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Image  by Seth Pincus, Elizabeth Fischer and Austin Athman, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/NIH

Mission of the PhD Program in Immunology

The Immunology doctoral program offers instruction and research opportunities leading to a Ph.D. in Immunology. Two tracks are offered:

• Track 1: Molecular, Cellular, and Translational Immunology
• Track 2: Computational and Systems Immunology

The goal of the Ph.D. Program in Immunology is to develop investigators who have a strong foundation in Immunology and related sciences in order to carry out innovative research. The program features a flexible choice of courses and seminars combined with extensive research training in the laboratories of participating Immunology faculty. Specifically, immunology graduate students:

• acquire a fundamental, broad, and comprehensive body of knowledge and skills through an extensive curriculum.
• identify important scientific questions, design, and conduct experiments using the most appropriate methods.
• read and critically analyze current literature in immunology and other relevant fields.
• present research findings and communicate ideas effectively to a variety of audiences.
• prepare manuscripts that will be published in leading journals.
• learn to teach effectively.  

Molecular, Cellular, and Translational Immunology

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. 

Computational & Systems Immunology

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 track 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:

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

Immunology, PhD

School of medicine.

Department website: https://gradimmunology.med.som.jhmi.edu/

For more complete information and to apply to the Graduate Program in Immunology see the department website .

The Graduate Program in Immunology began in 1982 with two students and a handful of faculty. Since then we have grown to 36 students currently in training and 46 faculty. The faculty research interests span the entire gamut of Immunology, from basic mechanisms such as somatic hypermutation and gene rearrangement, molecular mechanisms of antigen processing and presentation, molecular signals for immune cell development and differentiation to translational research in the fields of cancer vaccines, allergy, infectious disease, immune engineering, autoimmunity and transplantation.

We are fortunate to have a number of centers of excellence in Basic Immunology and Cellular Engineering, Microbial Immunology, Autoimmunity and Cancer Immunology. This, combined with world-class facilities in genomics, genetics, proteomics, cell imaging and bioinformatics means almost limitless opportunities for students to do cutting edge and creative Immunology research. It is indeed an exciting time for Immunology at Hopkins.

 We are able to offer one of the most rigorous and expansive scientific training arenas in the world. The large number of accomplished biomedical scientists, the focus on interdisciplinary training, the availability of state of the art research facilities and a collegial environment gives our students a unique opportunity to develop as the next generation of leaders in Immunology. Recent program graduates have become post-doctoral research fellows in major labs all over the world. Many of our alumni have gone on to significant positions as successful independent researchers at universities, research institutes, government laboratories and biotechnology enterprises. Also, a number have distinguished themselves in public policy, intellectual property and scientific writing. All of our alumni have gone on to fulfilling careers in the biomedical field and for that we are grateful and very proud.

Fellowships

Financial support:.

Students accepted into the program will have their tuition, fees, and medical insurance (including dental and vision) paid. Students will receive a competitve stipend to cover living expenses. Support for the Graduate Program in Immunology is derived from government and private sources and individual research grants.

Note to International Applicants:

We are very much interested in attracting talented students from other countries to our program. However, there are some practical issues that you should be aware of before applying. We have a limited ability to support students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States. Our training program is funded by a training grant from the United States government. This grant will only support US citizens or permanent residents. Only very rarely do we have funds that can be used to support citizens of other countries.

We highly recommend that foreign applicants seek other possible means of supporting the cost of graduate study. Support could come from: (a) a scholarship from your government or (b) from a "special" foundation award. In your application, please discuss the possibility of obtaining support from one of these sources. Final admission to the program requires documentation that the appropriate financial resources are available. We highly recommend that you review the NAFSA: Association of International Educators website at www.nafsa.org. NAFSA does not offer financial assistance, but will offer some suggestions to help your search for financial aid for study in the United States.

Acceptance into the Graduate Program in Immunology is dependent on an invited personal interview. Foreign applicants, on invitation, should be prepared to travel to Baltimore, Maryland at their own expense. Once in Baltimore, the program will pay for local transportation, meals and accommodations.

Admission Requirements

Undergraduate degree .

Candidates for admiss ion should hold a bachelor’s degree or higher with training in one of the following, or related, areas: General Biology Biochemistry Physics Calculus Organic/Inorganic Chemistry Courses in Immunology, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology are recommended, but not required.

Transcripts

Transcripts of all college and university study (undergraduate and graduate) are required and must be uploaded to the application. If you have attended more than one institution, transcripts from each institution must be received for your application to be considered complete. International transcripts must be officially translated into English. If you have not yet completed your Bachelor’s degree, upload a copy of your current transcript, showing in-progress courses. Official transcripts for in-progress courses can be uploaded to the online application in the Transcript Upload section when they become available, after you submit. Applicants should also upload a list of any current courses, and courses that will be taken before beginning graduate study that do not appear on their transcripts. Do not mail documents to the Office of Graduate Student Affairs unless requested or admitted. If admitted, an official transcript from each institution you have attended showing proof of graduation and degree conferral will be required prior to matriculation. To be considered official, final transcripts must be sent: 1) by mail, directly from the institution in a sealed envelope: 

Office of Graduate Biomedical Education

1830 E. Monument Street, Suite 620 Baltimore, MD 21287

If your institution is sending an E-transcript, please make sure they are sending the notifications to:  [email protected]  

Letters of Recommendation 

Three letters of recommendation must be submitted through the online recommendation system. Applicants will need to obtain the name and email address of the recommenders when completing the application. Please request your letters of recommendation from faculty members or other professionals who are acquainted with you and your academic work. These letters should comment on your aptitude and promise for independent research.

GRE (no longer required for admission)

As of October 2019, The Graduate Program in Immunology will no longer require the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) for admission. 

TOEFL Scores (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

All levels of graduate education at Johns Hopkins require proficiency in the English language. It is highly recommended that applicants for whom English is a second language take the TOEFL/IELTS to demonstrate this proficiency. In general, foreign students admitted to the Graduate Program in Immunology have achieved TOEFL scores over 550. You are exempt from having to take the TOEFL/IELTS if you hold a degree from a U.S. University/College or have attended a minimum of 2 years at an English speaking University/College. TOEFL/IELTS scores are valid for 2 years from expected entrance date. Please use the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine code (5316) when submitting scores.

Application Fee

Application fee is $115.

Criminal Background Check

All Johns Hopkins University graduate students who are accepted will be subject to criminal background investigations. Generally, all offers of admission to School of Medicine degree programs will be conditioned on satisfactory criminal background investigations.

Program Requirements 

In the first yea r of study, each student takes a core set of courses emphasizing basic molecular principles and how they apply to understanding immune function.

Required Coursework

Laboratory rotations.

During the first year, each student engages in three short-term research projects. Each project lasts approximately three months and is carried out under the direction of a faculty member. Additional rotations may be scheduled based on student interest. The projects are designed to give you an introduction to experimental research and an opportunity to learn more about specific areas of immunology prior to choosing a thesis laboratory and project. After completing the research rotations, the student will select a mentor for their thesis project.

Elective Courses

Students are required to take five elective courses prior to graduation. Students can begin taking courses in the spring of their first year, but most students opt to start in their second year. There are many available advanced level graduate courses offered in the School of Medicine, Bloomberg School of Public Health, and the Kreiger School of Arts and Sciences. The Immunology Program specifically offers several courses, including Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Immunometabolism, Translational Immunology, HIV Biology and more. Many of these courses utilize small group discussions, in which students read and discuss current and seminal research papers on the selected topic.

Oral Examination

In the fall of the second year of study, trainees will take the Graduate Board Oral Examination. By the time the students take this exam, they will have successfully completed all required coursework. This examination serves as a means of evaluating the student’s cumulative knowledge in biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, biophysics, genetics, and immunology and their preparedness to carry out research for the Ph.D. degree. The exam may cover the student's proposed dissertation topic, but this is not the focus of the exam.

Formation of Thesis Committee 

In the spring of the second year of study, students will bring together 4-5  faculty members, including their mentor, to serve as their thesis advisory committee. The purpose of the thesis committee is to help the student move their research forward, provide networking opportunities and career development advice and to ensure the student successfully completes their degree.  At the initial meeting, the student will prepare a written research proposal in the form of an NIH grant.

3rd Year and Beyond

Students are required to take five elective courses prior to graduation. Students can begin taking courses in the spring of their first year, but most students opt to start in their second year. There are many available advanced level graduate courses offered in the School of Medicine, Bloomberg School of Public Health, and the Kreiger School of Arts and Sciences. The Immunology Program specifically offers several courses, including Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Immunometabolism, Translational Immunology, HIV Biology and more. Many of these courses utilize small group discussions, in which students read and discuss current and seminal research papers on the selected topic. 

Thesis Meetings

Students are required to have at least ONE thesis meeting per year, but are welcome to have more if desired. At each committee meeting, the student should present their research work, roughly following the format of the written proposal. The discussion can be, and often is, open-ended in nature. The student should be prepared to discuss: 1. Background and significance 2. Specific goals of the research (specific aims)  3. Work accomplished to date, including pertinent experiments that "did not work" 4. Future experiments (long and short term) 

Thesis and Final Seminar 

Upon completion of the thesis research, each student must prepare a formal written thesis, based on the guidelines provided by the Graduate Board of the University. Two readers must find the written thesis acceptable: the thesis advisor and another member of the Thesis Advisory Committee. Students must also present a formal public seminar on their research. The program office will schedule the final seminar. All University guidelines for thesis preparation must be met. More detailed information on this process is available in the program office.

Required Program Events

The Graduate Program in Immunology offers a wide range of activities that serve to enrich the training experience. All students are required to participate in the program activities throughout their graduate career and this is a vital aspect of the training program. 

Journal Club 

Immunology Journal Club is intended to provide all graduate students in the Graduate Immunology Program the habit of reading a diverse range of immunology journal articles early in their graduate careers. Presenters are generally encouraged to present new developments and findings that are less related to their research focus. This will allow participants to explore new areas of immunology, familiarize themselves with key investigators in the immunology field, and to develop sharp and valid criticism of sound experiments. This is an invaluable opportunity to keep abreast of new advances as well as hone one's presentation skills in an informal setting.

Annual Immunology Retreat

The Graduate Program in Immunology holds an annual fall retreat. This is a one-day activity at an off-site location. The day includes poster presentations by all Immunology trainees (3rd year and above), a series of 5-6 short student oral presentations (4th years), and a keynote address by a distinguished invited speaker. This meeting provides students with an excellent opportunity to hone presentation skills in an informal retreat setting.

Immunology Floor Meeting 

Students and faculty of the Graduate Program in Immunology gather regularly on Thursdays for the “Immunology Floor Meeting.” At these meetings, two speakers from different labs will each give a 30 minute presentation on their research in progress. These presentations are designed to allow for the exchange of ideas in an informal atmosphere. The idea is to have people present, as if they were presenting at lab meeting, so we can exchange ideas at the frontier of our research. These are not to be highly polished presentations but a description of your project as it stands, with people encouraged to talk not just about exciting new results, but also about difficulties, troubleshooting, new techniques being attempted, ideas, etc. The speakers can be graduate students, post-docs, or even faculty members, and we hope the venue will be an excellent opportunity for honing our speaking skills.

Immunology Forum 

Students are required to attend the Johns Hopkins Immunology Forum that is scheduled regularly on Tuesdays at 12:30PM. As an added bonus for the students, we provide lunch for the speaker and the students on Forum days. Seminar speakers come from various institutions in the United States and abroad and meet with faculty and trainees. Immunology students are given the opportunity to invite several speakers each year. On this date, the students extend the invitation, organize the schedule, and take them to dinner. The seminar coordinator will assist in this. Collectively these activities provide a powerful training opportunity, allowing trainees to not only hear an interesting seminar, but also to develop the skills and confidence enabling them to enter into scientific dialogue with a gifted scientist.

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PhD in Immunology and Immunotherapeutics

The threat of current and future global pandemics and the ability to broaden the use of immunotherapies against cancer confirms the need for PhD-level immunologists.

As one of the best PhD in Immunology programs in the nation, you’ll have the opportunity to join a rapidly growing immunology community and participate in leading-edge fundamental and translational immunology research in labs across the academic-medical center at Ohio State.

Why earn your PhD in Immunology at Ohio State?

Research in world-class facilities

The Ohio State University College of Medicine is a part of one of the largest academic medical centers in the country, which provides students with the best immunology PhD program training. Doctorate students in immunology and immunotherapy gain experience in multiple arenas, including the  Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity  (MII), the  Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-oncology  within The James Comprehensive Cancer Center  (cancer-immunology and immuno-oncology), Department of Neuroscience , Department of Biomedical Informatics , Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics  and various clinical divisions within the Ohio State  Wexner Medical Center  (e.g., rheumatology, pulmonary medicine, hematology, neurology). 

Join a community of immunologists

The immunology community at Ohio State has grown significantly in the last three years. Not only does the Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity (MI&I) have 31 principal investigator-led laboratories, Ohio State has also recruited over 30 new faculty in the field of immunology in the last three years. PhD students will be a part of an immunology seminar where they’ll network with and learn from faculty across the immunity community as well as students in the Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis master’s program .  While earning your doctorate in immunology, you’ll have the opportunity to complete rotations in at least three immunology labs, which will inform the selection of your thesis lab.

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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?

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 
• 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, 2023. VTSI applicants are eligible for an  application fee waiver , but the fee waiver must be requested by November 15, 2023 and prior to submission of the SOPHAS application.

All full-time PhD students will receive the following support for all years of the program: stipend, full tuition, individual health insurance, University Health Services clinic fee, vision insurance, and dental insurance.

Need-Based Relocation Grants Students who  are admitted to PhD programs at JHU  starting in Fall 2023 or beyond can apply to receive a $1500 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.

Alex Kim , Senior Academic Program Coordinator  Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health 615 North Wolfe Street, Room E5014 Baltimore, Maryland 21205 Fax: (410) 955-0105

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Immunology, PhD

Recognizing the need to create an environment where researchers could be adequately trained in the multifaceted aspects of immunobiology, Penn became the first medical school to establish a separate degree-granting PhD program in Immunology. The faculty of the Immunology Graduate Group (IGG) are drawn from across the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, encompassing a broad spectrum of research interests; the IGG has also established a partnership with the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. The partnership brings to the IGG the extraordinary resources and scientific expertise present at the NIH, one of the largest and most renowned biomedical research centers in the world. Students have the opportunity to interact with NIH faculty in a variety of ways, including conducting a lab rotation or thesis work at the NIH.

At present, there are approximately 110 faculty members in Penn’s Immunology Graduate Group, encompassing a broad spectrum of research studies. Faculty research includes studies on the development and regulation of the immune system, host-pathogen interactions, the fundamental molecular and cellular biology of the immune system, structural studies of immunologically relevant molecules and translational immunology. Research results are being utilized in both experimental models and clinical trials attempting to fight diseases.

For more information: https://www.med.upenn.edu/immun/

View the University’s Academic Rules for PhD Programs .

Required Courses 

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The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2023 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

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Immunology is an area of study within the Division of Medical Sciences, an administrative unit based at Harvard Medical School that coordinates biomedical PhD activities at the Longwood Medical Area. Students who study immunology receive a PhD in medical sciences. Prospective students apply through the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS). In the online application, select  “Division of Medical Sciences” as your program choice and select "Immunology" in the area of study menu.

Sometimes this knowledge is translated into therapeutic advances. Discoveries about the immune system, many made at Harvard, have led to cures for cancer and therapies that have changed the lives of patients with autoimmune and allergic diseases. Research has also led to vaccines against newer pathogens, including the virus that causes COVID-19.

The Harvard immunology community is tightly knit and interactive. Our faculty are located at Harvard Medical School, the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, the Harvard teaching hospitals, and affiliated institutes such as the Broad Institute, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and the Ragon Institute. Our students and faculty participate in the program’s weekly seminar series that brings together a diverse group of faculty, students, postdocs, and alumni who listen to cutting-edge science and congregate afterward for wine, cheese, and stimulating informal discussions on immunology.

Our students are involved in exciting research that spans basic immunology, vaccine research, cancer immunology, mucosal immunity, neuroimmunology, and so much more. The research executed by our students over many decades helped shape modern immunology and led to successful new therapies.

Our graduates have consistently gone on to become leaders in academia and industry. Many are faculty members at Harvard University; Yale University; Stanford University; University of Pennsylvania; Emory University; University of California, San Francisco; and elsewhere—while others have embarked on successful careers in pharma, biotech, and investing at many organizations including Pfizer, Janssen, Genentech, and Flagship Pioneering.

Standardized Tests

GRE General: Optional GRE Subject: Optional iBT TOEFL minimum score: 100 IELTS minimum score: 7

See list of Immunology faculty

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Immunology Track

faculty-led labs

years supported by a peer-reviewed NIH T32 training grant award

Guaranteed 5-year internal fellowship

includes full tuition, stipend and benefits

Immunology is a rapidly growing area within the field of biomedical science, which spans everything from teaching the body how to ward off certain diseases to developing antibodies to protect against others. Significant advances in technology — paired with understanding the complexities of the immune system and its role in human health and disease — have accelerated efforts to manage and treat diseases such as cancer, asthma and allergies, and even slow the progression of other diseases like Type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis.

The Immunology Track of the Ph.D. Program at Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences trains scientists who aspire to become independent investigators heading their own research programs as well as to train the next generation of leaders in biomedical science, with expertise in immunology.

As a student, you will benefit from a highly interactive, productive research environment that offers the opportunity to learn from dedicated mentors, including 34 faculty-headed laboratories conducting basic and translational immunology research in a wide variety of areas relevant to human disease.

There is a strong esprit de corps among immunology students, faculty and staff that drives discoveries in immunology through basic and translational research in five areas:

• Mechanisms of immunity and inflammation (genetics, cell biology, molecular biology and biochemistry in model systems)
• Immune-mediated disease (hypersensitivity, autoimmunity, inflammation)
• Vaccines and immune-based therapies (cancer immunotherapy, allergy, infectious disease, autoimmunity, tolerance)
• Regenerative immunity (immune reconstitution, transplant tolerance, immune-mediated regeneration)
• Patient-oriented research (patient studies, therapeutic trials)

This program focuses on preparing you for a successful scientific career as a leader in academia or industry. You begin by participating in various laboratory rotations, after which time you’ll choose a thesis mentor for three to five years of thesis research. During your time in the program, you’ll publish peer-reviewed original research papers, develop public speaking and teaching skills, learn to write scientific grant proposals and papers, and present at national conferences.

Required coursework provides a critical intellectual foundation. Graduate courses on biochemistry, cell biology and molecular biology are complemented by immunology coursework providing robust education in all areas of modern immunology research relevant to human disease. A comprehensive graduate immunology course is followed by six advanced immunology tutorial courses in which you actively read and discuss the literature with faculty working in those areas.

All students are provided with funds to attend the American Association of Immunologists (AAI) Advanced Course in Immunology. Three immunology journal clubs and the immunology seminar series keep you abreast of new discoveries. Electives permit you to tailor your education by selecting courses such as grant writing, biostatistics, clinical trial design, advanced flow cytometry, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies, and regenerative medicine, as well as any of the many courses offered by the pharmacology, neuroscience, virology, physiology, and biomedical engineering departments.

You begin the program in July by attending a series of lunch presentations that introduce you to potential lab mentors.

Within a few weeks, you select the first of your three lab rotations where you’ll spend at least eight weeks participating in a research project. You have the opportunity to learn more about departmental labs via poster sessions throughout the summer and fall during Mayo Clinic’s Summer Research Symposium, Immunology Department Retreat, and Graduate Student Symposium. 

In October, you begin your second lab rotation; your third lab rotation starts in January. In the spring, you choose your thesis laboratory and thesis mentor from among your three lab rotations.

You take classes in conjunction with your lab rotations, the majority of which are completed during Year 1, which includes most biomedical science required courses, the comprehensive basic graduate immunology course, one to two journal club courses, and three advanced immunology tutorials.  

At the end of Year 1, all students are funded to travel and attend the week-long Advanced Course in Immunology sponsored by the American Association of Immunologists (AAI).

Starting in Year 2, your primary activity is working in the thesis laboratory focusing on acquiring preliminary data for your thesis research project. You’ll also complete remaining coursework, attend seminars and journal clubs, and present and discuss your preliminary research results at national conferences and campus poster sessions.

Near the end of Year 2, you’ll take the immunology written qualifying exam, preceded by the immunology oral exam. The immunology qualifying exams test your knowledge of biomedical science and basic immunology. The qualifying exams also evaluate your skills in critical thinking and experimental design in the key immunology research areas covered by the six advanced immunology tutorial courses.

Year 3 primarily consists of thesis research and participating in activities designed to help you learn how to organize, summarize, and critically discuss research results in a scientific manner. Scientific writing and critical thinking skills are developed as you work with your thesis mentors to plan and draft research papers. 

Near the beginning of Year 3, and after you’ve passed the written and oral qualifying exams, you and your lab mentor will select five to six faculty members to serve on your Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC). You’ll write a thesis proposal based on your preliminary data to share at your first TAC meeting, preceded by additional TAC meetings about every six months thereafter where you’ll presents slides and discuss your research progress.

Near the end of Year 3, you’ll present a 50-minute Work-In-Progress (WIP) seminar before the entire department, during which you’ll describe your thesis research background, proposed directions, and current results. Frequent oral presentations during classes prepare you to excel at these WIP presentations, which should be presented once each year. You’ll further learn to discuss your research ideas and results via poster and oral presentations throughout the year, both on campus and during national meetings.

During Year 3, you’re encouraged to write and submit an NIH predoctoral fellowship grant application, as well as participate in workshops and courses to learn about and practice grant writing.

Year 4 and subsequent years are used to complete your thesis research project. Generating research publications and presenting research abstracts at national meetings is the focus of these years. To stay abreast of the current literature, you’re encouraged to attend departmental seminars and journal club. You’re also encouraged to develop a detailed post-graduate career plan with advice from your mentor and TAC, which include a Career Development Internship.

Graduation generally occurs in Years 5 or 6. Initiating the graduation process requires approval by your TAC, who will instruct you to begin writing a scholarly dissertation that introduces, summarizes, and discusses your thesis research results.

After submitting your dissertation, your defense is scheduled. This consists of a 50-minute seminar before the department where you’ll describe your research results, followed by an oral defense. Both the dissertation and the defense must be approved by the TAC, at which time the Ph.D. degree is conferred.

Students who graduate at any time during the previous year are invited to return to Rochester, Minnesota, to participate in the annual Mayo Clinic doctoral student graduation ceremony and celebration each May.

Research opportunities

Research opportunities in the Department of Immunology can be broadly divided into four overlapping subtracks:

• Cancer immunology and immunotherapy. Clinical applications and basic research on tumor immunology and tumor immune therapy, including anti-tumor vaccines. Includes CAR T cells, PD-1 and other immune therapies.
• Autoimmunity and immune-mediated diseases. Clinical and basic research on the immune mechanisms of viral and bacterial diseases, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, allergy and asthma, and gut microbiome.
• Molecular biology and signaling in immune activation. The receptors and intracellular signaling pathways that control immune cell proliferation, metastasis, migration and apoptosis. Includes systems biology, RNA sequencing data analysis and biomarker development.
• Immune system development and regeneration. The molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in differentiation of immune cells in the thymus and bone marrow including T and B lymphocytes, eosinophils, NK cells and dendritic cells. Includes hematologic malignancies, immune deficiencies, the bone marrow microenvironment and stem cell therapies.

Although they each have independent research laboratories, our faculty have created a highly interactive research environment for students with many opportunities for both formal and informal interactions. In particular, the entire department comes together several times each month to hear presentations by the department's students and faculty as well as invited distinguished researchers.

I chose to come to Mayo because the environment is very friendly and collaborative, the students are genuinely happy, and the curriculum is stringent enough to allow me to robustly learn my specialty. There’s no limit on the kind of research you can conduct at Mayo, so I’ve been able to follow a line of research that I’ve always been passionate about: neuroimmunology.

Emma Goddery Ph.D. student, Immunology Track

The mentorship I’ve received has been outstanding. In addition to the tremendous mentorship I’ve received from the program itself, the department, my PI, and my thesis committee, the program is so highly devoted to collaboration and education that many of my research collaborators have taken on mentorship roles as well, which has had a very positive impact on my educational experience.

Rosalie Sterner M.D.-Ph.D. student, Immunology Track

• “Immunological Contributions to the Pathogenesis of Cerebral Malaria,” Cori Fain, Ph.D. (Advisor: Aaron Johnson, Ph.D.)
• “T Follicular Helper Cells in Regulation of Peanut Allergies,” Jyoti Lama, Ph.D. (Advisor: Hirohito Kita, M.D.) 
• “MHC Class I dependent and independent T cell responses to central nervous system insults: Studies in an experimental glioma and Theiler’s Virus systems,” Zachariah Tritz, Ph.D. (Advisor: Aaron Johnson, Ph.D.) 
• “Immune Response to Periprosthetic Joint Infection and Non-Infectious Arthroplasty Failure,” Cody Fisher, Ph.D., (Advisor: Robin Patel, M.D.) 
• “Age-Associated Immune Alteration in the Respiratory Track,” Yue Wu, Ph.D. (Advisor: Haidong Dong, M.D., Ph.D.) 
• “Evaluation of Oncolytic Vesiculovirus Efficacy and Escape in Multiple Cancer Models,” Chelsae Watters, Ph.D. (Advisor: Mitesh Borad, M.D.) 
• “Antigen-Specific CD8 T cell-Mediated Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) Modulation: Implications in Pathology and Therapy,” Roman Khadka, Ph.D. (Advisor: Aaron Johnson, Ph.D.) 
• “Identifying Multi-Omic, Molecular Subtypes of Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma and Follicular Lymphoma and Elucidating their Clinical and Biological Implications,” Jordan Krull, Ph.D. (Advisor: Anne Novak, Ph.D.) 
• “Regulation of CD8 T Cell Brain Infiltration by Local Antigen Presentation,” Emma Goddery, Ph.D. (Advisor: Aaron Johnson, Ph.D.)
• “Plasma-derived Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) as Glioma Biomarkers,” Luz M. Cumba Garcia, Ph.D. (Advisor: Ian Parney, M.D., Ph.D.)
• “Determining the Causes and Inflammatory Consequences of Cell-free Fetal DNA Release,” Nazanin Yeganeh Kazemi, M.D., Ph.D. (Advisor: Svetomir Markovic, M.D., Ph.D.)
• “Assessment of T Cell Priming and T Cell Intrinsic Factors Critical for Antitumor Cytotoxicity in the Context of Cancer Immunotherapy,” Whitney Barham, M.D., Ph.D. (Advisor: Haidong Dong, M.D., Ph.D.)
• “Systems Biology for Engineering Regenerative Immunotherapies in Precision Neuro-oncology,” Dileep Monie, M.D., Ph.D. (Advisor: Hu Li, M.D., Ph.D.)
• “The Role of ABCB7 in Lymphocyte Development and Homeostasis,” Michael Lehrke, Ph.D.(Advisor: Virginia Shapiro, Ph.D.)
• “Transcriptional Control of CD4+ T cell Activation,” Drew Wilfahrt, Ph.D. (Advisor: Virginia Shapiro, Ph.D.)
• “Immunological Mechanisms of Sensitization and Tolerance to Peanut,” James Krempski, Ph.D. (Advisor: Hirohito Kita, Ph.D.)
• “The Role of ST8Sia6 in Immune Cell Development and Inflammation,” Paul Belmonte, Ph.D. (Advisor: Virginia Shapiro, Ph.D.)
• “T cell Co-Potentiation: A Path to Neoantigen Discovery,” Laura Becher, Ph.D. (Advisor: Svetomir Markovic, M.D., Ph.D.)
• “The Role of TNFα in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Hematopoietic Dysfunction,” Bryce Manso, Ph.D. (Advisor: Kay Medina, Ph.D.)
• “Extracellular Vesicle-mediated Immunosuppression in Glioblastoma,” Benjamin Himes, M.D, Ph.D. (Advisor: Ian Parney, M.D., Ph.D.)
• "Viroimmunotherapy for the Treatment of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma," Matthew Schuelke, Ph.D. (Mentor: Richard Vile, Ph.D.)
• "Regulation of T cell Maturation by NKAP," Barsha Das, Ph.D. (Mentor: Virginia Shapiro, Ph.D.)

Your future

Learning to be an investigator in an intensely translational and clinical environment provides students with a bent toward translational science. As a result, many graduates of the Immunology Track hold faculty appointments in basic and clinical departments of major medical institutions. More than 95 percent of our graduates are engaged in biomedical science careers.

Meet the director

The Department of Immunology offers research opportunities from molecules to humans and everything in between — we’re positioned to take advantage of the unique opportunities that come from being part of a premier medical institution.

We invite you to become a part of this exciting field!

Kay Medina, Ph.D. Immunology Track Director Professor of Immunology Phone: 507-284-2713 Email: [email protected]

See research interests

Browse a list of Immunology Track faculty members

Recent news: Ph.D. students explore real-time seizure detection and antibiotic resistance

In this article series, students who are near the end of their Ph.D. training at Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences talk about their research journeys, lessons learned, and hopes for the future.

Biomedical Graduate Studies

Immunology graduate group.

The University of Pennsylvania is proud to offer one of the top PhD programs in Immunology in the United States. The program provides students with the opportunity to work with outstanding faculty in both Philadelphia and Bethesda.

Prospective students can learn more about the admissions process and requirements through the Penn Biomedical Graduate Studies (BGS) website  and the IGG Open House.  

Admission is offered to students undergraduate training in biology and strong research experience. Completed applications are screened by the IGG admissions committee; important factors include research experience, letters of recommendation, research and personal statements, as well as records of academic success. Applicants who are invited to be interviewed will be notified between December and February, with interviews taking place in January or February. Admissions decisions are typically finalized by mid-March.

All students accepted for admission into the PhD program receive tuition and health insurance coverage, plus a twelve-month stipend for living expenses. More information about funding is available here .

University of Pennsylvania Immunology Graduate Group application can be found here.

NIH-University of Pennsylvania Advanced Scholars in Immunology Graduate Program and the NIH Track The NIH Track is designed for University of Pennsylvania immunology graduate students committed to conducting their thesis work at the NIH. The training plan includes a pre-matriculation rotation at the NIH, which is strongly encouraged and funded by NIH investigators through the Summer Internship Program (application deadline: March 1st). Following this, students will join the IGG program at the University of Pennsylvania in mid-August, where they will engage in coursework and lab rotations from September to May of the first year (first and second rotations). Although not mandatory, these rotations can be performed on an NIH-Penn collaborative project. In the subsequent summer, NIH Track students must complete their third rotation at the NIH and are expected to conduct their pre-dissertation and thesis research at the NIH after successfully passing their candidacy exam at the University of Pennsylvania. To be eligible for the NIH Track, candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Applying to NIH-Track To be considered for the Advanced Scholars program, candidates must complete BOTH the University of Pennsylvania's Application AND the University of Pennsylvania NIH Track Application.

Important Note: If you apply to both Penn Track and NIH Track, please be aware that offers are made to only one of the two programs. Once acceptance letters are sent, a NIH Track acceptance cannot be converted to a Penn Track acceptance.

See the  Admissions FAQ  for more information. Contact the IGG coordinator  with any questions.

Georgetown University Medical Center

PhD in Microbiology & Immunology

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

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

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

Learn about the application process and requirements.

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

Check the list of required and elective courses.

Course Schedule

Find an example course schedule.

Student Resources

Browse resources and opportunities for our students.

Get more information about the program and department.

Career Advancement

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

Infectious Diseases and Immunity PhD

The IDI is a laboratory-based research program where students study infectious diseases and immunology through a public health lens.

The IDI Program intends to create opportunities for students to gain new and advanced knowledge about infectious disease agents and how they interact with host cells, human populations, and the environment. Our goal is to improve public health by increasing our understanding of infectious diseases and human immunology through basic and translational research that contributes to developing new diagnostics, treatments, and methods to prevent or control diseases. Because the IDI Graduate Group is administratively managed by the School of Public Health, we follow the School of Public Health application process and deadlines . GRE test scores are not required for the Infectious Diseases and Immunology PhD program.

Program Objectives

The objective of this program is to provide students with research-oriented training that will enable them to design and implement independent investigations and advance the fundamental knowledge of infectious disease agents and their interactions with the human host and the environment. The IDI PhD program is a five to six-year program. Students in the program are fully funded throughout their time in the program, and are provided with a competitive monthly stipend.

We strive to promote health by integrating basic research and applied technologies to develop new approaches for the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control of infectious disease in humans. This program combines clinical, epidemiological, and basic laboratory research strategies in order to apply these methods to specific infectious disease problems affecting human populations. In addition, students have opportunities to interact with faculty members from multidisciplinary centers involved in global infectious disease research. These include the Center for Global Public Health and the Center for Emerging and Neglected Diseases. Students matriculating through this program will acquire expertise in not only fundamental infectious disease research, but also learn how their research relates to other disciplines. Students matriculating through this degree program will acquire expertise in fundamental infectious diseases research for which there is demand from academic institutions, local and national government agencies, and biotechnology companies.

Our Commitment to Belonging

The graduate students and faculty of the Infectious Disease and Immunity Program stand with Black Lives Matter. We believe that racism and police violence is a public health crisis that deserves the same amount of attention and work as any other disease.

As students of Public Health and Biology, we understand the ways in which our field and institutions have been complicit and contributed to the harm perpetuated against Black bodies. The popularized pseudoscience of phrenology, the grotesque distortion of evolution into eugenics, and the irreparable harm of the Tuskegee Syphilis study are just a few examples of how science and public health have perpetuated white supremacy in both mind and body.

We are dedicated to creating an academic environment free of anti-Blackness and making our program and community places where Black, Indigenous, and other URM students can thrive. This is a lofty goal and we recognize that it will take more than a passing attempt to root out anti-Blackness from the academy and ourselves. We pledge to make this effort a sustained one, creating accountability by updating publicly the progress we have made on our goals and setting new goals year after year.

• DEI Resources on campus Includes campus initiatives, affinity groups, STEM outreach in Bay Area
• Grants/fellowships and funding A consolidated list of of funding and fellowship opportunities

Program Snapshot

• First year: Coursework and three lab rotations
• End of first year: Join dissertation research lab
• Second year: Complete coursework requirement, GSI for a semester and take qualifying examination (QE)
• Third year: Advance to candidacy after passing the QE
• 3rd-5th/6th years: Hold dissertation committee meetings at least once a year, complete the annual Doctoral Progress review, complete dissertation research, complete GSI one additional time. Present dissertation at IDI Monday Seminar. Notify program their graduating semester. File dissertation.

IDI students spend their first year taking an interdisciplinary set of classes and completing three lab rotations. The curriculum aims to introduce students to the breadth of infectious disease and immunology research while sharpening statistical skills and building a strong foundation of basic science knowledge. These courses are supplemented by a small faculty led seminar in the first and second years that focuses on developing and improving specific skills like grant writing, qualifying exam preparation and critical research paper analyses.

For additional details on program requirements, see curriculum information and resources for current students page.

Qualifications

The following subjects are normally required as undergraduate preparation for all candidates. Deficiencies must be made up early during the graduate program.

• Mathematics: Calculus; one course in probability or statistics.
• Physics: General physics.
• Chemistry and biochemistry: Inorganic chemistry; organic chemistry; biochemistry; and associated laboratories.
• Biology: General biology lecture and laboratory; genetics; and a basic course(s) in molecular biology.
• Common undergraduate majors for admitted applicants: Biology, integrative biology, microbiology, biological sciences, biology and communications
• Common work experience for admitted applicants: Work experience is not required for admission, but relevant work experience related to infectious diseases, e.g. wet laboratory and/or surveillance work is important for the IDI PhD program. Most of the admitted applicants have strong lab and research experience.

GRE scores are not required, it is optional for the fall 2023 admissions cycle. We recommend submitting a GRE if you have no other evidence of quantitative, verbal, or analytical abilities in your application.

Recruitment Information

The Infectious Diseases and Immunity PhD program admits students only in the Fall semester. Applications are available for submission online in mid-September. The deadline for applications is December 4, 2023, for Fall 2024 admission. Late applications are not accepted. Students should complete their applications as early as possible and be sure to hit the submit button before the deadline. Admission review will be conducted in mid January 2024. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend the required interview on Feb 9, 2024.

IDI Graduate Group faculty come from multiple departments including Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, Plant and Microbial Biology, and Molecular and Cell Biology. In addition, a unique aspect of the IDI program is our affiliation with UCSF faculty who conduct work in the area of global infectious disease. IDI students may choose to join any IDI affiliated lab for their thesis research.

UCSF Affiliated Faculty

Below is a list of UCSF professors who are currently affiliated with IDI but who are only a small selection of potential UCSF mentors.

Margaret Feeney, MD

Bryan Greenhouse, MD, MA

Phil Rosenthal, MD

Rachel Rutishauser, MD, PhD

Current IDI PhD Students

Student Name – Faculty Advisor; Lab

• Cuong Joseph Tran – Dr. Matthew Welch ; The Welch Lab
• Joanna Vinden – Dr. Bryan Greenhouse ; Greenhouse Lab (UCSF)
• Marcus Wong – Dr. Eva Harris ; The Harris Research Program
• Eric Jedel – Dr. Suzanne Fleiszig ; Fleiszig – Evans Lab
• Kishen Patel – Dr. Kim Seed ; Seed Lab
• Reinaldo Mercado-Hernandez – Dr. Eva Harris ; The Harris Research Program
• Elias Michael Duarte – Dr. Eva Harris ; The Harris Research Program
• Abigail Kane – Dr. Rachel Rutishauser ; Rutishauser Lab, UCSF
• Claire Mastrangelo – Dr. Lee Riley ; Riley Lab
• Carolina Agudelo – Dr. Ashley R. Wolf, co-mentor Dr. Sarah Stanley ; Stanley Lab
• Isabel Lamb-Echegaray – Dr. Sarah Stanley ; Stanley Lab
• Jaime Cardona Ospina – Dr. Eva Harris ; The Harris Research Program
• Scott Espich
• Felix Pahmeier – Dr. Eva Harris ; The Harris Research Program
• Marize Rizkalla
• Zahra Zubair-Nizami

Go to “Curriculum Information and Resources for Current IDI Students” page

We would like to thank the following funding donors for their generous fellowship support to support our students and our work:

• Hillel and Rose Levine Fellowship
• The Albert and Mildred Krueger Memorial Fellowship
• Sally Anne Bradley Presser and Steven A. Presser Fellowships

Prospective donors: please visit give.berkeley.edu .

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology at IU School of Medicine offers a PhD program that is typically completed in about five years. The curriculum is designed to move students into the laboratory and their prospective dissertation project as quickly as possible. Following the first year of course work, through the IBMG program, students usually take four credits of course work in their second year and begin to focus on their research. After passing the qualifying examination at the end of their second year, students advance to PhD candidacy and devote their time primarily to their dissertation research projects.  The program prepares students for productive careers as research scientists, as faculty, or in other leadership positions in their chosen fields. Opportunities to gain teaching experience with introduction to modern teaching theory are available for students interested in academic careers.

Begin PhD Application

Options for specialty focus.

As the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at IU School of Medicine has grown to encompass many specialty areas , PhD students can specialize within the disciplines of pathogenesis, immunology, cancer, hematopoiesis and gene transfer therapy.

To earn a PhD degree in Microbiology and Immunology through IU School of Medicine, a student must complete a total of 90 credits; 40 credits must in research. At least 26 credits should be completed in course work, of which 14 credits are within a student’s major and the remaining 12 credits are in the student’s chosen minor. Participation in weekly departmental seminars and journal club forums and attending and presenting at the department’s student seminar series at least once each year are also required. Attendance is reported to mentor and committee for consideration in assigning research grades. This PhD curriculum trains excellent biomedical researchers who become independent, creative investigators.

Upon entry into the Microbiology and Immunology PhD program, each student forms an Advisory Committee consisting of three departmental faculty and one external faculty who represents the student’s minor. The committee composition is developed in consultation with the mentor and the department’s graduate advisor. The committee advises the student and assigns grades for research credits at twice-yearly meetings.

• PhD Minors All PhD students must complete a minor with a minimum of 12 credits. These credits must be in lecture or laboratory courses outside of research and must meet the requirements of the department in which the minor is taken. Although any minor offered within IU School of Medicine may be taken, the following are recommended for microbiology and immunology doctoral students: bioinformatics minor, business of biomedical sciences minor, cancer biology minor, clinical research minor, diabetes and obesity minor, life science minor and transnational sciences minor. Learn more about the minors offered at IU School of Medicine .
• MD-PhD Combined Degree (MSTP) Students Combined-degree students can transfer credits from medical school courses to fulfill the minor requirement. For the Microbiology and Immunology PhD degree, MSTP students must take G655, G855, G505 and three credits of coursework from their first-year spring introductory courses and second-year advanced courses offered by the department. The remaining credits can be transferred from medical school courses as approved by the advisory committee.
• Qualifying Examination At the end of the 2nd year, each student takes their qualifying examination, which consists of a written proposal, in NIH grant style, of the dissertation project they intend to complete; the proposal is orally defended to the student’s advisory committee. Developing the proposal provides students the opportunity to take a big-picture, long-range view of their project, critically analyze the literature and their own data, and design a hypothesis-driven research plan. The committee assesses the student’s overall progression and development of the research proposal. Following successful defense of the proposal, the student progresses to PhD candidacy. Often, students at this point polish their proposals for submission to external agencies for competitive predoctoral fellowships.
• Dissertation Upon satisfactory completion of the qualifying examination, the PhD candidate forms a research committee, which may be similar or identical to the student’s advisory committee. The research committee assists the student in thesis research and in thesis preparation and determines satisfactory completion of the thesis and the thesis examination. The research committee and a summary of the proposed research must be approved by the graduate school at least eight months prior to the thesis examination.
• Teaching Experience Students have the option to gain teaching experience through a nonpaid teaching assistantship in J210, an undergraduate microbiology and immunology course for nursing students. Student participation in teaching activities beyond J210 must be approved by the faculty thesis mentor. Teaching activities are considered a part of the microbiology and immunology graduate training program, and students do not receive additional compensation beyond the annual stipend for time devoted to teaching.
• Grades Grades for research credits (J810, G901) are assigned by the student’s committee. An overall average of at least a B (3.0 GPA) is required. Only three credits of C (2.0 GPA) can be counted toward the required credits of coursework.

Best Global Universities for Immunology in the United States

These are the top universities in the United States for immunology, based on their reputation and research in the field. Read the methodology »

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Here are the best global universities for immunology in the United States

Harvard university, massachusetts institute of technology (mit), johns hopkins university, university of washington seattle, stanford university, university of california san francisco, university of pennsylvania, rockefeller university, yale university, washington university (wustl).

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• # 1 in Best Universities for Immunology
• # 1 in Best Global Universities

Founded in 1636, Harvard University is the oldest higher education institution in the U.S. The bulk of Harvard's... Read More

• # 2 in Best Universities for Immunology
• # 2 in Best Global Universities

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, founded in 1861, is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, near Boston. Around... Read More

• # 3 in Best Universities for Immunology
• # 10 in Best Global Universities

Johns Hopkins University is a private institution that was founded in 1876. The school has campuses located in and... Read More

• # 4 in Best Universities for Immunology
• # 6 in Best Global Universities

The University of Washington is a public institution that was founded in 1861. The school's oldest and largest campus in... Read More

• # 5 in Best Universities for Immunology
• # 3 in Best Global Universities

Stanford University was founded in 1885 and is located in California’s Bay Area, around 30 miles south of San Francisco... Read More

• # 6 in Best Universities for Immunology
• # 16 in Best Global Universities  (tie)

The University of California—San Francisco is a public institution that was founded in 1864. The health sciences-focused... Read More

• # 7 in Best Universities for Immunology
• # 15 in Best Global Universities

The University of Pennsylvania, also known as Penn, was founded in 1740. The private, Ivy League institution is located... Read More

• # 8 in Best Universities for Immunology
• # 103 in Best Global Universities

• # 9 in Best Universities for Immunology
• # 11 in Best Global Universities

Yale University was founded in 1701, making it one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the U.S. The... Read More

• # 12 in Best Universities for Immunology
• # 32 in Best Global Universities

Washington University in St. Louis, also known as Wash U, is a private institution that was founded in 1853. The... Read More

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Immunology, Microbiology and Virology PhD Program

The application for fall 2024 is closed.

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.

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

April 17, 2023 Wilmot Researchers Discover How to Steer Army of Immune Cells toward Cancer

April 1, 2022 Who Should Get a Second Covid-19 Booster Shot?

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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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Immunobiology Graduate Program

Graduate program overview, gsas forms & links (commonly used).

The Yale Immunobiology Graduate Program is recognized as one of the top Immunobiology training programs in the country. This is reflected by the outstanding quality of our applicants and the trainees who decide to attend Yale. We are proud that a recent report from the National Research Council ranked our program as the number one Immunology graduate program in the United States. Our goal is achieved by preparing graduate students for independent careers in research and teaching in Immunology and related disciplines. Graduate education in Immunobiology emphasizes interdisciplinary training and collaborative and interactive research, an approach based on the idea that solving difficult problems requires the integration of individuals with common goals but differing expertise.

The research in Yale Immunobiology focuses on the molecular, cellular and genetic underpinnings of immune system function and development, on host-pathogen interactions, and on the development of new treatments for human disease, particularly those related to immune dysfunction;( see Section of Human and Translational Immunology ). For specific areas of interest see the listing of Faculty Research Interests .

The Department of Immunobiology at Yale provides one of the largest integrated training programs in immunology in the country, led by a faculty with a reputation for leadership and excellence in research. Thirteen of the 26 faculty in the Department of Immunobiology are housed in the Anlyan Center (TAC), a $176 million building dedicated as a biomedical research facility. The building, located at the corner of Congress Avenue and Cedar Street, provides six floors of laboratories for disease-oriented research as well as core research resources and teaching facilities, including an animal resources center and a magnetic resonance center. Immunobiology labs are also located at 300 George Street and West Campus.

The HTI (Human Translational Immunology) Program represents a vital component of the Yale Immunobiology Graduate Program and is rapidly growing. Dr. Pober (Director of VBT and co-director of HTI), has his laboratory in the Amistad building. With all of these laboratories located in close proximity in these three buildings, we offer a unique concentration of superb laboratories and investigators dedicated to the study of the immune system. We believe this represents an outstanding training environment.

Students enter the program through the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS) Program of Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences . Once admitted, one of the seven BBS Tracks will be your home department. During the first year, the Track you entered will oversee your educational plan. During this year, students take courses, do three research rotations, and become familiar with the wide variety of research opportunities available in the biological sciences at Yale. By the end of the first year, you will select a laboratory to enter for your thesis research. This will be based on your experience with one of your rotations which will allow you plenty of opportunity to make a thoughtful and informed decision.

Immunobiology laboratories are fully equipped with all of the standard, modern equipment needed for research in molecular biology and immunology. The Department of Immunobiology maintains a wide variety of major equipment including fluorescence microscopes, scintillation counters, film developer, phosphoimagers, fluorimager, BIAcore apparatus, multiple flow cytometers/cell sorters, cesium irradiator, and an upright laser scanning microscope with a two-photon laser used for real time imaging of cells within lymphoid tissues. Dr. Richard Flavell, past chair of the department, oversees a very active transgenic mouse/ES cell/knockout facility including CRISPR/Cas9 technology, to which members of the department have easy access. Also easily available are core facilities in electron microscopy, histology, pathology, mass spectroscopy and monoclonal antibody production. HHMI operates an efficient, low cost oligonucleotide and peptide synthesis facility, which also performs DNA and protein sequencing. A wide variety of additional facilities are provided by Yale University including modern computer technology, access to the internet and excellent libraries.

Please find here information pertaining to our Immunobiology PhD students' degree and career data .

• Direct Deposit for Graduate Students
• University Academic Forms Click on a Category Click on Graduate Students Select Form
• Course Schedule Change Form
• Submitting your PhD: Dissertation Checklist and Petition and Dissertation Progress and Submission
• Degree Petition: Degree Petition (En route and terminal) - Including MS/MPhil
• Fellowship Opportunities

Graduate School Arts and Sciences Admissions

Graduate Program

• [email protected]

BBS Admissions

• [email protected]

Immunbiology Graduate Program

• [email protected]
• 203.785.3857

Apply to Immunobiology

Important documents.

• Immunobiology Graduate Program Handbook
• Laboratory Rotation Evaluation_For Student
• Laboratory Rotation Evaluation_For Mentor
• Prospectus Examination - Committee Review
• Annual Committee Meeting Form
• Certification for Advancement to Candidacy
• Thesis Submission Instructions

Immunology PhD

The Immunology & Molecular Pathogenesis (IMP) program provides students with a unique opportunity to study all aspects of pathogenesis using a spectrum of cutting edge molecular and cellular techniques.

Participating faculty have a broad range of research interests, from basic immunology to the molecular biology of viral and bacterial pathogens. The program provides an opportunity to tailor course work and research activities to fit the career goals of individual students. Faculty members are affiliated with basic science and clinical departments in the School of Medicine , the Emory Vaccine Center , the National Primate Research Center , as well as the adjacent U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

In the first year, students take courses in immunology, biochemistry, and cell biology, take three 10-week laboratory rotations and then select an advisor and laboratory for dissertation research. In the second year, students will spend the majority of time on their thesis research, but a wide range of elective courses is available, and teaching experience is also gained during this time. The third year and beyond are devoted almost entirely to completion of the thesis research project. Students typically complete this Ph.D. program in approximately five years.

Emory Resources

The highly supportive and collaborative environment within the IMP program provides many opportunities for innovative dissertation research. Today, the answers to important immunological questions can only come with the application of techniques derived from numerous disciplines. It is therefore critical that the over 280 faculty within the GDBBS give IMP students access to expertise in many areas of research, and the people in these many labs are Emory's greatest resource.

In addition, the Emory community has numerous facilities that provide reagents and expertise for immunological projects. Within the School of Medicine are numerous core facilities to support research projects. These include Flow Cytometry, Transgenic Mice, Microchemical and Proteomics, and Bioinformatics core facilities. State of the art animal facilities at several locations on campus house numerous species, including a large population of non-human primates at the Emory National Primate Research Center. The IMP program also has a close relationship with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, headquartered adjacent to the Emory campus. In addition to these research resources, Emory also offers numerous student life resources. The campus life web page lists numerous programs, services, facilities, and activities designed to enhance the student experience and get everyone involved in the Emory community.

Financial Aid

All students admitted to the program receive health insurance, a tuition scholarship and stipend support. Stipend levels are highly competitive. For the academic year 2004-05 graduate student stipends are $21,500, and graduate tuition awards are $27,770. Stipends and tuition scholarships, awarded to students on the basis of academic merit, are intended to cover basic living expenses and tuition. With the exception of special awards, such as the Woodruff Fellowship, stipend levels are set by the GDBBS based upon the availability of funds from Graduate School and university sources. The faculty also encourage and assist students in obtaining individual stipend support from extramural sources, such as federal agencies and private foundations. Financial support is provided to all full-time students working toward the Ph.D. degree.