Find Academic Supervisors

Simon TurcotteView profile

Assistant Professor

• Immunobiology of gastrointestinal cancers
• Immunotherapy of solid cancers
• Isolation and expansion of anti-tumor T lymphocytes
• +3 more

Dr. Simon Turcotte is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Montreal, a physician in the Hepatobiliary, Pancreatic Surgery and Liver Transplantation division at CHUM, and co-manager of CHUM's Clinical Information Bank and Biological Samples for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancers. He holds an MD and MSc, and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC), with a research focus on cancer immunobiology. Education: MD, MSc, FRCSC Research Interests: Dr. Turcotte investigates immunobiology of gastrointestinal cancers, immunotherapy of solid cancers, and mechanisms of anti-tumor T lymphocyte isolation, expansion, anergy/exhaustion, tumor antigen identification, and antigen expression modulation in cancer cells. Publications: His work spans lysosome biology in cancer drug resistance, autophagy in tumor targeting, PD-L1 regulation in melanoma, and ectonucleotidase roles in pancreatic cancer immunosuppression. Labs & Teams: He co-manages CHUM's Clinical Information Bank and Biological Samples for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancers, integrating clinical data with biological specimen analysis.

• Animal Reproduction
• Swine Health and Production
• Andrology
• +4 more

Gary Althouse is a Professor of Reproduction and Swine Health at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, where he also serves as Associate Dean of Sustainable Agriculture and Veterinary Practices and holds the Marion Dilley and David George Jones Endowed Chair in Animal Reproduction. He joined Penn Vet in 2001 and is the founder and director of the Reference Andrology Laboratory, providing critical research and clinical services in large animal production. His educational background includes: BS from Sul Ross State University (1984) MS from Texas A&M University (1988) PhD from Iowa State University (1992) DVM from Iowa State University (1994) Dr. Althouse's research focuses on animal reproduction, particularly in swine, with emphasis on andrology and theriogenology. His work includes the study of bacterial contamination in semen extenders, development of antimicrobial pharmacodynamics, molecular mechanisms of sperm function, and the application of assisted reproductive technologies. He is also involved in advancing semen analysis methodologies and ultrasonography techniques for swine reproduction. His recent publications (2016-2021) demonstrate a strong focus on improving semen analysis techniques and understanding bacterial pathogens in swine reproduction. Key themes include the development of PCR-based detection methods for contaminants, application of ultrasonography in female swine, and molecular investigations into fertility. His work bridges laboratory research with clinical applications, particularly in large animal production. Dr. Althouse has received notable awards: 2021 Theriogenologist of the Year 2023 Outstanding Swine Academic of the Year Information on advising and grants was not provided in the source text. He founded and directs the Reference Andrology Laboratory at Penn Vet, which provides research and clinical services for large animal production. Additionally, he leads the Penn Vet Swine Group and serves as the attending veterinarian for the largest multi-genetics boar stud system in North America, impacting approximately one-third of the U.S. swine breeding herd.

Jonathan SchugView profile

Adjunct Assistant Professor

• Bioinformatics
• Genomics
• Computational Biology
• +4 more

Jonathan Schug is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Genetics and Technical Director of the Next-Generation Sequencing Core and Functional Genomics Core at the University of Pennsylvania. He is affiliated with the Perelman School of Medicine and serves as a bioinformatics partner for the Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism (IDOM) Diabetes Research Center (DRC) . BA in Mathematics (University of Pennsylvania, 1980) MSE in Computer and Information Science (University of Pennsylvania, 1995) PhD in Computer and Information Science (University of Pennsylvania, 2005) Dr. Schug specializes in bioinformatics , genomics , and computational biology , with research spanning diabetes , neuroscience , and epigenetics . His work includes developing tools like Defiant for methylation analysis and applying sequencing technologies to study metabolic diseases and neurodegenerative conditions. Recent publications highlight his contributions to single-cell RNA-seq , mass cytometry , and sequencing platform comparisons . He collaborates extensively on projects involving Alzheimer's disease , Traumatic brain injury , and insulin-producing cell engineering . Dr. Schug provides technical leadership for high-throughput sequencing services and bioinformatics support at Penn, overseeing experimental design, library preparation, and data analysis pipelines.

Sarah WoodfieldView profile

Assistant Professor

• Pediatric Oncology
• Liver Cancer
• Rare Tumors
• +7 more

Sarah Woodfield, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine and a member of the Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center . She specializes in pediatric surgical oncology , focusing on liver cancer and rare tumors. Education: BS in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from Yale University (2007) PhD in Developmental Biology from Baylor College of Medicine (2012) Her research utilizes Drosophila melanogaster models to study cancer biology and has expanded to developing patient-derived cell lines (PDCLs) and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse models for pediatric liver cancer. Key areas include JAK/STAT3 , p53 , and MEK-ERK signaling pathways, with applications in targeted therapy and precision medicine . Scientific Awards: DoD CDMRP Funding Her publications emphasize pediatric oncology , preclinical modeling , and novel therapeutic agents , including inhibitors of MEK , ERK , and MDM4 . She collaborates extensively with institutions like Texas Children's Hospital and the Dan Duncan Cancer Center.

Jan KranichView profile

Researcher

• Immunology
• Extracellular Vesicles
• Lymphocyte Biology
• +6 more

Jan Kranich is a Senior Researcher/Project Leader at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU Munich), affiliated with the BioMedical Center and the Institute for Immunology. His work focuses on extracellular vesicles and lymphocyte interactions, leveraging advanced technologies such as imaging flow cytometry, STORM superresolution microscopy, and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq). His research involves developing phosphatidylserine-binding reagents to identify and manipulate extracellular vesicles in vivo. These tools are used to study immune interactions in health and disease, particularly during acute and chronic viral infections. Recent projects include enhancing CD8+ T cell responses and classifying COVID-19 severity through microparticle binding analysis. The most recent publications highlight his interdisciplinary approach, combining immunology with machine learning to analyze gene expression profiles and track cell fate. Financial support for his work comes from the German Research Foundation (DFG) under grants KR 4016/4-1 and SFB 1054 (Project Z02).

• Immunology
• Cell Biology
• Flow Cytometry
• +3 more

Benjamin Tast is a Flow Cytometry Specialist at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU). His work focuses on advanced cytometry techniques for biomedical research, particularly in immunology and cell biology. For contact, his email is benjamin.tast@med.uni-muenchen.de .

Kenneth M. LangaView profile

Research Professor

• Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease
• Epidemiology of Aging
• Chronic Disease in Older Adults
• +3 more

Dr. Kenneth M. Langa serves as the Cyrus Sturgis Research Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School, with additional appointments as Research Professor at the Institute of Gerontology and Survey Research Center (Institute for Social Research), and Professor of Health Management and Policy at the School of Public Health. He is Associate Director of the Institute of Gerontology and an affiliate of the Michigan Center on the Demography of Aging (MiCDA). Dr. Langa earned his MD and PhD in Public Policy from the University of Chicago as a Pew Fellow in Medicine, Arts, and Social Sciences. His clinical training includes Internship and Residency at the University of Michigan (1997) and Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholarship at the same institution (1999). His research centers on Alzheimer's disease epidemiology, dementia prevalence trends, and the impact of cardiovascular risks, sepsis, and stroke on cognitive decline in aging populations. He integrates health economics with longitudinal studies to analyze chronic disease costs in older adults, emphasizing global health disparities and cross-national dementia comparisons. Recent publications reveal strong interdisciplinary trends: cognitive assessment in low-resource settings, ethnic disparities in dementia diagnosis, multimorbidity dynamics, and socioeconomic drivers like food insecurity. His work leverages large-scale datasets (HRS, HCAP) to bridge immunology, nutrition, linguistics, and public policy in aging research. Scientific recognition includes: Election to the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI) Fellowship in the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) As Co-PI of the NIH-funded Health and Retirement Study (20,000 participants) and Principal Investigator of the Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol, Dr. Langa directs major longitudinal research initiatives. His global collaborations span six continents, mentoring early-career researchers through visiting professorships at Cambridge, WHO, UCSF, and institutions in Australia/New Zealand. He leads the HCAP International Network, coordinating cognitive assessment protocols across diverse populations, and co-directs the Institute of Gerontology's research division, overseeing teams focused on dementia surveillance and health policy translation.

• Immunology
• Molecular Biology
• Bioinformatics
• +7 more

Lehte Türk is a Bioinformatics Specialist at the Institute of Genomics , University of Tartu, Faculty of Science and Technology , and previously served as a Junior Research Fellow in Molecular Immunology at the Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine , University of Tartu, Faculty of Medicine . Her research spans immunology, bioinformatics, and biomedical sciences. Education : PhD in Medicine (ongoing, 2019–) under supervision of Pärt Peterson, Liina Tserel, and Kai Kisand at the University of Tartu, Faculty of Medicine MSc in Gene Technology (2015–2017) at the University of Tartu, Faculty of Science and Technology BSc in Gene Technology (2011–2015) at the University of Tartu, Faculty of Science and Technology Research Interests : Türk focuses on age-related changes in T cells , immune mechanisms in diabetes , and genetic modulators in health and disease . Her work integrates bioinformatics, epigenetics, and molecular immunology to study autoimmune conditions like Type 1 diabetes and aging-related immune dysfunction. Publication Trends : Her recent publications (2024–2016) analyze chromatin dynamics in T cell activation, cytokine profiles in diabetes, and immune responses to vaccination. Methodologies include xMAP® analysis, epigenetic quantification, and computational modeling of immunosenescence. Scientific Awards : Encouragement award at the Estonian Wikipedia competition 'Teadus Vikipeediasse 2024' for contributions in Science and Medicine Grants & Projects : Currently contributing to the Age-Related Changes in T Cells (PRG2011, €540,000) and Genetic Modulators in Health and Disease (PRG1291, €1,225,000). Formerly part of the Immune Mechanisms in Diabetes project (IUT20-43, €1,294,873).

Garry NolanView profile

Professor

• Hematopoiesis
• Cancer Biology
• Leukemia
• +9 more

Garry P. Nolan is the Rachford and Carlota A. Harris Professor in the Department of Pathology at Stanford University School of Medicine. He holds multiple affiliations including memberships in Bio-X, Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance, Maternal & Child Health Research Institute (MCHRI), and Stanford Cancer Institute. Previously, he directed the Stanford NHLBI Proteomics Center (2010-2015) and served on NIH advisory boards including the NHLBI Board of External Experts and NCI-Frederick Advisory Committee. Dr. Nolan completed his education with a B.S. in Genetics from Cornell University (1983), Ph.D. in Genetics from Stanford University (1989), and postdoctoral fellowship at MIT in David Baltimore's laboratory (1993). His research focuses on hematopoiesis, cancer biology, immunology, and computational approaches. Key areas include: Development of single-cell analysis technologies (CyTOF mass cytometry) Multiparameter Ion Beam Imaging (MIBI) for cancer research CODEX platform for high-dimensional tissue imaging Systems immunology approaches to study immune function, cancer-immune interactions, and pathogen responses Computational modeling of signaling networks in leukemia and lymphoma His recent publications demonstrate strong focus on spatial tissue analysis, immune responses to pathogens/vaccines, and cancer immunotherapy. The work integrates multiplexed imaging, computational modeling, and single-cell technologies to understand tissue organization and immune coordination in health and disease. Scientific honors include: Lifetime Achievement Award (Stanford, 2024) Keio University Medical Science Prize (2022) Hans Sigrist Prize (2021) Nature Publishing Group's Outstanding Research Achievement (2011) Teal Innovator Award from DoD (2012-2017) He currently advises doctoral students including Aaron Tan and postdoctoral fellows Antonio Delgado Gonzalez, Ivan Petrov, and Yuqi Tan. Significant grants include $3.3M DoD Teal Innovator Award for ovarian cancer, $3M FDA grant for immune system reference development, and $3.5M FDA grant for Ebola research platforms. Dr. Nolan directs the Nolan Lab at Stanford and co-founded multiple biotechnology companies including Rigel, Ionpath, and Akoya. He serves on the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy and maintains collaborations across statistics, engineering, and computer science departments.

Kara DavisView profile

Associate Professor

• Single-cell analysis
• Pediatric oncology
• Tumor heterogeneity
• +6 more

Kara Davis is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine, specializing in Hematology/Oncology. Her research focuses on pediatric blood cancers, particularly B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), using single-cell and high-dimensional analysis to study tumor heterogeneity and treatment resistance. Education: B.A. from Pennsylvania State University, D.O. from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pediatrics residency at A.I. DuPont Children’s Hospital, and Heme/Onc fellowship at Stanford. Her research integrates single-cell technologies like mass cytometry (CyTOF) and computational tools to: Model healthy B cell development vs. leukemic divergence Predict relapse risks via signaling signatures (e.g., mTOR activity) Investigate antigen escape mechanisms in CAR-T therapy Develop metabolic vulnerability-targeting strategies Design interpretable machine learning algorithms for clinical outcomes Key trends in her 15 most recent publications include: Advancing single-cell data ecosystems (tidyomics, TidyTOF, CyTOFIn) Optimizing CD22-CAR T cell manufacturing and safety Characterizing microbial DNA post-CAR-T therapy Modeling chromosomal translocations in KMT2A-AFF1 fusion leukemias Addressing glucocorticoid resistance via kinase inhibitors Scientific Awards : Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Endowed Faculty Scholar (2018) Zelencik Scientist (2021) She leads clinical trials on immunotherapies for relapsed/refractory pediatric cancers and mentors students in the Davis Lab, which emphasizes collaborative science and translational research. Lab members include postdocs, doctoral students, and research analysts working on projects spanning neuroblastoma, metabolic reprogramming, and computational biology.

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Biomedical Research
• +3 more

David Combs is a Visiting Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard University , affiliated with the Cohen Research Group . His academic work spans biochemical mechanisms, biomedical applications, and clinical research. Research Focus: Lipid signaling, ion channel modulation, and biomarker discovery Key Contributions: Sphingomyelinase studies, HELLP syndrome diagnostics, Medicaid data validation His article titles (2004–2022) reveal a trajectory in cellular biochemistry , emphasizing lipid-mediated signaling and clinical translational research . Notable themes include calcium dynamics in immune cells and algorithmic approaches to public health data.

Femke van WijkView profile

Professor

• Immunology
• Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
• T Cell Biology
• +4 more

Femke van Wijk is a Full Professor at Utrecht University , specializing in Immunology with a focus on inflammatory diseases and immune dysregulation. Her work is affiliated with the Child Health Infection & Immunity strategic program. Academic Rank: Professor Key Research Areas: Immunology, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), Primary Immunodeficiency, T Cell Biology, Personalized Medicine Dr. van Wijk's research explores tissue-specific immune mechanisms, including T cell imprinting, antigen-presenting cell dysfunction, and microbiome-immune interactions. She leads studies on diseases like IBD, atopic dermatitis, and systemic autoimmune disorders, aiming to develop targeted therapies. Her recent publications highlight advancements in cellular screening, single-cell genomics, and proteomic methodologies for understanding immune diseases. Notable contributions include studies on IgA deficiencies, interferon biomarkers, and regulatory T cell paradoxes in inflammation. Scientific Awards NWO Athena award (2023) ZonMw VICI grant (2021) PhD Supervisor of the Year (2017) ZonMw VIDI grant (2014) ZonMw Veni fellowship (2010) KNAW fellowship Ter Meulen Fund (2007) Van Wijk has held advisory roles at institutions like King's College London and Reuma Nederland, contributing to international research evaluations and immunodeficiency studies.

Ann StoweView profile

Professor

• Neuroscience
• Neurology
• Stroke
• +8 more

Ann Stowe, Ph.D. , is a Professor in Neurology with a joint appointment in Neuroscience at the University of Kansas. Her research bridges neuroimmunology, stroke, and neurodegeneration, focusing on B cells, extracellular vesicles, and inflammatory biomarkers. Doctor of Philosophy, University of Kansas (2006) Bachelor of Fine Arts, University of Kansas (1995) Research Interests : Stowe's work explores the role of immune cells in brain injuries, including B cells in post-stroke neuroprotection, Alzheimer's disease biomarkers, and neuroinflammatory mechanisms. Her lab investigates extracellular vesicle proteomics, neuroimmune crosstalk, and therapeutic targets like alpha7 nicotinic receptors. Scientific Contributions : Recent articles highlight B cell-mediated neuroprotection via BDNF, proteomic predictors of stroke outcomes, and immune profiling in subarachnoid hemorrhage. Her studies employ techniques like MRI, flow cytometry, and proteomic network analysis. Elected, Board of Directors, International Society of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism (2023) Fellow, American Heart Association (2022) Research Grant, American Heart Association (2021) Grants & Projects : Principal Investigator for NIH-funded studies on Alzheimer's risk reduction and B cell therapies in traumatic brain injury. Current projects include cardiac miRNA effects on cognitive impairment and hydrogel-based protein delivery for stroke recovery.

• Hematology-Oncology
• Acute Myeloid Leukemia
• Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
• +5 more

Dr. Ayman Qasrawi is an Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Kentucky. A board-certified hematologist-oncologist, he completed medical school at Hashemite University (2012), residency at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (2018), and a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Kentucky (2021). His work directly supports UN Sustainable Development Goals in health and well-being, with a focus on equitable cancer care. Dr. Qasrawi’s research portfolio centers on acute leukemias , myelodysplastic syndromes , stem-cell transplantation , and the genomic epidemiology of obesity-associated malignancies . He employs molecular diagnostics, real-world data, and AI-driven analytics to refine risk stratification and personalize therapy. His investigations explore: Molecular mechanisms underlying therapy resistance in AML and ALL. Impact of obesity on mutational landscapes and clinical outcomes. Optimization of allogeneic and autologous transplant regimens. Novel FLT3, CD123, and BCL-2 targeted therapies. Across 2024–2025, his peer-reviewed output demonstrates a clear trend toward translational studies integrating genomics , clinical trial data , and population-based outcomes to advance leukemia therapeutics. Notable themes include comparative effectiveness of targeted agents (gilteritinib vs midostaurin), timing of transplant interventions, and safety evaluation of CAR-T and hypomethylating agents. Scientific Awards & Honors: While specific named awards are not detailed in the provided text, Dr. Qasrawi’s role as Principal Investigator on multiple phase-2/3 industry-sponsored trials and his substantial citation record (h-index 7, 113 citations) underscore recognition within the hematology-oncology community. Research Funding & Leadership: He currently leads or co-leads 11 active or recently funded projects totaling multi-million-dollar support from Daiichi-Sankyo, Novartis, Kura Oncology, Sanofi, and OncoVerity. These studies span randomized placebo-controlled trials of quizartinib, venetoclax combinations, CAR-T strategies in SLE, and novel FLT3 inhibitors. Laboratory & Clinical Teams: Dr. Qasrawi directs clinical research efforts embedded within the University of Kentucky’s Markey Cancer Center, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams in pathology, bioinformatics, and translational therapeutics to accelerate discovery-to-bedside pipelines.

• Extracellular Vesicles
• Cancer Immunotherapy
• Radiation Oncology
• +4 more

Dr. Jennifer Clare Jones, M.D., Ph.D., is a Stadtman Investigator and Head of the Translational Nanobiology Section in the Laboratory of Pathology at the National Cancer Institute's Center for Cancer Research (NIH). Her research integrates radiation oncology with cancer immunology to develop immune-based therapies that synergize with radiation for enhanced anti-tumor responses. Dr. Jones received her M.D. and Ph.D. from Stanford University, where she also completed a postdoctoral fellowship. Her educational background includes specialized training in radiosurgery and dual expertise in cancer biology and immunology. Her research focuses on extracellular vesicles (exosomes and microparticles) as biological agents, biomarkers, and therapeutic targets. The lab develops advanced methods for EV characterization using nano flow cytometry, sample processing optimization, and functional analysis to understand tumor-immune interactions. This translational pipeline aims to enable personalized cancer treatment through EV-based monitoring and therapy. Recent publications demonstrate leadership in standardizing EV research, particularly through the MIFlowCyt-EV framework and NanoFlow Repository. Her work shows increasing emphasis on high-fidelity EV detection for clinical applications in cancer diagnostics and radiation-immunotherapy combinations. Notable scientific awards include: Prostate Cancer Foundation Young Investigator Award (2018-present) Pamela Anne Cafritz Renal Cell Carcinoma Award (2018) Federal Technology Transfer Awards (2014-2018) ASCO/AACR Methods in Clinical Cancer Trials Workshop Fellowship (2011) Dr. Jones supervises a multidisciplinary team including a biologist, postdoctoral fellow, and post-baccalaureate researchers. Her lab maintains active collaborations across institutions and internationally, supported by sustained grant funding. The Translational Nanobiology Lab provides access to advanced instrumentation for nanoparticle analysis and has developed open-source protocols available through its web repository. The lab operates within the NIH's intramural research program, utilizing state-of-the-art facilities for EV research. Current initiatives focus on optimizing radiation-immunotherapy combinations and translating EV characterization methods into clinical cancer applications, with strong emphasis on reproducibility and standardization in the field.