Duane Retzlaff

research

Department announces grants, publications

Department researchers have been awarded six grants. In addition, our researchers’ work has generated 19 manuscript publications.

Apr 9, 2026

Woman in white lab coat in the laboratory

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
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
CAP, education

Two pathology trainees awarded scholarships to attend CAP leadership summit in Washington

Two house officers in UNMC’s Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology have been awarded scholarships to attend the 2026 CAP Pathologists Leadership Summit.

Apr 8, 2026

two women in white lab coats
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
lab information system

Department makes significant strides forward on new lab information system

The department is completing validation of the clinical content and moving into staff training ahead of
the June 6 go-live date for the new lab information system.

Apr 3, 2026

Ben Swanson, MD, PhD, associate professor, in his office
molecular pathology, next-generation sequencing

Next-generation sequencing has had a huge impact on molecular pathology lab

The molecular pathology lab has seen its capability grow from single-gene testing to up to 300 genes in a single panel using high-throughput sequencing technology.

Apr 3, 2026

Allison Cushman-Vokoun, MD, PhD, professor and director of Diagnostic Molecular Pathology and Human Genetics, (center), with team members in the laboratory
Antimicrobial Peptide Database, research

Antimicrobial peptide database is expanded and improved

The Antimicrobial Peptide Database created by the laboratory of Guangshun Wang, PhD, a professor in UNMC’s Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, has been updated and expanded over the last two decades, with Version 6 introduced in 2025.

Apr 3, 2026

Guangshun Wang, PhD, a professor in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology
OSPM