Martin Lee Scholars - 2025 cohort

Two talented scholars joined the Institute for Regeneration and Repair in September 2025 to undertake their PhD studies as part of the 4-year Programme.

The scholars are trained and mentored by world-renowned experts in stem cell research, regenerative medicine, inflammation research and tissue repair.

Caroline Blackman

Caroline is from the United States and obtained a BSc in Immunology from the University of Edinburgh. During this time, she gained experience in three different labs and conducted clinical research at an immunology practice. Her final dissertation investigated how post-translational modifications can affect T cell signalling, resulting in autoimmune disorders.

She went on to study the bone marrow microenvironment as a research assistant in the lab of Dr. Sean Morrison at UT Southwestern. Her first year in this role, she worked on a project demonstrating that non-selective β-blockers can have fatal consequences for patients receiving haematopoietic stem cell transplants. After, she worked with mesenchymal stem cells, investigating their role in post-fracture bone repair and how alterations in metabolism may disrupt this process.

As a Martin Lee Doctoral Scholar, she will investigate novel metabolic pathways regulating haematopoietic stem cell self-renewal in the lab of Dr. Stefano Comazzetto.

On being awarded a scholarship Caroline said:

'Receiving the Martin Lee Doctoral Scholarship was a dream come true. I'm very passionate about my field and this funding not only allows me to perform my research, but do so in a world-class institute. The facilities and community here will no doubt elevate me in my goal to deliver actionable discoveries that improve patient quality of life.'

Publications:

Nishino J, Hu W, Kishtagari A, Shen B, Gao X, Blackman CM, et al. Nonselective β-adrenergic receptor inhibitors impair hematopoietic regeneration in mice and humans after hematopoietic cell transplants. Cancer Discov. (2025) 15:748–66. doi: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-24-0719

Anne Tang