Past Research

My research has focused on understanding fundamental principles of developmental biology, specifically related to understanding cell fate decision making and self-organization.

Postdoctoral Research

As a postdoctoral researcher, I developed human paraxial mesoderm organoids (somitoids) that mimic somite formation in vitro. This work established the first experimental system to study vertebrate segmentation in humans, offering insights into human development and potential mechanisms underlying vertebral malformations.

PhD Research

In my PhD work, I explored how progenitor cells in the mammalian foregut interpret and integrate FGF, BMP, and Wnt signaling to specify the respiratory lineage. Using a combination of in vitro chemical genetics, in vivo spatio-temporally controlled genetic perturbations, and live imaging, I obtained single-cell, time-resolved data to build mathematical models that provided mechanistic insights into this process.

Undergraduate Research

During my Bachelor’s thesis, I utilized high-throughput RNAi screening combined with high-content microscopy to functionally analyze genes involved in genomic integrity and the DNA damage response (DDR). By categorizing unknown genes into functional modules based on phenotypic profiles, I demonstrated the power of automated quantitative analysis for gene annotation.

Together, these projects highlight my interdisciplinary approach to uncovering the principles of cell fate decision-making using cutting-edge experimental techniques and quantitative analysis. Further details about each project can be found through the links below.