Rebecca Lyczak

Rebecca Lyczak is a Professor of Biology at Ursinus College. She holds a B.S. in Biology and Education from The College of New Jersey and a Ph.D. in Cell and Developmental Biology from Weill Cornell Medical College (Cornell University). She conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Oregon. Her teaching focuses on Genetics, Human Molecular Genetics, and Developmental Biology. Her research laboratory investigates the developmental mechanisms underlying embryonic polarity and cell cycle regulation in C. elegans, using genetic approaches and time-lapse imaging. Key projects include the role of the centrosome in polarity, the PAM-1 aminopeptidase in development, and suppressors of pam-1 mutations.

Her work has been supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF). She mentors undergraduate researchers, including Alexa Alessandrini and Zoe Tesone. Dr. Lyczak collaborates with institutions globally, as highlighted by her participation in the International C. elegans Conference.

Research highlights include identifying interactions between the WEE-1.3 kinase and PAM-1 in oocyte maturation, and the role of sustained centrosome-cortical contact in embryo polarization. Her lab’s findings advance understanding of fundamental developmental processes.