{"id":6073,"date":"2025-02-19T04:37:38","date_gmt":"2025-02-19T04:37:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/research\/?page_id=6073"},"modified":"2025-07-26T01:35:41","modified_gmt":"2025-07-26T01:35:41","slug":"microbiology-immunology","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/research\/research-areas\/microbiology-immunology\/","title":{"rendered":"Microbiology & Immunology"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n \n WesternU<\/a>\n <\/span>\n \/<\/span>\n Research and Biotechnology<\/a>\n \/<\/span>\n Research Areas<\/a>\n \/<\/span>\n Microbiology & Immunology<\/span>\n <\/div> <\/div>\n

Microbiology & Immunology<\/h1>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
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MICROBIOLOGY & IMMUNOLOGY<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Research in this area includes the study of microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, with a focus on their physiology, genetics, ecology, and role in health and disease.\u00a0We also\u00a0explore the immune system’s responses, how the body defends itself against infections and how immune processes can go awry.<\/p>\n

Using microbiological, biochemical, and bioinformatics techniques, we explore interactions between microorganisms and the immune system, focusing on areas such as bacterial resistance, viral manipulation of immune responses, and diagnostic techniques for respiratory and gastrointestinal pathogens. By studying diseases like tuberculosis, HIV, and SARS-CoV-2, scientists aim to uncover new therapeutic targets and improve disease control efforts across human, animal, and agricultural settings.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Microbiology & Immunology Faculty<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
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\n \"Portrait\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
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\n Bi, Xiaoning <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

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College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific<\/p>\n

Professor <\/p>\n

\n xbi@westernu.edu <\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

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\n \n
\n \"Portrait\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
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\n Boehm, Tobias <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

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College of Dental Medicine <\/p>\n

Professor<\/p>\n

\n tboehm@westernu.edu <\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

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\n \"WesternU\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
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\n Boosani, Chandra <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

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\n @westernu.edu <\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

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\n \"Portrait\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
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\n Diniz, Pedro <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

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College of Veterinary Medicine<\/p>\n

Professor \/ Assistant Dean of Assessment and Outcomes<\/p>\n

\n pdiniz@westernu.edu <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

Open Scholar:https:\/\/research.westernu.edu\/diniz-lab\/about<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

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\n \"Portrait\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
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\n Drechsler, Yvonne <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

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College of Veterinary Medicine<\/p>\n

Associate Professor<\/p>\n

\n ydrechsler@westernu.edu <\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

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\n \"Portrait\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
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\n Hanselmann, Rhea <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

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College of Veterinary Medicine<\/p>\n

Assistant Professor<\/p>\n

\n rhanselmann@westernu.edu <\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

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\n \"Portrait\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
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\n Huang, Ying <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

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College of Pharmacy <\/p>\n

Professor<\/p>\n

\n yhuang@westernu.edu <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

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\n \"Portrait\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
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\n McNamara, Tracey <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

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College of Veterinary Medicine<\/p>\n

Professor<\/p>\n

\n tmcNamara@westernu.edu <\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

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\n \"Portrait\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
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\n Mir, Mohammad <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

\n

College of Veterinary Medicine<\/p>\n

Professor<\/p>\n

\n mmir@westernu.edu <\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

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\n \n
\n \"Portrait\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
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\n Mir, Sheema <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

\n

College of Veterinary Medicine<\/p>\n

Assistant Professor – Infectious Diseases<\/p>\n

\n smir@westernu.edu <\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

\n
\n \n
\n \"Portrait\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
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\n Mirfarsi, Sahar <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

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College of Dental Medicine<\/p>\n

Associate Professor \/ Co-Coordinator of Advanced Oral Diagnosis Workgroup<\/p>\n

\n sahar.mirfarsi@westernu.edu <\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

\n
\n \n
\n \"WesternU\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
\n

\n O’Barr, Stephen <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

\n

College of Pharmacy <\/p>\n

Associate Professor \/ Chair, Department Pharmaceutical Sciences<\/p>\n

\n sobarr @westernu.edu <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

\n
\n \n
\n \"WesternU\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
\n

\n Oelschlaeger, Peter <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

\n

College of Pharmacy<\/p>\n

Associate Professor<\/p>\n

\n poelschlaeger @westernu.edu <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

\n
\n \n
\n \"WesternU\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
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\n Sanchez, David <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

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College of Pharmacy<\/p>\n

Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences<\/p>\n

\n sanchezd @westernu.edu <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

Open Scholar:https:\/\/research.westernu.edu\/sanchezd-lab<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

\n
\n \n
\n \"WesternU\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
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\n Steinauer Michelle <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

\n

College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Northwest<\/p>\n

Associate Professor \/ Interim Vice Chair, Basic Medical Sciences<\/p>\n

\n msteinauer @westernu.edu <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

Open Scholar:https:\/\/research.westernu.edu\/steinauer-lab <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

\n
\n \n
\n \"WesternU\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
\n

\n Szurmant, Hendrik <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

\n

College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific<\/p>\n

Professor<\/p>\n

\n hszurmant @westernu.edu <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

;Basic Medical Sciences<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

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\n \n
\n \"WesternU\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
\n

\n Tak Choi, Hyo <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

\n

Web and Branding<\/p>\n

Web Developer<\/p>\n

\n htchoi@westernu.edu@westernu.edu <\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

\n
\n \n
\n \"WesternU\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
\n

\n Thankam, Finosh <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

\n

College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific<\/p>\n

Assistant Professor in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine<\/p>\n

\n fthankam @westernu.edu <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

Dept. of Translational Research<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

\n
\n \n
\n \"WesternU\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
\n

\n Rakesh, Tiwari <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

\n

College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific<\/p>\n

Associate Professor \/ Interim Vice Chair, Biomedical Sciences<\/p>\n

\n rtiwari @westernu.edu <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

Open Scholar:https:\/\/research.westernu.edu\/tiwari-lab<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

\n
\n \n
\n \"WesternU\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
\n

\n Saviola, Beatrice <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

\n

College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific<\/p>\n

Associate Professor<\/p>\n

\n bsaviola @westernu.edu <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

Basic Medical Sciences<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

\n
\n \n
\n \"WesternU\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
\n

\n Tkalcic, Suzana <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

\n

College of Veterinary Medicine<\/p>\n

Professor<\/p>\n

\n stkalcic @westernu.edu <\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

\n
\n \n
\n \"WesternU\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
\n

\n Venketaraman, Vishwanath <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

\n

College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific<\/p>\n

Professor \/ Instructional Lead – BMS<\/p>\n

\n vvenketaraman @westernu.edu <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

Basic Medical Sciences <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

\n
\n \n
\n \"WesternU\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
\n

\n Wang, Jeffrey <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

\n

College of Pharmacy<\/p>\n

Professor \/ Associate Dean, Research and Global Advancement<\/p>\n

\n jwang @westernu.edu <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

\n
\n \n
\n \"WesternU\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
\n

\n Jianming, Xie <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

\n

College of Pharmacy<\/p>\n

Associate Professor<\/p>\n

\n jxie @westernu.edu <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":248,"featured_media":0,"parent":5746,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-6073","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6073","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/248"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6073"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6073\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7021,"href":"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6073\/revisions\/7021"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5746"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6073"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}