Ashley Lakoduk

Ashley Lakoduk is an Assistant Professor of Instruction in the Department of Biological Sciences at The University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas), within the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms of endocytic pathways, mutant p53 signaling in cancer, and integrin trafficking. She holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from UT Southwestern Medical Center (2019), and prior degrees from UC San Diego (MS 2012, BS 2008). She is affiliated with professional organizations including the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB), AAAS, and ASBMB. Her work bridges basic cell biology with translational cancer research, emphasizing microscopy-based approaches and science communication. Currently, she is not accepting undergraduate students but actively publishes on endocytic dynamics and cancer cell migration mechanisms.

• Educations:
  • PhD in Biomedical Sciences (Cell and Molecular Biology), UT Southwestern Medical Center (2019)
  • MS in Biology, UC San Diego (2012)
  • BS in Molecular Biology, UC San Diego (2008)

Her research interests center on understanding how endocytic pathways regulate cancer cell behavior, particularly through mutant p53-driven signaling and integrin recycling. She employs quantitative microscopy and systems biology approaches to dissect these molecular networks. Her publications since 2015 have explored topics such as dynamin/APPL1 feedback loops, EGFR/Akt signaling, and T-cell signaling condensates. She emphasizes science communication as part of her professional identity.

Publications highlight her focus on endosomal trafficking, cancer-related signaling pathways, and developing experimental tools like single-chain antibodies for live-cell imaging. Recent work (2021) investigates novel endocytic functions in mutant p53 cancer cells, linking cellular trafficking to oncogenic migration.

Professional memberships include ASCB, AAAS, and ASBMB. No current grants or lab details are specified in the text, though her educational role suggests involvement in undergraduate/graduate instruction in biological sciences.