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University research directory
Research labs at
University of Miami.
Compare 5 listed faculty-led profiles, explore their research interests, and follow the evidence in their selected work. These listings are a starting point for discovery and do not establish recruiting availability.
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Review each lab’s official website and recent publications. Compare the methods used, the questions being asked, and the practical requirements of any published opening. Unclaimed profiles are independently curated; the university has not approved or endorsed them.
How to compare research labs ↗Official university website ↗5 research-led lab profiles
Browse labs by their listed college affiliation
Independently curated · UnclaimedAbigail S. Hackam Research Group
University of Miami
Abigail S. Hackam · Professor of Ophthalmology
Can activating Wnt signaling pathways protect photoreceptors from degeneration and promote axon regrowth after optic nerve injury? The lab tests canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling activators to identify photoreceptor protective factors and their receptors. Researchers investigate how innate immunity signals, glial-secreted cytokines, oxidative stress levels, and specific receptors regulate Wnt neuroprotection and photoreceptor survival. They characterize optic nerve regeneration mechanisms by assessing Wnt ligand-induced retinal ganglion cell axon growth, identifying key receptors and signaling proteins, and testing virally delivered axonal growth factors. The group uses a Muller glia-photoreceptor culture system and dietary models such as ketogenic and lyophilized grape supplement to screen compounds and environmental influences that delay vision loss.
Chris Fraker Research Group
University of MiamiChris Fraker · Research Associate Professor of Surgery
Can improved oxygenation and encapsulation restore normoglycemia without chronic immunosuppression? The Fraker Lab engineers gas‑permeable culture platforms, oxygen‑carrying nano‑emulsions, and slow‑release polymer discs to improve stem cell and islet culture and transplantation outcomes. The group focuses on optimizing islet and stem cell encapsulation to restore normal glucose levels without immunosuppression and improving oxygenation for encapsulated cells. Researchers have developed nano‑emulsion technologies repurposed for injectable formulations and apply these formulations to support MSCs, islets, and immune cells. The lab studies innate immune (NK) cell roles in type 1 diabetes to probe viral and autoimmune hypotheses.
Independently curated · UnclaimedJuan Domínguez‑Bendala Research Group
University of MiamiJuan Domínguez‑Bendala · Research Professor of Surgery
Can stem cell differentiation and organotypic pancreatic cultures produce functional insulin‑producing beta cells for type 1 diabetes treatment? The Domínguez‑Bendala Lab develops regenerative strategies including stem cell differentiation into insulin‑producing β‑cells and islet regeneration. The team discovered molecular oxygen’s instructive role to drive β‑cell differentiation and patented enhanced oxygenation culture devices for stem cell cultures. They developed genetic fail‑safe approaches to increase safety of pluripotent stem cell transplantation. The group uses lineage tracing, single‑cell RNAseq, sorted population transplantation, and human pancreatic slice organotypic culture to monitor and test β‑cell regeneration.
Independently curated · UnclaimedRicardo L. Pastori Research Group
University of MiamiRicardo L. Pastori · Research Professor in the Department of Medicine
How can non‑genetic protein delivery techniques protect and regenerate human islet beta cells for diabetes therapies? The Pastori Lab developed protein transduction applications using small cell‑penetrating peptides to deliver proteins into islet cells to protect against isolation and transplantation stress. The group investigated miRNA regulation in beta cells during murine and human pancreatic embryonic development to understand molecular control of beta‑cell identity. The lab collaborates on induction and lineage tracing of BMP‑responsive human pancreatic ductal progenitor cells to identify regenerative sources. The team applies single‑cell RNAseq and transplantation of sorted populations to characterize progenitors and test regenerative potential.
Independently curated · UnclaimedZhao‑Jun Liu Research Group
University of MiamiZhao‑Jun Liu · Professor of Surgery
How can gene‑ and stem‑cell therapies enhance therapeutic angiogenesis and modulate vascular inflammation? The Liu Lab develops gene‑ and stem cell‑based therapies for therapeutic angiogenesis in regenerative medicine and studies homing signals for endothelial progenitor and mesenchymal stem cells to ischemic, wound and tumor tissues. The group investigates molecular mechanisms of atherosclerosis and vascular inflammation to identify therapeutic targets. In cancer biology, researchers examine Notch signaling dysregulation in tumor and stromal cells to develop targeted therapies for melanoma.
Showing 1–5 of 5 labs