Dr. Sophie Stanley is a Honorary Clinical Researcher affiliated with the Lancaster Medical School at Lancaster University . Her research spans interdisciplinary medical fields, focusing on surgical oncology, endocrinology, critical care, and forensic medicine, with recent work on prehabilitation disparities in cancer surgery and thermal imaging applications in acute illness. Research Interests Surgical Oncology: Preoperative care and staging in testicular cancer. Endocrinology: Hormone regulation in thyroid and parathyroid systems. Forensic Medicine: Postmortem imaging and taphonomic effects on wound analysis. Critical Care: Neurological outcomes after cardiac arrest and trauma-induced myocardial infarction. Publication Trends Stanley’s recent work emphasizes prehabilitation challenges, non-invasive diagnostics (infrared thermography, CT), and forensic analysis. Her 2025 article in Anaesthesia highlights health inequalities in cancer surgery preparation, while systematic reviews (2024) explore thermal imaging’s role in acute care. Contact Department: Lancaster Medical School
Ulf Lindh is a Part-Time Lecturer at the Department of Basic Education in Biology, Uppsala University . His work intersects toxicology, environmental health, and trace element dynamics. Primary Affiliation : Uppsala University, Department of Basic Education in Biology Academic Title : Part-Time Lecturer (Timlärare) Research Focus : Toxicology of mercury and other heavy metals, trace element interactions in viral infections, and environmental health impacts. Key areas include: Metal-induced neurotoxicity Reproductive toxicity of mercury Trace element redistribution during infections Dental amalgam safety concerns Biometal analysis in cardiovascular diseases Publication Trends : Recent works (2019) address mercury exposure in dentistry and its public health implications, while earlier studies (2003-2006) explore metal interactions in viral pathogenesis and immune responses. Contributions : Co-authored chapters on biological functions of elements and metallomics in medical geology (2005). Collaborated on interdisciplinary studies involving immunotoxicology, environmental epidemiology, and metallodiagnostics.
Dr. Ann-Katrin Grotle is an Associate Professor at the Department of Sport, Food, and Natural Sciences at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL). She leads the research groups Idrett, helse og funksjon and the Health and Performance Laboratory , operating within a cross-faculty interdisciplinary environment. PhD in Exercise Physiology (University of Texas at Austin) Postdoctoral training at University of Texas at Arlington Specializes in cardiovascular regulation during exercise and women's health Research Focus: Her work spans integrative physiology with emphasis on: Cardiovascular responses to physical activity Menopausal cardiovascular health Exercise as therapeutic intervention Gender-specific physiological mechanisms Heat/cold therapy applications Cross-disciplinary sports science Current Projects: Principal investigator for: BEETBOOST: Beetroot Juice for Postmenopausal Cardiovascular Health REACT Study Bergen: Cardiovascular Reactivity to Physical Stress Her recent publications examine post-COVID vascular dysfunction, neurovascular dysregulation in diabetes, and mitochondrial mechanisms in depression.
Vsevolod Katritch is a Professor of Quantitative and Computational Biology, Chemistry, and Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Southern California's Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on computational approaches to understanding G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and structure-based drug discovery. He leads a productive research group that has made significant contributions to the field of GPCR structural biology and computational pharmacology. Dr. Katritch's research interests center on the development and application of computational tools to study key biological phenomena, with particular focus on membrane proteins and the superfamily of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), which are targeted by more than 30% of clinical drugs. His work spans molecular modeling, structural bioinformatics, integrative structural biology, and structure-based drug discovery. Current research directions include deciphering molecular basis of GPCR interactions, structure-based discovery of novel ligands, and integrative structural biology combining computational approaches with experimental data. His group has published extensively in top-tier journals including Nature, Cell, and Science, with recent work focusing on opioid receptors, angiotensin receptors, and computational methodologies for drug discovery. The lab has developed innovative approaches such as V-SYNTHES for virtual screening of ultra-large chemical libraries. Dr. Katritch was promoted to full professor in November 2023 and has received significant recognition including being named a Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate Analytics in both Biology & Biochemistry and Pharmacology & Toxicology categories. Dr. Katritch's laboratory has been supported by multiple NIH grants including a recent Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) from NIGMS. His research has important implications for pain management, addiction treatment, and cardiovascular disorders. The group maintains strong collaborations with structural biologists, medicinal chemists, and pharmacologists across multiple institutions. Notable members of his research team include postdoctoral scholars Anastasiia Sadybekov, Saheem Zaidi, and Jordy Lam, who have made significant contributions to the lab's publications and discoveries. The lab has been recognized for its innovative work, with members receiving awards including the Michael S. Waterman Award in Quantitative and Computational Biology.
Dr. Felix Gunawan is a Junior Research Group Leader at the University of Münster 's Center for Molecular Biology of Inflammation (ZMBE) and Institute of Cell Biology. He is part of the Cells in Motion Graduate Programme and CiM-IMPRS doctoral program, focusing on zebrafish and Drosophila models in biomedical research. Gunawan's research explores cardiovascular development , particularly endocardial morphogenesis, hematopoietic lineage contribution, and bacterial infection models. His work addresses congenital heart defects and biomechanical regulation of cardiac structures. His recent publications analyze cardiac valve formation , hematopoietic cell dynamics , and extracellular matrix remodeling under mechanical forces. Key themes include mechanobiology, transcriptional regulation, and cellular plasticity in cardiac development. Scientific Awards : Selected cover image for Development journal (2024) Faculty1000 Recommendation by Guido Serini (2019) Students : Dorothee Bornhorst (Postdoc, 2023–present) Newsha Mortazavi (PhD Student, 2022–present) Amulya V. Hejajji (PhD Student, 2023–present) Labs & Collaborations : Gunawan collaborates with Prof. Didier Stainier's team and works within the Multiscale Imaging Centre framework. His lab investigates cardiac infection models and endocardial cell plasticity in injury responses.
Natasha Pavlova is an Assistant Professor of Oncological Sciences and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Utah , where she investigates cancer metabolism, nutrient sensing, and tumor microenvironment dynamics. Her work focuses on how glutamine deficiency impacts tumor growth, tRNA charging, and polyglutamine tract regulation of cell fate. Education : B.S., University of Virginia; Ph.D., Harvard Medical School Her research explores: Glutamine depletion in tumors and its role in protein synthesis Polyglutamine tracts as amino acid availability sensors Metabolic adaptations enabling cancer progression under nutrient stress Development of in vivo polyglutamine-based reporters for amino acid deficits Single-cell tRNA charging analysis methods Her publications (2016–2025) span cancer metabolism, tRNA biology, and metabolic stress responses, with recent work addressing tumor-immune interactions and therapeutic strategies targeting nutrient availability. She is affiliated with the University of Utah's Molecular Biology Program and collaborates across cancer biology and metabolic disease research domains. Her lab develops innovative tools to profile amino acid availability in tumor ecosystems.
Valentina Di Felice is a Full Professor in the Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics at the University of Palermo's School of Medicine and Surgery. She teaches Human Anatomy for Biotechnology, Medicine and Surgery, and Neuroscience programs, with office hours held on Thursdays from 12:00 to 13:00 via Teams Chat. Her research spans multiple interconnected domains of biomedicine and neuroscience, with particular emphasis on skeletal muscle physiology, heat shock proteins (especially Hsp60), exercise physiology, and muscle pathology. She investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying muscle adaptation to exercise, gender differences in muscle response, and the role of heat shock proteins in muscle homeostasis and disease. Her work extends to cardiac tissue engineering, cachexia research, and the gut-liver-muscle axis, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to understanding musculoskeletal and neurological systems. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on translational research with clinical applications, particularly in developing novel therapeutic approaches for muscle wasting conditions. Her work on nanovesicle-based drug delivery systems containing heat shock proteins represents innovative approaches to treating muscle atrophy and cachexia. She also explores the therapeutic potential of probiotics and natural compounds like Pleurotus eryngii in muscle protection and regeneration. Professor Di Felice actively supervises graduate students across multiple programs including Neuroscience, Medical Biotechnology, and Molecular Medicine. Her research group maintains an active online presence through their Facebook page, facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing. She serves as principal investigator for research projects investigating muscle physiology, tissue engineering, and novel therapeutic interventions for muscle pathologies.
Dr. Paul Meakin is a BHF Intermediate Basic Science Research Fellow and Associate Professor at the University of Leeds , affiliated with the School of Medicine . His work bridges cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease, focusing on the ß-secretase enzyme (BACE1) as a therapeutic target. Education: MSci in Biochemistry and Biological Chemistry, University of Nottingham (2004) PhD in Molecular Physiology, University of Dundee (2009) Research Interests: Cardiovascular-metabolic-neurodegenerative intersections, BACE1 enzyme regulation , endothelial cell dysfunction, and vascular remodeling in diabetes. His lab investigates how BACE1 inhibition can prevent vascular complications in metabolic diseases. Publications Trends: His 15 most recent articles (2025-2013) center on BACE1's role in vascular health, diabetes-induced atherosclerosis, fibrosis in systemic sclerosis, and amyloid-related pathologies. They explore in vivo models, signaling pathways (Wnt/β-catenin, Notch), and translational strategies like repurposing BACE1 inhibitors for cardiometabolic applications. Scientific Recognition: Nick Hales Young Investigator Award (2017, 2014) Professional Leadership: Co-lead of the Physiology Society’s Metabolic Physiology Theme (2019-2022) and committee member of the British Microcirculation Society (2019-2022). Research Groups: Affiliated with the Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and the Multidisciplinary Cardiovascular Research Centre , focusing on Discovery and Translational Science in cardiometabolic health.
Filippo Guccione is a contract lecturer at the Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics within the School of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Palermo (Unipa). His work spans rehabilitation sciences, physiotherapy, and healthcare diagnostics. University: University of Palermo (Unipa) School: School of Medicine and Surgery Department: Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics Academic Rank: Lecturer Research Interests: Filippo focuses on rehabilitation sciences, with specific emphasis on physiotherapy for musculoskeletal disorders, clinical risk management, healthcare policy, and the integration of technology in rehabilitation. His work addresses challenges in home-care services, professional autonomy, and multidisciplinary team dynamics. Key Trends in Publications: Rehabilitation for musculoskeletal injuries (e.g., rotator cuff, lateral epicondylitis) Health policy and organizational models in Sicilian healthcare Technological advancements in robotic rehabilitation and e-health Management of clinical risks in multidisciplinary teams Post-COVID and geriatric rehabilitation strategies Advising and Grants: While specific grants and advising roles are not explicitly listed, his edited theses suggest mentorship in rehabilitation sciences, focusing on clinical protocols, patient autonomy, and healthcare innovation.
Dr. Vinicia Campana Biancardi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology at Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Originally from Brazil, she joined Auburn University in March 2016 as an Assistant Professor and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2021. Her academic journey spans international institutions including the Federal University of Sao Paulo, Wright State University, University of Cincinnati, and Medical College of Georgia. Dr. Biancardi earned her B.S. in Pharmacy from the School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry of Espirito Santo in Brazil, followed by both her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the Federal University of Sao Paulo under Dr. Ruy Campos's supervision. During her Ph.D., she received a Brazilian government scholarship to train at Wright State University with Dr. Javier Stern, whom she later followed for postdoctoral work at the University of Cincinnati and Medical College of Georgia. Dr. Biancardi's research focuses on the neural mechanisms of cardiovascular control, particularly examining how the brain regulates blood pressure in both healthy and disease states. Her work centers on the hypothalamus and autonomic nervous system, with special emphasis on hypertension mechanisms. She investigates how circulating angiotensin II gains access to the brain during hypertension via blood-brain barrier disruption, and how this leads to neuroinflammation and autonomic dysfunction. Her laboratory employs a range of techniques including electrophysiology, neuroanatomy, molecular biology, and cardiovascular physiology in rodent models. Analysis of Dr. Biancardi's recent publications reveals a strong focus on the intersection of neuroscience and cardiovascular physiology, particularly examining neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier integrity, and neural control of blood pressure in hypertension. Her work increasingly incorporates molecular mechanisms including Toll-like receptor 4 signaling, microRNA regulation, and cellular reprogramming approaches. A notable trend is her exploration of novel vascular pathways in the brain and their role in homeostatic control. Brazilian government scholarship during Ph.D. studies American Heart Association Scientist Development Grant Dr. Biancardi has secured significant research funding, including an American Heart Association Scientist Development Grant prior to joining Auburn University. Her laboratory investigates the neural mechanisms of hypertension, with particular focus on the role of the hypothalamus, autonomic control, and neuroinflammation. She collaborates extensively with researchers at Auburn University and beyond, contributing to the growing field of neurocardiovascular research. Dr. Biancardi leads a research laboratory within the Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology at Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Her team investigates the neural mechanisms of cardiovascular control, with particular emphasis on how hypertension affects brain function and how the brain contributes to the development and maintenance of high blood pressure. Her laboratory employs multidisciplinary approaches to study neurovascular coupling, blood-brain barrier function, and neural signaling in cardiovascular regulation.
Chad Grueter, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Internal Medicine-Cardiovascular Medicine and Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Iowa. His laboratory focuses on understanding transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms disrupted in heart disease, particularly the role of the Mediator complex components (MED13, CDK8, MED1) in cardiac metabolism and heart failure. He holds affiliations with the Cardiovascular Research Center and Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center. Education: PhD in Molecular Physiology and Biophysics from Vanderbilt University (200?), followed by postdoctoral training at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Research interests include how the heart regulates whole-body metabolism through novel signaling pathways, such as those involving miR-208a and MED13. His work utilizes mutant mouse models, proteomic, and bioinformatic approaches to study cardiac transcriptional responses to stress. Recent studies highlight the interplay between cardiac signaling and systemic metabolism, with implications for obesity prevention and heart failure therapies. Selected publications span topics like PI3Kβ's dual roles in cardiac remodeling, Mediator complex subunit functions, and cardiac-secreted factors' metabolic effects. These studies collectively emphasize molecular mechanisms of heart disease and potential therapeutic targets. Dr. Grueter's lab actively investigates stress-adaptive transcription regulators (e.g., junctophilin-2) and the role of epigenetic modifications in cardiac dysfunction. His research bridges basic science and translational medicine, aiming to uncover novel pathways for clinical intervention.
Katelin Dannen, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Neuroscience and Pharmacology and Associate Chair for Education at the University of Iowa's Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology. Her research focuses on improving pharmacology education through active learning strategies and understanding the impact of pharmacology training on drug consumer knowledge. She also investigates the molecular mechanisms of RGS6 proteins in neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. Education: B.A. in Biology, Augustana College (Sioux Falls, SD) Ph.D. in Biology (Neurobiology emphasis), University of Iowa Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa Research Interests: Dr. Dannen combines educational innovation with molecular biology to address gaps in pharmacology pedagogy. Her work includes developing application-based small-group exercises and diagramming activities to enhance student engagement. Concurrently, she explores RGS6’s role in Parkinson’s disease, intellectual disability, and cancer progression, focusing on protein isoforms and signaling pathways. Publications: Her research spans pharmacology education and molecular studies, with recent contributions to RGS6’s role in neurodegeneration, cardiovascular development, and tumor suppression. Notable work includes identifying novel RGS6 isoforms linked to Parkinson’s and demonstrating RGS6’s tumor suppressor function in bladder carcinogenesis. Awards: Favorable peer review from MERLOT (2023) for her Critical Thinking Pharmacology Worksheets Advising & Grants: No student advisees are listed in available records. Grant information is not specified in the provided data.
Jemima Spathis is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, within the Faculty of Health Sciences. Her research focuses on exercise science, sports medicine, and public health, with a particular emphasis on strength training, maternal health, and disability sports participation. She has conducted extensive studies on powerlifting demographics, the effects of exercise on mental health conditions like depression, and cardiovascular outcomes during pregnancy. Her work combines systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and longitudinal studies to investigate how exercise influences clinical and athletic populations. Key areas include competitive performance analysis in powerlifting, exercise interventions for depression treatment, and maternal-infant outcomes linked to physical activity during pregnancy. Her research demonstrates expertise in interdisciplinary collaboration, addressing topics such as athlete classification systems for Paralympic sports, molecular responses to exercise, and high-intensity interval training guidelines for clinical populations.
Melanie Gartz, PhD, MS, MHS, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). She holds academic qualifications including a PhD in Cellular and Developmental Biology (2020), MS (2014), MHS (2011), and BS (2009). Her roles include teaching in MCW’s medical and graduate programs, focusing on clinical anatomy and molecular/cellular research pathways. She has developed the Musculoskeletal Skin block in the new curriculum and engages in interprofessional education. Her research interests center on modeling genetic neuromuscular diseases using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), particularly Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Nemaline Myopathy. Key areas include mitochondrial dysfunction, exosome-mediated communication, and disease mechanisms in cardiomyocytes and skeletal myocytes. Her lab investigates pathways like oxidative stress and exosome signaling to understand disease progression. Dr. Gartz has received over 15 awards, including the Karen Marcdante Bravery in Teaching Award (2022) and multiple 'Outstanding Medical Student Teacher' recognitions. Her 15+ publications span exosome biology, microRNA regulation, and iPSC-derived disease models. She leads grants exploring exosome-based therapies and cardiac dysfunction in muscular dystrophies. She mentors students across levels, from high school to medical school, and contributes to community outreach via 'Anatomy Nights' and STEM education initiatives. Collaborations include the Kern Institute’s KINETIC3 Scholar program and the Medical College of Wisconsin Cardiovascular Center.
Roles and Affiliations: Professor at the University of Oslo's Institute for Experimental Medical Research, part of the Faculty of Medicine. Focuses on cardiovascular research, particularly heart failure, hypertension, and biomarker development. Collaborates internationally on translational studies involving microRNAs, spectroscopic techniques, and novel therapeutic compounds. Research Interests: Alessandro Cataliotti specializes in cardiac physiology and pathophysiology, with emphasis on heart failure mechanisms, diagnostic biomarkers (especially microRNAs), and the application of vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR/Raman) for early disease detection. His work also explores therapies targeting hypertension and end-organ damage, including novel compounds like proANP31-67. Publications: Recent studies highlight advancements in multi-microRNA diagnostic panels for heart failure subtypes, the efficacy of sacubitril/valsartan in cardiac repair, and the role of caloric restriction in skeletal muscle recovery. His research bridges molecular biology, clinical cardiology, and biomedical engineering. Labs/Teams: Leads interdisciplinary teams at the Institute for Experimental Medical Research, collaborating with institutions globally on projects combining experimental medicine and translational science.
