(773) 442-5636
Dr. Jorge Cantu
Jorge
A.
Cantú
Director of the SCSE, Associate Professor
Biology
College of Arts and Sciences
(773) 442-5743
Expertise
Neuroscience
Developmental Biology
Cancer Biology
Courses Taught
General Biology I (BIO 201)
Cell Biology (BIO 301)
Neurobiology (BIO 365)
Cancer Biology (BIO 366)
Animal Models of Disease (BIO 425)
Research Interests
My research interests lie at the intersection of spinal cord development, damage, and repair, with a particular focus on unraveling the intricate molecular processes governing cell death. I am dedicated to advancing our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie spinal cord injuries and exploring innovative strategies for effective repair. Additionally, I am passionate about promoting accessibility and inclusivity in STEM education, striving to create an environment where knowledge is accessible to individuals from all backgrounds, ensuring that everyone can contribute to and benefit from the advancements in science and technology.

Keywords: Neurobiology, developmental biology, cancer biology, zebrafish, STEM education
Education

Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Northwestern University

B.A. in Biology, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

High School Diploma, Mundelein High School

Selected Publications

Monick, Sarah, Vineet Mohanty, Mariam Khan, Gowtham Yerneni, Raj Kumar, Jorge A. Cantu, Shunsuke Ichi, Guifa Xi, Bai Ram Singh, Tadanori Tomita, and Chandra Shekhar Mayanil. "A Phenotypic Switch of Differentiated Glial Cells to Dedifferentiated Cells Is Regulated by Folate Receptor α." STEM CELLS (2019).

Wiwatpanit, Teerawat*, Sarah M. Lorenzen*, Jorge A. Cantú*, Chuan Zhi Foo, Ann K. Hogan, Freddie Márquez, John C. Clancy, Matthew J. Schipma, Mary Ann Cheatham, Anne Duggan, and Jaime Garcia-Anoveros. "Trans-differentiation of outer hair cells into inner hair cells in the absence of INSM1." Nature 563, no. 7733 (2018): 691. *Equal Contribution

Nimrod Miller, Zhihua Feng, Brittany M. Edens, Ben Yang, Han Shi, Christie C. Sze, Benjamin Taige Hong, Susan C. Su, Jorge A. Cantu, Jacek Topczewski, Thomas O. Crawford, Chien-Ping Ko, Charlotte J. Sumner, Long Ma, Yong-Chao Ma. "Non-aggregating tau phosphorylation by cyclin-dependent kinase 5 contributes to motor neuron degeneration in spinal muscular atrophy." Journal of Neuroscience 35, no. 15 (2015): 6038-6050.

Remis, Natalie N., Teerawat Wiwatpanit, Andrew J. Castiglioni, Emma N. Flores, Jorge A. Cantú, and Jaime Garcia-Anoveros. "Mucolipin co-deficiency causes accelerated endolysosomal vacuolation of enterocytes and failure-to-thrive from birth to weaning." PLoS genetics 10, no. 12 (2014): e1004833.

Cantu, Jorge A., G. Parker Flowers, and Jacek Topczewski. "Notum homolog plays a novel role in primary motor innervation." Journal of Neuroscience 33, no. 5 (2013): 2177-2187.

Additional Information

Follow our lab on Twitter! @ProfCantu

Room BBH 310
Northeastern Illinois University
5500 North St. Louis Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

(773) 442-5743
Office Hours
Please email jacantu@neiu.edu to arrange to meet or speak with Dr. Cantu.
Main Campus
Photo of Laura West
Laura
J.
West
Student Academic Services Specialist in STEM
Student Center for Science Engagement
Expertise
Transfer Advising, Development of Transfer Guides, Outreach and Student Recruitment, Program Development. Strengths: Empathy, Input, Learner, Positivity, Relator
Education

MS, Higher Education Administration and Policy

MEd, Secondary Education (Biology)

BA, Biology and Art, Minor: Environmental Science

BBH 235
5500 North St. Louis Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Office Hours
Mon-Fri: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. By appointment
Agustina Chirinos
Agustina
Chirinos
Office Manager
Student Center for Science Engagement
Expertise
My duties include carrying out administrative functions and developing new initiatives for the unit. In addition, I have to perform all essential tasks related to the administration of state, local and grant budgets.
Education

I graduated from NEIU with a B.A. in Anthropology in 2020. In addition, I completed an Archaeological summer field school under the guidance of Dr. Rebecca Graff from Lake Forest College in 2018.

Office Hours
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Photo, Luke Devereux
Luke
Devereux
STEM Advisor
Student Center for Science Engagement
Education

Yale University, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology 
Ph.D. Candidate Dec. 2022 – Jan. 2024 
Master of Science Sept. 2020 – Nov. 2022 

DePaul University, B.S. Molecular and Cell Biology Sept. 2016 – June 2020 
Minors: Chemistry, African and Black Diaspora Studies, LGBTQ Studies 
2020 Biology Student of the Year, Presidential Scholarship (2016-2020)

Northeastern Illinois University
5500 North St. Louis Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Office Hours
Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.