Mission and Goals

Mission Statement 

The mission of the Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology (MBI) is to provide excellence in the areas of research, training and governance to the institution by its faculty members.

The Department, the largest Basic Science department in the institution, has a unique and diverse faculty with an unprecedented sense of collaboration both within and outside of the department. Areas of research in MBI include infectious diseases and cancer pathogenesis, vaccine development, nutrition, and cardiovascular disease with a focus on translational research

All faculty members participate in training the next generation of physicians and research scientists, as well as in mentoring the current generation of junior faculty. The department has the largest number of course directors in the Graduate Education in Biomedical Sciences program. Courses in biochemistry, microbiology and immunology are given to first and second year medical students. Additionally, the MBI faculty trains both Master’s and Doctoral students. MBI has, over the life of the GEBS program, trained the majority of the MSM graduate students. Departmental faculty utilize state of the art technology in their research and trainee instruction.

Faculty members actively participate in the governance of the institution as well as in service to the larger academic community. MBI faculty chair/serve on administrative standing and ad hoc MBI committees as well as on academic committees, panels and study sections locally, nationally, and internationally.

Vision Statement

We strive to synergize the study of microbiology, biochemistry and immunology with health disparities research through innovation and collaboration, to provide the highest quality of translational biomedical research, education, and service.

Goals (linked to MBI effectiveness and strategic plan)

  • Maintain MBI’s teaching, and mentoring
  • Enhance MBI’s research presence in the described focus