Department of Cell Biology

I am delighted to have this opportunity to work with an outstanding group of faculty, as we make new discoveries at the frontiers of cell biology, developmental biology and neurobiology. We conduct basic biomedical and translational research with an emphasis on the study of diverse aspects of cellular dynamics in health, disease and therapeutic intervention using modern methods in microscopy and imaging. Our research employs multidisciplinary approaches with genetically tractable animal models and human patient cells. We are committed to provide an exemplary level of research training, teaching and mentorship of future scientists and physicians. We continue to establish new partnerships and collaborations across several academic and clinical departments within Emory University, the School of Medicine and several research centers. I look forward to supporting the research and teaching mission of our faculty, and our vision to have a transformative impact on understanding basic science to advance human health.

We are sorry to share this heartbreaking news of the untimely passing on June 19^th of our beloved colleague and friend, Dr. Lindsey Seldin.  We extend our sincere condolences to many of you who were close with Lindsey.

We were so fortunate to have recruited Dr. Seldin to our Department of Cell Biology at Emory University School of Medicine four years ago following a competitive national search.  Lindsey impressed us with her intellect, talent, creativity, achievements and career potential, but equally as important was that we all wanted to have her as our colleague. We remember with fondness a kind, caring person with an endearing sense of humor.  Although we only had a short time together, we will remember and cherish our scientific interactions, collegiality and friendship. Dr. Seldin’s research achievements have been significant all along her career development path. Lindsey received her B.A. in Biology and Spanish from Middlebury College, her Ph.D. from Duke University, and completed postdoctoral training at Vanderbilt University, where she received the Postdoctoral Fellow of the Year Award. At Emory, Dr. Seldin’s research was highly significant and multifaceted at the intersection of stem cell, developmental biology and cancer.  Dr. Seldin’s skin cancer research in our department was supported by a Career Development Award from the U.S. Department of Veterans Awards. Lindsey led highly collaborative research projects at the Atlanta VA with investigators in the Emory Department of Dermatology and Winship Cancer Institute where she held faculty appointments. A recent senior author paper from Dr. Seldin’s lab published in Molecular Biology of the Cell, “Epithelial‑Dermal Inflammasome Crosstalk in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma,” was featured in MBoC Highlights and appeared on the cover of the March 2026 issue.

Dr. Seldin was a dedicated mentor with a passionate commitment to supporting people from underrepresented groups and women to pursue and excel in their scientific careers. Our department is committed to support Lindsey’s beloved lab members. We are grateful to the outpouring of love, support and remembrance, which we have shared with family members. Later this summer or early fall, our department will organize a service of remembrance at the Interfaith Canon Chapel at Emory University. Details for the service will be forthcoming.

With generous support from the family, friends and colleagues, our dept will host an annual memorial lecture for Dr. Lindsey Seldin. All funds raised will go to support this annual lecture. We thank you for any contribution - much appreciated.

Sincerely,
Dr. Gary Bassell
Charles Howard Candler Professor and Chair
Department of Cell Biology
Emory University School of Medicine

Donate to the Lindsey Seldin Annual Memorial Lecture  

Dr. Timothy Sampson,  Assistant Professor in Cell Biology, was featured in Nature for his research that links gut bacteria to Parkinson’s Disease.  The story discusses how growing evidence suggests a link between the debilitating neurological illness and the microbes that live in our intestines.

Nature article

Drs. Matthew Rowan and Timothy Sampson are being promoted to Associate Professor of Cell Biology, effective September 1, 2025.