Mary Kearns-Jonker

Mary Kearns-Jonker is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology and Human Anatomy at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and serves as Co-Program Director of the Cancer, Developmental and Regenerative Biology PhD program. Her research is centered on regenerative medicine, with a focus on stem cell biology, xenotransplantation, and the impact of microgravity on cardiovascular progenitor cells.

Her research interests span regenerative medicine, stem cell biology, cardiovascular development, and space biomedicine. She investigates how neonatal cardiovascular progenitor cells can be harnessed for cardiac repair, including mechanisms involving YAP1 signaling, extracellular vesicles, and the effects of hypoxia and microgravity. Her lab has pioneered studies on stem cell behavior in space, using the International Space Station to explore how microgravity alters gene expression and functional properties of progenitor cells, with implications for both Earth-based and space-based regenerative therapies.

The recent publication trends highlight a strong focus on cardiac regeneration, microgravity effects, biomaterial scaffolds, and transcriptomic analysis. Her work bridges molecular biology, tissue engineering, and translational medicine, with increasing emphasis on space biomanufacturing and biotechnology.

• Efficient Generation of Integration-Free iPS Cells from Human Adult Peripheral Blood Using BCL-XL Together With Yamanaka Factors (2013)
• Gene therapy to inhibit xenoantibody production using lentiviral vectors in non-human primates (2007)

Dr. Kearns-Jonker has led significant research initiatives, including a project on generating integration-free iPS cells and studies on xenotransplantation immunology. Her work has been supported by research grants related to gene therapy, stem cell transplantation, and spaceflight experiments. She mentors students and researchers in the Cancer, Developmental and Regenerative Biology program and contributes to advancing regenerative therapies for heart failure and organ repair.

Her research team actively explores innovative solutions for end-stage organ failure, combining xenotransplantation strategies with stem cell-based repair. Current efforts include biomanufacturing in low Earth orbit and understanding how spaceflight alters stem cell regenerative potential, positioning her at the forefront of space biomedical research.