Anna Lysakowski, Ph.D., FAAA, OFRSM, FAS, Professor, Dept. of Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago (2005-present), Joint Appt., Dept of Head and Neck Surgery – Otolaryngology, Univ. of Illinois at Chicago (2012-)
Candidate Statement: My vision for AAA has always been, and remains, to promote the field of Anatomical Sciences, both in terms of research and teaching. I believe that it is essential to maintain Anatomy as a discipline because it is fundamental to all the other medical sciences ("Structure dictates function"). In this vein, I will work to promote professional development to keep the field of Anatomical Sciences vibrant and relevant. I believe we can do this by promoting excellent science and career development opportunities to reach out to new members and retain existing members. As a neuroscientist, I also am devoted to using new methods of inquiry and visualization and discovering new aspects to inner ear anatomy that will help advance our knowledge in this area and promote new treatments for deafness and dizziness. Scientific curiosity continues to drive my research efforts and helps me inspire students to accompany me on this road to discovery.
Ph.D. Institution: University of Illinois at Chicago, 1984
Earlier Positions:
US-UK Fulbright Visiting Scholar in 3D Biomedical Visualization, Glasgow School of Art Digital Design Studio (2014)
Visiting Scholar, InnerEarLab (Moser group) & Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany (Nov-Dec. 2009)
Assoc. Professor (1999-2005), Dept. of Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago
Asst. Professor (1993-1999) , Dept. of Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago
Res. Associate (Asst Professor), Dept. Pharmacol. and Physiol. Sci., Univ. of Chicago (1990-1993)
Res. Associate, Dept. Pharmacological and Physiological Sciences, Univ. of Chicago (1987–1990)
Postdoctoral Fellow, Committee on Neurobiology, University of Chicago (1985–1987)
AAA Committee/Roles: AAA Nominations Committee (1999-00), Educational Affairs Committee (2000-03), Educational Outreach Awards Committee (2004-07, chair, 2006-07), Henry Gray Distinguished Educator Award Committee (2007-11, chair ’10-11), Professsional Development Committee (2010-2012), Fellows Circle (2012-present), AAA Board of Directors (2015-18), Journal Trust Fund Committee (2018-2021), Diversity and Inclusion Task Force (2016-2019), Fellows Grant Award Program (FGAP, 2015-20), Diversity and Inclusion Committee (2019-2021), AAA Fellows Leadership Committee (2025-present), Leadership Committee
Other Professional Activities:
Assn for Research in Otolaryngology (ARO) Program Committee (1999-04), ARO External Affairs Committee (2010-2014), Award of Merit Committee (2017-2020), Finance Committee (2019-2021), Secretary-Treasurer (2023-2026)
Chicago Chapter, Society for Neuroscience (CSfN): Councilor (2000-02, ‘09-10); Judge, Graduate Student Symposium (2006), Under¬graduate poster competition (2009), Co-Executive Secretary (2010–14); President-Elect, President, Past-President (2016-21); Treasurer-Elect, Treasurer, Past-Treasurer (2021-2026)
American Hearing Research Foundation (AHRF) Edit. Bd. (2005-09), Research Comm. (2003-), Bd. of Directors (2012-), AHRF Meniere’s ARO Satellite Meeting Scientific Steering and Planning Committees (Chair, 2024-2025)
Fulbright Peer Review Committee (2016-18, ‘25)
Marine Biological Laboratory Council (2016-)
Grant reviewer for NIH (Regular member AUD Study Section 6/02-6/06, ad hoc, numerous times ), NASA (ad hoc, numerous times), and NSF
Editorial Boards: Hearing Research, have also been a peer reviewer for 38 journals.
Awards: AAA R.R. Benseley Award for Outstanding Young Cell Biologist (1996); 2001 NASA Certificate of Achievement for Avian Development Experiment Aboard STS-108; 2006 UIC COM Faculty Mentoring Award for Student Research; AAA Short-term Visiting Scholarship Award (2010-2012); Elected Fellow, American Association of Anatomy (2012-); Best Oral Presentation Prize (€1000) at the European Brain Prize meeting (2012); Plenary speaker at the Neuro-otology Society of Australia (2012); U.S.-U.K. Fulbright-Scotland Visiting Professor at the Glasgow Digital Design Studio (3D Medical Visualization, 2013-2014); Overseas Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine (2017- ); John and Grace Nuveen International Development award for travel to Ghana to provide anatomy education (2020); Barany Satellite Symposium honoree (2022), Mensa (2023), Intertel (2025)
Research Interests: We have 4 projects ongoing in the laboratory now: 1) molecular and immunohistochemical characterization of the vestibular calyx afferent, including voltage-gated ion channels, glutamate and potassium co-transporters; 2) a study of the ultrastructural and protein structure of a cytoskeletal striated organelle present in all inner ear hair cells, except cochlear outer hair cells; 3) an investigation of the structure and function of inner ear mito-chondria; and 4) genetics of Meniere's Disease.
Other Professional Memberships Currently Maintained: Assn for Research in Otolaryngology (ARO); Society for Neuroscience (SFN); Anatomical Society (UK), Royal Society of Medicine (Otology Section); Inner Ear Biology Workshop (European ARO); American Physiological Society (APS); Bárány Society; Cajal Club; Biophysical Society NYAS; Sigma Xi (1983)
Teaching: [Current] Graduate Student/Biomedical Visualization “Human Neuroanatomy”; Grad-uate course on “Foundations of Neuroscience II”; Course Instructor in “Biology of the Inner Ear” summer course at Marine Biological Laboratory (2009-present); [Previous] Medical Gross Anatomy; Medical Neuroanatomy; Medical Histology; Graduate course on “Cellular and Sys-tems Neurobiology”; Nursing Gross Anatomy; Various tutoring programs (Urban Health Pro-gram, Summer Pre-matriculation Program, Minority Student Opportunities Program (MSOP) for both the medical school and the dental school, Summer Enrichment Program for Pre-profess-ional (College) Students, NCRR Minority Initiative for K-12 teachers and high school students)
Web Link: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anna-Lysakowski