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Vito CalderoneView profile

Associate Professor

• Structural Biology
• Protein Crystallography
• Bio-inorganic Chemistry
• +5 more

Vito Calderone is an Associate Professor at the University of Florence, affiliated with the Department of Chemistry and the Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM). His research focuses on structural biology, particularly the structural determination of proteins via X-ray crystallography, mitochondrial proteins, metalloproteins, and drug design. He has contributed to over 70 peer-reviewed publications with an H-index of 27 and solved more than 120 protein X-ray structures. Education & Career: Master's in Biological Sciences, University of Turin (1992) PhD in Protein Chemistry, University of Turin (1997) Postdoctoral positions at: University of Bath (1997) IGBMC Strasbourg (1997–1999) University of Padua (1999–2002) University of Siena (2002–2006) CERM, University of Florence (2006–2012) Assistant Professor, University of Florence (2012–) Current role: Associate Professor Research Interests: Structural biology of mitochondrial proteins and metalloproteins, X-ray crystallography applications in drug design, metal-mediated protein interactions. Key areas include electron transfer processes, metal trafficking in cells, and structural studies of protein complexes. Publications & Grants: Over 70 peer-reviewed articles in journals like Acta Crystallographica , Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry , and Journal of the American Chemical Society . His work spans structural biology, protein engineering, and antiviral drug design. Labs & Teams: Active in the Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), collaborating on projects involving integrated structural biology techniques, NMR spectroscopy, and computational modeling.

• TISSUE CULTURE RESEARCH
• ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
• MICROBIOLOGY
• +1 more

Dr. Mauida Al Khallawi is an Academic Researcher at the School of Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Adelaide. Her work focuses on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in veterinary pathogens, particularly Mycoplasma species, and vaccine development. She collaborates with Prof. Darren Trott at the Australian Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Ecology (ACARE) and has conducted longitudinal studies on AMR in cattle. Her research combines microbiology, tissue culture innovation, and genomic analysis to address critical issues in animal health and food safety. Education: PhD in Veterinary Microbiology (2012), University Putra Malaysia MSc in Veterinary Medicine (1994), University of Baghdad BSc in Veterinary Science (1991), University of Baghdad Research Interests: Development of marine and avian cell lines for pathogen isolation Mechanisms of AMR in Mycoplasma and Enterococcus species Bio-banking of pathogen isolates for genomic studies Vaccine candidate identification using molecular techniques Articles Trends: Recent publications emphasize AMR in livestock-associated bacteria, viral pathogenesis in poultry, and diagnostic innovations in aquaculture. Key themes include One Health approaches, genomic epidemiology, and cell culture advancements. Supervision & Grants: Eligible to supervise Masters/PhD students and has secured grants supporting AMR research. Collaborates internationally on vaccine development and pathogen characterization projects. Labs/Teams: Active in ACARE and the School's microbiology laboratories, focusing on whole-genome sequencing and bio-banking initiatives.

• Wind Engineering
• Hydraulic Engineering
• Fluid Mechanics
• +5 more

Dr. Mike Jesson is a Lecturer in Wind and Water Engineering at the University of Birmingham's Department of Civil Engineering, part of the School of Engineering. He serves as the First Year Director for Engineering programmes and Admissions Academic Tutor in Civil Engineering. His career combines academic research with industry experience, holding a PhD in open-channel flow hydraulics (2012), an MSc in Water Resources Management (2008), and prior degrees in Thermal Energy and Mathematical Physics. His research focuses on transient wind fields (e.g., thunderstorm downbursts, urban turbulence), hydraulic modeling, and interdisciplinary applications such as crop lodging analysis and rainwater harvesting. He has contributed to leading journals in wind engineering, hydrology, and environmental science, emphasizing experimental design and analytical modeling. His work bridges environmental challenges with engineering solutions, including renewable energy assessments and sustainable water treatment using plant-based coagulants. Dr. Jesson’s teaching spans fluid mechanics and water engineering, reflecting his expertise in fluid dynamics and sustainable infrastructure. He has been an invited speaker at UK Wind Engineering Society events and collaborates internationally on projects like CO2 enrichment studies and urban wind comfort assessments. His research outputs demonstrate cross-disciplinary innovation, addressing climate resilience and resource optimization in diverse contexts.

• Synthetic Biology
• Artificial Cells
• Membrane Engineering
• +10 more

Dr. Cherng-Wen Darren Tan is a faculty member at the Institute of Synthetic Bioarchitectures, Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). His research focuses on engineering artificial cellular systems for biomedical applications, particularly in disease treatment and drug delivery. He has been actively involved in advancing synthetic biology through the development of artificial cells, cytoplasts, and decoy systems targeting diseases such as HIV/AIDS. PhD, National University of Singapore (2009) BSc (Hons), Cell and Molecular Biology, National University of Singapore (1999) His research interests include synthetic biology, artificial cells, membrane engineering, polymersomes, targeted drug delivery, and microfluidics . He applies these to model and treat human diseases by creating biomimetic systems that replicate cellular functions. His work bridges fundamental science with translational engineering, aiming to solve real-world medical challenges. The 15 most recent publications highlight a strong trend in bottom-up synthetic biology , with emphasis on constructing functional cellular mimics using polymersomes and cell-derived vesicles. Key themes include membrane protein integration, in vitro protein synthesis, and microfluidic analysis of cell behavior. His work spans disciplines such as biophysics, nanotechnology, and biomedical engineering. President Graduate Fellowship, National University of Singapore (2005) Dr. Tan has supervised numerous master’s theses and contributed to research projects funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF). He has also served as a guest editor for Micromachines and performed peer review for funding agencies like the European Research Council. His lab focuses on creating functional synthetic bioarchitectures that emulate natural cell systems for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

Peijun ZhangView profile

Professor

• Structural Biology
• Cryo-Electron Microscopy (CryoEM)
• Cryo-Electron Tomography (CryoET)
• +12 more

Peijun Zhang is a leading structural biologist and Professor at the University of Oxford, affiliated with the Nuffield Department of Medicine and the Structural Biology Laboratory (STRUBI). She serves as the Director of the Electron Bio-Imaging Centre (eBIC) at Diamond Light Source, where she leads a world-class cryo-EM and cryo-ET facility. Her research group focuses on the structural mechanisms of human pathogens, particularly HIV-1 and bacterial signaling systems. Her educational background includes a Ph.D. in Molecular Biophysics from the University of Virginia, an M.S. in Physics, and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Nanjing University. She completed postdoctoral training at the National Cancer Institute and was previously faculty at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Zhang's research integrates cutting-edge cryo-electron microscopy and tomography with biochemical, biophysical, and computational methods to study large macromolecular complexes in situ . Her work spans HIV-1 capsid assembly and nuclear import, host-pathogen interactions, bacterial chemotaxis arrays, and chromatin architecture. She is deeply involved in method development, including software like emClarity for subtomogram averaging and advanced cryo-FIB/SEM techniques. Her recent publications (2020–2025) demonstrate a strong trend in in situ structural biology, capturing transient viral and cellular processes at high resolution. Themes include viral entry, capsid dynamics, chromatin organization, and correlative imaging, reflecting her leadership in pushing the boundaries of 3D electron microscopy. She has received several scientific awards, including: Carnegie Science Emerging Female Scientist Award Senior Vice Chancellor’s Award U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 'On-the-Spot' Award Dr. Zhang actively mentors a research team including postdoctoral associates and PhD students. She leads the Oxford Particle Imaging Centre (OPIC), a BSL-3 facility, and secures major funding for advanced instrumentation and research. Her work bridges fundamental science and translational applications in virology and infectious disease. She is associated with key facilities such as eBIC and OPIC, which provide cutting-edge cryo-EM access to the scientific community. Her lab continues to pioneer new imaging technologies to resolve molecular structures within their native cellular environments.

Mandana SassanfarView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Science Education
• +3 more

Mandana Sassanfar is a Senior Lecturer in the MIT Department of Biology and Director of Outreach for Biology, Brain and Cognitive Sciences, and the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory. She leads outreach initiatives for underprivileged students and those from institutions with limited research access, including the MSRP-Bio summer program and Quantitative Biology Workshop. Her roles also include organizing field trips for high school and community college students, teaching freshman labs, and coordinating teacher training. She holds a BS and MS from University Pierre and Marie Curie (Paris VI), and a PhD in Biochemistry from Cornell University, with postdoctoral training at Harvard School of Public Health and Massachusetts General Hospital. Prior to MIT, she worked in industry at Cubist Pharmaceuticals and taught at Harvard College. Research interests span biochemistry, molecular biology, and science education, with a focus on enhancing STEM access. Her scientific contributions include studies on tRNA synthetases, DNA repair mechanisms, and bacterial genetics. Awards include AAAS and Massachusetts Academy of Sciences Fellowships, and the MIT School of Science Dean’s Education & Advising Award. She serves as Director of the Massachusetts Junior Academy of Science and a Board Member at Harvard’s Biochemical Sciences program. Her outreach work emphasizes hands-on biology education and mentorship for underserved populations.

Judd F HultquistView profile

Assistant Professor

• Host-Pathogen Interactions
• Systems Biology
• HIV Research
• +5 more

Dr. Judd F Hultquist is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Immunology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. He leads the Hultquist Lab, which focuses on systems biology approaches to study host-pathogen interactions, particularly HIV and SARS-CoV-2. His work bridges big data analytics with clinical applications to develop host-driven therapies. Education: BS: Marquette University (2008) PhD: University of Minnesota (2013) Postdoc: J. David Gladstone Institutes (2018) Research Interests: Dr. Hultquist's lab develops high-throughput systems to study viral replication and pathogenesis. Key areas include HIV latency mechanisms, SARS-CoV-2 molecular epidemiology, and host factor discovery using CRISPR and functional genomics. Recent work includes identifying host proteins critical for HIV/SARS-CoV-2 replication and exploring CRISPR-based therapeutic strategies. Publications: Recent work highlights his lab's focus on HIV cure strategies (e.g., CRISPR-based host factor screening), SARS-CoV-2 transmission mechanisms (mucociliary clearance modulation), and translational research on viral diagnostics (Nanomechanical HIV antigen detection). The articles collectively emphasize systems biology approaches to combat infectious diseases. Awards: No specific awards listed in the provided text. Advising & Grants: Dr. Hultquist oversees postdoctoral and graduate training programs in his lab. His lab is funded by NIH grants (e.g., HIV Accessory & Regulatory Complexes Center, NIAID awards) and industry partnerships (e.g., Blue Cat Bio, Ridgeback Biotherapeutics). He also collaborates on global health initiatives like the Nigeria SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance project. Labs & Affiliations: Hultquist Lab (Primary affiliation) Center for Human Immunobiology Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (NUCATS) Robert J. Havey, MD Institute for Global Health

• Bioengineering
• Molecular Bionics
• Nanotechnology
• +2 more

Matilde Ghibaudi serves as the designated contact for the Molecular Bionics research group at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), a leading bioengineering research center in Barcelona. Her role positions her at the forefront of interdisciplinary work merging molecular biology with engineering principles to develop bio-inspired technologies. Her research spans Bioengineering, Molecular Bionics, Nanotechnology, and Biomaterials, focusing on creating molecular-scale systems that replicate biological functions for medical and technological applications. This work emphasizes biomimetic design, nanoscale engineering, and the development of responsive bionic materials, aligning with IBEC's mission to drive innovation at the intersection of engineering and life sciences. As a core contributor to IBEC's research ecosystem, she participates in the institute's collaborative framework alongside specialized groups like Nanobioengineering and Biomaterials for Regenerative Therapies, advancing cutting-edge solutions for healthcare challenges through molecular-level bionic innovation.

• Bio-Organic Chemistry
• Chemical Biology
• Toxicology
• +5 more

Amy Millsap is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, within the College of Humanities and Sciences. She holds the Amy LeVesconte Professorship in Chemistry and teaches courses such as Organic Chemistry I & II, General Chemistry II, and Chemistry Seminar - Capstone III. Her research focuses on DNA damage caused by dietary and endogenous mutagens, with a strong emphasis on translesion synthesis mechanisms. Research Interests: Dr. Millsap's work lies at the intersection of bio-organic chemistry, toxicology, and chemical biology. She investigates how mutagenic DNA adducts, particularly those derived from dietary compounds like IQ and endogenous agents like methylglyoxal, are processed by human DNA polymerases. Her research provides insight into error-free and mutagenic bypass mechanisms, contributing to understanding carcinogenesis at the molecular level. These studies involve detailed biochemical analysis, structural characterization, and cellular models of DNA replication. Publication Trends: Her recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on DNA lesion bypass, particularly involving bulky adducts formed by heterocyclic amines and reactive carbonyl species. The work combines organic synthesis, molecular biology, and analytical techniques to dissect polymerase specificity and fidelity. Key themes include the roles of Y-family and B-family DNA polymerases in mutagenesis, crosslink characterization, and implications for genomic stability. Scientific Awards: Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology Fellowship (2009–2012) Advising and Grants: While no formal advisees are listed, Dr. Millsap has conducted independent and collaborative research, particularly during her postdoctoral fellowship at Vanderbilt. She has not listed current external grants, but her prior fellowship support indicates a strong foundation in competitive funding. Her teaching responsibilities include mentoring students in capstone research experiences. Labs and Research Teams: Although specific lab or team names are not mentioned in the text, her research has been conducted in collaboration with prominent scientists such as Carmelo J. Rizzo and Ashis K. Basu, suggesting active participation in a chemical biology research group. At UMHB, she likely maintains an undergraduate-focused research lab involving student researchers in biochemical and toxicological projects.

• Biomimetics
• Nanotechnology
• Materials Science
• +3 more

Ilse-Christine Gebeshuber is an Associate Professor at TU Wien's Forschungsbereich Atomic and Plasma Physics , specializing in biomimetic engineering and nanotechnology. She leads projects on bio-based materials and sustainable design methodologies, including the development of recyclable stretch foils. Her research integrates biological principles into engineering solutions, focusing on nanostructures, biomaterials, and additive manufacturing. Education : Technical background in engineering and biomimetics. Research Interests : Biomimetic design, functional surfaces inspired by nature (e.g., insect wings, plants), and sustainable materials. Her work bridges biology, physics, and engineering to address global challenges like climate change and healthcare innovation. Notable contributions include the VDI Technical Rule on biomimetic design and collaborations on bactericidal nanopillar replication. She actively publishes in biomimetics, nanotechnology, and green engineering, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches.

Olivier BretteView profile

Lecturer

• Economic History
• Institutional Economics
• Evolutionary Economics
• +3 more

Olivier Brette is a Lecturer in Economics at the National Institute of Applied Sciences (INSA) in Lyon, France. He is affiliated with the Humanities Center at INSA Lyon and contributes to the Triangle - UMR 5206 research unit. His academic career includes a Ph.D. in Economic Sciences from Lumière Lyon 2 University (2004), awarded with distinction. He has held roles such as co-facilitator of Theme 6 (“Urbanizations, Globalizations, Capitalisms”) at LabEx IMU since 2011 and serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Economic Issues . Research interests focus on evolutionary and institutionalist economic thought, circular economy transitions, and the history of economic thought. Key themes include the application of generalized Darwinism to institutional analysis, the economic implications of Herbert Simon’s work, and sustainability in industrial practices like bio-based plastics. His interdisciplinary approach bridges economic history, institutional dynamics, and policy analysis. Notable awards include the 2007 Veblen 150 Prize for researchers under 35. His work spans peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and conference presentations, often collaborating with institutions like GREDEG and Triangle. He also contributes to policy-oriented projects such as the BIOLOOP initiative on bio-sourced polymers.

• Computational Biology
• Systems Biology
• Mathematical Modeling
• +5 more

Tomáš Helikar is a researcher at the Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences within the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. His work focuses on computational modeling of biological processes, with a particular emphasis on dynamical systems and qualitative modeling frameworks. Helikar co-developed Bio-Logic Builder , a web-based tool for creating Boolean rule-based models of biological regulatory mechanisms The Cell Collective , an open platform for systems biology collaboration His research spans applications in signal transduction , cell cycle modeling , and viral replication (notably influenza A), combining mathematical formalism with biomedical inquiry. While no formal awards or student advisement information appears in the available text, Helikar's publications demonstrate strong technical expertise in discrete formalism and non-technical model construction for laboratory scientists. His work enables qualitative data conversion into Boolean expressions for simulating complex biological networks.

Xiaoquan WenView profile

Professor

• Bayesian Statistics
• Computational Statistics
• Genetics
• +5 more

Xiaoquan Wen is a Professor in the Department of Biostatistics at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, where he joined the faculty in 2011 after earning his PhD in Statistics from the University of Chicago. His research focuses on developing advanced Bayesian and computational statistical methods for genetics and genomics applications. His educational background includes a PhD in Statistics (2011) from the University of Chicago, an MS in Computer Science (2002), and an MS in Mathematics (2001), both from the University of Illinois. His research spans Bayesian model comparison, multiple hypothesis testing, probabilistic graphical models, and molecular QTL analysis, with applications in genetics and functional genomics. Wen's publication trends reveal consistent contributions to statistical genetics methodology, particularly in false discovery rate control, eQTL discovery, and integrative genomic analyses. His work increasingly emphasizes multi-omics integration and causal inference for complex traits, as evidenced by recent publications on metabolome-wide Mendelian randomization and multi-resolution genomic clustering. He is an active participant in the NIH GTEx project and affiliated with the Center of Statistical Genetics at the University of Michigan. His software contributions include BLIMP for imputation, SLAT for gene-level testing, and STRUCTURE for population genetics analysis. Wen teaches advanced courses including BIOS 699 (Design and Analysis of Biostatistical Investigations), BIOS 680/MATH 627 (Applications of Stochastic Processes), and BIOS 830 (Methods and Applications of Statistical Learning), demonstrating his commitment to statistical education.

• Chemistry Education
• STEM Education
• Biochemistry
• +3 more

Travis Lund serves as Associate Professor and Director of the Biology-Health Sciences program in the Natural Sciences department at Oregon Institute of Technology. He teaches organic chemistry, genetics, and medical sciences courses while supervising undergraduate research projects. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Colorado Boulder and postdoctoral work at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Ph.D. in Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder (2013) B.S. in Chemistry, George Fox University (2006) Lund's research spans biochemistry and STEM education methodology, with particular expertise in classroom observation protocols like COPUS and DART. His work investigates how question ordering affects chemistry concept inventories and examines barriers to adopting student-centered teaching practices in STEM disciplines. He has developed innovative approaches for measuring reformed instructional practices through modified observation protocols. Lund's publication record demonstrates consistent contributions to both biochemistry and chemistry education research. His work shows increasing focus on educational methodology since 2011, with recent publications emphasizing practical classroom applications and faculty development strategies. The research bridges molecular biology concepts with pedagogical innovation in STEM education. Lund actively supervises undergraduate research projects and teaches courses including BIO 109 (Intro to Medical Sciences), CHE 331-333 (Organic Chemistry series), and BIO 441 (Medical Genetics). He has presented his educational research at numerous national conferences including ACS meetings and the Biennial Conference on Chemical Education.

Michael SchlierfView profile

Professor

• Membrane protein folding
• Protein-DNA interactions
• Regulatory DNA and RNA conformations
• +5 more

Prof. Michael Schlierf is a Professor for Molecular Biophysics at B CUBE – Center for Molecular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden (TU Dresden), where he has led his research group since 2017. Previously, he served as a Junior Group Leader at B CUBE from 2010-2017, following postdoctoral work at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research focuses on conformational dynamics of biomolecules, specifically membrane protein folding, protein-DNA interactions during DNA replication and recombination, and regulatory DNA and RNA structures. His group develops and applies advanced single-molecule spectroscopy and microscopy techniques to observe biomolecular dynamics at unprecedented resolution. Current methodological expertise includes molecular bioengineering, single-molecule FRET, TCSPC, magnetic tweezers, and optical tweezers. Prof. Schlierf's publication record spans high-impact journals including Nature Communications, Science Advances, and PNAS, with recent work emphasizing membrane protein biogenesis, DNA recombination mechanisms, and innovative single-molecule methodologies. His research program demonstrates consistent evolution from fundamental protein folding studies to complex biological systems. BMFTR Go-Bio initial (2025-2026) DAAD PROCOPE German-French collaboration (2025-2026) EFRE-JTF aCOS validation funds (2024-2026) DFG projects on outer membrane protein biogenesis, replication initiation, and relaxase dynamics Previous funding from BMBF, DFG Clusters of Excellence (Physics of Life), and Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation Prof. Schlierf actively supervises multiple PhD students and postdocs, with a track record of successful alumni who have secured positions in academia and industry. His group maintains an interdisciplinary environment that bridges physics, biology, and chemistry approaches to study fundamental biomolecular processes. The Schlierf Group operates within B CUBE – Center for Molecular Bioengineering at TU Dresden, with access to state-of-the-art single-molecule instrumentation and collaborative opportunities across the university's strong life sciences ecosystem. The group participates in teaching activities at the Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering and contributes to graduate education through the Dresden International Graduate School for Interdisciplinary Life Sciences.