Immunology

In the Immunology (IMM) training area, we emphasize both basic and translational research. We study the cellular and molecular mechanisms of various aspects of the immune system. We also investigate how these mechanisms are altered in different types of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, as well as in the settings of cancer and transplantation. Our strengths are most notable in in the areas of mucosal immunology, innate immunity and inflammation, food allergy, primary and secondary immune deficiency, tumor immunology, and transplant immunology.

We have a multidisciplinary approach that combines both hypothesis and data driven science with the newest technologies in flow cytometry, imaging, biochemistry, genetics and genomics. IMM is a multidisciplinary training area (MTA) in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

Our investigations in immunology span the cellular and molecular pathways underlying both the mobilization and suppression of the immune response. We study the immune and inflammatory response to infection, cancer, allergens, and transplanted organs, and explore the development and organization of lymphoid and myeloid cells. We research immune tolerance and homeostasis, particularly at interfaces with the commensal microbiota. We also investigate how these pathways are altered during acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, and different types of cancer. We then design therapeutic strategies to boost or to dampen the immune response, as needed, in the fight against major human diseases.

Autoimmunity Research

Our curriculum emphasizes coursework and research experience in diverse immunology topics, including antigen presentation; innate and adaptive immune responses; immune cell trafficking; signal transduction in the immune system; diseases and disorders of the immune system.

Our students are often fiercely independent and yet wonderfully collaborative, with diverse backgrounds and viewpoints that lead to a greater breadth of inquiries and discoveries in our program. 

Meet Our Co-Directors

Jeremiah Faith, PhD, Co-Director
Jeremiah Faith, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in Clinical Immunology and in Genetics & Genomics Sciences. He is interested in the identification of immunomodulatory microbial strains from the human gut microbiota, the stability and manipulation of the human gut microbiota, and understanding the role of diet and gut microbes on host physiology.

Konstantina Alexandropoulos, PhD, Co-Director
Konstantina Alexandropoulos, PhD, is an Associate Professor in Clinical Immunology and an in Liver Diseases. She is the Director of the T-cell Mediated Autoimmunity and Inflammation Laboratory. The laboratory focuses on elucidating several aspects of T cell physiology including T cell development, activation and trafficking under physiologic and disease condition.

Meet Our Faculty

Meet the accomplished faculty members of the Immunology MTA.

Our learning environment in Immunology is both rigorous and flexible, as well as supportive and challenging.

As an incoming student, you are assigned an advisory committee. They will guide you in choosing appropriate coursework and rotation preceptors, yet you will enjoy a good measure of personalization and flexibility.