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. In recognition of our outstanding achievements and discoveries in the field of microbiology, the department has been recognized as a Milestones in Microbiology site by the American Society for Microbiology (ASM).
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.
Dr. Carol Carter has been announced as a 2026 Wilbur Cross Medalist - the highest honor that the Yale Graduate School bestows on its alumni.
Dr. Nancy Reich Marshall is the recipient of the Cytokine Society 2026 Honorary Lifetime Membership Award. This recognition reflects the extraordinary depth and breadth of her scientific contributions and her decades of transformative service to the Cytokine Society community.
Department Chair, Dr. David Thanassi, was selected as the recipient of the 2026 Excellence in Graduate Student Mentoring Award. The award recognizes faculty members for the outstanding support of graduate students, guiding them in their academic and research work, and helping them in defining and obtaining their professional goals.
Dr. Charles Vorkas, was selected as the recipient of the Early Career Research Excellence Award. Dr. Vorkas is a joint/training faculty member in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and he was nominated for his outstanding work in the areas of research, teaching, clinical service, mentoring, and humanism.
Carol Carter, Ph.D. has been elected to the 2025 Class of NAI Fellows - one of the most prestigious honors bestowed upon academic inventors. Learn more about the NAI Fellows program and community.
The PhD Program in Microbiology and Immunology welcomed the newest members of its PhD program at an event held at the Curry Club at Saghar.
Ester Opoola is the first place winner of the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition! Her presentation was entitled “RSVP Required: Infections Denied Entry”.
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, New York 11794-5222
Phone: 631-632-8800
Fax: 631-632-9797