Maryland Pathogen Research Institute

MPRI Faculty List

Advancing Science Through Partnerships

The Maryland Pathogen Research Institute (MPRI) brings together a broad-based, multi-disciplinary approach to the research of pathogenic microorganisms. The Institute brings together leaders in the Biosciences, Computational Sciences, Engineering and Nanosciences. Located on campus of the University of Maryland, College Park, these collaborations within MPRI shore the goal of developing a comprehensive program to diagnose, treat and prevent the spread of pathogens.

About MPRI

MPRI is primarily housed in the Bioscience Research Building (BRB) at the University of Maryland, College Park, where the entire top floor is dedicated to pathogen research. MPRI is administered through the Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics (CBMG) in the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS), but includes researchers from multiple Departments and Colleges at College Park. In particular, MPRI has key synergistic ties on campus with the Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (CBCB) and the Department of Bioengineering. MPRI also has close ties with faculty at the Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR) located on its sister campus at Shady Grove.

CMNS also runs several multi-user core facilities that house and maintain high-end, state-of-the-art instrumentation vital to the research activities of a broad spectrum of MPRI investigators. These facilities include: Advanced Genomics Facility; Biological Imaging and Cell Sorting Facility; Proteomics and Mass Spectroscopy Facility; and Scientific Computing.

The close proximity of the University of Maryland to governmental agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, Food and Drug Administration, the Biodefense Laboratories at Fort Dietrick and Fort Meade, as well as top research facilities such as Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute (UMBI), National Children's Medical Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, and over 300 biotechnology companies has greatly added to the strength and success of MPRI.

Graduate Students at MPRI

On campus, MPRI brings a broad-based, multi-disciplinary approach to the research of pathogenic microorganisms. Consider the advantages of a graduate education at UMD:

  • Internationally renowned faculty, including leaders in Bioinformatics/Genomics, Bioengineering, Host-Pathogen Interactions research
  • State-of-the-art research facilities and equipment
  • Comprehensive training program, with numerous course options, Ph.D. and M.S. tracks, weekly seminars and journal clubs, monthly group meetings, annual retreat
  • Highly qualified, diverse student population
  • Geographically desirable area — near Washington, DC and the National Institutes of Health Teaching assistantships
  • Great campus, including the TERPS! and more...

More information about UMD graduate programs in Host-Pathogen Interactions

MPRI Advisory Board

The Research Advisory Board of MPRI includes leaders in Pathogen Research within the University of Maryland Affiliate Organizations:

David Mosser
Founding Director of MPRI; Professor, Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics. Ph.D., Immunology, North Carolina State University, 1983. Innate and adaptive immunity to microbial pathogens; regulation of cytokine gene expression in macrophages and dendritic cells; receptor-mediated modulation of cytokine production; development of novel anti-inflammatory therapies to treat autoimmune diseases.

William Bentley
Director, Bioengineering Graduate Program and Herbert Rabin Distinguished Professor of Engineering. Ph.D., University of Colorado, Boulder, 1989. Heterologous protein expression; cellular stress responses; insect cell/baculovirus systems; metabolic engineering; bioreactor optimization; biodegradation.

Rita Colwell
Distinguished University Professor Emerita, Institute for Advanced Computer Studies. Ph.D., Oceanography, University of Washington. Global infectious diseases, water and health.

Kevin McIver
Professor, Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics. Ph.D., Microbiology, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, 1994. Bacterial pathogenesis, biodefense.

Scientific Advisory Board

Walter Dowdle, Ph.D., Ctr. for Dis. Control
Claire M. Fraser, Ph.D., The Univ. of Maryland Sch. of Med.
Diane Griffin, M.D., Ph.D., Johns Hopkins Univ.
Peter Hobart, Ph.D., The United States Army Med. Res. Inst. for Infect. Dis.
Alan Sher, Ph.D., The Natl. Inst. of Health
Stefanie Vogel, Ph.D., The Univ. of Maryland Sch. of Med.

MPRI Faculty Resources

What does it mean to be an MPRI faculty member?

  • Priority, reduced cost access to shared equipment, including equipment in the Flow Cytometry and Proteomics Core Facilities
  • Participation on multidisciplinary grants and initiatives (eg., shared equipment, training, facility improvement)
  • Meet and collaborate with other faculty interested in pathogen research
  • Numerous opportunities to attend or present at journal clubs, monthly "Works in Progress, annual symposium

Resources

For information about MPRI, contact:

Dr. David M. Mosser
Director, MPRI
3104 Bioscience Research Building
301.214.2594 
dmosser@umd.edu

For information about the MPRI Flow Cytometry Core or FACSAria, contact:

Ken Class
Director, Imaging and Flow Cytometry Facility 
2102 Bioscience Research Building
kclass@umd.edu
Office: 301.405.4593
Lab: 301.405.0398