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 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, the department study the roles of diet, the immune system and the gut-brain-axis in the intestinal microbiome.
Laura Knoll, PhD
“Don’t be afraid to try new things. Every new experience just gives you confidence for your future experiments. You never know what biology is going to throw at you.”
Andrew Hryckowian, PhD
“A research opportunity I had in high school which involved bacteriophage research opened countless doors for me and helped lead me to my current interests in bacterial pathogens and microbial communities.”
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.”
Upcoming Events
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Sep05
MMI Seminar Series Dr. Vic DiRita, Michigan State University @ 12:00 pm CDT 1520 MSB
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Sep12
MMI Seminar Series Dr. Shai Bel, Bar Ilan University @ 12:00 pm CDT 1520 MSB
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Sep19
MMI Seminar Series Dr. Selena Sagan, University of British Columbia @ 12:00 pm CDT 1520 MSB
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Oct10
MMI Seminar Series Dr. Corrie Detweiler, University of Colorado @ 12:00 pm CDT 1520 MSB
Recent News
Celebrating Innovation in Antibiotic Research: Highlights from the 2025 Perlman Symposium
On April 25, 2025, the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology (MMI) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison welcomed students, trainees, and researchers from across the country to the 15th annual Perlman Symposium on Antibiotic Discovery and …
Dr. Anna Huttenlocher Receives 2026 SLB Legacy Award
The Society for Leukocyte Biology is proud to announce that Dr. Anna Huttenlocher has been named the recipient of the 2026 SLB Legacy Keynote Lecture Award—the society’s highest honor. Presented annually since 1980, this prestigious …
Dr. Nancy Keller Named 2024 Highly Ranked Scholar by ScholarGPS
The Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology is proud to announce that Dr. Nancy Keller has been recognized as a 2024 Highly Ranked Scholar by ScholarGPS, a prestigious honor that celebrates outstanding academic contributions across …
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