The Petrie Dish
About The Petrie Dish
The Petrie Dish is a biology research lab at Drexel University that focuses on studying cell migration. Our team is comprised of 4 PhD students and several undergrads. With numerous publications and recognitions, we are dedicated to advancing the field of cell biology. We also love to share our favorite microscopy images from our experiments.
The Team
Our team is made up of PhD graduate students, masters students, and undergraduate student researchers.
Ryan J. Petrie, PhD
he/him
Principle Investigator
Dr. Petrie founded the lab at Drexel in 2015 after spending 7 years as a post-doctoral fellow at the NIH under Dr. Ken Yamada. He earned his doctorate in Quebec at McGill University in 2008. He and his wife Dr. Petrie enjoy spending time with their beloved dog Youppie. He boasts an impressive knowledge of trains and is dedicated to changing the world one fibroblast at a time.
Bre R. Hewitt
she/her
6th Year PhD Candidate
Bre joined the Petrie Dish in 2021 during her first year at Drexel. She hails from North Carolina and received her B.S. in Zoology with a minor in Genetics from NC State University in 2020. Bre's research interests focus on live single cell microscopy and mitochondrial dynamics in 3D migrating cells. When she isn't in the lab, Bre enjoys fawning over her many pets. As the sun begins to set on her time in graduate school, Bre looks forward to exploring professional opportunities in microscopy. She will be returning to central North Carolina upon completion of her PhD.
Jacob Duggan
he/him
6th Year PhD Candidate
Jacob Duggan is a dedicated biologist currently pursuing his Ph.D. at Drexel University, where he delves into the intricate world of cell biology. Born with an insatiable curiosity for the microscopic wonders of life, Jacob's academic journey has been marked by a passion for unraveling the mysteries of cellular processes. His research focuses on mechanotransduction in cell migration, with a keen interest in how these processes contribute to both health and disease. Jacob remains driven by a deep-seated desire to expand our understanding of the fundamental building blocks of life.
Ive-Anwuli Ralph-Uyalor
she/her
4th Year PhD Candidate
Ive-Anwuli got her bachelors in biological science from Anambra State University now Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Nigeria. She joined the lab in 2023. Besides research Ive-Anwuli loves to cook (which is how she won everyone over in lab 😏), music, movies, books, and visiting new places.
Our Undergraduate Team
The Petrie Lab is dedicated to extending the opportunity for undergraduate biology students to gain experience in active research. Students carry out their own individual projects and ask their own scientific questions.
MVPs
The real masterminds behind keeping the Petrie Lab up and running (and sane).
