GCBA News
News from the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy
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Leadership Message
Karen Gould, PhD, Vice Chair for Faculty Development
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Navigating Change Together
Feeling a little uncertain right now? That’s normal given the current economic challenges, policy shifts, changing funding landscapes, and lack of clarity about how all of this will affect us and our community. As we move forward through this time of uncertainty, it’s important to remember that our purpose and our values, our "North Star" remains constant and clear. The North Star has long been a symbol of direction and guidance, a fixed point in the sky in the northern hemisphere that has helped travelers stay on course to reach their desired destination for millennia. In much the same way, we each have our own "North Star"—our core values, our commitment to research and education, and our dedication to making a difference in the lives of others. These guiding principles keep us focused on what truly matters and where we are going, no matter how challenging the journey may seem.
Our collective resolve to promote high-quality science and education remains steadfast. Much like the North Star, our commitment to discovery, innovation, and educating the next generation of leaders provides the stability we need to navigate through change. This resolute sense of purpose gives us the direction and clarity to continue moving forward, even when the path ahead contains switchbacks or roadblocks.
The challenges ahead may test our resilience. But it is in times of uncertainty that each person’s core values become even more important. As researchers and educators, we are life-long learners, and we always find ways to adapt and grow. Periods of uncertainty, though challenging, push us to find ways to be more creative, more collaborative, and more resourceful as we forge ahead together. By staying focused on the guiding principles that define us and our work, we can meet these challenges head on knowing that our work has a positive impact.
If you have questions about the potential impact of policy changes or the funding landscape, you can contact leadership in the department, graduate studies, or institution. If you have visa-related questions, contact the international student advisor or visa /immigration specialist in the Office of Global Engagement. If you’re finding the uncertainty overwhelming, students can reach out to CAPS and faculty and staff can utilize EAP. If you’re a student and you are experiencing a financial hardship, available resources include the student financial wellness counselor, the Maverick food pantry, and the graduate student emergency fund. The University of Nebraska System’s Emergency Assistance Fund is available to faculty, staff, and students facing financial hardship.
As we continue our journey, our shared commitment to excellence in science and education will guide us and sustain us. Though the path ahead may be winding and may feel strewn with obstacles, let's keep our eyes fixed on the distance, on our "North Star," which remains bright and constant.
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Profile of the Month
Nancy Ballard - Accounting/Office Associate II
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Preferred Name:
What do you do for the department?
- I maintain funding summaries for faculty members while processing various financial transactions including funding changes and journal entries. I also manage the full lifecycle of travel-related activities, from initial requests through expense documentation, and conduct regular reviews of open purchase orders to ensure accurate financial tracking.
Hometown:
- Walthill Nebraska, which is a village on the Omaha Indian Reservation
What is your favorite part of your job?
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The favorite part of my job is undoubtedly my incredible coworkers, who not only make challenging days bearable but truly transform our workplace into a supportive community. Their diverse perspectives, willingness to collaborate, and genuine friendship have created an environment where I look forward to coming to work each day.
What is the worst part of your job?
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Although is not hard, ordering food for events is the most frustrating.
Best Piece of advice you’ve ever received or a favorite quote?
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"Invest in experiences over things"
What is your favorite food?
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Mexican, particularly enchiladas or quesadillas.
What is your favorite place to vacation or thing you like to do when not at work?
- I love being on the beach in Mexico or going to Europe, those are my best memories of vacations.
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Farshid Oruji successfully passed his comprehensive exams. He is a MGCB PhD student in the Vimla Band, PhD lab | |
Maggie Sladek, successfully defended her MS thesis from the MGCB program, in the lab of Stacy Gilk, PhD | |
MGCB PhD Teaching Track Students - Oral Presentation | |
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Anatomy Teaching Track doctoral students Alexandria Anding and Alison Camero will present at the American Association for Anatomy (AAA) annual meeting in Portland, Oregon on March 29-31. They are both being partially funded by the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy via the Binhammer Fund, and by AAA Student Travel Awards. Abstracts were submitted to the Graduate Scientific category which contained 106 submissions.
Alex’s abstract “Functional analysis of human interlaminar astrocytes following development in the mouse cortex” was programmed by the AAA Program Committee as an oral presentation in the Developmental Neurobiology Symposium. This honor is given to a small number of submitted abstracts, and reflects a strong, relevant content area and a well-written abstract that the AAA Program Committee felt that many members would like to see presented in oral form.
Ali’s abstract “The negative regulation of PR55α-controlled PP2A by the p53 tumor suppressor” was selected to be a finalist for the Graduate Student Poster Presentation award and will be judged on-site by the Committee for Early Career Anatomists. The majority of submitted abstracts to this meeting are programmed as poster presentations; the top 12 as judged by the AAA Committee for Early Career Anatomists in December 2024 with established judging criteria are deemed finalists for awards for oral platform (top 4) and poster (top 5-12) presentations. Ali’s abstract was in the top 9.5% of submitted abstracts and thus was programmed as a poster finalist. Her poster and poster presentation will be judged on-site and potentially receive an award given at the closing awards banquet. Ali’s abstract was also programmed by the AAA Program Committee as an oral presentation in the Cell Biology Symposium.
If you would like to see the programmed sessions in the AAA annual meeting schedule and the scientists that Alex and Ali will be sharing the stage with, please see the programmed sessions here: https://www.anatomy.org/AnnualMeeting/AnnualMeeting/Sessions.aspx?hkey=5c30fb8d-6b64-4db9-871a-ec34b3c0d7b0
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Student Events Held
Children's Book Donations
A special thank you to everyone who donated books and funds for the Child Care Development Center Book Drive. Student reps Soumi Basu and Kyle Roher delivered the books on behalf of GCBA.
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Upcoming Student Activities | |
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April - Science Photo Contest
Graduate Students are sponsoring a science photo contest. Photos are to be submitted to Kyle Rohrer (krohrer@unmc.edu) electronically by April 1st. Then stop by the DRC administrative office on April 21st - pick up a muffin and see all the photos that are submitted and choose your favorite.
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Department Community Enhancement
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Sweet Celebrations: It’s Pi(e) Day!
March 14—better known as Pi Day (3.14)—is a time to celebrate the mathematical constant π (pi), which represents the never-ending ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. But let’s be honest… most of us are here for the pie—the delicious, round kind!
This Pi Day, why not celebrate with both brains and bites? Whether you’re a math whiz or just a fan of flaky crusts, take a moment to appreciate the beauty of circles in the form of your favorite pie. From classic apple and cherry to savory quiche and pot pie, there’s no wrong way to honor the day!
Consider hosting a pie exchange, challenging friends to a pi memorization contest, or simply indulging in a slice (or two!). However you celebrate, remember—just like pi, the possibilities are infinite!
What’s your favorite kind of pie? Let us know and join in the fun!
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Welcoming the Spring Equinox: A Season of Renewal
As the days grow longer and the chill of winter fades, March 19 marks the Spring Equinox, a time of balance, renewal, and new beginnings. On this day, the sun shines directly over the equator, creating nearly equal hours of daylight and darkness—a perfect symbol of harmony in nature.
Spring brings a fresh start, with flowers beginning to bloom, trees budding, and wildlife awakening. It’s a wonderful time to embrace growth and renewal, whether that means starting a new project, refreshing your home, or simply spending more time outdoors enjoying the sunshine and fresh air.
Consider celebrating the equinox by taking a walk in nature, planting flowers, or reflecting on personal goals for the new season. However you welcome spring, may it be a time of joy, growth, and new possibilities!
How do you celebrate the arrival of spring? Share your traditions with us!
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February Publications for GCBA Faculty, Students, Post Docs and Staff.
Peer Reviewed:
- Azzam M, Xu Z, Liu R, Li L, Meng Soh K, Challagundla KB, Wan S, Wang J. A review of artificial intelligence-based brain age estimation and its applications for related diseases. Brief Funct Genomics. 2025 Jan 15;24:elae042. doi: 10.1093/bfgp/elae042. PMID: 39436320; PMCID: PMC11735757.
- Kong Y, Pan T, Liu B, Kuss M, Krishnan MA, Alimi OA, Shi W, Duan B. Double-Layer Microneedle Patch Loaded with HA-PBA-QCT for Management of Paclitaxel-Induced Peripheral Neuropathic Pain. Small. 2025 Feb;21(8):e2409748. doi: 10.1002/smll.202409748. Epub 2025 Jan 31. PMID: 39888259; PMCID: PMC11855232.
- Taylor H, Spruill L, Jensen-Smith H, Rujchanarong D, Hulahan T, Ivey A, Siougiannis A, Bethard JR, Ball LE, Sandusky GE, Hollingsworth MA, Barth JL, Mehta AS, Drake RR, Marks JR, Nakshatri H, Ford M, Angel PM. Spatial localization of collagen hydroxylated proline site variation as an ancestral trait in the breast cancer microenvironment. Matrix Biol. 2025 Apr;136:71-86. doi: 10.1016/j.matbio.2025.01.006. Epub 2025 Jan 23. PMID: 39863086.
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Kitzerow O, Christensen S, Hong J, Adam RJ, Zucker IH, Jensen-Smith H, Wang HJ. Anatomical mapping of neural lineages expressing the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 receptor using a modified and combined PACT and CUBIC protocol for rapid tissue clearance. Acta Physiol (Oxf). 2025 Feb;241(2):e14275. doi: 10.1111/apha.14275. PMID: 39821962; PMCID: PMC11737471.
- Chandrakasan S, Allen CE, Bhatla D, Carter J, Chien M, Cooper R, Draper L, Eckstein OS, Hanna R, Hays JA, Hermiston ML, Hinson AP, Hobday PM, Isakoff MS, Jordan MB, Leiding JW, Modica R, Nakano TA, Oladapo A, Patel SA, Pednekar P, Riskalla M, Sarangi SN, Satwani P, Tandra A, Walkovich KJ, Yee JD, Zoref-Lorenz A, Behrens EM; REAL‐HLH investigators. Emapalumab Treatment in Patients With Rheumatologic Disease-Associated Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in the United States: A Retrospective Medical Chart Review Study. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2025 Feb;77(2):226-238. doi: 10.1002/art.42985. Epub 2024 Nov 5. PMID: 39245963; PMCID: PMC11782109.
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Oladapo A, Deshetty UM, Callen S, Buch S, Periyasamy P. Single-Cell RNA-Seq Uncovers Robust Glial Cell Transcriptional Changes in Methamphetamine-Administered Mice. Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Jan 14;26(2):649. doi: 10.3390/ijms26020649. PMID: 39859365; PMCID: PMC11766323.
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Oladapo A, Kannan M, Deshetty UM, Singh S, Buch S, Periyasamy P. Methamphetamine-mediated astrocytic pyroptosis and neuroinflammation involves miR-152-NLRP6 inflammasome signaling axis. Redox Biol. 2025 Mar;80:103517. doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2025.103517. Epub 2025 Jan 25. PMID: 39879739; PMCID: PMC11810843.
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Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy
985805 Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, NE 68198-5805
402-559-8325
https://www.unmc.edu/genetics/
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