In the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology

We study how cells grow and divide, assemble, and function to form multicellular organisms. Using multidisciplinary approaches, we investigate fundamental biological questions and are dedicated to training and educating students in modern molecular and cellular biology, cancer biology, developmental biology, and neuro-cognitive sciences.

Cell & Developmental Biology News

View of Chemical & Life Sciences Building
New campuswide project will develop rapid manufacturing of tumor models
Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will develop a radically new platform to manufacture tumor models and expand their availability for medical research and personalized medicine, thanks to a $21 million grant from the Advanced Research Projects...
A man in a blue sweater smiles in front of a brightly-colored background
The mystery of schistosomes: Q&A with parasitologist Jim Collins
Jim Collins’ research isn’t for the faint of heart — or stomach. “We don’t talk about it at the dinner table,” he laughed. Collins, a parasitologist who conducted his postdoctoral work at the University of Illinois, studies parasitic flatworms known as schistosomes. These parasites have caused...
Three women sitting on a bench.
With, not on: Reimagining autism in research
In the past six months, Laura Hetrick has spoken to more researchers than she has in her last 14 years at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. “The last thing an autistic person wants to hear is, ‘You need to talk...
headshot of Christina Rosenberger
Five Minutes With: Medical writer Christina Rosenberger (PhD, '16, cell and developmental biology)
In this new series of interviews with members of the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology community, we chat with Christina Rosenberger (PhD, 2016, cell and developmental biology), a medical writer and clinical research specialist with the National Cancer Institute's...
Six students sit on a white staircase in front of a blue sky.
2024 Toogun Award winner recognized for exceptional research
Established in 2015, the Oyetunji A. Toogun Memorial Award for Excellence in Research is an annual award named in honor of Tunji Toogun, a PhD student in the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology who passed away in 2007. The annual award recognizes CDB graduate students for their...
A large group of people gathered in a conference center.
Congratulating the 2024 student award winners
The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology honored dozens of undergraduate and graduate students at its annual award ceremony, held on May 2. These student awards, fellowships, and scholarships recognize academic achievement, research accomplishments, and excellence in teaching and are made...

Department head Supriya Prasanth

Welcome from the department head

A message from Supriya Prasanth, professor and head of the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology.
Read the department newsletter

For alumni and friends

Our annual newsletter celebrates faculty, students, and alumni of Cell & Developmental Biology.
large stack of magazines

Research publications from CDB faculty

View the most recent journal articles from department faculty via PubMed.
View of Chemical & Life Sciences Laboratory Building

Diversity & Equity

We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Learn more about what we believe and our initiatives.
Alma mater with outstretched arms

Make a gift to CDB

Your support propels our research breakthroughs and makes a difference in the lives of our students.
Become a skilled, creative biologist

PhD in Cell & Developmental Biology

Our program is designed to set the foundation for a future scholar or industry leader to uncover new knowledge in the field, critically analyze scientific data in molecular life sciences, communicate the significance of biological phenomena, and lead research and development efforts to enhance human health.

For prospective PhD students For current PhD students in CDB

Upcoming Cell & Developmental Biology Events

View all events

Meet MCB's Cell & Developmental Biology Community

Brian Freeman poses for headshot, smiling, outside.
Meet MCB: Professor Brian Freeman brings molecular chaperone expertise to Illinois
Urbana, Ill. – Cancer Center at Illinois scientist and professor of cell and developmental biology, Brian Freeman, has focused his research on the study of molecular chaperones (MCs) since the beginning of his career as a graduate student when chaperones were thought to have no medicinal purpose....
PhD student Temirlan Shilikbay, wearing a U of I mask, holds up a slide and observes it.
Meet MCB: Temirlan Shilikbay, cell & developmental biology PhD student
The School of MCB is proud to highlight our graduate students, including Temirlan Shilikbay, now in his third year at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He is a PhD candidate in professor Stephanie Ceman's...
Yejing Ge
Meet MCB: Yejing Ge, PhD, CDB, '12, professor at MD Anderson Cancer Center
Meet Yejing Ge, PhD ’12, now a professor at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas Tell us about your current position and what research questions are you and your students...

Contact the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology