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Akankshi Munjal

Assistant Professor of Cell Biology
Cell Biology
371 B Nanaline Duke Bldg, Durham, NC 27710

Research Interests


We use the zebrafish inner development to investigate emerging behaviors in tissue morphogenesis as a result of under-explored players such as the mechano-chemical roles of the ECM, feedback interactions between patterning and morphogenesis, and the contribution of tissue geometry in determining robust organ shape. Our long-term vision is to build an integrated framework for tissue morphogenesis encapsulating reciprocal flow of information between genetic-patterns, cellular mechanics, tissue dynamics, and organ geometry for successful embryonic development.

Selected Grants


Multi-scale feedbacks for robust organ development

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2023 - 2027

Training Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2001 - 2027

Cell and Molecular Biology Training Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2021 - 2026

Genetic and Genomics Training Grant

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2020 - 2025

Identifying the Role of Dynamic ECM-derived Forces in Zebrafish Semicircular Canal Morphogenesis

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development · 2019 - 2025