Awarded in 2007
Home Department: Bioengineering
Faculty Advisors: Joe Wu (Radiology) and Paul Yock (Bioengineering, Mechanical Engineering)
Research Title: Investigating the Cardiac Stem Cell Niche using Genomic, Proteomic and Molecular Imaging Tools
Research Description: Kitchener’s research focused on characterizing human embryonic stem cell differentiation and transplantation, with a specific focus on cardiovascular tissue regeneration. He used genomic and proteomic methodologies such as DNA microarrays and highly sensitive protein arrays to better understand the regulatory networks that govern stem cell behavior as well as in vivo molecular imaging techniques to assess their engraftment in mouse models of disease. Of particular interest was the cardiac stem cell "niche," or microenvironment within heart tissue, that promotes their regenerative capacity.
WHERE IS HE NOW?
Kitchener is the co-founder and CEO of Rosebud Biosciences.