Valentina Greco, PhD
Biography
Research & Publications
News
Appointments
Biography
Valentina Greco was born in Palermo, Italy and earned her undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology at the University of Palermo, Italy (1996). She earned her PhD at the EMBL/MPI-CBG, Germany (1998-2002), her post-doc at the Rockefeller University (2003-2009) and is currently a Professor in the Genetics, Cell Biology and Dermatology Departments, and a member of the Yale Stem Cell Center and Yale Cancer Center at Yale University (2009-present).
The Greco lab aims to define how tissues maintain themselves throughout the course of our lives in the face of continuous cellular turnover, frequent injuries, and spontaneous mutations. To do so, the Greco lab developed novel tools that integrate imaging of stem cells in their niche in live mice with both genetic and cell biological approaches that empower a better understanding of the complex orchestration of tissue regeneration using the skin as a model system. This has led to a number of discoveries, including but not limited to 1) stem cell position dictates their fate in the hair follicle, 2) a stem cell-mediated phagocytic clearance mechanism regulates the size of the hair follicle stem cell pool and 3) tissue correction preserves skin epithelial homeostasis. These scientific discoveries are driven by the lab's desire to create a stimulating academic environment where the focus is on doing good, collaborative science while promoting inclusivity within the scientific community, prioritizing mentoring of the lab's trainees’ scientific growth, and striving to make science accessible to everyone.
Dr. Greco has been the recipient of many awards over her career, most recently the 2021 International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) Momentum Award, the 2019 NIH Director’s Pioneer Award, the 2019 Yale Postdoctoral Mentoring Award, the 2018 Yale Graduate Mentor Award in the Natural Sciences, and in 2018 was named the Inaugural Holder of the Carolyn Slayman Endowed Professorship.
Education & Training
- Post-doctoral AssociateRockefeller University (2009)
- PhDHeidelberg University, Cell & Molecular Biology (2003)
- BSUniversity of Biological Science (1996)
Honors & Recognition
Award | Awarding Organization | Date |
---|---|---|
Mid-Career Investigator Award 2021-2022 | Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) | 2022 |
Vice-President/President-Elect/President/Past President of (ISSCR) 2022-2026 | International Society for Stem Cell Research | 2022, 2026 |
Elected Member | Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE) | 2022 |
Selected Member | National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Advisory Council (NAMSAC) | 2021 |
Momentum Award | International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) | 2021 |
Vice-President/President-Elect/President/Past President of (SID) 2022-2026 | Society of Investigative Dermatology (SID) | 2021 |
Montagna Lectureship | Society of Investigative Dermatology (SID) | 2020 |
NIH DP Pioneer Award | NIH/NIA | 2019 |
Yale Genetics Department Mentoring Award | Yale | 2019 |
Yale Post-doctoral Mentoring Award | Yale | 2019 |
Yale Mentoring Award in the Natural Sciences | 2018 | |
The Inaugural Holder of the Carolyn Slayman Endowed Professorship | 2018 | |
Glenn Foundation Award | Glenn Foundation for Medical Research | 2017 |
Class of ‘61 Award by the Yale Cancer Center | 2017 | |
HHMI Faculty Scholar Award | 2017 | |
Early Career Award | ASCB | 2016 |
Elected Chair/Vice-Chair for the 2019/2017 Gordon Conferences on “Epithelial Differentiation and Keratinization” | The Gordon Research Conferences | 2016 |
Edward Mallinckrodt, Jr. Foundation | Edward Mallinckrodt, Jr. Foundation | 2015 |
2014 Outstanding Young Investigator Award | International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) | 2014 |
Robertson Stem Cell Investigator Award 2015 | New York Stem Cell Foundation | 2014 |
Dermatology Foundation Career Development Award | Dermatology Foundation | 2012 |
American Skin Association Award | American Skin Association | 2011 |
Professional Service
Organization | Role | Date |
---|---|---|
International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) | Vice President | 2022 - Present |
Departments & Organizations
- Cancer Signaling Networks
- Genetics
- Greco Lab
- Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics and Development
- Molecular Medicine, Pharmacology, and Physiology
- Rheumatic Diseases Research Core
- Status of Women in Medicine Committee (SWIM)
- Yale Cancer Center
- Yale Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS)
- Yale Stem Cell Center
- Yale Ventures