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 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. 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.
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.
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.
Lee Rafuse Haines is an Associate Research Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Notre Dame, where she leads research in medical and veterinary entomology, focusing on insect-borne diseases and vector-parasite-symbiont interactions. She previously held senior research and program management roles at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK. Education: PhD in Tropical Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK MSc in Biochemistry and Molecular Parasitology, University of Victoria, Canada BSc in Biology, Trinity Western University, Canada Her research interests span insect microbiota, symbiosis, neglected tropical diseases, malaria control, and science communication . She investigates how gut bacteria influence vector immunity and transmission capacity, develops assays for measuring insect bite exposure, and studies tsetse breeding behavior. Her work integrates field studies in Kenya, Uganda, and Saudi Arabia with laboratory models. Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on vector biology, parasitology, and microbiome interactions , particularly in tsetse flies and sand flies. Themes include reproductive physiology, host-seeking behavior, symbiont isolation, and drug repurposing for disease control. Her research bridges basic science with translational applications for global health. Scientific Awards and Recognition: Award-winning mentor Dr. Haines is a dedicated mentor and science communicator, actively engaged in public outreach through science festivals, youth workshops, blogs, and radio. She champions mental health in STEM and promotes equity for underrepresented researchers. She collaborates with the Acosta-Serrano group on repurposing herbicidal compounds for vector control and has developed innovative insect-rearing modules for student education. Her lab maintains colonies of tsetse, mosquitoes, triatomines, and sand flies, supporting both research and teaching.
Josh Owens is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Lipscomb University, focusing on fat metabolism's role in cancer exacerbation and discovering novel therapeutic molecules. He leads a lab funded by the Christian Scholars’ Foundation’s Junior Faculty Grant (2022). His research integrates microbiome studies, immunology, and metabolic pathways. Key projects include identifying the obesogenic microbial metabolite delta-valerobetaine and exploring probiotics like Lactococcus lactis for health benefits. Educational Background: B.S. in Molecular Biology, Lipscomb University (2016) PhD in Immunology and Molecular Pathogenesis, Emory University (2021) Research Interests: Cancer immunology and metabolic pathways Microbiome-driven modulation of host immunity/metabolism Probiotics as therapeutic agents for obesity and cancer Epithelial repair mechanisms in gastrointestinal disorders Maternal dietary influences on offspring health Publications Trends: Recent work emphasizes microbiome interactions (probiotics’ antitumor effects, TLR2 signaling pathways), metabolic consequences of diets (butyrate supplementation, western-style diet impacts), and SARS-CoV-2 antibody profiling. Themes include translational applications and mechanistic insights into disease pathogenesis. Awards: Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA F31 Award (2021) Grants & Advising: Led Christian Scholars’ Foundation grant (2022) Focuses on student mentorship for graduate/professional schools Labs/Teams: Active in Lipscomb’s Biology department, collaborating on projects linking microbiome research to clinical outcomes in metabolic and gastrointestinal diseases.
Ai Ing Lim is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology at Princeton University, where she leads a research program focused on maternal-offspring immune crosstalk. Her work integrates immunology, developmental biology, and microbiology to understand how maternal environmental exposures—particularly infections—affect the long-term immune development of offspring. She is affiliated with the School of Science and conducts research at the Schultz Laboratory. Education: Ph.D., Universite Paris Diderot, Institut Pasteur-Paris University International Doctoral Program M.Phil., The University of Hong Kong B.S., The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Dr. Lim's research centers on the plasticity of the immune system during early development. She investigates how maternal infection remodels offspring tissue-specific immunity, how breastmilk composition is altered by infection, and how maternal immunity adapts during pregnancy and lactation. Her work highlights the importance of prenatal immune education and aims to uncover mechanisms underlying rising immune disorders. Using multidisciplinary models, her lab combines human and murine immunology with infectious disease challenges. Her recent publications reveal trends in developmental immunology, particularly the concept of pre-birth immune priming and the role of innate lymphoid cells in tissue immunity. The articles span topics from maternal infection-induced inflammation to cellular plasticity, emphasizing how environmental cues shape immune ontogeny. This body of work contributes to understanding the origins of immune diseases and informs strategies for early-life interventions. Scientific Awards and Recognitions: International Rising Talents, L’Oréal-UNESCO ACTERIA Doctoral Prize, European Federation of Immunological Societies Sidney & Joan Pestka Post Graduate Award, International Cytokine and Interferon Society HHMI Freeman Hrabowski Scholar (2025) Rosalind Franklin Young Investigator Award (2025) Searle Scholar (2024) Dr. Lim has secured competitive fellowships and grants throughout her career, including the Marie Curie Fellowship and the Human Frontier Science Program fellowship, which supported her doctoral and postdoctoral training. These grants enabled her interdisciplinary research at the Pasteur Institute and the National Institutes of Health. As a principal investigator at Princeton, she continues to lead funded projects on maternal-offspring immunity, host-microbe interactions, and developmental immunology. She is also committed to mentoring, as evidenced by her trainee receiving the Pew Latin American Fellowship. Her research is conducted through an independent laboratory at Princeton University, where she explores fundamental questions in immunity using cutting-edge approaches in infectious diseases, immunology, and developmental biology. The lab focuses on both maternal adaptation to pregnancy and fetal immune programming, contributing to a more equitable and comprehensive understanding of women’s and children’s health.
Augusto A. Litonjua, M.D., M.P.H. is a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Pulmonology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. He is affiliated with UR Medicine Faculty and Accountable Health Partners, specializing in Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Pediatrics, Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Center, and Pediatric Pulmonology. Dr. Litonjua's primary research interests focus on the management of asthma patients and prevention of asthma exacerbations, with particular emphasis on the use of biologics and specific nutrients in treatment approaches. His work investigates factors that both increase and decrease the risk of developing asthma, wheezing, and allergic disorders in childhood, examining a broad range of prenatal and early life exposures including maternal diet, exposure to allergens, and environmental factors such as pets, daycare attendance, and air pollution. He has co-led clinical trials investigating vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy to prevent asthma in offspring and has explored genetic, epigenetic, and microbiome factors in asthma development. His extensive publication record demonstrates consistent contributions to understanding childhood respiratory diseases, with recent work focusing on vitamin D, microbiome influences, and environmental determinants of asthma. Dr. Litonjua has made significant contributions to several large cohort studies including the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program. American Thoracic Society Fellow (2018) Elected to membership of the American Pediatric Society (2015) Outstanding Achievement in Research – University of the Philippines Medical Alumni Society in America (2011) Outstanding Researcher – University of the Philippines Medical Alumni Society (2011) Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians (1999) Dr. Litonjua has completed extensive training including an MPH from Harvard School of Public Health (1997), MD from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine (1986), fellowships in Epidemiology at Brigham & Women's Hospital and Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at West Virginia University Hospitals, and residencies in Internal Medicine.
Ashley Love is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Miami University, affiliated with the Center for Neuroscience and Behavior. She holds a Ph.D. in Integrative Biology from Oklahoma State University (2019) and a B.S. in Biological Sciences with a focus on Wildlife Science from Virginia Tech (2013). Her research focuses on disease ecology, investigating how social, environmental, and developmental factors influence host immunity and parasite susceptibility. Her lab integrates endocrinology, immunology, microbiology, and nutritional ecology to study topics like parental effects on offspring immunity, infection perception influencing behavior, and diet-microbiota interactions in host health. Current projects explore urbanization impacts on Darwin’s finches, lipid diets and disease tolerance, and community-based science in host-parasite dynamics. Key research themes include: Parental effects on offspring immune defenses Social cues and infection risk perception Dietary macronutrients and gut microbiota roles in disease resistance Urbanization effects on wildlife microbiota and immunity Her work has been published in journals like Molecular Ecology, Behavioral Ecology, and General and Comparative Endocrinology. She teaches BIO 206W (Evolutionary Biology) and BIO 465W/565 (Animal Behavior). Her lab is located in Pearson Hall, with ongoing collaborations in avian disease ecology and environmental health research.
Dr. Zamira Gibb is an Associate Professor and ARC Research Fellow at the University of Newcastle , affiliated with the School of Environmental and Life Sciences . Her work bridges equine reproductive physiology and applied biotechnology, focusing on enhancing fertility outcomes in horses and other livestock through molecular-level interventions. Key collaborations: Harness Racing Australia, Hunter Valley Equine Research Centre, and international veterinary specialists Research themes: Oxidative stress in sperm, NAD+ supplementation, proteomic profiling, and environmental impacts on fertility Her research integrates proteomics , lipidomics , and antioxidant pathways to address fertility challenges in thoroughbred and standardbred racehorses. Recent work explores coal dust's epigenetic effects on germ lines and innovations in oyster aquaculture. Scientific contributions include developing novel sperm storage protocols and immunocontraceptive strategies for feral horses. With a team of researchers and students, she advances both livestock reproductive technologies and ecosystem management solutions.
Regina Ensenauer is a Professor of Experimental Pediatrics and Metabolism at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, affiliated with the University Children’s Hospital. Her research focuses on early-life origins of childhood obesity, fetal programming, and metabolic disease prevention. She leads the PEACHES cohort study investigating maternal obesity’s long-term effects on offspring. As an Anna Boyksen Fellow at the TUM Institute for Advanced Study, her work addresses preventive pediatrics. Her academic journey includes a medical degree from Heidelberg University, residency in Pediatrics at Freiburg, and postdoctoral training at the Mayo Clinic. Awards include the Friedrich-Linneweh Award (2012) and Mayo Alumni Scientific Award (2005). Her research spans metabolite profiling, placental metabolism, and nutritional interventions, with emphasis on translational strategies to combat obesity. Key publications address insulin resistance in maternal obesity, fatty acid metabolism in pregnancy, and neurodevelopmental impacts of dietary PUFAs. Her work integrates clinical, molecular, and epidemiological approaches to understand obesity’s developmental origins, aiming to inform preventive public health policies.
Alyx Taylor is a distinguished Professor at Imperial College London's Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychological Medicine, with significant contributions spanning neuroscience, physiology, and mental health research. Holding a PhD awarded in 1996 for work on postpartum affect disturbances, Taylor has developed an extensive research portfolio with over 1,600 citations. Taylor's research interests center on stress response mechanisms, postpartum and perinatal mental health, cortisol regulation, and more recently, the long-term effects of COVID-19. The researcher's fingerprint reveals strong expertise in Hydrocortisone (100%), Cortisol Neuroscience (85%), Postpartum Depression (41%), and Puerperium Medicine (30%). Recent work has focused on the PHOSP-COVID study, examining immune aging in relation to COVID-19 severity, determinants of recovery from post-COVID dyspnea, and the effects of sleep disturbance on respiratory function following hospitalization. These high-impact studies published in Immunity and Ageing and The Lancet journals demonstrate Taylor's leadership in understanding the physiological and psychological consequences of the pandemic. Accelarated immune ageing is associated with COVID-19 disease severity (2024) Determinants of recovery from post-COVID-19 dyspnoea (2023) Effects of sleep disturbance on dyspnoea following hospital admission (2023) Taylor's earlier work established foundational knowledge in postpartum mental health and the 2013 research on digit ratios in newborns has garnered 144 citations, demonstrating lasting impact. The researcher's work contributes significantly to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and wellbeing.
Kathryn A. Knoop, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Immunology and the Department of Pediatrics at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She leads the Early Life Immune Responses Lab, focusing on mucosal immunology and the development of the immune system during infancy. Her research investigates how maternal factors in breast milk and gut-residing bacteria regulate immune tolerance and prevent inflammatory disorders in early life. Maternal regulation of mucosal immunity in offspring Induction of oral tolerance during early life Bloodstream infections from gut-resident bacteria Role of epidermal growth factor in preventing bacterial translocation Dr. Knoop's work has significant implications for neonatal health, including the prevention of neonatal sepsis and long-term immune disorders. She is affiliated with key research centers at Mayo Clinic, including the Immunology Research Center and the David F. and Margaret T. Grohne Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapeutics Program. She holds a Ph.D. from Emory University and a B.S. in Biochemistry from Drake University. Dr. Knoop mentors researchers and offers educational opportunities in her lab, contributing to postdoctoral training and research development. Contact: knoop.kathryn@mayo.edu
Arianna Smith is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Davidson College, where she teaches introductory biology and immunology courses. Her research focuses on the intersection of reproductive biology and immunology, particularly investigating how maternal prenatal stress influences placental gene expression and offspring immune/lung development. Expertise: Reproductive Biology, Immunology, Cell Biology Education: Ph.D. from Michigan State University, B.S. from North Carolina State University Her work examines the molecular mechanisms linking maternal stress hormone exposure during pregnancy to long-term health outcomes in children, such as asthma development.
