Member Spotlight: Jun Wu, PhD

Jun Wu, PhD
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, USA

Hometown
Yantai, China

Current Residence
Dallas, TX, United States

Graduate Degree
PhD

Postdoc Work
Pluripotent stem cell research

Current Position
Associate Professor

Jun Wu is the 2024 ISSCR Outstanding Young Investigator for his exceptional achievements in stem cell research during the early stages of his independent career. Explore all the 2024 ISSCR Award winners here.

Plus, Jun Wu led the ISSCR Digital Webinar: Stem Cells for Species Conservation, which is now available to watch here.

• What is the current focus of your research?

  Develop and use stem cell derived chimeric and embryo models for basic and translational research.

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

  Developing functional organs and tissues from stem cells remains a challenging goal in regenerative medicine. Our team is working on two exciting ways to grow human organs and tissues using stem cell-based inter-species chimeras and embryo-like structures. These methods might also help us discover new things about how living organisms grow and develop, giving us new insights and pushing the boundaries of what we know.

• What do you find most rewarding about your work?

  To have the privilege to uncover groundbreaking discoveries in biology that have the potential to significantly improve people's lives.

• What is the most exciting aspect of your work?

  What truly thrills me about our work is how our curiosity leads to discoveries that open the door to novel tools and methodologies, broadening our understanding of the natural world in ways previously unimaginable.

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

  My fascination with how a single fertilized egg can give rise to the billions of cells in a human body, combined with my background in clinical medicine and basic biology, steered me towards a career as a scientist specializing in stem cell research.

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

  My advice to future generations is simple: let your interests and passions guide you. Reflecting on my own journey, it all started in childhood with my mom reading me the book "I Wonder Why" every night. Questions like "Why are the stars and planets round?", "Why do rainbows have seven colors?", and "Why do we need water?" opened up my world and sparked a deep curiosity about how things work. As I grew older, this curiosity naturally led me to a keen interest in biology and medical research. Working with stem cells and exploring early development perfectly aligned with my passion and motivation. Loving what I do means I'm excited to come to work every day, and staying late sometimes doesn't feel like a burden. It's crucial to find and follow your passion, even when it's challenging. Once you do, everything else tends to fall into place.

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

  My journey in stem cell research has been profoundly shaped by two postdoctoral mentors, Martin Pera and Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte. Martin introduced me to the field of stem cell research, and exposed me to the fundamental principles of stem cells. Juan Carlos, on the other hand, opened my eyes to the remarkable potential of stem cells in both basic research and translational applications.

• How do you spend your free time?

  Whenever I manage to find some free time, which is increasingly rare, I love diving into sci-fi books and movies, exploring new places through travel, and cherishing moments spent with my family.

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

  It might surprise some, but I'm quite laid-back, staying relaxed and enjoying both life and science most of the time. I'm also very open-minded and consistently maintain a positive outlook.

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

  Membership in ISSCR provides me with access to the forefront of stem cell research, collaboration opportunities, and a community of leading experts in the field. Being a part of ISSCR enables me to stay updated on the latest advancements, share my work with an international audience, and participate in significant conversations regarding the ethical, legal, and societal impacts of stem cell research.

• What excites you most about ISSCR 2024 in Hamburg, Germany?

  I am excited about the groundbreaking research presented by leading scientists from around the world, networking opportunities that foster collaborations across disciplines and borders, and the chance to learn about the latest technological innovations in the field. Additionally, Hamburg’s rich cultural history and vibrant city life make me really excited about this meeting.