My research interests focus on understanding how stem cell regulation maintains tissue homeostasis and how disruptions in these processes contribute to disease and cancer initiation. I am especially interested in using organoid and organoid-on-chip systems as physiologically relevant models to investigate the mechanisms that govern stem cell balance, differentiation, and tissue regeneration. Advances in stem cell biology and tissue engineering have enabled the development of organoid models that recapitulate key structural and functional features of human tissues. When combined with microengineered organ-on-chip platforms, these systems provide precise control over the cellular, biochemical, and mechanical microenvironment. Such models make it possible to study how factors such as signaling pathways, metabolic states, and physical forces influence stem cell behavior in ways that are difficult to capture using conventional cell culture systems. My goal is to leverage organoid-based microphysiological models to investigate how changes in stem cell dynamics contribute to disease progression and tumor development. In particular, I am interested in understanding how disruptions in signaling networks, tissue architecture, or microenvironmental cues alter stem cell fate decisions and create conditions that promote cancer initiation. By integrating patient-derived stem cells with engineered platforms that mimic physiological conditions, these systems can provide powerful tools to study early disease mechanisms in human tissues. Ultimately, I aim to develop advanced organoid and organoid-on-chip technologies to create more predictive models of human biology that bridge engineering and stem cell biology, enabling deeper insight into tissue development, disease mechanisms, and potential therapeutic strategies.
Post-doctoral Fellowship - University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 2023
PhD - University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 2017-2023
