Current research
Our research is highly diverse and includes topics ranging from embryogenesis, cell reprogramming and organogenesis to aging and stem cell engineering.
Our ongoing and future work will focus on new and emerging areas of developmental biology, such as epigenetics and genomics.
Model systems
We house one of the largest zebrafish facilities in the world. Along with zebrafish (D. rerio), we study several other model systems, including the fruit fly (D. melanogaster), nematode (C. elegans) and mouse (M. musculus), as well as tissue culture systems and embryonic stem cells.
Latest news
Dana Shaw, Ph.D., has received a two-year K99 Award from the NIH/NINDS
Congratulations to Dana Shaw! Dana Shaw, Ph.D ., Postdoctoral Research Associate in Mokalled Lab, has received a two-year $206,452 K99 Award from the NIH/NINDS beginning May 1, 2024 for her project entitled “Immune regulation of spinal cord regeneration”
Dr. Sam Morris has received a five-year grant award from the NIH/ NIGMS
Congratulations to Dr. Sam Morris! Sam Morris, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Developmental Biology and Genetics, has received a five-year $1,951,525 grant award from the NIH/ NIGMS beginning March 5th, 2024 for her project entitled “Decoding the Molecular Mechanisms Governing Regulation and Reprogramming of Cellular Identity”.
Dr. Liz Pollina has received an 18-month grant award from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
Congratulations to Dr. Liz Pollina! Liz Pollina, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Developmental Biology, has received an 18-month $100,000 grant award from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative beginning March 1, 2024 for her project entitled “Transcriptional and epigenetic encoding of sleep loss”.