+Department of Cell Biology

I am delighted to have this opportunity to work with an outstanding group of faculty, as we make new discoveries at the frontiers of cell biology, developmental biology and neurobiology. We conduct basic biomedical and translational research with an emphasis on the study of diverse aspects of cellular dynamics in health, disease and therapeutic intervention using modern methods in microscopy and imaging. Our research employs multidisciplinary approaches with genetically tractable animal models and human patient cells. We are committed to provide an exemplary level of research training, teaching and mentorship of future scientists and physicians. We continue to establish new partnerships and collaborations across several academic and clinical departments within Emory University, the School of Medicine and several research centers. I look forward to supporting the research and teaching mission of our faculty, and our vision to have a transformative impact on understanding basic science to advance human health.

Dr. Timothy Sampson,  Assistant Professor in Cell Biology, was featured in Nature for his research that links gut bacteria to Parkinson’s Disease.  The story discusses how growing evidence suggests a link between the debilitating neurological illness and the microbes that live in our intestines.

Nature article

Drs. Matthew Rowan and Timothy Sampson are being promoted to Associate Professor of Cell Biology, effective September 1, 2025.