Research Faculty | Developmental Biology

Bruce J. Aronow, PhD Co-director, Computational Medicine Center

Bruce J. Aronow, PhD, works toward unraveling both the role and mechanism by which the functional capabilities of the human genome shape human health and our ability to adapt to stressful challenges. The lab’s current research focus is to find or support efforts to solve problems relevant to genomic medicine by developing, both independently and collaboratively, new algorithms, tools and methodologies in translational bioinformatics.
Visit the Aronow/Jegga Lab.

513-636-0263 bruce.aronow@cchmc.org

Samantha A. Brugmann, PhD Member, Division of Plastic Surgery

Samantha A. Brugmann, PhD, is a developmental biologist who aims to understand craniofacial development and elucidate the molecular basis for diseases that affect the craniofacial complex. Furthermore, Dr. Brugmann attempts to understand the forces that help pattern the face during normal and abnormal development she utilizes various model systems with unique facial morphologies.

Visit the Brugmann Lab.

513-636-1599 samantha.brugmann@cchmc.org

Kenneth J. Campbell, PhD

Kenneth J. Campbell, PhD, studies the molecular genetic control of mouse forebrain development with a particular focus on the generation of neuronal diversity in the ventral telencephalon.

513-636-0246 kenneth.campbell@cchmc.org

Cristina Cebrian, PhD

The kidneys originate in the embryo as the result of reciprocal inductive interactions between the ureteric bud epithelia and the metanephric mesenchyme. The ureteric bud branches repetitively in response to signals from the mesenchyme to give rise to the renal collecting system. Simultaneously, the mesenchyme aggregates around the ureteric bud tips and differentiates into the nephron epithelia. Over a dozen differentiated cell types arise from the seemingly homogeneous metanephric mesenchyme. The overarching goals of the Cebrian lab are to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive nephron differentiation during embryonic development, and to study the impact of developmental defects on kidney structure and function in the adult.

513-803-0470 cristina.cebrian@cchmc.org

Sang-Wook Cha, PhD

Sang-Wook Cha, PhD, investigates how Wnt/Planar Cell Polarity (PCP) signaling between lateral plate mesoderm (LPM) and endoderm regulates apicobasal polarity (ABP) of intestinal epithelium and controls radial-intercalation and gut elongation. Dr. Cha uses both amphibian and mouse/human organoids as the model systems.

513-803-3014 sang-wook.cha@cchmc.org

Roger Cornwall, MD Pediatric Hand Surgeon

Roger Cornwall, MD, investigates the neurological control of postnatal muscle growth and development. The goal of his research is to identify novel physiological treatments for pediatric neuromuscular contractures.

Visit the Cornwall Lab.

513-636-7319 roger.cornwall@cchmc.org

Steven A. Crone, PhD

Steven A. Crone, PhD, focuses his research around understanding how neurons form functioning motor circuits during development and how the function (or dysfunction) of motor circuits impacts neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy.
Visit the Crone Lab.

513-803-9275 steven.crone@cchmc.org

Tony J. De Falco, PhD

Tony J. De Falco, PhD, has basic research programs in gonad differentiation and homeostasis. His lab investigates how the initially undifferentiated gonad primordium transforms into a testis or ovary, as well as how the adult testis maintains sperm production over a long reproductive lifespan. His specific interests are in the novel and diverse roles of myeloid immune cells in reproductive biology.

Visit the De Falco Lab.

513-803-3988 tony.defalco@cchmc.org

Prasad Devarajan, MD Director, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension

Prasad Devarajan, MD, researches acute kidney injury mechanisms, biomarkers and novel therapies. He also studies focal segmental glomerulosclerosis pathogenesis and biomarkers; and lupus nephritis molecular pathways and biomarkers. For each condition, his team employs an integrated approach of genomic and proteomic discovery in animal and human models, followed by translation, and validation in the human disease states.
Visit the Devarajan Lab.

513-636-4531 prasad.devarajan@cchmc.org

Sudhansu K. Dey, PhD Lova Riekert Chair, Cancer and Cell Biology

SK Dey, PhD, investigates the paracrine, autocrine and juxtacrine signaling networks that influence uterine biology in the context of embryo-uterine interactions during pregnancy. He also works on the effects of endocannabinoids on periimplantation events. Studies involving the molecular and genetic regulation of epithelial ovarian cancer and uterine carcinoma are also of interest.
Visit the Dey Lab.

513-803-1158 sk.dey@cchmc.org

Brian Gebelein, PhD

Brian Gebelein, PhD, studies how the Hox genes specify distinct cell fates within the nervous system using the fruit fly as a model organism. His long-term goal is to use a combination of genetic and biochemical approaches to understand how Hox factors interact with neuronal transcription factors to regulate downstream target genes that pattern the nervous system and ultimately control cellular function and behavior.
Visit the Gebelein Lab.

513-636-3366 brian.gebelein@cchmc.org

Rashmi S. Hegde, PhD

Rashmi S. Hegde, PhD, studies molecular mechanisms involved in embryonic organ development and how the aberrant functioning of these processes can lead to developmental disorders as well as adult disease states such as cancer. This knowledge is then utilized in the rational design of therapeutic strategies. We use a variety of experimental techniques including biochemistry, cell biology and structural biology.
Visit the Hedge Lab.

513-636-5947 rashmi.hegde@cchmc.org

Stacey S. Huppert, PhD

Stacey S. Huppert, PhD, investigates the cellular contribution and molecular factors required for assembly of the three-dimensional hepatic architecture, during liver development, homeostasis and regeneration. Defining the critical elements involved in formation and repair processes of the liver are necessary not only to understand biology, but also to identify the cellular and molecular targets involved in congenital and chronic liver diseases.

Visit the Huppert Lab.

513-803-3871 stacey.huppert@cchmc.org

Makiko Iwafuchi-Doi, PhD

Makiko Iwafuchi-Doi, PhD, is keen to reveal chromatin regulatory principles underlying dramatic cell fate changing events that occur in embryonic development, tissue repair (physiological reprogramming), and diseases, and ultimately to utilize this knowledge to precisely engineer cell fates.

513-636-0882 makiko.doi@cchmc.org

Rulang Jiang, PhD Member, Division of Developmental Biology

Rulang Jiang, PhD, is a mouse geneticist directing programs in craniofacial development and musculoskeletal disease research. His lab generates and uses mutant mouse models to investigate the genetic and developmental mechanisms of craniofacial birth defects, including cleft lip, cleft palate, frontonasal malformation, micrognathia, and dental anomalies. Other ongoing projects investigate the genetic control of tendon development and homeostasis, and mechanisms of heterotopic ossification.

Visit the Jiang Lab.

513-636-3212 rulang.jiang@cchmc.org

Vladimir V. Kalinichenko, MD, PhD

Vladimir V. Kalinichenko, MD, PhD, is investigating the transcriptional regulation of epithelial and endothelial cell functions during lung embryonic development and lung carcinogenesis. He studies the winged helix/forkhead box (Fox) proteins and their role in regulating cell signaling pathways required for cellular proliferation, differentiation, motility and survival, ultimately identifying novel mechanisms that cause human lung malformations and promote lung cancer formation.

Visit the Kalinichenko Lab.

513-636-4822 vladimir.kalinichenko@cchmc.org

J. Matthew Kofron, PhD Director, Confocal Imaging Core

513-803-9055 matthew.kofron@cchmc.org

Raphael Kopan, PhD Director, Division of Developmental Biology

Raphael Kopan, PhD, and his lab have the long-term goal of organogenesis in vitro. They focus their efforts on Notch signaling as their lead into mechanistic understanding of tissue diversity using genetic engineering, embryology and single cell profiling. They interrogate the mouse embryo to address critical questions regarding the circuit logic of Notch signaling in mammalian organogenesis and its integration in larger signaling context.

Visit the Kopan Lab.

513-636-1299

Yu Lan, PhD Member, Division of Plastic Surgery

Yu Lan, PhD, is interested in understanding the genetic basis and developmental mechanisms of structural birth defects. Specifically, Dr. Lan investigates the molecular pathways governing normal palate development in laboratory mice. Her ongoing investigations focus on delineating the molecular pathways involving these factors in palate development using a combination of genetic, embryological, and biochemical approaches.

Visit the Lan Lab.

513-803-7842 yu.lan@cchmc.org

Richard A. Lang, PhD Director, Visual Systems Group

Richard A. Lang, PhD, has two major research interests. First, the lab is interested in mechanisms of signaling and morphogenesis in early eye development. Second, they investigate the role macrophages play in regulating vascularity during development and homeostasis.
Visit the Lang Lab.

513-636-2700 richard.lang@cchmc.org

Xinhua Lin, PhD

Xinhua Lin, PhD, is interested in cell-cell signaling mechanisms that control tissue patterning during development. His lab focuses on the role of heparan sulfate proteoglycans in morphogen distribution and signaling. The Lin Lab also studies the molecular mechanisms of Wnt signaling in development.

513-636-2144 xinhua.lin@cchmc.org

Qing Richard Lu, PhD Beatrice C. Lampkin Endowed Chair in Cancer Epigenetics

Qing Richard Lu, PhD, and his lab study the transcriptional and signaling regulatory networks that control gliogenesis (oligodendrocyte, astrocyte and Schwann cell), brain cancer stem/initiating cell growth and myelinogenesis. Dr. Lu lab utilizes transgenic and gene targeting mouse models to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying demyelinating diseases and brain tumorigenesis and to develop new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases and brain cancers.

Visit the Lu Lab.

513-636-7684 richard.lu@cchmc.org

Christopher N. Mayhew, PhD Co-Director, Pluripotent Stem Cell Facility

Christopher N. Mayhew, PhD, is co-director of the Pluripotent Stem Cell Facility. His lab functions as a core facility providing access for Cincinnati Children's / University of Cincinnati investigators to highly quality controlled human pluripotent stem cells, including human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. In addition, the lab provides training in the culture and manipulation of human pluripotent stem cells to investigators.

513-636-3744 christopher.mayhew@cchmc.org

Masato Nakafuku, MD, PhD Ohio Eminent Scholar

Masato Nakafuku, MD, PhD, is focused on the development and regeneration of the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). He is seeking to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying normal development of the CNS and is also interested in applying advancement of knowledge on neural development for developing novel therapeutic strategies to cure neurological diseases.
Visit the Nakafuku Lab.

513-636-9389 masato.nakafuku@cchmc.org

Takahisa Nakamura, PhD

Takahisa Nakamura, PhD, research goal is to address questions concerning why and how inflammatory responses are initiated, coordinated, and thus involved in the development of obesity-induced metabolic diseases.

Visit the Nakamura Lab.

513-636-4744 takahisa.nakamura@cchmc.org

Satoshi H. Namekawa, PhD

Satoshi H. Namekawa, PhD, examines the mechanisms and evolution of epigenetic events during mammalian reproduction, using a male germ cell model.
Visit the Namekawa Lab.

513-803-1377 satoshi.namekawa@cchmc.org

Ertugrul M. Ozbudak, PhD

Ertugrul M. Ozbudak, PhD, aspires to achieve a systems-level understanding of robust spatiotemporal pattern formation (e.g. rhythmic segmentation of somites) and cell fate determination by integrating quantitative experiments with computational modeling. These efforts aim to provide a mechanistic understanding of congenital diseases.

513-803-2607 ertugrul.ozbudak@cchmc.org

Joo-Seop Park, PhD

Joo-Seop Park, PhD, is interested in understanding how progenitor cells maintain their multi-potent status and how they differentiate into different types of cells during organogenesis of the mammalian kidney and bladder. His lab studies transcriptional and epigenetic controls of cis-regulatory modules that act downstream of various signaling pathways.

Visit the Park Lab.

513-803-7871 pedsurology@cchmc.org

S. Steven Potter, PhD

S. Steven Potter, PhD, is interested in kidney and craniofacial development and disease. He uses a combination of laser capture microdissection, microarrays, and next generation sequencing, applied to both mouse models and human biopsy disease samples.
Visit the Potter Lab.

513-636-4850 steve.potter@cchmc.org

Juan Sanchez Gurmaches, PhD

The long-term objective of their research program is to elucidate the developmental and metabolic mechanisms that control adipocyte functions. They are currently working on (1) the developmental and metabolic basis of adipocyte heterogeneity; (2) how metabolic and signaling pathways impact adipose tissue distribution and function; (3) the genetic diversity of lipodystrophy disorders to obtain new insights into adipose tissue biology.

513-636-4001 juan.sanchezgurmaches@cchmc.org

Rolf W. Stottmann, PhD

Rolf W. Stottmann, PhD, is a developmental geneticist with an interest in using animal models to understand the genetic basis of human congenital defects. His lab is using both forward and reverse genetics to identify novel loci required for normal development. Further studies are then done to study the underlying molecular mechanism(s) leading to the defect. Specific areas of interest are cortical neuron development and craniofacial genetics.
Visit the Stottmann Lab.

513-636-7136 rolf.stottmann@cchmc.org

Saulius Sumanas, PhD

Saulius Sumanas, PhD, utilizes zebrafish as a model system to study molecular mechanisms of the embryonic vasculature formation.
Visit the Sumanas Lab.

513-803-0435 saulius.sumanas@cchmc.org

Takanori Takebe, MD

Takanori Takebe, MD, investigates: 1. The deductive development of a complex human organoid model, 2. The multidisciplinary dissection of self-driven mechanisms of organogenesis and 3 The technology prototyping towards drug discovery/transplant applications. Though these efforts, Takebe lab aims to contribute to human health by establishing new therapies especially for treating pediatric intractable disease.

Visit the Takebe Lab and Visit the Takebe Lab at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

513-803-7807 takanori.takebe@cchmc.org

Joshua S. Waxman, PhD

Joshua S. Waxman, PhD, uses genetic, molecular and cellular biological techniques to understand the underlying mechanisms of congenital heart defects and cardiomyocyte formation during development.
Visit the Waxman Lab.

513-636-7232 joshua.waxman@cchmc.org

Matthew T. Weirauch, PhD

Matthew T. Weirauch, PhD, is a computational biologist. His lab seeks to understand the mechanisms of gene transcriptional regulation. Current projects focus on characterizing transcription factor binding specificities, and developing methods for modeling their interactions with DNA, both in vitro and in vivo. His lab applies insights from basic research on transcription factor-DNA interactions to study the mechanisms underlying complex diseases.

Visit the Weirauch Lab.

513-803-9078 matthew.weirauch@cchmc.org

James M. Wells, PhD Director for Research, Division of Endocrinology

Jim Wells, PhD, is focused on development of gastrointestinal and endocrine organs and how they maintain systemic metabolic homeostasis postnatally. Researchers in the Wells lab have also pioneered approaches to differentiate human pluripotent stem cells into gastrointestinal (GI) tissue organoids of the stomach, intestine, and colon. Organoids are being used to study endocrine control of metabolism, congenital defects of the digestive tract, and genetic forms of diabetes that affect patients in the center. Moreover, Dr. Wells and colleagues are using organoids as a basis for tissue engineering efforts to generate functional tissues for transplantation.
Visit the Wells Lab or learn more about CuSTOM.

513-636-8767 james.wells@cchmc.org

Jeffrey A. Whitsett, MD Co-Director, Perinatal Institute

Jeffrey A. Whitsett, MD, is internationally known for his research in pulmonary medicine, as well as for his clinical expertise in neonatology. Dr. Whitsett has made a series for groundbreaking contributions to pulmonary medicine. His major pioneering work has been on surfactant proteins A, B, C, and D, cloning their genes, and clarifying their roles in lung development.
Visit the Whitsett Lab.

513-803-2790 jeffrey.whitsett@cchmc.org

Chunyue Yin, PhD

Chunyue Yin, PhD, studies the cellular and molecular basis of liver development and disease pathogenesis. She focuses on hepatic stellate cells, the key cell type responsible for hepatic fibrogenesis. She utilizes the zebrafish model to investigate the regulation of hepatic stellate cells during liver development and alcoholic liver injury, and their function in liver regeneration. Research in congenital biliary diseases is a second lab focus.

Visit the Yin Lab.

513-803-8096 chunyue.yin@cchmc.org

Amanda L. Zacharias, PhD

Amanda L. Zacharias, PhD, studies how gene expression is regulated by signaling pathways during embryonic development. The goal of her research is to understand how the combination of transcription factors and chromatin states unique to each cell are integrated by its genome to activate distinct targets via the same signaling pathway. Her laboratory uses the nematode, C. elegans, as a model system and measures gene expression in all embryonic cells using a quantitative time-lapse imaging approach.

513-636-2308 amanda.zacharias@cchmc.org

Aaron M. Zorn, PhD Perinatal Institute Endowed Research Chair

The Zorn lab investigates the cell signaling programs that control embryonic development of the digestive and respiratory system using a combination of animal models, human pluripotent stem cell-derived organoids and cutting-edge genomics. Current studies focus on the mechanisms of Wnt signaling in endoderm development and on elucidating the origins of trachea-esophageal birth defects.
Visit the Zorn Lab or learn more about CuSTOM.

513-636-3770 aaron.zorn@cchmc.org