Zachary Geisterfer is a UH Hilo senior, majoring in the Cellular and Molecular Biology track.  Presently, he conducts research in Dr. Li Tao’s laboratory studying the structure and function of centralspindlin, a kinesin complex that organizes the central spindle by bundling microtubules.  Previous microtubule bundling assays did not include ATP, or used a non-hydrolysable ATP analog, which could generate artificial results. In his publication, "In vitro Microtubule Bundling Assay under Physiological Conditions", Zach and his colleagues describe a new technique to overcome the problems above and thus accurately measure the bundling activities www.bio-protocol.org/e2217. Zach has been accepted to the Ph.D. program at the University of Wyoming.

Albert Shim is a senior majoring in Chemistry in the Health Sciences track. Albert joined Dr. Li’s laboratory two years ago. His research is focused on the regulation of cell division and gliding assays, an important method in studying cytoskeleton and cell division.  As the lead author, Albert's work, "Gliding Assay to Analyze Microtubule-Based Motor Protein Dynamics" has been published on the latest issue of Bio-Protocol www.bio-protocol.org/e2210. His publication provides the field with the newest updates on gliding assays. Albert has been accepted into the University of Utah School of Dentistry.