Find Academic Supervisors

Kara McKinleyView profile

Assistant Professor

• Regenerative Medicine
• Reproductive Biology
• Cell Biology
• +9 more

Kara McKinley is an Assistant Professor of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology at Harvard University , joining the department in 2021. She is a Principal Faculty member at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute , an Associate member of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard , and a Freeman Hrabowski Scholar at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute . Her research focuses on the regenerative capacity of the human uterus , particularly the endometrium, which undergoes ~400 cycles of tissue remodeling, shedding, and repair during the reproductive lifespan. Using rodent models , genetic, molecular, and live microscopy tools, her lab investigates cellular and molecular mechanisms of regeneration, defects leading to diseases like endometriosis, and applications in regenerative medicine . Her work also explores cell division , centromere biology , and CRISPR genome engineering . Current research trends in her publications include epithelial zonation in the small intestine , mechanisms of endometrial regeneration , macropinocytosis in Hydra , and academic mentorship strategies . Her studies span cellular biomechanics , mitotic regulation , and translational approaches for tissue repair. NIH Director’s New Innovator Award (terminated in 2025 litigation with federal government) Freeman Hrabowski Scholar (Broad Institute) Kara mentors Harvard undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows through rotations and research opportunities. Her lab is based at Harvard’s Bauer 306 and advocates for gender equity in life sciences faculty via the Leading Edge initiative. Funding includes a now-terminated NIH New Innovator grant aimed at menstrual health research.

• Organoid Engineering
• Systems Biology
• Developmental Biology
• +3 more

Keisuke Ishihara is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computational and Systems Biology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. His research focuses on engineering human brain and cardiac organoids using genetic, chemical, and computational approaches to uncover novel regulatory mechanisms and physical principles underlying tissue development. His lab is located at Biomedical Science Tower 3, with an office in room 10020A. Dr. Ishihara holds a PhD in Systems Biology from Harvard University. His work bridges synthetic biology, developmental biology, and biophysics to address fundamental questions in organogenesis and cellular morphogenesis. Recent research highlights include studies on BMP-mediated neural tube patterning in organoids and the biophysical dynamics of microtubule assemblies in large cells. Publications from his lab emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to understand cell size scaling, mitotic spindle dynamics, and self-organization in synthetic tissues. His team has contributed to advancements in organoid technology, uncovering dormant genetic programs and physical principles governing tissue architecture. Laboratory activities are centered at the University of Pittsburgh, collaborating with the School of Medicine's computational and systems biology initiatives. For more details, visit his lab website linked below.

• Chromosome Segregation
• DNA Topoisomerase
• Mitosis
• +7 more

Duncan J Clarke is a Professor in the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development at the University of Minnesota Medical School. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of chromosome segregation during cell division, with particular emphasis on the role of DNA topoisomerases and related proteins. Dr. Clarke's research interests include: Mechanisms of chromosome segregation during mitosis Function of DNA topoisomerase II in centromere and kinetochore regulation Role of SUMOylation in chromosome dynamics Spindle assembly checkpoint mechanisms Interactions between histone modifications and chromosome segregation machinery Connections between DNA topology and cell division His recent publications reveal a strong focus on the molecular details of chromosome segregation, particularly examining how DNA topoisomerases, histone modifications, and microtubule dynamics coordinate to ensure accurate chromosome distribution during cell division. His work bridges basic molecular mechanisms with potential clinical applications in cancer therapy, as evidenced by his research on topoisomerase inhibitors. Dr. Clarke has received significant research funding from NIH, including: Control of Chromosome Segregation by DNA Topoisomerase II (2024-2028) A high-throughput screen for inhibitors of Plk1-interacting checkpoint helicase (PICH) (2022-2025) Multiple previous NIH-funded projects dating back to 2003 His laboratory utilizes both yeast and mammalian model systems to investigate fundamental mechanisms of chromosome segregation that are conserved across species, with potential implications for understanding cancer development and improving cancer therapies.

Kevin T. VaughanView profile

Associate Professor

• Cell Biology
• Cancer Biology
• Neurodegenerative Diseases
• +7 more

Kevin T. Vaughan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Notre Dame, with a research focus on the cell biology of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. He is a member of the Harper Cancer Research Institute and conducts mechanistic studies on mitosis, organelle transport, and cholesterol trafficking. Research Interests: Cell Biology of human diseases Mitosis and cell cycle regulation Neurodegeneration, particularly Niemann-Pick Type C disease Cancer therapeutics and combinatorial drug treatments Cholesterol transport mechanisms Cytoplasmic dynein function in cellular dynamics His research employs mass spectrometry and animal models to investigate novel regulatory pathways in mitosis and to develop new therapies for pancreatic and breast cancer. The lab has discovered a new cholesterol transport pathway disrupted in NPC disease and is exploring potential corrective strategies. Recent Research Trends: Dr. Vaughan's recent publications emphasize the role of cytoplasmic dynein in mitotic processes, kinetochore dynamics, and organelle transport. His work bridges fundamental cell biology with translational applications in cancer and rare genetic disorders. Key themes include motor protein regulation, mitotic spindle assembly, and intracellular trafficking defects in disease. Scientific Affiliations: Member, Harper Cancer Research Institute Faculty, College of Science, University of Notre Dame Advising and Research Support: As a principal investigator, Dr. Vaughan leads a research laboratory focused on cellular mechanisms of disease. He collaborates on interdisciplinary projects related to cancer therapeutics and neurodegeneration. His lab receives institutional support through the University of Notre Dame and the Harper Cancer Research Institute, enabling studies in both basic and applied biomedical research. Laboratory and Team: The Vaughan Laboratory is based in the Galvin Life Science Center and conducts research on mitotic regulation and cholesterol transport. The team utilizes biochemical, cellular, and imaging approaches to study disease mechanisms and test novel therapeutic strategies in model systems.

Tomoyuki TanakaView profile

Professor

• Chromosome Segregation
• Mitosis
• Cell Cycle Regulation
• +7 more

Professor Tomoyuki Tanaka holds the Chair of Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Dundee within the School of Life Sciences . He serves as the Academic Lead of Dundee Imaging Facility (since 2018) and Deputy Head of the Division for Molecular Cell & Developmental Biology (since 2022). His research focuses on chromosome segregation mechanisms in mitosis and their implications in genetic diseases and cancer . Member of European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO, 2008–) Fellow of Royal Society of Edinburgh (2009–) Wellcome Trust Investigator (2020–) His lab investigates two key processes in early mitosis: chromosome reorganization (resolution and compaction of sister chromatids) and kinetochore-spindle interactions . These mechanisms are critical for preventing errors linked to aneuploidy, congenital disorders, and cancers . Using budding yeast as a model organism, his group combines genetic, proteomic, and imaging techniques to uncover conserved biological principles. Recent publications highlight discoveries in condensin exclusion during prophase , Aurora B kinase spatial regulation , and error correction mechanisms for accurate chromosome inheritance. The lab also contributes to in vitro reconstitution of chromosomal processes, including a 2021 breakthrough on chromosome positioning networks . 2020: Wellcome Investigator Award 2013: ERC Advanced Grant 2007: Hooke Medal (British Society for Cell Biology) 2000: EMBO Young Investigator He supervises PhD students and contributes to Level 3 undergraduate teaching (BS31006 Gene Regulation) and Honours research projects . His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals for health and well-being through genetic disease research.

Jennifer A BenantiView profile

Professor

• Cell Cycle Regulation
• Cancer Biology
• Phosphorylation
• +5 more

Jennifer A Benanti is a Professor at UMass Chan Medical School in the Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology within the T.H. Chan School of Medicine. She holds multiple appointments across the institution including in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, Program in Molecular Medicine, Systems Biology, and several graduate programs including Cancer Biology, Interdisciplinary Graduate Program, MD/PhD Program, Millennium MD/PhD Program, Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program, and Systems Computational and Quantitative Biology. B.S. in Biochemistry & Cell Biology from University of California, San Diego (1996) Ph.D. in Molecular & Cellular Biology from University of Washington and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (2003) Postdoctoral work at University of California, San Francisco (2004-2010) Dr. Benanti's research focuses on understanding how transcription, protein degradation, and phosphorylation integrate to form a robust cell cycle control network. Her lab primarily uses budding yeast as a model system to study how cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) phosphorylate proteins to coordinate cellular processes with division, how stress response pathways interface with the cell cycle regulatory network, and how the ubiquitin-proteasome system controls cell growth and division. Her work has significant implications for understanding cancer biology, as misregulation of the cell cycle is a hallmark of all cancer cells. Analysis of Dr. Benanti's 15 most recent publications reveals a consistent focus on cell cycle regulation through multiple mechanisms. Her work spans from molecular-level studies of phosphorylation codes and transcription factor activation to systems-level understanding of how stress responses rewire the cell cycle. A significant portion of her recent work examines calcineurin signaling in stress response and how it interfaces with CDK regulation, demonstrating her lab's integrative approach to understanding cell cycle control. 2011 Smith Family Award for Excellence in Biomedical Research Dr. Benanti has mentored numerous graduate students through the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, including Mackenzie Flynn (2018-2024), Michelle Conti (2017-2023), Claudine Mapa (2013-2018), and Tyler Doughty (2011-2016). Her lab has received support from prestigious fellowships including a Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation Fellowship and a Pathway to Independence Award from the NIH during her postdoctoral training, suggesting continued NIH funding for her independent research program. She actively recruits rotation students, postdocs, and undergraduate researchers. The Benanti Lab, located at UMass Chan Medical School, consists of postdoctoral associates, research associates, and graduate students working collaboratively on cell cycle regulation projects. Recent lab members include Sujiraporn Pakchuen (Postdoctoral Associate), Linnea Budge (Research Associate), and Aurelia Reynolds (Research Associate). The lab maintains active collaborations with researchers at UMass Chan and beyond, as evidenced by co-author networks including Zhu, Lee, and Fazzio.

Peter MatthiasView profile

Professor

• Biochemistry
• Cell Biology
• Cell division
• +7 more

Matthias Peter is a Professor of Biochemistry at ETH Zurich, leading research into mechanisms governing cell growth and division. His laboratory focuses on ubiquitin-dependent regulation of DNA replication and mitosis, and autophagy's role in cellular quality control. He chairs the Department of Biology (2011-2015) and holds leadership roles in Switzerland's research infrastructure, including Vice Chair of ScopeM's microscopy platform. His academic career includes roles at ISREC (1996-2002) and postdoctoral training at UCSF (1991-1996). Education: PhD in Biochemistry from ISREC (1991), ETH Zurich diploma in Gene Technology (1987). Research interests span molecular mechanisms of cell division, ubiquitin systems, and autophagy. Awards include ERC Advanced Grant (2011) and UBS Excellence in Research (2002). Leadership: Member of Swiss National Research Council, SNF selection committee, and SWTR council. Over 20 years of committee service in national research programs. His lab's work is published in top journals like Science, Nature, and Molecular Cell.

Elif Nur Fırat KaralarView profile

Associate Professor

• Cell Biology
• Cytoskeleton
• Centrosome
• +7 more

Elif Nur Fırat Karalar is an Associate Professor at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics in Koc University 's School of Engineering and Natural Sciences. She serves as Director of the Sponsored Research Office and leads the Cytoskeleton Research Laboratory (CytoLab) , focusing on centriolar satellites, cilia, and their roles in developmental disorders and ciliopathies. Her lab has pioneered studies on microtubule-associated proteins like CCDC66 and CCDC15. PhD, University of California, Berkeley (2010) BSc, Bilkent University (2004) Her research explores membrane-less organelles, cellular signaling, cytoskeletal networks, and mitotic control mechanisms. Recent work includes ERC-funded projects on centriolar satellite homeostasis and TÜBİTAK grants dissecting ciliopathy protein functions in cell migration. She employs advanced techniques like U-ExM expansion microscopy and Superresolution Imaging Core (KUSIM) . Scientific recognitions include: 2024 - EMBO Member 2023 - ERC Starting Grant (second award) 2021 - TUBITAK Incentive Award 2019 - EMBO Young Investigator 2015 - ERC Starting Grant Elif Nur Fırat Karalar has successfully mentored multiple graduate students including Melis Dilara Arslanhan (PhD 2023) , Dila Gulensoy (MSc 2023) , and Şevket Onur Taflan (MSc 2021) . Her lab has received substantial funding from TÜBİTAK , EMBO , Royal Society , and IBG Science Medal . CytoLab actively participates in international conferences like Cilia2024 and organizes workshops such as the Advanced Imaging in Life Sciences series.

Ahmet YildizView profile

Professor

• Motor Proteins
• Intracellular Transport
• Cytoskeletal Dynamics
• +4 more

Ahmet Yildiz serves as Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology and of Physics at the University of California, Berkeley, leading an active research laboratory in Stanley Hall focused on the biophysical mechanisms of intracellular transport. Research interests center on motor protein dynamics, particularly dynein and kinesin function along cytoskeletal tracks. The Yildiz Laboratory employs integrated approaches including single-molecule fluorescence imaging, optical trapping, and cryo-electron microscopy to investigate how motors achieve processive movement, generate force in crowded cytoplasmic environments, and are regulated by adaptor proteins and microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs). Key projects examine dynein activation by Lis1/NudE, bidirectional transport reconstitution for mitochondrial cargo, and the "MAP code" hypothesis governing motor recruitment. Recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate consistent focus on structural-mechanistic insights into dynein-dynactin complexes and regulatory mechanisms, with emerging connections to neurodegenerative disease pathways through neuronal transport studies. The work bridges quantitative biophysics with cellular physiology through advanced in vitro reconstitution techniques. The laboratory operates within UC Berkeley's collaborative research ecosystem, utilizing specialized facilities for high-resolution structural biology and single-molecule analysis to advance fundamental understanding of cellular organization principles.

Gerald H. ThomsenView profile

Professor

• Developmental Biology
• Embryology
• Molecular Genetics
• +3 more

Gerald H. Thomsen is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology at Stony Brook University, where his research focuses on molecular mechanisms of embryonic development using Xenopus frogs and Nematostella vectensis sea anemones. His laboratory investigates growth factor signaling pathways, ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation, and transcriptional regulation during early development. His primary research areas include TGFß superfamily signaling (specifically Vg1/nodal/activin and BMP pathways), ubiquitin ligase function in cell differentiation, and evolutionary developmental biology through comparative studies of vertebrates and cnidarians. Current projects examine Smad-interacting factors, Smurf ubiquitin ligases, and the molecular basis of regeneration in sea anemones, with implications for understanding human developmental disorders and birth defects. Dr. Thomsen's publications reveal consistent focus on developmental signaling mechanisms across diverse model organisms, with recent work emphasizing CRISPR/Cas9 applications in Xenopus and evolutionary conservation of developmental pathways. His laboratory maintains active collaborations with researchers at the University of Florida and University of Hawaii, particularly on Nematostella vectensis functional genomics and regeneration studies, as evidenced by co-authored publications on cnidarian developmental mechanisms.

Gregory C. RogersView profile

Professor

• Centriole Duplication
• Centrosome Instability
• Chromosomal Instability (CIN)
• +6 more

Gregory C. Rogers is a Professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Arizona, with additional appointments in the BIO5 Institute, Cancer Biology GIDP, and Genetics GIDP. He specializes in molecular mechanisms governing centriole duplication and centrosome instability in cancer progression. Education: BA in Biology from the University of Rochester PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology from University of California, Davis Postdoctoral training at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill His research focuses on centriole duplication control, centrosome amplification/loss in prostate cancer, and the role of Polo-like kinase 4 (Plk4) in mitotic errors. Articles from 2010-2025 highlight his work on centrosome dynamics, cancer-related chromosomal instability, and Drosophila model applications. Recent studies (2023-2025) explore PIM kinase inhibition in immunotherapy, Plk4 regulation, and centrosome loss as a driver of prostate malignancy. Earlier work (2010-2019) established foundational knowledge of centriole assembly and condensin II function.

Thomas MarescaView profile

Associate Professor

• Cell Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Chromosome Segregation
• +3 more

Thomas Maresca is an Associate Professor in the Biology Department at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, serving as Graduate Program Director for Molecular & Cellular Biology within the Interdisciplinary Doctoral Graduate Program (IDGP). His research laboratory investigates fundamental mechanisms of cell division with institutional affiliation to the university's life sciences division. His academic training includes: Ph.D. in Cell Biology from the University of California at Berkeley (2005) B.S. in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1999) Dr. Maresca's research centers on chromosome segregation mechanics during mitosis, employing Drosophila and Xenopus model systems with advanced live-cell imaging techniques. His laboratory specializes in quantifying kinetochore-microtubule interactions , error correction mechanisms , and force generation during cell division. Key approaches include FLIM-FRET biosensors, single-molecule tracking, and micromanipulation in egg extracts to dissect how intrinsically disordered proteins, motor complexes (particularly dynein), and kinase networks (Aurora A/B, MPS1) ensure mitotic fidelity. Current work focuses on spatiotemporal regulation of phosphorylation gradients and mechanical feedback at the kinetochore-microtubule interface. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a consistent trajectory in mitotic mechanics with increasing emphasis on intrinsically disordered proteins as mechanical regulators and subcellular signaling hubs . His work bridges molecular biophysics with cellular function, demonstrating how microtubule plus-ends act as physical signaling platforms and how kinase crosstalk establishes precise spatiotemporal control during anaphase. Recent methodological innovations include commercial FLIM-FRET adaptation and quantitative force measurements at kinetochores. As Graduate Program Director, Dr. Maresca oversees curriculum development and student mentorship for the Molecular & Cellular Biology track. His laboratory (located in Morrill Science Center IV, Room 436) maintains active research programs in kinetochore mechanics and mitotic regulation, supported by continuous publication output since 2000. Collaborative networks include structural biologists and biophysicists investigating mechanochemical transduction in division processes.

Iva TolicView profile

Professor

• Mitotic spindle
• Mitosis
• Biophysics
• +7 more

Iva Tolic is a Full Professor and Senior Research Group Leader at the Ruđer Bošković Institute in Zagreb, Croatia, with tenure since 2019. She is an elected associate member of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts (2020) and an EMBO member (2018). Her work bridges molecular biology and biophysics to study mitotic spindle mechanics. Education: PhD in Biology (2002, University of Zagreb); Diploma in Molecular Biology (1996, University of Zagreb) Her research focuses on mitotic spindle dynamics, including microtubule sliding, kinetochore forces, and spindle chirality. She employs optogenetics, theoretical modeling, and advanced microscopy to uncover mechanisms preventing aneuploidy in human cells. Recent publications highlight her contributions to understanding spindle mechanics, including microtubule-sliding modules and biomechanics of chromosome alignment. She has secured major grants like the ERC Synergy Grant (2020) and ERC Consolidator Grant (2014). Scientific awards: ERC Synergy Grant (2020), Ignaz L. Lieben Award (2017), National Science Award of Croatia (2015), etc. With over 91 peer-reviewed papers and a Google Scholar h-index of 36, Tolic has delivered more than 150 invited talks globally. She leads interdisciplinary projects integrating microscopy protocols for biomedical research and investigates molecular origins of aneuploidies.

Amity L. ManningView profile

Professor

• Cancer Cell Biology
• Genomic Instability
• Cell Cycle Progression
• +3 more

Dr. Amity L. Manning is the Helen G. Vassallo Distinguished Presidential Professor in the Department of Biology and Biotechnology at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). Her research focuses on understanding cellular mechanisms maintaining genome stability in normal cells and their corruption in cancer cells, particularly studying chromosome instability (CIN) and its role in tumor evolution. She holds a BS from Brandeis University (2002) and a PhD from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth (2008). Her work combines molecular biology, bioinformatics, and imaging to identify therapeutic targets for cancers exhibiting genomic instability. Key areas include RB tumor suppressor regulation, centrosome dynamics, and mitotic error correction. Recent grants include a $1.1M NSF CAREER Award and an American Cancer Society Research Scholar Grant. She advises multiple PhD students and postdoctoral researchers through the Manning Lab at WPI's Life Sciences & Bioengineering Center. Her lab's discoveries highlight how manipulating CIN can exploit cancer vulnerabilities, including enhanced drug sensitivity through PARP inhibition and suppression of acquired resistance via cohesion modulation. Publications span high-impact journals like Nature and Molecular Cancer Therapeutics . Dr. Manning actively collaborates on projects involving mathematical modeling of spindle dynamics and epigenetic regulation of mitosis. Her lab hosts annual symposia, summer internships, and international collaborations, emphasizing training the next generation of cancer researchers. Current projects target STK25-LATS signaling pathways and PUMILIO-mediated miRNA processing in cancer progression.

• Cell Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Biomedical Engineering
• +3 more

Ajit Joglekar is an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan, affiliated with the School of Biomedical Engineering and the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms governing mitotic checkpoint control, kinetochore architecture, and spindle assembly dynamics. Located at 3067 BSRB, Ann Arbor, MI, he employs advanced techniques such as fluorescence microscopy and DNA origami to study protein interactions in cell division. His work bridges cell biology and biophysics, investigating how structural flexibility and biochemical signaling ensure accurate chromosome segregation. Key themes include the regulation of spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) proteins like BubR1, MAD1, and Aurora B, as well as the role of kinetochore proteins (e.g., Spc105, Mps1) in microtubule attachment and error correction. His publications emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, combining experimental and computational methods to dissect SAC signaling pathways and their responsiveness to cellular conditions. Recent studies highlight the impact of protein abundance, post-translational modifications, and mechanical forces on mitotic fidelity. Despite his prolific research output, no awards or grants are explicitly listed in the provided information. He advises no students in the given texts but collaborates extensively on lab projects involving structural biology and cellular engineering.