Assoc Prof Ng Teng Yong is an Associate Professor at the School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (NTU), specializing in numerical modeling and simulation. With a background as Research Manager at A*STAR Institute of High Performance Computing, his work spans materials science, nanotechnology, and aerospace engineering. Current focus on graphene-based desalination membranes Expertise in molecular dynamics simulations Investigates nanoscale fluid mechanics and structural dynamics Recent publications highlight advancements in energy-efficient electrodialysis, smart robotics, and nonlinear vibration analysis. His interdisciplinary approach integrates computational methods with experimental validation in additive manufacturing and soft material mechanics.
Antonio Molina Fernández is a Professor at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid , leading the Plant Innate Immunity and Resistance to Necrotrophic Fungi group at the Center for Plant Biotechnology and Genomics (CBGP) . His research focuses on understanding plant defense mechanisms against necrotrophic fungal pathogens, particularly using the Arabidopsis-Plectosphaerella cucumerina interaction as a model system. Key areas include molecular recognition of pathogens, cell wall integrity signaling, and fungal pathogenicity mechanisms. His group investigates how plants sense necrotrophic fungi through receptors like ERECTA and BAK1, regulatory pathways involving MAP kinases and G-proteins, and the role of secondary metabolites in immunity. They also study the genomic basis of fungal lifestyles (pathogenic vs. endophytic) and their interactions with host plants. Current projects include enhancing crop disease resistance via cell wall-derived signals, zinc-mediated immunity, and sustainable agricultural solutions through bioengineering. Molina has secured funding from multiple EU programs, including Horizon-CL6 and MCIN/AEI grants. Notable achievements include identifying the YODA kinase pathway for broad-spectrum resistance and demonstrating the role of cell wall DAMPs in immunity. His work bridges fundamental research with translational applications, aiming to develop biocontrol strategies and climate-resilient crops.
Giulia De Lorenzo is a Full Professor of Plant Physiology at Sapienza University of Rome since 2000, with prior roles as Associate Professor at Sapienza University of Rome (1994-1999) and University of Bari (1991-1994). Her research focuses on plant immunity, molecular recognition, and cell wall dynamics, particularly in plant-pathogen interactions involving damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and their role in signal transduction. Education: Laurea in Biology (1980, Sapienza University of Rome, cum laude), PhD in Evolutionary Biology (1987, Sapienza University of Rome) Her work explores the structural and functional basis of plant defense mechanisms, including the inhibition of cell wall-degrading enzymes and engineering plant resistance through chimeric receptors. Articles highlight her contributions to understanding DAMPs, PGIP proteins, and their applications in crop protection and bioconversion. Notable scientific awards include the 2011 Sapienza University of Rome Award for Excellence in Research , 1997 Giovanni Armenise-Harvard Foundation Award , and the 1983 Fondazione V.V. Landi Award from the Accademia dei Lincei. She has served on editorial boards and organized international conferences in plant science.
Haidong Zhu is a Professor at Augusta University's Medical College of Georgia with cross-departmental appointments in Medicine, Georgia Prevention Institute, Population Health Science, Pediatrics, and Family Medicine. His primary academic role centers in the Department of Medicine where he maintains active research and teaching responsibilities. His educational background includes: Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from Peking University (1997) MS in Biochemistry from Jinzhou Medical College (1989) MD in Medicine from China Medical College (1986) Dr. Zhu's research investigates molecular mechanisms linking nutrition to cardiometabolic health, with emphasis on dietary fiber, vitamin D, and sodium interventions. His work employs epigenetic, genomic, and clinical approaches to study insulin resistance, hypertension, and aging biomarkers in vulnerable populations including African American adolescents and obese adults. Key methodologies include randomized clinical trials, epigenome-wide association studies, and miRNA profiling. His 2018 publication cohort reveals concentrated expertise in nutrition-genome interactions, demonstrating how dietary components modulate epigenetic aging, cardiovascular risk, and stress responses. These studies bridge molecular biology with population health, highlighting health disparities through rigorous clinical trial designs and multi-omics analyses. Dr. Zhu directs the GPI Genetic Core Lab (2006-present) and serves on Augusta University's intramural grant review committee (2008-present). He actively contributes to scholarly discourse as a reviewer for Metabolism, Nutrients, British Journal of Nutrition, Nutrition Research, and Human Molecular Genetics. His laboratory leadership focuses on genetic and epigenetic analysis within the Georgia Prevention Institute, supporting translational research on diet-related chronic diseases through advanced genomic technologies and biomarker discovery.
Miroslaw Janowski is a Professor in the Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine at the University of Maryland , where he co-directs the Program in Image Guided Neurointerventions (PIGN) . His research focuses on integrating advanced imaging techniques (PET, MRI) with neurointerventional therapies to enable precision medicine, particularly for central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Education: MD, Medical University of Warsaw (2001) PhD, Neuroscience, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, PAS (2010) Postdoctoral Fellowship, Radiology, Johns Hopkins University (2011-2012) Research Interests center on overcoming the blood-brain barrier (BBB) through intra-arterial delivery, radiolabeling of therapeutic agents, and CRISPR-based genome editing. He has pioneered real-time MRI/PET-guided methods for targeted stem cell and drug delivery to the CNS. His work includes patents pending for BBB modulation and CRISPR applications. Recent Publications highlight advancements in intra-arterial antibody delivery, hyperpolarized metabolic imaging for stroke, 3D-printed soft robotics for endovascular interventions, and manganese-labeled hydrogels for cell transplantation. These studies span biomedical engineering, neuroscience, and translational medicine. Grants include NIH/NINDS, Geneva Foundation, and American Cancer Society funding for projects on BBB opening, warfighter brain health, and T cell PET imaging. His lab trains students and researchers in molecular imaging, neurointervention, and regenerative medicine.
Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological SciencesUnited States
Dr. Dianne McKay is a Professor of Immunology & Microbiology at Scripps Research, with a secondary affiliation at the Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences. She holds an M.D. from the University of Chicago (1983) and a B.S. from UC Berkeley (1978). Her research focuses on unraveling the immunologic mechanisms driving ischemia-induced kidney injury, particularly the role of innate immune responses in renal tubular epithelial cells during ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI). Her work employs ex vivo and in vivo models to study stress responses in human and murine renal cells, aiming to identify therapeutic targets for kidney protection during ischemic events. Key achievements include discoveries related to CD14 blockade for organ preservation and the role of DAMPs in immune activation. Dr. McKay has received notable awards such as the Baxter Healthcare Extramural Award (1994) and the Roche Organ Transplant Research Award (2000). Her publications emphasize advancements in organ preservation techniques, molecular strategies from hibernation biology, and the interplay between innate immunity and ischemic injury. Current efforts prioritize translational research to improve outcomes for donated organs and patients undergoing kidney transplantation.
Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological SciencesUnited States
Matthew Disney is an Institute Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Florida. He leads the Disney research laboratory (SR-CHEM-DISNEY LAB), which focuses on developing rational approaches to design selective therapeutics from genome sequence data. His work bridges chemistry, biology, and medicine with a focus on RNA-targeted drug discovery. Dr. Disney's research interests center on developing the Inforna platform, which merges chemoinformatics and RNA structure to identify lead compounds targeting disease-causing RNAs. His lab targets RNAs associated with neuromuscular disorders (muscular dystrophy), neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, ALS), infectious diseases, and difficult-to-treat cancers (breast, pancreatic, prostate). Key advances include sequence-based drug design across the human transcriptome, development of RIBOTACs (ribonuclease-targeting chimeras) for catalytic RNA degradation, and tools like Chem-CLIP and Ribo-SNAP for studying RNA-ligand interactions. RNA-targeted therapeutics Precision medicine Chemoinformatics RNA structure Small molecule drug design Neurodegenerative disease mechanisms His publication record shows a clear trend toward increasingly sophisticated RNA-targeted therapeutic approaches, with recent work focusing on transcriptome-wide mapping of RNA-small molecule interactions, RIBOTAC optimization, and precision targeting of disease-associated RNAs. The research demonstrates a progression from basic RNA-small molecule interactions to sophisticated therapeutic platforms with clinical potential. Dr. Disney has received numerous prestigious awards including the ACS Nobel Laureate Signature Award for Graduate Education in Chemistry, the Raymond and Beverly Sackler International Prize in Chemistry, the NIH Director's Pioneer Award, and the Tetrahedron Young Investigator Award. His laboratory has been consistently funded by major research grants supporting innovative approaches to RNA-targeted drug discovery. As an educator and mentor, Dr. Disney has trained numerous scientists in the interdisciplinary field of RNA-targeted therapeutics. His laboratory serves as a hub for chemical biology research with a mission to ensure exponential impact in studying disease biology and developing precision medicines. The Disney lab maintains an active research program with multiple ongoing projects focused on expanding the druggable transcriptome and developing novel RNA-targeted therapeutic modalities.
Dr. Aisling Heeran is a Lecturer in Pharmacy at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, with a concurrent position at the International College for Pharmaceutical Innovation, SUDA, Suzhou, China. She holds a B.Sc. and M.Pharm from RCSI, an M.Sc. in Translational Oncology from Trinity College Dublin, and a Ph.D. focusing on radiation bystander effects in gastrointestinal cancers. Her research focuses on biomarkers of treatment resistance, cancer cell metabolism, and the Barrett’s oesophagus to oesophageal adenocarcinoma progression pathway. Her academic career includes postdoctoral work on gastrointestinal cancers, particularly examining FKBPL in oesophageal cancer progression. She has contributed to over 15 peer-reviewed publications, exploring topics such as radiation-induced bystander effects, immune-metabolic interactions, and novel therapeutic strategies for cancer. Her work integrates proteomics, immunology, and metabolic profiling to develop precision oncology approaches. Key research themes include radioresistance mechanisms, tumor microenvironment dynamics, and the role of adipose tissue in cancer progression. She collaborates across disciplines to advance understanding of how metabolic and immunological factors influence cancer treatment outcomes. Dr. Heeran’s research aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), with a focus on translational oncology and improving therapeutic strategies for gastrointestinal malignancies.
Dr. Michael Fitzpatrick is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Respirology and Sleep Medicine at Queen’s University, with a cross-appointment to the Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences. He served as Chair of the Division of Respirology (2007–2017) and currently holds executive roles at Kingston Health Sciences Centre. His clinical expertise spans general respirology, neuromuscular disease, and sleep medicine, including roles as Medical Director of the Sleep Laboratory at Kingston General Hospital (1997–2020) and Respiratory Consultant to the Neuromuscular Clinic at St Mary’s of the Lake Hospital since 2000. Dr. Fitzpatrick’s research focuses on upper airway physiology and sleep apnea management, complemented by contributions to biomaterials science. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles and 5 book chapters, with notable work on inflammation responses to medical devices. His academic leadership includes directing respirology training programs and receiving multiple teaching awards. His articles reflect interdisciplinary advancements in biomaterial-host interactions, inflammation modulation, and regenerative medicine, aligning with his clinical interests in sleep and respiratory health. Awards include unspecified teaching honors, and he has held leadership roles in professional organizations like the Ontario Thoracic Society. Dr. Fitzpatrick’s career combines clinical practice, research innovation, and academic administration, contributing to both medical education and translational research in respiratory and biomaterial sciences.
Prof. Alexander Weber is a leading academic at the University of Tübingen , serving as Head of the Department of Innate Immunity. His research focuses on immunological mechanisms in inflammatory diseases, particularly NLRP3 inflammasome activation, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), and cytokine signaling in sterile inflammation. Key Research Areas: Immunology, Inflammation, Apoptosis, Mitochondrial Function, Neutrophil Biology, Autoinflammation Notable Contributions: Elucidating NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathways, developing novel p38α inhibitors for cancer therapy, and identifying BTK as a therapeutic target for inflammasome regulation Recent Publications: 2025 work on mitochondrial ATP suppression in inflammasome activation, 2024 studies on composite DAMPs in NETs, and 2021 investigations into PAD4 support for NETosis Email: alexander.weber@uni-tuebingen.de
Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesUnited States
Thomas A. Davis, PhD, serves as Professor and Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Surgery at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) School of Medicine. With over 45 years of extensive expertise, Dr. Davis has established himself as a leading researcher in trauma surgery and regenerative medicine within the military medical community. Dr. Davis's educational background includes: PhD in Immunology, George Washington University (1993) M.S. in Immunology and Microbiology, George Mason University (1987) B.S. in Biology, George Mason University (1983) Dr. Davis maintains a central research focus on the mechanisms underlying acute cellular and organ injury in inflammatory conditions such as shock, trauma, and sepsis. His laboratory investigates two primary interconnected areas: understanding the early inflammatory response to trauma and developing innovative regenerative tissue therapies. His work on damage associated molecular pattern molecules (DAMPs) and pattern recognition receptors (PRR) has significantly advanced our understanding of post-traumatic inflammatory cascades. Additionally, his research on heterotopic ossification, stem cell biology, and tissue regeneration has practical applications for combat casualty care and military medicine. Analyzing his recent publication trends (2022-2025), Dr. Davis's research demonstrates a strong emphasis on blast injury mechanisms, heterotopic ossification, and the systemic inflammatory response to trauma. His work frequently employs rodent and swine models to study extremity trauma, with particular attention to the connections between cutaneous burn injuries and ectopic bone formation. A notable trend is his increasing focus on biomarker discovery for remote organ dysfunction following blast injuries, reflecting the military medical community's need for early diagnostic tools in combat settings. Dr. Davis's scientific recognition includes: 2023 USUHS School of Medicine Impact Award 2023 Military Health System Research Symposium's Distinguished Service Award In addition to his research leadership as Vice Chair of Research, Dr. Davis actively contributes to academic training as a PhD program professor in Molecular and Cell Biology. His laboratory receives substantial funding from the Department of Defense and USUHS, supporting multiple research projects including combat-applicable lower extremity trauma models and early diagnosis strategies for post-traumatic heterotopic ossification. Dr. Davis serves as an ad hoc reviewer for numerous journals in his field and has mentored numerous medical and graduate students through trauma-related research projects. Dr. Davis leads a multidisciplinary research team focused on advancing the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine for military applications. His laboratory develops new cell-based therapies for conditions resulting from combat injuries, including heterotopic ossification, fractures, bone loss, muscle loss, and cartilage injuries. The team is particularly focused on establishing new methods for measuring stem and progenitor cells in various tissues, which has broad implications for cell and gene therapy across military medicine.
Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesUnited States
Thomas A. Davis, PhD is a Professor and Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Surgery at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) School of Medicine. With over 45 years of research experience, Dr. Davis leads trauma and regenerative medicine research initiatives focused on military medical applications. His work bridges basic science with clinical translation to address combat-related injuries. Dr. Davis received his educational training at: PhD in Immunology from George Washington University (1993) M.S. in Immunology and Microbiology from George Mason University (1987) B.S. in Biology from George Mason University (1983) Dr. Davis's research centers on understanding the mechanisms of acute cellular and organ injury in inflammatory states such as shock, trauma, and sepsis. His laboratory investigates two primary areas: the innate immune response to traumatic injury, with emphasis on damage associated molecular pattern molecules (DAMPs) and pattern recognition receptors (PRR), and the development of regenerative tissue approaches for musculoskeletal trauma. His work employs diverse models including blast injury, hemorrhagic shock, burn injury, and severe musculoskeletal tissue loss. Analysis of Dr. Davis's recent publications reveals a strong focus on combat-related trauma, particularly blast injuries and their complications. His research integrates molecular biology, immunology, and tissue engineering to address military-relevant medical challenges. Key themes include heterotopic ossification following blast injuries, neuroinflammatory responses to trauma, and the development of combat-applicable trauma models. Dr. Davis has received prestigious recognition for his contributions to military medicine: 2023 USUHS School of Medicine Impact Award 2023 Military Health System Research Symposium's (MHSRS) Distinguished Service Award As Vice Chair of Research, Dr. Davis oversees multiple funded projects supported by the Department of Defense. His research portfolio includes development of combat-applicable lower extremity trauma models and early diagnosis strategies for post-traumatic heterotopic ossification. He serves on committees including the MCB Qualifying Exam Committee and as an MHSRS Abstract Reviewer, mentoring the next generation of military medical researchers. Dr. Davis leads a research team focused on advancing regenerative medicine approaches for traumatic injuries. His laboratory develops innovative cell-based therapies for conditions like heterotopic ossification and critical tissue loss, with emphasis on establishing new methods for measuring stem and progenitor cells to advance cell and gene therapy applications.
Dr. Kåre-Olav Stensløkken is a Professor at the University of Oslo, affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine and Department of Physiology. He leads the Heart Physiology Group and specializes in cardiovascular and mitochondrial research, focusing on ischemia-reperfusion injury, organ transplantation, and aortic valve calcification. His work bridges comparative physiology and translational medicine, utilizing interdisciplinary approaches to address clinical challenges in heart disease. Research Interests: His research explores mechanisms of mitochondrial function under hypoxic conditions, inflammation in myocardial infarction, and strategies to improve organ viability for transplantation. He also investigates calcification processes in heart valves and the role of mitochondrial damage in critical illness. Teaching: He teaches cardio-pulmonary physiology to second-year medical students, emphasizing practical application of physiological principles. Publications: His recent work highlights mitochondrial adaptations in anoxia-tolerant species, TLR4 inhibition in cardiac inflammation, and hyperglycemia's impact on valve calcification. He consistently publishes in high-impact journals like *Immunity, Inflammation and Disease*, *Acta Physiologica*, and *Scientific Reports*. Labs/Teams: His lab, the Heart Physiology Group, collaborates internationally on projects like 3DR (3D Organ Repair) and NORHEART, advancing translational cardiovascular research.
Professor Stephen Tait is a leading researcher in the field of cell death and mitochondrial biology at the University of Glasgow's School of Cancer Sciences and the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute (formerly Beatson Institute for Cancer Research). As a Group Leader since 2012, his work focuses on understanding how mitochondria control cell death processes and how these mechanisms are deregulated in cancer. His research has significant implications for improving existing cancer therapies and developing new tumor-selective treatments. Professor Tait's research interests center on the critical role of mitochondria in apoptosis, the major form of programmed cell death. His laboratory investigates how mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) regulates cell death signaling, the role of mitochondrial DNA in inflammation, and how sublethal apoptotic signaling contributes to tumor development. His work bridges fundamental cell biology with clinical cancer research, exploring how understanding these processes can lead to better therapeutic interventions. His laboratory has published extensively in top-tier journals including Nature, Cell, Nature Cell Biology, and Nature Reviews Immunology, with research spanning from basic mechanisms of cell death to translational applications in cancer therapy. Recent work has explored mitochondrial dynamics, mtDNA release during senescence, and how apoptotic stress influences tumor microenvironment and therapeutic resistance. Professor Tait leads an active research group comprising postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, and scientific officers working on various aspects of mitochondrial biology in cancer. His team includes researchers investigating non-lethal apoptosis in oncogenesis, apoptotic caspases in pancreatic cancer, and mitochondrial protein ubiquitylation.
Genta Ishikawa, MD, is an Instructor in the Department of Internal Medicine at Yale School of Medicine, specializing in Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine. He is a clinician-scientist dedicated to advancing treatments for interstitial lung diseases, particularly pulmonary fibrosis, and is actively involved in patient care at the Yale Center for Interstitial Lung Diseases. Education: MD, Hokkaido University School of Medicine (2007) MPH, Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health (2017) Residency, Internal Medicine, Mount Sinai Beth Israel (2017) Fellowship, Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital (2020) Postdoctoral Fellowship, Yale University (2023) Research Interests: Genta Ishikawa's research centers on the neuro-stromal and neuro-innate mechanisms in lung fibrosis. He investigates how nerve-derived noradrenaline interacts with lung fibroblasts and immune cells expressing alpha-1 adrenoreceptors, contributing to fibrotic progression. His work explores mitochondrial DNA signaling via TLR9 and the therapeutic potential of α1-adrenoreceptor antagonism in fibrotic models and patients. Publications and Research Trends: His recent publications, appearing in journals like the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine and European Respiratory Journal , highlight a consistent focus on fibrotic signaling pathways involving mitochondrial DNA, TLR9, and neuro-immune crosstalk. His research integrates molecular biology, immunology, and translational models to uncover novel therapeutic targets for pulmonary fibrosis. Scientific Awards and Honors: Parker B. Francis Fellowship Award (2025) Yale's Janeway Society (2023) Yale Physician-Scientist Development Award (KL-2) (2023) Wit Family Distinguished Scholar in Inflammation Science (2023) Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Scholar Grant (2022) Advising, Grants, and Collaborations: While no formal advisees are listed, Dr. Ishikawa collaborates extensively with leading researchers including Dr. Erica L. Herzog, Dr. Naftali Kaminski, and Dr. Maor Sauler. His work is supported by prestigious grants such as the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Scholar Grant and the Yale KL2 award, reflecting strong institutional backing for his physician-scientist trajectory. Laboratory and Research Team: Dr. Ishikawa conducts his research within Herzog's Lab at Yale, a leading center for fibrosis and lung immunology research. His work is integral to the Yale Fibrosis Program and the Yale Center for Interstitial Lung Diseases, contributing to a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment focused on understanding and treating chronic lung diseases.
