Alexey Veraksa

Alexey Veraksa is a Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Massachusetts Boston, where he has been since 2012 (previously as Assistant Professor from 2005-2012). His research integrates network biology to dissect developmental signaling pathways in Drosophila melanogaster, focusing on ERK, Hippo, and β-arrestin Kurtz pathways that regulate organ growth, tissue patterning, and human diseases like cancer and Down syndrome.

• Education: PhD in Developmental Biology (UC San Diego, 2000); MS in Molecular Biology (Moscow State University, 1994)

Research Highlights: Pioneered proteomics methods to identify signaling complexes (e.g., Hippo pathway regulators Lgl/Vap33), discovered novel Cic inhibition mechanisms (Minibrain/DYRK1A), and established β-arrestin Kurtz as a central hub for Toll/ERK signaling. Recent work explores Yorkie/Bonus interactions in cell fate decisions and the structural basis of Capicua DNA binding.

Publication Trends: Over the last five years, his lab has focused on Hippo pathway regulation, ERK/Cic dynamics, and Drosophila pigmentation, with collaborations expanding into mitochondrial dysfunction in metabolic disorders.

• Scientific Recognition: Howard Hughes Medical Institute Predoctoral Fellowship (1995-2000); MGH Fund for Medical Discovery Postdoctoral Fellowship (2002-2003)
• Training Legacy: Mentored graduate students Melissa Brown (PhD 2024), Heya Zhao (PhD 2023), and Nathan Strozewski (MS 2024)

His lab, located in the Integrated Sciences Complex (ISC-4440), develops and shares AP-MS tools for signaling research and distributes DNA vectors for protein tagging to advance the field.