Find Academic Supervisors

• Virology
• Metatranscriptomics
• Microbiology
• +3 more

Dr. Vincenzo Costa is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at The Sydney School of Veterinary Science (SSVS), University of Sydney. He holds a PhD from The University of Sydney under Prof. Edward Holmes, and prior degrees from Macquarie University. His research focuses on viral emergence in aquatic ecosystems, particularly cross-species transmission dynamics in fish and coral reef organisms. Education: BAdvSc and MRes in Biological Sciences from Macquarie University PhD at The University of Sydney (2024) Research interests span virology, metatranscriptomics, and microbial ecology, with a focus on understanding pathogen evolution and aquatic biosecurity. His work aligns with the University’s strengths in 'Understanding Life on Earth' and 'Healthy Animals.' He is affiliated with the Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute and Sydney Southeast Asia Centre. Publications reflect a trajectory from fish virome characterization to broader ecological and evolutionary questions, emphasizing metatranscriptomics applications in pathogen surveillance and virus-host coevolution. Articles highlight cross-species transmission barriers, viral diversity in invasive species, and coral reef microbiome dynamics. No awards or grants are listed, though his research contributes to biosecurity and aquaculture health. He has no recorded advisees. Labs/Teams: Active within the SSVS and collaborating institutes, focusing on virology and metagenomic studies.

Gwenn HennonView profile

Associate Professor

• Ocean Acidification
• Microbial Ecology
• Harmful Algae
• +3 more

Gwenn Hennon is an Associate Professor in Biological Oceanography at the University of Alaska's College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. in Oceanography from the University of Washington (2015), an M.S. in Oceanography from the University of Washington (2012), and a B.S. in Chemistry from MIT (2009). Her research focuses on understanding how climate change impacts phytoplankton communities and marine primary productivity, with a particular emphasis on microbial interactions, ocean acidification, and harmful algal blooms. She leads the Hennon Lab, which employs DNA/RNA sequencing and experimental culturing to study phytoplankton responses to environmental stressors. Current research projects include the Northern Gulf of Alaska Long Term Ecological Research Project and studies on Arctic diatoms' sensitivity to crude oil and climate-driven changes. Her lab investigates microbial interactions under ocean acidification scenarios, such as the relationship between Prochlorococcus and helper bacteria like Alteromonas. She has secured grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). Advising includes Megan Brauner, a Ph.D./Master’s student. Her lab’s facilities are located at the Fairbanks campus, with fieldwork conducted in polar and subarctic ecosystems. Research themes include phytoplankton culturing, incubation experiments, and environmental genomics. Collaborations involve institutions like the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences and the R/V Atlantic Explorer.

Shahid M. MukhtarView profile

Adjunct Professor

• Systems Biology
• Network Science
• Functional Genomics
• +5 more

Shahid M. Mukhtar is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), holding a secondary faculty appointment in the Department of Surgery at the UAB School of Medicine. He is also affiliated with the Nutrition and Obesity Research Center and the Program of Immunology. With a Ph.D. in Genetics from the Max-Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne, Germany, and postdoctoral training under Dr. Jeff Dangl at the University of North Carolina, his research focuses on systems biology, network science, and bioinformatics applied to plant and animal models. Dr. Mukhtar’s education includes a Ph.D. at the Max Planck Institute and postdoctoral work at UNC, where he pioneered the Arabidopsis-pathogen interactome. His research integrates computational methods with experimental biology to study molecular networks in stress responses and pathogen interactions. He has secured NSF grants totaling over $1.8 million, including studies on sugar regulatory networks and AI-driven analysis of plant nutrients. His teaching accolades include the 2021 UAB President’s and CAS Dean’s Excellence in Teaching Awards. He mentors students who have won scholarships and awards, emphasizing interdisciplinary education through programs like PlantGIFT. Collaborations span dermatology, neurobiology, and immunology at UAB, with over 60 peer-reviewed publications in systems biology and plant pathology. Dr. Mukhtar’s lab explores plant immune systems, microbiome dynamics, and computational tools for disease resistance. Recent work includes studies on soybean microbiomes, SARS-CoV-2 interactome analysis, and nanobiotechnology for cold adaptation. He transitioned to Clemson University in 2024 while maintaining his UAB adjunct role.

• Synthetic ecology
• Evolution of symbiosis
• Microbial ecology
• +7 more

Erik Hom is an Associate Professor of Biology at the University of Mississippi, affiliated with the Department of Biology within the College of Liberal Arts. He leads the Darwin's Daemon research lab, focusing on microbial social dynamics, symbiosis, and ecological interactions. His work spans synthetic ecology, microbial mutualisms, and applications in algal biotechnology and environmental sustainability. Hom actively engages in teaching, directing the ARISE@UM program for underrepresented STEM students, and promoting experiential learning in Mississippi communities. Education: B.A. in Chemistry (High Honors) with minors in Biology and Physics from Swarthmore College Ph.D. in Biophysics from UC San Francisco (John Sedat lab) Postdoctoral research at Harvard University (Andrew Murray lab) Research interests include fungal-algal associations, microbial ecology in marine systems, and leveraging machine learning for biological discovery. His lab emphasizes collaborative, team-based science with a focus on fun, ethical rigor, and impactful science. Current projects explore microbial community dynamics in deserts, fermented foods, and symbiotic relationships in the Anthropocene era. Teaching responsibilities span courses like Research Experience (BISC 200), Chemical Ecology (BISC 540), and Special Topics in Biology (BISC 479/579/677). He prioritizes mentorship of underrepresented groups and K-12 outreach through the ARISE program, which provides research immersion opportunities for high school and community college students. Lab operations emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability challenges, combining fieldwork, genomic analysis, and computational modeling. Future directions include expanding studies on waste valorization and participatory systems analysis in ecological restoration projects.

Akinyemi OjesinaView profile

Assistant Professor

• Genomics
• Cancer Biology
• Tumor Microbiome
• +6 more

Akinyemi Ojesina, MD, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), where he leads the Oncopathogenomics Laboratory. His research focuses on how microbial interactions with human genetic changes influence cancer development, progression, and treatment response, leveraging genomic analyses and experimental models across multi-ethnic populations. Key areas include infection-related cancers, tumor microbiome dynamics, and translational applications in precision oncology. Education: MD with Distinction in Biochemistry, University of Ibadan College of Medicine, Nigeria PhD in Biological Sciences in Public Health, Harvard University Postdoctoral Fellowship (Damon Runyon Fellow), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Broad Institute Research Interests: His work spans genomic characterization of atypical cervical cancers, microbial determinants of cancer prognosis, and race/ethnicity-related tumor microbiome profiles. He develops diagnostic biomarkers and predictive models for cancers with global health impact, particularly in low-resource settings. Recent Work Trends: Publications highlight cervical cancer cell culture models, mismatch repair biomarkers, gut microbiota-estrogen interactions, and polygenic risk scores for post-transplant cognitive impairment. His studies bridge basic science and clinical oncology, emphasizing translational impact. Grants & Leadership: NIH/NCI-funded grant on extrachromosomal HPV tumor markers Leadership roles in TCGA Cervical Cancer Working Group, NCI HIV+ Tumor Project, and Cervical Cancer Clinical Trials Workgroup Labs & Teams: The Oncopathogenomics Lab integrates metatranscriptomics, computational biology, and clinical oncology to address unmet needs in women’s cancers and global health.

Michelle FlennikenView profile

Associate Professor

• Virology
• Genetics
• Host-Pathogen Interactions
• +5 more

Michelle Flenniken is an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology at Montana State University's College of Agriculture and a core faculty member of the Pollinator Health Center. Her research program integrates molecular virology, genetics, and host-pathogen dynamics with a primary focus on honey bee health and secondary work on potato-virus interactions. Education: Ph.D. in Microbiology, Montana State University (2006) Postdoctoral Fellowship in Microbiology & Immunology, University of California San Francisco (2012) B.S. in Biology (Chemistry minor), University of Iowa (1998) Her research investigates five interconnected domains: (1) RNA-triggered antiviral defense mechanisms in honey bees, (2) pathogen monitoring and discovery related to colony collapse disorder, (3) pathogenesis of Lake Sinai viruses, (4) microbiome-metabolome-transcriptome influences on immune responses, and (5) sublethal effects of agrochemicals on pollinator health. Collaborative work with Dr. Nina Zidack explores Potato virus Y resistance mechanisms in potato cultivars, bridging apicultural and agricultural pathology. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2020-2025) reveals dominant research trajectories in honey bee antiviral immunity, with growing emphasis on asymptomatic infections, environmental stressors, and cross-species viral transmission. Key methodological approaches include transcriptomics, metatranscriptomics, and in vitro cell culture models, while plant virology contributions focus on potato cultivar resistance and detection assays. Scientific Awards: State of the Art Speaker, American Society of Virology (2015) Dr. Flenniken actively mentors 4 current graduate students and has supervised 7 PhD/Masters graduates since 2016. Her lab secures substantial funding through competitive grants including NSF CAREER awards, Binational Science Foundation projects, and Montana Department of Agriculture initiatives targeting honey bee health and potato virus diagnostics. Current grants examine virus-nutrition interactions, antiviral agent efficacy, and PVY detection advancements. The Flenniken Lab operates from the Plant Biosciences Building and maintains MSU's Pollinator Garden and Honey Bee Research Site, established in 2012. Her team collaborates with USDA-ARS, international researchers, and beekeeping associations while contributing to national virology education standards through editorial roles at 'Viruses' and 'Apidologie'.

• Veterinary Medicine
• Toxicology
• Bioinformatics
• +4 more

Jiazhang Cai is a Professor in the Department of Precision One Health at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Ohio University. His research focuses on interdisciplinary areas including veterinary toxicology, bioinformatics, microbiome analysis, and machine learning applications in veterinary medicine. Key research interests include: Canine toxicology and emergency care protocols Biomarker discovery for neurodegenerative and environmental health disorders Development of spatial transcriptomics and ensemble algorithms in genomics Machine learning applications for bioinformatics and animal behavior analysis Recent studies explore topics like hypernatremia management in dogs, neuromuscular blockade effects in veterinary critical care, and multi-center clinical trials. His work bridges computational methods with clinical veterinary practice. Cai's publications span 2023–2025, demonstrating a focus on precision health approaches across animal and environmental systems. His research has implications for advancing diagnostic tools, therapeutic strategies, and understanding host-microbiome interactions.

Tim SkvortsovView profile

Lecturer

• Bacteriophages
• Molecular Microbiology
• Microbial Biotechnology
• +3 more

Dr Tim Skvortsov is a Lecturer in the School of Pharmacy at Queen's University Belfast, focusing on bacteriophage-based antimicrobial research. His work combines experimental and computational approaches to develop phage-derived therapies against bacterial pathogens and biofilms. He leads projects addressing antimicrobial resistance, viromics, and microbial bioinformatics. His research contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and environmental sustainability. Key Research Areas: Phage enzymes (endolysins, depolymerases) as antibacterial agents Phage therapy and synthetic biology applications Metagenomics/metatranscriptomics of microbial communities Horizontal gene transfer in biofilms Awards: QUB Proof of Principle Award 2023 (£10,000) Recent Projects: TRIPARTITE: SynBio in Phage Therapy for Pig Health (Co-Investigator) Activities: Dr Skvortsov actively participates in conferences (e.g., Health Tech Spring 2024), public engagement (NI Science Festival 2025), and peer review for journals like Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology . He supervises PhD students in areas such as phage genomics and biofilm engineering.

Andrew DoxeyView profile

Assistant Professor

• Microbiology
• Genomics
• Virology
• +5 more

Dr. Andrew Doxey is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Waterloo. His research focuses on microbial genomics, toxin biology, and pathogen-host interactions, with particular expertise in bioinformatics-driven discovery of novel bacterial toxins and metagenomic analysis of infectious disease systems. His work spans diverse areas including virology, proteomics, and environmental microbiology, often integrating high-throughput sequencing technologies with computational modeling. Key research themes include the evolutionary origins of neurotoxins, functional characterization of microbial gene clusters, and development of bioinformatics tools for genomic analysis. His lab has made significant contributions to understanding Clostridium botulinum toxin evolution, metaproteomic profiling of human microbiota, and wastewater-based pathogen surveillance. He maintains active collaborations in virology, environmental microbiology, and computational biology. Recent studies highlight his work on SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis, including gene expression dynamics in respiratory infections and the impact of cannabis smoke on immune responses. He has pioneered methods for metatranscriptomic profiling of pediatric sinusitis and developed open-source lateral flow immunoassay techniques for biomarker detection. No formal awards or grants are listed in the provided text, though his extensive publication record indicates sustained research activity. His research group's work is accessible via his personal lab website (http://doxey.uwaterloo.ca/), which details ongoing projects in microbial genomics and environmental surveillance applications.

Robert NicholsView profile

Researcher

• Microbiology
• Environmental Toxicology
• Metabolic Biology
• +3 more

Robert Nichols is an Assistant Research Professor in the Davenport Lab at the Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University. His research focuses on the intersection of environmental pollutants, gut microbiota, and metabolic health. Key areas include investigating how chemicals like chlorpyrifos and persistent organic pollutants impact microbial communities and host metabolism. Research interests span microbial phylogenetics, microbiome-drug interactions, and bile acid signaling. Recent studies explore the role of bile salt hydrolase in colorectal cancer and the effects of dietary components on intestinal gluconeogenesis. Publications highlight advancements in long-read sequencing techniques, metabolomics-driven toxicity assessments, and microbiome-mediated pathways. No awards are listed, though ongoing work emphasizes environmental chemical impacts on metabolic homeostasis. Laboratory affiliations include the Davenport Lab, with research often involving mouse models to study microbiome responses to environmental exposures. Collaborations likely extend to toxicology and systems biology fields.

• Small RNA Biology
• Plant Development
• Human Development
• +5 more

Dr. Galina Yahubyan is a Professor in Molecular Biology at the University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria. She holds an MSc in Biology and a PhD in Plant Biochemistry and Physiology. Her research focuses on small RNA biology in both plant and human systems, exploring roles in development, stress responses, and disease mechanisms. Education: MSc in Biology, PhD in Plant Biochemistry and Physiology Her work spans comparative transcriptomics, epigenetic regulation, and metagenomic analysis of microbial communities. She leads the ELBA project (Horizon 2020, Grant ID 765492), investigating small RNA roles in stress and disease. Recent publications highlight cross-kingdom RNA communication, environmental biomarker discovery, and plant-microbe interactions. She teaches courses in Molecular Biology, Control of Gene Expression, and Basics of Epigenetics. While no formal advisees are listed, her research collaborations span oncology, reproductive biology, and environmental science domains.

Sean O'ConnellView profile

Associate Professor

• Microbiology
• Microbial Ecology
• Environmental Science
• +3 more

Sean O'Connell is an Associate Professor of Biology at Western Carolina University (WCU) within the College of Arts and Sciences. He has been affiliated with WCU since 2001 and maintains an office in the Apodaca Science Building. His research focuses on microbial diversity in natural and forensic contexts, particularly within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and decomposition studies. Education: Ph.D. in Microbiology, Idaho State University (2002) B.S. in Biology & Secondary Science Education, Johnson State College (1994) A.S. in Liberal Science (Biology & Environmental Science), Sullivan County Community College (1990) Research Interests: Dr. O'Connell explores microbial dynamics in soil, water, caves, and human-decomposed remains. His work often integrates with interdisciplinary teams in geochemistry, forensic anthropology, and National Park Service initiatives. Recent studies include bacterial community analysis in human decomposition and microbial interactions in subsurface environments. Teaching: Teaches courses in general microbiology, microbial ecology, and brewing science. Labs emphasize fieldwork in habitats like Smoky Mountains soil, campus streams, and forensic decomposition sites. Brewing coursework covers yeast fermentation and product optimization. Collaborations: Works with WCU’s FOREST facility to study microbial decomposition for forensic applications. Active in long-term biodiversity inventories in the Smokies, including fungal and nematode studies alongside bacterial surveys.

Ezequiel MarzinelliView profile

Adjunct Associate Professor

• Marine Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Microbial Ecology
• +4 more

Ezequiel Marzinelli is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of New South Wales within the Faculty of Science's School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences. His research focuses on marine ecology, conservation, and restoration, with emphasis on habitat-forming species like kelp forests. He holds a PhD in Marine Science/Ecology from the University of Sydney (2010) and a Licenciatura in Biological Sciences from the University of Buenos Aires (2005). His work integrates theoretical ecology, environmental genomics, and large-scale experiments to understand mechanisms behind species decline and habitat degradation. Current projects include Operation Crayweed (restoration of underwater forests), host-microbiome interactions in seaweeds, and continental-scale benthic biodiversity assessments using AUVs. Collaborations span globally with institutions like SCELSE (Singapore), UWA, and CONICET. Marzinelli teaches courses including 'The Marine Environment' and 'Topics in Australian Marine Science', and mentors multiple PhD and Honours students. He serves as Review Editor for Frontiers in Ecology & Evolution and actively contributes to professional societies including ISME and AMSA. Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (2006) University of Sydney International Postgraduate Award (2006) University of Buenos Aires Beca Estímulo (2005) He has secured significant research funding including ARC Linkage and NSW Environmental Trust grants for restoration projects. His lab at the Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation focuses on marine ecology and microbiome research, with active field sites across Australasia.

Morten Kam Dahl DueholmView profile

Associate Professor

• Environmental Microbiology
• Metagenomics
• Microbial Communities
• +3 more

Morten Kam Dahl Dueholm is an Associate Professor at the Department of Chemistry and Bioscience , Faculty of Engineering and Science , Aalborg University . He leads the Environmental Microbiology research group and co-leads the Center for Microbial Communities . His work focuses on microbial communities in wastewater treatment systems, functional amyloids, and metagenomics. Department of Chemistry and Bioscience Faculty of Engineering and Science Center for Microbial Communities Research interests include environmental microbiology , metagenomics , functional amyloids , biopolymer production , and anaerobic digestion . His recent work involves developing the MiDAS (Microbial Database for Activated Sludge) database, characterizing microbial communities in wastewater systems, and exploring amyloid-based biofilm formation. Scientific trends in his publications show expertise in 16S rRNA sequencing , metatranscriptomics , microbial interactions , biofilm engineering , biogeochemical cycles , and host-microbe interactions . Scientific Awards: Carlsberg Mindelegat Scholarship (2005) He contributes to network-building through consortia projects like REThiNk (2022-2027), Microflora Danica (2019-2025), and GLOMICAVE (2021-2024). His work appears in Nature and Nature Communications .

• Computational Biology
• Systems Biology
• Bioinformatics
• +3 more

PJ Schaap is an Associate Professor in Systems and Synthetic Biology at Wageningen University, Netherlands. His research focuses on computational biology, systems biology, bioinformatics, and microbiology, with a particular emphasis on fungal genomics and metabolic modeling. He collaborates widely with institutions like Wageningen University & Research, Erasmus MC, and the University of Pavia. His work integrates genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolic data to understand microbial systems, particularly in industrial fungi and gut microbiota. Notable contributions include developing the MEMOTE framework for genome-scale model validation and advancing CRISPR-Cas system analyses. He leads projects on microbial adaptation mechanisms and their applications in biotechnology and health. Key research areas include fungal enzyme networks, metabolic pathways in Akkermansia muciniphila, and metatranscriptomic pipelines (NG-Tax). His publications span over 20 years, addressing topics from fungal genetics to microbiome-host interactions. Collaborations with experts like Hauke Smidt and Willem de Vos highlight interdisciplinary strengths.