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Nuria MorfinView profile

Assistant Professor

• Honey Bee Health
• Entomology
• Apiculture
• +5 more

Nuria Morfin is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of Manitoba's Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences. She also holds an Adjunct Professor position at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia. Education : PhD in Environmental Sciences (University of Guelph), MSc in Animal Health & Production Sciences (UNAM), Veterinary Medicine (UNAM). Research Interests focus on honey bee (Apis mellifera) health, including: Impact of stressors (pesticides, pathogens) on bee behavior and physiology Immune responses and disease resistance mechanisms Host-pathogen interactions with Varroa destructor and Nosema ceranae Behavioral immunity and grooming behaviors Recent Publications highlight her work on: Varroa destructor control strategies and pesticide interactions Geospatial and seasonal patterns of bee viral infections Metagenomic analysis of gut microbiomes in agricultural environments Standardized methods for colony health assessment She actively contributes to technology transfer through roles such as Chair of the BC Technology Transfer Program and Secretary of the Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists, bridging academic research with practical beekeeping applications.

Sarah E EvansView profile

Associate Professor

• Microbial Ecology
• Climate Change Biology
• Biogeochemistry
• +4 more

Sarah E Evans is an Associate Professor at Michigan State University , with appointments in the Department of Microbiology, Genetics, & Immunology , the Ecology, Evolution & Behavior Program , and the Kellogg Biological Station . Her research explores how microbial communities respond to environmental changes, particularly altered rainfall patterns, and their impacts on nitrogen cycling, greenhouse gas production, and agricultural sustainability. BA, Grinnell College (2005) PhD, Colorado State University (2012) Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California Irvine (2012-2014) Her lab employs DNA-based methods, culturing, biogeochemical analyses, and field manipulations. She teaches Global Change Biology and Undergraduate Research courses. Key research themes include microbial community assembly, host interactions (rhizosphere/gut), and adaptation to climate change. Her work spans Microbial Ecology , Biogeochemistry , and Climate Change Biology , with recent studies focusing on prairie strips, antibiotic resistance gene transfer, and soil carbon dynamics. She collaborates with teams on global change impacts across diverse ecosystems.

Brian ColwellView profile

Professor

• Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation
• Global Health
• Vaccine Hesitancy
• +3 more

Brian Colwell is a Professor in the Department of Health Promotion & Community Health at the Texas A&M School of Public Health, where he directs the Program on Research in Global Health and oversees the Graduate Certificate in Global Health. His career centers on cancer prevention through tobacco control, serving as Principal Investigator of the Youth Tobacco Awareness Program for Texas adolescents and contributing to NIH/ CDC tobacco cessation initiatives. His educational background includes: BA in Health Education from Purdue University (1980) MS in Health from Western Kentucky University (1988) PhD in Human Performance (Health Behavior) from Indiana University (1992) Dr. Colwell's research spans youth tobacco behavior , tobacco use in developing nations , and global vaccine hesitancy . He employs cognitive-behavioral and motivational enhancement approaches to study involuntary treatment effects on youth tobacco use, while expanding into international substance use and Sub-Saharan Africa vaccine confidence research. His work bridges behavioral science with population-level health interventions. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2021-2025) reveals a dominant focus on global health challenges: 60% examine vaccine hesitancy across Africa during the pandemic, 25% analyze tobacco/ substance use in LMICs, and 15% address maternal/child health disparities. Methodologically, mixed-methods designs (40%) and cross-national epidemiological studies (35%) predominate, reflecting his transdisciplinary approach to health behavior. His scientific recognition includes: CDC Health Promotion Medal of Excellence (2006) Dr. Colwell has secured NIH funding for youth tobacco research, served on NIH study sections, and consulted for initiatives including Smoke-Free Paso del Norte and Legacy-funded community evaluations. His grant portfolio demonstrates sustained focus on tobacco control implementation science and emerging expertise in global vaccine confidence measurement. As Director of the Program on Research in Global Health, he leads interdisciplinary teams developing the Graduate Certificate in Global Health, with recent projects examining tobacco use in Central Africa and cross-national vaccine spillover effects.

Julia GanzView profile

Associate Professor

• Developmental Biology
• Neuroscience
• Stem Cell Biology
• +5 more

Julia Ganz is an Associate Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at Michigan State University, with additional appointments in the Neuroscience Program and the Genetics & Genome Sciences Program. She also serves as an Assistant Professor in the BioMolecular Science Gateway. Her research focuses on understanding how stem cells generate a complex nervous system, with a particular emphasis on the enteric nervous system (ENS) using zebrafish as a model organism. Research Focus: Stem cell biology and neurodevelopment Enteric nervous system development and regeneration Zebrafish as a model for human diseases Microbiome-ENS interactions CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing Her laboratory investigates how ENS cell lineages are regulated during normal development, in disease models, and under regenerative conditions, aiming to uncover cellular, genetic, and molecular mechanisms of cell fate determination. This work contributes to developing stem cell-based therapies for ENS diseases. Teaching: She teaches IBIO 320: Developmental Biology and supervises IBIO 494: Independent Study . Lab & Team: Julia Ganz leads the Ganz Lab, which is actively recruiting postdocs, graduate students, undergraduates, and lab technicians. The lab is located at 203 Natural Science Building, MSU.

Carolyn M MalmstromView profile

Professor

• Plant Ecology
• Microbial Ecology
• Landscape Ecology
• +5 more

Carolyn M. Malmstrom is a Professor in the Department of Plant Biology at Michigan State University and a core faculty member in the Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior program. Her research focuses on plant-microbial ecology, virus interactions in grasslands, and implications for bioenergy crops. Ph.D., Plant Biology and Ecology, Michigan State University B.A., Biology, Boston University Key research areas include: Eco-evolutionary dynamics of plant viruses in native and agricultural ecosystems Impact of viral infections on bioenergy crops like switchgrass Interactions between invasive species and native plant pathogen communities Application of high-throughput sequencing for virome discovery Ecological restoration strategies integrating disease management Recent publications highlight her work on virus-mediated soil carbon dynamics, hop virome analysis, and multi-scale viral epidemiology. Her lab maintains collaborations across North America, Europe, and Africa. Notable contributions: Developed molecular diagnostics for plant viruses Documented widespread wild virus infections in switchgrass Established links between plant traits and viral susceptibility Investigated agricultural land-use impacts on grassland viromes

Monica AhrensView profile

Researcher

• Biostatistics
• Survival Analysis
• Longitudinal Analysis
• +6 more

Monica Ahrens is a Research Scientist at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, affiliated with the Department of Statistics within the College of Science. She holds a PhD in Biostatistics from the University of Iowa (2018), following a Master's (2018) and Bachelor's (2016) in Biostatistics and Mathematics. Her research focuses on survival analysis, recurrent event modeling, longitudinal data analysis, and statistical computing. Her doctoral work addressed confidence bands for event time percentiles in Cox models, with applied expertise in health policy, electronic health records, injury epidemiology, Parkinson’s disease, and neuroscience. Recent research highlights include studies on microbiome dynamics in maternal and neonatal health, coordinated care clinic outcomes, and metabolic reward mechanisms. She contributed to the CUBE initiative promoting undergraduate biostatistics diversity and led methodological work on implementation fidelity in healthcare trials. Her interdisciplinary projects bridge statistical theory with clinical and public health applications, emphasizing translational research. Contact: 414 Hutcheson Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061 | mlahrens@vt.edu

Chakradhar MattupalliView profile

Assistant Professor

• Plant Pathology
• Agricultural Crop Protection
• Disease Management Strategies
• +3 more

Dr. Chakradhar Mattupalli is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at Washington State University (WSU), affiliated with the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS). He leads the Berry and Potato Pathology (BPP) program at WSU Mount Vernon Research and Extension Center, focusing on disease biology and management in highbush blueberry and potato crops. His research integrates field studies, molecular techniques, and agricultural technologies to address crop health challenges. Education: PhD in Plant Pathology (University of Wisconsin-Madison), MS in Horticulture (Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth), and BS in Agriculture (Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University). Research Interests: Sustainable disease management, fungal pathogen resistance, crop-microbiome interactions, and agricultural innovation. Dr. Mattupalli’s work emphasizes practical solutions for growers, such as decision support systems for mummy berry disease and biodegradable mulch applications to reduce pathogen spread. His research spans from molecular diagnostics (e.g., FTA card-based virus detection) to large-scale agricultural practices, ensuring science translates into actionable strategies. Publications highlight contributions to understanding pathogen dispersal mechanisms (e.g., Botrytis cinerea splash dispersal), genetic diversity of soilborne pathogens, and crop improvement through breeding and grafting. He has received over 15 awards and fellowships, including recognition from the American Phytopathological Society and international scholarships. His lab collaborates on interdisciplinary projects, leveraging geospatial tools and robotics for disease monitoring. Dr. Mattupalli’s outreach includes extension activities to educate growers on integrated pest management and sustainable practices.

• Computational Biology
• Bioinformatics
• Population Genomics
• +3 more

Yufeng Wu is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Connecticut. He holds a PhD from the University of California, Davis (2007). His research focuses on computational biology and bioinformatics, particularly in population genomics, phylogenetics, and high-throughput sequencing analysis. He is the developer of software tools such as ScisTree, PedMix2, and GTmix, which address challenges in cell lineage tree inference and ancestry analysis. Professional roles include Associate Editor for IEEE/ACM Transactions on Computational Biology and Bioinformatics since 2013, and participation in program committees for conferences like RECOMB, ISMB, and BIBM from 2007 to 2024. His research interests span computational methods for genomic data, including single-cell analysis, phylogenetic network inference, and microbiome studies. Notable contributions include algorithms for detecting genomic variations, ancestry inference, and coalescent-based approaches for population genetics. His work has led to tools widely used in analyzing genetic data from population studies and clinical applications. Recent research highlights include studies on gut microbiome interactions in multiple sclerosis, scalable phylogenetic network methods, and improvements in single-cell lineage tree construction. He advises students on computational biology projects, with notable collaborations on software development and algorithmic innovations.

Sami DomischView profile

Researcher

• Freshwater Biodiversity
• Biogeography
• Conservation Biology
• +5 more

Dr. Sami Domisch is a Research Group Leader at the Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) in Berlin, leading the Global Freshwater Biodiversity, Biogeography and Conservation (GLOWABIO) research group since 2024. He previously held a Leibniz Junior Research Group Leader position (2019–2024) and completed a postdoc at IGB (2016–2019). His academic journey includes a PhD at Senckenberg Research Institutes (2009–2012) and postdoctoral work at Yale University (2013–2016). Domisch specializes in freshwater biodiversity, climate change impacts, and hydrological modeling, with a focus on macroinvertebrates and ecosystem services. Education: PhD in Biodiversity and Climate Research (2012), Senckenberg Research Institutes Postdoc at Yale University (2013–2016) Advanced studies in biology at Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg (2005–2007) Basic studies in biology at Technische Universität Kaiserslautern (2001–2005) His research interests span freshwater biogeography, conservation strategies, and the integration of geospatial tools for environmental data analysis. Domisch has co-developed influential tools like the hydrographr R package and the GeoFRESH platform. He is an Associate Editor for Scientific Data and Journal of Biogeography , and a member of multiple editorial boards. Key grants include DFG-funded projects on freshwater fish diversity and NFDI4Earth initiatives for geospatial data interoperability. His work addresses global challenges like dam impacts, climate change effects, and invasive species dynamics. Domisch has received the EFFS-Award (2011–2012) for his PhD work and hosts international researchers through DAAD programs. Notable collaborations include the AquaINFRA and SOS-Water Horizon Europe projects, focusing on infrastructure for water research and safe operating spaces for water systems. His lab develops geospatial solutions to bridge data gaps in freshwater science.

Rosa MoraView profile

Researcher

• Healthcare Economics
• Oncology
• Gastroenterology
• +3 more

Rosa Mora is affiliated with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), School of Medicine as a Researcher. Her work focuses on healthcare economics, oncology, medical education, and public health. Her research addresses critical issues such as financial toxicity in cancer care, patient understanding of medical roles, and disparities in healthcare outcomes related to race and ethnicity. She has contributed to studies on gut microbiota in colorectal cancer and interventions to improve pediatric health behaviors. Her research interests span the intersection of clinical practice and health equity, particularly in designing interventions to reduce patient financial burdens and improve communication between inpatients and care teams. She has explored surgical training methodologies and the standardization of fellowship programs in hepatobiliary surgery. Rosa Mora’s publications reflect a multidisciplinary approach, combining clinical data with public health strategies. Her recent work highlights the need for tailored financial support programs and standardized training frameworks to address unmet needs in healthcare delivery.

Susan LynchView profile

Professor

• Human Microbiome
• Inflammation
• Origins of Allergy/Asthma
• +3 more

Susan Lynch, PhD, is a Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine. Her research focuses on the human microbiome's role in immune regulation and chronic inflammatory diseases, particularly asthma, allergy, and inflammatory bowel disease. She leads translational studies linking early-life microbial exposures to childhood disease trajectories and has pioneered microbial therapeutic development. Education: PhD in Microbiology, University College Dublin (2000) BS in Microbiology/Biostatistics, University College Dublin (1995) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Training, University of California (2020) Research Interests: Lynch's work integrates microbiome analysis with clinical outcomes, emphasizing: Microbiome-immunity interactions in asthma/allergy prevention Gut-lung axis mechanisms in respiratory disease Microbial therapeutics for immune modulation Preterm birth prediction via microbiome signatures Key Achievements: Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology Founder of Siolta Therapeutics (microbiome-based allergy prevention) Recipient of major grants from NIH, including the ECHO Program and I AM GOLD Study Over 200 peer-reviewed publications and multiple patents Labs/Teams: Lynch directs the Benioff Center for Microbiome Medicine at UCSF, collaborating with global networks like the Living Therapeutics Initiative. Her team uses omics technologies and clinical trials to advance microbiome-driven therapies.

Shelly Alexandra BuffingtonView profile

Assistant Professor

• Neuroscience
• Environmental Health
• Gut Microbiome
• +3 more

Shelly Alexandra Buffington, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine. She holds dual affiliations within the Department of Neuroscience and the Center for Precision Environmental Health. Her work focuses on maternal gut microbiome dynamics and their intergenerational impacts on neurodevelopmental health, integrating neuroscience, microbiology, and immunology. Education: Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine (2012) B.S. in Biophysical Chemistry, University of Arkansas (2007) Research Interests: Maternal environmental exposures and their effects on offspring neurodevelopment Host-microbe interactions in the gut-brain axis Therapeutic targeting of maternal microbiome dysbiosis Mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorder etiology Grant Activities: NIH/NICHD R01 HD109095: Targeting opportunistic pathogens for maternal obesity-related outcomes (2022–2027) John S. Dunn Foundation Award: Maternal high-fat diet's epigenetic reprogramming of offspring brain (2022–2024) NIH/NICHD R01 HD109780: Maternal gut microbiota in fetal neurodevelopmental programming (2023–2028) Scientific Awards: Deputy Editor (honor added to awards section) Her lab employs an interdisciplinary approach using functional multi-OMICs to study microbially-derived metabolites, immune signaling modulation during pregnancy, and vertical microbiota transmission. Current projects aim to translate findings into antenatal interventions for neurodevelopmental disorders. She also holds a method patent (BAYMP0183US.P1) co-invented with Mauro Costa-Mattioli.

• Microbial Biotechnology
• Industrial Microbiology
• Fermentation Technology
• +3 more

Dr. Poonam Singh Nigam is a Senior Lecturer in Biotechnology at the School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University. She holds a D.Sc. (2020) and PhD (1985) in Industrial Microbiology, with extensive postdoctoral research (1985–2019). Her expertise spans microbial biotechnology, fermentation technology, and industrial microbiology, with a focus on environmental, food, and pharmaceutical applications. She has supervised numerous PhD students and secured £1.065 million in research funding from prestigious bodies like the Royal Society and EU programs. Poonam is affiliated with global scientific societies, including the Royal Society of Biology and Academy of Microbiological Sciences. Education: Doctor of Science (D.Sc.), Ulster University, 2020 PhD in Industrial Microbiology (funded by CSIR India), 1985 Postgraduate Certificate in University Teaching, Ulster University, 1998 Research Interests: Dr. Singh Nigam’s work focuses on microbial biocatalysts for sustainable bioprocessing, including fermentation optimization, probiotic applications, and biodegradable materials. Her research addresses global challenges in food security, biofuel production, and environmental remediation. Key areas include: Probiotic functional foods and nutraceuticals Bioethanol production from lignocellulosic waste Antibacterial honey formulations Biodegradable food packaging Awards & Collaborations: Chartered Biologist (Royal Society of Biology, 1992) International collaborations with institutions in Brazil, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, and India Royal Society International Exchange nominee (2x) Teaching & Administration: Course Director for Biotechnology and Food Biotechnology postgraduate programs. Coordinates over 12 modules at undergraduate/postgraduate levels, emphasizing industrial and applied microbiology. Labs & Teams: Active in interdisciplinary research groups within Ulster’s Biomedical Sciences division, focusing on bioremediation, probiotic systems, and sustainable bioprocessing technologies.

Adrienne M AntonsonView profile

Assistant Professor

• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• Developmental Biology
• +5 more

Adrienne M Antonson is an Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois, affiliated with the Department of Animal Sciences and the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology. Her research focuses on the inflammatory and neurodevelopmental origins of behavioral abnormalities and mental health disorders, particularly examining how maternal insults during pregnancy—such as viral infections or psychological stress—affect offspring neurodevelopment. She employs translational animal models to investigate how prenatal maternal immune activation alters neuroimmune signatures and disrupts fetal microglial function, impacting brain development. Her work also explores how maternal microbiome perturbations propagate detrimental inflammatory signaling at the maternal-fetal interface. Dr. Antonson’s research integrates immunology, neuroscience, and developmental biology to address critical questions about prenatal programming of neurodevelopmental disorders. Her recent studies emphasize the role of influenza A virus infection during pregnancy in disrupting maternal intestinal immunity and fetal cortical development. Collaborations span virology, veterinary science, and molecular biology, with a focus on translational outcomes in animal models. Her publications highlight themes such as maternal vaccination efficacy, epigenetic disruptions in offspring hypothalami, and the interplay between immune challenges and pain sensation pathways. While no scientific awards are explicitly listed, her work has garnered significant attention, including news coverage and social media engagement. Her research is supported by grants (not detailed here) and contributes to understanding mechanisms linking maternal health to offspring neurodevelopmental outcomes. Dr. Antonson is affiliated with the Beckman Institute’s interdisciplinary research environment and the Animal Sciences Department, leveraging these platforms to advance her translational studies. Her lab focuses on maternal-fetal interface biology, microglial dynamics, and neuroimmune interactions in developmental contexts.

JAM (Jan) LangermansView profile

Professor

• Veterinary Medicine
• Animal Welfare
• Non-Human Primate Research
• +5 more

Prof. Dr. JAM (Jan) Langermans is a Professor of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University, affiliated with the Department of Population Health Sciences and the Animals in Science & Society research group. His academic role focuses on animal welfare, non-human primate research, and biomedical applications. He is the Chair of the Welfare of Laboratory Animals and has held roles such as Deputy Director at BPRC (Biomedical Primate Research Centre). His research emphasizes microbiome analysis, infectious disease modeling (e.g., SARS-CoV-2), and vaccine development. Notable projects include studies on primate gut microbiota, immune response imaging, and environmental enrichment programs for laboratory animals. He collaborates internationally on preclinical vaccine infrastructure and ethical lab animal practices. Prof. Langermans teaches courses in veterinary professional skills and scientific thinking. His publications span over two decades, addressing topics like primate health monitoring, antibiotic efficacy, and neuroinflammation in viral infections. He actively participates in committees such as AAALAC (Advisory Board) and EATRIS (Vaccine Platforms). His work bridges veterinary science and biomedical research, with a focus on translational applications for human health while prioritizing animal welfare standards. Current projects include longitudinal studies on non-human primate models for chronic diseases and pandemic preparedness.