Dr Emma Shepherd is an experimental biologist who specialises in developing in vitro and ex vivo models to examine the processes by which human tissue scars and repairs. Emma’s research group investigates molecular pathways in liver disease to identify candidate molecules for use as either biomarkers or as druggable targets. Advanced fibrotic disease is characterised by extensive deposition of extracellular matrix, which is highly cross-linked and resistant to breakdown, and this represents a major challenge in predicting drug efficacy. The chemical and mechanical properties of the microenvironment surrounding a cell play a major role in regulating cell fate and function. To model this, Emma’s research examines the role of the matrix composition on promoting fibrogenesis or repair.