Alastair Culham is an Associate Professor of Botany at the University of Reading , School of Biological Sciences. He serves as School Director of Academic Tutoring, Curator of the Reading University Herbarium (RNG), and Programme Director for the School Enhanced Learning Coordinator. His roles extend to international collaborations as a member of the Catalogue of Life Global Team and Scientific Coordinator for the EU FP7 i4Life Project. Research Focus: Alastair's work bridges plant taxonomy , phylogenetics , and conservation biology . Key projects include phylogenetic evaluations of genera like Plectranthus/Coleus , Cyclamen , and Drosera , alongside molecular marker development for plant pathogens and endangered species. His research on climate change impacts and invasive species integrates academic rigor with public engagement, particularly through gardening communities. Recent Publications highlight his expertise in taxonomic revision , DNA barcoding , and phylogenetic modeling , with notable contributions to Cactaceae, Orchidaceae, and Rubiaceae systematics. Collaborative projects span the Catalogue of Life initiative and EU i4Life funding. Scientific Awards: Associate Editor, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society Project Scientific Coordinator for EU FP7 i4Life Taxonomic Expert for the BSBI Editorial Board ORCID: 0000-0002-7440-0133
Francisco Jardim de Almada Nascimento is an Associate Professor in Marine Ecotoxicology at the Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences (DEEP) at Stockholm University. His research focuses on understanding how ecosystems respond to anthropogenic and environmental disturbances both structurally and functionally, with particular emphasis on Baltic Sea ecosystems. His main research interests include: Responses of benthic communities to eutrophication Species interaction effects on benthic ecosystem processes Structuring factors of metazoan biodiversity in benthic habitats Toxicity of mixtures of contaminants on ecosystem function Dr. Nascimento is actively involved in two major research projects: NEMOte BARCODing (2019-2023), which employs state-of-the-art eDNA sequencing techniques and DNA metabarcoding to improve monitoring tools for Baltic benthic ecosystems; and a project (2023-2027) investigating the environmental risks associated with seabed mining for rare earth elements in the Baltic Sea. His research utilizes advanced molecular techniques including eDNA and eRNA sequencing to understand benthic biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. His publication record demonstrates a strong focus on the impacts of anthropogenic disturbances on marine ecosystems, examining how factors like bottom trawling, recreational boating, pollution, and changing phytoplankton communities affect benthic biodiversity and ecosystem processes. His work often involves interdisciplinary collaborations and employs cutting-edge molecular methods to address complex environmental questions. Dr. Nascimento is also involved with the Baltic Sea Fellows network, an interdisciplinary group of young researchers focused on Baltic Sea research, and leads his own research group focusing on ecosystem responses to disturbances. He teaches courses in Ecotoxicology, Marine Biology, and Ecology at both undergraduate and graduate levels, and is interested in supervising BSc and MSc projects related to marine ecology and ecotoxicology.
Dr. Milan Stanković serves as a Lecturer at the Department of Biology within the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at the University of Kragujevac. Holding a Doctorate in Biological Sciences since 2012, he has established himself as a prominent researcher in plant sciences with 88 bibliographic units and 30 scientific papers (27 published in ISI-listed journals) to his credit. His research is supported by participation in two national scientific projects and one international project, demonstrating his active engagement in the scientific community. Dr. Stanković's research focuses on plant morphology, systematics, and phylogeny, with particular emphasis on Balkan flora. His work encompasses detailed morphological analyses of plant structures, taxonomic revisions of various plant genera, and molecular phylogenetic studies that illuminate evolutionary relationships among plant species. He has conducted extensive field research across the Balkan Peninsula, documenting plant biodiversity and investigating adaptation mechanisms in different ecological zones including alpine environments and endemic habitats. Analysis of his publication record reveals a consistent research trajectory focused on Balkan plant diversity. His recent work shows increasing integration of molecular techniques with traditional morphological approaches, reflecting current trends in systematic botany. A significant portion of his research addresses conservation concerns, particularly regarding endemic and threatened plant species in Serbia and neighboring regions. His studies often combine field observations with laboratory analyses of plant structures at microscopic levels. Dr. Stanković has participated in multiple research projects related to botanical studies, including those connected to the Botanical Garden in Kragujevac. His collaborative work extends to international projects that examine plant biodiversity across broader geographical contexts. His research contributes significantly to the understanding of Balkan flora and provides valuable data for conservation efforts in the region.
Jose Luis Garcia Marin is a Senior Lecturer in Genetics at the Department of Biology, University of Girona, where he has worked since 1996. His research focuses on genetic diversity, conservation biology, and molecular ecology of aquatic species, particularly invasive species and native fish like the brown trout ( Salmo trutta ). Education: PhD in Biology (1992) and Licenciate in Natural Sciences (1984) from the Autonomous University of Barcelona. Research: Molecular ecology of invasive species, adaptive processes, and genetic conservation of native populations. Teaching: Genetics, Evolutionary Biology, and Biodiversity in undergraduate and master's programs. His recent research trends include genetic demography of shrimp species, genomic tools for population studies , and conservation strategies for brown trout in Mediterranean streams. He employs techniques such as SNP panels , multilocus genotyping , and DNA barcoding to address ecological and conservation challenges. Research Group: Affiliated with the Grup de Recerca Laboratori d'Ictiologia Genètica , focusing on genetic fish studies.
Heather Mead, Ph.D. is a Research Assistant Professor with the Immunology Core within TGen's Immunology and Microbial Genomics Division. She focuses on the adaptive immune response to pathogens with an emphasis on Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis), a fungal infection endemic to the Southwestern United States. Her research bridges immunology, microbial genomics, and infectious disease pathogenesis. Dr. Mead received her B.S. in Microbiology and Ph.D. in Biology from Northern Arizona University, where she studied Coccidioides genetics. Her educational background directly informs her current research focus on this pathogen. Her research interests center on understanding host-pathogen interactions, particularly the adaptive immune response to fungal and bacterial pathogens. She employs highly-multiplexed genomic assays to characterize T and B cell responses to human-infecting viruses, Mycobacterium tuberculosis , Coccidioides , and Plasmodium species. Her long-term goal is to apply insights from pathogenic host evasion and human immunity to develop improved surveillance techniques, diagnostics, and treatments for infectious diseases, with particular emphasis on Valley fever. Analysis of Dr. Mead's recent publications reveals a strong focus on Valley fever research, with multiple studies examining Coccidioides biology, host-pathogen interactions, and diagnostic approaches. Her work spans fundamental research on fungal pathogenesis to translational applications, including the development of laboratory protocols for safe handling of these pathogens. She has also contributed to broader immunological research, including studies on COVID-19 immune responses and multiplexed serological techniques. Dr. Mead has been actively involved in collaborative research across multiple institutions, as evidenced by her extensive publication record in high-impact journals including Frontiers in Immunology , Journal of Fungi , and Nature Communications . Her work demonstrates expertise in both laboratory techniques for handling dangerous pathogens and advanced genomic and immunological analysis methods. As part of TGen's Immunology Core, Dr. Mead contributes to the institute's mission of advancing translational genomics research. Her work supports the development of novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches for infectious diseases, with potential applications for both endemic fungal infections and emerging pathogens.
Christophe Dufresnes serves as Associate Professor and Curator of Amphibians at the National Museum of Natural History (MNHN) in Paris, France. He manages the Amphibian collection and is affiliated with the SPEC research unit (Systematics, Phylogeography, Evolution, Conservation). He actively participates in scientific commissions of the French Herpetological Society (SHF) and the Societas Europaea Herpetologica (SEH). His research centers on herpetofauna evolution, biogeography, and conservation. Key interests include speciation mechanisms, sex determination evolution, and human-mediated biological invasions. Fieldwork and molecular analyses focus on Eurasian amphibians (anurans and urodeles), combining museum specimens with genomic approaches to address diversification and conservation challenges. Recent publications (2025) reveal a cohesive focus on amphibian systematics and conservation genetics. Studies span taxonomic revisions (e.g., Himalayan toads, Balkan yellow-bellied toads), invasion biology (e.g., marsh frog, black-spined toad), and genomic investigations of sex determination in toads. This integrated methodology bridges evolutionary theory with urgent conservation applications across Europe and Asia. Dufresnes leads the SPEC research unit, which drives interdisciplinary studies in systematics and conservation. He also contributes to public science through naturalist books on herpetofauna and active roles in SHF and SEH commissions, supporting European herpetological research and conservation policy.
Dr. Bernhard Ruthensteiner is a senior scientist and head of the Section Evertebrata varia at the Munich State Zoological Collection (ZSM), part of the Bavarian State Natural Science Collections (SNSB). His work bridges taxonomy, comparative anatomy, and advanced imaging techniques. Institution : Munich State Zoological Collection Role : Head of Section Evertebrata varia Research Focus : Invertebrate anatomy, 3D imaging, and evolutionary morphology His research spans diverse invertebrate groups, including Gastropoda , Cnidaria , and Echinodermata , with a strong emphasis on microCT and SEM analysis for resolving taxonomic and developmental questions. Recent publications highlight his contributions to understanding biomineralization processes , protonephridial system development , and evolutionary adaptations in terrestrial and marine species . Key collaborations involve institutions in Germany, Austria, and Madagascar, with a focus on integrative taxonomy and digital specimen curation. His work also includes pioneering 3D model embedding in PDF publications and correlative microscopy for studying symbiotic relationships.
Nandadevi Cortes is an Associate Professor of Biology at Ithaca College specializing in evolutionary biology and phylogeography of neotropical birds. Her research examines how geographic barriers shape avian evolution and conservation, with active projects on hummingbirds, orioles, and island-endemic species. She teaches core courses including Evolutionary Biology and Field Ornithology while advising the Tri-Beta National Honor Society. Dr. Cortes earned her undergraduate and master's degrees from Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico under Dr. Blanca Hernandez-Baños and Dr. Adolfo Navarro-Sigüenza. She completed her PhD at University of Maryland, Baltimore County with Dr. Kevin Omland, followed by postdoctoral training at UMBC with Dr. Renetta Tull, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute with Dr. Robert Fleischer, and Ithaca College with Dr. Susan Witherup. Her research integrates molecular ecology, field studies, and genomics to investigate population structure in birds affected by habitat fragmentation. Current lab work includes Ravens and Orioles population genetics using mitochondrial DNA, neotropical bird song variation analysis, Ithaca College Nature Lands bird population monitoring, and Channel Islands genomic studies. She emphasizes conservation applications for threatened island species. Dr. Cortes' publications reveal consistent focus on avian phylogeography and speciation mechanisms, with recent expansion into diversity initiatives in ornithology. Her work spans from detailed genetic analyses of hummingbird complexes to broader discussions on inclusive practices in science, including eponymous bird name reform and international engagement for underrepresented students. Scientific recognition includes: Edwards Prize 2017 for best paper in Wilson Journal of Ornithology She actively mentors undergraduates through research projects presented at H&S Summer Scholars Showcase and National Conference on Undergraduate Research. Her leadership extends to diversity initiatives including co-organizing the American Ornithological Society symposium "Birds of a Different Feather" and moderating PROMISE Summer Success Institute sessions on graduate student retention. She serves on the AOS Diversity Committee to promote inclusive practices in ornithology. Her lab maintains active collaborations with Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Colorado State University, and Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute. Current fieldwork combines trail camera monitoring in Nature Lands with genomic analyses of Channel Islands populations, while future directions include expanding diversity-focused research in ornithology and developing community-based conservation partnerships in neotropical regions.
Assistant Professor Bahar Soğukz Özdemir is a faculty member at Yeditepe University's Faculty of Engineering, Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, where she has been teaching since 2014. She previously held academic positions at Bahçeşehir University (2011-2014) and Sabancı University (2006-2011). Her academic career spans over 15 years with significant contributions to plant biotechnology research. Educational Background: PhD in Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Sabancı University (2003-2009) Master's in Biology, Middle East Technical University (1998-2003) Bachelor's in Molecular Biology and Genetics, Middle East Technical University (1994-1998) Dr. Özdemir's research program centers on plant biotechnology with emphasis on Brachypodium distachyon as a model system for understanding grass genomics and stress responses. Her laboratory investigates molecular mechanisms of drought and salinity stress tolerance, proteome and metabolome dynamics under environmental challenges, genetic transformation techniques, and DNA barcoding applications for plant identification. Her work bridges fundamental molecular studies with practical agricultural applications, particularly in crop improvement under climate change conditions. Analysis of her publication record reveals a consistent focus on Brachypodium distachyon as a model for temperate grasses, with increasing sophistication in omics approaches over time. While early work focused on establishing transformation protocols and basic genomic characterization, recent publications demonstrate advanced integration of proteomics, metabolomics, and physiological analyses to understand plant stress responses at systems level. Scientific Awards: Young Scientist Travel Award in MBFT, Hokkaido University, Japan Mühendislik Fakültesi Akademik Performans Ödülü 3.lük, Yeditepe University Workshop travel grant from British Council/Newton Fund Yurtdışı Bilimsel Etkinliklere Katılma Desteği from TÜBİTAK Dr. Özdemir has supervised 22 graduate students (15 Master's and 7 PhD candidates) and secured research funding totaling approximately 3.2 million Turkish Lira. Her active projects include "Antarktika'dan Örneklenen Vasküler Bitki Örneklerinde Genom Büyülülüğü Çeşitliliğin Araştırılması" (50,000 TL) and "Türkiye Tohum Gen Bankası Ulusal DNA Barkodlama Projesi" (150,000 TL). She has served as principal investigator on multiple projects totaling over 2 million TL, including "Türkiye'nin stratejik bitkisi fındıkta doku kültürü çalışmaları" (135,000 TL). Her laboratory maintains specialized facilities for plant tissue culture, proteomics analysis, and DNA barcoding work, collaborating with multiple national institutions including Istanbul Technical University and Erciyes University on various research initiatives. She actively participates in international scientific networks through the International Association for Plant Biotechnology and European Federation of Biotechnology.
Prof. Dr. Marc Gottschling is a Professor and Academic Director at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich), Faculty of Biology, where he leads the research group on Systematics, Biodiversity and Evolution of Plants. His interdisciplinary research integrates phylogenetics, microscopy, and molecular biology to study evolutionary mechanisms in diverse organisms including flowering plants (Boraginales), dinophytes, and papillomaviruses. Education: Completed his PhD at Freie Universität Berlin in 2003 with a thesis on Boraginales phylogenetics, followed by habilitation in 2008 comparing diversification patterns across plants, dinophytes, and viruses. Research Focus: Gottschling's work centers on evolutionary scenarios using DNA sequencing, electron microscopy, and taxonomy. Key areas include: Phylogenetic systematics of Boraginales and dinophytes Co-evolution of papillomaviruses with vertebrate hosts Taxonomic clarification using molecular and morphological data Biodiversity assessment in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems Publication Trends: His recent articles (2021-2025) demonstrate a strong focus on dinophyte taxonomy, novel species descriptions, and evolutionary mechanisms. Key themes include molecular phylogenetics of microalgae, taxonomic revisions using epitypification, and spatial distribution of symbiotic associations. Earlier work (pre-2020) extensively covers papillomavirus evolution and Boraginales systematics. Laboratory & Teams: Leads a research group at LMU Munich studying dinophyte biodiversity and plant evolution. Current members include Paula Lehner, Hemingway Nyoka, and Büsra Sahin, with technical support from Stephanie Kruchen.
Juhong Chen serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech's College of Engineering. With research expertise spanning food safety engineering, biosensors, and bioinstrumentation, Dr. Chen develops cutting-edge technologies for pathogen detection in agricultural and food systems. His work integrates nanomaterials, bacteriophage engineering, CRISPR technology, microfluidics, and artificial intelligence to address critical food safety challenges. Dr. Chen earned his Ph.D. in Food Science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2016 and completed postdoctoral training at both Cornell University and the University of California, Berkeley before joining Virginia Tech in 2019. His educational background includes a B.Eng. in Biological Engineering from East China University of Science and Technology. Research interests focus on developing innovative biosensing approaches to detect biological and chemical contaminants in food systems. Dr. Chen's lab specializes in creating functional antimicrobial surfaces, advanced magnetic nanosensors, engineered bacteriophages, CRISPR-Cas systems, and portable microfluidic chips. His work addresses major challenges in food safety including pathogen detection, antimicrobial resistance monitoring, and food authenticity verification. Analysis of recent publications reveals a strong trend toward CRISPR-based diagnostics, with increasing focus on amplification-free detection methods, portable point-of-care systems, and integration of multiple technologies for enhanced sensitivity and specificity. His research spans food safety, veterinary diagnostics, and medical applications, demonstrating the broad applicability of his biosensing approaches. Scientific recognition includes: Travel grant for Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Agriculture and Food Systems, Gordon Research Conference (2018) Outstanding contribution in reviewing the journal of Biosensors and Bioelectronics (2018) Withycombe-Charalambous Award for Graduate Student Symposium, Agricultural and Food Chemistry, American Chemical Society Dr. Chen has secured significant research funding including a $450,463 USDA NIFA grant for developing CRISPR-equipped engineered phages (CREEPs), a $20,000 Virginia Tech CeZAP grant for viral pathogen detection, and a $740,537 USDA NIFA co-PI grant for digital nanofluidic chip development. He teaches courses in unit operations, biological processing, and food process engineering. The Bioengineering and Biosensing (BeBs) Lab, led by Dr. Chen, focuses on sustainable agriculture and food systems challenges, developing innovative tools including CRISPR, phages, yeasts, and enzymes to improve food production and safety from farm to fork.
Sung-Chur Sim is an Associate Professor in the Department of Bioindustry and Bioresource Engineering at Sejong University , specializing in plant breeding and genomics. He transitioned from Assistant Professor (2013-2017) to his current role and has held research positions at The Ohio State University . Education : Ph.D. in Plant Breeding & Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2006) M.S. in Plant Pathology, Texas A&M University (2001) B.S. in Crop Science, Konkuk University (1996) Research Interests focus on plant breeding and genetics , genome-wide association studies (GWAS) , genomic selection , and molecular tool development for breeding by design. His work integrates traditional and molecular approaches to enhance disease resistance and fruit quality in crops like tomato, pear, and cucumber. Recent Publications emphasize SNP marker development , genomic selection , and QTL mapping for traits such as bacterial wilt resistance , fruit morphology , and genetic diversity . These studies span multiple crops and employ advanced genotyping platforms like Fluidigm assays.
Dr. Torsten Dikow is a Research Entomologist and Curator of Diptera & Aquatic Insects at the National Museum of Natural History , part of the Smithsonian Institution . His work focuses on the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history of Asiloidea flies, using morphological and genomic evidence, alongside cybertaxonomic tools for open-access biodiversity data. PhD in Entomology, Cornell University (2007) M.S. in Zoology, Universitaet Rostock, Germany (2002) Research Interests : Deciphering diversity and evolutionary history of Asilidae (assassin flies), Mydidae (mydas flies), and Diptera broadly. He specializes in: Phylogenetic systematics using morphological and genomic data Revisionary taxonomy with cybertaxonomic tools Application of specimen occurrence data to biodiversity studies Genomic analysis of predatory fly species Biogeography of Afrotropical and Namib Desert Diptera Publication Trends : His recent work spans biodiversity datasets, DNA barcoding, and phylogenomics, with a focus on Asilidae and Mydidae. He integrates museum collections and genomic tools to study evolutionary relationships and species distribution. Scientific Awards : Biodiversity Open Data Ambassador (GBIF, 2018) NMNH Science Achievement Award (2018) NMNH Peer Recognition Award (2017) John Henry Comstock Award (2006) Activities : Torsten contributes to international dipterology conferences and serves on co-author networks with institutions across the U.S., Germany, and South Africa. His research is published in journals like African Invertebrates and Systematic Entomology .
Talitta Simoes is a Researcher at the Smithsonian Institution , affiliated with the National Museum of Natural History , where she provides research and collections support for Dr. Scott Miller’s projects, including food webs in Papua New Guinea and DNA barcode library building for Lepidoptera. Education: Ph.D., Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Brazil M.Sc., Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Brazil B.S., Faculdades Integradas de Cataguases, Brazil Her research focuses on the symbiotic relationships between ants of the subtribe Attina, their mutualistic fungus, and other nest symbionts such as Escovopsis (Ascomycota: Pezizomycotina: Hypocreales) and black yeasts (Ascomycota: Chaetothyriales, Capnodiales, Venturiaceae). This work integrates entomology , mycology , and ecological symbiosis studies, with broader implications for microbial ecology and evolutionary biology. Simoes’ contributions to DNA barcoding and food web analysis highlight her role in advancing biodiversity research and molecular taxonomy within the Lepidoptera department.
Robert Robbins is a Research Entomologist and Curator of Lepidoptera at the Smithsonian Institution. He holds a Ph.D. from Tufts University and a B.A. from Brown University. His research focuses on the systematics of Lycaenidae butterflies, evolutionary biology of Lepidoptera, and patterns of butterfly diversity. He combines morphological analysis with genomic data to study phylogenetic relationships and biogeography. Recent publications highlight his work on phylogenomics of moths, host plant evolution in Eumaeus butterflies, and DNA barcode applications for species identification. Collaborative efforts with researchers like Scott Miller and Naomi Pierce advance Neotropical biodiversity studies.
