A Commitment to Immunology

Investigators at the Carter Immunology Center seek a fundamental understanding of how the immune system works in order to develop the revolutionary new treatments focused on controlling the immune response for major diseases such as cancer, heart disease and asthma.

Immunological research is intensely multi-disciplinary and ideally collaborative, relying on well-trained immunologists interacting with researchers in other biomedical disciplines. These considerations drive our organization and educational programs. We identify, train, and support the career paths of the next generation of immunology researchers.

Melanie Rutkowski, PhD, Research Covered in Association of American Medical Colleges Story About Personalized Medicine
Melanie Rutkowski, PhD, Research Covered in Association of American Medical Colleges Story About Personalized Medicine

A team headed by Melanie Rutkowski, PhD, associate professor at the UVA School of Medicine’s Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, is conducting experiments to understand how differences in the diversity and health of gut bacteria, or microbiome, impact … Read More

Teams Erickson and McNamara take home first and third place respectively at the recent Shark Tank Competition
Teams Erickson and McNamara take home first and third place respectively at the recent Shark Tank Competition

Nearly 300 School of Medicine research faculty gathered February 2 – 3 to learn from experts and exchange ideas at the 2024 research retreat. The highlight of the second day was the Shark Tank Competition. Provost Ian Baucom announced an … Read More

Dr. Daniel Zegarra-Ruiz of the Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research Awarded $746,997 R00 Grant to Study Regulation of Lupus Pathogenesis Through Modulation of Thymic Development of Pathobiont-Specific T Cells
Dr. Daniel Zegarra-Ruiz of the Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research Awarded $746,997 R00 Grant to Study Regulation of Lupus Pathogenesis Through Modulation of Thymic Development of Pathobiont-Specific T Cells

I recently joined the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology and the Beirne B. Carter Immunology Center at the University of Virginia School of Medicine as an Assistant Professor. I obtained my PhD working in gut microbiota and systemic … Read More

Dr. Sun and Sam from Sun Lab with a new Article, Harnessing Immune Memory: mRNA Vaccines in COVID-19 and Beyond
Dr. Sun and Sam from Sun Lab with a new Article, Harnessing Immune Memory: mRNA Vaccines in COVID-19 and Beyond

Jie Sun, PhD, Harrison Distinguished Teaching Professor of Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia School of Medicine  Samuel P. Young, Graduate Student, Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia I’ve spent much of my professional career in the field … Read More


Simona Bajgai and Claire Williams

Simona's Title: “Examining the effects of commensal dysbiosis on mammary tissue mast cells.” Claire's Title: "Effects of Maternal Microbiota and Diet on IgA Responses in Early Life" 

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Pinn Hall 1014,

Dr. Jesse Williams, PhD

Title: Targeting Trem2 on lipid associated macrophages  in atherosclerosis

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Pinn Hall 1005,

Xiaoqin Wei

Title: Macrophage peroxisomes guide alveolar repair and limit post-viral chronic sequelae

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Pinn Hall 1014,
Pinn Hall 1005,
Pinn Hall 1014,