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Stephanie WooView profile

Associate Professor

• Developmental Biology
• Cell Biology
• Zebrafish Embryology
• +3 more

Stephanie Woo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Bioengineering at the University of California, Merced. Her research focuses on understanding dynamic cellular processes such as cell migration and adhesion during gastrointestinal epithelium formation in zebrafish embryos. She employs cutting-edge optogenetic tools like TAEL systems for precise gene expression control, contributing to advancements in developmental biology and molecular engineering. Key research areas include endoderm development, epithelial morphogenesis, and the role of signaling pathways such as Nodal and Slit-Robo in embryonic patterning. Her work bridges molecular genetics with biophysical mechanisms, leveraging zebrafish as a model system for studying developmental processes. Recipient of the NSF CAREER Award (2022) for research on contact inhibition of locomotion in endoderm positioning. Developed optogenetic systems (TAEL/C120) for spatiotemporal control of gene expression in zebrafish. Explores interactions between Glypican4, Mmp14, and extracellular matrix in regulating cell migration. Publications emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, integrating genetics, cell biology, and bioengineering to elucidate mechanisms underlying tissue organization and disease relevance.

Jenna PruettView profile

Assistant Professor

• Ecology
• Evolution
• Herpetology
• +4 more

Jenna Pruett is an Assistant Professor of Biology at St. Mary's College of Maryland, specializing in evolutionary ecology with a focus on maternal effects and developmental plasticity in reptiles. Her research examines how female nest choice impacts offspring development and fitness, particularly in Anolis lizards. She holds a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Auburn University (2021) and a B.S. in Biological Sciences from Clemson University (2016). Her research interests span ecological and evolutionary questions, including reptile behavior, environmental predictability, and the intersection of education and societal issues in biology. She has received notable awards such as the NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biology and the Margaret McNeal Arant Memorial Award. Recent work includes studies on fluctuating environmental effects on nesting behavior and the consequences of communal egg-laying. Her teaching contributions include developing courses in organismal biology and advocating for inclusive, ideologically aware curricula. Awards and grants highlight her commitment to both field research and pedagogical innovation. She has published extensively on reptile ecology and education, with a focus on Anolis systems and student success strategies.

Edward A. FreemanView profile

Professor

• Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
• Developmental Biology
• Endocrinology
• +4 more

Edward A. Freeman serves as Professor of Biology at St. John Fisher University, where he teaches courses including Fundamentals of Nutrition, General Biology II, Advanced Human Anatomy, Biopharmacology, and Endocrinology. His research program investigates environmental and dietary impacts on animal biology through zebrafish and fruit fly models. His educational background comprises: Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina M.A. from Kent State University B.S. from Ohio University Dr. Freeman's research centers on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and diet-related metabolic impacts. His lab examines how bisphenols affect ovarian follicle maturation, primordial germ cell migration, and larval behaviors in zebrafish embryos, while parallel studies in fruit flies explore EDC effects on fat body formation and dietary influences on glucose levels and reproductive function. This dual approach aims to uncover transgenerational epigenetic mechanisms linking environmental exposures to conditions like type II diabetes. His publication record reveals two distinct scholarly threads: environmental toxicology research using zebrafish/fruit fly models to assess EDC impacts on development and reproduction, and educational scholarship focused on STEM career development, academic advising, and information literacy. The toxicology work demonstrates methodological rigor through techniques like immunofluorescence microscopy and larval buoyancy assays, while the educational publications emphasize institutional collaboration between faculty, career centers, and alumni. Dr. Freeman has not received any listed scientific awards. He has secured significant external funding to support undergraduate research: Wyman-Potter Foundation ($23,250 for 2024-2025 academic year) Wyman-Potter Foundation ($10,000 for summer 2020) The Endocrine Society ($4,000 Summer Research Fellowship, 2019) NSF Noyce grant ($1.4 million as Co-PI for INSPIRE project) These awards directly fund stipends and supplies for undergraduate researchers, with student co-authors appearing on multiple publications. His Freeman lab operates as a training ground for undergraduates through hands-on research in developmental toxicology. The Freeman lab maintains specialized facilities for zebrafish and fruit fly research, employing techniques including quantitative PCR, immunofluorescence microscopy, and larval behavioral assays. Current projects focus on transgenerational epigenetic studies of diet-induced metabolic disorders and comparative analyses of bisphenol analogs, with ongoing collaboration through the NSF-funded INSPIRE initiative.

• Developmental Biology
• Cell Biology
• Molecular Biology
• +3 more

Dr. Darrell Wiens is a Professor of Biology at the University of Northern Iowa's College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences. He holds a BA from Bethel College, MA from University of Kansas, PhD from Kansas State University, and postdoctoral training at Stanford University and Ohio State University. His research focuses on cell motility, cytoskeleton dynamics, cadherins, gravitational biology, and folic acid effects on neural development. He collaborates on studies involving heart development, neural crest cells, and developmental toxicology. Education: BA (Biology, Bethel College), MA (Physiology & Cell Biology, University of Kansas), PhD (Cell & Developmental Biology, Kansas State University), Postdocs at Stanford, Ohio State, and others. Research interests include developmental mechanisms in animals, particularly heart formation, neural connectivity, and the impact of environmental factors like gravity and folic acid. His work bridges cell biology, neuroscience, and developmental physiology, often involving animal models such as chick and Xenopus embryos. Publications span topics from cadherin expression in organogenesis to hypergravity’s effects on embryonic morphology. His studies highlight interdisciplinary approaches to understanding developmental processes under varied conditions. Dr. Wiens emphasizes undergraduate research mentorship, as seen in collaborative projects with students on biology education and gender influences in STEM interest.

Amro HamdounView profile

Professor

• Developmental Biology
• Marine Biology
• Environmental Toxicology
• +5 more

Amro Hamdoun is a Professor at the Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine within the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego. His research integrates marine biology, developmental genetics, and environmental toxicology using sea urchin models to address fundamental questions in embryogenesis and pollutant impacts. Education: B.S., University of California, Davis Ph.D., University of California, Davis Research Focus: Dr. Hamdoun investigates plasma membrane dynamics during embryonic development through live-cell and super-resolution imaging. His pioneering work on ABC transporters examines their critical roles in embryonic protection against environmental toxins, alongside studies of emerging marine pollutants and persistence prediction methods. Key research areas include Developmental Biology of Marine Organisms , Environmental Toxicology , Physiology of Marine Organisms , and Population Genetics . His lab develops advanced techniques for gene editing, cryopreservation, and high-throughput imaging in marine model systems. Publication Trends: Recent work (2023-2025) demonstrates heavy emphasis on Lytechinus pictus sea urchin models for studying embryonic development, immune responses, and pollutant effects. Major themes include CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, ABC transporter function, cryopreservation techniques, and computational analysis of developmental processes. His research bridges marine biology with human health through studies of conserved molecular pathways. Laboratory: Dr. Hamdoun leads the Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine research group, developing genetically-enabled marine model systems to investigate fundamental biological processes with implications for environmental health and biomedical research.

Jeffrey HildebrandView profile

Associate Professor

• Cell Biology
• Developmental Biology
• Molecular Biology
• +3 more

Jeffrey Hildebrand is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh, affiliated with the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on understanding how cells regulate their shape and organization during embryonic development, particularly through the study of Shroom family proteins and their roles in cytoskeletal networks, actomyosin contractility, and tissue morphogenesis. Using genetic, biochemical, and structural approaches, his lab investigates the mechanisms underlying neural tube closure, kidney formation, vascularization, and Drosophila tissue development. Key research interests include the molecular basis of Shroom proteins’ functions, their interactions with Rho-kinase and other signaling molecules, and how these interactions drive cell behavior and tissue architecture. The lab explores diverse model systems, from mouse embryos to Drosophila, to uncover conserved principles of morphogenesis. Recent work emphasizes elucidating how Shroom proteins recruit Rho-kinase to regulate contractility, dissecting the spatial requirements of apical constriction, and identifying additional signaling pathways collaborating with Shroom in developmental processes. The Hildebrand lab also employs combined wet and dry lab techniques to advance structural studies of large proteins like Shroom and Rho-kinase. Lab members include post-doctoral researchers, graduate students, and past graduates, though specific names were not provided in the text. No scientific awards were explicitly mentioned, but his contributions span molecular mechanisms, developmental genetics, and structural biology. Grants and advising activities are central to his role, though specific grants or student names were not detailed here. The lab is actively involved in projects such as defining the Shroom-Rock signaling module and exploring the functional diversity of contractile actomyosin networks in shaping tissues.

Joan JorgensenView profile

Professor

• Reproductive Biology
• Gonad Development
• Sex Differentiation
• +2 more

Joan Jorgensen is Professor in the Department of Comparative Biosciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's School of Veterinary Medicine. Her research investigates the molecular mechanisms governing gonad development, sex differentiation, and reproductive biology. She directs a laboratory focused on understanding how cell-cell interactions and signaling pathways regulate reproductive development and function. Dr. Jorgensen's work examines transcriptional regulation of ovarian follicle formation, fetal Leydig cell steroidogenesis, and the roles of Iroquois homeobox factors in reproductive development. Her research utilizes genetic mouse models, molecular biology techniques, and cellular analysis to uncover fundamental processes in sex determination, gamete maturation, and hormone production. She has made significant contributions to understanding how dysregulation of developmental pathways contributes to reproductive disorders and infertility. Current projects investigate IRX3/5 functions in ovarian reserve establishment and uterine receptivity, and cholesterol metabolism in sex differentiation pathways.

Arriola Apelo, Sebastian I.View profile

Assistant Professor

• Nutrient Metabolism
• Cellular Signaling
• Milk Protein Synthesis
• +4 more

Assistant Professor Sebastian I. Arriola Apelo at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences focuses on mechanistic mathematical models of nutrient metabolism and cellular signaling to improve dairy industry sustainability. His research emphasizes the Akt/mTORC1 signaling network in lactation biology, amino acid regulation of milk synthesis, and hepatic energy metabolism. A.E. Universidad de la República, Uruguay (2003) M.S. Virginia Tech (2009) Ph.D. Virginia Tech (2013) Postdoc University of Wisconsin-Madison (2017) His lab employs in vitro , in vivo , and computational modeling approaches to study nutrient signaling dynamics. Current projects investigate mTORC1 inhibition , insulin-amino acid interactions , and heat stress impacts on dry period metabolism . He co-authored 2020-2024 studies on amino acid supply-demand relationships, MAC-T cell signaling, and aging mechanisms via rapamycin analogs. Research on mTOR signaling (11 articles), amino acid metabolism (9 articles), and endocrine regulation (7 articles) reveals methodological strengths in chromatography , metabolomic modeling , and nutrient intervention trials . His work spans cellular signaling networks , dairy nutrition , and cross-tissue metabolic communication . As advisor, he has mentored PhD students (Virginia Pszczolkowski, Leonardo Ribeiro) and Masters students (Dani Rayford). He teaches undergraduate courses on ruminant nutrition and graduate physiology seminars at UW-Madison.

Karl KaiserView profile

Professor

• Marine Biogeochemistry
• Dissolved Organic Matter
• Arctic Ocean Carbon Cycle
• +2 more

Dr. Karl Kaiser is a Professor in the Department of Marine and Coastal Environmental Science at Texas A&M University. He earned his PhD in Marine Sciences from University of South Carolina (2009) and MS/BS in Chemical Engineering from Johannes Kepler Universitaet (1997, 1994). His research focuses on marine biogeochemistry with emphasis on dissolved organic matter cycling in Arctic rivers, oceanic carbon transport, and terrigenous organic carbon transformations. Current projects investigate carbon fluxes in Arctic watersheds, lignin biomarker applications, and microplastic pollution dynamics. Research utilizes advanced analytical techniques including ultra-low volume biomarker methods. Dr. Kaiser teaches undergraduate chemistry courses including Organic Chemistry, Quantitative Analysis, and Integrated Marine Science Laboratory. He mentors postdoctoral researchers and graduate students in chemical oceanography. Significant research funding includes NSF awards for Arctic organic matter studies and development of high-sensitivity biomarker methods. Awards include the Distinguished Achievement Award from Texas A&M Association of Former Students and Montague-CTE Scholarship.

• Sculpture
• Paleontology
• Art Education
• +3 more

Doyle Trankina is a Professor of Foundations at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) Atlanta since 2023. He holds advanced degrees in sculpture and illustration from SCAD, along with a B.F.A. in fine art from the University of Southern California. His academic work bridges art education and paleontological studies. Education: M.F.A., Sculpture, SCAD M.A., Illustration, SCAD B.F.A., Fine Art, University of Southern California Research Interests: Trankina specializes in sculptural representation of prehistoric life, museum fabrication techniques, and the intersection of digital technology with traditional art mediums. His work often involves collaborations with natural history institutions to create accurate paleontological models. Exhibition Highlights: Pneuma and Blank The World at 378 Gallery (2023) SCAD Atlanta exhibitions including Spring Forward (2019–21) Brooklyn Museum's Agitprop! (2015–16) Professional Contributions: As a sculptor, Trankina has worked with prestigious institutions including the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, Charles Ray Studio, and the Yale Peabody Museum. His technical expertise spans fossil replication, museum exhibit fabrication, and 3D modeling for scientific and artistic projects.

James GraingerView profile

Associate Professor

• Developmental Biology
• Fertilization
• Gene Activation
• +2 more

James Grainger is Associate Professor of Biology at Santa Clara University's College of Arts and Sciences. His research investigates fertilization-triggered activation of genetic programs in embryonic development using sea urchin models. He teaches Human Reproduction & Development and Cell Biology courses. Education includes BA from UC Santa Cruz, PhD from UC Berkeley, and postdoctoral training at UCSF. Research examines post-transcriptional regulation during oocyte maturation and fertilization mechanisms.

Lisa HuaView profile

Associate Professor

• Molecular Biology
• Cell Biology
• Developmental Biology
• +3 more

Lisa Hua is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at Sonoma State University, affiliated with the College of Science, Technology, and Business. She holds a Ph.D. from Tulane University (2012) and completed postdoctoral research at UCSF. Her research focuses on molecular and developmental mechanisms of chromosome organization during the cell cycle, particularly anti-pairing mechanisms that ensure genetic stability across daughter cells. Her lab employs diverse model systems including human/mouse cells, Drosophila embryos, and plant species like Arabidopsis. Dr. Hua teaches courses such as Introductory Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, and Honors Thesis supervision. Her work bridges biophysical, molecular, and evolutionary approaches to understand genome organization's role in disease etiology. Key research sponsors include institutional grants supporting her lab's interdisciplinary studies. Her scientific contributions span cell biology, genetics, and developmental biology, with notable publications in Chromosome Research , Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , and Development . She actively mentors students through independent research programs and honors thesis guidance.

• Genetics
• Developmental Biology
• Aquaculture
• +4 more

Br. Albert Gahr is an Associate Professor of Biology at Saint Vincent College since 2012. He holds a B.S. in Biology (1995), Ph.D. in Genetics and Developmental Biology (2002), and M.A. in Monastic Studies (2012). His research focuses on genetic and genomic analysis of agriculturally significant species like chicken and rainbow trout, emphasizing muscle growth and developmental biology. He advises the Aquarium Club and previously led the Tri-Beta Honor Society chapter. His work includes zebrafish models for aquaculture studies and embryonic chicken development research. Education: B.S. in Biology, St. Vincent College (1995) Ph.D. in Genetics and Developmental Biology, West Virginia University (2002) M.A. in Monastic Studies, Saint Vincent Seminary (2012) Research interests involve genetic mechanisms driving muscle development in poultry and aquaculture species, with recent focus on zebrafish as a model organism. He investigates bone growth modulation via supplements and gene expression patterns in rainbow trout development. His studies bridge fundamental genetics with agricultural applications. Notable collaborations include work on TLR genes in rainbow trout immunity and microRNA roles in embryonic activation. Presentations span topics from artificial sweetener impacts on embryos to satellite cell activation in fish muscle repair. Advising includes mentoring student research projects (e.g., zebrafish mRNA morpholino treatments, goldfish muscle injury studies). No specific grants mentioned, but maintains active research labs focusing on aquatic and avian models. Engaged in teaching core biology courses including Cell Biology and Developmental Biology.

Sabine DietmannView profile

Assistant Professor

• Developmental Biology
• Stem Cell Biology
• Epigenetics
• +4 more

Sabine Dietmann, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Developmental Biology and Medicine at Washington University in St. Louis. She is affiliated with the Department of Developmental Biology, the Roy and Diana Vagelos Division of Biology & Biomedical Sciences (DBBS), the Institute for Informatics, Data Science and Biostatistics (I2DB), the Center of Regenerative Medicine, and the Center for Translational Bioinformatics (CTBI). Her research focuses on integrating multi-omics and machine learning approaches to analyze single-cell sequencing data in developmental biology and medicine. Research interests include epigenetic landscapes of embryonic stem cells, in vitro human development models, and human organoids for medical applications. She explores developmental trajectories across species and cell-cell communication mechanisms. Dietmann is actively mentoring PhD/MSTP students and contributes to collaborative networks in developmental biology and regenerative medicine. Her recent work emphasizes primordial germ cell development, epigenetic resetting in pluripotency, and RNA modifications in cancer and lung biology. Articles highlight advancements in 3D organoid systems modeling human embryogenesis and trophoblast dynamics. Though no specific awards are listed, her contributions reflect impactful research in stem cell biology and developmental systems biology. She leads interdisciplinary projects bridging basic science and clinical applications through computational and experimental methods.

David B. CamarilloView profile

Associate Professor

• Biomechanical Engineering
• Neurotrauma
• Medical Device Innovation
• +3 more

David B. Camarillo is an Associate Professor of Bioengineering at Stanford University, with courtesy appointments in Neurosurgery and Mechanical Engineering. His research focuses on precision human measurement in clinical and physiological domains, including the brain, heart, lungs, and reproductive system. He holds a B.S.E. from Princeton University and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford, followed by postdoctoral work in Biophysics and Biodesign Innovation. Research Interests: Dr. Camarillo’s work spans traumatic brain injury (TBI), wearable technology for injury prevention, and medical device innovation. His lab develops AI-driven tools for analyzing head impacts and shock absorption systems, with applications in sports safety and clinical diagnostics. Recent projects include real-time brain strain monitoring and low-cost emergency ventilators for global health crises. Scientific Awards: He has received the Hellman Fellowship, Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award, and multiple best paper awards in brain injury and robotic surgery. His research is funded by NIH, NSF, DoD, and private philanthropy. Advising & Grants: While specific student names are not listed, his lab supports interdisciplinary teams addressing biomechanical challenges. Collaborations span engineering, neuroscience, and clinical medicine. The CamLab actively engages in translational research, with media features in NPR, New York Times, and TED.com. Labs/Teams: The CamLab at Stanford focuses on wearable diagnostics, medical device prototyping, and computational biomechanics. Current projects include improving helmet safety, optimizing IVF through biomechanical models, and developing AI-based injury prediction systems.