Find Academic Supervisors

Harris H. WangView profile

Associate Professor

• Systems Biology
• Synthetic Biology
• Genome Engineering
• +17 more

Harris H. Wang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Systems Biology and Department of Pathology and Cell Biology at Columbia University's Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he also serves as Interim Chair of Systems Biology. He is affiliated with the Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics (C2B2) and the Integrated Program in Cellular, Molecular and Biomedical Studies (CMBS). B.S., Physics and Mathematics, MIT Ph.D., Biophysics, Harvard University Dr. Wang's research lies at the intersection of systems and synthetic biology, focusing on developing foundational technologies for genome engineering, microbiome manipulation, and synthetic genomics. His lab pioneers methods such as MAGE, MAGIC, CAST, and CAMII to enable high-throughput genetic manipulation, in situ microbiome engineering, and AI-driven microbial culturomics. Key research themes include understanding microbial community dynamics, engineering cellular memory systems, designing biocontained genetic circuits, and applying synthetic biology to human health challenges in personalized medicine and infectious disease. His recent publications reveal a strong trend in spatial and functional metagenomics, CRISPR-based microbiome editing, and synthetic biology tools for data storage and genetic stability. The articles span high-impact journals like Nature , Science , and Nature Biotechnology , reflecting his leadership in developing scalable, programmable biological systems. Scientific Awards: NIH Director’s Early Independence Award Forbes 30 Under 30 in Science Sloan Research Fellowship NSF CAREER Award ONR Young Investigator Award Burroughs Wellcome Fund PATH Award Schaefer Scholar Blavatnik National Award Vilcek Prize PECASE Dr. Wang has advised numerous PhD and postdoctoral researchers, many of whom have gone on to independent scientific careers. His lab is supported by major grants from NIH, NSF, DARPA, DOE, and foundations including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and CZ Biohub NY. He is actively involved in educational initiatives, including organizing Columbia’s iGEM team and the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Synthetic Biology course. The Wang Lab is based at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center and is part of national consortia such as the Engineering Biology Research Consortium (EBRC) and the Genome Project-Write (GP-Write) initiative. The lab develops and applies cutting-edge technologies in automation, machine learning, and synthetic biology to engineer microbiomes for applications in medicine, global health, and climate change.

Brett WelchView profile

Assistant Professor

• Psychology
• Communication Disorders
• Voice Disorders
• +4 more

Brett Welch is an Assistant Professor and Biostatistician at the University of Houston with dual appointments in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and the Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences within the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. Dr. Welch's educational background includes: Ph.D. in Communication Science and Disorders from the University of Pittsburgh M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley B.S. in Linguistics from the University of Texas at Austin B.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders – Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Texas at Austin Dr. Welch's research sits at the intersection of psychology and communication. He seeks to understand how psychological processes like personality and psychopathology influence communication behaviors, and conversely, how communication behaviors impact psycho-social well-being. His work leverages quantitative methods, cross-sectional studies, and intensive longitudinal designs to interrogate the dynamic interplay between psychological processes and voice and communication behaviors. This research aims to advance understanding of functional voice disorders, improve assessment of psychopathology, and promote well-being for people with and without communication disorders. Dr. Welch has received several notable awards: Honors Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders PhD Scholarship (2024) New Century Scholars Doctoral Scholarship from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation (2023) New Investigator Forum from The Voice Foundation (2021) As an academic, Dr. Welch serves as an ad hoc peer reviewer for various scientific journals in speech-language pathology and psychology. He is also a mentor in the Students to Empowered Professional Mentoring Program and a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. His teaching includes Special Problems: Introduction to Quantitative Modeling (COMD 8398). Dr. Welch maintains an active research program focused on the intersection of psychology and communication, with particular emphasis on voice disorders and their psychological correlates. His work combines biostatistical approaches with clinical insights to advance understanding in this specialized field.

Alexis BattleView profile

Associate Professor

• Genomics
• Machine Learning
• Computational Biology
• +3 more

Alexis Battle is an Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins University with appointments in Biomedical Engineering , Computer Science , and Genetic Medicine (secondary). She directs the Malone Center for Engineering in Healthcare and serves as Deputy Director of the Data Science and AI Institute . Educated at Stanford University (PhD in Computer Science, 2013), Battle transitioned to academia after leadership roles at Google. Research Focus: Battle’s work bridges genomics and machine learning , emphasizing the impact of genetic variation on human health. Her lab develops tools like Watershed to predict functional effects of rare variants, aiming to enhance rare disease diagnosis. Key themes include non-coding DNA analysis , personalized genomics , and systems biology , with applications in cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative disorders . Publications & Awards: Over 60 peer-reviewed articles in journals like Nature , Science , and Genome Biology , with recent emphasis on single-cell transcriptomics , multiomics integration , and telomere biology . Recipient of the President’s Frontier Award (2022), Microsoft Investigator Fellowship (2019), and Searle Scholar (2016). Scientific Awards: 2022 President’s Frontier Award 2019 Microsoft Investigator Fellowship 2019 Johns Hopkins Discovery Award 2017 Johns Hopkins Catalyst Award 2016 Searle Scholar Advising & Funding: Mentors 11 PhD students, 3 undergraduates, and postdoctoral fellows. Her research is funded by NIH, Searle Scholars, and institutional grants. The Battle Lab collaborates on projects like the GTEx Consortium , focusing on gene regulation and clinical genomics .

Ning ZhangView profile

Assistant Professor

• Plant Defense Mechanisms
• Genome Editing Technologies
• Crop Improvement
• +3 more

Ning Zhang is an Assistant Professor in the Biology Department at James Madison University (JMU), joining in 2024. Her research focuses on enhancing crop resilience through molecular and biochemical studies of plant defense mechanisms against bacterial pathogens, alongside developing genome editing technologies for trait improvement. She holds a PhD in Horticulture and Crop Science from The Ohio State University (2016), an MS in Silviculture from Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University (2011), and a BS in Landscape Architecture from Shandong Agricultural University (2008). Research Interests: Dr. Zhang's lab investigates plant immunity pathways, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing applications, and engineering crops for disease resistance. Her work integrates molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry to tackle challenges posed by climate change and biotic/abiotic stresses. Recent Trends in Publications: Her articles concentrate on MAPK signaling pathways, NLR protein interactions, PP2C phosphatase regulation, and bacterial effector mechanisms in tomato and other crops. Key themes include immune system activation, pathogen recognition diversity, and transgenic plant development. Lab Information: The Zhang Lab at JMU is part of the Department of Biology, focusing on plant biotechnology solutions for agricultural sustainability. They collaborate on projects involving CRISPR-based gene editing and stress tolerance research.

Christopher Thomas SegeView profile

Assistant Professor

• Anxiety Disorders
• Neurophysiology
• Emotional Processing
• +4 more

Christopher Thomas Sege, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) College of Medicine. His research focuses on the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying anxiety disorders, particularly examining escape, avoidance, and approach behaviors in the anxiety disorder spectrum. Dr. Sege's primary research interests include: Anxiety Disorders and Emotional Processing Defensive Behaviors and Coping Mechanisms Neurophysiological Correlates of Emotional Anticipation Startle Response and Autonomic Nervous System Functioning Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) Applications His work bridges clinical psychology with neuroscience to understand how individuals with anxiety disorders process and respond to emotional stimuli. Dr. Sege leads the research study "Modeling and Modulating Mechanisms of Escape, Avoidance, and Approach in the Anxiety Disorder Spectrum" which investigates whether repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can alter how people with anxiety cope with emotional situations. This study involves measuring brain activation while participants view emotional pictures and undergo rTMS procedures. His publication record demonstrates expertise across multiple domains: Neurophysiological mechanisms of defensive behaviors Emotional anticipation and perception Startle modulation in anxiety disorders Borderline personality disorder research Development of experimental paradigms for emotional processing studies His research employs multiple methodologies including psychophysiology, event-related potentials, and neurostimulation techniques. Dr. Sege collaborates with researchers including Lisa McTeague, Bernadette Cortese, Carla Danielson, Thomas Uhde, and Aicko Schumann. His work appears in journals such as Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, Biological Psychology, and Psychophysiology.

• Evolutionary Biology
• Marine Biology
• Taxonomy
• +5 more

Mikael Thollesson is a Senior Lecturer at Uppsala University, affiliated with the Department of Organismal Biology; Systematic Biology and Klubban’s Biological Station. His research focuses on evolutionary biology, phylogenetics, taxonomy, and molecular biology, particularly in marine and freshwater sponges (Porifera), bacterial pathogens, and computational methods in evolutionary analysis. Evolutionary Biology Marine Biology Taxonomy His recent publications highlight trends in sponge biodiversity, phylogeography, bacterial horizontal gene transfer, and mitochondrial gene evolution. Key articles include studies on Swedish demosponge faunas, Silene sect. Arenosae systematics, and computational tools like SPRIT for detecting gene transfers. No explicit awards or grants are mentioned.

Paul R MoorcroftView profile

Professor

• Ecological Dynamics
• Biosphere-Atmosphere Interactions
• Animal Movement Ecology
• +3 more

Paul R Moorcroft is a Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University and an Affiliate in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). His research focuses on ecological dynamics of terrestrial plant communities, biosphere-atmosphere interactions, and mechanistic models of animal movement. He collaborates with institutions like NASA JPL on projects such as the ECOSTRESS mission, which investigates environmental processes using satellite data. His lab, the Moorcroft Lab, emphasizes fieldwork and interdisciplinary approaches, as seen in recent collaborations in Italy and Southeast Asia. Key research areas include tropical forest ecology, carbon cycling in peatlands, and the application of remote sensing technologies to environmental monitoring. His work bridges theoretical models with empirical data, addressing global challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss. Recent publications highlight contributions to quantifying carbon emissions from peatland drainage and improving satellite-based mapping of forest functional traits. His advising activities include mentoring graduate students like Rhemi Toth. Collaborations with NASA and academic partners underscore his role in advancing Earth systems science through interdisciplinary research.

Qiaowei PanView profile

Researcher

• Evolutionary Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• +7 more

Qiaowei Pan is a Researcher at the University of Lausanne , focusing on Evolution and Ecology . They have held a Guest Researcher role at the Institute of Molecular Biology gGmbH (IMB) in Mainz, Germany since 2023, and a Postdoctoral Researcher position at the University of Lausanne since 2018. Education: PhD in Molecular and Evolutionary Biology (2014-2018), INRAe, University of Rennes II, France Erasmus Mundus Master in Evolutionary Biology (MEME) (2012-2014), University of Groningen (Netherlands) & University of Montpellier II (France) BSc in Biology (2008-2012), University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, USA Research Interests: Qiaowei Pan's work centers on the intersection of molecular genetics , evolutionary biology , and developmental biology , particularly in sex determination mechanisms across diverse animal models. Their studies span non-coding RNA regulation , sex chromosome evolution , and signal transduction pathways like TGF-β in reproductive systems. Publication Trends: Recent articles highlight expertise in sex determination systems (5/12 publications), genomic approaches (6/12), and fish developmental evolution . Collaborative work includes computational methods ( RADSex workflow ) and comparative studies across ant , goldfish , catfish , and cavefish models. Labs & Teams: Currently affiliated with the Keller-Valsecchi group at IMB and the Department of Evolution and Ecology at the University of Lausanne.

Lara FerryView profile

Professor

• Functional Morphology
• Aquatic Organisms
• Biomechanics
• +5 more

Lara Ferry is the Vice President of Research at Arizona State University (ASU), holding the title of President’s Professor. She is affiliated with the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, specifically the School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, and serves as graduate faculty in the School of Life Sciences. Her roles include advancing research strategies, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, and enhancing partnerships with institutions, communities, donors, and industry. Ferry is also a PLuS Alliance Fellow, a Senior Global Futures Scientist at the Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation, and affiliated with the Biodesign Institute and Global Security Initiative. She holds honors faculty status in ASU’s Barrett Honors College. Her academic background includes a B.S. in Biology from Cal Poly State University, M.S. in Marine Science from San Francisco State University, Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from UC Irvine, and postdoctoral work at UC Davis. Her research focuses on functional morphology, particularly the evolution of jaws and skeletal materials in aquatic organisms. She has contributed to understanding prey capture mechanisms in fish and the biomechanics of cartilage in elasmobranchs. Ferry’s awards include the 2016 Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award, 2014 Outstanding Research/Creative Activity Award, and the 2018 President’s Professor title. She has led initiatives in equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) and served on boards of professional societies like the American Elasmobranch Society and Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology. Her editorial roles include Senior Executive Editor of Functional Ecology and editorial board memberships in journals like Integrative & Comparative Biology . Her research activity spans functional morphology, biomechanics, and marine physiology, with grants focused on interdisciplinary education and diversity in STEM. Notable projects include studies on cartilage strength in sharks and collaborations on cultural change in professional societies.

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Clinical Psychology
• Decision-Making Processes
• +3 more

Andrea Reiter is a Professor at the Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, holding the W1-Professur für Lernprozesse in der Entwicklungspsychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Prävention. Her research focuses on decision-making processes in clinical populations, lifespan changes, and the impact of stress/social influences. She employs computational modeling combined with fMRI and EEG. Education: Dr. rer. nat. (summa cum laude, 2016) from University of Leipzig, Master of Advanced Studies in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (University of Bern), and Diploma in Psychology from Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (2012). She also studied Literature and Educational Sciences alongside Psychology. Professional Experience includes a research position at TU Dresden (since 2015), guest research at Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences (since 2015), and PhD work at IMPRS NeuroCom (2012-2015). She has clinical experience as a Psychologist at Kreiskrankenhaus Tauberbischofsheim. Research Awards: Austrian Academy Grant (2016), Poster Award (2014), DZ Banken Career Prize (2013), and IMPRS PhD stipend (2012-2015). Her publications (2013-2016) emphasize neuroimaging studies on decision-making deficits in disorders like binge eating and alcohol dependence, with methodological strengths in computational modeling and EEG/fMRI integration.

• Immunology
• Genomics
• Multiomics Analysis
• +3 more

Calliope Dendrou is an Associate Professor in Clinical Pathology and Inflammation at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology (KIR), University of Oxford, leading the Immune Disease Multiomics Laboratory. She previously held a Wellcome & Royal Society Sir Henry Dale Fellowship at the University of Oxford’s Centre for Human Genetics before joining KIR in 2023. Her research focuses on immune disease mechanisms using multiomics approaches, including genomic profiling to identify therapeutic targets across tissues and immune-mediated diseases. She co-leads large-scale projects like the Oxford-J&J Cartography Consortium and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative’s LEGACY Network, and teaches on the MSc in Genomic Medicine program. Educational Background: BSc (Biology, Imperial College London, 2005; Forbes Memorial Medal Winner); PhD in Infection & Immunity (University of Cambridge, 2010). Postdoctoral training at the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine under Prof. Lars Fugger. Research interests include immunogenetics, cytokine signaling pathways, drug repositioning, and cross-disease pathophysiology. Her work integrates single-cell and spatial transcriptomics to dissect immune-cell interactions in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and celiac disease. Recent articles highlight her contributions to understanding vaccine adjuvant responses, Th17 cell roles in spondyloarthritis, and immune-epithelial networks in celiac disease. Collaborations emphasize multi-omic data analysis (e.g., Panpipes pipeline) and translational studies toward precision medicine. Awards: Forbes Memorial Medal (BSc), Wellcome & Royal Society Sir Henry Dale Fellowship. Leadership roles include Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Champion and 'Single-Cell & Spatial Omics for Precision Medicine' Module Lead. Lab & Teams: Immune Disease Multiomics Lab at KIR. Active in collaborative initiatives such as the LEGACY Network, focusing on large-scale immune profiling in ancestrally diverse populations.

John P. O'DohertyView profile

Professor

• Decision Neuroscience
• Reward-related Learning
• Computational Modeling
• +3 more

John P. O'Doherty serves as the Fletcher Jones Professor of Decision Neuroscience within Caltech's Division of Humanities and Social Sciences, holding continuous faculty appointments since 2004 (Assistant Professor 2004-07, Associate Professor 2007-09, Professor 2009-present, Fletcher Jones Professor 2021-present). He previously directed the Caltech Brain Imaging Center (2013-17) and maintains affiliations with the T&C Chen Center for Social and Decision Neuroscience. His educational background includes a B.A. from University of Dublin, Trinity College (1996) and D.Phil. from University of Oxford (2000). His research focuses on computational and neural mechanisms of reward-based learning and decision-making , employing fMRI, intracranial recordings, and mathematical modeling to investigate how the brain solves complex decision problems through evolutionarily conserved algorithms. Key areas include Reinforcement learning systems (model-based/model-free arbitration) Observational and social learning mechanisms Neural representation of value, risk, and uncertainty Computational phenotyping of mental disorders Temporal dynamics of goal persistence Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals dominant trends in computational psychiatry (problem gambling, autism traits), hierarchical decision-making, and neuroeconomic modeling of social behavior. His work consistently integrates cross-species computational frameworks with human neuroimaging to identify transdiagnostic mechanisms. While specific awards beyond his endowed professorship aren't detailed, his leadership as Brain Imaging Center Director and prolific high-impact publications demonstrate significant recognition. Current advising includes graduate researcher Sneha Aenugu on goal-persistence projects, with administrative support from Mary A. Martin (mmartin@caltech.edu). His active research program continues to pioneer computational approaches to understanding decision pathologies.

Steven G. ClarkeView profile

Professor

• Biochemistry
• Systems Biology
• Biological Regulation
• +8 more

Dr. Steven G. Clarke is a Distinguished Professor at UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and director of research at the Molecular Biology Institute . His work bridges protein chemistry , methylation biology , and aging research through studies of spontaneous protein damage and its repair mechanisms. Education: BA in Chemistry and Zoology, Pomona College (magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa) PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harvard University (NSF Fellow) Postdoctoral Fellowship at UC Berkeley (Miller Fellow) Dr. Clarke's research focuses on protein isoaspartyl repair via PCMT1/PIMT enzymes , ribosomal protein methylation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae , and PRMT family characterization including PRMT7 and PRMT9. His lab combines biochemical assays , genetic models , and structural analysis to investigate aging mechanisms and disease implications. Recent publications highlight: COQ5 structure-function analysis in coenzyme Q biosynthesis PCMTD1 ubiquitin ligase interactions PRMT7 substrate specificity in histone H2B Protein isoaspartyl impacts on T cell function in lupus Novel PRMT inhibitors for cancer therapy Methionine addiction in osteosarcoma malignancy Major scientific awards: American Chemical Society Ralph F. Hirschmann Award in Peptide Chemistry NIH MERIT Award Ellison Medical Foundation Senior Scholar Award William C. Rose Award, ASBMB UCLA Distinguished Teaching Award (Eby Award winner) Current lab members include PhD candidates Eric Pang (UCSB) and Sining "Cindy" Wang (UCLA), while undergraduates Celeste Medina-Seymoure , Elizabeth Oroudjeva , Olivia Pacheco , and Jasmine Winter contribute to ongoing proteostasis studies. Collaborations with Profs. Jose Rodriguez and Catherine Clarke demonstrate interdisciplinary research approaches.

Kathryn RoederView profile

Professor

• Statistical Genetics
• Genomics
• Biostatistics
• +5 more

Kathryn Roeder is the UPMC University Professor of Statistics and Life Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), affiliated with the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Departments of Statistics & Data Science and Computational Biology. Her research focuses on developing statistical methods for genetic and genomic data, particularly in identifying autism risk genes and analyzing single-cell multi-omic data. She earned her Ph.D. in Statistics from Penn State University and has been at CMU since 1994, previously serving as Vice Provost for Faculty (2015–2019). Education: Ph.D. in Statistics, Penn State University (1988) B.S. in Wildlife Resources, University of Idaho (1982) Research Interests: Her work integrates modern statistical techniques (high-dimensional statistics, machine learning, networks) to study complex diseases like autism and schizophrenia. Recent efforts include tools for analyzing single-cell RNA-seq and proteomic data, such as UNICORN, DAWN, and SCEPTRE. Key Awards: COPSS Distinguished Achievement Award (2020) National Academy of Sciences Member (2019) COPSS Presidents’ Award (1997) AAAS Fellow (2020) Advising & Grants: She has advised over 20 Ph.D. students, many contributing to landmark studies in autism genetics. Her grants include NIH funding for projects like the Autism Sequencing Consortium. Current research teams focus on computational biology and statistical genetics. Labs & Collaborations: Her lab develops software tools (e.g., TADA, MIND) and collaborates with the Autism Sequencing Consortium and iPSYCH-BROAD Consortium on large-scale genomic studies.

• Forest Ecology
• Global Change Biology
• Root Ecology
• +6 more

Prof. Dr. Ina Christin Meier serves as Head of Department and Head of Research Unit for Functional Forest Ecology at the University of Hamburg, within the Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences. She is affiliated with the Institute of Wood Sciences (Institut für Holzwissenschaften) in the Department of Biology, where she leads research on forest ecosystem responses to global environmental changes at Ohnhorststrasse 18, 22609 Hamburg. Dr. Meier's research focuses on the impacts of global change factors —including increasing atmospheric CO 2 concentration, summer drought, nitrogen deposition, and intensified management—on the biogeochemistry and biodiversity of temperate, boreal, Mediterranean, and global forest biomes. Her work spans functional ecology of forest trees and grasslands , interactions between roots, mycorrhizal fungi and soil , ecophysiology , and long-term changes in forest ecosystems . She has made significant contributions to understanding root carbon allocation, tropical forest responses to climate change, and the role of mycorrhizal relationships in forest ecosystems. Analysis of Dr. Meier's publication record reveals a strong emphasis on belowground ecology and global change biology , with particular attention to root systems across diverse biomes. Her research bridges plant physiology, ecosystem ecology, and climate science, often synthesizing data from multiple studies to identify broader patterns. She frequently investigates how carbon allocation to root exudates affects soil sequestration and drought response, and has developed important frameworks for understanding root trait responses to multiple global change drivers. Dr. Meier actively collaborates with international research teams across continents. Her work on Nature's Contributions to People has demonstrated that securing essential ecosystem services requires maintaining at least 20-25% semi-natural habitat in human-modified landscapes. She also investigates the chemical complexity of root exudates and their ecological significance, contributing methodological advances to this challenging area of research.