• CMM faculty educate a diverse student body, spanning multiple disciplines and levels of study

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  • Explore our latest news features highlighting key accomplishments

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  • The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Arizona is home to leaders in many areas of biomedical research.

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  • CMM is dedicated to advancing global wellness through cutting-edge research and transformative education

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  • College of Medicine iCourses provide flexible, stackable learning opportunities for pre-professional students.

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Message from the Department Head

Mission: To advance basic and translational research and foster excellence in medical and graduate training, all dedicated to enhancing global wellness.

The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (CMM) at the University of Arizona is committed to pushing the boundaries of biological knowledge through a comprehensive educational approach and interdisciplinary research. With a reputation for faculty-led research in complex disease pathogenesis, CMM's expertise encompasses cellular, molecular, and developmental biology, as well as anatomy and genetics. The department focuses on imaging, bioinformatics, ‘omics’, stem cells, and systems genetics, and is known for its collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment, ranking #9 in the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research 2023 rankings.

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Recent Publications

  • Evaluation of Swab-Seq as a scalable, sensitive assay for community surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
    Author(s): H.J. Kang; S. Allison; A. Spangenberg; T. Carr; R. Sprissler; M. Halonen; D.A. Cusanovich
    Date Published: 23 FEB 2022
    PMCID: PMC8866503  PMID: 35197492
  • Inhibition of PIM Kinase in Tumor-Associated Macrophages Suppresses Inflammasome Activation and Sensitizes Prostate Cancer to Immunotherapy.
    Author(s): A.N. Clements; A.L. Casillas; C.E. Flores; H. Liou; R.K. Toth; S.S. Chauhan; K. Sutterby; S.Kumar Deshmukh; S. Wu; J. Xiu; A. Farrell; M. Radovich; C. Nabhan; E.I. Heath; R.R. McKay; N. Subah; S. Centuori; T.J. Weeler; A.E. Cress; G.C. Rogers; J.E. Wilson; A. Recio-Boiles; N.A. Warfel
    Date Published: 2025 May 02
    PMCID: PMC12048269  PMID: 39982419
  • Integrated multiomics reveals alterations in paucimannose and complex type N-glycans in cardiac tissue of COVID-19 patients.
    Author(s): S.Peruvemba Subramanian; M. Wojtkiewicz; F. Yu; C. Castro; E.N. Schuette; J. Rodriguez-Paar; J. Churko; P. Renavikar; D. Anderson; C. Mahr; R.L. Gundry
    Date Published: 2025 Feb 21
    PMID: 39988192
  • Minimal Component, Protein-Free, and Cost-effective Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Cardiomyocyte Differentiation.
    Author(s): J.B. Iwanski; O.S. Lawal; W.T. Kwon; I. Vazquez; J.M. Churko
    Date Published: 2025 Feb
    PMCID: PMC11834755  PMID: 39932462
  • Atrial Fibrillation Related Titin Truncation Is Associated With Atrial Myopathy in Patient-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Disease Models.
    Author(s): K. Huang; M. Ashraf; L. Rohani; Y. Luo; A. Sacayanan; H. Huang; A. Haegert; S. Volik; F. Sar; S. LeBihan; J. Liew; P.H. Backx; J.D. Roberts; G.F. Tibbits; J.M. Churko; S. Sanatani; C. Collins; L.R. Brunham; Z. Laksman
    Date Published: 2025 Feb
    PMID: 39851047

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Recent News

Dr. Donata Vercelli Investigates the Remarkably Low Allergy Rates in the Amish Community
Jul 22 2025 - 4:45pm

Donata Vercelli, MD, Regents Professor of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, is researching why Amish experience a dramatically lower rate of allergies, aiming to uncover insights that could help protect the broader population. Click to read more
Dr. Kelvin Pond Receives 2025 Project Cure CRC Young Investigator Accelerator Award
Jul 2 2025 - 3:45pm

Kelvin Pond, PhD, Assistant Professor of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, received the 2025 Project Cure CRC Young Investigator Accelerator Award from the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. The awards consists of a total grant of $188K to support his project titled, “Dissection of PI3K and MAPK Dynamics in Patient-Derived Colorectal Cancer Organoids for Accelerating Therapeutic Development.”
Innovative Drug Discovery Venture from UA Research Lands $4 Million Seed Investment
Jul 2 2025 - 3:30pm

Curtis Thorne, PhD, Associate Professor of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, co-founded a drug discovery company aimed at developing treatments for colorectal and other types of cancer. Click to read more
Dr. Haley O'Brien and Jared Alvarado Recognized by University of Arizona Health Sciences
Jun 27 2025 - 1:15pm

Haley O'Brien, PhD, Associate Professor (Educator Scholar Track) of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, and Jared Alvarado, Funeral Director/Embalmer for the Willed Body Program, were honored at the University of Arizona Health Sciences 2025 Awards Ceremony. Dr. O'Brien received the 2025 Excellence in Access, Community and Belonging Award, celebrating her commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment. Jared received the 2025 Recognizing Excellence in Professionalism Award for his outstanding dedication and service. Congratulations, Dr. O'Brien and Jared!

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