Find Academic Supervisors

Joseph M. RutkowskiView profile

Associate Professor

• Lymphatic Vessel Biology
• Lymphangiogenesis
• Inflammation and Immunity
• +7 more

Dr. Joseph M. Rutkowski is an Associate Professor of Medical Physiology and Director of the Division of Lymphatic Biology at Texas A&M University's School of Medicine. His research focuses on lymphatic vessel biology and physiology, particularly in relation to cardiorenal disease, lymphedema, and metabolic disorders. He holds a PhD in Bioengineering and Biotechnology from EPFL (Switzerland) and has conducted postdoctoral work at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Rutkowski’s lab employs advanced techniques including transgenic mouse models, single-cell RNA sequencing, and tissue engineering to study lymphatic dysfunction in disease contexts. His work spans renal physiology, metabolic pathways, and inflammatory mechanisms. Collaborative projects address renal and pulmonary health, with a focus on therapeutic interventions involving lymphatic regeneration. Education: Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering, Penn State University (2001) Master’s in Chemical Engineering, Northwestern University (2003) PhD in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, EPFL, Switzerland (2008) Postdoctoral Fellowship, UT Southwestern Medical Center (2012) Research Interests: Renal lymphatic physiology, metabolic disease, and the role of lymphatic dysfunction in cardiorenal pathologies. Current projects investigate lymphatic contributions to kidney disease progression, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome using genetically engineered models and in vitro systems. Dr. Rutkowski’s team also explores therapeutic strategies to modulate lymphatic function, such as nanoparticle-based lymphangiogenesis induction. Lab Activities: Lymphatic Biology Division at Texas A&M Focus on transgenic mouse models, single-cell sequencing, and metabolomics

• Haematology
• Thrombosis
• Haemostasis
• +7 more

Murray Adams is an Associate Professor in Haematology at the School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University. His work bridges cardiovascular medicine, haematology, and cell biology with a focus on thrombosis and haemostasis. BSc in Medical Science, Curtin University (1992) BSc (Honours) in Medical Science, Curtin University (1993) PhD in Biomedical Science, Curtin University (1999) Research interests center on platelet interactions in antiphospholipid syndrome, thrombosis, and haemostasis. Projects explore how travel, exercise, and blood flow restriction training influence blood coagulation, with a focus on tissue factor pathway abnormalities and biomarker discovery. Key article themes include platelet biology, thrombosis mechanisms, and exercise-induced hemostatic changes. His work spans clinical studies (e.g., compression socks in athletes), molecular investigations (e.g., TRPV1 channels), and autoimmune disease research. Current affiliations include Murdoch University and the Australasian Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. He has received grants such as the Clifford Craig Medical Trust Grants (2007) and Lupus research funding ($10,000, 2007).

• Fibrosis
• Liver
• Liver Cirrhosis
• +2 more

Jain Jeong is an Associate Research Scientist at Yale School of Medicine with primary appointments in the Department of Internal Medicine and Digestive Diseases. They lead significant research efforts within the Iwakiri Lab, focusing on liver pathophysiology with particular emphasis on lymphatic systems and metabolic disorders. Dr. Jeong earned their PhD from Kyungpook National University in 2018, establishing a strong foundation in biomedical research that has led to significant contributions in hepatology. Their educational background provided the necessary expertise to investigate complex liver diseases using advanced molecular and imaging techniques. Dr. Jeong's research program centers on liver lymphatic systems and their critical role in various liver pathologies. Their work spans several interconnected areas including liver fibrosis mechanisms, lymphatic vessel architecture, metabolic liver diseases, and neural regulation of hepatic lymphangiogenesis. They have pioneered advanced visualization techniques for studying lymphatic structures and applied single-cell transcriptomics to understand zone-specific alterations in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. Their research bridges multiple disciplines including hepatology, vascular biology, neuroscience, and metabolic medicine, with particular focus on the brain-liver axis in conditions like hepatic encephalopathy. Dr. Jeong's publication record demonstrates a clear progression in understanding liver lymphatic systems, with recent work focusing on interleukin-7-based identification of liver lymphatic endothelial cells, sympathetic nervous system regulation of hepatic lymphangiogenesis, and lymphatic dysfunction as a therapeutic target in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Their research consistently addresses fundamental questions about liver pathophysiology while maintaining strong translational potential for developing novel therapeutic approaches. Early Career Investigator Award in Basic Science from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD, 2023) Dr. Jeong collaborates extensively with Dr. Yasuko Iwakiri (lab director), Dr. Matthew McConnell, Dr. Yilin Yang, and Dr. Xuchen Zhang. Their research is supported by grants focused on liver diseases, lymphatic system functions, and metabolic disorders, contributing significantly to Yale's leadership in digestive diseases research. They participate in multidisciplinary research initiatives that bridge basic science and clinical applications through the Yale Liver Center. As a key member of the Iwakiri Lab, Dr. Jeong contributes to Yale's Digestive Diseases Research Core, working with a multidisciplinary team to advance understanding of liver pathophysiology. Their work is integral to developing novel therapeutic approaches for liver diseases and has positioned Yale as a leader in lymphatic system research related to liver pathology. Current research directions include further exploration of lymphatic system roles in metabolic liver diseases and development of biomarkers for early detection of liver fibrosis progression.

Emma GordonView profile

Academic

• Vascular Biology
• Cell Adhesion
• Signal Transduction
• +5 more

Dr Emma Gordon is an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB), University of Queensland, and Group Leader of the Vessel Dynamics Laboratory. She holds an affiliation with the Centre for Cell Biology of Chronic Disease. Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms governing vascular systems, particularly cell adhesion signaling in endothelial cells and its role in diseases like cancer, diabetic retinopathy, and stroke. Dr Gordon earned her BSc (2005) and PhD (2011) from the University of Adelaide, followed by postdoctoral work at Yale University and Uppsala University. Her research interests include vascular biology, cell adhesion dynamics, and mechanotransduction. She investigates how deregulated molecular signals contribute to vascular dysfunction, aiming to develop therapies for diseases such as cancer metastasis and vascular eye disorders. Key funding includes the ARC DECRA Fellowship (2017–2020) and the National Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellowship (2021–2024). Scientific awards include the ARC DECRA Fellowship and NHMRC Project Grant. Her work spans over 27 peer-reviewed articles, with recent studies exploring c-Src signaling in vascular malformations, SARS-CoV-2 mechanisms, and endothelial cell polarity under shear stress. Dr Gordon supervises PhD and Master's students in vascular biology and mechanobiology. Her lab, Vessel Dynamics Laboratory, focuses on translational research to improve treatments for vascular dysfunction and enable bioengineered organ development. Collaborations include projects on lymphatic maturation, atherosclerosis, and zebrafish models of tumor vasculature.

• Stem Cell Biology
• Tissue Engineering
• Pediatric Surgery
• +5 more

Prof. Paolo De Coppi is the Nuffield Chair and NIHR Professor of Paediatric Surgery at University College London (UCL), affiliated with the Great Ormond Street Hospital. He leads the Surgery Unit, Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine Section within the Developmental Biology & Cancer Programme. His roles include President-Elect of the European Pediatric Surgical Association (EUPSA) and Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences. With expertise in congenital anomalies and regenerative medicine, his research focuses on stem cell therapies, organoids, and tissue engineering, including pioneering work with amniotic fluid stem cells and bioengineered organs like the trachea. Education: MD (1997), Medical Registrar (2002), PhD (2006) from the University of Padua, followed by training at Boston Children’s Hospital and Amsterdam’s Academic Medical Center. Research Interests: Development of fetal therapies, tissue-engineered organs (esophagus, trachea), organoid models for congenital defects (e.g., neural tube defects, Hirschsprung disease), and translational applications of stem cells. His work bridges basic science and clinical practice, emphasizing congenital anomaly repair and regenerative strategies. Publications & Impact: Over 350 peer-reviewed articles (h-index 65), including high-impact journals like Nature and The Lancet. Key contributions include first human trachea transplantation (2010) and novel organoid derivation methods from fetal fluids. He has secured £30M+ in grants and advises major journals like Stem Cell Translational Medicine . Awards: TIME 100 Health (2024) for stem cell innovation; first pediatric surgeon elected to the Academy of Medical Sciences (2020). Advising & Grants: Supervised 35+ PhD/research fellows. Leads multidisciplinary teams in fetal surgery (e.g., spina bifida repair models) and collaborates globally through networks like ERNICA. Labs/Teams: Head of UCL’s Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine Section. Active in translational projects like decellularized organ repopulation and bioengineered tissues.

Walter Lee MurfeeView profile

Professor

• Cell dynamics
• Microcirculation
• Angiogenesis
• +4 more

Walter Lee Murfee is a Professor and Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies in the J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Florida’s Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering. His research focuses on microvascular dynamics, integrating in vivo, in vitro, and computational approaches to study angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and neurogenesis. Dr. Murfee leads the Microvascular Dynamics Laboratory and has pioneered ex vivo models to investigate tumor microenvironment interactions and vascular regeneration. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from MIT (1999) and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Virginia (2005). Education: B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1999 Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, 2005 His research explores vascular patterning, bioengineering approaches for functional tissue engineering, and vascular dysfunction in aging, hypertension, and tumors. Key contributions include developing high-fidelity computational models of microvascular hemodynamics and novel bioprinting methods for vascularized tissues. Awards include the 2023 Service Excellence Award and 2019 Teaching Excellence Award from UF, as well as leadership roles in The Microcirculatory Society since 2016. Awards & Recognition: Service Excellence Award, 2023 Teaching Excellence Award, 2019 President, The Microcirculatory Society (2019–Present) Associate Editor, Microcirculation (2018–Present) His work bridges engineering and biology, addressing challenges in vascular health through interdisciplinary innovation. Current projects include studying aging-related vascular bioenergetics and lymphatic-blood plasticity. The lab collaborates on clinical translation via initiatives like MINDS (Mentoring for Innovative Design Solutions).

Monica VaccariView profile

Associate Professor

• HIV/SIV Research
• Virology
• Immunology
• +4 more

Monica Vaccari is an Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Tulane University's National Primate Research Center. Her research focuses on host-virus interactions, particularly HIV/SIV, SARS-CoV-2, and influenza, with an emphasis on innate immune responses and vaccine development. She holds a PhD in Immunology from the University of Milan and a postdoctoral fellowship from the NIH's NCI. Her work has contributed to understanding viral pathogenesis, immune evasion, and translational vaccine strategies using non-human primate models. Education & Affiliations: MS, Biotechnology and Medicine, University of Milan, Italy PhD, Immunology, University of Milan, Italy Post-doctoral Fellowship, National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH Current Affiliation: Tulane National Primate Research Center Research Interests: Vaccines for HIV/SIV prevention and eradication, SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis, influenza immune responses, and aging-related immune dysfunction. Her studies integrate molecular, cellular, and systems-level approaches to combat viral infections. Key Achievements: Recipient of the 2021 Spirit of Tulane Award. Over 60 peer-reviewed publications, including work on immune checkpoint modulation in SIV models and T-cell-based vaccine strategies. Contributions to understanding the role of regulatory T cells and cytokine networks in viral persistence. Grants & Labs: Leads a lab focusing on translational virology and immunology, collaborating on NIH-funded projects for vaccine development and antiviral therapies.

Alan MorrisView profile

Lecturer

• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Blood-Brain Barrier
• Endocannabinoid System
• +5 more

Alan Morris, Ph.D., is a Lecturer in the Bachelor's in Psychology Program at the University of Colorado Denver. He holds a B.Sc. in Biochemistry from the University of Sussex and a Ph.D. in Clinical Neuroscience from the University of Southampton. His research focuses on the intersection of Alzheimer’s disease, the endocannabinoid system, and blood-brain barrier dynamics, with expertise in randomized controlled trials. Education: B.Sc. Biochemistry, University of Sussex Ph.D. Clinical Neuroscience, University of Southampton Morris’s research investigates endocannabinoid signaling, neuroinflammation, and blood-brain barrier integrity in Alzheimer’s disease. His work integrates translational techniques and clinical research to identify novel therapeutic targets. Prior to returning to research in 2021, he served as a professional editor at Nature Portfolio for five years. His recent publications explore topics such as amyloid-beta clearance mechanisms, vascular basement membrane dynamics, and the role of growth factors in mitigating neurodegenerative deficits. Key subfields include cerebral amyloid angiopathy, perivascular fluid dynamics, and endocannabinoid modulation of neuroinflammation. Alan teaches courses in behavioral neuroscience, learning mechanisms, drug effects on the brain, and biological bases of behavior, aligning with his research expertise in neurodegenerative diseases and vascular neuroscience.

Veronique AngeliView profile

Associate Professor

• Lymphedema pathophysiology
• Tissue-resident macrophages
• Immune regulation
• +2 more

Associate Professor Veronique Angeli leads research in immunology and vascular biology at NUS Medicine. Her lab investigates lymphatic system disorders and macrophage functions in tissue homeostasis. She directs the Immunology Programme at the Life Sciences Institute and serves as Assistant Dean (Research). Her work connects lymphatic dysfunction with chronic conditions like lymphedema in cancer survivors. Research examines cholesterol transport mechanisms, macrophage-collagen interactions, and therapeutic strategies for vascular complications. She received the Faculty Research Excellence Award in 2022 and contributes to the Singapore Society of Immunology and Lymphedema Society. Current projects include deciphering lymphedema pathophysiology post-cancer treatment and characterizing LYVE-1+ macrophage populations regulating tissue collagen. Her work spans molecular mechanisms to clinical applications in fibrosis and vascular diseases.

• Multiple Sclerosis Research
• Regenerative Medicine
• Immunology
• +3 more

Natalie Payne is a Research Fellow in the Anatomy & Developmental Biology department at Monash University. Her work focuses on regenerative medicine, immunology, and autoimmune diseases, particularly Multiple Sclerosis (MS). She has led and contributed to multiple research projects funded by organizations such as the Trish MS Research Foundation and the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (Australia). Education & Career: Natalie has been active in academic research since at least 2007, with ongoing projects and collaborations. Her research explores therapeutic applications of mesenchymal stromal cells, immunoregulatory mechanisms, and protein dysfunction in aging cells. Research Interests: Her key areas include stem cell-derived therapies, autoimmune disease modulation, and the role of secondary lymphoid organs in immune responses. Recent studies highlight her work on extracellular vesicle therapy for MS and the impact of replicative aging on protein disaggregases. Grants & Projects: "Trish MS Fdn Postgrad S.ship - Payne" (2007–Present) "Developing universally accepted cells for regenerative medicine applications" (2019) "Unexpected role of splenic macrophages in anti-inflammatory cell-based therapy" (2023) Labs & Collaborations: Collaborations span immunology, stem cell biology, and protein biology. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to good health and well-being (SDG 3).

Hiroo SuamiView profile

Associate Professor

• Lymphatic System
• Lymphedema
• Lymphography
• +3 more

Hiroo Suami is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Sciences at Macquarie University, affiliated with the Australian Lymphatic Education, Research and Treatment (ALERT) Centre. He holds a dual MD and PhD, specializing in reconstructive microsurgery and lymphatic system research. His career includes roles at the University of Melbourne (2001–2009) and MD Anderson Cancer Center (2009–2015) before joining Macquarie University in 2015. Education: Trained in Japan as a reconstructive microsurgeon, admitted to the Japan Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (1999). Developed lymphatic imaging techniques at the University of Melbourne, including radiographic methods for cadaver models and indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography. Research focuses on lymphedema pathophysiology, lymphatic anatomy, and clinical applications of ICG lymphography. Key projects include studies on lymphatic drainage patterns in cancer patients, diagnostic tools for lymphatic disorders, and personalized lymphedema management strategies. Recent articles emphasize lymphatic collateralization after surgery, ICG-guided imaging protocols, and lymphatic pathways in melanoma and breast cancer. Awards include the 2005 Basic Science Award from the Plastic Surgery Education Foundation. Active in global collaborations, Suami has delivered over 60 invited talks on lymphatic anatomy and clinical applications.

• Lymphatic Biology
• Cardiovascular Research
• Cancer Biology
• +3 more

Shentong Fang serves as Supervisor for the Doctoral Programme in Biomedicine at the University of Helsinki's Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biomedicine. With 17 total publications spanning 2011-2023, their research bridges vascular biology, immunology, and oncology. Research focuses on lymphatic vessel function (particularly VEGFR3 signaling in neuroinflammation), cardiovascular pathophysiology (Tie2 receptor mechanisms in atherosclerosis), and cancer microenvironment dynamics (intestinal adenoma development and immunogenic cell death). Key methodologies include in vivo vascular modeling and molecular pathway analysis. Recent publications in Science Immunology (2023) and Nature Cardiovascular Research (2023) demonstrate leadership in vascular signaling research. The 2021 eLife study on cardiac endothelial senescence reveals mechanistic links between cardiovascular risk factors and cellular aging. As doctoral programme supervisor, Fang mentors emerging researchers in biomedicine. Collaborative networks include Kari Alitalo's lab (lymphatic research) and international teams across immunology and cardiovascular fields. Active in the University of Helsinki's biomedical research ecosystem, Fang contributes to cross-disciplinary projects investigating vascular-immune interactions in disease contexts.

Brant IsaksonView profile

Professor

• Cardiovascular Biology
• Microcirculation
• Metabolism
• +4 more

Brant Isakson is a Professor in the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics at the University of Virginia. He directs the Isakson Lab, which investigates microvascular dysfunction in cardiovascular diseases, leveraging genetically modified models and clinical studies. His PhD was obtained from the University of Wyoming. Research interests focus on translational cardiovascular biology , particularly: Pannexin channels in vascular signaling and inflammation Endothelial-adipocyte communication in metabolic disorders Nitric oxide dynamics in hemodynamics Mechanisms of hypertension and ischemic injury Recent articles (2023–2024) emphasize metabolic-vascular crosstalk , with recurring themes in pannexin pharmacology, mitochondrial dysfunction in obesity, and redox regulation. Publications frequently integrate molecular, cellular, and in vivo approaches to bridge basic mechanisms with therapeutic innovation. No awards or trainee details are documented. The Isakson Lab specializes in vascular physiology techniques, including pressure myography, genetic models, and clinical hemodynamic assessments.

Riikka MartikainenView profile

Research Professor

• Mitochondrial diseases
• Stem cell research
• Neurodegenerative diseases
• +7 more

Riikka Martikainen serves as a Research Director at the A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences within the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Eastern Finland. Her research program focuses on mitochondrial diseases, stem cell modeling, and neurodegenerative disorders, with particular expertise in Parkinson's disease mechanisms and mitochondrial DNA mutations. She leads significant research initiatives including the Neuro-Innovation project (2021-2026) and the NOVEL MSCA Postdoctoral Programme (2024-2029), demonstrating her leadership in both specific research domains and broader capacity-building efforts. Dr. Martikainen's research centers on understanding mitochondrial dysfunction in disease contexts using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology to model conditions like Parkinson's disease, progressive myoclonic epilepsy, and mitochondrial disorders. Her laboratory investigates how mtDNA mutations affect cellular function across various tissue types, with particular attention to neuronal and cardiac cells. She explores the interplay between mitochondrial dysfunction, metabolic alterations, and neurodegenerative processes, seeking to identify potential therapeutic targets and develop disease-specific cellular models. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on developing and characterizing disease-specific iPSC lines, investigating mitochondrial heteroplasmy dynamics, and examining cellular responses to mitochondrial dysfunction. Her work spans from basic mechanisms of mitochondrial DNA maintenance to translational applications in disease modeling and potential therapeutic interventions, with particular focus on astrocyte contributions to Parkinson's pathology, mitochondrial mutation effects on cellular metabolism, and innovative approaches to modulate mtDNA heteroplasmy. Dr. Martikainen's laboratory utilizes advanced techniques including iPSC derivation and differentiation, mitochondrial function assays, calcium imaging, metabolomics, and disease modeling. Her collaborative approach is evident in numerous co-authorships across neuroscience, cardiology, and molecular biology disciplines, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of her research program focused on bridging basic molecular mechanisms with potential clinical applications.

Hong ChenView profile

Associate Professor

• Vascular Biology
• Atherosclerosis
• Lymphatic System
• +5 more

Hong Chen is a Principal Investigator at Boston Children's Hospital and an Associate Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School . Their work bridges vascular biology, computational methods, and metabolic disease research, with a focus on atherosclerosis, diabetes, and lymphatic system regulation. Harvard Medical School, Department of Surgery Boston Children's Hospital, Chen Lab Research spans endothelial cell signaling , single-cell RNA sequencing , and metabolite-mediated communication . Key areas include: FOXM1/Dab2 pathways in diabetic wound healing Epsin proteins in atherosclerosis and lipid metabolism Development of MEBOCOST algorithm for metabolite-CRC detection CXCL12/CXCR4 in neuro-lymphatic communication VEGFR3 and caveolae inhibition in lymphatic fate determination Recent publications highlight machine learning applications for cell identity genes, metabolite signaling in adipose tissue, and transcriptional regulators in cardiovascular disease. No explicit scientific awards or student advisement details were found in the provided text.