Honors & Awards
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Ruth L. Kirschstein Pre-Doctoral National Research Service Award (NRSA F31), National Institutes of Health (NIH) (2023 - 2025)
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New York Training Program in Stem Cell Biology (NYSTEM), New York State Department of Health (2022 - 2023)
Professional Education
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Ph.D., Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Biomedical Sciences (2025)
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Bachelor of Science, University of Nevada Reno, Biology (with honors) (2018)
Stanford Advisors
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Vanessa Barone, Postdoctoral Research Mentor
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Ayelet Voskoboynik, Postdoctoral Faculty Sponsor
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2689-8085All Publications
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Primordial germ cells differentially contribute to the germline in zebrafish
DEVELOPMENT
2026; 153 (15)
Abstract
Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the precursors of the germline and among the first cells to be specified during embryogenesis. Contrary to the common assumption that PGCs directly develop into germline stem cells (GSCs), recent data suggest a more complex picture. To functionally examine PGC contributions to the germline, we developed two Cre-based transgenic systems in zebrafish - Germ traCre and Germbow - which provide inducible and indelible germline lineage tracing. Using these systems and known germline markers, we found that PGCs give rise to at least four distinct clone types that are not spatially restricted along the anterior-posterior axis. Moreover, these differential PGC contributions appear to shape lifelong reproductive potential. Examination of clonal contributions to female gamete production revealed that some PGCs give rise to renewing GSCs and others to transient daughters that contribute an early wave of gametes. Collectively, our findings suggest a revised model of vertebrate germline establishment and differentiation potential, with implications for reproductive potential.
View details for DOI 10.1242/dev.204904
View details for Web of Science ID 001845699600001
View details for PubMedID 42403048