Posted: April 20th, 2022

Stem Cell Researcher Postdoctoral Scholar Howard Hughes Medical Institute

D’Juan Farmer
–
Stem Cell Researcher Postdoctoral Scholar Howard Hughes Medical Institute Hanna H. Gray FellowUniversity of Southern California

Dr. Farmer’s work uses zebrafish to understand skeletal stem cells. And specifically, I use a model of disease called craniosynostosis
to understand how the bones that form our skull develop, but also how during disease, they become dysfunctional and fuse prematurely.The clinical application is how to best treat patients with craniosynostosis. And we think that the way to best treat
that is by understanding the stem cell populations that grow the skull bones. When we best understand these cells, we can then begin to ask how we can modulate their behavior to keep sutures at the right place at the right time. At a broader level, we want to understand how a stem cell population changes over time, and what are the distinct needs of a stem cell as an organ develops and matures.

See Dr. Farmer talk about his work:

More about the Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program:

https://www.hhmi.org/programs/hanna-h-gray-fellows-Program

Throughout this unit we have included some biographies of scientists working in the fields of study that we have covered in this class. We would like to hear what you think about their work, their story, and how it relates to your life. Please choose one scientist from the unit and write a short reflection paragraph in your own words (less than 250 words).
This is a reflection, not a test of knowledge. We are most interested in hearing why you chose the scientist and why their work is meaningful or interesting to you.
Rubric
Scientist Summary Rubric (2)
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Scientist
1 pts
Full Credit
Identified a scientist of interest from the assigned unit. 0 pts
No Credit
Did not identify a scientist of interest from the assigned unit.
1 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Research Area
1 pts
Full Credit
Provided a very brief summary of the scientist’s research area. 0 pts
No Credit
Did not provide a summary of scientist’s research area or summary is incorrect.
1 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Personal Relevance
1 pts
Full Credit
Explained why you picked this scientist and how their work is relevant to you. 0 pts
No Credit
Did not explain why you picked this scientist or how their work is relevant to you.
1 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Logic/Coherence
1 pts
Full Credit
Explanation of your own thoughts on scientist’s work is coherent and logical. 0 pts
No Credit
Summary is shallow, incoherent, illogical, or lacks effort.
1 pts
Total Points: 4

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Farmer, D’Juan –

Howard Hughes Medical Institute Postdoctoral Scholar in Stem Cell Research University of Southern California Hanna H. Gray Fellow

Dr. Farmer’s research examines skeletal stem cells using zebrafish. And, in particular, I employ a disease model known as craniosynostosis.

to comprehend not only how the bones that comprise our skull develop, but also how they become dysfunctional and fuse prematurely during disease.

How to best treat patients with craniosynostosis is the clinical application. And we believe that the best way to treat

That is, by gaining an understanding of the stem cell populations responsible for the formation of the skull bones. When we have a good understanding of these cells, we can ask how we can manipulate their behavior to keep sutures in the right place at the right time. On a broader scale, we