Virology & Microbial Pathogenesis

Faculty in Virology and Microbial Pathogenesis are intrigued by how microbes manipulate their multi-cellular hosts to cause disease. The resultant research programs provide an unprecedented opportunity to influence global health. World-wide, infectious diseases are the leading cause of death, with simple diarrheal illness, malaria, and TB leading the pack. These and other infectious diseases, including AIDS, are a major impediment to economic advancement in the third world. The identification of new pathogens, the re-emergence of old pathogens, and the increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance reflect the globalization of humanity and microbes. New as well as old pathogens can rapidly move great distances and establish footholds in new niches. Strategies for the prevention, treatment, and control of infectious diseases require fundamental bench research that takes advantages of rapid advances in genomics, proteomics, cell biology, and immunology. Our faculty are dedicated to the investigation of microbial biology and host-pathogen interactions.

 

UCSF has developed world-class research programs in Infectious Disease. Virology and Microbial Pathogenesis forms one of 8 thematic areas of graduate study in the BMS program. Faculty members affiliated with this thematic area of BMS include virologists, some of whom are affiliated with the Gladstone Institute of Virology & Immunology, and researchers involved in the study of bacterial, fungal, and protozoal pathogens, who are affiliated with the Microbial Pathogenesis and Host Defense Program (MPHD). The MPHD program takes graduate students largely through BMS or the PIBS program. The Virology and Microbial Pathogenesis subdivision of BMS is truly a multi-campus and multi-disciplinary program, with investigators at Parnassus, MB, SFGH, the VA hospital, and the Gladstone Institutes of Virology at MB. The core of the program includes (i) a weekly MPHD seminar series, with invited outside researchers who are national and international leaders in the field, along with research in progress talks and journal clubs (ii) the weekly Gladstone Institutes of Virology seminar series (iii) a yearly bay area-wide symposium (Bay Area Microbial Pathogenesis Symposium), and (iv) advanced level graduate student courses in The Molecular Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis (Micro and Immunology 202/Cell Bio 202) and Virology. Each of these two courses is usually offered on an alternating basis every other year in the spring quarter. In addition, selective mini-courses that study unique aspects of virology or microbial pathogenesis in detail will be offered in the spring quarter.


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Participating Faculty

Margaret Feeney, MD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Immunology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Virology & Microbial Pathogenesis
Research Summary: 
Human immunity to malaria, T cell immunity in the fetus and infant

Gabriela Fragiadakis, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Immunology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Virology & Microbial Pathogenesis
Research Summary: 
Profiling states of the human immune system and immune-microbiome interactions using single-cell methods
Mentorship Development: 

5/2024 - Assess Yourself: How Ready Are You To Manage Your Mentee/Employee's Productivity?

Alan Frankel, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Virology & Microbial Pathogenesis
Secondary Thematic Area: 
None
Research Summary: 
RNA-Protein Complexes

Stephanie Gaw, MD, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Virology & Microbial Pathogenesis
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Immunology
Research Summary: 
We study maternal-fetal immunity to infectious diseases and the impact of placental inflammation on pregnancy outcomes.
Mentorship Development: 

10-11/2024 - UCSF Research Mentor/People Manager Training Series

Carol Gross, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Virology & Microbial Pathogenesis
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Human Genetics
Research Summary: 
Regulation of Gene Expression

Timothy Henrich, MD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Virology & Microbial Pathogenesis
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Immunology
Research Summary: 
Immunmodulatory, cytoreductive chemotherapeutic and stem cell transplantation approaches to HIV-1 cure. Design and implementation of novel nano/microtechnologies to characterize viral reservoirs.

Babak Javid, MB, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Virology & Microbial Pathogenesis
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Immunology
Research Summary: 
Fundamental mycobacterial physiology and host pathogen-interactions.
Mentorship Development: 

5/2021 - Sharpening your Mentoring Skills (SyMS)
11/2021 - Defining Distance Traveled: A Working Session
1/2022 - Equity Based Interview Practices
10-11/2023 - UCSF Inclusive Mentor/Manager Training
4/2023 - Supporting Learners in Distress
11/2024 - The 4 Touchstones of a High-Functioning Mentoring Relationship

Alexander-Sandy Johnson, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Virology & Microbial Pathogenesis
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Human Genetics
Research Summary: 
Microbial Evolution and Pathogenesis

Martin Kampmann, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Neurobiology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Virology & Microbial Pathogenesis
Research Summary: 
We develop and apply innovative approaches, such as CRISPR-based functional genomics, in human iPSC-derived neurons and glia and mouse models to elucidate mechanisms and therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.
Mentorship Development: 

4/2019 - Acknowleding and Negotiating the Mentee-Mentor Tensions Inherent in the Research Lab (Mission Bay)    
4/2020 - Mental Health in a Pandemic: Q&A for Faculty    
6/2020 - Tools and Tips for Virtual Learning    
10/2020 - Gathering in Community: a Training for Faculty and Staff    
9/2020 - Mentoring Across Differences
9/2020 - DEI Champions Training
7/2021 - Career Conversations
9/2021 - Neuroscience Graduate Program - Disabilities Awareness Training
1/2022 - Equity Based Interview Practices
2/2023 - Faculty Development Training: Strategies to Transparently Set Expectations in Your Lab
11/2024 - The 4 Touchstones of a High-Functioning Mentoring Relationship

Noriyuki Kasahara, MD, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Cancer Biology & Cell Signaling
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Virology & Microbial Pathogenesis
Research Summary: 
Development of gene therapy, oncolytic virotherapy, and immunotherapy for translational application to cancer (particularly CNS tumors), and genetic engineering strategies for regenerative medicine.

Chaz Langelier, MD, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Virology & Microbial Pathogenesis
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Immunology
Research Summary: 
My lab utilizes genomic and proteomic technologies to study host/pathogen biology in the context of clinical outcomes, develop new diagnostics, and track outbreaks. Key Focus: Pneumonia (including COVID-19), ARDS, sepsis and emerging pathogen surveillance

Wilson Liao, MD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Human Genetics
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Virology & Microbial Pathogenesis
Research Summary: 
Integrated Genomic and Environmental Analysis of Inflammatory Skin Disease

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