Matthew Devall, PhD

Matthew Devall, PhD
Assistant Professor

I moved to Charlottesville from the UK in 2018 as a postdoctoral researcher in colorectal cancer (CRC), where I used my cross-disciplinary expertise in cellular and molecular biology and bioinformatics to identify novel mechanisms associated with environmental risk factors in healthy colon. I joined the Department of Family Medicine in 2022 as a Senior Scientist and have continued to develop this research before being promoted to Assistant Professor (tenure-track) in August, 2025. Since then, I have begun the process of building my own lab.

My role in the department is centered around research, which includes the rigorous testing of novel scientific hypotheses, paper writing and grant writing. I also have strong experience in teaching undergraduate students, particularly those naïve to bioinformatics who are interested in learning how large-scale datasets can be properly analyzed to address specific scientific questions. I am always happy to discuss such opportunities with interested students.

Education

PhD in Neuroepigenetics, University of Exeter (UK)

BSc in Forensic Science and Human Biology (UK)

Colorectal cancer genetics, organoids as a tool for studying population health.