Department of

Microbiology and Immunology

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A Message from Our Chair
It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the death on April 4, 2024, of our esteemed colleague, Dr. Dennis Ohman, chair and professor of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology for 26 years. Dr. Ohman was born April 18, 1951 in Grand Rapids, Michigan and completed his undergraduate degree in Microbiology and Public Health at Michigan State University in 1973.   He earned his Ph.D. in Microbiology from Oregon Health & Science University in 1980 and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Microbial Genetics at the University of Illinois Medical Center in 1981. Dr. Ohman moved to the University of California, Berkeley to serve as an assistant professor of Microbiology and Immunology. From 1989-98, he was an associate professor and then full professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Tennessee at Memphis, Health Science Center. Dennis came to the VCU School of Medicine in July, 1998 as professor and chair of the department and held an appointment at the Central Virginia Veterans Administration Medical Center. He worked at the VA for more than 30 years as a career research scientist. His research involved molecular genetics, biochemical, and biophysical techniques to study various pathogenic properties of the bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and its mechanisms that cause life-threatening infections in persons with immuno-compromised conditions. Dr. Ohman and his group were the first to determine the function of many of its genes, and the basis for their regulation. In May of 2007, Dr. Ohman was named a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology (AAM), a professional organization dedicated entirely to microbiologists and the science of microbiology. AAM Fellows are elected annually, through a highly selective, peer-reviewed process based on their records of scientific achievement and original contributions that have advanced microbiology and represent all subspecialties of microbiology, including basic and applied research, teaching, public health, industry, and government service. He also served as president of the Association of Medical School Microbiology & Immunology Chairs (AMSMIC) from Jan. 2009-Jan. 2010. In 2013, he was recognized with the Richard T. Jones Distinguished Alumnus Scientist Award from the Oregon Health & Science University. 

Graduate Programs

Microbiology & Immunology M.S. Program

Microbiology & Immunology Ph.D. Program

We strive to make scientific discoveries and create new knowledge with the potential for clinical translation. Students and trainees work alongside our dedicated faculty to conduct basic science and translational research across a broad spectrum of interests within microbiology and immunology.

Microbial Molecular Pathogenesis, Genomics and Translational Science ❯

Cancer Biology ❯

Immunopathology and Immunotherapy ❯

News

Richard Marconi Lab

Dr. Richard Marconi named senior member of the National Academy of Inventors

Fri, Mar 1, '24

Dr. Rebecca Martin: More than ever, startups at VCU are turning ideas into businesses.

Tue, Jul 11, '23

Dr. Rebecca Martin AAI Aspire Award Winner

Thu, Feb 2, '23

VCU joins national research initiative to combat infectious disease threats to public health.

Tue, Oct 25, '22

Postdoctoral fellows receive F32 fellowships from NIAID

Dr. Paige Allen was awarded an F32 to study how Orientia tsutsugamushi modulates immune signaling. Dr. Travis Chiarelli was awarded an F32 to examine how the Anaplasma phagocytophilum exploits regulated exocytosis to disseminate infection. Paige and Travis are postdoctoral fellows in Dr. Jason Carlyon’s laboratory.

 

Departmental Newsletter

Read our inaugural Department of Microbiology and Immunology April 2024 newsletter!

 

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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

As healers, scientists, faculty and learners in the VCU School of Medicine, we have a responsibility to condemn racism and all forms of discrimination. We will continue to own our history with transparency and humility, learning from the mistakes of the past and building on strengths of the present to create a more just and equitable future.

Learn more about our commitment to DEI ❯

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