Microbiology Program
Microbiology Program
Microbiology Program
Microbiology Program
Microbiology Program
The Doctoral Program in Microbiology provides advanced training and education for students with the desire and ability to thrive in a stimulating, research-oriented graduate program leading to careers in science in the academic, governmental, or private sectors.
MICROBIOLOGY GRADUATE PROGRAM STUDENT HIGHLIGHT
Shelby Andersen, PhD Candidate, Duerkop Lab
Shelby Andersen is a 4th year PhD candidate in the lab of Dr. Breck Duerkop. The Duerkop lab studies how mobile genetic elements, such as bacteriophages, plasmids, and insertion sequences, interact with their bacterial hosts and how these interactions impact human health. Shelby’s research is focused on the identification and characterization of antiphage defense systems that are in genomic proximity to a serine recombinase. She has developed a bioinformatic pipeline for this project – something she thought she could never do prior to joining Dr. Duerkop’s lab!
Shelby found her love of microbiology at a young age when she was fascinated by diseases and how microscopic organisms can make us so sick. This love was fostered in the lab of Dr. Mary Weber where Shelby studied Chlamydia as an undergraduate at the University of Iowa. Since starting graduate school, Shelby has given presentations around the country including at the Symposium on the Immune System of Bacteria meeting in Boston, Massachusetts and at the Lactic Acid Bacteria Biology, Symbioses, and Applications Gordon Research Conference in Ventura, California. Shelby was awarded the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRFP) which funds the entirety of her graduate studies.
Outside of the lab, Shelby enjoys all that Colorado has to offer through hiking, climbing, and this will be her first season skiing! Shelby believes it’s important to remember that as a scientist you are finding answers to questions that no one has ever asked before, so it’s okay when things don’t always go perfectly! With passion, creativity, curiosity, and a little bit of luck, your science will always go somewhere interesting.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
We aspire to build a medical campus community that thrives on diversity, equity, inclusion and community engagement; strives to eliminate social injustices and health disparities through measurable commitments, strategic, systemic and sustainable systems of accountability; and demonstrates trust and respect for ALL through inclusive practices and policies.
As a world-class medical destination at the forefront of transformative education, science, medicine and health care, we will combine efforts and leverage all of the campus missions to attain our goal. This includes expanding on the endeavors of the former Community-Campus Partnership program and strengthening the collaboration with our hospital partners.
CU Anschutz Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement
Implementing best practices as it relates to diversity, equity and inclusion for students, staff, faculty and visitors on campus, and will maintain and develop mutually beneficial partnerships with the community. Learn More.
CU Anschutz PhD Program Student Statistics
As a member of the Coalition for Next Generation Life Science, the Graduate School provides detailed statistics from Biomedical Science programs on: Admissions and matriculation data of PhD students, Average time-to-degree and completion data for PhD programs, and Demographics of PhD students by gender, underrepresented minority status, and citizenship status.
Office of Disability, Access, & Inclusion
Partners with students and programs to ensure an accessible and inclusive experience. Learn More.
Student Resources | Learn more about requesting accommodations, policies & guidelines, and additional resources.
Campus Resources | Learn more about general campus resources
LGBTQ+ HUB
The LGBTQ+ Hub as a one-stop shop that can achieve a campus and Aurora community culture where LGBTQ+ people are highly visible, are fully included and integrated in leadership, day-to-day living, communication and dialogue, and where vibrant partnerships exist between the LGBTQ+ Hub and the campus and Aurora communities-at-large.
Education: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion 101
Make a report or learn more about important considerations related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) such as language, bias, and identity. Learn More
Undocumented Student Services
Our university remains committed to providing access to all qualified students, including students under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Advancing Students for a Stronger Economy Tomorrow (ASSET) programs. We are pleased to provide a variety of services, support, and information for students, faculty, and staff to help undocumented students succeed at CU Anschutz
