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John D HelmannView profile

Professor

• Microbiology
• Bacterial Stress Responses
• Transcriptional Regulation
• +3 more

John D Helmann is a full Professor in the Department of Microbiology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, at Cornell University . He has dedicated his career to studying Bacillus subtilis as a model organism for bacterial stress responses, particularly focusing on cellular adaptation to antibiotic-induced envelope stress, reactive oxygen species, and metal ion imbalances. Bachelor's in Chemistry and Biology (University of California, Santa Cruz, 1982) Ph.D. in Biochemistry (University of California, Berkeley, 1987) Postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School (1987-1990) His research emphasizes transcriptional regulation and metal homeostasis in bacteria. Key areas include: Stress response mechanisms to environmental challenges Regulation of metal ion transport and utilization Redox biology and thiol-based regulatory systems CRISPR-Cas9 engineering of bacterial systems Cell envelope biogenesis and antibiotic targets Bacterial virulence and host-pathogen interactions Publications from 2019-2025 reveal an evolutionary trajectory in understanding: 2025 : Metal ion signaling across ecosystems 2024 : Cell envelope metalation processes 2023 : Fur-family regulatory networks 2022 : Magnesium homeostasis under stress 2021 : Metabolic checkpoint systems Scientific Recognition : Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (2013) Outstanding Basic Research Award, Cornell CALS (2012) Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology (2010) Professor Helmann teaches advanced graduate courses in Bacterial Structure and Function and contributes to scientific communication skill development. His laboratory at Cornell maintains a strong focus on experimental microbiology and molecular techniques.

Marie-Claire ArrietaView profile

Associate Professor

• Intestinal Microbiome
• Gut Microbiome
• Asthma
• +7 more

Marie-Claire Arrieta is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Physiology & Pharmacology and Pediatrics at the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary. She leads the Arrieta Lab, which is part of the International Microbiome Center, focusing on the early-life microbiome in health and disease. Her research spans multiple clinical studies through the Alberta BLOOM initiative, which investigates microbiome development in premature and term infants. Dr. Arrieta's research interests center on microbial colonization beginning at birth and its impact on human health. Her lab investigates how the early-life microbiome communicates with developmental programming events necessary for a healthy start in life. Key research areas include asthma development, neurodevelopment and stress axis, metabolic syndrome and obesity, colonization resistance, and microbial ecology. She employs clinical and preclinical research approaches using Next Generation Sequencing, Metabolomics, and Immunological Profiling in both humans and animal models to decipher the role of bacterial and fungal microbiomes in chronic diseases. Her publication record shows a strong focus on the gut microbiome's role in childhood asthma, with significant contributions to understanding how early-life microbial exposure affects immune development. Recent work has expanded to include the fungal microbiome (mycobiome) and its implications for metabolic health and atopic diseases. Her research demonstrates how environmental factors such as birth method, feeding practices, and antibiotic use influence microbiome development and subsequent disease risk. Member of Health Inequality Network Life sciences discipline with focus on intestinal microbiome and asthma Author of public science communication materials including a published book and work on a children's book Active advocate for women in science Dr. Arrieta's work bridges clinical observation with mechanistic understanding, translating discoveries from human cohorts into animal models. Her Alberta BLOOM study follows premature infants from birth to three years, collecting comprehensive biological and clinical data to examine microbiome development. She has contributed to significant consensus statements including the ISAPP consensus on fermented foods and has participated in important discussions about methodological rigor in low-biomass microbiome studies.

• Veterinary Medicine
• Poultry Diseases
• Toxinology
• +3 more

Prof. dr Radmila Resanović is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine , University of Belgrade, Serbia. She specializes in poultry diseases, toxicology, and animal nutrition, with a focus on mycotoxins and feed additive efficacy. Academic Rank: Full Professor Department: Diseases of Poultry, Carnivores, and Wildlife Her research explores T-2 toxin mitigation , mycotoxin impacts on livestock, and novel diagnostics for avian viral infections. Key publications include studies on: Comparative adsorbent efficacy against OTA in broilers (2015) PBFD virus nucleotide analysis in psittacines (2017) Molecular sexing techniques for endangered birds (2013) She has co-authored works on parasitology , clinoptilolite supplementation , and salmonellosis prevention through vaccination. Her work bridges veterinary pathology, feed safety, and conservation biology.

• Veterinary Genetics
• Molecular Diagnostics
• Bee Ecology and Behavior
• +5 more

Uroš Glavinić is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade. His academic work focuses on molecular genetics, veterinary diagnostics, and specialized research in bee ecology and health. He teaches multiple advanced courses including Molecular-Genetic Diagnostics in Veterinary Medicine, Molecular Markers in Race Analysis and Pedigree, Bee Behavior and Molecular Ecology, and Veterinary Genetics. Dr. Glavinić's research primarily centers on veterinary molecular genetics with a specialized focus on honey bees and other animals. His work explores molecular markers for species identification, genetic diagnostics of veterinary importance, and the application of natural compounds in managing bee diseases. His research demonstrates a strong emphasis on practical applications of molecular techniques in veterinary practice and apiculture. Analyzing his publication record from 2014-2023 reveals consistent productivity with a clear thematic focus on veterinary genetics, molecular diagnostics, and bee health. His work frequently appears in journals like Acta Veterinaria-Beograd, Insects, and Parasites & Vectors, demonstrating expertise in both veterinary science and entomology. The research shows progression from basic molecular techniques to more complex applications in disease management and genetic analysis. While specific grant information isn't detailed in the provided materials, his extensive publication record across multiple veterinary and entomological journals indicates successful research funding and collaborative projects. His work frequently involves multi-institutional collaborations, particularly with researchers at the University of Belgrade's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Glavinić's laboratory work appears focused on molecular diagnostics and genetic analysis, particularly for veterinary applications and bee health management. His research on natural compounds for Varroa control and Nosema management suggests specialized facilities for in vitro and field testing of alternative treatments in apiculture.

Benjamin BrennanView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Virology
• Bunyaviruses
• Tick-borne viruses
• +6 more

Dr. Benjamin Brennan is a Senior Lecturer in Virology at the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (CVR), where he leads the Brennan Lab as Principal Investigator. He holds a Wellcome Trust/Royal Society Sir Henry Dale Fellowship and serves as an Editor for the Journal of General Virology. His research focuses on understanding how bunyaviruses, particularly those in the Phenuiviridae family, are transmitted by vectors to mammals and how they overcome host immune defenses. Dr. Brennan's research interests center on tick-borne viruses, especially Banyangvirus and Phlebovirus genera. His lab employs virological methods such as reverse genetics technologies and acarology to investigate how clinically relevant pathogens are transmitted by arthropods. Key research areas include examining virus-vector interactions, studying molecular biology of arboviruses in different systems, analyzing innate immune factors in arthropods that control virus replication, developing tools to study tick-borne virus replication in vivo, and investigating viral protein functions during infection of both mammalian and arthropod cells. His work aims to understand why these viruses can infect arthropods without causing disease and to develop attenuated viruses for potential live-attenuated vaccines or vector control agents. Analysis of Dr. Brennan's 15 most recent publications (2019-2025) reveals a strong focus on tick-borne bunyaviruses, particularly SFTS virus, Rift Valley fever virus, and related pathogens. His research spans molecular virology, host-pathogen interactions, vector immunity, and vaccine development. A notable trend is the application of reverse genetics systems to study virus biology and develop vaccine candidates, along with increasing exploration of RNA interference pathways in vector immunity. 2017: Support Sir Henry Dale Fellowship (Lord Kelvin Adam Smith Leadership Fellow Funding) 2018: Wellcome Trust/Royal Society Sir Henry Dale Fellowship Dr. Brennan supervises multiple PhD students including Krittika Dummunee, Alexandra Wilson, and Andrew Clarke, and has previously mentored researchers such as Veronica Rezelj and Stephanie Cumberworth. His research is supported by significant grants including the Wellcome Trust-funded projects 'What makes viruses tick?' (2022-2024) and 'What makes phleboviruses tick?' (2018-2023), BBSRC funding for 'Vaccines and molecular tools for SFTSV control' (2018-2021), and current UKRI funding for 'TickTools: Development of tools to monitor and control tick-borne diseases' (2023-2026). The Brennan Lab operates within the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, utilizing specialized containment facilities (CL2 and CL3) for working with tick-borne pathogens. The lab collaborates with multiple international research groups and is involved in public engagement projects including a citizen science initiative with The Conservation Volunteers Scotland to monitor ticks and tick-borne viruses across Scotland.

• Population Ecology
• Epidemiology
• Infectious Disease Dynamics
• +5 more

Daniel Haydon is a Professor of Population Ecology and Epidemiology at the University of Glasgow, affiliated with the School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine. He joined the university in 2004 after completing a PhD at the University of Texas at Austin and postdoctoral positions at Oxford, UBC, Edinburgh, and Guelph. From 2010–2022, he served as Director of the Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, which later merged to form the current School. He convenes the School's Fellowship Committee and leads the College Futures theme in Planetary Health. His research integrates quantitative approaches in ecology and epidemiology. Key interests include: Community structure/function, stability in food webs/competitive networks Spatial population dynamics, movement models, and population viability Wildlife/livestock/zoonotic disease epidemiology using pathogen genomics Innovative seroprevalence analysis and outbreak size prediction He collaborates extensively with the Wellcome Trust's Afrique One initiative to build One Health capacity in sub-Saharan Africa. His recent articles (2023–2025) focus on: Disease dynamics (rabies, brucellosis, RVF, leptospirosis) Ecological modeling methodologies (observation processes, isotope geolocation) Agroecology and conservation (cocoa farms, pollinator habitats) One Health economics (vaccine valuation, farmer wellbeing) This reflects sustained engagement with complex disease systems, molecular tools, and interdisciplinary approaches across Africa and globally. Daniel actively supports academic development as Fellowship Committee convenor and contributes to the University's Planetary Health strategy. He maintains collaborations across continents, particularly in Tanzania and Ghana.

Elizabeth AitkenView profile

Professor

• Plant Pathology
• Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions
• Tropical Crop Diseases
• +3 more

Professor Elizabeth Aitken is a leading plant pathologist at The University of Queensland , affiliated with the School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability and the ARC Research Hub for Sustainable Crop Protection . Her research focuses on tropical crop diseases, particularly bananas, ginger, cotton, and sunflower, with collaborations spanning Queensland Department of Primary Industries and CSIRO. BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Science, University of Edinburgh PhD in Plant Pathology, University of Aberdeen Research Interests : Genetics of plant-pathogen interactions, molecular pathogenicity mechanisms, and disease diagnostics. Key areas include Fusarium wilt resistance in bananas , pathogenicity gene analysis (e.g., Six genes in Fusarium oxysporum ), and climate change impacts on pathogen fitness . Recent Research Trends : Her 2025-2023 publications highlight genomic studies of Fusarium and Verticillium pathogens, QTL mapping for banana resistance, and RNAi-based disease management strategies. Scientific Awards : Fellow, Australasian Plant Pathology Society Supervision & Grants : Supervised over 20 PhD/MPhil students. Current projects (2022-2027) include advanced genomics for horticulture and banana resistance gene identification, funded by BMGF, ARC, and Hort Innovation Australia. Past grants involved myrtle rust impact studies and climate change research.

• Biotechnology
• Synthetic Biology
• Metabolic Engineering
• +3 more

Wei-Shou Hu is a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at the University of Minnesota , affiliated with the Institute for Engineering in Medicine and the Cellular Mechanisms of Cancer initiative. His research bridges chemical engineering principles with biomedical applications, focusing on synthetic biology, biopharmaceutical manufacturing, and viral vector production. Develops synthetic cell lines for recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) production Investigates metabolic robustness in fed-batch cell culture systems Applies multi-omics approaches (transcriptomics, proteomics) to bioprocess optimization Contributes to biomanufacturing standards through collaborations with NIIMBL and NIST Key research areas include: Synthetic Biology: Designing engineered mammalian cell systems and CHO lines for therapeutic applications Metabolic Engineering: Enhancing cellular metabolism for improved biopharmaceutical yields Viral Vector Production: Optimization of AAV production systems for gene therapy Genomic Analysis: Developing algorithms for sequencing data interpretation and integration Recent publications show expertise in: Comparative transcriptomic/proteomic analysis of viral production systems Systematic characterization of synthetic cell line productivity Elucidation of capsid assembly mechanisms in viral vectors Development of mechanistic-empirical models for bioprocess control Dr. Hu has received multiple research grants including: National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) membership NIH/NIGMS funded projects on biotechnology development Collaborative grants with University of Massachusetts Lowell on biomanufacturing His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals through advancements in biopharmaceutical manufacturing and disease treatment technologies.

Lukasz L. StelinskiView profile

Professor

• Entomology
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
• Insect Ecology
• +3 more

Lukasz L. Stelinski is a Professor in the Department of Entomology and Nematology at the University of Florida/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC). His work focuses on integrated pest management strategies for citrus systems, particularly targeting insect vectors of economically significant diseases. Research Themes Biological and chemical control of citrus pests Reducing pesticide impacts on non-target organisms like honey bees Mechanisms of virus-vector interactions Recent publications emphasize practical citrus production guides developed with multidisciplinary teams, covering pests such as Drosophila suzukii , Asian citrus psyllid, and root weevils. He also contributes to molecular studies on viral disease dynamics and vector biology. Collaborations include partnerships with researchers like Drs. Lauren Diepenbrock, Jawwad Qureshi, and Nian Wang, particularly in deploying Citrus tristeza virus-based platforms for Huanglongbing (HLB) mitigation.

Rea Laila Antoniou KourouniotiView profile

Lecturer

• Plant Science
• Molecular Biology
• Mathematical Modeling
• +3 more

Dr. Rea Laila Antoniou Kourounioti is a Lecturer in Molecular Biosciences at the University of Glasgow's School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences. With an interdisciplinary background in Biology (Imperial College, London) and Mathematics (University of Crete), she completed her PhD at the University of Nottingham in 2014 on artificial photosynthesis before conducting postdoctoral research at the John Innes Centre. Current Research: Investigates plant temperature sensing mechanisms, focusing on molecular responses to cold and climate change impacts. Methodology: Integrates mathematical modeling with molecular biology, genetics, and omics approaches. Key Research Themes: Distributed temperature sensing networks Epigenetic and environmental control of flowering time Mathematical modeling of gene expression dynamics Climate change adaptation in plants Publications: 15 most recent works examine temperature-dependent gene regulation, epigenetic memory, and interdisciplinary approaches to plant-environment interactions. Her students include Joseph McLeod and Chantal Sharples, working on projects like "Mathematical modeling of environmental information processing in hybrid aspen" and "Engineering Crops to Extend Growing Seasons".

Linus SandegrenView profile

Professor

• Antibiotic Resistance
• Molecular Evolution
• Bacterial Genetics
• +3 more

Linus Sandegren is a Professor at Uppsala University , affiliated with the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology and the Uppsala Antibiotic Center . His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, particularly the evolution and dissemination of resistance plasmids in pathogenic bacteria. Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology Uppsala Antibiotic Center His work spans antibiotic resistance , molecular evolution , and bacterial genetics , with a strong emphasis on plasmid stability, mobility, and fitness costs. Recent publications highlight his contributions to CRISPR-based resistance prevention , optical DNA mapping , and nano-biosensor development for rapid resistance gene detection. Key article trends include: Antibiotic resistance gene transfer Plasmid-mediated resistance mechanisms Novel diagnostic technologies Biofilm evolution and virulence adaptation Environmental reservoirs of resistance Antibiotic combination efficacy He actively collaborates on antibiotic resistance research and has contributed to policy discussions through publications in Science of the Total Environment and Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences . No formal students are listed in the provided materials.

M. Denise DearingView profile

Professor

• Ecology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Plant-herbivore interactions
• +5 more

Dr. M. Denise Dearing is a Distinguished Professor of Biology at the University of Utah , where she holds appointments in the College of Science and is an active member of both the Ecology, Evolution & Organismal Biology (EEOB) and Molecular, Cellular & Evolutionary Biology (MCEB) graduate programs. She directs the Dearing Lab, an integrative research group that investigates how small mammals contend with toxic diets and infectious diseases. Research Interests : Professor Dearing’s work sits at the intersection of physiological ecology , microbiome science , and evolutionary genomics . In particular, she examines: Plant-herbivore interactions and the detoxification mechanisms that allow herbivores to consume chemically defended plants; The role of host-associated microbial communities in mediating toxin tolerance and pathogen resistance; Ecological and evolutionary dynamics of hantavirus reservoirs, especially deer mice and Sin Nombre virus. Her research combines fieldwork in deserts of the western United States with cutting-edge genomics, metabolomics, and microbiome analyses to uncover co-evolutionary processes shaping diet breadth, microbial symbioses, and disease ecology. Recent Publication Trends : Over 2023–2025, Professor Dearing and her team have produced a prolific suite of papers focusing on (1) microbiome stability and functional resilience in wild herbivorous rodents, (2) rapid genomic adaptation to toxic diets via gene family expansions in woodrats, and (3) metabolomic dissection of independent detoxification pathways. Collectively, these studies highlight how host phylogeny, environmental temperature, and dietary chemistry interact to sculpt both microbial and host gene expression landscapes. Scientific Awards & Recognition : NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (awarded to advisee Noah, 2024) NSF Fellowship (awarded to advisee Maggie, 2024) Advising & Grants : Professor Dearing mentors a vibrant cohort of graduate and undergraduate researchers. Recent trainees who completed or advanced their degrees include: Maggie – defended PhD, accepted postdoctoral position at UMass Boston; Dylan – defended PhD; Noah – awarded NSF GRFP and continues PhD research; Anastasia – undergraduate researcher presenting at ACCESS Symposium. The lab’s work is supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and other agencies, funding field collections, genomic sequencing, and experimental manipulations. Laboratory & Field Resources : The Dearing Lab maintains active field sites in Utah and California for long-term monitoring of woodrat populations. Lab facilities include controlled-environment chambers, a dedicated microbiome suite, and access to the University of Utah’s Genomics Core for high-throughput sequencing.

Daniel LeungView profile

Professor

• Mucosal Immunology
• MAIT Cells
• Cholera
• +7 more

Daniel Leung is a Professor of Internal Medicine and Adjunct Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Utah . He holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. from the University of British Columbia and an M.D. from Wake Forest University School of Medicine . His research focuses on Mucosal-Associated Invariant T (MAIT) cells in infections like cholera , sepsis , and diarrheal diseases , with emphasis on their immune regulatory roles and vaccine implications. Education: B.Sc., University of British Columbia M.Sc., University of British Columbia M.D., Wake Forest University School of Medicine Leung's work examines how MAIT cells contribute to B cell help , antibody production , and mucosal immunity . His team investigates these cells in human tonsil germinal centers and mouse models , particularly in cholera vaccine development using MAIT-activating ligands . Recent publications highlight his efforts in serosurveillance for cholera and SARS-CoV-2 , integrating statistical and machine learning approaches to estimate disease incidence from cross-sectional data. He also develops electronic clinical decision support tools (eCDST) for diarrhea management in low- and high-resource settings , aiming to reduce antibiotic misuse and improve patient outcomes. Key collaborations include the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) , GHESKIO (Haiti) , and institutions like Johns Hopkins and University of Florida . His research is funded by NIH (R01AI130378, R01AI135114, R01AI135115) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (OPP1198876).

Melodie WellerView profile

Adjunct Assistant Professor

• Virology
• Viral-mediated autoimmunity
• Sjögren’s syndrome
• +3 more

Melodie Weller, Ph.D., is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology and Associate Professor of Dentistry at the University of Utah. She leads the Weller Lab, which investigates how viral infections impact oral health and chronic disease development. Education: Ph.D. – University of Montana Research Interests: Dr. Weller’s research centers on the intersection of virology, autoimmunity, and oral health. Her lab focuses on: Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV): Investigating its role in Sjögren’s syndrome and its ability to trigger complete disease phenotypes in vivo. Post-COVID-19 Oral Disease: Exploring how SARS-CoV-2 infection impacts oral health and contributes to chronic conditions. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Studying viral profiles associated with lymphoma development. Viral-Mediated Autoimmunity: Understanding how chronic viral infections disrupt immune regulation and contribute to autoimmune diseases. Research Trends: Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on HDV epidemiology, diagnostic strategies, and its clinical implications in autoimmune diseases. She has also contributed to understanding the neurological impacts of astrovirus infections and the implementation of COVID-19 surveillance in dental settings. Scientific Contributions: Identified HDV in salivary glands of Sjögren’s syndrome patients. Developed optimized sequencing strategies for HDV genome analysis. Contributed to global epidemiological tracking of HDV. Explored viral triggers of autoimmune diseases and lymphoma. Contact & Resources: Email: melodie.weller@hsc.utah.edu Faculty Page: Available on the University of Utah website. PubMed: Literature search available for full publication list.

Michael KanostView profile

Professor

• Insect Biochemistry
• Molecular Immunology
• Innate Immunity
• +5 more

Michael Kanost serves as University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics at Kansas State University's College of Arts and Sciences. His laboratory investigates insect biochemistry with emphasis on immunity, cuticle formation, and iron homeostasis using Manduca sexta as primary model organism. His research spans three interconnected domains: Insect immunity focusing on protease cascades, melanization pathways, and antimicrobial responses Cuticle biochemistry examining sclerotization processes and exoskeleton mechanical properties Iron homeostasis mechanisms including transferrin function and metal transport Current work integrates genomic approaches with biochemical characterization to understand immune recognition systems. Publications since 2015 demonstrate consistent contributions to insect immunology, with recent emphasis on protease network dynamics (2022-2025), iron metabolism (2022-2024), and translational applications in antimicrobial development (2023). Key trends include expanding from Manduca sexta to Anopheles and Tribolium models while maintaining focus on conserved immune mechanisms. Award highlights include: Commerce Bank & W.T. Kemper Foundation Distinguished Graduate Faculty Award (2020) University Distinguished Professor title recognizing exceptional scholarship Kanost actively mentors graduate students through thesis supervision and undergraduate researchers through programs like Developing Scholars and GROW workshops. His lab coordinates the Manduca sexta genome annotation project and maintains extensive insect colonies for immunological studies. Current research directions explore connections between redox regulation and immune activation, with potential applications in biomaterials design and vector control strategies.