Duane Retzlaff UNMC Department of Pathology Microbiology and Immunology 

education, gram-positive pathogens, research

Department hosts International Conference on Gram-Positive Pathogens

The 2026 International Conference on Gram-Positive Pathogens (ICG+P) hosted by UNMC’s Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, drew 135 graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, lab personnel, and faculty members to Omaha.

Jun 10, 2026

Large conference room full of people at tables

Rep. Don Bacon visits department laboratories

A visit to Capitol Hill by two house officers in UNMC’s Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology in April led to U.S. Rep. Don Bacon touring some of the department’s labs on June 1.

Jun 10, 2026

Rep. Don Bacon tours one of the department's laboratories; Dr. Joseph Khoury, department chair, is at left.
education, thymomas

Resident exploring role that aberrant T-lymphocytes may play in clinical outcomes for some thymomas

A pathology resident is studying the role of aberrant T-lymphocytes in lymphocyte-rich thymomas and how they may correlate with clinical outcomes.

Jun 10, 2026

Holly Mitzel, MD, a second-year pathology resident

Spotlight on: Sharleen Rapp

Sharleen Rapp says her role as lead for the Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory is the best of both worlds, combining her love of lab work and teaching.

Jun 10, 2026

Woman standing in lab
Research, Cancer Center Research

Pathology lab reveals new research into HPV infection

A team from the UNMC Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology published their study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Apr 27, 2026

Authors of the research paper, from left: Drs. Pengwei Zhang and Jian Xie and doctoral students Richard C. Dang and Maddie Love.
chronic myeloid leukemia, education, laboratory genetics and genomics, research

Fellow exploring gene rearrangement in chronic myeloid leukemia

A pathology fellow is helping validate a FISH probe to test for a partner in an immunoglobulin gene rearrangement in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

Apr 8, 2026

Phassawan Rungsiprakarn, MD, a Laboratory Genetics and Genomics fellow in UNMC's Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology

Spotlight on: Liz Tierney

Liz Tierney has seen all sides of the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology in her nearly 12 years as an administrative professional. “I love working for the department,” she said. “It’s not the same thing every day.”

Apr 8, 2026

Liz Tierney, an administrative associate who supports the department chair, the chair's business office and department administrator
human papillomavirus, research

Pathology lab uncovers new clue to how human papillomavirus infects cells

A team of researchers from UNMC’s Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology has discovered a critical strategy that human papillomavirus (HPV) uses to establish infection after entering cells.

Apr 8, 2026

Authors of the research paper, from left: Drs. Pengwei Zhang and Jian Xie and doctoral students Richard C. Dang and Maddie Love
education, molecular genetic pathology, pituitary endocrine tumors, research

Pathology fellow studying aggressive pituitary neuroendocrine tumors

A pathology fellow is researching pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) in an effort to pinpoint what makes some recur or even metastasize.

Apr 8, 2026

Marika Forsythe, MD, a molecular genetic pathology fellow in UNMC's Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology
Nebraska Public Health Laboratory

NPHL provides a host of services to Nebraska and beyond

2025 was another busy year for the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory, which performs a wide array of testing, outreach and education services for Nebraska and several other states.

Apr 3, 2026

NPHL’s director, Peter Iwen, MS, PhD, D(ABMM), F(AAM), at the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) annual conference, where he received the Leadership in Biosafety and Biosecurity Award