Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology
The Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences is committed to advancing research and education in biomedical sciences.
Our faculty lead innovative research programs that explore critical areas such as tumor immunology, cancer cytokine-based immunotherapy, innate immunity, arterial restenosis, host-parasite interactions, bacterial pathogenesis and resistance, fungal pathogenesis and molecular virology. Faculty members contribute extensively to DMU’s educational mission, delivering lectures in microbiology, immunology and pathology to clinical students and actively participating in the university’s Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences and Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences programs, which include over 20 mentors from three departments on campus.
The department also supports DMU’s Mentored Student Research Program, a university-wide initiative that has been fostering undergraduate and medical student research since 2001. In addition, faculty engage with student groups both on and off campus, offering hands-on learning experiences and collaborative activities that extend DMU’s impact in the community.
Curriculum
Lectures
The primary instructional responsibility of the department is teaching microbiology, immunology and pathology courses in the Doctor of Osteopathic medicine, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine and Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies programs at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences. These courses are taught using a systems-based approach, in which lectures are grouped based on disease symptoms, rather than taxonomical properties as is the traditional method of presentation.
Faculty members also provide lectures in their areas of expertise to various other DMU programs. The department’s faculty help train students in the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences program and the Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences program.
Mentoring
Department faculty actively mentor students in research projects in their laboratories. Students pursuing research in department laboratories include those enrolled in the MSBS and PhD programs, as well as Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Doctor of Podiatric Medicine students participating in DMU’s Mentored Student Research Program and elective coursework.
