Veraksa Lab - People

Current Lab Members

Dr. Alexey Veraksa, PI

I am fascinated with the mysteries of development. Our lab is using Drosophila to study how cells communicate to build a complex organism. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, photography, and playing the piano.

Swastik Mukherjee, PhD Student

Currently, my research focuses on some novel interactors of Hippo/Yorkie Tumor Suppressor pathway in the Drosophila model.

Khandan Ilkhani, PhD Student

I study the interaction between Capicua and ERK. I enjoy watching movies and cooking when I am not in the lab.

Joseph Rosen, PhD Student

I study the role of the minibrain gene in patterning the Drosophila brain. In my free time I enjoy live music, stand up comedy, and fitness.

Vanessa Locke, Undergraduate Student

I work with Khandan to study Capicua degradation by ERK signaling and the Capicua interactome. Outside of the lab I enjoy live music, entomotaxy, and hiking.

Emma Spiess, Undergraduate Student

I work with Swastik in studying novel regulators of the Hippo/Yorkie tumor suppressor pathway. Outside of the lab I enjoy music, art, and watching movies and shows with my friends.