Dr Georgina May Ellison

Reader in Stem Cell Biology and Physiology

Sept 1997-July 2000: Liverpool John Moores University, UK: BSc (First Class) in Sports Science (Physiology)

July 2001-July 2004: British Heart Foundation PhD studentship in: “ Myocyte Death & Renewal in Cardiac & Skeletal Muscle”. Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, UK.

July 2005-July 2007: American Heart Association Fellowship, Cardiovascular Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY.

After completing her PhD in Sept 2004, Geena left for the USA to undertake her post-doctoral training in the laboratory of Dr. Nadal-Ginard at New York Medical College, Valhalla and then in May 2005 they moved to the Mount Sinai Hospital, New York City. She first visited New York in Nov 2003 after becoming interested in the work being carried out on stem cell therapy and heart regeneration. Geena was particularly interested in the pioneering research being undertaken by Dr. Nadal-Ginard on resident adult Cardiac Stem Cells. She was awarded a scholarship for academic excellence in June 2003 from the British Federation of Women Graduates which allowed her to make a 6 month visit to New York to learn techniques related to isolating and characterizing cardiac stem cells from the mammalian heart. During her post-doc training in the laboratory of Dr, Nadal-Ginard she acquired ‘state of the art’ techniques for isolating and studying stem cell biology and their potential in repairing and regenerating the damaged heart. She was integrated back to the UK from the USA through the award of a Marie Curie International Re-integration grant and she has now developed and established the Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Unit (BIOSTEM), within the Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences.

Geena’s main focus of research is in Skeletal Muscle and Cardiac Stem Cell biology and the mechanisms that govern stem cell fate. She also investigates homeostasis and the response of the muscle following stress or injury. Personally, she hopes to drive the field of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine into the Sport and Exercise Science arena.

Geena has presented her work and given plenary talks at International and National meetings, including, the UK National Stem Cell Network (UKNSCN) Annual meeting, Cardiovascular Repair group meeting of the UKNSCN, the International Society for Stem Cell Research, American Heart Association Annual Scientific Sessions, European Society of Cardiology, European Society for Muscle Research , the European College of Sport Science, and the Physiological Society.