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
Madeline Akbari, PhD Candidate, Doran Lab
Madeline Akbari is a 5th year PhD candidate in the lab of Dr. Kelly Doran. The Doran lab studies Group B Streptococcus (GBS), a Gram-positive pathobiont that commonly colonizes the gastrointestinal and vaginal tract, but can cause sepsis and pneumonia in newborns. GBS is a leading cause of neonatal meningitis and is increasingly associated with diabetic wound infections. Madeline’s thesis work aims to understand bacterial adaptation to the host environment and host response to infection by studying factors involved in metabolism, specifically detoxification of a toxic metabolic byproduct, methylglyoxal, and characterizing metal homeostasis in the diabetic wound.
Madeline received the Future Leaders Mentoring Fellowship through the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) and attended the 2023 ASM Microbe meeting. She was also awarded an F31 grant from NIAID in 2024. Madeline was involved in organizing the annual 2024 MPID symposium with keynote speaker Dr. Manuel R Amieva and the 2024 STEM Poster Day at the Colorado State Capitol with the campus student organization Project Bridge (see article here). Project Bridge works to highlight research in Colorado and the importance of science communication. Madeline recently had a paper accepted and plans to defend her thesis this upcoming summer!
Outside of the lab, Madeline enjoys skiing, hiking, cooking and baking, reading fantasy/sci-fi novels, watching bad reality TV, and cuddling or playing with her cat Molly! One piece of advice Madeline wants to give new graduate students is to ask questions! “The people around you during rotations and in your final thesis lab will be your best resource to help you succeed.”
Access & Belonging
We aspire to build a medical campus community that thrives on access 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 Access and Engagement
Facilitates initiatives and programs in collaboration with colleagues from across campus and community members to enhance awareness, encourage and support meaningful contributions to advancing Access and Engagement efforts, increase a sense of belonging on campus, and invoke change as it relates to health equity. 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
