Anteneh Getachew Woldemariam
Birmingham,USA
Summary
Results-driven biomedical scientist specializing in molecular biology, stem cell biology, and regenerative medicine. Expertise in cellular reprogramming and differentiation, focusing on therapeutic strategies for organ regeneration in cardiac and liver disease models. Proficient in tissue culture, flow cytometry, next-generation sequencing, and genome editing. Experienced in independent research project design, grant writing, and scientific publication.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Postdoctoral Scholar
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, USA
12.2022 - Current
- Lead research on direct cardiac reprogramming, converting fibroblasts into induced cardiomyocytes (iCMs)
- Identified key regulators of cardiac maturation and subtype specification, enhancing understanding of cardiac development
- Designed and implemented CRISPRa/CRISPRko screening platform, facilitating discovery of novel reprogramming factors critical for cardiac research
- Performed and analyzed ATAC-seq and RNA-seq to map chromatin accessibility and transcriptional programs
- Received an AHA-funded research grant ($144K) as Principal Investigator
- Mentored undergraduate and graduate trainees in experimental design and molecular techniques, fostering skills in next-generation researchers
PhD Student
Chinese Academy of Sciences
, China
09.2017 - 06.2021
- Conducted gain- and loss-of-function studies identifying anti-fibrotic targets in liver fibrosis mouse model, informing potential therapeutic strategies
- Identified novel SAA1–TLR2 signaling axis regulating hepatic stellate cell migration during liver fibrosis, enhancing understanding of fibrotic processes
- Generated CRISPR-engineered human stem cell lines for disease modeling
- Contributed to high-impact publications in stem cell and liver biology, advancing knowledge in field and supporting future research initiatives
Education
PhD - Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chinese Academy of Sciences
China06-2021
MSc - Biotechnology
Arba Minch University
Arba Minch, EthiopiaBSc - Animal Production & Health
Ambo University
Ambo, EthiopiaSkills
- ct cardiac reprogramming
- Stem cell differentiation
- IPSC/ESC culture
- Cell line engineering
- Cardiac electrophysiology analysis
- CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing
- CRISPRa/CRISPRko screens
- Molecular cloning
- Flow cytometry
- Immunostaining & Confocal microscopy
- Western Blot
- Coimmunoprecipitation & masspec
- ChIP-Seq
- ATAC-seq
- CUT&Tag
- Chromatin analysis
- Phenotypic assays
- Functional assays
- Laboratory animal handling and the development and utilization of disease models
- Basic Bioinformatic analysis, Differential expression, GO analysis, Data visualization
Affiliations
American Heart Association (AHA), 2022, Present
Reviewer For
- Stem Cell Research and Therapy
- Chemical Engineering Journal
- Asian Journal of Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
- Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
- Cardiovascular Therapeutics
- BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology
Awards
- AHA Postdoctoral Fellowship, 01/01/24 - 12/31/25, American Heart Association, Role: PI: Woldemariam, Anteneh Getachew. $144,580.00. Grant Number: 24POST1188989. Title: Dual CRISPRa and CRISPRko screens systematically define factors critical for direct cardiac reprogramming., 24POST1188989, https://doi.org/10.58275/AHA.24POST1188989.pc.gr.190913
- AHA postdoctoral fellowship Award, 2023
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences PhD fellowship award for International Students, 2017
Publications
- Systematic CRISPR Knockout Screen Uncovers Epigenetic Barriers to Direct Cardiac Reprogramming, Circulation research, 2025, Getachew A, Sajasan A, Abstract
- Heart-Specific Histone Methyltransferase SMYD1 Promotes Cardiac Maturation in the Direct Conversion of Human Fibroblasts into Cardiomyocytes, Circulation research, 2024, Getachew A, William P, et al., Abstract
- SAA1/TLR2 axis directs chemotactic migration of hepatic stellate cells responding to injury, iScience, 2021, Getachew A, Abbas N, et al.
- Generation of a TLR2 homozygous knockout human embryonic stem cell line using CRISPR/Cas9, Stem Cell Research, 2021, Getachew A, et al.
- Toll-like receptor 2 signaling in liver pathophysiology, Life Sciences, 2021, Getachew A, et al.
- ELM2-SANT domain protein regulates cardiomyocyte maturation, Journal of the American Heart Association, 2024, Lu Y.A., Getachew A, et al.
- Kupffer cells mediate recruitment of hepatic stellate cells, BBRC, 2020, Abbas N., Getachew A, et al.
- Kupffer cells regulate hepatic progenitor repopulation, Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 2024, Abbas N., Getachew A, et al.
Mentoring
- Research mentor, Rachana Kuthuru, Honors College, UAB, 2023, Present, Undergraduate student, lab rotation, Keefer Li, PhD student, BME, UAB, 01/01/25, 03/31/25, Winter 2025, Bevelyn Egleh, PhD student, BME, UAB, 01/01/25, 03/31/25, Winter 2025, Kennedy Buttler, PhD student, BME, UAB, 06/01/24, 08/31/24, Summer 2024, Justin A. Bridges, PhD student, BME, UAB, 03/01/24, 05/31/24, Spring 2024
- Mentor, William Peng, Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA), Birmingham, AL, 06/01/23, 08/31/23, High school student, mentoring during trainee phase, Birmingham, AL, US
- Mentor, Wang Yan, MSc student, Li Yin-xiong Lab, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2020, 2020, Xiaorui Yu, PhD student, Li Yin-xiong Lab, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2020, 2020
Presentations
- Basic Cardiovascular Sciences 2025 Scientific Sessions, 07/23/25 - 07/26/25, Marriot, Baltimore, MD, US, Poster presentation
- Basic Cardiovascular Sciences 2024 Scientific Sessions, 07/22/24 - 07/25/24, Hilton Chicago, Chicago, IL, US, Poster presentation
- Biopolymers for tissue engineering applications, 2016, National Symposium Natural Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia, Oral Presentation
Timeline
Postdoctoral Scholar
University of Alabama at Birmingham
12.2022 - Current
PhD Student
Chinese Academy of Sciences
09.2017 - 06.2021
PhD - Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chinese Academy of Sciences
MSc - Biotechnology
Arba Minch University
BSc - Animal Production & Health
Ambo University