Irfan Saadi, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center
Candidate Statement: My connection with AAA began in 2017, when I proposed a symposium for the 2018 AAA/EB meeting. The proposal was accepted, and the symposium was enthusiastically received. That meeting left a lasting impression – not only because of the quality of science and anatomy education programming, but also for the collegial and intellectually vibrant atmosphere. Since then, I have felt a strong sense of belonging in the AAA community and have remained an active and engaged member – attending nearly every annual meeting, organizing symposia (2018, 2024), and serving on the Scientific Advisory Committee (2020–2022).
Currently, I represent AAA on the Board of Directors for the Society for Craniofacial Genetics and Developmental Biology (SCGDB; 2023-2026). I view this partnership as strategically important and fully aligned with AAA’s broader mission, and I was delighted to see it renewed for another five years. Last year, I also served on the AAA working group that evaluated the progress toward the 2020 Strategic Plan, which has deepened my understanding of AAA’s evolving priorities and strengthened my commitment to contributing further as a Board member.
I am excited about AAA’s investment in standalone annual meetings, its anatomy education community, enhanced support for inclusion, virtual learning resources, and professional development. Sustaining and expanding opportunities for early-career scientists and educators should remain a central priority.
Looking ahead, I believe AAA can strengthen its efforts to engage a broader community of researchers across life and health sciences. I’m especially interested in expanding outreach to institutions, particularly those near annual meeting sites, so that more scientists and educators might discover AAA just as I once did. From my perspective as a scientist, educator, and mentor, I see a bright future for AAA – one that connects interdisciplinary research with excellence in anatomical education and supports diverse career trajectories. Serving on the Board would allow me to deepen my commitment and contribute meaningfully to the continued success of our community.
Ph.D. Institution: Genetics Ph.D. Program, University of Iowa, 2003
Earlier Positions: Associate Professor (2017-2024) and Assistant Professor (2011-2017), University of Kansas Medical Center; Postdoctoral Fellow, Forsyth Institute (2009-2011) and Genetics Division, Brigham & Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School (2003-2009)
Teaching: [Current] Course Directorships: Graduate Histology (graduate students); Cell Biology and Anatomy Graduate Program Seminar Course (graduate students). Lectures/Small Groups: Embryology of Head and Neck Structures (medical students); Connective Tissue, Cartilage and Bone (graduate students); Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (graduate students); Cytoskeleton (graduate students); Cleft Palate Etiology (graduate and dental students); Case Based Collaborative Learning facilitation (medical students); Introduction to Research Ethics (graduate students). [Past] Lectures: Craniofacial Development (graduate students); Development of the Eye and Ear (medical students).
AAA Committee/Roles: AAA appointed SCGDB Board Member (2023-2026); AAA Strategic Plan Review Committee (2024); Scientific Affairs Committee (2020-2022); Symposium organizer (2018, 2024).
Other Professional Activities: Scientific Director, Integrated Imaging Core, University of Kansas Medical Center; Associate Editor, Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine; Review Editor, Frontiers in Neuroanatomy; Chartered Member, NIH PN Study Section.
Research Interest: The long-term goal of my laboratory is to elucidate the etiology of complex congenital structural birth anomalies affecting the face, cranium, palate, and brain. Using complementary approaches that combine mouse genetics, cell-based models, advanced imaging, and multi-omics analyses, we investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive craniofacial development and malformation. Areas of focus include how structural and cytoskeletal dynamics influence palate morphogenesis and orofacial clefting, as well as how maternal environment and nutritional interventions can modify these developmental outcomes.
Other Professional Memberships Currently Maintained: American Society of Human Genetics, Society for Craniofacial Genetics and Developmental Biology
Web Link: https://www.kumc.edu/isaadi.html