Find Academic Supervisors

Hauke SmidtView profile

Professor

• Microbiology
• Environmental Microbiology
• Gut Microbiota
• +4 more

Hauke Smidt is a Personal Professor at Wageningen University & Research, affiliated with the Molecular Ecology group within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences. His research focuses on microbial ecology, particularly gut microbiota dynamics, antibiotic resistance, environmental microbiology, and the One Health framework. Smidt has supervised over 50 PhD students and contributed to 519 publications, including studies on microbiome resilience, fermented food impacts, and bioremediation strategies. Education and affiliations include leadership roles in projects addressing antimicrobial resistance, pig health, and drinking water microbiology. His work spans collaborations across Europe and Asia, with notable contributions to understanding microbial community responses to environmental stressors and dietary interventions. Smidt is actively involved in public outreach, as seen in media contributions discussing microbiome research and health benefits. Key projects include aquifer treatment for drinking water, microbiome simulation models, and combating plant pathogens. His awards and recognition are not explicitly listed, but his extensive publication record and project leadership highlight significant academic impact.

• Microbiomics
• Genomics
• Complex Diseases
• +4 more

Elin Org is a Professor of Microbiomics at the University of Tartu's Institute of Genomics, where she also serves as Head of the Estonian Genome Centre and Vice Director of the Institute. Her academic career spans over two decades with significant contributions to microbiome and genomic research. Education: PhD in Genetics, University of Tartu (2006) Master's Degree in Molecular Biotechnology and Biomedicine, University of Tartu (2000) Bachelor's Degree, University of Tartu (1997) Classical Singing, Heino Eller Tartu Music School (1996) Professor Org's research primarily focuses on the intricate relationships between host and gut microbiota and their influence on metabolism and common complex diseases. Her work bridges microbiomics, genomics, and complex disease research, with particular emphasis on understanding how gut microbiome composition affects human health. She has pioneered research connecting long-term antibiotic usage with microbiota-dependent effects and has made significant contributions to understanding the role of gut microbiome in conditions such as gestational diabetes, endometriosis, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Her approach integrates advanced computational methods with comprehensive health data to uncover causal relationships in microbiome research. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward integrating microbiome data with extensive digital health metrics, using machine learning approaches to identify microbial predictors of health outcomes. This work is increasingly focused on translating microbiome research into clinical applications for disease prediction and personalized medicine approaches, particularly in the context of the Estonian Biobank initiative. Major Scientific Recognition: 2025 National Science Award in medical and health sciences 2023 and 2022: Recognized among the world's top 1% most cited researchers by Clarivate Analytics 2020: Member of AcademiaNet, a portal for top female researchers 2017: EMBO Installation grant 2013: Marie Curie International Outgoing Fellowship Professor Org has secured substantial research funding as principal investigator for multiple significant projects, including 'DISCERN - Discovering the causes of three poorly understood cancers in Europe' (€245,466, European Commission) and 'Improving colorectal cancer screening and prediction using microbiome-based biomarkers' (€760,450, Estonian Research Council). She has served as an opponent for numerous PhD theses across European institutions, contributing to the development of emerging researchers in her field. As Head of the Estonian Genome Centre, Professor Org leads a multidisciplinary research team that plays a crucial role in Estonia's transition from biobanking to personalized medicine applications. She is actively involved in international collaborations through COST networks including INFOGUT (focused on in vitro colon models) and ML4Microbiome (statistical and machine learning techniques in human microbiome studies), positioning her at the forefront of global microbiome research initiatives.

Laura TiptonView profile

Assistant Professor

• Microbiome Analysis
• Bacterial-Fungal Interactions
• Statistical Ecology
• +4 more

Laura Tipton is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics & Statistics at James Madison University (JMU), affiliated with the College of Science and Mathematics. Her research focuses on microbiome dynamics across diverse habitats such as human lungs, aerobiota, invertebrate guts, and fermented foods, emphasizing bacterial-fungal interactions and robust statistical methodologies. She integrates techniques from ecology, machine learning, and graph theory, with side projects in digital humanities, data visualization, and data feminism. Education: PhD in Computational Biology (2016), University of Pittsburgh/Carnegie Mellon University MS in Statistics (2011), George Washington University BA in Biostatistics (2007), University of Virginia Her research interests span microbiome analysis, microbial interactions, and interdisciplinary data science. Recent work includes studies on airborne fungal DNA dynamics, fungal contributions to neonatal lung diseases, and psychobiotic field developments. She emphasizes methodological innovation in microbiome studies and advocates for inclusive data practices. While no formal awards or grants are listed, her work reflects significant contributions to collaborative projects like the Global Spore Sampling Project and Pacific Innovations, Knowledge, and Opportunities (PIKO) Program. Laura’s advising focuses on mentoring students in interdisciplinary projects at the intersection of mathematics, biology, and computational science.

Wen LuView profile

Assistant Professor

• Cytoskeleton
• Developmental Biology
• Neurobiology
• +4 more

Wen Lu, PhD is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. Her primary research focuses on cytoskeletal regulation and molecular motor coordination in super-large cells including oocytes and neurons, utilizing Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism. She employs high-resolution live microscopy, genetic engineering, optogenetics, and pharmacological manipulations to investigate microtubule and F-actin dynamics in cellular development and regeneration. Her educational background includes a BS from Peking University (2004) and a PhD from The University of Chicago (2010), followed by postdoctoral training at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Lu maintains active affiliations with the American Society for Cell Biology (2019-2024) and the Genetics Society of America (2022-2023), and serves on the FlyBase Community Advisory Group since 2014. Research interests center on cytoskeletal dynamics in cellular polarization, with particular emphasis on oocyte specification, growth mechanisms, and neuronal regeneration after injury. Her work bridges developmental biology and neurobiology through innovative imaging techniques that reveal molecular transport mechanisms in cellular systems. Current investigations explore microtubule movement regulation and the interplay between cytoskeletal elements during critical developmental processes. Publication trends demonstrate strong interdisciplinary focus spanning cell biology, neurobiology, and imaging sciences, with recent work increasingly incorporating translational elements in ophthalmology and oncology. Her articles reveal consistent methodological innovation in live-cell imaging and genetic manipulation techniques applied to fundamental biological questions. Winner 2025 Drosophila Art Contest, The FlyStuff / Genesee Scientific Team Winner of CDB Graphic Design Contest, CDB Special Events Committee (2024) Winner in Category 2, Microscopy Image Competition 2024, ProteinTech Group 2nd Prize in Published Category, Microscopy Today Micrograph Awards (2024) BINA 2022 Image Contest- People's Choice Award, BioImaging North America Dr. Lu serves on the FlyBase Community Advisory Group and maintains industry relationships including ownership in Quantum Music LLC. Her laboratory work integrates advanced microscopy with genetic models to address fundamental questions in cellular organization, with potential implications for understanding developmental disorders and neurodegenerative conditions.

• Nutritional Immunology
• Maternal and Infant Nutrition
• Lipid Metabolism
• +3 more

Catherine Field is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science at the University of Alberta, affiliated with the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences. She holds a PhD from the University of Alberta and is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (FCAHS) and a Canada Research Chair (CRC) Tier 1 in Human Nutrition and Metabolism. Her primary research focuses on nutritional immunology, particularly the impact of lipids like docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) on immune system development, cancer therapy, and maternal-infant health. Key educational background includes her PhD in Nutrition from the University of Alberta. Her work spans clinical and preclinical studies, including investigations into DHA's role in enhancing cancer treatments, maternal nutritional status during pregnancy, and the prevention of allergies through early-life dietary interventions. She leads the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) cohort study, examining maternal and infant nutrition's long-term effects. Research interests include lipid metabolism, nutritional programming of immunity, and the interplay between diet and cancer. Awards include the prestigious CRC Tier 1 Chair, recognizing her leadership in human nutrition research. Her lab is located in the Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Research Innovation. Publications highlight her contributions to understanding DHA's effects on breast cancer cells, immune tolerance in allergy models, and maternal vitamin D and iron status during pregnancy. Collaborations include studies on fiber interventions in pediatric populations and the gut microbiome's role in health outcomes.

• Microbiology
• Biomedical Sciences
• Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT)
• +3 more

Reetta Satokari is a University researcher and Researcher at the Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Helsinki. She serves as a supervisor in multiple doctoral programmes including Human Microbiome Research, Drug Research, Biomedicine, Clinical Research, Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Food Chain and Health, and Microbiology and Biotechnology. Her research focuses on microbiota dynamics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), antibiotic resistance, probiotics, and gastrointestinal health. She leads the EU Horizon Europe project ENDOTARGET (2023-2026) and has contributed to over 100 peer-reviewed articles. Notable work includes studies on FMT efficacy in Parkinson's disease and chronic pouchitis, and the prolonged effects of antibiotics on gut microbiota. Her scientific accolades include the Nutrients 2020 Best Paper Award. She actively participates in conferences, media interviews, and thesis supervision. Projects include investigating fetal intestinal microbiota's role in immune development and advancing FMT safety protocols. Her work bridges microbiology, immunology, and clinical applications, with a focus on translational therapies for gastrointestinal and neurodegenerative disorders.

• Gut Microbiome
• Paediatric Immunology
• Mucosal Immunology
• +5 more

Dr. Mona Bajaj-Elliott serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation at University College London's Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (Faculty of Population Health Sciences). She concurrently holds the position of Co-Departmental Graduate Tutor at UCL. External appointments include Lecturer for the MSc Cancer program at the University of Nottingham, External Reviewer for Oxford's MSc Experimental Immunology, membership on the British Society of Gastroenterology's Gut Microbiome for Health Expert Panel, and Scientific Officer at BoobyBiome since April 2022. Her educational background includes a PhD from Birkbeck College (1984) and a BSc (Hons) from the University of London (1980). Her research centers on the gut microbial-immune axis in pediatric contexts, with five primary focus areas: (a) Gut microbiome dynamics in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation outcomes, (b) Microbial metabolite impacts on gastrointestinal homeostasis, (c) Gut microbiome roles in infant development, (d) Microbiome contributions to antimicrobial resistance, and (e) Mucosal defense mechanisms in infection and food allergy. Her laboratory investigates host-microbe-food antigen interactions at mucosal surfaces. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals dominant research themes in pediatric microbiome-immunology interfaces, with significant emphasis on stem cell transplantation, renal transplantation, and infant/maternal microbiome dynamics. Key methodological approaches include longitudinal microbiome tracking, metabolome analysis, and translational models of infection and inflammation. Her work consistently bridges basic microbial science with clinical pediatric applications. Teaching responsibilities encompass Module Directorship for Acute & Chronic Infectious Diseases (BSc Population Health Year 2), co-direction of Epidemiological Transition (BSc Year 1) and Personalised Medicine (MSc) modules, and cross-faculty instruction on gut microbiome roles in intestinal/extraintestinal health including mental health connections. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being).

Kevin WilliamsView profile

Professor

• Atherosclerosis
• Lipoproteins
• Cardiovascular Disease
• +4 more

Kevin Williams, MD is a Professor in the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, with secondary appointments in Medical Genetics and Molecular Biochemistry. He directs research at the Aging + Cardiovascular Discovery Center and serves as principal investigator for multiple NIH-funded projects. His educational credentials include: MD from Johns Hopkins University (1980) Internal Medicine Residency at University of Chicago Medical Center (1983) Clinical Endocrinology Fellowship at Yale-New Haven Hospital (1984) Metabolism Fellowship at Columbia University (1985) Dr. Williams' research revolutionized understanding of atherosclerosis through his work on LDL retention in arterial walls, establishing foundational links between basic science and clinical approaches. His laboratory investigates diabetic dyslipidemia mechanisms and insulin-signaling proteins, emphasizing that atherosclerosis causes 50% of Western deaths and 80% of diabetic cardiovascular events. Current work addresses lipid metabolism in autoimmune diseases and cancer. His 2025 publications reveal intensified focus on cardiovascular risk in lupus/dermatomyositis patients, lipid dysregulation in obesity/cancer, and novel therapeutic targets like SCD inhibition. The work spans molecular mechanisms to clinical management, with strong emphasis on translational applications for high-risk populations. Dr. Williams serves as Consulting Editor for the Journal of Clinical Investigation and on editorial boards for Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology and Rambam Medical Journal. He holds 11 patents related to lipoprotein modification and diabetic dyslipidemia treatment. His laboratory at Temple investigates corrective strategies for postprandial lipid disposal defects in diabetes and explores membrane lipid remodeling in metabolic disease. Current NIH projects focus on early atherosclerotic disease intervention and lipid-based therapeutic approaches for high-risk cardiovascular patients.

• Metabolic Disease
• Epigenetics
• Cardiovascular Disease
• +3 more

Brad Ferguson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences & Health at the University of Nevada, Reno. His research investigates the epigenetic mechanisms linking metabolic diseases like obesity and diabetes to cardiac remodeling, with a focus on histone deacetylases (HDACs), acetyltransferases (HATs), and dietary bioactives. Key techniques: bioinformatics, cell culture, animal models. Primary research themes: chromatin regulation, metabolic-cardiovascular crosstalk, microbiome-epigenome interactions. The lab emphasizes dietary epigenetic modifiers and translational approaches to develop therapies for cardio-metabolic disorders. Recent publications highlight intersections between: Epigenetic aging and caloric restriction HDAC inhibition in cardiac/hypertension models Muscle physiology and post-translational modifications Nutritional programming in livestock and human systems No scientific awards were explicitly documented in the provided materials.

Imran MirView profile

Associate Professor

• Placental Biology
• Neonatal Morbidities
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• +4 more

Dr. Imran Mir is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Program Director for the Neonatal-Perinatal Fellowship Training Program at UT Southwestern Medical School's Department of Pediatrics. His research focuses on placental biology's role in neonatal morbidities, particularly neurodevelopmental outcomes after birth asphyxia, fetal inflammatory responses, and autism spectrum disorders in preterm infants. He completed his medical training at Government Medical College in Kashmir, followed by pediatric residency at Oklahoma University and neonatal-perinatal fellowship at UT Southwestern. Education: MBBS (Government Medical College, Kashmir), Pediatric Residency (Oklahoma University), Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship (UT Southwestern) Research emphasizes placental contributions to neonatal conditions like necrotizing enterocolitis, cerebral palsy, and congenital heart disease. Key studies include placental pathology's link to autism in preterm infants and GFAP biomarker dynamics in encephalopathy. He leads the TeleNICU initiative to improve neonatal intensive care access. Notable articles explore placental pathologies in SARS-CoV-2 pregnancies, prediction models for necrotizing enterocolitis severity, and neuroplacentology in congenital heart disease. His work integrates clinical care with precision medicine approaches for neonatal diseases.

Paul TurnerView profile

Associate Professor

• Food and Chemical Toxicology
• Mycotoxins
• Children and Infant Health
• +3 more

Paul Turner is Associate Professor and Associate Chair of Global, Environmental, and Occupational Health at the University of Maryland. His research focuses on chemical exposures in acute and chronic diseases across three primary areas: mitigating early life dietary toxin exposures in sub-Saharan Africa; improving food security through sustainable energy/water initiatives in Tanzania; and analyzing environmental pollutants in water systems. Research interests include: Dietary toxins linked to cancer and growth retardation Aflatoxin-hepatitis B interactions in liver cancer Sustainable agricultural interventions Climate change impacts on toxin exposure patterns His seminal work established relationships between aflatoxin biomarkers and immune suppression in children, and developed affordable intervention strategies recommended by WHO/IARC. Dr. Turner directs the Mass-Spectrometry Core Facility and is accepting PhD students for Fall 2025. He teaches courses on food and chemical toxicology, and global health. As co-organizer of the East Africa FEW Conference, he facilitates solutions for smallholder farmers. Current research includes the Maryland Safe Drinking Water Study investigating PFAS and heavy metals.

Danielle G. LemayView profile

Adjunct Associate Professor

• Nutrition
• Microbiome
• Dietary Components
• +7 more

Danielle G. Lemay, Ph.D. is a Research Molecular Biologist at the USDA Agricultural Research Service's Western Human Nutrition Research Center (WHNRC) and an Associate Adjunct Professor affiliated with the University of California, Davis. She holds a position in the Diet, Microbiome and Immunity Research unit at WHNRC, where she conducts cutting-edge research at the intersection of nutrition, microbiome science, and computational biology. Dr. Lemay's primary research interests focus on how dietary components, especially fermentable carbohydrates, affect host response and whether these responses are modulated by the functional capabilities of resident microbiota. Her work prominently features the application of big data techniques, including sequencing technologies and machine learning, to understand the complex effects of diet on human health. A significant portion of her research examines human milk oligosaccharides, gut microbiota composition, and their interactions in both infants and adults. Her publication record demonstrates strong expertise in microbiome analysis, with numerous papers on metatranscriptome analysis pipelines (SAMSA and SAMSA2) that have become valuable tools in the field. Her research spans multiple disciplines including nutrition science, microbiology, computational biology, and molecular biology, with applications in neonatal nutrition, gut health, and precision nutrition approaches. Dr. Lemay has collaborated extensively with researchers at UC Davis and other institutions, particularly in the areas of milk composition, infant gut microbiome development, and the relationship between diet and microbial communities. Her work often bridges basic science with potential clinical applications, particularly in understanding how dietary components can be optimized for health benefits.

Lawrence Anthony DavidView profile

Associate Professor

• Microbiome
• Computational Biology
• Diet-Microbiome Interactions
• +3 more

Lawrence Anthony David is an Associate Professor of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology and Biomedical Engineering at Duke University, with affiliations to the Duke Initiative for Science & Society and the Core Faculty in Innovation & Entrepreneurship. His research bridges computational biology and microbiome science, focusing on dynamic interactions between human diets and gut microbial ecosystems. PhD from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2010) Awarded Sloan Research Fellowship (2014) and Harvard Society Junior Fellowship (2010) David's work explores gut microbiome ecology through innovative methods like FoodSeq dietary analysis and microfluidic systems for microbial culture. His lab investigates how dietary interventions and microbial interactions affect metabolic health, with particular emphasis on pediatric obesity , celiac disease , and HIV-related microbiome alterations . Recent publications highlight applications of metaproteomics and artificial gut models in nutritional assessment. Scientific contributions include: 2025: FoodSeq dietary decoding system 2024: Particle-size microbial ecology studies 2023: Prebiotic response modeling 2022: Spatial partitioning in microbial communities Awards: Sloan Research Fellowship (2014) Harvard Society Junior Fellow (2010) Searle Scholar (2015) His team develops computational tools for microbiome analysis while pioneering phylogenetic data transformation methods. Media coverage highlights his self-experimentation with microbiomes and public engagement through podcasts and science communication.

Victoria RonanView profile

Assistant Professor

• Pediatrics
• Critical Care Medicine
• Neurocritical Care
• +3 more

Victoria Ronan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the Medical College of Wisconsin, specializing in Critical Care. She holds board certifications in General Pediatrics and Critical Care Medicine. Her research focuses on the gut microbiome's role in neurocritical illness, pediatric critical care, and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Ronan completed her MBBS at the University of Limerick and postgraduate training in Pediatrics and Critical Care at institutions including Sinai Hospital of Baltimore and the University of Chicago. She has authored studies on microbiome dynamics in childhood development and Alzheimer’s-related antibody therapies. Key honors include the Bright Futures Scholar and First Class Honors in Pediatrics. She leads grants such as the 'Gut Microbiome in Neurocritical Illness' and serves on committees including the Pediatric Neurocritical Care Research Group’s Outcomes Group and DEI Subcommittee. Education: B.S. in Biomedical Science (University of South Florida), MBBS (University of Limerick). Training: Pediatric Critical Care Fellowship at University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital. Her research interests span microbiome alterations in critical illness, neurocritical care interventions, and translational medicine. Ronan has contributed to over 15 peer-reviewed articles, emphasizing microbiome-gut-brain interactions and anti-amyloid therapies. She actively participates in clinical trials like PRECISE and the Pediatric ICECAPS study.

Luiz RoeschView profile

Associate Professor

• Microbiology
• Microbiome Research
• Metagenomics
• +3 more

Luiz Roesch is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Cell Science at the University of Florida. His research focuses on microbial diversity, metagenomics, and the interplay between microbiomes and human/animal health. He has contributed to understanding microbial communities in environments ranging from soil and gut ecosystems to space missions. His work bridges microbiology with clinical, environmental, and agricultural applications. Education details are not explicitly provided in the text, but his research spans over 20 years with publications since 2014. His studies include genomic characterization of bacteria, microbial responses to environmental changes, and associations between microbiota and diseases like osteoporosis, glycogen storage disorders, and sepsis. Key research interests include bacterial species diversity, antibiotic resistance in neonates, microbiome-genotype interactions, and microbial contributions to human pathologies. Recent articles highlight innovations in sequencing pipelines (e.g., RESCUE) and applications of microbiome data to clinical and agricultural contexts. His articles collectively address themes like microbial resilience under environmental stress, human microbiome-disease links, and agricultural sustainability. No awards are mentioned, but his work reflects significant contributions to microbial research methodologies and interdisciplinary applications. Lab affiliations or grant details are not specified, though his position suggests involvement in university research infrastructure. His office is located in Room 1247 of the Microbiology Building (#981) on the UF campus.