<i>Cytoskeleton</i> Spotlight: Sepideh Cheheltani

I earned my bachelor's degree in Microbiology and a master's in Cell Biology from Villanova University, and later worked in a neuroscience lab at the University of Pennsylvania before beginning my PhD in Biological Sciences at the University of Delaware. During my PhD, I became fascinated by how the actin cytoskeleton shapes lens structure and biomechanics. My research focuses on Cyclase-Associated Actin Regulatory Protein 2 (CAP2) and how its absence alters actin organization, tissue stiffness, and the distribution of other actin-binding proteins. I was drawn to cytoskeletal biology because it links molecular regulation to large-scale mechanical behavior, showing how microscopic changes can influence whole-tissue function. Yes, my PhD advisor, Dr. Velia Fowler, has been an extraordinary mentor. Beyond scientific training, she has taught me to think critically, communicate clearly, and pursue science with integrity. She values curiosity over perfection and encourages thinking outside the box and asking the right questions when faced with unexpected results, a mindset that has been invaluable both in research and in life. Her guidance has deeply shaped how I approach problems, mentor others, and communicate with confidence. I'm investigating how an actin regulatory protein, CAP2, modulates the organization and mechanical properties of the eye lens. Proper lens function relies on a precisely arranged actin cytoskeleton, which provides the structural stability and flexibility required for accommodation and transparency. Using confocal microscopy, biochemical assays, and mechanical testing, I study how CAP2 regulates actin filament turnover and coordinates with other actin-binding proteins to maintain a balanced and dynamic cytoskeletal network. Loss of CAP2 leads to redistribution of actin networks and increased lens stiffness, a phenotype that parallels the natural stiffening associated with aging. This work provides the first evidence that CAP2 regulates cell and tissue biomechanics in a non-muscle system by modulating the levels and localization of F-actin–associated proteins. By linking molecular control of actin turnover to tissue-level mechanics in an intact vertebrate organ, these findings establish a new framework for understanding CAP2's role in lens biomechanics. I love learning new languages, and I've kept a 1361-day streak on Duolingo, studying Spanish and French. It's become part of my daily routine and a fun way to challenge myself outside of science. I'd be a confocal microscope because I like focusing on details and seeing things clearly from different layers. I think it fits my personality. I'm detail-oriented and curious about how small components come together to form structure. Plus, I never get tired of looking at beautiful fluorescent images; it's genuinely one of the most enjoyable parts of my research.