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Venkat GopalanView profile

Professor

• Biochemistry
• RNA Biology
• Enzymology
• +3 more

Venkat Gopalan is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at The Ohio State University. He holds affiliations with multiple interdisciplinary programs, including the Chemistry and Biochemistry Graduate Program, Microbiology Graduate Program, and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCDB) Program. He obtained his B.Sc. in Chemistry from the University of Madras (India) and his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of New Mexico (under Prof. Robert H. Glew). He completed postdoctoral training at Yale University under Prof. Sidney Altman and has been at OSU since 1998. His research focuses on the structure, mechanism, and applications of ribonuclease P (RNase P), a catalytic ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex critical for tRNA maturation. Key interests include understanding RNase P assembly and exploring plant RNase P as a functional genomics tool. His work integrates biochemical, structural, and genetic approaches to study RNA processing and microbial metabolism, with applications in biotechnology and drug discovery. Notable contributions include discoveries in archaeal RNase P stoichiometry, plant RNase P applications, and Salmonella metabolic pathways. He has mentored numerous graduate and undergraduate students, many of whom have pursued academic and industrial careers. His lab collaborates widely, receiving grants from NIH, NSF, and industry partners. He also advocates for scientific communication and education through training initiatives. His team’s recent achievements include advancements in RNase P structure-function relationships, Pelotonia-funded cancer research, and interdisciplinary projects in microbial genomics. The lab maintains active participation in conferences and publishes in top journals like Nucleic Acids Research and Journal of Biological Chemistry .

Sarah DooreView profile

Assistant Professor

• Bacteriophage Biology
• Microbial Genetics
• Structural Virology
• +3 more

Sarah Doore is an Assistant Professor in the Microbiology & Cell Science Department at the University of Florida. Her research focuses on bacteriophage biology, microbial genetics, and structural virology, particularly exploring Shigella phages and their interactions with host bacteria. She investigates phage infection dynamics, host range expansion, and evolutionary adaptations. Her work bridges fundamental science with educational outreach, including phage discovery in K-12 classrooms. Dr. Doore holds a terminal degree in microbiology and maintains an active lab focused on structural analysis, genetic adaptation, and viral ecology. Teaching: Microbiology coursework and lab instruction Research Themes: Phage evolution, host specificity, structural biology, and bacterial pathogenesis Her recent publications highlight discoveries in phage structure-function relationships, tail spike proteins, and metabolic rewiring in bacterial strains. She actively contributes to academic publishing reforms through editorial board roles. No scientific awards are explicitly listed, but her prolific publication record reflects scholarly impact. Advising and grant activities are not detailed in the provided materials. Labs/Teams: Active phage research lab with focus on Shigella phages and microvirus systems.

Luiz PassalacquaView profile

Assistant Professor

• Molecular Biology
• Structural Biology
• RNA Biology
• +5 more

Luiz Passalacqua is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Cell Science at the University of Florida. He leads the Passalacqua Lab (Laboratory of Nucleic Acids) , focusing on structural and functional studies of nucleic acids. His research integrates bioinformatics, biochemistry, and structural biology to understand non-coding RNA functions, RNA thermometers, and DNA/RNA aptamers. Key areas include host-pathogen interactions, genome stability, and astrobiology-driven nucleic acid evolution. Education & Career: Ph.D. in Biochemistry from UC Irvine (2017), Postdoc at NIH (2020-2023), joined UF in August 2024. Lab location: Microbiology Building 981, Room 1147. Research Highlights: Pioneered Robo-Therm pipeline for RNA thermometer discovery, developed novel RNA aptamers with ultra-bright fluorophores, and characterized riboswitches in bacterial gene regulation. Current projects include astrobiology applications of nucleic acids and R-loop impact on genome stability. Lab Values: Emphasizes inclusive mentorship, scientific rigor, and community-building. Accepts graduate students from Microbiology & Cell Science and Genetics & Genomics programs. Grants: Active funding for RNA thermometer studies and synthetic biology tools. Awards: Featured Nature paper (2023) highlighted in 21 media outlets and F1000 recommended. Contact: Email lmoreirapassalac@ufl.edu for collaborations or joining the lab.

Yana BrombergView profile

Professor

• Computational Biology
• Bioinformatics
• Protein Structure Prediction
• +5 more

Yana Bromberg is a Professor at Emory University, leading the Bromberg Lab focused on computational biology and bioinformatics. Her research integrates artificial intelligence, machine learning, and genomic analyses to study protein structure, microbial ecosystems, and genetic variation effects. She holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Informatics from Columbia University (2007), an M.Phil. in Biomedical Informatics (2004), and dual degrees in Biology and Computer Science from SUNY Stony Brook (2001). Research interests include protein function prediction, microbiome functional analysis, computational interpretation of genetic variants, and AI-driven biological modeling. Her lab develops tools like PredictProtein and explores topics such as viral interplay (e.g., HPV and HIV), metagenomic enzymatic potential, and microbial pathway reconstruction. Publications emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to precision medicine, with recent works on AI in biotechnology, cohort studies on viral interactions, and benchmarking computational methods for genome interpretation. Her work bridges computational methods with real-world applications in health and environment, including studies on vitamin A metabolism, snow microbiome functions, and pandemic preparedness strategies.

• Cell Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry
• +7 more

Professor David Fernig is a Professor of Biological Chemistry at the University of Liverpool, affiliated with the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences and the Institute of Systems, Molecular & Integrative Biology. He holds a BSc and PhD, with research focused on growth factor signaling, heparan sulfate biology, and nanotechnology applications in medicine. His work bridges cell biology, glycobiology, and interdisciplinary collaborations. Education: BSc (undergraduate) and PhD (postgraduate) in Biological Sciences from the University of Liverpool. Research Interests: Regulation of cell fate by fibroblast growth factors (FGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF/SF), heparan sulfate proteoglycans, and their roles in cancer, development, and disease. His lab explores molecular interactions using nanotechnology tools like gold nanoparticles and advanced imaging techniques. Key areas include FGF signaling pathways, extracellular matrix dynamics, and drug development for conditions like acute pancreatitis and microbial keratitis. Grants & Collaborations: Over 30 grants from funders like BBSRC, Fight for Sight, and EU Horizon 2020. Notable projects include enzymatic sulfation platforms for biotechnology, non-antibiotic antimicrobial agents, and Alzheimer’s intervention strategies via heparan sulfate. Collaborations span institutions like the University of Bordeaux, Hokkaido University, and A*STAR Singapore. Teaching & Mentorship: Leads modules in synthetic biology, gene-cancer relationships, and research project supervision. Advises on theses involving FGF-pericellular matrix interactions, nanoparticle-based drug delivery, and glycobiology. Labs & Teams: Director of the Fernig Lab, part of the Liverpool Centre for Nanoscale Science. Active in interdisciplinary networks like Proteoglycans NorthWest (PgsNoW) and the virtual Liverpool Centre for Nanoscale Science.

• Carbon Dioxide Sensing
• Biochemistry
• Cell Biology
• +3 more

Professor Martin Cann is Head of Department in the Department of Biosciences and a Visiting Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Durham University. His research focuses on carbon dioxide (CO₂) sensing and its impact on cellular processes, particularly through carbamate post-translational modifications. He collaborates with physicists, chemists, and mathematicians to explore CO₂'s role in diverse biological systems, including plant responses to environmental changes and cellular signaling mechanisms. Key research interests include bicarbonate regulation, molecular biology, signal transduction, and hypercapnia/hypocapnia effects. Cann has supervised multiple PhD students, including Victoria Liu, Breanna Voss, and others, in areas such as microbiology, molecular signaling, and plant biology. His awards include Fellowships from the Royal Society of Chemistry (2023) and Royal Society of Biology (2021), and the Rosalind Franklin Silver Medal (2020). Notable contributions include identifying CO₂-binding proteins like ubiquitin and elucidating CO₂'s role in plant and microbial systems. Cann's work bridges biochemistry, cell biology, and systems biology to uncover fundamental mechanisms of CO₂ regulation in life processes.

Paul GroganView profile

Professor

• Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology
• Biogeochemistry
• Plant-Soil Interactions
• +4 more

Paul Grogan is a Professor of Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology at the Department of Biology, Queen's University. His research focuses on plant-soil interactions, biogeochemical cycles, and the impacts of climate change on Arctic and alpine tundra ecosystems. He leads a lab investigating how biological and physical factors influence ecosystem structure and function, particularly under scenarios of warming, altered land management, and nitrogen deposition. Teaching emphasizes active learning strategies, including concept-focused lectures, problem-solving exercises, and field experiences. He prioritizes mentorship in graduate training and continuously improves pedagogical practices through professional development. His work integrates microbial ecology, vegetation dynamics, and remote sensing to address global environmental challenges. Key research themes include Arctic plant functional traits, winter carbon emissions, and snow-driven ecological processes. He has contributed datasets on Arctic biomass and co-authored syntheses on tundra biogeochemistry. His lab's findings inform assessments of ecosystem resilience to climate perturbations. Paul Grogan's research and teaching are rooted in interdisciplinary approaches, blending field observations, genomic analysis, and collaborative data synthesis to advance understanding of terrestrial ecosystem responses to global change.

Virginia WalkerView profile

Professor

• Environmental Microbiology
• Plant Physiology
• Biochemistry
• +4 more

Dr. Virginia Walker is an Emerita Professor in the Department of Biology at Queen's University. Her research focuses on environmental microbiology, plant physiology, and cryobiology, with a strong emphasis on Arctic ecosystems and the application of antifreeze proteins in biological systems. She leads the Virginia Walker's Lab and has contributed extensively to understanding microbial communities in extreme environments, including the impacts of pollution and climate change on Arctic species. Her work integrates molecular biology, proteomics, and field studies to address ecological and biomedical challenges. Dr. Walker's research spans diverse topics such as bacterial community dynamics in freshwater systems, the role of ice-binding proteins in cryopreservation, and mercury contamination in Arctic food webs. She collaborates with Indigenous communities to advance contaminant research and sustainable practices in the Arctic. Her lab has produced over 40 peer-reviewed publications since 2016, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach to environmental and biomedical science. Her students and trainees have explored areas like microbial responses to nanoparticles, antifreeze protein mechanisms, and Arctic fish microbiomes. She has advised numerous graduate and undergraduate researchers, fostering their contributions to fields such as environmental toxicology and plant stress biology. Dr. Walker's lab is affiliated with Queen's University's Department of Biology, located in Kingston, Ontario. Her work aligns with broader initiatives in ecological conservation, climate resilience, and biotechnological innovation.

• DNA Repair
• Molecular Biology
• Genome Integrity
• +7 more

Weiguo Cao is a Professor in the Department of Genetics and Biochemistry at Clemson University's College of Science. He holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Idaho (1992) and a BS in Biochemistry from Wuhan University (1983). His research focuses on DNA repair mechanisms, particularly base excision repair (BER) and alternative excision repair (AER), studying enzymatic responses to DNA damage from nitrosative stress. Ph.D., Microbiology, University of Idaho, 1992 BS, Biochemistry, Wuhan University, 1983 Dr. Cao investigates DNA repair systems using biochemical, structural biology, and bioinformatics approaches. His work examines protein-DNA interactions, enzymatic specificity for deaminated bases, and evolutionary relationships within the uracil DNA glycosylase superfamily. Current projects analyze repair mechanisms for uracil, hypoxanthine, and oxanine lesions. Publications reveal expertise in DNA repair pathways, with emphasis on uracil DNA glycosylases (UdgX, SMUG1), endonuclease V functions, and structural determinants of repair specificity. Research spans bacterial and human systems, featuring collaborations in computational biology and nanotechnology.

Alison GouldView profile

Assistant Professor

• Evolutionary Ecology
• Microbiology
• Microbial Symbiosis
• +4 more

Alison Gould is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Temple University's College of Science and Technology. Her research focuses on evolutionary mechanisms regulating microbial symbioses, particularly the bioluminescent relationship between fish in the genus Siphamia and Photobacterium bacteria. She uses genomic and ecological approaches to explore symbiont specificity, transmission, and evolutionary dynamics. Her work bridges microbiology, ecology, and evolutionary biology, with a focus on marine systems. She has pioneered the use of long-read sequencing and museum genomics to study symbiotic systems. Current projects include analyzing strain-level diversity in symbiont communities and investigating the biogeographic patterns of symbiotic specificity. Dr. Gould's research has been supported by an NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biology (2017), which funded her investigation of ecological speciation in symbiotic reef fish. Her lab is based in the BioLife Building, Room 453B/C.

Jean-David GrattepancheView profile

Assistant Professor

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

Jean-David Grattepanche is an Assistant Professor of Research in the Department of Biology at Temple University's College of Science and Technology. His research investigates microbial eukaryotes in marine ecosystems, particularly focusing on plankton food web interactions in polar environments. Using integrative approaches combining microscopy, molecular tools (amplicon sequencing, transcriptomics), and bioinformatics, he examines diversity patterns and trophic relationships within microbial communities. Research Focus: Mixotrophic impacts in Antarctic ecosystems Spatiotemporal dynamics of protist communities Prey-predator interactions in planktonic food webs Molecular ecology of ciliates and testate amoebae Bioinformatic pipelines for microbial phylogenomics Current projects with the Sanders Lab investigate how mixotrophy influences polar marine ecosystems, with field studies conducted in Antarctica.

Jennie R McLarenView profile

Associate Professor

• Community Ecology
• Ecosystem Ecology
• Arctic Ecology
• +6 more

Jennie R McLaren serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), conducting research at the intersection of community and ecosystem ecology. Her work focuses on northern ecosystems including Arctic tundra (Utqiagvik, Toolik Lake, Nome) and boreal forests in Alaska/Canada, alongside dryland studies in the Chihuahuan Desert of the Southwestern USA. Her research program investigates how environmental change, herbivore dynamics, and land management practices alter plant community composition and subsequently impact ecosystem functioning. Key areas include nutrient cycling responses to warming, litter decomposition mechanisms, carbon storage dynamics, and biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships. She employs long-term field experiments, molecular techniques, and collaborative networks like the Arctic Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program to address climate change impacts across multiple spatial and temporal scales. Recent publications reveal strong emphasis on Arctic soil biogeochemistry under permafrost thaw, with significant attention to small mammal ecosystem engineering, shrub encroachment effects, and dryland carbon dynamics. Her work integrates experimental manipulations with molecular characterization to uncover mechanisms driving ecosystem responses to global change. Dr. McLaren actively recruits graduate students to her laboratory and has secured substantial external funding, including an NSF Arctic Research grant ($621,000) and participation in UTEP's $5 million NSF award for dryland surface studies. She maintains extensive field operations across Arctic research stations and Chihuahuan Desert sites. Her laboratory contributes to the Arctic LTER network with recent focus on advancing inclusion and equity in polar science. Current fieldwork examines small mammal structure impacts on soil thermal regimes near Toolik Lake, while desert restoration projects investigate soil carbon indicators for grassland recovery in the Chihuahuan Desert.

David KaroweView profile

Professor

• Global Change Ecology
• Plant-Insect Interactions
• Ecological Consequences of Elevated CO2
• +3 more

Dr. David Karowe is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Western Michigan University. His research focuses on global change ecology, particularly the ecological consequences of elevated atmospheric CO2 on plant-herbivore interactions. His lab investigates how changes in plant nutritional quality and defensive chemistry under elevated CO2 affect insect herbivores and parasitoids. This work is supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and USDA. Key students include Abbie Bristol (undergraduate) and Deirdre Courtney (PhD candidate). Karowe’s research spans topics such as soil microbial community responses to wildfire, arthropod diversity in disturbed forests, and the impact of climate change on avian species sympatry. He leads interdisciplinary projects in the Great Lakes region, emphasizing atmosphere-hydrosphere-biosphere interactions and undergraduate research training. Research Themes: Global Change Ecology: Examines how elevated CO2 and climate shifts alter plant-herbivore dynamics, defense mechanisms, and trophic interactions. Plant-Insect Interactions: Focuses on chemical defenses (e.g., phenolics, trichomes), host plant quality, and herbivore adaptation. Community Ecology: Studies disturbance effects on arthropod diversity and long-term environmental changes in northern Michigan ecosystems. Grants & Awards: Supported by NSF and USDA grants since 2000, including funding for REU sites and interdisciplinary climate change research. No explicit awards listed, but sustained federal funding underscores recognition of his work. Lab & Training: Oversees a lab analyzing CO2 impacts on multiple trophic levels. Active in mentoring undergraduates and graduate students, emphasizing field and experimental approaches to ecological questions.

Arsenio PachecoView profile

Professor

• Biological Inorganic Chemistry
• Enzymology
• Nitrogen Cycle Mechanisms
• +3 more

Professor Arsenio Pacheco is a faculty member in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), affiliated with the College of Letters & Science. His research focuses on biological inorganic chemistry, particularly enzyme mechanisms involved in the nitrogen cycle and microbial biochemistry. He leads the Pacheco Group, collaborating with Prof. Marius Schmidt from UWM's Physics Department on projects involving time-resolved crystallography. Education: PhD in Chemistry from the University of British Columbia. His work addresses environmental challenges related to nitrogen cycle imbalances and explores proteins like truncated hemoglobin N (trHbN) in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which neutralizes nitric oxide to evade immune responses. Research projects include studying cytochrome c nitrite reductase (ccNiR) and hydroxylamine oxidoreductase (HAO) to understand ammonia-nitrite interconversion mechanisms, with implications for sustainable agriculture. His studies on trHbN involve protein structure-function relationships, ligand diffusion pathways, and conformational dynamics affecting enzyme activity. Publications span enzymology, structural biology, and biochemical mechanisms, with a focus on multi-heme proteins and their roles in microbial respiration. Ongoing research explores conformational changes in trHbN's pre-A region and their impact on oxygen binding kinetics.

• Soil Microbiology
• Environmental Bioremediation
• Heavy Metal Contamination
• +4 more

Magdalena Zaborowska is a Professor in the Department of Soil Science and Microbiology at the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Warmia and Mazury. Her research focuses on soil microbial ecology and environmental bioremediation, with particular emphasis on heavy metal contamination, bioremediation processes, and soil microbiome dynamics. She has supervised 23 promoted theses and published 50 scientific works with significant bibliometric impact (h-index 12 in Web of Science, total impact factor 113.947). Her research interests center on soil microbiome responses to environmental stressors , including heavy metals (zinc, lead), organic pollutants (bisphenol A), and industrial contaminants. Key areas include microbial bioremediation mechanisms, soil enzyme activities (urease, dehydrogenases) as bioindicators, and the role of humic substances in ecosystem restoration. Current work investigates microbial community resilience in agricultural and forest soils under pollution stress and climate change scenarios. Professor Zaborowska's publication record demonstrates consistent contributions to environmental soil science, with recent articles examining zinc-contaminated soils, bisphenol A impacts, and nitrogen cycling under climate change. Her work bridges fundamental microbial ecology with practical applications in soil remediation and sustainable agriculture. Scientific achievements include: 23 promoted theses (PhD/Master's) 50 scientific publications 2 research projects 1 research team leadership Ministerial score of 3,723 As an active supervisor, she has guided numerous graduate students through thesis completion. Her research team participates in environmental monitoring projects focused on soil contamination and bioremediation strategies. Current activities include developing microbial indicators for soil health assessment and investigating bioremediation potential of native soil microorganisms in polluted ecosystems.