The PhD in Microbiology and Immunology prepares graduates to become independent scientists

in areas of GW faculty expertise, which include the study of host-pathogen relationships,

inflammation, vaccine development, T lymphocyte activation, cancer immunology, molecular
parasitology, molecular retrovirology (HIV/AIDS), and microbial genomics and proteomics. GW
is a proud partner in the DC Center for AIDS Research (DC CFAR) aimed at ending the HIV
epidemic, and PhD students can pursue training and symposia from a number of experts in HIV
research. Research is focused on 1) cure research including T cell therapy and reversal of viral
latency, 2) co-morbidities including malignances and CNS disease and 3) prevention research
including vaccines and novel therapeutics.
The Microbiology and Immunology programme involves immune cells, bacteria, fungi, viruses
and parasites. Students can investigate the ecology, evolution and environments of micro-
organisms, the diseases they cause, the microbiome and its influence on the immune system and
our health, immunity and disease. We are seeking solutions to the problem of antibiotic
resistance; designing new, combination drug therapies; using microbial engineering in industrial
processing and environmental remediation; determining how our immune system can best
protect us against infection and cancer; using this information to design new immunotherapies
and treatments for inflammation and auto-immune diseases.
The reason why you study MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY is to know how the microbes survive
in their habitat, which invariably is human. To survive in any environment, you must first
overcome its challenges; and the challenges posed to microorganisms in human habitats are
immune responses to the invading particles.
Advances in molecular and cell biology and genetics have opened new approaches to the study
of basic and applied aspects of infectious disease and host defense. We are applying these
approaches to studies of microbial pathogenesis, immune cell function, inflammation, receptor
signaling, prokaryotic and eukaryotic gene regulation, genetic manipulation of cell functions,
tumor immunology and immunotherapy, and vaccine development. Techniques including
functional genomics, gene delivery, and derivation of transgenic animals are being developed
and utilized to address specific questions. Our program provides interactive, multifaceted
education and research training. Our graduates receive comprehensive education in molecular
and cell biology, microbiology and immunology, and in-depth training in their chosen area of
research.
Active research in immunology includes the areas of cytotoxicity, programmed cell death,
cytokine receptor signaling, clinical and experimental bone marrow transplantation, stem cell
biology, gene therapy for cancer treatment, antigen recognition, cell differentiation and
communication, aging of the immune system, interleukins, genetic control of immunoglobulin
production, gene activation and evolution of the immune response. Research in other areas
includes the molecular biology of virus-host interaction in both animal and human systems,
control and regulation of bacterial pathogenesis, selective tumor chemotherapy and radiation
therapy, and therapy of parasitic infections. Miami, unfortunately, has a high rate of disease-
afflicted individuals, but this gives us the opportunity to study the root causes of these diseases
up-close and develop new therapies for the people that most need them. Miami is the right fit for
me because of the interdisciplinary culture at many levels: collaborations between labs, other
disciplines, and clinicians.
PhD Immunology

To become a successful clinical physician who can be the guardian of human health and life, this
was my one-time ambition that I believe I would pursue. However, a memorable experience
during my internship prior to the undergraduate graduation completely changed my mind. When
I witnessed how a patient suffering from lymphatic cancer was tortured, minute by minute, by
the agony of approaching his death and yet had to undergo the immense physical pains brought
by chemical therapy, radioactive therapy and other trauma-producing therapeutic measures, I
experienced a deep sorrow and regret for my not being able to help him alleviate his pain.
I know that at present clinical level there are still many tough problems remain unsolved, such as
the deciphering of the pathogeny of auto-immune diseases and its corresponding prevention and
treatment. Only through colossal research work in immunology will it be possible to arrive at
some tentative treatment of such diseases. Therefore, when I graduated from XXXX Medical
College. I decided to stay at my Alma Mater to take up research in immunology, which is closely
connected with basic medicine and is . By now, initial progress has been achieved. Realizing the
need to further upgrade my professional knowledge and expertise, I file this application for a
Ph.D. Program in Immunology at the University of XXXX.
Compared with numerous other applicants, I believe that my unique advantage dwells in the
strong motivation in life science and in basic medicine that I have maintained over the years. But
more importantly, it is embodied by the academic success I have achieved in my 5-year
undergraduate education in medical science and in the development of strong ability to perform
independent medical research in my two-year work experience.
My undergraduate program in clinical medicine encompassed approximately 30 courses across
basic medicine and clinical medicine. I was particularly interested in those sub-disciplines of
biological science that demand cogent logical analysis and creative thinking. Immunology
fascinated me most. That was because it is a science that exploits the principle that the
immunological system of all living organisms can produce rejection effect against any alien
intruder or against their own mutants and provides completely new solutions to the diverse
phenomena displayed by different strains and individual organisms and to their diseases. The
concepts and methodologies of immunology promise to solve related problems across different
fields. My academic performance during those five years should be described as outstanding,
with my scores ranking first among a total of 280 students in the entire grade. For this, I was
awarded special-class Scholarship for Outstanding Student for 6 times throughout my
undergraduate career.
Apart from coursework, I participated in academic exchange activities as student representative
of our college. In 2000, I made a presentation entitled. A General Description of Cellular
Apoptosis and Clinical Application at the First Youth Forum on Pathology in my province and
my presentation was given the Winning Prize by professors of pathology present at the forum. In
addition to that, I had always made conscious efforts to improve my experimental skills and
hands-on abilities. I achieved straight A's in all the internship-related subjects in my last year of
undergraduate program, winning the honor of Outstanding Interning Student from the hospital
where I interned. In my college itself, I served as the chairman of the Extracurricular
Pathological and Pharmacological Study Group winning first prizes for myself or for my group
at various knowledge contests in Human Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Pathology,
and Basic Medicine.
Upon graduation, I chose to take up a teaching position at my Alma Mater. This gave me the
precious opportunity to apply my knowledge and to be further exposed to research. Besides
working as a teaching assistant at Microbiology and Immunology Department, I devoted most of
time to advanced self-education in immunology. For two years, I have been responsible for
delivering both theoretical and (pre-)experimental courses in microbiology and immunology in
the entire college, as well as after-class coaching. I have been the first in my Department to
propose that educational reform be introduced into our Department to adopt the heuristic method
of elicitation and bilingual education (Chinese and English). In a project in which my college
collaborated with the Medical College of XXXX University on the preparation of the pool of
questions on immunology and microbiology, I was responsible for preparing questions
concerning two chapters on immunology and three chapters on microbiology. I audited and self-
studied many courses for graduate students and joined in their experiments. I have mastered
basic experimental skills in cell biology, molecular biology, immunology and microbiology,
ranging from aseptic technique, cell culture, lymphocyte separation, gel electrophoresis,
immunblotting to immunofluorescence technique.
At present, I am undertaking my own research project. Study on the Expression Level of CTLA-
4 Cytotoxic T Lymph Antigen-4 in the CD4+T of Systematic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). In
view of the relationship between the CTLA-4 as an inhibiting co-stimulating cell and the genesis
of SLE and its level of severity, as well as the abnormal pattern of the subpopulation of the T cell
in the peripheral blood of the SLE patients, I suggest that, in the genesis and development of the
SLE, the abnormal expression of CTLA-4 and other inhibiting cells in T lymph cells can lead to
distribution disequilibrium of the subpopulation of T cells in an organism, creating abnormal
patterns in immune responses and thereby facilitating the development of this type of auto-
immune diseases. The significance of my research project lies in the fact that the pathogeny of
the auto-immune diseases in the SLE category can be explicated through the activation of lymph
cells and signal transduction in the immunological system. In this way, the view that CTLA-4 is
an intervening and regulating point in the prevention of SLE and other auto-immune diseases
will receive stronger support and the key to intervention and regulation becomes more likely to
be discovered.
As an interdisciplinary subject that is of cutting-edge significance, immunology offers many
exciting yet challenges fields for research breakthroughs. As far as I am concerned, I am most
interested in the research on auto-immune diseases and on tumor. Specifically, I am very
enthusiastic about studying the disequilibrium of the subpopulation of cells in organism caused
by those diseases, the role of dendritic cells (DC), and other topics. I would like to approach
those issues from such perspectives as the activation of immunocytes, the co-stimulating cells of
proliferation, and the activated signal transduction.
To fulfill my aspirations, I deem it necessary to seek a Ph.D. degree from the University of
XXXX. As is universally acknowledged, the United States is performing leading research in
basic medicine and your esteemed university enjoys a specially high academic reputation in the
field of biomedical research. The famous XX Center is based in your university. The most
important factor is that your program offers research fields I am intensely interested in. I believe
that your education will broaden my knowledge horizon, expose me to distinguished professors
and their original concepts and creative teaching. I will also learn advanced theories of
immunology and sophisticated experimental skills. Ultimately I hope that I can become part of
the process that human beings use advanced research findings to decipher the mysteries of life
and the genesis of diseases. The early clinical application of those research findings will
undoubtedly make our life better.

PhD Microbiology

I have always wanted to work closely with people in an intellectually stimulating environment,
and, to my mind, a career, of a Microbiologist is one of the best ways to achieve this.
My interest in Microbiology started at a very young age and continued to be my greatest passion
for years. When I was studying for my undergraduate degree in Botany and Microbiology in
2007 at King Saud University (Riyadh), I had an intensive training in the Medical Microbiology
laboratories at National Guards and King Saud Hospitals in Saudi Arabia. During the training, I
gained a lot of valuable experiences, learned scores of techniques of performing diagnoses for
bacterial pathogens. As a matter of fact, the desire to study microbiology grew as I started to
know more about the field while working as a trainee. At that point, I have already understood
that I was on the right path, which will lead me to success.
My commitment to advance in Microbiology and become a researcher was reinforced when I
started studying for Masters degree in Biology, at Laurentian University, focusing on drug
delivery system. Years spent at the University have been very productive for me, as I took part in
a great number of Biology and Biochemistry seminars that filled in a lot of gaps in my
knowledge. I have also completed a couple of literary projects that involved works on
Biochemistry and Microbiology.
The purpose of this letter is to show my deep interest in pursuing a Ph.D. degree in
Microbiology. Getting a Ph.D. is my short-term goal, which I find to be an end in itself. In my
opinion, Ph.D. is the needed stepping stone in the career of every researcher, and that is the
reason I am willing to get it. My academic goal is to achieve the best educational qualifications
in order to enhance my efficiency in the workplace. My career goal is to be a Microbiologist with
an organization that offers responsibility and challenging tasks, utilizing extensive experience
and skills in laboratory techniques to become a researcher in my field.
I sincerely believe that pursuing the Ph.D. will facilitate my short- and long-term goals. I want a
wide variety of experiences in order to enhance my skills, so more people could benefit from my
knowledge and capabilities. The main goal, I hope to achieve while attending a Ph.D. program, is
to stay current on education, to become a competent microbiologist. Gained knowledge will give
me the confidence, and ability to diminish any possible professional blunders. By completing
this objective, I will increase my efficiency as a prosperous researcher. In the future I am
planning on working in the molecular field, and undertake studies, from which my country could
benefit. I have a clear understanding that I will have to work even harder to achieve all the goals
of mine, but I am ready to devote myself to studying and serving people.
Thank you for considering my candidacy. I sincerely hope that my big potential and eagerness to
study will help me to become a valuable asset of any organization in which I might work. My
curriculum vitae and application are enclosed for your review. Please let me know if there is any
additional information I can provide.
PhD Virology and Immunology

We were asked to stay in the car park. A stranger in a white suit came to take a swab of my
mouth, and a week later I as diagnosed with Swine Flu. The thing that stands out the most from
this memory is the wonder I had when I saw that, just as I got better, my whole family came
down with the same symptoms. And yet this isn't the only example. Being in a big family means
that if one person falls, the others go down too. But it was the trauma of being swabbed and the
swiftness of the contagion that really sparked a flame in my twelve-year old self, a flame that has
know grown to be my passion.
Understanding how something so small can infect so many people so quickly is something we've
skimmed through at school and in my opinion, not in enough depth. This encouraged me to do a
scientific baccalaureate so that I would be able to continue to understand various aspects of
microbiology and virology. Our school curriculum taught me the basics of the genetic basis of
cancer, cystic fibrosis and diabetes, but, hungry to learn more, I took it upon myself to read up on
virology and microbiology. I found "Les Maladies Genetiques" (ed. DOMINO) gave a really
well constructed view on a wide range of genetic diseases. I am also subscribed to the Virology
Journal.
One article that really captured my attention was "Differential cellular gene expression in duck
trachea infected with a highly or low pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus", published on the
10th of September 2013. Not only did it enlighten me on the virus itself, but it also helped me
understand better the work of a virologist or microbiologist after he or she has finished his or her
studies. During an university open day, I attended a lecture on virology which gave students a
taster of an area of the subject which in this case was the common cold virus. What surprised me
most of all were the three different viruses that could cause the common cold, and, even more
enticingly, we were told about how a new project was taking place which consisted of using the
adenovirus, one of the viruses at the origin of the human cold, to awaken the immune system and
teaching it to deal with certain cancerous cells.
Another reason for my interest in diseases and cellular biology is due to my work placement at
Rothamstead Research Centre. During my time there I helped Laura Simmons, a PhD student, on
her project which involved carrying out a genetic screen on the Arabidopsis thaliana to determine
the role of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) in plant development. Whilst I was at
Rothamstead, I was lucky enough to be allowed also to visit the open field experiment with
Laura. This experience not only allowed me to gain maturity about my chosen course but also
showed me how passionate a scientist should be about his her subject, something which I am
about virology. I will also be doing a placement with Dr Nicola Annels in the Royal Surrey
County Hospital during the last two weeks of October this year, working with her on her
immunotherapy project. I want to study my course in Great Britain for two reasons: firstly as it is
where I found the course that most suited me, and secondly because studying in the United
Kingdom would allow me to remain close to my family and friends.
My interests outside school are mainly centred around reading classical french texts, researching
Greek mythology and drawing, although I was in my school's debating club and programming
club, where we learned to program in Java using the Eclipse IDE. I hope my long interest in the
subject, my previous experience of it, my extracurricular activities and my academic choices will
make me an ideal student for your University and course. Furthermore, I plan to go on to do a
PhD in my chosen subject after my course.