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Story contact: Deidra Ashley, CVMMarCom@missouri.edu
Photo by Karen Clifford
For David Kline, PhD, science has always been rooted in curiosity and strengthened by community.
As a researcher, Kline has spent nearly three decades exploring how the brain regulates essential functions like breathing and blood pressure. As a mentor, he’s helped dozens of graduate students and postdocs thrive in academia and industry, taking as much pride in their success as his own groundbreaking discoveries.
Now, as the inaugural director of the Department of Pathobiology and Integrative Biomedical Sciences (PIBS), Kline brings that same spirit of innovation and mentorship to his leadership. His focus? Unifying the department, fostering meaningful partnerships and supporting faculty at every stage of their careers.
“I want to build a dynamic academic community where curiosity drives discovery, innovation leads to impact and collective progress shapes a stronger future for all,” he said.
Rooted in curiosity
Kline grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, a former steel town on the Ohio-Pennsylvania border. He earned his undergraduate degree in zoology from Miami University — where his passion for science first took root. From giving museum tours to schoolchildren and preparing biological specimens to conducting undergraduate research, he immersed himself in hands-on learning and discovery.
“I couldn’t get enough of it,” he said. “That time truly solidified my desire to pursue science as a career. I was constantly surrounded by ideas to explore, and I knew I wanted to spend my life pursuing them.”
That drive led Kline to graduate and postdoctoral training at Case Western Reserve University, where his research began with the peripheral nervous system and expanded into the brain — specifically, the neural circuits that regulate breathing and blood pressure. What began as an interest in biological function quickly evolved into a deeper pursuit of the mechanisms behind disease and dysfunction.
Today, his lab at the Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center investigates how those neural systems become disrupted — work that is both foundational and forward-thinking. His goal is to uncover the mechanisms that could one day improve care for the estimated 30 million people in the U.S. affected by conditions like sleep apnea.
Though grounded in basic science, Kline’s research is anything but routine. It’s fueled by evolving tools, cross-disciplinary thinking and an enduring belief that meaningful progress begins with understanding what others overlook.
A champion for science and people
The same qualities that drive Kline’s research — curiosity, creativity and a commitment to growth — have also shaped his approach to leadership.
Early in his career, Kline said he found that the most rewarding moments weren’t just about results in the lab; they were about the people around him. Mentoring students, collaborating with colleagues and helping others navigate their careers gave him a broader sense of purpose. Over time, those experiences deepened his investment in the university community and helped define his leadership philosophy.
“For me, leadership is about creating the conditions for people to thrive,” he said. “I want to use my experience and connections to help others succeed, whether that’s shaping a course, securing funding or preparing for tenure. That’s when I know I’m making a difference.”
In the 20+ years he’s been at Mizzou, Kline has become a trusted advisor and collaborator across campus. He has served on tenure and promotion committees, graduate education boards and university-wide research initiatives, helping to shape policies that support both individual success and institutional progress. He has become a go-to problem solver and someone colleagues turn to when they need to move an idea forward or bring people to the table.
That combination of insight, experience and people-first leadership makes him uniquely prepared to guide PIBS as it builds on an already strong foundation.
Creating a stronger future, together
As the inaugural director of PIBS, Kline sees an opportunity to shape not just a new unit, but a more collaborative, future-ready way of working.
Formed by merging the Department of Biomedical Sciences and the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, PIBS brings together faculty with strengths in physiology, pathology, neuroscience and integrative biology. While each group has its own legacy, Kline views the transition as a chance to build something stronger together.
“We’re coming from different places, with different histories,” he said. “But we also share common goals — in how we teach, how we train and how we investigate the world. If we take time to learn from one another and really understand the breadth of what this department can do, we’ll be stronger for it.”
The realignment also reflects a broader effort to anticipate the evolving needs of veterinary medicine, research and graduate education. Rather than reacting to change, PIBS is designed to keep the college ahead of the curve — encouraging interdisciplinary work, flexible training and a stronger shared identity.
Kline’s vision includes expanding graduate and postdoctoral training, strengthening research partnerships and creating systems that support faculty success. Just as his own work bridges foundational biology and clinical relevance, he sees PIBS as a place where discovery and impact go hand in hand.
“There’s a lot of opportunity here,” he said. “If we approach this with openness, curiosity and collaboration, I believe we can build something that advances our fields and truly reflects the best of Mizzou and the College of Veterinary Medicine.”