Alumni
Read about the career paths of some of our alumni and what they value most about their time as a student in the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology.
Emily Ricotta
ScM, 2012
Research focus: Malaria epidemiology
Senior Research Assistant at the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs. My research is focused on malaria epidemiology, primarily qualitative and quantitative statistical analysis of data from bednet distribution campaigns and social and behavior change communication strategies in multiple African countries.
"What I enjoyed most about MMI is the diverse group of people it attracts and the high level of research being conducted. It was very rewarding to work closely with some of the most prominent names in science, and then go have lunch with or listen to a talk by one of the expert lecturers our professors brought in. The Department gave me great opportunities to meet new people and I made some excellent connections which ultimately helped me get the position in which I currently work."
Allison Brown
PhD, 2010
Research focus: Immune responses to viral vaccines in parasitized hosts
Doctoral Epidemiologist in the Enteric Diseases Epidemiology Branch at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
"MMI is a strong training program for infectious disease researchers. It provides all the tools necessary to truly understand pathogens, including their origins, transmission, disease mechanisms, and prevention. And, because MMI is uniquely embedded within the Bloomberg School of Public Health, every student has access to a wide array of resources that help bring vital context to their research. Employers recognize the quality of Hopkins graduates and MMI alumni have found success in a wide variety of job sectors."
Josh Reece
PhD, 2007
Research focus: Immunology and parasitic infectious disease, focus on allergy and inflammation
Senior Manager in private industry for Emergent BioSolutions, a biotech company in Gaithersburg, MD.
"During my time in the MMI Department, I received incredible training that prepared me both scientifically and professionally. While I learned state-of-the-art molecular techniques in the lab, equally as important, I received top-notch mentorship, collaboration and support. The Department' faculty really care about each individual and prove it by spending whatever time is necessary to get us ready for the highly varied post-graduate experiences we all embark on."
Kate Poropatich
MHS, 2009
Research focus: Immunology, HIV pathogenesis
Medical student, Class of 2014, The George Washington University School of Medicine
"MMI is a place where I found myself intellectually and helped set me on a path towards becoming a physician/scientist. The program supports your every interest and instilled in me a deep sense of scientific curiosity. There is a strong sense of community within the Department that extends to the entire Bloomberg School of Public Health. While the work was tough, it was one of the happiest years of my life."
Sallie Permar, MD
PhD, 2004
Research focus: Immune protection against neonatal viral pathogens
Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Immunology, and Molecular Microbiology and Genetics , Duke University School of Medicine
"What drew me to seek graduate training in the Department of MMI was its breadth of training and mentoring in the immunology of important human pathogens. This highly translatable basis of my research training was an excellent foundation for a career in vaccine immunology, allowing me to set my sights on improving the health of children worldwide."
Dionne Robinson
PhD, 2013
Research Focus: Viral immunology, (host-pathogen interactions)
Postdoctoral Fellow, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases
"The Department of MMI is an amazing environment in which to grow as a scientist, but also as a communicator of scientific information. Through seminars, intradepartmental presentations, and numerous opportunities to train others, I gained tremendous insight into myself as a trainee within the Department. I appreciate all of the assistance from my advisor, co-advisor, fellow trainees, and administrative staff, all of whom collectively molded me into the scientist and person that I am today."
Brian Bird
ScM, 2000
Research focus: Virology
Veterinary Medical Officer, Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
"My time at MMI continues to impact my work at CDC almost daily, even more than a decade since graduation. The scientific foundations and passion for public health instilled by my mentors is carried with me on every outbreak investigation, ecology expedition, vaccine trial, and laboratory-based project that explores the virulence of viral hemorrhagic fevers. Learning from the Department’s world-leading faculty in infectious disease and the other students in MMI could change your life—it certainly changed mine.”
Jennifer Anderson
PhD, 2005
Research focus: Medical entomology
Staff Scientist, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Health
"While I was a student, the greatest strength of MMI was the diversity of research interests among the faculty. This diversity allowed me to be exposed to many different infectious disease systems and laboratory techniques during my thesis research and allowed me to leave MMI with a greater knowledge base from which to tap during my post-doc and current position at the NIH.
This wide diversity also fostered my research interest which was outside the traditional “bench-based science” and allowed me to pursue a field-based project. The mentoring, research experience and coursework I encountered while in MMI had a direct impact on my decision and ability to go to the NIH for a post-doc and gave me the credentials to eventually be hired as a Staff Scientist."