Why M&I at UBC | Microbiology & Immunology @ UBC

Internationally Recognized

Microbiology and Immunology at UBC is internationally recognized for its excellence in research and teaching. Our 25 core research faculty members lead a community of more than 160 graduate students, postdocs, research associates and technicians with considerable strength in immunology, microbiology and virology. We are at the forefront of interdisciplinary research to understand the function of the microbiome in human health, host-pathogen interactions, immune function to control cancer, microbial ecology and geochemistry, and antimicrobial therapies.

Opportunities for Interdisciplinary Research

We encourage interdisciplinary research through collaboration within the department and with groups at UBC and beyond. For example, immunologists and microbiologists are collaborating for an integrated approach to commensal microbiota and host-pathogen interaction. Our faculty with groups at the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), and Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) have joined forces through the Centre for Tuberculosis Research (CTBR) to develop novel therapeutics against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The Centre for Microbial Diversity and Evolution training program highlights exploratory and collaborative research between microbiologists, botanists and zoologists into the diversity of microbial life.

State of the Art Research Facilities

Research group are located in the Life Science Institute (LSI) within the Life Science Centre, the Michael Smith Labratories (MSL), the Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute. Within these centres, institutes and laboratories are a wealth of facilities for Imaging, Flow Cytometry, High Throughput Sequencing, and Structural Biology.

Minimum Stipend Guarantee

Type of Student	Minimum Stipend	Supplement Equivalent to Tuition and Fees
Master's	$21,420	Yes
PhD	$24,480	Yes

Students are expected to seek additional funding opportunities including individual scholarships, awards, and Teaching Assistantships.

Social Events and Lectures

Weekly Seminars: opportunities for students to network with each speaker.

Quarterly Departmental Symposiums: opportunities for students to interact with faculty and staff within the Department.

Student Initiatives: Pizza Journal club; Immunity, infection, and inflammation (I3) graduate student talks.

Graduate Student Seminar Series (GS3)

Microbiology and Immunology Graduate Student Society (MIGSS): student-run organization that hosts many academic and non-academic events such as beach BBQs, hikes and pub nights.