Kara L. Cerveny

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Very broadly, my lab studies how cells transition from proliferation to differentiation in the developing nervous system. More specifically, I am interested in two big questions: (1) how local environmental cues influence stem and progenitor cell behaviors and (2) how neural stem cell niches are established and maintained. Because the zebrafish visual system develops rapidly and grows continuously, it is our model organism of choice. I am most comfortable with genetic and cell biological approaches, but embrace new techniques to best answer my scientific questions. Building on previous work from my lab providing evidence that GDF/BMP signaling opposes retinoic acid pathway activity to maintain neural progenitors in the developing retina, current projects in the lab are aimed at identifying the direct targets of retinoic acid signaling during retinal neurogenesis and understanding how cell shape, polarity, and connections to a specialized extracellular matrix regulate proliferation and differentiation in the zebrafish retina.

BIOSKETCH

Education and Training: BS in Biology and Chemistry, Duke University, 1992-1996; PhD in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Medical School 1998-2005; Post-Doctoral Fellow at University College London (Steve Wilson’s lab), 2005-2010;

Appointments: Associate Professor of Biology, Reed College, 2018-present; Assistant Professor of Biology, Reed College, 2012-2018; Scientific Editor at Cell, 2011-2012; Middle and Upper School Science Teacher (Introduction to Scientific Thinking, Biology, Chemistry) at Friends Select School in Philadelphia, 1996-1998.

Funding: Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation Grant for Lightsheet Microscopy and Data Analysis (2020-2026) MJ Murdock Charitable Trust Sponsored New Faculty (2013-2018); NEI/NIH R15 grants to support research in my lab (2013-2016; 2017-2022); Cancer Research UK Postdoctoral Research Grant (2008-2010); Damon Runyon Cancer Research Postdoctoral Fellowship (2005-2008); Wellcome Collection Image Contest Winner 2011; Koch Institute Image Award Winner 2011.