The UAB Department of Microbiology has been ranked No. 12 in the country among 96 other microbiology departments, according to the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research report for 2023. This represents a substantial climb from its position at No. 16 in 2022.

The rankings reflect National Institutes of Health (NIH) funds granted within a specific federal fiscal year, concluding on September 30. These standings rely on information gathered and published by the NIH.

The UAB Department of Microbiology garnered approximately $17.6 million in NIH funding in 2023, earning its No. 12 ranking.

“This is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the faculty members in the department and also reflects a noteworthy $1 million increase in NIH funding,” said J. Victor Garcia-Martinez, Ph.D., chair of the UAB Department of Microbiology. “This is a direct result of this department's dedication to research and the tremendous creativity and innovation of our faculty members, students, and postdocs.”

The Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research (BRIMR) is an independent nonprofit organization known for releasing assessments of institutions, departments, and investigators based on their funding from the NIH. The rankings provided by BRIMR are acknowledged as an indicator of scientific vigor and have been used to examine patterns in funding for individual grantees and academic specialties.