Duane Retzlaff

Department announces grants, publications

Department faculty have been awarded seven grants. In addition, our researchers’ work has generated three dozen manuscript publications.

Oct 8, 2025

Woman working in laboratory

Spotlight on: Luke Handke

Luke Handke has spent most of his working life in a laboratory, but he’s often teaching. Usually not in front of a classroom, but more often one-on-one, helping budding scientists and colleagues. “I enjoy seeing people around me be successful, and if I can play some role in helping them to become successful in what […]

Oct 8, 2025

Luke Handke, PhD, senior scientist in the Center for Staphylococcal Research

New Research Grant Award winners are announced

UNMC’s Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology has announced five recipients of Research Grant Awards.

Oct 8, 2025

The RGA awardees, clockwise from top left: Drs. Ahmed Ahmed, Marika Forsythe, Rebecca Manzo, Phassawan Rungsiprakarn, and Holly Mitzel

IPID program welcomes new graduate students

The Immunology, Pathology & Infectious Disease (IPID) program hosted by UNMC’s Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology added six graduate students for 2025-2026.

Oct 8, 2025

New IPID students, from left: Chenyang Wang, Madeleine Morta, Gabriel Tonucci, Hayden Klaus, and Claire Snodgrass. (Not pictured: Charlie Porto)

Human DNA Identification Lab hosts genetic genealogists to work on cold cases

The Human DNA Identification Laboratory in UNMC’s Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology hosted nearly two dozen professional investigative genetic genealogists from around the country to work on a number of unsolved Omaha homicides.

Oct 8, 2025

Group of genetic genealogists who gathered in Omaha in August to work with the Human DNA Identification Lab on cold cases

NPHL leaders are making news

Dr. Peter Iwen and Emily McCutchen authored or were featured in a number of recent publications.

Oct 8, 2025

Dr. Peter Iwen, left, and Emily McCutchen

Tissue Sciences Facility expands capabilities with new scanner

The Tissue Sciences Facility has significantly upgraded its digital pathology operations with the addition of a new scanner.

Oct 8, 2025

Ember Eldridge, TSF supervisor, with the Hamamatsu NanoZoomer S360 Digital Slide Scanner

Center for Staphylococcal Research’s annual workshop draws students from around the world

Sixteen young researchers received intensive instruction in genetic and metabolic techniques last month at “Staph Camp,” an annual workshop by the Center for Staphylococcal Research at UNMC.

Aug 5, 2025

The workshop, "Essentials of Staphylococcal Genetics and Metabolism," employs a mixture of classroom lectures and lab work to provide an advanced understanding of the techniques commonly used by the staphylococcal research community.

Nebraska Public Health Laboratory assists with emergency response exercises

The Nebraska Public Health Laboratory assisted with disaster response training involving the Nebraska National Guard and civil support teams from around the nation last week at UNMC.

Aug 5, 2025

Two people in protective suits enter building with gear

Lab’s focus on quality is reflected in latest CAP inspection

A recently completed CAP inspection showed improvements in laboratory operations; a department official credits establishment of a dedicated quality team.

Aug 5, 2025

Dr. Scott Koepsell, professor and vice chair of clinical operations for UNMC's Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology