معرفی
Paul Gignac is an Associate Professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson. He also holds an affiliate faculty position in the College of Information Science. Previously, he served as an Associate Professor and Assistant Professor at Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences from 2013–2022. His research focuses on 3D biological imaging, comparative neuroscience, and biomechanics, with notable contributions to understanding sensory evolution in salamanders, avian neuroanatomy, and crocodylian feeding biomechanics.
Education: B.S. in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (University of Connecticut, 2004), Ph.D. in Biological Sciences (Florida State University, 2010), followed by postdoctoral work at Stony Brook University Medical School (2010–2013). He directs the Physician Assistant Anatomy program in the College of Health Sciences.
Research Interests: Gignac’s work integrates cutting-edge imaging techniques like diffusible iodine-based contrast-enhanced CT (diceCT) to study neuroanatomy, comparative morphology, and evolutionary biology. He leads the NOCTURN initiative, advancing open science standards in tomography. His studies explore sensory adaptation in subterranean organisms, cranial ornamentation in birds, and functional biomechanics in extinct and extant vertebrates.
Key Projects: Collaborative research on crocodylian neuroanatomy, avian visual pathways, and 3D reconstruction of vertebrate soft tissues. His work bridges clinical anatomy, evolutionary biology, and technological innovation in imaging.
Awards and Grants: While no explicit awards are listed, his extensive grants include NSF-funded projects on crocodylian ecomorphology and avian neurological evolution. He has pioneered imaging standards through the NoCTURN network.
Teaching and Mentorship: Directs anatomy education programs and collaborates on interdisciplinary training tools like the NeuroRelay App for clinical problem-solving.
