Anna Salvati is an Associate Professor specializing in nanomedicine and drug delivery systems. Her research focuses on nanoparticle-cell interactions, biomolecular corona formation, and the physicochemical properties governing nanomaterial behavior in biological environments. Key research themes include cellular uptake mechanisms, toxicity of nanomaterials, and nanoparticle targeting strategies. Recent publications highlight her work on nanoparticle stability, membrane interactions, and environmental impacts of microplastics. Her studies integrate multiomics approaches, advanced imaging, and interlaboratory validation to address challenges in nanomedicine design and safety testing. Current projects explore the role of high-density lipoproteins in nanoparticle functionality and the modulation of drug release kinetics through material engineering.
Michael Krisinger is an Associate Professor of Teaching in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at the University of British Columbia . He began his teaching career in 2010, transitioning to full-time in 2013. He lectures Biochemistry 202 (Introductory Medical Biochemistry) and Biochemistry 303 (Molecular Biochemistry) while serving as a tutor in the Faculty of Medicine's Case Based Learning program. Krisinger co-developed the department's two-course summer program for international students and mentors postdoctoral fellows in teaching. He also manages the department's CANVAS digital learning platform. Krisinger's research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of coagulation and complement system regulation , particularly their evolutionary relationship and functional interplay. His work has explored thrombin's role in complement activation, polyphosphate-mediated complement suppression, and nanoparticle surface interactions with proteolytic cascades. He previously co-supervised graduate students at UBC's Centre for Blood Research before prioritizing education. Publications highlight his expertise in protease-substrate dynamics , lipoprotein-phospholipid interactions , and hemostasis-immunity crosstalk . He remains engaged in public science through community environmental initiatives and local outreach activities.
Allan David serves as the John W. Brown Professor of Chemical Engineering and Associate Dean for Research at Auburn University's Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. His leadership extends across academic administration and cutting-edge nanomedicine research, with a focus on translating laboratory discoveries into clinical applications. His educational foundation includes: Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, University of Maryland B.S. in Chemical Engineering, University of Maryland Dr. David's research program pioneers nanomedicine applications through the development of smart materials for cancer diagnostics and therapy. His work spans nanoparticle-based MRI contrast agents , ocular drug delivery systems , and vaccine delivery platforms , with particular emphasis on optimizing physicochemical properties for targeted biological interactions. Current projects address critical healthcare challenges including safer contrast agents for patients with kidney impairment and precision cancer targeting mechanisms. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a cohesive research trajectory centered on magnetic nanoparticles and biomimetic delivery systems . The work demonstrates increasing translational focus, evolving from fundamental nanoparticle characterization (2020-2021) to clinically relevant applications like ocular delivery and cancer theranostics (2022-2024), culminating in commercialization efforts through NanoXort, LLC. Dr. David has secured significant research funding including an $184,773 grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) for developing cardiovascular MRI agents. He leads collaborative efforts that bridge chemical engineering with biomedical innovation, notably co-founding NanoXort, LLC to commercialize safer MRI contrast agents addressing gadolinium toxicity concerns for renal-impaired patients. His laboratory operates at the intersection of chemical engineering and medicine, focusing on nanoparticle-cell interactions and targeted delivery systems. The research group maintains strong industry partnerships through the NanoXort startup, which has secured $1 million NSF funding to advance MRI contrast agent technology toward clinical implementation.
Prof.ssa Elda Favari is a Full-Time Associate Professor of Pharmacology at the Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Italy . Her research focuses on atherosclerosis physiology , cholesterol metabolism , and cellular cholesterol efflux processes . She has collaborated with international institutions in the USA , Australia , and Switzerland . PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology (University of Parma, 2005) Academic Editor for the journal Medicine Member of Italian Society of Pharmacology , European Lipoprotein Club , and International Atherosclerosis Society Her scientific contributions include over 50 peer-reviewed publications , an H-index of 23 , and 16 Q1-journal publications from the last 15 years. Key research areas cover reverse cholesterol transport , PCSK9 mechanisms , and HDL functionality in diseases like familial hypercholesterolemia , cancer , and autoimmune disorders . Recent Google Scholar publications (2023-2025) examine: HDL modulation through nutraceuticals and 3D-printed devices Immune checkpoint inhibitors in relation to lipid profiles PCSK9-lomitapide interactions in genetic lipid disorders Anti-ApoA-1 IgGs as atherogenic factors 2000: AstraZeneca Grant at SISA Congress 2011: National Research Grant for Lupus Study She has held institutional roles including Student Orientation Delegate and serves on scientific committees for international congresses. Teaching spans Toxicology , Anticancer Chemotherapy , and Pharmacovigilance across Pharmacy , Food Safety , and Drug Sciences programs.
Marios Georgakis is a clinician-scientist and Junior Group Leader at the Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD) at LMU Munich. He also holds a Visiting Scientist position at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. His research focuses on leveraging multi-omics data and causal inference methods (e.g., Mendelian randomization) to discover drug targets for atherosclerosis, develop personalized risk stratification tools for cerebrovascular disease, and identify in vivo biomarkers of disease activity. His work bridges human genetics, molecular biology, and clinical translation. Education : MD and PhD (Epidemiology) from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens; doctoral studies in Systemic Neurosciences at LMU Munich. Honors : Emmy Noether Award (DFG), CHARGE Consortium Early Career Achievement Award, Hertie Network Fellowship, and multiple scholarships/fellowships. Research Themes : Drug target discovery for cardiovascular disease via multiomics integration Molecular phenotyping of atherosclerosis using single-cell RNA-seq and spatial transcriptomics Development of AI-driven tools for vascular imaging and aging Genetic studies of inflammation, cytokines, and stroke subtypes Causal inference in vascular risk prediction and post-stroke outcomes Recent Article Trends : His team's publications (2024-2020) emphasize: Proteogenomic and genetic studies of atherosclerosis Cytokine signaling pathways (e.g., IL-6, CCL2/CCR2) Polygenic and genomic risk scores for stroke Multi-omics biomarkers in cerebrovascular disease Clinical translation of Mendelian randomization findings Meta-analyses of population-based data Scientific Awards : Emmy Noether Group Leader Award (DFG, 2023) CHARGE Consortium Early Career Achievement (2023) Hertie Network Fellowship (2023) Walter-Benjamin Postdoctoral Fellowship (2021-2022) Team Leadership : Georgakis mentors multiple PhD students and postdocs in his lab. His group collaborates with vascular surgeons, neurologists, and computational biologists. Current projects include the AtherOMICS biobank and AI-driven vascular phenotyping tools.
Dr. Stella Daskalopoulou is a Senior Scientist at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) and a Professor in the Department of Medicine at McGill University's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. She specializes in translational cardiovascular research with a focus on vascular health, atherosclerosis, and hypertension management. Senior Scientist, RI-MUHC Glen site Professor, Department of Medicine, McGill University Member, Cardiovascular Health Across the Lifespan Program Research Focus: Her work integrates biomedical technology with clinical investigation to identify early vascular impairment markers. Key areas include: Arterial stiffness and hemodynamic assessment Adiponectin signaling pathways in atherosclerosis Sex-specific cardiovascular risk stratification Biomarker discovery for plaque instability Pregnancy-related vascular complications Machine learning applications in plaque classification Scientific Engagement: Dr. Daskalopoulou contributes to hypertension guideline development (2024 ESC Guidelines) and explores environmental impacts on vascular health (household pollution studies). Her recent publications emphasize: Deep learning for plaque characterization Sex hormone receptor pathways in atherosclerosis Adipokine interactions with HDL metabolism Clinical decision tools for preeclampsia prediction Laboratory: Leads the Vascular Health Unit at RI-MUHC, combining histopathology, immunophenotyping, and advanced imaging for translational research.
Professor Mary Myerscough is an Associate Professor in the School of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Sydney. Her research focuses on mathematical biology, particularly modeling atherosclerosis progression, honeybee colony dynamics, and social insect behavior. She has contributed to understanding macrophage lipid dynamics, plaque regression mechanisms, and hive thermoregulation. Her work combines mathematical models with biological systems, addressing topics like cell behavior, population dynamics, and disease mechanisms. Myerscough has secured grants including an ARC Discovery Project on atherosclerosis and collaborations in mathematical biology. Her research spans interdisciplinary areas from cardiovascular science to ecological modeling, with over 55 peer-reviewed publications. Education background and affiliations: Affiliated with the University of Sydney's Faculty of Science. Research interests include mathematical modeling of biological systems, atherosclerosis, and social insect behavior. Grants include projects on lipid-cell interactions and educational initiatives like shark bite analytics. Key contributions include models of honeybee colony collapse, termite architecture, and atherosclerotic plaque development. Her work bridges applied mathematics with life sciences, addressing both theoretical and applied questions in health and ecology.
Bianca Papotti is a fixed-term Researcher at the Department of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Parma. Her academic career spans interdisciplinary research in Pharmacology Cholesterol Metabolism Neurodegenerative Diseases Cardiovascular Pathology Immunometabolism . She teaches courses including Experimental Pharmacology and Food Toxicology. Her research focuses on the role of PCSK9 and cholesterol efflux in Alzheimer's Disease Atherosclerosis Rheumatoid Arthritis Lipoprotein Biology Inflammatory Disease Drug Development . Key trends in her publications (3 in 2025, 12 in 2024) reveal strong emphasis on PCSK9 inhibition mechanisms, cholesterol-immune crosstalk in rheumatoid arthritis, and fasting interventions in lipid-related pathologies. Her work has explored PCSK9's neuroinflammatory effects ABCA1/ABCG1 transporter dynamics Macrophage cholesterol loading Natural compound screening HDL dysfunction in diabetes Covid-19 lipid interactions .
Pouya Dehghankelishadi is a Research Fellow at Monash University's Department of Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamic. His work focuses on developing multi-functional drug delivery systems using porous silicon nanoparticles and gold nanoclusters for cancer treatment, particularly glioblastoma and breast cancer. He holds a PhD from the University of South Australia (2022) and a Doctorate of Pharmacy (PharmD) from Tehran University of Medical Sciences (2014). Education: PhD in Nanomedicine, University of South Australia (2022) Doctorate of Pharmacy (PharmD), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (2014) Research Interests: Targeted drug delivery systems for cancer therapy Nanoparticle engineering (porous silicon, gold nanoclusters) Theranostics and biomedical applications of nanomaterials Radiosensitiser delivery to tumour microenvironment Article Trends: His publications emphasize nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems, with recent work focusing on aptamer-targeted carriers, implantable biosensors, and stimuli-responsive nanocarriers for brain cancer treatment. Themes include nanomedicine design, cancer therapeutics, and biomedical imaging. Advising/Grants: No formal advisees listed. Research is conducted under Prof. Nicolas Voelcker's lab, with a focus on translational nanomedicine. Labs/Teams: Active member of Prof. Voelcker's lab at Monash University, contributing to interdisciplinary research in drug delivery and biomedical engineering.
John Swaney is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. Since 1998, he has focused on teaching and educational research after closing his research laboratory, continuing his academic contributions through curriculum development and pedagogy. Course Director for Medical Nutrition and Molecular Structure and Metabolism modules Teaching in Medical Biochemistry courses Creator of the web-based educational system "Netrition" His research legacy spans lipoprotein function, particularly high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and their dependence on chemical and physical structure. His work on reverse cholesterol transport identified key players in cellular cholesterol uptake and explored enhancing serum cholesterol extraction through phospholipid reactions. Educational research evaluates student performance and satisfaction with digital interventions. His publications from 1996-1998 highlight studies on Scavenger Receptor B1, HDL phospholipid composition, and serum cholesterol efflux mechanisms, contributing to understanding atherosclerosis prevention through lipid metabolism.
Dr. Ezgi Ozen is a Lecturer in Human Nutrition at the University of Reading's Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, part of the School of Chemistry, Food & Pharmacy. She specializes in investigating the role of diet in body composition, with a focus on gene-nutrient interactions and metabolic health. Her work explores how macronutrient intake and genetic factors influence body fat distribution, appetite regulation, and cardiovascular disease risk. She is particularly interested in dietary interventions targeting aging populations to improve quality of life and health outcomes. Dr. Ozen holds a PhD in Human Nutrition from the University of Reading (UK), an MSc in Food and Nutritional Sciences (University of Reading, UK), and a BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics from Hacettepe University (Turkey). She is affiliated with professional bodies including The Nutrition Society, American Society of Nutrition, and European Association for the Study of Obesity. Her research interests span dietary fat metabolism, gene-nutrient interactions, and the impact of protein intake on appetite in older adults. She leads the Nutrition Research Group and contributes to modules such as 'Public Health Nutrition and Consumer Food Choice' (MSc) and 'Nutrition and Public Health' (MPAS). Her recent work emphasizes cross-sectional and interventional studies analyzing the effects of dietary fats on lipid profiles, inflammation markers, and body composition. Key research trends include investigating how replacing saturated fats with unsaturated options affects cholesterol metabolism, platelet function, and cardiovascular risk. Her studies also address vitamin D deficiency's role in adiposity and the modulation of APOE genotype effects on metabolic health. These findings contribute to evidence-based dietary guidelines and personalized nutrition strategies. Dr. Ozen has published extensively on dietary fat interventions, lipid metabolism, and aging populations. She collaborates on projects like the BODYCON study and RISSCI trials, focusing on translational research with public health implications. Her work bridges nutritional science and clinical outcomes, emphasizing practical applications to improve metabolic health across lifespans.
Dr. Yingdong Zhu is a Researcher in the Department of Pediatrics at Yale School of Medicine, Yale University. His work focuses on metabolic disorders, particularly nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), lipid metabolism, and atherosclerosis. He investigates molecular mechanisms involving transcription factors (e.g., ATF3, HNF4α), miRNAs, and retinoic acid receptors in metabolic and liver diseases. His research integrates hepatocyte, adipocyte, and macrophage biology to elucidate pathways linking metabolic dysfunction to cardiovascular and hepatic pathologies. Research interests include: Adipose-liver crosstalk in metabolic disorders Molecular regulation of NASH progression Role of retinoid signaling in atherosclerosis MicroRNA-mediated liver disease mechanisms No specific awards or grants are listed, but his contributions are evident through recent publications in metabolic and hepatic research. Advising roles or lab affiliations are not explicitly stated in available texts.
M. Reza Ghadiri, PhD, is a Professor in the Departments of Chemistry and Molecular Biology at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), holding the Darlene V. Shiley Chair in Chemistry. His research spans organic, bioorganic, and materials chemistry, with a focus on interdisciplinary approaches to biomaterial design, systems chemistry, and the origins of life. Ghadiri leads the Ghadiri Lab, which investigates peptide self-assembly, synthetic biology, and drug development, particularly in HDL modulation and histone deacetylase inhibitors. Education: B.A. in Chemistry (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 1982); Ph.D. in Chemistry (University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1987). Research interests include peptide architecture, biosensor arrays, self-replicating molecular systems, and applications in medicine and nanotechnology. Notable achievements include pioneering work on peptide-based nanotubes and enzymatic replication systems. His lab currently explores gut microbiome modulation for chronic disease intervention. Awards include the Feynman Prize in Nanotechnology (1998), Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award (1999), and the Ronald Breslow Award (2022). The lab collaborates on projects such as DNA-programmed enzymes and next-generation nanopore sequencing.
Markus Stoffel is a Full Professor at the Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Switzerland. His laboratory is located at Otto-Stern-Weg 7, 8093 Zürich. As a leading researcher in metabolic diseases, Prof. Stoffel investigates the fundamental molecular mechanisms that regulate glucose and lipid metabolism through transcriptional and translational regulators controlling energy homeostasis in pancreatic β-cells, liver, fat, and hypothalamus. Prof. Stoffel's research program spans multiple interconnected domains of metabolism and gene regulation. His laboratory investigates insulin signaling pathways across metabolic tissues, with particular focus on the transcription factor Foxa2 and its role in lipid metabolism and ketogenesis. His team studies the MODY transcription factor network (Hnf-1α, Foxa1, Hnf-4α and Pdx-1) and its critical function in pancreatic β-cell biology. Additional research streams include pancreatic islet growth and regeneration mechanisms, microRNA regulatory networks in metabolic tissues, HDL metabolism and reverse cholesterol transport, and population genetics of type 2 diabetes in founder populations. Analysis of Prof. Stoffel's publication record from 2021-2023 reveals a sophisticated integration of molecular biology, systems approaches, and translational research. His recent work demonstrates significant contributions to understanding pancreatic β-cell function in diabetes, molecular mechanisms of pancreatic cancer, microRNA regulation in metabolic homeostasis, and novel imaging techniques for metabolic processes. A unifying theme across his publications is the investigation of transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory networks that maintain metabolic balance and their dysregulation in disease states. Prof. Stoffel actively recruits and mentors the next generation of scientists, currently seeking both postdoctoral fellows directly through his laboratory and PhD students through the Systems Physiology and Metabolic Diseases (CC-SPMD) program at ETH Zurich. His research group maintains extensive collaborations with other groups at ETH Zurich including the Aceto, Bodenmiller, Corn, Gehart, Kopf, Suter, Werner, Wutz, and Zindel groups, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of modern metabolic research.
Charles Gu is an Associate Professor of Biostatistics and Genetics at Washington University in St. Louis, affiliated with the Roy and Diana Vagelos Division of Biology & Biomedical Sciences (DBBS), the Institute for Informatics, and the Center for Biostatistics and Data Science (CBDS). His research focuses on genetic epidemiology and statistical genetics, particularly in developing computational methods for analyzing high-dimensional genetic data and studying gene-environment interactions in complex diseases like hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, and metabolic syndromes. Key affiliations include the DBBS programs in Biomedical Informatics, Computational and Systems Biology, and Human and Statistical Genetics. He mentors PhD/MSTP students and collaborates internationally on large-scale genomic studies. Recent work includes studies on clonal hematopoiesis, lipid metabolism, and blood pressure prediction using machine learning. His 164+ publications span genetic association studies, epigenetic research, and multi-omics approaches, with a focus on translating statistical methods to clinical insights. Notable projects involve genomic analyses of atrial fibrillation, coagulation factors, and the impact of lifestyle on genetic traits.
