About Me

I am a scientist who studies how neurons utilise genetic elements to regulate the strength of their connections. My goal is to use physiology and genomics together to understand how neurons have evolved their diverse and exquisitely adapted functions.

When not in the laboratory, I enjoy exploring the wilderness in all seasons, chasing birds, climbing rocks, and just about any other activity that cultivates an appreciation for nature.

Selected Research Experience

Graduate Student Researcher (Ehud Isacoff laboratory, UC Berkeley 2015-2020)

• Transcriptional correlates of homeostatic plasticity at the larval Drosophila melanogaster neuromuscular junction
• Genetic signatures of neuronal diversity among D. mel type I motor neurons

Graduate Student Researcher (Ahmet Yildiz laboratory, UC Berkeley 2013-2015)

• Single-molecule biophysical study of the role of AAA3 ATPase domain in the motility of cytoplasmic dynein

Education

University of California, Berkeley; 2013-2020

• PhD in Molecular & Cell Biology, Division of Neurobiology

University of California, Berkeley; 2009-2013

• BA in Molecular & Cell Biology, Emphasis in Neurobiology

Publications

1. Cypranowska, C.A., Yildiz, A., Ishikawa, T. Dyneins. Encyclopedia of Cell Biology, 2016; 620-636.
2. Dewitt, M.A., Cypranowska, C.A., Cleary, F.B., Belyy, V., Yildiz, A. The AAA3 domain of cytoplasmic dynein acts as a switch to facilitate microtubule release. Nat Struct Mol Biol, 2015; 22(1): 73-80.

Awards

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (2015-2020)

Outreach and Selected Activities

Graduate Affairs Committee Representative, Dept. of Molecular & Cell Biology (Aug 2017-May 2019)

Software Carpentries/Data Carpentries, Instructor (Summer 2018)

• Genomics
• Python/R, Git, Shell

Prison University Project at San Quentin, Faculty (May 2014-Dec 2015)