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John K. WalkerView profile

Associate Professor

• Medicinal Chemistry
• Synthetic Organic Chemistry
• Pharmacokinetics
• +3 more

John K. Walker is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Saint Louis University's School of Science and Engineering, with research affiliations in Pharmacology & Physiology. His work focuses on medicinal chemistry approaches to develop novel bioactive molecules targeting critical biological challenges. B.S. in Chemistry, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (1990) M.S. in Chemistry, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (1992) Ph.D. in Chemistry, Indiana University (1997) Research in the Walker Lab centers on medicinal chemistry , synthetic organic chemistry , and chemical biology , with particular emphasis on: Designing and synthesizing novel bioactive molecules Computational methods including molecular modeling and docking Bacterial efflux pump inhibitors to combat antibiotic resistance GPCR modulators for pain signaling pathways Development of tool compounds for biological studies Recent publications highlight his work in: Efflux pump inhibition mechanisms (2024-2025) Nuclear receptor agonist development (2024) GPCR signaling in pain pathways (2025) Antibiotic permeation modeling (2024) Metabolic disease therapeutics (2023-2024)

Stephen RamseyView profile

Associate Professor

• Computational Systems Biology
• Bioinformatics
• Precision Medicine
• +6 more

Stephen Ramsey, an Associate Professor at Oregon State University, holds dual appointments in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (College of Engineering) and the Department of Biomedical Sciences (Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine). With a PhD in Physics from the University of Maryland, his postdoctoral training in computational genomics at the University of Washington, and professional experience at the Institute for Systems Biology and Center for Infectious Disease Research, Ramsey bridges computational methods with biomedical applications. Education : Ph.D., Physics, University of Maryland; M.S., Physics, University of Maryland; Sc.B., Mathematical Physics, Brown University Ramsey specializes in computational systems biology , focusing on bioinformatics , biomedical knowledge graphs , and precision medicine . His research integrates machine learning , gene regulatory network modeling , and multi-omics data analysis to address challenges in rare disease diagnostics , drug monitoring , and inflammatory disease mechanisms . Current work includes AI-driven biomedical translation and electrochemical biosensor development for non-invasive diagnostics . Recent publications highlight knowledge graph applications in translational biomedicine , causal network inference in clinical-environmental data integration , and cross-species cancer transcriptomics . His team develops tools like RTX-KG2 and PloverDB to standardize biomedical data sharing and semantic reasoning . Scientific Awards : 2019 Zoetis Award (Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine) 2016 NSF CAREER Award 2016 PhRMA New Investigator Award 2010 NIH K25 Mentored Quantitative Research Award Ramsey advises in computational biology courses (CS 446/546) and contributes to biomedical AI through projects like mediKanren for rare disease diagnostics . His NSF-funded research explores gene expression noise and regulatory network dynamics , while NIH and PhRMA grants support his translational medicine initiatives. He leads the Ramsey Laboratory , which develops graph-based reasoning tools for biomedical data translation and multi-omics integration . The lab's work spans comparative oncology models, electrochemical biosensors , and knowledge graph infrastructure for clinical decision support .

• Lipid Metabolism
• Cholesterol Homeostasis
• Cardiovascular Diseases
• +5 more

Francesca Zimetti is an Associate Professor at the Department of Food and Drug of the University of Parma, Italy. Her research focuses on lipid metabolism, cholesterol homeostasis, and their roles in cardiovascular diseases and Alzheimer's pathology. Current position: Associate Professor (BIO-14) since 2022 Previous roles: Research Assistant Professor (2018-2021), RTD-A (2013-2018), Post-doctoral researcher (2006-2007) Research interests include: HDL cholesterol efflux capacity as a cardiovascular risk indicator Lipid metabolism alterations in Alzheimer's disease PCSK9's role in neuroinflammation and cognitive function Pharmacological modulation of lipid pathways Scientific contributions include: Author of 54 peer-reviewed publications H-index: 22 (Scopus), 1830 total citations Key scientific awards: Multiple SIF and SISA awards for pharmacological research ISA and ATVB travel grants Young Investigator Poster Award (2006)

Pål RongvedView profile

Professor

• Medicinal Chemistry
• Drug Discovery and Design
• Antibiotic Resistance
• +10 more

Pål Rongved is a Professor in Medicinal Chemistry at the Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo , with a career spanning academia and industry. His research focuses on medicinal chemistry , antibiotic resistance , AML therapy , and metal-chelating drug design . Key affiliations: Director at Patias Innovation Ltd , Innovation Advisor roles (2003-2011), and EU COST network ZINC-NET (2012–present). Education: Dr. Philos. (2000), Cand.scient. in Organic Chemistry (1981), Master of Arts (1978), all from University of Oslo. His research interests integrate drug discovery , organic synthesis , and bioactive compound development across: Antibiotics (linked to the ZinChel project) Antiviral agents targeting SARS-CoV AML therapies (acute myeloid leukemia) LXR receptor modulators for metabolic diseases Aquaporin regulation via zinc complexing agents Scientific contributions include zinc-chelating compounds to reverse carbapenem resistance , cyclodextrin-based solubility enhancement for drugs, and oxysterol mimics for nuclear receptor modulation. Collaborations span Adjutec Pharma AS , CIME , and SYNPHASE .

Matthew C. GageView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Immunology
• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular Disease
• +3 more

Matthew C. Gage is a Senior Lecturer and Research Group Leader at the Royal Veterinary College, University of London, within the Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences. His research program investigates insulin's dual roles in glucose regulation and immune modulation, with implications for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Funded by the British Heart Foundation, Diabetes UK, and Society for Endocrinology, Gage's work bridges molecular mechanisms and therapeutic applications. Education includes: PhD in Biochemistry, University of Leeds (2006) BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences with Molecular Genetics, University of Warwick (2002) Research explores insulin's immunomodulatory functions in macrophages, nuclear receptor signaling (particularly LXRα phosphorylation), and metabolic inflammation. His group employs preclinical models to identify novel therapeutic targets for cardiometabolic disorders, emphasizing macrophage polarization, endothelial dysfunction, and tissue-specific insulin resistance. Publications primarily focus on immunometabolism, nuclear receptor biology, and vascular pathophysiology. Recent trends highlight macrophage-centric mechanisms in diabetes complications, fatty liver disease, and therapeutic interventions like SGLT2 inhibitors and statins. Awards and honors: BHF Researcher Engagement Award Finalist (2018) UCL Cardiovascular Symposium 1st Prize (2016) 3x Diabetes UK Young Investigator Finalist (2009, 2011, 2014) Gage leads the Cardiovascular and Renal Biology research group, supervises PhD candidates, and serves as Year 3 Leader for Biosciences. He coordinates public engagement through school outreach, patient talks, and institutional fundraising initiatives.

Meritxell NusView profile

Research Fellow

• Atherosclerosis
• Immunology
• Cardiovascular Disease
• +4 more

Dr Meritxell Nus is a British Heart Foundation Intermediate Research Fellow and Associate Principal Investigator at the Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart & Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge. Her work bridges immunology, cardiovascular disease, and microbiome research with a focus on atherosclerosis mechanisms. Her educational background includes a PhD from Universidad Complutense de Madrid on functional food and oxidative stress in atherosclerosis, followed by postdoctoral training at Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC) where she developed the first mouse model of aortic calcific stenosis. She later joined Prof. Ziad Mallat's lab at Cambridge to investigate diet-immune interactions in cardiovascular disease. Dr Nus pioneered the discovery that Marginal Zone B cells protect against atherosclerosis through regulation of T follicular helper cells. Her current research examines how diet and gut microbiota modulate this B-T cell axis, with emphasis on metabolic pathways driving T follicular helper cell function. This work integrates advanced models of immune cell interactions, microbiome manipulation, and high-fat diet challenges. Analysis of her recent publications reveals consistent focus on lymphocyte interactions in atherosclerosis, with increasing incorporation of advanced imaging techniques (PET/MRI), neural network diagnostics, and microbiome-targeted interventions. Key themes include B-T cell crosstalk, cytokine signaling (IL-2, IL-21), and translational applications of immunomodulation. BHF Intermediate Research Fellowship BHF Project Grant (FS/20/23/34784): Metabolic pathways to Tfh differentiation BHF Project Grant (PG/22/10898): Targeting gut microbiota-adaptive immune axis LeDucq Foundation Mini Grant (20CVD03) Spanish Royal Academy of Doctors Prize National Academy of Pharmacy Prize Dr Nus leads multiple active grants totaling significant research funding. Her collaborative network includes Prof. Ziad Mallat (Cambridge), Prof. Christoph Reinhardt (Mainz), Dr Jason Tarkin (Cambridge), Dr Michelle Linterman (Babraham), and Dr Helle Jorgensen (Cambridge). Current projects investigate metabolic drivers of T follicular helper cells and gut microbiota modulation as therapeutic strategies for atherosclerosis. Her research group operates within the Cardiovascular Health division of the Dahdaleh Institute, utilizing advanced models of atherosclerosis, immune cell profiling, and microbiome analysis. Future work focuses on translating mechanistic insights into clinical applications for cardiovascular disease prevention.

• Pediatric Dentistry
• Osteoclast Biology
• Periodontal Disease
• +4 more

Ping Zhang is a Professor of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Dentistry since 2004, with additional appointments as Senior Scientist in UAB's School of Medicine departments including Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, and Center for Clinical and Translational Science. Their research bridges dental science and systemic health through immunological mechanisms, focusing on osteoclast biology , periodontal disease , and innovative vaccine adjuvants . Zhang holds concurrent roles in the Civitan International Research Center and Comprehensive Arthritis Center. Ph.D. in Oral Biology (1997) and DDS (1992) from Hubei University of Medicine Board-certified pediatric dentist with NIH-funded research Research highlights include: Defining RANK/IVVY motif's role in Porphyromonas gingivalis -induced bone loss Developing structurally-defined saponin adjuvants from Momordica cochinchinensis Elucidating age-related immunological changes in bone metabolism Discovering oral-gut translocation of periodontal pathogens in metabolic disorders Recent publications emphasize calcium silicate cements for pulp therapy, chromatin regulation in osteoclasts, and microRNA-based therapies for dental inflammation. Ping Zhang serves on multiple graduate committees and teaches courses on oral microbiology and pediatric dentistry research . They have received extramural funding from NIH (NIDCR, NIAID, NIGMS) and industry partners for vaccine adjuvant development and periodontal disease mechanisms.

Verena M. DirschView profile

Professor

• Natural Products
• Molecular Pharmacology
• Drug Discovery
• +4 more

Verena M. Dirsch serves as Professor and Deputy Head of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Vienna, where she leads research in molecular pharmacology of natural products. As Principal Investigator in the Vienna Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences (VDS PhaNuSpo), she supervises doctoral candidates and teaches advanced courses including Basics of Drug Discovery and Experimental Methods in Drug Discovery . Her research centers on elucidating cellular mechanisms of natural products for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, with nuclear receptors (ROR, LXR, RXR, PPAR) and transcription factors as primary targets. Using endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle models, and macrophage systems, her lab investigates nitric oxide regulation, cell proliferation, and cholesterol efflux pathways. This integrates pharmacognosy with modern drug discovery to develop nature-derived therapeutics. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2021-2025) reveals a dominant focus on nuclear receptor modulation by natural compounds. Key trends include identification of lupane triterpenoids and diosgenin as ROR inverse agonists, limonoids as LXR activators, and leoligin derivatives as NF-κB inhibitors. Research combines metabolomics, molecular modeling, and functional assays to link chemical structures to biological activity in metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis. Professor Dirsch actively mentors PhD students Lorenza Bertaina, Christine Coffey, and Patricia Haiss. Her research is supported by grants including Der RXR-Ligand LRK071 (2022-2025), TMC-VASC (2012-2014), and Drugs from Nature Targeting Inflammation (2008-2011), demonstrating sustained funding in natural product pharmacology. Her laboratory collaborates with phytochemistry and ethnopharmacology groups to identify bioactive compounds, using cell-based screening and in silico tools. Current projects target vascular protection through nuclear receptor modulation, with ongoing work extending through 2028 including international conference presentations on ROR pharmacology.

Ya ChenView profile

Researcher

• Virtual Screening
• Drug Discovery
• Cheminformatics
• +3 more

Ya Chen is affiliated with the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Faculty of Life Sciences. Their research focuses on computational approaches in drug discovery, including virtual screening, metabolic pathway analysis, and machine learning applications. Key areas include natural product-based drug design, receptor modulation, and enzyme inhibition mechanisms. Notable contributions involve developing predictive models for drug metabolism and exploring chemical spaces for therapeutic targets like the glucocorticoid receptor. Ya Chen has presented work at international conferences and contributed to interdisciplinary projects combining cheminformatics and biological systems. Research interests emphasize the intersection of artificial intelligence with pharmaceutical sciences, particularly in optimizing drug design workflows and understanding metabolic processes. Their work spans enzyme inhibition studies (e.g., CYP19A1, InsP3Kinase), nuclear receptor ligand discovery (RORγ, LXR), and the development of open-source tools for cheminformatics (e.g., Scikit-Mol). Collaborative efforts involve international teams and focus on advancing methodologies for natural product screening, site-of-metabolism prediction, and chemical library design. Ya Chen’s activities highlight a commitment to bridging computational techniques with experimental pharmacology to address challenges in drug development and toxicology.

Matthew RossView profile

Professor

• Immunology
• Toxicology
• Lipid Metabolism
• +4 more

Dr. Matthew Ross serves as a Professor in the Department of Basic Sciences at Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, where he also holds appointments in the Center for Environmental Health Sciences. His academic career spans over two decades at MSU, progressing from Assistant Professor (2004-2010) to Associate Professor (2010-2019) before achieving his current Professor rank in 2019. His educational background includes a Ph.D. in Molecular Toxicology from the University of California at Irvine (1998) and a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of California at Berkeley (1989). Postdoctoral training was completed at both the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (Curriculum in Toxicology) and the University of California, Irvine (Department of Community & Environmental Medicine). Ross leads the Ross Lab focused on fundamental interactions between serine hydrolases and lipid-sensing receptors (PPAR gamma, LXR alpha) in immune cells, particularly examining how oxidized lipids influence macrophage behavior in diseases like atherosclerosis and lung fibrosis. His research bridges immunology, toxicology, and lipid metabolism with emphasis on carboxylesterases' dual roles in xenobiotic and lipid processing. Recent publications reveal a strong trend toward cannabinoid receptor studies in immune cells, nanochannel drug delivery systems, and the immunoregulatory effects of organophosphates like chlorpyrifos. His 15 most recent articles (2020-2023) demonstrate consistent focus on macrophage immunometabolism, with 60% investigating cannabinoid systems, 40% examining serine hydrolase functions, and 30% analyzing organophosphate toxicity. Key recurring themes include lipid mediator catabolism, cytokine regulation, and sex-specific inflammatory responses. Ross maintains active research in the Center for Environmental Health Sciences, where his lab investigates the molecular crosstalk between carboxylesterase proteins and nuclear receptors in human macrophages. His work has significant implications for understanding lipid-driven inflammation in disease states and developing therapeutic interventions targeting these pathways.

Eduardo VillablancaView profile

Professor

• Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
• Mucosal Immunology
• Intestinal Homeostasis
• +4 more

Eduardo Villablanca is a Professor at the Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet. His research focuses on understanding the genetic, cellular, and environmental factors contributing to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) susceptibility, with a particular emphasis on intestinal immune homeostasis and mucosal healing. He leads the Villablanca Lab, which integrates immunology, bioinformatics, and experimental models (zebrafish and mice) to study IBD-associated genes and host-microbiota interactions. Education: B.S. in Science (1998), M.Sc. in Molecular Biotechnology (2004), Ph.D. in Immunology (2007) from University of Chile and Universita Vita-Salute, Milan. He completed postdoctoral training at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School before establishing his lab at Karolinska Institutet in 2014. Research interests include IBD pathogenesis, intestinal regeneration, and the role of oxysterols and nuclear receptors (e.g., LXR) in immune regulation. His lab has identified novel therapeutic targets, such as the LXR pathway, which promotes gut healing while inhibiting tumor growth. Key achievements include ERC Synergy Grant (2023), Wallenberg Academy Fellowship (2014), and over 100 publications. His work has led to patient stratification strategies (e.g., UC1/UC2 subtypes) and collaborations with leading institutions globally. The lab actively investigates host-microbiome interactions and spatial transcriptomics to map intestinal immune dynamics. Grants include Swedish Research Council, Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, and international funding. The lab hosts a diverse team of PhD students, postdocs, and collaborators, with ongoing projects on regenerative pathways and precision medicine for IBD. Laboratory activities include zebrafish modeling, spatial-omics technologies, and clinical sample analysis. The lab also explores environmental pollutants' effects on intestinal immunity and their link to IBD progression.

• Medical Epigenetics and Epigenomics
• Endocrinology and Diabetes
• Immunology in the medical area
• +3 more

Eckardt Treuter is a Professor at Karolinska Institutet, leading the research group 'Epigenetic mechanisms underlying metabolic-inflammatory diseases' in the Department of Medicine, Huddinge. His work focuses on understanding how epigenetic alterations drive metabolic and inflammatory diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, and fatty liver disease. He completed his PhD at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and conducted postdoctoral research at Karolinska Institutet, identifying nuclear receptor-associated proteins. Research interests include corepressor complexes (e.g., GPS2, HDAC3, NCOR/SMRT) and their roles in metabolic-inflammatory pathways. His team uses molecular biology, genomics, and genetically modified models to explore epigenetic reprogramming and therapeutic targeting strategies. Key projects involve studying GPS2's role in macrophage activation, atherosclerosis progression, and epigenetic memory between cell types. Recent work highlights GPS2's clinical relevance in systemic inflammation and diabetic risk in obese humans. Grants include funding from the Swedish Research Council and Novo Nordisk Foundation. Education: PhD in Molecular Biology (Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg), Postdoc at Karolinska Institutet Awards: Multiple grants for research on metabolic-inflammatory diseases Labs/Teams: Leads a multidisciplinary group with collaborations across clinical and basic science domains. Current students include PhD candidates Astradeni Efthymiadou, Sviatlana Sukhanava, and Yue Zhu.

Da YangView profile

Associate Professor

• Cancer Biology
• Pharmacogenomics
• Immunotherapy
• +3 more

Dr. Da Yang is an Associate Professor in the School of Pharmacy at the University of Pittsburgh. He is a leading researcher in pharmacogenomics and bioinformatics, focusing on cancer drug resistance, immunotherapy, and non-coding RNAs. His work integrates computational tools with experimental approaches to study cancer biology and drug metabolism. Dr. Yang has held roles as Principal Investigator on multiple NIH R01 grants and serves on prestigious review panels including the NIH Cancer Genetics Study Section and the American Cancer Society (ACS) RMC study section. Affiliations: School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh; NIH Cancer Genetics Study Section member; ACS RMC study section member. Research Interests: Drug resistance mechanisms, pharmacogenomic landscapes, lncRNA regulation in cancer, immunotherapy resistance, and epigenetic defects in ncRNAs. His research has led to over 100 publications in top journals like Cancer Cell , Nature Communications , and Science Advances . Notably, his 2018 paper in Cancer Cell was among the top 10 papers of that year. Dr. Yang's lab develops computational frameworks for CRISPR screens and drug response predictions, with a focus on translating findings into clinical applications. Grants & Awards: Three NIH R01 grants (totaling ~$6.8M), American Cancer Society Research Scholar Award, AACR Team Science Award. His work is funded through collaborations with institutions like MD Anderson Cancer Center and NCI.

• Liver Fibrosis
• Hepatocellular Carcinoma
• Inflammation
• +3 more

Professor Fiona Oakley is a leading academic at Newcastle University's Faculty of Medical Sciences, specializing in liver pathophysiology. Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms driving liver fibrosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and metabolic disorders, with emphasis on NF-κB signaling, cellular senescence, and epigenetic regulation. She employs preclinical models to develop therapeutic strategies targeting fibrosis progression and tumorigenesis. Her investigations span: Fibrosis pathogenesis via TGF-β, HDACs, and extracellular matrix dynamics Metabolic dysfunction in steatotic liver disease (MASLD) Senescence-mediated multi-organ dysfunction Immunological defenses against liver cancer (e.g., TREM-2) Recent publications (2023–2025) highlight innovations in 3D tumor modeling, spatial lipidomics, and necroptosis signaling. Her work consistently bridges basic science with translational applications, though specific grant/student details are undisclosed.

Iliya M LefterovView profile

Research Professor

• Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• Neuroscience
• +5 more

Iliya M Lefterov is a Research Professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the University of Pittsburgh. He holds dual degrees: MD in General Medicine from the Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria, and PhD in Molecular Biology & Genetics from the Medical Academy & Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. His research spans molecular techniques for prenatal diagnosis, positional cloning, and Medical Genetics education, with a primary focus on Alzheimer's disease mechanisms. Education : MD (Medical Academy, Sofia), PhD (Molecular Biology & Genetics, Sofia) His work investigates the interplay between APOE isoforms, TREM2, and microglial activation in Alzheimer's disease. Key areas include lipidomics, transcriptomics, and neuroinflammation. He has developed courses in Medical Genetics and contributed to understanding how nuclear receptors like LXR and RXR influence neurodegenerative processes. Recent publications highlight his expertise in gene-environment interactions, particularly analyzing how high-fat diets and traumatic brain injuries modulate Alzheimer's pathology in transgenic mouse models. His team employs advanced techniques such as RNA sequencing and gene co-expression networks to identify therapeutic targets. Scientific Awards : Fogarty International Foundation Research Grant He collaborates extensively with researchers like Radosveta Koldamova and Nicholas F. Fitz on grants related to neurodegeneration. His lab's findings on ABCA1 deficiency and RXR-controlled networks have advanced understanding of cognitive deficits and neuroprotective strategies.