Stephen A. Duncan
| Stephen A. Duncan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Glasgow, Scotland, UK |
| 🏳️ Nationality | British-American |
| 🎓 Alma mater | University of Glasgow, University of Oxford |
| 💼 Occupation | |
| Known for | Directed differentiation of stem cells into hepatocytes; modeling liver disease |
| 👩 Spouse(s) | Paula Traktman |
| 👶 Children | 2 |
Early life and education
Stephen Duncan was born in Glasgow, Scotland. He earned his undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology from the University of Glasgow. He completed his doctoral studies at Wolfson College, University of Oxford, receiving a D.Phil. in 1992 for his research on the transmission mechanisms of the poxvirus vaccinia under the mentorship of Geoffrey Smith.
Career
Following his doctorate, Duncan undertook postdoctoral research at The Rockefeller University in New York City in the laboratory of Dr. James Darnell where he investigated transcriptional regulation in liver development. He became an Assistant Professor at Rockefeller University before moving in 1997 to the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), where he rose to become the Marcus Professor in Human and Molecular Genetics and founded the Program in Regenerative Medicine in 2007. In 2015, Duncan joined the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) as Chair of the Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology.[1]
As Chair, Duncan has led a department focused on applying molecular and cellular biology to understand and reverse human disease. He also serves as Director of the Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) in Digestive and Liver Disease, where he has played a pivotal role in expanding research infrastructure, mentoring junior investigators, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.[2]
Scientific research contributions
Duncan is internationally recognized for his contributions to liver development, stem cell biology, and disease modeling using human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) having authored over 100 articles [3]. His laboratory developed protocols for the directed differentiation of hPSCs into hepatocyte-like cells, which exhibit key liver functions. These cells are used to model diseases such as familial hypercholesterolemia, mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome, and MASLD, and to screen for therapeutic compounds.
Science advocacy
Duncan has been an outspoken advocate for embryonic and fetal stem cell research. He authored editorials in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel supporting this work,[4][5] and appeared in a televised segment on CBS 58 News.[6].
Personal life
Duncan is married to Paula Traktman, a virologist and academic administrator. They have two children.
Selected honors and recognition
- Stanford University Ranking of the Top 2% of Scientists Worldwide (PMCID: PMC7567353)[7]
- SmartState Endowed Chair in Regenerative Medicine
- Marcus Professor in Human and Molecular Genetics, Medical College of Wisconsin
- Principal Investigator, NIH-funded COBRE in Digestive and Liver Disease
- Naomi Judd American Liver Scholar
- Wisconsin BizTimes Grand Achievement Award 2009 </ref>[8]
References
- ↑ Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology – MUSC
- ↑ COBRE in Digestive and Liver Disease – MUSC
- ↑ Current list of publications
- ↑ Duncan SA, Lough JW, Misra R. "Adult stem cells don't show same promise as embryonic stem cells." Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. September 7, 2006.
- ↑ Duncan SA. "The many benefits of fetal cell research." Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. September 13, 2011.
- ↑ CBS 58 News. "Eye to Eye: Stem Cells – Dr. Stephen Duncan." April 5, 2009.
- ↑ Ioannidis JPA, Boyack KW, Baas J. "Updated science-wide author databases of standardized citation indicators." PLOS Biology. 2020;18(10):e3000918.
- ↑ Biz Time Award.
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