Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology

The Cell Biology and Anatomy Graduate Program is designed to prepare the student for a career in independent research and/or teaching with concentrations in the following areas:

  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Renal Biology
  • Reproductive Biology

The graduate program emphasizes acquiring the skills and knowledge required to perform and communicate the results of laboratory research. Individual research programs within the Division of Cell Biology and Anatomy are largely complementary and focus on understanding the biological processes that contribute to human health and disease. Experimental systems include the use of cell and tissue culture, as well as model systems such as Drosophila melanogaster, chameleon, frog, chick, zebrafish, rats, and transgenic mice.

In 2021, the Division of Cell Biology and Anatomy brought in nearly $6 million in grant funding from the National Institutes of Health, placing it at the top of all basic science departments within KUMC and 35th (out of 78) among all Anatomy and Cell Biology departments in the country. Faculty members and trainees also received funding from the National Science Foundation, American Heart Association, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and various other agencies. Graduates of this program have obtained positions in industry, government, and consulting, as well as faculty positions at the college, university, and medical/graduate school level.