About the Mears Lab

Our lab is eager to resolve long-standing questions about the key factors that alter mitochondrial structure and physiology, leading to organelle dysfunction in human pathologies. To this end, we investigate proteins that regulate mitochondrial dynamics to provide mechanistic insight into the regulation of the mitochondrial fission complex and the functional roles of proteins that drive this process.

News and Events

Summer 2025: The Mears Lab welcomes new faces!

We have several new colleagues joining us in the lab. 

• Mengtian Wang is a MS student 
• Julia Moroz is an UG student at Ursuline College
• Talia Morgenstern is an UG student at Westminster College joining us through the CanSUR program
• A TBD HS student is also joining us through the YES Program

June 2025: Drp1 Lattice structure is out in J Mol Biol

Excellent collaboration with Stagg Lab looks are novel features of the Drp1 lattice interacting with lipid nanotubes in vitro. 
J Mol Biol link

Dec 2024: New paper out in J Cell Science

Yuli's work on Fis1 regulation of mitochondrial dynamics and function in response to radiation stress is out as a preprint 
J Cell Sci link

She was also featured in a First Person Interview
J Cell Sci link

And she got the cover!  
J Cell Sci link

October 2024: Jason wins Outstanding Mentor Award!

Jason was recognized at the 2024 Graduate and Medical Student Research Day with an Outstanding Mentoring Award. Thanks to the nominator(s) and congratulations to the other winners. 

August 2024: Center for Mitochondrial Research and Therapeutics (CMRT) Launches

The CMRT has been officially announced in the School of Medicine. Thrilled to work with Xin Qi and other amazing scientists to advance our collective efforts in mitochondrial research. 
More information in our inaugural symposium is available.