Daniel Lew uses fungal model systems to investigate how cells orient their activities in space, including processes such as oriented growth, cell wall remodeling, and organelle segregation. His research focuses on the complex shapes that cells can take and the critical roles these shapes play in facilitating specialized functions, like nutrient absorption and muscle contraction. By utilizing fungal models, Lew aims to uncover insights into how cell shapes are determined by the internal distribution of cellular constituents, employing various methodologies from cell biology, genetics, and computational biology to explore the molecular mechanisms at play.