Message from the Chair

Greetings,

Welcome to the W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology (MMI).

When William Henry Welch founded the departments of Bacteriology, Protozoology and Immunology in the early years of the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, he recognized that the control of human infectious diseases requires an understanding of pathogenic microbes themselves, mechanisms of transmission and host responses to infection.

The current MMI Department maintains this broad approach to control, prevention and treatment of infectious diseases caused by viruses, bacteria and parasites. Members of the faculty investigate basic mechanisms of pathogen replication, transmission from animal and insect reservoirs, and the role of immune responses in recovery and protection from infection.

If you are interested in emerging infections (e.g., influenza, hantavirus, dengue, viral encephalitis), the “big three”—AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria—or vaccine development, you will find research projects of interest in the Department.

MMI offers a range of advanced degrees—the Master of Health Science (MHS, 9 months), the Master of Science (ScM, 2 years that include research training) and the PhD (typically 5 years that include an in-depth research project).

These degrees incorporate in-depth mentoring and options to enroll in a wide variety of MMI courses, as well as a multitude of other courses offered at the Bloomberg School and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

I invite you to explore our website to learn more about the myriad opportunities in MMI, and please feel free to contact any of us with questions that you may have.

Arturo Casadevall, MD, PhD