Charles W. Fishel, Ph.D., serving as the Founding Chair of the Department.  After Dr. Fishel’s untimely death, HermanFriedman, Ph.D., was recruited as Chair in 1978.  Under Dr. Friedman’s able and visionary leadership, the Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology developed an outstanding graduate program and several nationally recognized research programs – particularly in the areas of immunology and infectious disease.  Dr. Friedman stepped down as Chair in 2003.  Thomas W. Klein, Ph.D., a long-time member of the faculty, assumed the leadership of the department in 2003 and served in this capacity until the merger in 2006.

The Department of Biochemistry (later Biochemistry & Molecular Biology) was established in 1974, with Joseph G. Cory, Ph.D., serving as the Founding Chair.  Larry P. Solomonson, Ph.D., assumed the Chairmanship in 1986 and served in this capacity until the merger in 2006.  Like the Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology developed outstanding graduate and nationally recognized research programs, ranking as high as 25^th in NIH funding amongst Departments of Biochemistry of U.S. Medical Schools.  Both departments also developed very strong and highly rated medical education programs.

Thus, both the Departments of Medical Microbiology & Immunology and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology have a rich and distinguished history in both research and education.  A number of students who trained in these departments have gone on to distinguished careers at other leading academic institutions, government, and industry.  We now have the opportunity to combine and build on these rich traditions and to play a leading role in biomedical research and education.