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Wendy WarrenView profile

Associate Professor

• Colonial North America
• Atlantic World
• Slavery
• +2 more

Wendy Warren is Associate Professor of History at Princeton University, specializing in colonial North America, the Atlantic World, and comparative slavery. She authored New England Bound: Slavery and Colonization in Early America (2016), which won the Merle Curti Social History Prize and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Her current research examines prisons in the 17th–18th centuries. Teaching and Research Interests: Colonial and revolutionary North America Comparative slavery and abolition Carceral systems in early modern societies Gender and sexuality studies Warren's scholarship integrates social history with analyses of violence and empire-building. Her work has appeared in the Journal of American History , William and Mary Quarterly , and Slavery and Abolition . Awards: Merle Curti Social History Prize (2017) Pulitzer Prize Finalist (2017) Berkshire Conference Book Prize Finalist (2017) Harriet Tubman Prize Finalist (2017)

Steven MithenView profile

Professor

• Archaeology
• Human Evolution
• Cognitive Archaeology
• +5 more

Professor Steven Mithen is a leading archaeologist at the University of Reading's Department of Archaeology. His research spans human origins, Neolithic transitions, and the evolution of cognition, language, and music. He is renowned for pioneering cognitive archaeology, exploring how prehistoric minds processed thought and symbolism. Key projects include excavations at WF16 (Southern Jordan) and Islay (Scotland), focusing on early farming, ritual practices, and monumental architecture. Mithen also advocates for heritage-driven sustainable development, exemplified by the Faynan Heritage Project and Dunyvaig Castle studies. His work integrates environmental, social, and cognitive dimensions, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches. Research Interests: Human evolution and cognitive development Neolithic origins and transitions Prehistoric architecture and symbolism Heritage management and community engagement Language and music evolution Recent Work: Recent publications address language evolution, Neolithic symbolism in Jordan and Scotland, and the impact of climate change on Mesolithic populations. His work on WF16 reveals communal architecture and burial practices, while Islay excavations explore chambered cairns and settlement dynamics. Grants & Advising: Projects like the Dunyvaig and Hinterland Assessment Project (2018) and Our Past, Our Future initiative highlight his focus on heritage's role in community wellbeing. Collaborations with environmental scientists and historians underscore his holistic approach to prehistory.

Jack KottwitzView profile

Assistant Professor

• Veterinary Pharmacology
• Comparative Pharmacokinetics
• Animal Toxicology
• +3 more

Jack Kottwitz is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University. He specializes in veterinary pharmacology and comparative pharmacokinetics, focusing on large animals, exotic species, and wildlife. His research emphasizes drug metabolism, toxicology, and clinical applications in diverse species such as elephants, horses, birds, and reptiles. Education: PhD in Pharmacology Dr. Kottwitz's research interests include optimizing drug therapies for large animals, understanding interspecies pharmacokinetic differences, and advancing diagnostic methods for gastrointestinal and reproductive health. His work integrates clinical trials, meta-analyses, and innovative experimental techniques. Recent studies explore firocoxib pharmacokinetics in elephants, clodronate effects in juvenile livestock, and diet conversion strategies for psittacine birds. His research also addresses critical issues like microcystin toxicosis in aquatic birds and invasive species physiology. Grants: Multiple studies funded by veterinary research initiatives He is affiliated with the Pharmacology & Toxicology team at MSU, contributing to courses like PHM 801 and collaborating with zoological institutions on wildlife health projects.

Frances TrailView profile

Professor

• Mycology
• host-pathogen interactions
• Metabolite Discovery
• +3 more

Frances Trail is a Professor in Mycology and host-pathogen interactions at Michigan State University (MSU), affiliated with the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences within the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources. She holds a B.A. in Botany from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an M.S. in Plant Pathology from Oregon State University, and a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Cornell University. Her research focuses on fungal biology, particularly Fusarium species, with an emphasis on mycotoxin production, host-pathogen interactions, and biocontrol strategies. Her work integrates genomics, transcriptomics, and ecological studies to understand fungal lifecycle dynamics, including spore germination, pathogenic mechanisms, and microbiome interactions. The Trail Lab investigates Fusarium graminearum, a major agricultural pathogen causing head blight in wheat and barley, and explores natural compounds (e.g., lichen-derived metabolites) to inhibit mycotoxin production. Key projects include analyzing fungal biofilm formation and developing sustainable disease management approaches. Publications highlight her contributions to understanding fungal development, toxin regulation, and microbial community responses to agricultural practices. Trail’s research bridges fundamental biology with applied solutions to combat crop diseases and reduce mycotoxin contamination in food systems.

• Nutrigenomics
• Microbiology
• Gut Microbiota
• +5 more

Ben Willing is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences. His research focuses on the microbiology of nutrigenomics, exploring how symbiotic gut microbes interact with dietary components to influence host physiology and disease resistance in livestock and humans. He employs antibiotic and gnotobiotic animal models, metabolomics, and transcriptomics to study these interactions. Education: PhD in Animal and Poultry Science from the University of Saskatchewan Postdoc in Microbiology at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Postdoc in Microbiology and Immunology at the Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia Research Interests: Microbial regulation of host metabolism and immune responses Impact of dietary interventions on gut microbiota composition Prevention of metabolic disorders (e.g., diabetes, obesity) through microbiome modulation Comparative analysis of microbiota between wild and domestic animals His work emphasizes translational applications in both human and animal health. Teaching: AFNS 528: Advances in Human Nutrition and the Intestinal Microbiome (Winter 2026) AFNS 575: Advanced Functional Genomics Technologies (Fall 2025) AN SC 311: Metabolic Physiology of Domestic Animals (Winter 2026) NU FS 428: Advances in Human Nutrition and the Intestinal Microbiome (Winter 2026) Courses integrate cutting-edge methodologies in microbiome research and functional genomics. Research Trends: Recent work highlights the role of dietary components like protein, fiber, and probiotics in shaping gut microbiota and metabolic health. Studies utilize swine, mice, and poultry models to investigate mechanisms linking microbiota to inflammation, insulin resistance, and immune function. Kefir and microbial transplantation are key areas for exploring interventions to mitigate chronic diseases. Advising & Grants: Dr. Willing offers graduate and undergraduate training opportunities in microbiome research and nutrition. Specific grants are not detailed, but his research aligns with funding priorities in agricultural and biomedical microbiology. No formal advisee names are listed in the provided texts. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with research groups within the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences, focusing on microbiome-host interactions, metabolic physiology, and translational nutrition science. Active in interdisciplinary projects involving metabolomics and genomics technologies.

Mary E. KableView profile

Adjunct Assistant Professor

• Gut Microbiome
• Dietary Fiber
• Human Health
• +3 more

Mary E. Kable, Ph.D., is a Research Molecular Biologist at USDA ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center (WHNRC) and an Assistant Adjunct Professor at the University of California, Davis. Her work focuses on the interplay between diet, gut microbiota composition, and human health outcomes, particularly how dietary fibers influence colonization resistance against foodborne pathogens. She leads the Kable Lab, which investigates (1) gut microbiota dynamics in healthy individuals linked to long-term dietary habits, (2) high-throughput microbiota culturing methods, and (3) in vitro fermentation studies of gut microbes with dietary components. Her research integrates microbiological, nutritional, and clinical approaches to understand how dietary interventions can modulate gut microbiota for disease prevention. Recent studies include examining polyphenol impacts on microbial diversity, honey's effects on E. coli virulence, and lactose metabolism-genotype interactions. She collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to bridge basic science and translational nutrition. Dr. Kable’s work has been published in high-impact journals such as Scientific Reports , Nutrients , and Experimental Biology , with a focus on dietary fiber, SCFA production, and microbiome-based health biomarkers. Her lab’s methodological innovations aim to standardize microbiota research techniques, enhancing reproducibility in the field. Notable contributions include identifying host genetic factors influencing H. pylori adhesion and demonstrating resistant starch’s role in glycemic control and microbiota alteration. Her research has implications for personalized nutrition, food safety, and public health strategies targeting microbiome-related disorders. Current projects explore diet-microbiome interactions in obesity prevention, SCFA-based health predictions, and the microbiological quality of dairy products. She advises no students but collaborates extensively with postdoctoral researchers and graduate students across institutions.

Nichole BroderickView profile

Assistant Professor

• Microbiome
• Host-Microbe Interactions
• Drosophila Melanogaster
• +6 more

Nichole Broderick is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Johns Hopkins University (JHU), part of the Krieger School of Arts & Sciences. Previously, she held roles as Assistant Professor at the University of Connecticut and Associate Research Scientist at Yale University. Her PhD in Entomology and Microbiology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison was followed by postdoctoral research at EPFL in Switzerland. Her research focuses on the gut microbiota of insects, particularly Drosophila melanogaster, investigating how microbes influence host development, immunity, and disease resistance. Key areas include microbiome establishment, host-microbe interactions, and the role of innate immunity in non-traditional contexts like nutrient processing. Broderick's lab employs genetic, genomic, and molecular tools to study microbiome-host dynamics. She teaches a student-centered antibiotic discovery course (Microbe Hunters) as part of the Tiny Earth initiative. The lab is based in Levi Hall at JHU, with ongoing projects exploring diet-microbiome interactions using the Dietary Composition Calculator (DDCC) tool they developed. Current lab members include postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and staff working on topics like transgenerational immunity, microbiome stability under pathogens, and host immune system plasticity.

• Colonial Latin American Cultural Studies
• Postcolonial Theory
• Colonial Discourse Analysis
• +5 more

Dr. Monica P. Morales is an Associate Professor in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of Arizona, affiliated with the College of Humanities and Latin American Studies. She holds a Ph.D. from Purdue University. Her research focuses on colonial Latin American cultural studies, examining systems of domination and critiques by colonized subjects from the 15th–17th centuries, alongside contemporary colonial power structures. She employs interdisciplinary approaches integrating colonial discourse, postcolonial theory, space studies, and visual/sound analysis. Her work interrogates colonial texts such as Guamán Poma de Ayala’s chronicles and Sor Juana’s poetry, exploring themes like inebriation as metaphorical conflict between Western and Andean epistemologies. Current projects include a second book investigating colonial discourses of wellbeing through management relationships. She teaches courses on Spanish American literature, colonial history, and cultural studies. Major publications include Reading Inebriation in Early Colonial Peru (2012/2017) and peer-reviewed articles analyzing indigenous narratives, gender dynamics, and transatlantic cultural exchanges. Her research highlights marginalized voices and the ongoing legacies of colonialism in Latin America.

Felix GermainView profile

Associate Professor

• Black Migrations
• Race Relations
• Colonization and Decolonization
• +7 more

Felix Germain is an Associate Professor and Vice Chair of the Department of Africana Studies at the University of Pittsburgh, affiliated with the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. He also serves as Interim Director of the Center for Ethnic Studies Research. His research examines Black migrations, race relations in France and the U.S., and socio-political dynamics in Haiti and the French Caribbean. He holds a PhD in African Diaspora Studies from UC Berkeley, an MPS in Africana Studies from Cornell, and a BA in International Cultural Studies from Francis College. Key scholarly contributions include his book Decolonizing the Republic: African and Caribbean Migrants in Postwar Paris (2016) and co-edited volumes like Black French Women and the Struggle for Equality (2018). His administrative leadership includes securing a $100k Mellon Foundation grant, expanding departmental programs, and fostering collaborations with institutions globally. He has also launched initiatives like the Africana Studies Sports Initiative and developed study abroad programs in Senegal. Education: PhD, UC Berkeley; MPS, Cornell; BA, Francis College Administrative Roles: Department Chair (2022–), Interim Director (2024–) Grants: Mellon Foundation, European Studies Center, Center for Latin American Studies Initiatives: Africana Studies Sports Initiative, Senegal Study Abroad Program His teaching spans courses on global diaspora, Caribbean history, and Black Europe. He is a fellow of multiple professional organizations and has delivered invited lectures at institutions including Carnegie Mellon and York University.

Paul GignacView profile

Associate Professor

• 3D Biological Imaging
• Comparative Neuroscience
• Biomechanics
• +5 more

Paul Gignac is an Associate Professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson. He also holds an affiliate faculty position in the College of Information Science. Previously, he served as an Associate Professor and Assistant Professor at Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences from 2013–2022. His research focuses on 3D biological imaging, comparative neuroscience, and biomechanics, with notable contributions to understanding sensory evolution in salamanders, avian neuroanatomy, and crocodylian feeding biomechanics. Education: B.S. in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (University of Connecticut, 2004), Ph.D. in Biological Sciences (Florida State University, 2010), followed by postdoctoral work at Stony Brook University Medical School (2010–2013). He directs the Physician Assistant Anatomy program in the College of Health Sciences. Research Interests: Gignac’s work integrates cutting-edge imaging techniques like diffusible iodine-based contrast-enhanced CT (diceCT) to study neuroanatomy, comparative morphology, and evolutionary biology. He leads the NOCTURN initiative, advancing open science standards in tomography. His studies explore sensory adaptation in subterranean organisms, cranial ornamentation in birds, and functional biomechanics in extinct and extant vertebrates. Key Projects: Collaborative research on crocodylian neuroanatomy, avian visual pathways, and 3D reconstruction of vertebrate soft tissues. His work bridges clinical anatomy, evolutionary biology, and technological innovation in imaging. Awards and Grants: While no explicit awards are listed, his extensive grants include NSF-funded projects on crocodylian ecomorphology and avian neurological evolution. He has pioneered imaging standards through the NoCTURN network. Teaching and Mentorship: Directs anatomy education programs and collaborates on interdisciplinary training tools like the NeuroRelay App for clinical problem-solving.

Erick MottaView profile

Assistant Professor

• Microbial Ecology
• Host-Microbe Interactions
• Microbiome Modulation
• +2 more

Erick Motta is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University's College of Agriculture & Life Sciences. His research program investigates honey bee gut microbiota dynamics, specializing in agrochemical impacts on microbiome stability, host-microbe metabolic interactions, and probiotic interventions. Educational background includes a Ph.D. in Plant Biology from UT Austin and M.S. in Natural Products from University of São Paulo. Research examines how pesticides like glyphosate disrupt microbial communities and compromise pathogen defense mechanisms, with parallel investigations into beneficial phytochemicals (e.g., caffeine-enhanced immunity). Recent work explores bacterial competition mechanisms within gut symbionts and non-invasive monitoring techniques. Analysis of 15 publications shows consistent focus on pesticide-microbiome interactions (60% of articles), bee pathogen defense mechanisms (27%), and microbiome engineering applications (13%). Research progressively shifts from observational studies toward mechanistic investigations and applied solutions. Leads research on microbial-based solutions for sustainable apiculture, including defined probiotic consortia to counteract agrochemical impacts and prevent infections.

Shara E BaileyView profile

Professor

• Biological Anthropology
• Paleoanthropology
• Dental Morphology
• +5 more

Shara E. Bailey is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at New York University's College of Arts and Science. She holds a Ph.D., M.A., and B.A. from Arizona State University (2002, 1995, 1992). Her work focuses on biological anthropology, paleoanthropology, and dental morphology, particularly in studying Middle-Late Pleistocene hominins, Neandertals, and modern human origins. Bailey directs the Center for the Study of Human Origins and serves as Associate Chair of her department. Recent research includes analyses of Neanderthal teeth from Axlor (Iberia), Upper Paleolithic remains from Lebanon, and hominin fossils from Olorgesailie, Kenya. She has advised four PhD students graduate between 2020-2022, now working at institutions in the UK, Switzerland, and the USA. Her work bridges morphometrics, ancient DNA, and archaeological context to understand human evolution. Education : Arizona State University (Ph.D. 2002, M.A. 1995, B.A. 1992) Key Projects : - Rediscovery of early Upper Paleolithic remains at Ksar Akil (Lebanon) - Analysis of Axlor Neanderthal remains (Spain) - Study of Olorgesailie hominin teeth (Kenya) Her research highlights dental morphology’s role in tracking hominin diversity, migration patterns, and evolutionary adaptations. Bailey’s methodologies include cutting-edge morphometrics, SEM-EDS elemental analysis, and algorithmic reconstruction of worn teeth. Her work frequently addresses taxonomic debates, such as distinguishing Homo sapiens from Neanderthals through dental traits. Bailey collaborates internationally, leading fieldwork in Europe, Africa, and South America, and publishes widely on dental evidence for human origins and population dynamics. Administrative Roles : Director, Center for the Study of Human Origins; Associate Chair, Department of Anthropology (NYU).

Anthony AlmudevarView profile

Associate Professor

• Genetics
• Bioinformatics
• Optimization and Control Theory
• +9 more

Anthony Almudevar is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC). His research integrates statistical methodologies with biological systems, focusing on genetics, bioinformatics, optimization theory, and technological motion data. He leads the development of software tools for graphical modeling and pedigree reconstruction, including the R library for statistical thresholds in graphical models (2008) and Pedigree Application (2007). Education: Ph.D. in Biostatistics from the University of Toronto (1994). Research interests span graphical modeling applications in cellular networks and population biology, optimization algorithms (particularly Markov decision processes), and motion data analysis for home monitoring systems. His work bridges computational methods with clinical and genetic research. Recent articles emphasize pediatric infectious diseases, cytokine biomarkers for otitis media, and microRNA-based predictive models for hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence. His statistical contributions include advancements in multiple hypothesis testing and density approximations. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned in the text. Collaborations include studies on vaccine efficacy, antibiotic treatment outcomes, and renal health in transplant patients. Advising and grants: No formal advising or grant details are provided. However, he contributed to the T32 Training Grant and co-authored studies involving interdisciplinary teams. Labs/Teams: Collaborates within URMC’s Biostatistics and Computational Biology department, contributing to software development and statistical methodologies for medical research.

Michael B. SohnView profile

Assistant Professor

• High-Dimensional Data Analysis
• Compositional Data Analysis
• Statistical Machine Learning
• +3 more

Michael B. Sohn, PhD is an Assistant Professor at the University of Rochester's Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology. He earned his Ph.D. in 2015 from the University of Arizona. His research focuses on high-dimensional data analysis, compositional data analysis, statistical machine learning, causal mediation analysis, and applications in genomics/metagenomics. His work spans microbiome studies, clinical trials, and infectious disease modeling. Research interests include developing statistical methods for complex biological data, particularly in microbiome research and genomic applications. He has contributed to studies on bacteriophage communities in the female reproductive tract, antimicrobial efficacy in ocular infections, and lung transplant microbiota dynamics. Key contributions include compositional mediation models for binary outcomes and GLM-based ordination methods for microbiome samples. His publications address topics ranging from mobile health interventions in oncology to metagenomic feature selection algorithms. No scientific awards are explicitly listed in the provided text. His work integrates biostatistical methodologies with clinical and genomic datasets to address translational research questions.

Marie LewisView profile

Associate Professor

• Host-Microbiota Interactions
• Immunology
• Metabolic Physiology
• +3 more

Marie Lewis is an Associate Professor at the University of Reading, specializing in microbiota-host interactions and early-life environmental influences on immune and metabolic development. Her work focuses on understanding how early-life factors like diet, antibiotics, and farm environments shape long-term health outcomes. She holds a PhD in Molecular Microbiology (University of Exeter, 2004) and a BSc in Molecular and Cell Biology (University of Bath, 2000). Key research areas include the role of intestinal microbiota in immune programming, the impact of dietary interventions on microbiota composition, and the mechanisms linking early-life experiences to conditions like allergy, autoimmunity, and metabolic syndrome. Dr. Lewis has led grants from institutions including the Wellcome Trust and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Her publications span studies on probiotic effects, iron metabolism, and sex-dependent immune responses. Notable contributions include demonstrating how farm environments reduce inflammatory disease risk and how weaning diets influence metabolic trajectories. Awards: Wellcome Trust Strategic Award (PI), Royal Society Grant (PI), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grant (PI) Grants: NIH-funded studies on environmental enteric dysfunction modeling, farm environment impacts Expertise: Piglet models, microbiome analysis, nutritional immunology