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Amy WagersView profile

Professor

• Stem Cell Biology
• Regenerative Medicine
• Gene Editing
• +5 more

Amy Wagers, Ph.D. , is the Forst Family Professor of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology at Harvard University. She serves as Chair of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCRB), a Harvard College Professor , and holds affiliations with the Joslin Diabetes Center (Senior Investigator) and the Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging at Harvard Medical School. Harvard University, Ph.D. in Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis (1999), Northwestern University Postdoctoral Fellowship, Stanford University School of Medicine (1999-2004), under Dr. Irving Weissman Dr. Wagers' research defines intrinsic and extrinsic regulators of adult blood-forming and muscle-forming stem cells, focusing on their roles in injury repair, degenerative diseases, and malignancy. Her lab pioneered in vivo gene-editing methods using adeno-associated virus (AAV) to target congenital and age-related diseases like Duchenne muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy. Key findings include blood-borne mediators , cellular niches, and inflammatory/metabolic cues that coordinate stem cell functions throughout the body. Her publications (over 150) emphasize age-associated stem cell decline and interventions to reverse age-related dysfunction. Notable articles include 2016 Science and Circulation Research studies on GDF11 and AAV-based gene editing, and a 2019 Cell Reports paper on in situ genome modification. Scientific Awards: 2018 NIH Pioneer Award Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award in Biomedical Sciences Smith Family New Investigator Award Keck Foundation Young Scholars Award Dr. Wagers' lab includes current and former members such as David Anderson (gene therapy for blood disorders), Heyuan Qin (immunology and aging), and Eric Gähwiler (Masters thesis on hematopoietic stem cells). Her team explores cellular reprogramming , marker-based cell sorting, and AAV delivery systems to enhance stem cell therapies.

Gregory VerdineView profile

Professor

• Chemical Biology
• Epigenetics
• DNA Repair
• +5 more

Gregory Verdine is the Erving Professor of Chemistry at Harvard University, with primary appointments in the Departments of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology and Chemistry and Chemical Biology. He is a pioneering figure in chemical biology, DNA repair mechanisms, and therapeutic modality development, particularly known for inventing stapled peptides that target previously "undruggable" proteins. Verdine also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors at WaVe Life Sciences and President/CEO of FogPharma, while maintaining advisory roles at institutions like Memorial Sloan-Kettering Research Institute and National Cancer Institute. Harvard University (Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Chemistry and Chemical Biology) Founder/Co-Founder of 8 biotech companies (Enanta, Gloucester, Tokai, WaVe, Eleven Biotherapeutics, Warp Drive Bio, Aileron, FogPharma) Non-Profit Leadership: Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute and Gloucester Biotechnology Academy Research focuses on chemical biology and genomic stability , with key discoveries in: Molecular mechanisms of epigenetic DNA methylation Genotoxic DNA damage surveillance pathways Design of stapled peptides for protein-protein interaction modulation Applications in oncology (β-catenin, Ras, RAB25 targeting) Advancing nucleotide excision repair systems Antisense oligonucleotide stereochemical optimization His 15 most recent publications (2013-2024) reveal trends in: Covalent enzyme inhibitors Genomic modality discovery Ubiquitin ligase reprogramming Protein structure remodelling Allele-selective genetic therapies DNA lesion recognition mechanisms Awards include the 2024 AACR Award for Excellence in Chemistry in Cancer Research and Nobel Laureate Signature Award . He has translated academic research into clinical applications through multiple FDA-approved drugs (romidepsin, paritaprevir) and currently leads FogPharma's Cell-Penetrating Miniprotein platform. Academic collaborators span Harvard, MIT, and major biomedical research institutions.

• Vertebrate Organ Development
• Genetic Regulatory Networks
• Stem Cell Regeneration
• +3 more

Richard Maas is a Professor at Harvard Medical School affiliated with Brigham and Women's Hospital, leading the Maas Laboratory focused on vertebrate organ development and regeneration. His research spans two primary areas: (1) Systems-based Consortium for Organ Design and Engineering (SysCODE), a $24M NIH-funded initiative for stem cell-based organ regeneration, and (2) mechanistic studies of Pax6 , Hox , and related genes in eye, craniofacial, pancreatic, and kidney development. Key affiliations: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, NIH SysCODE Consortium Research domains: Developmental genetics, gene networks, interdisciplinary regenerative medicine His lab employs experimental embryology, molecular genetics, and computational approaches to unravel evolutionary conserved pathways in organogenesis, with applications to human birth defects. Current projects include regenerating tooth germ, pancreatic islets, and heart valves through multidisciplinary collaboration. Scientific contributions include: Establishing causal roles of genes like ROBO2 , NFIA , and SUMO1 in renal and craniofacial defects Developing iSyTE computational platform for eye gene discovery Characterizing molecular blueprints for tissue engineering through genomic/proteomic integration The lab actively trains students and postdocs through NIH-funded interdisciplinary programs, with a focus on bridging developmental biology and bioengineering.

Fernando CamargoView profile

Professor

• Adult Stem Cell Biology
• Organ Size Regulation
• Cancer Biology
• +5 more

Fernando Camargo, Ph.D. , is a Professor of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology at Harvard University and a Principal Faculty member of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute . His lab is based at Children’s Hospital Boston , where he investigates fundamental mechanisms of adult stem cell biology , organ size regulation , and cancer pathogenesis . Education: Ph.D., Baylor College of Medicine (2004) Prior Positions: Whitehead Fellow, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research (2004-2009) Research Interests include: YAP/TAZ signaling in organ growth and regeneration Single-cell lineage tracing to map hematopoietic and intestinal stem cell dynamics Epigenetic barriers to cellular reprogramming Mechanotransduction in intestinal stem cells Crosstalk between Hippo and metabolic pathways (e.g., glutamine/nucleotide synthesis) Stem cell aging and tumor suppression via transcriptional regulators Recent Articles reveal expertise in: 2025: Epigenetic regulation in liver reprogramming 2023: Multimodal single-cell profiling and mechanotransduction in gut stem cells 2022: Aging-dependent transcriptional control in hematopoiesis 2020: In vivo stem cell imaging and Hippo-metabolism integration 2018: Hippo pathway genomic analysis in cancer Scientific Awards: 2009 V Foundation Scholar NIH Director’s New Innovator Award Lab Members include researchers developing innovative technologies for live-cell imaging and CRISPR-based lineage tracing , with clinical translation efforts in bone marrow transplantation and liver disease therapies.

Ya-Chieh HsuView profile

Professor

• Stem Cell Biology
• Regenerative Biology
• Cell-Cell Interactions
• +7 more

Ya-Chieh Hsu is Professor of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology at Harvard University, a Principal Faculty Member at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, and an associate member of the Broad Institute. She leads the Hsu Laboratory, which focuses on understanding the principles and molecular nature of cell-cell interactions governing development, regeneration, and injury repair using mammalian skin as a model system. Dr. Hsu completed her Ph.D. at Baylor College of Medicine, where she studied pathways controlling organ size using Drosophila as a model. For her postdoctoral research, she worked in Elaine Fuchs' laboratory at the Rockefeller University, where she delineated the lineage hierarchy of hair follicle cells and investigated how signals from stem cell progeny regulate hair follicle stem cells. Dr. Hsu's research centers on stem cell biology with particular emphasis on transit-amplifying cells. Her work has revealed how these cells function as key communicators between stem cells and their niche, coordinating tissue production and regeneration. She discovered that hair follicle transit-amplifying cells secrete Sonic Hedgehog to promote dermal adipocyte precursors to make more adipocytes, enabling coordinated tissue growth during regeneration. Her research has important implications for understanding chemotherapy side effects and developing regenerative therapies. Dr. Hsu's publications demonstrate a consistent focus on stem cell niches and tissue regeneration, with increasing exploration of stress responses, metabolic regulation of stem cells, and neuro-dermal interactions in recent years. She has pioneered approaches to studying cell-cell communication in complex tissue environments, moving from basic developmental biology toward translational applications. Pew Biomedical Scholars Award Smith Family Award for Excellence in Biomedical Research Basil O'Connor Starter Scholar Award Smith Family Foundation Odyssey Award American Cancer Society Research Scholar Award Harvard's Roslyn Abramson Award for excellence and sensitivity in undergraduate teaching Dr. Hsu is an active mentor who emphasizes finding compatible team members with an adventurous spirit. She serves as associate director of the Developmental and Regenerative Biology (DRB) program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS) PhD program and participates in multiple PhD programs across Harvard. Her teaching includes courses such as 'From Cells to Tissues, in Sickness and in Health' and 'Critical Analysis and Experimental Approaches in Developmental Biology,' where she emphasizes primary literature and hands-on laboratory experiences. The Hsu Laboratory, established in 2014, has grown from an initially empty space into a thriving research environment. Dr. Hsu emphasizes that the first group of lab members set the tone for the lab culture and helped her become a better mentor. The lab takes a multidisciplinary approach, combining genetic, molecular, and imaging techniques to study the mammalian skin system with its diverse cell types and multiple populations of somatic stem cells.

• Neurodevelopment
• Genetics
• Evolution
• +5 more

Valerie Tornini is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology and the Institute for Society and Genetics within the College of Letters and Science at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Her research bridges fundamental biological mechanisms with ethical frameworks to address developmental and regenerative biology. Education: Not explicitly stated in the text. Research Interests Dr. Tornini focuses on understanding molecular mechanisms governing cell identity and chromatin regulation in vertebrate development, particularly neural systems. Her work explores micropeptides encoded by long non-coding RNAs and their role in neurodevelopment , regeneration , and evolutionary innovation . She also investigates bioethical implications of biomedical research and advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion in science. Publication Trends Her recent publications emphasize zebrafish models to study organ regeneration (heart, bone, fins), micropeptide functions , and genetic networks . Key themes include chromatin accessibility , cell proliferation dynamics , and ethical dimensions of translational research. Labs & Collaborations She leads the Tornini Lab at UCLA, collaborating extensively with researchers like AJ Giraldez and KD Poss . Her team utilizes genome engineering , single-cell technologies , and confocal imaging to decode gene regulatory logic in development.

• Neural Repair
• Stroke Rehabilitation
• Neuroplasticity
• +4 more

Steven C. Cramer, MD, is a Professor of Neurology at the David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He holds the Susan and David Wilstein Endowed Chair in Rehabilitation Medicine and serves as Medical Director of Research at the California Rehabilitation Institute. Dr. Cramer is Co-Principal Investigator for the NIH StrokeNet clinical trials network and holds editorial roles at Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair and Stroke . His research specializes in neural repair following stroke, employing innovative approaches including robotics, cellular therapies, brain stimulation, and telehealth interventions. Key focus areas include: Developing biomarkers for personalized stroke rehabilitation Translational research on neuroplasticity and motor recovery Clinical trials for novel neurorehabilitation technologies His publications predominantly explore neuroimaging biomarkers, vagus nerve stimulation, and rehabilitation efficacy, with consistent emphasis on translating basic neuroscience into clinical applications. Recent works demonstrate increasing focus on AI-driven rehabilitation and precision medicine approaches. Awards & Honors: Barbro B. Johansson Award in Stroke Recovery (2018) American Heart Association Stroke Rehabilitation Award (2017) Susan and David Wilstein Endowed Chair (2020) He leads multiple NIH-funded grants including R01HD095457 (brain-computer interfaces) and U01NS120910 (stroke recovery biomarkers), focusing on large-scale clinical validation. Dr. Cramer directs the UCLA Neural Repair Laboratory, collaborating internationally on neurorecovery consortia like ENIGMA Stroke Recovery.

David J. BaylinkView profile

Professor

• Bone metabolism
• Osteoporosis
• Growth factor biology
• +3 more

David J. Baylink, MD is a Professor at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and School of Dentistry, holding multiple distinguished roles in Regenerative Medicine, Medicine, and Basic Sciences. As Head of the Regenerative Medicine Division, he has led groundbreaking research in bone metabolism and stem cell therapies. Doctor of Medicine, Loma Linda University (1957) Bachelor of Arts, Walla Walla University (1953) Research Interests: His work spans bone biology, focusing on osteoporosis treatment, vitamin D applications in leukemia, and immune-modulating therapies. He has pioneered stem cell and gene therapy approaches for skeletal repair and developed novel strategies for AML treatment by targeting metabolic pathways. Scientific Contributions: Recent publications highlight his team's discoveries in NFκB2 signaling, nutrient-gene therapies for AML, and vitamin D's role in intestinal stem cell regeneration. These studies appear in journals like Genome Biology and International Journal of Molecular Sciences . Patents and Projects: Baylink holds multiple patents for engineered dendritic cells and bone growth compositions. He has received grants from NIH, DoD, and private pharmaceutical companies for clinical trials on osteoporosis and AML therapies.

Alfredo BellonView profile

Associate Professor

• Schizophrenia
• Neuronal Cell Transdifferentiation
• Psychiatric Research
• +5 more

Dr. Alfredo Bellon serves as Associate Professor in both the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health and the Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics at Penn State College of Medicine. He is affiliated with the Division of Adult Inpatient Services at the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute and the Penn State Neuroscience Institute. His educational background includes an MD from Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (2001), Psychiatry Residency at Baylor College of Medicine (2007), and Postdoctoral Fellowship at Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale. His PhD was completed at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Bellon's research focuses on transdifferentiation of human blood monocytes into neuronal-like cells to study schizophrenia pathology. His work examines how neuronal structures from schizophrenia patients respond to dopamine, ketamine, and other compounds. Key research areas include cellular models of mental illness, neurite dynamics, and molecular pathways in psychiatric disorders. His fingerprint analysis reveals strong connections to schizophrenia research (100%), neuronal cells (69%), neurite structure (60%), melatonin pathways (53%), and cell transdifferentiation (40%). His recent publications (2023-2025) show increasing focus on comparative cellular models, cardiovascular comorbidities in schizophrenia, and prolactin monitoring during antipsychotic treatment. The research demonstrates integration across neuroscience, psychiatry, and translational medicine with emphasis on cellular mechanisms and clinical applications. Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (2022) Journal of Psychiatric Practice Resident Paper Award (2006) Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award (2021) Young Minds in Psychiatry Award (2008) Dr. Bellon maintains active research programs supported through Penn State Neuroscience Institute. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being. He has presented at numerous conferences including discussions on schizophrenia mechanisms and patient-derived stem cell applications. His research involves collaboration across neuroscience and psychiatry disciplines with international connections evident in his postdoctoral training.

Helen BateupView profile

Associate Professor

• Neuroscience
• Neurobiology
• Molecular Biology
• +9 more

Helen Bateup is an Associate Professor at the University of California, Berkeley , affiliated with the Department of Molecular Therapeutics. Her research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of neuronal excitability and synaptic modulation , particularly in the context of neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and epilepsy . Using mouse models and human brain organoids , her lab investigates how genetic mutations in mTOR pathway regulators (TSC1/TSC2) impact neural development and circuit function. Education: Postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School with Bernardo Sabatini PhD at Rockefeller University under Paul Greengard Undergraduate research with Douglas Granger at Penn State Research Interests span neurogenetics, synaptic plasticity, and neural circuit dysfunction . Her work bridges molecular biology and behavioral neuroscience , emphasizing the role of mTOR signaling in maintaining neuronal balance and its disruption in diseases. Recent projects include basal ganglia dysfunction in autism, human neuron models of TSC, and astrocyte contributions to epilepsy . Publications highlight her expertise in mTOR pathway analysis, neurodevelopmental modeling, and synaptic regulation , with key contributions to disease mechanisms in autism and epilepsy . Her lab employs multi-omics, electrophysiology, and behavioral assays to dissect these processes. Scientific Awards: UC Berkeley Distinguished Teaching Award Students and Collaborators include MCB and Neuroscience graduate researchers and alumni who have transitioned to roles at institutions like Harvard, UCSF, and the Allen Brain Institute. Her lab is funded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, CIRM, and private foundations .

• Mitochondrial Genetics
• Aging
• Cancer Research
• +3 more

Anna Smith is a researcher at Newcastle University , focusing on the interplay between mitochondrial DNA mutations and their implications in aging, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. Her work spans genetic, metabolic, and cellular mechanisms, with a particular emphasis on mitochondrial dysfunction. Research Interests: Anna’s research bridges Mitochondrial Genetics , Aging , and Neurodegenerative Diseases , exploring how mitochondrial deficiencies drive pathological processes such as stem cell proliferation in cancer and Parkinson’s disease. Her studies often employ advanced imaging and molecular biology techniques to dissect these complex interactions. Recent Publications highlight trends in mitochondrial DNA mutations , OXPHOS complex deficiencies , and metabolic remodeling across aging and disease models. While details about her advising, awards, and departmental affiliations are absent in the scraped text, her contributions to understanding mitochondrial roles in tumorigenesis and neurodegeneration are evident.

• Immunology
• Autoimmune Diseases
• Gene Therapy
• +4 more

Rosa Bacchetta is a Research Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford University, specializing in Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine. She is a member of multiple interdisciplinary institutes, including Bio-X, SPARK at Stanford, and the Maternal & Child Health Research Institute. Key research areas: Immunology, FOXP3 mutations, and IPEX syndrome. Develops curative strategies for autoimmune diseases through gene therapy, CRISPR-based editing, and epigenetic diagnostics. Active in translational medicine, with a focus on regulatory T cells (Tregs) and cellular therapies. Her publications highlight advancements in understanding immune dysregulation, Treg instability, and novel treatments for rare pediatric disorders. She contributes to clinical trials targeting IPEX syndrome and αβ-depleted HSCT.

George McDonald ChurchView profile

Professor

• Genomics
• Proteomics
• Synthetic Biology
• +10 more

George McDonald Church serves as the Robert Winthrop Professor of Genetics within the Department of Genetics at Harvard Medical School (Harvard University). His laboratory operates from the New Research Building (NRB), Room 238D, at 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur in Boston, Massachusetts, with active leadership in genomic technology development and interdisciplinary research initiatives. Church's research spans transformative technologies for reading and writing 3D/4D biological structures, with core focus areas including personal genomics, biofuels, and affordable precision medicine. His lab pioneers next-generation sequencing methods, human cell reprogramming for variant-to-phenotype mapping, microbiome-immune system interface tools, and applications in aging reversal (Rejuvenatebio), de-extinction (Revive & Restore), and space biology. Key projects encompass the Genome Project Write (GPW) for virus-resistant organisms, Daisy Drives for disease control, MICrONs for brain mapping, and atomically-precise 3D bioprinting through GCTx-TFome synthetic morphogenesis. The Church Lab maintains rigorous operational structure with Monday and Thursday hybrid lab meetings (alternating between NRB 350/335), Wyss Synthetic Biology Platform meetings, Genetics Department Seminars, and Data Journal Clubs. Research integrates ethical frameworks across projects including BioWeatherMap pathogen surveillance, Nebula genetic matchmaking, Alzheimer's genomics, and BioAstra space habitat systems, emphasizing safety, equitable access, and cross-disciplinary collaboration in synthetic biology.

Maziar DivangahiView profile

Professor

• Innate and Adaptive Immunity
• Pulmonary Infectious Diseases
• Immunometabolism
• +4 more

Maziar Divangahi is a Senior Scientist at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) and Professor in the Department of Medicine at McGill University's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. He also holds the Strauss Chair in Respiratory Diseases and serves as Associate Director of the McGill International TB Centre. His research focuses on the interplay between innate and adaptive immunity in pulmonary infections like influenza and tuberculosis. Education: BSc in Biology, McMaster University (2000) PhD in Immunology, McGill University (2005) Postdoctoral Fellowships: Infectious Diseases (McMaster, 2007), Innate Immunity (McGill, 2008), Macrophage Death (Harvard, 2010) His work explores host defense mechanisms balancing pathogen elimination with tissue preservation, trained immunity via hematopoietic stem cells, macrophage cell death programs , and metabolic regulation in infections . Recent publications highlight β-glucan's role in reprogramming immunity, BCG vaccine's cross-protection against influenza, and epigenetic rewiring of immune memory. Scientific Recognition: CIHR-CTS Mid-Career Lecturer in Respiratory Sciences (2024) He leads the Divangahi Lab at Meakins-Christie Laboratories, RI-MUHC, mentoring graduate students and postdoctoral fellows while driving translational research in respiratory diseases.

Micah DrummondView profile

Professor

• Aging
• Skeletal Muscle Physiology
• Metabolism
• +7 more

Micah Drummond serves as Professor of Physical Therapy & Athletic Training and Adjunct Professor across Nutrition & Integrative Physiology, Microbiology & Immunology, and Endocrinology & Metabolism at the University of Utah's College of Health. His primary appointment anchors him in the Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, where he directs translational research on aging and muscle physiology. B.S. from California Lutheran University Ph.D. from Brigham Young University Dr. Drummond's research centers on skeletal muscle decline during aging and physical inactivity, investigating cellular mechanisms of muscle growth and metabolic dysfunction. His work pioneers therapeutic interventions—including nutritional compounds, pharmacological agents like metformin, and exercise protocols—to combat sarcopenia, insulin resistance, and inflammation. Key focus areas include immunometabolism, mitochondrial function, lipid signaling (e.g., ceramides), and macrophage-mediated muscle recovery, bridging molecular discoveries with clinical applications for older adults. Recent publications reveal accelerating trends in macrophage immunometabolism as a regrowth target, mitochondrial respiration modulation during disuse, and novel therapeutics (e.g., N-acetylcarnosine, stem cell secretomes) for multi-organ aging. His work increasingly integrates lipid hydroperoxide pathways, cellular senescence, and precision timing of exercise interventions, demonstrating how sedentarism drives metabolic inflexibility and muscle atrophy through pyruvate metabolism suppression. Dr. Drummond leads the Drummond Laboratory, leveraging the Skeletal Muscle Exercise Research Facility (SMERF) for human mobility/strength assessments and collaborating with the Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences for clinical trials. His team employs mechanistic mouse models, bed rest studies in older adults, and molecular techniques to parallel clinical muscle samples with whole-body functional metrics. He actively partners with the Diabetes and Obesity Metabolism Center and Health Sciences investigators to translate findings into therapies for age-related physical decline.