My lab is studying asymmetric cell division (ACD), a process that generates cellular diversity.

We are using Drosophila melanogaster neuroblasts, the neural stem cells in the fly as a model to study the molecular cell biology and mechanics of asymmetric stem cell division. Currently my lab is focusing on the following topics: (1) the molecular mechanisms underlying the establishment and maintenance of centrosome asymmetry and biased centrosome segregation. (2) Myosin dynamics and cleavage furrow positioning during asymmetric cell division. (3) Mechanical and biophysical mechanisms involved in ACD.

To investigate these topics, we are using a combination of classical genetics, live cell imaging, superresolution imaging, molecular genetics and biophysical measurements.

Find out more here: https://www.cabernardlab.org

Positions:

2023 - present  Professor, Department of Biology, University of Washington

2019 - 2023   Associate Professor, Department of Biology, University of Washington

2016 - 2019    Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, University of Washington

2011 – 2016:   Assistant Professor, SNSF, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Switzerland

Education:

2006 – 2011:   Postdoctoral fellow; Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Oregon, USA

2004:               PhD; Biozentrum, University of Basel, Switzerland

2000:               M.S; Biozentrum, University of Basel, Switzerland

1998:               B.A; University of Basel, Switzerland