Harnessing cell maturation

Dissecting circadian developmental control

Seeking a cure for diabetes

Welcome to the J-RAD Lab


We study how circadian rhythms shape cell development and maturation, using human stem cell- derived organoids as research models and as therapies for human diseases.



We embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strive to deliberately counteract unconscious bias and historical disenfranchisement by nurturing the diversity of our members, providing equitable access no matter race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, neurocognitive and physical abilities, or religion, and by fostering opportunities for people underrepresented in science.



Recent Publications

Organoid maturation by circadian entrainment
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lncRNA mechanisms in hematopoiesis

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Novel lncRNA regulators of brown adipogenesis

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Our Team

Juan Rene Alvarez Domínguez, Ph.D.
Juan grew up in Guatemala, and went to school there and in Italy. He graduated from Princeton university with a B.A. in Molecular Biology, and from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a Ph.D. in Biology. He worked as an HHMI LSRF Fellow in the Melton Lab at Harvard University, studying the physiological maturation of pancreatic islets. His interests include regenerative medicine, circadian rhythms, and organoids. Outside of lab, Juan enjoys film, music, travel, skiing, and chess.
Sam Pollock, B.S.
Sam graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2017 with a degree in bioengineering and a minor in chemistry. He worked in the neuro-radiology department of the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh for a year before joining the Peace Corps, serving in Guinea for two years as a math teacher. Sam's professional interests include genetics, neurology, epidemiology, imaging, and signals and systems. His personal interests include rock climbing, skiing, traveling, reading, and music.
Zoe Gruskin
Zoe graduated from the University of Maryland in 2022 with a B.S. in Animal Science and the Outstanding Service in Research award. During her undergraduate she worked in a gastrointestinal lab and an orthopedic lab. Her professional interests include animal behavior and welfare, immunology, biophysics, and organoids. She also likes reading, traveling, hiking, and volunteering.
Yasthika AshokKumar
Yasthika is a Conestoga High School student from Berwyn, PA graduating in 2023. She is monitoring the success in making beta cells from pluripotent cells by quantifying the expression of expected protein markers via flow cytometry at each stage of the process.
Israeli Galicia Silva
Isra is from Guatemala, and graduated from Universidad del Valle de Guatemala with a degree in Biochemistry and Microbiology. Her interest in Molecular Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine stems from her undergraduate thesis work, which introduced the first mammalian cell model at her university. She has worked as a Teaching Assistant for Biochemistry, Biology, and Chemistry courses, and loves introducing kids to science. Her personal interests include acting, theater, musicals, nature, art, and swimming.
Sam Preza
Sam graduated from University of Maryland in 2019 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He worked for three years at AstraZeneca in Bioprocess Development, where he researched N-linked glycosylation, Raman chemometric modeling, and perfusion technologies. Broadly, Sam’s interests lie in researching and developing technologies for unmet medical needs—currently, optimizing pancreatic islet maturation and scale-up for therapeutic application. Outside the lab, Sam enjoys rock climbing, romantic date nights, snowboarding, beach volleyball and kicking it with friends.
Mai Liu
Mai graduated from Purdue University in 2020 with a major in biological engineering and minors in computer science and biotechnology. He completed his master of biomedical engineering from John Hopkins University in 2022, where he studied cell-specific gene expression using deep learning-enabled tissue labeling in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. His interests lie in cell therapy and regenerative medicine, including current projects on epigenetic control of human pancreatic islet maturation. Outside the lab, Mai enjoys playing video games and hanging out with friends.