Research Interests
Utilizing biophysical, biochemical, genetic, molecular, and cell biological approaches, I delve into the realm of developmental biology and organismal homeostasis. My primary focus lies in the signals governing and the forces propelling cellular shape changes and movements throughout processes such as morphogenesis, wound healing, and cancer.
Selected Grants
Morphogenesis: Biophysics and Genetics of Dorsal Closure
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2018 - 2028Training Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2001 - 2027Cell and Molecular Biology Training Program
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2021 - 2026Genetic and Genomics Training Grant
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2020 - 2025LUMICKS C-TRAP
EquipmentMajor User · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2022 - 2023Faculty Springboard to Advance Breakthrough Science by Post-Tenure Faculty
Institutional SupportCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2018 - 2021Super-resolution Imaging via Multiple Modalities with the Zeiss Elyra 7
EquipmentMajor User · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2020 - 2021Genetics Training Grant
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1979 - 2020Organization and Function of Cellular Structure
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1975 - 2020Morphogenesis: Biophysics and Genetics of Dorsal Closure
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1984 - 2018Lightsheet Imaging System
EquipmentMajor User · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2016 - 2017Structural Biology and Biophysics Training Program
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1994 - 2015Institutional Training Grant in Pediatric Cardiology
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEFaculty Member · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2009 - 2015Design and Implementation of Genetically Encoded Myosin Based Force Sensors
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2012 - 2015New Console and Cold Probe for the Duke 600 MHz NMR Spectrometer System
EquipmentMajor User · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2013 - 2014Non Muscle Myosin II Contractility Putatively Regulates Scar Contracture
ResearchCo-Mentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2008 - 2013Actin Protrusions, Oocytes: Myosin VIIA and the Actin Cytoskeleton
FellowshipPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2010 - 2013Replacement Equipment Components for an 800 MHz NMR Spectrometer
EquipmentMajor User · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2010 - 2011Myosins VIIA, VIIB & XV in Fly Hearing and Morphogenesis
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2005 - 2011Integrated instrument systems for maintenance and delivery of RNAi libraries
EquipmentCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2008 - 2009Duke PREP: Minority Recruitment into Biomedical Sciences
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEAdvisor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2003 - 2008Molecular Genetic Analysis of Wound Healing in Drosophila
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2000 - 2004Cytoplasmic Myosin Function in Vivo and in Vitro
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1984 - 2004Center for FEL Research in the Medical, Biological, and Materials Sciences
ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by Air Force Office of Scientific Research · 2000 - 2001Real Time Analysis Of Wounding And Healing By Two Photon M
ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by Office of Naval Research · 1997 - 2000Cytoplasmic Myosin Function In Vitro
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1996 - 1999Genetics Training Grant
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1997 - 1999Dynamic Cytoskeletal Function Of A Myosin In Development
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1995 - 1998Cytoplasmic Myosin Function In Vitro And In Vivo
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1995 - 1996Fellowships, Gifts, and Supported Research
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship ·
July 1, 2015
- June 30, 2018
Awarded by: Stephanie Fogerson
NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship ·
June 1, 2010
- May 31, 2013
Awarded by: Jennifer Sallee
Graduate Research Fellowship on "Filopodia function during Drosophila Dorsal Closure" ·
2003
- 2006
Awarded by: National Science Foundation - Adrienne R. Wells
Pfizer Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Award ·
2002
Awarded by: Mark K. Chee
"The role of nonmuscle myosin in the initiation of myofibrillogenesis" ·
July 1998
- June 2000
Awarded by: American Heart Association - James W. Bloor
"Dunamic Cytoskeletal Function of a Myosin in Development" ·
October 1995
Awarded by: National Institutes of Health - Susan Halsell
"Dilute-like Myosin in Fly: Investigation of Myosin 35B" ·
October 1995
- November 1996
Awarded by: National Institute of Health Postdoctoral Fellowship - Kenneth Eilertsen
Two-year fellowship was awarded but terminated when Dr. Eilertsen moved to a position in the industry and left duke.
"Identification of Drosophila Cell Shape Determinants" ·
November 1994
- October 1997
Awarded by: National Institutes of Health Postdoctoral Fellowship - Margit Foss
"Non-muscle Myosin Structure and Developmental Function" ·
May 1990
- August 1991
Awarded by: National Institutes of Health Postdoctoral Fellowship - Adam Richman
"Cloning the DNA that encodes myosin-I in Drosophila" ·
September 1988
- March 1991
Awarded by: American Heart Association - Tung-ling Chen