Kenneth L. Kramer, PhD

Department

• Medical Education

Position

• Associate Professor

Secondary Appointment

• School of Medicine

• Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology
• Current Topics in Clinical Anatomy
• Endocrine/Reproductive System
• Medical Anatomy (Discipline Steward)
• Research Methods (Course Co-Director)
• Teaching Practicum In Medical Anatomy

Kenneth L Kramer is an Associate Professor and Chair in the Department of Medical Education as well as the M1 Component Director. After receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati in Anatomy and Cell Biology, he did postdoctoral work at the University of Utah and was an investigator at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. His main area of research is in developmental glycobiology, and he works with numerous undergraduates and several labs at Creighton in focusing on ear and brain development in zebrafish. Ken has a passion for medical education, seeking innovative approaches to teaching anatomy and histology. In addition to being active in the American Association of Anatomists for many years, he enjoys outreach programs to area budding scientists through BioEYES Omaha and the Nebraska Science Festival.

Articles

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Publications

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General

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Presentations

Research and Scholarship Interests

• The vertebrate inner ear relies on specialized bundles of cilia on the apical surface of sensory hair cells to transduce sound and movement into electrical signals. The Kramer Lab uses the transparency of the early zebrafish embryo to visualize how ciliary linkages to extracellular structures regulate inner ear function. Using modern genetic and imaging tools, we collaborate with several labs across campus to determine how zebrafish mutants and drug treatments affect hearing and balance behaviors.

Grant Funding Received

• Role of Kinocilia-Specific Proteins in Zebrafish Vestibular Function.
• Role of gpc3 in fear behavior. CURAS Faculty Research Fund.
• Role of Glycosaminoglycans in Zebrafish Development
• Role of Keratan Sulfate in Zebrafish Ear Development
• Direct analysis of glycans during zebrafish development
• ZOIC-Zebrafish in Omaha Inner City Classrooms

• Golden Apples, CUSOM Class of 2025 and the Class of 2024, 2022
• Teaching for Tomorrow Faculty Award, Creighton University Student Union, 2021
• Golden Apple Award, Class of 2022, Creighton University School of Medicine, 2019
• Dedicated Teaching Award, Creighton University School of Medicine, 2018
• Course/Clerkship Director Award, Creighton University School of Medicine, 2018
• Basic Science Teaching Scholar Award, Creighton University School of Medicine, 2015