Chris B. Schaffer is a Professor in the Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering at Cornell University, specializing in developing advanced optical techniques to study neurovascular dynamics in neurological diseases. His lab focuses on Alzheimer’s disease mechanisms, leveraging multiphoton microscopy and in vivo imaging to explore capillary stalling, cerebral blood flow deficits, and their cognitive impacts. He holds a Ph.D. in Physics from Harvard University and postdoctoral training in neuroscience at UC San Diego. Research interests include biomedical imaging instrumentation, neurodegenerative disease modeling, and science education innovation. Awards include AAAS Fellowship (2021), AIMBE Fellowship (2019), and multiple teaching accolades. His work bridges engineering and medicine, with contributions to spinal cord injury studies, epilepsy, and vascular contributions to dementia (VCID). Notable discoveries include identifying neutrophil-induced capillary stalls as a key Alzheimer’s disease mechanism and demonstrating cerebral blood flow improvements can restore memory in mouse models. His lab also develops educational tools emphasizing science as a discovery process, used in K-12 and university settings.
Prof. Dr. Dr. Elisabeth Binder is the Director of the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry and leads the Max Planck Research Group "Genes and Environment" in Munich, Germany. Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders, particularly how genetic and environmental factors interact in disease development. Education: Medicine (University of Vienna), Neuroscience (Emory University) Affiliations: Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, International Max-Planck Research School Translational Psychiatry, Graduate School of Systemic Neuroscience Research Interests: Elisabeth Binder investigates gene-environment interactions in psychiatric disorders, emphasizing early trauma and stress response. Her work employs next-generation sequencing, epigenetic analysis, and induced pluripotent stem cells to identify biological markers for disease prevention and treatment. Scientific Awards: Theodore Reich Young Investigator Award (2010) Max Hamilton Memorial Prize (2012) Eva King-Killam Research Award (2016) Carus Medal (2017) Ron the Kloet Award for Stress Research (2019) Leadership Roles: She is a member of the German National Academy of Sciences (Leopoldina), a Fellow of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, and serves on multiple international advisory committees and executive boards in psychiatry and neuroscience.
Dr. Timur Alexander Yorgan is a prominent researcher at the Department of Osteology and Biomechanics at University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE). Holding a Dr. rer. nat. degree, he has established himself as a leading figure in bone biology with over 60 publications spanning from 2013 to 2025. His research is deeply integrated with key institutional research areas including the Hamburg Center of Neuroscience and immunology research networks at UKE. Dr. Yorgan's research focuses on skeletal development, bone remodeling, and genetic bone disorders, with particular emphasis on Wnt signaling pathways and their role in bone homeostasis. His work spans multiple approaches from molecular genetics to translational studies, investigating osteoblast and osteocyte biology, genetic mechanisms underlying disorders like osteogenesis imperfecta, and the effects of various mutations on skeletal integrity. Recent research has expanded into the gut-bone axis, mechanobiology of bone cells, and neuro-immune interactions affecting bone metabolism. Analysis of Dr. Yorgan's publication record reveals a consistent trajectory of high-impact research in bone biology. His work increasingly explores interdisciplinary connections between bone metabolism and other physiological systems, with growing emphasis on translational approaches for therapeutic interventions. The research demonstrates sophisticated use of mouse models and molecular techniques to unravel complex bone disorders and identify potential treatment targets. Dr. Yorgan appears to be actively involved in collaborative research across multiple institutions, as evidenced by his extensive publication record with numerous co-authors from various departments and institutions. His work is frequently published in high-impact journals including Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, Nature Communications, and Bone Research. The Department of Osteology and Biomechanics at UKE, where Dr. Yorgan is based, is part of a vibrant research ecosystem that includes the Hamburg Center of Neuroscience and other key research networks focusing on immunology, oncology, and cardiovascular research. This collaborative environment enables interdisciplinary approaches to understanding skeletal disorders and developing novel therapeutic strategies.
Kjetil Taskén is a full Professor at the Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo , and serves as the Director of the Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital . He leads the OUS Center for Precision Medicine in Cancer (SEPREK) since 2021 and has held multiple leadership roles in molecular medicine initiatives, including Director of the Norwegian Centre for Molecular Medicine (NCMM) and co-founder of Bioteknologisenteret. Current affiliations: University of Oslo | Oslo University Hospital Education: Dr.med. (Molecular Cell Biology) | Cand.med. | Research Leadership Course Research interests include immunoregulation in cancer , precision oncology , cellular signal transduction in disease , and drug development targeting immune checkpoints . His work bridges translational immunology and molecular oncology , with a focus on regulatory T cell modulation for cancer therapy. Scientific contributions span high-impact publications on regulatory T cell inhibition , precision medicine implementation , and signal pathway drug targeting . Recent articles highlight collaborations across Europe (PCM4EU, PRIME-ROSE) and Norway (IMPRESS-Norway), with methodological advances in tumor microenvironment modeling and mutation timing analysis . Awards : King Olav V Cancer Research Prize | Anders Jahre Medical Prize | Faculty Medal (UiO) | Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters Leadership : Director of NCMM | Founder of Bioteknologisenteret | Head of multiple national cancer research initiatives Labs and teams include the Cancer Immunology Section at Oslo University Hospital and affiliations with the K. G. Jebsen Center for B-Cell Malignancies , where he co-leads research groups.
Stephen A. Boyd is a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences within Michigan State University's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. His research spans environmental chemistry and microbiology with a focus on soil systems. His educational background includes a B.S. in Chemistry from Central Michigan University (1975), and M.S. and Ph.D. in Soil Chemistry from Purdue University (1978, 1980). Dr. Boyd's research investigates organic contaminant movement in soil, microbial/catalytic degradation mechanisms, and remediation technologies for contaminated soils/sediments. His work features innovative approaches including chemically modified clays for contaminant sorption and degradation, mechanistic studies of toxicant interactions with natural/modified clays, and development of in-situ soil modification technologies. He extensively examines biodegradation of xenobiotics (particularly PCB reductive dechlorination) and bioavailability of soil-bound contaminants to degrading bacteria. His 15 most recent publications reveal strong trends in clay-based contaminant immobilization, pharmaceutical/water pollutant interactions, dioxin chemistry, and nanomaterial applications for environmental remediation, with dominant fields being environmental chemistry, soil science, and contaminant toxicology. University Distinguished Professor (MSU, 2005) Jackson Award in Soil Science (SSSA, 2004) Highly Cited Researcher (Institute for Scientific Information, 2002) Distinguished Faculty Award (MSU, 2001) Soil Science Research Award (SSSA, 1999) Dr. Boyd has secured significant research funding including a recent $750K USDA grant (2022) for PFAS mitigation research. His laboratory focuses on clay chemistry applications for environmental remediation, with notable breakthroughs in soil cleansing technologies and biochar applications. Current work emphasizes advanced contaminant degradation pathways and practical field applications of his soil modification technologies.
Dr. Rebecca San Gil is a Lecturer at the School of Medical Sciences , University of Sydney, Australia. She leads the NeuroMolecular Discovery Group within the Neuroscience theme and is a member of the Charles Perkins Centre . Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases such as motor neuron disease (MND) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) , with an emphasis on protein aggregation, stress responses, and therapeutic discovery. PhD, University of Wollongong (2018) Postdoctoral Research, Queensland Brain Institute (2018–2025) Endeavour Research Fellow (University College London) Her research spans molecular biology , neurosciences , and biochemistry , integrating techniques like genome-wide CRISPR screening , multi-omics analysis , and translational research . Key themes include the role of molecular chaperones , heat shock response , and protein folding dynamics in mitigating neurodegeneration. Dr. San Gil’s recent publications (2016–2025) highlight her work on TDP-43 pathology , heat shock proteins , and therapeutic strategies across ALS/FTD models. She has received awards such as the FightMND Early Career Research Fellow and the Sydney Dementia Network Future Research Leader Award (Travel Support Scheme) in 2025. Scientific Awards : FightMND Early Career Research Fellow, Sydney Dementia Network Future Research Leader Award (2025) Dr. San Gil actively mentors researchers like Celine CHYE and collaborates with institutions globally. Her team welcomes new members to explore neurodegenerative disease biology and therapeutic discovery .
Professor Richard Wade-Martins is a leading academic in University of Oxford 's Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics . He directs the Molecular Neurodegeneration Research Laboratory and the Oxford Parkinson’s Disease Centre (OPDC). With degrees from Cambridge (MA) and Oxford (DPhil), he has held prestigious fellowships including Wellcome Trust Research Career Development Fellowship and NIH reviewer roles. His research targets molecular mechanisms in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases through iPSC models , transgenic mice , and lysosomal function studies . He pioneered work on SNCA , MAPT , and LRRK2 gene pathways. Current projects focus on gene therapy and mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegeneration. Key publications (2019–2025) reveal trends in single-cell transcriptomics , calcium channel inhibition , and TFEB/TFE3 lysosome modulation . His awards include Wellcome Trust Fellowships and advisory roles for Parkinson's UK , Alzheimer's Research UK , and EU consortia like StemBANCC and EFACTS . He leads the UK Dementia Platform iPSC Initiative and serves on international boards in Luxembourg and Canada.
Professor Fernando Calamante is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering at The University of Sydney and Director of Sydney Imaging Core Research Facility. He leads the National Imaging Facility node and focuses on advanced MRI methodologies, particularly Diffusion and Perfusion MRI, to study brain connectivity and neurological disorders. His work includes developing the MRtrix software, widely used in diffusion MRI analysis. He holds extensive funding (~$50M) and has been recognized with awards like ISMRM Fellowship and NHMRC grants. His research spans super-resolution imaging, brain connectomics, and clinical applications in stroke and tumors. Education: BSc (Physics, Argentina), PhD (Magnetic Resonance Imaging, University College London). Career highlights include leadership roles at The Florey Institute and ISMRM presidency (2021-2022). Research interests include: Novel MRI methods for brain connectivity and super-resolution imaging Applications of Diffusion and Perfusion MRI in neurology Integration of structural and functional connectomics Key achievements: Over 200 publications, software innovations, and leadership in global MRI societies.
Prof. Stephan J. Sigrist is a Full Professor of Genetics at the Institute of Biology, Free University of Berlin. His lab focuses on synaptic active zone architecture, neuroplasticity, and aging-related neurodegeneration. He leads the Collaborative Research Center 958 on Membrane Scaffolding and co-directs NeuroCure, a DFG Cluster of Excellence at Charité. Education: PhD in Molecular Genetics (1997) and Habilitation (2005) from the University of Göttingen. Positions: Einstein Professor (2014–present), Spokesperson CRC 958 (2012–present), and Co-Director NeuroCure (2009–present). Research explores presynaptic mechanisms using Drosophila and mouse models, combined with STED microscopy. Key contributions include discoveries of Bruchpilot's role in active zones and spermidine's protective effects against age-related synapse decline. Grants: Over €6 million in funding, including DFG CRCs, Einstein Foundation, and ERC Advanced Grant (2025). Awards: Einstein Professorship, Best Habilitation Award, EMBO/HFSP Fellowships. Collaborations span structural biology (e.g., Stefan Hell), neurophysiology (David DiGregorio), and aging research (Frank Madeo).
Dr. Philippe Campeau is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal. He is affiliated with CHU Sainte-Justine, a major pediatric hospital in Montreal, Quebec, where he works in the Medical Genetics Service. His clinical and research work focuses on genetic disorders affecting children, particularly in the areas of skeletal development and neurogenetics. Dr. Campeau obtained his Doctorate in Medicine from Laval University in Quebec (1998-2003) followed by specialty training in medical genetics at McGill University (2003-2008). He completed postdoctoral training at Baylor College of Medicine (2008-2013), which further developed his expertise in genetic research methodologies. His primary research interests include bone dysplasias , skeletal dysplasias , epilepsy , and epigenetic diseases . Dr. Campeau's laboratory identifies disease-causing genes, deciphers disease pathophysiology, and works to improve the management of children affected by these conditions. His work encompasses exome analysis , functional studies with cell lines and mouse models , and investigations into urea cycle abnormalities . He has made significant contributions to understanding genetic causes of conditions such as Genitopatellar syndrome (KAT6B), osteopetrosis, dysosteosclerosis (SLC29A3), osteogenesis imperfecta, early-onset osteoporosis (WNT1), Yunis-Varón syndrome (FIG4), and DOORS syndrome (TBC1D24). Dr. Campeau's publication record demonstrates a strong trajectory in medical genetics research, with numerous high-impact publications spanning from fundamental genetic discovery to translational research. His work spans skeletal disorders, neurodevelopmental conditions, and epigenetic mechanisms. Recent publications indicate an expanding focus on chromatin modifiers, DNA methylation patterns, and spliceosome function in neurodevelopmental conditions, reflecting the evolution of his research interests toward more complex molecular mechanisms. Dr. Campeau has received several research grants in recent years (6 starting in 2014) from organizations including the Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and Fondation Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie. While specific students are not mentioned in the available information, as a clinical professor, he mentors medical students, residents, and research trainees in the Department of Pediatrics. His research is conducted as part of the 'Musculoskeletal Diseases and Rehabilitation' axis at CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, where he collaborates with international research teams to identify disease-causing genes and develop better management strategies for children with genetic disorders.
Alicia Che is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine and serves as Director of Graduate Admissions for the Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program. She joined the Yale Department of Psychiatry in 2021 after completing her postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Natalia De Marco García at Weill Cornell Medical College and Dr. Gord Fishell at NYU. Her research is conducted through the Che Lab at Yale, where she investigates how early life experiences impact brain circuit assembly and mature function in models of psychiatric illness. Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program Center for Brain & Mind Health Division of Molecular Psychiatry Wu Tsai Institute Yale Center for the Science of Cannabis and Cannabinoids Dr. Che earned her Ph.D. in Physiology and Neurobiology from the University of Connecticut in 2014, where she worked in the laboratory of Dr. Joseph LoTurco. She received her B.S. with triple majors in Biology, Physics, and Physical Chemistry from Pacific Lutheran University in Washington state in 2009. Her research focuses on understanding developmental trajectories following early life experiences to develop diagnostics and early interventions for psychiatric illnesses. Dr. Che's research examines how sensory inputs, social bonding, stress, and substance exposure impact brain development. She employs a multi-dimensional approach to assess transcriptional, circuit, neuronal activity, and behavioral changes across the entire developmental timeline. Her lab currently focuses on four specific areas: the role of oxytocin in social behavior development, circuit dysfunction in PTSD, early-life cannabinoid exposure effects, and the impact of early life stress on development and adulthood. She utilizes advanced techniques including mouse genetics, slice electrophysiology, and longitudinal in vivo 2-photon imaging on behaving animals. Her most recent publications demonstrate significant contributions to understanding neural circuit development, PTSD mechanisms, and the effects of early life experiences on brain function. Her work spans from molecular neuroscience to behavioral outcomes, with publications in top journals including Nature, Neuron, and Nature Communications. Her research has revealed important insights into how translaminar neuronal activity strengthens cortical columns, how oxytocin facilitates social touch development, and how PTSD affects brain transcriptomics. NARSAD Young Investigator Award (2020) K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award from NINDS (2019) Dr. Che's work has significant implications for understanding and treating neurodevelopmental disorders, PTSD, and the consequences of early life experiences on mental health. She collaborates extensively with researchers across Yale and beyond, with frequent co-authorship with colleagues including Lin Lin, Alex Kwan, and Christopher Pittenger. Her research program bridges basic neuroscience with clinical applications, aiming to translate findings into potential interventions for psychiatric conditions.
Robin A. Murphy is a Professor of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford and a Fellow and Tutor for Admissions at Corpus Christi College. He holds a PhD from McGill University (Canada) and has contributed over 50 scientific publications on associative learning mechanisms, their role in mental disorders like depression and psychopathy, and translational neuroscientific applications. His research bridges animal and human learning, with a focus on computational psychopathology and neurochemical modulation (e.g., serotonin). Education: Undergraduate degree, Queen's University MA and PhD in Psychology, McGill University Research Interests: Dr. Murphy investigates how associative learning processes underpin mental disorders, particularly through neurochemical systems like serotonin. His work explores causal reasoning biases in depression, psychopathy's learning deficits, and translational models linking animal studies to human cognition. Key themes include agency perception, contingency judgment, and the neural substrates of prejudice. Recent projects involve peptide research in aging and computational modeling of multi-agent systems in depression. Grants and Funding: Supported by MRC, BBSRC, Wellcome Trust, and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. He has advised UK Research Councils and NSERC (Canada). Labs and Teams: Leads a lab focusing on associative learning mechanisms, collaborating with institutions globally on computational psychopathology and translational neuroscience.
Dr. Teresa Puthussery is an Associate Professor in the School of Optometry & Vision Science at the University of California, Berkeley. Her research focuses on retinal neurobiology and neurophysiology, investigating how visual signals are encoded in healthy retinas and disrupted during degeneration. She uses advanced techniques like patch-clamp electrophysiology, immunohistochemistry, and microscopy to study retinal circuits, neurotransmitter receptors, and ion channels. Dr. Puthussery teaches courses on vision science anatomy, physiology, and problem-based learning, including VISION SCIENCE 206B/C and 260C. Her research explores questions such as how retinal neurons extract motion/spatial details, how photoreceptor mutations cause degeneration, and how inner retinal circuits adapt post-photoreceptor loss. Recent work includes studies on ON-type direction-selective ganglion cells, optogenetic therapy for vision restoration, and calcium dynamics in foveal ganglion cells post-degeneration. She collaborates on projects involving primate and rodent models, contributing to understanding retinal disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets. Dr. Puthussery’s lab (retinalab.berkeley.edu) emphasizes translational research, bridging basic science and clinical applications. Her work has been published in journals like Nature and Cell Reports , with a focus on retinal degeneration, synaptic plasticity, and optogenetic interventions. She actively participates in training future vision scientists through Berkeley’s Optometry program and oversees GSI affairs as a faculty advisor.
Joel Zylberberg is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), affiliated with the Department of Ophthalmology within the School of Medicine . His research bridges Computational Neuroscience , Neural Networks , and Machine Learning , focusing on how neural activity and biological mechanisms inform artificial intelligence and visual cortex dynamics . Joel's work explores retinal computation , population coding , and neural adaptation , often analyzing mouse visual cortex and neurophysiological data . His recent publications highlight trends in dynamic retinal processes , stimulus-driven network topology , and brain-inspired machine learning , emphasizing the interplay between biophysics and computational modeling . Collaborators include Greg Field (UCLA), Richard Born (Harvard), and Michael DeWeese (UC Berkeley), with affiliations spanning institutions like University of Washington and University of California, San Diego (UCSD). His work appears in journals such as Nature Neuroscience , Neuron , and PLOS Computational Biology .
Dame Fiona Powrie is a Professor of Musculoskeletal Sciences at the University of Oxford and Director of the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology . She leads the Mucosal Immunology Research Group and serves as Director of the Oxford Centre for Microbiome Studies (OCMS) and Cluster Lead in the MRC National Mouse Genetics Network Microbiome Cluster . Roles: Director of Kennedy Institute, Professor, Research Group Leader Relevant Affiliations: Wellcome Trust Governor (2018–present), Deputy Chair (2022), Royal Society Fellow (2011) Research Interests : Fiona specializes in the interplay between the intestinal microbiota and the host immune system, focusing on how dysregulation leads to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) . Her work has elucidated the role of regulatory T cells in maintaining gut homeostasis and identified the IL-23 pathway as critical in chronic intestinal inflammation. Current efforts aim to translate these findings into clinical therapies for IBD patients. Scientific Awards and Fellowships : Ita Askonas Award (European Federation of Immunological Societies) Louis-Jeantet Prize for Medicine (2012) Honorary Lifetime Membership (British Society of Immunology, 2021) Fellow of the Royal Society (2011), EMBO (2013), Academy of Medical Sciences (2014) International Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences (2020) Advising and Leadership : Fiona leads the Mucosal Immunology group at the Kennedy Institute, mentors researchers, and contributes to national and international scientific governance. She has been instrumental in advancing microbiome and immunology research through leadership roles at the Oxford Centre for Microbiome Studies and the MRC National Mouse Genetics Network . Labs and Teams : Fiona's research group at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology investigates mucosal immunity and microbiome interactions, combining experimental and clinical approaches to address inflammatory diseases.
