Email: nedwar@umich.edu
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Nicole Edwards, PhD
Principal Investigator

Assistant Professor
Department of Cell & Developmental Biology

Nicole obtained her B.Sc. & M.Sc. from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, where she started her research career as an undergraduate student in reproductive and developmental biology. She received her PhD in Physiology & Pharmacology with a specialization in Developmental Biology at the University of Western Ontario in London, Canada. She became interested in organ development and disease modeling, leading her to join Aaron Zorn’s lab at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine. During her postdoc she used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, Xenopus embryology, and pluripotent stem cell-derived tissue to model congenital malformations of the digestive and respiratory system. Nicole joined the University of Michigan as an Assistant Professor in 2026. Outside of the lab, Nicole likes to hang out with her dog and rock climb.

Esther Won
Research Laboratory Tech Sr

Esther received her B.Sc. in Biochemistry from The Chinese University of Hong Kong and her M.S. in Pharmacology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Her prior research focused on cancer biology, where she investigated molecular factors driving cancer progression and metastasis, and characterized cellular responses to anticancer therapeutics. Her broad research interest is in understanding the signaling pathways that underlie disease etiology and progression. Esther joined Nicole’s lab as a Research Technician in 2026. Outside of the lab, she enjoys exploring local coffee shops and spending time with friends.

Email: estherhw@umich.edu

Mariela Lopez Gonzalez
PIBS PhD Rotation Student

Mariela received her B.A. from Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA, where she majored in physics and biology. Her previous research experiences include using transfected cells to study cell adhesion as a function of the hyaluronan glycocalyx, as well as a computational and theoretical project on immobilized localized surface plasmon resonance biosensors. She is currently having fun exploring her research interests, which include cell mechanobiology, morphogenesis, and imaging! Outside of the lab, Mariela enjoys traveling to visit friends and family, mushroom foraging, and relaxing with her two cats, Oscar and Fresca. 

E-mail: lopezgon@umich.edu

Lab Pets

Gabe - Nicole’s dog