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Michael Yeager, PhD, serves as an Associate Clinical Professor in the School of Medicine at the University of Colorado Denver, focusing on cardiopulmonary pathophysiology with emphasis on pulmonary hypertension and heart failure mechanisms. He completed his PhD at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in 2002, establishing foundational expertise in vascular biology. His research program investigates immunological and molecular drivers of pulmonary vascular disease, particularly the roles of autoantibodies, fibrocytes, and inflammatory cascades in disease progression. Analysis of his 14 publications (2012-2015) reveals consistent exploration of biomarker discovery, vascular remodeling, and immune dysregulation across pediatric and adult pulmonary hypertension. Key methodological approaches include proteomics, animal modeling, and molecular interrogation of cellular stress responses, with significant translational implications for personalized therapeutic strategies. Professional recognitions include: Outstanding Faculty award from Tau Beta Pi (2019) Chancellor's Teaching Recognition Award from the University of Colorado (2016) Dr. Yeager maintains active clinical research collaborations at Children's Hospital Colorado while mentoring within the medical school curriculum. His work bridges basic science discovery with clinical application through ongoing investigations into endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory mediators. Affiliated with the Department of Medicine, he contributes to pulmonary vascular research initiatives and participates in professional societies including the American Thoracic Society, American Heart Association, and T21 Research Society.

• Pulmonary vasculature
• Heart Failure
• Cardiopulmonary Immunology

Britt Adamson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology and the Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics at Princeton University, where she serves as Director of the Undergraduate Program in Quantitative and Computational Biology. Her lab investigates molecular networks in human cells with focus on stress response mechanisms and genome editing technologies. She received her B.S. in Biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2005) and Ph.D. in Genetics and Genomics from Harvard University (2012), followed by postdoctoral training at UCSF under Jonathan Weissman supported by a Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation Fellowship. Adamson's research centers on how cells organize stress response networks during DNA damage and endoplasmic reticulum stress, developing CRISPR-based functional genomics and single-cell sequencing tools to map molecular behaviors. Her work bridges fundamental cell biology with therapeutic applications in genome editing. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals dominant themes in precision genome editing (prime/base editing optimization) and systematic dissection of DNA repair pathways through combinatorial CRISPR screening. Her lab consistently integrates computational approaches with high-resolution experimental techniques to uncover context-dependent cellular behaviors. Her scientific recognitions include: Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship Princeton IP Accelerator Award (2025) STAT Who to Know: 10 Scientists leading a new generation of gene editors (2024) Adamson actively mentors eight graduate students (including alumni Ann Cirincione and Jun Hussmann) and two postdocs, with research funded through institutional awards and collaborative grants. Her lab's technological developments have enabled projects spanning virology, immunology, and developmental biology. The Adamson Lab operates within Princeton's Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, fostering an interdisciplinary environment that merges cell biology, genomics, and computational science. Current projects focus on improving prime editing efficiency and understanding stress response adaptation in disease contexts.

• Stress Response Networks
• DNA Damage Response
• Genome Editing
• +3 more

Rotem Karni, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Genetics at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. He leads a research lab focused on understanding how alternative RNA splicing contributes to cancer and genetic diseases, with a strong emphasis on translating these findings into RNA-based therapies. Karni's lab develops decoy oligonucleotides, small molecules, and splice-switching technologies to modulate splicing factors and enhance immunotherapy. Education BSc in Biological Chemistry from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1997) PhD in Biological Chemistry from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel (2002) Postdoctoral Fellowship at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, NY (2002-2007) Karni's research explores the deregulation of alternative splicing in oncogenesis, particularly how splicing factors like RBFOX2 and S6K1 influence metastasis, DNA repair, and immune checkpoint modulation. His team investigates m6A RNA modifications for stabilizing mutant genes, with applications in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and pancreatic cancer. The lab's work is commercialized through biotech companies: SKIP Therapeutics, Andlit Therapeutics, and RNAble. Selected Research Trends RNA mis-splicing and neoantigen generation (2025) Splicing factor inhibition for tumor suppression (2023) Metastatic splicing signatures in pancreatic cancer (2023) Immune checkpoint splicing in cancer immunotherapy (2021) m6A modulation for mRNA stabilization (2023) Advising & Collaborations Karni has mentored numerous PhD and postdoctoral researchers, many of whom now hold leadership roles in academia, biotech, and medical institutions globally. His lab collaborates extensively on projects involving RNA innovation, including partnerships with the Institute for RNA Innovation. Contact Department of Genetics & Institute for RNA Innovation, One uCity Square, Room 4018, Philadelphia, PA 19104 Phone: 215-898-5072 Email: Rotem.Karni@Upenn.edu

• Alternative RNA Splicing
• RNA Biology
• Cancer Therapy
• +4 more

Overview Sebastian Schuck is a Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology at Heidelberg University's Biochemistry Center (BZH). His research focuses on organelle homeostasis, particularly the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), with emphasis on ER membrane biogenesis, ER-phagy, and SHRED pathways. He leads an international team investigating how cells adapt ER structure and function under stress or disease conditions. Education & Career Since 2021: Professor at Heidelberg University BZH 2013–2021: Independent Group Leader at Heidelberg University's Center for Molecular Biology 2006–2013: Postdoc with Peter Walter at UCSF 2001–2006: PhD and Postdoc with Kai Simons at Dresden's Max Planck Institute 1995–2000: Biochemistry studies at Universities of Hannover and Tübingen Research Interests Dr. Schuck's lab explores molecular mechanisms underlying ER homeostasis, including: 1. ER expansion during stress via lipid synthesis 2. Microautophagy-mediated ER degradation via ESCRT machinery 3. SHRED pathway regulation of proteasomal degradation of misfolded proteins 4. Links between ER stress and neurodegenerative diseases/cancer Awards & Honors No specific awards listed, but recognized for pioneering contributions to understanding microautophagy and ER quality control mechanisms. Advising & Collaborations Advised over 20 PhD/Master's students and postdocs Collaborations with Carlos Bas-Orth (MPI Biochemistry), Liam Holt (NY), and others Labs & Teams Current lab includes 10+ members focusing on: - Human ER morphogenesis - Microautophagy dynamics - SHRED pathway mechanisms

• Cell Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Membrane Biology
• +4 more

Sharon Rozovsky is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Delaware's College of Arts & Sciences, where she leads research on oxidative stress response mechanisms and protein quality control pathways. Her work bridges biochemistry, chemical biology, and structural biology with direct implications for understanding neurodegenerative diseases and viral pathogenesis. Her academic foundation includes a B.S. from Tel Aviv University (1994) and a Ph.D. from Columbia University (2000), establishing her expertise in protein dynamics and redox biochemistry. These credentials underpin her innovative approaches to studying cellular stress responses. Rozovsky's research program centers on selenoproteins—proteins containing the rare amino acid selenocysteine—and their critical roles in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress resolution. She investigates how membrane-bound selenoproteins like Selenoprotein S and K regulate the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway, with recent work revealing their surprising autoproteolytic activity and involvement in SARS-CoV-2 replication. Her lab pioneers chemical tools including expressed protein ligation and advanced 77Se NMR spectroscopy to characterize these systems at molecular resolution. Analysis of her 2021-2025 publications shows dominant themes in selenoprotein structure-function relationships, ER stress mechanisms, and viral interactions, alongside methodological innovations in cryo-EM grid technology and NMR. This body of work demonstrates consistent focus on redox biochemistry with expanding applications in virology and structural biology. No major scientific awards or fellowships were explicitly documented in the available materials, though her research impact is evident through high-impact publications and methodological contributions. She directs the active Rozovsky Research Group, mentoring graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in biochemical and biophysical techniques. Her laboratory operations are supported by competitive funding including an NSF CAREER award (2011) focused on selenoprotein reactivity, reflecting sustained recognition of her innovative research program.

• Oxidative Stress
• Protein Quality Control
• ERAD Pathway
• +5 more

Paras N. Prasad is a SUNY Distinguished Professor with joint appointments in Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, and Electrical Engineering at the University at Buffalo. He serves as Executive Director of the Institute for Lasers, Photonics and Biophotonics (ILPB), which he founded in 1999. Dr. Prasad holds the Samuel P. Capen Chair of Chemistry and has pioneered interdisciplinary research at the interface of photonics, nanotechnology, and biomedicine. Education: BSc, Bihar University, India (1964) MSc, Bihar University, India (1966) PhD, University of Pennsylvania (1971) Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Michigan (1971-74) Research Focus: Dr. Prasad's multidisciplinary research spans photonics, nanophotonics, and biophotonics, with emphasis on nonlinear optical processes in nanostructured materials. His work develops photonic technologies for information processing, medical imaging, and cancer therapy through nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems and diagnostic platforms. The ILPB laboratory features state-of-the-art instrumentation for advanced optical research. Publication Trends: Recent articles demonstrate strong focus on nanomedicine applications, particularly cancer theranostics using functional nanoparticles. Key themes include drug delivery systems, chiral photonic materials, bioimaging technologies, and nanoparticle synthesis techniques. The research consistently bridges fundamental materials science with translational medical applications. Honors and Awards: SPIE Gold Medal (2016) IEEE Photonics Society William Streifer Award (2021) American Chemical Society Peter Debye Award (2018) OSA Michael Feld Biophotonics Award (2017) IEEE Pioneer Award in Nanotechnology (2017) Fellow of National Academy of Inventors (2016) Guggenheim Fellowship (1997) Leadership: As ILPB Executive Director, Dr. Prasad leads multidisciplinary teams developing photonic technologies with applications in healthcare, energy, and communications. His research has generated nine spin-off companies, including Nanobiotix currently in advanced cancer therapy trials.

• Photonics
• Nanophotonics
• Biophotonics
• +4 more

Guizhen Zhao is an Assistant Professor at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy , Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Her research focuses on epigenetic and molecular mechanisms in cardiovascular diseases (CVD), particularly aortic aneurysm, dissection, and atherosclerosis, with a goal to drive drug discovery innovations. Major research areas: Metaboloepigenetic properties of vascular cells, chromatin remodeling, vascular cell crosstalk Methodologies: bulk RNA-seq, single-cell RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, spatial transcriptomics, metabolomics Ongoing projects include studying BAF60c-dependent epigenetic modifications in smooth muscle cell biology, BAF60c-mediated iPSC differentiation, BAF60a in endothelial dysfunction, and vascular cell interactions in CVD development. Scientific contributions include 15+ publications on abdominal aortic aneurysm, atherosclerosis, and chromatin remodeling mechanisms, with recent work on adenosine kinase inhibition and KLF11 as therapeutic targets. 2023-25: Career Development Award, American Heart Association 2021-22: Postdoctoral Fellowship, American Heart Association 2019: Young Investigator Award, American Heart Association

• Cardiovascular Diseases
• Epigenetics
• Molecular Biology
• +6 more

Dr. Richard Y. Zhao is a tenured Professor in the Department of Pathology and Microbiology-Immunology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. His research combines molecular biology, fission yeast genetics, mammalian biology, and virology to study virus-host interactions, particularly for HIV and Zika virus. He previously held academic positions at Northwestern University and Columbia University and has contributed to over 120 peer-reviewed articles. B.S., China Oceanography University (1981) M.S., Oregon State University (1995) Ph.D., Oregon State University (1991) Postdoctoral Training, Columbia University (1991-1992) Dr. Zhao's research focuses on: Virus-host interactions and pathogenicity High-throughput drug screening for antivirals Role of viral proteins in neuroinflammation and cancer Translational genomics in precision medicine His recent publications highlight SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a, Zika envelope proteins, and HIV protease inhibitors, emphasizing host-pathogen mechanisms across species. He has served on NIH panels and editorial boards for journals like Cell Research and Retrovirology . Scientific awards include: Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology (2019) Bernard L Mirkin Endowed Chair (2001-2004) Honorary Director, Shandong Gallo Institute (2009) Distinguished Service from SCBA (2015) Outstanding Service from CBA-USA (2016) Dr. Zhao also contributes to clinical diagnostics and personalized medicine through molecular testing and pharmacogenetics programs.

• Virology
• Molecular Pathology
• Host-Pathogen Interactions
• +5 more

Ramanujan Hegde serves as a Professor and Group Leader at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB), University of Cambridge, where he directs research on membrane protein biosynthesis and cellular quality control mechanisms. His work examines how membrane proteins are accurately targeted to organelles, inserted into lipid bilayers, folded, and assembled into functional complexes, with emphasis on the cellular pathways that eliminate defective proteins to prevent disease. Professor Hegde's research program focuses on fundamental questions in cell biology: How do cells ensure precise membrane protein localization? What molecular machinery governs protein insertion and folding? How do quality control systems detect and degrade misfolded proteins? His investigations reveal that biosynthetic failures are common, triggering degradation pathways linked to diseases like neurodegeneration. Key research areas include: Intramembrane chaperone mechanisms for multipass membrane proteins Orphan subunit recognition during complex assembly Ribosome-associated mRNA degradation in autoregulation Proteasome assembly quality control ER membrane protein complex functions Molecular basis of protein aggregation diseases His 2017-2023 publications in Cell, Nature, and Science demonstrate consistent innovation in protein quality control, with landmark discoveries including UBE2O's role in orphan subunit degradation, the EMC as a transmembrane domain insertase, and TTC5-mediated tubulin autoregulation. These works bridge basic cell biology with disease mechanisms through rigorous biochemical and structural approaches. Professor Hegde mentors a research team of 11 scientists: Christine Desroches Altamirano Zhong Yan Gan Dino Janssen Ryan Judy Jennifer Miao Elizabeth Miller Tim Stevens Julia Toplak Huping Wang Haoxi Wu Eszter Zavodszky His laboratory operates within the MRC LMB's world-class infrastructure, utilizing advanced techniques in biochemistry, structural biology, and cell imaging. Supported by Medical Research Council funding, the group maintains strong collaborations across Cambridge and internationally to dissect protein biogenesis pathways with implications for therapeutic development in protein-misfolding disorders.

• Cell Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Membrane Proteins
• +3 more

Pierre Maechler is a Professor at the University of Geneva's Faculty of Medicine in the Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism. His research focuses on mitochondrial metabolism in pancreatic beta cells and its critical role in diabetes pathogenesis, with particular emphasis on glutamate dehydrogenase function and regulation. His laboratory investigates the molecular mechanisms of insulin secretion and beta-cell failure in Type 2 diabetes. Maechler's research interests span mitochondrial metabolism, energy homeostasis, and the molecular pathways linking nutrient sensing to insulin secretion. His work has established crucial connections between glutamate metabolism, beta-cell function, and diabetes development. He investigates how metabolic stressors like glucotoxicity and lipotoxicity impair beta-cell function through mitochondrial dysfunction. His research has expanded to include the role of glutamate dehydrogenase in multiple organs including brain, liver, and muscle, revealing systemic metabolic implications. Analysis of Maechler's publication record shows a sustained focus on beta-cell metabolism with evolving scope. Early work established fundamental mechanisms of glutamate signaling in insulin secretion, while recent publications demonstrate expansion into multi-organ metabolic regulation. His research has identified novel biomarkers for beta-cell mass, explored therapeutic targets for diabetes, and revealed unexpected roles for glutamate dehydrogenase in diverse physiological processes from muscle regeneration to brain function. The consistent thread through his work is understanding how mitochondrial metabolism governs cellular and systemic energy homeostasis. Professor Maechler has mentored numerous PhD students and postdoctoral fellows who have gone on to publish significant work in diabetes research. His laboratory collaborates extensively with clinical researchers to translate basic findings into potential therapeutic approaches for diabetes. Funding for his work likely comes from Swiss National Science Foundation and other European research agencies, supporting investigations into metabolic diseases. Maechler leads the Mitochondria and Energy Metabolism research group at the University of Geneva. His team employs a multidisciplinary approach combining molecular biology, metabolomics, and physiology to investigate metabolic regulation in health and disease. The laboratory maintains strong connections with clinical diabetes researchers, facilitating translational applications of their findings. Current work focuses on identifying novel therapeutic targets for preserving beta-cell function in diabetes.

• Mitochondrial metabolism
• Beta-cell function
• Diabetes research
• +5 more

Jonathan Weissman is a Professor of Biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a Member of the Whitehead Institute. He is also an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Landon T. Clay Professor of Biology. His research spans protein folding mechanisms, ribosome profiling, CRISPR-based tools (CRISPRi/a), and genetic interaction mapping. Whitehead Institute Member MIT Professor HHMI Investigator Co-founder, Maze Therapeutics & KSQ Therapeutics Research Interests focus on: Protein folding in cellular contexts Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) function and stress responses Genome-wide CRISPR screening for gene regulation High-density genetic interaction maps in mammals Mitochondrial protein targeting and quality control Epigenomic engineering with synthetic tools Scientific Awards include: Protein Society Irving Sigal Young Investigator Award (2004) Raymond & Beverly Sackler Prize (2008) National Academy of Sciences election (2009) NAS Award for Scientific Discovery (2015) Genetics Society of America Ira Herskowitz Award (2020) Labs & Collaborations : Leads the Weissman Lab at MIT/Whitehead Institute, co-leads the Laboratory for Genomic Research with GlaxoSmithKline, and chairs the Stowers Institute Scientific Advisory Board.

• Protein Folding
• Systems Biology
• Genomics
• +6 more

Dr. Phyllis I. Hanson is the Minor J. Coon Professor and Chair of Biological Chemistry at the University of Michigan Medical School. She also holds secondary appointments in Neurology and Cell and Developmental Biology, with affiliations to the Rogel Cancer Center and Precision Health Initiative. Research Interests: Her lab investigates mechanisms of cellular membrane stress sensing and repair, focusing on lysosomes and the ESCRT pathway. Her work integrates biochemical, cell biological, and advanced imaging techniques to study organelle membrane dynamics in health and disease. Recent Publications highlight her contributions to understanding ESCRT function in endolysosomal trafficking, membrane resilience under osmotic stress, and protein degradation pathways. These studies intersect with neurodegeneration, cancer biology, and infectious disease. Scientific Awards: AAAS Fellow Keck Scholar Searle Scholar Sloan Scholar McKnight Scholar Grants from NIH and disease-focused foundations since 2018 support her work on ESCRT pathway analysis, HSC70 AMPylation, and signal relay during cell migration. Leadership: She co-chairs Michigan Medicine’s Endowment for the Basic Sciences and chaired the 2024 Gordon Research Conference on Lysosomes & Endocytosis. She serves as Associate Editor of the Journal of Biological Chemistry .

• Membrane Biology
• Cellular Stress Response
• Lysosomal Function
• +2 more

William Balch, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at Scripps Research. His research focuses on linking genetic variation in human populations to protein function using machine learning tools like Gaussian Process (GP) modeling. He pioneered concepts in proteostasis and spatial covariance, exploring how genetic and environmental factors influence protein folding and disease. Education: Ph.D. in Microbiology from University of Illinois (1979) Research interests include inherited diseases (e.g., CFTR, AATD, NPC1), aging-related proteostasis collapse, and host-pathogen interactions in SARS-CoV-2. His lab develops computational platforms to model protein design and discover therapeutic interventions. Key projects involve GP-based analysis of genetic diversity, small molecule therapeutics targeting chaperone systems, and understanding viral evolution via spatial covariance. His work bridges genomics and phenomics to address disease mechanisms at atomic resolution. Grants and collaborations focus on protein-folding correction, with applications in precision medicine and climate change mitigation through RuBisCo optimization in plants.

• Proteostasis
• Genetic Variation
• Machine Learning in Biology
• +6 more

Associate Professor Freda Passam is a Clinical Academic Haematologist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, University of Sydney, specializing in thrombosis and haemostasis. She leads the Haematology Research Group at the Charles Perkins Centre, focusing on platelet biology, endothelial cell dysfunction, and translational research in cardiovascular diseases. Her work integrates basic science with clinical applications, including developing microfluidic technologies like the Endo-chip for thrombosis diagnosis and therapy screening. Education: MD and PhD in Greece (angiogenesis in Hodgkin’s lymphoma), postdoctoral training at UNSW and Harvard University. Research spans platelet hyperactivity in diabetes, immune thrombosis (e.g., HIT), and thiol isomerase inhibitors as antithrombotics. Collaborates globally with institutions like Harvard and the University of Utah. Research Interests: 1) Platelet biomarkers in diabetes-related cardiovascular risk; 2) Immune thrombosis diagnostics/therapies (e.g., Endo-chip); 3) Bone marrow-on-chip models for thrombopoiesis. Current projects include SEC61B regulation of calcium flux, endothelial thromboinflammation, and ERp5/ERp57 roles in platelet production. Grants: Over $6M in funding from NHMRC, MRFF, NSW Health, and industry partnerships. Notable awards include Sydney Nano Grand Challenge Award (2022) and SLHD VTE Stewardship Award (2020). Advising: Mentors over 6 PhD/master’s students in thrombosis research, emphasizing clinical/research integration. Teaching includes Sydney Medicine curriculum, bedside tutorials, and student engagement in lab activities. Labs/Teams: Haematology Research Group (Charles Perkins Centre), collaborations with Sydney Health Partners, Harvard, and international haematology groups. Develops technologies like the Endo-chip and bone marrow-on-chip models.

• Thrombosis
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Endothelial cell biology
• +7 more

Andreas Radbruch is a leading immunologist and Professor for Experimental Rheumatology at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. He serves as Scientific Director of the Leibniz Institute Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum Berlin (DRFZ). With a PhD in Genetics and Immunology from Cologne University, his career spans key roles including Associate Professor at the University of Cologne and Visiting Scientist at the University of Alabama, Birmingham. Professor for Experimental Rheumatology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (1998–present) Scientific Director, DRFZ Berlin (1996–present) Associate Professor for Genetics and Immunology, University of Cologne (1990–1998) His research focuses on immunological memory and chronic inflammatory autoimmune diseases, with groundbreaking work on memory plasma cells and their survival niches. He has pioneered technologies like MACS, cytokine cytometry, and magnetofluorescent liposomes for lymphocyte analysis. Notable awards include the ERC Advanced Grant (2011), Avery Landsteiner Award (2014), and Blondel Medal (2017). He is a member of EMBO, the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy, and the German Academy of Sciences (Leopoldina). His recent publications highlight SARS-CoV-2 immune dynamics, T-cell regulation in autoimmune arthritis, and molecular mechanisms of memory cell survival. These studies bridge fundamental immunology and clinical applications in rheumatology.

• Immunology
• Cell biology
• Cytometry and cell sorting
• +4 more