Organismal diversity, essential to life as we know it, relies on variability in cell form and function. Lillian Fritz-Laylin studies the evolution and diversification of the cytoskeleton, an internal scaffolding system that varies wildly among cell types and species, leading to diversity at the organismal level. This work requires understanding the cytoskeletal biology of diverse species, including those from unexplored parts of the tree of life. Fritz-Laylin’s lab develops genetic tools to study the cytoskeletal biology of historically neglected lineages, focusing on organisms that occupy pivotal evolutionary positions, exhibit remarkable cytoskeletal biology, and are important for human health and global ecology.