Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology

Neuroscience and Cell Biology, a Department within UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS) pursues strong state of the art research in various biological fields using its extensive research facilities. Faculty research covers diverse areas in the fields of neuroscience and cell biology, including regulation of neuronal and glial gene expression, genetic analysis of mammalian growth and development, the role of growth factors in survival and regeneration of neurons, and regulation of contraction in muscle and non-muscle cells. In addition to the research there are many departmental accomplishments in the areas of teaching, community service and patient interactions as evidenced below and throughout the departmental website.

The Department’s mission of providing quality education to medical and graduate students is evidenced by the continued commitment to the three major medical school courses, Cell Biology and Histology, Gross and Developmental Anatomy and Neuroscience. The Graduate Program in Neuroscience is a joint program of the Graduate School of Rutgers University and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at UMDNJ. The Doctor of Philosophy degree is awarded.

The rapidly growing Neuroscience Undergraduate Summer Research Program for New Jersey Students identifies college students of excellence from New Jersey and recruits them back to New Jersey for graduate training and future employment.

Extramural research funding has been competitively awarded to the departmental faculty members. Historically, sources of departmental funding have come from the National Institutes of Health, the New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology, the New Jersey Commission on Spinal Cord Research, The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, March of Dimes, National Science Foundation, Wadsworth Foundation, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, American Heart Association, NASA, Governor’s Council for Autism, Eli Lilly, Merck, Ethicon, Cancer Institute of New Jersey, NARSAD Young Investigator Award, Children's Brain Tumor Foundation, National Alliance for Autism Research, Familial Dysautonomia Foundation and private individuals.

The New Horizon Seminar Series and the NeuroLunch Seminar Series are departmental efforts to present to the UMDNJ, Rutgers and Princeton communities as well as lay individuals, the latest research in neuroscience. The Department invites world-renowned scientists to visit with faculty and students and to give seminars. We host approximately ten visitors annually from other distinguished institutions. In addition, the lunch series gives junior faculty and students in our laboratories as well as the surrounding labs the opportunity to present and discuss their research with other colleagues in a public forum.

The Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology administers the UMDNJ-RWJMS Anatomical Association. The Association plays an integral role in education and medical research. It offers a carefully cultured donor system and is obligated to each donor to utilize his or her gift optimally.

The faculty in the Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology are authors of articles in peer-reviewed journals as evidenced by the publications appearing in the faculty research. The faculty serve on editorial boards, they are reviewers for scientific journals and reviewers for private and national funding agencies; they are invited to give seminars at distinguished institutions, they hold positions in national and international societies and are organizers of scientific meetings.

Take the opportunity to get to know the Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology. Peruse the website and copies of our Departmental newsletter, The Synapse, and give us a call if you have any questions or if we can assist you in any way.

Ira B. Black, MD
Professor and Chair, 1990-2006
Dr. Black passed away unexpectedly January 10, 2006

Acting Chair: Cheryl F. Dreyfus, Ph.D.

Last updated October 5, 2006