BSc Life Sciences (Hons)
Specialization in Biomedical Sciences
I am a stem cell biologist pursuing my PhD at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. My research interests lie in using human pluripotent stem cells to study the molecular events underlying human development, as well as the pathogenesis of complex human diseases. I hope to be part of the task force that will bring stem cell-based therapies to the clinic. Besides running experiments on the bench, I play a pro-active role in Science advocacy and communication.
Welcome to my humble little space where I write and share all things Science.
two CELLS
It all begins with the first cleavage of a single zygote into two cells.
This blog is dedicated to spewing biology, medicine and
other scientific jargon.
Nicole Pek
About
Education
2012–2016
National University of Singapore
Faculty of Science
Bachelor of Science, Life Sciences (sp. Biomedical Sciences)
Honours with Distinction
Research
Experiences
Scientific
publications
July 2021 - Present
PhD Candidate
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine
Cincinnati, OH
Apr. 2019– June 2021
Life Science Research Professional
Stanford University, School of Medicine
Institute of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine
Stanford, CA
Aug. 2017– Apr. 2019
Research Officer
Disease Modeling and Therapeutics Unit
Institute of Cell and Molecular Biology, Agency of Science, Research and Technology
Singapore
Aug. 2016– Aug. 2017
Research Officer
Laboratory of Molecular and Vascular Medicine
Institute of Cell and Molecular Biology, Agency of Science, Research and Technology
Singapore
Aug. 2015– May. 2016
Undergraduate Researcher
Stem cells and Diabetes Laboratory
Institute of Cell and Molecular Biology, Agency of Science, Research and Technology
Singapore
Pradhan A, Che L, Ustiyan V, Reza AA, Pek NM, Zhang Y, Alber AB, Kalin TR, Wambach JA, Gu M, Kotton DN, Siefert ME, Ziady AG, Kalin TV, Kalinichenko VV. Novel FOXF1-Stabilizing Compound TanFe Stimulates Lung Angiogenesis in Alveolar Capillary Dysplasia. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2022 Dec 8. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202207-1332OC.
Cable, J., Lutolf, M. P., Fu, J., Park, S. E., Apostolou, A., Chen, S., Song, C. J., Spence, J. R., Liberali, P., Lancaster, M., Meier, A. B., Pek, N., Wells, J. M., Capeling, M. M., Uzquiano, A., Musah, S., Huch, M., Gouti, M., Hombrink, P., Quadrato, G., Urenda, J. P. (2022). Organoids as tools for fundamental discovery and translation-A Keystone Symposia report. Ann N Y Acad Sci. doi: 10.1111/nyas.14874.
Tay, K.Y., Wu, K.X., Chioh, F.W.J., Autio, M.I., Pek, N.M.Q., Narmada, B.C., Tan, S.-H., Low, A.F.-H., Lian, M.M., Chew, E.G.Y., et al. (2022). Trans-interaction of risk loci 6p24.1 and 10q11.21 is associated with endothelial damage in coronary artery disease. Atherosclerosis. 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2022.10.012.
Yu, Z., Pek, N., & Gu, M. (2022). Delving into the Molecular World of Single Ventricle Congenital Heart Disease. Current Cardiology Reports, 10.1007/s11886-022-01667-8
Pek, N., & Gu, M. (2021). Growing With the Flow: Insights Into How Flow Mediates Endocardial Fibroelastosis. JACC: Basic Trans Science, 6(12), 1000–1002. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacbts.2021.09.007
Pek, N. M. Q., Gu, M. X., (2021). Organoids: Three-Dimensional ‘blobs’ that are Reshaping the Future of Medicine. J Regen Biol Med, 3(5)1-10, doi: https://doi.org/10.37191/Mapsci-2582-385X-3(5)-086
Ullah M., Pek, N. M. Q., Yannarelli G. (2021). Advances in innovative exosome-technology for real time monitoring of viable drugs in clinical translation, prognosis and treatment response. Oncotarget, 12(1029-1031), doi: https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.27927
Ullah, M., Qian, N., Yannarelli, G., Akbar, A. (2021). Heat shock protein 20 promotes sirtuin 1-dependent cell proliferation in induced pluripotent stem cells. World J Stem Cells, 13(6), 659–669. doi: https://doi.org/10.4252/wjsc.v13.i6.659
Pek, N. M. Q., Liu, J. K., Nichane, M. Ang, L. T. (2020). Controversies surrounding the origin of hepatocytes in adult livers and the in vitro generation or propagation of hepatocytes. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol, Sep 26:S2352-345X(20)30159-4, doi: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2020.09.016
Pek, N. M. Q., Phua, Q. H., Ho, B. X., Pang J. K. S., Hor, J., Omer, A., Yang, H. H., Yang, Y.,Yong, F., Ng, S., Soh, B. (2019). Mitochondrial 3243A > G mutation confers pro-atherogenic and pro-inflammatory properties in MELAS iPS derived endothelial cells. Cell, Death & Disease, 10(802), doi: 10.1038/s41419-019-2036-9
Ho, B. X., Pek, N. M. Q., Soh, B. S. (2018). Disease modeling using hiPSC-derived 3D organoids. Int J Molecular Sciences, 19(4), doi: 10.3390/ijms19040936
Yong, F., Ho, B. X., Phang, J. K. S., Pek, N. M. Q., Hor, J. H., Ng, S. Y., Soh, B. S. (2018). Wnt/beta-catenin mediated signaling re-activates proliferation of adult cardiomyocytes. Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 9(338), doi: 10.1186/s13287-018-1086-8
Santosa, M. M., Low, B. S. J., Pek, N. M. Q., & Teo, A. K. K. (2016). Knowledge gaps in rodent pancreas biology: taking human pluripotent stem cell-derived pancreatic beta cells into our own hands. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 6. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2015.00194