Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a cellular lifestyle change that produces highly invasive cells that can migrate long distances in the body. These processes are critical for normal embryonic development but are often reactivated in disease states such as cancer metastasis. Our lab seeks to understand the impact of developmentally timed changes in lipid composition, how these lipids alter membrane biophysics and organization, and ultimately regulate cell signaling, EMT, and migration. To answer these questions in vivo, we use the developing chicken embryo and study a migratory population of stem cells called the neural crest. Insights gained from studying neural crest cells have the potential to inform novel therapeutic approaches to combat both congenital disorders and metastatic diseases. We work together toward these goals in an inclusive, respectful, and creative research environment.