Vernadeth B. Alarcón

Vernadeth B. Alarcón is an Associate Professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, affiliated with the Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology. Her research focuses on mammalian embryo development, specifically investigating cellular and molecular mechanisms of cell fate decisions and blastocyst morphogenesis.

• Born in: Manila, Philippines
• Education: PhD in Developmental Biology, University of Toronto; Postdoc, Institute for Biogenesis Research, University of Hawaii at Manoa

Her work evaluates developmental toxicants in preimplantation embryos and explores anatomical variations of embryonic remnants in adults. Recent publications highlight the impact of anti-viral drugs (e.g., molnupiravir) on embryo viability and the role of RHO-ROCK, HIPPO, and cell polarity pathways in blastocyst development.

Teaching: Engaged in human embryology, anatomy, and cadaveric dissection. Graduate faculty in the Developmental and Reproductive Biology (DRB) program.