Department Recognizes

Years of Service

 

Department Head, John Engelhardt (left), with Paul Heidger

On December 17th, 2009, the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology held its annual Years of Service Recognition Ceremony, honoring faculty and staff who have reached a landmark year in their service to the Department and University.

This year’s honorees were as follows:

35 Years

Paul Heidger 

30 Years

Nicholas Pantazis

Dennis Mickelson

10 Years

Doina Racila

Khris Agassandian

Qiang Li

5 Years

Idil Evans

Yoko Natano

Gregory Leno

Botond Banfi

Overgaard Defends Thesis

 

Christian Overgaard with mentor, Dr. Charles Yeaman

Christian Overgaard successfully passed his Ph.D. examination on Wednesday, December 2, 2009, in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology. His thesis title was "Deciliation dramatically alters epithelial function". Members of his thesis committee were chair, Charles Yeaman from the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology; John Engelhardt and Adam Dupuy from the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Kris DeMali from the Department of Biochemistry and Mark Stamnes from the Department of Physiology.

Dr Overgaard’s research focused on deciliation of epithelial cells. Dr. Overgaard received his B.S. Buena Vista University, Storm Lake, Iowa. Immediate future plans include a postdoctoral appointment in Dr. Mike Koval's laboratory at Emory University, Atlanta.

Congratulations Dr. Overgaard!

Streeter Passes Comps

 

Jennifer Streeter with comps chair, Dr. Amit Choudhury

MSTP graduate student Jennifer Streeter successfully passed her comprehensive examination on October 2, 2009 in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology. The title of her proposal was "Molecular Mechanisms of Nox1 Trafficking". Jennifer received her bachelor's degree in Biology (Neuroscience) from the University of Iowa and began her MSTP studies at the Carver College of Medicine in the summer of 2006. Jennifer will continue her thesis work in Dr. Francis Miller's laboratory focusing on identifying regulatory proteins and molecular mechanisms responsible for Nox1 activation. Congratulations, Jennifer!

Annual Deeded Body Memorial Service

August 28, 2009

The University of Iowa, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Deeded Body Program, held its annual memorial service for those individuals whose bodies we utilized for educational and research purposes at the UI during the past year, at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, August 28, 2009 at Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City. For more photos, and the written and audio transcript of the service, click here. For information regarding the University of Iowa's Deeded Body Program, click here.


 

About the Department

Established as the Anatomy Department in 1868, when The University of Iowa College of Medicine was first approved by the trustees, the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology has experienced extensive growth over its long history. Originally, it had one lecture hall that could accommodate 100 students, plus one room dedicated to microscopic anatomy and another to dissection, both in the basement. Since that time the department has expanded and moved several times. In 1997, the department was given its current name, which along with the greatly expanded laboratory space, better reflects its mission and research.

The Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology now serves three major functions: the performance of current topical research, the preparation of graduate students for scientific careers within academia and other related fields, and the teaching of anatomy of the human body to health professionals in training.

Research in the department is diverse and addresses problems in cell and developmental biology, neurobiology, cancer biology, and molecular biology. The department is also the administrative home of the University's Gene Therapy Center, an entity that funds and otherwise supports research in molecular medicine, with a particular emphasis on the development of genetic therapies for Cystic Fibrosis and other diseases.