Sarah E Millar, PhD, Principal Investigator

BA, Biochemistry: 1982, Cambridge University
PhD: 1987, Imperial College, London University
Post-doctoral fellowships: 1987-1992, NIDDK/NIH; 1992-1998, Stanford University

I was born in Oxford, England and did my undergraduate degree at Cambridge University, followed by a PhD in David Glover’s group at Imperial College, London University. I trained as a post-doctoral fellow at the NIH in Jurrien Dean’s lab and at Stanford University in Greg Barsh’s lab. While in the Barsh lab I was inspired to start studying skin and hair development by a beautiful review article written by Margaret Hardy and entitled “The Secret Life of the Hair Follicle”. When I started my own lab at the University of Pennsylvania in 1999, I focused mainly on the roles of Wnt signaling in hair follicle development; this was a fortunate choice, as Wnt activation turned out to be the key signal initiating development not just of hair follicles, but also of other ectodermal appendages such as teeth and taste papillae, and is also crucial for controlling stem cell behavior in the skin and other epithelial tissues. In my lab at Mount Sinai, we are continuing to explore the many functions of this pathway in establishing heterogeneity of different skin regions, regulating the spacing of appendages, and controlling stem cell activity. In parallel we are studying transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms that control skin development, stem cells, regeneration and cancer. In an exciting new direction, we are using novel genetically manipulable mouse models to study the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying loss of taste and smell in COVID-19 disease.

Mingang Xu, PhD, Research Assistant Professor

BS Biochemistry: 1999, East China University of Science and Technology
PhD: 2004, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Post-doctoral fellowship: 2009, University of Pennsylvania

My research focuses on molecular mechanisms regulating development, stem cells, and regeneration of the epidermis and its appendages, including hair follicles, fungiform papillae, filiform papillae, sweat glands, and teeth. I am particularly interested in delineating the functions of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling in these processes and understanding how this pathway is dysregulated in skin diseases. I have generated genetic mouse models for the ectodermal dysplasia syndromes Odonto-onycho-dermal dysplasia and Schöpf-Schulz-Passarge syndrome, which helped to reveal the mechanisms of these diseases.

My current projects focus on: (i) mechanisms underlying skin heterogeneity and regeneration; (ii) molecular controls of ectodermal appendage patterning; (iii) mechanisms controlling Merkel cell maintenance and regeneration; (iv) roles of canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling in craniofacial morphogenesis.

Xuming Zhu, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow

BS Biotechnology: 2005, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University
PhD: 2012, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

My research focuses on the functions of canonical and non-canonical Wnt singing and histone deacetylases in skin development, homeostasis, and tumorigenesis. My long-term career goal is to become an independent principal investigator studying the molecular mechanisms regulating cutaneous tissue and organ development, homeostasis, and tumorigenesis In the Millar lab I investigate the role of HDACs in regulating epidermal development and homeostasis.

Alicia Ho, Graduate Student 

BS Human Biology: 2018, UC San Diego

As an undergraduate at UC San Diego, I joined Dr. Eva-Maria Collins’ lab where I studied neurotoxicity and scrunching behavior in planarians, a remarkably regenerative model system. My research interests in translational medicine and regenerative biology brought me to Mount Sinai’s Ph.D. program. I joined the Millar lab in 2020, where my thesis project focuses on skin heterogeneity and hair follicle development and regeneration.

Nyomi Cepeda, Administrative Assistant

I graduated in January 2020 from Strive International where I studied to become a medical administrative assistant. I gained work experience in my internship at Mount Sinai, acquiring many administrative skills. I joined The Black Family Stem Cell Institute in June 2020. I enjoy interacting with the researchers and staff and constantly tackling new projects. These experiences will help me to further my career in the healthcare field.

Jessica Bauza, Administrative Coordinator

I graduated in 2018 from East Stroudsburg University where I studied Business Administration.  Prior to joining Mount Sinai, I gained valuable skills in the workforce that I apply to my current role.   I joined the Black Family Stem Cell Institute in June 2022, where I have the benefit of collaborating with the researchers and staff to gain knowledge and further advance my career in the healthcare system.

Alyssa Ferdinand, Associate Researcher

I received my B.S. in Biotechnology from Rutgers University, where I was a member of the Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience and worked in the lab of Dr. Kelvin Kwan. My undergraduate research focused primarily on promoting the differentiation of iMOPS (immortalized multipotent otic progenitor cells) into inner ear organoids. My interests – like my undergraduate work – lie in stem cell research and regenerative biology, which brought me to the Black Family Stem Cell Institute. I joined the Millar Lab in May of 2022 to further immerse myself in research before pursuing a graduate degree. My current work focuses on Wnt signaling and COVID-19. Outside of the lab, I love to read, cook, and spend time with my dogs.

Eben Manegbe, Graduate Student

BS Biology: 2021, The City College of New York

I received my B.S in Biology from the City College of New York. As an undergraduate student I carried out research in Dr. David J. Lohman’s lab on the evolution and conservation of butterflies in Southeast Asia. My interest in regenerative biology was ignited after doing an internship at New York Genome Center, where I was introduced to stem cell research. This experience propelled me to apply for Mount Sinai Ph.D. program. I joined the Millar lab in May of 2023. My thesis project is focused on the mechanisms that contribute to skin heterogeneity.

Lexus Lipford, Graduate Student

BS Biology: 2022, Medgar Evers College

I received my B.S. in Biology from Medgar Evers College, where I gained experience in both Emergency Medicine at Sinai and as a medical assistant in Dermatology. Inspired by my mother and the suboptimal treatment options available to minority patients, I developed a deep interest in dermatology, particularly in skin of color. As an MSBS graduate student in the Millar lab, my research interests are in understanding the mechanisms and genomic expressions underlying inflammatory skin conditions in skin of color. My goal is to contribute as a physician-scientist to the advancement of treatments that preserve skin pigmentation and regenerate appendages.

Judith Canto Santos, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow

BS, Biotechnology, 2017, Polytechnique University of Valencia

PhD, 2023, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona

With a background in biotechnology, I have always been interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms of diseases, particularly the role of stem cells in regeneration, disease, and aging. During my PhD, I developed cell models for rare muscle diseases and explored the role of mitochondria and metabolism in these conditions. This work sparked my interest in the activation of stem cell populations for tissue renewal, leading me to join Millar’s lab in July 2024. As a postdoctoral researcher, I am focused on understanding the mechanisms underlying skin heterogeneity and hair follicle development and regeneration.