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Shuyi Nie is an Assistant Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Her research focuses on developmental biology, particularly the mechanisms of collective cell migration, and the study of neural crest stem cells and their role in congenital heart disease. The fundamental questions she aims to address involve understanding the coordinated cell movements that regulate animal development. The migration of groups of cells to specific locations in a growing embryo is crucial for the formation of tissue structures. Using the neural crest model, Nie investigates the cellular mechanisms underpinning cell migration during embryonic development. The neural crest is recognized as a significant innovation in vertebrates, consisting of highly migratory stem-like cells that differentiate into multiple tissue structures, including craniofacial bones, cartilages, heart connective tissue, the enteric nervous system of the gut, and skin pigment cells. Deficiencies in cellular proliferation, migration, differentiation, and survival can lead to various birth defects and types of cancer. Her ongoing studies aim to uncover the regulatory mechanisms of migration that enable these extraordinary migratory abilities.
Department of Computer Science: GRE scores are optional for Fall 2026.