I study how cell adhesion and migration is regulated by the physical behaviors and structure of the actin cytoskeleton, focal adhesions and cell-cell adhesions and how the physical behaviors of complex cytoskeletal machines emerge from their molecular constituents. My research employs approaches from condensed matter physics, cell biology and biochemistry to study the physical properties of the actin cytoskeleton and focal adhesions within live cells and in reconstituted systems of purified proteins.