Q: Tell us about your background and how you came to ViaCell.
"Stem cell research has been one of the most exciting research areas since the mid-1990s. In 1999, I joined ViaCell to be on the forefront of developing innovative therapies to treat serious and life-threatening diseases.
I am a Scientist managing the Bioassay group. Prior to joining ViaCell, I worked on molecular immunology at UMASS medical center."

Q: Tell us more about the cardiac program and the areas you are researching.
"USSC’s are a type of stem cell cultivated from human umbilical cord blood. The cord blood stem cell derived product we are developing as a potential treatment for cardiac disease is called Unrestricted Somatic Stem Cells (USSC’s). It has been shown in preclinical studies that USSC’s are able to differentiate into many different types of cells, including the immune system, fat, bone, cartilage and nerve cells. It has also been shown in preclinical studies the transplantation of USSC’s after an induced heart attack resulted in improved heart function."

Q: Give us a sense of your typical day as a Scientist at ViaCell.
"Currently, our bioassay group is comprised of three researchers, including myself. Our responsibilities are to perform routine stem cell tests that we've already developed, and to design and develop new means of testing stem cells. Currently, we utilize several different tests based on molecular or cellular biology to characterize properties and to evaluate the functional activities of USSC's. Each of us has multiple tasks to perform on a daily basis. I normally go to the lab in the morning to check our on-going experiments, such as observing the phenotypic changes of cells cultured in vitro as well as identifying any potential problems. Based on the experimental results, I make future plans and discuss potential new experimental designs or modifications with our team members. I spend a fair amount of time in analyzing data from the experiments, presenting the results, writing scientific reports and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and planning for new experiments. I also work to integrate our group with other groups at ViaCell by participating in meetings or informal discussions with different project leaders and department personnel. In addition, I spend some time each day to keep up with current scientific literature."

Q: What training and education are required for this type of work?
"The tests that we are performing or developing use different types of technologies and are based on molecular biology, cell biology, or analytical chemistry. To develop efficient and reliable assays, one must have extensive laboratory experience and broad knowledge of biological science including, molecular biology, microbiology, hematology, immunology, and cardiology. In addition, one must also have good analytical and problem-solving abilities, critical and creative thinking, and strong communication skills. I think that a Ph.D. degree with training in several of these research areas is beneficial."

Q: What part of this job do you find most satisfying?
"It is very gratifying when the tests we develop are used in the development of products to potentially treat serious and life-threatening diseases."

Q: How does the work you do here fit into the big picture of the future of cellular therapy?
"ViaCell is working to promote the widespread use of human cells as therapeutics-research that may someday save millions of lives. Our group is focused on efficient generation of high quality stem cell products from umbilical cord blood. The assays we develop may also be applied to stem cells from other human tissues or organs which someday could be the treatment in other diseases. Our work is critical to ViaCell's mission and to the development of high quality cellular medicine."

Q: Share something with us that makes your team of researchers extraordinary.
"The goal of our work is to promote efficient production of high quality cellular products. Our team is deeply committed to this goal and works with high enthusiasm. In addition, since our research involves trying to make breakthroughs in technology and biology, we are dynamic in thinking, versatile in skills, and flexible in changing projects. I am very proud of our group."

Q: If there was one word to describe you, what would it be?
"Analytical."

Q: What do you like to do in your free time and what does your family think about what you do?
"As a mother of two children, I don't have much time for myself. I spend most of my free time reading to and playing with my children. My husband is also a scientist. We enjoy discussing science and new technologies. He is very supportive of my work and always leaves scientific papers relating to my work, for me."

Q: What’s your take on umbilical cord blood preservation?
"It is well known that umbilical cord blood contains valuable stem cells. These stem cells can be used to treat blood-related disorders and hold great promise of treating many other illnesses. Since it can be difficult to find a perfect stem cell donor match for a patient from an unrelated population and because of the therapeutic possibilities of privately preserved cord blood for the baby and other family members, I think it is wise for the parents to choose to privately preserve their baby's umbilical cord blood. This could be the best investment they ever make and ViaCord is assisting in making this possible."

Q: What professional journals and organizations would you recommend learning more about this growing field?
"Stem cells are one of the hottest research topics today. You can learn new discoveries about stem cells from several prestigious scientific journals such as Cell, Nature, and Science or from more specific journals such as Blood, Stem Cells, New England Journal of Medicine, Cell Tissue Research, Cytotherapy, and Circulation."