Maksim Plikus is a professor of developmental and cell biology at the University of California, Irvine, specializing in regenerative biology and tissue engineering. His research focuses on skin regeneration, wound healing, and the role of stem cells in tissue development. Plikus has made significant contributions to understanding hair follicle cycling, scarless healing, and, most recently, the discovery of lipocartilage, a unique fatty cartilage with potential applications in regenerative medicine. His work combines advanced imaging, genetic models, and computational approaches to uncover new therapeutic strategies for tissue repair and regeneration.