Joan Beckman Lab
Dr. Joan Beckman researches sickle cell disease (SCD), hemophilia, polycythemia vera (PV), and other coagulation abnormalities. Research concentrations in SCD and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) both involve investigating drivers of vascular activation. Beckman Lab group applies in vitro and in vivo vascular models to study how the endothelium contributes to myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) thrombosis and vaso-occlussion in SCD. Dr. Beckman works closely with Dr. David Wood's Living Devices lab in Biomedical Engineering. Beckman Lab group has recently published an endothelized microfluidics model in the Journal of Haemostasis and Thrombosis. MPN research explores how vascular activation drives thrombosis risk. Dr. Beckman's MPN research has received an NHLBI- K08 Award, funding from the American Heart Association Career Development Award, American Cancer Society, Masonic Cancer Center, and the MPN Research Foundation.
Dr. Beckman also works closely with Drs. Belcher and Vercellotti to study SCD vascular activation, which ignited her passion for hematology. Using SCD mice, they work to identify common inflammatory pathways that trigger vaso-occlusion and pain. Their SCD-related studies received the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Bridge Award, and the University of Minnesota COVID-19 Bridge and Assistant Professor Startup awards.
Dr. Beckman's research contributes to identifying drivers of thrombosis and inflammation arising in the critical interface between the vascular endothelium, immune system, and hematopoietic system. Dr. Beckman is passionate about mentoring: lab members will build skills in molecular biology, animal models, and vascular endothelial biology. She enjoys mentoring undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral students in translational hematology.