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The Department & Teaching Mission
The Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology is research oriented, with strength in the areas of immunology, bacteriology, molecular biology, virology, medical mycology, and biotechnology. Some of our research activities involve collaborations with investigators in other departments of the College, in addition to ongoing cooperative projects with researchers at universities and private corporations. These research endeavors are supported by funds from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, as well as private foundations and corporations.
The Department consists presently of 13 faculty members (11 full-time, and 2 part-time), and an additional 6 faculty who hold joint or adjunct appointments. Recruitment efforts are underway to bring two new junior immunologists on-board this year. Our size makes it easy for the faculty to interact one-on-one with students, both in the classroom and in the laboratory. This arrangement is extremely beneficial for students who are preparing for a career in microbiology and immunology.
Faculty also are members of the Graduate Faculty of The University of Toledo College of Medicine and offer research training in Biomedical Sciences, leading to the Ph.D. or M.S. degrees. Following the merger of the Medical University of Ohio and the University of Toledo in July of 2006, the Biomedical Sciences graduate program is being reorganized to offer training now in four areas of research. The 4 research training Tracks are: Cancer Biology; Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases; Infection, Immunity and Transplantation (IIT), and Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders. The Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department is aligned with the IIT track and faculty serve as mentors (major advisors) for graduate students and as members of student advisory committees. To apply online go to: The UT Graduate School .
The IIT track will provide students an education and training in the microorganisms that are relevant to human health and in the immune system that allows us to overcome infection as well as rejects transplantation of organs and tissues. Faculty members study the biology and pathogenesis of microbes; gene regulation; viral evolution; host responses to infection; bioinformatics; molecular genetics; signaling; antigen presentation; cytokines; immune regulation; innate and adaptive immunity; and vaccine development. Disease-related research is ongoing on the autoimmune and allergic diseases (e.g. asthma, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis); graft rejection; infectious diseases; and persistent viral infections. The Track Director is Dr. Dorothea Sawicki, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology (dorothea.sawicki@utoledo.edu; telephone: 419-383-4337). see: Advanced Degrees and Certificate Programs
The School
The University of Toledo College of Medicine is located on the Health Science Campus, between Arlington and Glendale Avenues, in a largely residential area of Toledo, Ohio. The College of Medicine (formerly the Medical College of Ohio, 1965-2005, and the Medical University of Ohio, 2005-2006) was created by action of the Ohio General Assembly in 1964 and opened its doors 41 years ago, in 1966. The Health Science Campus is situated on a 350-acre tract that is approximately 5 miles from the main University of Toledo campus and approximately 30 miles from Bowling Green State University. Over 150 graduate faculty members in 14 departments are engaged in the training of Masters and Ph.D. candidates in basic science fields, nursing and allied health. Our well-equipped, spacious, and modern laboratories contain the latest instruments and equipment for use by students and faculty alike. The University is a state-assisted institution with about 600 medical and 750 graduate students.
To educate medical students and graduate students in the basic principles of infection and immunity, including transplantation biology, through the study of bacteriology, medical mycology, virology, infectious diseases, and immunology; to explore the interrelationships of microbial pathogens and their environment, and to identify the nature of host responses to infection and the mechanisms of pathogenesis that contribute to human diseases.
- Coordinate and direct the Block 6, Immunity and Infection course (approximately 170 second year medical students).
- Contribute to integrated curriculum for first and second year medical students.
- Share teaching responsibilities for students enrolled in the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program.
Teaching Leadership
- Dr. Robert Blumenthal - Director of the graduate program in Bioinformatics & Proteomics/Genomics; Course Director - IIT Pathophysiology I.
- Dr. Isabel Novella - Back-up Director of the Block 6 course in Immunity & Infection;and Director of the Medical Spanish class.
- Dr. Kevin Pan - Co-Director of the IIT Pathophysiology I course.
- Dr. Dorothea Sawicki - Director of the graduate track program in Infection, Immunity and Transplantation (IIT).
- Dr. R. Mark Wooten - Director of the Block 6 course in Immunity & Infection; and Director of the Survey of Immunobiology course; and the Journal Review in the Molecular Basis of Disease course.
- Dr. Randy Worth - Director of Advanced Immunology, and Current Concepts in IIT.
