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J. Alan AlewineView profile

Professor

• Mathematics
• Calculus
• Algebra
• +6 more

J. Alan Alewine is a Professor of Mathematics and Associate Provost at McKendree University , with a career spanning decades in academia. His work bridges pure mathematics and pedagogical innovation. Education : Ph.D. and M.S. from Vanderbilt University; B.S. from Furman University Research Interests Alewine's research spans topology, knot theory, and real analysis , with a focus on mathematical structures like mosaic knots and equiintegrability. He also explores mathematics education , particularly through creative approaches like using the inner child concept to enhance learning. Publications & Research Trends His publications (2006-2014) emphasize topological spaces, graph theory, and calculus education . Works like "Bounds on Mosaic Knots" and "Topologizing the Denjoy Space" highlight his technical rigor, while "Childhood Memories..." underscores his interest in pedagogy. Ongoing projects include Fibonacci quilting and graph theory collaborations. Awards & Recognition ISMAA Distinguished Teaching Award (2019) Phi Kappa Phi President (2009-2011) Emerson Excellence in Teaching (2008) Project NExT Fellow (2003) Teaching & Service Alewine has taught Calculus II, Modern Algebra, and Real Analysis , and co-led workshops on teaching excellence. He served as Phi Kappa Phi President and charter member, and participated in diversity initiatives like LGBT+ discussions at student retreats.

Muneer AbbasView profile

Associate Professor

• Immunogenetics
• Cancer Research
• Health Disparities
• +4 more

Muneer Abbas is an Associate Professor of Microbiology at Howard University's College of Medicine and a member of the Molecular Genetics Research Group at the Howard University Cancer Center/National Human Genome Center (NHGC). He holds additional roles as the Director of the NHGC Sickle Cell Disease Center Biorepository and the Molecular Genetics Director. His research focuses on immunogenetics, cancer disparities, and quantum biology applications in medicine. Abbas graduated with a Ph.D. in Microbiology/Immunogenetics from Howard University in 2008. Education: Ph.D., Microbiology/Immunogenetics, Howard University, 2008 M.S., Biology/Immunoparasitology, Yarmouk University, 1996 B.S., Biology, Yarmouk University, 1993 Research Interests: Abbas investigates polymorphisms in immune response genes, particularly their role in health disparities. His work spans immunogenetics, quantum phenomena in biological systems, sickle cell disease biorepositories, and the microbiome's role in cancer. Collaborations include quantum sensing projects with the Quantum Biology Lab and studies on serotonin receptor genes' links to HIV/AIDS and immune function. Grants & Funding: Co-PI on an NSF-funded quantum sensing initiative and NIH grants addressing violence exposure, HIV risks in African Americans, and prostate cancer. He secured funding for a pilot study on serotonin receptor 5-HT2A and immune markers. Awards: Special Unit Award (2018) Howard University Bridge Fund/Pilot Study Award (2015–2016) CRCHD Scholar-in-Training Award (2016) Labs/Teams: Directs the NHGC Biorepository and collaborates with the Quantum Biology Lab, focusing on quantum technologies for cancer research and quantum probe applications in biology.

Craig McLachlanView profile

Professor

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Metabolic Disease
• Bioengineering Simulation
• +5 more

Professor Craig McLachlan is the Research Director of the Centre for Healthy Futures (CHEF) at Torrens University. He holds a PhD in Medicine and has expertise in cardiovascular medicine, genomics, and medical device innovation. His research focuses on technologies to improve disease outcomes, including bioengineering simulations and rare disease genomics. He collaborates with NGOs in Nepal and Kenya, addressing global health challenges. Education: PhD (Medicine), 1995–2002 Master (Public Health & Tropical Medicine), 2000–2001 BSc (Honours), 1988–1992 Grad Cert (Trade Mark Law & Practice), 2007 Research Interests: His work spans cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, medical devices (e.g., photobiomodulation), and translational medicine. Recent studies include neutrophil dynamics in atrial fibrillation and telehealth innovations. Articles: Recent publications focus on genomics in heart failure, immune profiles in atrial fibrillation, and telemedicine education. He contributes to Sustainable Development Goals related to public health and education. Advising & Grants: Accepts PhD students in bioengineering, health economics, and genetic studies. No specific grants listed, but collaborates widely in industry and NGOs. Labs/Teams: Led by CHEF, with partnerships in Nepal and Kenya addressing hypertension and rural health.

Xiaoqiu HuangView profile

Professor

• Bioinformatics
• Computational Biology
• Sequence Alignment
• +4 more

Xiaoqiu Huang is a Professor and Associate Chair for Faculty Professional Development in the Department of Computer Science at Iowa State University. His research focuses on bioinformatics and computational biology, with contributions to sequence alignment algorithms, genome assembly, gene finding, and phylogenetic reconstruction. He developed widely used tools like CAP3 and PCAP for DNA sequence assembly, and his work addresses evolutionary mechanisms in asexual fungal pathogens. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science from Pennsylvania State University (1990). Affiliations: Associate Editor for BMC Bioinformatics; core contributor to interdepartmental bioinformatics programs. Research Interests: Huang's work bridges algorithm development and biological applications, including: - Sequence Alignment: Linear-space algorithms for efficient genomic comparisons. - Genome Assembly: CAP3 (short reads) and PCAP (large genomes), used in landmark projects like the chimpanzee and chicken genome assemblies. - Horizontal Theory: Proposes horizontal transfer as a key driver of genetic diversity in asexual fungi, involving supernumerary chromosomes and het genes. Publications: Over 70 peer-reviewed articles, including foundational work on alignment algorithms (e.g., Huang-Miller algorithm) and recent studies on fungal pathogen evolution. Recent trends emphasize genomic diversity, structural variants, and complementary evolutionary theories. Labs/Teams: Leads development of bioinformatics software (CAP3, PCAP, AAT) used globally. Collaborates on projects analyzing fungal pathogens, yeast adaptation, and soybean resistance mechanisms.

Connor MaloneView profile

Research Fellow

• Computer Vision
• Deep Learning
• Autonomous Vehicles
• +4 more

Dr. Connor Malone is a Research Fellow at the QUT Centre for Robotics, specializing in autonomous systems and computer vision. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechtronics) with Honours and a PhD in Robotics from Queensland University of Technology. His research focuses on improving visual place recognition (VPR) for autonomous vehicles in challenging conditions such as adverse weather, while also enhancing system resilience against adversarial attacks. Education: Bachelor of Engineering (Mechtronics)(Hons) – Queensland University of Technology Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)(Robotics) – Queensland University of Technology Research Interests: Deployable technologies for autonomous vehicles Robust feature-based techniques in adverse conditions Dynamic modulation of VPR algorithms Adversarial robustness in localization systems His work has been applied in collaborations with Amazon, Ford, and the Centre for Advanced Defence Research to improve scene understanding and localization reliability. Projects: Adversity- and Adversary-Robust Adaptive Positioning Systems with Integrity Contextually Informed Joint Perception and Localization for Autonomous Vehicles Connor's current research emphasizes enhancing safety of autonomous vehicles in Australian road conditions, particularly water-on-road detection and analysis.

Paula M. VertinoView profile

Professor

• Cancer Epigenetics
• Gene Silencing Mechanisms
• Cancer Genomics
• +3 more

Dr. Paula M. Vertino is a distinguished academic holding multiple roles at the University of Rochester: Professor in the Department of Biomedical Genetics and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Wilmot Distinguished Professorship in Cancer Genomics , and Senior Associate Dean for Basic Research in the School of Medicine and Dentistry. Her research focuses on cancer epigenetics , gene silencing mechanisms , and cancer genomics , with emphasis on DNA methylation, histone modifications, and their roles in tumorigenesis. Key contributions include studies on the interplay between epigenetic regulation and cellular invasion, the impact of exercise on cancer survivorship, and mechanisms of drug resistance in multiple myeloma. She has pioneered work on chromatin accessibility profiling and the role of transposon DNA in tumor progression. Dr. Vertino’s work bridges basic science and clinical translation, with recent studies addressing aging-related cancer biology and the application of mobile health interventions in oncology. She holds the Wilmot Distinguished Professorship, a testament to her impactful contributions to cancer research. Her interdisciplinary research involves collaborations across departments (Pathology, Genetics, Oncology) and institutions, addressing topics such as tumor microenvironment dynamics and epigenetic therapy development. She leads initiatives in basic research administration, shaping the strategic direction of translational science at the University of Rochester.

Peter P. WakkerView profile

Professor

• Behavioral Economics
• Decision under Uncertainty
• Risk and Ambiguity
• +7 more

Peter P. Wakker is a professor of decision under uncertainty at the Erasmus School of Economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands. He is a leading scholar in behavioral economics, focusing on risk, ambiguity, and decision theory, with extensive interdisciplinary research in economics, psychology, medicine, and mathematics. Erasmus School of Economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam His research interests center on decision making under uncertainty, including foundational work in prospect theory, utility functions, weighting functions, and ambiguity. He has made seminal contributions to the understanding of risk aversion, loss aversion, and the mathematical modeling of preferences. His work bridges theoretical formalism with empirical validation, influencing both economics and psychology. His recent publications reflect a sustained focus on ambiguity, risk, and utility theory, with key contributions to source theory, average utility maximization, and critiques of existing models. These works span journals such as Management Science , Journal of Economic Theory , and Theoretical Economics , indicating a strong influence in decision science. Medical Decision Making Career Achievement Award (2007) Frank P. Ramsey Medal (2013) Honorary doctorate in economics, University of St. Gallen (2016) Top 2% of most influential scientists worldwide (Stanford University list) Most influential Dutch economist in multiple years Wakker advises numerous PhD students and leads the Behavioral Economics research group at ESE. He has collaborated with leading figures in the field, including Nobel laureates, and his work has been supported by extensive publications and datasets. He frequently contributes to public discourse, particularly on insurance and risk. His research group is active in experimental and theoretical work, with regular group meetings and collaborations. He has developed online courses on risk and ambiguity and behavioral economics, further extending his academic impact.

Brian D. PiccoloView profile

Assistant Professor

• Nutritional Biology
• Gut Microbiota
• Host Energy Metabolism
• +12 more

Brian D. Piccolo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), College of Medicine, and is affiliated with the Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center (ACNC). He leads biostatistical and data innovation initiatives and conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of nutrition, microbiome science, and metabolism. His research focuses on understanding how diet and host factors shape the gut microbiota and influence energy metabolism. Using preclinical models, his lab investigates microbial-host crosstalk, particularly during early dietary transitions and in metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes. The Piccolo laboratory specializes in analyzing complex datasets from metabolomics and microbial sequencing, employing advanced multivariate methods, prediction modeling, network analysis, and unsupervised learning techniques. They also develop interactive data visualization tools using Shiny for streamlined data workflows. While specific publications are not listed in the provided text, his work centers on identifying microbial and metabolic biomarkers in disease progression and assessing the impact of early-life interventions such as exercise and complementary feeding on microbiome development. His expertise supports both ACNC and external scientific collaborators in high-throughput data interpretation. Dr. Piccolo completed his B.S. in Nutritional Sciences at Bastyr University and earned his Ph.D. in Nutritional Biology from the University of California, Davis. He pursued postdoctoral training in bioinformatics at the West Coast Metabolomics Center and the USDA-ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center, both at UC Davis. He joined ACNC in 2015 and currently serves as Associate Director of the Biostatistics and Data Innovation Team. Google Scholar Dynamic Assessment of Microbial Ecology (DAME) GitHub Group Correlation Matrix Dr. Piccolo advises researchers in data analysis and contributes to collaborative science across institutions. His lab plays a key role in enhancing data-driven discovery in nutritional and microbiome sciences. He has no listed scientific awards in the provided material. Outside of research, he enjoys cooking, traveling with his wife, racquetball, and biking. The Piccolo laboratory operates as part of the larger ACNC research ecosystem, focusing on data innovation and statistical support. The team leverages computational tools to extract biological insights from complex datasets and promotes open science through platforms like GitHub and interactive web applications.

• Environmental Microbiology
• Forensic Science
• Public Health
• +7 more

Giampaoli Saverio is an Associate Professor in the Department of Human and Health Sports Sciences at the University of Rome "Foro Italico". He has been actively involved in teaching undergraduate and graduate courses since 2011/2012, including programs in Sports and Movement Sciences (L22) and Preventive and Adapted Physical Activities (LM67). He also taught at Roma Tre University during the 2012–2013 academic year. His research focuses on environmental microbiology, forensic DNA analysis, hygiene in sports facilities, and health promotion through physical activity. He collaborates with RaCIS, RIS Roma (Carabinieri) on forensic microbiology projects and applies advanced biotechnological methods such as DNA metabarcoding. His work bridges public health, occupational safety, and forensic science. The recent publications reflect a strong trend in forensic and environmental microbiology, with applications in legal medicine and sports safety. His articles also explore epidemiological aspects of student lifestyles and injury patterns in recreational sports, particularly skiing. EMBO Fellowship Giampaoli has served as an academic tutor for the ERASMUS+ program and is actively involved in public engagement initiatives, including school outreach and university sports events. He participates in institutional governance through roles in curriculum development, examination boards, and third mission activities. He has not reported any major research grants, but his work is supported through departmental research projects and collaborations. He is the Departmental Contact for Public Engagement and manages the "Foro Italico" University Sports Club, specifically serving as GS roller ski contact. He also coordinates agreements with secondary schools to promote physical education and represents the university in national networks such as RUIAP.

Christian MayerView profile

Researcher

• Neurogenomics
• Neuronal Development
• GABAergic Neurons
• +5 more

Dr. Christian Mayer is a Max Planck Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence in Martinsried, Germany, where he heads the Neurogenomics research group. He is affiliated with the Graduate School of Systemic Neuroscience (GSN) and the International Max Planck Research School. His laboratory is embedded within a collaborative research campus that includes multiple Max Planck Institutes, Ludwig-Maximilian University, Technical University of Munich, and Helmholtz Zentrum. Dr. Mayer's research focuses on understanding the complex mechanisms controlling brain development, with particular emphasis on inhibitory neurons that use GABA as a neurotransmitter. His work spans multiple key areas: Neuronal Development and Diversity: Investigating how progenitor cells develop into specific neuron types Genetic and Epigenetic Regulation: Studying how genomic enhancers influence GABAergic neuron development Autism Spectrum Disorder Research: Examining high-risk proteins for ASD Technological Innovation: Developing novel methods like barcode lineage tracing and CRISPR perturbation sequencing Analysis of Dr. Mayer's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on single-cell approaches to understand neuronal diversity and development. His work increasingly integrates spatial transcriptomics with lineage tracing to map how cellular identity emerges during brain development. There's a clear progression from basic developmental studies toward understanding neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autism spectrum disorder, with a growing emphasis on the relationship between genetic risk factors and functional outcomes in neural circuits. Scientific recognition includes: EMBO Young Investigator (2023) ERC Starting Grant (2018) EMBO Long-Term Fellowship (2012) Ph.D. prize for biochemistry and neurobiology (2011) Dr. Mayer maintains active collaborations with leading neuroscience institutions worldwide and supervises multiple graduate students and postdocs. His lab has secured significant funding including the ERC Starting Grant, supporting research on neuronal development and neurodevelopmental disorders. Current projects include studies on inhibitory neuron development using advanced single-cell genomics techniques and brain organoid models. The Mayer Lab operates as a multidisciplinary team combining expertise in molecular biology, single-cell genomics, epigenetics, bioinformatics, and brain organoid culture. They are embedded within the collaborative neuroscience ecosystem of the Max Planck campus in Martinsried, facilitating close interactions with complementary research groups studying neural circuits, behavior, and computational neuroscience.

Jing-Ke WengView profile

Professor

• Plant specialized metabolism
• Enzyme evolution and design
• Bioengineering for drug discovery
• +4 more

Jing-Ke Weng is a Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Northeastern University and inaugural Director of the Institute for Plant-Human Interface (IPHI). He holds dual appointments in the College of Engineering's Bioengineering program and the College of Science. Previously, he served as an Assistant and Associate Professor of Biology at MIT (2013-2023) and was a Pioneer Postdoctoral Fellow at the Salk Institute and HHMI (2009-2013). His research focuses on plant specialized metabolism, encompassing enzyme evolution, metabolic pathway engineering, and the chemical interactions between plants and humans. Key areas include developing bioengineered solutions for drug discovery, sustainable chemical production, and understanding plant-microbe communication. Education: BS in Biotechnology from Zhejiang University, PhD in Biochemistry from Purdue University. Research highlights include studies on plant-derived compounds for allergy treatments (e.g., peanut proteins), bitter taste receptor evolution in amphibians, and the bioengineering of natural products like salidroside. His lab employs advanced techniques such as X-ray crystallography and AI-driven omics analysis. Current projects explore the evolutionary origins of plant metabolites and their applications in biotechnology and medicine. Awards and recognition include his position as a Pioneer Postdoctoral Fellow, though no specific named awards are listed in the provided text. His work bridges fundamental plant biology with translational applications, addressing challenges in agriculture, health, and environmental sustainability.

• Gut Microbiome
• Nutrition Science
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• +5 more

Claus Christophersen is an Adjunct Research Fellow at Curtin University's School of Molecular and Life Sciences (MLS) within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. His research focuses on gut microbiome dynamics, dietary interventions, and their impacts on health across life stages—particularly in athletes, infants, and pregnant individuals. He also contributes to methodological advancements in environmental DNA analysis and biomarker validation. Key research areas include microbiome modulation via prebiotics and resistant starch, immune-microbiome interactions in neurodevelopment, and metabolic consequences of dietary behaviors during pregnancy. His work spans clinical trials, longitudinal studies, and bioinformatics pipelines for genomic data analysis. Recent publications highlight investigations into athlete microbiome responses to training loads, maternal-infant microbiome interactions during pregnancy, and the role of sun exposure in skin permeability changes during pregnancy. Collaborations with clinicians and nutritionists underscore his interdisciplinary approach to translational research. Notable contributions include methodological innovations for bile acid quantification and eDNA analysis, as well as insights into dietary fiber effects on metabolic health and colorectal cancer risk mitigation through butyrate modulation.

Iris BurkholderView profile

Professor

• Biostatistics
• Epidemiology
• Clinical Trials
• +7 more

Iris Burkholder is a Professor of Statistics in the Health Sciences at Hochschule Fulda , a role she has held since March 2025. Previously, she served as Professor of Health Sciences at the University of Applied Sciences for Technology and Business in Saarland (htw saar) from 2013 to 2025. She is affiliated with the Fachbereich Gesundheitswissenschaften (Department of Health Sciences), specializing in statistical methodology and data analysis in clinical and public health contexts. PhD (Dr. rer. nat.) in Statistics, University of Dortmund (1998–2001) DEA in Biostatistics, University of Montpellier, France (1997–1998) Diplom-Statistik, University of Dortmund (1992–1998) Her research interests center on biostatistics, epidemiology, clinical trials, health data science, and quantitative methods . She emphasizes the application of statistical techniques in real-world healthcare settings, particularly in oncology, treatment evaluation, and data-driven decision-making. Her work bridges methodological rigor with practical implementation in medical research. Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on oncology clinical trials, chemotherapy monitoring, and supportive cancer care . She frequently collaborates on studies involving immunotherapy, personalized dosing, and quality-of-life interventions. Her methodological expertise is evident in randomized trials, meta-analyses, and observational studies across high-impact journals like Annals of Oncology and The Lancet Oncology . Her scientific awards highlight excellence in teaching: Landespreis Hochschullehre (2020) for 'Viel SPaSS mit SPSS' 2nd Prize, Best Teaching Material in Biometry (2016) with Dr. Jessica Brensing 2nd Prize, Best Teaching Material in Biometry (2013) Burkholder has played a significant role in academic and public health advisory through her membership in the Expert Group Off-Label §35c SGB V at the German Federal Ministry of Health (2020–2024, 2025–2028). She is an active member of the International Biometric Society (German Region) and the German Society for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology (GMDS) . She also contributes to public understanding through her YouTube channel 'Iris Burkholder erklärt' , producing educational videos on statistical software and methods.

• Mass Spectrometry
• Polymer Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• +2 more

Laurence Charles serves as a Lecturer at Aix-Marseille University, where he is a core member of the Applied Spectrometry for Structural Characterization (SACS) Team. His academic profile integrates teaching with cutting-edge research in polymer analysis and mass spectrometry methodologies. Charles' research program centers on two complementary thrusts: Ionization Fundamentals : Investigating cationized macromolecule transfer to the gas phase while preserving terminal group integrity in polydisperse polymer systems. Digital Polymer Sequencing : Developing tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) techniques for monodisperse synthetic polymers with engineered comonomer sequences that function as molecular data carriers. His collaboration with Dr. Jean-François Lutz (Institut Charles Sadron, Strasbourg) pioneers the "MS/MS design" concept to optimize polymer architectures for reliable fragmentation pathways, enabling molecular-scale information storage and anti-counterfeiting applications. His laboratory within the SACS Team establishes foundational analytical techniques that bridge polymer chemistry, materials science, and information technology, with direct implications for next-generation data security solutions and industrial material characterization.

Vilde Olsson LalunView profile

Research Fellow

• Plant Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• Evolutionary Biology
• +7 more

Vilde Olsson Lalun is a postdoctoral fellow at the Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), University of Oslo. She obtained her BSc and MSc in Molecular Biology at UiO in 2013 and 2015, respectively, and completed her PhD in Genetics in 2020 under the supervision of Prof. Melinka Alonso Butenko. Her current research integrates experimental biology and bioinformatics within the interdisciplinary REPEAT project, focusing on how short tandem repeat (STR) variation influences adaptation and gene expression in Arabidopsis thaliana and Atlantic cod. Education 2013 – BSc in Molecular Biology, University of Oslo 2015 – MSc in Molecular Biology (Plant Genetics), University of Oslo 2020 – PhD in Genetics, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo Thesis: "Molecular investigation of receptor kinase signaling specificity in Arabidopsis thaliana" Research Interests Dr Lalun’s work sits at the intersection of molecular plant biology , evolutionary genomics , and functional genetics . During her PhD she dissected peptide ligand–receptor kinase specificity using the IDA–HAE/HSL2 signalling module as a model. Presently, she investigates how STR length polymorphisms modulate gene expression and organismal fitness under environmental stress, leveraging both Arabidopsis and Atlantic cod as complementary model systems. Core methodological strengths include generation of transgenic lines, advanced live-cell imaging, quantitative microscopy, and integrative bioinformatic analyses. She actively contributes to the REPEAT consortium, an interdisciplinary team that addresses fundamental questions of genome plasticity and climate adaptation. By coupling large-scale comparative genomics with targeted experiments, the project aims to clarify how repetitive DNA elements shape regulatory networks controlling development and immunity. Publication Profile Across 11 peer-reviewed papers (2017-2025) in high-impact journals such as Nature Communications , PNAS , eLife , and Plant Cell , her research spans three major themes: Functional dissection of peptide signalling pathways in plant development and immunity. Comparative genomics of short tandem repeats and their impact on gene regulation. Mechanistic studies of receptor kinase activation and signalling specificity. The 2024-2025 outputs include a lead-author review on plant peptide ligands and multi-omics studies that link STR variation to gene body architecture in eukaryotes. Teaching & Outreach Dr Lalun is a committed educator and science communicator. She instructs two undergraduate courses: BIOS1120 – Physiology BIOS3610 – Molecular Plant Science Beyond the classroom she co-hosts the Norwegian-language podcast BioPodden , produces popular-science YouTube lectures, and gives interviews that demystify plant genetics for the public. Collaborations & Networks She is an active member of the Butenko Group at UiO and collaborates extensively within the CEES and the national REPEAT project network. The lab provides cutting-edge facilities for molecular biology, microscopy and bioinformatics, ensuring a vibrant environment for integrative research.