Stem-cell organelle inheritance
Investigates how the fusome and microtubule organization contribute to germline stem-cell self-renewal.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Amanda Powell
About
Amanda Powell studies how cytoskeletal organization and organelle inheritance regulate stem-cell maintenance and differentiation. Her doctoral work in the Elizabeth Ables laboratory examined Drosophila ovarian germline stem cells, focusing on the fusome, microtubules, and the β-importin Tnpo-SR.
She completed her Ph.D. in Molecular and Cell Biology at East Carolina University on September 2, 2026.
Expertise
Germline stem cells, asymmetric cell division, fusome biology, microtubules, Drosophila oogenesis, genetics and confocal microscopy
Education & career
Current
Postdoctoral Fellow
Rusan Lab · NHLBI, NIH
2022–2026
Ph.D. · Molecular and Cell Biology
East Carolina University · Elizabeth Ables · Completed September 2, 2026
2024
Embryology advanced research training
Marine Biological Laboratory · Woods Hole, Massachusetts
2019–2022
B.S. with Honors · Biology
East Carolina University · Magna cum laude
Research highlights
Nuclear transport and differentiation
Studies roles of the β-importin Tnpo-SR in stem-cell maintenance and oocyte differentiation.
Developmental control of meiosis
Contributed to research connecting mei-P26 with germ-cell developmental programming and meiotic chromosome dynamics.
Publications
- Analysis of a hypomorphic mei-P26 mutation reveals coordination between developmental programming of germ cells and meiotic chromosome dynamics.
- Driven to cannibalism: A hormonal trigger for phagocytosis.
- SR Protein Kinase is expressed in Drosophila ovarian germline stem cells but is not essential for their self-renewal.
- Fusome morphogenesis is sufficient to promote female germline stem cell self-renewal in Drosophila.
- Utilizing the FLP-Out System for Clonal RNAi Analysis in the Adult Drosophila Ovary.
- β-importin Tnpo-SR promotes germline stem cell maintenance and oocyte differentiation in female Drosophila.
- The role of Oatp74D, the ecdysone importer, in the Drosophila ovary.
Recognition
- 2022 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship honorable mention
- 2022 & 2023 First place, Laser Tag: Capturing Art in Science imaging contest
- 2019–2022 ECU Honors College Centennial Fellow
- 2020 & 2021 Undergraduate Research and Creativity Award
Selected presentations
2025
Society for Developmental Biology
Fusome morphogenesis and stem-cell self-renewal · Poster · San Juan, Puerto Rico
2024
Fly Bayou
Organelle inheritance during asymmetric cell division · Talk · Virtual
2024
Allied Genetics Conference
Tnpo-SR, microtubule dynamics, and fusome morphogenesis · Poster · Washington, DC
Teaching & mentoring
Taught anatomy and physiology and microbiology laboratories at East Carolina University, and delivered guest lectures on molecular mechanisms of cell death in Cell and Developmental Biology. As a Maximizing Access to Research Careers program coordinator (2023–2025), supported undergraduate research, grant preparation, and graduate-school preparation.
Service
Served in leadership roles with the Eastern North Carolina chapter of Graduate Women in Science, including president in 2024 and vice president in 2025. Also served as a biology graduate-student liaison and ECU Honors Student Council president.