Biomedical Engineering and Regenerative Surgery

Our lab focuses on bioregenerative surgery, aiming to understand and control the biology of tissue repair and scarring. The continuum between regenerative versus fibrotic repair processes is a complex but critical spectrum that spans many body regions and different diseases. A core aspect of our work is the intersection between tissue repair, aging/senescence and the unique mechanisms of sex hormones (testosterone and estradiol) in driving these processes towards a pro-regenerative or fibrotic state.

Based on the PI’s experience with gender-affirming surgery, we also study how exogenous hormones affect surgical outcomes. We are one of the only groups in the world studying translational and basic science aspects of gender affirming surgery. This also includes clinical research related to gender affirming surgery, studies of quality-of-life, translational research, and methods of improving health.

Our focus on regenerative surgery, surgical engineering and hormonal control of wound healing/scarring underlies our lines of investigation, with ultimate aims of development and translation of new therapeutic approaches to improve patient outcomes.