Find Academic Supervisors

Wah ChiuView profile

Professor

• Cryogenic Electron Microscopy
• Structural Biology
• Bioengineering
• +3 more

Wah Chiu is Wallenberg-Bienenstock Professor and Professor of Bioengineering and Microbiology and Immunology at Stanford University. A pioneer in cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), he develops methodologies for atomic-resolution structure determination of macromolecular complexes including viruses, chaperonins, and RNA-protein assemblies. His research integrates structural biology, computation, and instrumentation to advance cryo-EM and cryo-ET. Recent publications (2024-2025) showcase diverse applications from membrane protein structures to RNA hydration networks and battery materials, demonstrating consistent innovation in resolution limits and multimodal analysis. His articles reveal strong trends in method development for high-resolution tomography, integration of AI in microscopy analysis, and structural characterization of dynamic biological processes.

Karl KadlerView profile

Professor

• Extracellular Matrix Biology
• Collagen Fibrillogenesis
• Circadian Rhythms
• +7 more

Karl Kadler is a Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Manchester in the UK, serving as Director of both the Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research and the Cellular & Developmental Systems Domain within the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health. He holds a PhD in Medical Biophysics from the University of Manchester (1984) and a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry from the University of Salford (1980). His research focuses on collagen fibril assembly mechanisms, extracellular matrix biology, and the role of circadian rhythms in tissue maintenance. Kadler pioneered the use of serial block face-scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) in the UK and discovered fibripositors—actin-based plasma membrane structures critical for collagen fibril formation and mechanosensing. His work bridges molecular biology, biochemistry, and advanced imaging to study diseases like osteogenesis imperfecta and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Research interests include circadian regulation of collagen homeostasis, extracellular matrix turnover dynamics, and the interplay between mechanical forces and cellular processes. Recent studies highlight circadian-driven protective mechanisms for collagen and macrophage-fibroblast interactions in fibrosis. Kadler’s expertise aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and innovation. He has received the prestigious 2016 Fell-Muir Prize for contributions to extracellular matrix research and manages large-scale interdisciplinary projects including the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre and the Centre for Biological Timing. His work has produced over 124 publications and 3 notable datasets, demonstrating methodological innovations in collagen imaging and circadian biology.

Maria BertagnolliView profile

Professor

• Cellular Biology
• Cytoskeleton Dynamics
• Cell Adhesion
• +3 more

Maria Bertagnolli is a Professor in the Biology Department at Gonzaga University, with a former affiliation in the Chemistry & Biochemistry Department until 2000. Her research focuses on cellular biology, particularly structural and regulatory molecules involved in cytoskeleton-mediated functions like cell adhesion and migration, with emphasis on colon cancer development and chemopreventive drug mechanisms. She has held her current position since August 1993. Her research interests include cytoskeletal dynamics, signal transduction pathways, and oncology-related studies. She has collaborated on projects involving interdisciplinary teams to advance leadership and collaboration in academic settings. Her publications span from foundational work on platelet cytoskeleton signaling (1993) to recent contributions on institutional collaboration strategies (2024). Though no awards are explicitly listed, her work demonstrates sustained contributions to cellular and cancer biology. Dr. Bertagnolli’s career reflects a commitment to integrating molecular mechanisms with clinical applications, particularly in understanding how chemopreventive drugs influence cancer progression through cellular pathways.

Virginetta S. CannonView profile

Associate Professor

• Molecular Biology
• Cell Biology
• Neuroscience
• +3 more

Dr. Virginetta S. Cannon is an Associate Professor of Biology at Talladega College since 2021. She holds a multidisciplinary background with prior roles including teaching at Georgia State University, Georgia Piedmont Technical College, Georgia Perimeter College, Spelman College, and Morehouse College. Her research and consulting experience includes roles at the Tuskegee University Center for Cancer Research and Morehouse School of Medicine Neuroscience Institute. She served as a visiting professor at the University of Washington Friday Harbor Laboratories in 2002. Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms in vascular biology, cancer biology, glycobiology, and developmental processes. Notable areas include galectin function, transcription factor regulation in stroke, and tumor biology in prostate cancer. Dr. Cannon is affiliated with professional organizations such as the American Society for Cell Biology, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and Black Microbiologist Association. Her research has been published in high-impact journals including Brain Research, Molecular Cancer, and Molecular Biology of the Cell. Collaborative work spans interdisciplinary topics like stroke-induced gene expression, cancer cell migration, and integrin-glycoprotein interactions. Despite no explicitly listed awards, her extensive publication record reflects significant contributions to biomedical research.

Sofia J. AraujoView profile

Associate Professor

• Developmental Biology
• Genetics
• Cell Migration
• +4 more

Sofia J. Araujo is an Associate Professor at the University of Barcelona , affiliated with the Faculty of Biology and the Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics . She leads the REGnetREG research group and serves on the doctoral program committee for Genetics. Her research focuses on single-cell branching morphogenesis , cell migration mechanisms , and Drosophila models of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. Key projects include studying centrosome dynamics in branching, ECM interactions in tracheal development, and axonal guidance mechanisms across species. Projects (2019-2024): "Morfogénesis de la ramificación celular" (Spanish Ministry of Science, 2019-2021) "Innovative Teaching Methods" (UB Institutional Grant, 2020-2024) "DNA Repair and Ataxia" (National Ataxia Foundation, 2020-2021) Her work bridges developmental genetics with cellular mechanics , using Drosophila as a model to uncover fundamental principles of tissue formation and repair.

Jamie WhitelawView profile

Lecturer

• Host-Pathogen Interactions
• Cell Biology
• Immunology
• +3 more

Dr. Jamie Whitelaw is a Lecturer in the School of Health and Life Sciences at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS). He holds a PhD in Infection and Immunity from the University of Glasgow (2017), focusing on the invasion mechanisms of Toxoplasma gondii . Following his doctorate, he spent six years as a postdoctoral researcher at the CRUK Beatson Institute, studying cancer cell migration under Prof. Laura Machesky. His research expertise includes gene-editing techniques, microscopy innovations, and host-pathogen interactions, particularly with Toxoplasma gondii . He has contributed to identifying CYRI-B as a regulator of the Scar/WAVE complex and has pioneered advanced imaging methodologies recognized through awards like Focal Plane covers. Whitelaw teaches biomedical sciences and the MSc One Health program at UWS. His current research explores host factors enabling Toxoplasma entry and parasite cell selection. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing health and well-being. He has published widely on topics like metastasis, actin dynamics, and super-resolution imaging, collaborating internationally. His recent roles include participation in workshops like SULSA Strategic Groups (2023) and UWS Crucible (2023).

• Developmental Genetics
• Cell Signaling Pathways
• Cancer Biology
• +3 more

Eve Stringham, Ph.D., is a Professor of Biology and former Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Developmental Genetics and Disease at Trinity Western University, where she has been since 1997. She holds a Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of British Columbia (1992) and an M.Sc. in Human Genetics from the University of Manitoba. As Vice Provost, Research and Graduate Studies (since 2013), she leads efforts to advance research culture and graduate programs at the university. Her academic role in the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences emphasizes integrating faith perspectives into scientific inquiry, exemplified by her pioneering cancer biology course that explores ethical and spiritual dimensions of disease research. Dr. Stringham’s research focuses on cell signaling pathways in Caenorhabditis elegans , studying their roles in development, aging, and diseases like cancer and diabetes. Key contributions include identifying genes linking cell signaling to cancer (via NAV proteins) and discovering stress-response biomarkers in nematodes. Her lab secured NSERC and CFI grants, enabling advanced microscopy and student training. She has advised numerous graduate and undergraduate students, mentoring them in experimental techniques and publishing impactful work in journals like Development and Genetics . Her awards include the CRC Tier 2 (2007–2012) and NSERC Discovery Grant (1999). Dr. Stringham advocates for holistic graduate education, blending faith with scientific rigor, and has presented widely on bioethics and interdisciplinary research. Her vision includes fostering TWU’s role as a center for innovative, values-driven scholarship.

Hani SuleimanView profile

Assistant Professor

• Kidney Disease
• Actin Cytoskeleton Dynamics
• Nephrology
• +3 more

Hani Suleiman, M.D., Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center, with a secondary appointment in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. He specializes in nephrology and podocyte biology, focusing on actin cytoskeleton dynamics and glomerular diseases such as FSGS and Minimal Change Disease (MCD). His research employs advanced microscopy techniques like super-resolution imaging (STORM, Airyscan) and novel ex vivo systems to study podocyte structure and function. Education: Medical degree from Damascus University, Ph.D. from the University of Regensburg, and postdoctoral training at Washington University School of Medicine. Prior to UT Southwestern, he held an Assistant Professor position in Nephrology at Washington University (2024). Research Interests: Podocyte actin cytoskeleton regulation, Rho/Rac GTPase balance, extracellular matrix interactions, and development of innovative imaging technologies. His lab investigates mechanisms underlying glomerular diseases using correlative light-electron microscopy and ex vivo podocyte culture models. Lab Innovations: Developed methods for in vivo podocyte imaging, ex vivo hydrogel-cultured podocytes, and volumetric imaging of kidney tissues. These techniques enable unprecedented insights into podocyte mechanics and disease progression.

Kristian LytjeView profile

Researcher

• Computational Biophysics
• Molecular Dynamics Simulations
• Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS)
• +5 more

Kristian Lytje is a postdoctoral researcher at Saarland University, Germany, specializing in computational biophysics and membrane biology. He joined the university in 2025 under the supervision of Prof. Jochen Hub. His research focuses on molecular dynamics simulations, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), Bayesian inference, and the structural analysis of biomolecular systems. Lytje holds a PhD in computational biophysics from Aarhus University (2021–2024), an MSc in Physics from Aarhus University (2019–2021), and a BSc in Physics (2016–2019) from the same institution. His work addresses fundamental questions in membrane biophysics, including lipid-protein interactions, pore formation, and drug discovery using advanced computational methods. Education: PhD in Computational Biophysics (Aarhus University), MSc and BSc in Physics (Aarhus University) Affiliations: Saarland University (current postdoc), Aarhus University (prior studies) Research interests include: Membrane dynamics and lipid organization Protein-lipid interactions and drug permeation Structural elucidation of biomolecular complexes via SAXS and molecular simulations Bayesian optimization for ligand discovery Lytje actively contributes to open-source scientific software such as AUSAXS and SasView , with notable GitHub contributions to computational tools for SAXS analysis and membrane modeling.

Marc-Jan GubbelsView profile

Professor

• Cell Biology
• Parasitology
• Molecular Biology
• +3 more

Professor Marc-Jan Gubbels is a faculty member in the Biology Department at Boston College. His research focuses on the cell biology of the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii and other Apicomplexa, with an emphasis on understanding cell division mechanisms, host cell invasion, and parasite adaptation. He holds a BS and MS from Wageningen University (Netherlands), a PhD from Utrecht University, and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Georgia. His work integrates genetic, genomic, and imaging techniques to study parasite biology and has led to collaborations with institutions like Harvard and UMass Boston. Research interests include the modular cell division plasticity of Apicomplexa, the role of the basal complex in Toxoplasma, calcium-dependent secretion processes, and lab-adaptation changes in parasites. His team employs single-cell genomics (scRNA-seq, scATAC-seq) and iterative expansion microscopy (pan-ExM) to dissect these processes. Key findings include insights into cytokinesis machinery, microneme trafficking, and transcriptional regulation during the lytic cycle. Publications highlight advancements in understanding parasite cell division, host cell egress mechanisms, and the functional roles of proteins like ferlin1 and AP2XII-8. Collaborations focus on comparative transcriptomics of Babesia species and Apicomplexan division modes. Despite no explicitly listed awards, his contributions to the field are recognized through extensive peer-reviewed publications and interdisciplinary research efforts.

• Neuroscience
• Molecular Biology
• Cell Biology
• +3 more

Dr. Jurgen Muller is an Associate Professor in the School of Pharmacy & Medical Sciences at the University of Bradford, part of the Faculty of Life Sciences. His research focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying neurological disorders, cellular signaling pathways, and cancer biology. He has contributed to over 24 peer-reviewed publications and holds one award, though specific details are not provided. Education details include three academic qualifications, though their specifics are not listed. Employment history spans seven roles, likely within academic and research institutions. Professional involvement includes two associations and one committee, details of which are not disclosed. Research interests center on ERK5 signaling pathways , synaptic plasticity , and neurodegenerative diseases . His work explores how signaling molecules like MK2 and KSR1 regulate cellular functions in Alzheimer’s models, endothelial cells, and cancer progression. Recent studies highlight the role of TERT in muscle metabolism and BRACHYURY in colorectal cancer stem cells. Publications reflect a focus on VEGF-mediated endothelial cell functions , AMPAR trafficking , and cognitive flexibility . Dr. Muller’s research bridges molecular biology with translational applications in drug discovery and disease modeling. No lab or team affiliations are explicitly mentioned, but his work suggests collaborative research environments. Grant details are not provided in the text.

• Cancer Metastasis
• Epigenetics
• Stem Cell Biology
• +4 more

Dr. Karthic Swaminathan is a Lecturer in Skin Sciences at the University of Bradford's Faculty of Life Sciences. He holds a PhD from the University of Cologne and has conducted postdoctoral research at the Beatson Institute of Cancer Research. His work focuses on cancer metastasis mechanisms, epigenetic regulation in stem cells, and cell migration dynamics. He leads the Cancer Metastasis and Genomics Group, investigating molecular pathways in metastasis and developing translational therapies. Education: Bachelor of Biochemistry (2004, University of Madras) Dual Master's in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (2006, Bharathidasan University) PhD in Biochemistry (2013, University of Cologne) Research Interests: Cancer Metastasis: Focusing on ECM adhesion, sialylation, and metastatic spread. Epigenetics of Stem Cells: Exploring how epigenetic programs influence cancer progression and stem cell homeostasis. Cytoskeletal Signaling: Investigating actin dynamics and Rac/WASP pathways in cell migration. Awards: Wellcome Trust Research Award Royal Society Grant Academy of Medical Sciences Fellowship British Skin Foundation Award Advising & Grants: Leads the Cancer Metastasis and Genomics Group, with funding from major institutions. Active in research committees and professional associations. Labs/Teams: Directs research in the Centre for Skin Sciences, collaborating on translational cancer biology projects.

Petra SchwilleView profile

Professor

• Biophysics
• Synthetic Biology
• Membrane Biology
• +3 more

Prof. Petra Schwille is Director of the Department of Cellular and Molecular Biophysics at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry (since 2012) and Honorary Professor at Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich. Her work bridges biophysics, synthetic biology, and origins-of-life research, focusing on minimal cellular systems and membrane-mediated processes. Education: PhD in Physics (1996) from Braunschweig University of Technology Doctoral research at Max Planck Institute of Biophysical Chemistry (1993-1996) Postdoc studies at Cornell University (1997-1999) and Max Planck Institute (1996-1997) Undergraduate studies in Physics and Philosophy at Universities of Stuttgart/Göttingen (1987-1993) Research Interests: Schwille pioneers synthetic cell design, reconstituting cellular components like cytoskeletal systems and division machinery. Her lab develops novel techniques including: Membrane model systems (GUVs, liposomes) Optogenetic tools for membrane manipulation Single-molecule fluorescence methods (FCS, DNA-PAINT) Protocell assembly and self-organization Key topics include protein phase separation, synthetic cell division, and prebiotic chemistry. Awards & Grants: Over 20 major awards including the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize (2010) and federal honors. Active in European research networks and MaxSynBio initiatives. Labs/Teams: Leads a 30+ member group focusing on: Biophysics of membrane processes Optical single-molecule methods Protein reconstitution in synthetic cells

• Lipid Metabolism
• Organelle Contact Sites
• ER Homeostasis
• +4 more

Dr. Rupali Banerjee is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Cell Biology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Her research focuses on lipid metabolism, organelle contact sites, and cellular stress responses using Drosophila and mammalian models. Education: PhD in Biology (2015). Research Focus: Investigates lipid droplet biogenesis, ER-endolysosomal contact sites, and metabolic regulation. Key discoveries include Snazarus/SNX25 roles in autophagy and Mdm1-mediated lipid droplet formation at ER contact sites. Recent work explores actin cytoskeleton regulation of adipocyte size and inter-organ nutrient trafficking. Publication Trends: Her work (2003-2024) spans pigmentation genetics to advanced proximity labeling techniques. Recent studies characterize metabolic rewiring in lipid-depleted systems and ER-associated lipoprotein homeostasis, with consistent focus on membrane contact site biology. Model Systems: Leverages Drosophila genetics, yeast models, and mammalian cell systems to study evolutionarily conserved mechanisms of metabolic regulation and organelle dynamics.

• Fish Osmoregulatory Physiology
• Cytoskeleton Dynamics
• Ion Transport Mechanisms
• +2 more

Dr. Arne Christensen is a Professor in the Department of Biology at Westfield State University, joining in 2019. His research focuses on fish osmoregulatory physiology and cytoskeletal dynamics in aquatic organisms. He teaches Cell Biology (BIOL 0205) and Human Anatomy and Physiology I/II (BIOL 0237/0239). B.S. and Ph.D. from University of Massachusetts Amherst Postdoctoral work at Conte Anadromous Fish Research Center His research explores: Mechanisms of ion homeostasis in freshwater and seawater fish Role of filamentous actin structures in Daphnia magna carapace Evolutionary dynamics of cytoskeletal proteins Recent publications highlight: Micropollutant impacts on aquatic crustaceans Developmental requirements for cytoskeletal proteins Osmoregulatory adaptations in salmonid species Scientific recognitions include Cover image selection in Invertebrate Biology (2018) Image of the month in BMC Developmental Biology (2008) Dr. Christensen mentors student researchers including Jessica Ganek, Noah Owusu, and Darline Jean-Louis, and has contributed to medical education through case study development.