Shin-Ichiro Imai, MD, PhD, and Alessia Grozio, PhD, study in the lab.

Current research

Our research is highly diverse and includes topics ranging from embryogenesis, cell reprogramming and organogenesis to aging and stem cell engineering.

Our ongoing and future work will focus on new and emerging areas of developmental biology, such as epigenetics and genomics. 

Model systems

We house one of the largest zebrafish facilities in the world. Along with zebrafish (D. rerio), we study several other model systems, including the fruit fly (D. melanogaster)nematode (C. elegansand mouse (M. musculus), as well as tissue culture systems and embryonic stem cells.

Upcoming events



Latest news

Lila Solnica-Krezel, PhD, has received a new National Institute of General Medical Sciences Award

Lila Solnica-Krezel, PhD, has received a new National Institute of General Medical Sciences Award

Congratulations to Dr. Solnica-Krezel! Lila Solnica-Krezel, Ph.D., Alan A and Edith L Wolff Distinguished Professor of Developmental Biology, has received a five-year competing continuation award from The National Institute of General Medical Sciences starting June 1, 2026, for her project entitled “Inductive and morphogenetic processes shaping the zebrafish embryonic axes.”
Liz Pollina, PhD, has received a new Hope Center Pilot Project Award

Liz Pollina, PhD, has received a new Hope Center Pilot Project Award

Congratulations to Dr. Liz Pollina! Elizabeth Pollina, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Developmental Biology, and Sarah Ackerman, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pathology & Immunology, have received a one-year grant award from The Hope Center starting March 1, 2026, for their project entitled “Activity-Dependent Genome Control Mechanisms in Astrocyte Longevity.”
Contratulations to Dr. Dave Ornitz!

Contratulations to Dr. Dave Ornitz!

Dave Ornitz, MD, PhD, Alumni Endowed Professor in Developmental Biology, has received the Henry Gray Scientific Achievement Award from the American Association for Anatomy. This is their highest scientific honor that recognizes “unique and meritorious contributions to and achievements in anatomical sciences by a distinguished AAA member.”