Find Academic Supervisors

Terry Van RaayView profile

Associate Professor

• Developmental Biology
• Cancer Biology
• Molecular Biology
• +3 more

Dr. Terry Van Raay is an Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Guelph. His research focuses on Wnt signaling pathways in development and disease, particularly their roles in colorectal cancer and zebrafish embryology. He joined the university in 2008 after postdoctoral work at Vanderbilt University. Education: B.Sc. (University of Windsor), M.Sc. (University of Guelph), Ph.D. (University of Utah), Postdoctoral Fellow (Vanderbilt University). Research emphasizes negative regulators of Wnt signaling (Nkd1, Axin2), using zebrafish as an in vivo model. His lab explores how these proteins inhibit β-catenin accumulation, with applications to cancer therapy. He teaches courses in genomics and molecular biology. Lab innovations include using early zebrafish embryos for combined genetic, biochemical, and developmental studies. Collaborations span developmental biology and oncology, leveraging CRISPR technology for genomic editing.

Tian HongView profile

Associate Professor

• Systems Biology
• Bioinformatics
• Cancer Biology
• +7 more

Tian Hong is an Associate Professor at the Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas , with a joint appointment as Research Associate Professor at the Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville . His research focuses on systems biology, bioinformatics, cancer biology, and mathematical biology , particularly the plasticity and heterogeneity of epithelial and immune cells during development and cancer progression . He develops computational and mathematical models for gene regulatory networks, pattern formation, and dynamical systems. Education : PhD in Genetics, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology from Virginia Tech; MS in Bioinformatics from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; BS in Biological Sciences from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Previous Appointments : Associate Professor (2023–2024) and Assistant Professor (2017–2023) at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His recent publications explore noncoding RNA-driven oscillations , Turing pattern formation without feedback , and epithelial-mesenchymal transitions using single-cell transcriptomics and mathematical modeling . He has received the Professional Promise in Research and Creative Achievement Award (2024) and the Transdisciplinary Team Science Fellow (2009). His work is funded by NIH grants including R35GM149531 (PI) and R01GM140462 (completed PI). Dr. Hong advises PhD and Master’s students and collaborates with researchers at the Center for Systems Biology, UT Dallas . His lab ( link ) actively seeks undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers interested in interdisciplinary computational biology .

Sean McKennaView profile

Professor

• RNA Biochemistry
• Cancer Biology
• Virology
• +3 more

Sean McKenna is a Professor and Associate Dean (Programs) in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Science. His research focuses on RNA-protein interactions in biological systems, combining biochemistry, structural biology, and molecular biology. He leads the McKenna Lab, investigating non-coding RNA roles in cancer and immune responses to viral infections. Key projects include studying BC200 long non-coding RNA in tumors and the regulation of 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetases in viral defense. His work is supported by grants from NSERC and CIHR. McKenna has supervised over 50 students and postdocs, many now in academic and industry roles. He co-launched White Otter Biotech, advancing environmental DNA/RNA monitoring. His lab recently renovated, now housing collaborations with the Ripstein group. Education: PhD (Biochemistry, University of Alberta), Postdoc (Stanford University), BSc (Queen's University). Awards include NSERC Discovery Grants, CIHR funding, and early-career accolades. Research spans RNA dynamics, cancer biology, and viral immunology. Research Highlights: Non-coding RNA BC200’s role in tumor proliferation 2'-5'-OAS enzymes in antiviral immunity SRP9/SRP14 regulation of Alu RNA Recent Publications: Over 70 articles, including work on Alu RNA mechanisms (RNA Biology, 2024) and BC200 processing (RNA Journal, 2024). Awards: NSERC (2024), CIHR (2020), Jamieson Scholarship (2021). Lab & Collaborations: McKenna-Ripstein lab merger (2024), White Otter Biotech (DNA/RNA biodiversity tech).

Mark R. MartenView profile

Professor

• Microbial Expression Systems
• Filamentous Fungi
• Proteomic Analysis
• +4 more

Mark R. Marten is a Professor and Department Chair at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, in the College of Engineering and Information Technology, Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering. He leads the Marten Lab, which focuses on understanding and manipulating microbial expression systems. Education: Ph.D. Chemical Engineering – Purdue University, 1991 M.S. Chemical Engineering – Purdue University, 1988 B.S. Chemical Engineering – State University of New York at Buffalo, 1986 Research interests center on fungal biology and biotechnology, particularly using advanced analytical tools like electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and proteomic analysis to study fungal cell walls and stress responses. Current projects investigate autophagy mechanisms and morphology-secretion relationships in filamentous fungi. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on Aspergillus nidulans cell wall stress responses, kinase signaling pathways, and mycelial material properties. Research integrates molecular biology with materials science, showing consistent themes in fungal adaptation mechanisms and biotechnological applications. Lab activities include collaborative projects on plant phenotype design, antifungal mechanisms, and nano-mechanical characterization of fungal structures.

Selen CremaschiView profile

Professor

• Process synthesis, design, and operations
• Optimization under uncertainty
• Energy systems engineering
• +2 more

Selen Cremaschi is a Professor and the B. Redd & Susan W. Redd Eminent Scholar Chair in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Auburn University (College of Engineering). She earned her Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University and Bogazici University respectively. Education: Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, Purdue University M.S. Chemical Engineering, Bogazici University B.S. Chemical Engineering, Bogazici University Research Interests: Process synthesis, design, and operations Optimization under uncertainty Energy systems engineering Techno-economic and life cycle analysis Cancer care engineering Recent Articles Trends: Her work spans biomedical applications (e.g., stem cell cardiac differentiation), CO2 capture, process intensification, and stochastic programming. Key areas include sustainable chemical processes, computational biology, and hybrid modeling frameworks. Scientific Awards: B. Redd & Susan W. Redd Eminent Scholar Chair 2018 Class of Influential Researchers Grants & Collaborations: She co-led a $23.8M DOE project on CO2 emission reduction in pulp and paper mills and a $1.5M NSF grant for heart tissue engineering. She contributes to interdisciplinary teams and has been interviewed on the award-winning #GINNing Podcast about her leadership role.

• Multimodal Signal Processing
• Biomedical Signal Processing
• Image and Speech Processing
• +3 more

Richard Dansereau is a Professor and Associate Dean (Graduate Studies) in the Department of Systems and Computer Engineering at Carleton University, part of the Faculty of Engineering and Design. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Manitoba and is a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) and Senior Member of IEEE. His research focuses on signal processing, including biomedical applications, compressive sensing, medical imaging, and fractal complexity analysis. He has led the Signal Processing and Machine Learning Lab and advised numerous PhD students in areas like PET image reconstruction and drone detection through Riemannian geometry. His academic roles include serving as Clerk of Senate and Academic Editor for IET Signal Processing. Key research contributions span deep learning for compressive sensing (e.g., DEQ-based networks), cervical cell segmentation, and biomedical signal processing. Over 150 publications highlight his work on topics like PET-MRI fusion, audio-visual speech enhancement, and radar systems. Collaborations include projects on cardiac PET imaging and drone detection algorithms. Awards include the IEEE Senior Member designation. His teaching spans courses such as Digital Signal Processing, Wavelets, and Biomedical Systems across Carleton and the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Shankar MukherjiView profile

Assistant Professor

• Biophysics
• Quantitative Biology
• Systems Biology
• +3 more

Shankar Mukherji is an Assistant Professor of Physics at Washington University in St. Louis, affiliated with the Department of Physics and the Center for Quantum Leaps. His research integrates theoretical and experimental approaches to understand the design principles governing cellular function, with a focus on organelle biogenesis, spatial organization, and systems-level coordination. He holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Science and Technology, and completed postdoctoral training at Harvard’s FAS Center for Systems Biology under Erin O’Shea. Key research themes include: (1) how cells regulate organelle abundance, size, and spatial distribution under developmental/environmental cues, (2) the interplay between organelle biogenesis and cellular physiology, and (3) engineering cellular decision-making to control organelle properties. His group employs advanced imaging, synthetic biology, and computational modeling techniques. Recent work emphasizes systems-level analysis of organelle networks, uncovering principles linking cellular growth to organelle allocation. Notable contributions include studies on stochastic fluctuations in organelle abundance, resource competition models, and the biophysical limits governing organelle formation. Courses taught include Biophysics Laboratory (Physics 360) and Calculus-based Physics (Physics 191). His research has been highlighted in high-impact journals like Cell Systems, Nature, and Science. Current projects explore nanodiamond-based quantum sensing for organelle detection and synthetic biology approaches to reprogram organelle biogenesis pathways.

• Cancer Immunotherapy
• Cell Therapy
• Synthetic Biology
• +6 more

Jonathan Bramson is a Professor and Vice Dean, Research at the Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University , holding the John Bienenstock Chair in Molecular Medicine . His work focuses on cell-based therapies for cancer , leveraging genetic engineering, synthetic biology, and chemical biology to enhance anti-tumor activity of white blood cells. Key Research Themes: Cancer immunotherapy, T cell engineering, oncolytic viruses, and tumor immunology. Pioneering Work: Development of TAC (T Cell Antigen Coupler) receptors for targeted cancer therapies, transitioning from lab to clinical trials in Canada and the USA. Scientific Awards: John Bienenstock Chair in Molecular Medicine Collaborative Impact: Co-founded a McMaster biotech start-up advancing immunotherapy for solid cancers. Led clinical trials like CYTOSHRINK for metastatic kidney cancer and explored metabolic modulators (e.g., canagliflozin) to improve radiotherapy outcomes.

Rajendra Prasad SiriginaView profile

Lecturer

• Artificial Intelligence
• Wireless Networks
• Health Diagnostics
• +1 more

Rajendra Prasad Sirigina is a Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at the National University of Singapore. He holds a Ph.D. from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (2015), an M.Tech from Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, India (2007), and a B.Tech from GRIET, JNTU Hyderabad, India (2002). His research focuses on applying artificial intelligence to wireless networks and health diagnostics. Ph.D., Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (2015) M.Tech, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, India (2007) B.Tech, GRIET, JNTU Hyderabad, India (2002) His work bridges Artificial Intelligence with Wireless Communication and Health Diagnostics , emphasizing robust feature selection, signal classification, and interference management in UAV and satellite systems. Recent research includes NOMA-aided communications , hybrid-duplex architectures , and deep learning for signal processing . The 15 most recent publications highlight advancements in UAV communication systems , NOMA , hybrid-duplex technologies , and satellite network design . Key trends include optimizing spectrum efficiency, mitigating interference in aerial-ground networks, and enhancing signal reliability through machine learning and outage probability analysis.

• Biomechanics
• Tissue Engineering
• Prosthetics Design
• +5 more

Professor Mark Thompson is an Associate Professor in Engineering Science at the University of Oxford and a Tutor/Fellow at Wadham College. He holds an MEng in Engineering and Materials Science (Oxford, 1997) and a PhD in Biomechanics from the University of London (2001). His research focuses on biomechanical engineering with emphasis on tissue repair, prosthetic design, and trauma modeling. Key projects include the OxVent ventilator and in vitro microvasculature systems for traumatic injury studies. His work bridges clinical and engineering challenges, addressing issues like prosthetic maintenance, musculoskeletal modeling, and biomaterials for regenerative medicine. Thompson collaborates with institutions like the Institute of Biomedical Engineering and has contributed to open-source frameworks for motion capture analysis. Current research trends involve mechanobiology of soft tissues and bioprinting for trauma research. Labs/Teams: Affiliated with the Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Oxford e-Research Centre. His work aligns with translational medicine and emergency medical device development. Future directions include optimizing 3D-printed bio-artificial tissues and advancing tactile feedback systems for prosthetics.

Hanqing JinView profile

Associate Professor

• Mathematical Finance
• Stochastic Analysis
• Portfolio Optimization
• +3 more

Dr. Hanqing Jin is an Associate Professor in the Mathematical Institute at the University of Oxford, specializing in Mathematical Finance and Applied Stochastic Analysis. His research focuses on investor decision-making under non-utility behavior, dynamic portfolio optimization, and stochastic control problems in financial markets. Prior to Oxford, he held an Assistant Professorship at the National University of Singapore. He has contributed to foundational work on mean-variance portfolio selection, behavioral finance, and the application of stochastic processes to financial modeling. His academic background includes extensive work on continuous-time portfolio optimization, risk management frameworks, and the intersection of behavioral economics with quantitative finance. Notable contributions include studies on optimal lockdown policies during pandemics, blockchain consensus algorithms analysis, and the development of novel biomarker detection techniques using Raman spectroscopy. Dr. Jin's research integrates advanced mathematical techniques with real-world financial challenges, bridging theoretical models with practical applications in areas such as robo-advising systems and cryptocurrency frameworks. His work on transaction cost analysis and dynamic mean-variance strategies has been widely cited in both academic and industry contexts.

Jane ClealView profile

Associate Professor

• Reproductive Cell Biology
• Placental Biology
• Fetal Development
• +4 more

Dr. Jane Cleal is an Associate Professor in Reproductive Cell Biology at the University of Southampton’s Faculty of Medicine. She leads research on placental and maternal tissue mechanisms, focusing on fetal development, lifelong health, and interventions to improve pregnancy outcomes. Her work integrates systems biology with molecular and cellular approaches. Education: PhD in Medicine, University of Southampton (2005) BSc (Hons) Molecular Cell Biology, University of Southampton (2001) Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2013) Teaching Roles: Deputy Programme Lead for the BM6 widening access to medicine degree Module Lead for MEDI0011 Human Structure & Function 1 Her research interests span placental and endometrial biology, vitamin D regulation, and the impact of maternal exposures on fetal programming. Key areas include fetal growth, obesity, and cardiometabolic health. Recent work explores endometrial gland function in miscarriage risk and climate change effects on developmental health in Caribbean communities. Publications highlight placental transport mechanisms, vitamin D’s role in pregnancy, and computational models of drug diffusion. She has supervised 3 current PhD students and secured grants from Wessex Medical Research, BBSRC, and Wellbeing of Women. Awards: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2013) External Roles: Editorial Board Member, British Journal of Nutrition (2012–2018) Council Member, Physiological Society (2009–present) Reviewer for Irish Government research panels (2017–2023) Outreach: Public engagement on reproductive science and healthy lifestyle choices.

Andrew LinView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Neuroscience
• Olfactory System
• Neural Circuit Function
• +3 more

Dr. Andrew Lin is a Senior Lecturer and School Director of One University at the University of Sheffield's School of Biosciences. He holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge and a BA in Biology from Harvard University. His career includes roles as a Lecturer (2019-2022), Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow (2015-2019), and Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Oxford (2009-2015). Research focuses on how the brain encodes sensory information for memory formation, using Drosophila's olfactory system as a model. Key areas include sparse coding in Kenyon cells, synaptic inhibition/excitation balance, and neural circuit dysfunction links to epilepsy. Teaching includes modules like BMS11004 Introduction to Neuroscience and BMS248 Neural Circuits, Behaviour and Memory. He has secured grants from the European Research Council, BBSRC, and Wellcome Trust. Professional memberships include the FENS-Kavli Network and BBSRC Pool of Experts. Lab research employs techniques like in vivo two-photon imaging, electrophysiology, and genetic manipulation. PhD opportunities are available in neural circuitry and sensory processing.

• Computational Neuroscience
• Neural Networks
• Synaptic Plasticity
• +3 more

Prof. Tatjana Tchumatchenko is Professor and TRA Steering Committee member at the University of Bonn, leading a computational neuroscience group at the Institute of Experimental Epileptology and Cognition Research. Her research focuses on computational analysis of recurrent neural networks and molecular dynamics of synapses. Research examines how molecular dynamics in dendrites organize synaptic plasticity outcomes, and how synaptic learning rules help neural networks solve computational tasks. The group develops quantitative methods to understand neural data and predictive models of neural network function across molecular, synaptic, and network levels. Honors include the Boehringer Ingelheim FENS Research Award (2022), ERC Starting Grant (2020), Heinz Maier-Leibnitz-Prize (2016), and election to the Young Academy of Europe. Current projects investigate dendritic protein distribution, energy constraints in neurons, and astrocyte contributions to learning.

Andreas JanshoffView profile

Professor

• Membrane Biophysics
• Cell Mechanics
• Sensor Design
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Andreas Janshoff is a Full Professor (W3) of Biophysical Chemistry at the Institute of Physical Chemistry, Georg-August-University Göttingen (since 2008). He previously served as Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry in Göttingen (2013–2015). His research focuses on membrane biophysics, cell mechanics, sensor design, and single-molecule force spectroscopy. Key contributions include studies on actin cortices, cellular adhesion dynamics, and viscoelastic properties of biological systems. Education: 1987–1989: Biology studies at University of Münster 1989–1994: Chemistry studies at University of Münster (with honors) 1994–1997: PhD in Biochemistry under Prof. H.-J. Galla 1999–2001: Habilitation in Biochemistry at University of Münster Research Interests: His work integrates experimental biophysics with advanced microscopy and nanoindentation techniques to explore cell mechanics, membrane dynamics, and biomaterial interactions. Recent studies emphasize actin network rheology, collective cell migration, and protein-mediated tissue fluidity. Publications: Recent work highlights include studies on cytosolic actin isoforms’ mechanical roles (Nature Communications 2023), differential adhesion in cocultures (PNAS 2023), and vimentin viscoelasticity (Science Advances 2018). Themes emphasize quantitative biophysical analysis of cellular and molecular systems. Labs/Teams: Affiliated with the Göttingen Graduate Center for Neuroscience (GGNB), focusing on Physics of Biological and Complex Systems and Biomolecules: Structure-Function-Dynamics .