Microbial-Triggered Colitis Professors and Supervisors

Jason HawrelakView profile

Senior Lecturer

University of Western StatesUnited States

Jason Hawrelak is a Senior Lecturer and coordinator of evidence-based complementary medicine programs at the University of Tasmania's School of Medicine. As a naturopathic physician and Western herbalist with 17+ years of clinical experience, he directs Goulds Natural Medicine—a 136-year-old Tasmanian clinic combining apothecary services, organic herb farming, and acute/chronic care. His research centers on gastrointestinal disorders including irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. He specializes in evidence-based applications of intestinal dysbiosis management , microbiota manipulation , and prebiotic/probiotic therapies , integrating traditional naturopathic approaches with modern clinical science. His work bridges complementary medicine and conventional gastroenterology through rigorous evidence evaluation. Publications from 2010-2015 reveal consistent focus on gut-brain axis interactions , herbal interventions for functional GI disorders , and microbiome modulation strategies . Key trends include translating traditional herbal knowledge into evidence-based protocols, particularly for IBS and GERD, while advancing clinical frameworks for prebiotic/synbiotic applications in inflammatory conditions. Fellow of the Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia Member of the Medical Nutrition Council, American Society for Nutrition Fellow of the American College of Nutrition Visiting Research Fellow, Australian Research Centre for Complementary and Integrative Medicine With 16 years of teaching experience across undergraduate and postgraduate health programs, Hawrelak develops evidence-based curricula while maintaining active clinical practice. His peer-review work spans leading journals including the British Medical Journal and Journal of Gastroenterology, reflecting his role in advancing methodological rigor in complementary medicine research. Hawrelak co-directs Goulds Natural Medicine—a fully integrated facility featuring clinical consultation spaces, organic herb cultivation fields, and on-site medicine processing. This unique model combines traditional apothecary practices with modern evidence-based approaches, serving as both a patient care hub and practical training environment for complementary medicine applications.

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Samantha GruenheidView profile

Professor

McGill UniversityCanada

Samantha Gruenheid is the Departmental Chair and Professor in the Department of Microbiology at McGill University . Her research focuses on host-pathogen interactions and bacterial pathogenesis, with particular emphasis on molecular mechanisms of virulence and host immune responses. Host-pathogen interactions Bacterial pathogenesis Neuroimmunology Microbiome-immune crosstalk Parkinson's disease models Intestinal inflammation Her recent work examines how bacterial infections (e.g., Helicobacter pylori , Citrobacter rodentium ) and host genetic factors (PINK1, LRRK2) intersect to drive neuroinflammatory and intestinal diseases. She utilizes mouse models, in vitro organoid cultures, and molecular genetics to dissect pathogenic pathways. Current projects include: Investigating Parkinson's disease-associated genes in intestinal homeostasis Characterizing bacterial effector proteins (NleA, OmpT) Studying microbiome impacts on dendritic cell function Modeling gene-environment interactions via infections Analyzing blood-brain barrier perturbation post-infection

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Linda MansfieldView profile

Professor

Michigan State UniversityUnited States

Linda Mansfield is a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at Michigan State University. She is affiliated with the Genetics & Genome Sciences Program and the Cell & Molecular Biology Program, and her research focuses on the enteric bacterial pathogen Campylobacter jejuni and its role in autoimmune diseases like Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and Miller Fisher Syndrome (MFS). Her work also explores microbiome dynamics, antibiotic resistance, and host-pathogen interactions. Education: B.S. (1975), M.S. (1980) from University of Delaware; V.M.D. (1986), Ph.D. (1990) from University of Pennsylvania. Research Interests: Autoimmune diseases triggered by C. jejuni , microbiome adaptation, antibiotic resistance, and host-pathogen co-evolution. Scientific Awards: Albert C. Dehn and Lois E. Dehn Endowed Chair in Veterinary Medicine. Key Publication Trends: 2025: FMT studies linking human microbiota to inflammation and lung function. 2023: Role of infant microbiota in neurodevelopment and antibiotic resistance transfer. 2022: Autoimmune neuropathy mechanisms in C. jejuni infection. 2017-2016: Microbiome shifts, socioecological immunity in hyenas. 2007-2004: Autoimmune models in mice and parasitology reviews. Laboratory: Comparative Enteric Diseases Laboratory, investigating C. jejuni pathogenesis and autoimmune sequelae.

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Kay-Martin JohnsenView profile

Associate Professor

UiT The Arctic University of NorwayNorway

Kay-Martin Johnsen is an Associate Professor at the Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, specializing in inflammatory bowel diseases and ulcerative colitis research. Affiliation: UiT The Arctic University of Norway Department: Clinical Medicine Email: kay-martin.johnsen@uit.no His research focuses on molecular mechanisms in ulcerative colitis, including DNA methylation, non-coding RNAs, and biomarker development for personalized treatment. Key areas include inflammatory signaling pathways, epithelial barrier function, and pharmacodynamic responses to anti-TNF therapies. Recent publications demonstrate expertise in genomics, immunology, and clinical pharmacology, with a strong emphasis on longitudinal studies and biomarker validation in inflammatory bowel disease contexts. He collaborates extensively with researchers like Jon Florholmen, Rasmus Goll, and Christopher Graham Fenton, contributing to translational medicine through peer-reviewed journals such as Scientific Reports, BMC Gastroenterology, and PLOS ONE.

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Hans-Christian ReineckerView profile

Associate Professor

University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterUnited States

Hans-Christian Reinecker, M.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center, with affiliations in the Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, the Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, and the Department of Immunology. He joined UT Southwestern in 2020 after a long tenure at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. His research focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer, particularly innate and adaptive immune responses, microbial pattern recognition, and anti-tumor immunity. Dr. Reinecker earned his medical degree from Christian Albrecht's University in Kiel, Germany, followed by residency training in internal medicine at Altonaer Children's Hospital in Hamburg, Germany. He completed advanced fellowships in gastroenterology, postdoctoral training at the University of Pennsylvania, and a second postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School. His research interests include targeting microtubule-based microbial recognition, STING pathway regulation in immunity, and development of anti-tumor therapies. The Reinecker Lab uses genetic mouse models and human organotypic systems to study disease mechanisms and therapies. Key projects involve Schlafen family proteins and STING signaling in inflammatory disorders. Dr. Reinecker’s work has led to publications in high-impact journals such as Science , Nature Immunology , and Gastroenterology . His lab collaborates on grants exploring mucosal immunity and cancer biology, and he mentors postdoctoral researchers and graduate students. The Reinecker Research Lab is part of UT Southwestern’s robust immunology and gastrointestinal research programs.

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Jonas HalfvarsonView profile

Professor

Örebro UniversitySweden

Jonas Halfvarson is a Professor of Medical Science specializing in gastroenterology at Örebro University, Sweden. He leads research on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), focusing on biomarker discovery, genetic factors, and environmental triggers to improve early diagnosis and personalized treatment. Education: PhD in Medical Science (2005, Linköping University), Docent in Medical Sciences (2011, Örebro University), and Professorship since 2020. Research interests include IBD pathogenesis, proteomics, microbiome analysis, and translational medicine. Key contributions: Identification of biomarkers predicting disease progression and treatment response, validation of multi-omics approaches, and leadership in national/international consortia (e.g., IBD Genetics Consortium, Genomic Medicine Sweden). Collaborations include patient organizations and pharmaceutical companies to accelerate clinical translation. Awards: Recognized as a 'Rising Star in Gastroenterology' (2011, UEGW). Research supported by Horizon 2020, IMI2, Swedish Research Council, and others.

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Sangman KimView profile

Associate Professor

University of San FranciscoUnited States

Sangman Kim is an Associate Professor at the University of San Francisco with research expertise in immunology, microbiology, and host-pathogen interactions. His laboratory investigates toll-like receptors and their role in microbial recognition and immune activation. Research focuses on: Mechanisms of host-microbe interactions through TLR signaling Impact of TLR polymorphisms on immune responses Microbiome influences on systemic immunity and disease pathogenesis Molecular pathways in celiac disease development His recent publications demonstrate consistent investigation into microbiome-immune system interactions, particularly in contexts of sepsis, autoimmune disorders, and mucosal immunity. Research employs molecular biology approaches to dissect signaling pathways and translational applications of microbiome therapeutics.

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Waliul KhanView profile

Professor

McMaster UniversityCanada

Dr. Waliul Khan is a Professor in the Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine at McMaster University's Faculty of Health Sciences. He leads a research laboratory situated within the Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, focusing on gastrointestinal health and its complex interplay with intestinal serotonin, microbiota, autophagy, and host defense mechanisms. His research interests span Gastroenterology, Immunology, Microbiology, and Parasitology, with a specific focus on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), host-pathogen interactions, and intestinal immune responses. Dr. Khan's work has established critical connections between gut-derived serotonin, immune function, and microbiome composition, revealing novel pathways in intestinal inflammation and host defense. Analysis of Dr. Khan's recent publications reveals a strong trend toward understanding the role of serotonin signaling in gut health, particularly its impact on immune responses, microbiome composition, and barrier function. His research has expanded into examining how food additives influence gut health, how probiotics like Akkermansia muciniphila modulate inflammation, and how circadian rhythms affect intestinal inflammation. Picked up by 109 news outlets for research on food dyes and IBD Featured in Nature Communications for work on Allura Red and colitis Extensive media coverage for serotonin research Highly cited publications with up to 735 Mendeley readers Research referenced in multiple Wikipedia pages and patents Dr. Khan teaches Integrated Systems in Gastrointestinal Health and Disease I (MEDSCI 713) and Clinical Biochemistry (BIOCHEM 3H03) at McMaster University. His laboratory investigates the mechanisms underlying gastrointestinal disorders, with the goal of developing improved diagnostic strategies and therapeutic interventions for conditions like inflammatory bowel disease.

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Alberto Caminero FernandezView profile

Assistant Professor

McMaster UniversityCanada

Dr. Alberto Caminero Fernandez is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at McMaster University (Faculty of Health Sciences). His research focuses on gut microbiota and its role in celiac disease , intestinal inflammation , and food sensitivities . His work investigates how microbial metabolism of dietary antigens (e.g., gluten, wheat proteins) influences immune activation , visceral hypersensitivity , and inflammatory bowel diseases . Key methodologies include gnotobiotic mouse models , 16S rRNA sequencing , and protease activity analysis . 2025 : Explored food allergen metabolism and microbiome reproducibility 2024 : Published mechanistic studies on PAR2 activation in colitis, wheat protein neuroinflammation, and T-cell responses in celiac disease 2023 : Investigated bacterial proteases in intestinal diseases and microbiota biogeography in celiac patients

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Anthony OtleyView profile

Professor

Dalhousie UniversityCanada

Dr. Anthony Otley is a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Department of Medicine at Dalhousie University's Faculty of Medicine. He serves as Associate Chair of Research for Pediatrics and Division Head of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition. Based at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Dr. Otley leads the Maritime Intestinal Research Alliance (MIRA) and holds key roles in national research networks including the CHILD-CIHR Canadian pediatric IBD Network and the IMAGINE SPOR Network. His research focuses on pediatric inflammatory bowel disease, with special emphasis on clinical trials methodology, development of patient-reported outcome measures, and the use of enteral nutrition for Crohn's disease management. Dr. Otley has made significant contributions to understanding the gut microbiome's role in pediatric IBD and has pioneered patient engagement approaches to set research priorities in this field. Dr. Otley's publication record demonstrates consistent contributions to high-impact journals in gastroenterology, immunology, and microbiology. His work spans clinical trials methodology, patient-reported outcomes development, microbiome research, and implementation science for nutritional therapies in pediatric IBD. 2015, Outstanding Physician of the Year – Inaugural recipient from Crohn's and Colitis Canada 2011, Award for Excellence in Patient and Family-Centered Care from IWK Health Centre 2004-2009, Clinical Research Scholar Award from Dalhousie University As a clinician-researcher, Dr. Otley maintains active clinical practice in pediatric gastroenterology while leading multiple research initiatives. His international work as a MicroResearch Mentor in Kenya and Uganda demonstrates his commitment to global health. His patient-centered research approach has been recognized by CIHR as part of their Faces of Health Research series, highlighting how he incorporates patient perspectives to guide research priorities in pediatric IBD. Dr. Otley leads the Maritime Intestinal Research Alliance (MIRA), which brings together a multidisciplinary team focused on gastroenterology research, treatment, and care using a model that values patient engagement, knowledge translation, scientific integrity, and innovation.

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