Principal Investigator
 Christopher W. Brownlee Ph.D. Assistant Professor Pharmacological Sciences Affiliated Faculty Departments, Molecular and Cellular Biology Genetics Biophysics and Physiology |
Chris developed an interest in applying genetic and biochemical approaches to fundamental cell biology questions as a graduate student in Gregory Roger’s lab at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, culminating in a doctorate in the area of Cellular and Molecular Medicine. As an NSF Graduate Research Fellow, he sought to answer the question of how a single “mother” centriole gives birth to a single “daughter” centriole only once per cell cycle. Using Drosphila and human cell culture, he studied how this process can be corrupted, contributing to chromosome mis-segregation and tumorigenesis. He identified a phosphatase, PP2A-Twins, which is integral in maintaining the careful balance of phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of the master regulator of centriole duplication, the kinase Plk4. This work also identified the mechanism by which a tumorigenic virus, SV40, subverts this pathway leading to centriole amplification and tumorigenesis. In his postdoctoral research, within the lab of Rebecca Heald at the University of California – Berkeley, he studied the mechanisms by which cells regulate organelle size scaling using Xenopus and human cell culture. This research was supported by an American Cancer Society Fellowship and led to Chris receiving the MCB Postdoctoral Award for Research in 2018. Chris decided to join the faculty at the Stony Brook University School of Medicine in 2019.
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Graduate Students |
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Oluwabunmi Adejare |
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Oluwabunmi is a M.S. student in the Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology program with the goal of eventually earning her Ph.D. Bunmi is investigating the role of palmitoyl transferases in regulating cell movement and metastasis. Outside of the lab Bunmi is kept very busy with her five children!
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Kathryn Malone |
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Kathryn graduated from Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences with her B.S. and M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences with a research focus on breast cancer. Currently, she is working toward earning her Ph.D. in the Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology program. In the Brownlee Lab, Kathryn is investigating the role importin α plays in regulating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in cancer. Outside of the lab, Kathryn enjoys staying active by playing rugby and going to the gym. She also enjoys relaxing by reading, sewing, or embroidering.
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Natalie Mosqueda |
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Natalie is from Northern California and graduated from the University of Oregon in 2018 with a BS degree in Biology with an emphasis in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology. After graduating, Natalie completed a two-year NIH Post-Baccalaureate Research Fellowship working at the NIDCD Institute. Now, Natalie is a graduate Ph.D. student in the Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program. As a graduate student in the Brownlee lab, Natalie is studying the regulation of importin α on ciliogenesis. Outside the lab Natalie enjoys cooking, watching Formula 1, going to the beach, and spending time with family and friends.
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Patrick Sutton |
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Patrick is a PhD student in the Molecular and Cell Biology graduate program from Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey. After graduating from the University of Maryland at College Park with a B.S in Biological Sciences, he obtained a masters degree in biology from New York University focusing on research related to X chromosome dosage compensation in C. elegans. Now at Stony Brook, Patrick is working on projects related to zygotic genome activation through the use of the Xenopus laevis model system.
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Undergraduate Students |
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Melanie Garcia |
| Melanie is currently a senior majoring in biology and minoring in applied mathematics and statistics. On campus she is actively involved with Stony Brook H.O.M.E., a free clinic dedicated to providing medical care and resources to uninsured adults on Long Island. Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, Melanie intends to take a gap year and gain more research experience before applying to graduate school. |  |
Xenopus laevis |
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Xenopus laevis has made many important contributions to the areas of cell biology, genetics and developmental biology, culminating in multiple nobel prizes. As an Anuran in the Pipidae family, when not directly contributing to our understanding of cell cycle control or how to reprogram mature cells into stem cells, Xenopus seeks to answer the question: “how much food can I stuff into my tongueless mouth at once?” Using human pregnancy hormones, Xenopus is adept at hijacking the process of folliculogenesis and ovulation to lay thousands of eggs in a very short amount of time. This skill was used throughout the 1950’s to help identify pregnant humans, though Xenopus’ role in pregnancy detection was eventually replaced by a stick. As a founding member of the Brownlee Lab, Xenopus’ egg laying skills are once again put to use in new and exciting areas of research, where Xenopus leads by example in showing that a free spirit is integral in maintaining a careful balance of health and happiness. |
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The Brownlee Lab has open research positions at the postdoc, graduate, and undergraduate levels. Please send all position inquiries to christopher.brownlee@stonybrook.edu.
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Alumni |
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Matt Yearsley |
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Matt Yearsley was an M.S. student in the Brownlee lab, he currently works as a science teacher at Old Westbury. |
Riya Gandhi |
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| Riya was an undergraduate in the Brownlee lab who received numerous accolades including the 2022 Provost's Award for Academic Excellence and the 2020 Academic Excellence Award. She is currently attending medical school at Stony Brook University. |  |
Mohdshobair Hussaini |
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Mohdshobair Hussaini was a M.S. student in the Brownlee lab, he currently is a Biology teacher at Bullis School in Potomac, MD. |
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Theresa Rohan |
| Theresa is a senior Biology student at Stony Brook University. She has particular interest in cell biology and microbiology. In her free time, she enjoys painting, making jewelry, and playing bass guitar. She enjoys watching baseball games, and being from Queens, is a New York Yankees fan. In the Brownlee lab, she hopes to learn more about how cells behave, how these processes can go awry, and how drugs to treat them can be developed. |  |
Samuel Samous |
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Samuel was an undergrad in the Brownlee lab who graduated with a Biochemistry B.S. with honors and an Outstanding Achievement Award. He is currently attending medical school at NYMC. |
