I have had a long standing interest in understanding the physical principles that govern cellular functions. Using microfabrication techniques, I previously developed microfluidic assays to study directed cell migration in response to external cues. In combination with molecular biology, live cell microscopy and image analysis, we were able to elucidate how signaling pathways integrate over time to remodel the cytoskeleton. As a newly independent investigator, my lab will utilize these techniques to focus on cellular response to chemical and physical cues presented by chemokines and extra cellular matrix.