Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy reorganizes; faculty reappointed

The School of Medicine recently restructured its basic science departments to increase thematic alignment and enhance synergy between the University’s neuroscience- and cancer-related research missions. The reorganization maximizes opportunities and support for scientific collaboration and team science initiatives, and broadens the community of faculty dedicated to providing appropriate mentoring for junior investigator’s career development.

“Combining the strengths and talent that exist into new organizational homes is aligned with our approach at the Health Sciences Center in general, in which one priority is collaboration that converges on impact,” Laura Gibson, Ph.D., senior associate vice president for research and graduate education and associate dean for research in the School of Medicine, said. “The faculty and leadership involved have been wonderfully supportive during these changes that we feel confident will provide the ideal environments for meaningful work that crosses all of our missions.”

Faculty from the former Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy have transferred to existing departments in the School of Medicine, including the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, which has been renamed Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience to better represent its growing core of neuroscience research faculty. Several education-intensive faculty members transferred to the existing Department of Pathology, which combines a group of outstanding educators into a strong, well supported unit committed to educational innovation and scholarship. The Department of Pathology has been renamed as Pathology, Anatomy and Laboratory Medicine to signify its expanding educational and clinical missions.

All curricular and programmatic services in the medical, dental, pharmacy and nursing programs served by the former Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, as well as administration of the neuroscience doctoral program, will be maintained without interruption.

The statewide Human Gift Registry program that supplies cadavers to WVU, Marshall University and the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine will continue under the administrative oversight of the Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Laboratory Medicine.