Luis Gerardo Villa-Diaz, DVM, MSc, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering at Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan. He earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Universidad Veracruzana (Mexico), an MSc in Applied Sciences from Lincoln University (New Zealand), and a PhD from Kobe University (Japan). He completed postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Michigan in the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Biologic and Materials Sciences. Before joining Oakland University in 2016, he served as a Research Investigator at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. Dr. Villa-Diaz’s research focuses on human pluripotent stem cells, particularly the regulation of self-renewal and interactions with the microenvironment. His work emphasizes integrin signaling, especially the role of integrin alpha6 as a key stem cell-related protein. His awards include the 2016 Faculty Fellowship Award, 2018 Keystone Symposia Travel Award, 2020 Outstanding Junior Investigator Award, 2021 Faculty Recognition for Research, 2022 Carl Storm URM Fellowship, 2024 Research Excellence Award, and the 2024 Distinguished Mexican Award from the Government of Mexico.