Juewen Liu is a Professor and Canada Research Chair in Biosensors and Bionanotechnology in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Waterloo, affiliated with the Faculty of Science. His research program employs principles of chemistry, physics, and biology to develop innovative nanoscale materials and systems with applications in sensing, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Research encompasses: DNA aptamer development and applications Nanoparticle engineering for biomedical use Biointerface chemistry innovations Nanozyme design and catalytic applications Liu maintains an extensive publication record in high-impact journals, with recent work emphasizing advanced biosensing platforms, targeted drug delivery systems, and nanomaterial-based solutions for environmental and health challenges. His research integrates fundamental science with practical applications in diagnostics and therapy. Teaching responsibilities include courses on nano-biomaterials and nano-instrumentation. Professor Liu collaborates extensively through the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Water Institute, and Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology.
Professor Nikolas P Lemos is a chartered forensic scientist and director of the Cameron Forensic Medical Sciences unit at Queen Mary University of London's William Harvey Research Institute. He holds academic affiliations with institutions in San Francisco, St Louis, and Athens, focusing on forensic toxicology, postmortem analysis, and drug-facilitated crimes. His career includes roles as Chief Forensic Toxicologist in San Francisco and Head of Forensic Toxicology at St George's University of London. His research emphasizes cannabinoids in forensic contexts, drug analysis in keratinous matrices (nails/fingernails), and forensic laboratory accreditation standards. He has co-authored over 85 peer-reviewed publications, including landmark studies on cannabinoid detection in postmortem toxicology and fingernail analysis. Professor Lemos is actively engaged in professional organizations, serving as Chair of the Toxicology Section of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. He has provided expert testimony in over 325 criminal and civil cases globally, addressing forensic toxicology matters related to drug-facilitated crimes, driving under influence cases, and postmortem redistribution phenomena. Key achievements include designing forensic laboratory facilities in San Francisco, coordinating NAME/ABFT accreditations, and receiving a Congressional Proclamation of Achievement (2005) for contributions to community safety. His work bridges forensic science with legal systems, particularly in drug policy and toxicological evidence interpretation.
Maxim V. Berezovski is a Full Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences at the University of Ottawa , Faculty of Science. His research focuses on bioanalytical chemistry , aptamer development , and biomarker discovery , particularly in cancer and immune cell biology. His lab specializes in Kinetic Capillary Electrophoresis (KCE) , aptamer-based biosensors, and single-cell analysis. Research interests include: Therapeutic and diagnostic applications of nucleic acid and peptide aptamers Biomarker identification for cancers (e.g., breast, glial tumors) Proteomic/metabolomic analyses of exosomes and extracellular vesicles Recent work emphasizes aptamer-driven innovations, such as: Fluorescence-guided brain tumor surgery Quantitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 proteins Molecular imaging of tumors using infrared-labeled aptamers Publications span aptamer engineering , cancer diagnostics , and environmental impacts on proteomics . Collaborations focus on interdisciplinary applications in medicine, biotechnology, and environmental science.
Rainer Schuhmacher is a Full Professor for Plant and Microbe Metabolomics at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), affiliated with the Department of Agricultural Sciences and the Institute of Bioanalytics and Agro-Metabolomics in Tulln an der Donau. His research focuses on metabolomics, analytical chemistry, and plant-microbe interactions, with emphasis on fungal secondary metabolites, mycotoxin resistance, and environmental stress responses in crops. He leads projects funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), European Commission, and national agencies. Research interests span: Metabolomic profiling of plant-pathogen interactions (e.g., Fusarium -wheat systems) Stable isotope-assisted techniques for metabolic pathway analysis Cold stress mitigation in plants using Antarctic bacteria Development of computational tools for untargeted metabolomics data processing His work integrates analytical chemistry, bioinformatics, and molecular biology to study metabolic crosstalk in agricultural systems. Awards include the Fritz-Feigl-Preis (2012) and Dr.-Wolfgang-Houska-Preis (2005). He has supervised multiple PhD projects and leads the Plant-Microbe Metabolomics group, managing core metabolomics platforms and international collaborations. Key projects: Chemical crosstalk in mycoparasitic interactions (FWF) Metabolomics of cold stress tolerance mediated by psychrotolerant bacteria Extension of metabolomics platforms for plant-pathogen studies
Jean-François Masson is a Full Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Université de Montréal. He directs research in instrumentation, surface chemistry, and plasmonic materials, developing innovative biosensors for medical diagnostics and analysis. His work bridges analytical chemistry, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence to create portable diagnostic devices. Position: Full Professor, Department of Chemistry Institution: Université de Montréal Research Focus: Plasmonic biosensors, surface chemistry, medical diagnostics Contact: jf.masson@umontreal.ca | 514 343-7342 Masson earned his BSc in Chemistry from Université de Sherbrooke in 2001, followed by a PhD in Analytical Chemistry from Arizona State University in 2005. He completed postdoctoral training at Georgia Tech before joining Université de Montréal's Chemistry Department in 2007. His research focuses on developing spectroscopic instruments for biomolecule analysis in medical samples through biosensors. He studies nano- and microstructure properties to enhance instrument sensitivity and surface chemistries to improve analysis selectivity in biological fluids. His plasmonic technology uses surface plasmon resonance at the intersection of analytical chemistry, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence, employing gold thin films on chips that change color to detect the presence of antibodies like those for COVID-19. His publication trends show a consistent focus on surface plasmon resonance applications, with increasing emphasis on portable diagnostic devices, clinical applications, and integration with artificial intelligence. His work spans fundamental plasmonic material science to practical medical diagnostics, particularly in chemotherapy monitoring and infectious disease detection. 7 patents filed or granted for innovations in instrumentation, surface chemistry, and plasmonic materials License granted to Rose Street Labs (2005) Numerous research grants from NSERC, FRQNT, CIHR, and other major funding agencies Professor Masson has supervised over 20 graduate students (PhD and MSc) since joining Université de Montréal. His research has attracted significant funding, including multiple NSERC Discovery Grants, FRQNT team projects, and collaborations with hospitals for clinical validation of his diagnostic technologies. He leads several major research initiatives including projects on plasmonic optophysiology, chemical biology of sugars, and portable sensors for inflammation markers. His research is conducted through multiple units including the Thin Film Physics and Technology Research Group (GCM), the Neural Signaling and Circuitry Research Group (SNC), and the Interdisciplinary Research Center on Brain and Learning (CIRCA). He also contributes to the Oncopole, a research, development, and investment hub accelerating cancer fight efforts.
Patrícia Gomes-Alves serves as Head of the Sanofi Satellite Laboratory and dual Coordinator of iBET's Analytical Services Unit and Mass Spectrometry Unit within the Health & Pharma Division. She has been instrumental at iBET since 2011, initially joining as a Senior Scientist in the Cell Bioprocesses Lab before assuming leadership of the Mass Spectrometry Unit in 2013 and the Sanofi Satellite Lab in 2018. Her expertise centers on advancing biopharmaceutical manufacturing through bioprocessing and bioanalytics, leveraging omics tools and mass spectrometry for process optimization. Dr. Gomes-Alves earned her PhD in Biology in 2009 from ITQB-NOVA (Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa), conducted in collaboration with Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge. Her doctoral research pioneered proteomics and mass spectrometry applications for cystic fibrosis biomarker discovery, with international collaborations at the University of Edinburgh and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Her research program focuses on developing integrated workflows to characterize bioprocesses for biologics, cell therapies, and gene therapies, emphasizing analytical innovation to enhance product quality and manufacturing efficiency. Current projects bridge fundamental science with industrial applications through omics-driven process understanding and mass spectrometry-based characterization. She has secured significant funding as Principal Investigator and team member in FCT (Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology) and European Commission projects, while coordinating multiple industry R&D collaborations. Dr. Gomes-Alves actively mentors graduate students and contributes to biopharmaceutical innovation through her leadership in analytical services. Leading the Sanofi Satellite Laboratory within the Animal Cell Technology Unit, she directs strategic initiatives across iBET's Mass Spectrometry Unit (UniMS) and Analytical Services Unit, driving cutting-edge solutions for biopharmaceutical development and quality control.
Dr Vincenzo Abbate is a Senior Lecturer in Bioanalysis at King's College London , affiliated with the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine and serving as Programme Director for the MSc in Analytical Toxicology . He holds a Pharm.D. (2004, Federico II University of Naples) and a PhD in Chemistry and Analytical Sciences (2008, The Open University) . Prominent research themes include: Metal Chelators for Medical/Diagnostic Applications New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) Toxicology Forensic Drug Analysis Nuclear Medicine Radiotracers Recent publications highlight advancements in nanoneedles for lipidomics , thallium-based radiopharmaceuticals , and stability studies of synthetic cathinones , with a focus on interdisciplinary collaborations across bioanalysis, synthetic chemistry, and clinical translational research . Scientific Recognition : Maplethorpe Fellowship (2008) Chartered Chemist (CChem) and Chartered Scientist (CSci) President of IUPAC Subcommittee on Toxicology and Risk Assessment His grants and projects include BBSRC , MRC , and Parkinson’s UK funding, with industrial partnerships like Theragnostics Ltd and TicTac Communications . He leads a team of 10 researchers and is actively involved in Spatial Biology Network and Multiscale Biofilm Research Hub initiatives.
Christine Keating is the Shapiro Professor of Chemistry at Pennsylvania State University's Department of Chemistry. She is affiliated with the Huck Institutes for the Life Sciences and the Materials Research Institute, and serves on the graduate faculty of the Bioengineering Department. Her research focuses on self-assembled artificial cells, prebiotic compartmentalization, bioinspired materials synthesis, and particle assembly. Her work bridges physical chemistry, colloid science, and biological chemistry. Education: B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from Saint Francis College (1991), Ph.D. in Chemistry from Penn State (1997). Research Themes: Artificial cells and cytomimetic chemistry Prebiotic compartmentalization via coacervation Bioinspired materials using phase-separated microenvironments Optical applications of reconfigurable particle assemblies Awards: Over 20 honors including the Langmuir Lectureship (2024), AAAS Fellowship (2014), and NSF CAREER Award (2003-2008). Grants: Active funding includes projects on protocells and Rules of Life collaboration through NSF. Advises graduate students in interdisciplinary programs. Labs: Leads the Keating Group and participates in the ProteoCell Project, a six-university NSF initiative.
Prof. Can Dincer is a Professor of Sensors and Wearables for Healthcare at the TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology, Technische Universität München (TUM). His research focuses on bioanalytical materials, wearable sensors, and AI-driven diagnostics for One-Health applications, integrating disposable sensor technology with data science. He holds a doctorate from the University of Freiburg (summa cum laude, 2016) and worked as a visiting scientist at Imperial College London before joining TUM in 2024. He is a member of the Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering (MIBE). Key research interests include: Development of wearable biosensors for real-time health monitoring CRISPR-based diagnostics for nucleic acids and proteins AI integration for therapeutic drug monitoring in sepsis and other critical conditions Environmental health connections via point-of-need diagnostics Notable achievements include the 2021 Biosensors & Bioelectronics Best Paper Award and inclusion in Stanford's World's Top 2% Scientists since 2022. His work spans clinical applications, microfluidic platforms, and nanotechnology-based solutions for healthcare challenges. Publications highlight innovations like optogenetic bioassays (Science Advances, 2024), CRISPR-powered multiplexed biosensors, and wearable systems for continuous biomarker monitoring. His research bridges material science, electrical engineering, and biomedicine to create practical diagnostic tools. Prof. Dincer collaborates across disciplines, focusing on translating lab innovations into clinical and commercial applications through advanced sensor technologies.
Prof. Dr. Beate Escher is Head of the Department of Cell Toxicology at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) in Leipzig, Germany. She holds professorial positions at Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen , is a Privatdozent at ETH Zurich , and is affiliated with the University of Queensland and Griffith University in Australia. Her research program focuses on advancing in vitro bioassays and New Approach Methods (NAMs) for environmental and human health risk assessment of micropollutants. Her research interests lie at the intersection of environmental toxicology , molecular toxicology , and exposure science . She develops and applies bioanalytical tools for water quality assessment, with a focus on pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and transformation products. Her work includes mechanism-based toxicity assessment , toxicokinetic-toxicodynamic (TKTD) modeling , and the development of the CITEPro robotic bioassay platform for high-throughput screening. She integrates omics data , computational modeling , and machine learning to improve chemical hazard characterization. Recent publications highlight trends in chemical mixture toxicity , safe-by-design chemicals , ionic compound assessment , and machine learning applications in toxicology. Her work increasingly leverages data-driven approaches to prioritize contaminants and predict biological effects across species. Scientific Awards: Highly Cited Researcher (Web of Science/Clarivate, Top 0.1%, 2020) Outstanding Achievements in Environmental Science and Technology (ES&T & ACS ENVR, 2023) Advising and Grants: She supervises multiple doctoral students and leads major collaborative projects such as InCeTo, MibiTox, nanoINHALE, and SafePol. She received an Australian Research Council grant (2011–2014) and leads Swiss National Science Foundation-funded initiatives. She was a member of the German Science Council (2017–2024) and serves on the Board of Reviewing Editors of SCIENCE . Labs and Teams: She leads the Cell Toxicology team at UFZ, which includes researchers such as Dr. Luise Henneberger, Dr. Julia Huchthausen, and Dr. Haotian Wang. The team operates the CITEPro platform and contributes to international consortia focused on exposome research and chemical safety.
Dr. Fei Deng is a Research Fellow at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), affiliated with the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering. He holds prestigious fellowships including the NHMRC EL1 Fellowship and NSW Cancer Institute ECR Fellowship. His research focuses on CRISPR-based biosensing, point-of-care diagnostics, and in vivo biosensing devices, with over 45 journal articles and $12M in grants secured. Key contributions include advancements in CRISPR/Cas biosensors, liquid-metal-driven nanomaterials, and photodynamic therapy for cancer treatment. Awards include the Royal Society of NSW Early Career Award and ECAN ECR Award. Education: PhD in Biomedical Engineering from UNSW (Australia). Research interests span biosensing technologies, CRISPR applications, and diagnostic innovations. Recent work emphasizes ultrasensitive detection systems, with notable publications in Nature Communications , ACS Nano , and Biosensors and Bioelectronics . He has co-founded Casbio Pty Ltd and advises Avicena Systems Limited.
Christoph J. Fahrni is a Professor at the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology. He earned his M.S. from the Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Basel in 1995. After postdoctoral work at Northwestern University, he joined Georgia Tech in 1999, where his research focuses on metal ion biochemistry, particularly copper and zinc, using fluorescent probes and X-ray fluorescence imaging. Education: M.S., Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich Ph.D., University of Basel, 1995 His research integrates synthetic fluorescent probes and X-ray fluorescence microscopy to study intracellular metal ion dynamics, including copper trafficking, zinc homeostasis, and their roles in diseases like Menkes syndrome. The lab develops high-affinity ligands for copper buffering, investigates P-type ATPase transporters, and uses 3D X-ray tomography to map metals in zebrafish embryos. Key methodologies include ratiometric two-photon microscopy and bioorganometallic catalyst design. Recent publications highlight advancements in subzeptomolar copper probes, dynamic zinc imaging during development, and metal chelation therapy applications. Collaborative projects with Prof. Robert Dickson explore low-background fluorescent protein imaging. The Fahrni group trains graduate students like Daisy Bourassa and Adam McCallum, focusing on biochemical copper/zinc interactions and probe development.
Dr. Martin F. Semmelhack is a Professor of Chemistry at Princeton University, leading the Semmelhack Lab. His research focuses on designing small molecules to modulate biological processes, particularly bacterial quorum sensing mechanisms in pathogens like Vibrio cholerae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. His work aims to develop anti-infective drugs by targeting cell communication pathways. Key research areas include synthetic organic chemistry, chemical biology, and bacterial signaling pathways. Notable contributions include the discovery of autoinducers CAI-1 and AI-2, and the development of quorum sensing agonists/antagonists. Collaborations with microbiologists and neuroscientists expand applications into biofilm inhibition and neurotransmitter release technologies. His honors include the Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award (2014), John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship (1978–1979), and Camille and Henry Dreyfuss Teacher-Scholar Grant (1972–1977). Research combines chemical synthesis with biological testing to bridge molecular design and therapeutic potential. Advising and grant activities include funding from the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation, supporting interdisciplinary projects. The Semmelhack Lab is located in the Frick Laboratory, Princeton University.
Jung-Ho Yu is Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the University of Waterloo, specializing in nanoscale bioanalytical platforms. His research develops nanotechnology for multiplexed molecular monitoring in biological systems, with applications in cancer imaging and diagnostics. Research focuses on: Design of excretable nanoparticle contrast agents Multiplexed tumor imaging using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy Advanced microscopy techniques for deep-tissue visualization Professional associations include the American Chemical Society and World Molecular Imaging Society. Teaches courses in Multi-Component Analysis and Analytical Chemistry.
Professor Gunter Kuhnle is a leading academic at the University of Reading, specializing in nutritional epidemiology and dietary assessment. He holds roles including Module Convenor for 'Nutritional Epidemiology and Dietary Assessment,' Undergraduate Research Project Coordinator, and Director of the Chemical Analysis Facility (CAF). He is affiliated with the Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition, a research center focusing on human nutrition science. Education: Diplom Biochemiker (University of Leipzig), Doctor Rerum Naturalium (University of Leipzig), Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP) His research interests are centered on three key areas: developing objective measures of dietary intake and exposure to food bioactives, polyphenol metabolism and health outcomes, and investigating the association between red/processed meat consumption and cancer risk. He advocates for biomarker-based research to address biases in dietary studies. Recent work includes studies on dietary flavanols' cognitive benefits in older adults, nitrate's impact on cardiovascular health, and the role of genetic factors in lipid metabolism. His publications address methodological challenges in nutrition research and emphasize evidence-based guidelines for dietary bioactives. Awards: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) Professor Kuhnle's contributions extend to interdisciplinary collaborations, including the PHYTOME project to reduce dietary nitrosamine exposure through natural compounds. His work bridges basic science, clinical applications, and public health policy.
