Ph.D. Program in Microbiology and Immunology
The doctoral program in Microbiology and Immunology (M&I) provides students the opportunity to pursue doctoral dissertation research in the areas of HIV (including neuro-HIV, broadly neutralizing antibodies, and cure strategies), allergy, molecular virology, and/or cancer immunology. The M&I program is a component of the George Washington University Integrated Biomedical Sciences, which coordinates the five biomedical science Ph.D. programs in the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Applicants must fulfill the school's admission requirements and be admitted into GW's Integrated Biomedical Sciences.
The Ph.D. program is a flexible, research-intensive program and is tailored to the individual interests of the student. The common IBS core curriculum includes interdisciplinary cell and molecular biology and physiology courses, biostatistics, and professional skill courses in scientific writing, biomedical careers and responsible conduct. Foundation courses for the M&I Ph.D. program begin in the second semester, and still allow student flexibility. The required and elective didactic work is designed to meet the specific program's requirements and the student's needs in preparation for dissertation research. Students participate in three rotations in the first year of graduate training in order to identify a faculty research advisor.
Upon completion of core courses and laboratory rotations, the student selects a degree program as well as a research mentor. Research opportunities are available with faculty at the downtown GW SMHS campus, as well as the Children's National Health System. Students complete a grant-style qualifier examination at the end of the second year. After successful completion of the qualifier, students pursue dissertation research, with periodic thesis advisory committee meetings and reports due every semester to ensure good progress.
Financial Assistance
The Integrated Biomedical Sciences provides the stipend for a one-year period, subject to satisfactory academic performance. The current (2025-2026) stipend/salary is $43,000 (periodic review of the NIH NRSA stipend levels and cost-of-living analyses affect the amount). Subsequently, students are expected to be supported by extramural fellowships, scholarships, or research grants awarded to the laboratory in which they are doing their dissertation research project.
Additional information on the M&I program may be obtained from the program directors:
Dr. Alberto Bosque
Co-Director, Microbiology and Immunology Program
E-mail: abosque [at] gwu [dot] edu (abosque[at]gwu[dot]edu)
Phone: (202) 994-9696
Dr. Rebecca Lynch
Co-Director, Microbiology and Immunology Program
E-mail: rmlynch [at] gwu [dot] edu (rmlynch[at]gwu[dot]edu)
Phone: (202) 994-2193
For more information, visit the Integrated Biomedical Sciences website.
