Laertis Ikonomou

Laertis Ikonomou is an Associate Professor in the Department of Oral Biology at the School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo, where he has been tenured since 2024. He also holds affiliated faculty positions in Chemical and Biological Engineering and Biomedical Engineering at UB, reflecting his interdisciplinary research. Previously, he served as Assistant Professor at Boston University School of Medicine and held adjunct roles in biomedical engineering.

• PhD in Biochemical Engineering, Universite Catholique de Louvain (2002)
• BS in Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (1995)

His research lies at the intersection of developmental biology, stem cell biology, and regenerative medicine, with a focus on lung and thyroid development. He investigates gene regulatory networks in early epithelial cell fate decisions using pluripotent stem cell models. His work has significant implications for bioengineering functional tissues and understanding congenital disorders.

His recent publications reveal a strong trend in stem cell differentiation, organoid development, and the ethical and regulatory challenges of cell and gene therapies. He has contributed to high-impact journals such as Nature Communications, Cell Stem Cell, and Stem Cell Reports, often addressing both technical advances and policy implications in regenerative medicine.

• Experimental Biology and Medicine (EBM), Outstanding Reviewer Award (2021)
• Evans Junior Faculty Research Merit Award (2015)
• BU candidate for the Pew Scholars Program in Biomedical Sciences (2013)
• 1st place in University entrance exam (Chemical Engineering) (1989)

Dr. Ikonomou has served as Principal Investigator on an NIH-funded project (2023–2027) studying gene regulatory networks in lung development. He is actively involved in mentoring graduate students and serves on multiple committees, including as Co-Chair of the Student Research and Honors Committee at UB. He also reviews for major funding agencies including NIH, NSF, and the Swiss National Science Foundation.

He is a member of numerous professional societies, including the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT), the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR), and the American Thoracic Society (ATS). He has organized sessions and served on panels discussing ethical issues in stem cell therapies and patient protection from unproven interventions.