Lab Members
Dr. Scott Forth
Dr. Forth received his Ph.D. in physics from Cornell University in 2009, where his doctoral work in the HHMI lab of Dr. Michelle Wang involved designing next-generation optical trapping instruments and monitoring the torsional response of DNA to twisting and stretching. Dr. Forth then pursued post-doctoral research with Dr. Tarun Kapoor in the Laboratory of Chemistry and Cell Biology at the Rockefeller University in New York City, where he focused on applying biophysical methods to the study of microtubule networks that essential for successful cell division. While at Rockefeller, Dr. Forth received the Ruth Kirschstein National Research Service Award from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Dr. Forth joined the faculty of the Department of Biological Sciences at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as an Assistant Professor in August of 2016. His lab has received the 2021 Early Career Faculty Research Award from the School of Science at RPI, the 2023 Biophysical Society Early Career Award for the Motility and Cytoskeleton Subgroup.
CURRENT LAB MEMBERS
Amanda Mentesana
Amanda is from Massapequa, NY and got their undergraduate degree in biology from Stony Brook University. Their research focuses on the biophysical properties of the microtubule crosslinker PRC1 and the role that intrinsically disordered regions of MAPs play in regulating cytoskeletal organization and dynamics. Amanda aims to better understand how structural disorder contributes to protein function in the context of cell division and microtubule mechanics using both experimental and computational approaches. Outside of lab, you can find them gardening, baking, or going to concerts.
Kristen Hewes
Kristen bio here
Madisyn Peoples
Madisyn Bio here
LAB ALUMNI