Laura Perin, PhD
Dr. Laura Perin is Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Surgery at CHLA and Associate Professor at CHLA, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California. Dr Perin obtained a Master’s in Biological Sciences at the University of Padova, and a Ph.D. in Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering at the Harvard School of Medicine. Dr. Perin’s research focuses on studying the mechanisms that regulate kidney damage, with specific attention to glomerular injuries. Dr Perin uses different regenerative approaches including extracellular vesicles, stem cells, organ-on-a-chip technology, and development biology to understand the molecular mechanisms that modulate renal regeneration. Dr. Perin has received many intramural and extramural awards and has published more than 70 articles in the field of renal regeneration.
Department: Department of Surgery
Division: Urology
Research Focus: Mechanisms that regulate kidney damage and kidney cancer
Valentina Villani, PhD
I received a MS in Molecular Biology at the University of Padova and joined the GOFARR lab during my PhD, working on stem cell application and regenerative medicine. My research focuses on studying dietary intervention, specifically a fasting-mimicking diet, to treat kidney disease and promote regeneration. Another main area of interest is diabetes and pancreas regeneration. I have worked on the characterization of human pancreatic progenitors with the goal of understanding the mechanisms involved in their development and translating the information to study in vitro differentiation of beta cells. I am also actively involved as laboratory manager.
Xiogang Hou, PhD
I am interested in cell cycle phases changes of podocyte, endothelial cells and mesangial cells in the aging kidney.
Paola Aguiari
My main research interest is the role of microRNAs in glomerular disease progression. I also study skeletal muscle regeneration during hypothyroidism.
Charmi Dedhia, MS
My main research focuses on studying therapeutic role of extracellular vesicles derived from amniotic fluid stem cells in chronic kidney diseases. In my free time, I like to hike with my dog.
