Darrell Wiens

Dr. Darrell Wiens is a Professor of Biology at the University of Northern Iowa's College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences. He holds a BA from Bethel College, MA from University of Kansas, PhD from Kansas State University, and postdoctoral training at Stanford University and Ohio State University. His research focuses on cell motility, cytoskeleton dynamics, cadherins, gravitational biology, and folic acid effects on neural development. He collaborates on studies involving heart development, neural crest cells, and developmental toxicology.

• Education: BA (Biology, Bethel College), MA (Physiology & Cell Biology, University of Kansas), PhD (Cell & Developmental Biology, Kansas State University), Postdocs at Stanford, Ohio State, and others.

Research interests include developmental mechanisms in animals, particularly heart formation, neural connectivity, and the impact of environmental factors like gravity and folic acid. His work bridges cell biology, neuroscience, and developmental physiology, often involving animal models such as chick and Xenopus embryos.

Publications span topics from cadherin expression in organogenesis to hypergravity’s effects on embryonic morphology. His studies highlight interdisciplinary approaches to understanding developmental processes under varied conditions.

Dr. Wiens emphasizes undergraduate research mentorship, as seen in collaborative projects with students on biology education and gender influences in STEM interest.