Bilal Hakim

Spencer is an Instructor in the Department of Developmental Biology pursuing injury and regeneration research topics in the stomach and other GI organs. Currently, Spencer is exploring how the Hippo Pathway controls cell identity/growth during homeostasis and injury in the stomach. Outside the lab, Spencer enjoys spending time with his family in local parks and exploring the craft beer and restaurant scene in St. Louis.

Bilal is a postdoc with research interests on understanding the processes of oogenesis and embryogenesis. His current main project is how NEMP proteins regulate ovarian aging and how this aging can be reversed to rejuvenate aged ovaries in mice. Outside of the lab, Bilal likes playing cricket and enjoys hiking. 

Emma is a research technician working with mice and managing the lab’s mouse colony. She recently graduated from SLU with her Bachelor’s degree in Biology and is looking to gain more biological research experience before exploring a career in medicine. She is excited to learn more about the mouse Fat proteins and working with these proteins for a future project. Outside of lab, Emma is learning to play the drums and enjoys taking dance classes.

Christine is in the Post-Baccalaureate Program in Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, and is a recent graduate from the University of Chicago with a major in Biological Sciences. She’s interested in exploring NEMP more from the Drosophila side, and to gain more experience as an independent researcher. Outside of lab, she enjoys dabbling in keyboard instruments and spending time in nature.

Evan is in the Post-Baccalaureate Program in Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine. He recently obtained his undergraduate degree from Truman State University, where he gained a background in D. melanogaster. Evan is excited to continue working with flies and learn everything he can. Outside of lab, he enjoys going out to eat with friends and baking.

Alex is a research technician working with fly models and helping with various projects around the lab. His current project explores the Dachsous Intracellular Domain and its role in the Hippo pathway. When Alex is away from the lab, he spends his time cooking and playing video games.

Abira is a postdoc who wants to explore the development and maturation of germ cells through high content imaging. She obtained her PhD from ACTREC, India, exploring nucleus size and shape control mechanisms in diverse model organisms. After her PhD, she spent time understanding collagen homeostasis and vesicular trafficking at CRG, Barcelona. Currently, she is excited about understanding the role of NEMP1 in chromatin organization and fertility. She is happy to explore the world of the nucleus again. She is a new mother, and outside her time in the lab, she loves to spend time with her little one, watching cartoons, reading books and coloring with crayons.

The profound science and the tasty coffee in McNeill Lab brought Yuan on board as a postdoc researcher after he grabbed his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Washington University. His work in the lab is centered on the nuclear envelope membrane protein NEMP1 and its role in cell nuclear mechanotransduction and mechanobiology by perturbing cells and tissue with mechanical loadings. Away from the lab, Yuan enjoys spending time with his loved ones and his furry companions. An outdoor enthusiast at heart, he is passionate about hiking and embarking on road trips, exploring new terrains and experiences.

Recent graduate from Truman State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. She’s currently studying variations in protein expression with Nemp1 loss using cell culture models. Outside of the lab she enjoys crochet and baking.

Cole joined the lab in 2022 after obtaining his PhD from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he studied the energetic and developmental causes and consequences of monarch butterfly migration. Currently, his research investigates the role of Nemp in lipid droplets (LDs) in Drosophila as well as the roles LDs may be playing in the storage of cell lipids and cell stress. Outside of the lab, he enjoys cooking, playing volleyball, and exploring St. Louis with his dogs.