Jason Organ, PhD
Faculty

Jason Organ, PhD

Associate Professor of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology

Address
MS 5055A
ANAT

Indianapolis, IN
Pubmed Logo
Download CV

Bio

Jason Organ is Associate Professor of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology at the Indiana University School of Medicine, where his research examines how the structure of bone and muscle influences how they work. Jason earned his MA in Anthropology from the University of Missouri and his PhD in Functional Anatomy & Evolution from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He has published over 30 peer-reviewed research papers on evolutionary and mechanical adaptations of bone and muscle in scientific journals and over 40 peer-reviewed teaching modules in digital human anatomy references. Jason is an elected member of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Anatomists (AAA) and has used this position to advocate for the importance of effective science communication and public outreach. He is also Co-Editor and Writer of the Public Library of Science (PLOS) Science Communication Blog. In 2018, Jason received the prestigious AAA Basmajian Award for excellence in teaching gross anatomy and outstanding accomplishments in biomedical research and scholarship in education.

Titles & Appointments

  • Associate Professor of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology
  • Adjunct Associate Professor, School of Liberal Arts
  • Director, Clinical Anatomy &amp
  • Physiology MS Program
  • Education
    2008 PhD Johns Hopkins University
    2002 MA University of Missouri
    1999 BA University of Missouri
  • Research

    The Organ Lab at IUSM studies the relationship between bone and muscle mechanics at the whole-organ level, and how tissue-level mechanisms influence whole-organ function. We utilize numerous in vivo model systems to understand how disease, exercise, and pharmaceutical intervention influence bone and muscle structure, cellular activity, and biomechanical properties. We study these properties in the context of chronic kidney disease, osteogenesis imperfecta, and normal postnatal ontogeny, using a variety of techniques: imaging (CT, DXA, X-ray), histology (static and dynamic histomorphometry), muscle electrophysiology (in vivo ankle torque, in vitro whole muscle contractility), and bone mechanical testing (bending, compression, reference point indentation). The Organ Lab is funded by the NIH and IUSM/Showalter Research Trust.

  • Professional Organizations
    American Association for Anatomy
    American Association of Physical Anthropologists
    Anatomical Society
    Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology
  • Awards
    Org: Indiana University
    Desc: Induction into Faculty Academy for Excellence in Teaching (FACET)
    Scope: University
    Date: 2021-10-22
    Org: Indiana University
    Desc: Trustees' Teaching Award
    Scope: School
    Date: 2021-04-01
    Org: IUSM ACBP Department
    Desc: Seifert Anatomical Sciences Statewide Outstanding Educator Award
    Scope: Department
    Date: 2019-06-01
    Org: Indiana University
    Desc: Trustees' Teaching Award
    Scope: School
    Date: 2018-04-01
    Org: American Association for Anatomy
    Desc: Basmajian Award for Excellence in Education & Research
    Scope: International
    Date: 2018-04-01

Research Labs

Faculty research at IU School of Medicine is transforming health. Details about the medical research being conducted in faculty labs throughout IU School of Medicine are available in the Research section of this site.

Faculty Labs