About the Program
Learn More About the Program
The interest in explaining natural phenomena, including disease, is the basis for most students’ interest in the biological sciences. Microbiology has played a central role in all aspects of the biological sciences and an understanding of microbiology is fundamental to biological research. Our Ph.D. graduate program encourages a faculty-student relationship that creates a learning environment which is stimulating, productive, and rewarding for all its’ participants. Students gain advanced knowledge of general microbiology; microbial ecology; microbial physiology; microbial genetics; molecular mechanisms of microbial regulation and pathogenesis; immunology; virology; and recombinant DNA technology. Students graduate with the qualitative and quantitative skills necessary for professional research and teaching in microbiology.
Ph.D. Plan B
School of Medicine
Admissions and Fellowship Information
Space Available: Jun 1, 2026
Continuing Student Fellowship: Jan 15, 2026
Admissions Actions
Program Contact Information
Primary Program Contacts
    Program Coordinator
 Karryn Doyle
    
(530) 752-0262 | kddoyle@ucdavis.edu
  
    Graduate Group Chair
 Renee Tsolis
    
(530) 754-8497 | rmtsolis@ucdavis.edu
  
Additional Contacts
    Advisor: General
 Sanchita Bhatnagar
    
Microbiology 
sbbhatnagar@ucdavis.edu
  
    Advisor: General
 Angela Gelli
    
Microbiology 
(530) 754-6446 | acgelli@ucdavis.edu
  
    Advisor: General
 Johan Leveau
    
Microbiology 
(530) 752-5046 | jleveau@ucdavis.edu
  
    Advisor: Primary Contact
 Su-Ju Lin
    
Microbiology 
(530) 754-6081 | slin@ucdavis.edu
  
    Advisor: General
 Stefan Rothenburg
    
Microbiology 
rothenburg@ucdavis.edu
  
    Advisor: General
 Barbara Shacklett
    
Microbiology 
(530) 752-6785 | blshacklett@ucdavis.edu
  
    Advisor: Admissions and General
 Sebastian Winter
    
Microbiology 
sebwinter@ucdavis.edu
  
    Senior Academic Advisor
 Brittney Solar
    
bsolar@ucdavis.edu
  
