The CRM Early Career Executive Council (ECEC) consists of early career leaders in the field of regenerative medicine that are appointed on a yearly basis, with potential for renewal for up to 3-years. Council members include graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and staff that are currently appointed in CRM labs. ECEC members are provided with an honorarium at the end of each year.
Goals of the ECEC are set in collaboration with the Directors and Staff of the CRM and may include the following:
- Advise the Directors of the CRM on the needs of in-training members and serve as liaisons for CRM labs.
- Design and lead the implementation of yearly CRM social, networking, and training events, including the CRM monthly Work-in-Progress Seminar.
- Contribute to center communications such as newsletters, social media, and outreach efforts.
- Attend CRM leadership meetings and serve as ECEC representatives on CRM committees.
Interested in joining the ECEC? Find more information here.
Current ECEC Members:
Garrett Easson
CRM Early Career Executive Council, Member
- Email: geasson@wustl.edu
Garrett is a current postdoctoral fellow in the Wagenseil lab. He joined the CRM ECEC in 2023. His thesis research is focused on the mechanisms of intervertebral disc mechanical transduction to better understand the development of low back pain.
Matthew Ishahak, PhD
CRM Early Career Executive Council, Member; DPS Class of 2024
- Email: mishahak@wustl.edu
Dr. Ishahak is a postdoctoral fellow in the Millman Lab. He joined the CRM ECEC in 2023. Matt’s research is focused on engineering stem cell-derived organoid model systems to study human development and pathophysiology.
Renuka Khatik, PhD
CRM Early Career Executive Council, Member
- Email: khatik@wustl.edu
Dr. Khatik is a postdoctoral fellow in the Sharma Lab. She joined the CRM ECEC as co-chair in 2023 and continues as a member in 2024. Renuka’s research is focused on engineering of nano-drug delivery systems.
Marlie Maestas
CRM Early Career Executive Council, Member
- Email: m.maestas@wustl.edu
Marlie is a graduate student in the Millman lab. Her research focuses on leveraging stem cell technology to improve treatment for diabetes.
Brittany Meyer, MSc
CRM Early Career Executive Council, Member
- Email: mbrittany@wustl.edu
Ms. Meyer is a research technician II in the Theunissen Lab. She joined the CRM ECEC in 2023. She is interested in researching stem cells and their applications in disease therapy and regenerative medicine.
Sara Pietroforte, PhD
CRM Early Career Executive Council, Chair
- Email: pietroforte@wustl.edu
Dr. Pietroforte is a postdoctoral fellow in the Amargant i Riera Lab. She joined the CRM ECEC as co-Chair in 2024. Sara’s research is focused on the study of intrinsic and extrinsic factors that modulate oocyte quality in normal conditions and elucidate their changes with aging.
Adrienne Scott, PhD
CRM Early Career Executive Council, Co-Chair; Former T32 Fellow; CRM DPS Class of 2024
- Email: sadrienne@wustl.edu
Dr. Scott is a postdoctoral fellow in the Oyen Lab. Her research is focused on vascular remodeling of the placenta in Fetal Growth Restriction pregnancies and developing models to predict microvascular changes from low resolution ultrasound imaging.