Welcome to the Department of Virology, Immunology & Microbiology

The Department of Virology, Immunology & Microbiology (VIM) includes a highly interactive group of faculty, staff and trainees whose research and education focuses on understanding human pathogens, the diseases they cause, and the development of protective or aberrant immune responses. Our diverse faculty expertise converges into the themes of viral molecular biology, host-pathogen interactions, and immunology. Our research benefits from state-of-the-art facilities and a strong network of collaborative links with faculty in other disciplines. In addition, the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL) at Boston University puts us in the distinctive position of being able to study highly pathogenic organisms.

The graduate program in Virology, Immunology & Microbiology is a full-time program that provides training towards PhD and MD-PhD degrees. The training includes a literature-based curriculum, guest and trainee presented seminars, journal clubs, and extensive hands-on laboratory training. Small class size and extensive interaction between the various faculty in the basic and clinical sciences allow our students to become familiar with different research themes, and our collegial atmosphere and integrative approach to training provide a highly supportive environment for students. Our goal is to provide rigorous training for our exceptional students to prepare them for a career in research science. Entry into the Ph.D. program is via the umbrella Ph.D. graduate program, Program in Biomedical Sciences (PiBS), offered by Graduate Medical Sciences in the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. M.D./Ph.D. students enter through the M.D./Ph.D. Training Program.

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