Carl F. Marrs, PhD

Carl F. Marrs, Ph.D., associate professor of epidemiology in the School of Public Health, retired from active faculty status on May 31, 2020.

Dr. Marrs received his B.S. (1975) degree from the University of Washington and his Ph.D. (1982) degree from the University of Wisconsin. He joined the University of Michigan faculty as an assistant professor in 1985, and was promoted to associate professor in 1992.

Dr. Marrs’ primary research efforts have been on the genetics, pathogenesis, and molecular epidemiology of bacterial pathogens, especially Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Streptococcus agalactiae. His research also included more general studies on antibiotic resistance, dental biofilms, oral microbiota, and type 4 pili. He co-authored over 140 research articles. He served the University of Michigan in a variety of capacities, including as chair of admissions for the Department of Epidemiology for 28 years, and as a member, chair, or associate chair of U-M’s Institutional Biosafety Committee for 28 years, and as a member of U-M’s Biologics Oversight Task Force. Educationally, he chaired or co- chaired 15 Ph.D. dissertations, and was an academic advisor to an average of 12 masters and 50 undergraduate students each year. Dr. Marrs was a founding member of the Public Health Genetics Interdepartmental Concentration Program in the School of Public Health. He was also heavily involved in the development of a multi-school undergraduate microbiology major, and later in the creation of the School of Public Health’s undergraduate degree programs.

The Regents now salute this distinguished faculty member by naming Carl F. Marrs, associate professor emeritus of epidemiology.