Vera Koledova is a Stem Cell Biologist doing translational research and has focused on iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes and their potential use in regenerative medicine. By background, she is a Russian immigrant from the city of Yaroslavl, Russian Federation, where she obtained her M.D. and Ph.D. in pathophysiology. After specializing in pediatrics, she focused on medical research which facilitated her immigration to Boston after meeting her husband Bob in Moscow at a medical conference. After early research on blood vessel remodeling at Brigham and Womens Hospital, she transferred to MIT where she has spent the past 15 years focusing on genetic regulation in cancer stem cells and the potential use of iPSCs differentiated into cardiomyocytes to advance our knowledge for regenerative medicine and cardiac repair post-myocardial infarction. Arising from her background as a physician and pediatrician, she is strongly motivated to do translational research for the benefit of humankind in order to reduce human suffering. A central focus in her life includes her family, friends and work.