Lucas' area of research interest lies at the intersection of genetics and developmental biology. Currently she is researching the role of the cytoskeleton during normal organismal development and abnormal cell death in disease. She currently focus on the epidermis, or outermost skin layer. However she is intrigued by other tissues as well, such as the development and maintenance of the intestine and gonads. Lucas uses the microscopic, non-parasitic roundwormCaenorhabditis elegansas her model of choice, given its relatively simple genetics, ease of handling, and its optical transparency.
Above all else, Lucas loves a beautiful image, andC. elegansreally lets us use microscopy to its fullest. Students interested in embryonic or postnatal development, classic genetic techniques or microscopy would be a great fit.
