July 2004

Since my last update (2002), a number of significant changes have occurred within the Department. As many of you know, Steve Lerman passed away last summer. His tireless struggle to maintain an active role in the Department was impressive and we all miss him. This past year Jeff Hobden returned to his native New Orleans and joined the faculty at LSU Medical School. He did send us a "king cake" for Mardi Gras - but it wasn't the same without the "hurricanes" and Jeff directing the festivities. Mike Shaw will fill Steve's slot and we will be recruiting a faculty member with expertise in molecular pathogenesis to replace Jeff. At this year's Department picnic the faculty volleyball team continued its winning ways beating the student team 2 out of 3 games. Jesse Miller's heroic efforts (for the students) were unable to overcome the great talents of Chris Roberts and Roy Sundick who anchored the faculty team.

The elements driving excellence in the Department continue to be the faculty research programs and our instructional programs. During a recent research retreat we revised the research priorities of the department to include: Molecular Pathogenesis; Host Pathogen Interactions; Infectious Agents and Chronic Diseases; Biodefense (Toxins and Biosensors); Autoimmunity; Cancer Therapeutics; Innate Immunity and Inflammatory Responses; Neuroimmunology; and Enhanced Vaccine Technologies. Extramural research funding in fiscal year 2004 is expected to increase by over 30%. While this is extremely good news, maintaining and/or increasing departmental research funding in the coming years remains our most significant challenge. With respect to instruction, the Department's integrated undergraduate medical course and graduate programs continue to be well received. With respect to medical teaching, the Department continues to play a leadership role in the use of advanced technology in the medical curriculum. The gradate program continues to attract high quality graduate students with our graduates being recruited to premier postdoctoral programs and ultimately to outstanding academic or industrial positions. This past year two of our previous graduates returned to present seminars: Deanne Ridley Lathers (Assistant Professor, Medical University of South Carolina) and Jerry Nabozny (Associate Department Director, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals).

Once again I issue my standing invitation for all of you to remain in contact with us and return to the Department to participate in our seminar program. I would also continue to encourage you to help us identify prospective graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty candidates. Finally, if I can be of any help to you, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Paul Montgomery

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