Lab members – Theunissen Lab

Welcoming our new postdoc: Dr. Regan Scott

Posted on January 27, 2026 by Thor Theunissen

We’re pleased to announce the arrival of our new postdoc, Dr. Regan Scott, from the Michael J. Soares lab at Kansas University Medical Center. Regan received her B.S. from Kansas State University and M.S. in Biomedical Sciences from Kansas City University. During her graduate studies with Professor Soares, Regan studied placental development with a focus on trophoblast stem cell differentiation to the invasive lineage. After receiving her Ph.D. in 2025, she joined the Theunissen lab to continue advancing the field of stem cell and developmental biology. Regan is a strong advocate for scientific research and reproductive health, and in her spare time she enjoys baking, doing puzzles, being outdoors, and spending time with family, friends, and her pets.

Regan, welcome to the team!

Interview with e184

Posted on January 20, 2026 by Thor Theunissen

Thor was interviewed by e184, a new regenerative medicine company based in Portland, OR, to share reflections on his scientific journey, our lab’s recent work, and why embryo models continue to inspire him.

Please check out the interview on e184’s Substack: https://e184.substack.com/p/lab-spotlight-theunissen

News & Views in Nature

Posted on December 4, 2025 by Thor Theunissen

Kong and Thor wrote a News & Views in Nature on a groundbreaking stem-cell-based monkey embryo model that offers a continuous window on early primate development, from the pre-implantation stage all the way to late gastrulation, when the basic body plan is established and primitive organs start to form. This system offers a powerful in vitro platform for dissecting the dynamic, stepwise processes that define early embryogenesis.

Congratulations to Zhen Liu and colleagues at the Institute of Neuroscience (ION), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai for their remarkable achievement.

Take a look at our News & Views using the following link: bit.ly/4iGpuj6.

The original study from Zhen Liu”s lab: bit.ly/4pMt8Kl

Lab party at TopGolf

Posted on September 16, 2025September 16, 2025 by Thor Theunissen

The Theunissen Lab went to TopGolf for our lab summer party. Check out these pictures of our lab members practicing their swing:

Welcoming our new summer student: Jane Liu

Posted on August 26, 2025August 26, 2025 by Thor Theunissen

Jinyu (or Jane) joined the lab as a summer intern in 2025. She is an undergraduate studying biology at the University of Oxford, where she will be doing her master’s research project in Dr. Berta Verd’s lab, studying the role of maternal factors in somitogenesis in cichlids. She has also done an internship in Professor Andrew Ward’s lab at the University of Bath studying the role of the maternally imprinted gene Grb10 in mouse embryonic development. Jane is motivated to join the Theunissen lab by her interest in stem cell models of human development. She has two dogs and five cats at home, loves playing badminton, watching anime, and drawing.

Welcome to the lab, Jane!