Find Academic Supervisors

Evangelos VassosView profile

Academic

• Psychiatry
• Genetic Epidemiology
• Psychosis Research
• +5 more

Dr Evangelos Vassos is a Senior Clinical Research Fellow and Consultant Psychiatrist at King's College London, affiliated with the School of Mental Health & Psychological Sciences and the Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics. He holds medical and doctoral degrees from the University of Athens, Greece, and trained in psychiatry at Oxford University. His research focuses on genetic and environmental underpinnings of psychosis and mood disorders, particularly developing risk estimation models using polygenic scores and environmental factors. He leads work in genome-wide association studies, genetic epidemiology, and novel meta-analysis methodologies. Key research interests include the interplay of genetic liability (e.g., schizophrenia risk) with environmental triggers like cannabis use and urbanicity, as well as the effects of childhood adversity on mental health outcomes. His work bridges clinical practice and genetic research, aiming to improve risk stratification and personalized mental health care. Dr Vassos is part of the cross-school Statistical Genetics Unit, collaborating with 20 researchers to identify genetic components of complex disorders. Recent studies highlight his focus on psychosis risk reduction through cannabis cessation, urban-rural disparities in psychiatric incidence, and translational applications of polygenic scores in clinical settings. His contributions span over 50 peer-reviewed articles, with notable work published in Cell , Biological Psychiatry , and Molecular Psychiatry .

Shannon AtkinsonView profile

Professor

• Marine Mammal Physiology
• Reproductive Biology
• Stress Physiology
• +5 more

Shannon Atkinson is a Professor in the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences at the University of Alaska, specializing in marine mammal physiology with a focus on stress responses, reproductive biology, and environmental impacts. Based in Juneau, Alaska, her research integrates field studies and laboratory analyses to understand how marine species adapt to ecological challenges. Education: Ph.D. in Animal Science from Murdoch University (1985) M.S. in Animal Science from University of Hawaii at Manoa (1981) B.S. in Animal Science from University of Hawaii (1978) Research Focus: Dr. Atkinson investigates physiological adaptations of marine mammals to climate change, contaminants, and anthropogenic stressors. Her work emphasizes endocrine mechanisms, reproductive health, and nutritional physiology across species including sea otters, harbor seals, and Steller sea lions. She develops non-invasive monitoring techniques for stress and pregnancy detection in remote Alaskan ecosystems, contributing to conservation strategies for vulnerable populations. Publication Trends: Her recent publications reveal consistent emphasis on stress physiology and environmental interactions, with increasing focus on field-based endocrine monitoring and contaminant impacts. Articles span marine mammalogy, comparative physiology, and conservation biology, highlighting interdisciplinary approaches to understanding species resilience in changing oceans. Scientific Awards: No major scientific awards were documented in the provided information. Advising and Grants: Dr. Atkinson mentors graduate students including Courtney Pegus, Janessa Esquible, Jessie Hoffman, and Annette Jarosz. Her funded research projects address Pacific walrus reproductive dynamics, whale stress/pregnancy detection, salmon endocrinology, groundfish recruitment, Cook Inlet beluga monitoring, pinniped stress responses, and marine mammal reproductive biology. Professional Engagement: She actively contributes to conservation through the Steller's Eider Recovery Team (2003-present), Society for Marine Mammalogy (1991-present), and Spectacled Eider Recovery Team (2003-present), while maintaining affiliations with zoological associations and research societies across Alaska.

• Environmental Physiology
• Water Limitation Effects
• Reproductive Physiology
• +6 more

Dale DeNardo is a Professor in the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University (ASU) and the Attending Veterinarian and Director of the Department of Animal Care & Technologies. He holds affiliations with the Center for Biodiversity Outcomes, Water Institute, Global Drylands Center, and Global Education Office. His research focuses on environmental physiology, particularly organism-environment interactions, water limitation effects, and climate change impacts. He studies how physiological, behavioral, and environmental factors enable survival in extreme environments like deserts. Education: Ph.D. in Integrative Biology, University of California-Berkeley (1994) D.V.M. in Zoological Medicine, University of California-Davis (1988) B.S. in Zoology, University of California-Davis (1984) Research Interests: DeNardo investigates physiological adaptations to water scarcity, ecotourism impacts on wildlife, genomic analysis of desert tortoises, and trade-offs in parental care. He uses field and lab experiments to explore how organisms manage limited resources and cope with environmental challenges. Publications: His work spans over 100 publications, including studies on dehydration effects in reptiles, maternal-offspring conflicts, and genomic conservation of desert tortoises. Recent focus areas include immune responses to environmental stressors and urban heat mitigation strategies for lizard populations. Awards/Grants: While specific awards are not listed, his extensive research and outreach activities highlight recognition in reptilian physiology and conservation. He collaborates on NSF-funded projects studying microbiome impacts and desert tortoise genomics. Labs/Teams: He leads a lab with undergraduate researchers and collaborates on global initiatives like the Desert Tortoise Genome Project. His team integrates fieldwork, genomics, and behavioral ecology to address ecological and conservation challenges.

Emmanuel PothosView profile

Associate Professor

• Neuroscience
• Neurochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• +7 more

Emmanuel Pothos is an Associate Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine in the Department of Immunology. His research explores the cellular and molecular mechanisms of synaptic neurotransmission in the midbrain and its catecholaminergic projections, with a focus on neurochemistry and molecular biology of disorders like obesity, drug addiction, psychotic disorders, and Parkinson’s disease. He leads a lab studying the plasticity of CNS catecholamine quantal size and its pharmacological intervention potential. Doctor of Philosophy, Princeton University, 1994 Master of Arts, Princeton University, 1990 Bachelor of Arts, University of Athens, 1988 His publications span neuroscience, neuroendocrinology, and translational medicine, addressing topics such as insulin signaling in astrocytes, dopamine turnover in obesity, and genetic models of dyskinesia. He has secured significant grants from NIH, Pfizer, and other foundations to investigate preclinical interventions for obesity, addiction, and neurodegenerative diseases. Astrocyte-derived signals and mental illness (NIH, 2021–2026) Intranasal delivery of GDNF for opioid relapse prevention (CTSI, 2020–2022) MCH antibody therapy for IBD (Pfizer, 2018–2019) He teaches courses in Addiction Medicine, Translational Pharmacology, and Graduate Research at Tufts, and has presented at conferences including the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting and Tufts Talks Obesity Seminar Series. His work bridges neurobiology, metabolic disorders, and public health policy.

• Perinatal Mental Health
• Self-Regulation
• Child Development
• +3 more

Beatrijs Van den Bergh serves as a Visiting Professor at KU Leuven with primary affiliations in the Health Psychology unit and dual membership in the KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI) and KU Leuven Institute for Child and Youth (LC&Y). Her research program centers on perinatal mental health and developmental pathways from maternal prenatal anxiety to offspring outcomes. Her core research interests include: self- and co-regulation dynamics in dysregulated families; neurodevelopmental impacts of prenatal stress; mindful parenting interventions; epigenetic mechanisms (e.g., NR3C1 methylation); and preventive strategies for infant self-regulation. She employs multimodal methodologies spanning neuroimaging, behavioral observation, and longitudinal cohort analysis. Analysis of her 2023-2025 publications reveals strong thematic continuity in studying maternal-offspring biobehavioral synchrony, with increasing emphasis on intervention frameworks and environmental moderators like green spaces. Her work consistently bridges basic neuroscience with clinical applications in mental healthcare. Dr. Van den Bergh currently co-promotes two major funded projects: Self- and co-regulation dynamics in dysregulated families (2023-2028), employing laboratory-to-home multimodal assessment, and Supporting infant self-regulation development (2023-2027), focused on preventive mental healthcare strategies. She maintains active international collaborations evidenced by presentations at the Marcé Society and WAIMH conferences. As a core member of KU Leuven's Health Psychology research unit, she contributes to interdisciplinary teams within the Brain Institute and Child and Youth Institute, frequently collaborating with neuroscientists, clinicians, and public health researchers on translational studies presented at venues including the European Society for Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience.

Ingunn Olea LundView profile

Associate Professor

• Health Psychology
• Substance Use and Abuse
• Developmental Psychopathology
• +3 more

Ingunn Olea Lund is an Associate Professor at the Department of Psychology, University of Oslo (since 2020) and holds a concurrent role as Research Professor at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (since 2019). She completed her Ph.D. in Psychology at the University of Oslo’s Medical Faculty (2013) and holds a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Psychology from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Her research focuses on health psychology, developmental psychopathology, and substance use, with particular emphasis on parental substance use, mental health, and socioeconomic status impacts on offspring outcomes. Key areas include prenatal stress/exposure effects, mental health during pandemics, and adolescent substance use moderation. She teaches courses on health psychology and health promotion. Awards include the CPDD Early Investigator Travel Award and Fulbright Scholarship. Her work integrates epidemiological and registry-based methods, addressing public health challenges such as opioid use in pregnancy and pandemic mental health trends. She collaborates on projects like PriSUD, diagnosing substance use disorders in prison populations. Recent articles highlight pandemic-era mental healthcare utilization, prenatal maternal stress effects, and adolescent behavioral moderation through sports participation. Dr. Lund’s research spans 20+ years, with over 50 peer-reviewed publications. Key grants and collaborations include studies on parental mental illness identification, cannabis use during pregnancy, and transport risk perception. She leads teams focused on translational research bridging clinical, public health, and developmental psychology domains.

• Diabetes in Pregnancy
• Birth Defects
• Prenatal Diagnosis
• +5 more

E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, is a Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences. He serves as the CARTI Endowed Professor and Director of the Center for Advanced Research Training and Innovation (CARTI), and is a Senior Scientist at the Center for Birth Defects Research. Dr. Reece is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and previously served as Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dean of the School of Medicine. His educational background includes: Bachelor of Science (Magna Cum Laude) from Long Island University MD from New York University School of Medicine PhD in Biochemistry from the University of the West Indies MBA from Temple University Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Columbia University Medical Center Postdoctoral Fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Yale University School of Medicine Dr. Reece's research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of diabetes-induced birth defects , particularly examining cytoarchitectural changes at the cellular level and biochemical alterations including membrane lipid depletion and oxidative stress. His laboratory employs rat and mouse models to investigate apoptotic pathways, JNK signaling, and protein kinase C isoforms in diabetic embryopathy, with emphasis on developing preventive interventions through vitamin and lipid therapies. His work bridges basic science with clinical applications in prenatal diagnosis and fetal therapy. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent trajectory toward molecular mechanistic understanding of diabetic embryopathy, with increasing focus on oxidative stress signaling, specific apoptotic pathways, and genetic factors. His research demonstrates the progression from clinical observations of birth defect patterns to detailed cellular and molecular investigations, culminating in targeted therapeutic strategies. The interdisciplinary nature spans obstetrics, biochemistry, developmental biology, and molecular pharmacology. Scientific recognition includes: Distinguished Leadership Award (2009) Berson Medical Alumni Achievement Award in Health Sciences (2010) Distinguished Service Award from Loma Linda University (2010) Election to the National Academy of Medicine Dr. Reece has directed NIH-funded multi-million dollar research programs and served on influential committees including the FDA, NIH, Institute of Medicine, and March of Dimes Scientific Advisory Committee on Prematurity. His leadership extended to chairing the Association of American Medical Colleges Council of Deans and developing the ANGELS telemedicine system for rural obstetrical care. He has mentored numerous faculty and established performance-based incentive models for academic medicine. He directs the Center for Advanced Research Training and Innovation (CARTI), fostering interdisciplinary research in maternal-fetal health, and co-founded embryofetoscopy techniques for early prenatal diagnosis and potential fetal therapy. His laboratory group maintains active investigations into diabetes-induced embryopathy mechanisms while translating findings into clinical practice.

• Drug Abuse Vulnerability
• Prenatal Nicotine Exposure
• Pharmacotherapies for Methamphetamine Addiction
• +3 more

Steven B. Harrod is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of South Carolina, part of the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on understanding how prenatal drug exposure (e.g., nicotine) impacts vulnerability to substance abuse, developing pharmacotherapies for methamphetamine addiction, and exploring sex differences in drug response. He holds a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from Kent State University (1999), with postdoctoral training at the University of Kentucky in drug abuse behavior and neuropharmacology. Education : B.A. Psychology, University of Kentucky, 1993 M.A. Experimental Psychology, Kent State University, 1997 Ph.D. Experimental Psychology, Kent State University, 1999 Research Interests : Dr. Harrod investigates the neurobehavioral consequences of prenatal drug exposure, particularly nicotine, on offspring drug-taking behaviors (e.g., cocaine, methamphetamine). His lab also evaluates novel compounds to reduce stimulant self-administration and examines sex differences in drug sensitivity. Key themes include: Prenatal IV nicotine effects on mesocorticolimbic systems Pharmacological treatments for stimulant addiction Sex-based neurobiological differences in addiction vulnerability Grants & Funding : His research has been supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the University of South Carolina. Notable grants include: R01 DA021287: Prenatal IV Nicotine & Stimulant Vulnerability R01 HD043680: Maternal HIV Neurodevelopmental Effects Awards/Honors : 2010: Magellan Scholar Award (student mentorship) 2007-2009: NIDA Travel Awards Advising & Mentorship : He has mentored over 15 undergraduate and graduate students, including Magellan Scholars (e.g., Alexandra Basilakos, Lauren Ballina) in projects on prenatal drug exposure and addiction pharmacology. Labs/Teams : Dr. Harrod leads a research team studying neurobehavioral mechanisms of addiction at the University of South Carolina, collaborating with neuroscientists and pharmacologists on translational drug abuse research.

• Ornithology
• Ecology
• Animal Behavior
• +3 more

Dr. Lyanne Brouwer is a researcher at James Cook University's College of Science and Engineering, specializing in Zoology and Ecology. Her work focuses on avian behavior, evolutionary strategies, and ecological impacts of environmental change. Academic Rank: Researcher Institution: James Cook University Dr. Brouwer's research spans ornithology , evolutionary biology , and ecology , with particular emphasis on cooperative breeding systems, parental investment, and climate change effects on bird populations. Her recent publications explore topics such as sex-ratio biases, paternity assurance mechanisms, and vocal communication in fairy-wrens. Scientific trends in her work include urban ecology (analyzing anthropogenic impacts), climate sensitivity (meta-analyzing global avian responses), and behavioral innovation (studying prenatal learning and rescue behaviors). She contributes to computational biology through tools like the HIPHOP R package for parentage analysis. Dr. Brouwer investigates ecological constraints in tropical coastal ecosystems and integrates fitness components across generations in cooperatively breeding species. Her work combines field studies with statistical modeling to understand population viability under environmental stressors.

• Nutritional Immunology
• Maternal and Infant Nutrition
• Lipid Metabolism
• +3 more

Catherine Field is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science at the University of Alberta, affiliated with the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences. She holds a PhD from the University of Alberta and is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (FCAHS) and a Canada Research Chair (CRC) Tier 1 in Human Nutrition and Metabolism. Her primary research focuses on nutritional immunology, particularly the impact of lipids like docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) on immune system development, cancer therapy, and maternal-infant health. Key educational background includes her PhD in Nutrition from the University of Alberta. Her work spans clinical and preclinical studies, including investigations into DHA's role in enhancing cancer treatments, maternal nutritional status during pregnancy, and the prevention of allergies through early-life dietary interventions. She leads the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) cohort study, examining maternal and infant nutrition's long-term effects. Research interests include lipid metabolism, nutritional programming of immunity, and the interplay between diet and cancer. Awards include the prestigious CRC Tier 1 Chair, recognizing her leadership in human nutrition research. Her lab is located in the Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Research Innovation. Publications highlight her contributions to understanding DHA's effects on breast cancer cells, immune tolerance in allergy models, and maternal vitamin D and iron status during pregnancy. Collaborations include studies on fiber interventions in pediatric populations and the gut microbiome's role in health outcomes.

• Epidemiology
• Maternal and Child Health
• Reproductive Health
• +3 more

Claire Carson is an Associate Professor in Epidemiology at the University of Oxford , affiliated with the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit (NPEU). Her research focuses on maternal and child health, including fertility treatments, preterm birth, breastfeeding, and health inequities. She specializes in analyzing observational and routine data to explore long-term health outcomes. Education: BSc, MSc, PhD in Epidemiology from London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Claire's recent publications highlight her work on maternal BMI effects on offspring infections, CPRD-based studies on postpartum care, and healthcare disparities. She has contributed to policy research via the NIHR Policy Research Unit in Maternal and Neonatal Health. Awards: MRC Career Development Fellow.

Andrea De Vizcaya RuizView profile

Professor

• Environmental Toxicology
• Particulate Matter (PM2.5/PM10)
• Nanotoxicology
• +4 more

Andrea De Vizcaya Ruiz is a Professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) School of Public Health . She is Graduate Program Director for Environmental Health Sciences and leads research at key centers including the Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (COEH) , Air Pollution Health Effects Lab (APHEL) , and AirUCI Atmospheric Integrated Research Unit . Her expertise spans environmental toxicology, nanotoxicology, and air pollution health impacts , with a focus on particulate matter (PM), microplastics, and nanomaterials. Educational Background: Bachelor's in Veterinary Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) Doctorate in Toxicology, University of Surrey, UK Research Interests center on toxic effects of environmental pollutants , including: Health impacts of particulate matter (PM2.5/PM10) Toxicokinetics of nanomaterials Oxidative stress and inflammation mechanisms Health equity in environmental exposure Neurotoxic and cardiorespiratory effects Biomarker development for toxicity assessment Recent Publications highlight her work on PM-induced nephrotoxicity, nanoparticle neurotoxicity, and synergies between urban pollutants and metabolic stressors . Her studies frequently employ in vitro and in vivo models to dissect toxicity pathways. Scientific Awards: 2011 Young Investigator Award, Society of Toxicology, USA 2015 1st place BioNanoTechnology Award, Cinvestav and Neolpharma Inc., Mexico City Student Mentorship includes advising PhD and MSc students like Aidee Solorio Rodriguez and Josefina Poblano Bata, with their work presented at international conferences including the International Nanotoxicology Congress and IUTOX Trainee Awards. Labs & Collaborations: She actively collaborates with research groups in Mexico, the Netherlands, Canada, and the US, integrating toxicology, aerosol science, and public health to address evolving biotechnology challenges. Her advisory roles for the Mexican Ministry of Health and Environment further demonstrate her policy impact.

Anna E. BeaudinView profile

Associate Professor

• Fetal Hematopoiesis
• Immune Development
• Hematopoietic Stem Cells
• +4 more

Anna E. Beaudin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine, holding an adjunct appointment in the Department of Pathology's Division of Microbiology and Immunology. Her research centers on fetal hematopoiesis and its lifelong impact on immune function and disease susceptibility. Her educational background includes: B.A. from Cornell University M.S. from Brown University Ph.D. from Cornell University Dr. Beaudin's work investigates how fetal hematopoietic stem cells generate specialized immune cells that persist into adulthood to maintain tissue homeostasis. She examines how prenatal challenges like infection and nutrition disrupt immune development, leading to conditions such as asthma, metabolic disorders, and hearing loss. Her lab employs single-cell analysis, fate-mapping, and mouse models to uncover mechanisms of developmental hematopoiesis. Recent publications reveal a dominant theme: prenatal inflammation and nutritional factors reprogram hematopoietic stem cells, altering immune cell development and increasing susceptibility to allergic, metabolic, and autoimmune diseases across the lifespan. Key focus areas include tissue-resident macrophages, innate lymphoid cells, and fetal-specific hematopoietic pathways. Her scientific recognition includes: Pew Biomedical Scholars Award Hellman Foundation Award Research is supported by NIH grants and published in high-impact journals including Cell Stem Cell and Blood. As Principal Investigator, she mentors graduate students through the Molecular Biology Program and serves on committees for the International Society of Experimental Hematology and American Society of Hematology. Her work involves extensive collaboration with immunologists, hematologists, and developmental biologists. The Beaudin Lab operates within the University of Utah's Molecular Medicine Program, utilizing advanced genomic and in vivo techniques to explore how early-life events shape lifelong immunity and disease risk.

• Behavioural Neuroscience
• Neuroendocrinology
• Neuroethology
• +3 more

Dr. Kiran Soma is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and a member of the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and the Graduate Program in Neuroscience. He investigates how steroid hormones regulate neural circuits, behavior, and immune function, with a focus on neurosteroids and immunosteroids. Education: PhD in Psychology from the University of Washington (2000), BA from Stanford University. Research Interests : Dr. Soma’s work spans behavioural neuroscience , neuroendocrinology , and neuroethology , examining how hormones like glucocorticoids, estrogens, and androgens influence aggression, executive function, and stress responses. His lab employs advanced techniques such as LC-MS/MS for steroid profiling and collaborates with experts in immunology, nutrition, and cancer research. Recent Publications highlight the impact of maternal diet on offspring steroid levels, the role of neurosteroids in aggression and brain function, and mechanisms of glucocorticoid synthesis in immune tissues. His studies often bridge comparative animal models (songbirds, rodents) with human applications , such as stress biomarker development. Scientific Awards : Killam Award for Excellence in Mentoring (2020) APS James McKeen Cattell Fellowship (2017) AAAS Fellow (2015) Killam Faculty Research Prize (2012) Killam Faculty Research Fellowship (2010) Advising & Grants : Dr. Soma has mentored numerous PhD, Master’s, and undergraduate students, including AAAS Fellows and Killam recipients. His research is supported by CIHR , NSERC , CFI , and HHMI , with a focus on cutting-edge infrastructure like the lab’s LC-MS/MS system . Labs & Collaborations : The Soma Laboratory at UBC studies neurosteroids and immunosteroids using multidisciplinary approaches. The lab collaborates with institutions globally, including the University of Rennes and NIH, and provides steroid analysis services via ultrasensitive LC-MS/MS.

David EvansView profile

Professor

• Genetic Epidemiology
• Statistical Genetics
• Mendelian Randomization
• +5 more

Professor David Evans is a Group Leader and Director of the Centre for Population and Disease Genomics at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland. His research focuses on dissecting genetic and environmental influences on complex traits like osteoporosis, sepsis, and handedness using advanced statistical genetics methods. He leads international consortia such as EGG and GEFOS, and collaborates with global cohorts including the UK Biobank and Norwegian MOBA/HUNT studies. Key projects include large-scale GWAS analyses and Mendelian randomization studies to investigate causal relationships in genetic epidemiology. Evans’ group develops statistical tools like DINGO software for genetic analysis and LDHub for estimating genetic correlations. They have discovered 41 genetic loci associated with left-handedness and pioneered studies linking developmental origins (DOHaD) with adult health outcomes. His team includes 8 current PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, supported by extensive collaborations with institutions like University of Bristol and McGill University. Research interests span intergenerational effects of maternal traits, skeletal biology, and sepsis genetics. Notable achievements include leading one of the world’s largest sepsis molecular studies and contributing to drug target identification for osteoporosis through zebrafish models. Evans’ work bridges statistical innovation with clinical relevance, addressing public health challenges via genomic data integration.