Autoimmunity • Cancer • Vaccines • Cures
The Center for Immunology is an interdisciplinary research program at the University of Minnesota devoted to advancing the field of immunology and educating future immunologists.

CFI Director, Marc Jenkins, PhD
Regents and Distinguished McKnight Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology
The Center for Immunology at the University of Minnesota Medical School is driven to make discoveries about the immune system that improve human health and well-being.
CFI Welcomes New Leadership: Dr. Carla Rothlin and Dr. Sourav Ghosh to Join in 2025

The Center for Immunology (CFI) is thrilled to share an exciting leadership transition and welcome two internationally recognized scientists to the University of Minnesota.
In August 2025, Dr. Carla Rothlin and Dr. Sourav Ghosh, both currently at Yale University, will join the University of Minnesota Medical School and the CFI community.
Dr. Rothlin will become the Director of the Center for Immunology, Co-Leader of the Masonic Cancer Center (MCC) Immunology Program, Andersen Chair in Immunology at MCC, and a Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. She is internationally known for her research on immunobiology, immune homeostasis, and receptor tyrosine kinases. Her leadership marks an exciting new chapter for CFI, and we are honored to have her at the helm.
Dr. Ghosh will serve as Program Director in the Immunology of Tissue Resolution, Repair, and Regeneration at CFI, and as a Professor of Pharmacology. His research explores mechanisms of cell death, inflammation, neurodegenerative diseases, and neurodevelopmental disorders. His addition will significantly enhance our growing focus on tissue immunology and regenerative biology.
This transition also marks the conclusion of an impactful era under Dr. Marc Jenkins, who has served as CFI Director since 2013. Under his leadership, CFI has flourished as a collaborative, high-impact research center. As Dr. Michael Gale, Head of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology (DMI), noted:
“Dr. Jenkins trained students and postdocs who have populated positions in industry, academia, and public health. Many are now in leadership roles—division heads, department heads, and clinic directors. Marc's trainees are a legacy for the UMN.”
Dr. Ashley Haase, former DMI Head, added:
“Marc Jenkins, in his personal research and leadership of CFI, restored immunology at the UMN to the world-class stature it had more than a half century ago in the Robert Good era. In doing so, he laid the foundations for the next and continuing advances under new leadership.”
As we look to the future, we are fortunate to have continuity in leadership. Dr. Kris Hogquist will continue as Associate Director, joined by Dr. David Masopust, who will also serve as Associate Director of CFI.
Drs. Rothlin and Ghosh embody the research excellence, innovation, and collaborative spirit that define our center. We look forward to the next chapter of CFI with great anticipation and enthusiasm.
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Dr. Carla Rothlin and Dr. Sourav Ghosh!

Celebrating Faculty Promotions at the University of Minnesota Medical School
The Center for Immunology (CFI) extends heartfelt congratulations to Tyler Bold, MD, PhD, Jesse Williams, PhD, and Christina Camell, PhD, on their recent promotions to Associate Professor within the University of Minnesota Medical School.
More CFI News
- Are you looking for pre-made scientific icons and figures? CFI alumnus Mike Stolley has compiled several of the most commonly used figures for your publications. Get access here
- CFI Tea Time: Monday & Wednesdays at 2:30pm, 2-163 WMBB
- Protocol Writing Program open for enrollment! The Medical School Office of Research is excited to share that Protocol Writing Program is officially open for enrollment in the Training Hub. It is open to all research staff, faculty, trainees, and research fellows. The program’s eight modules (plus two optional modules) allow learners to participate at their own pace and to leave/re-enter the course when learning best fits into their schedule.
- Need Help Complying with the New NIH Data Management and Sharing Plan (DMSP) policy? AAI Has Resources That Can Help. See: https://bit.ly/3Dh0vPM and https://bit.ly/3XW49Gv. UMN Libraries and OVPR are collaborating to build additional guidance and support, the most important items to know are listed here or check out the UMN Libraries' Research Data Services (RDS) website.
Calendar

MICaB/Immunology Invited Speaker Seminar
returns Fall Semester 2025
Mondays, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
1-125 CCRB or Zoom: https://z.umn.edu/MICaBSeminar
All seminars will be held in hybrid:

R.E.D. Seminar Series
Next Session: May 5, 2025
9:00 - 10:00 a.m.|1-125 CCRB