Overview
Dr. Gerecht is an internationally recognized pioneer in stem cells and vascular biology and engineering. Gerecht’s research group studies how the microenvironment regulates cellular responses, with the long-term goal of developing countermeasures and therapeutics. We emulate mechanical and physical stressors toward understanding tissue function, reliance, and homeostasis. We use that information to uncover pathways in injury and disease development to guide tissue healing and regeneration. We focus on blood vessels and their multifaceted roles in tissue performance, aging, and disease.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Paul M. Gross Distinguished Professor
·
2022 - Present
Biomedical Engineering,
Pratt School of Engineering
Professor of Biomedical Engineering
·
2022 - Present
Biomedical Engineering,
Pratt School of Engineering
Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering
·
2024 - Present
Biomedical Engineering,
Pratt School of Engineering
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute
·
2022 - Present
Duke Cancer Institute,
Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
γδ T cell-stromal networks modulate matrix composition and vascularity in foreign body response.
Journal Article Nat Commun · April 17, 2026 Immune-stromal crosstalk governs tissue fibrosis, which is marked by dysregulated extracellular matrix (ECM) production and aberrant vasculature. Here, we investigate how γδ T cell interactions with stromal cells shape fibrosis in the foreign body response ... Full text Link to item CiteRetina microrheology <i>via</i> oscillatory atomic force microscopy.
Journal Article Soft matter · April 2026 Viscoelastic properties of tissues, including elasticity and viscosity, are crucial for understanding development and disease progression. However, traditional atomic force microscopy (AFM) indentation methods provide limited insight into these complex tis ... Full text CiteGeneration of an induced pluripotent stem cell line, JHUi006-A, from a Marfan Syndrome patient harboring a pathogenic c.5225-2A > C intronic splicing variant.
Journal Article Stem cell research · March 2026 Marfan Syndrome, a heritable connective tissue disorder caused by mutations within the fibrillin-1 (FBN1) gene, can have deleterious effects on heart and aorta, eyes, the skeletal system and bone. FBN1 mutations that result in increased aortic vulnerabilit ... Full text CiteRecent Grants
iPediHeart: Interdisciplinary Research Training Program for Pediatric Heart Disease
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2030Targeting Stiffness-Enhanced Ferroptosis to Overcome Chemoresistance in UPS
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by The Paula Takacs Foundation For Sarcoma Research · 2026 - 2027Persistent Injury Activated EC in Fibrosis
FellowshipPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by American Heart Association · 2026 - 2027View All Grants
Education
Israel Institute of Technology (Israel) ·
2004
Ph.D.