Hawaiian Bobtail Squid
© R. Isenberg, Mandel Lab

An egg infected with bioluminescent influenza virus
© A. Mehle, Mehle Lab

Confocal Micrograph of E. Coli Infected Mouse Bladder Cells
© R. Welch, Welch Lab

Zebrafish T-cells Highlighted Green Against Red Blood Vessels
© Tanner Robertson, Huttenlocher Lab

The mission of the Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology is to provide comprehensive scientific instruction to students, conduct novel and meaningful research, and offer consultation and service in microbiology and immunology as they relate to human health and disease.

Since the Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology’s establishment in 1935, we have made fundamental contributions to the study of infectious disease and immunity. Our current faculty are well-established, recognized leaders in the field.

Research underway in our department involves bacterial, fungal, protozoan, and viral pathogens. Organisms under study are: Toxoplasma gondii, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycobacterium sp., Brucellasp., Listeria, Blastomyces, Aspergillus, Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida, influenza virus, Herpes simplex, and uropathogenic Escherichia coli. Faculty also investigate diverse immunological topics such as the sexual dimorphism of immune responses, regulatory T cell biology, leukocyte migration, and vaccine development.

We  provide an exceptional learning environment for undergraduates through rigorous coursework and research opportunities. Graduate students may earn a Ph.D. through our nationally acclaimed, Microbiology Doctoral Training Program which is ranked first among U.S. public institutions and third nationwide.

Vanessa Sperandio, PhD

“Science is about love for the scientific process. Anyone can be trained in techniques, but you can’t train anyone to love science.”

Meet Vanessa!

Marta Gaglia, PhD

“We are often told that there is one way to do this job and this career – it is not true. If you want to do it, you can do it your own way.”

Meet Marta!

Carlos Ramírez-Flores, PhD

“I was raised in a family of teachers and professors. My mom was teacher of biology and chemistry. Since I was a kid, I used to read the quizzes and evaluations from my mom’s lectures.”

Meet Carlos!

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW–Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, and abilities enrich the university.

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