Todd R. Evans

Todd R. Evans is a Professor at Weill Cornell Medicine with appointments in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology. His research program bridges developmental biology, stem cell science, and disease modeling, with particular focus on cardiac development, diabetes research, and organoid systems. Dr. Evans maintains active collaborations across multiple institutions and serves as Principal Investigator on several NIH-funded research projects.

Dr. Evans' research focuses on the molecular mechanisms governing embryonic development, particularly in cardiac and pancreatic systems. His laboratory investigates transcription factor networks (especially GATA factors), signaling pathways (WNT, BMP, NODAL), and epigenetic regulation during organ formation.

• Developmental mechanisms of heart formation
• Stem cell differentiation into functional organ systems
• Organoid models for disease research
• Transcriptional and epigenetic regulation during development
• Diabetes pathogenesis and beta cell biology

Analysis of Dr. Evans' recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on using human pluripotent stem cells and organoid models to investigate developmental processes and disease mechanisms. His work increasingly integrates CRISPR-based screening, chemical biology approaches, and advanced imaging techniques to dissect molecular pathways in cardiac and pancreatic development. A notable trend is the application of these models to study viral pathogenesis (particularly SARS-CoV-2) and immune-mediated tissue damage.

Dr. Evans' research has been recognized through substantial federal funding and high-impact publications, with several papers receiving over 100 citations. Notable work includes foundational studies on GATA transcription factors in development and innovative organoid models for studying diabetes and viral infections.

Dr. Evans serves as Principal Investigator on multiple NIH grants, including projects funded by the National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute and the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development. His laboratory has trained numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry. Current research directions include the development of novel organoid systems and the application of chemical biology approaches to manipulate stem cell differentiation.

Dr. Evans leads a multidisciplinary research team that includes developmental biologists, stem cell experts, and computational biologists. His laboratory maintains state-of-the-art facilities for stem cell culture, organoid development, and advanced microscopy, supporting collaborative projects across Weill Cornell Medicine and with external partners.