Pascal Lafontant

Dr. Pascal Lafontant is a professor of biology (Grinnell College), professor emeritus (DePauw University), and affiliate professor (Iowa State University).  He earned a PhD in biomedical sciences, an MS in physician assistant studies (Baylor College of Medicine), an MS in biomedical engineering (Hartford Graduate Center), and a BS in biological engineering (Cornell University).  His research and publications focus on heart development, repair, and regeneration.  His numerous awards include those from the National Institute of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the Buehler Foundation. 

For his Fulbright project, Dr. Lafontant is investigating the ecophysiology of the cement gland of a giant danio (of the genus Devario), a Sri Lankan native fish, at the University of Peradeniya.  Once Devario embryos hatch, larvae use the gland to attach to various substrates until they can swim.  The gland then disintegrates.  His initial research focused on the gland’s development and he is currently seeking a better understanding of its biology in its natural habitat, the streams in the Lankan high plateaus.  This research is set to shed light on the ecophysiology of the cement gland and may help promote conservation initiatives for the island’s diverse faunal population.