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Dr. Brian Smith is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and serves as Associate Director of the Program in Chemical Biology and the Structural Genomics Unit at the Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine. He holds a PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a BS from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research focuses on epigenetic signaling pathways, particularly the roles of bromodomain and sirtuin proteins in inflammation-related diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Dr. Smith has led groundbreaking work in developing chemical probes and inhibitors targeting BET bromodomains and sirtuins. His lab employs techniques including NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and cellular assays. Key achievements include identifying novel epigenetic readers of histone modifications and demonstrating the therapeutic potential of bromodomain inhibitors in autoimmune diabetes. Dr. Smith has received notable awards, including NIH R35 and R01 grants, and MCW's Outstanding Faculty Service and Educator awards. His lab has trained numerous graduate students and postdocs, fostering a collaborative environment. Current research emphasizes translating epigenetic discoveries into therapies for metabolic and inflammatory diseases. Notable grants include a $1.95 million NIH R35 grant for studying tandem bromodomain selectivity and a $1.56 million NIH R01 grant targeting bromodomain inhibition in β-cells. His work bridges basic science and clinical applications, with ongoing projects in drug discovery and epigenetic mechanism elucidation.

• Epigenetics
• Bromodomain Proteins
• Sirtuins
• +5 more

Aimee Jaramillo-Lambert is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Delaware, affiliated with the College of Arts & Sciences. Her research focuses on sexual reproduction mechanisms, particularly sex-specific differences in meiosis, chromosome segregation, and the role of DNA topoisomerases (e.g., TOP-2) in meiotic processes. She utilizes C. elegans as a model organism to study these phenomena, combining live imaging, genetics, and proteomics. Education: B.S. and Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis, followed by postdoctoral training at the George Washington University Medical Center and the National Institutes of Health. Research interests include meiotic chromosome structure regulation, histone modifications, and the interplay between Topo II and meiotic cell cycle proteins. Current projects explore sex-specific chromosome compaction mechanisms and Topo II’s role in spermatogenesis vs. oogenesis. Teaching includes BISC403 (Genetics) and BISC400 (Special Topics in Biology: Chromosome Structure). She advises the UD SACNAS chapter and mentors undergraduate and graduate students in her lab. Lab members include postdocs, Ph.D. candidates, and undergraduates working on topics like WEE-1.3 in spermatogenesis, nucleosome remodeling factors, and embryonic viability.

• Meiosis
• Chromosome Segregation
• DNA Topoisomerases
• +3 more

Dr. Danica Galonić Fujimori is a Professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Her primary affiliation is with the UCSF School of Pharmacy, with joint appointments in the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry. She leads the Fujimori Lab, which focuses on developing chemical tools to study biological processes, particularly epigenetic regulation and antibiotic resistance mechanisms. Dr. Fujimori holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2005) and a BSc in Chemistry from the University of Belgrade, Serbia (2000). Her research expertise includes nucleic acid synthesis, bioconjugation, tissue engineering, and cell-cell interactions. She investigates the molecular mechanisms of protein and RNA methylation, with a focus on histone demethylases (Jumonji family) and bacterial ribosomal RNA modifications. Her work aims to develop small molecule inhibitors for therapeutic applications in cancer and infectious diseases. Notable achievements include identifying ligands for histone demethylase domains and elucidating antibiotic resistance mechanisms in bacteria. Dr. Fujimori has received prestigious awards such as the WM Keck Medical Research Award (2020), Searle Scholar Award (2011), and NSF Career Award (2011). She is affiliated with the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI). Her research integrates chemical biology, biochemistry, and structural biology to address fundamental biological questions and translational challenges.

• Chemical Biology
• Epigenetics
• RNA Methylation Mechanisms
• +3 more

Magdalena Pawełkowicz is a Professor and Vice-Dean at the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), leading the Department of Plant Genetics, Breeding, and Biotechnology. Her research focuses on plant genomics, particularly cucumber (Cucumis sativus), with emphasis on sex determination, disease resistance, and genomic structural variations. She has published 78 articles, supervised 32 theses, and contributed to major genomic projects like the cucumber genome assembly (B10 line). Her work integrates advanced techniques such as NGS, microRNA profiling, and bioinformatics tools like CuGene. Research Interests Genetic basis of plant development and sex expression in cucurbits Molecular mechanisms of virus-host interactions Epigenetic regulation and somaclonal variation Climate change impacts on crop pathogens and genotypes Genome assembly and comparative genomics Key Achievements Developed the CuGene genome browser for cucumber genomic data Advanced understanding of downy mildew resistance mechanisms Published influential work on histone modification roles in plant development Contributed to NGS-based studies of miRNA regulatory networks Grants & Collaboration Her work has been supported through multiple projects, including a focus on genomic tools for crop improvement. Collaborations include international teams studying plant-pathogen interactions and genomic structural variation analysis. Labs/Teams Leads a research group focused on genomic and molecular approaches in plant breeding, with active participation in the Institute of Biology at SGGW.

• Plant Genetics
• Genomics
• Biotechnology
• +4 more

Hari Krishna Yalamanchili is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics - Neurology at Baylor College of Medicine, affiliated with the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute and the Children’s Nutrition Research Center. He holds a PhD in Computational Biology (University of Hong Kong), an MS in Bioinformatics (International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad), and a BS in Bioinformatics (Jaypee University of Information Technology). His research focuses on integrating computational biology and experimental approaches to decode complex diseases, particularly neurological disorders. Key areas include RNA processing mechanisms (e.g., alternative polyadenylation), multi-omic data integration, and machine learning models. He develops tools like PolyAMiner-Bulk to analyze transcriptomic data and elucidate disease mechanisms. His work spans topics such as RNA homeostasis in neurodegenerative diseases, epigenetic changes in cardiovascular failure, and molecular dynamics in cancer and autoimmune conditions. Publications highlight advancements in alternative polyadenylation dynamics, tau protein isoforms in Alzheimer’s, and computational methods for transcriptome analysis. While no awards are listed, his contributions to translational medicine and bioinformatics are evident in peer-reviewed articles and algorithm development. He collaborates across disciplines to bridge computational and experimental neuroscience.

• Computational Biology
• Neurology
• Genomics
• +3 more

Bruce Stillman is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL), where he has held academic and leadership roles since 1979. He is also the Oliver R. Grace Professor in the Cancer Center and a Member of the Stillman Laboratory. With a B.S. from the University of Sydney and a Ph.D. from the Australian National University, his research focuses on DNA replication mechanisms, cell cycle regulation, and epigenetic inheritance in eukaryotes. His work identified key proteins like the Origin Recognition Complex (ORC), pivotal for replication initiation and centromere function. Stillman has received prestigious awards, including the Dr H.P. Heineken Prize and Gairdner International Award. He oversees CSHL’s research, education, and initiatives, such as its preprint server medRxiv, and advocates for scientific leadership and gender diversity in STEM. Research emphasizes ORC’s role in replication, checkpoint signaling (e.g., Rad53 kinase), and applications in cancer biology. Recent articles explore bacterial replication mechanisms, genome assembly (Yarrowia lipolytica), and structural studies of replication factors. Awards and honors include membership in the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, Royal Society, and multiple fellowships. Collaborative projects and mentorship highlight his commitment to advancing biomedical science and training future researchers.

• DNA Replication
• Cell Cycle Regulation
• Chromatin Assembly
• +4 more

Jessica Tollkuhn is an Associate Professor at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where she leads the Tollkuhn Lab and serves as Faculty Head of the Single-Cell Biology Shared Resource. Her research investigates how estrogen and testosterone regulate gene expression in the brain through nuclear receptor transcription factors. She focuses on sex differences in gene expression as dynamic readouts of hormone actions across the lifespan and their contributions to biology, behavior, and disease risk. Education: Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from University of California, San Diego (2006), B.A. in Molecular Biology from Mills College (2000), and postdoctoral training at UC San Francisco (2014). Research Interests: Her laboratory studies hormone-mediated gene regulation in neural circuits, examining how transient developmental events establish lasting effects on brain function and behavior. Using biochemical, genomic, and behavioral analyses, the lab explores sex-specific gene expression patterns and chromatin modifications in defined neuronal populations, with particular focus on the epigenetic signature of brain sexual differentiation. Publications: Recent work spans neuroscience, genomics, and hormone biology, with publications addressing single-cell genomics validation, hormone receptor function, neural mechanisms of cancer cachexia, and sex differences research methodology. Articles demonstrate consistent focus on transcriptional regulation, epigenetics, and neuroendocrine interactions. Awards and Honors: The Pershing Square Foundation's MIND Prize (2023) Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (2009) Barrett Scholarship for Undergraduate Research (2000) William Randolph Hearst Fellowship for Women in Science (1999-2000) Arthur Vining Davis Science Scholarship (1996-2000) Leadership: Heads the Single-Cell Biology Shared Resource and maintains collaborations within CSHL's Neuroscience Center and Cancer Center. Research involves genomic analysis of hormone-regulated neurons and behavioral studies in rodent models.

• Neuroscience
• Chromatin
• Critical periods in neurodevelopment
• +2 more

Ganesh Rao, M.D. is the Marc J. Shapiro Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at Baylor College of Medicine . A board-certified neurosurgeon specializing in neurosurgical oncology , he has pioneered research on glioma biology, focusing on malignant progression, tumor microenvironment dynamics, and novel immunotherapeutic strategies. His clinical expertise includes treating brain and spine tumors using advanced techniques like stereotactic navigation, awake surgery, endoscopy, and laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) . Advanced Training: MD Anderson Cancer Center (2006), University of Utah (2005) M.D.: University of Arizona College of Medicine (1998) Research Focus : The Rao Lab investigates glioma progression through projects like Modeling Malignant Progression and Microglia-T Cell Interactions . His work spans basic science (e.g., identifying genetic drivers of glioma) and clinical research (e.g., NIH-funded trials on LITT and immunotherapy). Scientific Contributions : As a leader in neuro-oncology, Rao has published 250+ articles in top journals ( Nature , JCI , Cancer Cell ). His accolades include serving as President of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (2018-2019) and securing continuous NIH funding for glioma research. Collaborative Impact : His team explores multidisciplinary approaches to brain tumors, integrating genomics, immunology, and surgical innovation. Current projects address STAT3 inhibition , neuronal-glioma interactions , and precision immunotherapy strategies.

• Neurosurgical Oncology
• Glioma Biology
• Brain Tumor Microenvironment
• +4 more

Nicolas Leon Young is an Associate Professor at Baylor College of Medicine, holding joint appointments in the Verna & Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, the Center for Precision Environmental Health, and the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology. He also serves as a Faculty Senator and member of multiple graduate programs. His research focuses on epigenetics and chromatin biology, particularly histone proteoforms and their roles in cancer. Young employs advanced top-down proteomics and mass spectrometry techniques to study combinatorial post-translational modifications (PTMs) and their functional implications. Education: Postdoctoral Fellowship at Princeton University (Molecular Biology), PhD from University of California, Davis (Molecular Biology), and BS from UC Berkeley (Bioanalytical Chemistry). Research interests include histone PTM dynamics, epigenetic regulation, and the development of proteomics tools for precision medicine. Current projects explore histone proteoform responses to epigenetic inhibitors, histone variants in cancer, and transcription factor proteoforms. His lab collaborates on drug resistance mechanisms and DNA damage responses, with a focus on translating findings into therapeutic strategies. Young has advised PhD students like Matthew V. Holt and Tao Wang. His lab’s innovations in top-down proteomics have enabled quantitative analysis of chromatin components, advancing understanding of epigenetic signaling and disease mechanisms.

• Epigenetics
• Post-translational Modifications
• Chromatin Biology
• +6 more

Yuan-Xiang Pan is a Professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with an affiliation in the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. His research focuses on the interplay between nutrition, epigenetics, and disease, particularly in the context of high-fat diets, maternal nutrition, and colorectal cancer. He has made significant contributions to understanding the role of gene expression, DNA methylation, and microRNA regulation in metabolic and inflammatory pathways. Key research interests include: Epigenetic mechanisms influenced by dietary factors Colorectal cancer development in knockout mouse models Maternal diet effects on offspring health Microbiota dysbiosis and its clinical implications His work has been recognized with the Norman Kretchmer Memorial Award (2012). Notable recent studies include investigations into L1CAM-mediated signaling in colonic tuft cells, dietary nutrient modulation of colon inflammation, and genome-wide analyses of miRNA roles in cancer therapy.

• Nutrition
• Epigenetics
• Gene Expression
• +6 more

James West is a Professor of Medicine and Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Vanderbilt University's School of Engineering. His research focuses on pulmonary vascular disease, heart disease, and the biomechanics of the vasculature and right ventricle. He employs genetically modified animal models to study disease mechanisms and therapeutic interventions. Key areas include pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular failure, and metabolic dysregulation in cardiovascular disorders. His work integrates molecular biology, genomics, and bioengineering approaches, such as single-cell RNA sequencing and hydrogel-based vascular engineering. Notable contributions include elucidating TBX4's role in pulmonary hypertension, ACE2-Mas1 receptor signaling pathways, and the therapeutic potential of ifetroban in systemic sclerosis and cardiac fibrosis. Dr. West's research spans translational studies, including clinical trial investigations of metformin in PAH and the development of novel anti-fibrotic therapies. His findings have been published in high-impact journals and patents, emphasizing both basic science and clinical applications.

• Pulmonary Vascular Disease
• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Genetically Modified Animal Models
• +3 more

Waruni Abeysekera is a Casual Academic in the Department of Mathematics & Statistics at La Trobe University. Her research focuses on interdisciplinary areas including immunology, molecular biology, genetics, and epigenetics, with a strong emphasis on understanding mechanisms underlying hematopoietic stem cell development, neurodevelopmental disorders, and infectious diseases like malaria. She has contributed to studies on KAT6B’s role in brain development and leukemia initiation, as well as the immunological basis of autoinflammatory conditions such as APLAID. Her work spans collaborations in Australia and internationally, evident from her co-authored publications in journals like Cell Metabolism , Nature Immunology , and Development . While her academic position is casual, her output reflects a deep engagement with both fundamental and applied research in biomedical and statistical fields. No scientific awards or grants are explicitly listed in the provided data.

• Immunology
• Molecular Biology
• Hematology
• +5 more

Suza Nur is a Postdoctoral Scholar affiliated with the Cao Lab, focusing on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of epigenetics, molecular biology, and computational biology. Her work explores mechanisms underlying cancer progression, immune response modulation, and drug discovery through advanced in silico methods. Key research areas include epigenetic regulation of cancer pathways, natural compound-based therapies, and antiviral drug design targeting pathogens like SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV. Nur’s studies also integrate metabolomics and environmental biotechnology, such as wastewater treatment innovations using membrane bioreactors. Her research interests span from understanding DNA methylation dynamics in cancer cells to designing multiepitope vaccines and identifying bioactive compounds from plant sources (e.g., Catharanthus roseus, Avicennia marina) for therapeutic applications. She employs computational tools for drug discovery, including molecular docking and siRNA design, alongside experimental validation of epigenetic编辑编辑编辑编辑编辑编辑 editing strategies to enhance cancer immunotherapy. Nur’s articles reflect a strong focus on translational research, bridging basic science and clinical applications. Her work often addresses unmet needs in oncology, infectious diseases, and environmental health, with contributions to both mechanistic understanding and practical solutions. While no formal awards or grants are listed, her prolific publication record highlights sustained engagement with high-impact research topics. Her affiliation with the Cao Lab suggests collaborative research within a team specializing in epigenetics and molecular medicine, though specific lab roles or funding sources are not detailed here.

• Epigenetics
• Cancer Biology
• Molecular Biology
• +6 more

Andrea Tanzer is a researcher at the Max Perutz Labs, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Her work focuses on RNA biology, particularly RNA structure and function, non-coding RNA, and bioinformatics tools for genomic analysis. She leads the RNALands project (2015–2019), developing methods for RNA folding landscape analysis. Her research contributes to understanding RNA editing mechanisms, epigenetic regulation, and host-pathogen interactions. Key research interests include RNA structure prediction, transcriptome-wide analyses, and the role of RNA modifications in gene regulation. Tanzer has presented on topics such as RNA bioinformatics, structureomics, and G-quadruplexes in RNA. Her work bridges computational methods and experimental biology, with applications in both fundamental science and biomedical diagnostics. Notable contributions include the RNAxplorer tool for RNA structure sampling and collaborations on the GENCODE project. Media highlights include coverage of her work on mouse genome applications for human diagnostics.

• RNA Biology
• Transcriptomics
• Non-Coding RNA
• +4 more

Robert J. Duronio is a Professor of Biology and Genetics, and Chair of the Department of Biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is also affiliated with the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences. His research focuses on the epigenetic and cell cycle-regulated mechanisms controlling genome structure and function in Drosophila, particularly the interplay between chromatin organization, histone gene expression, and DNA replication during development. Duronio's work employs genetic, genomic, and cell biological approaches to study the histone locus body, a phase-separated nuclear body critical for histone mRNA biosynthesis and cell cycle progression. His research group investigates how histone gene transcription is temporally and spatially coordinated with S-phase progression, as well as the roles of histone variants and post-translational modifications (e.g., H3K4, H3K36, H4K20) in regulating chromatin structure and Polycomb-mediated gene silencing. Recent studies highlight the plasticity of cell cycle control during development and the functional consequences of histone locus body dysregulation on genomic stability. Affiliations: School of Medicine, Department of Biology, Department of Genetics Labs: Duronio Lab (focused on developmental cell cycle control and epigenetic mechanisms)

• Epigenetics
• Cell Cycle Regulation
• Developmental Genetics
• +3 more