Developmental Biology

Multicellular organisms form their bodies anew each generation from a single cell. This amazing process is studied at the University of Maryland, College Park, by over 20 faculty members housed in several departments. Their work collectively addresses fundamental questions in developmental biology, such as how genes and their products regulate the formation of anatomical features, post-embryonic development and regeneration, the role of experience in shaping the nervous system, and how novel adaptations evolve through the modification of development. 

Events

• Devo Club: An interdepartmental joint group meeting for UMD labs that study animal development and its evolution. Schedule for current academic year.
• Insight Seminars: Contact the organizer, Meenakshi Tanwar, for more information

Faculty Members

Invertebrates

Alexandra Bely (BIOL)
Eric Haag (BIOL)
William Jeffery (BIOL)
Leslie Pick (ENTM)
Sougata Roy (CBMG)
Jian Wang (ENTM)

Neural Development

Juan Angueyra (BIOL)
Melissa Caras (BIOL)
Karen Carleton (BIOL)
Matthew Kelley (NIH-NIDCD)
Yosuke Mukoyama (NIH-NHLBI)
Lisa Taneyhill (ANSC)
Jian Wang (ENTM)

Evolutionary Developmental Biology

Alexandra Bely (BIOL)
Karen Carleton (BIOL)
Sean Carroll (BIOL)
Eric Haag (BIOL)
William Jeffery (BIOL)
Tom Kocher (BIOL)
Leslie Pick (ENTM)

Plants

Caren Chang (CBMG)
José Feijo (CBMG)
Daniel Rodriguez Leal (PSLA)

Vertebrate Development

Douglas Blackiston (CBMG) (joining UMD in 2026)
Karen Carleton (BIOL)
William Jeffery (BIOL)
Matthew Kelley (NIH-NIDCD)
Tom Kocher (BIOL)
Yosuke Mukoyama (NIH-NHLBI)
Lisa Taneyhill (ANSC)