Gemma Gillis is a member of the Gillis Lab at Woods Hole, primarily focused on developmental biology. The lab employs a comparative approach utilizing a variety of established and emerging animal and in vitro models to understand the fundamental properties of developmental systems. One of their primary goals is to reconstruct the evolution of vertebrate body plans, which can provide insights that inform bio-inspired strategies for treating human diseases. This innovative research is aimed at uncovering the underlying principles governing development, which could lead to significant advancements in the field of medicine and biological sciences.