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Luca Pietro CasacciView profile

Associate Professor

• Animal Behavior
• Ecology
• Evolutionary Biology
• +7 more

Luca Pietro Casacci is an Associate Professor at the University of Turin, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, specializing in animal behavior, biodiversity, and chemical/acoustic communication in insects. His work bridges ecology, genetics, and conservation biology. Focus on ant-butterfly interactions Expert in social parasitism mechanisms Research spans climate change impacts and multimodal signaling Recent publications highlight collaborations across European institutions and innovative methods in environmental monitoring. He coordinates international relations for his department and serves as Erasmus+ referent for Natural Sciences. Contact: luca.casacci@unito.it 2025: Insect chemical defense and mimicry 2024: Ant chemical signals in vineyards, climate effects on butterflies 2023: Geomagnetic navigation in ants, fungal infection effects

Renato GilView profile

Research Fellow

• Analytical Chemistry
• Environmental Monitoring
• Food Safety
• +3 more

Renato Gil is a Research Fellow at the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) since 2022, focusing on developing miniaturized potentiometric sensors and their integration into microfluidic platforms for water quality monitoring. He holds a European PhD in Analytical Chemistry (2022) and an MSc (2014) from the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Porto, Portugal. His research bridges analytical chemistry with food and environmental safety, emphasizing cost-effective analytical methods. Education: PhD: European PhD in Analytical Chemistry (2022), University of Porto MSc: Pharmaceutical Sciences (2014), University of Porto Research Interests: Renato’s work centers on potentiometric sensors, liquid chromatography-potentiometric detection systems, and their applications in food safety (e.g., biogenic amines in beverages) and environmental analysis (e.g., nitrate/nitrite detection, water quality). He also explores nanotechnology-based sensors, graphene oxide transducers, and biotechnological solutions for plant disease management. Publications: His 2022-2025 work highlights advancements in sensor design (e.g., cucurbituril-based sensors, graphene oxide transducers) and method development for trace analysis in complex matrices. Recent trends include integrating nanomaterials and microfluidics for portable diagnostics. Awards: Recognized in 2020 via U.Porto Innovation’s Business Ignition Programme for entrepreneurial research initiatives. Advising & Labs: Member of the Water Quality Research Group at INL, contributing to interdisciplinary projects in environmental and food safety technologies. Active in conference presentations (12 oral, 5 posters) and has co-authored 3 book chapters.

• Analytical Chemistry
• Phytochemistry
• Antioxidant Activity
• +3 more

Pille-Riin Laanet is a Research Fellow and PhD candidate at Tallinn University of Technology's School of Science, Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology. Her work focuses on analytical chemistry, phytochemical screening, and anti-Borrelia agent discovery. She has held research roles since 2021 with varying commitments (0.10–0.50 FTE). Education: PhD in Chemistry and Biotechnology (since 2021), MSc in Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology (2021, cum laude), BSc in Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology (2019). Completed primary and secondary education at Tallinn Technical Gymnasium and Tallinn Secondary School of Science. Research interests include phytochemical analysis, antioxidant activity, and the development of analytical methods for cannabinoids and natural products. Her work combines instrumental analysis (e.g., chromatography) with microbiological studies to evaluate plant-derived compounds' medicinal potential. Publications (2021–2024) focus on phytochemical screening, anti-Borrelia agents, and method development for cannabinoid analysis. Notable awards include recognition for anti-Borrelia research (2023) and a best poster award at FEBS3+ 2022. Grants include leadership in evaluating plant extracts' antioxidant/antibacterial activity (€225k, 2022–2025) and a study on Estonian pollen composition (€16k, 2025). Supervises two master's students: Eva-Liisa Tiru (pollen bioactives) and Regina Drošnova (Plantago phytochemicals). Engages in science communication through workshops like 'An Hour in the Forensics Lab' for high school students and 'Colorful and Glowing Molecules' at public events.

• Microbiology
• Ecology
• Aquaculture
• +3 more

Simona Bartkova is a Researcher at Tallinn University of Technology's Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Science. She holds a Doctorate in Microbiology from the Technical University of Denmark (2016) and has expertise in droplet microfluidics, microbial ecology, and antimicrobial resistance research. Her work focuses on developing novel platforms for studying microplastic impacts on bacterial behavior and antibiotic resistance. Education: PhD Microbiology (DTU), MSc Molecular Ecology (Lund University), BSc Biology (Dowling College) Research interests include microfluidics-based diagnostics, environmental microbiology, and aquaculture health. She leads projects funded by the European Commission and Estonian grants, including the Droplet-Based Microfluidics Platform for studying plastic-degrading microbes. Awards include 2024 Plastic Fantastic Hackathon winner and 2023 Dolomite competition 2nd prize. Active in COST Action networks on antimicrobial resistance and aquaculture biotechnology. Grants: €550k for endocrine disruptor detection, €459k for DNA nanotechnology Juvenile basketball prodigy turned scientist, she also coaches and competes in Estonian women's basketball leagues.

Pedro Paulo V. P. DinizView profile

Professor

• Veterinary Education
• Infectious Diseases
• Cardiology
• +4 more

Pedro Paulo V. P. Diniz is an Assistant Dean of Assessment and Outcomes at the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific and a tenured Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences. He holds a PhD in Clinical Sciences from São Paulo State University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Microbiology at North Carolina State University. His academic interests include AI ethics in veterinary education, competency-based learning, and leadership in higher education. Research focuses on zoonotic vector-borne diseases, cardiovascular conditions in animals, and educational innovations. He has mentored 31 students across postdoctoral, doctoral, and veterinary programs. Notable awards include the Zoetis Distinguished Veterinary Teacher Award (2024) and the Innovation Champion Award (2019). Dr. Diniz has led over 50 funded grants totaling $1.2 million and published 75+ peer-reviewed articles. He chairs the WesternU Assessment Committee and serves on national committees like the AAVMC Data Committee. His leadership training includes the AAVMC Leadership Academy and executive coaching with Dr. Devorah Lieberman. Teaching innovations include AI-driven adaptive learning tools and smartphone-based ECG apps, recognized with student innovation awards. He has developed cost-effective clinical simulation models and contributed to textbooks like Greene's Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat .

Hayan LeeView profile

Assistant Professor

• Computational Epigenetics
• Cancer Research
• Aging
• +5 more

Hayan Lee is an Assistant Professor at the Fox Chase Cancer Center and a member of the Cancer Epigenetics Institute with a focus on the Nuclear Dynamics and Cancer (NDC) program. Her lab investigates computational epigenetics in cancer and aging, emphasizing machine learning for biomarker development and therapeutic optimization. Ph.D. in Computer Science, Stony Brook University (2015) M.S. in Information Security Technology and Management, Carnegie Mellon University (2008) B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering, Seoul National University (2002, Cum Laude) Research interests span computational epigenetics, multi-omics data analysis, and cutting-edge technologies like single-cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics. Her work identifies predictive epigenetic signatures and models cancer microenvironment dynamics. Recent publications highlight trends in applying machine learning to cancer diagnostics, epigenetic dysregulation, and single-cell technologies. Notable awards include the Best Paper Award at ISMCO’21 and the Simons Postdoctoral Fellowship . Scientific Awards Best Paper Award, ISMCO’21 Simons Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2015-2016 Ph.D. Fellowship, Stony Brook, 2009-2010 M.S. Scholarship, Carnegie Mellon, 2006 Cum Laude, Seoul National University, 2002 Hayan Lee leads the Nuclear Dynamics and Cancer Lab, collaborating with institutions like Stanford University and Temple University. Her research integrates high-performance computing and machine learning frameworks to advance cancer and aging diagnostics.

Momoko TajiriView profile

Academic

• Infectious Disease Biology
• Molecular Diagnostics
• High-Throughput Screening
• +2 more

Momoko Tajiri is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Michigan Technological University. She holds a PhD in Chemical Biology from The Pennsylvania State University, an MS in Health Physics from Georgia Institute of Technology, and a BS in Physics from the University of Tsukuba, Japan. Her laboratory focuses on the application of advanced biotechnological methods to combat infectious diseases. Her primary research interests include: Developing high-throughput methods to study microbial biology using techniques like phage display and SELEX Creating DNA-based point-of-care detection systems for vector-borne pathogens using LAMP technology Advancing biochemistry education methodologies She leads the Momoko Tajiri Research Lab, which explores innovative approaches to pathogen detection and microbial biochemistry. No awards, grants, or student mentorship details are currently documented.

Mana OhkuraView profile

Professor

• Plant Pathology
• Fungal Biology
• Agricultural Disease Management
• +3 more

Mana Ohkura is a Professor of Practice and Director of the Plant Clinic at Oregon State University (OSU), affiliated with the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology. She leads the OSU Plant Clinic, providing diagnostic and advisory services for plant health issues. Her research focuses on fungal pathogens, particularly Calonectria pseudonaviculata (causative agent of boxwood blight), microbial interactions in plants, and disease management strategies in agricultural systems. She has contributed to studies on the effects of environmental conditions, cultivation practices, and volatile compounds on pathogen behavior. Dr. Ohkura's work spans plant pathology, fungal genomics, and biocontrol applications. Notable projects include developing rapid DNA extraction methods for pathogen detection and analyzing the ecological impacts of biocontrol agents like Trichoderma . Her research also extends to zoonotic fungi ( Coccidioides ) and emerging wildlife diseases such as snake fungal disease caused by Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola . Her articles emphasize practical solutions for agricultural challenges, including optimizing nursery spacing to reduce blight risk and understanding temperature effects on pathogen growth. While no formal student advisees are listed, her role in the Plant Clinic and OSU affiliations suggest extensive mentorship in plant health diagnostics and research.

Robbie BaldockView profile

Senior Lecturer

• DNA Repair
• Mitochondrial Biology
• Pharmacology
• +4 more

Dr. Robbie Baldock is a Senior Lecturer and Associate Head (Employability & Placements) at the University of Portsmouth , where he leads the Baldock Laboratory in the School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences . His career spans roles at Solent University (Lecturer/Senior Lecturer), University of Gloucestershire, and University of Pittsburgh (postdoctoral research). He holds a PhD from the University of Sussex and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy . Current leadership role: Associate Head (Employability & Placements) Academic institutions: University of Sussex (undergraduate), University of Pittsburgh (postdoc) Professional affiliations: Biochemical Society Local Ambassador, Genes Research Area Panel, Early Career Advisory Panel His research interests focus on DNA repair mechanisms in both nuclear and mitochondrial genomes, antibiotic-induced mitochondrial toxicity , and the role of hydroquinine in bacterial resistance . He also explores augmented reality (AR) in bioscience education to enhance student engagement and accessibility. Recent research outputs highlight trends in antibiotic resistance (e.g., efflux pump regulation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa ), mitochondrial DNA protection , and AR applications in education . His 2024 work on machine learning for COVID-19 detection via X-rays demonstrates interdisciplinary innovation. Scientific awards include: Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AdvanceHE) Dr. Baldock supervises self-funded PhD students and actively participates in degree program validation and external examining (University of Plymouth). His lab at Portsmouth leverages state-of-the-art equipment for fluorescence analysis, flow cytometry, and cell culture studies.

• Microbiology
• Antimicrobial Resistance
• Infectious Diseases
• +3 more

Johanna U Ericson is a Professor in Microbiology at the Department of Medical Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway. She leads the Host-Microbe Interaction (HMI) research group and is vice-director of the National Graduate School in Infection Biology and Antimicrobials (IBA). Her research focuses on determinants of Staphylococcus aureus colonization in healthy human skin, antimicrobial peptide efficacy, and development of new antibiotics via projects like DigiBiotics. Her work spans antimicrobial resistance, bacterial biofilms, and host-bacteria interactions. Notable projects include investigating hormonal influences on S. aureus carriage and developing marine-derived antimicrobial agents. She collaborates across disciplines, including epidemiology and nanomedicine, to address infection challenges. Publications highlight innovations in antimicrobial peptide design, bacterial membrane models, and social network analysis of pathogen transmission. Her research emphasizes translational applications, such as improving prosthetic joint infection diagnostics and combating multi-drug resistant bacteria.

• Food Mycology
• Mycotoxin Toxicology
• Food Safety
• +3 more

Armando Venâncio is an Associate Professor and researcher at the University of Minho's Department of Biological Engineering (DEB), affiliated with the Center of Biological Engineering (CEB). He holds leadership roles including Director of the Master in Food Science and Technology program and former Director of DEB. His career spans over 30 years in academic management, including roles in curriculum design, ERASMUS coordination, and pedagogical councils. Venâncio specializes in food mycology and mycotoxin toxicology, leading research on fungal contaminants in food systems. Education: PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering (University of Minho, 1996) Master's: Chemical Engineering (University of Porto, 1991) Research focuses on mycotoxin detection, biodegradation, and mitigation strategies, with emphasis on ochratoxin A and aflatoxins. Key projects include EU-funded initiatives on food safety, microbial resource infrastructure, and African mycotoxin networks. He has supervised over 90 students and contributed to 150+ scientific publications. Notable contributions include enzyme-based detoxification methods, ozone applications in food safety, and bioremediation of agro-industrial waste. His work bridges food safety, environmental biotechnology, and public health policy.

Qingsu ChengView profile

Assistant Professor

• Bioimaging
• Cancer Microenvironment
• Nanotechnology
• +5 more

Dr. Qingsu Cheng is an Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM). Prior to UWM, he completed postdoctoral training at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and served as a research scientist at the University of Nevada Reno. His research focuses on cancer therapeutics, microbiome analysis, and advanced imaging techniques. He leads the Cancer Therapeutics, Microbiome, and Imaging Lab, where he develops quantitative assays for organoid models and synthesizes C60-nucleic acid probes for live microorganism detection. Education: PhD in Biomedical Engineering, University of South Carolina MS in Biochemical Engineering, Sichuan University BS in Bioengineering, Nanjing University of Technology Research Interests: Dr. Cheng's work integrates bioimaging, nanotechnology, and cancer microenvironment studies. His lab investigates organoid-fibroblast interactions in breast cancer treatment, environmental effects on organoid formation, and microbiome applications in food safety. Key projects include developing quantum cascade laser microscopy for cancer differentiation and patent-pending C60 probes for microbial identification. Professional Activities: NASA HRP Review Panel (2023) National Institutes of Health Review Panel ZRG1 OTC1-M(80) (2022) Co-founder of RiboFlare, a company commercializing microbial probes for food industry applications Referee for journals including Journal of Biomedical Materials Engineering and Carbohydrate Polymers Labs & Teams: The Cancer Therapeutics, Microbiome, and Imaging Lab at UWM drives interdisciplinary research in biomedical engineering, combining experimental and computational approaches to address unmet clinical needs in oncology and diagnostics.

• Antimicrobial Resistance
• Veterinary Microbiology
• One Health
• +4 more

Sian Frosini is a Lecturer in Veterinary Clinical Microbiology at The Royal Veterinary College (RVC), where her role is divided between undergraduate teaching in Veterinary Medicine and Nursing, and serving as clinical liaison between RVC clinical services and the microbiology diagnostic laboratory. Her research focuses on antimicrobial resistance in companion animals, particularly methicillin-resistant staphylococci and ESKAPE pathogens. She holds a BVM&S (2013) and a PhD in veterinary microbiology (funded by BBSRC/Dechra), followed by postdoctoral work on JPI-AMR grants investigating pet-owner transmission of resistant bacteria. She collaborates internationally with groups like Dr. Jodi Lindsay’s molecular microbiology team at St. George’s Medical School and Dr. Jo Larner at the University of Hertfordshire. Education: BVM&S (Veterinary Medicine), Royal Veterinary College, 2013 PhD in Veterinary Microbiology (BBSRC/Dechra funded), 2017 Her research emphasizes One Health approaches to antimicrobial resistance, including transduction of resistance genes between human and veterinary pathogens, and diagnostic stewardship. Recent work includes evaluating novel methods like ATP bioluminescence for urinary tract infection detection and studying plasmid-mediated resistance in NDM-5-producing E. coli. She contributes to antimicrobial stewardship initiatives like the Vet Compass project, aiming to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use in small animal practice. Her publications span topics like staphylococcal resistance determinants, ESKAPE pathogen ecology, and cross-species transmission dynamics. She actively pursues grants focused on improving antimicrobial use strategies and developing diagnostic tools for companion animals. Key Projects: Improved Stewardship to Protect Veterinary Antimicrobial Usage in UK Cats and Dogs (Petplan Charitable Trust funded) PACK-CXL bactericidal efficacy in canine keratitis (in progress) She supervises student research projects and collaborates internationally on antimicrobial resistance surveillance, reflecting her commitment to bridging clinical practice and microbial research.

Mikkel AnboView profile

Researcher

• Genomic Epidemiology
• Antibiotic Resistance Research
• Bacterial Pathogenesis
• +3 more

Mikkel Anbo is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), specializing in genomic epidemiology within the Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology. His work focuses on high-risk clones of Pseudomonas aeruginosa , particularly ST111, examining serotype switching mechanisms and antimicrobial resistance evolution. His research interests center on genomic epidemiology of bacterial pathogens, with specific expertise in Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence mechanisms, whole-genome sequencing analysis, and high-risk clone surveillance. Key areas include O-antigen variation, serotype switching dynamics, and the genomic basis of antibiotic resistance in clinical isolates. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health security and disease prevention. Analysis of his recent publications reveals consistent focus on ST111 clone evolution across global settings (France, China), with emphasis on genomic drivers of virulence and resistance. His 2024 PLOS Pathogens paper demonstrates how serotype switching enhances bacterial adhesion, while earlier work established detection methods for these switching events. His doctoral project "Preventing Emergence of antibiotic resistant 'high-risk clones' of Pseudomonas aeruginosa " (2019-2023) was supervised by Professor Lea Jelsbak, indicating strong institutional support for his research trajectory. Current work continues this line through postdoctoral research at DTU's National Food Institute. The Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology at DTU's National Food Institute provides his primary laboratory environment, with international collaborations evident in publications spanning French hospitals and Guangdong, China. His work integrates clinical microbiology with advanced genomic analysis to address antimicrobial resistance threats.

Eve AfonsoView profile

Assistant Professor

• Wildlife Ecology
• Population Genetics
• Biodiversity Conservation
• +5 more

Dr. Eve Afonso is an Assistant Professor at Université de Franche-Comté, France, affiliated with the Chrono-environnement laboratory (UMR 6249 CNRS/UFC) and part of the DYNABIO research team. Her office is located in Room 209M at Campus de la Bouloie. Her research integrates molecular ecology, conservation biology, and statistical modeling to study how global change impacts wildlife ecology, with particular focus on bats and primates. She employs non-invasive techniques for population genetics and eco-epidemiological investigations. Her research interests center on biodiversity conservation under anthropogenic pressures, with specialized expertise in: Population genetics of endangered mammals Wildlife disease ecology and zoonotic transmission Ecotoxicology of pesticides in small mammals Conservation strategies for primates and bats Predator-prey dynamics in changing environments Dr. Afonso's publications demonstrate strong thematic focus on the intersection of wildlife ecology and disease dynamics, particularly regarding European bats, Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys, and arctic bird species. Her work consistently addresses conservation applications, with 57% of recent papers examining anthropogenic impacts on endangered species. She currently advises Chrono Student Laurie Bedouet and participates in international collaborations like the IRP Forêts froides project (2021-2026). Her laboratory work involves metabarcoding techniques for pathogen analysis and genetic hybridization studies.