Skip to main content

David R. Sherwood

Jerry G. and Patricia Crawford Hubbard Professor
Biology
Duke Box 90338, Durham, NC 27708-1000
Box 90338, Department of Biology, Durham, NC 27708

Overview


The Sherwood lab is interested in understanding mechanisms that drive dynamic cellular behaviors underlying normal development and human disease. We study 1) How cells invade into tissues, 2) How stem cells interact with their niches, and 3) How cells control and interact with extracellular matrix. Our lab primarily examines C. elegans development, in which simple cellular complexity, amenability to genetics/genomics/transgenics/molecular perturbations, and evolutionary comparisons facilitates powerful insights. One particular emphasis of our work is live-cell imaging, where we watch cellular behaviors and cell-extracellular matrix interactions unfold in real-time to understand their regulation and function.  Cell invasion, stem cell regulation, and cell-matrix interactions are fundamental to development, regeneration, cancer, and aging.  Our work aims to advance our understanding of these fascinating processes and positively influence human health.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Jerry G. and Patricia Crawford Hubbard Professor · 2019 - Present Biology, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Professor of Biology · 2017 - Present Biology, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Associate Chair of the Department of Biology · 2023 - Present Biology, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Associate Professor in Cell Biology · 2016 - Present Cell Biology, Basic Science Departments
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute · 2019 - Present Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers
Co-Director of the Duke Regeneration Center · 2021 - Present Regeneration Next Initiative, Basic Science Departments

Education, Training & Certifications


Duke University · 1997 Ph.D.
Wesleyan University · 1990 B.A.