Find Academic Supervisors

Rebecca L. Walker is a Professor in the Department of Philosophy (College of Arts and Sciences) and a Professor of Social Medicine in the School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also serves as Core Faculty in the Center for Bioethics and is an Adjunct Professor in Public Policy. Her research focuses on biomedical ethics, particularly animal research, phase I clinical trials, and genomic ethics. Dr. Walker holds a Greenwall Foundation post-doctoral fellowship in bioethics and health policy (completed in 2001), and has held visiting faculty positions at the University of Michigan. She teaches courses on bioethics, virtue ethics, and the philosophy of medicine at both undergraduate and graduate levels, and contributes to the medical school curriculum in social and health systems. Her academic leadership roles include serving on UNC’s Animal Care and Use Committee, co-directing the Hospital Ethics Service’s education program, and leading NIH-funded grants such as the CMORE project on healthy volunteer research ethics. She is a Hastings Center Fellow (2021) and has authored/co-edited influential works like Of Mice and Primates: Virtue Ethics and Animal Research (2025) and The Social Medicine Reader (2019). Dr. Walker’s research spans ethical issues in biotechnology, distributive justice in healthcare, and the moral status of nonhuman animals. Her recent projects include a study on correctional health care providers’ professional challenges and a National Human Genome Research Institute grant examining incidental enhancements in gene editing technologies. She actively engages in policy debates around genomic screening, animal welfare, and translational research ethics. Her awards and recognitions include the Hastings Center Fellowship, which acknowledges her contributions to ethical scholarship in health, science, and technology. Her work bridges philosophical theory with applied ethics, emphasizing virtue ethics and interdisciplinary collaboration across medicine, policy, and the social sciences.

• Biomedical Ethics
• Animal Research Ethics
• Health Care Ethics
• +4 more

Henry T. Greely is the Deane F. and Kate Edelman Johnson Professor of Law and Professor (by courtesy) of Genetics at Stanford University . He serves on multiple administrative and advisory roles, including Director of the Stanford Center for Law and the Biosciences and Chair of the Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics. His work bridges bioethics , neuroscience , genetics , and public policy , focusing on the ethical, legal, and societal impacts of emerging biosciences. Education: JD from Yale Law School (1977), AB in Political Science from Stanford University (1974) Key Research Areas: Neuroethics (predictive neuroscience, mind-reading, cognitive enhancement) Genetic Ethics (prenatal testing, genomic biobanks, whole genome sequencing) Stem Cell Law (chimeras, regulatory challenges) Affiliations: Bio-X Faculty Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute Institute for Human-Centered AI His recent publications address AI misuse in biomedicine, human embryo editing, and cross-cultural chimeric research ethics. Awards include AAAS Fellow (2007) and the Richard M. Lyman Award (2013).

• Bioethics
• Neuroscience
• Genetics
• +5 more

Olga Kovalchuk is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Lethbridge. She leads the Epigenetics of Health and Disease research laboratory, which is affiliated with the Southern Alberta Cancer Research Institute (SACRI) and Alberta Health Services/Alberta Cancer Foundation (AHS/ACF). Her research program has received significant funding including a $3.2 million Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) start-up grant and NSERC Discovery Grants. Dr. Kovalchuk's research focuses on the role of epigenetic mechanisms in health and disease, particularly in the context of radiation exposure and cancer. Her primary areas of investigation include epigenetic dysregulation in carcinogenesis, radiation epigenetics, DNA damage and repair mechanisms, and transgenerational effects of radiation exposure. She has made significant contributions to understanding how radiation-induced epigenetic changes affect genome stability, cancer development, and treatment responses. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on microRNA regulation in cancer, sex-specific radiation responses, and the epigenetic basis of radiation-induced bystander effects. Her work demonstrates how epigenetic changes, particularly DNA methylation and microRNA expression patterns, mediate radiation responses in various tissues and can be transmitted across generations. Much of her research utilizes mouse models to investigate these mechanisms in vivo. Board of Governors Research Chair at University of Lethbridge CIHR Institute of Gender and Health Research Chair in New Perspectives in Gender, Sex and Health Canada Foundation for Innovation Start-up Funding ($3.2 Million) NSERC Discovery Grant recipient Editor's Choice Paper Award for research on radiation-induced bystander effects Cover Page feature for transgenerational radiation effects research Dr. Kovalchuk actively mentors numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, with a research team comprising PhD students, MSc students, research assistants, and postdoctoral associates. Her laboratory collaborates extensively with researchers at MIT, Harvard University, and other institutions. She has secured significant grant funding including NSERC Discovery Grants and CFI start-up funds to support her research program investigating epigenetic mechanisms in radiation biology and cancer. Her laboratory, the Epigenetics of Health and Disease research group, maintains strong collaborations with the Southern Alberta Cancer Research Institute and has established partnerships with researchers across North America. Dr. Kovalchuk's work has important implications for understanding radiation risks, improving cancer therapies, and developing strategies to mitigate radiation damage.

• Epigenetics
• Cancer Biology
• Radiation Biology
• +5 more

Prof. Enkelejda Miho is a Professor of Digital Life Sciences at the School of Life Sciences, FHNW, leading the aiHealthLab. Her work bridges computer science/AI with life sciences, focusing on drug discovery, personalized medicine, and immunology. She holds roles as Team Leader at aiHealthLab and Group Leader at the Swiss Bioinformatics Institute. Research Interests : She applies machine learning to analyze immune repertoires, antibody engineering, and autoimmunity diagnostics. Her lab develops computational tools like the RWD-Cockpit for real-world data analysis and synthetic antibody-antigen models (Absolut!) to advance biotherapeutics. Her work on dengue immunity and monoclonal gammopathies highlights translational applications. Key Projects : The aiHealthLab focuses on AI-driven diagnostics and therapeutics. Her contributions include AI frameworks for antibody specificity prediction, age-related immune repertoire changes, and large-scale network analysis of antibody repertoires. Labs/Teams : Leads aiHealthLab and collaborates with the Swiss Bioinformatics Institute, integrating computational and experimental immunology.

• Digital Life Sciences
• Medical Informatics
• Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
• +4 more

Andrea H. Brand serves as the Frederick L. Ehrman Professor of Cell Biology and Professor of Neuroscience at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, where she chairs the Department of Cell Biology. Her dual appointments reflect an interdisciplinary research program spanning molecular mechanisms of stem cell regulation and neural development. Dr. Brand earned her PhD from the University of Cambridge followed by prestigious postdoctoral fellowships: a Leukemia Society Special Fellowship at Harvard Medical School and a Helen Hay Whitney Fellowship at Harvard University. These foundational experiences established her expertise in genetic model systems. Her research integrates stem cell biology and neuroscience through innovative work with Drosophila and mouse models. Key investigations focus on chromatin dynamics in stem cell quiescence, Notch/insulin signaling pathways, neural progenitor reprogramming, and blood-brain barrier formation. Current projects explore obesity-related gene function and CHD8 genomic targets relevant to neurodevelopmental disorders, emphasizing translational potential for regenerative medicine. Recent publications (2020-2022) reveal consistent themes in stem cell niche organization and disease mechanisms, with notable contributions to understanding tumorigenesis through neural progenitor studies and metabolic influences on barrier development. Her work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary convergence between developmental genetics and systems neuroscience. No scientific awards were documented in the provided profile information. While the profile indicates Professor Brand's leadership as Department Chair, specific details regarding student mentorship, grant funding, or laboratory structure were not included in the available text. Her position suggests active supervision of research teams and potential involvement in major collaborative initiatives.

• Stem Cell Biology
• Neuroscience
• Developmental Biology
• +3 more

Ben Larson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), affiliated with the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies (CBIS). His research bridges biological physics, cell biology, and evolutionary principles to study complex cellular behaviors without nervous systems. BA in Physics, Reed College (2012) Postbaccalaureate Research Fellow, NIH NHLBI (2012-2014) PhD in Biophysics, UC Berkeley (2019) Postdoctoral Scholar, UCSF (2019-2024) Research Focus: The Larson Lab applies interdisciplinary tools from physics and computation to investigate sensorimotor activity in unicellular organisms like Euplotes , exploring how cells achieve sophisticated behaviors through cytoskeletal dynamics and finite-state mechanisms. Key themes include cellular decision-making, evolutionary biophysics, and multicellular morphogenesis. Scientific Awards: 2013 Orloff Science Award 2016-2019 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship 2016 Society of General Physiology Scholar 2020-2023 Merck Postdoctoral Fellowship 2022 Porter Prize for Research Excellence (ASCB)

• Biological Physics
• Cell Biology
• Evolution
• +5 more

Santa Slokenberga, LL.D., serves as an Associate Professor in Medical Law and Senior Lecturer in Administrative Law at Uppsala University's Department of Law within the Faculty of Law. She maintains an active research profile focusing on the intersection of law, medicine, and technology, with particular expertise in biobanking, genetic privacy, and healthcare data governance. Her research interests span several critical areas in contemporary medical law, including the human genome and biobanking, AI applications in healthcare, privacy and personal data protection frameworks, quality of pediatric healthcare, and governance of rare diseases. Slokenberga's work demonstrates a strong focus on European regulatory frameworks and their implementation across different jurisdictions, particularly examining how GDPR interacts with medical research and biobanking practices. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a clear trajectory toward increasingly complex issues at the intersection of law, technology, and healthcare. Her scholarship consistently addresses regulatory challenges in genomic data sharing, European health data spaces, and the ethical implications of emerging technologies in medicine. Notably, she has contributed significantly to understanding how European data protection law applies to medical research contexts. Slokenberga holds leadership positions as a board member of EAHL and the Nordic Permed Law, reflecting her recognized expertise in health policy at both national and international levels. Her collaborative research projects often involve multinational teams, demonstrating her engagement with global health law challenges. Her academic supervision and teaching activities focus on preparing future legal professionals to navigate the complex landscape of medical law, administrative law, and data protection regulations as they apply to healthcare systems and biomedical research.

• Medical Law
• Administrative Law
• Biobanking
• +7 more

Dr. Jun Wu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He holds a PhD in Life Science from the University of Tennessee and completed postdoctoral training at the University of Southern California and the Salk Institute. His research focuses on stem cell biology, genome editing, and interspecies chimeras to advance regenerative medicine and developmental biology. Education: Bachelor of Medicine, Shandong University School of Medicine (China) PhD in Life Science, University of Tennessee (2013) Postdoctoral Fellowships: USC (2013-2015) and Salk Institute (2015-2017) Research Interests: Generation of pluripotent stem cells with distinct molecular/phenotypic features Development of interspecies blastocyst complementation systems Modeling peri-implantation human development using stem cell embryo models Study of species-specific developmental barriers and evolutionary biology Application of chimeras to study cancer resistance and organ size determination Lab Activities: The Wu Lab develops stem cell models to study mammalian development and create regenerative therapies. Key projects include: Creation of interspecies chimeras (human-monkey, rat-mouse) Development of blastoids and peri-gastruloids Analysis of species-specific cell competition mechanisms Engineering cross-species organogenesis systems Grant Activities: Focuses on NIH-funded projects related to stem cell biology, interspecies chimerism, and regenerative medicine applications. Collaborates with institutions like Salk Institute and University of California campuses. Lab Team: Includes postdoctoral researchers like Dr. Yi Ding and a multidisciplinary team of molecular biologists, bioengineers, and computational biologists.

• Stem Cell Biology
• Genome Editing
• Interspecies Chimeras
• +6 more

Jodi Halpern is a full-time Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and a co-founder of the Kavli Center for Ethics, Science and the Public (2022). She serves as Faculty Director of BERGIT (Berkeley Group for Ethics and Regulation of Innovative Technologies) and actively consults for organizations including the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Kaiser Permanente, Intel, Salesforce, and the Mayor’s Office of Los Angeles. Halpern’s work bridges psychiatry, philosophy, and bioethics to address empathy in leadership, AI ethics, and gene editing. Professor at UC Berkeley Co-founded Kavli Center (2022) Faculty Director of BERGIT Consults for tech, healthcare, and government entities Halpern’s research focuses on empathic curiosity as a tool for conflict resolution and trust-building in healthcare, post-war reconciliation, and AI ethics. Her current projects include Engineering Empathy (investigating AI’s impact on emotional relationships), Gene Editing from Bench to Bedside (exploring scientists’ beliefs about gene editing), and Remaking the Self in the Wake of Illness (narratives of adaptation to illness). She integrates philosophical analysis with empirical research in psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral economics. Her notable scientific awards include the 2022 Guggenheim Fellowship in Health and Medicine, the 2019 Chancellor’s Chair at UC Berkeley, and the Yale University Award for the best PhD of significance to humanity across disciplines. Halpern received her MD and PhD through the NIH Medical Scientist Training Program Award , completed psychiatry residency at UCLA, and held fellowships at Princeton, Greenwall, and Townsend centers.

• Empathy
• AI Ethics
• Bioethics
• +8 more

Professor Annette Byrne is a leading academic at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences , where she serves as Professor of Physiology and Head of the Precision Cancer Medicine (PCM) Group. She has held this position since 2019 after progressing through roles as Lecturer (2008), Senior Lecturer (2013), and Associate Professor (2017). Her research focuses on precision medicine approaches for colorectal and brain cancers , integrating multi-modality molecular imaging , Next Generation Sequencing , and patient-derived xenograft models . PhD in Cell Biology (University of York, 1999) John Kerner Fellowship in Gynaecologic Oncology (UCSF, 1999-2001) Scientist at Pharmacyclics Inc. (2001-2003) Senior Scientist at Angion Biomedica Corp. (2003-2005) Principal Investigator at UCD Conway Institute (2005-2008) Her research interest lies in precision cancer medicine , particularly elucidating predictive biomarkers (genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic) and identifying novel therapeutic targets . Key methodologies include radiomics , fluorescence-guided surgery , and systems modeling of apoptosis pathways. She has pioneered Ireland's first Tumour Xenograft Facility and Translational In Vivo Imaging Centre . Recent publications highlight her work on cross-species radiomics , cell-free DNA analysis , and glioblastoma microenvironment subtyping . Her Marie Curie networks (Gliotrain, Glioresolve) and COLOSSUS project have trained 25+ PhD researchers in brain cancer therapeutics. Over €45M in national/international grants Member of Royal Irish Academy (2025) Highly cited in Cancer Discovery , Annals of Oncology , and Nature journals She supervises multiple PhD candidates and leads the RCSI Precision Cancer Medicine Group , which utilizes computational approaches and molecular imaging to improve cancer treatment outcomes. Her GLIORESOLVE and EDIReX projects focus on tumor microenvironment manipulation and distributed PDX infrastructure.

• Precision Medicine
• Molecular Imaging
• Angiogenesis
• +7 more

Dr. Steven Jacobsen is a Professor in the Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology Department at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he leads the Jacobsen Lab. His work focuses on epigenetic inheritance and gene regulation in Arabidopsis thaliana and mammalian stem cells, utilizing genetic screens, genomics, epigenomics, and biochemical approaches. The lab also pioneers CRISPR-mediated genome editing techniques. University: University of California, Los Angeles Department: Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology Research Interests: Jacobsen's research spans multiple interconnected domains in epigenetics, including DNA methylation patterning, histone modification interplay, and transposable element silencing. His team investigates how chromatin structure influences gene expression and epigenetic inheritance, with applications from plant development to human health. Key areas include: CRISPR-based epigenetic modifications RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) mechanisms Chromatin compaction via MORC proteins Histone variant functions in methylation Transposon control in plant genomes Comparative epigenomics across species Advising Legacy: Over two decades, Dr. Jacobsen has mentored 21 former lab members who now hold academic and industry positions globally, including professors at Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Georgia, and Southern University of Science & Technology. His lab's publications reveal a consistent focus on DNA methylation dynamics, chromatin remodeling, and small RNA pathways, with recent work emphasizing CRISPR innovations and structural insights into epigenetic regulators.

• Epigenetics
• Epigenomics
• Genetics
• +4 more

Prof. Mike Boxem is a Professor in the Department of Biology at Utrecht University's Faculty of Science, specializing in Developmental Biology. His research focuses on epithelial polarity, cell polarity complexes, and C. elegans genetics. He holds a PhD from Utrecht University (2002) and completed postdoctoral work at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Notable honors include the NWO Vici (2016), NWO Vidi (2010), and ECHO grants. He leads the PolarNet Marie Curie ITN network and has supervised 8 research projects. His work contributes to understanding cell polarity mechanisms and developmental processes in C. elegans. Educations: BSc Medical Biology, VU University Amsterdam PhD in Biology, Utrecht University (2002) Research Interests: Boxem’s lab investigates how cell polarity complexes regulate epithelial tissue organization in C. elegans. Key topics include Crumbs polarity proteins, intermediate filaments, and signaling pathways controlling lumen formation and germline development. His work integrates genetic, biochemical, and imaging approaches to dissect molecular mechanisms underlying polarity establishment and maintenance. Grants & Awards: NWO Vici Grant (2016) - Supports long-term research NWO Vidi Grant (2010) - Established his independent lab ECHO Grant (2014) - European funding for collaborative projects Labs/Teams: His group is part of the Biodynamics and Biocomplexity research division. Collaborations span global networks, including the PolarNet consortium focusing on epithelial polarity.

• Developmental Biology
• Cell Polarity
• Protein-Protein Interactions
• +3 more

Britta van Beers is a Full Professor at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, holding positions in Legal Theory and Legal History within the Faculty of Law, as well as affiliations with the Kooijmans Institute, Law & Technology, and Boundaries of Law. Her research focuses on intersections between law, emerging technologies, bioethics, and human rights. She has authored over 70 publications since 2015, addressing topics like CRISPR governance, surrogacy regulation, and legal personhood in the age of biotechnology. Awarded multiple grants and prizes (specifics unspecified) Supervised 2 PhD theses Edited volumes on personalized medicine ethics and symbolic legislation Her work critically examines technological innovations' impact on legal frameworks, particularly in genetics, artificial intelligence, and reproductive technologies. Recent projects include analyzing human germline modification dialogues and ethical challenges in accessing biobanks for forensic purposes. Key contributions include redefining legal personhood in the context of posthuman technologies and advocating for explicit goals in public dialogues about gene editing. She frequently engages with policymakers, as seen in her contributions to Dutch parliamentary discussions on embryo law reforms.

• Legal Theory
• Bioethics
• Technology Law
• +4 more

Arunika Das is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine , where she leads the Das Lab. Her research focuses on the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms governing chromosome inheritance during meiosis and early development, with a particular emphasis on centromere biology and aneuploidy. Education: PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology (Rutgers University, 2016), MS in Biochemistry (University of Calcutta, 2009), BS in Chemistry (St. Xavier’s University, 2007) Research Highlights: Investigates centromere inheritance through reproductive and embryonic challenges Studies aneuploidy mechanisms in early embryos Uses mouse, fly, and horse models for comparative genome stability analysis Active in Cornell Center for Reproductive Sciences and Center for Vertebrate Genomics Scientific Awards: Society for the Study of Reproduction - Emerging Investigator Award (2024-2025) S. Walter Englander Postdoctoral Research Award (2022) Keith R. Porter Award Honorable Mention (2022) Marine Biological Laboratory Fellowship (2017) Teaching: Leads curriculum development for a reproductive medicine MS program and teaches in Cornell’s Veterinary School. Mentors graduate, undergraduate, and capstone projects.

• Epigenetics
• Chromatin Biology
• Reproductive Aging
• +5 more

Roberto Andorno is an Associate Professor ('Privatdozent') of biomedical law and bioethics at the Faculty of Law, University of Zurich, and a Research Associate and PhD Program Coordinator at the Institute of Biomedical Ethics and History of Medicine. He holds doctoral degrees in law from the University of Buenos Aires (1991) and Paris-Est Créteil (1994), and has held visiting and fellowship positions at Laval University, University of Göttingen, and University of Tübingen. He is actively involved in international bioethics through UNESCO, including serving on the International Bioethics Committee (1998–2005) and the Expert Group on the Ethics of Neurotechnology (2024). Doctor of Law, University of Buenos Aires (1991) Doctor of Law, Paris-Est Créteil University (1994) Privatdozent, University of Zurich PhD Program Coordinator, Institute of Biomedical Ethics, University of Zurich His research focuses on the intersection of law, human rights, and bioethics, with key interests in neuroethics, human germline editing, scientific integrity, and end-of-life care. He has extensively published on mental privacy, cognitive liberty, and the ethical implications of neurotechnologies. His work emphasizes human dignity as a foundational principle in bioethics and law. His recent publications (2021–2023) reveal a strong trend toward neuroethics and neurorights, with significant contributions to debates on mind-reading technologies, neurosurveillance in the workplace, and the need for new human rights in the age of neuroscience. He also continues to publish on assisted suicide, palliative sedation, and global bioethics post-pandemic, reflecting a broad and evolving research agenda. Member, UNESCO International Bioethics Committee (1998–2005) President, European Society for Philosophy of Medicine and Healthcare (2014–2016) Researcher, EU Project 'INTEGRITY' on Scientific Integrity (2019–2021) Member, UNESCO Expert Group on the Ethics of Neurotechnology (2024) Roberto Andorno has not publicly listed specific advisees, but as Coordinator of the PhD Program in Biomedical Ethics and Law, he plays a central role in mentoring doctoral candidates. He has participated in major research projects funded by the EU and UNESCO, indicating substantial grant involvement. He leads discussions on bioethics education and integrity training, advocating for stronger integration of research ethics in medical curricula. He is affiliated with the Institute of Biomedical Ethics and History of Medicine at the University of Zurich, a leading center for bioethics research in Europe. His work often involves collaboration with international scholars and institutions, contributing to global policy development in bioethics and human rights.

• Bioethics
• Biomedical Law
• International Human Rights Law
• +17 more