I am an Associate Professor of Pediatrics in the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, USA. I have been here for 20+ years running a research program in non-malignant hematology focused on the hemoglobinopathies. My research program studies the pathogenesis of sickle cell disease in respect to the generation, prevention and treatment of organ dysfunction. This is married to my long-standing interest in stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine. In particular my lab employs hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to study the effects of long-term correction of the hematological defect in murine models of sickle cell disease and thalassemia. We have considerable experience in the maintenance of sickle mouse colonies, transplantation, hematological and functional analysis of the outcomes and routinely generate the sickle phenotype in multiple genetically engineered mouse models. Over the past few years we have focused on the kidney and have generated expertise in renal function testing and renal pathophysiology. These studies have enabled us to investigate the mechanisms of sickle cell nephropathy and their prevention in murine models of sickle cell disease. Further, we are currently involved in a number of collaborative efforts including studies of stroke, bone disease, vasculopathy, and testing therapeutics in multiple models of sickle cell disease and thalassemia.