Dan Bergstralh

Dan Bergstralh is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Missouri. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and B.S. from the University of Maryland. His research focuses on the establishment and maintenance of epithelial tissue architecture, specifically investigating how epithelial cells determine division orientation and the consequences of incorrect division patterns.

The Finegan Bergstralh Lab uses interdisciplinary approaches including traditional genetics, protein biochemistry, advanced light microscopy, and computational modeling to study epithelial sheet development. Research examines the intersection of cell biology, biomedical research, and physical sciences to understand fundamental mechanisms of tissue organization.

Recent publications demonstrate consistent focus on epithelial mechanics, cell division orientation, adhesion mechanisms, and tissue morphogenesis across model systems including Drosophila and mammalian epithelia. The lab develops novel computational tools for quantitative analysis of epithelial architecture.

Honors include:

• Research Fellowship at Clare Hall, University of Cambridge (2009-2015)
• Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (2009-2011)
• Marshall Sheffield Postdoctoral Fellowship (2008-2009)

Dr. Bergstralh actively recruits graduate students and fosters a diverse research community focused on epithelial biology.