David Thanassi
Dr. David Thanassi, Chair

Message From The Chair

The Department & Microbiology and Immunology has been the home for world-class research programs in areas ranging from microbial pathogenesis, immunology and model organism genetics to cancer biology since its founding in 1972 as the Department of Microbiology and later the Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology. Although our name has changed over the years, our mission has stayed the same: to advance the knowledge of the fundamental causes, means of prevention and treatment of human diseases.

We are dedicated to graduate training and are committed to providing a highly interactive atmosphere in which students and post-doctoral fellows will thrive. Explore our website to learn more about the life of the department, our graduate program and research projects.


Faculty & Staff News

The Department of Microbiology & Immunology has been named a Milestones in Microbiology Site by the American Society of Microbiology. Unveiling of the plaque and celebration will took place on October 17th.

The Department of Microbiology & Immunology extends a warm welcome to its newest faculty member, Dr. Galadriel Hovel-Miner. The goal of Dr. Hovel-Miner's research program is to uncover druggable targets in trypanasomatid parasites using Trypanasoma brucei, the causative agent of African trypanosomiasis, as a model system.

SBU puts a spotlight on the work of Professor Erich Mackow and his colleagues on Powassan virus.

The Department of Microbiology & Immunology welcomes Dr. Ketaki Ganti Wiser, our newest Assistant Professor whose research is focused on the spread of influenza virus within the respiratory tract and the impact of prior immunity on their reassortment and transmission.

The Department of Microbiology & Immunology is delighted to welcome Professor Partha Biswas. Dr. Biswas' laboratory investigates renal immunology using mouse models and patients with kidney disease.

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology welcomes its newest Assistant Professor, Dr. Priyadharshini Devarajan. Dr. Devarajan's research is focused on immune responses in the respiratory tract and in the elderly.

Graduate Student and Postdoc News

The PhD Program in Microbiology and Immunology welcomed the newest members of its PhD program at a BBQ held at Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai.

Postdoctoral fellow Nivea Pereira de Sa (Del Poeta Lab) received the 2024 National Academy of Inventors, Stony Brook University Chapter, Young Academic Inventor's Award  - congratulations!

Congratulations to postdoctoral fellows Dr. Ankita Singh (Kumar Lab) and Dr. Gabriel Matos (Del Poeta Lab) for winning 1st and 2nd places in the 2023 Postdoc Spotlight.

Congratulations to Arshia Arasappan (Vorkas lab) and Eshter Opoola (Thanassi lab) for being selected as trainees in the Scholars in Biomedical Sciences Program 2023 - 2024.

The Fall 2023 incoming class was welcomed at a BBQ held at Cedar Beach in Mt. Sinai.

 

Poster Presentation

Graduate Student Teaching Assistants

 

 
Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, New York 11794-5222
Phone: 631-632-8800
Fax: 631-632-9797