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College of Veterinary Medicine

Immunology

Overview

The Immunology concentration area coursework and laboratory research emphasize cellular and molecular biology studies in infectious disease immunology, mucosal immunity and inflammation, immunopathology, immunoparasitology, environmental immunology, and immunology of non-vertebrate species. Our wide ranging faculty is drawn from the Colleges of Veterinary Medicine, Sciences, and Agriculture and Life Sciences as well as government agencies located in the Research Triangle Park. Interdepartmental cooperation provides a unique atmosphere for the study of immunology in a wide range of species.

The concentration is designed to prepare students for professional research and teaching careers applying cellular and molecular biology techniques to animal and human health problems, associated with the immune system, including infectious disease and inflammation. Our immunology graduates are extremely competitive for positions in universities, pharmaceutical companies, and governmental institutions. North Carolina State University at Raleigh, with close proximity to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University, and the Research Triangle Park, provides a unique biomedical research environment for seminars, meetings, and interaction with other scientists. Graduate research assistantships are available to qualified students.

COURSES REQUIRED FOR THE PHD IMMUNOLOGY CONCENTRATION

MB/IMM 751 Immunology (3 credits)

IMM/CBS 816 Advanced Topics in Immunology (1 credit each semester; 8 semesters required for doctoral students)

IMM/CBS 783 Advanced Immunology OR PO/IMM 757 Comparative Immunology (3 credits)

and ONE of the following:

BCH 553 Biochemistry of Gene Expression (3 credits)

BCH 555 Proteins and molecular mechanisms (3 credits)

BCH 705 Molecular Biology of the Cell (3 credits)

BIT 510 Core Technologies in Molecular and Cellular Biology (4 credits)

CBS 770 Cell Biology (3 credits)

COURSES REQUIRED FOR THE MS IMMUNOLOGY CONCENTRATION

MB/IMM 751 Immunology (3 credits)

IMM/CBS 816 Advanced Topics in Immunology (1 credit each semester; 4 semesters required for masters students)

ELECTIVE COURSES FOR PHD AND MS STUDENTS

STAT 512 Experimental Statistics For Biological Sciences II (3 credits)

MB 718 Introductory Virology (3 credits)

BCH 553 Biochemistry of Gene Expression (3 credits)

BCH 555 Proteins and Molecular Mechanisms (3 credits)

CBS 770 Cell Biology (3 credits)

CBS 810 Infectious Disease Pathogenic Mechanisms (1 credit)

BIT 510 Core Technologies in Molecular and Cellular Biology (4 credits)

BIT module courses (2 credits each):

BIT562 Gene Expression Analysis: Microarrays

BIT 564 Protein Purification

BIT 565 Real time PCR Techniques

BIT 566 Animal Cell Culture Techniques

BIT 567 PCR and DNA Fingerprinting

BIT 568 Genome Mapping

ELECTIVE COURSES FOR MS STUDENTS

IMM/CBS 783 Advanced Immunology (3 credits)

PO/IMM 757 Comparative Immunology (3 credits)

 

Participating Faculty

NameEmailPrimary ConcentrationOther ConcentrationsResearch Emphasis
Adam Birkenheuerajbirken@ncsu.edu ImmunologyInfectious DiseasesGeneral Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease
Amit Sharmaasharm66@ncsu.eduInfectious DiseasesImmunologyThe central theme of my research program is to study permissive and restrictive virus-host interactions that govern cross-species viral transmission and exploit such interactions for treatment and prevention research.
Amol Suryawanshiassuryaw@ncsu.eduImmunologyInfectious Disease, Population and Global HealthThe overall goal of the Suryawanshi Lab is to understand molecular and cellular networks driving immune evasion during chronic viral infections and tumor progression and develop novel targeted immunotherapies to promote anti-viral and anti-tumor immunity.
Ashley Brownaecarso2@ncsu.edu Cell BiologyImmunologyDr. Brown leads the Advanced Wound Healing lab.
Christopher Marianiclmarian@ncsu.edu ImmunologyNeurosciencesComparative neuroimmunology and neuro-oncology
Erika Gruberejgruber@ncsu.edu ImmunologyPathologyRegulation of macrophage function
Frank Schollefscholl@ncsu.edu Infectious DiseaseImmunologyViral Immunology
Glenn Crusegpcruse@ncsu.eduImmunologyCell Biology, PharmacologyTranslational research in mast cell-driven diseases such as allergy, asthma and mastocytosis.
Isabel Gimenoimgimeno@ncsu.eduInfectious DiseasesPopulation Medicine, ImmunologyTumor viral diseases in poultry and development of the chicken immune system
Jeff Yoderjayoder@ncsu.edu ImmunologyInfectious Disease, Cell BiologyWe study the evolution of immune receptors and PFAS immunotoxicology.
Jennifer Luffjaluff@ncsu.eduImmunologyInfectious Diseases, Global HealthMy research is focused on viral immunity and the interferon response in the skin, with particular interest in papillomavirus infections.
Katie Sheatsmkpeed@ncsu.eduImmunologyGlobal Health, Infectious DiseasesDr. Sheats' research focuses on the innate immune system and the role neutrophils play in host defense and host injury.
Lauren Schnabellvschnab@ncsu.edu Cell BiologyImmunology, Infectious DiseaseThe Schnabel Laboratory focuses on the use of regenerative and biologic therapies for the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries.
Matthew Kocimdkoci@ncsu.eduImmunologyInfectious DiseasesMatt Koci's research program focuses on host-microbe interactions and understanding how the host recognizes, responds to, eliminates, and ultimately develops resistance to pathogens.
Michael Rahemrahe@ncsu.eduImmunologyInfectious Disease, PathologyThe Rahe lab studies the immunology and pathology of viral infections in large animals.
Michael Sikesmlsikes@ncsu.edu ImmunologyLymphocyte development and differentiation
Paul Hesspaul_hess@ncsu.edu ImmunologyInfectious Disease, Cell BiologyWe work to develop immunotherapies for canine T-cell malignancies and bladder cancer.
Petra Bizikovapetra_bizikova@ncsu.edu ImmunologyInfectious DiseasesAutoimmune and allergic skin disease of small animals
Ravi Kulkarnirrkulkar@ncsu.edu Infectious DiseasesImmunologyThe Kulkarni laboratory focuses on studying ‘host-microbe interaction’ with a focus in the areas of immunology, microbiology, Probiotics and vaccines that are crafted into on three major research programs: improving gut health, viral immunology, and Precision Health Technologies.
Ronald Lirhli2@ncsu.eduCell BiologyImmunologyDr. Li's research focus is directed towards understanding the cellular basis and pathobiological roles of immunothrombosis, by which neutrophils and platelets interact in cardiovascular diseases and systemic inflammation. His research also includes investigating precision medicine, congenital platelet disorders and novel antiplatelet therapy in cardiovascular diseases.
Rosemary Baylessrlbayles@ncsu.eduCell BiologyImmunology, PharmacologyThe Bayless Lab team studies neutrophil biology with the goal of identifying innovative therapeutic targets and developing novel treatments for neutrophil-mediated conditions across veterinary and human patients. 
Samuel Jonessljones@ncsu.edu Cell BiologyImmunologyRegulation of Neutrophil Motility
Yevgeny Brudnoybrudno@ncsu.edu ImmunologyNeurosciences, Pharmacology Drug delivery to the brain and to cancer.
Yogesh Sainiysaini@ncsu.eduImmunologyCell Biology, Infectious Disease, Pathology, PharmacologyDr. Saini's laboratory aims to study the effect of environmental toxicants on two critical organs, i.e., Lung and Liver.