The mission of the Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology is to provide comprehensive scientific instruction to students, conduct meaningful research, and offer consultation and service in microbiology and immunology as they relate to human health and disease.
Since its founding in 1935, the Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology has significantly advanced the study of infectious diseases and immunity. Our renowned faculty lead research on bacterial, fungal, protozoan, and viral pathogens such as Toxoplasma gondii, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycobacterium sp., Brucella sp., Listeria, Blastomyces, Aspergillus, Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida, influenza virus, Herpes simplex, enterohemorrhagic E. coli, and uropathogenic Escherichia coli. They also explore immunological topics including regulatory T cell biology, leukocyte migration and vaccine development. Additionally, our labs study the roles of diet, the immune system and the gut-brain-axis in the intestinal microbiome.
Meet Our Researchers
Margaret Alexander, PhD
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help or to fail – one of the best parts about science is that “failures” sometimes lead to the most interesting discoveries!”
John Williams, PhD
“Viruses are like super cool little beasts. Plus, disease always involves the virus and the host – that biological conversation fascinates me.”
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.”
Upcoming Events
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Jan30
The Lung: Where Allergic Inflammation and Infectious Agents Meet Dr. Amali Samarasinghe, UW-Madison @ 12:05 pm CST - 12:55 pm CST 1520 MSB
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Feb20
Commensal Manipulation of Host Immunity Dr. Noah Palm, Yale University @ 12:05 pm CST - 12:55 pm CST 1520 MSB
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Feb27
Electrogenetic Actuation Enabled by Quorum Sensing and Redox Signaling Dr. William E. Bentley, Univ. of Maryland @ 12:05 pm CST - 12:55 pm CST 1520 MSB
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Mar20
Conserved Mechanisms of Protein Translocation and Regulation in Pathogenic Mycobacteria Dr. Patricia Champion, Univ. of Notre Dame @ 12:00 pm CDT 1520 MSB
Recent News
Postdoc Zhenyu Zhang Research Published in Nature Communications
Postdoc Zhenyu Zhang recently published a high-profile paper in Nature Communications (December 2025). The study was a highly collaborative effort involving multiple students and postdocs in the Andrew Mehle lab, along with research partners at …
4 MMI Postdocs Receive WPP Grants
Supporting the Future of Health Research: Wisconsin Partnership Program Awards a Record 17 Postdoctoral Grants Given the current funding landscape, the Wisconsin Partnership Program (WPP) at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public …
Dr. Mandel Research Featured in ASM Microcosm Journal
The Mark Mandel Lab is featured in the Fall 2025 issue of Microcosm, the flagship magazine of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). The article, “Shedding Light on the Vibrio–Squid Symbiosis,” written by Jennifer Tran, PhD, highlights the lab’s …
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