#  David L Van Vactor Jr. 

Professor of Cell Biology, Director of Curriculum Fellows Program, HMS

 

 

 



   ![David Van Vactor is holding a small white microscope. He is wearing a dark corduroy blazer and orange shirt.](/sites/g/files/omnuum11411/files/styles/hwp_4_5__480x600/public/2026-05/97.David-L-Van-Vactor-Jr-Questions.jpg?h=44eb8079&itok=-YC2f9k4) 

 



 





 

**What inspires or motivates you in your role at HMS/HSDM?**  
My grandfather David E Van Vactor, founding chairman of the Department of Fine Arts at the University of Tennessee and a composer and conductor of symphonic music inspired me.

**What are you most proud of about your work at HMS/HSDM?**  
The people who have trained in my lab and our graduate programs are what I am most proud of related to work.

**What is the significance of the object you brought with you to the photo shoot?**  
This is one of my first microscopes, given to me by another role model in my life.



 

 

 



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- ## Person Categories
    
     [Dimensions](/person-categories/dimensions)
- ## Institution
    
     [Harvard Medical School](/institution/harvard-medical-school)