Tara M. Finegan

Dr. Tara M. Finegan is an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Missouri, located in 117 Tucker Hall within the College of Arts and Science. Her research focuses on understanding how epithelial cells establish and maintain tissue architecture, particularly investigating directional cell division and its consequences. She leads the Finegan Bergstralh Lab, which adopts an interdisciplinary approach blending genetics, biochemistry, microscopy, and computational modeling.

Education:

• PhD, MPhil, MA (Cantab), University of Cambridge

Research Interests:

Epithelial tissues are central to organ functions like absorption and secretion. The lab explores how cells determine division direction and the implications of errors, merging cell biology, developmental biology, and quantitative methods. Projects are tailored to student interests, with a commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in science.

Awards:

• Wellcome Trust / University of Cambridge PhD Studentship and Research Grant, 2013

Lab and Community:

The Finegan Bergstralh Lab actively recruits graduate students and emphasizes cross-disciplinary collaboration. The lab’s work spans basic science to biomedical applications, supported by advanced experimental and computational techniques.