SYNTHETIC REGENERATION & SYSTEMS PHYSIOLOGY LABORATORY
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK
Welcome to the SRSP Laboratory!
The Synthetic Regeneration and Systems Physiology Laboratory (SRSPL) launched in 2023 under the directorship of Yvon Woappi, Ph.D.
We investigate how varied mammalian skin cells synchronize their activities to restore damaged tissue. Therefore, we study tissue at systems scale. Toward this goal, we develop 3D skin culture models, gene-editing tools, and systems biology frameworks to understand the molecular and biophysical forces driving distinct cells towards organ repair (physiology) or disease (neoplasia). Our group seeks to leverage this insight to uncover novel treatments for large-scale tissue injuries.
We have three major research interests:
1. Defining the biophysical mediators of wound healing by developing microphysiological systems (MPS) and computational models of mammalian wounds
2. Developing synthetic gene therapies to enhance the regeneration potential of mammalian tissue
3. Characterizing systems-level immunological responses to wounds
Our Research
We are solving one of humanity's oldest queries — how do tissues heal? Our laboratory studies tissue systems regeneration, a systems bioengineering approach that investigates and manipulates the complex cellular heterogeneity of tissue to learn how to enhance its regenerative state.
Wound Physiology
Our research established the human skinoid culture system, which enables spatiotemporal modeling of human tissue reconstruction ex vivo. We are furthering this work by creating microphysiological systems mimicking human wound healing and using these platforms to identify novel therapies for human tissue damage.
Synthetic Regeneration
Our team is motivated to define the molecular events enabling heterogenous cells to orchestrate restoration of damaged tissue. We are developing synthetic biotechnologies coupled with data science frameworks to functionally dissect the role of the tissue “cellulome” in organ maintenance, neoplasia, and wound healing.
Wound Immunogenomics
Important to our work is the understanding of how localized immune cells enable proximal and distal orchestration of tissue stem cells towards healing. Our group employs quantitative systems immunology approaches to uncover novel immune contributions to tissue healing. We leverage this insight to develop synthetic immunosurveillance systems with prophylactic and therapeutic potentials for patients.
Computational Wound Physiology
Our work aims to define the molecular programs required to achieve mammalian tissue regeneration. We employ machine learning-powered gene identification tools validated by high-throughput interventional functional genomics to pinpoint the causal combinatorial changes necessary to promote wound regeneration.
"We choose to [go to the moon], not because it is easy, but because it is hard, because this goal serves to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone". - JFK, 1961
Our Team
Yvon L. Woappi | Curriculum Vitae
Director, Synthetic Regeneration and Systems Physiology Laboratory
Herbert and Florence Irving Assistant Professor
Department of Physiology & Cellular Biophysics | Department of Dermatology | Department of Biomedical Engineering
Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
Fun fact:
I was nearly born a triplet, but missed it by 1 year, 5 months, and 18 days.
Favorite quote:
“When you rise to the summit of a mango tree, those on the ground should taste ripe fruit”. – African Proverb
Favorite book: L’Affaire Caïus by Henry Winterfeld
Jonathan Chin Cheong
BS, Cornell University | Biology
PhD student, Integrated Program in Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Studies at Columbia University
Favorite quote: “Make a difference about something other than yourselves” -Toni Morrison
Team: Wound genomics
Dreyton Amador
BS, Columbia University | Biomedical Engineering
Research Assistant
Fun fact: I am named after Drayton Valley, a small town in Alberta, Canada. A place that I have never been nor wish to go.
Favorite quote: “We won’t be distracted by comparison if we are captivated with purpose” -Bob Goff
Team: Wound genomics
Simon Van Deursen
BS, Wesleyan University | Molecular Biology & Biochemistry
PHD student, Integrated Program in Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Studies at Columbia University
Fun fact: I can play the ukelele!
Favorite book: Dune by Frank Herbert
Team: Immunodynamics
Shannon Hiner
BS, Rutgers University | Biotechnology
PHD student, Integrated Program in Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Studies at Columbia University
Fun fact: I am the middle child in my family.
Favorite book: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Team: Immunodynamics
Zahra Ansari, DVM
University of Tehran | Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Postdoctoral Fellow in Biomolecular Engineering, Columbia University
Fun fact: I have a special bond with my mom, we share the same birthday!
Favorite book: “The Fall” by Albert Camus
Team: Synthetic biology
Pooja Pathak, MS2
BA, Texas A&M University | English Literature
MD student, Texas A&M University
Fun fact: I lived in Spain with a host family during undergrad!
Favorite quote: “It’s only after we’ve lost everything that we’re free to do anything.”
Favorite book: East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Team: Immunodynamics
Eva Chen
BS, Arizona State University | Biochemistry
PHD student, Integrated Program in Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Studies at Columbia University
Fun fact: I can wiggle both of my ears.
Favorite quote: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”.
Favorite book: Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren.
Team: Synthetic biology
Past members
Sierra Ball
BS, Pepperdine University | Biology
PHD student, Program in Genetics and Development at Columbia University
Fun fact: I share the same birthday as my mom.
Favorite quote: “Never leave till tomorrow that which you can do today”.
Team: Synthetic biology
Jose Pomarino Nima
BS, Columbia University | Biomedical Engineering
MS student, Biomedical Engineering at Columbia University
Fun fact: I speak 5 languages.
Favorite book: “Never be so polite, you forget your power. Never wield such power, you forget to be polite” – Taylor Swift
Team: Computational physiology
Emely Tejeda, MS3
BS, Stony Brook University | MS, Columbia University
MD student, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Research Assistant
Favorite quote: “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose” -Dr. Seuss
Team: Synthetic biology
David Agbato
BS/MD, CUNY | Biomedical Sciences
Research Assistant
Fun fact:
Favorite book: Things Fall Apart – Gorgeous by Chinua Achebe
Team: Synthetic biology
Britney Forsyth
BS, Pennsylvania State University | Biomedical Engineering and Mathematics
MS student, Biomedical Engineering at Columbia University
Fun fact: “Too much joy, I swear, is lost in our desperation to keep it.” – Ocean Vuong
Favorite book: On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
Team: Computational physiology
Aiyana Monae
BS, SUNY | Biochemistry and Anthropology
PHD rotation student, Physiology and Cellular Biophysics at Columbia University
Fun fact: A podcast I like is Ologies with Alie Ward, perfect for learning about obscure sciences
Last book: Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Team: Synthetic biology
Wannesha McKennedy
MS, Morehouse School of Medicine | Biotechnology
Research Assistant
Favorite quote: “Comparison is the thief of joy” – Theodore Roosevelt
Team: Immunodynamics
Zohreh Ranjbar
MS, QIAU | Information Technology Engineering
Research Assistant
Favorite book: The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak. It is about Maulana Jalal-Ud-Din, known as Rumi, and his companion Shams
Tabrizi. This book explains how Shams transformed a scholar into a Sufi
(mystic) through love.
Favorite quote: “The goal is to turn data into information, and information into insight”
Team: Computational physiology
Akonam “Olivia” Anakwe
Columbia University | Post Baccalaureate
Research Asssistant
Fun fact:
Favorite quote: “Just take a chance”
Team: Wound genomics
Official lab snack | Curriculum Vitae
The chocolate chip cookie
Fun fact:
I was invented in the U.S by Ruth Wakefield in Whitman, MA
Favorite quote:
“Yummy”