Project: 

Microphysiological Systems for Modeling Autoimmunity in Type 1 Diabetes

►Where are you from originally, and where did you go to school?

I am originally from Illinois. I received my BS degree in Biochemistry at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. I obtained my PhD from UCLA where I studied Ras signaling using yeast as a model system.

►What is your current position?

I am a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics at University of Pennsylvania.
I am also the director of the iPSC Core facility at Penn.

►Why did you decide to become a researcher?

Both of my parents are research biologists and I was heavily influenced by them.

►What is the “Big Picture” of what you study?

I study how stem cells differentiate into specialized cell types and use these differentiated cells to model diseases. One area of interest is using iPSC/hESC derived cells of the endocrine system to study pathogenesis of metabolic diseases. I also direct a stem cell core facility where we generate iPSCs and their differentiated progeny to help other researchers.

►What is your favorite aspect of your research?

To learn about new systems and new biology all the time.

► What do you hope to achieve with your research?

I hope to use these stem cell derived models to screen for drugs and ultimately find treatments for diseases.