Our department is home to one of UBC’s top-ranked research areas and is recognized as a global leader in driving innovation in microbiology and immunology. Our faculty and trainees are working at the forefront of fundamental and translational research to explore the function of the microbiome in human health, host-pathogen interactions, immune function to control cancer, antimicrobial therapies, and environmental and industrial microbiology. With the support of their faculty advisor, our graduate students tackle critical research questions and develop the skills needed to think and work as independent investigators.
Our suite of research facilities provides trainees access to state-of-the-art instrumentation and equipment for high-throughput screening, imaging, microscopy, proteomics, cell culture and sorting, and animal modelling. Additionally, our professional development-focused coursework provides education in advanced topics in microbiology and immunology, training in core areas such as literature analysis and peer review, grant proposal preparation, and written and oral science communication, and technical instruction in sophisticated experimental and computational tools.
As you participate in lab meetings and research seminars, pursue teaching assistant experience, and get involved with our graduate student society, you will find many opportunities for mentorship, leadership, and connection with other passionate scientists.