Z. Kevin Pan, Ph.D., Chair
Z. Kevin Pan, Ph.D., Co-Track Director
Travis Taylor, Ph.D., Co-Track Director

The Medical Microbiology and Immunology (MMIM) (formerly Infection, Immunity and Transplantation) training program at the University of Toledo on the Health Science Campus offers the PhD, MD/PhD, and MSBS degrees through the interdisciplinary degree programs in Biomedical Sciences. The primary goal of the doctoral program in Medical Microbiology and Immunology is to train students for independent, creative careers in research and/or teaching.

MMIM PhD students enroll in a 1^st year core curriculum that provides a comprehensive overview of biochemistry/protein biology, molecular and cellular biology, molecular basis of diseases, research methodology, ethics, and statistical analyses.  PhD students complete three laboratory rotations during their 1^st year and join a MMIM laboratory during the spring semester of their 1^st year.  In the 2^nd year and beyond, MMIM PhD students take advanced and elective courses, including advanced immunology, advanced microbiology, current topics in MMIM (journal club and departmental seminar series), and dissertation research.  Other training activities include formal research presentations at annual Medical Microbiology and Immunology Departmental retreats, Council for Biomedical Graduate Student research forums, and presentations at regional, national, and international conferences.  All PhD students in good academic standing (GPA > 3.0) may be supported by a tuition scholarship and stipend during their academic training.  This financial assistance does not require the student to be a Teaching Assistant for undergraduates, thus enabling the student to concentrate on his/her graduate research.  Teaching experiences can be arranged if a student desires this training as well.  All PhD students are required to the complete a written dissertation and defend his/her research project at a final oral defense before the degree will be conferred.

MMIM students are strongly encouraged to join laboratories of MMIM primary faculty.  Other faculty in the College of Medicine and Life Sciences may have joint appointments in MMIM or may serve on graduate advisory committees.  After joining a laboratory, a graduate advisory committee is jointly chosen by the student and advisor to promote academic progress toward completion of the PhD degree.  The MMIM Department occupies recently-renovated space and maintains state-of-the-art equipment to answer complex microbiology and immunology questions, including studies on host-pathogen interactions and immune-mediated diseases.

Degrees Offered

• Biomedical Science: Medical Microbiology & Immunology, MSBS
• Medical Microbiology & Immunology, PhD