Find Academic Supervisors

Hege ChristensenView profile

Professor

• Pharmacokinetics
• Drug metabolism
• Drug transport
• +3 more

Hege Christensen is a Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Oslo's Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences. She has been affiliated with the Department since 1992 and holds leadership roles in academic programs such as the Master's Degree in Pharmacy and Clinical Pharmacy. Her research focuses on pharmacokinetics, particularly drug metabolism variability due to genetic and environmental factors, and drug interactions. She collaborates with institutions like the IMUP Center for Immunopharmacology in Transplantation and the School of Pharmacy at the University of Manchester. Key areas include physiology-based pharmacokinetic modeling and in vitro-in vivo extrapolation techniques. Christensen's education includes a Cand.pharm. from the University of Oslo (1986), a Dr.scient. (1992), and an Advanced Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy Teaching from the University of Leeds (1996). Her career spans roles at the International Heart Research Institute (1991–1992) and pharmaceutical industries like Løvens Kemiske Fabrik (1986–1987). Her research interests emphasize understanding drug bioavailability and optimizing therapies through pharmacokinetic studies. Recent work investigates gastric bypass surgery's effects on drug metabolism and the role of microbiome signatures in weight loss outcomes. She has published extensively in journals like Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Mucosal Immunology, with a focus on cytochrome P450 enzymes, drug transporters, and obesity-related pharmacology. Notable collaborations include projects with Professor Amin Rostami-Hodjegan at the University of Manchester, exploring advanced pharmacokinetic modeling. Her work bridges clinical and translational research, addressing challenges in drug dosing for patients with obesity and comorbidities.

• Plant Biotechnology
• Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry
• +4 more

Dr. Alexandra Machado Ferreira Castilho is a leading researcher at the Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology within the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) . She has served as Principal Investigator since 2018 and previously as Scientific Coordinator of the Laura Bassi Center PlantBioP (2010-2017). Her work focuses on Plant Molecular Farming and Glycoengineering , aiming to optimize plant-based production of therapeutically relevant glycoproteins. Specializes in tailoring N-glycan profiles for biopharmaceuticals Develops plant cell factories for antibody and decoy receptor production Key projects include SARS-CoV-2 neutralization strategies and cancer immunotherapy agents Her recent publications analyze glycoengineering techniques in Nicotiana benthamiana , covering topics like ACE2-Fc decoys for viral neutralization, PD1/PDL1 blockade for oncology, and protease suppression for protein stability. She has received funding from the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) for projects on immune checkpoint inhibitors and glycosylation pathway modulation.

• Biocatalysis
• Fungal Enzymes
• Bacterial and Algal Polymers
• +2 more

Anna Jarosz-Wilkołazka , Professor of Biological Sciences at the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (UMCS) in Lublin, is affiliated with the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology and leads research at the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology . With expertise spanning fungal enzymes, microbial polymers, and biomaterial modification, her work bridges biochemistry, biotechnology, and environmental science. Current research focuses on biocatalysis in aqueous/non-aqueous systems , fungal enzyme applications (particularly laccases), and the characterization of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from bacteria and algae for biosorption and bioflocculation. She has coordinated major research projects including "Modification of biopolymer materials with protease inhibitors" (NCN OPUS 13, 2017-2022) and "Oxalate oxidase in Abortiporus biennis" (NCN Opus 5, 2015-2019). Her recent publications (2016-2023) highlight advancements in fungal laccase immobilization for pollutant removal, EPS applications for heavy metal biosorption, and novel bioactive dyes. A 2023 study investigated oxalate oxidase sources in wood-rotting fungi, while 2020 work explored EPS from endophytic Fusarium culmorum strains affecting cereal crops. Earlier studies focused on lignin degradation mechanisms (2017) and EPS-driven biomineralization (2016). As a scientific supervisor, she has guided NCN projects on Rhodococcus opacus EPS properties (2016-2021) and fungal enzyme immobilization techniques (2015-2018). She actively participates in science outreach through initiatives like the Mobile Science Festival and Design Thinking Week under Erasmus+.

• Peptide Chemistry
• Bioorganic Chemistry
• Enzyme Inhibition
• +3 more

Dr. Agata Gitlin-Domagalska serves as an Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, where she leads research in the Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry. Her work bridges peptide chemistry and bioorganic drug design, focusing on innovative synthetic strategies and therapeutic applications. Academic Affiliation: Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk Department: Department of Molecular Biochemistry Laboratory: Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry Specializing in peptide synthesis and prodrug development , Dr. Gitlin-Domagalska investigates strategies to enhance oral bioavailability of charged peptides through lipophilic charge masking and non-covalent inhibition of serine proteases like matriptase and furin . Her research extends to antimicrobial peptide conjugates with dual therapeutic functions and Zika virus suppression via protease inhibition. Recent publications highlight her expertise in peptide splicing mechanisms , solid-phase synthesis optimization , and nanoparticle-based delivery . She has developed cyclic RGD prodrugs for targeted intestinal permeability and bicyclic furin inhibitors using combinatorial chemistry approaches. Her work contributes to antibiotic conjugates with leukemia-selective antifungal activity , neuroprotective humanin analogs , and vasopressin derivatives with expanded therapeutic potential. Current trends emphasize matriptase-selective inhibitors and earthworm-derived antimicrobial nanoparticles . Dr. Gitlin-Domagalska employs model membrane biosensing for drug-membrane interaction studies and has pioneered high-shear mixing techniques to improve amide bond formation efficiency in peptide synthesis processes.

Alison E. RingelView profile

Assistant Professor

• Immunology
• Cancer Biology
• Molecular Biology
• +3 more

Alison E. Ringel is an Assistant Professor of Biology and Core Member at the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard. Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms enabling immune cells to function under stress, particularly in tumor microenvironments and metabolic challenges. She holds a PhD from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2015) and a BA from Wesleyan University (2009). Her research integrates CD8+ T cell biology Metabolic reprogramming Tumor-immune interactions Systemic metabolic influences Notable achievements include the 2021 Forbeck Scholar award. Recent work highlights obesity’s role in tumor immunity suppression and age-related T cell vulnerabilities. Her lab employs interdisciplinary approaches to uncover therapeutic vulnerabilities in immune cells within diseased states.

Achim KramerView profile

Professor

• Chronobiology
• Circadian Rhythms
• Molecular Biology
• +3 more

Achim Kramer serves as Professor of Chronobiology (W2, tenured) at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, where he chairs the independent Research Unit for Chronobiology within the Institute of Medical Immunology. His academic career spans molecular chronobiology research and teaching since 2002, with significant contributions to understanding circadian clock mechanisms in mammals. His educational background includes a Biochemistry degree from Freie Universität Berlin (1988-1993), a Ph.D. in Biochemistry (summa cum laude, 1996) from Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, and piano training at Berlin's Hochschule der Künste (1990-1994). Postdoctoral work included research at Harvard Medical School (1999-2001) under Charles Weitz and positions at IRBM Rome and Charité. Dr. Kramer's research centers on molecular mechanisms of circadian clocks, with expertise in protein interactions (CRY1-PER2), post-translational modifications, peripheral tissue clocks (macrophages, skin), and translational applications like circadian blood biomarkers. His work bridges structural biology, immunology, and sleep medicine to address how biological timing affects health and disease. Analysis of his publications reveals consistent focus on circadian molecular machinery across diverse biological contexts, with increasing translational emphasis in recent years on diagnostic applications and tissue-specific clock functions. His structural work on cryptochromes and phosphorylation mechanisms underpins fundamental understanding of clock regulation. Key honors include the Heinz-Maier-Leibnitz Award (DFG, 2002), Brooks Fellowship (Harvard, 2001), multiple Teaching Awards for Medical Neurosciences (2010-2015), and a Young Researcher's Award from Charité (1998). He leads the Chronobiology Research Unit within Charité's Institute of Medical Immunology, participating in the SFB/TRR186 consortium on molecular switches. His service includes chairing the 2015 Gordon Research Conference on Chronobiology, editorial roles at PLoS Genetics and Journal of Biological Rhythms, and leadership positions in the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms and European Biological Rhythms Society.

Timothy C. MeredithView profile

Associate Professor

• Bacterial Cell Envelope Biosynthesis
• Lipoprotein Biosynthesis
• Functional Genomics
• +9 more

Timothy C. Meredith is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Pennsylvania State University. His career spans academic research and industry roles at Merck Research Laboratories and Novartis Institutes for Research, with a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School and a return to Harvard as an instructor.

Shana StoddardView profile

Associate Professor

• Autoimmune disorders
• Protein engineering
• Computational chemistry
• +6 more

Dr. Shana Stoddard is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Rhodes College, where she leads the Molecular Immunotherapeutics Research (MIR) lab. Her research program focuses on improving patient outcomes with autoimmune disorders, cancer, neurological disorders, and coronaviruses through protein engineering, computational chemistry, and rational drug design. Dr. Stoddard received her educational training from: Postdoctoral Researcher at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (Diagnostic Imaging) Ph.D. in Chemistry and Biochemistry from University of Mississippi M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction (emphasis Special Education) from Freed-Hardeman University B.S. in Chemistry from Prairie View A&M University Dr. Stoddard's research interests span multiple areas of biomedical science with a focus on therapeutic development. Her work in autoimmune disorders centers on primary membranous nephritis (PMN), where she develops auto-antibody-specific inhibitors and antigen-specific therapies. In cancer research , she focuses on designing selective histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors for various cancer types, particularly targeting HDAC8 for neuroblastoma treatment. Her lab also works on neurological disorders , developing HDAC4 inhibitors for Huntington's disease and glioblastoma. During the COVID-19 pandemic, her lab pivoted to coronavirus antiviral development , creating peptide-based fusion inhibitors and protease inhibitors. Additionally, Dr. Stoddard is deeply committed to diversity and equity in STEM education , developing pedagogical approaches to create more inclusive classrooms. Analysis of Dr. Stoddard's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on structure-based drug design across multiple therapeutic areas. Her work employs computational chemistry approaches to model protein structures and design inhibitors with improved selectivity. A significant portion of her research targets histone deacetylases (HDACs), with emphasis on achieving isozyme selectivity among the 18 different HDAC enzymes. Her lab has made contributions to understanding protein structures involved in autoimmune kidney diseases and developed computational models of previously uncharacterized proteins. Dr. Stoddard has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing both her research and mentorship: 2025 – LMI Mellon Fellow 2024 – Lloyd N Ferguson Young Scientist Award from NOBCChE 2024 – Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society inductee 2024 – Ruth Kirschstein Diversity in Science Award from ASBMB 2023 – Tyrone Mitchell Mentor-on-the-Map Award from NOBCChE 2023 – Silvia Ronco Innovative Mentor Award from CUR Chemistry 2022 – Henry C. McBay Outstanding Teaching Award from NOBCChE 2021 – Outstanding Mentor of the year Award CUR Health Sciences (Early Career Stage) 2021 – Accessibility and Inclusivity Advocate of the Year: Campus Life Award (Rhodes College) Dr. Stoddard is renowned for her exceptional mentorship of undergraduate researchers, particularly from underrepresented groups in STEM. She established the STEM Cohort Mentoring program at Rhodes in 2017 to support diverse students pursuing STEM careers. Her lab has produced numerous undergraduate co-authors on peer-reviewed publications across multiple disciplines. She has successfully guided many students into medical schools and graduate programs. Dr. Stoddard has secured competitive funding for her research, including participation in the Project Kaleidoscope STEM Leadership Institute held by the American Association of Colleges & Universities. The Molecular Immunotherapeutics Research (MIR) lab at Rhodes College is a vibrant research environment where undergraduate students work alongside Dr. Stoddard on cutting-edge biomedical research. The lab currently pursues four major research projects: 1) Protein Engineering and Development of Antigen Specific Therapeutics for Autoimmune Disorders; 2) Modeling and Investigation of Structure and Function Relationships of Unsolved Protein Structures; 3) Design, Synthesis, and Biological Testing of Novel Therapeutic Compounds for Cancer, Autoimmune, and Neurological Disorders; and 4) Development of Broad-Spectrum Coronavirus Antivirals. The MIR lab collaborates with researchers at institutions including Boston University Medical College, University of Mississippi, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

• Forest Pathology
• Wood Microbiology
• Tree Defense Mechanisms
• +4 more

Robert A Blanchette is a Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Minnesota, with research focusing on forest pathology, wood microbiology, and conservation of historic wood. His work spans tree defense mechanisms, biological control of pathogens, and fungal ecology in extreme environments. Education : PhD in Plant Pathology (Washington State University), MS in Forest Pathology (University of New Hampshire), BA in Biology/Botany (Merrimack College) Current research includes: Fungal interactions with invasive pests like the Emerald Ash Borer Antarctic and Arctic fungal biodiversity Archaeological wood conservation in Greenland Biological control of white-nose syndrome in bats Ganoderma species pathogenicity in forests Key projects are funded by the Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center, NSF, and USDI Fish and Wildlife Service. Collaborations include the National Museum of Denmark and Center for Drug Design. Students and researchers in his group include Cristina Toapanta , Nick Rajtar , Sofia Simeto , Liam Genter , Davy DeKrey , Eric Otto , and Nazaret Ramirez .

Paul JoyceView profile

Professor

• Biochemistry
• Genomics
• Proteomics
• +2 more

Paul Joyce is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Concordia University. His research and teaching focus on biochemistry, genomics, proteomics, and molecular/cell biology. He teaches foundational and advanced courses including Biochemistry I (CHEM 271), Biochemistry II (CHEM 375), Discovering Biotechnology (CHEM 209), and graduate-level Protein Targeting and Membrane Biochemistry (CHEM 476/676). Education: Ph.D. from Dalhousie University. Dr. Joyce’s research explores the biochemical and genetic mechanisms of tRNA nucleotidyltransferase variants, their catalytic activity, thermal stability, and implications in disease. He investigates protein targeting in plants and yeast, antimicrobial peptide resistance in pathogens, and the role of enzyme structure in functional outcomes. Recent publications highlight work on Porphyromonas gingivalis antimicrobial tolerance (2024, 2023), disease-linked human tRNA nucleotidyltransferase mutations (2019, 2018), yeast and plant tRNA enzyme characterization (2013, 2007), and fungal gene expression (2002). His studies span molecular biology, enzymology, and protein biochemistry.

Aurora MartinezView profile

Professor

• Structural Biology
• Drug Discovery
• Neurometabolic Disorders
• +7 more

Aurora Martinez is a Professor in the Department of Biomedicine at the University of Bergen, Faculty of Medicine. She leads the Biorecognition research group, focusing on the structural and functional aspects of biomolecules in neurometabolic disorders such as phenylketonuria (PKU) and dopamine synthesis defects. She is also a partner in the KG Jebsen Centre for Neuropsychiatric Disorders and a Toppforsk-funded project on the Arc protein, a master regulator of synaptic plasticity. Position: Professor Institution: University of Bergen Department: Department of Biomedicine Research Group: Biorecognition Email: aurora.martinez@uib.no Her research integrates structural biology, molecular recognition, and drug discovery to develop therapeutic strategies for genetic and neurodegenerative diseases. Key areas include tyrosine hydroxylase regulation, mitochondrial dysfunction in dopaminergic cells, and neurotransmitter transport mechanisms. She employs biochemical, cellular, and computational approaches to understand disease mechanisms and identify novel therapeutics. The recent publications (2023–2025) reflect a strong trend toward understanding dopamine-related pathways, protein stabilization, and therapeutic interventions in Parkinsonism and related disorders. Themes include chaperone-mediated protein stabilization, high-throughput screening for VMAT2 modulators, and computational tools for drug discovery. The work combines experimental validation with translational applications in neurodegenerative models. She has supervised multiple Master’s students, including Md. Ekhtear Mahmud, Sofie Breisnes Wormdahl, and Kristine Kippersund Brokstad, indicating active mentorship and training roles. Her involvement in large-scale collaborative projects highlights leadership and interdisciplinary engagement. While no specific awards are listed, her participation in prestigious programs like Toppforsk and the KG Jebsen Centre underscores recognition and funding success. She has no listed grants explicitly, but project affiliations suggest competitive funding support. Her research group maintains strong technical capabilities in protein analysis, cellular screening, and structural modeling. The Martinez Lab is actively involved in both fundamental and applied research, with future directions likely to expand into gene therapy, precision medicine for metabolic disorders, and neuroprotective strategies.

Danielle DubeView profile

Professor

• Chemical Biology
• Glycobiology
• Antibiotic Resistance
• +3 more

Danielle Dube is the Norma L. and Roland G. Ware, Jr. Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Chair of the Chemistry Department at Bowdoin College. A chemical biologist by training, she received her PhD from UC Berkeley and completed postdoctoral work at Stanford University. Her research focuses on bacterial surface glycans linked to pathogenesis, particularly in Helicobacter pylori , where she develops chemical tools to study and disrupt glycan-mediated interactions. Education : Cornell University (AB in Biology), UC Berkeley (PhD in Chemistry), Stanford University (Postdoctoral) Teaching : Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, General Chemistry, Drug Discovery courses Research Highlights : Structural characterization of H. pylori glycans Development of metabolic inhibitors for glycan biosynthesis Creation of imaging probes for bacterial glycocalyx Immune recognition enhancement through glycan modification Antibiotic hypersensitization via glycan disruption Scientific Recognition : 2022: Recognized in Nobel Prize awarded research by Prof. Carolyn Bertozzi 2018: Recipient of external grant for women scientists 2014: Collaborator on $18.4M INBRE grant Lab & Collaborations : Leads the Dube Research Laboratory at Bowdoin, specializing in chemical approaches to bacterial glycobiology. Collaborates with biochemistry and microbiology teams on antibiotic resistance solutions.

Aparna ShahView profile

Assistant Professor

• Neurobiology
• Psychiatric Disorders
• MicroRNA Regulation
• +3 more

Aparna Shah is a Collegiate Assistant Professor at the School of Neuroscience, College of Science, Virginia Tech. She earned her Ph.D. in Pharmacology (Neuroscience Track) from UT Health San Antonio, a Master's in Life Sciences (Neurobiology), and a Bachelor's in Life Sciences and Biochemistry from the University of Mumbai, India. Joined Virginia Tech in 2021 Postdoctoral Fellow at Johns Hopkins University Advocate for evidence-based teaching Her research explores the neurobiology of psychiatric disorders, focusing on vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) and the microRNA-degrading enzyme translin/trax (TN/TX) complex. She investigates how VNS recruits multiple biological pathways in treatment-resistant depression and how TN/TX regulates microRNAs linked to neuronal function and synaptic plasticity. Recent publications highlight her work on adiposity, vascular stiffness, and synaptic plasticity mechanisms. She teaches courses like NEUR 2025/2026 (Intro to Neuroscience) and NEUR 3084 (Cognitive Neuroscience). Key collaborations span pharmacology, neuroscience, and cardiovascular research. Her contact: aparnashah@vt.edu .

Marlene BarrosView profile

Professor

• Protein Chemistry
• Molecular Mechanisms of Disease
• Biomarker Discovery
• +7 more

Marlene Barros is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Dental Medicine (FMD), Portuguese Catholic University (UCP), where she also serves as Director since 2020. She is the Director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Health (CIIS), recognized as 'Very Good' by FCT, and leads the SalivaTec laboratory focused on saliva-based diagnostics. She has a strong academic background in biochemistry and biology, with leadership roles in education and research. Her educational qualifications include: PhD in Biochemistry (specialty: Enzymology and Protein Chemistry), University of Coimbra (1995) Agregação in Biology, University of Aveiro (2007) Marlene Barros' research is centered on protein chemistry and molecular mechanisms of disease, with a focus on identifying biomarkers for diagnosis and therapeutic targeting. Her work spans proteomics, bioinformatics, oral biology, and microbiome analysis. She has coordinated academic programs such as the Master in Molecular Microbiology and the Degree in Biomedical Sciences. Her recent research articles reflect a strong trend in salivary proteomics, oral microbiome interactions, human-viral interactomics, and the development of bioinformatics databases (e.g., OralOme, OvisOme, CanisOme). These works emphasize translational applications in precision medicine, diagnostics, and functional food science. She has received the following scientific award: Prémio Melhor Poster SciComPT 2019 She has supervised numerous academic projects and is actively involved in national and international research collaborations. She has led or participated in significant funded projects such as SPRINT, OralTherm, RedSup4Health, and OeHMP, supported by Portugal2020 and Fundación 'la Caixa'. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in health and education. She is a key member of the SalivaTec laboratory and contributes to interdisciplinary teams in projects involving digital health, oral microbiome, and functional foods. Her leadership extends to pedagogical innovation and community-based learning in dental education.

E. James PeterssonView profile

Professor

• Chemical Biology
• Protein Folding
• Protein-Protein Interactions
• +13 more

E. James Petersson is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania, with affiliations in the Perelman School of Medicine and the Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group. His research integrates organic synthesis, molecular biology, computational modeling, and biophysics to investigate protein folding, protein-protein interactions, and their roles in diseases such as Parkinson’s and antibiotic resistance. His research interests center on developing chemical tools to study protein dynamics, particularly through the use of unnatural amino acids, thioamide modifications, and fluorescent probes. His lab focuses on understanding the misfolding of proteins like α-synuclein, the mechanisms of bacterial SOS response in antibiotic resistance, and post-translational modifications such as arginylation and acetylation. These tools enable high-resolution studies of protein conformational changes, aggregation, and signaling pathways. The recent publications reveal a strong trend toward interdisciplinary approaches, combining synthetic chemistry, biophysics, computational modeling, and neuroscience. His work spans from fundamental protein engineering and probe development to applications in disease modeling and diagnostic imaging, including PET tracers for synucleinopathies. The use of machine learning for predicting amyloidogenesis and advanced FRET techniques for conformational analysis highlights the cutting-edge nature of his research. He is supported by major funding agencies including the NIH, NSF, and DOE, reflecting the significance and impact of his work. His collaborations span across departments and institutions, particularly in neuroscience and radiology. Professor Petersson’s lab actively trains students and researchers in chemical biology and biophysics. He contributes to outreach and education through his group’s active presence and participation in scientific communities.