https://www.leritlab.org/welcome-pacific daily 1.0 2026-02-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1549391959640-9FDS0O4S1O0OACJYHMZH/centrosome+MTOCs.png Welcome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1549485350034-CUL2REASATK4R6P8U0PZ/ATL.jpg Welcome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1549557792263-55443TJN23Y2TQTUWMBY/Neural+Stem+Cells.png Welcome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1549392051513-S1CB3566N4YMM5E3VISM/embryo+MTs_round_W.png Welcome The vast microtubule array within an early Drosophila embryo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/6b10a366-eb0b-494b-bfbd-80cb396b61d5/Lerit+Lab+2022_JO-W.jpg Welcome Lerit Lab, August 2022. Photo credit: Dr. Joanna Wardwell-Ozgo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1549477888228-N025CPM4IMR2VB3DEAS5/Cell+Reports_Jan2017.jpg Welcome Dorothy’s cover: Cell Reports. Jan 2017 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1549477878204-7TAYL090BTNVAHB0NQXX/Traffic_July2018.jpeg Welcome Pearl’s cover: Traffic, 2017 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1600819298226-1LXFH785QHRT8ZQKSDWJ/Fang+and+Lerit+2020_png.png Welcome Junnan’s cover: Genesis. March-April 2020 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1658765496839-04FKEBVA46FKFQA9JXQZ/DEV_149_13_ForAuthor.jpg Welcome Junnan’s cover: Development. July 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/10617763-c9f9-4b19-9791-6fa3bfcd5821/Field+Museum+2023.jpg Welcome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1771010758614-04T64N3A2D507P79O1OF/Philadelphia+2025.jpg Welcome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1771010767098-PX9KKD9S1XOBY3RTG5NI/squad.jpg Welcome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1771010773849-KUMIQ1JB0E1HAMTEPY09/lab+words.jpg Welcome https://www.leritlab.org/research_ daily 0.75 2025-08-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1549482222847-LZ4QV2Y1CTSV0BFHRT61/mitotic+embryo2.png Research https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1549393073863-G9NEJICRQPX4EHK2SVWW/Lerit+Lab+Embryo+Spindles Research Hundreds of cells divide in synchrony within the early Drosophila embryo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1549398144436-GLFVLN4KH3GXLQWL0LTK/Lerit+Lab+NSC+asymm Research Neural stem cells (dashed circle) show marked asymmetries in centrosome activity control. Active daughter centrosome (arrow) and inactive mother centrosome (arrowhead) are highlighted. Pericentriolar material is labeled in green; centrioles are red. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1549557198677-28KPPDC2M453N4IXIGVZ/Lerit+Lab+NSC+MTOCs.png Research During interphase (left) the daughter centrosome (arrow) is a more “active” microtubule-organizing center than the mother centrosome (arrowhead). During mitosis (right), both centrosomes (arrows) undergo mitotic maturation and contribute to spindle formation. Microtubules are shown in green; centrioles are red; nuclei of mitotic cells are blue. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1549398856665-D5CWJISDUY82HW82EFJ3/Lerit+Lab+MTOCs Research Microtubule nucleation in early embryos. Microtubules (blue) radiate from centrosome flares (pericentriolar material, magenta). Centrioles (yellow) reside within the center. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1549570741867-GBQUPI1HEUG2AFFVXFUR/Lerit+Lab+RNA+at+Csome.png Research mRNA (magenta) enrichment at centrosomes (green). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1550182946001-X9VVD0IA9TQIX1RDSPNA/LeritLab+RNA+at+csome+cell.png Research Individual mRNA molecules (red) cluster at the centrosomes (green). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1550183483156-W0EQNR0R4FS1ZE5UEHQ9/Lerit+Lab+pole+cells.png Research The primordial germ cells (PGCs) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1549560911199-LSZYAPSAQA783WR7XEZ6/Lerit+Lab+early+bud.png Research An early step in PGC formation is the recruitment of the germ plasm (green) to centrosomes (red, arrows). Budding posterior membrane, magenta. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1550183509703-EDX1JBAQM41ZXN49TFK8/Lerit+Lab+PC+spindle.png Research Microtubules (green) nucleated by centrosomes (magenta) partition the germ plasm (red) into PGCs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1549661932336-QST6H5A82ZPG1BVCDNQH/nih-logo-color.png Research https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1549911525852-XJAJL13N5OFHMPDODRN9/Med_vt_280.png Research https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1579292522587-0NCZK3JZ1MMPCETQWY42/United_States_Department_of_Defense_Seal.png Research https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1600821478850-J8TDK8IWTM46P8XF3AE9/AHA+logo.png Research https://www.leritlab.org/personnel daily 0.75 2019-02-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1549403133703-MR91CQO5W92OC0GM6KRI/LabStairBW.jpg Personnel Our first lab photo. Featured: Lerit, Castro, Abouseif, and Ryder https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1549403199491-MWX0INZ1H815EYWC3ZD7/Lerit.jpg Personnel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1549403282760-54XMCZUMQBCM9JQLIM7X/Ryder.jpg Personnel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1549403693822-QZXQI6EBKLF27AEUSI3J/Castro.jpg Personnel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1549403988643-6BJMSELMAO71V123E5MV/Abouseif.jpg Personnel https://www.leritlab.org/personnel_ daily 0.75 2026-02-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1553724607182-H3BDR6LZN91GGPS2UDWE/Lab2019_sq.jpg Copy of Personnel Lerit lab (2017) Featured (L-R): Lerit, Ryder, Abouseif, Fang, Lym, Robinson, and Castro https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/390e5b72-9a2d-454c-a2fc-11b8781e3e49/Dorothy_corp2.jpg Copy of Personnel Dorothy A. Lerit, Ph.D. - PI Associate Professor | Department of Cell Biology https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1c3368e0-1ffc-4fb5-86a6-7bc9698db20b/Temi_19Aug2022_crop.jpg Copy of Personnel Temitope H. Adebambo, Ph.D. - Postdoctoral Fellow https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/e3d022e0-27de-4801-b8bc-14faf56f0fde/sov_temporal.jpg Copy of Personnel We are currently recruiting a Postdoc! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/f8839460-c584-4cd1-9038-f610db534e52/Western.jpeg Copy of Personnel Mona Hamad - Research Specialist https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/14bc8c0d-248d-42cf-b403-3cd3d9936062/Joey_18Aug2022_crop.jpg Copy of Personnel - Make it stand out Joey Buehler - PhD Candidate BCDB T32 Recipient & NIH F31 NRSA Awardee https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/3aa63143-0bcb-4cab-95e3-d19f5ac45d03/Jennifer_IMG_9494.jpg Copy of Personnel - Make it stand out Yuqing (Jennifer) Hua - Undergraduate Researcher (sophomore) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/48170969-2b3f-4b48-ba1e-012a2ccf5019/Taylor_crop.jpg Copy of Personnel - Make it stand out Taylor Hailstock - PhD Candidate BCDB T32 Recipient & HHMI Gilliam Fellow https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/c9126909-482a-46f9-9645-7f91fa25d708/Krish.jpg Copy of Personnel - Make it stand out Krish Kadam - Undergraduate Researcher (junior) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/8ec4df9d-53d9-472b-8183-12f544269172/Anna.jpg Copy of Personnel - Make it stand out Anna Staskiewicz – PhD Candidate, BCDB BDCI T32 Recipient https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/51064dca-6302-4d08-af54-6c9e4d031702/Zain_March2024.jpg Copy of Personnel - Make it stand out Zain Farooqui - Undergraduate Researcher (junior) https://www.leritlab.org/bio daily 0.75 2025-06-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1dc273f6-3eb2-4666-bf9b-dbebd20e3583/Dorothyv2.jpg bio https://www.leritlab.org/gallery daily 0.75 2022-08-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1549479553153-2MX7J4HZJ0ACRKPCP59Q/gate.jpg Beyond the Bench https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1566927619468-T9SPKTHD49YEY0HTQTH3/lab+July+2019.JPG Beyond the Bench https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1566927627084-2W29Z7URCUJ069Z5A4BB/lab+plus+katz.JPG Beyond the Bench https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1566927629481-7KKGU2K0FDUJ4V7EIW6N/lunch+july+2019.JPG Beyond the Bench https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1566927162194-IQMPULZXZQNV5DYICBUL/defense+mar+2019.JPG Beyond the Bench https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1566927169699-SJ6ZV5N8A95YUWSHEK3J/graduation+May+2019.JPG Beyond the Bench https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661200191448-LK4FS5J0ABCMBCWLUODU/ASCB2017_1.jpg Beyond the Bench - Celebrating Elias' ASCB travel award! Elias was awarded a generous grant from the ASCB Minority Affairs Committee to present his work at the Annual Meeting. The donuts spell “ASCB.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661200149324-J292O9795YV793W1T7E6/ASCB2017_2.jpg Beyond the Bench - Elias presents at the 2017 ASCB Annual Meeting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661200146779-Y6C6Q2PUQVMWCEC1IMQQ/ASCB+2018.jpeg Beyond the Bench - After our 2018 poster sesh Pearl, Junnan, and Dorothy outside the 2018 poster hall. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661200514358-B3KRNUE9WF9RPSAY7PG9/Hala+and+Colby+Fly+Meeting.JPG Beyond the Bench - Hala and Colby at the 2022 Fly Meeting Dr. Hala Zein-Sabatto and Colby from Moberg lab gave talks in the same scientific session. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661201930222-439OH34JSZSSHZP58WDC/Costa+Brava.jpg Beyond the Bench - Cheers to new PI, Paul! Sciencing and discussing new lab set-up while enjoying the view in Costa Brava, July 2022. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661201572024-VDPJKFJL9DUKZDA20EL2/IMG_3022.JPG Beyond the Bench - Rose and Junnan at the 2022 SURE Symposium Dr. Junnan Fang mentored Weiyi (Rose) Tian, who presented an oral presentation on her summer research project in August 2022. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661201580640-A29AP1Q9RCVYZM4VCNW0/IMG_3021.JPG Beyond the Bench - LGS-SOAR and SURE student, Raihaanah Dr. Hala Zein-Sabatto mentored LGS-SOAR summer intern Raihaanah, who presented a poster at the SURE symposium. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661201595017-O19VAQG68SK0ET9D6E36/PXL_20220804_184651410.MP.JPG Beyond the Bench - The lab says farewell to Raihaanah https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661200680401-3O2NW48E7NX3C82EMQKR/Eclipse+2017_2.jpg Beyond the Bench - Viewing the 2017 Eclipse Beverly, Pearl,& Elias on the Michael St. rooftop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661200681063-L33D085XJV1VYOUC3B3D/Eclipse+2017.jpg Beyond the Bench - Eclipse viewing - 2017 Dorothy, Pearl, & Elias https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661200934257-CS5EMY0KA0QLX1GYTKLD/Lab+Valentines.jpg Beyond the Bench - Custom lab valentines When not composing pithy stanzas, Dorothy runs a successful R1 research laboratory. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661200688028-30G8TBPW6RRBVONGJHNL/2022+End+of+Rotations+Lunch.JPG Beyond the Bench - End of summer lunch, 2022 Junnan, Hala, Jordan, Taylor, Tina, Jay, Jovan, Rose, Beverly, and Temi https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661200934545-GBWEWQKH8L8SSNQWZ46M/1st+Junior+Faculty+Lunch.jpg Beyond the Bench - Welcome new faculty neighbor, Dr. Seldin Welcome Dr. Lindsey Seldin to the Department of Cell Biology at Emory! Lindsey, Dorothy, and David Katz https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661201190266-H190N3IS8FI8OPMQIGLD/2nd+cell+bio+lunch.jpg Beyond the Bench - CB lunch, June 2022 Drs. David Katz, Lindsey Seldin, and Dorothy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661195582529-VJS47XG7NUTAULKXC66P/Junnan+Genesis+Paper+2019.JPG Beyond the Bench - Junnan's 2019 Genesis paper https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661195590982-99D6U4Y9IUCF161OM0G5/Hala+G3+paper+2022.JPG Beyond the Bench - Hala's 2022 G3 paper https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661195597754-2HZD2Y37A9XF3LNI7DKY/Junnan+Dev+and+K99+party.JPG Beyond the Bench - Junnan's 2022 Development paper https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661196070031-ZX8VJFLAKVUIR5GJKVDW/Jay+and+Jine+May+2022.JPG Beyond the Bench - Farewell Jay & Jina, May 2022 Jan Han, Dorothy, Jina Lee, and Hala Zein-Sabatto. Hala mentored Jay and Jina over the academic year. Both graduated May 2022. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661196463745-5798MQMTFJGZ2LNWQEYR/Jina+Jay+Champagne.png Beyond the Bench - The lab cringes... Jina opens champagne with support from Temi and Jay. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661196306713-1E1ZVLUV6MBNRGUCIYER/Jina+Jay+Farewell+2022.png Beyond the Bench - relief! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661196356970-WHZDD7AY0MGLIUBWVF13/Jina+Jay+Party+2022.jpg Beyond the Bench - celebrating Jina & Jay https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661196453738-G2LDIJJFQ5RPGHA9ARXI/Lab+party+Jina+defense+2022.png Beyond the Bench - Jina's honors defense party April 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661196462958-YH48OK1FJNON3FIVWMBR/Jina+thesis+committee.png Beyond the Bench - Jina's Honors Thesis Committee Dorothy, Jina Lee, Michal Arbilly, & Christine Ristaino celebrate Jina’s Highest Honors achievement. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661197000782-4HZWTSVYP1A49O41RFI0/Lerit+Lab+April+2022.jpg Beyond the Bench - Lerit lab April 2022 Jina, Rose, Joey, Taylor, Jordan, Junnan, Dorothy, Temi, Jovan, & Jay https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661198462964-AN4T7GI4SMZDU5NR0MTD/Dorothy%2BChampagne%2BApril%2B2022.jpg Beyond the Bench - Surprise lab party! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661198418829-BG8PYTWXF1T1JWK4F79F/Promotion%2BApril%2B2022.jpg Beyond the Bench - Very thoughtful lab gifts <3 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661200382960-KGA7CY5ZCX45TIDEPE5Y/Ryder+FIRST.jpg Beyond the Bench - Pearl's NIH K12 FIRST fellowship is awarded! Congratulations, Dr. Ryder! This is the first grant to one of our trainees (2017). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661198691747-7016VVGAYAHRKZAQY9X4/Junnan+and+cake.JPG Beyond the Bench - Junnan's K99 is awarded! And her Development paper was accepted the same week - congratulations! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661198691607-FJMMSPP57RKRCSLNC44K/Junnan+K99+advisory.JPG Beyond the Bench - Cheers from the K99 committee Some of Junnan’s advisory committee: Dorothy, Junnan, Bing Yao, and Gary Bassell https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661198736110-U83BN9YAEZLGUPJ4SAGQ/Joey+and+Taylor+T32+2022.jpg Beyond the Bench - Congrats to T32 recipients, Taylor & Joey! Taylor & Joey will receive BCDB T32 support for one year - congratulations! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661199407812-7KT6RXHTXV8SK87VU50G/Robinson+Defense.jpg Beyond the Bench - Beverly's oral defense On 22 June 2022, Beverly passed her oral defense, which was presented in hybrid format https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661199291938-D4XTQLE76GMDY248YERH/Robinson+champagne.jpg Beyond the Bench - Cheers, Dr. Robsinson! On 26 Jul 2022, the lab hosted an outdoor reception to fete our recent graduate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661199325915-YZY2LIOVTNIBH993WZ0N/Dorothy+Bev.JPG Beyond the Bench - Dorothy presents a lab gift to Beverly https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661199322550-M8O7PJAJ13Z6QYDFWQGS/Robinson+thesis.JPG Beyond the Bench Beverly received a gift of a bound copy of her PhD thesis. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661199287889-OMSUH75B10JDNLIXITRB/Guy+Bev+Juan.jpg Beyond the Bench Guy Benian, Dr. Robinson, and Juan Rodriguez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661199286965-MUK31A8YBC9K23972OP4/Dorothy+Guy+Ken.jpg Beyond the Bench Dorothy, Ken Moberg, and Guy Benian https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661199291761-30TA0HGVZXUPYRRMREPD/Dipen+and+Joey.jpg Beyond the Bench Dipen Mehta and Joey Buehler https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661199318061-LB4FKB2UAC3L9LCOE7Z8/Bev+party+1.JPG Beyond the Bench - Enjoying gluten-free everything https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c54b990d86cc94030e3d91b/1661199886326-4QWC97HUCWLC4KSATOGF/Guy.jpg Beyond the Bench - A toast by Dr. Benian