Kevin I. Watt

I am a biomedical scientist with a passion to understand the molecular mechanisms that govern the development, maturation, and regeneration of striated muscle cells. Building on more than 12 years of experience using cell and animal models of skeletal and cardiac muscle, I seek to develop a) improved cell and animal models of striated muscle development and disease, and b) new therapeutic interventions to treat congenital muscle disease in humans. I lead a team of 7 research staff and am 2nd in charge (2IC) of a team of 25 post-doctoral and higher degree students investigating new approaches to treat pediatric cardiomyopathy and cardiotoxicity. Using the highest standard work-practices and record-keeping, my team lead the characterisation and development of patient-derived pluripotent stem cell lines for disease modelling and therapeutic testing. We support the execution of innovative methodologies across the broader team including combinatorial-indexed single cell RNA-sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and pluripotent stem cell culture. In addition, we oversee automation of pluripotent stem cell culture and small molecule screens in the lab.