The Department of Microbiology and Immunology has 2 major missions: research and teaching. Our teaching mission involves training PhD students and postdoctoral fellows as well as providing courses in immunology and microbiology to medical students. There are usually 30 students in our graduate program. The first year class includes: Katie Crump, Marlena Pichon, and Katie Rice. There are currently 15 members of the departmental faculty with research interests in the cellular, biochemical and molecular aspects of bacterial and viral pathogenesis and immunology, and cancer therapy.

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology is extremely well-equipped to conduct a wide range of research activities. In addition to shared equipment facilities within the department, faculty and students have access to equipment facilities in the Molecular Genetics Program and the Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest University.