Teaching
Faculty in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology are involved in teaching in the Colleges of Graduate Studies, Medicine and Health Professions. For some faculty, teaching is their primary role, while for others, teaching is a smaller component of their responsibilities. Our faculty have been involved in many innovations in teaching and have won numerous teaching awards including the award for best teaching department numerous times. Please see the faculty list below to learn more about each faculty member's teaching responsibilities and accomplishments.
Jeffrey Amack, PhD (profile)
Major Areas of Teaching: Embryology, Cell and Developmental Biology, Genetics
I give a series of human embryology lectures to medical students during their first year. In the College of Graduate Studies, I direct an introductory Developmental Biology course, and an advanced Contemporary Cell and Developmental Biology course. I also teach genetics to first year graduate students, and mentor undergraduate and graduate students in my research laboratory.
Jennette J Ball, DC, MS (profile)
Major Areas of Teaching: Gross Anatomy, Neuroanatomy
My teaching in the College of Medicine is focused on first year courses in which I teach in the small group setting as well as the laboratory setting of gross anatomy and neuroanatomy. I also co-direct the Musculoskeletal Unit for the College of Medicine. In the College of Health Professions’ Doctor of Physical Therapy program, I lecture in the first year gross anatomy course as well as co-direct the anatomy laboratory portion of the course.
Marie Bechler, PhD (profile)
Major Areas of Teaching: Cellular Neurobiology, Cell and Developmental Biology
In the College of Graduate Studies, I teach in the Foundations of Biomedical Sciences course. I also mentor graduate students and postdoctoral associates in my research laboratory.
Scott Blystone, PhD (profile)
Major Areas of Teaching: Cell Biology, Microscopic Anatomy, Hematopoietic System, Respiratory System
I teach Microscopic Anatomy lecture and laboratories to first year students in the College of Medicine, including the blood and respiratory systems. In the College of Graduate Studies I am the course director for Foundations of Biomedical Sciences, a required course for incoming students. My lectures within this course are focused on the molecules involved in cell adhesion events. I also direct an introductory course in light microscopy. I have been continuously supervising graduate students within my laboratory for 26 years.
Teaching Awards: I am a recipient of the President's Award for Excellence in Teaching for the College of Medicine and the College of Graduate Studies.
Marius F Ifrim, MD, PhD (profile)
Major Areas of Teaching: Gross Anatomy, Neuroanatomy
In the College of Medicine, I teach first year medical students Gross Anatomy and Neuroanatomy. In the College of Health Professions’ Doctor of Physical Therapy program, I teach Gross Anatomy.
Mira Krendel, PhD (profile)
Major Areas of Teaching: Histology (Microscopic Anatomy), Cell and Developmental Biology
I teach Histology to first year medical students, including lectures and labs, with particular focus on the histology of endocrine organs and the kidney. In the College of Graduate Studies, I teach in the Foundations of Biomedical Sciences course. I also mentor graduate students in my research laboratory and organize an informal Cytoskeletal Journal Club for students and faculty.
Margaret M Maimone, PhD (profile)
Major Areas of Teaching: Cell & Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Histology
In the College of Medicine, I teach first year medical students Cell Biology, Histology, Genetics and Clinical Reasoning. I also co-direct the first year Molecules, Cells & Microbes course. In the College of Health Professions’ medical technology program, I teach graduate courses in Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology, and Human Genetics and supervise thesis work.
Teaching Awards: President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, Philip B Armstrong Award for Distinguished Teaching, AOA Excellence in Teaching Award, Graduate Student Association Outstanding Teacher Award, Member of the Academy of Upstate Educators
Dana M Mihaila, MD, PhD (profile)
Major Areas of Teaching: Gross Anatomy, Neuroanatomy
In the College of Medicine, I am involved with MS1 and MS2. In the first year, I lecture and teach in small group as well as in the laboratory setting, gross anatomy and neuroanatomy in 6 Units and in the summer Medset course. In neuroanatomy, I work with MS4 and I direct an elective course for them. In the second year of medical school, I lecture in Nervous System II Unit. I co-direct the Nervous System Units for both first (I) and second year (II) of medical school. I am a member of the COM Curriculum Committee.
I lecture and conduct laboratory activities for Neurology residents. In addition, I am a member of the “Program Evaluation for Neurology Residency Committee” and of the “Self-Study for ACGME accreditation of Neurology Residency Committee”.
In the College of Health Professions’ Doctor of Physical Therapy program, I lecture in the first year gross anatomy course.
In the College of Graduate Studies, I lecture for the Neuroscience course.
Teaching Awards: President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, recipient of “Exceptional moments in teaching”.
Thomas J Poole, PhD (profile)
Major Areas of Teaching: Microscopic Anatomy, Developmental Biology, Medical Education
In the College of Medicine, I am the Assistant Dean for the Foundational Sciences. I teach first year medical students Microscopic Anatomy. I am the director or co-director for the first three systems-based unit courses in the second year of the medical curriculum: Foundations & Skin, Hematology & Oncology, and Renal, Reproductive & Endocrine. I co-direct a monthly Medical Education Journal Club for faculty and medical students that discusses the latest articles in curricular design, teaching methods and assessment.
Teaching Awards: President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, AOA Excellence in Teaching Award.
David Pruyne, PhD (profile)
Major Areas of Teaching: Microscopic Anatomy, Developmental Biology
My teaching is focused on Microscopic Anatomy/Histology. For the College of Medicine, this includes several lectures and the entire series of small group lab sessions in the courses of the first year, while for the College of Graduate Studies, this includes an introductory lecture for the first year students, and participation in an intensive lecture/lab course for graduate students. I am also involved in teaching developmental biology, and I mentor graduate students in my research laboratory.
Teaching Awards: 2018 President's Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2017 Outstanding Teaching Award
Christopher Turner, PhD (profile)
Major Ares of Teaching: Cell, Molecular, and Cancer Biology
I am the Graduate Program Director for the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology. I present lectures in cell adhesion, extracellular matrix organization and growth control to both first year medical students and first year graduate students. I also mentor graduate students and postdoctoral associates in my research laboratory.
Robert Zajdel PhD (profile)
Major Areas of Teaching: Gross Anatomy, Microscopic Anatomy, Neuroanatomy
College of Medicine: I teach in units 3-8 of MSI. Cardiovascular and Respiratory I Unit Director. Anatomy Thread Content Leader for Gross Anatomy, Neuroanatomy, Microscopic Anatomy, Embryology, and Radiology. Previously, Gross Anatomy course director. Elective director in the COM for Teaching in Gross Anatomy for fourth year medical students. Elective director for rising second year medical students teaching DPT students. College of Health Professions: 21 years teaching Gross Anatomy for Physical Therapy. Course director for Doctor of Physical Therapy Anatomy. College of Graduate Studies: Course director for anatomy graduate courses.
Teaching Awards: Upstate Medical University Gold Standard Award. College of Medicine Dean’s Award for Faculty That Make a Difference. President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Medical Alumni Association Phillip B. Armstrong Award for Distinguished Teaching. Alpha Omega Alpha Excellence in Teaching Award. Academy of Upstate Educators. Upstate Medical University Exceptional Moments in Teaching Award.