Welcoming Dr. Prabhu Sankaralingam to the Hehnly Lab

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Prabhu Sankaralingam to the Hehnly laboratory as a postdoctoral researcher. Prabhu brings extensive expertise in centriole biogenesis and centrosome biology, with a strong foundation in C. elegans as a model system for dissecting the molecular mechanisms that govern centriole assembly and duplication.

His recent work has provided important mechanistic insight into how the kinase ZYG-1 regulates centriole assembly through phosphorylation of the cartwheel protein SAS-5, highlighting the critical role of post-translational modification in centriole formation and copy number control. This study, published in EMBO Reports (read more here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1038/s44319-024-00157-y).

In the Hehnly lab, Prabhu will extend these questions into vertebrate development using zebrafish, where he will investigate mechanisms of centriole biogenesis and maintenance in the context of embryonic tissues and ciliated structures. His expertise in centriole biology and quantitative analysis of assembly pathways will complement ongoing efforts in the lab to understand centrosome function during development and tissue morphogenesis.

We are excited to have Prabhu join our research community and look forward to the new directions his work will bring to our studies of centrosome and cilia biology.

BioArt Mixer--> Aphrodite’s Conception: Where Reproductive Biology Meets Myth and Art

On February 13, the Life Sciences Complex will host an evening at the intersection of biology, art, and speculative futures. Aphrodite’s Conception: Reproduction Myths and Contemporary Biotechnology brings together faculty, students, and the broader university community for a live lecture-performance and Bio-Art Mixer event centered on the evolving narratives of reproduction and care.

The event features artist Boryana Rossa, Professor of Film and Media Arts and Artist-in-Residence in the Hehnly laboratory, whose interdisciplinary work explores how emerging reproductive technologies reshape social structures and cultural imagination. Developed through sustained dialogue with developmental and cell biology research, this performance examines parallels between ancient myths of conception and contemporary biotechnological advances such as in vitro fertilization, artificial wombs, cloning, and stem cell–based organismal development.

Through live visual and textual performance, Rossa draws connections between mythological accounts of self-conception, nontraditional parenthood, and technologically mediated reproduction. These narratives serve as a framework for examining how scientific innovation influences societal understandings of caregiving, embodiment, and kinship. By juxtaposing myth and biotechnology, the work highlights recurring archetypes of conception and gestation that span cultural histories and emerging scientific possibilities.

The evening will also feature a live mural drawing by Rossa, offering attendees the opportunity to observe the creative process as it unfolds and to engage directly with the conceptual development of her forthcoming work. Following the performance, a guided discussion will invite reflection on the scientific, cultural, and ethical dimensions raised by the project. Beverages and light refreshments will be provided.

This event is supported by the Department of Film and Media Arts, the Department of Biology, and the BioInspired Institute, and is part of the ongoing Bio-Art Mixer series initiated to foster dialogue between scientific and artistic communities at Syracuse University. By creating shared spaces for exchange, the series aims to expand how research is communicated, interpreted, and experienced across disciplines.

Aphrodite’s Conception is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

Welcome to the lab, Emma Blazure!

We are delighted to welcome Emma Blazure to the Hehnly Lab as an undergraduate research scholar in the Biology Program at Syracuse University.

Emma will be investigating the role of the centrosome in left–right organizer (LRO) morphogenesis and function, with a focus on how centrosome organization and remodeling contribute to cilia assembly, tissue architecture, and developmental patterning. Her project integrates quantitative imaging and ultrastructural perspectives to address fundamental questions in cell and developmental biology.

We are excited to have Emma join the team and look forward to her contributions to our ongoing efforts to understand how centrosome structure and function shape embryonic development. Welcome, Emma!

Welcome Amy!

We are pleased to welcome Amy Kolb to the Hehnly Lab as our new Lab Manager and Research Analyst. Amy will play a central role in supporting day-to-day laboratory operations, ensuring regulatory compliance and safety, and facilitating experimental workflows across projects. Her position will be instrumental in maintaining a well-organized, efficient, and collaborative research environment as the lab continues to expand its research and training activities. We are delighted to have Amy join the team and look forward to working closely with her.