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Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
Graduate School of Public Health
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 Detailed InformationPrograms of StudyInfectious diseases are at the root of some of the world’s most pressing public health issues. The Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology (IDM) in the Graduate School of Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh has a long and distinguished history as a leader in graduate education, cutting-edge research, community intervention, and health provider education in infectious diseases. A major component of the Department’s mission involves training the next generation of scientists and public health professionals to join in the effort to reduce the impact of infectious diseases worldwide. The Department’s extensive research, community intervention, education, and training programs provide students with a dynamic educational experience and are key to achieving their professional goals.
The Department has a commitment to high-quality graduate education that is consistent with its cutting-edge research and behavioral health and community education programs. The degree programs draw on the disciplines of molecular biology, immunology, epidemiology, medicine, health education, and community intervention to provide students with opportunities to participate in cross-disciplinary research into multiple aspects of infectious diseases.
The Department offers Master of Public Health (M.P.H.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Master of Science (M.S.), and Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.) degree programs. Students in the M.P.H. program can pursue one of two concentrations: bioscience of infectious disease or community and behavioral intervention for infectious diseases. Within the M.P.H. Community & Behavioral Intervention of Infectious Diseases concentration, a degree with a two-year service in the Peace Corps is available. Further details about the Peace Corps Master’s International Program is available at www.publichealth.pitt.edu/pcmi.
Major programmatic emphases in basic research within the Department include acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), herpesvirus infections in transplant recipients, cellular immunity against herpesviruses and retroviruses, dendritic cell biology, regulation of viral gene expression, antiviral drug resistance, Legionella, host genetic susceptibility, and diagnostic microbiology. Recently added programs of research include the vaccinology of emerging infections, including SARS coronavirus, avian influenza virus, West Nile virus and Coxiella burnetii (the agent of Q fever), and the cellular immune response to hepatitis C virus. Many of the programs are interdisciplinary and involve collaboration among basic scientists, clinicians, clinical microbiologists, and epidemiologists. The Department is also the home of the local site of the internationally recognized Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) on the natural history of HIV infection. Departmental research is being translated directly into clinical trials, as exemplified by the NIH integrated clinical and preclinical program that conducts clinical trials on immunotherapy of HIV infection.
The Department is renowned for its public health education programs for health-care providers (The Pennsylvania/MidAtlantic AIDS Education and Training Center) and for the control and prevention of AIDS in various population groups (Pennsylvania Prevention Project). The Department also is the home of the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Research on Health and Sexual Orientation, a unique program that focuses on the health problems of sexual minorities. Research FacilitiesThe main portion of the Department is housed in the two contiguous GSPH buildings, Parran and Crabtree Halls. State-of-the-art immunology, molecular biology, and histopathology laboratories are housed throughout four floors of Parran Hall, many of which have recently been renovated as part of an ongoing expansion process. Central Departmental facilities include cold rooms, warm rooms, ultracentrifuges and super-speed centrifuges, a flow cytometry facility, and a fluorescence microscopy and imaging suite. The University of Pittsburgh has a microchemical facility that provides key services such as DNA and peptide synthesis and DNA and protein sequencing, and has genomics and proteomics core laboratories to aid researchers in joining the genomics revolution. Additional facilities include the AIDS prevention offices and MACS clinic in the nearby Keystone Building, the Center for Vaccine Research, and the Department’s recently renovated administrative offices in Crabtree Hall. Financial AidFinancial support is provided to all doctoral students. The Department offers a comprehensive and competitive package to support doctoral students throughout their graduate careers, which includes full tuition, a stipend, and health insurance.
Outside funding opportunities, including scholarships, fellowships, and loans, are available for master’s-level students. This includes two IDM Public Health Scholarships of $1000 each, which are awarded annually based on academic performance. There are also a number of partial scholarships available to first-year M.S. and M.P.H. students.
All IDM students receive the benefits awarded to University of Pittsburgh students. Such benefits include free public transportation via the Port Authority of Allegheny County, access to student health services and University fitness centers, and free and reduced admission to museums and cultural events on campus and in Pittsburgh, all of which are in a city with a low cost of living. Cost of StudyTuition and fees for the 2008–09 academic year total $19,184 for in-state students and $33,542 for out-of-state students. Living and Housing CostsA large number of apartments are available within a 3-mile radius of the Graduate School of Public Health. It is estimated that monthly living expenses total $550–$700 for rent, $250 for food, and $100 for miscellaneous expenses. Student GroupThe Department has approximately 60 graduate students from both the U.S. and numerous other countries. Each year, approximately 3 to 5 students are admitted into the doctoral programs, and 15 to 20 students are admitted into the master’s programs. Student OutcomesIDM graduates have obtained professional positions with prestigious employers in the United States and worldwide. Examples include the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state and local health departments, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and major universities and other academic institutions. LocationThe Graduate School of Public Health is located in the heart of the University of Pittsburgh campus in the historical Oakland area of Pittsburgh, which is within short walking distance of the Carnegie Library; Carnegie Natural History and Art Museum; the 456-acre Schenley Park, which includes the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens; Carnegie Mellon University; and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center complex. Situated in scenic western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh has undergone a tremendous rebirth in the technological and banking industries following its reign as a center of steel and coal production. Coupled with the numerous cultural and outdoor activities available, Pittsburgh is one of the most livable and affordable cities in the United States. The DepartmentThe Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology currently has 18 full-time faculty members, including 14 in the biosciences and 4 in public health education and prevention. The Department is housed in 28,713 square feet of recently renovated state-of-the-art research facilities, of which 11,838 square feet are devoted to laboratories in Parran and Crabtree Halls. Currently, the Department receives more than $11 million annually in extramural research funds. ApplyingAdmissions are made for the fall term only. To be considered for admission for fall 2009, completed electronic applications must be received on or before January 5, 2009. Candidates are evaluated for admission based on their academic record, GRE scores, previous work and/or research experience, and letters of recommendation. Applications must be submitted through the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS) Web site at http://www.sophas.org. Additional information is available on the Department’s Web site. The Faculty and Their Research
- Professors
- Charles R. Rinaldo Jr., Chairman; Ph.D., Utah, 1973. T-cell immunity to human immunodeficiency virus, human herpesvirus 8 (Kaposi’s sarcoma–associated herpesvirus), and hepatitis C virus; vaccines for emerging infections; natural history of HIV infection; clinical virology.
- Phalguni Gupta, Assistant Chairman; Ph.D., Wisconsin, 1972. Cellular and molecular basis of HIV pathogenesis; development of novel vaccine candidates against HIV and SIV; molecular mechanisms of sexual transmission of HIV; genetic variation of HIV at different parts of the body; nonlytic CD8+ T-cell–mediated HIV suppression; international study on molecular epidemiology and pathogenesis of HIV in India and China.
- Associate Professors
- Velpandi Ayyavoo, Ph.D., Madurai Kamaraj (India), 1991. Immunopathogenesis of HIV-1; virus-host protein-protein interaction; HIV-1 vaccine and therapeutic development.
- Simon Barratt-Boyes, Ph.D., California, Davis, 1993. Dendritic cell biology and therapy; primate models of infectious disease; vaccines for emerging infections.
- Lawrence A. Kingsley, Dr.P.H., Pittsburgh, 1983. Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS; metabolic/morphologic toxicities (lipodystrophy) of antiretroviral therapy; KSHV, HBV, HCV, and other STDs.
- Todd A. Reinhart, Sc.D., Harvard, 1992. In vivo pathogenesis of simian immunodeficiency virus; roles of chemokines in viral immunodeficiencies, tuberculosis, inflammation, cancer, and vaccines.
- David T. Rowe, Ph.D., McMaster, 1983. Epstein-Barr virus latent gene expression; relation of viral load to EBV disease progression.
- Anthony J. Silvestre, Ph.D., Pittsburgh, 1992. HIV prevention; sexual orientation and diversity; access to health care.
- Assistant Professors
- Rodger L. Beatty, Ph.D., Pittsburgh, 1997. Behavioral aspects of substance abuse, HIV, sexual minorities, and communities.
- Yue Chen, M.D., Dalian Medical (China), 1983; Ph.D., Pittsburgh, 1998. Mucosal vaccine development against SIV infection.
- Linda Frank, M.S.N., 1983, Ph.D., 1990, Pittsburgh. AIDS education of health-care professionals; HIV early intervention; mental health issues and HIV; corrections and adherence.
- Emilia L. Lombardi, Ph.D., Akron, 1997. HIV/AIDS, alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use; stigma and health; access to care; gender/transgender/transsexual issues.
- Jeremy J. Martinson, D.Phil., Oxford, 1991. Human genomic variation and resistance to HIV infection; genetic variation in the innate immune response; host influences on side effects of antiviral therapy.
- Tianyi Wang, Ph.D., Ohio State, 2001. Innate immunity and Toll-like receptors; proteomics; host-pathogen interaction.
- Research Assistant Professors
- Zheng Fan, M.D., Shanghai (China), 1970. Cellular immunity to human and simian immunodeficiency viruses.
- Xiao-Li Huang, M.D., Shanghai (China), 1970. Cellular immunity to human immunodeficiency and herpesviruses; epidemiology of AIDS; clinical virology.
- Giovanna Rappocciolo, Ph.D., Milan, 1983. Cellular immunity to herpes viruses and immunodeficiency virus.
- Research Instructors
- Amy L. Hartman, Ph.D., Pittsburgh, 2003. Pathogenesis of RNA viruses and viral influence factors.
- FACULTY WITH SECONDARY APPOINTMENTS
- Professors
- Albert D. Donnenberg, Ph.D., Johns Hopkins, 1980. Functional significance of T-cell activation markers; T-cell turnover in SIV infection; role of p-gp in resistance to immunosuppressive agents; immunologic consequences of autologous transplantation in systemic sclerosis.
- Lee H. Harrison, M.D., Emory, 1982. Epidemiology and molecular epidemiology of bacterial pathogens, including Escherichia coli O157:H7, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Group B streptococcus, and Neisseria meningitides; epidemiology and vaccine prevention of HIV infection in Brazil; enhanced surveillance methods for detection of naturally occurring and bioterrorism-related outbreaks.
- Donald A. Henderson, M.D., Rochester, 1954. Public health preparedness; smallpox eradication; biosecurity.
- John W. Mellors, M.D., Dartmouth, 1978. HIV; monocyte-macrophages; antiretrovirals; antiretroviral drug resistance; pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and microbicides as an HIV prevention.
- Ronald C. Montelaro, Ph.D., Wisconsin, 1975. Molecular mechanisms of HIV-1 and related animal lentivirus persistence and pathogenesis; AIDS vaccine development.
- Patrick S. Moore, M.D., Utah, 1985; M.P.H., Berkeley, 1990. Investigation of basic interactions between KSHV and host-cell signaling pathways that contribute to cancer cell development; discovery of new pathogens in chronic diseases (cancers, autoimmune disorders), using molecular methods.
- Michael Murphey-Corb, Ph.D., Louisiana State, 1980. Characterization of protective immune responses to SIV; development of SIV vaccines, with an emphasis on the mucosae; pathogenesis of SIV; SIV genetic evolution; development of nonhuman primate model for gene therapy.
- Michael A. Parniak, Ph.D., Waterloo, 1978. Mechanisms of action and resistance of HIV-1 to reverse transcriptase inhibitors; RNase H as a potential antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial target; nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors as anti-HIV-1 microbicides; structural and biological properties of modified arabino antisense oligonucleotides.
- Robert M. Wadowsky, Sc.D., Pittsburgh, 1983. Real-time PCR for measuring Epstein-Barr virus DNA load in transplant recipients; Streptococcus pyogenes and viruses, including rhinovirus, as agents of the common cold.
- Victor L. Yu, M.D., Minnesota, 1970. Legionellosis; antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
- Associate Professors
- Richard Day, Ph.D., Berkeley, 1973. Environmental and occupational epidemiology; psychiatric epidemiology; statistical computing; statistical consulting.
- Frank J. Jenkins, Ph.D., Pennsylvania, 1984. Role of a newly discovered human herpesvirus, HHV-8, in development and pathogenesis of Kaposi’s sarcoma; characterization and functional role of individual HSV-1 proteins in viral replication; interactions between the endocrine, nervous, and immune systems in establishment, maintenance, and reactivation of latent HSV-1 infections.
- Pawel Kalinski, M.D., Warsaw, 1991; Ph.D., Amsterdam, 1998. Cellular interactions during the development of Th1 and Th2 responses; role of DC in the induction of polarized Th1 and Th2 responses (DC as mediators of signal 3); Th1 and Th2 CD4 T-cell subsets in cancer patients.
- Deborah K. McMahon, M.D., Temple, 1981. Treatment of HIV/AIDS; HIV clinical trials.
- A. William Pasculle, Sc.D., Pittsburgh, 1976. Host defenses and virulence factors of Legionella infections; clinical microbiology; bioterrorism; Clostridium difficile.
- Sharon Riddler, M.D., Wisconsin, 1986. Treatment of HIV/AIDS; HIV clinical trials; complications of antiretroviral therapy.
- Assistant Professors
- Ted Ross, Ph.D., Vanderbilt, 1996. HIV-1; biodefense agents; vaccine development; immunology; virology.
- Nicolas Sluis-Cremer, Ph.D., Witwatersrand (Johannesburg), 1994. Mechanisms of HIV-1 drug resistance; discovery of inhibitors active against drug resistant HIV-1.
- Kelly Stefano Cole, Ph.D., Pennsylvania, 1992. Characterization of protective antibody responses to SIV and HIV infection and vaccination; defining mechanisms and role of variation on antibody-mediated neutralization; AIDS vaccine development and evaluation.
Correspondence and InformationUniversity of Pittsburgh Robin Leaf, M.Ed. Academic Administrator A419 Crabtree Hall Graduate School of Public Health 130 DeSoto Street Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261 Telephone:
412-624-3331 Fax:
412-383-8926
Email:
idm@pitt.edu University of Pittsburgh Dr. Jeremy Martinson Assistant Professor 403 Parran Hall Graduate School of Public Health 130 DeSoto Street Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261 Telephone:
412-624-5646 Fax:
412-383-8926
Email:
jmartins@pitt.edu
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