Find Academic Supervisors

• Computational Medicinal Chemistry
• Chemoinformatics
• Glycoscience
• +4 more

Robert J. Doerksen is Professor of Medicinal Chemistry in the Department of BioMolecular Sciences at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy , Associate Dean of the Graduate School , and Research Professor in the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences . Since 2004 he has combined computational chemistry with experimental collaborations to advance drug discovery, particularly in glycoscience and cannabinoid research. Education: B.S. (Double First Class Honours) in Mathematics & Physics, University of New Brunswick, 1986 Graduate Diploma in Christian Studies, Regent College, Vancouver, 1996 Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of New Brunswick, 1998 (Advisor: Prof. Ajit Thakkar) Postdoctoral Fellow, UC Berkeley (with Prof. Martin Head-Gordon) Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Pennsylvania (with Prof. Michael Klein) Research Interests: Dr. Doerksen’s laboratory develops and applies computational medicinal chemistry approaches spanning chemoinformatics , molecular dynamics , virtual screening , and machine learning to understand how small molecules interact with proteins. Central themes include: Glycoscience : lectin–glycan interactions, glycosyltransferase regulation, glycomimetic design. Cannabinoids : CB1/CB2 receptor allosteric modulation, cannabidiol pharmacology, synthetic cannabinoid SAR. Neglected & Infectious Diseases : malaria, hepatitis B, tuberculosis, SARS-CoV-2, urinary-tract infections. Drug Delivery & Formulation : nanoparticle coatings, pharmacokinetic optimization, bioavailability enhancement. Publications Trend: Over 2023–2025 his 15 most recent papers reveal intense activity at the intersection of AI-driven discovery , glycobiology , and cannabinoid pharmacology , with emphasis on anti-infective, anticancer, and CNS-active agents. Key contributions include first-in-class MraY inhibitors for TB, cannabinoid-inspired antivirals against SARS-CoV-2, and glycomimetic antagonists of bacterial adhesins for UTI prevention. Scientific Awards & Honors: UM School of Pharmacy Faculty Service Award (2015–2016) UM School of Pharmacy Faculty Service Award (2010–2011) Editorial Boards: Molecules , AIMS Biophysics , Pharmaceutical Sciences , Perspectives in Medicinal Chemistry Repeated NIH, DoD, NSF, Wellcome Trust, and international grant-review panels (2010–present) Guest Editor for multiple special issues in Molecules and Frontiers journals Advising & Mentoring: As Associate Dean, Dr. Doerksen oversees University-wide graduate programs, chairs the Graduate Recruiting Fellowship and Scholarship Committee, and mentors students across disciplines. Faculty advisor for the UM chapters of the Christian Pharmacists Fellowship International (since 2005) and Taiwanese Student Association (2022–2025). He actively participates in PhD and MS thesis committees worldwide and has delivered NSF GRFP information sessions to support trainee funding. Laboratories & Teams: He directs research within the Computational Chemistry and Bioinformatics Research CORE (CCBRC) , fostering collaborative projects involving medicinal chemists, structural biologists, pharmacologists, and data scientists. The group leverages high-performance computing resources at the University of Mississippi to perform large-scale virtual screening, AI/ML model development, and integrative structural biology studies.

Joerg JinschekView profile

Professor

• Materials Science
• Additive Manufacturing
• Electron Microscopy
• +4 more

Joerg Jinschek is a Professor at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), leading the Nano-Micro-Macro. Structure in Materials department. He is affiliated with the National Centre for Nano Fabrication and Characterization and the VISION – Center for Visualizing Catalytic Processes. His research focuses on materials characterization, additive manufacturing, electron microscopy, and nanomaterials. Jinschek supervises multiple PhD projects, including studies on quantum dot ligands, electrocatalysts, and additive manufactured metal components. He has over 70 publications in high-impact journals and holds editorial roles, such as a reviewer for the Journal of Materials Science . Key research interests include in-situ TEM/SEM analysis of phase transformations, radiation effects in materials, and structural characterization of additively manufactured alloys. His work contributes to Sustainable Development Goals related to clean energy and industrial innovation. Jinschek’s lab, nanolab.dtu.dk , emphasizes cutting-edge microscopy techniques and microstructural analysis for advanced materials. Education: Dr. rer. nat. (PhD) in Materials Science Affiliations: National Centre for Nano Fabrication, VISION Catalytic Processes Center Grants/Projects: 9 active projects focusing on additive manufacturing, catalysis, and material characterization His recent work highlights advancements in functional graded alloys, electron beam damage mitigation, and laser-induced nanomaterials for electrochemical sensing. Jinschek collaborates internationally and actively engages in conference presentations and peer-review activities.

Tarun KapoorView profile

Professor

• Cancer Research
• Cell Biology
• Chemical Biology
• +7 more

Tarun Kapoor, Ph.D., is the Pels Family Professor at The Rockefeller University and Director of the Pels Family Center for Biochemistry and Structural Biology. His research focuses on developing chemical tools to study dynamic cellular processes, particularly mechanisms of cell division and cancer therapy targets. He leads the Selma and Lawrence Ruben Laboratory of Chemistry and Cell Biology, integrating biochemistry, biophysics, and chemical biology. Education: B.S., California Institute of Technology (1993); Ph.D., Harvard University (1998) Positions: Professor since 2008; Director, Pels Family Center (2015–present) Key research interests include ATPase inhibitors, microtubule dynamics, and drug resistance mechanisms. His lab has pioneered tools like DrugTargetSeqR to combat resistance and discovered inhibitors for proteins such as spastin and SARS-CoV-2 helicase. Kapoor’s work challenges textbook models of cell division and informs cancer therapies. Awards: Pew Biomedical Scholar (2002), Distinguished Teaching Award (2011), American Society for Cell Biology Fellow Publications highlight breakthroughs in microtubule structure, enzyme inhibition strategies, and ribosome biogenesis. His lab’s multidisciplinary approach bridges basic science and translational medicine.

James CrawfordView profile

Assistant Professor

• Heterogeneous Catalysis
• Energy Efficiency
• Green Chemistry
• +3 more

Dr. James Crawford is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering at Montana State University (MSU), affiliated with the College of Engineering. He holds postdoctoral experience from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (2023) and earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Colorado School of Mines (2022) and B.S. from Montana State University (2016). His research focuses on heterogeneous catalysis for energy efficiency, particularly in catalytic transformations of CO₂, CH₄, and H₂O into valuable fuels and materials. Key projects include reactive CO₂ capture, bioinspired catalyst design, and in operando characterization techniques. Education: Postdoc, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (2023) Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines (2017–2022) B.S., Chemical Engineering, Montana State University (2012–2016) Research Interests: His work emphasizes sustainable energy solutions, including CO₂ methanation, zeolite-based catalysts, and decarbonization strategies. Recent trends in his publications highlight advancements in reactive CO₂ capture systems, dual-functional materials, and plasma-catalyzed ammonia synthesis. He also explores bioinspired catalysts to bridge enzyme and heterogeneous catalysis. Awards: Faculty Excellence Grant (2024) Research Collaborative Grant (2024) Advising & Teams: Supervises graduate students (e.g., Mandi Bugri, Rio Moore) and undergraduates (e.g., Hannah O’Connell, Tommy McCarthy). His lab collaborates with institutions like NREL and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Current projects include metal-organic framework photo-reactive capture and low-temperature CO₂/H₂O splitting. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with the Energy Research Institute, Thermal Biology Institute, and Materials Science Program at MSU. Research facilities include operando characterization tools and high-throughput synthesis reactors.

Krystle J. McLaughlinView profile

Associate Professor

• Protein X-ray Crystallography
• Biochemistry
• Biophysics
• +3 more

Krystle J. McLaughlin is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Vassar College, where she has been since 2017. She earned a B.A. in Physics from Colgate University (2006) and a PhD in Biophysics from the University of Rochester (2011), followed by a postdoctoral fellowship in pedagogical training and research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s SPIRE program. Her research focuses on biochemical and biophysical studies of microbial proteins, particularly antibiotic resistance mechanisms in pathogens like Staphylococcus and Salmonella , using protein x-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy. She is an elected member of the US National Committee for Crystallography. Teaching responsibilities include Biochemistry (Chem 272), Biophysical Chemistry (Chem 326), and Protein Crystallography (Chem 295). McLaughlin’s lab emphasizes undergraduate research, with recent grants including a 2022 Cottrell Scholar Award ($100,000) supporting research and teaching development. She has balanced her career with motherhood, leveraging tenure-clock extensions and childcare arrangements during the pandemic. Her pandemic-era innovations include recorded lectures and iPad-based teaching tools to enhance accessibility. Her research articles span structural biology of bacterial enzymes, conjugative proteins, and gut microbiome enzymes. McLaughlin collaborates on initiatives to improve STEM education equity, including developing course-based research experiences (CUREs) and placement tests for incoming chemistry students.

Irwin J. KurlandView profile

Associate Professor

• Metabolic Flexibility
• Diabetes Research
• Stable Isotope Metabolomics
• +3 more

Dr. Irwin J. Kurland is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine (Endocrinology) at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He directs the Stable Isotope Metabolomics Core within the Diabetes Research Center. His research focuses on understanding metabolic inflexibility in diabetes and its relationship to insulin resistance, leveraging advanced stable isotope-based flux methodologies combined with 'omics approaches. Dr. Kurland’s work integrates GC/MS profiling, metabolomics, and proteomics to dissect tissue-specific metabolic networks and their regulatory mechanisms, particularly involving acetyl CoA signaling and protein acetylation. Research Interests: Dr. Kurland investigates how metabolic dysregulation impacts cellular signaling pathways, emphasizing the role of acetyl CoA as a metabolic sensor. His lab develops tiered frameworks for metabolic analysis, starting with whole-body phenotyping (e.g., HR-dGTT tests) to guide multi-omic studies. Key areas include: Metabolic flexibility and fuel switching Acetylation-driven enzyme regulation Animal models of insulin resistance (e.g., PPAR alpha-null, MKR mice) Systems biology approaches to diabesity Publications Highlight: Dr. Kurland has contributed to seminal studies on Sirt6’s role in glucose homeostasis, lipogenesis regulation via CDK8, and the metabolic acetylome’s role in fuel switching. His work bridges basic research with translational applications, including patented methodologies like the hepatic recycling deuterated glucose tolerance test (HR-dGTT). Labs/Teams: As director of the Stable Isotope Metabolomics Core, he oversees cutting-edge facilities for flux phenotyping and metabolomic analysis. Collaborations with labs such as Accili, Haeusler, and Mostoslavsky expand his research into integrative metabolic networks and epigenetic regulation.

• Tuberculosis Pathogenesis
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis
• Cell Wall Physiology
• +3 more

Christopher M. Sassetti is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School (UMass Chan Medical School) and T.H. Chan School of Medicine. His research focuses on the pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, specifically understanding how the bacterium adapts to host environments, acquires nutrients, regulates its cell wall physiology, and survives antibiotic treatment. He completed his BS in Biology at Santa Clara University and his PhD in Immunology at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Sassetti leads the Sassetti Lab, which employs genetic, biochemical, and systems biology approaches to study tuberculosis. His work has identified critical metabolic pathways and survival mechanisms in M. tuberculosis, including cholesterol utilization and cell wall synthesis regulation. He holds additional academic roles in the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, including the Immunology and Microbiology Program, MD/PhD Program, and Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program. Recent research highlights include studies on host immune responses to tuberculosis, antibiotic efficacy under infection conditions, and the role of genetic interactions in pathogen survival. His lab has discovered that host fatty acid metabolism and autophagy pathways play key roles in restricting bacterial growth. Dr. Sassetti has been recognized as a Damon Runyon Foundation Scholar and has contributed to high-impact publications in Immunity , Science , and Cell . Current projects include understanding nutrient acquisition in vivo, phosphosignaling regulation of cell wall synthesis, and metabolic mechanisms driving antibiotic tolerance. Collaborative efforts with institutions like the Morningside Graduate School and global networks drive translational research toward novel tuberculosis therapies and vaccines.

• Computational Chemistry
• Biophysical Chemistry
• Molecular Dynamics Simulations
• +5 more

Matthias Heyden is an Associate Professor at Arizona State University's School of Molecular Sciences and an affiliate of the Center for Biological Physics. He joined ASU in 2017 after prior roles as a research group leader at the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung and the Cluster of Excellence RESOLV, and as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, Irvine. His research focuses on atomistic simulations of molecular systems to study solvation processes, vibrational dynamics in biomolecules, and novel computational methods for simulating crowded biomolecular environments. Education: Dr. rer. nat. (summa cum laude) in Chemistry from Ruhr-Universität Bochum (2010), B.Sc. in Biochemistry (2004). His work bridges computational chemistry and biophysics, with applications in protein-ligand interactions, enzyme catalysis, and cellular crowding effects. He leads the Heyden Lab and maintains a research website at CompMolSci.com . Research Interests: His group uses molecular dynamics simulations to explore solvation thermodynamics, correlated vibrational motion in biomolecules, and large-scale protein simulations. Key areas include understanding solvation's role in biomolecular processes, analyzing vibrational signatures for energy propagation, and modeling complex cellular environments. Techniques developed by his lab enable spatially resolved analysis of solvation free energy and entropy. Service & Professional Roles: Co-chair of the TSRC Workshop on Water Structure and Dynamics (2019), faculty advisor for Biophest (2019), and member of professional societies including the American Chemical Society and Biophysical Society. His research has been published in high-impact journals such as Journal of Physical Chemistry , Biophysical Journal , and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences .

Gemma AtkinsonView profile

Associate Professor

• Antibiotic resistance
• Bacteriophages
• Molecular evolution
• +7 more

Gemma Atkinson is an Associate Professor at Lund University's Faculty of Medicine, leading the Atkinson Lab. She specializes in protein evolution and bioinformatics, focusing on antibiotic resistance, bacteriophages, and toxin-antitoxin systems. She manages LU-Fold, an infrastructure for high-throughput protein structure prediction using AlphaFold. Her research integrates computational tools with experimental methods to uncover microbial defense mechanisms. Key projects include developing bioinformatics tools (e.g., LoVis4u, webFlaGs) and investigating phage defense systems. She leads grants from the Swedish Research Council and the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. Her lab collaborates internationally, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals on health and innovation. Publications highlight advancements in toxin-antitoxin systems, antimicrobial peptides, and ribosome function. The lab's tools are widely used globally, aiding researchers in structural and functional genomics analysis.

• Cancer Immunotherapy
• Gene Editing
• Immune Cell Engineering
• +3 more

Yueqi Zhang is a Molecular Research Assistant in the Department of Neuroscience at Yale University, affiliated with the Yale School of Medicine. Their research focuses on advancing therapeutic immune cell engineering, gene editing technologies, and cancer immunotherapy. Zhang holds an MD from Yale University (expected 2026) and a bachelor's degree from Central South University (2019). Key research areas include CRISPR-based genome editing systems (e.g., Cas12a and Cas13d), AAV-mediated delivery of genetic payloads, and metabolic modulation of CAR-T and CAR-NK cells. They have pioneered composite systems combining mRNA and viral vectors for immune cell engineering and developed in vivo CRISPR screens to identify therapeutic targets in tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Zhang's recent work (2023–2025) emphasizes multiplexed gene inhibition strategies, combinatorial immunotherapies, and translational platforms for clinical application. Their studies bridge molecular biology, systems immunology, and clinical oncology to address challenges in targeted therapy resistance and immune evasion mechanisms. Education: MD Candidate, Yale University School of Medicine (2026) Bachelor's Degree, Central South University (2019) Labs/Teams: Active in Yale's Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience programs and collaborates with teams developing AAV-based gene therapies and CRISPR engineering platforms.

• Virology
• Cell Biology
• Molecular Biology
• +4 more

Kashif Mehmood is a Research Fellow in the Genetics Department at Yale School of Medicine, Yale University. His research focuses on virology, cell biology, and molecular mechanisms of viral entry and host-pathogen interactions. He investigates JC polyomavirus entry dynamics mediated by serotonin receptors, influenza hemagglutinin interactions with membrane lipids, and retromer-mediated transport pathways. Additionally, he explores microbial production of keratinase for sustainable waste management. His work bridges virology, neuroscience, and biotechnology, with implications for understanding viral pathogenesis and developing eco-friendly enzymatic solutions. Research interests include viral trafficking mechanisms, receptor-ligand interactions, lipid signaling, and industrial enzyme applications. Notable contributions address JC polyomavirus entry via serotonin receptors, influenza virus membrane fusion dynamics, and Bacillus velezensis-derived keratinase for keratin waste degradation.

Derek WilsonView profile

Professor

• Protein Dynamics
• Microfluidics
• Time-resolved Mass Spectrometry
• +7 more

Derek Wilson is a Full Professor in the Department of Chemistry at York University, holding the York Research Chair (Tier 2). His research focuses on protein dynamics and structural biology using advanced mass spectrometry techniques, including time-resolved electrospray ionization (TRESI) and hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HDX-MS). He leads the Wilson Lab, which investigates protein motions, enzyme mechanisms, and interactions with ligands, membranes, and other proteins. His expertise spans analytical and biological chemistry, with a strong emphasis on developing microfluidics-based tools for studying millisecond-to-second timescale processes. Key projects include elucidating the dynamics of antibiotic resistance enzymes (e.g., β-lactamases), intrinsically disordered proteins (e.g., tau in Alzheimer’s), and antiapoptotic proteins (Bcl-2/Mcl-1) involved in cancer. Education: Ph.D. in Chemistry (specific details not listed in text). Awards include the Tier 2 York Research Chair. The lab collaborates widely with institutions like the University of Chicago and St. Jude Children’s Hospital, advancing drug discovery and structural biology. Current students and alumni include researchers studying STAT5b oncogenic mutations, tau protein dynamics, and nanodisc technologies. The lab operates cutting-edge equipment such as the Synapt G2-S HDMS and VersaLaser microfluidic devices.

• Cancer Metabolism
• Signal Transduction
• Cancer
• +3 more

Zhimin Lu is a Professor and Dean of the Institute of Translational Medicine at Zhejiang University, China, and holds the Kuancheng Wang Distinguished Chair. Previously, he served at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center for 18 years as a Professor and Director of the Cancer Metabolism Program. Education : MD from Taishan Medical College, PhD from City University of New York, and postdoctoral training at The Salk Institute. His research focuses on cancer metabolism , signal transduction , and molecular mechanisms of tumor progression . He pioneered discoveries on the non-metabolic roles of metabolic enzymes in cancer, including the protein kinase activity of PKM2, Warburg effect mechanisms, and histone modifications driven by metabolic enzymes. His publications (over 120 peer-reviewed articles, including 40+ in Cell, Nature, and Science sister journals) reveal trends in oncogenic signaling, metabolic reprogramming, and epigenetic regulation. Key subfields include PKM2 dynamics, Warburg effect, tumor microenvironment, and metabolic-epigenetic crosstalk. Scientific Awards : Fellow of AAAS (2017), Dallas/Fort Worth Living Legend Award (2016), James S. McDonnell Foundation Scholar (2012), American Cancer Society Research Scholar (2009), and multiple MD Anderson awards. He serves as Chief Editor for Metabolic Discovery and Visualized Cancer Medicine , Deputy Editor for the Journal of The National Cancer Center , and editorial board member for over 10 journals. His work has transformed understanding of cancer metabolism and its diagnostic/therapeutic applications.

Dianne K. NewmanView profile

Professor

• Bioenergetics
• Microbial Metabolism
• Geobiology
• +5 more

Dianne K. Newman is the Gordon M. Binder/Amgen Professor of Biology and Geobiology and Merkin Institute Professor at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). She joined Caltech in 2000 as a Clare Booth Luce Assistant Professor, advancing to Associate Professor (2005), Professor (2006), and endowed professorship roles. She served as Executive Officer for Biology and Biological Engineering (2017–2023) and was an HHMI Investigator (2005–2016). Education: B.A., Stanford University (1993) Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1997) Her research explores microbial bioenergetics and electron transfer in oxygen-free environments, focusing on redox-active metabolites (e.g., phenazines) and biofilm survival strategies in chronic infections (e.g., Pseudomonas aeruginosa in wounds) and agricultural rhizospheres. The Newman Lab integrates genetics, electrochemistry, and advanced microscopy to study bacterial physiology at single-cell and community levels. Recent publications (2023–2025) predominantly investigate microbial metabolism under stress, biofilm dynamics, and applications in health/environment. Key trends include antibiotic tolerance mechanisms, electrochemical methods for metabolic analysis, and translational work on chronic wound treatments. Awards and Honors: Clare Booth Luce Assistant Professor (2000–2005) HHMI Investigator (2005–2016) Gordon M. Binder/Amgen Professor (2016–present) Davis Leadership Chair (2017–2020) Merkin Institute Professor (2024–present) She leads the interdisciplinary Newman Lab, training researchers in microbial physiology. Her work is supported by HHMI and institutional grants, with collaborations across Caltech's Center for Environmental Microbial Interactions (CEMI) and Resnick Sustainability Institute. Future directions emphasize translating microbial survival mechanisms into health and sustainability solutions.

• Structural Biology
• Bacterial Enzymology
• Neuroscience
• +3 more

Sudhanshu Gautam is a Research Fellow at the Department of Cell Biology , Yale School of Medicine , focusing on molecular mechanisms of cellular processes. His work bridges structural biology, bacterial enzymology, and neuroscience. Education: PhD, Indian Institute of Science (2022), Molecular Biophysics Unit Integrated BSc-MSc, National Institute of Science Education and Research (2015) Research Interests include structural analysis of proteins involved in synaptic vesicle exocytosis, bacterial DNA repair enzymes, and transcriptional regulation. His expertise spans: Cryo-electron tomography and tethered giant unilamellar vesicles Mycobacterial cyclic-di-AMP homeostasis RNA polymerase functional dynamics Phosphatidate phosphatase roles in cellular respiration Publication Trends highlight investigations into: Cyclic Di-AMP synthase/hydrolase systems in Mycobacterium smegmatis Antibiotic discovery targeting RNA polymerase Protein structure-function relationships across bacterial and eukaryotic systems Lipid metabolism in Tetrahymena and yeast Laboratory Affiliation: Rothman Lab, Yale School of Medicine, specializing in cellular and molecular neuroscience research.