Caterra Leavens

Position title: In the Odorico lab, we are working towards developing therapeutics for Type 1 diabetes. In the lab, we use stem cells and differentiate them into insulin producing pancreatic islet cells, we use gene editing techniques to develop different cell lines, and we are working on developing hydrogel-based constructs to encapsulate our cells to improve vascularization post-transplantation. My project in the Odorico lab involves developing a stem cell derived pancreatic islet cell line using gene editing techniques that can allow the cells to evade the immune system post-transplantation. Immune evasion is not only important in the context of Type 1 diabetes, but all other organ transplantation outcomes.

Email: cleavens@wisc.edu