First Person is a series of interviews with the first authors of a selection of papers published in Journal of Cell Science, helping researchers promote themselves alongside their papers. Yuli Buckley is first author on ‘ Fis1 regulates mitochondrial morphology, bioenergetics and removal of mitochondrial DNA damage in irradiated glioblastoma cells’, published in JCS. Yuli is a PhD student in the lab of Jason Mears at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, USA, investigating mitochondrial dynamics in glioblastoma.

Yuli Buckley

How would you explain the main findings of your paper in lay terms?

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that constantly undergo fusion and fission. Different morphologies are crucial for various cellular functions, such as metabolism or maintenance of mitochondrial health. In glioblastoma, a very aggressive brain cancer, cells demonstrate an imbalance in mitochondrial dynamics, favoring a more fragmented mitochondrial phenotype. Cancer cells alter their metabolism to support rapid growth, so this change in mitochondrial morphology might reflect a survival adaptation that could be therapeutically targetable. Our work investigates how a pro-fission protein, Fis1, is involved in sustaining mitochondrial health after exposure to ionizing radiation (the standard of care treatment for glioblastoma patients). We found that Fis1 facilitates metabolic adaptation in glioblastoma cells and is important for the removal of radiation-induced damage to promote cell survival. When we remove Fis1, the mitochondria can no longer withstand the damaging effects of radiation; mitochondrial DNA damage accumulates, and the metabolic function of the mitochondria is reduced. This research highlights the importance of Fis1 for metabolic adaptation in glioblastoma and underscores its contributions to maintaining mitochondrial health.

When doing the research, did you have a particular result or ‘eureka’ moment that has stuck with you?

Reading Tatjana Kleele's 2021 Nature paper about midzone and peripheral mitochondrial fission was extremely validating. Owing to COVID-related shutdowns in the lab, I had very preliminary data when her work was published in May 2021. I had only physically been in the lab for a year at this point, focusing on Fis1, which had been largely ignored by the field. Her findings demonstrated that Fis1 and another fission factor, Mff, do not play redundant roles in mitochondrial fission and that Fis1 was important for pathological fission. Knowing that someone else had independently pursued Fis1 and published findings aligned with my interests renewed my confidence in my dissertation research.

Have you had any significant mentors who have helped you beyond supervision in the lab? How was their guidance special?

I entered Case Western Reserve University through their umbrella PhD program, where Dr Marvin Nieman served as my academic advisor before I committed to a department. He was instrumental in convincing me to do a rotation in the pharmacology department with Dr Jason Mears. Marvin was so compelling and enthusiastic in our conversations that I asked him to be my thesis committee chair, hoping he would invest that same energy to help me graduate. Beyond his guidance towards my dissertation work, Marvin is a staunch advocate for the graduate student community. Outside of academics, our labs are very close. We have frequent ice cream outings and share chocolate and practical advice on navigating Cleveland's aggressive drivers.

Confocal image showing the nuclei and mitochondria of adherent glioblastoma cells. We like this image because many different mitochondrial morphologies are represented, and it bears a small resemblance to our lab meetings. Nuclei are blue and mitochondria red.

Confocal image showing the nuclei and mitochondria of adherent glioblastoma cells. We like this image because many different mitochondrial morphologies are represented, and it bears a small resemblance to our lab meetings. Nuclei are blue and mitochondria red.

What motivated you to pursue a career in science, and what have been the most interesting moments on the path that led you to where you are now?

Growing up, I loved reading mystery stories and would use the clues sprinkled throughout the novel to guess the culprit. This passion for solving puzzles evolved into a fascination with science. Learning the fundamentals of science provides us with the clues and building blocks we need to make new discoveries, like the author of a mystery novel. As a lifelong learner, each new discovery – no matter how small – fuels my passion in the lab every day. Sometimes, like a good plot twist, unexpected results reinforce my love for the work that I do.

Who are your role models in science? Why?

I have had many incredible mentors throughout my scientific journey. Dr Amanda Murphy took a chance on me, allowing me to complete a summer internship in her lab despite my limited experience. That summer, I began to understand the interconnected nature of science and saw firsthand how scientists from different disciplines could collaborate and contribute unique and valuable perspectives. In Dr Dan Pollard's lab, I participated in a community outreach program for middle school students interested in science, which deepened my appreciation for science communication and mentorship. I also learned from my colleagues how to navigate challenges as a woman in STEM. For my undergraduate capstone research, I worked in Dr Britney Moss's lab, where I experienced the thrill of discovery. I still remember a particular moment when we made a small discovery; in that moment, we were the only people in the world who knew this novel information and we couldn't wait to share it with the rest of the scientific community. Her confidence and vast scientific knowledge inspired me to apply to graduate school, as I aspired to develop the same self-assurance and expertise she demonstrated in all of our interactions. Now, under the mentorship of Dr Jason Mears, I have gained more independence as a scientist, learning how to troubleshoot experiments, embrace unexpected results and effectively communicate my findings.

What's next for you?

I am currently looking for a job in the biotech industry. Last summer, I had the opportunity to intern at Cytokinetics and realized that I liked the fast-paced nature of the research and how involved the population of patients was. During the internship, I met with patients and we talked about their experiences with diagnosis and disease progression, as well as their interactions with the medical and scientific communities. I was impressed at how Cytokinetics incorporated feedback from patients into their drug discovery approach. This collaboration really highlighted the purpose of Cytokinetics – to serve patients and make a meaningful impact on their lives – and this experience was incredibly inspiring to me.

Tell us something interesting about yourself that wouldn't be on your CV

My friends and I have been making ‘dumplings’ from around the world: bao buns, ravioli, tamales… next on the list is khinkali!

Yuli Buckley's contact details: 10900 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.

E-mail: [email protected]

Buckley
,
Y.
,
Stoll
,
M. S. K.
,
Hoppel
,
C. L.
and
Mears
,
J. A.
(
2025
).
Fis1 regulates mitochondrial morphology, bioenergetics and removal of mtDNA damage in irradiated glioblastoma cells
.
J. Cell Sci.
138
,
jcs263459
.