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Connie J RogersView profile

Professor

• Nutritional Sciences
• Breast Cancer
• Inflammation
• +3 more

Connie J Rogers is a Professor and Department Head of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Georgia's College of Family and Consumer Sciences. Previously, she held faculty positions at Penn State University (2010-2022) and served as a Senior Research Fellow at the National Cancer Institute (2008-2010). Her research focuses on the intersection of nutritional interventions, inflammation, and chronic disease prevention. Ph.D. in Cell Biology and Physiology (University of Pittsburgh, 1998) M.P.H. in Epidemiology (University of Pittsburgh, 2003) Rogers' laboratory investigates how energy balance (obesity, exercise, dietary restriction) and nutritional factors like spices and prunes modulate inflammatory mediators, metabolic hormones, and immune pathways in breast cancer and cardiometabolic diseases. Her work spans both animal models and human clinical trials, including the long-term Prune Study examining bone health in postmenopausal women. Recent publications highlight her leadership in nutritional immunology, particularly in understanding how dietary compounds affect monocyte activation, gut microbiome composition, and vascular function. Awards include the Women's Leadership Fellow (2023), multiple Collaborative Research Awards, and the Broadhurst Career Development Professorship. Women’s Leadership Fellow (University of Georgia, 2023) Collaborative Research Award (Penn State, 2021) Broadhurst Career Development Professorship (2010)

• Microbiology
• Immunology
• Probiotics
• +3 more

Michiel Kleerebezem is a Professor at Wageningen University & Research, specializing in Host-Microbe Interactomics. His research focuses on microbial adaptation, probiotics, gut microbiota dynamics, and lactobacillus physiology. He leads projects exploring prebiotics, synbiotics, and the role of microbial communities in health and disease. Kleerebezem’s work integrates genomics, proteomics, and in vitro models to understand microbial interactions in dairy environments and human/animal systems. Key research areas include bacterial proteome adaptation during fermentation, probiotic efficacy, and the gut-brain axis. He supervises multiple PhD candidates investigating microbiome signatures, synbiotic mechanisms, and microbial resilience. Kleerebezem collaborates on studies involving piglet microbiome maturation, dietary interventions, and translational applications of lactic acid bacteria. His contributions span over 300 publications and datasets, including genomic analyses of Lactococcus and Bifidobacterium species. Projects emphasize functional food design, microbial stress responses, and translational microbiology to bridge basic science and industrial applications.

Josephine NiView profile

Assistant Professor

• Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
• Gut Microbiota Modulation
• Bacterial Colonization in Intestinal Tracts
• +3 more

Dr. Josephine Ni is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Internal Medicine and Microbiology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. She is affiliated with the Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases and serves as a physician-scientist specializing in inflammatory bowel diseases. Her research focuses on bacterial colonization dynamics in healthy and inflamed intestinal tracts to develop microbiota-based therapies. Education: Bachelor's Degree: University of California, Berkeley (2005) Medical Degree: Northwestern University Residency: New York University (served as Chief Resident) Fellowship: T-32 Funded Gastroenterology Fellowship, University of Pennsylvania Research Interests: Her work integrates microbiology, immunology, and clinical gastroenterology to understand microbial contributions to intestinal inflammation. Key areas include microbiota-host interactions, therapeutic modulation strategies, and disease pathogenesis in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Awards & Funding: Recipient of prestigious AGA-Takeda Research Award Funded by NIH grants and Burroughs Wellcome Career Development Award Professional Affiliations: Active member of the American Gastroenterological Association and Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.

Trine Eker ChristoffersenView profile

Researcher

• Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry
• Microbiology
• +7 more

Trine Eker Christoffersen is the Acting Pro-Rector for Research and Director of Research at Østfold University College , holding strategic leadership roles from 2024 to 2025. She has a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Oslo and holds higher degrees from Imperial College London and the University of Leeds. Education PhD, Biochemistry, University of Oslo (2007) MSc, Biochemical Research, Imperial College London (1999) BSc (Hons), Biotechnology, University of Leeds (1997) BSc, Chemical Engineering, Østfold University College (1995) Her research focuses on cell biology, microbiology, and immunology , particularly on bacteria-host interactions, probiotics, and intracellular signaling . She has contributed to understanding how non-commensal bacteria affect intestinal immunity and the functional diversity of growth factors. While her recent articles trend toward probiotic mechanisms, intestinal health, and cellular interactions , she also explores educational innovation and medical biochemistry . Her work includes collaborations with institutions like the University of Sydney and the University of Oslo. She leads initiatives in institutional research strategy and serves on committees like the Central PhD Committee and the Research Ethics Advisory Board.

• Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70) research
• Obesity and metabolic disorders
• Oral squamous cell carcinoma
• +3 more

Mae J Ciancio, Ph.D., is a Professor of Biomedical Sciences at Midwestern University, holding concurrent appointments in the College of Graduate Studies, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Dental Medicine-Illinois, and College of Health Sciences-Downers Grove. She serves as Program Coordinator for the Biomedical Sciences Program since 2018. Her academic credentials include a Ph.D. from Loyola University Chicago (1989), B.A. from Northwestern University (1981), and postdoctoral training at the University of Chicago Medical Center in gastroenterology. Research focuses on three primary areas: (1) anti-obesity mechanisms of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), particularly in high-fat diet models; (2) pathogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma using chemically induced mouse models; and (3) HSP70's protective role against Chlamydia muridarum-induced inflammation. Notable recent work includes studies on microbiome dynamics in clinical environments and dietary impacts on cancer progression. Teaching responsibilities span courses like Research Design and Methodology , Microbiome in Health and Disease , and Seminar in Biomedical Sciences . Active grant funding includes an intramural grant investigating photobiomodulation therapy in oral cancer. Publications emphasize interdisciplinary approaches at the intersection of microbiology, physiology, and clinical science, with recent contributions in DENTAL MATERIALS , ORAL DISEASES , and PLOS ONE . Over 200 research articles demonstrate sustained productivity in translational biomedical research.

• Protein Biochemistry
• Enzymology
• Biocatalysis
• +3 more

Gary Black is a Professor of Protein Biochemistry and Head of Department at Northumbria University's Applied Sciences Department. He holds a PhD in Biochemistry (CNAA, 1992) and a BSc (Hons) in Applied Biology (CNAA, 1988). His research focuses on protein biochemistry, biocatalysis, and enzymology with applications in bioengineering and industrial processes. He has published over 58 peer-reviewed articles, including work on enzyme engineering, biocatalytic synthesis, and protein structure-function relationships. Key research interests include the design of enzymes for industrial applications, computational modeling of enzyme mechanisms, and the development of biocatalytic systems for sustainable processes. His work spans topics such as lyase activity optimization, cytochrome P450 systems, and microbial enzyme systems for lignocellulosic waste utilization. Dr. Black leads a research group engaged in collaborative projects with industry and academia, focusing on enzyme innovation and bioprocess development. His research has been cited over 1,430 times, reflecting significant contributions to the field of protein biochemistry.

Howard HangView profile

Professor

• Immunology
• Microbiology
• Chemical Biology
• +4 more

Howard Hang, PhD, is the Chair of the Department of Immunology and Microbiology at Scripps Research. He holds joint appointments in the Department of Chemistry and the Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences. His research focuses on molecular mechanisms of host-microbe interactions, particularly how metabolites from host, diet, and microbiota modulate immunity and pathogenesis. He has pioneered chemical methods to study metabolite-protein interactions and developed animal models to identify microbiota-derived protective factors. Dr. Hang earned his B.S. (1998) and Ph.D. (2003) in Chemistry from the University of California, Santa Cruz and Berkeley, respectively. He completed postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School and the Whitehead Institute. His awards include the Eli Lilly Award in Biological Chemistry (2017), Synergy Award (2019), and Distinguished Teaching Award (2011). His research spans chemical biology, microbiology, and immunology, with breakthroughs in understanding IFITM antiviral proteins, peptidoglycan metabolism, and microbiota-derived therapies for cancer immunotherapy. His lab's work has generated novel biomarkers and therapeutic leads for infections, inflammation, and immunotherapy. Key collaborations include studies on checkpoint inhibitor enhancement via Enterococcus peptidoglycan remodeling and discovery of microbiota-derived GPRC5A agonists. His group employs innovative methods like chemical proteomics and site-specific lipidation to study protein modifications in live cells.

Alyce MartinView profile

Academic

• Gastroenterology
• Endocrinology
• Metabolism
• +4 more

Alyce Martin is a Senior Research Fellow at Flinders University within the College of Medicine and Public Health and a Full Member of the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute. Her research focuses on the functional biology of enteroendocrine cells, particularly serotonin-producing enterochromaffin (EC) cells, exploring how these cells interact with dietary nutrients, bacteria, and environmental factors to influence gut function, metabolism, fat storage, and gut-brain signaling. Education: Ph.D. in Medicine (2018): The role of enterochromaffin cells as sensors in the gastrointestinal lumen B.Sc. with First Class Honours (2012) B. Medical Science (2011), Major: Biochemistry and Medicinal Chemistry Her research interests span gut endocrinology, microbiome interactions, metabolic regulation, and the molecular mechanisms linking gut physiology to systemic health. Recent work highlights the microbiome's role in gut hormone secretion and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on gut serotonin pathways. Notable grants include an ARC DECRA Fellowship ($468,582), NHMRC Ideas Grant ($1.1M), and multiple seed grants from Flinders University. Her awards include the 2021 Millennium Science Spatial Pioneers Fellowship and Flinders University Early Career Alumni Award. Grants and Funding: ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (2022-2024) NHMRC Ideas Grant (2022-2026) Flinders Foundation Health Seed Grant (2020-2021) Dr. Martin collaborates internationally on gut microbiome studies and has presented at conferences such as the Little Brain Big Brain Symposium. She is affiliated with the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute and maintains an active research group focused on translational gut biology.

Astrid WestendorfView profile

Professor

• Mucosal Immunology
• Infectious Diseases
• Immunology
• +13 more

Professor Dr. Astrid Westendorf is a faculty member at the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE), serving as Chair of Infectious Immunology at the Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Essen. She has been Vice Rector for Research and Young Scientists at UDE since April 2022, highlighting her leadership in academic research and mentorship. Her work is central to the ZMB (Center for Medical Biotechnology) and is aligned with the UDE's research program in Immunology, Infectious Diseases, and Transplantation. Her research focuses on mucosal immunology, particularly the interactions between the immune system and the gut microbiome. She investigates how imbalances in this system contribute to chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and colorectal cancer. Key areas include the role of interleukin-33, regulatory T cells, sphingolipids, and helminth infections in modulating immune responses. She also pioneers nanoparticle-based strategies for immune modulation, with applications in infection and cancer therapy. The recent publications reveal a strong trend in immunomodulation using biomaterials, host-pathogen interactions in gastrointestinal and systemic infections, and the immunological mechanisms underlying cancer development. Her work frequently involves calcium phosphate and barium sulfate nanoparticles for drug delivery and imaging, alongside deep exploration of T cell and B cell regulation in infection and inflammation. Appointment as expert member of the Central Commission for Biological Safety (ZKBS), 2024–2027 Professor Westendorf actively mentors doctoral students and leads a dynamic research team. Her group receives substantial funding from the DFG (GRK1949, GRK2098), BMBF (HeliTec project), and other national programs, supporting projects on antibiotic-free Helicobacter therapy and nanoparticle effects in intestinal organoids. She leads the research group Infection Immunology, which includes postdoctoral researchers, junior group leaders, and technical staff. The group operates within the Institute of Medical Microbiology and is embedded in the Faculty of Medicine at UDE, contributing to both basic science and translational medicine. Their research spans from molecular mechanisms to preclinical models, with strong collaborations across immunology, oncology, and nanotechnology.

Josh KoenigView profile

Assistant Professor

• Adaptive immunity
• Allergy
• Cellular immunology
• +7 more

Josh Koenig is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at McMaster University , focusing on adaptive immunity , allergy , cellular immunology , and humoral immunology . His work bridges fundamental immunology with clinical applications to address challenges in food allergy and respiratory immunology . Research Interests : Dr. Koenig investigates B cell memory in allergic responses, IgE dynamics , and microbial regulation of immunity. His studies explore how commensal organisms and environmental factors (e.g., cigarette smoke) influence Th2 immunity and allergen immunotherapy . He co-led the discovery of a new cell type that remembers allergies, with implications for transformative treatments . Recent Publications highlight his work on disease tolerance in intestinal infections, microbial metabolism of allergens, IgG1-independent memory , and novel imaging techniques for immune cell analysis. His teaching roles include courses in cell biology and immunology (2015–2025). Dr. Koenig’s lab collaborates with ALK-Abello A/S and utilizes mucosal vaccine delivery strategies against SARS-CoV-2 .

Luther A. BarteltView profile

Associate Professor

• Host-microbiota-pathogen interactions
• Gastrointestinal infections
• Tropical medicine
• +5 more

Luther A. Bartelt is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the UNC School of Medicine , specializing in Infectious Diseases . He is affiliated with UNC Health and actively involved in clinical and translational research. Education : MD from the University of Iowa, DTM&H from Gorgas Institute/University of Alabama Birmingham Research Focus : Interactions between host microbiota and pathogens, gastrointestinal infections, tropical medicine, and malnutrition's role in infectious disease outcomes. His work bridges clinical practice and laboratory investigation, particularly in immunocompromised populations. Publication Trends : Recent articles emphasize Giardia's impact on gut health, microbial interactions during malnutrition, antibiotic-virus dynamics, and fungal infections in transplant recipients, reflecting his expertise in tropical medicine and translational epidemiology.

Rosana FerreiraView profile

Assistant Professor

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Biofilms
• +5 more

Dr. Rosana Ferreira is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Molecular Biosciences in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Kansas. She joined KU in January 2023 after serving as an Associate Professor at Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). Dr. Ferreira's research explores how the skin microbiome protects against infections through bacterial interactions, focusing on bioactive molecules and virulence factors. Ph.D. in Microbiology, University of Iowa (2007) M.S. in Microbiology, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (2002) Her research spans skin microbiome dynamics, bacterial interaction mechanisms, and discovery of novel antimicrobial compounds. She utilizes advanced techniques including biofilm analysis, cell culture experiments, and mass spectrometry facilities at KU. Dr. Ferreira's publications emphasize pathogen-pathogen interactions, biofilm disruption strategies, and molecular mechanisms of bacterial virulence. At KU, Dr. Ferreira teaches BIOL 507 – Bacterial Infectious Diseases Laboratory (undergraduate) and BIOL 812 - Mechanisms of Host-Parasite Relationships (graduate). Her laboratory actively trains students at all levels, promoting early research engagement and critical thinking development. Personal interests include running and appreciating the distinct seasonal changes in Lawrence, Kansas.

Susanne HartmannView profile

Professor

• Infectious Immunology
• Parasitology
• Immunoregulation
• +6 more

Susanne Hartmann is a Professor of Infectious Immunology and Director of the Institute of Immunology at the Department of Veterinary Medicine, Free University of Berlin. She has held this W3 professorship since October 2015, following a DFG Heisenberg Professorship (2011-2016) in the same field. Her academic career spans over two decades with previous positions at Humboldt University Berlin as Oberassistentin and Arbeitsgruppenleiterin (2005-2010), where she also completed her Habilitation in Parasitology (2004). Her research focuses on the immunology of parasitic infections, particularly nematode infections and host-parasite interactions. Dr. Hartmann's work explores how parasites like Ascaris modulate host immune responses, the relationship between parasites and the microbiome, and the metabolic interactions between hosts and parasites. Her laboratory employs advanced techniques including two-photon microscopy, fluorescence lifetime imaging, and detailed immunological analyses in both murine and porcine models. Analysis of her recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong emphasis on Ascaris research, particularly examining immune responses to larval stages, the impact of nematode infections on co-infections with bacteria like Salmonella, and the metabolic adaptations of both parasites and hosts. Her work increasingly incorporates advanced imaging techniques to study host-parasite interactions at the cellular and molecular levels, with significant focus on Th2 immunity, T cell responses, and microbiome-parasite interactions. Dr. Hartmann has received several prestigious awards including membership in the Leopoldina National Academy of Sciences (2018), the Innovationspreis of the Stiftung Familie Klee (2018), and the Teaching Award of the Free University Berlin (2018). Her DFG Heisenberg Professorship (2011-2016) recognized her exceptional research potential early in her independent career. She actively mentors doctoral students, with recent successful thesis defenses by Robert Mugendi Mugo and Zaneta Musimbi Kidiavai in 2025. Her research group maintains strong international collaborations, particularly with institutions in Kenya and Belgium, and she frequently presents at major parasitology conferences worldwide. As Director of the Institute of Immunology at the Center for Infectious Diseases (Robert von Ostertag House), she leads a research team investigating fundamental aspects of infectious immunology with translational applications in veterinary and potentially human medicine.

• Animal Nutrition
• Veterinary Immunology
• Metabolic Disorders in Livestock
• +3 more

Dr. Wendy Liermann is a researcher at the Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), focusing on metabolic health in farm animals. Her work primarily investigates gastrointestinal physiology, immune system development, and nutritional programming effects in neonatal calves and poultry. Key affiliations: Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Leibniz Association Research areas: Maternal nutrition, intestinal mucosa transcriptomics, fatty acid supplementation, microbiome-immune interactions Recent research highlights include studies on Cryptosporidium parvum infections in calves, colostrum quality, and feed processing techniques in broilers. She frequently collaborates with Harald Michael Hammon and other veterinary scientists. Publications span 2017-2024 Active in experimental animal facilities Her work contributes to neonatal calf nutrition, antimicrobial resistance research, and optimized feeding strategies for poultry.

• Exercise Physiology
• Cerebrovascular Health
• Metabolic Syndrome
• +5 more

Dr. Edward Bliss is a Senior Lecturer in Medical Laboratory Science at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), School of Health and Medical Sciences. He holds qualifications including a BBioSc, BSc(Hons), and PhD from USQ. His research focuses on the interplay between exercise, cerebrovascular function, and cognitive health, with a particular emphasis on aging populations, metabolic syndrome, and cancer survivorship. Dr. Bliss is affiliated with the Centre for Health Research and has contributed to over 3,000 research output views and 1,000 downloads. His work spans experimental physiology, clinical interventions, and translational research. Key research interests include: Cerebrovascular function modulation through exercise Cognitive health in breast cancer survivors Role of capsaicin and other nutraceuticals in metabolic disorders Respiratory muscle adaptations post-COVID-19 Gut-brain axis interactions in obesity Current supervisory roles include doctoral projects on capsaicin supplementation, cannabidiol therapies, and physical activity interventions for older adults. His publications demonstrate a strong focus on translational research bridging exercise physiology and clinical outcomes. Lab/team affiliations include collaborative projects with the Centre for Health Research, focusing on multidisciplinary approaches to health challenges such as metabolic syndrome and cancer rehabilitation.