April Dawn Pyle

April Dawn Pyle is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). She specializes in stem cell biology, regenerative medicine, and gene editing (CRISPR/Cas9), with a focus on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and developmental myogenesis.

• Alfred E Mann Family Foundation Research Award (2022)
• George and Nouhad Ayoub Centennial Chair for Life Science Innovation (2020-Present)
• Ablon Faculty Award (2018-2021)
• Life Sciences Faculty Research Excellence Award (2016)
• Rose Hills Foundation Scholar (2015)

Her research explores skeletal muscle regeneration, stem cell differentiation, and single-cell transcriptomics in myogenesis. She investigates CRISPR-based therapies and systemic delivery of muscle progenitor cells, particularly in dystrophic models.

Recent publications highlight her work on neuroinvasion mechanisms, PAX7+ stem cell niches, and 3D modeling of muscle development. Her articles integrate molecular genetics, bioengineering, and clinical translation.

Dr. Pyle leads the Pyle Lab at UCLA, which focuses on human pluripotent stem cell applications in regenerative medicine and muscular disease research.