Mert Icyuz, Ph.D. | National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Skip Navigation Mert Icyuz, Ph.D. Close the left navigation Add Much of the work carried out by DTT is in support of the National Toxicology Program (NTP), an interagency partnership of the Food and Drug Administration, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and NIEHS. Visit the NTP Website Mouse Embryo Phenotyping & Special Techniques Group Mert Icyuz, Ph.D. Staff Scientist Tel 984-287-3920 [email protected] Mert Icyuz, Ph.D., is a Staff Scientist and Group Leader of the Mouse Embryo Phenotyping Core (MEPC) in the Comparative and Molecular Pathogenesis Branch (CMPB), Division of Translational Toxicology (DTT) at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). Dr. Icyuz earned his Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Icyuz completed postdoctoral training in the Clinical and Translational Research Branch (CTRB) at NIEHS, where he led interdisciplinary studies examining the molecular and environmental determinants of developmental phenotypes. His work focused broadly on understanding genetic factors that influence embryonic development and human disease-related traits using genetically engineered mouse models and complementary cellular systems. His research incorporated CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, systematic phenotypic characterization of mouse embryos and placentas, histopathology, and transcriptomic approaches, including spatial transcriptomics, to determine how genetic perturbations alter developmental trajectories. These studies connected embryonic phenotypes to underlying gene regulatory networks and molecular pathways identified through transcriptomic analyses. As Group Leader of the MEPC, Dr. Icyuz directs comprehensive phenotypic characterization of genetically engineered mouse embryos and collaborates broadly across NIH to support mechanistic studies in developmental biology, toxicology, and environmentally influenced disease processes. His research focuses on defining the genetic and molecular mechanisms that govern embryonic development and how their disruption contributes to congenital abnormalities and disease susceptibility. He integrates high-resolution embryonic phenotyping with molecular profiling approaches to advance mechanistic understanding of developmental and environmentally influenced diseases. Recent Publications Pascual F, Icyuz M, Karmaus P, Brooks A, Van Gorder E, Fessler M, Shaw N. Cholesterol biosynthesis modulates differentiation in murine cranial neural crest cells. Scientific reports 2023 May 01;13(1):7073. Abstract Pascual F, Icyuz M, Karmaus P, Brooks A, Van Gorder E, Fessler M, Shaw N. Cholesterol biosynthesis modulates differentiation in murine cranial neural crest cells. Scientific reports. 2023 May 01 Back to Top Last Reviewed: March 13, 2026