Contested Disorders Professors and Supervisors

Xu ZongView profile

Researcher

University of HelsinkiFinland

Xu Zong is a Doctoral Researcher in Social Sciences at the University of Helsinki since January 2022, affiliated with the Helsinki Institute for Demography and Population Health . His research focuses on leveraging Machine Learning to analyze Population Health and Aging , particularly examining how early-life circumstances influence late-life health inequalities through longitudinal data from surveys like SHARE and CHARLS. Education : Pursuing a PhD in Social Sciences at the University of Helsinki (2022–present), with a thesis topic on childhood circumstances and health inequalities among older adults. His research integrates Machine Learning with interdisciplinary analyses of social determinants of health, emphasizing life course perspectives and cross-national comparisons. Recent work explores links between adverse childhood experiences and post-COVID-19 conditions, religious upbringing's impact on late-life health, and predictive models for childhood behavioral difficulties. Key trends in his publications include methodological innovation in Machine Learning applications, cross-national Longitudinal Surveys , and interdisciplinary approaches to Health Inequality . He has contributed to journals such as Journal of Affective Disorders and Social Science & Medicine , with preprints on Open Science Framework and Research Square. Scientific Awards : Honorable Mention, U.S. Interdisciplinary Contest in Modeling (2015) National Second Prize, China Undergraduate Mathematical Contest in Modeling (Top 5%) (2015) Xu has organized workshops (e.g., 'Machine Learning in Research on Social Determinants of Health', 2024), participated in academic visits (e.g., European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research, 2022), and served as a peer reviewer for journals like Psychiatry Research and Social Indicators Research . Media outlets have highlighted his findings on early-life risk factors and behavioral health outcomes.

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Eva Cernadas GarcíaView profile

Associate Professor

University of Santiago de CompostelaSpain

Eva Cernadas García is an Associate Professor at the Escola Técnica Superior de Enxeñaría of the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), where she conducts research at the intersection of machine learning, computer vision, and practical applications in medicine, food technology, and marine resource management. Her academic position is firmly established within the Computer Science department, where she has developed significant expertise in image segmentation, texture analysis, and shape recognition. Dr. Cernadas' research interests span multiple domains of artificial intelligence with a strong emphasis on practical implementations. She specializes in developing computer vision algorithms for medical diagnostics, including software tools like CystAnalyser for polycystic kidney disease detection, STERapp for stereological analysis, and PDApp for dental eruption prediction. Her work extends to food technology applications such as MarblingPredictor for ham quality assessment and Govocitos for fish fecundity estimation. Notably, she integrates gender perspective into her technical work, having been awarded by USC in 2021 for introducing gender perspective in machine learning teaching. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on applying machine learning techniques to solve real-world problems across diverse fields. Her work demonstrates consistent innovation in developing efficient algorithms for classification and regression tasks, with increasing attention to gender issues in STEM education. The publications show progression from fundamental algorithm development to practical implementations in medical diagnostics, mental health assessment, and sustainable resource management. Awarded by the University of Santiago de Compostela for the introduction of the gender perspective in machine learning teaching in 2021 Dr. Cernadas actively promotes gender equality in STEM through various initiatives including designing workshops for primary education in the program 'Unha enxeñeira ou cientifica en cada cole', early childhood education programs, and promoting the 'INFORMATIZATE' video contest for non-university students. Her research includes significant grant-funded projects related to service robots, intelligent control scenarios, and development of new technologies for studying reproductive ecology in fishery. She collaborates extensively with researchers across multiple disciplines, particularly with Manuel Fernández-Delgado, with whom she has co-authored numerous publications. Her laboratory work focuses on developing practical software tools that bridge the gap between theoretical machine learning algorithms and real-world applications. The CITIUS research center at USC appears to be her primary research base, where she contributes to projects involving image analysis, pattern recognition, and development of user-friendly interfaces for domain experts in medicine and biology.

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Susanne BechstedtView profile

Assistant Professor

McGill UniversityCanada

Susanne Bechstedt is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at McGill University, Montréal, Canada. She leads the Bechstedt Lab, which explores how microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) control cytoskeletal dynamics during mitosis and how their misregulation underlies cancer and neurodegenerative disease. Education: PhD – Max Planck Institute, Structural Biology Research Interests: Our group integrates structural biology , cell biology , and biophysics to dissect how microtubules and MAPs orchestrate cellular processes. Using single-molecule TIRF microscopy , cryo-electron microscopy , and CRISPR-mediated live-cell imaging , we ask how MAPs tune microtubule growth, shrinkage, and stability to build the mitotic spindle and maintain neuronal architecture. We are particularly focused on the spindle protein CKAP2 and its role in preventing chromosomal instability, as well as on the Parkinsonism-linked protein TPPP/p25 in the context of neurodegeneration. Publication Trends: Since 2019 the lab has published a steady stream of high-impact papers in Cell , PNAS , eLife , Current Biology , and Cell Cycle . Recurrent themes include the structural basis of microtubule–MAP interactions, the cellular functions of CKAP2 in mitosis, and the aggregation behaviour of TPPP in neurodegenerative disease. Collectively, these works advance our understanding of cytoskeletal regulation in both health and disease. Scientific Awards & Funding: CIHR Operating Grant, 5-year renewal (2023–2028) CIHR Operating Grant, inaugural cycle (2018–2023) CFI Infrastructure Grant for TIRF microscope (2017) HBHL Fellowship awarded to master’s student Nicholas (2024–2025) CRBS Masters Studentship awarded to Nicholas (2024) CRBS Scientific Image Contest winners: Lia Paim & Tatiana Lyalina (2024) Advising & Training: Dr Bechstedt has mentored a diverse cohort that now includes 1 MSc student, 2 PhD students, 3 post-docs, and several research assistants. Alumni have gone on to defend their theses (Thomas McAlear, PhD 2023; Azriel Lopez-Jauregui, MSc 2020) and continue in research positions worldwide. Lab Culture & Outreach: The Bechstedt Lab fosters a collaborative environment in the Strathcona Anatomy & Dentistry Building. Regular lab retreats, BBQs, and participation in conferences such as CSMB and DivIDE keep the team scientifically and socially engaged. The lab website and Twitter feed (@BechstedtLab) provide real-time updates on publications, awards, and opportunities to join the team.

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Sheila M. QuinnView profile

Associate Clinical Professor

University of PennsylvaniaUnited States

Dr. Sheila M. Quinn serves as an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine in the Department of General Internal Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, practicing at Penn Internal Medicine - Edward S. Cooper in Philadelphia. With hospital privileges at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, she maintains a 4.9/5 patient rating from 191 reviews for her detailed explanations and compassionate care. Her educational background includes: Medical Degree: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) Residency: Delaware County Memorial Hospital and Yale-New Haven Hospital Fellowship: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Dr. Quinn's research spans adolescent medicine, women's health, and health equity, with emphasis on transitions of care, mental health, and reproductive justice. She investigates racial disparities in contraceptive services and innovations for integrating long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) into primary care. Analysis of her 2020-2025 publications reveals growing output focused on adolescent/youth health, with recurring themes of social determinants, mental health, and systemic barriers in care delivery. Her work consistently bridges clinical practice and advocacy for underserved populations. As an active clinician-researcher, Dr. Quinn combines direct patient care with scholarly contributions, prioritizing patient-centered approaches and health equity in adolescent and women's health services.

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Martti VankerView profile

Research Fellow

University of TartuEstonia

Martti Vanker is a Junior Research Fellow (PhD Student) at the University of Tartu, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, with additional clinical appointments at Elva Hospital and formerly at South Estonian Hospital. His academic journey includes a cum laude integrated Bachelor's and Master's degree in Medicine from the University of Tartu, where he is now pursuing doctoral studies under Kai Kisand with research focused on factors affecting immune response in the elderly. His research specialization centers on immunology with specific focus on anti-cytokine autoantibodies, particularly those targeting type I and III interferons, and age-related shifts in the immune system. His work has significant clinical relevance to autoimmune conditions like systemic lupus erythematosus and infectious diseases, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic where he investigated how autoantibodies against interferons affect disease severity and progression. Vanker's publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly output primarily in immunology and clinical medicine, with a notable concentration on interferon-related research. His work spans both basic science investigations into immune mechanisms and clinically-oriented studies with potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications, particularly in understanding how autoantibodies modulate immune responses in viral infections and autoimmune conditions. 3rd Prize Among Master Students at National Research Contest for University Students in the Field of Medical and Health Sciences (2023) Best Oral Presentation Among University Students at Tartu University Medical Faculty Anniversary Science Conference (2022) 1st Prize Among High-School Students at National Research Contest for Students (2018) Multiple EFIS travel grants for international immunology conferences (2022-2025) Vanker serves as an opponent for bachelor's theses, demonstrating his engagement in academic mentoring despite his early career stage. His professional activities include membership in the Estonian Society for Immunology and Allergology and the Estonian Junior Doctors Association, reflecting his dual commitment to research and clinical medicine. His current research is supported by significant grants including a European Commission-funded project on systems immunology and healthy aging research.

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Maria BjörkmanView profile

Assistant Professor

Linköping UniversitySweden

Maria Björkman serves as an Assistant Professor at Linköping University, holding dual appointments in the Department of History, Art History and Religious Studies (HKR) and the Department of Culture and Society (IKOS). She is an active member of the Center for Medical Humanities and Bioethics (CMBS), an interdisciplinary hub fostering research and collaboration at the intersection of medicine, humanities, and social sciences. Her scholarship critically examines the socio-political dimensions of medical history, with core expertise in the history of racial biology and eugenics, genetics, urology, and disability. She investigates how medical practices and welfare policies construct societal norms of normality, particularly within Scandinavian contexts, while centering marginalized experiences and contested rehabilitation narratives. Her work consistently bridges archival research with contemporary bioethical debates about bodily integrity and state responsibility. Analysis of her 2021-2025 publications reveals a cohesive trajectory exploring medicine's entanglement with power structures. Key themes include thalidomide's legacy in welfare systems, historical constructions of medical masculinity, and the cultural meanings of bodily anomalies. Her research demonstrates methodological innovation through interdisciplinary synthesis of medical, social, and cultural history frameworks. Through the Center for Medical Humanities and Bioethics, Björkman collaborates with cross-disciplinary teams to advance projects examining ethical dilemmas in medical practice and policy. The CMBS provides critical infrastructure for her investigations into how historical medical knowledge production continues to shape present-day healthcare paradigms and disability rights discourse.

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Mette Bech RisørView profile

Professor

University of CopenhagenDenmark

Mette Bech Risør is Professor of Medical Anthropology at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences within the Department of Public Health. She holds dual appointments in the Section of General Practice and the Research Unit for General Practice, with an additional 20% professorship at UiT The Arctic University of Norway. As head of the 'Interfaces of everyday life and health care systems' research group, she leads interdisciplinary investigations at the intersection of anthropology and healthcare systems. PhD from Aarhus University (2002) Scientific Coordinator for Medical Anthropology At Home (MAAH) network Joint Editor-in-Chief of Tidsskrift for Forskning i Sygdom og Samfund Course leader for 'Early Patient Contact' (1st semester medicine) and 'Research Seminars in Qualitative Analysis' (PhD level) Her research focuses on illness experiences, healthcare-seeking practices, and diagnostic pathways, particularly for patients with medically unexplained symptoms and contested diagnoses. Recent work examines bodily sensations through sensorial anthropology, emphasizing how symptoms become configured within healthcare systems. Current projects investigate multimorbidity, men's health-seeking for genital lesions, and coordination between general practice and social services for citizens on sick leave. Her publications demonstrate consistent application of qualitative methods to analyze clinical encounters and patient navigation through complex healthcare landscapes. Professor Risør's scientific contributions include 91 research outputs spanning journal articles, books, and conference proceedings. Her recent work shows increasing focus on interdisciplinary cancer diagnosis research, chronic pain management, and the semiotics of medical practice. The publications reveal strong collaboration patterns across European institutions, with particular emphasis on translating anthropological insights into practical healthcare improvements. Organizer of biennial Medical Anthropology At Home conferences Active contributor to policy discussions on contested disorders Supervisor for PhD and master's students across multiple programs Her editorial leadership in the Danish Journal of Research in Sickness and Society strengthens Nordic medical humanities scholarship. Current research grants focus on coherent patient pathways and complex multimorbidity, addressing critical gaps in healthcare system integration for vulnerable patient populations.

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Tomas KirchhausenView profile

Professor

Boston Children's HospitalUnited States

Tomas Kirchhausen is Professor of Cell Biology and of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and holds the Springer Family Chair of Pediatrics. He serves as a Senior Investigator at Boston Children's Hospital where he leads the Kirchhausen Laboratory focused on cellular membrane processes and molecular trafficking mechanisms. Dr. Kirchhausen received his undergraduate degree in Biology from the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia and earned his Ph.D. in Biophysics from the Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Cientificas. His research spans over three decades and focuses on the structure, interactions, and assembly-disassembly mechanisms of clathrin and associated proteins. Using emerging technologies from molecular cloning to high-resolution structural visualization and live-cell imaging, his laboratory has created 'molecular movies' of clathrin-mediated endocytosis. His work integrates x-ray crystallography, cryo electron microscopy, and single-molecule biophysics to understand cellular membrane remodeling processes including intraluminal vesicle formation and nuclear pore assembly. Current research leverages Lattice Light Sheet Microscopy (LLSM) and Adaptive Optics-optimized LLSM to bridge the gap between molecular events and cellular function. Analysis of his recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on integrating advanced imaging techniques with computational approaches, particularly deep learning applications for single-particle tracking and cryo-EM data analysis. His work spans multiple disease contexts including viral infections (particularly SARS-CoV-2), neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer biology, reflecting the broad implications of membrane trafficking research. 1st Place Video at the Celldance 2008 contest of the American Society of Cell Biology Featured in The New York Times article 'The Animators of Life' (November 15, 2010) YouTube 3D movie showing immune cell migration downloaded more than 700,000 times Dr. Kirchhausen's laboratory serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research, bringing together experts in structural biology, cell biology, and advanced microscopy techniques. His work on clathrin-mediated endocytosis has provided foundational insights into cellular trafficking mechanisms that are relevant to understanding viral infection, cancer, and neurological diseases. The laboratory's development and application of cutting-edge imaging technologies continues to push the boundaries of what can be observed in living cells.

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