Marcelo Rivolta

Professor Marcelo Rivolta is a Professor of Sensory Stem Cell Biology in the School of Biosciences at the University of Sheffield. His research focuses on developing stem cell-based therapies for hearing loss, with particular emphasis on regenerating damaged inner ear structures.

His educational background includes an M.D. from the University of Córdoba, Argentina (1989) and a Ph.D. from the NIH in Bethesda, Maryland, USA and the University of Córdoba, Argentina (1992-1995).

Professor Rivolta's research interests center on sensory stem cell biology and regenerative therapies for hearing loss. His laboratory has made key advances in stem cell technologies for potential hearing restoration therapies. They isolated stem cells from the human fetal cochlea and developed protocols to drive otic differentiation from human pluripotent stem cells. The group has demonstrated that hESC-derived otic progenitors can repair damaged cochlea in animal models, showing functional recovery as measured by auditory brainstem thresholds. Currently, they are exploring the combination of stem cells with cochlear implants to develop a "bionic ear" and using stem cells to create in vitro platforms for drug discovery.

Professor Rivolta is part of Otostem, an international consortium with partners in Stanford, Harvard, Geneva, Uppsala, Tübigen and Marseille. His work has significant implications for the millions of people worldwide affected by hearing loss.

His scientific awards and honors include:

• Trustee of the charity 'The Ear Foundation'
• Reviewer for leading scientific journals
• Reviewer for research proposals submitted to Action on Hearing Loss, Deafness Research UK, The Wellcome Trust, MRC, BBSRC and other funding bodies
• Invited speaker at numerous national and international meetings

Professor Rivolta teaches Stem Cell Biology at both undergraduate (BMS382) and Masters (BMS6051, BMS6056) levels. He leads the Hearing Research Group at the University of Sheffield, which focuses on regenerative therapies for hearing loss using human stem cells. His laboratory works on developing protocols for otic differentiation from human pluripotent stem cells and testing these in animal models of hearing loss.