Barbier appointed Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology chair
The West Virginia University School of Medicine has named Mariette Barbier, Ph.D., as chair of the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, effective July 1.
Barbier joined WVU in 2014 and currently serves as an associate professor and director of the graduate program in immunology and microbial pathogenesis.
“My goal is to position the department at the forefront of knowledge and education in the fields of immunology, microbiology, and cell biology, to play a crucial role in shaping the health of our community,” Barbier said. “I will have the privilege of leading an exceptional group of faculty members who are dedicated to making significant strides in combating infectious diseases, cancer, and a multitude of other health challenges through groundbreaking research and transformative education. Together, we are determined to reduce the impact of these diseases, improve lives, and pave the way for a healthier future.”
Barbier’s primary research interest is understanding the interaction between bacterial pathogens – particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bordetella pertussis and Borrelia burgdorferi – and their host to generate novel immunotherapies to fight infections. Among other research, she is leading a five-year project working toward a vaccine that prevents humans from contracting Lyme disease. The team received a $1.9 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for its development.
She is also making significant contributions to the field of therapeutic antibody development against antimicrobial-resistant infections through a $1.4 million project funded by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.
“Dr. Barbier’s vision for the department is outstanding,” Clay Marsh, M.D., chancellor and executive dean for Health Sciences, said. “Given the large investment in our Cancer Institute, the department will be a critical partner to create a world-class cancer immunology program. Moreover, as we encountered from the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus on emerging bacterial, viral and fungal pathogens is fundamentally important to protect the health of not only West Virginia but our country and world.”
Barbier is a member of WVU’s Women’s Leadership Initiative and says she applies many of its principles of development, learning and collaboration when working with groups across campus and beyond. She is not only passionate about undergraduate and graduate education, but she also eagerly anticipates offering further training opportunities to postdoctoral trainees.
“We have seen the positive impact of Dr. Barbier’s creativity and commitment through her previous leadership roles, particularly in Health Sciences graduate education,” Laura Gibson, Ph.D., senior associate vice president for Research and Graduate Education, said. “I’m so excited to see her bring those same skills and new ideas as the department chair.”
Prior to joining WVU, Barbier served as a research associate at the University of Virginia, where she received postdoctoral training. She also conducted research as a postdoctoral fellow at the American Type Culture Collection and the University of the Balearic Islands. She has previously served as a Spanish-English translator for American Journal Experts and an editor for the Journal of Postdoctoral Research.
She earned doctoral and master’s degrees in advanced microbiology from the University of the Balearic Islands, a master’s degree in experimental biology from the University of Barcelona and a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Robert Gordon University.
Barbier will fill the position soon to be vacated by John Barnett, Ph.D., who will retire after serving as chair and professor at WVU for more than 30 years.
For more information on the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, visit medicine.wvu.edu/micro.
-WVU-
jw/6/19/23
MEDIA CONTACT: Cassie Thomas
Director, Communications and Marketing
WVU School of Medicine
304-293-3412; cassie.thomas@hsc.wvu.edu