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The University of Georgia’s cohort of 2025 featured the inaugural student to complete UGA’s recently established Ph.D. program in regenerative bioscience (RB).
Launched in 2024 by the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, this innovative degree emphasizes cross-disciplinary education in regenerative medicine, biomanufacturing, and biomedical imaging and computation.
“On graduation day, I realized I was the first individual to earn a degree from this program,” stated Jinghui Gao. “I felt both thrilled and extremely proud.”
From China to Italy and then to the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, Gao has taken an international journey in science. After obtaining her bachelor’s from the University of Camerino in Italy and her master’s at USC, she aimed for UGA’s Regenerative Bioscience Center, where she benefited from the guidance and support of Yao Yao, assistant professor of regenerative medicine in CAES’ Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences (ADS).
Pictured are Jinghui Gao, right, and Yao Yao, left. (Submitted photo)
“When I discovered the Yao lab’s research on extracellular vesicles from stem cells, I was confident this program would create the perfect atmosphere to enhance my knowledge in regenerative medicine,” Gao remarked.
For Gao, the transition from ADS felt like a seamless advancement.
“Initially, I was a member of the ADS Ph.D. program prior to the RB program’s formation. Since my advisor and committee members are key faculty in the program, switching allowed my research to connect more thoroughly with its regenerative medicine emphasis.”
The RB Ph.D. program was established to address the increasing need for experts in regenerative bioscience, a burgeoning field gaining prominence worldwide and particularly in Georgia. According to the Georgia Power Bioscience database, the state is among the top 15 for biotechnological jobs and ranks sixth for growth in the area. In under a year, 18 Ph.D. candidates have enrolled in the program, showcasing a robust early momentum.
“Regenerative medicine cannot be approached from a single perspective — it demands a mixture of skills across science, technology, and medicine,” explained Lohitash Karumbaiah, professor of regenerative medicine and lead faculty architect of the recently introduced Ph.D. program. “The RB program equips students to navigate that intricacy, which is vital as the need for trained experts continues to surpass the availability.”
For twenty years, the Regenerative Bioscience Center (RBC) has educated thousands of students on their journey to medical school. With the initiation of the new UGA School of Medicine, the RBC will persist in offering shared resources, research possibilities, and faculty mentorship—reinforcing the connection between discovery and medical training.
“Collaborating with the new medical school, our degree programs will gain clearer insight into clinical necessities — which, in turn, helps us devise improved tools for healthcare providers and patients,” stated RBC Director Steven Stice, Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Regenerative Medicine. “It also paves the way for attracting a more diverse group of students and postdoctoral researchers by broadening opportunities in human health alongside the nation’s sole regenerative bioscience program offering both undergraduate and Ph.D. paths.”
Gao had the chance to mentor several RBC undergraduates, including Arial Sikal, who has recently been admitted to the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
“I’ve been lucky to learn under Jing Gao’s guidance for the last three years,” Sikal shared. “She cultivated an environment where I felt supported yet also pushed to evolve. She motivated me to take charge of my projects and objectives, while always being available to help me navigate obstacles or provide a fresh viewpoint.”
Gao reflected emotionally and appreciatively on graduation day, describing her Ph.D. journey as one that stretched her beyond her comfort zone. “What an incredible journey it has been,” she said. This journey encompassed not just scientific development but personal growth as well.
“It’s excellent training for graduate students — not merely concentrating on your own research but also observing what others are accomplishing and honing presentation skills,” she stated. “I’ve often thought of myself as somewhat nerdy and not the most proficient at explaining science, but these courses provided the push I required to enhance my communication abilities.
“Being the first to graduate and the first to depart feels a bit surreal,” she continued. “However, what has truly resonated with me is the open and cooperative nature of the program. People here are friendly — you can enter another lab, pose a question, and they’ll pause their tasks to assist you. It’s the kind of environment that makes you feel like you’re not alone in this journey.”
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