Anna Marie Sokac

Anna Marie Sokac is an Associate Professor in the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, affiliated with the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology. Her research focuses on the actin cytoskeleton’s role in shaping cell morphology during development, particularly in Drosophila embryos. She employs live-cell imaging, genetics, and quantitative analysis to study how actin-binding proteins coordinate dynamic cellular changes under stress or morphogenetic processes.

Her work addresses critical questions about cytoskeletal regulation, stress responses, and the interplay between actin and membrane dynamics. Key projects include investigating how embryos adapt to thermal stress through actin modifications and understanding the mechanisms of furrow ingression during cellularization. The Sokac Lab is also advancing imaging techniques, such as Glyoxal-based fixation for Drosophila embryos, enhancing visualization of cellular structures.

Dr. Sokac collaborates broadly, contributing to interdisciplinary studies on developmental biology and biophysics. While no specific awards are listed, her research has been highlighted in Seminars in Cell and Developmental Biology and other high-impact journals. Her lab actively engages in training students and postdocs in cutting-edge molecular and cellular techniques.