Cynthia (Cindy) Leifer, PhD, Contributing Writer

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cynthia (Cindy) Leifer, PhD, is a Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Cornell University and the Director of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. She is an educator and researcher whose lab focuses on how our immune system detects infections and initiates immune responses. Her work has applications in inflammation, vaccines, and autoimmune diseases. An author of over 50 scientific articles and book chapters, she also has science communication experience across various media platforms. She has had op-eds featured in CNN, Huffington Post, and Pacific Standard, and has been interviewed on radio and television, both nationally and internationally, about vaccines and vaccine safety. Additionally, she has discussed vaccine policies and other related issues with school boards, local and state politicians, and has spoken at community forums addressing vaccine controversies and vaccine hesitancy. Furthermore, she organizes and leads workshops on science communication and postdoctoral researcher professional development. She is the current President of the Society for Leukocyte Biology, and a host on the microbe.tv show “Immune.”