Education
- Graduate: PhD, 1985, Stanford University
- Undergraduate: BA, 1980, Biology and Chemistry, College of Creative Studies, University of California Santa Barbara
Research Summary
The Vale lab uses microscopy, along with biochemical and genetic approaches, to peer into the secret lives of cells and understand how they move, divide, transport materials, and process information. The lab has focused for many years on microtubule-based motor proteins, kinesin and dynein, aiming to understand how they generate movement and transport specific cargos inside of cells. The laboratory also has investigated biochemical mechanisms involved in immune cell signaling. A new area of interest is studying how cells adapt to harsh conditions and stressors such as episodes of heat, cold or drought.
Awards
- American Association for Cancer Research, Fellow, 2025
- Royal Society, Foreign Member, 2023
- Gairdner Award in Biomedical Research, 2019
- Shaw Prize in Life Sciences and Medicine, 2017
- Distinguished Scientist of the Marine Biological Laboratory, 2016
- National Academy of Medicine, Member, 2014
- Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research, 2012
- Wiley Prize for Biomedical Sciences, 2012
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Fellow, 2002
- National Academy of Sciences, Member, 2001
Education
- Graduate: PhD, 1995, International School of Advanced Studies
- Undergraduate: BSc, 1991, University of Buenos Aires
Research Summary
B lymphocytes are the fulcrum of our immunological memory, the source of antibodies, and the focus of vaccine development. My lab has investigated how, where, and when B cell responses take shape. In recent years, my group has expanded into preclinical vaccinology, developing cutting-edge humanized mouse models for diseases including malaria, HIV, and SARS-CoV-2.
Awards
- Fellow, Ministero degli Affari Esteri of Italy, 1991-1992
- Fellow, UNIDO-International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 1993-1995
- Fellow, Cancer Research Institute, 1995
- Long Term Postdoctoral Fellowship, European Molecular Biology Organization, 1996-1997
- Project Grant, Arthritis Research Campaign, 1999
- Young Investigator Award, European Molecular Biology Organization, 2004
- The Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award, The Royal Society/The Wolfson Foundation, 2009
- Faculty of 1000, 2009
- EMBO Member, European Molecular Biology Organization, 2009
- Fellow, British Academy of Medical Sciences, 2013
- Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology, 2017
- Member, Academia de Ciencias de América Latina (ACAL), 2022
Education
- Graduate: PhD, 1990, Rockefeller University
- Undergraduate: BA, 1984, Genetics, Cambridge University
Research Summary
Different cells take on an astonishing variety of shapes, which are often critical to be able to perform specialized cell functions like absorbing nutrients or contracting muscles. We study how different cell shapes arise and how cells control the spatial distribution of their internal constituents. We take advantage of the tractability of fungal model systems, and address these questions using approaches from cell biology, genetics, and computational biology to understand molecular mechanisms.
Honors and Awards
- Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology, 2008
- Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2010
- Duke Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award, 2019
Education
- Graduate: PhD, 1989, Rockefeller University
- Undergraduate: BA, 1982, Political Science, Williams College; BS, 1984, Genetics, Cambridge University
Research Summary
Sally Kornbluth is President of MIT. Before she closed her lab to focus on administration, her research focused on the biological signals that tell a cell to start dividing or to self-destruct — processes that are key to understanding cancer as well as various degenerative disorders. She has published extensively on cell proliferation and programmed cell death, studying both phenomena in a variety of organisms. Her research has helped to show how cancer cells evade this programmed death, or apoptosis, and how metabolism regulates the cell death process; her work has also clarified the role of apoptosis in regulating the duration of female fertility in vertebrates.
Honors and Awards
- Member, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2020
- Member, National Academy of Inventors, 2018
- Member, National Academy of Medicine, 2013
- Distinguished Faculty Award, Duke Medical Alumni Association, 2013
- Basic Science Research Mentoring Award, Duke University School of Medicine, 2012
Previous Administrative Leadership Positions
- Provost, Duke University, 2014 – 2022
- Vice Dean for Basic Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, 2006 – 2014
Education
- Dr. rer. nat., 1985, University of Tübingen
- MS, 1981, Biology, University of Freiburg
Research Summary
We study germ cells, the only cells in the body naturally able to generate completely new organisms. In addition to the nuclear genome, cytoplasmic information is passed though the egg cell to the next generation. We analyze the organization and regulation of germ line specific RNA-protein condensates, and explore mechanisms used by endosymbionts such as mitochondria and the intracellular bacterium, Wolbachia, to propagate through the cytoplasm of the female germ line.
Awards
- Vanderbilt Prize in Biomedical Science, 2022
- Gruber Genetics Prize, 2022
- Thomas Hunt Morgan Medal, Genetics Society of America, 2021
- Francis Amory Prize in Reproductive Medicine and Reproductive Physiology, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2020
- Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science, 2020
- Keith R. Porter Award, American Society for Cell Biology, 2018
- Inaugural Klaus Sander Prize, German Society for Developmental Biology, 2017
- European Molecular Biology Organization, Foreign Associate, 2012
- Conklin Medal of the Society of Developmental Biology, 2011
- National Academy of Sciences, Foreign Associate, 2005; Member, 2008
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Member, 1998
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Investigator, 1990 and 1997
Education
- PhD, 1990, University of London
- BSc, 1986, Biochemistry, University of York
Research Summary
We identify the proteins and pathways involved in tumorigenicity — establishing their mechanism of action in both normal and tumor cells. To do so, we use a combination of molecular and cellular analyses, mutant mouse models and genetic screens in zebrafish.
Education
Research Summary
The Kaiser lab studied protein folding and intracellular trafficking in the yeast S. cerevisiae. Their work focused on the protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), quality control mechanisms in the ER, and membrane protein sorting in Golgi compartments. They combined genetic, biochemical, and cell biological methods to gain an understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying each of these processes. Chris Kaiser is no longer accepting students.
Education
- PhD, 2001, Johns Hopkins University
- BS, 1993, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Wesleyan University
Research Summary
Many human cancers do not respond to chemotherapy, and often times those that initially respond eventually acquire drug resistance. Our lab uses high-throughput screening technology — combined with murine stem reconstitution and tumor transplantation systems — to investigate the genetic basis for this resistance. Our goal is to identify novel cancer drug targets, as well as strategies for tailoring existing cancer therapies to target the vulnerabilities associated with specific malignancies.
Education
- PhD, 1988, Stanford University
- BS, 1983, Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Research Summary
Our goal is to understand the mechanisms and regulation behind AAA+ unfoldases and macromolecular machines from the “Clp/Hsp100 family” of protein unfolding enzymes. We study these biological catalysts using biochemistry, structural biology, molecular biology, genetics, and single molecule biophysics.
No longer accepting students.
Awards
- Margaret MacVicar Faculty Fellow, 2008-2018
- National Academy of Sciences, Member, 2007
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Fellow, 2005
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, HHMI Investigator, 1994
