Complex cellular interactions and gene regulatory patterns shape the emergence and long-term functioning of the many different cell types in the human body. We are interested in developing and applying quantitative models of the regulation of cellular identity (a.k.a. cell type) at a molecular level. Relatedly, we are interested in designing protocols for reprogramming and transdifferentiation (directing cells to progenitor or other differentiated types, respectively). We made progress toward this goal for more efficient fibroblast-to-iPSC reprogramming by suppressing genes that may be needed to maintain fibroblast identity. Currently, we are pursing theoretical and experimental projects about how cells make tradeoffs in single-cell gene expression patterns to balance regulation of their diverse functions, mapping pre-manipulation cell states to cell engineering protocol outcomes, and how to use our insights to improve cell therapies for cancers, autoimmune disorders, and regenerative applications.