School of Medicine

Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Parasitology

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2019 11:56:49 AM


Special Announcements

Congratulations to Joy Sturtevant for receiving a 2024 Excellence in Teaching Award from the Aesculapian Society. 

Dr. Li Shen was awarded an R21 grant from NIH through 2026 entitled “CRISPR interference of essential gene function in Chlamydia trachomatis”.

Congratulations to MIP graduate students Jonothan Colon (Xin, major professor), Caleb Ardizzone (Quayle, major professor), and Jared Sheehan (Ramsay, major professor) who successfully defended their PhD dissertations in December 2023.

Business Manager Jean Carnal is a recipient of the Chancellor’s Excellence Award for 2023.

Congratulations to Caitlynn Diggs (Shen, Quayle advisers) who won the award for the Best Poster in Microbiology at the recent National Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists.

Congratulations to John Lammons (Taylor lab), Thomas Galbato (Foster lab), and Caitlynn Diggs (Shen lab) who won awards at Graduate Research Day 2023.

Dr. Joy Sturtevant received the Faculty Assembly Outstanding Service to the Institution Award in May 2023. 

Dr. Tim Foster was awarded a contract by 2A Biosciences through 2024 for his study: “Evaluation and Development of 5-HT2A Receptor Agonists as Anti-Inflammatory Therapeutics”.

Drs. Jennifer Cameron and Mike Hagensee received a grant from Merck Sharp & Dohme through 2024 for their clinical study: “Prospective Observational Immunogenicity Trial of Gardasil-9 HPV Vaccine in Adults with Adequately Managed HIV”.

MIP won the Aesculapian Society Excellence in Teaching Department for 2022.


Interested in a PhD in MIP?

Go to Graduate Program for more information.

Welcome to the Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Parasitology.

 

It's an exciting time to be involved in studies of microorganisms and their interactions with human and animal hosts. Recent advances in microbiology, immunology, and molecular genomics have provided tantalizing glimpses into the biology of these “bugs”, how they cause disease and the influence of our own microbiota on the disease process, how the immune system has evolved to deal with these threats, and how, in turn, microorganisms have evolved complex survival strategies in the face of host defenses. The devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is a stark reminder of these issues. SARS-CoV-2, along with recent outbreaks of Zika virus in Brazil and Ebola virus in West Africa, the ongoing problems of influenza virus, methicillin-resistant 'superbugs' (MRSA), HIV/AIDS, drug-resistant TB, and serious fungal infections, among others, and the threat of monkeypox, are constant reminders of the dynamic nature of our field.

Faculty in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (MIP) direct translational research programs in immunology, virology, bacteriology, mycology and parasitology, linking basic and clinical sciences within the Health Sciences Center and with researchers at other campuses.  The Department provides a strongly interactive environment that has underpinned the development of several new interdisciplinary research and development programs with funding from the National Institutes of Health, Private Foundations and Industry.  Our recent State-funded initiatives include the Louisiana Vaccine Center, established in collaboration with colleagues from Tulane and Xavier University with the aims of promoting vaccine-related research and the development of new vaccines and therapies for infectious disease and promoting linkages with biotechnology.  Our faculty have also forged strong ties with related programs at the LSUHSC Stanley Scott Cancer Center, the School of Dentistry and the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine.

Each of these initiatives underpins a dynamic and integrated education program in MIP, that includes mentoring and career development of postgraduate students and postdoctoral trainees from Louisiana, across the United States, and around the globe.  Students pursuing PhD or MD/PhD degrees in our graduate program are mentored by an accomplished and dedicated faculty and are supported by state-of-the-art research facilities and core laboratories in genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, genetic vaccine development, flow cytometry, molecular interaction, and morphology and imaging.

Please contact us if you are interested in further information concerning any aspect of our research and education programs.

 gt___ramsay_at_desk_8                            

Alistair Ramsay, Ph.D.
G. John Buddingh Professor of Microbiology

Department Head, Microbiology, Immunology & Parasitology

Director, Louisiana Vaccine Center

 


Mission Statement

To conduct high-impact and innovative research and mentorship in microbiology and immunology and translate fundamental discoveries into preventives and treatments for infectious diseases and cancer for the benefit of the people of Louisiana and beyond.

To educate and mentor students in an inclusive and diverse environment to become future researchers and health professionals.

 

Contact Us

Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology
LSU School of Medicine
533 Bolivar Street, CSRB
New Orleans, LA  70112

 

Students

Two MIP Students Graduated in 2023:
Callie Scull, PhD
Dianne Wellems, PhD

Upcoming Events

MIP Spring 2024 Seminar Series
For more information,
please contact Dr. Ben Kelly or Jasmine Richard.

 

MIP in the Media