Sphingolipids are essential structural components of membranes and are also bioactive lipids that regulate diverse cellular functions.  We aim to elucidate physiological functions for these lipids, define mechanisms that integrate these functions with other cellular processes and understand networks that maintain sphingolipid homeostasis.  We combine genetic, molecular, biochemical and cell biological approaches and our model systems include fruit flies, mammalian cells and mice.  Links between sphingolipid imbalances and human pathologies underscore the importance of sphingolipid homeostasis and we hope that understanding these mechanisms will provide opportunities for therapeutic strategies to treat diseases including sphingolipidoses, neurodegeneration, cancer, metabolic syndrome and diabetes.  Our current focus is on two Drosophila lipases that play critical roles in increased ceramide environment.  The goal of our current research is to understand how triglyceride homeostasis is maintained by these lipases in physiological and pathophysiological states. Specifically, we wish to dissect how these lipases act non-autonomously, what components and pathways are involved and how accelerating fat catabolism through them could be beneficial in models where triglycerides accumulate.