang, Ph.D. - Professor - Autoimmune Diseases and Cancer Immunology and regulation of leukocyte inflammatory function in autoimmune disease and cancer
Jian Zheng, MD, Ph.D. - Assistant Professor - The impact of aging on viral respiratory infections
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Frequently asked questions
Information regarding the Department of Microbiology and Immunology research programs can be found on the Research Labs page.
Apply early. The priority deadline for applications to the PhD program is January 15; however, the final deadline for applications is March 1. Applications may be submitted after this deadline, but fellowship offers may no longer be available to offer to applicants applying late in the cycle.
MS program applications are made on a semesterly basis as per the academic calendar available from the registrar.
Letters of recommendation should come from individuals who can provide insight into your past academic / research performance and can speak to your potential for success at the graduate level. Letters from previous research mentors or supervisors are preferred, but professors or instructors with whom you’ve had a meaningful interaction are also greatly appreciated. This includes letters from postdoctoral fellows, research scientists and research staff that you’ve interacted with in a research setting. Letters from those uninvolved in your education, research or work experience may be included but are less helpful in assessing your potential.
Thank you for your application. To aid the process send an email to MIGRAD@Louisville.edu with “Attn: Submitted Application” as the subject line. In the body of the message include your full name as provided on the application. We will pull the application materials from the system as they are uploaded. Note that this step is not required but helps us to know when to anticipate application materials.
Applications will be collected and reviewed in late January / early February and selected applicants will be contacted to schedule interviews starting in the month of February. Successful applicants will be invited for a site visit shortly thereafter (sorry, but due to visa and financial considerations, international applicants will be unable to attend site visits unless already in the USA). The admission selection process continues until all available fellowships are offered and accepted.
The application fee is set by the Graduate School of the University of Louisville and as such we have no power to waive the application fee.
Unfortunately, no. Admission decisions are based on relative rankings within the application group and the individual merits of the applicant (as determined by the review and interview process). An individual application cannot be assessed for where it stands within the application pool until the review process formally begins.
In the past, successful applicants have, in addition to meeting all program prerequisites, - i) high academic performance as indicated by their academic transcripts, ii) strong and enthusiastic letters of recommendation (preferably from prior research mentors), iii) independent or mentored research experience and iv) a clear personal statement indicating why pursuing a degree in Microbiology and Immunology is important and desired.