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
Liz Alexander, PhD Candidate, Keestra-Gounder Lab
Liz Alexander is a 4th-year PhD candidate in the lab of Dr. Marijke Keestra-Gounder. The Keestra-Gounder lab studies the innate immune responses during pathogen infections. The lab focuses on understanding the connection between endoplasmic reticulum stress responses and intracellular innate immune receptors NOD1 and NOD2 (NOD1/2). Liz’s thesis work focuses on understanding how intracellular innate immune receptors NOD1/2 and endoplasmic reticulum stress contribute to Salmonella Typhimurium pathogenesis in the intestinal lumen.
Liz has had many notable accomplishments during her time as a graduate student. She won second place in the MPID symposium poster session in 2025, as well as a poster prize at the “Salmonella Biology and Pathogenesis” Gordon Research Conference in 2025. Liz won the Werner and Kitty Hirs travel award in 2025 and 2024, as well as the AAI Young Investigator Award in 2024 for a poster presentation. Most notably, Liz has been selected as a Gordon Research Seminar Chair to organize the "Salmonella Biology and Pathogenesis" Gordon Research Seminar in 2027. Finally, Liz has several papers in preprint. Click here to view the first and click here to view the second.
Outside the lab, Liz enjoys the many outdoor activities Colorado offers, including rock climbing and hiking. Liz also enjoys going to musicals and plays.
A kernel of wisdom Liz has to offer to both new and current graduate students is that graduate school is a marathon, not a sprint, and that it is important to pace oneself throughout the process.
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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.
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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
