Dr. Brooke Mccartney

Associate Professor

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Biography

Brooke M. McCartney is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University. Her research focuses on fundamental cellular mechanisms that drive developmental processes, particularly in Drosophila. McCartney's lab investigates how the assembly, organization, and dynamics of cytoskeletal networks, specifically microtubules and actin filaments, influence oogenesis and systemic growth. They explore the interactions between different cytoskeletal components, discovering critical mechanisms that govern growth and development. Recent work highlights the role of the gut microbiome in systemic growth, uncovering a novel collaboration between Drosophila Arc1 and bacterial microbiota that promotes growth. McCartney has made significant contributions to understanding how cellular structures like actin and microtubules maintain dynamic stability during development, including insights into intercellular communication mechanisms involving gene products that are critical for growth regulation. Her publications include notable studies on actin-microtubule crosstalk and metabolic traits associated with gut microbiota in Drosophila.

Research Interests

Experience

Associate Professor

— Present

Carnegie Mellon University • Pittsburgh, PA

Researching cellular mechanisms involved in developmental processes, focusing on Drosophila.

Requirements for Carnegie Mellon University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
GRE General
Verbal
Required:158
Quantitative
Required:149
Analytical Writing
Required:4
Overall
Required:4
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Psychology or related field Research experience/publications
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Transcripts
  • GRE scores (optional but reported in profile)
  • English Proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo)
Specialization Notes

Admission is extremely competitive with no strict GPA cut-offs; holistic review is used.