Randall Given, PhDAdjunct Member
Dr. Randall Given wass an Associate Professor formally in the Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology in the School of Medicine at UTMB. He is a native of Idaho and received his BS degree in Zoology at the University of Idaho. His interest in Anatomy and Early Development took him to the Department of Anatomy at Washington University in St. Louis where he earned his PhD. He did postgraduate work in Developmental Biology at University of California, Davis and Oregon Health Sciences University before coming to UTMB. He served as Co-Director of the Molecules, Cells, and Tissues course in the first year medical school curriculum. He taught Gross Anatomy for over 25 years and is responsible for many of the embryology presentations to first year medical students. He also contributed to the School of Health Professions and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences where he taught human gross anatomy, developmental biology, and cell biology courses.
Dr. Given had a long standing interest in embryonic development. This is reflected in his research work as well as many of the presentations he makes to medical students. Knowledge of how the embryo develops adds a new perspective on the structural and functional features seen in the adult and insight on how congenital anomalies may arise. By providing this background to students they are better prepared to evaluate and educate their patients in the future and ask the questions necessary to assess new developments in their individual areas of the medical profession.
Dr. Given received several honors throughout his career. He was the recipient of the first 'Class of 47' Excellence in Education Award in 2000 and the American Medical Women Association Gender Equity Award in 2002 for his teaching efforts in the School of Medicine. In addition, the Gross Anatomy and Radiology Course in which he is a major participant has received the Best Course Award from the Freshman Medical Class 13 times from 1989 to 2008.
He was inducted into the Academy of Master Teachers in 2009.