Skip to main content
Thomas Jefferson University Home Thomas Jefferson University Home
Thomas Jefferson University Home
  • Apply
  • Visit
  • Give
  • Thomas Jefferson University Home
  • Academics
    Back

    Academics

    • Academics Home
    • Program Finder
    • Areas of Interest
    • Registrar's Office
    • Online Programs
    • Study Away
    • Academic Calendars

    Colleges, Schools & Institutes

    • Sidney Kimmel Medical College
    • College of Architecture & The Built Environment
    • Kanbar College of Design, Engineering & Commerce
      • School of Business
      • School of Design & Engineering
    • College of Health Professions
    • College of Humanities & Sciences
    • College of Life Sciences
    • College of Nursing
    • College of Pharmacy
    • College of Population Health
    • College of Rehabilitation Sciences
    • Institute of Emerging Health Professions
    • Continuing & Professional Studies
    • Jefferson Institute for Bioprocessing
    Find Your Program

    Prepare yourself for what’s yet to come.

  • Admissions
    Back

    Admissions

    • Admissions Home
    • Undergraduate Admissions
    • Graduate Admissions
    • Continuing & Professional Studies Admissions
    • Sidney Kimmel Medical College Admissions

    Admissions Quick Links

    • Request Information
    • Schedule a Visit
    • Take a Virtual Tour
    • Apply for Admission
    • Financing Your Education
    • Contact Admissions
    Apply

    Start your Jefferson journey today.

  • Tuition & Financial Aid
    Back

    Tuition & Financial Aid

    • Tuition & Financial Aid Home
    • Tuition, Fees and Room & Board (2025-26)

    Tuition & Financial Aid Quick Links

    • Financial Aid Office
    • Student Accounts Office
    Contact Us

    Expert Center City and East Falls staffs are here to help.

  • Life at Jefferson
    Back

    Life at Jefferson

    • Life at Jefferson Home
    • Center City Residential Life
    • East Falls Residential Life
    • Virtual Tours

    Life at Jefferson Quick Links

    • Explore Philadelphia
    • University Catalog & Handbooks
    • Commencement
    • Consumer Information & Disclosures
    Plan Your Visit

    Each of our locations offers a unique learning environment.

  • Research
    Back

    Research

    • Research Home
    • Labs & Service Centers
    • Research Resources
    • 2025 Research Magazine

    Research Quick Links

    • Applied Research
    • Basic Research
    • Clinical Research
  • Athletics
    Back

    Athletics

    • Athletics Home
    • Visit jeffersonrams.com
    • Athletic Facilities
    • Shop Official Store

    Athletics Quick Links

    • Health & Wellness at Jefferson
    • Jefferson Recreation & Fitness Center
  • News
    Back

    News

    • News Home

    News Quick Links

    • Design & Style
    • Science & Technology
    • Business
    • Health
    • Life at Jefferson
    • Podcasts
  • Apply
  • Visit
  • Give
  • Apply
  • Visit
  • Give

Explore More:

  • Jefferson Advantage
  • About Jefferson
  • Virtual Tour
  • Jefferson Online
  • Global Jefferson
  • Campus Locations
  • Alumni
  • Careers
  • Provost

Current Students & Faculty

  • Center City Campus
    • Banner
    • Campus Store
    • Canvas
    • Commuter Services
    • Campus Life & Current Students
    • Faculty & Staff
    • JeffMail
    • Library
    • Office 365
    • Student Portal
  • East Falls Campus
    • Banner
    • Campus Store
    • Canvas
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Giving
    • JeffMail
    • Library
    • Starfish
    • Student Life & Resources
    • Student Portal
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Immunology & Microbial Pathogenesis

  • Apply
  • Request Information
  1. Return to Home
  2. Academics
  3. College of Life Sciences
  4. Degrees & Programs
  5. PhD Programs

Explore this Section

  • Curriculum
  • Our Team
  • Research
  • Student Resources
  • Current Students
  • Research Rotations

At a Glance

  • College

    College of Life Sciences

  • Degree

    Doctor of Philosophy

  • Campus

    Center City

  • Format

    On Campus

  • Duration

    4 - 5 Years

The PhD Program in Immunology & Microbial Pathogenesis provides aspiring students with the background, training and experience necessary to launch careers as independent scientific investigators in the fields of immunology, microbiology, biochemistry, cell biology and molecular biology.

The Immunology & Microbial Pathogenesis (IMP) program is a multidepartmental, interdisciplinary PhD program of training and research. It encompasses the study of the immune system and its dysregulation, as well as the study of viral, bacterial and parasitic organisms and their effects on their hosts. The faculty of the program are composed of immunologists, virologists, microbiologists, cellular biologists, cancer immunologists, and parasitologists, all working towards the scientific goal of understanding the functioning of the immune system, biology of microorganisms, and interactions between host and pathogens using biochemistry, cellular, genetic and molecular approaches. The program also hosts a vaccine center dedicated to the development of vaccines against a variety of human pathogens and cancer.

The IMP PhD program is coordinated through the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and is designed to provide students with a strong, basic knowledge of immunology, microbiology, biochemistry, cell biology and molecular biology, with additional exposure to other areas of related interest. The ultimate goal of this program is to provide aspiring students with individualized background, training and experience necessary to launch careers as independent scientific investigators and teachers.

The Program is focused on research training, which begins in the first year as rotations in different laboratories and continues as the student begins their thesis project in a chosen mentor's laboratory. Course work generally occupies the first two years of study. The program also sponsors journal clubs and seminars in microbiology and related areas. A comprehensive exam is taken at the end of the second year, completion of which marks formal entry into the PhD portion of the Program.

Research laboratories are located in multiple departments across the university and include all laboratories in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology. In addition to extensive basic equipment and facilities, the Program provides access to numerous specialized resources. These include facilities for work with cell sorting by flow cytometry, biomolecular imaging, small animal imaging, a meta-omics core providing cutting edge genomic and proteomic approaches as well as bioinformatics support, X-ray crystallography and histopathology.

Curriculum

Review schedule options to earn your PhD

Our Team

Meet our faculty & administrative team

Research

See what we're doing in the fields of immunology and microbial pathogensis.

Learn more

Additional Program Offerings

Master's Programs
MD/PhD Program
Postbaccalaureate Pre-Professional Program (P4)
Graduate Certificate Programs
All Degrees & Programs

Get in Touch

Program Director

Name: Fabienne Paumet, PhD
Position:
  • Co-Director, Immunology & Microbial Pathogenesis PhD Program
  • Associate Professor
Position: Department of Microbiology & Immunology

233 S. Tenth Street
Bluemle Life Sciences Building, Room 750
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Email: Fabienne.Paumet@jefferson.edu
Contact Number(s):
  • 215-503-8567
Name: Christopher Snyder, PhD
Position:
  • Co-Director, Immunology & Microbial Pathogenesis PhD Program
  • Associate Professor
Position: Department of Microbiology & Immunology

233 S. 10th Street, 730 BLSB
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Email: Christopher.Snyder@jefferson.edu
Contact Number(s):
  • 215-503-2543

Program Coordinator

Name: Danielle Park
Department: Jefferson College of Life Sciences

1020 Locust Street
M-46 JAH
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Email: Danielle.Park@jefferson.edu

Contact Admissions

Email: enroll@jefferson.edu
Contact Number(s):
  • 215-951-2800
Visit Jefferson
Back to JCLS Home
Information Sessions
Academic Calendar
JCLS Alumni
Support JCLS

Connect with Us

       
Thomas Jefferson University Home
  • Apply
  • Visit
  • Give
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Jefferson Health
  • Innovation
  • Philanthropy
  • Contact Admissions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Consumer Information

Jefferson holds itself accountable, at every level of the organization, to nurture an environment of inclusion and respect, by valuing the uniqueness of every individual, celebrating and reflecting the rich diversity of its communities, and taking meaningful action to cultivate an environment of fairness, belonging & opportunity.