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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.
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)
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.