A message from Chair of Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology

Dear friends and donors,

As you discovered as a student, or have learned through your friendship with the department, at MCDB biological puzzles keep us intrigued as we delve into the fundamental workings of organisms. We take great satisfaction in sharing our excitement about science with undergraduates throughout the university who take MCDB courses, and we are dedicated to preparing the next generation of scientists ready to pursue new directions in biology.

This summer we welcomed five Horizons Summer Research Interns–a program to encourage undergraduates who may not have thought a summer of research was a possibility for them. Perhaps they were the first in their families to attend college, had no exposure to research, or needed a summer job to earn money for college. This program offered 12 weeks of full-time research experience, with mentoring about career opportunities, and a stipend to make it possible to take advantage of this offering. These interns became as excited about research as we are.

This year, we are welcoming two new faculty members: Junior West, a cell biologist who has done research on the cell membrane barrier breakdowns that allow cancer cells to metastasize; and Tyler Huycke, a developmental biologist using mice to understand tissue morphogenesis. We have also recruited Bing Ye, a noted scholar of neural networks and research professor in the Life Sciences Institute, to teach neuroscience.

As ever, we strive to provide more fellowships for undergraduate students, and additional financial support for our graduate students and postdoctoral scientists. We also want to provide seed funding for innovative faculty research projects, to help them compete for external funding in exciting new areas of biological research. And we are now engaged in important outreach projects with the public that have been greatly enhanced by our interactions with the U‑M Museum of Natural History.

Our goals are achievable with your involvement and support. Please join by making a gift to the Horizons Summer Research Fund, MCDB Strategic Fund, or Biology Alumni Fund. You can stay updated on the latest in our department on our website.

Thank you and Go Blue!!!

Kenneth M. Cadigan, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology