James M. Wells, PhD. Director for Research, Division of Endocrinology, Chief Scientific Office, Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM) BS: Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Maine, Orono, ME, 1987. PhD: Graduate program in Genetics, SUNY at Stony Brook, New York, 1995. Postdoctoral Fellow: Harvard University, Cambridge MA, 1996 - 2001. The focus of his teams basic research has been to identify the molecular mechanisms involved in the embryonic development of endocrine cells including pancreatic beta cells and tissues of the gastrointestinal tract. Their translational projects have focused on identifying new approaches to improve child health in several ways: 1. To identify and use embryonic pathways to generate complex, three-dimensional organ tissues from pluripotent stem cells, 2. Use these tissues to develop new in vitro human models for diabetes and digestive disease research and 3. Develop long-term, therapeutic strategies for cell and tissue-replacement therapies. Research Understanding the development of the pancreas, and gastrointestinal organs; generating 3-dimensional human tissues from pluripotent stem cells and using these as human models of diabetes and digestive disease.