Kathryn W. Tosney

Professor

Chair of Biology

The University of Miami

last updated 01-11-06


Contact information
Professor Kathryn Tosney
Chair of Biology
The University of Miami
1301 Memorial Drive
Coral Gables, FL 33146
Lab (305) 284-4134
Chair office (305) 284-3988
FAX (305) 284-3039
email ktosney@miami.edu


PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND


Professional Training

  • Phi Beta Kappa, The University of Oregon, 1976
  • Woods Hole Embryology Course, 1977
  • Ph.D. Stanford University, 1980 with N.K. Wessells
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Yale University and The University of Connecticut, 1980-1984 with L.T. Landmesser


Current research support

  • NSF grant 2006-2009, Regulation of functionally distinct adhesions and neuronal motility


Awards

  • Francis Lou Kallman Award, Stanford University, 1979
  • University of Michigan Faculty Teaching Award, Amoco Foundation, 1991
  • Excellence in Education Awards; College of Literature, Sciences, and the Arts, Univ. Mich., 1992, 1993, 1995
  • Faculty Recognition Award; College of Literature, Sciences, and the Arts, Univ. Mich., 1994
  • Gayle Morris Sweetland Senior Fellow, University of Michigan, 1999

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Administrative Positions

  • Associate Director, Developmental Neurobiology Training Program, Univ. Mich., 1990-2000
  • Associate Chair, Department of Biology, Univ. Mich., 1991-1995
  • Executive Committee, College of Literature, Science & The Arts, Univ. Mich., 1996-1999
  • Board of Trustees, Society for Developmental Biology, 1996-2000
  • Treasurer, Society for Developmental Biology, 2000-2003
  • ADVANCE Implementation Committee, Univ. Mich., 2002-2006
  • Chair, Rackham Divisional Board, Univ. Mich., 2003-2004
  • Provost's Committee on Faculty Mentoring and Community Building, Univ. Mich., 2003-2005
  • LSA Grievance Review Board panel, Univ. Mich., 2002-2005
  • LS&A College Divisional Committee, Univ. Mich., 2003-2006
  • Biomedical Research Council, Univ. Mich., 2003-2006 |
  • Executive Committee, MCDB Department, Univ. Mich., 2003-2006
  • Editorial Board, Developmental Dynamics 2003-2006
  • FASEB finance committee, 2004-2006
  • Director, Society for Developmental Biology Educational Website, 2005-2006
  • NSF Panel for Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowships, 2005-2006
  • Chair, Department of Biology, The University of Miami, 2006-


RESEARCH


Click on a link belowfor a research statement
and related publications


growth cone guidance
axon guidance in vivo
neural crest migration
neural patterning
muscle development

methods developed

A major focus currently is on
the control of motility:
control of filopodial initiation
control of lamellar extension

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A cultured sensory neuron extending a growth cone with long thin filopodia, photo by Ken Balazovich


Some recent publications:

  • Steketee, M. and K. W. Tosney (1999). Contact with isolated sclerotome cells steers sensory growth cones by altering distinct elements of extension. J. Neurosci. 19: 3495-3506.
  • Polinsky, M., K. Balazovich and K.W. Tosney (2000). Identification of an invariant response: Contact with Schwann cells induces veil extension in growth cones. J. Neurosci. 20: 1044-1055.
  • Steketee, M., K. Balazovich, and K.W., Tosney (2001) Filopodial Initiation and a Novel Filament-organizing Center, the Focal Ring. Mol. Biol. Cell 2001 12: 2378-2395
  • Steketee, M., and K.W. Tosney (2002) Three Functionally Distinct Adhesions in Filopodia: Shaft Adhesions Control Lamellar Extension, J. Neurosci., 22: 8071-8083
  • Tosney, K.W. (2004). Long-distance cue from emerging dermis stimulates neural crest melanoblast migration. Dev. Dynamics 229: 99-108
  • Chapman, S, D.Raible, D. Henken and K.W. Tosney (2004). Neural crest as a way of knowing: New perspectives on lineage and morphogenesis. Dev. Dynamics 229: 140-142
  • Eberhart, J. J. Barr, S. O'Connell, M.E. Swartz, A. Flagg, K S. Cramer, K.W. Tosney, E.B. Pasquale and C.E. Krull (2004) . Ephrin-A5 exerts positive or inhibitory effects on distinct subsets of EphA4-positive motor neurons. J. Neurosci. 24: 1070-1078
  • Tosney, K. W. , A. Wagnitz, D. Dehnbostel, and K. J. Balazovich (2006). Evidence that growth cones exert mechanical force as they exit the spinal cord. in press with revision

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LAB STAFF AND ALUMNI


    Graduate Researchers
    :
    Sally Schroeter (Ph.D., 1990)
    Robert Oakley (Ph.D., 1993)
    Michael Steketee (Ph.D., 2000)
    Ron Rozar
    Albert Hayward
    John Constantinide


    Research Associates
    Ken Balazovitch (1995-2001)
    Linda White (2007- present)


    Postdoctoral Researchers
    Kevin Hotary (1992-1995)
    Michael Polinsky (1993-1995)
    Lisa Foa (1996-1998)
    Gary Ten-Eyck (1998)

    Undergraduate Researchers
    Lisa Bodley (1993-1994)
    Mia Champion (1993-1995)
    Chris Fecteau (2002-2003)
    Chris Lasky (1990-1991)
    Lina McCarty (1997-1998)
    Rebecca Sexton (1993-1994)

    Undergraduate Honors Researchers
    David Berry (2002-2004)
    Bill Catherino (1988-1989)
    Nayana Dhavan (2004-2006)
    Margaret Hageman (1987-1988)
    Jennifer Pokrzywinski (1986-1987)
    Edwin Raffi (2002-2004)
    Alex Rothis (1985-1986)
    Jason Schrum (2002-2004)
    Sophia Tyrrell (1985-1988)
    Aimee Wagnitz (1997-1999)


Co-chair, Graduate Dissertation Committees
Ron Allen (Ph.D., 1993)
Jaikun Song (Ph.D.. 1989)

Masters Researchers
Lynn Coulter (1984-1985)
Gerhard Schlosser (1985-1987)
Kathryn Van Koevering (1986-1988)
Renee Pierce (2004-2005)

Technical Associates
Varghese Cherian
Denise Dehnbostle
Celeste Malinowski
Kay Scott King

Undergraduate Research Assistants
Tannesha Barlow (1994-1995)
Moneesh Bhow (1993-1995)
Sarah Earle (2004)
Rebecca Fitch (1997-1998)
Michelle Gibson (1998-present)
Charmagne Goodman (1990-92)
Michelle Jacque (1999-2000)
Laji Kattungal (1996-1997)
Megan Lemmon (1998-2000)
Kristen Levy (1996)
Christine Martin (1989-1990)
Andrea Morisette (1992)
Katie Parish (2004)
Tom Pierce (1991-1992)
Elizabeth Schmidt (1996-1997)
Ebonie Struther (1997- 1998)
Allison Toby (1997-1998)
Toubor Vang (1992-1993)
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TEACHING


Graduate training programs
Department of Biology
Neuroscience Program


Professional writing and grantsmanship
This graduate course, taught in Fall terms, is open to Biology graduate students who are eligible to submit grants in late Fall or early Spring. The grants may be of any type and from any source, and any level (e.g., graduate fellowship, dissertation improvement grant, postdoctoral fellowship, etc.) Th
e aim of the course is to increase the fundability of submitted grants. It will treat the realities of grantsmanship, and aid students as they compose their grant submissions. It will also convey the elements of argumentative writing: writing to convince. This style is distinct from descriptive prose, or from technical writing.. It will also introduce students to the "reader-oriented" writing philosophy, first publisized in science writing by the seminal article, The Science of Scientific Writing, by Gopen and Swan. This philosophy, when put into practice, dramatically increases clarity and power.

In Fall 2007, the course will be taught on Wednesdays from 9:00 to 12:00 in Cox room 215. Students will not be allowed to audit the course (although written course materials will be available electronically to those who request them ). Registration is by permission only. For permission to register, email Dr. Tosney.


Career survival
You’ve heard the term “publish or perish.” Alas, one can both publish AND perish. This lecture, given every other year at Miami and by arrangement elsewhere, gives one survivor’s perspective on navigating the shoals of academia.


    How to Devise a Convincing Poster
    Is the space in front of your poster perennially devoid of people? Do those that do come fail to understand your message? If so, visit this site for examples and advice to help you increase your clarity and impact.
    Workshops are also given yearly at the University of Miami, and by arrangement elsewhere.


    The Origami Embryo
    This learning aid helps you understand the four-dimensional changes that characterize a developing embryo, as it transforms with complex three-dimensional changes over time (the fourth dimension).
    This site gives instructions on how to fold your own complex embryo from colored paper.


aCross Development
This book is a crossword puzzle guide to Scott Gilbert’s textbook, Developmental Biology, 6th edition by Sinauer. This link connects you to a set of (free) puzzles to the initial chapters in Gilbert's 5th edition.


Undergraduate research
Undergraduate Researchers photos and publications
The next opening for an undergraduate researcher position is anticipated for Spring term, 2008.
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