Megumi Fuse

Dr. Megumi Fuse is a Professor in the Department of Physiology at San Francisco State University (SFSU) since 2001. She also serves as Director of the Student Enrichment Opportunities (SEO) Office, managing NIH-funded programs like the Bridge to Doctorate and BMS BE-STEM Scholars. Her research focuses on insect physiology, particularly nociceptive sensitization and developmental responses to tissue damage using Manduca sexta as a model. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto and completed a postdoc at the University of Washington.

• Education:
  • B.Sc. Zoology, University of Toronto
  • M.Sc. Biology, York University
  • Ph.D. Physiology, University of Toronto
  • NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Washington

Research Interests: Dr. Fuse investigates how insects respond to external stress and tissue damage, with a focus on pain mechanisms and developmental delays. Her lab uses Manduca sexta to study nociceptive sensitization (a form of pain memory) and signaling pathways involved in regeneration. Key projects include understanding the role of serotonin, feeding, and temperature in pain responses, as well as hormonal调控 of developmental delays after imaginal disc damage.

Lab and Mentorship: The Fuse Lab supports diverse student researchers through NIH and Genentech scholarships. Alumni have advanced to PhD programs at prestigious institutions like UC Berkeley, University of Washington, and UBC. Dr. Fuse emphasizes mentoring underrepresented students in STEM through SEO programs.

Labs/Teams: The Fuse Lab is part of SFSU's biology department and collaborates with institutions nationwide. Research areas include pain biology, developmental physiology, and epigenetics. The lab maintains a dedicated space for insect care and molecular studies.