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 Associate 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, Research Associate Professor

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.

Eben Manegbe, PhD Candidate

BS Biology: 2021, The City College of New York

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.

Sarah N. Steiner, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow

BS, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: 2020, Cornell University

PhD, Cell and Developmental Biology: 2026, University of Michigan

I am a current Postdoctoral Fellow at Mount Sinai. After I graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor’s in chemical engineering in 2020, I sought to apply the principles I learned as an engineer to developmental biology. I pursued my PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology in the lab of Dr. Pierre Coulombe at the University of Michigan, where I studied the role of mechanical sensing and transduction in the specialization of the palmoplantar skin. I graduated in 2026 and am excited to dive into the transcriptional mechanisms mediating site-specific skin response to mechanical stress.

Nyomi Cepeda, Administrative Coordinator 

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 and am now the Administrative Coordinator for the Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine. 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.

Kayrin Velez, Administrative Assistant

I earned my degree in Business Management and Marketing in 2024. I joined the Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at Mount Sinai as an Administrative Assistant, where I support faculty, staff, and researchers with a variety of administrative responsibilities. Working at Mount Sinai has given me the opportunity to learn more about the important research being conducted within the department while continuing to grow both personally and professionally. I am interested in developing my administrative and organizational skills while gaining experience in the healthcare and academic environment.

Jessica Lu, Grants and Contracts Specialist I

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. I am now the Grants and Contracts Specialist for the Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine.