Our research efforts center on the clonal dynamics of stem/progenitor cells and the interactions they have with the immune system during development and regeneration.  We aim to understand the mechanisms by which specific cells are eliminated and others are supported by immune cells, with the goal of exploiting unique molecular mechanisms to target specific cells for removal or expansion. We use the zebrafish (Danio rerio) as our primary model organism. Zebrafish are highly regenerative and are able to efficiently repair damage to their heart, brain, spinal cord, and more. They also offer a unique and powerful experimental toolkit and are amenable to high-throughput chemical and genetic screens, sophisticated embryological manipulation, genetic perturbation, and high-resolution imaging. Zebrafish embryos develop and regenerate rapidly and are optically transparent, which allows for unparalleled live observation of cell-cell interactions across multiple stages of development and injury repair. These advantages allow us to investigate fundamental biological questions in ways that would not be possible in other systems.