I am interested in how cells communicate with each other at the molecular and cellular levels during development. My group focuses on Transforming Growth Factor-ß superfamily members (TGF-ßs), critical messengers for intercellular communication in metazoans. My long-term research goal is to understand how proper cell-to-cell signaling by TGF-ß is achieved during development and can be disrupted in disease states. Specifically, we study the molecular players and processes involved in regulating these signals in the nematode model system C. elegans using genetic, molecular, cell imaging, and biochemical tools.
