PhD
Professor, Cell Biology and Physiology
UNC-Chapel Hill
Cancer Cell Biology
Area of Interest
The mission of our lab is to make significant advances towards understanding the cell biology and physiology of cellular shape change. We do this by studying the shape changes and motility of human and mouse melanoma and how they are related to metastasis, as well as the shape changes in developing and aging neurons that are important to establish and maintain appropriate neuronal connectivity and animal behavior. We do this in a supportive, fun, and engaging environment of scientific discovery and training. Our research utilizes proteomics, high resolution live imaging and histological imaging, and computational analysis to investigate cytoskeletal dynamics, membrane delivery, and protein modification in cultured embryonic and adult mouse neurons and human and mouse melanoma to address this goal.
Awards and Honors
- Scialog Fellow, 2018
- Jefferson-Pilot Fellowship Award in Academic Medicine, 2016
- North Carolina State University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Outstanding Young Alumnus, 2016
- ASCB/Gibco Emerging Leader Finalist, 2016
- UNC Outstanding Postdoc Mentor Award, 2016
- Pierre Morell UNC Neurobiology Curriculum Mentor of the Year, 2016
- UNC Junior Faculty Development Award, 2016
- ASCB/Gibco Emerging Leader Semifinalist, 2015
- MIT Koch Institute Image Award, 2011
- Merck/SPRI Senior Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2009-2011
- Fellow of the Jane Coffin Childs Memorial Fund for Medical, 2006-2009
- ASCB Merton R Bernfield Award for ASCB 45th Annual Meeting, 2005
- HHMI Predoctoral Fellow, 2001-2006
