Max Rady College of Medicine

Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science

The Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science has a long tradition of excellence and innovation in education and is a major contributor to the health professional programs in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. Our department also has a vibrant research community and offers a well-rounded graduate program that trains future biomedical researchers and anatomy professionals. Our interdisciplinary research and education activities are guided by our core values of respect, collaboration, collegiality and integrity. Join us to begin your career in the biomedical and anatomical sciences.

A microscopic view of cells on a slide.
More about the department

Exemplary research training

Our faculty members conduct cutting-edge research in the fields of cancer biology, neuroscience, cardiovascular sciences and musculoskeletal health. We offer high-quality graduate training at both the MSc and PhD levels. Our students have the opportunity to pursue courses in a wide array of subjects related to anatomy and cell science, while developing their scientific skills in a supportive and collaborative research environment.

Graduate students have opportunity to use a variety of contemporary techniques such as:

  • Autoradiography
  • Light and electron microscopy
  • 3D imaging
  • Morphometrics
  • Tissue culture and transplantation
  • Immunocytochemistry
  • In situ hybridization
  • Radioimmunoassay
  • Electrophoresis
  • Transgenics
  • Magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy
Professor standing next to a large anatomical graphic
microscopic view of a cell.

Departmental programs

Our undergraduate and graduate courses encompass a range of classic anatomical disciplines from gross anatomy, neuroanatomy, embryology and neural development, histology, neuroimaging and morphological techniques. The department’s highly motivated expert faculty and staff aspire to take the anatomical education of the next generation of scientists and health professionals to the next level.

Current student resources

Graduate Student Guide

The Graduate Student Guide contains a wealth of information and has general guidelines for all department members. To request an electronic copy, email martha.ericastilla@umanitoba.ca.

Awards and scholarships

As a department, we provide the highest quality education in fundamental and advanced anatomical sciences to learners in various professional programs in the health sciences.

Annual internal scholarships

  • HACS Research Day
  • Ralph A. Mann Memorial Scholarship Award
  • University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship (UMGF)

Annual scholarship/awards offered to UGME students

  • The Dr. Joseph & Dr. Dorothy Hollenberg Memorial Fund Award

Explore Max Rady College of Medicine awards

Search our awards database

Student working with a test-tube.

Undergraduate Research Awards

Each year, the University of Manitoba provides a multitude of unique learning opportunities through the undergraduate research awards. This program allows undergraduate students to interact with the best minds and research leaders in their fields. This experience opens them up to new possibilities for a research career in either government, academic or industry sectors.

Department research

Our unit has a vibrant research community with established excellence in the neurosciences, cancer biology, cardiovascular health and musculoskeletal functions. Researchers in Human Anatomy and Cell Science lead innovative research streams within the University of Manitoba and beyond with successful collaborations and research exchange on both the national and international level.

Our researchers

Search our expert directory

Featured researchers

Portrait of Dr. Saeid Ghavami.

Saeid Ghavami, BSc, MSc, PhD

My research career has been focused on the importance of cross talk of three key cellular responses to intra- and extracellular stress in regulation of cellular phenotype including apoptosis, autophagy and unfolded protein response (UPR). We investigate how cellular phenotype is involved in lung cancer metastasis, and chemotherapy response in Glioblastoma and Rhabdomyosarcoma. Our research identifies how autophagy/UPR/apoptosis determine metastatic phenotypes of lung cancer via Bcl2 family proteins. In addition, we address the importance of these three pathways in regulation of chemo-sensitivity of Glioblastoma and Rhabdomyosarcoma cells to different chemotherapy agents.
/medicine/faculty-staff/saeid-ghavami
Dr. Alexa Hryniuk.

Alexa Hryniuk, PhD

Dr. Hryniuk is an educator for multiple disciplines for the Health Sciences Faculty. Her teaching specialties include the anatomical sciences with a focus on human anatomy and embryology. Dr. Hryniuk’s research focuses on medical education and learning. This research is mainly focused on medical education pedagogy and curriculum design. This has included developing and determining the effectiveness of innovative instructional designs, learning tools and assessments that promote learning and critical thinking in the medical education curriculum.
Dr. Hassan Marzban.

Hassan Marzban, PhD

As a cerebellar developmental biologist, his research is focused on unraveling the molecular mechanisms that drive cerebellar development in health and disease.
Profile
Dr. Jerry Vriend

Jerry Vriend, PhD

Currently I am using publicly available datasets to investigate the role of the ubiquitin proteasome system in cancers. With colleagues I am investigating genes that encode ubiquitin conjugases and ubiquitin ligases related to the proliferation of cancer cells. We are attempting to identify potential therapeutic targets in various cancers, including subtypes of medulloblastoma, ovarian cancer and glioma.
Profile
Portrait of Dr. Saeid Ghavami.
Dr. Alexa Hryniuk.
Dr. Hassan Marzban.
Dr. Jerry Vriend

Community and partners

Body donation program

Body donation program

Through the body donation program, students gain a deeper understanding of human anatomy through first-hand experience. At the same time, the program gives donors the opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to the advancement of health sciences.

Making advance arrangements can help relieve some of the stress your loved ones will face after your passing. Your advance plans will help your family decide what to do next during a very difficult time.

Learn more about the body donation program

Histology Services

Histology Services

The histology platform provides services for researchers and students to process tissues and calls for histopathological examination. We offer paraffin, cryo and electron microscopy techniques including processing, embedding, sectioning, staining and imaging.

Learn more about Histology Services

Bruni's crosswords

Human anatomy continues to be a challenge for students to master. While there are a variety of teaching methods to assist with the learning process, there is no easy way for students to understand and remember the structure, function and clinical significance of the myriad of body parts. Students may have differing opinions on their preferred method of study, but few would dispute the importance and value of repeated self-testing and review.

Dr. Bruni, a former professor and senior scholar with the Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, has created a collection of human anatomy-themed crossword puzzles to assist students in their learning process. The subject matter is organized along the conventional methods of human anatomy instruction, basic body regions and other major organ systems.

Each asymmetrical crossword is custom made with selected across and down clues that conform to important anatomic structures, words and clinical terms and examples pertinent to various body regions and systems.

Crosswords

Answer keys

Faculty and staff

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Contact us

Human Anatomy and Cell Science
130 Basic Medical Science Building
745 Bannatyne Avenue
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9 Canada

204-789-3411
204-789-3920