James Shull, Ph.D., a professor at the University of Nebraska Medical
Centers Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, has
been named chairman of UNMCs department of genetics, cell biology and
anatomy. He assumed the post on Sept. 1.
Dr. Shull succeeds Thomas Rosenquist, Ph.D., who became vice chancellor
for research in February 2002. James Turpen, Ph.D., professor of genetics,
cell biology and anatomy, served as interim chairman of the department.
We are fortunate that Dr. Shull will be leading the UNMC genetics,
cell biology and anatomy department, said James Armitage, M.D., dean of
the UNMC College of Medicine. As an outstanding teacher and researcher,
Dr. Shull will further strengthen the departments research and academic
endeavors.
Dr. Shull said his primary goal is to lead the department to national
prominence in research, while providing the highest quality educational
experience to UNMC students and fellows. To achieve this goal we must
recruit and retain faculty of the highest caliber and establish graduate
and postgraduate training programs that attract outstanding students and
fellows to our institution, he said.
I am pleased and honored to have the opportunity to lead the department
of genetics, cell biology and anatomy as we work to integrate the vast
knowledge emerging from the decoding of the human genome, the genomes of
experimental animal models used to study human diseases, as well as the
genomes of numerous disease-causing organisms into our teaching and research
activities, Dr. Shull said. It is clear the practice of medicine is being
dramatically altered by this new knowledge of molecular genetics, and I
believe our department will play a lead role in preparing our students
to utilize this information to improve the care of their patients.
The department of genetics, cell biology and anatomy has 20 faculty
members and three emeritus faculty members. About 300 students in medical,
allied health and graduate programs annually study in the department, learning
genetics, cell biology, molecular biology and various aspects of the anatomical
sciences including gross anatomy, neuroanatomy, microscopic anatomy and
developmental anatomy.
In a series of studies published over the past six years, Dr. Shull
and his colleagues have demonstrated that the ACI rat provides a valuable
experimental model for studying the mechanisms through which estrogens
induce breast cancer development. His research is helping lay the groundwork
for identifying the genes that are responsible for breast cancer susceptibility
in humans.
Dr. Shull has served UNMC in a variety of leadership positions.
He has directed the Molecular and Biochemical Etiology Program of the Eppley
Cancer Center since 1996 and serves as the leader of the Breast Cancer
Training Program.
A native of Chapman, Nebraska, Dr. Shull joined UNMC in 1987. He earned
his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1984.
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