Marian University faculty member helps shape the future of medical microbiology education

Samina Akbar, Ph.D., an associate professor at Marian University's Tom and Julie Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine, is a co-author of a newly published paper updating the core microbiology knowledge medical students should master before beginning clinical training.

The article, "Revised Microbiology Core Knowledge Objectives for Modern Undergraduate Medical Education," appears in the Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education. It presents a modern framework for teaching medical microbiology that reflects changes in today's medical school curricula and ensures that future physicians develop the foundational knowledge needed to diagnose and treat infectious diseases.

As preclinical medical education has evolved, educators have recognized the need to redefine the essential microbiology concepts that every physician should understand. The updated objectives offer medical schools a flexible, clinically relevant guide for designing courses, supporting student learning, and linking basic science to patient care.

The publication was developed through a national collaboration among faculty from osteopathic and allopathic medical schools, bringing together expertise from institutions across the country to establish a shared set of educational standards.

Dr. Akbar's contribution reflects Marian University's ongoing commitment to advancing medical education through scholarship that strengthens physician training and improves patient care.