- Embryonic development – we use mouse models and human embryonic stem cells to understand how beta cells (that secrete insulin) and other endocrine cells in the islets differentiate, and how the islet acquires its shape.
- Regenerative biology – we use our understanding of the developmental processes to drive the differentiation of pluripotent cells into islets, with the ultimate goal of transplanting them into diabetic patients.
- Immunology – we use methodologies from the field of developmental biology to uncover the progressive events that lead the immune system to launch a directed attack against the islet’s beta cells, and cause diabetes.
Education/ Resume:
2013-2020 Postdoctoral fellow at Harvard’s department of stem cells and regenerative biology, Harvard University
2006-2012 MSc and PhD studies, Alexander Silberman institute of Life Science, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2003-2005 BSc in Biology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
