News & Events

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Says "Thank You" to Dr. Jan Cerny

Friday, February 02, 2007

A reception was held February 2, 2007 to honor Jan Cerny, MD, PhD, who stepped down as the head of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology after 17 years of successful leadership. Dr. Cerny will remain at the School of Medicine as a professor and researcher, while James Kaper, PhD, will take over as chairman.

Dr. Cerny is recognized internationally for his contributions to the understanding of B lymphocyte function, specifically the signals necessary for germinal center formation; functions of different B lymphocyte subsets; and modifications in cell activation and production of B cells as a consequence of aging. He will continue to explore this research, but is also interested in pursuing other scientific avenues.

"I have a project going on involving vaccine assessment," he explains. "And then in the summer we are expecting to get a grant to investigate the role of bone marrow in antibody production. So that will be very exciting, I hope."