Matthew Hannaford

Dr. Matthew Hannaford is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics at the Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine, University of Vermont. He joined the faculty in 2025 after completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in Bethesda, MD.

Dr. Hannaford's educational background includes:

• B.S. in Biology from Bangor University in Wales (2013)
• Ph.D. from the University of Dundee, Scotland (2018)

Dr. Hannaford's research focuses on centrosome biology using live cell microscopy, biochemistry, and Drosophila genetics. His lab investigates how centrosomes - crucial membraneless organelles that organize microtubules - are positioned within cells and how their microtubule nucleating activity is regulated during development and the cell cycle. His work has significant implications for understanding diseases including cancer, microcephaly, ciliopathy, and male sterility.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on centrosome and centriole dynamics, with particular emphasis on protein complexes that regulate centriole positioning, growth, and function. His research bridges cell biology, developmental biology, and disease mechanisms, with a consistent use of Drosophila as a model system for studying fundamental cellular processes.

Dr. Hannaford leads the Hannaford Lab, which maintains a dedicated website at www.hannafordlab.com. The lab utilizes advanced imaging techniques alongside genetic approaches to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying centrosome function in diverse cellular contexts. His research program is focused on understanding how centrosome dysregulation contributes to human disease pathology.