I welcome you to the Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity (MI&I), which is housed in the College of Medicine, within The Ohio State University (OSU) Wexner Medical Center. The Department of MI&I is located in a state-of-the-art building, the Biomedical Research Tower, which is situated in the heart of our medical complex and campuses.
The Department of MI&I offers a range of cutting-edge research on host defense systems, microbial pathogenesis, and cancer immunology in a highly collaborative environment. We strive to provide a creative and high impact training environment for all of our graduate and post-graduate researchers through innovative new programs that bridge the Department to other institutional communities. Members of MI&I share a passion for discovery and, ultimately, for translation of our basic research into new therapeutic approaches that will benefit those affected by infectious or immune-mediated diseases.
Our Department is intricately linked to two new Institutes at Ohio State: The Pelotonia Institute of Immuno-Oncology (PIIO) within the Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI). The latter brings together OSU researchers from across disciplines who study microbes, immunology and infectious diseases, fostering collaborations and a robust exchange of ideas. In addition, MI&I interacts closely with multiple Programs, Centers, and Departments across the Columbus research community, including the Departments of Microbiology and Veterinary Biosciences, the Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Centers located at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center.
Infectious diseases and immune disorders represent the primary threats to human health, both nationally and globally. Our collaborative community in MI&I, armed with the most current approaches, is poised to blaze new trails into the prevention and treatment of these health threats, many of which were once thought to be intractable. We continue to expand our research portfolio with the recruitment of highly accomplished faculty, students, fellows, and staff. As you browse through our website, I hope the passion and excitement we have for our research programs also captures your imagination, as we envision a day when science provides answers to the challenges of microbial infection, autoimmunity, chronic inflammation, and cancer.
Sincerely,
Eugene Oltz