The Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Emory is a dynamic research department of the Emory University School of Medicine. Our state-of-the-art research studies seek to discover fundamental aspects of the microbial world and how our immune systems protect us from bacterial and viral pathogens. We participate in medical school education and are responsible for teaching basic and advanced microbiology, immunology, and virology courses to PhD graduate students. Our faculty is fully committed to training the next generation of scholars, scientists, and physicians. Our faculty belong to four distinct graduate programs and are currently training approximately 30 students and 50 postdoctoral fellows.
Welcome from our Chair
The Department of Microbiology & Immunology (M&I) is a leader in biomedical research aimed at discovering the basic principles of how microorganisms (viruses and bacteria) function and how immune systems fight to keep these organisms at bay. Our faculty and research teams have strong expertise in exploring the mechanisms of viral pathogenesis for simian and human immunodeficiency viruses, herpesviruses, and influenza. We explore the ways in which sexually transmitted and other bacteria escape antibiotic treatment, how bacteria mobilize and colonize surfaces within the host, and how bacteria develop and differentiate as mechanisms for their survival. Using these and other systems, we also examine how immune systems can successfully protect hosts from infection and develop long-term memory that is useful for vaccine and therapeutic design to treat infection, cancer, and autoimmune diseases.
Department News and Announcements
CTAP: Center for Transmission of Airborne Pathogens
Congratulations to Seema Lakdawala and Anice Lowen, co-directors of the Emory Center for Transmission of Airborne Pathogens (CTAP), on the opening of the new CTAP and Hope Clinic Research Unit within Emory University Hospital. The one-of-a-kind unit is designed to study human-to-human airborne transmission indoors, with precisely controlled temperature and humidity in its exposure rooms, a dedicated aerosol sampling clean room, and an on-site virology lab. Backed by a $10 million Flu Lab grant, this infrastructure will allow the field to move from modeling airborne transmission to directly measuring it in controlled human challenge studies. The center is a well-deserved recognition for the years of work that went into bringing this unit to life!
Dr. Christopher LaRock Promoted
Congratulations to Christopher LaRock, PhD, for being promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure, effective September 2026.
2026 Southeastern Immunology Symposium Awards
Congratulations to Yeun-po Chiang and Pamela Diaz-Saldana (Li lab) who were awarded American Association of Immunologists Young Investigator Awards at the 2026 Southeastern Immunology Symposium (SIS)(pictured left). Congratulations to Yixel Soto Vazquez (Kohlmeier lab) and Roy Mulpur (Boss lab) who were featured poster winners at SIS2026.
Annual Awards in Microbiology & Immunology
Mentor of the year- Chris Neufeldt
Teacher of the year- Seema Lakdawala
Innovation/impact paper of the year- Nahara Vargas-Maldonado
Colleague champion of the year-David VanInsberg
Staff member of the year-Dana Goodenough
Postdoc of the year- Yeun-po Chiang