Find Academic Supervisors

• Pain Mechanisms
• Ion Channels
• Neuroscience
• +2 more

Ernie Jennings is an Associate Professor of Anatomy at James Cook University's College of Medicine and Dentistry. He holds a Ph.D. from University College London (1999) and researches neural excitability mechanisms in pain conditions, particularly orofacial disorders like migraines and temporomandibular joint pain. His laboratory employs behavioral assays, protein analysis, and electrophysiology to study ion channel dysfunction in trigeminal ganglion neurons. Current projects investigate pediatric pain pathways and calcium signaling in venom-induced neurotoxicity. Publications focus on translational pain research, including clinical studies of dental anesthesia and periodontal therapies. Recurring themes include ion channel modulation, inflammation-mediated hypersensitivity, and neuropathic pain pathways. He mentors five graduate students in projects spanning dementia-related oral health and 3D periodontal modeling. Collaborative work includes venom bioactivity studies with marine biology researchers.

Philip KitchenView profile

Research Fellow

• Membrane Proteins
• Aquaporin Channels
• Drug Discovery
• +3 more

Philip Kitchen is a BBSRC Discovery Fellow at the School of Biosciences, Aston University, within the College of Health and Life Sciences. His research focuses on membrane proteins, including aquaporin channels and their roles in neurological disorders like brain edema. He develops iPSC-based models of the blood-brain barrier and uses advanced techniques like cryo-EM and mass photometry. His work spans drug discovery, protein purification, and cellular trafficking mechanisms. Education: PhD in Molecular Organisation and Assembly in Cells (2016), University of Warwick MSc in Mathematical Biology and Biophysical Chemistry (2012), University of Warwick MPhys Physics (2011), University of Warwick Research Interests: Membrane protein dynamics and drug targeting Aquaporin function in health and disease Protein purification and structural biology Neurological fluid homeostasis Key Achievements: Recipient of the BBSRC Discovery Fellowship Over 35 peer-reviewed publications, including work on glymphatic flow and aquaporin trafficking Leader of interdisciplinary projects combining biophysics and cell biology Grants & Supervision: Supervises undergraduate/Masters projects and accepts PhD candidates. Active in collaborative research networks across multiple institutions. Labs/Teams: Part of the Aston Research Centre for Health in Ageing and Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence, focusing on translational research in membrane biology.

Tristan DriscollView profile

Assistant Professor

• Tissue Stiffness Homeostasis
• Cellular and Molecular Mechanotransduction
• Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
• +4 more

Tristan Driscoll is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering at the Florida A&M University-Florida State University College of Engineering. His research focuses on mechanotransduction and tissue stiffness homeostasis, particularly in the context of fibrotic diseases. Driscoll holds a Ph.D. in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania (2015) and a B.Bm.E. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Minnesota (2009). He completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Cardiovascular Medicine at Yale University (2020). His research interests include molecular-scale force transmission, directional mechanosensing, and the development of engineered fibrous environments to study cellular responses. The Driscoll Lab investigates how force networks regulate downstream signaling pathways that maintain or disrupt tissue homeostasis, with applications in regenerative medicine and fibrosis prevention. Driscoll advises a team of graduate and undergraduate researchers, including Ph.D. students Ananya Naha, Garrett McDaniel, and Sailesti Joshi. His lab is located in Engineering Building B (Room B328), and he can be contacted via email at tdriscoll2@eng.famu.fsu.edu .

Matteo RuggiuView profile

Associate Professor

• Alternative Splicing
• RNA Processing
• Neuroscience
• +3 more

Matteo Ruggiu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at St. John's University's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of alternative splicing and its role in neuronal function and neurodegenerative diseases. He holds a Ph.D. and leads a lab exploring how RNA-binding proteins regulate splicing events, particularly in the context of disorders like epilepsy, autism, and spinal muscular atrophy. His work is supported by a National Institutes of Health grant. Research Interests: Dr. Ruggiu investigates how alternative splicing generates proteome diversity and contributes to tissue-specific functions. His lab studies protein-RNA networks that control splicing, with a focus on neurological systems. Key areas include understanding how splicing defects lead to disease and developing tools to analyze splicing dynamics in immune and neuronal contexts. Grants & Funding: His NIH-funded research examines the role of alternative splicing in neuron biology and disease. This support enables studies on RNA regulatory networks, particularly involving proteins like NOVA2 and SMN, which are critical for synaptic function and motor neuron survival. Labs & Teams: Research is conducted in his lab at St. John's, focusing on molecular and cellular biology techniques including PCR assays, RNA sequencing, and mouse genetics. Collaborations emphasize translating splicing insights into potential therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders.

Yong YuView profile

Professor

• Molecular Biology
• Cellular Physiology
• Neurobiology
• +3 more

Yong Yu is a Professor and Graduate Director in the Department of Biological Sciences at St. John's University, part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on ion channel and receptor molecular mechanisms, particularly transient receptor potential (TRP) channels involved in sensory physiology and disease. The Yu Lab uses mammalian cells, Xenopus oocytes, and zebrafish models with integrated molecular biology, biophysics, X-ray crystallography, and electrophysiology techniques. Research is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the PKD Foundation. His work addresses ion channel roles in sight, hearing, pain, and disease mechanisms like polycystic kidney disease. Key research areas include TRP channel regulation, ligand interactions, and disease-related mutagenesis. Techniques emphasize structural biology and functional assays to elucidate channel activation, ion permeation, and pharmacological modulation. The lab also explores adverse drug interactions affecting calcium channels and zinc-dependent signaling pathways. Recent studies highlight structural insights into channel complexes and their role in cellular homeostasis. Funding supports investigations into channelopathies and drug development, with publications spanning ion channel assembly, disease mechanisms, and nanomaterial applications. The lab's interdisciplinary approach bridges basic science and translational research for therapeutic advancements.

Yiling FuView profile

Researcher

• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Renal Physiology
• TRPC6 Mechanisms
• +2 more

Dr. Yiling Fu is a Research Scientist III at the Department of Physiology and Biophysics , University of Mississippi Medical Center. Her research focuses on cardiovascular and renal physiology, particularly the role of TRPC6 channels in renal injury caused by diabetes and hypertension, and the contributions of tubuloglomerular feedback to hypertension mechanisms. She employs advanced techniques including genetically engineered mouse models, chronic blood pressure monitoring via telemetry, and micro-puncture methods to study glomerular filtration and tubular function. Lab Location: G253; Contact: (601) 984-1829 Research Methods: Molecular assays (RT-PCR, Western Blot, IHC, ELISA), glomerular filtration rate measurement, and histology core facilities. Her current projects investigate TRPC6's role in metabolic dysfunction and obesity, leveraging interdisciplinary approaches to understand renal and cardiovascular pathophysiology.

Andrew JenkinsView profile

Associate Professor

• Pharmacology
• Neuroscience
• Cancer Biology
• +3 more

Dr. Andrew Jenkins is an Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Saint Joseph (USJ), School of Pharmacy and Physician Assistant Studies. He holds a Ph.D. and B.Sc. from Imperial College, University of London. Previously, he served as Director of Graduate Studies and Associate Professor in Pharmacology at Emory University's School of Medicine. His research focuses on GABA receptor pharmacology, ion channel dysfunction, and translational therapies for neurological and oncological disorders. Key areas include anesthetic mechanisms, cancer immunotherapy, and genetic epilepsy. His work integrates electrophysiology, stem cell models, and drug screening to explore novel therapeutic targets. Notable contributions include studies on benzodiazepine derivatives in medulloblastoma and radiation-chemotherapy synergies in melanoma. His research has been published in high-impact journals across neuroscience, pharmacology, and oncology. Education: Ph.D., D.I.C. (Imperial College, London), B.Sc., A.R.C.S. (Imperial College, London) Key Affiliations: Formerly at Emory University (School of Medicine), Weill Cornell Medical College, and University of Chicago. Publications highlight his expertise in ion channel pharmacology, drug development, and translational medicine. Ongoing projects focus on GABA receptor modulation in cancer and neurological diseases, leveraging cutting-edge electrophysiology and computational modeling.

Fritz RothView profile

Professor

• Genomics
• Variant Effect Mapping
• Protein Interactions
• +3 more

Fritz Roth, PhD, is a Professor and Chair at the University of Pittsburgh, leading research at the intersection of computational and experimental genomics. His lab focuses on variant effect mapping (VEM) to assess functional impacts of human genetic variants and map protein-protein interactions. Key projects include developing VARITY, a leading pathogenicity predictor for missense variants, and advancing barcode fusion genetics for large-scale protein interaction studies in yeast and human cells. Research emphasizes context-dependent variant effects, clinical utility of variant maps, and dynamic protein interaction analysis. His team maintains international coordination platforms like MaveDB and VEPerform, enabling community-driven genomic data sharing and computational benchmarking. Experimental work includes generating variant effect maps for over 20 human proteins and developing technologies for high-resolution proteome-scale interaction measurements. Publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches to genetic disease mechanisms, including neurodevelopmental disorders, cardiomyopathies, and metabolic syndromes. Recent efforts extend to SARS-CoV-2 interaction mapping and CRISPR-based screens for DNA damage pathways. Collaborations emphasize bridging computational predictions with experimental validation to improve clinical variant interpretation and drug discovery.

Kirill KiselyovView profile

Associate Professor

• Cell Biology
• Lysosomal Function
• Autophagy
• +4 more

Kirill Kiselyov is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh’s Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on ion channel function, lysosomal biology, and cellular degradation pathways, with particular emphasis on lysosomal storage diseases and their implications in cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. He leads a lab investigating how cells monitor and respond to disruptions in the endocytic pathway, leveraging genetic and pharmacological approaches to identify therapeutic targets. Key research themes include the role of TRPML1 channels in lysosomal calcium signaling, autophagy-lysosomal dysfunction in disease, and the interplay between lysosomal and mitochondrial systems in cancer progression. His lab employs diverse models, including human cancer cells, Drosophila, and mouse models, to study these mechanisms. Kiselyov’s work bridges basic cellular biology with translational research, aiming to develop novel treatments for conditions like mucolipidosis IV and head and neck cancers. His articles highlight advancements in understanding lysosomal-exocytosis regulation, PRMT inhibitor applications in cancer therapy, and the pathophysiology of genetic disorders linked to ion channel dysfunction. Collaborative efforts include studies on drug sensitivity modulation and biomarkers for cellular stress responses. Kiselyov actively engages in education through innovative pedagogical approaches, such as peer-reviewed presentation exchanges in undergraduate classrooms.

• Neurodegenerative Diseases
• Motor Neuron Disease (MND)
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• +5 more

Professor Tracey Dickson is the Director of the Menzies Institute for Medical Research at the University of Tasmania's College of Health and Medicine. With a PhD in Neuroscience and over 20 years of experience, she leads research on neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on cellular mechanisms in ALS, dementia, and Parkinson's. Her expertise includes immunohistochemistry, transgenic models, and microfluidic platforms to study brain cell degeneration. Her research examines hyperexcitability, TDP-43 proteinopathy, and neuropeptide Y's role in ALS. She pioneers studies on cortical dysfunction and inhibitory network failures, aiming to develop targeted therapies. Dickson emphasizes community engagement, leveraging public partnerships to advance 'fringe ideas' in neurodegeneration. Dickson has supervised 20+ PhD students to completion and mentors four doctoral candidates. She secured significant funding, including NHMRC grants ($624K for excitotoxicity in ALS) and FightMND awards ($936K for neuropeptide Y therapy). Her work has generated 157+ publications, with recent articles exploring excitotoxicity mechanisms (2024) and TDP-43 spread (2023).

• Pain Mechanisms
• Neuroimmunology
• Neuroregeneration
• +2 more

Clifford Woolf, MB, BCh, PhD, is Director of the F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center at Boston Children's Hospital and Professor in Neurobiology at Harvard Medical School. His research focuses on neuronal plasticity mechanisms underlying pain, regeneration, neurodegenerative disorders, and developmental neurobiology using multidisciplinary approaches including genetics, electrophysiology, and stem cell technology. Research interests include neuro-immune interactions, transcriptional control of neuronal function, and targeted therapies for chronic pain and neural injuries. His lab uses bioinformatics and human stem cell models to identify novel analgesic targets. Awards include the Javits Neuroscience Investigator Award, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pain Research Award, and election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2020). Recent work explores tetrahydrobiopterin pathways in pain, genetic pain phenotyping, and optogenetic modulation of inflammation.

Pablo E. CastilloView profile

Professor

• Neuroscience
• Neurobiology
• Synaptic Transmission
• +4 more

Pablo E. Castillo is a Professor in the Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He holds the Harold and Muriel Block Chair in Neuroscience. His research focuses on synaptic transmission and plasticity in the mammalian brain, particularly investigating synaptic dysfunction in models of Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, autism, schizophrenia, and drug abuse. His work employs electrophysiology, optogenetics, calcium imaging, and mouse models to study neural activity regulation of synaptic strength. Key research areas include: Endocannabinoid signaling mechanisms Role of NMDA and kainate receptors in synaptic function Neuroplasticity in neuropsychiatric disorders Presynaptic protein synthesis and remodeling Hippocampal circuit dynamics Publications highlight contributions to understanding seizure mechanisms, synaptic receptor regulation, and plasticity pathways critical for learning and memory. His findings bridge basic neuroscience with translational insights into neurodegenerative and psychiatric conditions. Labs/Teams: Active in collaborative neuroscience research groups at Einstein College of Medicine, focusing on synaptic physiology and disease modeling.

Derek MolliverView profile

Professor

• Neuroscience
• Pain Research
• Sensory Neuron Biology
• +5 more

Derek Molliver is a Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM). He holds leadership roles, including Director of the Histology & Imaging Core and affiliations with the Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences and the Center for Pain Research (COBRE). His research focuses on sensory neuron biology, particularly mechanisms underlying pain (nociception) and neurotrophic factor signaling. Dr. Molliver's work integrates molecular, cellular, and systems neuroscience approaches to understand how GPCR signaling and mitochondrial function regulate neuronal response properties and resilience to injury. Education: B.A. from Williams College (1988), Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Washington University in St. Louis (1997). Postdoctoral training at the Vollum Institute (Oregon Health & Science University) and the University of Pittsburgh, where he established an NIH-funded pain research program. He joined UNE in 2014 as Associate Professor, promoted to Professor (2020). Research interests include: GPCR signaling networks in sensory neurons Neurotrophic factor regulation of nociceptor plasticity Mitochondrial bioenergetics in neuronal stress responses Human/mouse comparative sensory neuron models Current NIH-funded projects investigate: Cellular mechanisms linking mitochondrial dysfunction to pain hypersensitivity Role of Epac2 and eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase GPCR signaling differences between human and rodent sensory neuron models Lab affiliations include the Center for Cell Signaling Research, Histology & Imaging Core, and COM Research - Neuroscience and Pain programs.

Anthony GrilloView profile

Assistant Professor

• Mitochondrial Dysfunction
• Neurodegeneration
• Metabolic Physiology
• +3 more

Anthony Grillo is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the University of Cincinnati, joining in 2022. He holds a B.S. in Biochemistry and Chemistry from the University of Michigan (2011) and a Ph.D. in Chemistry (Organic Chemistry) from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2017), advised by Martin Burke. His postdoctoral research (2018–2022) with Matt Kaeberlein at the University of Washington focused on mitochondrial dysfunction and neurodegeneration. His research integrates biochemistry, chemical biology, and metabolic physiology to study how mitochondrial defects disrupt micronutrient metabolism in aging and disease. Education: B.S. Biochemistry, University of Michigan (2011) B.S. Chemistry, University of Michigan (2011) Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2017) Grants: NIH R01 (2024–2028): Probing mTOR inhibition in metabolic diseases United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation Grant (2023–2025): Mitochondrial Complex I deficiencies Research interests include mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegeneration, transition metal roles in aging, and developing interventions for metabolic disorders. His lab employs in vitro and in vivo models to study oxygen dyshomeostasis and iron misregulation. Recent work highlights iron’s influence on disease progression and tau aggregation in mitochondrial disease models. Awards include the NSF GRFP (2011–2017) and NIH R01 funding. He teaches courses on transition metals in biochemistry and undergraduate biochemistry. Active in service roles, he co-leads programs like the UC ACS SEED initiative and the Global Research Experience in Chemistry.

Bikash PattnaikView profile

Associate Professor

• Retinal Ion Channels
• Inherited Blindness
• Stem Cell Therapy
• +3 more

Bikash Pattnaik is Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, researching Kir7.1 channelopathies causing inherited blindness. His lab uses patient-derived stem cells and gene editing to develop therapeutic interventions for retinal disorders. Research focuses on molecular mechanisms of potassium channel dysfunction in retinal pigment epithelium, employing electrophysiology, CRISPR technology, and stem cell differentiation to model diseases and test treatments. Pattnaik's publications demonstrate progressive development of gene therapy approaches for channelopathies, with recent work emphasizing nonviral delivery systems and base editing techniques. Research consistently bridges basic science and clinical translation. Current trainees include doctoral candidates investigating channel function and therapeutic strategies using advanced electrophysiological and genomic methods. Laboratory resources include stem cell facilities and specialized electrophysiology equipment supporting retinal disease modeling and drug screening.