Current Members

Ed Munro

Ed Munro

Principle Investigator

PhD University of Washington

Professor, Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology

920E 58th St., Room 214, Chicago, IL 60637

Yuji Mizotani

Yuji Mizotani

Postdoctoral Fellow

PhD Keio University

I study cellular and developmental biology in ascidians. By using the latest imaging techniques, detailed image analysis and mathematics, I hope to elucidate the simple laws that govern complex tissue deformations during development. Outside of research, I enjoy taking some exercise, going outside and taking pictures.

ymizotani@uchicago.edu

Seth Donoughe

Seth Donoughe

Postdoctoral Fellow

PhD Harvard University

I study cellular, developmental, and evolutionary biology, with a particular interest in insects. My current work is focused on the delightful diversity of insect egg shapes and unpacking the cellular mechanisms that lead to their formation. I enjoy the intersection of art and science, ping pong, sports, paper crafts, and board games.

www.sethdonoughe.com

Rachel Kadzik

Rachel Kadzik

Staff Researcher

PhD University of Pennsylvania 

Actin network assembly and disassembly in C. elegans.

rkadzik@uchicago.edu

Ondrej Maxian

Ondrej Maxian

Postdoctoral Fellow

PhD New York University 

I formulate mathematical models to help us understand how large-scale order arises out of individual molecular components in biological systems. My current focus is on the coupling between biochemistry and mechanics in the C. elegans embryo. Outside of research, I enjoy anything competitive, but especially swimming.

ondrej@uchicago.edu

Sean Corcoran

Sean Corcoran

Graduate Student

Development, Regeneration, and Stem Cell Biology (DRSB)

I study the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating the dispersal of morphogens across the tissues they pattern. Specifically, I aim to elucidate the roles that cytonemes and small extracellular vesicles play in the Sonic Hedgehog mediated patterning of the embryonic chick limb bud.

scorcoran@uchicago.edu

Sarah Yde

Sarah Yde

Graduate Student

Cellular and Molecular Biology (CMB)

Actin organization

seyde@uchicago.edu

Cassandra Azeredo-Tseng

Cassandra Azeredo-Tseng

Graduate Student

Development, Regeneration, and Stem Cell Biology (DRSB)

I study mechanisms of cell polarity establishment in early C. elegans embryogenesis. Specifically, I’m exploring the pattern of polarity formation and the cues required for  establishing polarity in the zygote’s daughter cell, P1. In my free time, I like photography, painting/crafting, and making music.

cazeredotseng@uchicago.edu

Ali Erani

Ali Erani

Research Technician

aerani@uchicago.edu

Tiffany Lu

Tiffany Lu

Graduate Student

Celluluar and Molecular Biology (CMB)

I study the coordination between actomyosin and cadherin networks in early C. elegans development, and I am currently interested in how the subcellular dynamics of these cytoskeletal networks drive the rapid formation and remodeling of cell-cell contacts. Outside of the lab, I enjoy knitting and other fiber arts, birding, and reading.

tiffanylu@uchicago.edu

Haibei Zhang

Haibei Zhang

Graduate Student

Biophysical Sciences

I am co-mentored by Jasmine Nirody and Ed Munro, working on adaptations of bacterial motility in complex, dynamic environments. Specifically, I am interested in how generations of bacteria adapt their motility to the heterogenous environments by integrating a variety of methods and techniques in microbiology, microscopy, image analysis, statistical physics, and modeling.

haibei520@uchicago.edu