Yan Liu is a Senior Lecturer in Glycosciences at Imperial College's Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction (Faculty of Medicine). She leads the Wellcome Trust-funded Carbohydrate Microarray Facility and co-leads the GlycoTWINNG Network. Her research focuses on glycan-mediated interactions in host-microbiota interfaces, with applications in infectious diseases and reproductive health. She holds a B.Sc. from Peking University and a Ph.D. from the University of Bristol, followed by postdoctoral work at Imperial College under Professor Ten Feizi FRS. Her academic journey includes roles as a Microarray Project Leader and co-investigator in the March of Dimes European Preterm Birth Research Centre. She is PI of a £1.34M Wellcome Trust grant maintaining Imperial's Carbohydrate Microarray Facility, advancing glycan array technologies. Research interests span microbiology, immunology, and biomolecular chemistry, with a focus on glycobiology. Key contributions include defining glycan interactions in pathogen-host systems (e.g., Candida albicans, adenoviruses), developing glycan probes, and analyzing vaginal microbiota impacts on preterm birth. Grants and collaborations include EPSRC Translational funding and the UK 'FluTrialMAP' consortium. Labs affiliations include the Glycosciences Laboratory and Imperial's Institute of Infection.
Dr. Susan Gurney is a Lecturer in the School of Biology at the University of St Andrews. Her work focuses on bacteriophage genomics, science education reform, and undergraduate research experiences. She collaborates internationally on projects like the SEA-PHAGES program, contributing to genomic diversity studies of bacteriophages infecting Microbacterium spp. and developing inclusive education models such as the iREC framework. Her research emphasizes classroom assessment methodologies for course-based research experiences and crowd-sourced biocuration initiatives like the CACAO project. She actively participates in educational outreach and contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals related to quality education and innovation. Research interests include microbiology, STEM pedagogy, and interdisciplinary collaboration in genomics. Her work has led to over 15 peer-reviewed publications and datasets deposited in NCBI GenBank. Professional activities include organizing undergraduate career events and contributing to global education initiatives.
Pankaj Jaiswal is a Professor in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at Oregon State University. He leads the Jaiswal Lab, which focuses on plant genomics, bioinformatics, and systems biology. His research integrates computational and experimental approaches to study flowering time, seed development, and plant responses to abiotic stresses. Dr. Jaiswal is affiliated with the Center for Quantitative Life Sciences and collaborates with projects like the Gramene Database and Plant Ontology. Education: Ph.D. (1998), M.Sc. (1992), B.Sc. (1990) from Lucknow University, India. Professional awards include the Emerging Scholar Faculty Award (2013) and recognition from the Rice Genetics Cooperative (2009). Research interests span comparative plant genomics, functional genomics, bioinformatics tools, and database development. His lab has contributed to projects such as the Gramene Database, Plant Reactome, and Planteome, supporting interdisciplinary training in plant biology and computational methods. Key achievements include the chia genome assembly, space biology studies on plant transcriptomes, and collaborations on pathway databases for rice, maize, and other species. His work emphasizes leveraging genomic resources to address agricultural challenges like crop improvement and climate adaptation.
Susanta Sarkar is a Research Professor at Arizona State University's School of Molecular Sciences, affiliated with the Tempe campus. His email is Susanta.Sarkar@asu.edu. He holds a NIH R01 GM145210 grant as the sole PI ($1.1 million), focusing on MMP1's role in collagen degradation. His research integrates biophysics, enzyme dynamics, and drug development to target matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) in diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration. He employs single-molecule techniques to study enzyme-substrate interactions, aiming to develop precision therapies with minimal side effects. Education : Ph.D. in Physics, University of Oregon (2006) M.S. in Physical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science (2000) Postdoctoral Associate, Cornell University (2008), NIH Research Fellow (2013) Research Interests : MMPs' role in human health, single-molecule biophysics, allosteric modulation, and drug screening for Parkinson’s/Alzheimer’s. His work bridges fundamental biology and translational medicine, funded by NIH. Publications : Recent work includes substrate-specific MMP dynamics, alpha-synuclein interactions, and biofilm inhibition. His 2020 Biophysical Journal study was cover-selected and F1000-recommended. Over 15 publications since 2016 address enzyme activity, thermodynamics, and imaging. Grants & Awards : NIH R01 GM145210 (2022-2026), $2.25 million in total funding. Recognized for innovative methodologies in single-molecule studies. Advising & Training : Supervised 54 trainees, including 3 PhDs securing >$1.5M in grants post-graduation. Emphasizes financial literacy alongside science, with students averaging $30K+ retirement savings. Service : Served on 12 NSF/NIH panels, reviewer for 20+ journals including Nature Communications and Biophysical Journal. Labs/Teams : Integrates personal finance education in group meetings to boost focus and career readiness. Lab focuses on MMPs, antimicrobial biopolymers, and fluorescent nanodiamond imaging.
Takashi Gojobori (born October 24, 1951) is a Japanese molecular biologist who serves as Vice-Director of the National Institute of Genetics (NIG) and Professor at the Center for Information Biology and DNA Data Bank of Japan (DDBJ) in Mishima, Japan. He also holds multiple visiting positions including Special Research Consultant at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Visiting Professor at Keio University, Tokyo University, and Tokyo Institute of Technology, and Visiting Research Director at RIKEN. His educational background includes a Ph.D. from Kyushu University (1979), followed by research positions at the University of Texas at Houston (1979-1983), Washington University in St. Louis (1985, 1986), and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund in London (1989). Professor Gojobori's research spans multiple areas of molecular and evolutionary biology. His work focuses on comparative genomics, molecular evolution, viral evolution, and bioinformatics. He has made significant contributions to understanding the rates of synonymous and non-synonymous substitutions, positive selection, horizontal gene transfer, and genome evolution. More recently, he has been investigating the evolution of the brain and central nervous system. His extensive publication record includes 389 peer-reviewed articles as of May 2012, reflecting his broad impact across multiple fields of biological research. His work shows a consistent focus on evolutionary mechanisms at the molecular level, with applications ranging from viral evolution to comparative genomics across diverse organisms including humans, plants, and model organisms like Hydra. Scientific Awards 2009: The Medal with Purple Ribbon from the government of Japan 2007: Academician Member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, Vatican 2006: Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, USA 2005: Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), USA 2005: Society Prize (Kihara Medal), The Genetic Society of Japan 2004: Society Prize (Motoo Kimura Medal), The Society of Evolutionary Studies, Japan 2004: The Gaetano Salvatore Gold Medal, Statione Zoologica, Anton Dohrn, Italy 1997: Science Award from Japan Science and Technology Corporation (JST), Japan 1995: Science Award from Hitoshi Kihara Memorial Foundation, Japan 1987: Promotion Award from Japanese Society of Genetics, Japan Professor Gojobori has served in numerous editorial capacities, including as Founding Editor of Genome Biology and Evolution, Executive Editor of GENE, and Associate Editor for several major journals. He has also held significant administrative roles including Program Director of the Council for Science and Technology Policy (CSTP) of the Japanese government and Science Officer of MEXT. His contributions to international genomic databases including DDBJ/GenBank/EMBL and the H-Invitational human gene database have been instrumental in advancing global genomics research. As Director of the Center for Information Biology and DNA Data Bank of Japan from 1994-2009, Professor Gojobori led important initiatives in biological data management and analysis. His work continues to influence the field through his leadership roles in international scientific organizations including the International Genetics Federation and CODATA/ICSU.
State University of New York at BuffaloUnited States
Sriram Neelamegham is the UB Distinguished Professor of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Medicine at the University at Buffalo, SUNY. His research focuses on applying engineering principles to study molecular mechanisms of blood cell interactions in diseases such as inflammation, thrombosis, and cancer. He leads the Bioengineering Laboratory within the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Education: PhD in Chemical/Biomedical Engineering, Rice University, 1996 B.Tech in Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, 1991 Research Interests: Systems Glycobiology: Investigating glycan biosynthesis and its role in disease Leukocyte and Platelet Adhesion Dynamics under Fluid Flow Von Willebrand Factor (VWF) Structure-Function Relationships Engineering Glycoengineered Therapeutics and Diagnostic Tools Key Contributions: Developed computational models and experimental tools for glycosylation pathway analysis Discovered mechanisms of VWF conformational changes under shear stress Pioneered glycoengineering strategies for stem cell targeting Awards & Recognition: NIH Independent Scientist Award (2015) SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence (2015) AIMBE Fellow (2012) and BMES Fellow (2019) 2018 Schoellkopf Medal (ACS) Lab Activities: Recruitment of postdocs, full-time, and part-time research technicians Development of glycan-engineered technologies for drug delivery and diagnostics Collaborations with biomedical industries and academic institutions
Dr. Edmund Chung is a Clinical Senior Lecturer at Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, affiliated with the Children's Hospital at Westmead and the Faculty of Medicine and Health. He works as a staff specialist nephrologist at Royal North Shore Hospital and conducts postdoctoral research at the Centre for Kidney Research at The Children's Hospital at Westmead. His primary clinical and research focus is on autoimmune kidney diseases, particularly membranous nephropathy and chronic kidney disease. Dr. Chung's educational background includes: Bachelor of Medicine (BMed) Doctor of Medicine (MD) Master of Medicine in Clinical Epidemiology (MMed (Clin Epi)) - completed in 2015 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - completed in 2025, supported by the NHMRC Postgraduate Research Scholarship Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) Dr. Chung's research focuses on glomerulonephritis, chronic kidney disease, and translational research , with particular emphasis on immunological mechanisms and novel therapies. His work bridges basic science and clinical practice, exploring cellular and molecular approaches to understand and treat autoimmune kidney diseases. His laboratory investigates autoreactive T-cells and B-cells in membranous nephropathy while developing innovative treatments like CAR T-cell therapies. Dr. Chung's research program is driven by patient perspectives, as evidenced by his qualitative studies on living with membranous nephropathy, ensuring his scientific inquiries address real clinical needs and patient experiences. Dr. Chung's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on immunological mechanisms in kidney disease, particularly membranous nephropathy. His work spans basic science investigations using animal models, clinical studies of patient cohorts, and systematic reviews that inform international guidelines. A notable trend is his exploration of cellular therapies, especially CAR T-cell approaches, for treating autoimmune kidney diseases. His research also encompasses epidemiological studies of kidney diseases in Australian populations and the development of predictive models for disease recurrence after transplantation. The interdisciplinary nature of his work is evident in collaborations spanning nephrology, immunology, oncology, and transplantation medicine. Dr. Chung has received several prestigious awards and honors: Asian Pacific Society of Nephrology/Japanese Society of Nephrology Joint Symposium Invited Talk (2024) for "Membranous nephropathy: clearer immunopathogenesis and therapeutic implications" NHMRC Postgraduate Research Scholarship (2022) for research on "Treatments to expand regulatory T cells +/- deplete autoantibody production in membranous nephropathy" American Journal of Kidney Diseases Editor's Choice Award (2022) for "Incidence and outcomes of COVID-19 in people with CKD: a systematic review and meta-analysis" Dr. Chung serves as the Knowledge Translation and Dissemination Editor for the Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Group, where he creates educational content including webinars and podcasts with the International Society of Nephrology. He is actively involved in clinical trial networks through his position on the Australasian Kidney Trial Network Glomerulonephritis Working Group, supporting investigator-initiated trials in glomerulonephritis. Additionally, he contributes to the ClinGen Glomerulopathy Working Group as a Biocurator, working to understand the genetic basis of glomerulonephritis. His research is supported by collaborations across multiple institutions and his leadership in establishing the Australian glomerulonephritis cohort (PEACH) to facilitate patient-focused research in membranous nephropathy. Dr. Chung leads research at the Centre for Kidney Research at The Children's Hospital at Westmead, where his team investigates autoreactive T-cells and B-cells in patients with membranous nephropathy. He has established the PEACH cohort (Patient Experience in Autoimmune Chronic Kidney Disease) to study membranous nephropathy, the most common form of nephrotic syndrome in adults. His laboratory work focuses on developing novel CAR T-cell therapies for autoimmune kidney diseases. Dr. Chung collaborates with immunologists, basic scientists, and clinicians across multiple institutions to advance understanding and treatment of glomerulonephritis.
Padmini Srinivasan is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Iowa, affiliated with the College of Engineering. Her work bridges computer science, informatics, and social applications through advanced research in information retrieval, natural language processing, and data mining. Research Interests: Her research focuses on Information Retrieval & NLP , Text and Web Mining , Biomedical Text Mining , Privacy/Security & Censorship , Social Media Analytics (particularly in political and health belief contexts), and Crowdsourcing & Games . She leads the Text Retrieval & Text Mining Group , fostering interdisciplinary research involving machine learning, human computation, and real-world data challenges. Publication Trends: Her recent work appears in top-tier venues such as SIG-IR, KDD, WSDM, ICWSM, EMNLP, JASIST, and PLOS One, reflecting sustained contributions to both foundational and applied aspects of data science. These publications span topics from ranking optimization and query modeling to social dynamics, health informatics, and ethical AI. Scientific Awards: No specific awards were mentioned in the provided text. Advising and Grants: She has advised numerous graduate students including Osama Khalid, Ingroj Shrestha, Asad Mahmood, Jonathan Rusert, and others. While grant details are not listed, her publication record in premier venues suggests consistent external funding and collaborative research activity. Labs and Teams: She leads the Text Retrieval & Text Mining Group , which conducts cutting-edge research in search technologies, text analysis, and social media understanding, often integrating crowdsourcing and game-based methods for data collection and evaluation.
Dr. Shane C Burgess is Vice President of the University of Arizona Division of Agriculture, Life and Veterinary Sciences, and Cooperative Extension, and the Charles-Sander Dean of the College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences. He leads a $320M/year enterprise that serves over 10,700 students and engages in extensive research and community outreach across Arizona. A first-generation student, he earned his veterinary degree with distinction from Massey University (New Zealand) and later completed a PhD in virology, immunology, and cancer biology at the University of Bristol Medical School. His research spans cancer biology, virology, proteomics, immunology, bioinformatics, and computational biology . He has made significant contributions to functional genomics, particularly in agricultural and veterinary contexts, and co-founded AgBase, a key resource for functional modeling in agricultural organisms. His work integrates high-throughput technologies like RNA-Seq, proteomics, and genome tiling arrays to improve genome annotation and understand host-pathogen interactions. The 15 most recent publications highlight a strong focus on systems biology, transcriptomics, and proteomics applied to pathogens such as Histophilus somni , Mannheimia haemolytica , and Marek’s Disease Virus, as well as agricultural species like chickens, cattle, and Miscanthus. His research consistently emphasizes functional annotation, genome refinement, and the discovery of non-coding RNAs and novel protein-coding regions. Scientific Awards: Institute for Animal Health Director's Award for Service Dr. Burgess has mentored 38 graduate students and secured over $53 million in competitive funding. He previously served as an assistant professor and later professor, associate dean, and director of the Institute for Genomics, Biocomputing and Biotechnology at Mississippi State University. He has been instrumental in major collaborative efforts, including the Gene Ontology Consortium and the Bovine Gene Atlas project. He currently leads large interdisciplinary teams focused on agricultural innovation, life sciences, and veterinary medicine. Notable labs and research initiatives under his leadership include the development of computational tools such as TAAPP (Tiling Array Analysis Pipeline for Prokaryotes) , GOModeler , and the Proteogenomic Mapping Tool , all designed to enhance genome annotation and functional modeling in non-model organisms.
Dr. Lee Hughes is an Associate Professor of Biology and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies at the University of North Texas (UNT) College of Science. His research spans two domains: (1) microbiology, focusing on bacteriophages infecting Streptomyces and their genomic diversity, and (2) science education research, emphasizing early research experiences for biology majors and innovative teaching strategies like blended and online learning. Education: B.S. in English, M.S. in Biology, Ph.D. in Microbiology – all from UNT. In microbiology, Dr. Hughes leads UNT's Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science (PHAGES) program, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Science Education Alliance initiative. His lab isolates novel Streptomyces -infecting phages to study their genetic elements, evolutionary relationships, and potential applications in biotechnology and medical microbiology. Recent publications highlight his work on phage genome sequencing, cluster classification, and diversity analysis across bacterial genera. In science education, he investigates pedagogical frameworks that enhance student engagement and retention, particularly for historically underrepresented groups in STEM. His research includes program evaluations (e.g., NSF-funded FOCUS Scholarships) and development of assessment tools like the Microbiology Concept Inventory to identify and address student misconceptions. Current grant-funded projects include the NIH G-RISE (Graduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement) grant (2021–2026), where he serves as Co-PI, and ongoing HHMI-affiliated education initiatives. Prospective students may engage with Dr. Hughes' research through the UNT PHAGES program or the Research Experiences and Activities in Life Sciences (REALSCI) webpage. His lab's work bridges cutting-edge genomics and transformative educational practices, fostering training opportunities at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological SciencesUnited States
Chunlei Wu is a Professor at The Scripps Research Institute in the Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology. He leads a team developing large-scale biomedical data integration systems and tools, focusing on applying data science and cloud computing to advance biomedical discovery. His work emphasizes semantic knowledge representation, API-driven resource discovery, and open science infrastructure. Affiliations: Scripps Research Institute (2021–Present: Tenured Professor; 2017–2021: Associate Professor) Education: PhD in Biomathematics/Biostatistics (2006, UT Health Science Center Houston), B.S./M.S. in Biochemistry (1997/2000, Nanjing University) Research Interests: Wu’s lab creates foundational tools like MyGene.info, MyVariant.info, and BioThings SDK, which serve as scalable APIs for querying gene, variant, and chemical data. These platforms support drug discovery, genomic analysis, and pandemic response (e.g., Outbreak.info for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance). His work bridges data interoperability challenges through semantic integration and FAIR principles. Awards: Recognized for contributions to biomedical informatics, including the 2017 ESWC Best In-Use Paper Award and hackathon victories for API development. His tools are widely adopted, with MyGene.info processing ~30M monthly API requests. Labs/Teams: A multidisciplinary team includes senior scientists (e.g., Ginger Tsueng), programmers, and developers focused on API engineering, bioinformatics pipelines, and community engagement.
Constance J. Jeffery is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Illinois Chicago's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She holds a PhD from the University of California at Berkeley and a BS from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her laboratory focuses on protein structure-function relationships using biophysical, biochemical, and bioinformatics approaches. Dr. Jeffery's research examines fundamental questions about how protein sequences determine structure and function, with specific interests in moonlighting proteins (proteins with multiple functions), enzyme mechanisms, and membrane protein expression. Her work has applications in drug discovery, cancer biology, and tuberculosis research. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on moonlighting proteins, covering their mechanisms, database development, structural analysis, and implications across microbiology, cancer biology, and systems biology. Additional research themes include protein evolution, structural biology techniques, and bacterial membrane proteins. She leads significant educational initiatives including the UICHeart Undergraduate Research Experience and Mentoring Program, which provides cardiovascular research training and professional development for underrepresented students. Professional service includes editorial roles for the Journal of Building Physics and membership in ASHRAE technical committees.
Paul D Thomas is a Professor at the University of Southern California with dual appointments in the Keck School of Medicine (Department of Preventive Medicine) and Dornsife School of Letters and Sciences (Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology). He serves as Director of the Division of Bioinformatics and leads the Gene Sequence, Function, and Health Laboratory. Additionally, he is a Director of the Gene Ontology Consortium, a major international bioinformatics initiative. His research integrates computational biology, genomics, and evolutionary analysis to study: Gene function prediction and evolutionary modelling Bioinformatics resource development (PANTHER, InterPro, Gene Ontology) Impact of genetic variation on human health Ortholog detection and biodiversity genomics AI applications in biological knowledge democratization Recent publications (2021-2025) demonstrate strong focus on: Large-scale genomic databases and annotation tools Evolutionary analysis of protein families and gene functions SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics and pandemic response Community-driven standards in bioinformatics Awards include: Highly Cited Researcher in Biology & Biochemistry (Thomson-Reuters/Clarivate, 2014-2024) He leads an active research team including Huaiyu Mi (Associate Professor), software engineers (Anushya Muruganujan, Tremayne Mushayahama, Dustin Ebert), biocurators (Pascale Gaudet, Marc Feuermann), and PhD student Christopher Williams. Current NIH grants support his work on genome analysis (HG012212, HG011851, HG010859, CA196569).
Susan Margaret Robertson Gurney is a Lecturer in the School of Biology at the University of St Andrews. Her work focuses on bacteriophage research, microbiology, and innovative science education strategies. She actively contributes to advancing undergraduate research experiences and science education reform through collaborative initiatives like the iREC model and course-based research programs. Her research interests span genomic studies of Microbacterium-infecting bacteriophages and the development of effective classroom assessment methods for research-based learning. She has co-authored studies on biocuration frameworks such as the CACAO project, promoting community-driven genomic annotation. Recent publications highlight her contributions to science education reform and microbiology, with a focus on genomic diversity and collaborative research models. She participates in academic events such as the School of Biology Undergraduate Careers Day, reflecting her commitment to student mentorship and professional development.
Anne Niknejad is a Researcher at the University of Lausanne, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, Department of Ecology and Evolution. She works as a Biocurator for Bgee.org and Vital-IT , Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, focusing on expression data curation, anatomical homology relationships, and species-specific developmental ontologies. Expertise in transcriptomic data curation, chemical data management for genome-scale metabolic networks, and clinical data harmonization Education: Master of Biology (Animal Physiology) from Geneva University, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB) training courses (1999) Her research interests include proteome annotation, mass spectrometry data interpretation, and data mining for biomedical applications. She received the Biocuration Career Award in 2021. She has contributed to international conferences (e.g., SFEAP 2008, SMAP 2007) and is a co-inventor of multiple patents related to cardiovascular disorders and carcinoma-related peptides.
