Andrew Sutherland is Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Glasgow , School of Chemistry. His research integrates synthetic organic chemistry with molecular imaging, focusing on PET/SPECT tracer development, fluorescent amino acid probes, and transition-metal catalysis for rapid scaffold assembly. Education: Not explicitly listed in the provided text. Research Interests: Molecular imaging of neurological diseases and cancer using PET/SPECT tracers Development of fluorescent amino acid probes for cell imaging Transition-metal-catalyzed transformations (Fe, Cu, Pd, Ni) One-pot multi-reaction processes for drug-like scaffolds and natural products Publication Trends: His 2024–2025 work emphasizes fluorogenic amino acids, radiohalogenation for PET imaging, and iron/copper-catalyzed C–H functionalization. Earlier work includes natural product synthesis and mechanistic studies on halodeboronation. Scientific Awards: None listed in the provided text. Grants & Collaborations: Extensive collaborations with imaging scientists (e.g., Sally Pimlott, Adriana Tavares) and synthetic chemists, evidenced by multi-author papers and joint PET ligand development. Research Group: Leads the Sutherland group , housed in the Joseph Black Building (C5-06), with active projects in chemical biology and organic synthesis.
Maiken H. Mikkelsen is the James N. and Elizabeth H. Barton Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Duke University, with a joint appointment in the Department of Physics . Her research focuses on quantum nanophotonics , plasmonics , and light-matter interactions in nanoscale materials, aiming to advance optoelectronics, quantum science, and biomedical diagnostics. Education B.S. in Physics, University of Copenhagen (2004) Ph.D. in Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara (2009) Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of California, Berkeley Her work explores nanophotonic engineering for quantum optics , spintronics , and ultrafast optoelectronics , with recent studies on nonlinear metasurfaces and plasmonic enhancement of immunoassays for point-of-care diagnostics. Publications highlight 2D semiconductor emission control , ultrafast single-photon sources , and metasurface-based photodetectors . Scientific Awards Maria Goeppert Mayer Award (2017) NSF CAREER Award (2015) Moore Inventor Fellow (2021) ONR/Air Force/Army Young Investigator Awards (2015-2017) Cottrell Scholar (2016) Stansell Family Distinguished Research Award (2021) She advises graduate students in Duke’s Electrical & Computer Engineering and Physics programs and leads the Mikkelsen Lab , which emphasizes ultrafast spectroscopy and quantum material development . The lab has graduated PhD students like Eunso Shin and Hengming Li (2025).
Scott L. Diamond is the Arthur E. Humphrey Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. He serves as Director of the Penn Center for Molecular Discovery, Director of the Penn Biotechnology Masters Program (one of the largest in the country with over 130 students), and Associate Director of the Institute for Medicine and Engineering (IME). His laboratory is located in the Roy and Diana Vagelos Laboratories at 3340 Smith Walk, 1020 Vagelos Research Laboratories, Philadelphia, PA. Diamond's research spans multiple interconnected fields in blood biology and biotechnology. His work focuses on mechanobiology, thrombolysis, coagulation, bioadhesion, gene therapy, drug/device development, proteomics, drug discovery, systems biology, and microfluidics. His laboratory has developed numerous specialized microfluidic devices for studying blood clotting under various flow conditions, including 8-channel devices for high-throughput clotting assays, side-view devices for clot structure analysis, stenosis devices for high shear clotting assays, and impingement-post devices for studying von Willebrand factor fibers. Diamond's research group has pioneered approaches to model and predict blood function using systems biology principles. His team has developed computational models that integrate reaction-transport phenomena with platelet signaling networks to predict thrombus formation under flow. These models have enabled the development of 'virtual blood' computer simulations that can predict the effectiveness of anticoagulation drugs for individual patients, contributing significantly to personalized medicine approaches in hemostasis and thrombosis. His extensive publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on understanding the fundamental mechanisms of blood clot formation and dissolution. Recent work has emphasized microfluidic approaches for point-of-care diagnostics, patient-specific modeling of platelet function, and the development of novel therapeutic strategies for thrombotic disorders. His research bridges engineering principles with clinical hematology to address significant challenges in cardiovascular medicine. NSF National Young Investigator Award NIH FIRST Award American Heart Association Established Investigator Award AIChE Allan P. Colburn Award George Heilmeier Excellence in Research Award Elected Fellow of the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Diamond has secured significant research funding, including a $2.8 million NIH grant for 'Blood Systems Biology' and a $9.5 million NIH grant for the Penn Center for Molecular Discovery. His laboratory has developed numerous microfluidic devices for blood analysis and has collaborated extensively with clinicians and industry partners. Diamond has served on advisory committees for NSF, NIH, AHA, and NASA, and has consulted extensively for industry and government. With over 180 publications and patents, his work has significantly advanced the understanding of blood clotting mechanisms and the development of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for thrombotic disorders.
Dr. Edward L. Quitevis is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Texas Tech University, holding joint appointments in Physics. He earned his Ph.D. from Harvard University (1981) and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Toronto (1981-1984). His research focuses on the dynamics of complex fluids, particularly ionic liquids and supercooled liquids, using advanced techniques like optical heterodyne-detected Raman-induced Kerr effect spectroscopy (OHD-RIKES) and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP). Key interests include nanostructural organization in ionic liquids, intermolecular dynamics, and the glass transition phenomenon in supercooled systems. Current research themes include understanding the relationship between nanostructure and dynamics in ionic liquids, studying ultraslow translational/rotational diffusion near the glass transition, and exploring applications of ionic liquids in materials science. His group has developed novel insights into the role of cation-anion interactions and nanoscale segregation in these systems. Dr. Quitevis collaborates widely, with publications in top journals like Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics and Journal of Chemical Physics . Students advised include Jagdeep Kaur, Dujuan Meng, Mahesh Thakurathi, and Sophia Sagala. His lab focuses on experimental and theoretical approaches to probe liquid-state dynamics, with recent work on cellulose dissolution, graphene exfoliation in ionic liquids, and lubrication applications.
Prof. Dr. Rudolf Amann serves as Managing Director at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen, Germany, and leads the Department of Molecular Ecology. His work pioneers molecular methods for studying marine microorganisms, with a focus on fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to identify and quantify microbial cells. Managing Director, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology (since 2018) Department Head, Molecular Ecology Research Center, Bremen, Germany Research Interests: Marine microbial diversity and ecology Carbon cycle dynamics in coastal and deep-sea environments Phytoplankton-bacterioplankton interactions Microbial taxonomy and phylogenetics Single-cell identification techniques (FISH, CARD-FISH) Integration of metagenomics and proteomics Publication Trends: Recent work focuses on microbial interactions in extreme environments (hydrothermal vents, Arctic waters), carbohydrate cycling in oceanic systems, and ecological differentiation of bacterial populations through advanced imaging and omics technologies. Contact: ramann@mpi-bremen.de
Anne-Sophie Chauvin is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), School of Basic Sciences, within the Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering and the Supramolecular Chemistry Laboratory. She actively engages in supramolecular and inorganic chemistry, focusing on f-element (lanthanides and actinides) coordination polymers and luminescent bioprobes for biological and technological applications, including invisible inks and dye-sensitized solar cells. PhD in Bioinorganic Chemistry from University Paris V-René Descartes (thesis on Nitrile Hydratase mimetics) Postdoctoral work at University of Geneva on chiral alcohol configuration analysis Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches (HDR) from University René Descartes (2006) Her research spans Lanthanide and Actinide Chemistry , Luminescence , Coordination Polymers , Metallacages , and Photovoltaic Materials . Recent publications emphasize catalytic spiro stereocenter formation, actinide coordination polymers, and photoredox-enabled biomolecule functionalization. She has supervised PhD students including Andrei Andreichenko , Julien Andrès , Steve Comby , and Aurélien Willauer . Recognitions include Fellowship of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) and membership in the Swiss Chemical Society (SCS). Current roles include teaching General and Analytical Chemistry to first-year Pharmacy and Biology students at the University of Lausanne (UNIL), overseeing practical sessions, and serving on the EPFL School of Basic Sciences Faculty Council.
Silvia Cavagnero is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, with a research focus on protein folding and misfolding in cellular contexts. Her work integrates biomolecular spectroscopy, chemical biology, and computational methods to address fundamental questions in structural biology. B.S., First University of Rome ‘La Sapienza’ (1988) M.S., University of Arizona (1990) Ph.D., California Institute of Technology (1996) Her research explores the role of molecular chaperones like Hsp70 in protein biogenesis, the development of laser-driven NMR techniques for enhanced sensitivity, and the implications of protein aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases. Key projects include cotranslational folding studies at ribosomal exit tunnels and hyperpolarization methods for low-concentration NMR analysis. The 15 most recent publications highlight interdisciplinary advances in NMR spectroscopy optimization Protein folding kinetics Cryo-EM structural analysis Chaperone-client interactions Hsp70 antimicrobial design Hydration dynamics in folding Scientific contributions include A Prize for Going in Vivo (2017) Recognition for Diversity and Inclusion Efforts Students from the Cavagnero Group have pursued careers in academia, pharmaceutical industries, and national laboratories. Her lab emphasizes interdisciplinary training, blending physical chemistry, biology, and computational analysis.
Dr. Craig R. Forest is a Professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology's Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, specializing in bioMEMS, neuroengineering, and high-throughput instrumentation. He leads the Precision Biosystems Laboratory, focusing on developing robotic tools for neuroscience and genomics. His research bridges mechanical engineering with biological systems, creating innovations like the PatcherBot for automated electrophysiology. Forest earned his Ph.D. (2007) and M.S. (2003) from MIT and B.S. (2001) from Georgia Tech. He has been recognized with awards including the 2013 Georgia Tech Class of 1940 W. Roane Beard Outstanding Teacher Award and Engineer of the Year (2013). His work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly through initiatives like CREATE-X and the Invention Studio, fostering student entrepreneurship and maker culture. Key contributions include ultra-high-throughput genomics tools, microfluidic systems, and acoustic reporter genes for medical imaging. Forest’s lab explores emerging fields like intracellular robotics in neuroscience and molecular communication networks, with applications in drug discovery and personalized medicine. Scientific awards highlight his impact in education and engineering innovation. His grants and collaborations span academic and industrial partnerships, advancing both theoretical and applied research in bioengineering and nanotechnology.
Robert C. Dunn is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Kansas, where he leads an active research group focused on developing novel optical and spectroscopic techniques for chemical and biological analysis. His laboratory specializes in single-molecule detection methods, high-resolution microscopy, and advanced capillary electrophoresis systems. Professor Dunn's research interests span analytical chemistry, biophysics, and nanotechnology. His group develops instrumentation including backscatter interferometry, near-field scanning optical microscopy, and scanning resonator microscopy to study biological systems at the nanoscale. Key research areas include membrane biophysics (investigating lipid domains and protein dynamics), nuclear pore complex function, and the development of ultrasensitive detection methods for clinical diagnostics and biochemical analysis. His recent publications demonstrate strong focus on miniaturized separation and detection platforms, particularly high-speed capillary electrophoresis systems integrated with novel optical detection schemes. Research trends show advancement towards point-of-care diagnostic tools, with innovations in refractive index sensing, femtoliter-volume detection, and label-free biosensing applications. Professor Dunn mentors graduate and undergraduate researchers in his group, with current students including Prabhavie Opallage (graduate student), Stanslaus M Kariuki (undergraduate), and Mei Ling Upp (undergraduate). His laboratory is developing new chemical analysis approaches using optical techniques including whispering gallery mode sensing, scanning resonator microscopy, and single-molecule fluorescence imaging.
Ehud Gazit is a distinguished Professor in the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology at Tel Aviv University's Faculty of Life Sciences. He holds the Chair for Nano-Biology and serves as Vice President for Research and Development at Tel Aviv University. Professor Gazit has held numerous prestigious visiting appointments including at Umeå University, Fudan University, and Cambridge University. His academic journey began with a B.Sc. (summa cum laude) from Tel Aviv University's Special University Program for Outstanding Students in 1991, followed by a Ph.D. (with distinction) from the Weizmann Institute of Science in 1997, and postdoctoral training at MIT from 1997-2000. Professor Gazit's research focuses on molecular structure and self-assembly at the nano-scale, particularly examining protein folding, unfolding, and misfolding phenomena. His laboratory investigates the mechanisms and significance of protein unfolding and misfolding, with experimental systems including bacterial toxin-antidote systems, type II diabetes-related amyloidogenic proteins, and the VHL tumor suppressor protein. His work bridges fundamental biochemistry with nanotechnology applications, exploring how molecular self-assembly can be harnessed for technological innovation. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trajectory in peptide-based nanomaterials, with particular emphasis on amyloid formation mechanisms, peptide self-assembly for functional materials, and therapeutic applications targeting neurodegenerative diseases. His work spans multiple disciplines including biochemistry, nanotechnology, materials science, and biomedical engineering, showing increasing integration of fundamental research with practical applications. Professor Gazit has received numerous prestigious awards including: 2020 Landau Prize in Sciences and Arts in the Field of Healthy Aging 2019 Rappaport Prize for Excellence in Biomedical Research 2018 Foreign Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India 2016 ERC Advanced Grant from the European Research Council 2015 Elected Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) Professor Gazit has been actively involved in mentoring students and researchers, as evidenced by his extensive publication record with numerous collaborators. He has secured significant research funding including an ERC Advanced Grant. His professional activities include editorial board memberships for journals including Journal of Peptide Science, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology - Asia, and Amyloid. He previously served as Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Science and Technology (2012-2014). His laboratory has developed innovative approaches to studying molecular self-assembly, with particular expertise in peptide nanostructures. The research team has made significant contributions to understanding amyloid formation mechanisms while simultaneously developing novel biomaterials with applications ranging from electronics to medicine. They have established strong collaborations with research groups worldwide, creating a dynamic interdisciplinary research environment focused on the intersection of biology and nanotechnology.
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.
Professor Kathryn Fairfull-Smith is a Professor in the School of Chemistry & Physics at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Her research focuses on organic synthesis for applications in materials science and medicinal chemistry, with a particular emphasis on developing strategies to combat bacterial biofilms through nitroxide-functionalized compounds and surface coatings. She leads projects funded by grants such as the QLD-Bavaria collaborative seed grant (2024) and an ARC Linkage Grant (2024). Her work spans organic radical batteries, profluorescent sensors, and antimicrobial hybrids, addressing challenges in biomedical and environmental materials. Education: PhD from Griffith University. Professional memberships include MRACI CChem and MRSC. Awards include the QUT Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Research (2017) and an ARC Future Fellowship (2014). She actively supervises postgraduate students in topics like nitroxide therapeutics and polymer materials. Her research group is part of the Centre for Materials Science at QUT. Research Grants: QLD-Bavaria collaborative seed grant (2024), ARC Linkage Grant (2024), DP210101317 (2021), FT140100746 (2015) Key Projects: Biofilm eradication via nitroxide-antimicrobial hybrids, light-triggered surface coatings, and polymer degradation monitoring Publications include over 30 peer-reviewed articles in journals such as Advanced Materials Technologies and Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy . Her work bridges fundamental chemistry with real-world applications in healthcare and sustainability.
Privatdozent Dr. Andreas Faust is a leading researcher at the European Institute for Molecular Imaging (EIMI) at the University of Münster, where he heads the Chemical Targeting Lab. His work focuses on developing innovative imaging agents for medical diagnostics, particularly in radiopharmaceutical chemistry and molecular imaging. He maintains strong affiliations with the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the University Hospital Münster and participates in the "Cells in Motion" excellence cluster, contributing to cutting-edge research at the intersection of chemistry, medicine, and imaging technology. Dr. Faust completed his chemistry studies at the University of Münster, earning his Diploma in 1999, followed by his doctoral degree (Dr. rer. nat.) in 2003 with research on artificial caffeine receptors. His academic journey continued with positions at the Department of Organic Chemistry and the Department of Nuclear Medicine before becoming head of the chemistry group at EIMI in 2011. Dr. Faust's research centers on organic and medicinal chemistry with specialization in radiopharmaceutical chemistry . His team develops novel tracers for diagnostic molecular imaging using positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), optical imaging, and photoacoustic imaging. A significant portion of his work focuses on creating specific ligands for the alarmins S100A8/S100A9 and bacteria-specific tracers based on complex carbohydrates or siderophores. His research has important applications in inflammation imaging, infection diagnostics, and cancer theranostics, with emphasis on improving metabolic stability and target specificity of imaging agents. His publication record demonstrates consistent contributions to molecular imaging, with recent work emphasizing bacteria-specific PET tracers, inflammation imaging targeting S100 proteins, and novel optical imaging probes. The research shows a clear trajectory toward developing clinically applicable imaging agents with improved specificity and metabolic stability, particularly in the areas of infection diagnostics and inflammation monitoring. 2017: Best Poster Award at Symposium "Molecular Imaging Agents in Medicine," Groningen 2009: Young Investigator Award at Deutscher Röntgenkongress, Berlin 2005: Best Scientific Poster Award at 4th Annual Meeting of the Society of Molecular Imaging, Köln Dr. Faust leads multiple significant research projects, including as Coordinator of a project on immune cell distribution imaging (2019-2024) and as Principal Investigator for CRC-project A03 "Targeting of S100A8/A9 for imaging of inflammatory disorders" and research on vascular graft infections (both 2021-2024). His Chemical Targeting Lab comprises a multidisciplinary team working at the intersection of chemistry, microbiology, and medical imaging, securing substantial funding from the Innovative Medicines Initiative and DFG Collaborative Research Centre. The Chemical Targeting Lab maintains state-of-the-art facilities for chemical synthesis, radiochemistry, and biological testing. The lab collaborates extensively with microbiologists, clinicians, and imaging specialists to translate basic research into clinical applications. Current research directions include optimizing bacterial imaging probes for clinical diagnostics and developing new inflammation-specific tracers for early disease detection, with particular focus on S100A9-targeted imaging and siderophore-based bacterial detection systems.
Michael N. Economo, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Boston University. His research focuses on neural circuits controlling movement, leveraging cutting-edge optical, electrophysiological, and genetic tools. He holds affiliations with Neuroscience & Neuroengineering and Photonics & Optical Systems programs. Education: PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Boston University, B.S. Biomedical Engineering and B.A. Mathematics from Duke University. Research Interests: Systems neuroscience, motor control, long-range neural circuits, computational neuroscience, neurotechnology. His lab investigates how neural circuits across brain regions coordinate movement using advanced techniques like optogenetics, in vivo imaging, and transcriptomics. Key Projects: Orofacial motor control, voltage imaging with TICO microscopy, neural circuit dissection. Technologies: Neuropixels probes, fluorescent voltage indicators, single-cell RNA sequencing. Notable Awards: NSF CAREER (2023), Scialog Fellow (2023), Whitehall Foundation Young Investigator Award (2021). Advising & Grants: Supervises graduate students (e.g., Munib Hasnain, Jackie Birnbaum) and postdocs (e.g., Vicky Moya, Yujin Han). Lab members focus on motor planning, neuromodulation, and neural dynamics. Labs/Teams: The Economo Lab collaborates on neurotechnology development and integrates interdisciplinary approaches from engineering and biology. Affiliated with BU’s Graduate Program in Neuroscience.
Ulrich B. Wiesner is the Spencer T. Olin Professor of Engineering at Cornell University since 2008, with a career spanning over two decades in polymer-inorganic hybrid nanomaterials. His work bridges materials science, chemistry, and biomedical engineering, focusing on block copolymer self-assembly for multifunctional materials. Education: Diploma in Chemistry (University of Mainz, 1988), Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry (University of Mainz & MPI-P, 1991) Research Interests center on combining soft polymeric materials with inorganic/solid-state chemistry to create hierarchical hybrid materials. Key areas include: Energy conversion and storage via mesoporous oxides/non-oxides Clean water technologies through advanced materials Nanomedicine applications in cancer therapy and bioimaging Development of C-dots: ultrasmall fluorescent silica nanoparticles Structure-directing agents from dendron architectures His article trends reveal a focus on asymmetric porous structures (2024-2025), 3D-printed quantum materials (2024), and biomedical applications of C-dots for super-resolution microscopy and targeted drug delivery (2023-2025). Scientific Awards include: National Academy of Inventors Fellow (2024) "Ambassadeur pour la Chimie Française" (2019) Arthur K. Doolittle Award (2016) ACS PMSE Fellow (2015) NSF Creativity Award (2008) Cornell Teaching Excellence Award (2005) IBM Faculty Partnership Award (2001) Carl Duisberg Memorial Award (1999) As co-director of the MSKCC-Cornell Center for Translation of Cancer Nanomedicine (2015-present), he leads interdisciplinary teams developing clinical nanoparticle probes. His work has produced >250 peer-reviewed publications and numerous patents, with recent breakthroughs in antibody fragment-nanoparticle therapeutics for gastric cancer eradication.
