Reza Kalhor, PhD

Research Interests

Dr. Kalhor’s research seeks to map and engineer cell fate using synthetic biology and genomics approaches. To accomplish this objective, his group develops: (A) molecular technologies that write cellular histories into their genomes, (B) sequencing strategies that read out written information with spatial resolution, and (C) computational methods that reconstruct the underlying biological processes based on recorded information. This work combines genomics, CRISPR and other gene editing technologies, systems biology, and computational modeling approaches. It aims to better understand embryogenesis, neurogenesis, and tumorigenesis. It also aims to establish more effective cell therapies.

Dr. Kalhor received his PhD in Molecular and Computational Biology from USC, where he studied the relationship between genome function and its 3D structure. His postdoctoral training in Genetics and Synthetic Biology at the Harvard Medical School and Wyss Institute focused on storage of digital and biological information in DNA. He joined the BME faculty in 2019 and is a 2020 David and Lucile Packard Fellow for Science and Engineering.

Titles

• Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering
• Assistant Professor, Molecular Biology & Genetics
• Assistant Professor, Genetic Medicine
• Assistant Professor, Neuroscience
• Joint appointment in Medicine, Division of Molecular Medicine

Affiliated Centers & Institutes

• Center for Epigenetics
• Institute for Basic Biomedical Science
• Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute
• Translational Tissue Engineering Center

Education

• Postdoctoral Fellowship, Harvard Medical School, 2012-2019
• PhD, Molecular and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, 2012
• BS, Biotechnology, University of Tehran, 2006

Recent Highlights

December 12, 2022

New computer model tracks origin of cell changes that drive development

Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine say they have developed a computer model — dubbed quantitative fate mapping — that looks back in the developmental timeline to trace the origin of cells in a fully grown organism.

• October 15, 2020
  Synthetic biologist wins prestigious Packard Fellowship
  Reza Kalhor, an assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, edits the genetic code to enable cells to record their own growth—a key to unlocking the origins of developmental abnormalities.
• December 10, 2019
  Meet Reza Kalhor, assistant professor of BME
  In this interview, Kalhor discusses his research on mapping and understanding embryonic development, a memorable “eureka moment,” and career advice for current students.