David R. Raleigh, MD, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Radiation Oncology and Neurological Surgery at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). He serves as a Principal Investigator at the Brain Tumor Center and Director of the Preclinical Therapeutics Core. Education: BA in Molecular and Cell Biology and Cognitive Science (UC Berkeley, 2004), MD and PhD in Pathology (University of Chicago, 2012), Residency in Radiation Oncology (UCSF, 2017) His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of brain tumor growth, particularly meningiomas, integrating developmental biology with oncology to identify novel treatments. Methodologies include biochemistry, mouse genetics, genomics, and pharmacology. Dr. Raleigh's recent publications highlight molecular classification of meningiomas, genomics, and targeted therapies. Awards include Phi Beta Kappa, multiple travel grants, and the Robert and Ruth Halperin Endowed Chair in Meningioma Research.
Noa Pinter-Wollman is a Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of California, Los Angeles, within the College of Life Sciences . Her work integrates field experiments, laboratory assays, computational modeling, and social network analysis to understand how individual variation among animals translates into emergent collective behavior, and how these dynamics intersect with conservation challenges. Research Focus: Mechanisms underlying collective decision-making in social insects (especially Argentine ants and harvester ants) Social network structure and its ecological consequences in endangered griffon vultures Interface between spatial ecology and social behavior, including impacts on disease transmission and conservation management Biomimetic insights from social animals to inform resilient human-designed systems Across 2023–2025, her team has produced a steady stream of high-impact articles that collectively advance four thematic pillars: (1) microbiome–behavior feedbacks in ants, (2) conservation technology for scavengers, (3) network-analytic methods for disentangling spatial versus social drivers of interaction, and (4) cooperative strategies that underlie invasion success in ants. The work is notable for integrating high-resolution tracking technologies with rigorous statistical modeling. Funding & Collaborations: Current NSF awards include the collaborative grant “ The causes and consequences of Higher Order Interactions (HOI) ” and prior support for “ Uncovering how links between social and spatial interactions affect ecological processes .” These grants foster interdisciplinary partnerships spanning ecology, computer science, and conservation practice. Laboratory & Team: The Pinter-Wollman Lab at UCLA houses graduate researchers, post-docs, and undergraduates who conduct integrative studies on ants, paper wasps, spiders, and vultures. The lab website ( https://pinter-wollmanlab.weebly.com ) provides protocols, data resources, and outreach materials that translate basic findings into actionable conservation guidance for wildlife managers.
Felix Schweizer is Professor of Neurobiology at the David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, and concurrently serves as Interim Director of the Brain Research Institute and Chair of the Graduate Interdepartmental Program for Neuroscience, reflecting his leadership in both research and graduate training. Education Ph.D. in Biochemistry (summa cum laude), University of Basel, 1989 Research Interests Schweizer’s laboratory focuses on the molecular mechanisms of synaptic transmission and neuronal communication. Using electrophysiology, optical imaging, and quantitative proteomics, his group investigates how protein ubiquitination dynamically regulates neurotransmitter release and neuronal excitability. Recent projects explore microbial metabolite sensing by vagal afferents, the synaptic impact of environmental toxicants linked to Parkinson’s disease, and how gravitational load alters vestibular synaptic architecture. Collaborations with Drs. James Wohlschlegel (multiplexed SILAC proteomics), David Krantz (pesticide neurotoxicology), and Larry Hoffman (vestibular biology in altered gravity) extend the lab’s reach from molecular mechanisms to systems-level neuroscience. Scientific Awards No specific awards are listed in the provided text. Advising & Grants As Chair of the Graduate Interdepartmental Program for Neuroscience, Schweizer oversees interdisciplinary Ph.D. training across UCLA. The laboratory continuously hosts post-doctoral fellows and graduate students, and recent funding supports work on ubiquitin-mediated synaptic modulation, pesticide-induced neurodegeneration, and spaceflight-induced synaptic plasticity in the vestibular system. Labs & Teams The Schweizer laboratory, located in the Center for Health Sciences at UCLA, integrates electrophysiology, advanced imaging (serial EM and EM tomography), and biochemical approaches to dissect synaptic function across rodent, Drosophila, and human tissue models.
Andrew Mcbain is a Professor of Microbiology at the University of Manchester, specializing in bacterial physiology, biofilm dynamics, and human microbiome research. He leads a research team supported by grants from research councils and industry, focusing on antimicrobial resistance, microbial community modeling, and host-microbe interactions. His work contributes to sustainable development goals related to health and environmental sustainability. Education: PhD in Medical Microbiology (University of Cambridge, 1997); BSc in Microbiology (University of Liverpool, 1993). Teaching: Courses include The Public (Year 2) , Medicines into Practice , and Drug Development Workshop . Research interests include in vitro modeling of microbial communities (e.g., biofilm reactors), probiotic applications, and clinical microbiota dynamics. He has supervised 39 PhD/MD students and collaborates with experts like Prof. Catherine O'Neill and Prof. Sheena Cruickshank. Key projects include Developing New Biocides (2019–2022) and Maternal Obesity and Extracellular Vesicles (2024–2027). His work has led to the creation of SkinBiotherapeutics PLC , advancing probiotic technologies for skin health. Grants: Includes funding from the Medical Research Council and industry partnerships. Lab Affiliations: Lydia Becker Institute and Christabel Pankhurst Institute at Manchester. Publications span over 213 articles, with recent focus on microbiome profiling, antimicrobial peptides, and light-based therapies. Awards include the W H Pierce Prize (2005) from the Society for Applied Microbiology.
Raymond T. Ng is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and serves as Director of the Data Science Institute . In addition, he is the part-time Chief Informatics Officer at the PROOF Centre of Excellence for the Prevention of Organ Failures located at St Paul’s Hospital. Since 2016 he has held the prestigious Canada Research Chair in Data Science and Analytics. Education B.Sc. (Hons.) Computer Science, University of British Columbia, 1986 M.Math. Computer Science, University of Waterloo, 1988 Ph.D. Computer Science, University of Maryland, College Park, 1992 Research Interests Professor Ng’s research lies at the intersection of data mining , text mining , health informatics , sensor analytics , and databases . Over the past decade he has focused on two major domains: Genomics & Biomarker Discovery: Developing multi-omics biomarker panels for heart, lung and kidney transplant rejection and COPD exacerbations using transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics data. Natural Language Processing: Mining and summarizing conversational text such as emails, blogs and meeting transcripts to generate structured metadata and actionable insights. Scientific Awards Canada Research Chair in Data Science and Analytics (2016-2026) Best Paper Award, ACM SIGMOD 2004 Best Paper Award, ACM SIGKDD 2001 Selected among Best Papers of VLDB ’99 & ’98 Governor General’s Gold Medal, UBC (1986) Research Funding & Leadership Since joining UBC in 1992, Professor Ng has continuously secured major peer-reviewed funding from NSERC, CIHR, Genome Canada, CFI, MITACS and industry partners (Google, IBM, SAP). He leads or co-leads several large-scale initiatives: HEARTBiT multi-marker blood test for cardiac transplant rejection (CIHR 2018-2021) MERIDIAN ocean acoustic data infrastructure (CFI 2018-2021) Pan-Canadian Early Detection of Lung Cancer (Terry Fox 2018-2021) Business Intelligence Network (NSERC 2009-2014) Multiple Genome Canada programs on biomarker translation (2004-2018) Laboratories & Teams Professor Ng directs the Data Science Institute and works closely with the Natural Language Processing Research Group . At the PROOF Centre he heads a multidisciplinary team of statisticians, computer scientists and clinicians advancing computational biomarker pipelines from discovery to clinical implementation.
Julian Knight is a Professor of Genomic Medicine at the University of Oxford, with affiliations including the Centre for Human Genetics , Merton College , and leadership roles in the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre and Central and South NHS Genomic Medicine Service . His work bridges clinical practice and research, focusing on translational genomics. Principal Investigator Deputy Director, Centre for Human Genetics Honorary Consultant Physician Tutor and Fellow, Merton College Director, Medical Sciences Division Graduate School Genomic Medicine Theme Lead, NIHR Oxford BRC Research interests include mechanisms of dysregulated immune responses in sepsis , autoimmune disease , and infection . Key contributions involve RNA signature stratification for sepsis outcomes and HLA allele associations in COVID-19 immunogenicity. Current work explores genetic/epigenetic modulators of innate immunity and causal relationships in multi-omic datasets. Recent publications highlight diverse applications of his group’s work: from pleural infection endotyping (2025) to TLR7 variants in severe COVID-19 (2024), with methodological advancements in single-cell demultiplexing (2024) and pathway analysis (2025). Keywords span genomic medicine , immunology , and multi-omic integration . Knight’s leadership extends to clinical implementation of genomics, education (DPhil/MSc programs), and public engagement. Collaborations span institutions including Imperial College , Wellcome Sanger Institute , and Queen Mary University of London .
Professor Maria Eriksdotter is a leading academic in geriatrics and dementia research at the Karolinska Institutet , holding the Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society . She also serves as a Senior Consultant in Themes Inflammation and Ageing at Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge and previously as Dean of KI South (2019–2023). Her work spans translational research, clinical trials, and national registry development, with a focus on Alzheimer's disease, cholinergic therapies, and aging. Her research group pioneered NGF cell therapy for Alzheimer's patients, demonstrating safety and cognitive stabilization in clinical trials. She chairs the SveDem registry , tracking over 100,000 dementia patients to refine diagnostics and care. Studies from SveDem revealed mortality reduction with cholinesterase inhibitors and highlighted pandemic-era diagnostic delays. Recent publications analyze dementia subtypes , comorbidities , and precision medicine in neurodegeneration. Her work intersects neuroimaging , epidemiology , and public health policy , addressing ageism and improving geriatric care systems. Collaborations span Karolinska University Hospital , NSGene Inc , and international institutions.
Edward Hirschowitz, MD is an Associate Professor in the field of Internal Medicine with significant affiliations including the Markey Cancer Center , the Cancer Research Priority Initiative , and the Translational Oncology Research Program . His academic and clinical work focuses on advancing cancer research and treatment through innovative methodologies.
Blanka Sharma, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Florida's Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering. Her research focuses on nanomedicine, stem cells, biomaterials, and targeted delivery systems for regenerative medicine and cancer therapy. She holds a B.A.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Waterloo (1999), a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University (2005), and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic (2005–2008). Dr. Sharma’s work explores material-cell interactions to develop therapies addressing inflammatory mechanisms in diseases like osteoarthritis and cancer. Notable achievements include pioneering biomaterials for cartilage repair and nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems. She has received prestigious awards, including the NSF CAREER Award (2019) and the UF Pramod P. Khargonekar Junior Faculty Award (2019–2020). Her research spans nanomedicine, tumor microenvironment engineering, and immunotherapy optimization. Recent studies include ROS-scavenging manganese dioxide nanoparticles for osteoarthritis and NK cell mechanosensing in tumors. She leads the Sharma Laboratory, advancing translational research in regenerative medicine and oncology.
Rustom Antia is the Samuel C. Dobbs Professor in the Department of Biology at Emory University, affiliated with the Emory College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on the quantitative analysis of pathogen dynamics, immune responses, and evolutionary biology using mathematical models and experimental collaborations. He leads the Antia Lab (located in Rollins 1164), working closely with experimental immunologists like Dr. Rafi Ahmed at Emory. Education: Ph.D., University of Massachusetts (1990); MSc, Indian Institute of Technology (1983). His research interests include population biology, computational biology, and the evolutionary interactions between pathogens and hosts. He explores how immune memory shapes viral evolution and transmission, with recent emphasis on SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and dengue viruses. Key research themes include modeling immune responses to vaccines, understanding antibody waning and viral escape, and developing transmissible vaccines for disease control. His work integrates experimental data with theoretical frameworks to predict outbreak dynamics and inform public health strategies. Notable collaborations include studies on CD8+ T cell-mediated immunity in respiratory infections, the role of menstrual cycles in immune surveillance, and immune dysfunction in autoimmune diseases like SLE. His lab’s contributions span from basic immunology to translational applications in vaccine design and cancer therapy.
Angela Kashuba, Ph.D., is the John A. and Margaret P. McNeill, Sr. Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. She serves as Director of the Clinical Pharmacology and Analytical Chemistry Core at the UNC Center for AIDS Research. Her research focuses on optimizing HIV treatment, prevention, and cure strategies through clinical pharmacology and analytical chemistry, with an emphasis on antiretroviral drug distribution in tissues and adherence monitoring. Education: Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, University of Toronto (Canada) General Practice Residency, Women’s College Hospital (Toronto) Critical Care Pharmacy Practice, Mount Sinai Hospital (Toronto) Pharm.D., State University of New York at Buffalo Postdoctoral Pharmacology Training, Bassett Healthcare Clinical Pharmacology Research Center Research Interests: HIV drug pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution Development of novel adherence monitoring techniques (e.g., mass spectrometry imaging of hair) Optimizing dosing strategies for HIV prevention and cure interventions Impact of sex, gender, and comorbidities on drug efficacy Long-acting drug delivery systems (e.g., implants, biodegradable formulations) Grants & Projects: NIH P30-AI50410: UNC Center for AIDS Research Core NIH R01AI111891: Multi-Species Mechanisms of Drug Bio-distribution in HIV Tissue Reservoirs NIH/NIAID UM1AI126619: Collaboratory of AIDS Researchers for Eradication (CARE) Industry partnerships (e.g., Chimerix, TaiMed Biologics) Awards: Rawls-Palmer Progress in Medicine Award (ASCPT, 2023) John A. and Margaret P. McNeill, Sr. Distinguished Professorship (UNC, 2013) Labs & Collaborations: Director of the Clinical Pharmacology & Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, pioneering mass spectrometry imaging and drug reservoir analysis. Future Work: Advancing ultra-long-acting HIV PrEP implants Exploring sex-specific pharmacology in transgender populations Global HIV prevention initiatives via data sharing (HIV Pharmacology Data Repository)
Doron Betel serves as an Assistant Professor at Weill Cornell Medicine's Graduate School of Medical Sciences, with affiliations in both the Physiology, Biophysics & Systems Biology and Computational Biology programs. He directs the Applied Bioinformatics Core (ABC), a central service group providing specialized computational and analytical support for biomedical research across multiple institutions. Dr. Betel's research focuses on developing computational genomic tools for studying human diseases and cellular development, with emphasis on integrative analyses of genomic and epigenomic data from high-throughput assays. His work addresses specific questions related to disease progression, treatment response, stem cell differentiation, and neurological processes through two closely interacting research groups: the Applied Bioinformatics Core and his independent research lab. The analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on single-cell and spatial genomics, cross-species data integration, and machine learning applications in cancer immunology and neurodegenerative disease modeling. His research spans multiple high-impact areas including cancer immunotherapy, stem cell biology, diabetes research, and cardiovascular regeneration, with numerous publications in top journals like Nature, Cell, and Nature Immunology. Through the Applied Bioinformatics Core, Dr. Betel provides extensive analytical support across various genomic platforms including single-cell RNA-seq, spatial transcriptomics, ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, and variant calling. The Core serves as a vital resource for researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine and the broader Tri-Institutional network, offering specialized analysis, computational pipelines, and training services. Dr. Betel maintains extensive collaborations with leading researchers including Lorenz Studer at MSKCC for stem cell and neurodegenerative disease research, Tuomas Tammela for cancer genomics, and multiple immunology researchers studying T cell function in autoimmunity and cancer. His work bridges computational methodology development with direct biomedical applications across multiple disease areas.
Natalie Johnson is an Associate Professor in Environmental and Occupational Health at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University. She chairs the Interdisciplinary Program in Toxicology and leads critical research on air pollution impacts on vulnerable populations. Education PhD in Toxicology, Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine Postdoctoral Fellowship in Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health BS in Biology, Texas A&M University College of Science Her research focuses on inhalation toxicology , maternal exposure to pollutants , and gene-environment interactions . She directs the mobile responding to air pollution in disasters (mRAPiD van), a real-time chemical pollutant detection platform, and investigates emerging environmental chemicals in breast milk. Current projects include: Respiratory toxicology of inhaled pollutants Prenatal/pediatric air pollution exposure and immune development Development of green-engineered clays for toxin mitigation
Haoming Qiu, M.D. serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. He practices clinically at both Wilmot Cancer Center in Rochester and Sands Cancer Center in Canandaigua, providing radiation oncology services for gastrointestinal, lung, and prostate cancers. Board-certified by the American Board of Radiology, Dr. Qiu specializes in advanced radiotherapy techniques including external beam radiation and radiopharmaceutical therapies. Education: MD, Johns Hopkins University (2011) Residency in Radiation Oncology, University of Rochester Medical Center (2013-2016) Residency in Radiation Oncology, Loyola University Medical Center (2012-2013) Internship in Internal Medicine, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore (2011-2012) Research Focus: Dr. Qiu's work centers on optimizing radiation therapy for gastrointestinal malignancies, prostate cancer, and neuroendocrine tumors. His investigations into theranostics explore novel applications of Lutathera for neuroendocrine tumors, Pluvicto for prostate cancer, and Therasphere for liver cancers. Current research emphasizes combining stereotactic body radiotherapy with immunotherapeutic agents to overcome treatment resistance in pancreatic and rectal cancers. Publication Trends: Recent publications (2023-2025) reveal a strategic shift toward adaptive radiotherapy techniques for pelvic malignancies and immunoradiotherapy combinations. His work demonstrates growing emphasis on modulating tumor immune microenvironments through radiation, particularly in pancreatic and rectal cancers. The integration of mRNA nanotechnology with SBRT represents a cutting-edge frontier in his research portfolio. Scientific Recognition: Roentgen Resident/Fellow Research Award (2015) Excellence in Medical Student Research (2011) Clinical Leadership: Dr. Qiu directs multiple clinical trials at the University of Rochester focusing on radiopharmaceutical applications and adaptive radiotherapy protocols. His patient-centered approach is reflected in consistently high patient satisfaction scores (4.9/5 stars) across communication, empathy, and treatment explanation metrics. Care Coordination: As part of the Wilmot Cancer Center and Sands Cancer Center teams, Dr. Qiu collaborates with multidisciplinary groups including medical oncologists, surgeons, and radiologists to deliver integrated cancer care through Accountable Health Partners network.
James Turner is an Associate Professor in Exercise Physiology and Immunology at the University of Birmingham's School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences. Previously, he held roles at the University of Bath as a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) from 2013 to 2018 and promoted to Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in 2018 before moving to Birmingham in 2022. His research focuses on lifestyle impacts on ageing and chronic disease, particularly adipose tissue immunology and cancer immunology (e.g., breast cancer). He leads projects examining obesity, immune system ageing, and factors influencing cancer treatment outcomes. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being. Education: BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science (University of Bath, 2006); PhD in Exercise Biochemistry and Immunology (University of Birmingham, 2011). Post-doctoral training in cancer immunology followed. He has mentored 9 PhD/MSc students as lead or co-supervisor and contributed to grants from bodies like Cancer Research UK and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. Current research includes projects on adipose tissue inflammation and muscle mass regulation in older adults. Labs/Teams: Active in collaborative projects with institutions globally, focusing on exercise immunology and cancer treatment efficacy. Editor for journals like Frontiers in Physiology and International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism .
