Our students frequently contribute to cutting-edge research, working closely with professors outside of regular classes. Biology professor Isaac Skromne is making a name for himself — both around campus as someone who brings his students along with him, as well as in his field, thanks to a recent $400,000 National Science Foundation grant.

Skromne and two undergraduate researchers are using zebrafish to explore the development and evolution of cells in the central nervous system. Their work aims to produce the first comprehensive roadmap of the signaling networks coordinating how a cell decides to become either part of the spinal cord or the lower part of the brainstem.

“Cells in our nervous system need to make precise connections to control our actions,” said Skromne, a developmental biologist. “We are studying how cells decide and inform their neighbors where in the nervous system they are going to establish residence.”

Skromne’s Spider team has worked with zebrafish before on a project exploring the reversal of bone diseases, like osteoporosis.

Congratulations, Dr. Skromne! We can’t wait to see where this project takes you next.