Microbiology and Immunology (M&I) is one of the Stanford Biosciences Home Programs that cooperatively train graduate students in the biosciences. The mission of our program is to conduct the best possible research and provide the most rigorous and inspiring training in areas of microbiology, immunology, host-pathogen interaction, and related biomedical fields. Our holistic research approach considers the entirety of the systems we study, from pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases to pathogen-produced virulence proteins that reprogram infected cells. Within our collaborative Biosciences network, M&I offers a large number of formal courses, practical training and mentoring in the lab and clinic for passionate learners at all levels from diverse backgrounds. 

About the Biosciences PhD Home Program
Students can apply up to three programs and then enter through one. Student’s choose a home from which to explore all that Stanford has to offer. Research rotations can be done in any bioscience lab, but one must be done in a lab that is part of the home program. The final thesis lab is chosen based on these research rotations and while most student ends up staying in the original home program, those who discover a new passion during rotations can transfer to a different home program or simply stay within the M&I home and do thesis work outside the Department (assuming their thesis work will bear at least some connection to our discipline). All students are required to obtain teaching experience, usually by serving as a teaching assistant in at least one department course. The normal time for completion of the PhD is about 5 to 5.5 years.

Academic Advising
The Department is committed to providing academic advising in support of graduate student scholarly and professional development. This advising relationship involves collaborative and sustained engagement by both the adviser and student and expectations should be periodically discussed and reviewed to ensure mutual understanding, professionalism and integrity.

Faculty advisors guide students in key areas such as applicable courses, designing and conducting research, developing of teaching pedagogy, navigating policies and degree requirements, and exploring academic opportunities and professional pathways. Graduate students are also active contributors to the advising relationship, proactively seeking academic and professional guidance and taking responsibility for being informed of policies and degree requirements for their graduate program. Find out more about Graduate Student Academic Advising.