Rachel Menegaz

Rachel A. Menegaz, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Center for Anatomical Sciences
College of Biomedical and Translational Sciences
University of North Texas Health Science Center
Ft. Worth, TX 76107
rachel.menegaz@unthsc.edu

Ph.D. Pathobiology (Integrative Anatomy), University of Missouri (2013).
B.A. Anthropology (with special honors), University of Texas (2006).

Curriculum Vitae
Menegaz Lab Website

Research

Dr. Menegaz studies the biology of feeding and chewing in humans and other mammals. Her research investigates how the material properties of diet affect the growth, structure, function, and evolution of craniofacial tissues. She is also interested in the biomechanics of feeding, such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) kinematics and food-tooth interactions. Dr. Menegaz studies both healthy and dysmorphic phenotypes, such as osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJDs). Her lab uses three-dimensional geometric morphometrics, diffusible iodine-based contrast-enhanced computed tomography (diceCT), dynamic histomorphometry, and serum-based markers of bone physiology to investigate diet-related changes in the craniofacial skeleton and its associated soft tissues (e.g. muscles, cartilages, etc.).

Current Projects

• Ontogeny and functional morphology of the rodent skull
• Craniofacial development in osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease)
• Aging and unloading-related atrophy of musculoskeletal tissues in the crania (tooth loss) and postcrania (limb loss)

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Selected Publications

• Husain TS, Moore JC, Huston LA, Miller CA, Steele AT, Gonzales LA, Handler EK, Organ JM, Menegaz RA. 2024. Neurocranial growth in the OIM mouse model of osteogenesis imperfecta. Anatomical Record, 307(3):581-591.
• Huston LA, Husain TS, Moore JC, Organ JM, Menegaz RA, Handler EK, Gonzales LA. 2024. Morphological variability in the inner ear of mice with osteogenesis imperfecta. Anatomical Record, 307(3):592-599.
• Moore JC, Husain TS, Huston LA, Steele AT, Organ JM, Gonzales LA, Menegaz RA, Handler EK. 2024. Dental tissue changes in juvenile and adult mice with osteogenesis imperfecta. Anatomical Record, 307(3)600-610.
• Finco MG, Finnerty C, Ngo W, and Menegaz RA. 2023. Indications of musculoskeletal health in deceased male individuals with lower-limb amputations: comparisons to non-amputee and diabetic controls. Scientific Reports, 13:8838. 
• Finco MG, Kim S, Ngo W, and Menegaz RA. 2022. A review of musculoskeletal adaptations in individuals following major lower-limb amputation. Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions, 22(2):269-283.
• Finco MG and Menegaz RA. 2022.  Skeletal asymmetries in anatomical donors with lower‐limb amputations. PM&R, 14(3): 406-408. 
• Mitchell DR, Wroe S, Ravosa MJ, and Menegaz RA. 2021. More Challenging Diets Sustain Feeding Performance: Applications Toward the Captive Rearing of Wildlife. Integrative Organismal Biology 3(1), obab030.
• Menegaz RA, Ladd SH, and Organ JM. 2020.  Craniofacial allometry in the OIM−/− mouse model of osteogenesis imperfecta. FASEB Journal, 34(8):10850-10859.
• Menegaz RA, Ravosa MJ. 2017. Ontogenetic and functional modularity in the rodent mandible. Zoology 124:61-72.

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Teaching

At UNT Health Science Center, Dr. Menegaz serves as course director for Nervous System 1 (MEDE 7812) for Osteopathic Medical Students and teaches other dissection- and prosection-based anatomy courses for Medical, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, and Graduate students.

Courses Taught

• MEDE 7812: Nervous System 1 (medical students) – Course Director
• MEDE 7811: Musculoskeletal and Skin Systems 1 (medical students).
• MEDE 7615: Cardiopulmonary System 1 (medical students).
• MEDE 7611: Gastrointestinal & Renal Systems 1 (medical students).
• MEDE 7715: Reproductive & Endocrine Systems 1 (medical students).
• MEDE 9471: Advanced Clinical Anatomy (Elective Clerkship) (medical students)
• DPHT 7200 & 7400: Clinical Anatomy 1 & 2 (physical therapy students).
• MPAS 5401 & 5208: Clinical Anatomy 1 & 2 (physician assistant students).
• PHAN 5501: Gross Anatomy (graduate students)
• PHAN 6204: Embryology (graduate students) – Course Director