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.
Considering graduate study in immunology? The University of Minnesota offers several graduate programs.
Explore education and training opportunities with the Center for Immunology.
CFI Director, Carla Rothlin, PhD
Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology,
Andersen Chair in Immunology,
Co-Leader of Masonic Cancer Center Immunology Program
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
The Center for Immunology (CFI) is thrilled to share an exciting leadership transition and welcome two internationally recognized scientists to the University of Minnesota.
On September 22, 2025, Dr. Carla Rothlin formally joined the University of Minnesota Medical School and the CFI community. Formerly at Yale University, Dr. Rothlin is now serving as Director of the Center for Immunology, Co-Leader of the Masonic Cancer Center (MCC) Immunology Program, Andersen Chair in Immunology at MCC, and Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. She is internationally recognized 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.
In October 2025, Dr. Sourav Ghosh, also formerly at Yale University, will join 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.formerly affiliated with Yale University, will join the CFI as Program Director in Immunology of Tissue Resolution, Repair, and Regeneration
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!
MICaB Invited Speaker Seminar
Mondays,
Room 1-125 CCRB
12:00- 1:00 p.m.
In person only
World Science Day – Celebrated at CFI
November 10, 2025
The CFI community gathered to celebrate World Science Day with cake and conversation, highlighting science as a global force for trust, collaboration, and progress.
Three CFI Faculty Named to the 2025 Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers List
Three Center for Immunology (CFI) faculty members, Bruce Blazar, David Masopust, and Dan Knights, have been named to the 2025 Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers list.
Congratulations to Dr. Bryce Binstadt!
Bryce Binstadt, MD, PhD, begins his term as President of the Rheumatology Research Foundation, advancing research and training in rheumatic diseases.
More CFI News
- Our 2025 CFI Newsletter is Here! Catch up on this year’s research highlights, trainee accomplishments, and community achievements. Read the full newsletter here
- Explore the Origins of CFI: Discover how a decentralized group of faculty, visionary leadership, and a shared passion for immunology laid the foundation for the University of Minnesota’s Center for Immunology. This oral history, authored by former MICaB student and Masopust Lab alum Noah Veis Gavil, MD, PhD, traces the people, places, and pivotal moments that shaped one of the University’s most successful research centers. Read here.
CFI Tea Time: Monday & Wednesdays at 2:30pm, 2-163 WMBB - 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
- 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
R.E.D. Seminar Series
Next Session: January 5, 2026
9:00 - 10:00 a.m.|1-125 CCRB