Find Academic Supervisors

Craig MorrellView profile

Professor

• Platelet Biology
• Vascular Inflammation
• Thrombosis
• +5 more

Craig Morrell is a Professor at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry , with joint appointments in the Departments of Medicine , Microbiology and Immunology , and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine . He serves as Associate Director of the Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute . Education: Sc.B. in Biology, Brown University (1995) D.V.M. , Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine (2000) Ph.D. in Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University (2005) His research examines the interface between platelets, vascular biology, and immune cells , focusing on platelet roles in thrombosis, inflammation, and immune regulation. Using advanced mouse models , his lab investigates platelet-derived mediators like β2M and PF4 in diseases such as malaria, stroke, and myocardial infarction. Article trends highlight platelets' dual roles in thrombosis and immune modulation , with recurring themes in vascular inflammation , ERK5 signaling , and age-related immune dysfunction . Scientific Awards: Kenneth M. Brinkous Young Investigators Prize (2008) Deans Gift research award (2006) Multiple travel scholarships and fellowships (2003-2005) Pathology Award-Excellence in Pathology (2000) Mentoring and Teaching : He has mentored 8 doctoral students , 7 undergraduates , and 6 postdoctoral fellows , with a focus on diversity. He serves on thesis committees and the URMC MSTP (MD/PhD) admissions committee . Labs and Collaborations : Leads the Morrell Lab at the Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, collaborating with institutions like Johns Hopkins and Medical College of Wisconsin.

Xi-Long ZhengView profile

Professor

• Vascular Smooth Muscle Biology
• Atherosclerosis
• Vascular Disease Mechanisms
• +4 more

Xi-Long Zheng is a tenured Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary. He holds additional appointments as a Member of the Libin Cardiovascular Institute and Associate Member of both the Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases and Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute. His research focuses on vascular smooth muscle biology and its role in cardiovascular diseases. Doctor of Medicine, Hunan Medical University (1986) M.S. in Pharmacology, Hunan Medical University (1989) Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacology, University of Calgary (1997) Dr. Zheng's research centers on vascular smooth muscle cell differentiation, proliferation, and phenotypic switching in vascular diseases. His laboratory investigates mechanisms of vascular smooth muscle dedifferentiation in atherosclerosis, abdominal aortic aneurysms, and vascular stiffness. Current work explores ferroptosis, epigenetic regulation (particularly BRD4), and PCSK9 functions in vascular pathologies. His studies integrate molecular, cellular, and in vivo approaches to identify novel therapeutic targets for cardiovascular diseases. Analysis of his recent publications reveals strong emphasis on cell death mechanisms (ferroptosis, cuproptosis), epigenetic regulation, lipid metabolism, and immune-vascular interactions in atherosclerosis. His work demonstrates increasing focus on translational applications targeting vascular smooth muscle phenotypic switching and plaque stability. Alberta Innovates ‒ Health Solutions Senior Scholar Award (2008-2015) Heart & Stroke Foundation New Investigator Award (2001-2006) CIHR/Hypertension Society Scholarship Award (2001-2004) Heart & Stroke Foundation Fellowship Award (1999-2001) AHFMR Independent Investigator Award (2008) Dr. Zheng serves on grant panels for Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. He is an editorial board member for Biochemical Journal and other scholarly publications. His laboratory receives funding from CIHR and NSERC for projects including smooth muscle PCSK9 in abdominal aortic aneurysm pathogenesis, smooth muscle autophagy in vascular aging, and epigenetic regulation of smooth muscle plasticity. The Zheng Lab investigates vascular smooth muscle functions across multiple organ systems including blood vessels, gastrointestinal tract, bladder, and uterus. His research has established critical mechanisms in vascular smooth muscle differentiation and cell cycle regulation, contributing over 100 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals including PNAS, ATVB, Diabetologia, JBC, and Hypertension.

Zhuhao WuView profile

Assistant Professor

• Neuroscience
• Neurovascular Coupling
• Neural Circuit Mapping
• +4 more

Zhuhao Wu serves as Assistant Professor of Neuroscience at the Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College since 2022. His research integrates neurovascular biology, neural circuit mapping, and neurodegenerative mechanisms to understand brain organization and disease processes. Education: Ph.D. in Neuroscience, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2011) B.S. in Biological Sciences, Tsinghua University, China (2003) Research Focus: Dr. Wu pioneers multi-scale investigations of neurovascular coupling , brain-wide circuit organization , and neurodegenerative pathways . His lab employs whole-brain imaging , single-cell transcriptomics , and genetic engineering in murine models to dissect mechanisms of stroke recovery, tau pathology, and developmental disorders. Current work emphasizes regional blood-brain barrier heterogeneity and axon degeneration pathways with therapeutic implications. Publication Trends: Recent work (2023-2025) reveals three convergent themes: (1) neurovascular dynamics in health/disease, (2) high-resolution brain atlasing techniques, and (3) molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration. Publications in Cell , Nature , and Neuron demonstrate methodological innovation in circuit mapping and translational relevance to stroke, Alzheimer's, and autism spectrum disorders. Grant Portfolio: Principal Investigator Subaward: NINDS R01 Investigating Neurobiology of Early Cognitive Impairment (2024-2029) Principal Investigator Subaward: NINDS R01 Mechanisms of anosmia in COVID-19 (2023-2028) Principal Investigator Subaward: NINDS BRAIN CONNECTS Center for Large-scale Imaging (2023-2028) Principal Investigator Subaward: NINDS Global mapping of DDX3X mutation circuits (2023-2028) Principal Investigator Subaward: NIAID single-cell encephalitis pathogenesis (2023-2026) Dr. Wu leads a multidisciplinary team within the Brain and Mind Research Institute focused on developing HOLiS (whole-brain staining/clearing pipeline) and TrailMap for neural circuit analysis. His lab collaborates extensively on NIH BRAIN Initiative projects advancing large-scale connectome mapping.

Ping ZhouView profile

Associate Professor

• Neurovascular Biology
• Alzheimer's Disease
• Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy
• +5 more

Ping Zhou is an Associate Professor of Research in Neuroscience at the Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, where he has been conducting groundbreaking research since 2013. His work focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying neurovascular dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. Dr. Zhou received his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1991 and completed his undergraduate studies at Nanjing University in China in 1982. His educational background provided the foundation for his extensive research career in neuroscience and neurovascular biology. Dr. Zhou's research interests center on neurovascular coupling, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, and mitochondrial mechanisms of neuroprotection. His laboratory investigates how ApoE4 contributes to neurovascular dysfunction, the role of border-associated macrophages in white matter injury, and the neuroprotective functions of prohibitin through S-nitrosylation. His work bridges basic molecular mechanisms with translational applications for treating neurodegenerative diseases. Analysis of Dr. Zhou's recent publications reveals a strong focus on the intersection of neuroinflammation and neurovascular dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. His work increasingly incorporates single-cell and epigenetic approaches while maintaining a strong emphasis on mitochondrial function and oxidative stress pathways. The research shows a clear progression from basic mechanisms of neurovascular coupling to more complex investigations of macrophage interactions and genetic risk factors like ApoE4. Dr. Zhou currently serves as Principal Investigator on the NINDS-funded project "Role of prohibitin nitrosylation in its neuroprotective functions" (2022-2027) and as Co-Investigator on two additional NINDS grants: "ApoE4, neurovascular injury and cognitive impairment" (2022-2027) and "Dietary sodium, neurovascular dysfunction and cerebrovascular risk" (2021-2026). These projects reflect his continued focus on molecular mechanisms of neuroprotection and vascular contributions to cognitive impairment. While the available information doesn't specify his laboratory structure, Dr. Zhou's extensive publication record spanning over two decades suggests leadership of a productive research team focused on neurovascular biology and neurodegeneration mechanisms.

• Innate Immunity
• Pattern Recognition Receptors
• Cancer Immunology
• +3 more

Nadra Jesmine Nilsen is a Senior Research Scientist at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), affiliated with the Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research (CEMIR), the Center for Myeloma Research, and the Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Research Center. Her research focuses on innate immunity mechanisms, particularly pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and their roles in cancer progression, including Multiple Myeloma and colorectal cancer. She holds expertise in immunology, molecular medicine, and cell biology. Her competencies span biochemistry, cancer immunology, and confocal microscopy. She has contributed to over 15 peer-reviewed publications since 2003, exploring topics like TLR signaling pathways, cytokine regulation, and cancer metastasis. Notable work includes studies on TLR3's role in promoting invasiveness of metastatic intestinal epithelial cells (2017) and TRAM/TRIF adaptor proteins in TLR2 signaling (2015). Nilsen has presented at international conferences, including the Toll2018 Symposium in Porto and the International Congress of Immunology in Kobe. Her research bridges basic science and translational applications, targeting innate immunity mechanisms in oncology and inflammatory diseases.

• HIV/AIDS
• Oncology
• Immunology
• +5 more

Brinda Emu, MD, is an Associate Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases) at Yale School of Medicine, with secondary appointments in Pathology. She leads the Cancer-ID Clinic and co-leads the Cancer Microbiology Working Group at Yale Cancer Center. Her research focuses on HIV-associated malignancies, examining how chronic viral infections weaken immune defenses and promote tumor development. Dr. Emu received her BA from Harvard University, MD from Johns Hopkins, completed residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and infectious diseases fellowship at UCSF. She previously worked at Genentech developing novel therapies for infectious diseases and oncology. Her research interests include immune correlates of protection in HIV, T-cell dysfunction in cancer, and HIV-associated immune dysregulation. Key collaborations involve Kurt Schalper, Amy Justice, Geliang Gan, and Albert C. Shaw. Notable studies include analyses of HIV's impact on head and neck cancer survival, T-cell exhaustion in cancer patients, and CD36 receptor roles in tumor immunology. Dr. Emu has published extensively on HIV-cancer intersections, immune checkpoint inhibitors in HIV-positive patients, and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination strategies for immunocompromised individuals. Her work appears in Clinical Infectious Diseases , Immunity , and Nature . She leads clinical trials on HIV latency mechanisms and chairs initiatives promoting diversity in infectious diseases education.

Frans BianchiView profile

Assistant Professor

• Membrane Proteins
• Lipid Antigens
• T Cell Activation
• +4 more

Frans Bianchi is an Assistant Professor at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Science and Engineering, affiliated with the Molecular Immunology group within the Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute (GBB). His research focuses on membrane proteins and lipids as antigens in T cell activation and their application in vaccination strategies. Bianchi holds a PhD in Membrane Enzymology from the University of Groningen (2016) and advanced degrees in Molecular Biology and Chemistry. Research Interests: Antigen presentation mechanisms T cell receptor interactions with MHC complexes Role of lipids in immune responses Development of immunotherapeutic agents Short-chain fatty acid effects on immune cells Recent Research Themes: Recent publications highlight work on antigen processing dynamics, macrophage inflammatory responses, and diagnostic methods for cell proliferation. Notable findings include butyrate's dual inflammatory effects and novel insights into CD36 receptor function in cancer biology. His teams explore both basic immunological mechanisms and translational applications. Awards & Grants: Recipient of NWO-VENI, ZonMW Off-Road grants, and Comenius Teaching Fellowships. Collaborates on NWO Demonstrator projects for cancer cell detection technologies. Labs & Teams: Leads the Molecular Immunology group focusing on immune cell signaling and vaccine development. Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams including organic chemists and biomedical engineers.

Weiguo CuiView profile

Professor

• Immunology
• T cell biology
• Cancer Immunotherapy
• +3 more

Weiguo Cui serves as Professor of Pathology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, conducting research through the Center for Human Immunobiology and Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center. His work focuses on T cell biology in cancer immunology, viral pathogenesis, and autoimmune disorders. His research examines molecular regulators of CD8+ T cell fate, including transcription factors (SATB1, KLF2, BATF) and metabolic pathways (mitochondrial respiration, CD36 signaling). Key interests encompass T cell exhaustion mechanisms, stem-like memory formation, and metabolic reprogramming during chronic infections. His lab employs single-cell RNA sequencing, clonal lineage tracing, and spatial transcriptomics to dissect heterogeneity in immune responses. Analysis of recent publications reveals a cohesive research trajectory investigating how transcriptional and metabolic networks govern T cell differentiation. His 2024-2025 work demonstrates how factors like ID3 define stem-like progenitors, while PKM2-mtROS pathways link metabolism to immune function. This integrative approach bridges basic immunology with therapeutic applications in cancer and chronic infections. Dr. Cui maintains active collaborations through Northwestern's immunology centers, focusing on translating mechanistic insights into immunotherapeutic strategies. His research program emphasizes the therapeutic potential of modulating T cell exhaustion pathways and metabolic checkpoints to enhance anti-tumor immunity.

Paul DalhaimerView profile

Associate Professor

• Nanoparticle Drug Delivery
• Biomedical Engineering
• Cell Biology
• +5 more

Paul Dalhaimer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, within the Tickle College of Engineering. His research focuses on nanoparticle design for drug delivery, lipid droplet dynamics, and molecular mechanisms of autophagy. He holds a BS and PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Yale University studying actin cytoskeleton dynamics. Research Interests: Engineering nanoparticles with optimized biological interactions Autophagy regulation in disease contexts Lipid droplet formation and breakdown pathways Molecular dynamics simulations of biological systems Recent work highlights nanoparticle interactions with macrophages, obesity's effects on drug delivery, and SR-BI receptor targeting strategies. His studies integrate biophysical modeling with in vitro and in vivo experiments to bridge nanotechnology and clinical applications. His scientific contributions emphasize translational research at the interface of chemical engineering and biomedical science, with a focus on improving drug delivery systems through fundamental mechanistic insights.

Andrew CostanzoView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Sensory Nutrition
• Taste Perception
• Fat Taste Sensitivity
• +4 more

Dr. Andrew Costanzo is a Senior Lecturer at Deakin University's School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences , where he serves as Deputy Course Director for undergraduate nutrition science courses. His research focuses on sensory nutrition, particularly how taste perception influences eating behavior and dietary health. PhD, Deakin University Master of Human Nutrition, Deakin University Bachelor of Science, Monash University His work spans fat taste sensitivity , macronutrient sensing , and taste receptor dynamics , with significant contributions to understanding how fat taste detection thresholds relate to dietary fat consumption and satiety responses. His research includes developing novel methodologies for measuring taste sensitivity and analyzing the impact of protein fortification on plant-based milk alternatives. Key publication trends include temporal taste variation , fat replacers in food products , and cross-modal taste interactions (e.g., salt-fat relationships). He has co-authored studies on gustatory physiology , oral-gut chemoreception , and nutritional implications of altered taste perception . Supervised doctoral research on protein-flavor dynamics Teaches units HSN211 and HSN106 Recipient of contract research funding from Wide Open Agriculture Ltd (2023) for lupin protein analysis

• Neonatology
• Ophthalmology
• Pediatrics
• +7 more

Sylvain Chemtob is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Medicine , Université de Montréal, with appointments in the Departments of Ophthalmology, Pediatrics, and Pharmacology and Physiology . He is also an Associate Professor at McGill University's Department of Pharmacology. His research focuses on neonatal and ocular pathologies, particularly preterm birth , retinopathy of prematurity , and age-related macular degeneration , emphasizing inflammatory mechanisms, oxidative stress, and angiogenesis. MD (1980) - Université de Montréal Pediatrics specialization (1985) - McGill University PhD in Pharmacology (1989) - McGill University Postdoctoral fellowship in Physiology (1991) - University of Iowa His work integrates inflammatory pathways , oxidative stress , and angiogenesis to address neonatal and age-related ocular diseases. He developed therapeutic compounds like Rytvela for preterm birth and targets CD36 for macular degeneration, with one compound in clinical trials. Key publications include studies on interleukin-1 and succinate receptors in inflammation-driven preterm birth, and mechanisms of choroidal revascularization and microRNA regulation in retinal disorders. Fellow, Royal Society of Canada (2022) Acfas Léo-Pariseau Prize (2019) William D. Dawson Memorial Award (2020) He supervises graduate students in projects spanning retinal neurovascular coupling , inflammatory mediators , and neonatal vascular disorders , funded by grants from CIHR, FRQS, and private biotech partnerships. His affiliations include the CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center , CRHMR , and GRUM .

C.J. UrsoView profile

Visiting Assistant Professor

• Protein Palmitoylation
• Metabolic Diseases
• Cell Biology
• +3 more

C.J. Urso, Ph.D., is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Seton Hall University. His teaching focuses on medically oriented coursework, including undergraduate Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, and a graduate course in Recombinant DNA Technology. He advises M.S. and Ph.D. students in biological sciences. Education: Ph.D., Seton Hall University M.S., Montclair State University B.A., Rutgers University Research interests center on protein palmitoylation as a spatiotemporal regulator of cellular function, particularly its role in metabolic diseases. His work investigates lipotoxicity mechanisms in neuroblastoma and microglial cells, emphasizing the differential effects of saturated vs. unsaturated fatty acids. Recent studies highlight palmitic acid's impact on cell cycle progression and cytokinesis. Publications explore fatty acid interactions with cellular processes, inflammation, and metabolic disorders. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned in the provided texts. Dr. Urso trains graduate students but no specific grants or laboratories are detailed in the profile.

Prativa SherchanView profile

Researcher

• Neuroscience
• Neuroinflammation
• Surgical Brain Injury
• +3 more

Prativa Sherchan is an active Researcher at Loma Linda University School of Medicine , focusing on neuroscience and neuroinflammation in the context of brain hemorrhage and neurodegenerative diseases . Her research explores molecular pathways involved in neuroprotection , including Slit2 signaling , chemokine receptors , and venom preconditioning to mitigate surgical brain injury and hemorrhagic stroke . Recent publications highlight her work on blood-brain barrier integrity , neuronal ferroptosis , and inflammatory modulation using recombinant proteins and natural compounds . Key collaborations include Ji H. Zhang and John Tang at Loma Linda University. Her grant history includes NIH and American Heart Association projects on hemorrhage mechanisms and neurovascular protection .

Jeffrey DickhoutView profile

Lecturer

• Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Hypertension
• +5 more

Jeffrey Dickhout is an Adjunct Lecturer in Medicine at McMaster University, with a research focus on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and its role in cardiovascular and renal diseases. His work spans hypertension, chronic kidney disease (CKD), atherosclerosis, and pulmonary fibrosis, utilizing animal models like Dahl salt-sensitive rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). ER stress in hypertension and CKD pathogenesis Chemical chaperone therapy (e.g., 4-phenylbutyrate) TGF-β and SREBP signaling in fibrosis Vascular remodeling and myogenic constriction Recent studies (2024) explore follistatin's antihypertensive effects and PCSK9 antibodies' role in renal lipotoxicity. Over 30 peer-reviewed publications since 2000 address ER stress, atherosclerosis, and macrophage differentiation. Teaching includes Introduction to Pharmacology (PHARMAC 3A06A/B, 2017-2025).

Caroline ProulxView profile

Associate Professor

• Synthetic Chemistry
• Peptide and Protein Mimics
• Drug Design
• +6 more

Caroline Proulx is an Associate Professor and Goodnight Early Career Innovator in the Department of Chemistry at North Carolina State University, affiliated with the College of Sciences. She leads research focused on synthetic chemistry for peptide and protein mimic design, emphasizing drug development and chemical biology tools. Her expertise includes unnatural amino acid effects on folding, medicinal chemistry, and molecular recognition. Proulx holds a B.Sc. from the University of Ottawa (2007) and a Ph.D. from Université de Montréal (2012). Her research explores azapeptides, peptoids, and nanosheets for biomedical applications, with notable work on CD36 receptor modulators targeting cardiovascular diseases. She develops novel synthetic methodologies, including solid-phase azapeptide synthesis and ketoxime ligation strategies. Proulx collaborates with interdisciplinary teams in drug discovery and organic chemistry. Her articles highlight advancements in peptidomimetic design, nanomaterials, and therapeutic applications, with a focus on atherosclerosis treatment and molecular engineering. Proulx is affiliated with Chemical Biology, Drug Discovery, and Organic Chemistry groups at NC State. She actively contributes to graduate education and advises in the Department of Chemistry.