Abdomen

Gastrointestinal Sciences,Immunology, Microbiology&Infectious Diseases

Our three specialized programs are part of a variety of research groups and students are able to take advantage of interdisciplinary training opportunities, professional development activities, and attend conferences both within Canada and around the world. 

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The Gastrointestinal Sciences, Immunology, and Microbiology and Infectious Diseases graduate programs have recently merged under one program director.

Each program offers a unique research opportunity in a wide range of research interests including Physiology, Immunology, Immunopharmacology, Microbiology, Nutrition, Parasitology, Pathology, Epidemiology, and others. These Graduate Programs provide state-of-the-art training opportunities with researchers from both basic science and clinical disciplines.

Through coursework, regular seminars, and journal clubs, our students are able to study a specific research area in depth while gaining a broad understanding of their discipline. 

Program Streams

Applicants to the GI | IM | MID Graduate Program can apply to thesis based programs:

  • Master of Science (MSc) program
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program

Gastrointestinal Sciences (GI)

Research in the Gastrointestinal Sciences graduate program focuses on creating a better understanding of normal digestive function including the mechanisms responsible for dysfunction and the development of disease. Our faculty has a wide range of research interests, including Physiology, Immunology, Immunopharmacology, Microbiology, Nutrition, Parasitology, Pathology, and Epidemiology among others.

Our faculty members are part of the Gastrointestinal Research Group (GIRG) and the Inflammation Research Network. 

Immunology (IM)

The Immunology Graduate program provides state-of-the-art training in immunological research at the University of Calgary. Our graduate program is associated with the Immunology Research Group (IRG) with members from various basic science and clinical departments across the Cumming School of Medicine and Department of Biological Sciences. 

The research of the IRG falls under two core themes: 

• Development and physiology of cells of the immune system
• Immunological mechanisms in disease and the inflammatory process

Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (MID)

The objective of the Microbiology & Infectious Diseases program is to provide educational opportunities in microbiology and infectious diseases with emphasis on molecular approaches and microbial pathogenesis and therapy. 

The Microbiology & Infectious Diseases program is comprised of faculty members who are part of many of the research Institutes in the Cumming School of Medicine. These research groups have been formed within the department to focus on such areas as lung infections in cystic fibrosis, systemic infections such as sepsis, autoimmunity in diabetes mellitus, molecular diagnostics and therapeutics and vaccine development.

This program is associated with the following research groups: 

Immunology Research Group (IRG)
Bacterial Pathogenesis Research Group (BPRG)
Gastrointestinal Research Group (GIRG)
Inflammation Research Network (IRN)

Future Students
Specializations
Program Requirements
Course Requirements
Awards

MDGI/MDIM/MDMI course inquiries can be emailed to gsecourses@ucalgary.ca

Lesley Towill
Graduate Program Administrator
GI Inquiries: gimgrad@ucalgary.ca
IM Inquiries: gimgrad@ucalgary.ca
MID Inquiries: gimgrad@ucalgary.ca

Dr. Alexei Savchenko
Graduate Program Director

Student Associations

Each specialization in our program has its own student association. These associations are members of both the Council of Foothills DGAs and the University of Calgary Graduate Students Association. 

Gastrointestinal Sciences

Gastrointestinal Sciences Graduate Student Association (GIGSA)

The GIGSA is a student organization that represents the students of the Gastrointestinal Sciences program to the Faculty of Graduate Studies. They actively communicate student concerns at monthly meetings of the Graduate Students' Association, Council of Foothills Departmental Graduate Associations (CFD), and GIRG Business Meetings. 

Every year, the GIGSA puts on regular seminars and workshops to aid in student development. Other events include the GIRG/IRN's Social Committee's Coffee Mornings, Ice Cream Socials, and a Summer BBQ (every August). 

Contact Information:

  • President: Grace Hudson
  • Vice President: Sruthi Rajeev
  • Secretary: Vicky Li
  • Treasurer: Emily Mercer
  • Social Coordinator: Joshua Lee


Interested in joining? GIGSA is recruiting!

Immunology

Immunology Graduate Association (IGA)

The Immunology Graduate Association (IGA) is a student-run organization that serves the academic, social, and professional interests of the Immunology graduate students at the Cumming School of Medicine. The IGA also organizes student events - watch the Events page for updates throughout the year.

Vision Statement: 

The vision of our IGA shall be: community, advocacy and student development through integrity.

The mission of the IGA is:

1.  To promote and serve the academic, social, and professional interests of the graduate students of the University of Calgary’s Immunology Graduate Program

2. To represent the interests of the graduate students within the Immunology Program

3. To foster interaction between graduate students within the Immunology Program

4. To foster interaction between graduate students within the IGA and other Departmental Graduate Associations within the Graduate Students Association

Contact Information:

 

 

 

Microbiology & Infectious Diseases

Microbiology & Infectious Diseases Graduate Student Association

The Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Disease student association hosts regular events that focus on both trainee professional development and social activities to deepen the MID graduate training at the University of Calgary. Events can include invited speaker seminars, small group sessions or informal lunches that the student association organizes several times annually. Historically this has led to workshops on topics such a statistics for life sciences, candidacy and molecular biology techniques. The student association also hosts regular social events such as BBQs and Christmas parties where students within the MID department can mingle and build solid relationships with fellow graduate students outside of a formal lab environment.

We aim to build a sense of community among graduate students not only within our department, but also through partnering with affiliate student associations. This inherently leads to a broader network of friendships outside the lab and also better executed and funded events. The student association is run entirely by students within the MID department and participation on the executive committee presents a fantastic opportunity for students looking to hone their leadership and planning skills.

Contact Information: