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Mark James Pilgrim
College of Arts and Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences
Associate Professor of Biology
mpilgrim@andersonuniversity.edu
(864) 328-1753
Springdale 208
Academic Background
Dr. Mark J. Pilgrim is a SC native, growing up in Norris SC, and having graduated from Liberty High School (Pickens County), College of Charleston, and the Medical University of SC. He currently lives in Greenwood SC, with his wife of over 23 years, 3 children, and a dog. He enjoys staying fit, reading science fiction and non-fiction, playing pickleball, gardening, gaming, Community Bible Study, and all things Star Trek.
BS in Biology with Emphasis in Molecular Biology, College of Charleston
Ph.D in Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina
Fast Facts
I taught at secular, public state institutions for 18 years before coming to AU. I have always tried to let my students know about my faith, but I had to be guarded about that and could not mention it in the classroom. At AU, I am free to share my faith with my students in the context of the subjects I teach. I can share my awe and wonder about how “fearfully and wonderfully made” we are! I can also pray with students, particularly right before an exam, or during advising or office hours. I am looking forward to getting involved with bible studies with students and even mission trips.
There are so many possibilities with a Biology degree. I encourage all students to explore the disciplines by reading more about topics that seem interesting in class, exploring opportunities to do research with faculty, or simply having conversations with your professors after class about what interested you the most about a particular topic. I have really enjoyed these “after class discussions” with students.
When I was a graduate student, I developed a model of herpesvirus infection in mice, where I was able to inject the virus into the salivary glands. This model is still used in my graduate mentor’s lab years later! I remain active in the SC branch of the American Society for Microbiology, where I like to take students to present their research.
I have been particularly impressed by the enthusiasm for learning and kindness of my students. From day one, I could tell that AU students wanted to be in the classroom and truly appreciated the opportunity of a fine education here. Also, I have experienced many instances of what AU considers to be one of their pillars of success, and that is hospitality!
Human Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Immunology, Epidemiology, General Biology
Refereed Articles
- Grewal, J. S., Pilgrim, M. J., Grewal, S., Kasman, L., Werner, P., Mary E. Bruorton, Steven D. London, and Lucille London. (2011). Salivary glands act as mucosal inductive sites via the formation of ectopic germinal centers after site-restricted MCMV infection. The FASEB Journal, 25, 1680-1696.
- Kasman, L. M., London, L. L., London, S. D., & Pilgrim, M. J. (2009). A Mouse Model Linking Viral Hepatitis and Salivary Gland Dysfunction. Oral Diseases, 15 (8), 587-595.
- Pilgrim, M. J., Kasman, L., Grewal, J. S., Bruorton, M. E., Werner, P., L London, and SD London (2007). A focused salivary gland infection with attenuated MCMV: an animal model with prevention of pathology associated with systemic MCMV infection. Experimental and Molecular Pathology, 82 (3), 269-279.
- Bharhani, M. S., Grewal, J. S., Pilgrim, M. J., Enocksen, C., Peppler, R., Lucille London, and Steven D. London (2005). Reovirus Serotype 1/Strain Lang-Stimulated Activation of Antigen-Specific T Lymphocytes in Peyer’s Patches and Distal Gut-Mucosal Sites: Activation Status and Cytotoxic Mechanisms. The Journal of Immunology, 174 (6), 3580-3589.
