Welcome to the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Our faculty are deeply committed to advancing the University’s mission through discovery, service, and education. We investigate the microbial and immunological underpinnings of human disease, with research spanning more than 20 bacterial, viral, and parasitic pathogens that collectively affect billions of people worldwide. From AIDS and foodborne illnesses to pneumonia, anthrax, and autoimmune disorders, our work seeks to better understand the mechanisms of disease and translate that knowledge into new approaches for prevention and treatment.
Our scientists also explore the immunological basis of cancer, transplantation, and autoimmunity—areas where understanding immune function holds the key to breakthroughs in human health. Supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, private foundations, and other funding agencies, our faculty maintain strong, nationally recognized research programs that both fuel innovation and provide rich training environments for the next generation of biomedical scientists.
Graduate education is central to our mission. Students and postdoctoral fellows in our department receive hands-on training in cutting-edge laboratories, working alongside faculty mentors on nationally funded research projects. Most of our students enter through the Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (GPiBS), where they rotate through multiple labs before selecting their home department. This immersive experience helps them make thoughtful choices about their research path and prepares them for success as independent investigators.
Our department spans more than 22,000 square feet of dedicated research space within the Biomedical Sciences Building and Biomedical Research Center, with additional faculty laboratories located at the Dean McGee Eye Institute and the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. These facilities foster collaboration across disciplines and institutions, strengthening our ability to pursue bold science that impacts health locally and globally.