How Cells Interpret Force: Mechanobiology and Research with Undergraduate Students

The Yamada Lab studies mechanobiology - how cells sense physical forces and convert them into biochemical signals. In this talk, Soichioro Yamada, PhD, will introduce one example of a signaling pathway involved in this process and describe how they approach this fundamental and intriguing problem. A central driving “force” of our research program is the involvement of undergraduate researchers. Many of the discoveries in their lab have been made with the help of undergraduate students who actively participate in designing experiments and exploring new ideas. He will share examples of how undergraduate researchers contribute to his work, and reflect on how working with these students has shaped both his research and their scientific paths.

About the Speaker

Soichioro Yamada is an associate professor of biomedical engineering at the University of California, Davis. He trained as a chemical engineer at Rutgers University and Johns Hopkins University before moving into cell biology during his postdoctoral work at Stanford University. His research focuses on mechanobiology and other physical mechanisms of cell organization, including how forces regulate cytoskeletal and adhesion systems in epithelial cells, as well as the roles of biomolecular condensates and membrane fusion. He is a recipient of the Beckman Young Investigator Award and the UC Davis Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Research. He remains closely involved in day-to-day experiments in the lab, working alongside students to explore new ideas and unexpected observations in cell biology.