Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology

Vojo Deretic, Ph.D., Department Chair

The Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology (MGM – easy to remember by similarity to a famous film studio) is a superb training, research, and educational environment where top drawer research is being carried out on a daily basis in our laboratories supported by multiple grants, fellowships and contracts from NIH and other funding agencies. Our rich and varied studies span areas from the fundamental aspects of the biology of the cell to nanomedicine and clinical trails. We are a technologically advanced environment with some of the latest and most sophisticated technologies and equipment available directly within the department. The areas of study include cancer, genetics, immunology, microbiology, virology, cell biology, and nanotechnology, creating a unique and well-rounded training environment. Our faculty, their students, associates and postdoctoral trainees publish in premier journals, including Nature, Cell, Science, Molecular Cell, Developmental Cell, PNAS, New England Journal of Medicine, and other top tier and excellent trade journals. Many of our faculty are well known internationally and nationally and our trainees obtain respectable positions after completing their training with us. One of the most important research and training missions of our Department is to provide the best opportunities for our trainees in a nurturing and supportive environment while engaging in top notch science.

MGM strives to be a major pillar of our Medical School in teaching and in all aspects of Health Science Center and UNM scholarly activities. MGM has a strong commitment to playing a leadership role in medical school teaching and graduate student training. Apart from important teaching responsibilities covered by this mission of our Department, this generates opportunities for our faculty and trainees to fulfill their educational mission, obtain the necessary teaching experience, and continuously hone their educational and communication skills. Our Department is always refining its alignment with the strategic School of Medicine educational and research goals, while maintaining a close watch on national trends and international science breakthroughs.

MGM Chairman, Vojo Deretic, Ph.D., received his undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral education in Belgrade, Paris, and Chicago. He worked as a faculty at the University of Texas, University of Michigan, and joined MGM in 2001. Dr. Deretic has served for many years as a permanent member on NIH study sections and on panels for other funding agencies including Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and is now Chair of the NIH AIDS Opportunistic Infections and Cancer (AOIC) study section. He is a member of the prestigious Faculty 1000, serves on editorial boards of several journals, and has over 100 peer-reviewed publications. The MGM department is organized in 4 sections lead by section chiefs:

(i) Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Section (Dr. Hattie Gresham, Section Chief), coordinates its activities with the infectious diseases and immunology signature program and organizes MGM immunologists and microbiologists in a cohesive fashion for programmatic applications.

(ii) Genetics and Cancer Section (Dr. Scott Ness, Section Chief) maintains the already strong role of MGM in Cancer Research and Treatment Center.

(iii) Translational Research Section (Dr. Cosette Wheeler, Section Chief) is aligned with UNM SOM translational efforts, and provides leadership and know-how in development of programs that will seize on NIH translational research initiatives.

(iv) Nanomedicine and Biotechnology Section (Dr. David Peabody, Section Chief) develops multidisciplinary activities and enhances interactions with the main campus, schools of engineering, and Sandia National Laboratories.

Our faculty (see individual pages) have membership in one or more departmental sections, creating a vibrant network of coordinated activities and interactions.