Jennifer L. Lei

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Positions
Vice President, Director of Research Administration, and Professor

 

 

 

 

Research
In the spring of 2004, I began my first project under the direction of Dr. Mendelsohn, “reprogramming terminally differentiated human muscle cells by supertranscription factors”.  After investing many years of work, we lost the race to Shinya Yamanaka in 2006 who named these reprogrammed cells, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS). However, reprogramming cells to become iPS cells, was only the beginning. Using synthetic biology, a complex network of biological circuits can not only direct cell fate, but also novel functions, as illustrated in our iGEM team projects. Another great research interest is  recapitulating adult regenerative capacity, like the neobalsts in Schmidtea mediterranea,  in non-regenerating animals through engineering of critical regeneration factors. I also seek to create novel hybrid organisms that address the bioenergy crisis.

My first response to what type of research I wished to pursue: Relieved of my worries of absolute didactism, I candidly answered – observing that my mentor (Andrew Mendelsohn) suffered from androalopecia – “hair regeneration”.

 

Biography
My unorthodox training in science, and the unique opportunities afforded to me, culminate in what Regenerative Sciences Institute embodies today. An invitation to Nobel laureate Sydney Brenner’s Molecular Sciences Institute in 2004, was my first dalliance with academic science. As an undergraduate student, I was well informed of research lab politics, and the hierarchical prejudices towards new interns. I was well prepared for a research experience entailing: routine lab maintenance.  However, my preconceived notions were truly in vain. In lieu of a traditional internship, my mentor, Dr. Andrew Mendelsohn, inquired of my personal scientific interests and granted me the freedom to pursue them. Without the confines of scientific didactism, I was at a loss. In retrospect, that instance of self-compelled reflection, volitional undertaking, and the recognition of such, was the forethought in my impetus for transforming RSI from an organization that promoted next generation regeneration research, into a scientific research institute. After graduating in 2006, Dr. Mendelsohn and I, began what would transpire into a multi-year endeavor, to build RSI from the ground up, starting with the people. Everything from the labs, educational programs, lab equipment, website,..etc, was made possible with the help of our students, friends, and family. Despite, the many difficulties, the journey for me has been priceless. De novo creation of a research institute that embodies our ideals, and continues to help shape the minds of our future, is in my opinion, the greatest form of reciprocity; it is a dream we both live.

Our student programs are designed to nurture the creativity of young minds. Through the programs, I try to instill a love of science in my students. I relive my childlike curiosity when designing projects, and I try to impart this, while they make their own journeys. Failure is a critical part of the scientific process, and how we re-evaluate things. I encourage my students to  to have the conviction to pursue their projects and learn from their failures. We should remember that bereft of our age, we are all but students, and our understanding of the universe, is but in its infancy.

 

Education
BA, molecular and cell biology, UC Berkeley

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