Raquel Espin Palazon

Raquel Espin Palazon is an Assistant Professor at Iowa State University (ISU), focusing on regenerative medicine and blood disorder research. Her work employs zebrafish models to study blood formation mechanisms during embryonic development, with translational applications to human health through in vitro studies and bioinformatics. She emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and contributes to ISU's commitment to excellence in Biology education.

Education:

• B.S. Biology, University of Murcia, Spain
• M.S. Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Murcia, Spain
• Ph.D. Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Murcia, Spain

Research Interests: Her lab investigates hematopoietic stem cell emergence, inflammatory signaling, and vascular biology. Key topics include the role of proinflammatory cytokines in blood formation, TNF-alpha pathways in immunity, and zebrafish as a model for understanding blood disorders like myelodysplasia and leukemia. Techniques include single-cell analysis, bioinformatics, and in vivo imaging.

Publications: Recent work highlights contributions to understanding lineage conversion, Wnt signaling in stem cell development, and Gata2b’s role in hemogenic endothelium. Her studies bridge basic science and clinical applications, emphasizing translational outcomes.

Grants and Training: While specific grants are not listed, her research is supported by institutional and collaborative funding. She mentors students in experimental and computational biology, fostering the next generation of scientists.

Labs/Teams: Her lab (Espin Lab) integrates molecular, cellular, and computational approaches. Collaborations with peers at ISU and beyond drive innovation in regenerative medicine and developmental biology.