Thelma Escobar is an Assistant Professor in the Biochemistry department at the University of Washington (UW). She specializes in studying the epigenetic mechanisms that shape developmental systems, particularly focusing on the role of gene expression programs in epigenetic inheritance and cellular identity. Her research employs an interdisciplinary approach, merging methods from stem cell biology, immune biology, and biochemistry to capture broad molecular information and reveal high-resolution chromatin features. Current investigations in her lab include the study of histone inheritance and how it preserves chromatin domains, alongside the mechanisms of cell fate determination. Through her work, she aims to understand the delicate balance that exists between chromatin duplication and cellular identity across different cell cycles, allowing for the necessary changes that promote cellular diversity. Escobar has received recognition for her contributions to the field, with notable awards from UCLA during her early academic career.