Yen-Yi Ho is an Associate Professor in the Department of Statistics at the University of South Carolina, with a joint appointment in Biological Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. in Biostatistics from Johns Hopkins University. Her research focuses on computational biology, statistical genetics, and the development of methods for analyzing high-throughput genetic data. Key interests include gene pathway enrichment analysis and applications in cancer, frailty mechanisms, and Hirschsprung disease genetics. Her work bridges statistical methodology and biological discovery, with notable contributions to liquid association modeling and modular network construction using eQTL data. She has collaborated on studies involving chemopreventive cancer strategies, frailty biomarkers, and genomic analyses of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Dr. Ho has pioneered software tools like the LiquidAssociation R package and contributed to the fastLiquidAssociation package. Her publications span topics from Bayesian hierarchical modeling in medical research to single-cell RNA-seq analysis of cellular heterogeneity. Beyond academia, she has applied statistical methods to public health challenges, such as optimizing disability applicant prioritization systems.
Chad J. Roy, PhD, is a Professor of Microbiology and Immunology and Associate Dean for Research at Tulane School of Medicine. He directs the Infectious Disease Aerobiology Core at the Tulane National Primate Research Center. His research focuses on aerosol transmission of pathogens, vaccine development, and nonhuman primate models for biothreat agents like Mycobacterium tuberculosis and SARS-CoV-2. Dr. Roy’s work emphasizes understanding respiratory infection mechanisms and evaluating medical countermeasures in high-containment environments. Education: MSPH in Environmental Health Sciences (Tulane University), PhD in Preventive Medicine (University of Iowa). Research Interests: Aerobiology of airborne diseases, aerosol infection models, immunogenicity of vaccines, and pathogen transmission dynamics. His lab develops models for biothreat agents such as Burkholderia pseudomallei and evaluates therapeutics for toxins like SEB and ricin. Recent studies include pediatric tuberculosis outcomes and SARS-CoV-2 transmission in nonhuman primates. Scientific Contributions: Over 150 peer-reviewed articles on aerobiology, vaccine efficacy, and emerging pathogens. Editorial roles include Associate Editor for Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology and board member of the Journal of Medical Primatology . Labs/Teams: Leads high-containment (BSL-3) facilities for pathogen studies. Collaborates with extramural labs on biothreat agent research and medical product evaluation.
Stefan Hüttelmaier is a Full Professor of Molecular Cell Biology at Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany. He leads the Core Facility Imaging at the Charles Tanford Protein Center and directs research into RNA-binding proteins' roles in cancer. His career includes postdoctoral work at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and leadership roles in the RTG 1591 research group. His work focuses on RAVER1 protein dynamics, perinucleolar compartments, and RNA metabolism in cancer progression. Education: PhD in Biotechnology (2000, University of Braunschweig), postdoctoral training at Albert Einstein College of Medicine (2001–2004). Academic milestones include Associate Professor (2009) and Full Professor (2014) positions. Research spans RNA-protein interactions, cancer biology, and translational mechanisms in tumors. Key research interests include RNA-binding proteins' roles in cancer (RAVER1, IGF2BP1), alternative splicing, and miRNA regulation. His lab investigates how these molecules influence cancer cell behavior, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Recent work highlights druggable targets like IGF2BP1 and mechanisms linking RNA modifications to oncogenesis. Leadership roles include RTG 1591 speaker and Core Facility director. Publications emphasize RNA biology in cancer, with contributions to understanding post-transcriptional control and therapeutic strategies targeting RNA pathways. His interdisciplinary approach combines molecular biology, biochemistry, and computational modeling to address clinical challenges in oncology.
Seongho Song is a Professor and Undergraduate Program Director in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Cincinnati. He holds a Ph.D. in Statistics from the University of Connecticut (2005). His research focuses on Bayesian statistical methods, biostatistics, and computational biology, with applications in genetics, environmental science, and healthcare. Song has led or collaborated on grants totaling over $4.7M, including projects funded by DARPA, NIH, and the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology. Education: Ph.D. in Statistics, University of Connecticut (2005) Positions: Assistant (2005-2011) → Associate (2011-2019) → Full Professor (2019–Present) Research interests include Bayesian hierarchical models, longitudinal data analysis, and bioinformatics. He has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles in journals like Biostatistics , Frontiers in Genetics , and Journal of Productivity Analysis . Recent work involves modeling circadian rhythms, lung disease progression, and oceanographic systems. Teaching responsibilities include graduate courses in Bayesian analysis, statistical computing, and linear models. He has served on editorial boards for Sankhya Series B and IEEE Transactions on Computational Biology , and chairs the EAC-ISBA Special Interest Group.
Bassem Allam is the Marinetics Endowed Professor in Marine Sciences at Stony Brook University, affiliated with the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS). His research focuses on marine invertebrate physiology, shellfish genomics, and aquaculture resilience to environmental stressors. He earned his Ph.D. in 1998 from the European Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Western Brittany, France. Dr. Allam’s work investigates the physiological and genetic mechanisms enabling marine organisms to withstand climate change impacts such as ocean acidification and parasitic infections. His lab studies bivalve immune responses, biomineralization processes, and population genetics to improve aquaculture practices and disease management. Key topics include QPX disease in hard clams, heat shock tolerance in shellfish, and the role of polyploidy in stress resistance. Publications highlight advancements in genomic tools (e.g., SNP arrays) and molecular assays to identify genetic markers for disease resistance and environmental adaptation. His interdisciplinary approach integrates transcriptomics, proteomics, and ecological modeling to address challenges in marine health and biodiversity conservation.
Semra Kocabıyık is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Middle East Technical University (METU). Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms of protein stability, molecular chaperones (e.g., small heat-shock proteins), proteasome function, and stress responses in thermoacidophilic archaea, particularly Thermoplasma volcanium. She has contributed to improving enzyme stability and recovery under stress conditions using molecular chaperones. Education: B.Sc. in Agriculture, Ankara University (1972–1977) M.Sc. in Biological Sciences, METU (1980–1982) Ph.D. in Biology, METU (1982–1986) Postdoc, Department of Biology, University of Louisville, USA (1990–1992) Research Interests: Her work integrates biochemistry, molecular biology, and structural biology to study protein stability, stress adaptation in archaea, and enzyme engineering. Key areas include small heat-shock proteins, proteasome regulation, and applications of molecular chaperones in biotechnology. Publications: Recent articles highlight advancements in protein engineering, archaeal stress responses, and structural dynamics of chaperones, reflecting her expertise in extremophile biology and protein function. Achievements: With 95 publications, 139 WoS citations, and 44 thesis advisories, her contributions span academia and biotech applications. Labs & Collaborations: Her lab focuses on archaeal molecular machines and employs techniques like microarray analysis, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), and molecular cloning.
Brett J. Theeler is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurology at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) School of Medicine. He maintains an active Neuro-Oncology practice at the John P. Murtha Cancer Center within Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and serves as a Clinical Collaborator with the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Neuro-Oncology Branch in Bethesda, MD. Dr. Theeler earned his B.S. from Black Hills State University (1996-2001), M.D. from Uniformed Services University (2001-2005), completed Neurology residency at Madigan Army Medical Center (2005-2009), and a Neuro-Oncology fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center (2010-2012). His research focuses on rare primary central nervous system neoplasms including pilocytic astrocytomas, pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas, diffuse midline gliomas and other brain cancers with increased incidence in adolescent and young adult populations. Dr. Theeler has been instrumental in advancing molecular classification of brain tumors and developing targeted therapies for rare CNS tumors through his leadership in the NCI-CONNECT program. His work bridges clinical practice with translational research, emphasizing both patient care and scientific advancement in neuro-oncology. Dr. Theeler's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on rare CNS tumors, quality of life issues, molecular classification of gliomas, and innovative therapeutic approaches, with significant contributions to understanding tumor biology and improving clinical outcomes. Dean's Award for Academic Excellence, 2001-02 (USUHS) Malcolm B. Carpenter Award, Excellence in Fundamentals of Neuroscience, 2001-02 (USUHS) Captain Calvin B. Early Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2018 Honorary Doctorate of Science from Black Hills State University, 2019 'A' Proficiency Designator by US Army Medical Command, 2019 Inducted into Order of Military Medical Merit (O2M3), 2020 Master Clinician, Neuro-Oncology, 2023 Dr. Theeler has held significant leadership roles including Associate Residency Program Director, Deputy Chief, and Chief of Neurology at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center before becoming Chair of Neurology at USUHS in 2021. He served as Theater Neurologist in Afghanistan (2013) and currently chairs the Programmatic Review Panel for the Rare Cancers Research Program (FY2024-FY2026). His military service as a Colonel in the Army Medical Corps complements his academic and clinical work. As an active participant in the NCI-CONNECT program, Dr. Theeler has co-chaired workshops on rare CNS tumors, particularly focusing on histone mutated midline gliomas. His clinical work at the Murtha Cancer Center provides specialized neuro-oncology care to military personnel and their families, integrating military medicine with cutting-edge academic research.
Cory Hirsch is an Associate Professor & Interim Department Head in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Minnesota , located in the College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) . His lab focuses on Plant Stress Resistance Biology , leveraging genomic, transcriptomic, and phenomic approaches to understand plant responses to abiotic (e.g., extreme temperatures, salinity) and biotic (e.g., pathogens) stresses. Key research areas include microbiome interactions, pathogen resistance mechanisms, and precision phenotyping. He leads or collaborates on grants from USDA, Minnesota Soybean Council, and the University of Minnesota. Education: PhD and BS in Plant Breeding/Genetics and Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The Hirsch Lab is based in Stakman Hall , with a focus on translational research bridging basic science and agricultural applications. Research Themes: The lab uses cutting-edge technologies to dissect genomic variation and gene expression dynamics in crops like maize, wheat, and sugar beet. Recent work includes transposable element roles in stress responses, hyperspectral imaging for disease detection, and machine learning for phenotyping. Projects emphasize understanding stress biology to enhance crop resilience. Grants & Collaborations: Notable projects include USDA-funded studies on transposable elements in maize abiotic stress, Minnesota Soybean Council support for soybean disease phenotyping, and collaboration with the Microbial and Plant Genomics Institute. These efforts aim to improve crop productivity and sustainability. Labs & Infrastructure: The lab is equipped with advanced phenotyping tools, including RGB/hyperspectral imaging systems and drone-based platforms. It collaborates with multiple departments and external institutions to advance integrative plant science.
Francesco Iorio is a Research Group Leader in Computational Biology at Human Technopole (Milan, Italy), leading research in computational cancer pharmacogenomics and therapeutic target discovery. He holds a PhD from the University of Salerno and TIGEM (Naples), focusing on computational methods for drug discovery. Previously, he was a Senior Bioinformatician at EBI, leading CRISPR-Cas9 screen analyses across cancer cell lines to identify synthetic lethalities and therapeutic targets. He led the Cancer Dependency Map Analytics team at Wellcome Sanger Institute, developing algorithms for integrating large-scale cancer datasets. Since 2019, he serves as a Scientific Advisor to the Cancer Research Horizon–AstraZeneca Functional Genomics Centre. His research integrates computational methods with experimental data to uncover cancer dependencies, drug mechanisms, and biomarkers. Key contributions include tools like CRISPRcleanR for bias correction in CRISPR screens, and CELLector for selecting cancer cell line models. His work spans pharmacogenomics, functional genomics, and CRISPR technologies, with a focus on translating findings into clinical applications. Publications highlight advancements in CRISPR screen analysis, cancer dependency mapping, and drug repositioning. Current projects aim to advance precision medicine through computational frameworks for understanding tumor heterogeneity and therapeutic vulnerabilities.
Erin Heinzen is an Associate Professor at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, with a joint appointment in the UNC Department of Genetics. She holds a Pharm.D. and Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, followed by postdoctoral training at Duke University. Her research focuses on the genetic and genomic basis of epilepsy disorders, particularly somatic mutations and transcriptomic regulation in neurological diseases. Education: Pharm.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2001) Ph.D., Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (2004) Research Interests: Dr. Heinzen’s lab investigates somatic mutations in epilepsy and brain malformations, using induced pluripotent stem cells and advanced sequencing technologies. Key projects include studying SLC35A2 variants in intractable epilepsy and analyzing transcriptomic changes in brain tissue. Her work has identified 15 epilepsy genes, including the gene for Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood. Grants & Awards: NIH-funded research, including $7M in collaborative grants to study genetic variants in epilepsy. Active in consortia like Epi4K and ILAE. Labs & Teams: The Heinzen Lab collaborates with neurology, neuropathology, and neurosurgery groups globally, advancing neurogenetics and treatment approaches for intractable seizures.
Julie Sneddon, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Cell and Tissue Biology at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). Her research focuses on pancreatic development and Type I Diabetes, employing stem cell biology, developmental biology, genomics, and tissue engineering to understand cellular microenvironment dynamics. Her laboratory investigates non-epithelial 'niche' cell types in the pancreas to advance regenerative medicine approaches for replacing lost cell and organ function. Research Interests: Dr. Sneddon’s work centers on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying pancreatic organogenesis, adult organ function, and disease. Key areas include stem cell niche biology, single-cell analysis of developing tissues, and bioengineering strategies for cell encapsulation and transplantation. Her studies aim to bridge basic science with clinical applications in diabetes treatment and regenerative medicine. Articles Overview: Dr. Sneddon’s publications span topics such as pancreatic developmental genetics, stem cell differentiation, and engineered biomaterials for cell-based therapies. Her work emphasizes multi-omics approaches (e.g., chromatin accessibility, single-cell transcriptomics) to map cell state transitions and gene regulatory networks in developing organs. Labs/Teams: The Sneddon Lab integrates molecular biology, genomics, and bioengineering to address pancreatic biology challenges. Collaborations span UCSF’s Diabetes Center, Tissue Engineering groups, and industry partners in regenerative medicine.
Dr. Madhusudan Choudhary is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Sam Houston State University. He holds a Ph.D. from McMaster University and completed post-doctoral training at Duke University. His research laboratory focuses on microbial genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics using Rhodobacter sphaeroides as a model organism to study bacterial cell-cycle regulation, metabolic innovations through gene duplication, and the evolution of genomic complexity in prokaryotes. Key investigations include chromosome replication origins, duplicate gene expression patterns, and the functional specialization of multipartite genomes. Dr. Choudhary's research spans diverse areas including bacterial responses to microgravity, CRISPR-Cas systems, heavy metal resistance mechanisms, and nanoparticle interactions. He directs studies on transcriptomics under stress conditions and develops computational methods for genome analysis. His work has significant implications for understanding microbial evolution and environmental adaptation.
Yehuda Ben-Shahar is a Professor of Biology at Washington University in St. Louis, where he has served since 2008. His research integrates behavioral, genetic, genomic, and molecular approaches to investigate the genetic architectures underlying animal behavior, primarily using Drosophila melanogaster and honey bees as model systems. He maintains laboratory facilities at the Bayer Laboratory (Room 406) and conducts field research at the Tyson Research Center. Ben-Shahar earned his PhD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research focuses on how specific genes in neuronal circuits govern behaviors like feeding and mating decisions, with significant contributions to understanding honey bee social behavior evolution. Recent work centers on the gut microbiome's role in nestmate recognition and developing genetic tools for non-model insects. His publication record reveals consistent innovation in behavioral genetics, with recent emphasis shifting toward microbial influences on social behavior and neural circuit analysis. Early work established foundational insights into gene-behavior relationships, while current research explores chemosensory mechanisms across insect and mammalian systems. Scientific recognition includes: Multiple Faculty of 1000 'Must read' designations (2002, 2007, 2009) Cover features in Science (2009) and Journal of Experimental Biology (2002) 'Mutant of the Month' in Nature Genetics (2006) Extensive media coverage including NPR, CBC Radio, and major newspapers Ben-Shahar mentors graduate students including Cassie Vernier (whose 2020 Science Advances paper defined gut microbiome roles in hive membership) and has supervised numerous undergraduates. His lab operates through collaborative grants supporting research at the intersection of genetics, neuroscience, and social behavior. The Ben-Shahar Lab maintains active research teams at the Bayer Laboratory for molecular work and the Tyson Research Center for honey bee studies, with recent projects involving cyborg locust development and odor-guided navigation research.
Dr. Feng (George) Yu is an Associate Professor of Computer Science and Information Systems at Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio. He serves as the Campus Champion of NSF Extreme Science and Engineering Discovery Environment (XSEDE) at YSU and has been collaborating with XSEDE and Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center since 2014 to bring national workshop series on High-Performance Computing to YSU. Ph.D. in Computer Science, Southern Illinois University (2013) M.S. in Pure Mathematics, Shandong University (2008) B.S. in Information and Computation Science, Northeastern University (2005) Dr. Yu's primary research focuses on database management systems, particularly Approximate Query Processing (AQP) for big data analytics. His work spans multiple areas including Cloud Computing , Blockchain , NoSQL Databases , and Bioinformatics . His recent research has centered on error assessment for AQP using bootstrap sampling techniques, as evidenced by his 2024 publications AQPrius and Error Assessment for Multi-Join AQP . He has also made significant contributions to plant genomics through alternative splicing analysis in various crops. His publication trends show a consistent focus on query processing and optimization, with a recent shift toward more sophisticated error estimation techniques in approximate query processing. His work bridges theoretical database research with practical applications in bioinformatics and educational technology, as seen in his 2024 paper on computing curriculum accessibility for students with ASD. Best of QUEST 2024 Finalist (Faculty Advisor) Research Professorship (2023, 2022, 2019, 2018) Distinguished Professor in Scholarship (2020) Best Paper Award at International Conference on Software Engineering and Data Engineering (2019) Faculty Membership in The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (2022) Dr. Yu actively mentors undergraduate researchers, having advised students including Govardhan Gula for the BEST of QUEST project on accelerating bootstrap resampling, and led a CREU-funded project on recommender systems with undergraduate researchers Alyssa Adams, Olivia Bindas, Maddie Cope, and Elizabeth Durflinger. His research has been supported by external funding sources including Amazon Inc. and the Computer Research Association. He directs the YSU Data Lab , which focuses on data-oriented sciences and operates multiple high-performance research clouds including Sarah Cloud and YSU STEM Cloud. The lab conducts cutting-edge research in approximate query processing, blockchain, and heterogeneous cloud infrastructure.
Asst Prof LIU Boxiang holds the position of Assistant Professor and NUS Presidential Young Professorship at the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, National University of Singapore (NUS), within the Faculty of Science. His research focuses on integrating multi-omics approaches with computational methods to study complex diseases such as coronary artery disease and age-related macular degeneration. He specializes in developing statistical and machine learning tools for genomic analysis, including eQTL mapping and deep learning architectures for gene expression regulation. Education: BA in Biophysics (Illinois Wesleyan University), MS and PhD in Bioinformatics (Stanford University). He contributed to the GTEx consortium and is part of the Asian Immune Diversity Atlas (AIDA) initiative. His lab develops methods like ANTseq for ancestry determination and scPrediXcan for cell-type-specific transcriptome studies. Research Interests: Functional genomics, eQTL analysis, deep learning in biomedicine, and computational tools for omics data integration. His work bridges disciplines such as natural language processing and computer vision with biological questions. Scientific Awards: NUS Presidential Young Professorship (2021). His lab's innovations include ParaMed, a biomedical translation dataset, and LinearDesign for optimized mRNA stability. Advising and Grants: Leads the Liu Lab (boxiangliulab.com), focusing on single-cell genomics, mitochondrial dynamics, and computational biomedicine. Collaborates on projects like the RESET cohort study for cardiovascular disease prevention.
