Our research interests are to 1) uncover the fundamental principles that govern cell polarization and ACD and 2) elucidate the mechanisms underpinning the connections among cell polarization, ACD, and cell differentiation using the stomatal system as a model. To achieve these goals, we are addressing several major gaps in the field, including (i) how cell polarity is initiated and established, (ii) how cellular asymmetry is maintained, (iii) how asymmetric division plane orientation is directed by polarity, (iv) how cell division and differentiation potentials are balanced, and (v) how cell fate asymmetry is specified. In the next few years, we aim to g advance our mechanistic understanding of cell polarity, ACD, and cell differentiation by 1) delineating new pathways of endosomal trafficking that determine cell polarization and ACD and 2) establishing new functions of cell signaling in balancing self-renewal division and terminal cell fate differentiation during stomatal ACD.