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Juliane Nguyen, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She serves as Vice Chair and Director of Graduate Admissions in her department and holds an adjunct appointment as Professor of Biomedical Engineering. Dr. Nguyen is also a member of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, where she applies molecular engineering approaches to develop innovative therapeutic solutions. Dr. Nguyen's research focuses on molecular engineering to advance protein-based therapeutics, live biotherapeutics (including engineered probiotic yeast), and extracellular vesicles. Her lab develops cutting-edge technologies to treat diverse conditions including cancer, myocardial infarction, chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates molecular engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, and bioinformatics to create complex biologics with exceptional safety and efficacy profiles. Key research areas include developing therapeutics for cardiac repair, genetically encoded materials targeting tumor-associated macrophages, live biotherapeutics for inflammatory bowel diseases using engineered probiotic yeast, and auxetic patches for dynamic organ repair. Analysis of Dr. Nguyen's recent publications reveals a strong focus on translational research with significant contributions to cardiac repair technologies, cancer immunotherapy, inflammatory bowel disease treatments, and advanced biomaterials. Her work consistently bridges fundamental molecular engineering with clinical applications, particularly in the areas of targeted drug delivery, extracellular vesicle therapeutics, and engineered live biotherapeutics. The research demonstrates a clear trajectory toward developing clinically viable solutions for previously challenging medical conditions. Dr. Nguyen has received numerous prestigious awards and honors including the NSF CAREER Award (2018), Eshelman Innovation Award (2020), and recognition as a Fellow of the Controlled Release Society (2023). She was appointed as a Standing Member of the NIH Drug and Biologic Therapeutic Delivery Study Section (2023-2025) and serves as Executive Editor of Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews since 2021. Her Galenus Guest Professorship at ETH Zuerich (2024) and keynotes at major conferences highlight her international recognition in the field. As Director of Graduate Admissions and an active mentor, Dr. Nguyen has advised numerous PhD and Master's students who have co-authored significant publications with her. Her research is supported by competitive grants including the NSF CAREER Award and other NIH-funded projects. The Nguyen Lab maintains strong collaborations across disciplines, particularly with cardiology, oncology, and biomedical engineering researchers. She leads an interdisciplinary team focused on translating molecular engineering breakthroughs into clinically impactful therapies. The Nguyen Lab operates as a dynamic, interdisciplinary research environment combining expertise in molecular engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, and bioinformatics. The lab's mission is to revolutionize medicine by developing next-generation therapeutics that target diseases at the molecular level. Current projects focus on translating cutting-edge research into life-changing therapies for patients suffering from cancer, myocardial infarction, colitis, and other challenging conditions. The lab's innovative approach to biomolecular engineering positions it at the forefront of developing safe, effective, and personalized therapeutic solutions.

• Molecular Engineering
• Protein-based Therapeutics
• Live Biotherapeutics
• +7 more

Professor Vanni Bucci is a faculty member at the UMass Chan Medical School in the Department of Microbiology, with an adjunct appointment at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. His research focuses on host-microbiome interactions through computational biology, synthetic biology, and systems biology approaches. He received education at the University of Florence (BS Environmental Engineering) and Northeastern University (MS/PhD Civil Engineering), followed by postdoctoral work at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Current research spans microbiome engineering , immune modulation , and antimicrobial discovery , with recent publications on microcins, gut-brain axis dynamics, and tuberculosis microbiome interactions. Host-microbiome interactions Synthetic biology applications Computational modeling of microbiomes Antimicrobial peptide engineering His lab develops bioinformatic tools like MDITRE for microbiome prediction, while recent articles demonstrate expertise in Clostridioides difficile colonization resistance, Enterobacteriaceae inhibition, and Alzheimer's disease microbiome connections. Collaborations span institutions including Weill Cornell, NIH, and Gates Foundation. Scientific Awards & Funding NIH U01 grant ($2.9M) for intestinal barrier-targeted therapeutics Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation grant for microbiome intervention methods Department of Defense funding for ESBL-PE eradication

• Host-microbiome interactions
• Computational biology
• Synthetic biology
• +5 more

Dr. Jacques Ravel is a Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He serves as the Acting Director of the Institute for Genome Sciences and Director of the Center for Advanced Microbiome Research & Innovation (CAMRI). Additionally, he holds the position of Assistant Dean for Research Advancement at the School of Medicine. Dr. Ravel received his educational training through the following path: B.Sc. in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Nancy I, France (1990) M.Sc. in Microbiology from the University of Nancy I, France (1992) Ph.D. in Microbial Ecology from the University of Maryland at College Park (1994-1999), advised by Dr. Russell Hill Post-doctoral fellowship at The Johns Hopkins University Chemistry Department (1999-2002), working with Dr. Craig Townsend Dr. Ravel's research program focuses on applying modern genomics technologies and ecological principles to characterize the role and dynamics of microbial communities inhabiting the human body in health and disease. His work particularly emphasizes deciphering the role of the vaginal microbiome in women's health using clinical genomics and systems biology approaches. His laboratory investigates how the interactions between the host, microbes, and environment drive these ecological systems, with the goal of developing improved strategies to manage gynecological and obstetrics conditions. His research spans vaginal microbiome dynamics across menopause, preterm birth risk, and sexually transmitted infections. Dr. Ravel's extensive publication record (over 275 publications) reveals a strong focus on vaginal microbiome research, with particular attention to bacterial vaginosis, sexually transmitted infections, and women's health across different life stages. His work spans methodological development for microbiome analysis, clinical studies of microbiome-host interactions, and translational research aimed at developing microbiome-based interventions. Dr. Ravel has received significant recognition for his work: Elected to the American Academy of Microbiology in 2012 Awarded the Blaise Pascal International Research Chair in 2015 Editor in Chief of the journal Microbiome Associate Editor for the journal mBio As a principal investigator and co-investigator, Dr. Ravel leads multiple NIH-funded research projects. His current grants span topics including vaginal microbiome dynamics across menopause, preterm birth risk among Black women, development of 3D biomimetic models of the cervicovaginal tract for studying STIs, and interactions between vaginal microbiota and Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Through these projects, he mentors numerous graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty. His co-Directorship of the NIH funded Collaborative Research Center on Sexually Transmitted Diseases (SIM-STI) demonstrates his leadership in developing innovative biomimetic models of the lower reproductive tract. Dr. Ravel directs the Center for Advanced Microbiome Research & Innovation (CAMRI) and co-directs the NIH-funded Collaborative Research Center on Sexually Transmitted Diseases (SIM-STI). His laboratory (www.ravel-lab.org) brings together microbiologists, genomicists, computational biologists, and clinicians to advance our understanding of the human microbiome and its implications for health and disease. He is also leading the Vaginal Microbiome Research Consortium for Africa, a multicentre prospective clinical study evaluating temporal vaginal microbial composition associated with reproductive health outcomes.

• Vaginal Microbiome
• Human Microbiome
• Genomics
• +5 more

Bing Ma is an Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, affiliated with both the Institute for Genome Sciences and the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. As a computational biologist, Dr. Ma specializes in integrating advanced 'omics' technologies to study host-microbe ecosystems. Education: PhD in Computational Biology from University of Wisconsin-Madison Postdoctoral Training: Laboratory of Dr. Jacques Ravel Research focuses on Microbiome analysis using Multi-‘Omics approaches, with particular emphasis on: Microbe-Host Interactions Biomarker discovery Live biotherapeutics development Systems Biology applications GI Health research Recent publications highlight trends in Metagenomics , Metatranscriptomics , and Metabolomics applied to vaginal microbiota characterization and preterm infant gut development.

• Multi-‘Omics
• Big data
• Genomics
• +12 more

Anke Hemmerling, MD, PhD, MPH is an Associate Adjunct Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and serves as the Director of the Interdisciplinary MPH Program in the UC Berkeley School of Public Health. With a strong background in medicine, medical sciences, and public health, she bridges clinical practice, research, and education with a focus on global women's health. Dr. Hemmerling received her MD and PhD from Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany, and her MPH from the University of California, Berkeley. During her clinical training, she gained extensive experience working in health projects and hospitals in Latin America, which shaped her commitment to addressing global health disparities. Her research spans several interconnected areas of women's health, with a particular emphasis on preventing sexually transmitted infections, developing novel microbicides and live biotherapeutic products for HIV/STI prevention, understanding fertility choices, and promoting safe motherhood. She has made significant contributions to the field of vaginal microbiome research, particularly in developing LACTIN-V (Lactobacillus crispatus CTV-05) as a biotherapeutic for preventing bacterial vaginosis recurrence and HIV acquisition. Dr. Hemmerling has been actively involved in numerous clinical trials, including serving as protocol co-Chair for the NIH-sponsored multi-site phase 2B study for the prevention of bacterial vaginosis using LACTIN-V. Her work demonstrates a strong commitment to translating basic science discoveries into practical interventions that can improve women's health outcomes globally. She serves as a senior technical adviser for the Initiative for Multipurpose Prevention Technologies for Reproductive Health (IMPT) and participates in data safety monitoring boards for federally funded clinical studies. Additionally, she contributes to the Education Committee at the UCGHI Center of Expertise in Women's Health, Gender and Empowerment. Dr. Hemmerling is actively engaged in mentoring and teaching medical students, undergraduates, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows across both UCSF and UC Berkeley. Her approach integrates clinical research with public health practice, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in global education and capacity building.

• Prevention of sexually transmitted infections
• Drug development of microbicides and live biotherapeutic products
• Fertility Choices
• +3 more

Jeremy Schreier is a Research Fellow in Geobiology at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), affiliated with the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences. His research focuses on microbial interactions, marine microbiology, and biotechnological applications in live biotherapeutic testing. Key areas of investigation include bacterial community dynamics, chemotaxis, and the ecological roles of marine microorganisms in hydrothermal vent ecosystems and ocean biogeochemistry. Research Interests: Geobiology and microbial ecology Marine microbial interactions and community assembly Development of phage-based tools for biotechnology Ocean biogeochemical cycles, particularly labile organic matter dynamics His recent work explores how bacterial populations respond to environmental stimuli and metabolites from marine organisms, with implications for understanding ecosystem function and developing novel diagnostic methods for live biotherapeutics. He has contributed to studies on hydrothermal vent ecology and the application of fitness assays to model microbial interactions in ocean hotspots. Labs/Teams: Based in the North Mudd Lab at Caltech, his research integrates field studies with laboratory experiments to address fundamental questions in microbial ecology and biotechnology.

• Geobiology
• Microbial Ecology
• Marine Microbiology
• +3 more

Aaron J. Krych, M.D., is a Professor of Orthopedics and Chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He holds a joint appointment in the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine and is deeply involved in orthopedic research, education, and clinical leadership. Primary Appointment: Consultant, Department of Orthopedic Surgery Joint Appointment: Consultant, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine Administrative Role: Chair, Department of Orthopedic Surgery Academic Rank: Professor of Orthopedics Institution: Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science Dr. Krych completed his medical degree at Mayo Medical School, followed by residency in Orthopedic Surgery at Mayo Clinic and a fellowship in Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery at Hospital for Special Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College. His research focuses on biological joint preservation of the knee and hip, with emphasis on cartilage restoration, meniscus repair and transplantation, ACL injuries, and femoroacetabular impingement. He is pioneering work in stem cell therapies, living donor allograft programs, and single-stage cell-based cartilage repair. His team uses quantitative MRI to study cartilage damage and bone bruises post-ACL injury and is conducting FDA phase I trials in regenerative medicine. Dr. Krych's recent publications highlight trends in meniscus pathology, cartilage injury management, arthrofibrosis, and tendinopathy, reflecting his expertise in sports medicine and joint preservation. His work spans surgical innovation, biomechanics, and regenerative approaches to prevent osteoarthritis. Cum Laude Research Award, International Cartilage Regeneration and Joint Preservation Society, 2018 Research Award, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, 2017 Patellofemoral Research Excellence Award, ISAKOS, 2017 John and Posy Krehbiel Professor of Orthopedics, 2023–present AOSSM 2023 Master Award for Innovation ISAKOS Research Grant Winner for Translational Research, 2021–2023 Top Doctors in Minnesota, Minnesota Monthly, multiple years Dr. Krych mentors numerous trainees, including residents and fellows, and leads major research initiatives such as the ANCHOR study group and the MERCuRE Study Group. He has secured significant grant funding, including from Regenerative Medicine Minnesota and the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. His leadership extends to national and international societies, where he chairs committees and serves on editorial boards. He is actively involved in the Center for Regenerative Biotherapeutics and the Sports Medicine Research program at Mayo Clinic. His laboratory collaborates with the Human Cellular Therapy Laboratory, advancing clinical trials in stem cell applications for joint preservation. He also directs the Orthopedic Sports Medicine Fellowship and Research Fellowship programs.

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Cartilage Regeneration
• +7 more

Dr. Gayatri Vedantam is a Professor in the School of Animal & Comparative Biomedical Sciences at the University of Arizona and holds a Research Career Scientist appointment with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Her research program is federally funded and spans both institutions, focusing on bacterial pathogenesis, clinical microbiology, and healthcare-associated infections. She has led significant work on Clostridioides difficile , particularly in understanding virulence mechanisms and developing non-antibiotic interventions. Dr. Vedantam earned her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she studied chromosomally mediated sulfonamide resistance in Escherichia coli . Since then, she has held continuous research and academic appointments, including at Loyola University Medical Center, Hines VA Hospital, and the University of Arizona, where she has been since 2009. Her research interests include bacterial pathogenesis, antibiotic resistance, microbial virulence factors, host-pathogen interactions, and the development of synthetic biologics for infection prevention. She has made significant contributions to understanding C. difficile surface proteins, toxin regulation, sporulation, and colonization mechanisms. Her work has led to the development of engineered lactic acid bacteria that block pathogen adherence, currently undergoing pre-clinical evaluation. Her 15 most recent publications reflect a strong focus on C. difficile biology, including virulence regulation, surface glycopolymers, diagnostic challenges, and therapeutic strategies. They also extend to related pathogens like enteropathogenic E. coli and the role of microbiota in inflammatory diseases, demonstrating a broad yet cohesive research trajectory in microbial pathogenesis and host defense. Dr. Vedantam has received numerous honors, including: Research Career Scientist, US Department of Veterans Affairs (2017) CALS Research Faculty of the Year (2018) Vernon and Virginia Furrow Award for Basic Medical Sciences Teaching (2023) Women of Impact Award, University of Arizona (2023) American Society for Microbiology Woman-in-Science Award President, American Society for Microbiology Southwestern Regional Chapter (2013) She is deeply committed to mentoring, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses such as Molecular Microbiology and Dissertation Research, and advising numerous students at the graduate level. She also serves on editorial boards of international journals and contributes to discussions on academic ethics and governance. Dr. Vedantam leads active laboratories at both the University of Arizona and the Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System, where her teams investigate microbial pathogenesis and develop novel anti-infective strategies. Her work bridges basic science and translational applications, aiming to reduce the burden of healthcare-associated infections through innovative, non-antibiotic solutions.

• Bacterial pathogenesis
• Clinical microbiology
• Antibiotic resistance
• +7 more

Pablo Cárdenas Ramírez is an incoming Assistant Professor in the R.F. Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Cornell University, commencing summer 2026. A Colombian native from Bogotá, he earned his B.Sc. in Microbiology from Universidad de los Andes (2018) and Ph.D. in Biological Engineering from MIT (2024). Currently, he conducts postdoctoral research on influenza immunity and evolution at the Ragon Institute and Harvard Medical School. His academic credentials include: B.Sc. Microbiology, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia (2018) Ph.D. Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA (2024) Dr. Cárdenas Ramírez pioneers multiscale evolutionary engineering through his upcoming Multiscale Evolutionary Engineering Lab (mseelab.org). His research integrates synthetic biology and computational modeling to quantitatively engineer evolutionary processes from molecular to population levels. Key methodologies involve orthogonal transcriptional control systems, CRISPR-based pathogen manipulation, and machine learning-enhanced simulations to predict evolutionary trajectories. Applications span immunoengineering for infectious diseases and cancer, microbiome therapeutics for human health and agriculture, and synthetic cell factories for industrial biotechnology, emphasizing predictive uncertainty quantification in evolutionary design. His publication record demonstrates a cohesive interdisciplinary trajectory merging synthetic biology, computational epidemiology, and pathogen engineering. Dominant themes include CRISPR-Cas applications for microbiome modulation and infectious disease treatment, malaria parasite manipulation via orthogonal gene regulation, and big data-driven pandemic response modeling. The work consistently bridges high-precision wet-lab experimentation with advanced computational frameworks, reflecting a systems-level approach to evolutionary bioengineering challenges. No scientific awards were documented in the source materials. Committed to pedagogical excellence, Dr. Cárdenas Ramírez developed mentorship resources as an MIT Teaching Development Fellow and earned a Teaching Certificate through the Teaching and Learning Lab. His five-year service in MIT's REFS program as a peer counselor and conflict coach underscores his dedication to inclusive academic communities. While specific grants remain unspecified, his research has been supported by institutions including MIT, the Ragon Institute, and Harvard Medical School, with future work anticipated through Cornell University mechanisms. The Multiscale Evolutionary Engineering Lab will establish cutting-edge capabilities in evolutionary prediction and engineering, featuring synthetic biology platforms for pathogen manipulation, computational frameworks integrating mechanistic simulations with machine learning, and translational pipelines for therapeutic development across infectious disease, oncology, and microbiome applications.

• Bioengineering
• Evolution
• Systems and Synthetic Biology
• +2 more

Tessa Andermann, MD, MPH is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. She is a physician-scientist specializing in translational approaches to understand microbially-related complications of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) and cellular immunotherapy. Her research focuses on gut microbiome interactions, particularly host-microbiome mechanisms underlying infections and graft-versus-host disease in cancer patients. She employs advanced sequencing and bioinformatic technologies to investigate these relationships, with recent work examining secondary bile acids in myeloma supported by a CGIBD Pilot/Feasibility Award. Prior to joining UNC in 2019, she developed expertise in gut microbiome research at Stanford under Ami Bhatt. Her publication record shows a strong focus on microbiome dynamics in transplant settings, antimicrobial resistance, and novel therapeutic interventions. Recent work includes clinical trials of probiotics for COVID-19 exposure and studies on CD30 CAR-T cell therapy complications. Her research bridges clinical infectious diseases with cutting-edge microbiome science. Scientific Recognition: Pilot and Feasibility Award 2022 from the Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease (CGIBD) Dr. Andermann maintains active collaborations with multidisciplinary mentors including Anthony Fodor and Casey Theriot at CGIBD, as well as experts in microbiology, hematology, oncology, and bioinformatics. She has contributed significantly to Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network publications and serves as a key investigator in several clinical trials examining microbiome interventions in immunocompromised hosts. Her laboratory work focuses on biorepository development and clinical trial design for microbiome-based interventions, with particular emphasis on translating basic science discoveries into clinical applications for transplant patients.

• Gut Microbiome
• Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
• Cellular Immunotherapy
• +4 more

Joshua Kritzer is a Professor of Chemistry at Tufts University's School of Arts and Sciences. He is also a member of the Graduate Biomedical Sciences programs in Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Molecular and Cellular Biology. His research focuses on developing bioactive molecules to target protein surfaces using peptides and peptidomimetics, addressing challenges in cancer, inflammation, and autoimmune diseases. Kritzer's work combines organic synthesis, biophysical chemistry, and molecular biology to design molecules that modulate cellular processes like autophagy. Education: BE in Chemical Engineering, Cooper Union (2000) PhD in Biophysical Chemistry, Yale University (2005) Postdoctoral Training: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research (2005–2009) Research Interests: Bioorganic Chemistry, Biophysical Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Peptide Design, Autophagy Modulation, and Cell Penetration Mechanisms. Awards: Finalist, Professor of the Year (Tufts University, 2018, 2019) Teaching with Technology Award (2017) Faculty Excellence Award (2015, 2016) Grants & Funding: Multiple NIH grants for projects on autophagy modulators, cyclic peptide design, and cell penetration profiling. Recent grants include awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation. Teaching: Teaches undergraduate Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, and a graduate Chemical Biology course emphasizing primary literature and systemic bias in academia. Redesigned Organic Chemistry curriculum for pre-health students in 2013. Labs & Teams: Leads the Kritzer Lab at Tufts, focusing on discovering molecules to solve biomedical problems. Collaborates with researchers in genetics, molecular biology, and computational design. Current team includes postdocs, graduate students (e.g., Imani McDonald, Benjamin Goldberg), and undergraduates (e.g., Nick Cardi).

• Bioorganic Chemistry
• Biophysical Chemistry
• Chemical Biology
• +7 more

Nira Pollock is an Associate Professor of Pathology and Medicine at Harvard Medical School (HMS) and Co-Director of the Infectious Diseases Diagnostic Laboratory (IDDL) at Boston Children’s Hospital. She also serves as a faculty member in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC). Since 2023, she has worked part-time as a Senior Scientific Advisor for the NIH/NIBIB, focusing on diagnostic development strategy and pandemic preparedness. Dr. Pollock completed her MD/PhD at the University of California, San Francisco; medical residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital; and infectious diseases/clinical microbiology fellowships at BIDMC. Her research expertise spans the development and evaluation of novel diagnostics for infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, C. difficile, influenza, malaria, Ebola, and SARS-CoV-2. She has contributed to technologies like microfluidic platforms, paper-based assays, and CRISPR-based diagnostics. Key areas of focus include point-of-care testing, outbreak response, and global health applications. Dr. Pollock’s awards include membership in the American Society of Clinical Investigation and fellowship in the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). Her work emphasizes translating diagnostics from laboratory to clinical implementation, with an emphasis on accessibility and scalability.

• Infectious Disease Diagnostics
• Clinical Microbiology
• Public Health
• +3 more

Anke Hemmerling is a faculty member at the School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley, where she serves as Director of the Interdisciplinary MPH Program. She is also a project director at the UCSF Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health and holds affiliations with the UCSF Global Health Sciences Masters Program. Her work bridges clinical medicine and public health with a focus on global women’s health and infectious diseases. Research Interests: Dr. Hemmerling's research integrates clinical and public health approaches to address critical issues in sexual and reproductive health. Her work focuses on HIV/AIDS and STI prevention, safe motherhood, family planning, infertility, and the development of multipurpose prevention technologies. She has conducted significant research on medication abortion using mifepristone, misoprostol for postpartum hemorrhage in low-resource settings, and the use of live biotherapeutic products like lactobacilli to prevent genital infections. Scientific Awards and Recognition: UCB Bixby Fellow of Population, Family Planning and International Health Advising and Grants: Dr. Hemmerling mentors medical students, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and undergraduate public health majors through programs such as the UCSF Infectious Disease Research and Training Program (IDRTP), the UCSF Global Health Masters Program, and the UCB Interdisciplinary MPH Program. She leads research projects funded by major institutions, including NIH-sponsored clinical trials, and serves on safety and monitoring boards for these studies. Labs and Teams: She is a key member of the UCSF Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, where she leads studies on live biotherapeutic products for HIV and genital infection prevention in the U.S. and South Africa. She also contributes to the UC Global Health Institute Center of Expertise in Women’s Health and Empowerment as a member of its Education Committee. Additionally, she serves as a senior scientific advisor and steering committee member for the Coalition Advancing Multipurpose Innovations (CAMI) and on the Population Council Microbicide Advisory Board.

• Global Women's Health
• Sexually Transmitted Infections
• HIV/AIDS Prevention
• +12 more

Tal Danino is an Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Columbia Engineering, Columbia University, where he directs the Synthetic Biological Systems Laboratory. His research focuses on programming microbes for cancer therapy through synthetic biology, emphasizing gene circuit engineering, tumor targeting, and biosensor applications. He is affiliated with the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center and Data Science Institute. PhD in Bioengineering from UCSD Postdoctoral fellowship at MIT's Koch Institute His work integrates synthetic biology with cancer therapeutics, using bacterial gene circuits to create living medicines. Recent projects include designing biosensors for tumor microenvironments and developing programmable bacterial delivery systems. His research spans microfluidics, immune modulation, and spatial microbial patterning. Scientific awards include the NSF CAREER Award, DoD Era of Hope Scholar Award, CRI Lloyd J Old STAR Award, Pershing Square-Sohn Prize, and TED Fellowship. His laboratory develops microbial therapies for cancer and investigates gene network dynamics in bacteria.

• Synthetic Biology
• Engineering Gene Circuits in Microbes
• Cancer Therapeutics and Diagnostics
• +3 more

Margie Ackerman is a Professor of Engineering at the Thayer School of Engineering , Dartmouth College, leading the Biological & Chemical Engineering program area and serving as Technical Associate Director of the Center for Precision Health and Artificial Intelligence (CPHAI). Her research focuses on protein engineering , biotherapeutics , and vaccine technology , with an emphasis on quantitative analysis of antibody responses to infections and vaccines. She has mentored numerous PhD and undergraduate students, including Andrew Hederman, Austin Boesch, and Jenn Lai. Her research projects include developing high-throughput tools for evaluating humoral immunity, engineering antibodies for HIV and SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, and applying computational modeling to immunogenicity prediction. Recent publications highlight collaborations on maternal-fetal immunity , complement-mediated antibody functions , and CAR T cell engineering , with keywords spanning immunology, biomedical engineering, and computational biology. The Ackerman Lab actively recruits researchers and has contributed to studies on HIV, poliovirus, and influenza vaccines, as well as antibody effector functions in transplant rejection and liver disease.

• Protein Engineering
• Biotherapeutics
• Vaccine Technology
• +4 more