Anatomy & Neurobiology

Since 1968, A&N has been a world-leading neuroscience department
where discoveries at the molecular, anatomical and physiological levels
are seamlessly integrated to the development of new treatments for
neurological diseases.

Just Published

Recent Grants

Seminars and Conferences in Anatomy & Neurobiology

Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology

Progress in Neuroscience (PIN) Seminar Series

Epilepsy Research Center 

EpiCenter Seminar Series (co-sponsored by Anatomy & Neurobiology)

News in the Department

Congratulations to A&N graduate student – Onwodi Ifejeokwu – who just WON the UCI Grad Slam competition with her presention of “Kill The Cancer: Spare The Brain”! Onwodi will now move on to represent UCI (and A&N) at the 2024 UC system wide Grad Slam in San Francisco. 

Kei Igarashi, PhD has received the distinction of Chancellor’s Fellow for his scientific achievements.

Postdoctoral Reseacher Yannick Fotio, PhD has received an NIH K99 award under the NIH HEAL Initiative con-supported by NCCIH and NINDS.

Xiangmin Xu, PhD has been awarded the distinguished title of Chancellor’s Professor for his exceptional scholarly achievements.

James H. Fallon, PhD

Professor of Anatomy & Neurobiology and of Psychiatry & Human Behavior,  Emeritus

October 1947 – November 2023.

Dr. James (Jim) Fallon joined the growing UCI Department of UCI Anatomy (now Anatomy and Neurobiology) as an Assistant Professor in 1978 and rose through the ranks to become Professor until his retirement in 2008; he retained status as Professor Emeritus in the departments of Anatomy and Neurobiology and Psychiatry and Human Behavior.  His basic neuroscience research focused on the distribution and development of neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, and growth factors in the central nervous system and in the neurological bases of Parkinson’s Disease and Huntington’s Disease. This work included the first demonstration of the large scale presence of stem cells in the injured adult brain following stimulation by growth factors (PNAS, 2000).  Later in his career, Jim worked with colleagues in Psychiatry and Human behavior in PET/MRI Image analyses, which led to his particular interest in neuroanatomical correlates of psychopathology.  Jim is well known for his public education efforts, giving numerous lectures to national and international audiences, and doing frequent media interviews on CNN, The View, the Today Show, and 20/20, among others.  He also authored two books, Virga Tears and The Psychopath Inside.


In addition to his research, Jim taught extensively in the medical and graduate curricula, teaching Histology and Human Neuroscience.  He was known for his colorful and entertaining lectures, and his deep appreciation for the fundamentals of his topic.  Jim received multiple student-driven awards, including the Silver Beaker and the Kaiser-Permanente Awards for outstanding teaching.


Friends, colleagues and students will remember Jim for his impressive intellect, his internationally recognized contributions to neuroscience, his contributions to faculty governance, and his ever-present sense of humor.

Surviving Dr. Fallon are his wife of over 50 years, Diane, his daughters Shannon and Tara, his son James, multiple grandchildren, a newly arrived great grandson, and the graduate students, medical students and postdoctoral researchers who received training in Neuroscience from Dr. Fallon.

Professor Fallon lived well and made the world a more entertaining and interesting place.

@AnatomyNeurobio