Find Academic Supervisors

• Genomics
• Evolutionary Biology
• Structural Variation
• +3 more

Mahul Chakraborty is an Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University's Department of Biology. He joined the department in 2022, focusing on genomic and molecular mechanisms underlying phenotypic variation and adaptation. His research employs cutting-edge methods in quantitative genetics, genomics, and genome editing, using model organisms like Drosophila melanogaster and non-model species such as the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi . Education: B.Sc. Zoology (University of Calcutta, 2005), M.Sc. Biotechnology (IIT Roorkee, 2007), Ph.D. Biology (University of Rochester, 2014). Postdoctoral research at the University of California (2014–2019). Research interests include structural variations (SVs) in genomes, their roles in disease and adaptation, and the evolutionary dynamics of repetitive genomic regions in sexual dimorphism. His lab investigates how repetitive DNA in sex chromosomes (e.g., Y/W chromosomes) drives sexually antagonistic traits. Recent work highlights SVs' impact on Anopheles stephensi 's invasive success and the genomic basis of UV color vision in butterflies. Publications span structural variant analysis, comparative genomics, and evolutionary biology, with a focus on malaria vectors and Drosophila. His lab's tools, like the SVGAP pipeline, advance structural variant detection in population studies. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned, but his contributions to genomics and evolutionary biology are notable. Lab activities include genome editing, functional genomics, and collaborative projects on vector biology. Future work aims to dissect repetitive genome functions and their evolutionary roles in sexual conflict and adaptation.

Angela CreeView profile

Researcher

• Molecular Biology
• Ophthalmic Genetics
• Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
• +3 more

Angela Cree is a Senior Research Manager in Vision Sciences within Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Southampton, based at University Hospital Southampton. She holds a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Sheffield (1988) and an MSc in Genomic Medicine from the University of Southampton (2018). Her research focuses on molecular analysis of degenerative eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and rod-cone degeneration. She leads the Vision Sciences research team’s integrated laboratory and clinical ophthalmic research program under Professor Andrew Lotery. Education: BSc Biochemistry, University of Sheffield (1988) MSc Genomic Medicine, University of Southampton (2018) Research Themes: Molecular Biology of Ophthalmic Genetics AMD and Glaucoma Pathogenesis Deep Phenotyping and Machine Learning in Ophthalmology Her work spans clinical trials (e.g., PINNACLE and VICI trials) and collaborative projects with institutions like the NIHR/Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility. She coordinates national research networks, including the UK NIHR Clinical Research Network, and contributes to international consortia like the International AMD Genetics Consortium (IAMDGC). Current funding partners include the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and the Wellcome Trust. Angela has supervised numerous students, including PhD candidates and clinical fellows, and actively participates in academic governance roles such as the Clinical Neurosciences Board and the Gift of Sight charity.

Ritsert JansenView profile

Professor

• Genetics
• Genomics
• Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) Analysis
• +5 more

Prof. Ritsert Jansen is a Professor at the University of Groningen, specializing in genetics and genomics with a focus on quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis, systems genetics, and computational methods for genetic data. His research spans plant genomics, epigenetics, and the application of statistical genetics to understand complex traits. Notable contributions include the development of tools like FitTetra for tetraploid genotyping and reGenotyper for sample quality control. He collaborates internationally and has contributed to over 140 peer-reviewed publications. His work addresses both fundamental biological questions and applied challenges in healthcare and agriculture. Research Interests: Quantitative genetics and genomics Epigenetic variation and its effects Development of bioinformatics tools for genetic analysis Systems approaches to study gene expression networks Recent articles highlight advancements in high myopia care and genotyping methods, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach. His datasets and software tools, including those archived on figshare, emphasize reproducibility and open science.

Mark KonView profile

Professor

• Applied Mathematics
• Probability and Statistics
• Machine Learning
• +4 more

Mark Kon is a Professor at Boston University's College of Arts & Sciences, affiliated with the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. He is a core member of the Applied Mathematics and Probability and Statistics research groups. His office is located in CDS 523, with office hours on Tuesdays 11-12:15 PM and Thursdays 2-3:15 PM. Professor Kon's research focuses on interdisciplinary applications of mathematics and statistics, including machine learning, quantum computing, biomedical informatics, and statistical analysis. He integrates computational methods with biological systems to address challenges in genetics, cancer classification, and medical data analysis. His work bridges theoretical foundations (e.g., stochastic processes, functional analysis) with applied domains such as medical imaging and genomics. In machine learning, he develops robust algorithms for feature selection, anomaly detection, and network analysis. His contributions to quantum systems include studies of quantum walks and their continuum limits. In biomedical research, he applies spectral methods and data imputation techniques to improve diagnostic tools like infrared spectral histopathology for lung cancer classification. Recent trends in his publications emphasize multilevel optimization for medical data, stochastic analysis of complex systems, and uncovering genetic interactions via machine learning. His work often combines mathematical rigor with real-world applications in health informatics and computational biology. Notably, Kon has pioneered methods like BowSaw for inferring biological trait interactions and the Coupled VAE architecture for improved generative models. His research also addresses opioid cessation analysis and cancer survival prediction through integrated data approaches. While no specific grants or advising records are detailed here, his extensive publication record reflects a collaborative approach across mathematics, computer science, and life sciences.

Thomas KocherView profile

Professor

• Evolutionary Biology
• Genetics
• Speciation Genomics
• +3 more

Thomas Kocher is a Professor at the University of Maryland, Department of Biology, leading the Kocher Lab. His research focuses on the evolutionary genetics of cichlid fishes, particularly speciation mechanisms, genomic architecture of adaptive traits, and sex determination. He teaches courses including BSCI 222 (Principles of Genetics) and BIOL338K (Genetic Research on Cichlid Fishes). His work integrates genomic, developmental, and ecological approaches to understand rapid diversification in African Great Lakes cichlids. Education: B.A., Yale University (1981); Ph.D., University of Colorado (1986). His lab studies genes influencing phenotypic traits like jaw morphology, color patterns, and sex determination, aiming to identify alleles driving speciation. Recent work includes discoveries of chromosome inversions creating supergenes for sex and coloration in Lake Malawi cichlids. Key research themes include sex chromosome evolution, polygenic sex determination, and the genomic basis of adaptive radiation. His lab has generated chromosome-level genome assemblies for multiple cichlid species, revealing structural variations critical to biodiversity. Collaborations with institutions worldwide enhance studies on global cichlid diversity.

Kirsten BombliesView profile

Professor

• Evolutionary Genetics
• Plant Polyploidy
• Meiosis
• +3 more

Kirsten Bomblies serves as Full Professor in the Department of Biology at ETH Zurich, where she concurrently holds the position of Deputy Head of the Institute of Molecular Plant Biology. Her research program addresses fundamental questions in evolutionary genetics through the lens of polyploid adaptation in plants, with primary focus on Arabidopsis arenosa as a model system for understanding genome duplication consequences. Her research interests concentrate on the molecular mechanisms enabling meiotic stability in polyploids, investigating how plants overcome the initial infertility barrier following whole-genome duplication. Key areas include chromosome pairing dynamics, crossover interference evolution, and the genetic basis of adaptive traits like drought tolerance emerging as by-products of polyploidy. Her work integrates cytological, genomic, and population genetic approaches to dissect how natural selection shapes meiotic machinery in response to genome duplication events, with particular attention to temperature-responsive recombination plasticity and protein stability adaptations. Analysis of her publication trajectory reveals consistent thematic focus on polyploid meiosis stabilization since 2012, with recent work expanding into 3D genome organization, chromatin accessibility changes in nascent polyploids, and the role of cohesin variants in adaptive evolution. Her research demonstrates how polyploid systems evolve solutions to universal challenges of multivalent chromosome pairing, with implications for understanding evolutionary innovation following genome duplication events across eukaryotes.

Joshua LoyalView profile

Assistant Professor

• Statistical network analysis
• Bayesian inference
• Machine learning
• +2 more

Joshua Loyal is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Statistics at Florida State University. His research focuses on statistical network analysis, Bayesian inference, machine learning, data science, and statistical computing. Education: Ph.D. in Statistics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign M.S. in Physics, Yale University B.S. in Physics and Mathematics, Duke University His research interests span statistical methods for network analysis and computational statistics, with applications ranging from social networks to environmental science and particle physics. His work develops novel methodologies for analyzing complex, high-dimensional data structures. His publications demonstrate a consistent focus on developing statistical models for network data, with recent work advancing Bayesian nonparametric methods and dimension reduction techniques for dynamic networks. He leads research projects applying statistical network analysis to diverse domains including arctic ecology, pandemic modeling, and particle physics.

Barrie RobisonView profile

Professor

• Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
• Genomics
• Fisheries Biology
• +4 more

Barrie Robison is a Professor and Director of the Idaho Informatics & Bioinformatics Initiative (IIDS) at the University of Idaho. He holds a primary appointment in the Department of Biological Sciences within the College of Science. His research focuses on the genetic architecture of complex traits in fish, including studies on rainbow trout and zebrafish, with an emphasis on genomic analysis of behavioral variation and locally adaptive phenotypes. Robison also leads the Robison Lab and co-founded Polymorphic Games, an on-campus commercial game studio exploring educational and scientific applications of game mechanics. His work bridges evolutionary biology, genomics, and computational biology, often integrating experimental and computational approaches. Research Interests: Robison investigates how genomic variations influence behavioral and physiological traits in aquatic organisms. Key areas include the genetic basis of bold/shy behavioral syndromes in zebrafish, evolutionary responses to environmental stressors, and applications of genomics to fisheries management. His lab employs cutting-edge technologies like genomic surveillance and CRISPR-based editing to study adaptive traits. Key Projects: The Polymorphic Games initiative demonstrates his interdisciplinary approach, applying evolutionary principles to game design while fostering student entrepreneurship. His recent work includes genomic studies of SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics at universities and investigations into antibiotic resistance mechanisms in zebrafish microbiomes. Awards: While no specific awards are listed, his contributions to zebrafish genomics and innovative educational technologies reflect significant scholarly impact. Robison has advised multiple interdisciplinary projects, including NSF-funded studies on behavioral adaptation in fish. His lab collaborates with institutions globally, emphasizing open-source tools and data-sharing in bioinformatics.

• Autism Genetics
• Psychiatry
• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• +3 more

Paul El-Fishawy is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Yale Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine. He holds dual degrees in Medicine (MD) and Law (J.D.) from Yale University. His clinical practice focuses on general child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry, emphasizing psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral therapies. He has been consistently recognized as a 'Best Doctor in America' since 2015 and is board-certified in both child/adolescent and adult psychiatry. Dr. El-Fishawy’s research centers on autism genetics, utilizing homozygosity mapping and whole-exome sequencing to identify contributing genes. His work has been supported by prestigious awards such as the APA-Lilly Research Fellowship and the Beatrix Hamburg Award. He has co-authored influential studies in Nature and Science . Education: AB (Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa) from Princeton University (1992), JD from Yale Law School (2000), MD from Yale School of Medicine (2004). Recipient of the Lauren Weinstein Award for personal and professional excellence Recipient of the Melvin Lewis Teaching Award for medical student education He actively participates in academic governance, serving on the Executive Committee of the Connecticut Council on Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. His clinical and research contributions bridge psychiatry, genetics, and legal ethics, reflecting his interdisciplinary training.

Bailian LiView profile

Professor

• Forest Genetics
• Tree Breeding
• Quantitative Genetics
• +4 more

Bailian Li is a Professor at the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, within the College of Natural Resources. He holds a B.S. from Beijing Forestry University (1982), and M.S. and Ph.D. from NC State (1985, 1989). His research focuses on forest genetics and breeding, quantitative and population genetics, and genetic studies of tree physiology and molecular biology. Key research areas include breeding strategy development, genetic data analysis, and genetic influences on tree physiology. His work integrates molecular genetics with field-based studies, particularly in Populus and pine species. Recent studies explore pseudogene evolution, polyploid effects on tree physiology, and miRNA interactions regulating plant growth. Dr. Li has secured grants totaling over $2 million, including the Confucius Institute at NC State (2006–2021) and multiple Peace Corps recruitment grants. His research on loblolly pine wood properties and association genetics of complex traits in pine has advanced genetic improvement strategies for forest plantations. He is affiliated with the NCSU-Industry Cooperative Tree Improvement Program (ICTIP) and collaborates with the USDA Forest Service. His work bridges fundamental genetics with applied tree breeding, emphasizing genetic variation and trait improvement in forest resources.

Karen Chong-SengView profile

Researcher

• Coral Reef Ecology
• Marine Biology
• Climate Change Impacts
• +3 more

Karen Chong-Seng is a Researcher at James Cook University, Australia, affiliated with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies (2005–2022). Her work focuses on coral reef ecosystems, human-environment interactions, and ecological recovery processes. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Marine Biology from JCU and a PhD from the Seychelles, studying coral reef resilience post-bleaching events. Her research explores climate change impacts, macroalgal habitats, and fisheries dynamics in tropical reefs. Key research interests include coral reef resilience mechanisms, the role of macroalgae in fisheries, and the interplay between ecological processes and human well-being. She has contributed to global datasets on metacommunity ecology and published extensively on coral disease vectors, predator outbreaks, and recovery bottlenecks in Seychelles reefs. Her work bridges ecological theory and applied conservation, addressing challenges such as climate adaptation, biodiversity loss, and fisheries sustainability. Karen collaborates with international teams to advance coral reef management strategies, leveraging interdisciplinary approaches to tackle complex environmental issues.

Danny ArendsView profile

Associate Professor

• Bioinformatics
• Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) Analysis
• Data Visualization
• +4 more

Danny Arends is an Associate Professor in Bioinformatics at Northumbria University, Department of Applied Sciences (Health & Life Sciences). He specializes in developing computational methods for quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis, data visualization, and integration of large biological datasets. Prior to Northumbria, he held postdoctoral positions at Humboldt University in Berlin and completed his PhD in Bioinformatics at the University of Groningen (2014). Education: BSc in Lifescience & Technology, MSc in Molecular Biology, and PhD in Bioinformatics from the University of Groningen. Research focuses on creating open-source software tools such as R/qtl for QTL analysis, and contributions to platforms like MOLGENIS. His work integrates genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolic data to uncover genetic factors underlying complex traits like obesity, aging, and metabolic disorders. Teaching includes live-streamed lectures on R programming, bioinformatics, and data analysis on YouTube/Twitch. He also leads projects in computational biology, including the DaNode web server and HDDspeed tool for disk performance analysis. Key collaborations involve mouse models (e.g., Berlin Fat Mouse) and cattle genomics, with publications on genetic modulation of lifespan, gut microbiota responses to diets, and genomic loci influencing milk production in cattle.

• Cross-Cultural Psychology
• Organizational Behavior
• Intercultural Management
• +2 more

Professor Mikhail Minkov is a distinguished faculty member at Varna University of Management, Bulgaria, with a concurrent affiliation at International University College in Sofia. Holding the rank of Professor, he specializes in cross-cultural research within organizational behavior and management contexts. His academic credentials include: PhD in Social Anthropology, Sofia University (2010) Master's in Linguistics, Sofia University (1988) Professor Minkov's research centers on cultural differences in society and management, with pioneering contributions to Hofstede's cultural dimensions framework. He investigates how national culture shapes organizational behavior, societal values, and economic outcomes through large-scale comparative studies across 50+ countries. His work uniquely bridges anthropology, psychology, and management science, examining intersections between genetic factors, cultural evolution, and social phenomena like happiness and accident proneness. Recent publications (2015-2018) reveal a methodological shift toward integrating biological and sociological perspectives, with increasing focus on sociogenetics and computational modeling. Key trends include revising cultural dimension metrics, analyzing parental socialization of values, and developing unobtrusive measures of national traits. His work consistently appears in top cross-cultural journals, demonstrating rigorous multi-country validation approaches. Professor Minkov maintains an active international research profile through collaborations with scholars across six continents. His projects typically involve complex dataset synthesis from diverse national samples, suggesting substantial research funding support though specific grants aren't documented. While student mentoring details are limited, his publication co-authorship patterns indicate supervision of junior researchers in cross-cultural methodology. Though not leading a named laboratory, Professor Minkov's research ecosystem operates through dynamic international partnerships, producing influential frameworks for understanding cultural variation in organizational contexts.

• Computational Biology
• Ecology
• Evolutionary Biology
• +4 more

Erol Akçay is an Associate Professor of Biology at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Arts & Sciences. His research focuses on the evolution of complex biological and social organization, particularly how conflicting interests lead to cooperative behavior in contexts ranging from plant-microbe mutualisms to human societies. He is affiliated with the Evolution Cluster, the Warren Center for Network and Data Sciences, and the Social and Cultural Evolution Working Group (SCEW) at Penn. Education: Ph.D. in Biology from Stanford University (2008). Research Interests: Computational Biology, Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Neurobiology, and Behavioral Physiology. He explores topics such as mutualism stability, social network formation, and the evolution of cooperation through theoretical and computational models. Recent work includes studies on partner choice in mutualisms, gene-culture coevolution, and the role of social inheritance in animal networks. Teaching: Courses like BIOL 240 (Ecology) and BIOL 417 (Theoretical Population Biology). His lab actively seeks students and collaborators interested in theoretical and computational approaches to evolutionary biology. Affiliations: The Akçay Lab collaborates with interdisciplinary groups at Penn, focusing on network science, evolutionary theory, and cultural evolution. His work bridges theoretical biology with empirical studies to address ecological and evolutionary challenges.

Owen PetcheyView profile

Professor

• Predictive Ecology
• Ecosystem Ecology
• Environmental Change
• +3 more

Owen Petchey is a Full Professor in the Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies at the University of Zurich (since 2017), and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Science (since 2020). He also directs the Global Change and Biodiversity Priority Research Programme and has held leadership roles including Director of the Ecology PhD Programme and Life Science Zurich Graduate School. His research focuses on predictive ecology, environmental change impacts, and ecosystem modeling. He holds a Ph.D. from Imperial College London (1997) and a B.A. from the University of Cambridge (1994). Key research interests include biodiversity’s role in ecosystem stability, response diversity to environmental perturbations, and statistical computing for ecological prediction. Recent work emphasizes forecasting community dynamics under climate change using trait-based approaches. His articles highlight advancements in measuring response diversity, microbial ecosystem resilience, and biodiversity-ecosystem function relationships. Scientific Awards: Royal Society University Research Fellowship (2003–2011), NERC Research Fellowship (2000–2003). Labs/Teams: Predictive Ecology Group, Global Change & Biodiversity URPP, Experimental Microbial Ecology Hub. Grants/Advising: Directed multiple academic programs, including the Biology Masters in Ecology and the Ecology PhD Programme.