Member Spotlight: Carolyn Sangokoya, MD, PhD

Carolyn Sangokoya, MD, PhD
UCSF, USA

Hometown
Baton Rouge, Louisiana USA

Current Residence
San Francisco, California USA

Graduate Degree
MD, PhD in Genetics and Genomics, Duke University School of Medicine USA

Postdoc Work
Stem Cell Biology at UCSF, Anatomic Pathology Residency, Surgical/Liver Pathology Fellowships

Current Position
Assistant Professor of Pathology at UCSF, Investigator at UCSF Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research

ISSCR Participation
Member, ISSCR Education Committee; Presenting Faculty, Stem Cell Medicine: From Scientific Research to Patient Care

• What is the current focus of your research?

  The current focus of the research in my lab is on understanding the functional impact of iron in stem cell biology and cell fate decisions. As a molecular/RNA biologist I aim to dissect post-transcriptional circuits that can be targeted to rewire cell metabolism in development and disease. 

• How would you explain the significance of this work to a lay audience?

  Iron is an essential nutrient and critical for basic biochemical and metabolic pathways. Our work studies the molecular drivers and functional impact of iron in stem cells and early fate decisions. If we are able to understand and fine-tune iron, we can metabolically rewire cells in development and disease.   

• What do you find most rewarding about your work?

  I enjoy problem-solving and designing molecular/genomic tools that help us to gain a new lens on biology.  It's rewarding to do science with my team and see them gain skills, succeed, and find their niche. Finally, I enjoy bringing in my expertise as a pathologist into our work when relevant. 

• What led you to become a scientist and to stem cell research?

  I've always been interested in math and science, I was the kid fascinated during the dissection labs at school and in college was excited about human biology, anatomy, and molecular genetics. In graduate school I jumped into RNA biology and studied microRNAs at an exciting time of discovery for that field. In medical school I was drawn to surgery and anatomy and ended up training in surgical pathology, with a specialization in liver pathology, a perfect fit.  As a postdoc I was excited to jump into a new field learning stem cell biology as a model base for the study of fundamental questions in development and cell biology using molecular tools.  

• What guidance would you share in talking with trainees interested in pursuing your area of research?

  Read read read and think independently, experiment and fail better each time. You are in charge of your career-- have big goals and reach for them with equal dedication to your learning, skills, and productivity.  Seek out ways to learn skills from others and teach others your unique skillset.  Set a higher bar for your work and you will set a higher ceiling for success in any competitive environment.

• Do you have any mentors or individuals who have inspired you in your stem cell work?

  I'm inspired by investigators who stay dedicated to their passions and continue to use new tools to dive into the unknown.

• How do you spend your free time?

  I'm passionate about landscape photography, travel, and writing, and can frequently be found at elevation with mirrorless micro four thirds cameras: on mountains, overlooking ocean, glaciers, in the air or in the wilderness.

• What is something your peers would be surprised to learn about you?

  So nice to have a soundtrack to the work! All kinds of music have motivated me through years of training and early career with my lab.  I'm also an ultra U2 superfan on hiatus until the next tour.

• What do you most value about your membership with the ISSCR?

  At each stage of my career as a trainee until now an early career investigator, I've always been inspired at the annual conference by the excellent science and even more impressive scientists and faculty from all over the world. Through the year-round programming and opportunities to contribute to our community through service, it's a pleasure to meet new colleagues and catch up with old friends. 

Carolyn Sangokoya discusses the importance of educating clinicians on stem cell medicine. Learn more about the ISSCR’s Continuing Education Course in partnership with Harvard Medical School.