Department of Microbiology & Immunology

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Microbiology & Immunology at Penn State College of Medicine

Microbiology

The outstanding faculty, postdoctoral scholars and graduate students of the Microbiology & Immunology Department are known for their major contributions in viral and tumor immunology, viral pathogenesis and molecular and structural virology.

Members of the faculty have attained national and international recognition for their research endeavors. Our faculty are notable for their outstanding records of scientific publications, membership and leadership roles on national scientific review committees and advisory panels, appointments on editorial boards of leading virology and immunology journals, and strong extramural grant funding.

Aron Lukacher, MD, PhD, is Chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Penn State College of Medicine. He is pictured in a dark suit jacket and red tie against a blue background. — Aron Lukacher, MD, PhD, Chair, Microbiology & Immunology

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Ender's Award

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology is honored to announce the recipients of this year's Ender’s Award, Adam Fike and Xupeng Hong.

The Ender's prize is an award presented at commencement by the Department of Microbiology and Immunology to graduating PhD candidates who have shown sustained academic excellence throughout their tenure with the department and evidence of outstanding research achievement. A committee of Microbiology and Immunology faculty will consider candidates each year to assess whether any graduating students have reached this special level of excellence. The student or students so honored will receive a certificate and cash award. An endowment fund supporting the award has been established by contributions from faculty and graduates of the department.

Dr. Jianming Hu, left, stands next to Ender's Award recipients Adam Fike and Xupeng Hong, who are holding their awards in front of them. — Dr. Jianming Hu, left, presented the Ender's Award to Adam Fike, center, and Xupeng Hong, right.

Courtney Award

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology is also excited to announce the winners of this years’ Courtney Award, Nadia DiNunno and Maddie Martin.

The Courtney Award is presented at fall convocation to PhD candidates who have passed their comprehensive examination and who have demonstrated an outstanding record of academic achievement during their graduate studies within the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. A committee of department faculty will consider candidates each year to assess whether any students have reached this exceptional level of excellence. The student or students so honored will receive a certificate and cash award. An endowment fund supporting the award has been established by contributions from faculty and graduates of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology.