In a landmark appointment set to shape the future of stem cell research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine has named Britta Will, Ph.D., as the permanent director of the prestigious Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine. Dr. Will, an associate professor of oncology, medicine, and cell biology and the Diane and Arthur B. Belfer Scholar in Cancer Research, has been a pivotal figure within the institute since 2015, bringing a rigorous scientific approach combined with visionary leadership that promises to expand the horizons of regenerative medicine and cancer biology.
Dr. Will’s ascension marks a significant milestone for the institute, as she becomes the first permanent director following the founding leadership of Paul Frenette, M.D., Ph.D., whose groundbreaking work laid the foundation of the institute’s excellence. Her appointment comes after an extensive national search, acknowledging her outstanding contributions not only in research but also in mentorship and academic stewardship. Yaron Tomer, M.D., the Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean and chief academic officer at Montefiore Einstein, highlighted Dr. Will’s demonstrated scientific excellence and her commitment to education, which collectively position her as the ideal leader for the institute’s next chapter.
The Gottesman Institute has long been a beacon for pioneering research into stem cell function, tissue regeneration, and the pathogenesis of complex diseases. Under Dr. Will’s guidance, the institute is expected to bolster integrative investigations focusing on chronic degenerative disorders such as dementia, diabetes, pulmonary diseases, immune deficiencies, and bone marrow failure. These conditions, which often have multifactorial etiologies and involve systemic deterioration, present formidable challenges that require innovative therapeutic approaches grounded in fundamental stem cell biology.
Dr. Will’s laboratory, funded by the National Institutes of Health, delves deeply into the molecular and cellular mechanisms governing hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which are responsible for lifelong blood regeneration. Her work has illuminated critical signaling pathways that enable these adult stem cells to maintain their regenerative capacity and adapt to the physiological demands imposed by aging and cancer. Discovering these pathways not only enhances our understanding of stem cell biology but also opens avenues for developing targeted therapies that can rescue or amplify stem cell function.
One of the transformative aspects of Dr. Will’s research is the identification of cellular mechanisms that become compromised during aging and malignant transformation. By unraveling how these mechanisms influence HSC exhaustion or dysregulation, her team aims to discover pharmacological interventions that could improve stem cell engraftment during transplantation, combat hematopoietic failure syndromes, and suppress leukemic progression. These insights hold substantial promise for enhancing clinical outcomes in oncology and regenerative medicine.
Dr. Will’s expertise extends beyond her research lab as she assumes a central role in cancer biology and preclinical research within the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center (MECCC). As co-leader of the stem cell biology and cancer biology program and director of the cancer stem cell pharmacodynamics laboratory, she integrates mechanistic investigations with translational science aimed at refining therapeutic regimens for hematologic malignancies. Her leadership ensures that laboratory discoveries are rapidly and efficiently translated into clinical trials that redefine patient care standards.
A key component of Dr. Will’s vision is fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, leveraging the strengths of physicists, biologists, clinicians, and data scientists to innovate complex models of disease and regenerative potential. By nurturing such alliances, the institute is poised to develop systems biology frameworks capable of predicting stem cell behavior in response to therapeutic interventions and aging-related stressors, thereby accelerating the bench-to-bedside pipeline.
Beyond her scientific and administrative achievements, Dr. Will’s dedication to education and mentorship is profound. She has played an instrumental role in training the next generation of biomedical researchers by serving on various admissions committees and supporting predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows. Her commitment to diversity and inclusion is particularly notable, as she actively engages with programs designed to inspire young scientists from underrepresented communities, including those from the Bronx, to pursue careers in cutting-edge biomedical science.
Dr. Will’s accolades reflect her impact and leadership in the hematology and oncology research communities. Honors such as the Pershing Square Sohn Prize for Young Investigators in Cancer Research and funding support from prestigious organizations including the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society underscore her scientific prominence. Moreover, her international influence is evident in her co-chair roles in leading European scientific workshops and working groups addressing molecular hematopoiesis and aging, further positioning her as a global thought leader.
Her scientific journey began with graduate training at Harvard University and culminated in a Ph.D. in cell biology from the Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg in Germany. Following her postdoctoral fellowship at Einstein, she quickly rose through the ranks to become a faculty member, contributing groundbreaking research and fostering an inclusive academic environment. This trajectory exemplifies her dedication to academic excellence and lifelong learning.
As the permanent director of the Gottesman Institute, Dr. Will’s strategic priorities include expanding the institute’s technological capacities, enhancing core facilities to integrate cutting-edge single-cell profiling, genome editing, and computational modeling techniques. Such advancements are essential for deciphering the intricate regulatory networks governing stem cell fate decisions and regenerative responses, which hold the key to developing unprecedented regenerative therapies.
The Albert Einstein College of Medicine continues to be a national leader at the intersection of medical education, research, and clinical innovation. The Gottesman Institute, under Dr. Will’s stewardship, will be instrumental in pioneering new modalities to reverse the deleterious effects of aging and chronic disease. Dr. Will’s leadership harbors the promise of translating fundamental stem cell biology into transformative medical advances, positioning Einstein at the forefront of regenerative medicine and cancer research for decades to come.
Subject of Research: Stem Cell Function, Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Regenerative Medicine, Aging, Cancer Stem Cell Biology
Article Title: Dr. Britta Will Named Permanent Director of the Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine
News Publication Date: May 16, 2025
Web References:
- https://einsteinmed.edu/faculty/11745/britta-will
- https://einsteinmed.edu/centers/stem-cell
- https://montefioreeinstein.org/cancer/research/stem-cell-biology
Image Credits: Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Keywords: Stem cell research, Hematopoietic stem cells, Cancer cells
