Dr. Tanya N. Mayadas has been named Chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) and the first Director of the newly founded Institute for Immunological Sciences. She officially begins her dual role on August 1, 2025.
This marks a return to her academic roots for Mayadas, who earned her bachelor’s in Biology in 1983 and a PhD in Biochemistry in 1989 from the University of Rochester. She later completed postdoctoral training at both MIT and Tufts University. Since 1993, she has served on the faculty at Harvard Medical School, becoming a tenured Professor of Pathology in 2010, while also working as a staff scientist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Dr. Mayadas expressed excitement about returning to Rochester, praising the institution’s collaborative environment and commitment to advancing immunology. “With strong leadership and broad support, this new institute offers an ideal platform to make immunological science central to tackling disease,” she said.
URMC CEO and School of Medicine Dean Dr. David Linehan emphasized that her academic achievements and ties to the university position her perfectly to guide the institute’s launch and drive interdisciplinary research forward.
The Mayadas Lab has made significant strides in understanding how innate immune cells like neutrophils and monocytes behave during inflammation, focusing on their roles in autoimmune disease and cancer. Her research has uncovered signaling mechanisms behind immune cell infiltration and organ damage—especially in antibody-driven kidney disease.
Beyond her scientific work, Dr. Mayadas is known for mentoring rising researchers, many of whom now lead labs or hold academic and industry leadership roles globally. She’s also been actively involved with NIH peer review, academic editorial boards, and professional organizations like the American Society for Investigative Pathology.
The Department of Microbiology and Immunology at URMC—home to over 20 labs—has contributed to breakthroughs in vaccine research, T-cell therapies, and immune response studies. Under Dr. Mayadas’ guidance, the department will continue to grow and align with the institute’s broader goals.
As Director of the Institute for Immunological Sciences, Dr. Mayadas envisions building a world-class research hub focused on advancing systems immunology and addressing pressing health challenges like chronic inflammation, cancer, autoimmune conditions, and aging-related immune decline.
The institute plans to strengthen collaborations across departments, encourage clinical translation, support robust training programs, and build partnerships with industry to drive innovation and community engagement.
