Sambra Redick and René Maehr Named Co-Directors of the Pappas Stem Cell Differentiation Core
Date Posted: Friday, January 23, 2026
The Diabetes Center of Excellence (DCOE) has named Sambra Redick, PhD, and René Maehr, PhD, as co-directors of the Pappas Stem Cell Differentiation Core (Pappas SCDC).
Founded in 2022 under the leadership of Dr. Redick, the Pappas SCDC has grown into a five-member scientific team dedicated to generating and refining stem cell-derived islets (SC-islets). These cells now support a wide range of collaborative research efforts aimed at advancing cell-based therapies for Type 1 diabetes (T1D). This work supports the Breakthrough T1D Barbara Dewey Cammett Center of Excellence in New England, a multi-institution collaboration led by Dr. Harlan. Together, researchers are testing engineered SC-islets in our novel “humanized” models to evaluate their function and immune compatibility, advancing toward durable cell-replacement therapies.
Dr. Maehr brings expertise in stem cell biology, immunology, and gene editing. An Associate Professor of Molecular Medicine who joined the DCOE in 2011, Dr. Maehr has studied how the immune system is trained—particularly the role of the thymus—and how this process can be harnessed to prevent immune rejection. As co-director of the Pappas SCDC, Dr. Maehr will provide leadership in advanced stem cell and gene editing technologies, overseeing gene editing efforts that support investigators across collaborative T1D research programs, specifically advancing projects within the Breakthrough T1D Barbara Dewey Cammett Center of Excellence in New England.
Dr. Redick, a senior research scientist in the laboratory of David Harlan, MD, has led the development of stem cell-derived islets at the DCOE for the past three years. As co-director, she will continue to oversee SC-islet production, quality control, and ongoing improvements to differentiation methods that ensure consistency and reliability for research use.
Together, Drs. Redick and Maehr provide complementary leadership that strengthens the Pappas SCDC’s role as a cornerstone of diabetes research at UMass Chan. Under their direction, the core is accelerating progress toward immune-compatible, stem cell–based therapies that could transform care for people living with Type 1 diabetes.
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