Pier Luigi Martelli is a Full Professor in the Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology at the University of Bologna. His research focuses on computational biology, bioinformatics, and protein structure prediction, with a particular emphasis on integrating machine learning into biological problem-solving. He leads the Bologna Biocomputing Group, developing web-based tools like Alpha&esmhfolds for protein model comparison and ISPRED-SEQ for interaction site prediction. Key research areas include: Protein stability and variant effect prediction (via CAGI challenges) Genomic and proteomic analysis of pathogens (e.g., Brucella spp., termite genomes) Development of bioinformatics databases (e.g., MultifacetedProtDB) Applications of quantum computing in biology His work bridges computational methods with experimental biology, addressing problems in enzyme function, disease-associated variants, and structural biology. Recent projects include evaluating AlphaFold2/ESMFold models and exploring the resistome in livestock systems.
Michael Fay is the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies at Midwestern University. He holds academic appointments as Professor in the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and College of Dental Medicine-Illinois. With a Ph.D. from the University of Mississippi (1992) and postdoctoral training at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine (1997), he has a distinguished career in pharmacology and toxicology. His research focuses on cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity, microRNA regulation, and oncology, leveraging exosome-based biomarker discovery. He has led grants exploring cadmium-dysregulated miRNAs and contributed to over 30 peer-reviewed publications. Professional memberships include the American Physiological Society and American Association for Cancer Research. Fay has developed academic programs like the Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences and teaches pharmacology courses emphasizing drug mechanisms in complex systems.
Wojciech Kamysz is a Professor and Head of the Department of Inorganic Chemistry at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk. His research focuses on antimicrobial peptides, drug delivery systems, and nanomedicine, with interdisciplinary collaborations in analytical chemistry and biosensor development. Key areas include venom-derived peptide characterization, peptide-drug conjugates, and AI-driven drug discovery. Research interests span peptide synthesis and modification, including glycosylated and lipopeptide structures, alongside investigations into nanoparticle antimicrobial properties and biosensor technologies for early disease detection. He leads a laboratory exploring marine-derived compounds, enzymatic inhibitors, and interdisciplinary approaches to multifactorial disease therapeutics. Recent publications highlight advancements in antimicrobial peptide design, nanoparticle stability optimization, and AI-assisted biomarker detection systems. His work bridges organic chemistry, pharmacology, and medical applications, with over 450 documented outputs including peer-reviewed articles and patents. He supervises research teams in peptide-drug interaction studies, biosensor fabrication, and antimicrobial mechanism analysis. His lab is affiliated with the Medical University of Gdańsk's pharmaceutical innovation initiatives and international collaborations in drug discovery.
Adam V Wisnewski is a Senior Research Scientist in Medicine (Occupational Medicine) at Yale University's School of Medicine, affiliated with the Department of Medicine. He holds a PhD in Biology from Brown University and completed postdoctoral training at the Harvard AIDS Institute. His research focuses on occupational asthma caused by isocyanates, particularly in industries like construction and automotive manufacturing. His laboratory develops biomarkers for exposure surveillance and clinical hypersensitivity, including blood tests and animal models to study immunopathology mechanisms. Wisnewski is a Diplomate of the American Board of Medical Laboratory Immunology (D(ABMLI)). Key research interests include molecular biochemistry of isocyanate-induced asthma, glutathione reactivity with isocyanates, and viral immunology (e.g., SARS-CoV-2). He collaborates with institutions like the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Air Force, and international teams (Canada, Netherlands, South Korea). Recent work explores occupational risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in healthcare workers and cross-reactive antibodies in malaria patients. Publications highlight advancements in understanding isocyanate toxicity, antibody responses to mRNA vaccines, and mechanisms of allergic airway inflammation. His work bridges environmental toxicology, immunology, and clinical diagnostics. No formal advisees are listed, though he collaborates extensively with postdocs and researchers (e.g., Jian Liu, Carrie Redlich). Education: PhD in Biology (Brown University, 1994), BS in Biochemistry (UC Berkeley, 1988) Grants: Supported by NIH, Department of Defense, and industry collaborations (not explicitly listed) Labs/Teams: Focuses on occupational asthma mechanisms and biomarker development within Yale's Department of Medicine
Anna Bruchez, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology at the School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University. Her research focuses on understanding viral pathogenesis through unbiased genetic screening approaches, targeting RNA viruses like Ebolavirus and Coronaviruses. The Bruchez Lab employs high-throughput screens to identify host-virus interactions and innate immune mechanisms that hinder viral replication, utilizing BSL3 facilities for studies involving SARS-CoV-2. Key areas of investigation include viral entry mechanisms, host resistance pathways, and antiviral strategies. Research interests center on emerging viral pathogens, with a focus on uncovering novel cellular pathways that modulate infection outcomes. Techniques include forward genetic screening, CRISPR-based mutagenesis, and biochemical assays to dissect virus-host interactions. The lab's work contributes to both fundamental virology and potential therapeutic development. Recent publications highlight studies on ACE2 receptor dependencies for coronaviruses, identification of host factors like CIITA and NPC1 in viral resistance, and development of antiviral inhibitors through small molecule screening. No specific scientific awards are listed in the provided materials. Labs/teams: The Bruchez Lab operates within the Department of Pathology, leveraging advanced molecular biology tools and containment facilities to address critical questions in virology. Current projects aim to reveal molecular mechanisms underlying viral entry and host defense, with applications toward combating emerging infectious diseases.
Kenneth Matreyek is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology at Case Western Reserve University's School of Medicine. He is also a member of the Cleveland Center for Membrane & Structural Biology. His research focuses on developing genetic technologies to study protein sequence variants and their impacts on disease. He holds a BSc in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics from UCLA, a PhD in Virology from Harvard University, and completed postdoctoral training in Genome Sciences at the University of Washington. Research Interests: The Matreyek Lab investigates how protein variants contribute to disease using mammalian synthetic biology to create multiplex genetic assays. Key areas include: Characterization of germline/somatic missense variants Infectious disease/viral biology (e.g., HIV, SARS-CoV-2) Systematic analysis of protein domains and peptide motifs Drug metabolism variant impacts Directed evolution of novel proteins Publications: Recent work includes high-throughput studies of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein mutations, ACE2 receptor dependencies, and functional screening of protein variants. His lab's approach combines synthetic biology with high-throughput sequencing to address fundamental biological questions. Labs/Teams: Leads the Matreyek Lab, which operates out of the CWRU School of Medicine. Collaborates with virology, synthetic biology, and clinical genomics groups. Lab website: MatreyekLab.com
Gözde Korkmaz is an Assistant Professor at Koç University School of Medicine, leading her own laboratory focused on transcriptional regulation, epigenetics, and their roles in cancer development and drug resistance. She obtained her B.Sc. in Molecular Biology and Genetics from Istanbul Technical University, followed by a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences and Bioengineering from Sabancı University. Her postdoctoral training at the Netherlands Cancer Institute under Reuven Agami deepened her expertise in CRISPR-based functional genomic screens. She is a recipient of the TÜBİTAK 2232 International Fellowship for Outstanding Researchers Program. Her research integrates CRISPR-Cas9 genome-scale screens with next-generation sequencing to identify therapeutic targets in cancer. Key areas of focus include enhancer elements, autophagy regulation, and the interplay between transcription factors and oncogenic pathways. Her lab utilizes 3D cell culture models and advanced genomic tools like GRO-seq to study cancer biology comprehensively. Education: Bachelor’s: Molecular Biology and Genetics, Istanbul Technical University Ph.D.: Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Sabancı University Postdoctoral Training: Netherlands Cancer Institute Her research has produced seminal contributions to CRISPR-based enhancer discovery and autophagy regulation. Awards include the TÜBİTAK fellowship recognizing her international research impact. She actively collaborates on projects addressing tumor heterogeneity and epigenetic drivers of cancer progression. Labs & Teams: Directs her independent laboratory at Koç University School of Medicine, emphasizing translational cancer research with a focus on functional genomics and therapeutic target identification.
Minh Ho is a Researcher at the Yale School of Medicine within the Department of Dermatology . He is affiliated with the Bunick Lab , where his work focuses on structural biology, molecular interactions, and cellular regulation. His research examines ubiquitous proteins like vimentin, keratin, and ubiquitin, using structural biology, biochemical assays, and systems-level analyses to understand their roles in cellular function and disease. Cross-disciplinary applications span dermatology , inflammatory disorders , and translational medicine . Recent publications highlight structural studies on intermediate filaments , IL-4Rα inhibition , and PDE4 inhibitors , with implications for therapeutic design and disease mechanisms. Minh Ho has made significant contributions to understanding keratin gene evolution , profilaggrin binding , and ubiquitin pathway modulation , though no scientific awards are explicitly listed. He earned a Master of Science in Molecular Cell Biology from Sungkyunkwan University and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Green Mountain College . His work involves collaborations with researchers like Christopher Bunick , Ivan Lomakin , and Jimin Wang .
Wenjun Zheng is a Professor in the Department of Physics at the University at Buffalo (College of Arts and Sciences). His research focuses on computational biophysics and structural biology, specifically investigating biomolecular functions via multi-scale modeling of molecular dynamics. He employs coarse-grained and atomistic models to study biomolecular 'nanomachines' like motor proteins, ion channels, and ryanodine receptors. His work integrates experimental data with computational models to predict molecular behaviors and guide future experiments. Education: BS in Electrical Engineering, Zhejiang University, China (1995) MS in Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (1998) PhD in Physics, Stanford University (2003) Research Interests: Zheng’s long-term goal is to computationally decrypt biomolecular dynamics, particularly in systems like TRPV1, NMDA receptors, and myosin. His methodologies include molecular dynamics simulations, elastic network models, and flexible fitting of experimental data (e.g., cryo-EM, SAXS). He emphasizes multi-scale approaches to balance accuracy and computational efficiency. Publications: Over 100 peer-reviewed articles span topics like ion channel gating, helicase mechanisms, and protein conformational transitions. Recent work explores allosteric modulation of NMDA receptors and cryptic ligand-binding sites prediction using machine learning. Awards: NSF CAREER Award (2010) Advising/Grants: Active in mentoring graduate students and securing funding for computational biophysics projects. Collaborates with experimentalists to validate and refine models. Labs/Teams: Leads a lab focused on computational structural biology, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to biomolecular systems.
Leontine van Unen is a researcher in the Clinical Genetics department at Erasmus MC, Faculty of Medicine. Her work focuses on improving genetic diagnostics through advanced molecular techniques and transcriptome analysis. Her primary research interests include RNA splicing mechanisms, neurofibromatosis type 1, Legius syndrome, tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), and variant classification methodologies. She has made significant contributions to understanding how RNA analysis can improve diagnostic yield when DNA testing appears normal. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward developing more sensitive diagnostic approaches for neurodevelopmental disorders and genetic syndromes, with particular emphasis on transcriptome screening and functional assays to validate variant pathogenicity. Her work bridges basic molecular biology with clinical applications in genetic diagnostics. Dr. van Unen has collaborated extensively with researchers across multiple institutions on projects related to genetic disorder diagnostics and variant interpretation. Her research has been cited multiple times, indicating significant impact in the field of clinical genetics.
Rakhi Rajan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Oklahoma, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on CRISPR-Cas systems, particularly the structural and biochemical mechanisms underlying protein-nucleic acid interactions in bacterial immunity and genome editing. She holds a B.S. from Kerala Agricultural University (1998), a Ph.D. from Ohio State University (2007), and postdoctoral training at Northwestern University (2007-2014). Her lab investigates CRISPR-Cas9 and Cas12a systems, exploring how bridge helix conformations regulate DNA cleavage specificity, CRISPR adaptation processes, and CRISPR contributions to bacterial pathogenicity. Techniques include X-ray crystallography, biochemistry, and collaborations with computational methods (e.g., EPR studies with Dr. Peter Z. Qin). Recent work includes engineering Cas proteins for improved specificity, characterizing allosteric regulation via bridge helix dynamics, and understanding CRISPR’s role in pathogen virulence. Her research bridges structural biology and biotechnological applications, with implications for precision gene editing and diagnostics. Lab activities and collaborations emphasize structural-functional insights into CRISPR systems, with projects supported by grants focusing on mechanistic and applied aspects of CRISPR-Cas proteins.
Dr. Jason Gummow is a virologist and facility manager at the University of Adelaide's Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, specifically within the School of Biomedicine. He oversees two core facilities: the Gene Silencing and Expression (GSEx) laboratory and the Functional Genomics South Australia (FGSA) facility. The GSEx lab specializes in viral vector production (lentiviral, AAV, retroviral vectors) for research in gene delivery, silencing, and virology. FGSA provides state-of-the-art services including CRISPR gene editing, high-throughput screening, and functional genomics assays as part of Phenomics Australia's network. His research interests focus on virology, functional genomics, and advanced genetic tools for biomedical applications. Recent work has explored immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 variants, vaccine development for hepatitis C and HIV, and the role of autophagy in chronic respiratory diseases. His publications highlight expertise in immunology, viral pathogenesis, and translational vaccine strategies. Dr. Gummow's contributions to facilities management ensure researchers access cutting-edge resources for gene editing, viral vector engineering, and large-scale genomic studies. He actively collaborates on projects involving CRISPR technology, T-cell mediated immunity, and infectious disease modeling.
Dr. David Bersten is a Grant-Funded Researcher (B) in the School of Biomedicine at the University of Adelaide, part of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. His research focuses on transcription factor regulation, particularly bHLH-PAS proteins, and their roles in the central nervous system (CNS), metabolism, and genetic disorders. Key areas include defining target gene selection rules for transcription factors, neuronal activity control via NPAS proteins, hypothalamic regulation of appetite, and GABA receptor function. He employs molecular techniques and mouse models to study gene regulation in response to hypoxia, neuronal activity, and metabolic stimuli. Research Interests: Transcription factor mechanisms (e.g., NPAS1, NPAS3, NPAS4, SIM1, OTP) CNS development and function, including excitatory/inhibitory neuron balance Metabolic disorders and hypothalamic control of appetite GABAergic signaling and miRNA roles in neuronal subtypes Advising & Supervision: Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD students in molecular biology, neuroscience, and genetics.
Mostafa Zamanian is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pathobiological Sciences at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine. He leads an active research laboratory focused on parasitic helminths, particularly filarial and neglected tropical diseases, combining molecular, genomic, and computational approaches. He is affiliated with multiple graduate training programs, including Comparative Biomedical Sciences (CBMS), Microbiology Doctoral Training Program (MDTP), Cell and Molecular Pathology (CMP), Molecular and Cell Pharmacology (MCP), and Quantitative Biology (QBio). He also serves on NIH T32 training grants in Parasitology and Vector Biology (PVB) and Genomic Sciences Training Program (GSTP). His research aims to understand the biology of neglected parasitic diseases and develop novel strategies to disrupt host-parasite interactions. Key areas include parasite secretory functions , exosome biology , chemosensation , drug resistance mechanisms , and new drug target identification . The lab employs cutting-edge techniques such as spatial transcriptomics, single-cell analysis, long-read RNA sequencing, and image-based phenotyping. The recent publications reflect a strong trend toward integrating genomics and systems biology to understand parasite behavior and identify vulnerabilities. Work spans from field studies in the Colombian Amazon to high-throughput drug screening and computational modeling. A major focus is on Mansonella , Brugia , and Schistosoma species, with applications in diagnostics, epidemiology, and therapeutic development. Scientific awards and recognitions include: NIH F32 Fellowship Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship (Honorable Mention) NSF GRFP Honorable Mention 1st Place Poster Prize at BSP/ISP Joint Meeting GHI Visiting Scholar Award Multiple presentation awards at national meetings Dr. Zamanian is actively involved in mentoring, advising graduate and undergraduate students, and securing competitive grants. His lab has received funding from: NIH/NIAID R01 (Parasite secretory function) NIH/NIAID K22 Phase II Award Parasitology and Vector Biology T32 Training Grant (PVB) Genomic Sciences Training Program (GSTP) Global Health Institute (GHI) Grant National Center for Veterinary Parasitology (NCVP) / AHS He trains students through multiple interdisciplinary programs and encourages fellowship applications from postdoctoral researchers. The Zamanian Lab is a dynamic team of postdocs, PhD students, and undergraduates working on diverse aspects of helminth biology. Current members include Kendra Dahmer, Nic Wheeler, Katie Ryan, Clair Henthorn, and postdoc Sebastián Díaz based in Medellín, Colombia. The lab fosters international collaboration and field-based research, particularly in endemic regions of South America.
Sara Miller is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Missouri - St. Louis, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. She leads the Social Insect Diversity Lab, focusing on the interplay between genomics, behavior, and ecology in shaping biological diversity. Her research primarily investigates primitively eusocial Polistes paper wasps, examining speciation drivers, social behavior's impact on diversification rates, and biodiversity comparisons between social and solitary insects. Methodologies include genome assembly, population genetics, museum collections, and behavioral experiments. 2025: Evolution of cognition in social insects 2025: Genomic architecture and phylogeny 2023: Cooperation and recognition mechanisms 2023: Sex-linked genetic variation 2022: Polistes genome assemblies 2021: Environmental genomics and behavior 2020: Population structure and coevolution The Social Insect Diversity Lab serves as a hub for exploring social insect evolution through modern genomic and ecological approaches. Dr. Miller's work bridges molecular biology with macroevolutionary questions, emphasizing interdisciplinary research across biological scales.
