After a distinguished 33-year career at the College of Medicine and its predecessor institutions, Itzhak Fischer, PhD, is stepping down as chair of the Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy on July 1, 2024, though he will stay on as a tenured professor in the department. Dr. Fischer joined the faculty of the Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1991 from Harvard Medical School. Read more.
The Commonwealth Universal Research Enhancement (CURE) Program funds collaborative biomedical research that aims to improve the health of Pennsylvanians. Read more.
Researchers in the College of Medicine who have studied traumatic brain injuries for decades are revealing new insights about how and why the brains of male and female concussion patients recover differently. Exel Drexel University Research Magazine (July 2023)
R01 Grant from the National Institute on Neurological Disease and Stroke
Kimberly Dougherty, PhD, associate professor, and Ilya Rybak, PhD, professor, together with co-investigator Natalia Shevtsova, PhD, research assistant professor, all in the Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy, were awarded a $2.6 million, multi-principal investigator R01 grant from the National Institute on Neurological Disease and Stroke for their project “Mechanisms of Locomotor Rhythm Generation in Rodent Spinal Cord.”
Department of Defense Grant
Peter Baas, PhD and Liang Oscar Qiang, MD, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy, are co-investigators on a new Department of Defense Grant awarded to Kimberly Sullivan, PhD, of Boston University ($1,200,000 direct costs). The project is “Are Tau Proteins in Blood and PET Images Related to Gulf War Illness and Risk of Comorbid Neurological Disorders?”
International Society for Neurochemistry
Peter Baas, PhD, professor, Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy, chaired a symposium, “Microtubules in Nervous System Development and Disease” and presented a speech titled “Microtubule Basis of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia” at the 2022 meeting of the International Society for Neurochemistry in Honolulu, Hawaii, on August 30.
Emanuela Piermarini, PhD, research associate, Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy, presented a poster, “Gene Therapy Approach for SPG4-based Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia,” at the 2022 meeting of the International Society for Neurochemistry in Honolulu, Hawaii, on September 1. Baas and Qiang, her mentors, were co-authors on the poster. Qiang also presented a speech, “Microtubule Defect Led by Pathological Tau Is a Potential Contributor to Axonal Degeneration in FTD-Tau” in the meeting’s Microtubules in Nervous System Development and Disease Symposium on August 30, 2022. Baas received support ($28,000 direct costs) for his project on gene therapy for hereditary spastic paraplegia from the SPG4 Foundation, with Piermarini and Qiang as collaborators on the project.
Wall of Fame Dedication Ceremony
The Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy dedicated a Wall of Fame to honor and remember the pioneers and leaders of the last 50 years, spanning the time of Hahnemann University and the Medical College of Pennsylvania to Drexel University College of Medicine. Those honored include:
- Michael E. Goldberger, PhD
Founding Member of the Neurobiology and Anatomy Spinal Cord Research Center
- Marion Murray, PhD
Founding Member of the Neurobiology and Anatomy Department
Director of the Spinal Cord Research Group
- Donald S. Faber, PhD
Endowed Chair, Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy
President of the Committee to Save the University
- John Houlé, PhD
Director of the Spinal Cord Research Center
- Dennis DePace, PhD
Pioneer of Medical Education – Gross Anatomy
- E. Hazel Murphy, PhD
Founding Member of the Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy Department
The ceremony took place on October 10, 2022, in the room containing the dedication plaques and included a memorial for Dr. E. Hazel Murphy who passed away recently.
Discovery Day 2022
The following faculty and students were honored by the College of Medicine and the Graduate School at the Discovery Day ceremony on October 27, 2022:
- Peter Baas and Michael Lane received the Dean’s Distinguished Award for Enhancing Scientific Discovery and Excellence
- Simeon Kofman received the First Place Prize for Outstanding Technician Poster
- D. Leonardo Garcia-Ramirez received the First Place Prize for Outstanding Postdoc Poster
- Candace Rizzi-Wise received the Second Place Prize for Barry Waterhouse Outstanding Platform Presentation
- Sophie Cohen received the Second Place Prize for Outstanding Junior Graduate Student Poster
- Adam Hall and Micaela O’Reilly received Honorable Mentions for Outstanding Senior Graduate Student Poster
- Nadia Bouras received the First Place Prize for Outstanding Undergraduate Poster
- Yashvi Shah received the Second Place Prize for Outstanding Undergraduate Poster
2022-2023 Graduate Student Awards
- NIH F31 Predoctoral Fellowship: Micaela O’Reilly; Trevor Smith; Nicholas Stachowski
- NSF GFRP Predoctoral Fellowship: Alison Bashford
- T32 Training Grant Appointees: Shayna Singh; Jeremy Weinberger; Jenna McGrath; Adam Hall
- Dean’s Fellowship for Excellence in Collaborative or Themed Research: Shrobona Guha
- Bondi Award for Research Excellence: Dana Lengel
- Drexel University Research Excellence Award: Sarah Bennison
- NIH Diversity-based Supplements to R01grants: Ash Islam; Taylor McCorkle; Candace Rizzi-Wise
- Graduate College Blue & Gold Fellowships: Alison Bashford; Sierra Coleman; Nishell Savory
- URM Master’s Scholarship: Giavanna deMarco
- Dean’s Travel Award: Xiaohuan (Beanie) Sun
- Award for Best Graduate Student Poster Award at the annual International Behavioral Neuroscience Meeting in Glasgow, UK: Nancy Mack
Mechanistic Route to Therapy for SPG4 Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia
Peter Baas, PhD, professor in the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, presented "Mechanistic Route to Therapy for SPG4 Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia" at the 2022 SPF Conference in July 2022. View video on YouTube.
Peter Baas was honored by the College of Medicine to receive the Daniel V. Schidlow, MD, Transformational Leadership Award
The College of Medicine's Daniel V. Schidlow, MD, Transformational Leadership Award is presented to a faculty member who exhibits substantial leadership to transform and make change through example and articulates an energizing vision. This faculty member encourages, inspires, mentors and sponsors a diverse, inclusive and equitable next generation of clinicians, scientists, educators and staff. This transformational faculty leader motivates members of the institution to innovate and create change that will help grow and shape the future success of the institution. Dr. Baas was honored at a ceremony, along with other Faculty Award recipients, on June 9, 2022.
Liang Qiang was honored by the College of Medicine to receive the New Investigator Award
The College of Medicine's New Investigator Award recognizes a promising and outstanding evolving investigator in the early career stages. Dr. Qiang was honored at a ceremony, along with other Faculty Award recipients, on June 9, 2022.
Theresa Connors was honored by Drexel University to receive the Harold M. Myers Award for Distinguished Service
The Provost’s Harold Myers Award for Distinguished Service is given to an administrator, member of the professional staff, or full-time or part-time faculty member who has engaged in service work that has been recognized to be truly significant to the University. Ms. Connors was honored at a ceremony in May, 2022.
2022 Golden Apple Awards
Haviva Goldman was selected by the DUCOM Class of 2024 to receive a Golden Apple Award for excellence in teaching Foundations of Basic Science Year I. Dana Peterson was selected by the DUCOM Class of 2025 to receive a Golden Apple Award for excellence in teaching Foundations of Basic Sciences. Caitlin Howe was selected by the DUCOM Class of 2025 to receive a Golden Apple Award for excellence in teaching Foundations of Basic Sciences,and by the Drexel University College of Medicine Student Body to receive one of this year’s Student Body Golden Apple Awards. Jed Shumsky was selected by the DUCOM Class of 2025 to receive a Golden Apple Award for excellence in teaching Foundations of Basic Sciences. Douglas Whitmire was selected by the DUCOM Class of 2025 to a Golden Apple Award for excellence in teaching Foundations of Basic Sciences. Awarded virtually in May 2022.
Department Of Health Awards $1 Million To Spinal Cord Injury Research Grant Recipients
The Pennsylvania Department of Health awarded $1 million in grants to six recipients focused on spinal cord injury (SCI) research. The grants are part of the department’s Commonwealth Universal Research Enhancement (CURE) program which awards research for clinic and health services and biomedical research funded by the Tobacco Settlement funds. Read more.
The annual Golden Apple Awards recognize outstanding service and teaching by Drexel University College of Medicine faculty and professional staff. Each class of medical students nominate faculty and professional staff for the honor and vote to determine the award winners. Read more.
Itzhak Fischer Receives Inaugural Daniel V. Schidlow, MD, Transformational Leadership Award
The College of Medicine's Daniel V. Schidlow, MD, Transformational Leadership Award is presented to a faculty member who exhibits substantial leadership to transform and make change through example and articulates an energizing vision. This faculty member encourages, inspires, mentors and sponsors a diverse, inclusive and equitable next generation of clinicians, scientists, educators and staff. This transformational faculty leader motivates members of the institution to innovate and create change that will help grow and shape the future success of the institution. Dr. Fischer was honored at a virtual ceremony, along with other Faculty Award recipients, on December 18.
Veronica Tom Receives the Julian Marsh Faculty Scholar Award
The College of Medicine's Julian Marsh Faculty Scholar Award is presented to a faculty member who has demonstrated excellence in scientific research, achieved international recognition, demonstrated outstanding teaching skills, mentored students as well as peers, and provided consistent, high-quality leadership to the medical school, creating a better environment for all faculty and students. Dr. Tom was honored at a virtual ceremony, along with other Faculty Award recipients, on December 18.
Veronica Tom Receives Provost's Award
Veronica Tom, PhD, professor of neurobiology and anatomy, received the 2020 Provost Award for Outstanding Mid-career Scholarly Achievement in recognition of her leadership, dedication and contributions in neuronal cytoskeleton and neurodegenerative disease research. Dr. Tom will receive $15,000 in support of her research.
2020 Golden Apple Awards
A number of the department's faculty and staff were recognized for excellence in teaching and outstanding service at the 2020 Golden Apple Award Ceremony. Golden Apple recipients included Haviva Goldman, Caitlin Howe, Jed Shumsky and Dennis DePace.
Margo Randelman to Give Discovery Day Presentation
Margo Randelman, a neuroscience graduate student, was one of five platform presenters to be highlighted in a news article about the College of Medicine's annual day of research, Discovery Day. Read the article.
Department Hosts FBI School of Operational Medicine Training
The Federal Bureau of Investigations School of Operational Medicine (FBI-SOM) holds quarterly medical refresher training for its high-risk personnel at institutions around the country. Drexel's Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy hosted one of these training events in August. Michael Biamonte, manager of FBI-SOM, wrote a letter of appreciation after the event, noting the professionalism and expertise of the faculty and staff who assisted with the training, including:
- Caitlin Howe
- Haviva Goldman
- Kathleen Ryan
- Theresa Connors
- Jeanine Gravatt
- Allen Ribblett
Mr. Biamonte stated that the class was a "tremendous success," thanks to the "wonderful team of professionals serving your organization and community," and expressed his hope that his organization would have an opportunity work with the team in the future.
Paralyzed patients are closer to one day breathing without a ventilator after Michael Lane, PhD, and Lyandysha Zhoudeva showed they could improve respiratory function in rodents with spinal cord injuries by successfully transplanting a special class of neural cells, called V2a interneurons. Read more.
Scientific dogma holds that the protein tau stabilizes microtubules within brain cells — but new research suggests just the opposite. Tau’s actual role in the neuron is to allow microtubules to grow and remain dynamic, according to Liang Oscar Qiang, PhD, the study’s lead author and a research assistant professor in the College of Medicine. Read more.
Provost Scholarly Activity Award
The Office of Research and the Office of Faculty recently announced that Peter Baas, PhD, professor of neurobiology and anatomy, was a recipient of the 2018-2019 Provost Award for Outstanding Scholarly Productivity – Career.
2019 Golden Apple Awards
A number of the department's faculty and staff were recognized for excellence in teaching and outstanding service at the 2019 Golden Apple Award Ceremony. Golden Apple recipients included Theresa Connors, Janet Smith and Judy Rae Churchill.
Other Golden Apple nominees included Dennis DePace, Haviva Goldman, Richard Gonzalez and Francis Sessler.
Thousands of U.S. soldiers returned from the 1991 Persian Gulf War with a mysterious, incurable illness. To find answers, College of Medicine researchers are reprogramming veterans' cells. eXel Drexel University Research Magazine (2018)
Researchers from Drexel University College of Medicine and the University of Texas at Austin improved respiratory function in rodents with spinal cord injuries after successfully transplanting a special class of neural cells, called V2a interneurons. Their results, published this week in the Journal of Neurotrauma, indicate that these lab-grown cells have the potential to one day help paralyzed patients breathe without a ventilator. Science Magazine / Drexel News
2018 Faculty Awards
The following faculty members were the recipients of 2018 faculty awards:
- Wen-Jun Gao, MD, PhD – Julian Marsh Faculty Scholar Award
- Kimberly Dougherty, PhD – Young Investigator Award
See all 2018 faculty awardees.
MD/PhD Student Linda Chamberlin Wins at Colloquium of Scholars
Linda Chamberlin, an MD/PhD student currently in the Neuroscience program, won first place at the Philadelphia Psychiatric Society's annual Colloquium of Scholars on April 14, 2018. Linda and colleagues Yasmin Mohabbat (psychiatry resident), Brielle R. Ferguson (former Neuroscience PhD student), and Wen-Jun Gao, PhD, professor of neurobiology and anatomy, were honored for their poster "Restoring Prefrontal Inhibition to Treat Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia."
Austin Coley, a neurobiology PhD student in the laboratory of Wen-Jun Gao, PhD, is the recipient of the first ever F99/K00 fellowship from the NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (September 2017)
As a doctoral candidate in neuroscience at Drexel University College of Medicine, Zak Brodnik's work focuses on the biology underlying drug-use disorders, and he has a message he wants to deliver alongside his research. (September 2017)
College of Medicine researchers shed light on the neurological consequences of exposure to low-levels of nerve agents and suggest that drugs like tubacin could treat some of the toxins' neurological effects. (June 6, 2017)
For researchers at Drexel University College of Medicine, the acquisition of two new confocal microscopes provides an unprecedented view into the human body — and fresh insights into conditions such as autism, neuroinflammation, HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment, heart attacks, cancer and more. Pulse (Spring 2017)
Back to Top