Nejat K. Egilmez, Ph.D., a former member of the University of Louisville faculty, has been named the new chair of microbiology and immunology in the UofL School of Medicine. His appointment is effective Nov. 1 and is contingent on approval by the UofL Board of Trustees.

Egilmez currently is a professor of microbiology and immunology at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

“Dr. Egilmez is an innovator in exploring tumor-mediated immune suppression,” said Toni Ganzel, M.D., MBA, dean of the UofL School of Medicine. “We are thrilled Nejat is returning to UofL. He will add tremendous energy to our research and education missions as we train physicians and scientists in our pursuit of improved healthcare for people of Kentucky and beyond.”

Egilmez was an assistant professor in microbiology and

immunology at UofL 2003-2006 before joining the faculty at SUNY at Buffalo. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Minnesota. He earned his master’s degree and doctorate in cell and molecular biology from the State University of New York at Buffalo before going to Louisiana State University Medical Center for his postdoctoral training.

He has authored more than 70 scientific writings and is the associate editor for the journals Immunological Investigations, Clinical and Developmental Immunology, and the World Journal of Immunology.