News

  • Study uncovers potential strategy to help patients living with HIV

    March 14, 2025
    Findings from a new study led by Schulich Medicine & Dentistry researchers Jimmy Dikeakos, PhD, and Mitchell Mumby, PhD, show protein’s role in slowing decay of latent HIV reservoir.

  • The social life of HIV: How networks help researchers understand the virus

    March 10, 2025
    Researcher and bioinformatician Abayomi Olabode, PhD, is using data analytics and AI to bring people living with HIV closer to a cure.

  • Kidney stone research brings the buzz

    March 09, 2025
    Department of Microbiology and Immunology researchers are turning to fruit flies to help identify the link between kidney stones, gut health and antibiotic use.

  • Expert insight: Developing tools to fight emerging infectious diseases

    March 04, 2025
    Idowu Olawoye, PhD, shares insights on halting the spread of disease outbreaks before they become pandemics. “To get the upper hand, we need to continue developing technology.”

  • 2024 CIHR Funding Successes

    March 03, 2025
    Congratulations to our Microbiology and Immunology faculty members on their success in securing funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) in the Fall 2024 competition. Their success highlights ongoing excellence in research within the department.

  • Graduate Student Research Featured in ASBMBToday

    January 30, 2025
    Congratulations to Avery Gaudreau from the Heinrichs lab for having her research featured in ASBMBToday! Her study, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, explores a promising new compound to combat Staphylococcus aureus, including drug-resistant strains. This recognition highlights her important contributions to the fight against antibiotic resistance.

  • CIHR funding boost helps answer challenging questions that could save lives

    October 28, 2024
    Dr. Jennifer Guthrie from the Department of Microbiology & Immunology is a key figure in the recent CIHR funding boost at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. Her innovative research aims to address pressing health challenges, leveraging this funding to explore solutions that could significantly impact patient outcomes and advance our understanding of infectious diseases.

  • What you need to know about cold and flu season

    October 27, 2024
    With cold and flu season on the horizon, it’s time for a flu shot. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for immunity to take effect, which is why it’s recommended to get the jab in the fall.

  • Student researcher helps in the battle against antibiotic resistance

    October 25, 2024
    Bacteria and the immune system are in a constant battle in our bodies, and Alex Sheikh, student researcher, is right in the midst of this struggle, looking for ways to help the body win the war against MRSA.

  • Vaccination may reduce memory loss from COVID-19 infections

    October 02, 2024
    Canada Excellence Research Chair Dr. Robyn Klein and her team's new study identifies one potential mechanism driving COVID-19-induced memory loss and shows that it can be prevented by vaccination

  • MNI Alum Wins Bronze at Paris Paralympics 2024

    October 01, 2024
    Microbiology & Immunology Alum, Leanne Taylor, won Bronze in the women’s PTWC wheelchair triathlon division, marking her the first Canadian woman ever to win a medal in a Paralympic triathlon.

  • Welcome 2024 Graduate Students!

    September 16, 2024
    The Department of Microbiology & Immunology welcomes the incoming Accelerated MSc, MSc and PhD to our Grad Studies Program! See photos from our first Graduate Student seminar - including our Dr. John Robinson, and R.G.E. Murray Scholarship recipients.

  • Top Peer Reviewers in 2023 for the Journal of Virology

    September 13, 2024
    Microbiology & Immunology Professor, Dr. Joe Mymryk, has been named as one of the Top Peer Reviewers in 2023 for the Journal of Virology.

  • Summer 2024

    September 13, 2024
    Graduate Studies Updates on Theses Defenses, Candidacy Exams, and Awards!

  • Collip Medal Award

    July 31, 2024
    Congratulations to Dr. John Chmiel, supervised by Dr. Jeremy Burton & by Dr. Jennifer Bjazevic, who has been awarded the 2024 Collip Medal Award by the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. This award is given annually to the top PhD graduate from all Schulich Graduate programs.

  • 2024 Postdoctoral Research Forum Awards

    May 17, 2024
    Congratulations to Idowu Olawoye (S: Guthrie), as the receipient of the Postdoctoral Scholar of the Year award, and John McCormick as the recipient of the Postdoctoral Supervisor of the Year Award!

  • London Health Research Day 2024 Poster Awards

    May 14, 2024
    Congratulations to the following Microbiology & Immunology trainees for receiving a poster award at the LHRD 2024! Yi-Han Chen (Kerfoot), Manuel Diaz (McCormick), Avery Gaudreau (Heinrichs), Katelyn MacNeil (Mymryk), Rachel Penney (Burton & Prodger). Ainslie Shouldice (Prodger), Nicole Wang (Haeryfar), and Joshua Yi (DeKoter).

  • Major HIV/AIDS conference starts in London

    April 26, 2024
    London will host a major HIV/AIDS conference over the next four days. How close are we to a cure? Jimmy Dikeakos, professor at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University, joins The Morning Show.

  • PhD candidate presents work at HIV research conference that opens doors to treatment

    April 22, 2024
    Western researchers taking leading role as Canadian Conference on HIV/AIDS Research brings top experts and community members to London to share scientific advances.

  • Krembil funds help researchers seek answers to misfiring of brain’s immune system in battling Alzheimer’s

    April 19, 2024
    Greg Dekaban, PhD, and team received $2.4 million from the Krembil Foundation to investigate the trigger that causes the brain’s immune system to fail to control the brain inflammation that arises in Alzheimer’s disease.

  • What is 'immune amnesia?' This long-term side effect of measles is newly relevant.

    March 04, 2024
    Microbiology & Immunology professor, Dr. Mansour Haeryfar, was featured in National Geographic discussing the recent uptick in measles cases in the U.S.

  • NEW Review of the immune response to bacterial T cell superantigens

    January 25, 2024
    A new review of the immune response to bacterial T cell superantigens by Stephen Tuffs, Karine Dufresne, Aanchal Rishi, Nicholas Walton & John McCormick has been published in Nature Reviews Immunology. Titled "Novel insights into the immune response to bacterial T cell superantigens", this review summarizes the expanding family of SAgs and their roles in multiple human diseases.

  • New study sheds light on connection between microbiome and kidney stones

    December 20, 2023
    Microbiology and Immunology Postdoc, Kait Al, is the lead author and research fellow of a new study from Western University and Lawson Health Research Institute published in the journal Microbiome. The study has found changes in the microbiome in multiple locations in the body are linked to the formation of kidney stones.

  • Fall 2023

    December 19, 2023
    Graduate Studies Updates on Theses Defences, Candidacy Exams, and Alumni News.

  • Diving into science and sport: Laura Muñoz Baena, PhD’23

    October 18, 2023
    As a national underwater hockey player, Laura Muñoz Baena draws on many of the same skills she’s developed during her PhD studies in bioinformatics and virus evolution.

  • Four new Canada Research Chairs named at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry

    August 29, 2023
    From substance use to AI, new CRCs are addressing questions that will shape the future of humanity. Congratulations to Jibran Khokhar, PhD, Jennifer Guthrie, PhD, Pingzhao Hu, PhD, and Maria Mathews, PhD.

  • MNI at LHRD 2023

    June 29, 2023
    London Health Research Day 2023 celebrated exceptional research, with Microbiology and Immunology PhD students Blake Shannon and Amanda Marple winning top poster awards, and Post-Doctoral Fellow Karine Dufresne receiving a publication award.

  • Convocation Reception 2023

    June 22, 2023
    The 2023 Microbiology & Immunology Convocation Reception was a resounding success. Surrounded by family, friends, and faculty, Gold Medal & In-Course award recipients were recognized for their astounding academic accomplishments. Please see the full article for an image gallery of the event.

  • Winter 2023

    June 01, 2023
    Graduate Studies Updates on Theses Defences, Candidacy Exams, and Alumni News.

  • Ted Medzon named "Distinguished Londoner" on 2023 Mayor's New Year's Honours List

    January 25, 2023
    Ted Medzon, Professor emeritus, Microbiology and Immunology, was recognized as a distinguished Londoner. Respected in his research field across the country, he also has a special interest in science education and is on the board of the London High School Science Fair. Moreover, he has been an active part of the London music scene in various capacities and plays in jazz and concert bands.

  • Fall 2022

    December 13, 2022
    Graduate Studies Updates on Theses Defences, Candidacy Exams, and Alumni News.

  • 'Immune amnesia:' The unusual measles side effect scientists think can drive other epidemics

    December 06, 2022
    Dr. Mansour Haeryfar discusses immune amnesia, measles, and vaccinations.

  • Dr. Rod DeKoter Awarded 2022 Fall LRCP Catalyst Research Grant

    December 06, 2022
    Dr. Rod DeKoter has been awarded the 2022 Fall LRCP Catalyst Research Grant for his research "Probing the Function of IKZF3 in Multiple Myeloma using Lenalidomide"

  • November Publications

    December 01, 2022
    Congratulations to 14 of our P.I's and their labs on their newest publications! See full article for abstracts and publications.

  • Dr. Jennifer Guthrie Paper Published in Nature Microbiology

    November 16, 2022
    See Dr. Guthrie's paper, titled "Divergent SARS-CoV-2 variant emerges in white-tailed deer with deer-to-human transmission"

  • R.G.E. Murray Legacy in Microbiology Symposium

    November 08, 2022
    The R.G.E. Murray Legacy in Microbiology Symposium was a great success! A special thank you to our guests, speakers, and the planning committee. See full article for a photo gallery of the event.

  • Welcome 2022 Graduate Students!

    October 20, 2022
    The Department of Microbiology & Immunology welcomes the incoming Accelerated MSc, MSc and PhD to our Grad Studies Program!

  • Remembering Dr. Cason King

    October 13, 2022
    See Cason's Memorial Card, and a Thank You card from Mr. & Mrs. King.

  • 2022 Faculty Promotion Celebration

    October 11, 2022
    Check out the gallery from the event!

  • 2022 Summer Grad News

    August 30, 2022
    Alumni news, awards and scholarships, MSc Defenses, PhD Candidacy exams from the Summer 2022 term.

  • 2021 Dr. John Robinson Graduate Scholarship

    August 09, 2022
    Congratulations to Gerritt Stuivenberg of Microbiology & Immunology on winning the 2021 Dr. John Robinson Graduate Scholarship!

  • 2021 Drs. Madge and Charles Macklin Fellowship

    August 04, 2022
    Congratulations to John Chimel of Microbiology & Immunology for being the 2021 Recipient of the Drs. Madge and Charles Macklin Fellowship for Teaching and Research in Medical Sciences!

  • 2022 Collip Medal Award Winner

    August 03, 2022
    Congratulations to Dr. Denny Chin of Microbiology & Immunology for their successful nomination of the 2022 Collip Medal Award!

  • MNI Newsletter

    May 17, 2022
    Volume 2 (Issue 2) of the MNI Newsletter is out.

  • Winter 2022

    April 07, 2022
    News from Alumni, Award Winners, Theses Defences, and Program Graduates!

  • Western makes new commitments on anti-racism

    June 23, 2020
    A response to the report of the Anti-Racism Working Group

  • COVID-19 Planning and Recovery

    May 21, 2020
    Information for Schulich Medicine students, faculty and staff regarding COVID-19 planning and recovery.

  • Dr. John Yoo begins his term as Dean

    May 01, 2020
    Dr. John Yoo, the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry’s 20th Dean, begins his first term effective May 1, 2020 to June 30, 2025.

  • Gregory Dekaban, PhD, has been extended as Acting Chair, Department of Microbiology & Immunology

    April 28, 2020
    Gregory Dekaban, PhD, has been extended as Acting Chair, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University effective from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 or until a new Chair is appointed.

  • Western University researchers begin work on COVID-19 vaccine

    March 19, 2020
    Led by Department of Microbiology & Immunology Professors Stephen Barr, Eric Arts, Chil-Yong Kang, and Ryan Troyer, (with co-PIs Jimmy Dikeakos, Greg Dekaban and Mansour Haeryfar), the work is possible thanks to new funding announced today from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. This funding was rapidly made available to fast-track a comprehensive Canadian response to the pandemic. The team at Western received $998,840 for the project.

  • Coronavirus information students, faculty and staff

    January 31, 2020
    Information for Western students, faculty and staff regarding Novel Coronavirus.

  • Using probiotics to protect honey bees against fatal disease

    October 30, 2019
    A group of researchers at Western and Lawson combined their expertise in probiotics and bee biology to supplement honey bee food with probiotics, in the form a BioPatty, in their experimental apiaries. The aim was to see what effect probiotics would have on honey bee health.

  • ImPaKT Facility Opening

    July 30, 2019
    The $16-million imaging pathogens for knowledge translation facility (ImPaKT) contains a level two biosafety containment lab where researchers will study microbes including HIV and antibiotic-resistant superbug MRSA. Researchers in ImPaKT’s level three containment lab will study viruses including SARS-CoV-2, Zika and West Nile and the highly contagious bacterial infection tuberculosis. The 650 square metre secure facility features several different types of state-of-the-art imaging technology including an MRI and super-high resolution microscope.

  • CIHR funding success

    July 12, 2019
    Dr. John McCormick (Staphylococcus aureus at the commensal-pathogen interface: the superantigen paradox) and Dr. Jamie Mann (Engineering HIV virus-like-particles (VLPs) for improved Env antigenicity and neutralizing antibody responses) in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology have each received CIHR funding. Congratulations to both.

  • Acting Chair appointed - Microbiology and Immunology

    July 09, 2019
    Gregory Dekaban, PhD, has been appointed as Acting Chair, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University effective from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020.

  • 400 million year-old evolutionary arms race helps researchers understand HIV

    May 25, 2019
    Dr. Stephen Barr Understanding the evolution of a 400 million-year-old anti-viral protein that first emerged in marine life, is helping researchers get the upper-hand on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

  • Distinguished University Professor

    March 21, 2019
    Gregor Reid is recognized as a Canadian and international pioneer in the areas of probiotics, beneficial microbes, and the microbiome. Reid’s research has led to significant clinical translational and commercial applications. He was a pioneer in understanding the microbiome and the possibility of probiotic treatment in an era when this research was largely considered ‘fringe’ science.

  • Research: Boosting Subdominant Cancer-Specific T Cells

    December 12, 2017
    Dr. Mansour Haeryfar and his team at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry have uncovered a new mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of PD-1-based “checkpoint inhibitor”, therapeutic agents that are approved for the treatment of several types of cancer and also under investigation in clinical trials for numerus other types.

  • Dr. Gregor Reid elected to Royal Society of Canada

    September 07, 2016
    From crafting a global definition of probiotics to developing novel therapies used by millions, Dr. Gregor Reid has significantly advanced our knowledge of how beneficial microbes, especially bacteria, contribute to health. Recognizing his role as a world leader in probiotics research, Dr. Reid has now been elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society of Canada.

  • Six prestigious Canada Research Chairs named at Western

    March 01, 2016
    Eric Arts, PhD, one of the world’s leading HIV researchers, is developing vaccines to prevent new HIV-1 infections and vaccines to cure people already infected and living with HIV. To do so, Arts, who came from Case Western University, is using newly developed technologies related to genetic engineering, immune surveillance and next-generation sequencing.

  • Eric Arts joins global initiative to accelerate the search for HIV vaccine

    November 09, 2015
    Eric Arts, PhD, is leading Schulich Medicine & Dentistry’s contribution to the newly established European AIDS Vaccine Initiative (EAVI2020) — a C$33.2 million initiative that will bring together leading researchers from around the world to develop an effective HIV vaccine.

  • Quirks & Quarks 40th Anniversary Special

    November 02, 2015
    Eric Arts, PhD, Chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Western Ontario's Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, describes the history of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which emerged as a mysterious killer in 1981. Since then, 39 million people have died, and a million-and-a-half still die every year, mostly in Africa. But we've made enormous progress against the epidemic with effective drug treatments, and the long search for a vaccine is making meaningful progress.

  • Researchers from Schulich Medicine & Dentistry receive more than $23.5 million in grants from CIHR

    July 03, 2015
    Four Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry researchers received grants totalling $9.9 million over seven years from the inaugural Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Foundation Grant. Each is studying factors which may lead to improved health outcomes for people living with osteoarthritis, heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

  • Class of 2015

    June 30, 2015
    Congratulations Graduating Honors Students: - Jessica He for winning the Western Gold Medal for the Honors Specialization in Microbiology and Immunology - Diliana Stratkova for winning the Gold Medal for the Honors Specialization in Biochemistry of Infection and Immunity - Tayler Farrell for Winning the Kimberly Clarke Corporation Honors Thesis Award.

  • Trio honoured with Distinguished University Professorships

    March 19, 2015
    Western’s latest honorees of Distinguished University Professorships (DUP) join a select group of faculty members recognized for exceptional scholarly careers. David Heinrichs, PhD, in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, was selected as one of Western's Faculty Scholars.

  • Legacy gift enriches excellence in graduate studies

    April 04, 2014
    Robert Murray, PhD, and his late wife Marion, are, and will forever be, part of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Their research, administrative and personal contributions have helped to create an outstanding culture of excellence within the Department and across Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry.
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