Andrew Schiffmacher

Andrew Schiffmacher is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal & Avian Sciences at the University of Maryland, College Park, within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. His research focuses on embryonic development, particularly the molecular mechanisms governing tissue lineage specification and differentiation in mammary glands and neural crest cells. He holds a Ph.D. in Animal Science from the University of Maryland (2010) and a B.S. in Animal Science from Cornell University (1998).

His research investigates how environmental and nutritional factors impact fetal mammary development, as well as the roles of cadherins and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in embryogenesis. He develops 3D organoid models to study mammary development in livestock and human systems, leveraging molecular, biochemical, and cell culture techniques. Key areas include stem cell biology, pluripotency regulation, and the interplay between genetic and environmental influences on developmental potential.

Dr. Schiffmacher's work bridges fundamental developmental biology with applications in animal production, human health, and cancer research. His lab employs cutting-edge approaches to dissect cellular and molecular pathways in mammary and neural crest development, with recent focus on neural crest stem cell potential and cadherin-mediated EMT processes.

His advising and grant activities are not explicitly detailed here, though his research aligns with broader goals in regenerative medicine and agricultural biotechnology. His lab’s interdisciplinary approach integrates developmental biology, cell biology, and bioengineering to address complex questions in embryology and tissue formation.