UNMC_Acronym_Vert_sm_4c
University of Nebraska Medical Center

Peter C. Iwen, MS, PhD, D(ABMM), F(AAM)

Professor, UNMC Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology
Senior Biosafety Officer, UNMC / UNO
Director, Nebraska Public Health Lab

Iwen Laboratory

Peter C. Iwen, MS, PhD, D(ABMM), F(AAM)

Peter C. Iwen, MS, PhD, is a professor in the UNMC Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology. He also serves as Senior Biosafety Officer for UNMC and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and as director of the Nebraska Public Health Lab.

Since 2018, Dr. Iwen also has held a facuty appointment as professor in the Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health in the UNMC College of Public Health. Previously, he served as associate professor (special) of the Department of Epidemiology of the College of Public Health.

Education & Training
  • B.S., Bacteriology, North Dakota State University, 1976
  • M.S., Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 1982
  • Ph.D., Infectious Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 2001
  • D (ABMM), Diplomat of the American Board of Medical Microbiology.
Research

Research activities in my laboratory include the development and optimization of molecular assays for the identification of microbial pathogens with an emphasis on fungi and bacteria (to include Mycobacterium). Current work in my laboratory is utilization of whole genome sequencing in collaboration with bioinformaticians to analyze microbial pathogens to investigate foodborne and nosocomial outbreaks as well as to monitor for genetic targets to identify the presence of antimicrobial resistance.

Publications

Expertise/Area of Focus
Clinical Microbiology, Diagnostic Microbiology, Public Health Microbiology
Honors & Awards
  • UNMC Distinguished Alumnus Award, 2023.
  • North Dakota State University Alumni Achievement Award, 2023.
  • Distinguished Scientist Award, UNMC, 2019.
  • Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology, 2017.
  • Midlanders of the Year, 2014, Omaha World-Herald, in reconition of Ebola fighters.
Professional Memberships
  • American Biological Safety Association
  • Association of Public Health Laboratories
  • American Society for Microbiology
  • American Society for Clinical Pathologists