Find Academic Supervisors

Jason HeindlView profile

Associate Professor

• Microbiology
• Bacterial cell biology
• Biofilms
• +2 more

Jason Heindl, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences at Rowan University's College of Science & Mathematics. His research focuses on bacterial cell biology, biofilms, and prokaryotic development, with emphasis on Agrobacterium tumefaciens as a model system. He teaches courses in Microbiology and integrates research with pedagogy through initiatives like the CURE program. Education: • B.A. in Biology from Amherst College (1997) • Ph.D. in Microbiology from Harvard University (2010) • Postdoctoral Fellow at Indiana University (2010–2015) Research Expertise: Dr. Heindl investigates molecular mechanisms of bacterial attachment, motility, and biofilm formation. His work spans antimicrobial development, signal transduction pathways, and genetic regulation in pathogenic bacteria. Key themes include cyclic-di-GMP signaling, metal ion homeostasis, and polyamine metabolism in microbial systems. Publication Trends: His 15 most recent articles (2014–2025) cluster in microbiology, antimicrobial chemistry, and bacterial genetics. Dominant topics include biofilm disruption strategies, Agrobacterium virulence regulation, and structure-activity relationships in drug design. Educational research on STEM identity transformation via microbial models is an emerging focus.

Ignacio MooreView profile

Professor

• Behavioral Endocrinology
• Physiological Ecology
• Behavioral Ecology
• +3 more

Ignacio Moore serves as Professor of Biological Sciences in the College of Science at Virginia Tech, leading research on behavioral endocrinology and physiological ecology of tropical birds, reptiles, and amphibians. His work integrates field studies in Ecuador and Madagascar with laboratory analyses to investigate stress-reproduction interactions and social behavior networks. His educational background includes: PhD in Zoology from Oregon State University (1999), dissertation: Stress and Reproduction in Male Garter Snakes under Dr. Robert T. Mason BS in Biochemistry from the University of Arizona (1994) Dr. Moore's research focuses on physiological adaptations to environmental challenges, particularly examining hormonal regulation of cooperative behavior in manakins and stress responses in reptiles. His integrative approach combines endocrinology, genomics, and microbiome analysis to understand evolutionary mechanisms. Current projects include NSF-funded studies on manakin social networks through the Manakin Genomics Research Coordination Group and fieldwork on tree swallow ecology at Virginia Tech's Kentland Farm. Analysis of his recent publications (2021-2025) reveals dominant themes in stress physiology across taxa, with significant focus on glucocorticoid-behavior relationships in snakes and birds, disease-ecology interactions, and genomic underpinnings of social behavior. His work demonstrates increasing methodological integration of field endocrinology with molecular techniques. His honors include multiple Virginia Tech awards: Outstanding Teaching Award (2008), Outstanding Service Award (2010), Certificate of Teaching Excellence (2011), and Outstanding Research Award (2012), alongside early-career fellowships from NSF and the National Hispanic Scholarship Fund. Dr. Moore actively mentors PhD students including Ben Vernasco (manakin behavior), Jessica Hernandez (tree swallow ecology), Meredith Semel (lemur conservation), and Sydney Hope. His lab secures competitive funding including NSF Graduate Research Fellowships and Rufford Small Grants, supporting field research in Ecuador and Madagascar. The Moore Lab operates through international collaborations with the Smithsonian Institution and Universidad San Francisco de Quito, maintaining long-term field sites at Tiputini Biodiversity Station. The team conducts integrative studies combining behavioral observation, physiological sampling, and genomic analysis to address fundamental questions in evolutionary ecology.

Safaa WasofView profile

Lecturer

• Community Ecology
• Functional Ecology
• Landscape Ecology
• +8 more

Safaa Wasof is a Lecturer at the University of Picardy Jules Verne, specializing in community ecology, functional ecology, and landscape ecology. Her research focuses on climate change impacts on species distribution, ecological niche evolution, and biotic interactions in forest and grassland ecosystems. She employs species distribution models (SDMs) and ecological niche models (ENMs) to predict environmental change effects on biodiversity. Specialty: Community ecology, functional ecology, landscape ecology Research themes: Climate change, biodiversity conservation, ecological niche modeling, plant-soil interactions Email: safaa.wasof@u-picardie.fr Her work analyzes plant-soil-microbe feedbacks, forest fragmentation effects, and restoration strategies for phosphorus-poor soils. She has published extensively on understorey vegetation dynamics and ecological corridor evaluation.

Thea WhitmanView profile

Professor

• Soil microbial ecology
• Organic matter decomposition
• Carbon stabilization
• +5 more

Thea Whitman is a Professor at the Department of Soil & Environmental Sciences, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research focuses on soil microbial ecology, carbon cycling, and the impacts of global environmental changes on soil systems. Primary Affiliation: University of Wisconsin-Madison Research Expertise: Soil microbial ecology, fire effects on soil, carbon stabilization Methodologies: Stable isotopes, microbial community analysis, field experiments Her work examines how pyrogenic organic matter (biochar) interacts with soil microbial communities to influence carbon sequestration. Key themes include: Fire-induced soil carbon dynamics Microbial community assembly post-disturbance Management impacts on soil health Policy implications for carbon accounting Role of mineral-soil interactions Long-term ecological resilience The most recent publications highlight experimental approaches to wildfire simulation, microbial responses to pyrogenic carbon, and the use of biochar for climate change mitigation. Her studies span boreal forests, agricultural systems, and soil microbiome engineering. She leads the Whitman Lab and can be contacted at twhitman@wisc.edu . Her research integrates laboratory experiments with field studies across diverse ecosystems.

• Meta-ecosystem analysis
• Nutrient cycling across ecosystem boundaries
• Biodiversity and ecosystem function
• +7 more

André Frainer is an Associate Professor in Freshwater and Terrestrial Ecology at the Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway. His research focuses on cross-ecosystem interactions, particularly between freshwater and terrestrial systems, and how human-induced disturbances impact biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships. He contributes to teaching in Arctic inland waters and global change courses. UiT The Arctic University of Norway: Associate Professor in Freshwater and Terrestrial Ecology Research Interests: Meta-ecosystem analysis, nutrient cycling across ecosystem boundaries, climate change impacts on biodiversity, invasive species dynamics, and ecological network analysis Frainer's scientific contributions include groundbreaking work on decomposition processes in riverine ecosystems, climate-driven reorganization of Arctic marine communities, and integration of sociocultural values into biodiversity assessments. His research demonstrates how species traits and functional diversity influence ecosystem services across multiple environments. Scientific contributions have been recognized through shortlisting for the prestigious Southwood Prize (British Ecological Society, 2019). He has published extensively in top journals including Global Change Biology, Science, and PNAS, with notable work on: Climate feedback mechanisms through microbial decomposition Functional biogeography of Arctic marine fish Impacts of anthropogenic activities on decomposition rates Meta-ecosystem dynamics across freshwater-terrestrial-marine boundaries Parasitism in biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships Equity improvements in scientific peer review Frainer actively participates in Arctic research networks and the Fram Centre's AMINOR research school, contributing to ecosystem assessments and climate risk analyses in the High North.

Jurgen RohrView profile

Professor

• Natural Products Chemistry
• Drug Discovery
• Anticancer Drugs
• +3 more

Jurgen Rohr is a Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Göttingen. He is also affiliated with the Markey Cancer Center, Cancer Research Priority Initiative, and Translational Oncology Research Program. His work spans natural products chemistry, drug discovery, and anticancer therapies. Ph.D., M.Sc., and B.Sc. from University of Göttingen Rohr’s research focuses on: Anticancer natural product development Transcription factor targeting Pharmacokinetic optimization of chemotherapeutic agents Endophytic microbial metabolites His recent work explores mithramycin analogs for Ewing sarcoma and ovarian cancers, emphasizing reduced toxicity and improved targeting. This aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals for health and well-being. Scientific awards: Fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry (2004) Provost’s Distinguished Service Professor Award (2013) Michael J. Lach Faculty Award (2008) Research/Scholarly Activity Award (2001) Elected Member, Rho Chi (2006)

Kevin PurdyView profile

Associate Professor

• Microbial Ecology
• Biogeochemical Cycles
• Climate Change
• +3 more

Dr Kevin Purdy is an Associate Professor in Microbial Ecology at the University of Warwick. His research focuses on microbial communities driving global biogeochemical cycles and their role in climate-active gas dynamics (e.g., CO 2 , methane, nitrous oxide) across diverse environments, including oceans, lakes, soils, and termite guts. He collaborates with institutions like Queen Mary College, the Natural History Museum, and the University of Essex. BA (Hons) Biochemistry, University College, Oxford (1990) PhD, University of Essex (1996), focusing on sulphate-reducing bacteria Research interests include: Understanding the relationship between microbial community structure and function Analyzing methanogenic archaea in termite gut ecosystems Investigating nitrous oxide production in marine oxygen minimum zones Scientific contributions include the ThermoPhyl software tool for optimizing molecular assays and leading projects like MicroComXT (€1.35M European Commission funding) and NERC-funded Arabian Sea nitrogen cycling studies.

• Protein Structure and Function
• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• +3 more

Prof. Ian Menz is the Head of the School of Life Sciences at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Previously, he held leadership roles at Flinders University, including Dean of the School of Biological Sciences (2010–2017) and Dean of People and Resources (2017–2021) in the College of Science and Engineering. His expertise spans curriculum design, workforce management, and change management in higher education. Education: PhD in protein biochemistry from the Australian National University (ANU) in the 1990s. Professional Development: Recipient of a Human Frontiers Science Program fellowship, working with Nobel Laureate John E. Walker at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Cambridge, UK) on mitochondrial ATP synthase. His research focuses on protein structure-function relationships, with contributions to mitochondrial biology, enzyme characterization, and structural biology. He has also pioneered pedagogical innovations in STEM education, receiving a Carrick citation (2007) for curriculum design. Committed to equity in STEM, he has championed diversity initiatives using the Athena Swan framework. Key collaborations include studies on peroxiredoxins, bioremediation of chloroethenes, and wine protein chemistry. His work integrates experimental and computational approaches, with notable contributions to understanding ATP synthase mechanisms and thaumatin-like proteins. Awards: Carrick citation for curriculum and pedagogical design (2007). Grants: Australian Research Council grants for X-ray diffraction facilities (2009–2010) and parasite ecology in reptiles (2006–2009).

Lydia ContrerasView profile

Professor

• Biomolecular Engineering
• Biotechnology
• RNA Biology
• +5 more

Lydia Contreras is the Paul D. and Betty Robertson Meek Centennial Professor in Chemical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, and Associate Dean of Postdoctoral Studies. She holds affiliations with the Molecular Biophysics Portfolio Program and the Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology. Her expertise spans biomolecular engineering, RNA-protein interactions, and environmental health. Contreras earned a B.S.E. from Princeton University (2003), a Ph.D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Cornell University (2008), and completed postdoctoral fellowships at the Wadsworth Center and Vienna’s Max F. Perutz Laboratories. Her research explores RNA and protein engineering to address health challenges, including diagnostics for RNA-related diseases and understanding environmental chemical impacts (e.g., formaldehyde exposure). She leads a lab with over 20 researchers and has pioneered studies on molecular recognition and extremophile adaptations. Awards include the American Academy of Microbiology Fellowship (2023), NSF CAREER Award, and multiple equity-in-engineering recognitions. Contreras is a vocal advocate for diversity in STEM, contributing to initiatives like the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students and editorial roles at mSystems and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences . Her work bridges molecular biology, environmental science, and education to drive interdisciplinary innovation.

Howard OchmanView profile

Professor

• Microbiology
• Immunology and Infectious Disease
• System and Synthetic Biology
• +5 more

Howard Ochman is a Professor in the Department of Molecular Biosciences at The University of Texas at Austin, holding the Joseph J. & Jeanne M. Lagowski Regents Professorship in Molecular Bioscience. His research focuses on microbial evolution, particularly genome evolution in bacteria like E. coli, Shigella, and Salmonella. He explores dynamics of bacterial genomes, origins of novel traits, phylogenetic classification, and genomic analysis of microbial communities in hosts. Educational Background: Ph.D. (1984) and M.S. (1979) from the University of Rochester, B.A. (1975) from Vassar College. Prior academic roles include professorships at Yale, the University of Arizona, and the University of Rochester. Research Interests: Evolutionary genomics, horizontal gene transfer, bacterial speciation, microbiome dynamics in great apes, and the emergence of new genes. His lab uses experimental, comparative, and computational methods to study genome evolution. Awards: American Academy of Microbiology Fellow (2001), AAAS Fellow (2006), University of Arizona Regents’ Professor (2008). Current grants include NIH and NSF funding for ape microbiome and microbial diversity studies. Lab Members: Includes postdocs, graduate students, and research assistants. Notable past advisees include Md. Hassan uz-Zaman (Ph.D. 2024), Alex Nishida (Ph.D. 2021), and Andrew Moeller (Ph.D. 2015). Key Collaborations: With institutions like the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), NSF-funded projects on microbial diversity, and international researchers in microbial ecology.

Arielle WoznicaView profile

Assistant Professor

• Molecular Biology
• Genetics & Genomics
• Microbiology
• +4 more

Arielle Woznica is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular Biosciences at The University of Texas at Austin, affiliated with the College of Natural Sciences. Her research focuses on understanding molecular mechanisms of choanoflagellates' interactions with bacteria and viruses, particularly their immune responses and the evolutionary origins of animal immune pathways. Her work bridges molecular biology, genetics, and evolutionary biology to explore symbiotic relationships and microbial influences on development. Key research areas include: Mechanisms of choanoflagellate immunity Evolutionary transitions to multicellularity Bacterial regulation of eukaryotic development Her lab investigates how microbial interactions shaped early animal evolution, with recent studies on STING signaling pathways and bacterial cues influencing colony formation. Despite no explicitly listed awards or grants in the provided text, her publications reflect impactful contributions to microbial symbiosis and immune system origins. She leads the Woznica Lab, dedicated to interdisciplinary research in microbial eukaryote biology.

Miguel AlvaroView profile

Researcher

• Protein Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Structural Biology
• +3 more

Dr. Miguel Alvaro is a Researcher in the Protein Biochemistry department at Freie Universität Berlin, affiliated with the Freund Group. He holds a PhD in Molecular Biology from the CBM Severo Ochoa (UAM-CSIC, Madrid) and completed his postdoctoral training in 2012 at the Freund Group, focusing on peptide isomerism in MHCII complexes. Education: Biochemistry degree, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid PhD in Molecular Biology, CBM Severo Ochoa (UAM-CSIC, Madrid) Research Interests: Structural and functional relationships of GH32 microbial enzymes, design of oligosaccharide production systems, and peptide isomerism mechanisms in immune complexes. Current work focuses on clathrin inhibitors and their applications in viral entry inhibition. Key Research: Contributed to the development of Pitstop 2c and 2d inhibitors, advancing tools for studying endocytosis processes with reduced toxicity. Labs/Teams: Active member of the Freund Group, collaborating on structural immunology and protein biochemistry projects. Current lab activities include MHCII complex studies and clathrin-related research.

• Dietary Fiber Characterization
• Gut Microbiota Fermentation
• Prebiotic Development
• +3 more

Thaisa Cantu Jungles is a Research Professor in Food Science at Purdue University's College of Agriculture. She holds a B.S. in Nutrition from Pontificia Universidade Católica do Paraná (Brazil), and M.S./Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Federal University of Paraná (Brazil). Her research focuses on dietary fiber structural characterization and its applications in microbiota modulation, particularly regarding prebiotic development and gut-brain axis interactions. She has conducted postdoctoral work with Dr. Hamaker's group since 2015, examining fiber fermentation by gut microbiota and its implications for health. Her current studies explore fiber specificity, interindividual variability in microbiota responses, and prebiotics as therapeutic agents for neurological and gastrointestinal disorders. Education B.S., Nutrition – Pontificia Universidade Católica do Paraná (Brazil) M.S., Biochemistry – Federal University of Paraná (Brazil) Ph.D., Biochemistry – Federal University of Paraná (Brazil) Her research interests emphasize functional food design, microbiota-targeted interventions, and translational applications of dietary fibers. Recent work highlights structured prebiotics' potential in addressing Parkinson's disease, PTSD, and gut dysbiosis. She collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to advance understanding of fiber-microbiota interactions and their systemic health impacts. Current projects include developing predictive models for microbiota responses and creating sensor technologies for prebiotic monitoring. Key Contributions Pioneered studies on fiber specificity and microbiota predictability Developed novel prebiotic formulations targeting neurological conditions Validated electronic nose technology for dietary fiber tracking Her work bridges basic science and clinical applications, emphasizing translational research to address chronic diseases through dietary interventions. Ongoing studies explore fiber's role in mitigating environmental toxin effects and optimizing fermentation outcomes through food processing innovations.

• Antibiotic Resistance
• Bacterial Persistence
• Systems Biology
• +3 more

Mark Brynildsen is a Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering and a faculty member of the Omenn-Darling Bioengineering Institute at Princeton University. He holds a B.S. from Rutgers University (2002) and a Ph.D. from UCLA (2008). His research focuses on combating antibiotic resistance through systems and synthetic biology approaches, particularly studying bacterial persistence and enhancing bacterial susceptibility to immune antimicrobials. He has received numerous awards, including the NSF CAREER Award (2015–2020) and the Graduate Mentoring Award (2022). His research group investigates mechanisms underlying bacterial persistence and develops strategies to potentiate immune attack against pathogens. Key topics include persister cell physiology, metabolic stress responses, and antivirulence therapies. Recent work explores how DNA repair machinery and chromosome ploidy influence persister survival, as well as the impact of toxic metabolites on bacterial population dynamics. Awards: 2022: Graduate Mentoring Award 2021: NJ Health Foundation Award 2015: NSF CAREER Award Dr. Brynildsen advises three students: Allison Murawski, Darshan Sivaloganathan, and Katherine Sniezek. His lab, the Brynildsen Research Group, integrates experimental and computational methods to address global health challenges posed by antibiotic-resistant infections. Current projects aim to leverage metabolic and genetic insights to design novel treatments.

Tim BarracloughView profile

Professor

• Evolutionary Biology
• Speciation Mechanisms
• Genomics
• +3 more

Professor Tim Barraclough is a Professor of Evolutionary Biology at the University of Oxford, affiliated with Magdalen College. His research focuses on understanding the evolutionary mechanisms behind species diversity, including speciation, adaptive divergence, and the role of genetic and environmental factors in shaping biodiversity. He leads the BarraLab, which employs interdisciplinary approaches combining genomics, experimental studies, and fieldwork to investigate topics such as bdelloid rotifers' asexual reproduction strategies, fungal pathogen evolution, and microbial community dynamics. Education details are not explicitly stated here, but his work spans diverse organisms—animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria. Key projects include comparative genomics of bdelloid rotifers, evolutionary time-series analyses of Fusarium fungi causing coffee wilt disease, and studies on microbial community evolution under environmental stressors. Research interests emphasize how species interactions and environmental pressures influence diversification, with a focus on genomic innovations enabling adaptation. For instance, his work on bdelloid rotifers highlights the role of horizontal gene transfer in their survival despite asexual reproduction. In plant pathology, he explores how fungal pathogens evolve through genetic variability and horizontal transfers to cause devastating diseases. Publications since 2020 reflect his exploration of thermal adaptation in proteins, CRISPR dynamics in bacterial-phage interactions, and the ecological consequences of species richness on microbial cooperation. While no specific awards or grants are listed here, his contributions to evolutionary genomics are widely recognized in the field. Advising and mentoring details are not provided, but the BarraLab likely supports graduate students and postdocs in evolutionary biology. His work bridges theoretical models with empirical data, offering insights into the interplay between ecological and evolutionary processes in shaping life's diversity.