My background
I have a PhD in Animal Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences. My graduate work examined the processes that multipotent cells undertake to become organs. My undergraduate studies in Animal Science brought me to question the systems of modern agriculture.
My interests
Food for the growing human population is vital, so is the health of our planet. Until now, these two needs have been at odds. Cellular agriculture is a strategy to ensure that we can thrive, without the costs to our environment and animal welfare that industrial agriculture pose.
My work
I am a developmental biologist. I have an extensive understanding of the programs that multipotent cells execute to become differentiated tissues. Cellular interactions are vital to development; in vivo, naïve tissue is programmed by signals from neighboring cells as they pass by in the growing organism. These interactions are applicable to development in vitro, as carefully timed signaling is essential for differentiation and growth.