Emilio A. Parrado is the Dorothy Swaine Thomas Professor of Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Arts & Sciences and Director of the Population Studies Center. His research focuses on migration dynamics, particularly Hispanic populations in the U.S., international migration patterns, and social/demographic changes in Latin America. He combines quantitative and qualitative methods, including original survey and ethnographic data. Education: Ph.D. (Sociology, University of Chicago, 1997), M.A. (Sociology, University of Chicago, 1994), B.A. (Sociology, University of Buenos Aires, 1988). Key research areas include: Migrant health risks and transnational mobility (e.g., HIV/STI patterns at the U.S.-Mexico border) Gendered impacts of migration on labor markets and family structures Demographic transitions and social inequality in Latin America, including post-pandemic labor market shifts in Argentina Recent work emphasizes deportation effects on mental health, regional migration trends to Buenos Aires, and the intersection of immigration policy with fertility and urban development. His Migrante Project focuses on Mexico-U.S. border health observatories. Awards: None explicitly listed. Active in grants related to migrant health and labor studies. Labs/Teams: Leads the Population Studies Center and collaborates with the Latin American and Latino Studies Program at UPenn.
Aidan J Horner is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of York. He holds a BSc in Psychology (2005) and MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience (2006) from the University of York, followed by a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of Cambridge (2010). His career includes postdoctoral research at Otto-von-Guericke University (2010–2011) and University College London (2011–2016), and a visiting scholar position at Stanford University (2008). He returned to York as a Lecturer in 2016, advancing to Senior Lecturer and his current Professorship. Research Focus: Horner’s work examines how the brain encodes and retrieves long-term memories, particularly spatial and event-based information. He employs experimental psychology, virtual reality, neuroimaging (e.g., fMRI, MEG), and computational modeling to study hippocampal and cortical mechanisms underlying memory formation, consolidation, and forgetting. His recent studies explore the role of theta oscillations in memory binding, the impact of emotion on memory coherence, and forgetting dynamics. Publications & Awards: Over 50 peer-reviewed articles, including high-impact work in Current Biology , Nature Communications , and Cognition . Recognized with the Annual Cognitive Paper Prize Award (2022) for groundbreaking contributions to memory research. Grants & Projects: Lead investigator on ESRC-funded projects (e.g., "Promoting rapid and sustained learning of novel information" , 2018–2022). Collaborates with institutions like the York Neuroimaging Centre (YNiC) to advance neuroimaging techniques in cognitive studies. Labs & Teams: Affiliated with the York Neuroimaging Centre (YNiC), integrating neuroimaging with behavioral and computational approaches to memory systems. Active in interdisciplinary teams studying memory plasticity and cognitive neuroscience.
Ron Dror is the Cheriton Family Professor of Computer Science at the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Lab , with courtesy appointments in Structural Biology and Molecular & Cellular Physiology . He also holds affiliations with Bio-X, the Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI), the Institute for Computational and Mathematical Engineering (ICME), Sarafan ChEM-H, and the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute. Education: PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, MIT MPhil in Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge (Churchill Scholar) BS in Mathematics and Electrical & Computer Engineering, Rice University (summa cum laude) Ron leads a multidisciplinary research group that combines molecular simulation and machine learning to study biomolecular structure, dynamics, and function. His work focuses on developing computational methods to accelerate drug discovery by predicting molecular interactions and designing more effective therapeutics. Current projects include the PENSA software library for analyzing biomolecular ensembles and FRAME framework for structure-based ligand design. His research has produced groundbreaking work on G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) , RNA structure prediction , and mitochondrial transport mechanisms . Key publications highlight applications of geometric deep learning and molecular dynamics simulations in structural biology. Scientific Awards: Cheriton Family Professorship (2023) Two Gordon Bell Prizes (2014, 2009) Best Paper Awards at NeurIPS (2021), IPDPS (2013), SC11 (2011), SC09 (2009), SC06 (2006) Science Magazine Top 10 Breakthrough (2010) Fulbright Scholarship , NSF Fellowship , DoD Fellowship , Whitaker Foundation Fellowship Ron has advised numerous doctoral and master’s students including EJ Fine , Masha Karelina , and Briana Sobecks . His lab collaborates with experimentalists across academia and industry, applying computational methods to diverse biomedical problems such as RNA structure prediction , GPCR signaling , and mitochondrial metabolism .
Simon Mak is an Assistant Professor of Statistical Science at Duke University and a Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences. His educational background includes: Ph.D. in Statistics, Georgia Institute of Technology (2018) M.S. in Statistics, Georgia Institute of Technology (2018) B.S. in Statistics, Simon Fraser University (2013) Dr. Mak's research focuses on advanced statistical methodologies for complex scientific problems. His expertise spans statistical modeling , Bayesian inference , Gaussian process emulation , and uncertainty quantification . He applies these methods to nuclear physics (heavy-ion collisions), engineering (engine control systems), and music information retrieval, emphasizing scalability and interpretability in scientific computing. Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals dominant trends in scalable Gaussian process methods for massive datasets and multi-fidelity simulations, particularly applied to high-energy physics and engineering systems. He has pioneered innovations in Bayesian optimization for expensive simulators and developed novel frameworks for online change-point detection in streaming data, demonstrating exceptional cross-disciplinary impact. Dr. Mak leads multiple significant research initiatives: Collaborative Research: Cost-Efficient and Confident Sampling for Modern Scientific Discovery (2023-2026) Science-Integrated Predictive modeLing (SCINPL) for scalable scientific computing (2022-2025) The X-SCAPE collaboration for statistically advanced nuclear collision modeling (2020-2025) These projects fund his development of statistical frameworks for scientific discovery in complex systems. He actively contributes to the JETSCAPE collaboration, developing multi-stage frameworks for studying jet quenching in heavy-ion collisions, and applies statistical methods through the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences to advance neuroscience research.
Professor Charlotte Deane is a leading academic in structural bioinformatics, holding the position of Professor at the University of Oxford's Department of Statistics and Executive Chair of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). She leads the Oxford Protein Informatics Group (OPIG), focusing on protein structure prediction, immunoinformatics, and AI-driven drug discovery. Her research integrates computational methods with biological insights, developing tools widely used in academia and industry. Prior roles include Head of the Department of Statistics, Deputy Head of the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (MPLS) Division at Oxford, and Chief Scientist of Biologics AI at Exscientia. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she served on SAGE and as UKRI's COVID-19 Response Director. In 2022, she was awarded an MBE for her contributions to pandemic research. Her research group's work spans antibody design, T-cell receptor analysis, and small molecule discovery, with a focus on open-source software development. Current projects include advancing AI methods for protein structure prediction and therapeutic antibody engineering. Recent publications highlight innovations in computational drug design, antibody developability, and machine learning applications in structural biology.
Philippe Christe is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Lausanne (UNIL), Faculty of Biology and Medicine. His research centers on host-parasite interactions, with a focus on bats, birds, and their ectoparasites, integrating behavioral, physiological, and genetic approaches. He leads the Christe Group, which investigates evolutionary and ecological dynamics in host-parasite systems, particularly avian malaria and bat-mite relationships. He is actively involved in conservation initiatives, including the Jorat Peri-Urban Nature Park, and collaborates with KORA on human-wildlife interactions. Bachelor's degree in biology, UNIL (1989) PhD in Zoology and Animal Ecology, UNIL (1994) Philippe Christe’s research interests lie at the intersection of parasitology, evolutionary ecology, and conservation biology. He investigates how host defenses evolve in response to parasitic pressures, examining trade-offs between immunity and life history traits such as reproduction and survival. His work often integrates field studies with experimental and molecular techniques. Key model systems include Parus major (great tit) and Culex pipiens in avian malaria, and bat species with their ectoparasitic mites. He also explores broader ecological interactions, including predator-prey dynamics and wildlife conservation in human-modified landscapes. His recent publications reflect a strong emphasis on disease ecology, wildlife conservation, and molecular methods. Articles span topics such as avian malaria transmission, lynx population dynamics, snow leopard behavior, and habitat fragmentation effects on insects. These works employ advanced techniques like DNA metabarcoding, spatial modeling, and long-term monitoring, demonstrating a trend toward interdisciplinary, data-driven ecological research with direct conservation applications. Dubois Foundation Prize for an educational CD-Rom on bats (2004) Communication Award from the Faculty of Biology and Medicine of UNIL (2017) Philippe Christe has supervised numerous PhD and Master’s students, contributing significantly to training the next generation of ecologists and evolutionary biologists. His group collaborates widely with institutions such as the Museum of Zoology in Lausanne and KORA, and participates in large-scale conservation projects involving snow leopards, lynx, and bats. He has been involved in research grants related to host-parasite coevolution, wildlife monitoring, and conservation strategies. His leadership in establishing the Jorat Peri-Urban Nature Park and involvement in the UNIL Interdisciplinary Center for Mountain Research highlight his commitment to applied science and environmental stewardship. He leads the Christe Group, which conducts research on host-parasite coevolution, with a focus on bats and their ectoparasites, and birds affected by avian malaria. The group combines fieldwork, laboratory experiments, and molecular analyses, and includes post-docs, PhD students, and technical staff. Collaborations extend to researchers in Bern, Paris, and Spain, fostering an international and interdisciplinary research environment.
Vijini Mallawaarachchi is a Research Fellow in Bioinformatics at Flinders University's Flinders Accelerator for Microbiome Exploration (FAME). His research focuses on developing computational methods for metagenomic analysis, particularly viral genome recovery from metagenomes. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from the Australian National University (2022) and a BSc in Computer Science and Engineering (Honours) from the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka (2018). Education: Doctor of Philosophy (Computer Science), Australian National University, 2018–2022 Bachelor of Science (Computer Science & Engineering, Honours), University of Moratuwa, 2014–2018 Research Interests: Metagenomics, algorithms for genome recovery, bacteriophage discovery, machine learning applications in bioinformatics, and software engineering for computational biology. His work emphasizes leveraging assembly graphs and computational models to analyze microbial communities and viral genomes. Grants & Awards: 2025: National Computational Merit Allocation Scheme Grant (Co-CI) - A$412,000 2025: ARC Discovery Projects Grant (Co-CI) - A$685,781 2024: Outstanding PhD Thesis Award (ABACBS) 2023: Australian Society for Microbiology Early Career Award Professional Engagement: Active member of ISMB, ISVM, ACM, IEEE, ABACBS, ASM, and RSE AU/NZ. Supervises HDR and Honours students in bioinformatics and computational biology. Labs & Tools: Leads projects at FAME, developed tools like GraphBin, Phables, and ConDiGA for metagenomic analysis. Collaborates on open-source initiatives like the cogent3 Python APIs.
Francesca Grisoni serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), where she currently leads the Molecular Machine Learning team. She additionally holds appointments as an ICMS Core member and Associate Professor at EAISI (Eindhoven Artificial Intelligence Systems Institute), reflecting her cross-disciplinary role at the intersection of computational science and biomedical applications. Academic Background : Grisoni completed her Environmental Sciences degree and earned a Ph.D. in 2016 from the University of Milano-Bicocca, where her dissertation focused on interpretable machine learning for molecular property prediction. During doctoral studies, she conducted research at ETH Zurich's Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences and the U.S. EPA's National Center for Computational Toxicology. Ph.D., University of Milano-Bicocca, 2016 (Dissertation: Interpretable machine learning for molecular property prediction) Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca Her research integrates artificial intelligence, chemistry, and biology to develop computational methods for drug discovery, emphasizing wet-lab experimental validation alongside algorithmic innovation. Key focus areas include overcoming activity cliffs in molecular machine learning, generative modeling for scaffold hopping, and AI-augmented decision-making in therapeutic development, with the ultimate goal of achieving 'better decisions faster' in drug discovery pipelines. Analysis of her recent 2025 publications reveals a concentrated trend toward chemical language models and generative deep learning frameworks, specifically addressing low-data drug discovery challenges through active learning and neural network architectures. These works bridge computer science with pharmacology, targeting bioactivity prediction, molecular representation, and enzyme design while maintaining strong ties to experimental validation. Scientific Awards : Lush Young Researcher Prize Early Career Award 2022 from the Dutch Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) ERC Starting Grant (2022) Grants and Supervision : Dr. Grisoni secured the prestigious ERC Starting Grant in 2022 to advance her molecular machine learning research. Institutional records indicate she has supervised 7 students (as shown in TU/e's 'Supervised Work (7)' repository section), though specific names aren't provided in the source material. Her group maintains active industry collaborations, including past engagement with Bracco Pharmaceuticals. Laboratory and Team : The Molecular Machine Learning team operates under the ICMS and EAISI frameworks, merging computational AI development with experimental wet-lab validation. This collaborative unit focuses on fragment-based molecular design, chirality representation (evidenced by fragSMILES work), and high-throughput nanoparticle identification using machine learning, as highlighted in recent press coverage and datasets.
Alex Shestopaloff is a Lecturer in Statistics at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), affiliated with the School of Mathematical Sciences. Previously, he was a Research Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute (2017–2020) and a Junior Research Fellow at Campion Hall, Oxford. He holds a PhD in Statistics from the University of Toronto (2016), supervised by Radford M. Neal. His research focuses on developing efficient MCMC methods, high-dimensional time series analysis, network science, and applications in financial market microstructure. Education: PhD in Statistics, University of Toronto (2016) Supervisor: Radford M. Neal Research Interests: Bayesian online learning in non-stationary environments Limit order book modeling and trading strategies Graph clustering and network analysis Statistical methods for high-dimensional data Algorithmic trading and cryptocurrency markets His recent work spans financial engineering, machine learning, and statistical methodologies. Notable contributions include cluster-based trading strategies (ClusterLOB), generalized Bayesian filtering frameworks, and scalable graph analysis techniques. Collaborations with industry partners (e.g., Wise Plc) highlight applied research in financial systems. Advising & Alumni: Current advisees include Yichi Zhang (Oxford), Maria Fernanda Pintado (QMUL), and Dave Lui (Oxford) Alumni: Gerardo Duran-Martin (Postdoc at Oxford-Man Institute), Claudio Bellani (Citadel Securities) Labs/Teams: Leads interdisciplinary projects at QMUL and collaborates with the Alan Turing Institute on financial and network science initiatives.
Andrea Fumagalli is a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science , The University of Texas at Dallas. He earned his Ph.D. (1992) and Laurea (1987) in Electrical Engineering from Politecnico di Torino, Italy. Research Interests: All-Optical Network Architectures, Photonic Slot Routing, Wavelength Routing and Protection, Sensor Networks, Cooperative Wireless Networks, Network Optimization, Next Generation Internet (NGI), and Multi-hop Optical Networks. Education: Ph.D., Electrical Engineering, Politecnico di Torino (1992) Laurea, Electrical Engineering, Politecnico di Torino (1987) Key Research Trends: His recent publications focus on 5G networking, optical network automation, elastic optical networks, network reliability, and cross-layer optimization. He explores FPGA acceleration in 5G Low-PHY functions, live migration of containerized network components, and spectral fragmentation mitigation in EONs. Scientific Awards: Best Teaching Award, Electrical Engineering, UTD (2002) Best Thesis Award for Ph.D. Advisee Isabella Cerutti (2002) IEEE ComSoc Distinguished Lecturer Tour (2000) Best Paper Award (1999): 'An Optimal Design Algorithm for Photonic Slot Routing Networks Migrating to Optical Packet Switching' Advising and Grants: He advised Ph.D. student Isabella Cerutti. In 2001, he secured a $300,000 grant from FUNDACAO CPqD for optical network reliability research. He leads the Optical Networking Advanced Research (OpNeAR) Lab at UTD, collaborating on international projects like the Italian government-funded grid computing initiative (2002) and the OMEGA Test-bed for differentiated reliability. Laboratories and Teams: He directs the OpNeAR Lab , which develops tools for optical network emulation and reliability testing. His projects involve partnerships with institutions in Brazil (Unicamp), Sweden (KTH), Italy (Politecnico di Torino, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna), and CNR/CNIT.
Dan Sheldon is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, holding a Five College joint faculty position with Mount Holyoke College. His research focuses on developing algorithms to address environmental challenges using large datasets, emphasizing computational sustainability. Key areas include spatial optimization for endangered species conservation, continent-scale bird migration modeling, and interpreting weather radar data for ecological insights. Methodologically, his work leverages probabilistic inference, network modeling, and machine learning. Sheldon earned a PhD in Computer Science from Cornell University and an AB in Mathematics from Dartmouth College. His postdoctoral training at Oregon State University was supported by an NSF Bioinformatics Fellowship. He co-leads the BirdCast project, an NSF-funded initiative applying novel machine learning to avian migration studies. His research affiliations include the Center for Data Science and the Computational Social Science Institute. Research interests span computational biology, machine learning, and data privacy. Notable contributions include algorithms for ecological decision-making, differentially private synthetic data techniques, and Gaussian process applications in environmental forecasting. Awards include an NSF Fellowship in Bioinformatics. Current projects integrate radar data analysis, biodiversity tracking, and privacy-preserving statistical methods. Grants include the BirdCast NSF grant and collaborations in computational sustainability. His work bridges theoretical computer science with applied ecological challenges, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to global-scale environmental problems.
Katažyna Bogdzevič is a Professor at Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) Law School, specializing in Private International Law , European Law , Human Rights , and Environmental Law . She leads the MRU Human Rights LAB and contributes to the Environmental Management Research LAB, focusing on legal frameworks for ecosystem services, climate change mitigation, and stakeholder engagement. Key Research Themes: Integration of Private International Law with Environmental Law , analysis of legal conflicts in nature-based solutions, and name rights under international human rights conventions. Policy Engagement: Serves as advisor to Lithuania's Minister of Justice Ewelina Dobrowolska , emphasizing knowledge transfer to legislative and judicial practices. Email: roffice@mruni.eu
Hamish van der Ven is an Assistant Professor of Sustainable Business Management of Natural Resources at the University of British Columbia (UBC) within the Department of Wood Science and Faculty of Forestry. He leads the Business, Sustainability and Technology Lab and maintains affiliations with the Environmental Governance Lab at the University of Toronto, the Earth System Governance Project, and the United Nations Forum on Sustainability Standards. PhD in Political Science from University of Toronto Previous roles at McGill University and Yale University Research focuses on sustainable supply chain governance, eco-labeling, transnational environmental governance, corporate social responsibility, and digital technology impacts His recent work analyzes indirect climate impacts of generative AI and social media, transparency mechanisms in fast fashion, stakeholder influence on sustainability standards, and governance dynamics in buyer-driven supply chains. His 2019 book Beyond Greenwash? Explaining Credibility in Transnational Eco-Labeling (Oxford University Press) critiques eco-labeling efficacy. Van der Ven's research has been funded by grants including SSHRC Insight Grant (2025-2030), SSHRC Explore Grant (2023), SSHRC IDG Grant (2021-2023), FRQSC Collaborative Grant (2018-2021), and SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship (2016-2017). He examines both broad trends in global environmental governance and specific case studies across agriculture, aquaculture, and retail sectors.
Dr. Celine Cano is a research-focused academic at Newcastle University's Faculty of Medical Sciences within the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, with a distinguished career spanning nearly two decades in cancer drug discovery and medicinal chemistry. Her work centers on developing targeted therapies, particularly kinase inhibitors and MDM2-p53 interaction antagonists, with significant contributions to understanding molecular mechanisms in oncology. Her research interests encompass cancer drug discovery , medicinal chemistry , and kinase inhibitor development , with specialized expertise in covalent drug design, fragment-based screening, and structural optimization of anticancer agents. Dr. Cano has pioneered work on MDM2-p53 inhibitors, ERK5 modulators, and PROTAC technologies, focusing on enhancing therapeutic indices while minimizing toxicity through precise molecular engineering. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2020-2024) reveals a dominant focus on targeted cancer therapies , particularly small-molecule antagonists of protein-protein interactions (MDM2-p53) and kinase inhibitors (ERK5, Nek2, NIK). Her work demonstrates consistent innovation in covalent drug design , pharmacokinetic optimization , and structural biology approaches to overcome resistance mechanisms. Notable trends include the development of differentiated pharmacokinetic profiles in next-generation MDM2 antagonists and sophisticated linker strategies for PROTACs. Dr. Cano maintains extensive collaborative networks across Newcastle University's cancer research ecosystem, particularly with groups led by Professors Ian Hardcastle, Bernard Golding, and Steve Wedge. Her research has been instrumental in advancing multiple drug candidates through preclinical development, with several publications describing compounds that have progressed to therapeutic evaluation.
Jessica Forrest is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Ottawa, affiliated with the Faculty of Science. Her research focuses on evolutionary ecology, particularly plant-pollinator interactions, climate change impacts on pollinators, and the ecological consequences of phenological shifts. She studies native bees, their interactions with plants, and how agricultural practices can benefit from native bee ecology. Her work spans field studies in natural and agricultural landscapes, emphasizing pollinator conservation and climate adaptation. Notable projects include investigations into bee nesting habitat enhancement in orchards, the effects of drought on alpine bees, and the role of floral traits in pollinator attraction. Research Themes: Pollination ecology, climate change biology, bee behavior, and agricultural sustainability. Labs/Teams: Leads the Forrest Lab at the University of Ottawa, involving graduate and undergraduate students in field and lab-based studies. Her recent work highlights the importance of Asteraceae pollen in protecting mason bees from brood parasites and the complex effects of temperature on bee reproductive success in high-elevation habitats. Students advised include Lydia, Michelle, Natasha, Roisin, Tovah, and others, with projects ranging from bee cognition to agricultural pollination systems. The Forrest Lab collaborates widely, addressing applied and theoretical questions in pollinator ecology.
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