Prof. Dr. Kathrin Schumann is an Assistant Professor at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), leading the 'Engineering Immune Cells for Therapy' group within the TUM School of Medicine and Health. Her research focuses on CRISPR-based engineering of human immune cells to develop novel therapies for autoimmune and tumor diseases. She holds a doctorate from the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry and has conducted postdoctoral research at the University of California, San Francisco, under Professors Alex Marson and Jeffrey Bluestone. Dr. Schumann’s academic career includes a Presidential Postdoc Fellowship at Novartis (Basel) and a tenure-track appointment at TUM since 2018. Her work emphasizes genomic editing of T cells to study gene function and improve cell therapy safety. Key research themes include CRISPR-mediated gene silencing, T cell receptor engineering, and HIV-host interaction studies. Education: Bachelor/Master in Biochemistry, University of Tübingen PhD, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry (Martinsried) Postdoc, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Her research has yielded breakthroughs in CRISPR applications for T cell therapy, including PD-1 disruption to enhance anti-tumor efficacy and targeted editing of T cell receptors. Awards include a DFG research grant (2016). Notable achievements include the development of CRISPR ribonucleoprotein platforms for primary T cells and insights into metabolic checkpoints in T cell exhaustion. Her lab collaborates globally to translate CRISPR-based discoveries into clinical therapies.
Kara McKinley is an Assistant Professor of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology at Harvard University , joining the department in 2021. She is a Principal Faculty member at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute , an Associate member of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard , and a Freeman Hrabowski Scholar at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute . Her research focuses on the regenerative capacity of the human uterus , particularly the endometrium, which undergoes ~400 cycles of tissue remodeling, shedding, and repair during the reproductive lifespan. Using rodent models , genetic, molecular, and live microscopy tools, her lab investigates cellular and molecular mechanisms of regeneration, defects leading to diseases like endometriosis, and applications in regenerative medicine . Her work also explores cell division , centromere biology , and CRISPR genome engineering . Current research trends in her publications include epithelial zonation in the small intestine , mechanisms of endometrial regeneration , macropinocytosis in Hydra , and academic mentorship strategies . Her studies span cellular biomechanics , mitotic regulation , and translational approaches for tissue repair. NIH Director’s New Innovator Award (terminated in 2025 litigation with federal government) Freeman Hrabowski Scholar (Broad Institute) Kara mentors Harvard undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows through rotations and research opportunities. Her lab is based at Harvard’s Bauer 306 and advocates for gender equity in life sciences faculty via the Leading Edge initiative. Funding includes a now-terminated NIH New Innovator grant aimed at menstrual health research.
Kunihiko Kaneko is a Professor at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, with a distinguished career in theoretical biophysics and complex systems. He received his PhD and MSc in Physics from the University of Tokyo, and has held leadership roles at the Universal Biology Institute and Center for Complex Systems Biology. PhD Physics, 1984 - University of Tokyo MSc Physics, 1981 - University of Tokyo His research spans five primary areas: Universal Biology, Evolutionary Constraints, Ecosystem Dynamics, Neural Cognition, and Universal Anthropology. He has published extensively on multi-level consistency principles, dimensional reduction in biological systems, and reciprocity between robustness and plasticity across scales. Recent publications show strong focus on microbial ecosystems (2025), evolutionary game theory (2025), neural modular architectures (2024), and dimensional reduction in cellular systems (2024). His work bridges physics and biology through dynamical systems theory applied to diverse phenomena from protocells to human societies.
Professor Faye Rogers serves as Professor of Therapeutic Radiology at Yale University School of Medicine, holding multiple leadership positions including Associate Cancer Center Director for YCC Collaborative Excellence, Vice Chair for Collaborative Excellence in Therapeutic Radiology, Associate Director of the Yale MD-PhD Program, and Director of the Yale BioMed Amgen Scholars Program. Her work bridges radiation oncology, DNA repair mechanisms, and cancer therapeutics within Yale's comprehensive cancer research ecosystem. PhD from University of Maryland at Baltimore (1998) Postdoctoral Fellow at Yale School of Medicine Dr. Rogers' research focuses on the intersection of DNA repair mechanisms and cancer therapeutics, with particular expertise in triplex DNA structures, genomic instability, and targeted cancer therapies. Her work explores how DNA damage responses can be leveraged for therapeutic benefit, especially in breast neoplasms and other malignancies. Through her leadership in the DNA Damage and Genome Integrity program, she investigates novel approaches to disrupt cancer cell survival mechanisms while sparing healthy tissue. Her research has significant implications for radiation oncology, particularly in developing more precise and effective radiation-based treatments. Analysis of Dr. Rogers' publication record reveals a consistent trajectory in DNA repair mechanisms and cancer therapeutics, with increasing focus on translational applications. Her work demonstrates expertise in triplex DNA structures, RAD51 inhibition, and synthetic lethality approaches. Recent publications show a shift toward more clinically applicable research, particularly in targeting DNA repair pathways in specific cancer subtypes like IDH1-mutant cancers and PTEN-deficient glioblastomas. Her collaborative work with Peter Glazer and others demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between radiation oncology, molecular biology, and drug development. Leadership in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award (Yale School of Medicine, 2022) Translational Science Research Prize (Yale Cancer Center, 2022) Kingsley Fellowship in Medical Research Carl Storm Underrepresented Minority Fellowship NCI Research Supplement to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research As Associate Director of the Yale MD-PhD Program and Director of the Yale BioMed Amgen Scholars Program, Dr. Rogers plays a pivotal role in mentoring the next generation of physician-scientists and supporting underrepresented minorities in biomedical research. Her leadership in collaborative excellence initiatives demonstrates commitment to fostering interdisciplinary research teams across Yale's scientific ecosystem. Through the YCC Collaborative Excellence program, she has secured significant funding for innovative cancer research that bridges basic science and clinical applications, particularly in the areas of DNA repair targeting and radiation oncology. Dr. Rogers leads research within Yale's Therapeutic Radiology department, with strong connections to the Radiobiology program and the Yale Cancer Center. Her work is integrated with the Program in Translational Biomedicine and the Yale Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences. Through the BioMed Amgen Scholars Program, she provides critical research opportunities for undergraduate students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, fostering talent in DNA repair research and cancer therapeutics.
Prof. Dr. Soeren Lienkamp is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Anatomy , Faculty of Medicine , University of Zurich . His work bridges digital education and genetic research , focusing on enhancing medical teaching through innovative formats. Research Interests : Genetics, developmental biology, kidney disease modeling, CRISPR applications, digital medical education, and advanced microscopy. Methodologies : Combines Xenopus tropicalis models, deep learning , and bioengineering to study genetic kidney disorders and improve diagnostic tools. Publication Trends : His recent articles highlight predictable genome editing , 3D imaging technologies , and mechanistic insights into kidney and eye development. Earlier works focus on ciliary function , Wnt signaling , and metabolic stress in renal cells.
Wen Xue is a Professor at UMass Chan Medical School, affiliated with the RNA Therapeutics Institute within the T.H. Chan School of Medicine. She holds multiple additional roles across departments such as the Program in Molecular Medicine, Cancer Biology, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology at the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Her research focuses on developing genetic models for liver and lung cancer using CRISPR/Cas9 and RNAi tools. Key areas include CRISPR-mediated genome editing for cancer gene discovery, KRAS inhibition mechanisms, and miRNA networks in lung cancer. She has secured grants from NIH, American Cancer Society, and others. Awards include the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award and Lung Cancer Research Foundation grants. Her lab actively recruits postdoctoral researchers and offers rotation projects in CRISPR technology and cancer biology. Education: B.S. and M.S. in Biochemistry from Nanjing University; Ph.D. in Biochemistry from State University of New York, Stony Brook. Research Interests: Wen Xue’s lab employs CRISPR tools to accelerate cancer gene validation and therapeutic target identification. Projects include: CRISPR-based liver cancer gene correction and oncogene deletion studies. Investigating KRAS inhibition resistance via RNAi and CRISPR in lung cancer models. Characterizing miRNA networks using TCGA data to identify therapeutic miRNA candidates. Her work bridges functional genomics with precision medicine, emphasizing in vivo and in vitro platforms. Publications: Over 100 peer-reviewed articles, including high-impact studies on CRISPR applications in gene therapy and cancer modeling. Recent work explores prime editing, base editing, and viral/non-viral delivery systems for lung diseases. Grants & Awards: NIH grants (P01HL131471, DP2HL137167), American Cancer Society (RSG-16-093), and industry partnerships like the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Collaborations include projects on CFTR mutation repair and AAV vector development. Labs/Teams: Xue Lab focuses on cancer genetics and gene editing, with interdisciplinary collaborations in molecular medicine and bioengineering. Ongoing projects aim to translate CRISPR-based therapies into clinical applications.
Prashant Mali is a Professor in the Department of Bioengineering at the University of California, San Diego . His research bridges genome engineering, RNA biology, and biomedical applications, with a focus on CRISPR-Cas systems and ADAR-mediated RNA editing. Education : Ph.D. in Bioengineering Key Affiliations : UC San Diego, Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute Dr. Mali's work centers on CRISPR-Cas9 technology , RNA editing , and human pluripotent stem cells . His lab develops tools for programmable gene regulation, synthetic lethal screens, and metabolic pathway analysis in disease contexts. Recent publications highlight innovations in circular RNA engineering , ADAR activity mapping , and metabolic reprogramming in cancer . His team employs multi-omics approaches and in vivo models to translate genome editing into clinical applications. Students and Collaborators Current Lab Members : Sami Nourreddine (Postdoc), Amir Dailamy (Graduate), Andrew Portell (Graduate), Michael Tong (Graduate) Alumni : Kyle Ford (PhD 2022), Nathan Palmer (PhD 2022), Udit Parekh (PhD 2021) Research Themes CRISPR Screens : Synthetic lethal interactions, oncogenic pathways, metabolic vulnerabilities RNA Editing : ADAR engineering, circular guide RNAs, clinical translation Tissue Engineering : Vascularized organoids, cardiac maturation, ex vivo models
Professor Forest M. White is a faculty member at MIT's Department of Biological Engineering , where he holds the Ned C. and Janet Bemis Rice Professorship . He is affiliated with the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and the MIT Center for Precision Cancer Medicine . His research focuses on systems biology and computational modeling of signaling networks in cancer, particularly at the tumor-immune interface . Education: B.S. in Chemistry (Framingham State College, 1993), Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry (Florida State University, 1997) Professional Journey: Postdoc at University of Virginia, Research Scientist at MDS Proteomics, Assistant Professor at MIT (2003), Mitsui Career Development Professor (2005-2008) White employs high-resolution mass spectrometry to analyze protein phosphorylation and antigen presentation in cancer models, complementing genomic/transcriptomic approaches. His lab has identified chronic stress response enzymes linking high-fat diets to metabolic dysfunction and discovered resistance mechanisms in cancer therapies through phosphoproteomics . Scientific Awards: Mitsui Career Development Professorship (2005-2008) Ruth and Joel Spira Award for Excellence in Teaching (2010) Fellowship from the Ludwig Center at MIT The White Lab actively recruits trainees (undergraduates, graduates, postdocs) through programs like MSRP , CSB , and HST . His work is supported by grants from Break Through Cancer and Ludwig Center , with collaborations spanning Cima Lab , Swanson Biotechnology Center , and MIT Koch Institute .
Zhiming Cai is a Visiting Professor at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and holds multiple leadership roles in China, including President of Shenzhen Medical Association, Deputy Director of Carlson International Oncology Center at Shenzhen University, and Director of the Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systemic Biology and Synthetic Biology in Genitourinary Oncology. As an Outstanding Principal Investigator at the Chinese Academy of Science's Institute of Synthetic Biology, he leads groundbreaking research in cancer genomics and synthetic biology. Doctor Philosophiae Honoris Causa, The National Academy of Science of Ukraine Fellow, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) His research focuses on synthetic biology applications for cancer therapy , including engineered cell treatments and artificial gene circuits for tumor targeting. Notable work includes the "Remodeling Tumor Suppressor Theory" and CRISPR-based signal transduction systems that earned recognition from Nobel laureates and top-tier journals. With over 330 publications and an H-Index of 36, Cai's work has appeared in Nature , Cell , and European Urology . His research team has successfully treated over 200 advanced tumor patients using synthetic biology approaches, demonstrating clinical translation of cutting-edge technology. Guangdong Medical Natural Science Award (First Class) May 1st Labor Medal (China's highest worker award) State Council Special Allowance Expert National Model Worker International Genetically Engineering Machine Competition Gold Award Cai directs multiple high-profile research institutions including the National Tumor Genome Application Engineering Laboratory and the Academic Committee of the National and Local Joint Medical Synthetic Biology Engineering Laboratory. His work bridges basic research with clinical applications in genitourinary oncology through systematic biology approaches.
Lucia Carol Strader is a Professor of Biology and Associate Professor of Cell Biology at Duke University, affiliated with Trinity College of Arts & Sciences and Basic Science Departments. She earned her Ph.D. in 2004 from Washington State University. Her research focuses on auxin signaling, plant hormone interactions, and biomolecular condensates. Key areas include auxin homeostasis, developmental processes, and environmental adaptation. Strader leads grants such as the NSF-funded 'Climate-Resilient Opportunities for Plant Systems (CROPS)' and the 'PlantSynBio' project. She has been recognized as an AAAS Fellow (2024). Teaching includes courses like Molecular Genetics and Genomics, and she mentors students through independent research programs. The Strader Lab explores plant responses to environmental challenges, emphasizing translational research for agricultural resilience.
Professor David Ackerley (Victoria University of Wellington) is a leading microbiologist and enzyme engineer specializing in directed evolution of bacterial enzymes for biotechnological applications. As Biotechnology Programme Director since 2006, he lectures in foundational courses like BTEC101 and BTEC201. Academic rank: Professor of Biotechnology Institutional affiliation: Victoria University of Wellington Research focus areas: Microbial Biotechnology, Drug Discovery, Synthetic Biology His research employs Darwinian evolutionary principles to engineer enzymes with enhanced activities, particularly targeting non-ribosomal peptide synthetases and nitroreductases for antibiotic development and cancer therapy. Recent work explores metagenomic domain substitution in pyoverdine biosynthesis and Purpuramine R from marine sponges. Key publications demonstrate innovations in metagenomic library construction , CRISPR screening for regeneration genes, and structural characterization of engineered enzymes. His team has developed NTR 2.0 , a high-efficacy nitroreductase for targeted cell ablation. Current research projects include: Clean solutions from dirty genes: Plastic-degrading enzyme discovery Engineering enzymes for CAR T-cell-chemotherapy synergy Repurposing niclosamide against Gram-negative superbugs Grants from the Health Research Council of New Zealand, Royal Society of New Zealand, and Cancer Society of NZ support his work. Collaborations span biomedical research, synthetic biology, and environmental applications.
Guojun Chen is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Biomedical Engineering and a member of the Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Institute (GCI) at McGill University . His research focuses on engineering intelligent biomaterials for precision medicine , with emphasis on non-viral genome editing , cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) therapy , and biomaterials-mediated immunotherapy . The lab operates in a multidisciplinary environment , integrating principles from materials science , chemistry , biology , and health sciences . Education : Ph.D. from University of Wisconsin-Madison (2017), Postdoc at UCLA (2020) Research Themes : Genome Editing Delivery : Designing non-viral vectors for efficient CRISPR/Cas9 delivery in vivo. CAP-mediated Immunotherapy : Developing portable cold plasma devices to synergize with immune checkpoint blockade and study CAP’s immunological mechanisms. Biomaterials-based Immunotherapy : Reprogramming tumor microenvironments using bioresponsive materials to enhance immune responses. Publication Trends : Recent work spans responsive nanomaterials , genomic editing systems , and plasma oncology , with a focus on cancer immunotherapy , diabetes diagnostics , and bioinspired medical devices . Scientific Awards : Canada Research Chair (2024, 2025) McGill's President's Prize for Emerging Researchers (2025) FRQS Chercheurs-boursiers (2022) Chinese Association for Biomaterials Young Investigator Award (2022) NSERC Discovery Grant (2021) Advising & Grants : Supervises 14 current graduate and undergraduate students. Secured $5M+ in funding from CIHR , NSERC , CCS , and CFI , including multi-institutional collaborations with Dr. Morag Park , Dr. Réjean Lapointe , and Dr. Ian Watson .
Jude M. Phillip, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. His research integrates engineering principles with aging and cancer biology to develop cell-based biomarkers and mechanistic insights into age-related diseases. He leads the Phillip tiME Lab, which focuses on aging dynamics, tumor microenvironment interactions, and translational technologies. Education : PhD, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 2015 Postdoctoral Research, Melnick/Cerchietti Labs, Weill Cornell Medicine, 2016-2020 B.Eng, Chemical Engineering, City College of New York, 2010 Research Interests : Dr. Phillip’s work spans aging mechanisms, cancer biology, and mechanobiology. Key areas include: Cell-based biomarkers for aging and disease Scale-dependent aging pathways Lymphoma tumor-immune microenvironment (tiME) Single-cell profiling of senescence subtypes ECM mechanoregulation of stem cell fate His lab employs longitudinal cell profiling, data science, and clinical measures to bridge biological aging research with translational medicine. Recent Highlights : 2025: NIH R35 MIRA Award for lymphoma microenvironment research 2024: Johns Hopkins Catalyst Award for aging biomarker studies 2023: AFAR-Glenn Foundation Award for senescence subtype classification Lab & Collaborations : The Phillip Lab collaborates with the Institute for NanoBioTechnology and maintains a living patient-derived tumor biorepository for lymphoma studies. Current projects include ovarian aging organoid models and immune-mechanical interactions in cancer progression.
Gerco Angenent is a Full Professor in the Laboratory of Molecular Biology at Wageningen University & Research, part of the EPS Researcher group. His primary research focuses on plant development systems, transcription factors, and gene regulatory networks in plants like Arabidopsis, tomato, and tulip. He leads projects on epigenetic reprogramming, fruit ripening, and seed dormancy mechanisms. Key research interests include the functional roles of PEBP proteins, CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis in plants, and the molecular basis of floral organ development. Recent work explores how transcription factors like FRUITFULL and TCP5 regulate flowering time, inflorescence architecture, and embryo development. Angenent supervises multiple PhD candidates investigating topics such as wood lignin formation and BABY BOOM’s role in embryogenesis. His collaborative projects span international teams, with studies on temperature-dependent flowering pathways, genome editing tools for crop improvement, and the evolutionary origins of plant genes. Angenent has contributed to over 200 peer-reviewed publications and actively participates in academic outreach activities like media contributions and lectures.
Maria Fällman is a Professor at the Department of Molecular Biology at Umeå University, where she also serves as Deputy Head of Department. She is affiliated with Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), a leading research center for molecular infection medicine in Sweden. Dr. Fällman's research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms behind bacterial adaptation to different environments, with particular emphasis on Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and Salmonella enterica Typhimurium. Her group investigates gene regulation critical for establishing and maintaining infections, bacterial stress responses, and the molecular mechanisms of the Type Three Secretion System (T3SS). The lab has developed advanced methods for RNA extraction from complex tissue samples and performs in vivo gene expression analyses. Her publication record shows consistent contributions to understanding bacterial pathogenesis, with recent articles in high-impact journals including Nature Communications, Science, and PLOS Pathogens. Her work spans from fundamental molecular mechanisms of bacterial virulence to computational approaches for analyzing pathogen stress responses. A significant contribution is the PATHOgenex database (http://www.pathogenex.org), containing gene expression data of over 30 human pathogens exposed to different stress conditions. Dr. Fällman leads the Maria Fällman Lab, which has made important discoveries including the finding that sub-lethal doses of Yersinia result in persistent infection in mice with reprogramming of bacterial gene expression. Current projects focus on stress response modeling and deciphering heterogeneous populations of infecting bacteria using single-cell RNA-seq.
