Rachel A. Menegaz, Ph.D.

About Dr. Menegaz

Rachel A. Menegaz, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physiology and Anatomy at the University of North Texas Health Science Center. She completed her B.A. in Biological Anthropology at the University of Texas at Austin, her Ph.D. in Integrative Anatomy at the University of Missouri, and her postdoctoral training in Evolutionary Biology at Brown University. 

Dr. Menegaz is a functional morphologist interested in the biology of mammalian feeding. Her research investigates musculoskeletal plasticity, growth and aging, and functional morphology in the craniofacial complex. She is also interested in the evolution of the human diet, and how modern diets and feeding behaviors affect cranial musculoskeletal health. 

She is a medical and science educator in the fields of human and comparative vertebrate anatomy. She teaches the anatomical sciences (gross anatomy, neuroanatomy, embryology, and histology) to students in the health science professions.

Curriculum Vitae 

Publications and presentations can be viewed on their respective pages.

A full CV is available upon request.

Education

 Ph.D., Pathobiology Area Program (Integrative Anatomy)

The University of Missouri, 2013
Dissertation: “Ecomorphological implications of primate dietary variability: an experimental model"


B.A., Anthropology with Special Honors

The University of Texas at Austin, 2006
Honors thesis: “Functional convergence of the haplorhine postorbital septum and strigiform postorbital process”

Professional Appointments

University of North Texas Health Science Center

Center for Anatomical Sciences, Department of Physiology and Anatomy, College of Biomedical and Translational Sciences (Primary Appointment)
Department of Medical Education, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (Joint Appointment)
Associate Professor, 2023 - Present
Assistant Professor, 2017 - 2023


Indiana University School of Dentistry

Department of Biomedical & Applied Sciences
Visiting Assistant Professor, 2015 - 2017


Brown University

Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Division of Biology & Medicine
Postdoctoral Research and Teaching Associate, 2013 - 2015

Other Appointments and Service Roles

Editorial Roles

The Anatomical Record
Associate Editor, 2024-Present
Assistant Editor, 2022-2023

American Association for Anatomy

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
Committee member, 2022-2023


Committee for Early Career Anatomists
Committee member, 2018-2021

University of North Texas Health Science Center

UNTHSC-TABS Outreach Programs
Department of Physiology & Anatomy
Program Director, 2022-Present


Structural Anatomy & Rehabilitation Sciences MS/PhD Discipline
Graduate School / College of Biomedical and  Translational Sciences
Graduate Advisor, 2019-Present


Summer Opportunities in Anatomy Research (SOAR) Undergraduate Internship Program
Center for Anatomical Sciences
Program Director, 2017-Present

Research Funding

National Research Funding


National Science Foundation
Dissertation Research Improvement Grant (BCS-2236027), 2023-2025
Musculoskeletal craniofacial evolution and developmental plasticity during early life oral motor development
Principal Investigators: Rachel A. Menegaz (PI), Courtney A. Miller (Co-PI)


American Association of Anatomists
Innovations Program Grant, 2019-2022
Summer Opportunities in Anatomy Research (SOAR) Program
Principal Investigators: Rachel A. Menegaz (PI), Scott D. Maddux (Co-PI), Magdalena N. Muchlinski (Co-PI)


National Science Foundation
Dissertation Research Improvement Grant (BCS-1061368), 2011-2021
Ecomorphological Implications of Primate Dietary Variability: An Experimental Model
Principal Investigators: Matthew J. Ravosa (PI), Rachel A. Menegaz (Co-PI)


Wenner-Gren Foundation
Dissertation Fieldwork Grant, 2010-2011
Ecomorphological implications of primate dietary variability: an experimental model
Principal Investigators: Rachel A. Menegaz (PI)


American Society of Mammalogists
Grant-in-Aid of Research, 2010
Ecomorphological implications of primate dietary variability: an experimental model
Principal Investigator: Rachel A. Menegaz (PI)

Intramural Research Funding


University of North Texas Health Science Center
Research Enhancement Assistance Program (REAP) Early Stage Investigator Grant, 2023-2024
A combination therapy to recover craniofacial phenotype in a mouse model of osteogenesis imperfecta
Investigators: Rachel A. Menegaz (PI)


University of North Texas Health Science Center
Department of Physiology and Anatomy SEED Grant, 2022-2023
Effect of early life stress on craniofacial and brain development
Investigators: Rachel A. Menegaz (PI), Harlan P. Jones (Co-PI), Kate Lesciotto (Co-I), Courtney A. Miller (Co-I), Jaimie Choe (Co-I)


University of North Texas Health Science Center
Preclinical Imaging Core Pilot Grant, 2022-2023
A Novel Staining and Scanning Methodology for Visualizing Skeletal and Soft Tissues Using Micro-CT
Principal Investigators: Rachel A. Menegaz (PI), Courtney A. Miller (Co-PI)


University of North Texas Health Science Center
Department of Physiology and Anatomy SEED Grant, 2021
Perinatal craniofacial growth in a mouse model of osteogenesis imperfecta: growth trajectories inform the development of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions for brittle bone disease
Principal Investigators: Rachel A. Menegaz (PI), Emma K. Handler (Co-PI), Lauren A. Gonzales (Co-PI)


Indiana University Office for the Vice Provost of Research
Collaborative Research Grant, 2015-2016
Modulating the cellular and structural mechanisms underlying craniofacial development in Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Principal Investigators: Jason M. Organ (PI), Rachel A. Menegaz (Co-PI)


University of Texas College of Liberal Arts
Liberal Arts Research Scholarship, 2006
Functional convergence of the haplorhine postorbital septum and strigiform postorbital process
Principal Investigator: Rachel A. Menegaz (PI)


University of Texas School of Undergraduate Studies
Undergraduate Research Fellowship, 2006
Functional convergence of the haplorhine postorbital septum and strigiform postorbital process
Principal Investigator: Rachel A. Menegaz (PI)

Awards and Fellowships

National Awards


Basmajian Award
American Association for Anatomy, 2022


Anthropological Anatomy Award
American Association of Anatomists & American Association of Physical Anthropologists, 2013


Young Investigator Award
American Society of Bone and Mineral Research, 2012


Graduate Research Fellowship
National Science Foundation, 2008-2011


Mildred Trotter Prize for Skeletal Biology
American Association of Physical Anthropologists, 2008

Institutional Awards


Faculty Award for Outstanding Service
Values Committee, College of Biomedical and Translational Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 2024


Faculty Achievement Award Finalist
College of Biomedical and Translational Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 2023


Valubility of the Year Award
University of North Texas Health Science Center, 2022


Valubility of the Year Award
University of North Texas Health Science Center, 2018


Graduate Student Achievement Award
Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Missouri, 2011


Life Sciences Fellowship
Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, 2007-2013


Hibbs Scholarship
Department of Anthropology, University of Texas, 2005

Teaching Experience

University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine


Systems Based Human Anatomy (dissection-based) and Embryology for osteopathic medical students
Course Faculty, 2017-Present
Course Director, Nervous System 1, 2018-Present
Block Director, Lower Limb Anatomy - Musculoskeletal and Skin System 1, 2017-2020
Block Director, Head and Neck Anatomy - Musculoskeletal and Skin System 1, 2020-Present


Advanced Clinical Anatomy elective for senior osteopathic medical students
Course Director, 2018-Present


Human Evolution & Medicine elective for year 2 osteopathic medical students
Course Faculty, 2018

University of North Texas Health Science Center College of Biomedical and Translational Sciences


Gross Anatomy (prosection-based) for MS in Medical Sciences students
Course Faculty, 2018-Present
Block Director, Lower Limb Anatomy, 2018-2021
Block Director, Head and Neck Anatomy, 2021-Present


Systems Based Human Anatomy (dissection-based) for MS/PhD students
Course Director, 2018-Present


Human Embryology for MS/PhD students
Course Director, 2018-Present

University of North Texas Health Science Center College of Health Professions


Clinical Anatomy I (gross anatomy, dissection-based) for physical therapy and physician assistant students
Laboratory Faculty, 2017-Present


Clinical Anatomy II (neuroanatomy, prosection-based) for physical therapy and physician assistant students
Course Faculty, 2017

Texas Christian University & University of North Texas Health Science Center School of Medicine


Systems Based Human Anatomy for allopathic medical students
Laboratory faculty, 2019-2021

Indiana University School of Dentistry


Head & Neck Anatomy for dental students
Course Director, 2015-2016


Advanced Head & Neck Anatomy for dental residents
Course Director, 2015-2016


Systems Approach to Biomedical Sciences for dental students
Course Faculty, 2015-2017
Neuromuscular Module Director, 2015-2017

Brown University Alpert School of Medicine


Human Anatomy I & II (dissection-based) for allopathic medical students
Course Faculty, 2013-2015

University of Missouri School of Health Professions


Human Gross Anatomy (dissection-based) for physical therapy and occupational therapy students
Teaching Assistant, 2012

A full CV is available upon request.