Find Academic Supervisors

• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Myelin Biology
• APOE4 Effects
• +3 more

Leyla Akay is a Researcher affiliated with the Picower Institute for Learning & Memory at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Her work focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), with an emphasis on myelin biology, lipid metabolism, and APOE4 genotype effects. She employs cutting-edge techniques including single-cell transcriptomics, in vitro human cell models, and systems biology approaches to dissect disease pathways. Her research interests integrate cellular biology, genetics, and neurovascular dynamics, targeting APOE4’s role in myelination defects, cholesterol dysregulation, and vascular dysfunction in AD. Recent studies highlight novel insights into multisensory stimulation’s impact on glymphatic clearance and the role of microglial Siglec-F in neuroinflammation. Her publications span 2018-2025, emphasizing multi-region brain analysis, lipid homeostasis disruption, and in vitro BBB modeling. While no awards or grants are explicitly listed, her work aligns with Picower’s focus on translational neuroscience. She is actively involved in collaborative projects at MIT’s Picower Institute, contributing to the institute’s initiatives in neurodegenerative disease research.

Fabian J. TheisView profile

Professor

• Systems Biology
• Mathematical Modeling
• Single-Cell Analysis
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Dr. Fabian J. Theis is a full Professor of Biomathematics at Technische Universität München (TUM) since 2013 and Director of the Institute of Computational Biology at the Helmholtz Center Munich. He leads the Theis Lab, focusing on machine learning approaches for single-cell genomics and systems biology. His academic journey includes a doctorate in biophysics (2002) and computer science (2003), followed by postdoctoral work in Regensburg, Tokyo, and Tallahassee. Research areas include mathematical modeling of biological processes, single-cell analysis, and integrating omics data into systems medicine. He has advised numerous PhD candidates and leads projects on computational health, including the Lung Cell Atlas and drug discovery. Notable awards include the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize (2023) and ERC Advanced Grant (2022). His lab hosts over 50 researchers, including postdocs, PhD candidates, and engineers, working on topics like spatial transcriptomics and multi-modal data integration. Collaborations with global institutions drive advancements in computational biology and medical discovery.

Arutha KulasingheView profile

Associate Professor

• Immuno-oncology
• Spatial Transcriptomics
• Liquid Biopsies
• +3 more

Associate Professor Arutha Kulasinghe is a Principal Research Fellow at the Frazer Institute and Founding Scientific Director of the Queensland Spatial Biology Centre. He leads the Clinical-oMx Lab, specializing in spatial transcriptomics, proteomics, and interactomics. His research focuses on immuno-oncology (lung, skin, head and neck cancers), spatial omics applications in solid tumors and infectious diseases, and liquid biopsy development. Education: Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology. Research Interests: The integration of multi-omics approaches to understand tumor microenvironment dynamics, particularly in immunotherapy response. Key areas include PD-1/PD-L1 spatial interactions, metabolic signatures in lung cancer, and spatial profiling of tertiary lymphoid structures. Funding: Supported by NHMRC, MRFF, US Department of Defense, Cure Cancer Australia, and Wesley Research Institute grants. Notable projects include the METASPATIAL Study (lung cancer spatial analysis) and Queensland Spatial Biology Centre initiatives. Supervision: Actively supervises PhD and Master's students in spatial omics, immunotherapy biomarkers, and pediatric cancer profiling. Current projects include spatial profiling of tumor microenvironments and multi-omics analysis of hard-to-cure lung infections. Labs & Teams: Leads the Clinical-oMx Lab and directs the Queensland Spatial Biology Centre, fostering collaborations in spatial omics for precision medicine.

Xiao WangView profile

Associate Professor

• Molecular Biology
• Neuroscience
• Biophysics
• +6 more

Xiao Wang is the Thomas D. and Virginia Cabot Associate Professor of Chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a Core Member of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. His research focuses on developing chemical and biophysical tools to study molecular events in the brain, including spatial transcriptomics, in-situ sequencing, and imaging methods. The Wang Group works at the intersection of chemistry, biophysics, and genomics to map brain wiring and function at unprecedented resolution. Key research areas include spatial omics technologies for single-cell resolution, RNA modification engineering, and applications in neuroscience and therapeutics. The lab is known for pioneering methods like STARmap and ClusterMap for spatial gene expression analysis. Recent work extends to AI-driven spatial transcriptomics and optimizing mRNA translation capacity through chemical design. Publications highlight innovations in spatial multi-omics, mRNA therapeutics, and neurobiological mechanisms. The lab collaborates extensively with institutions like Harvard Medical School and the Broad Institute. Current projects emphasize scalable spatial tools and translational applications of molecular imaging. Advising and grants: Xiao Wang mentors over 20 PhD students and postdocs. Funding includes support from the Damon Runyon Foundation (Wendy Wang) and NIH grants. The lab actively recruits postdocs and students through MIT’s Chemistry and related departments. Labs/teams: The Wang Group operates at MIT and the Broad Institute, leveraging interdisciplinary approaches to address challenges in molecular neuroscience and precision medicine.

• Artificial Intelligence
• Spatial Transcriptomics
• Gene Regulatory Networks
• +7 more

Sokratia Georgaka is a Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence at the Division of Informatics, Imaging & Data Sciences. Her research focuses on spatial transcriptomics, gene regulatory networks, and predictive modeling of biological systems, particularly in liver disease and glioblastoma. She holds a PhD in Reduced Order Models for Nuclear Reactor Thermal Hydraulics from Imperial College London (2020), a Master's from the University of Birmingham (2014), and a Bachelor's from the University of Ioannina (2013). Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and innovation. Recent projects include developing computational methods for spatial transcriptomics (CellPie) and integrating multi-omic data to study liver fibrosis and glioblastoma progression. Collaborations include the Christabel Pankhurst Institute and institutions in oncology and bioinformatics. Publications emphasize applications of machine learning in medical imaging and molecular biology, with notable contributions to Science Advances , Nucleic Acids Research , and Bioinformatics .

• Stem Cell Biology
• Developmental Biology
• Muscle Regeneration
• +6 more

Maurilio Sampaolesi is a full professor at the Faculty of Medicine , KU Leuven, affiliated with the Department of Development and Regeneration and leading the Stem Cell and Developmental Biology unit. His work bridges basic research and translational applications in regenerative medicine. Research focuses on stem cell biology , muscle regeneration , and cardiac therapy . Key projects include exploring extracellular vesicles for muscle repair, iPSC-derived models for cystinosis, and paracrine therapy for heart disease. His studies span cancer biology (e.g., rhabdomyosarcoma) and aging-related disorders . Recent publications and projects highlight expertise in gene circuits , secretome engineering , and 3D spatial omics . He contributes to translational grants as promotor or co-promotor, including AmnioSMART (ERA4Health-funded) and cystinosis research initiatives. As a member of academic councils and committees, he drives research strategy in developmental biology and regenerative medicine . His teaching includes courses like Advances in Stem Cell Biology (E0E36A) and Hot Topics in Stem Cell Biology (E0E37A).

• Oncology
• Neuro-Oncology
• Head and Neck Cancer
• +6 more

Paul Clement is a Professor and Department Chair at the KU Leuven Faculty of Medicine , leading the Department of Oncology . His research spans neuro-oncology, head and neck cancer, and precision medicine, with expertise in immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and translational oncology. Projects focus on brain tumor biology, early cancer detection in TP53 mutation carriers, and data-driven precision oncology platforms. Recent publications emphasize glioma therapy outcomes, meningioma resistance mechanisms, and single-cell multiomics for personalized treatment. His work integrates clinical trials (e.g., INTERLINK-1, CATNON trial) with advanced imaging/radiation toxicity studies and cfDNA analysis. Teaching roles include courses in medical oncology, hemato-oncology, and clinical reasoning.

Gabriele BergersView profile

Professor

• Tumor Microenvironment
• Cancer Therapeutics
• Angiogenesis
• +5 more

Gabriele Bergers is a Professor of Oncology at KU Leuven and Group Leader at the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology since 2016. She previously served as a Full Professor at the University of California, San Francisco for 19 years, where she was also a PI in the Brain Tumor Research Center at the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her laboratory focuses on comprehensive investigations defining dialogues between heterogeneous tumor cell subtypes, vasculature, and immune cells within distinct tumor vascular niches during progression and targeted therapies. Dr. Bergers' research centers on tumor microenvironment dynamics, particularly the interactions between tumor cells, vasculature, and inflammatory cells in regulating neovascularization and invasion in brain, breast, and pancreatic cancer models. Her work has revealed critical intrinsic and evasive resistance mechanisms to antiangiogenic therapy. Key research areas include high endothelial venules in cancer, tumor vasculature biology, immunotherapy response mechanisms, and therapeutic resistance pathways. Her laboratory investigates how tumor vascular niches influence immune cell recruitment and function, with implications for enhancing cancer immunotherapies. Her recent publications demonstrate consistent leadership in cancer vascular biology, with emphasis on high endothelial venules as critical determinants of immunotherapy response. The research spans multiple cancer types including glioblastoma, melanoma, and breast cancer, integrating advanced techniques such as multi-omics, spatial mapping, and single-cell analysis to characterize tumor microenvironment heterogeneity and identify novel therapeutic targets. Sidney Kimmel award Sandler Opportunity award UCSF Breakthrough Biomedical Research award Judah Folkman award Editorial Board of Science Dr. Bergers serves on multiple grant review panels including CPRIT, ERC, AIRC, and CRUK, and has been an External Advisory Board member for various universities and pharmaceutical companies. Her laboratory receives substantial funding through numerous projects including 'Hemorrhage-induced HO-1 macrophages infer resistance to antiangiogenic immunotherapies in cancer' (2025-2028) and 'Targeting the Treg – macrophage axis to promote immune stimulation and tertiary lymphoid structure formation in IDHwt GBM TME subtypes' (2023-2027). The Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Therapeutic Resistance operates within the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology, collaborating closely with the LKI - KU Leuven Cancer Institute.

• Molecular Cancer Biology
• Melanoma Metastasis
• Immunotherapy Resistance
• +7 more

Jean-Christophe Marine is a full professor at the KU Leuven Faculty of Medicine , leading the Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology (VIB-KU Leuven). His work focuses on unraveling molecular mechanisms in melanoma and pancreatic cancer, with a particular emphasis on metastasis, immunotherapy resistance, and tumor microenvironment dynamics. Head, Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology (VIB-KU Leuven) Head, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology - Administrative Core Member, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology Member, LISCO - KU Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics Senior academic staff, Faculty of Medicine Council His research spans cell state plasticity , lipid metabolism in metastasis , epitranscriptomic regulation , and novel spatial analysis technologies . Recent projects include studying extracellular vesicles in pre-metastatic niche formation and developing AI-driven pipelines for cancer cell mapping. Publications highlight discoveries in NK cell-mediated immunotherapy resistance , alternative translation in metastasis , and oncofetal reprogramming in colorectal cancer. Collaborative work includes defining stromal lipid species as metastatic drivers and mapping melanoma subclone plasticity using single-cell multi-omics. Current affiliations include leadership roles in cancer biology centers and advisory positions in institutional councils. His work intersects basic research and clinical translation , with major implications for precision oncology.

• Machine Learning
• Computational Biology
• Molecular Biology
• +5 more

Michael Wiliam Robben is an Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with dual appointments in the Department of Animal Sciences and Department of Nutritional Sciences. He is also affiliated with the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. He holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from South Dakota State University (2022) and a B.Sc. in Biology from Salisbury University (2016). Research Focus: Dr. Robben integrates machine learning and artificial intelligence with multi-omic approaches for biomedical and agricultural research. His lab focuses on: T-cell dynamics in inflammatory diabetes Spatial analysis of tumor microenvironments Computer vision for biomedical imaging Multi-omic data integration techniques Publication Trends: His recent work (2023-2025) demonstrates strong emphasis on computational biology methods, including deep learning architectures (GANs, VAEs) for medical imaging and single-cell RNA sequencing applications. Research spans immunology, cancer biology, and genomic regulation with publications in high-impact journals. Awards: No scientific awards mentioned in source materials. Lab & Teams: Leads research group focusing on computational immunology and machine learning applications. Collaborates with researchers across institutions as evidenced by multi-author publications.

• Transcriptomics
• Genomics
• Computational Biology
• +4 more

Andreas Fønss Møller is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Southern Denmark. His work focuses on transcriptomics , single-cell genomic analysis , and computational biology , with applications in developmental biology, metabolic diseases, and gene regulation. Academic affiliation: Faculty of Science, University of Southern Denmark Department: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Research interests center around single-cell RNA sequencing , machine learning in genomics , and in silico modeling of biological systems. Recent publications highlight collaborations in metabolic diseases , adipose tissue dynamics , and developmental genomics , with a focus on computational methods like JOINTLY for data clustering. Scientific outputs include deep learning frameworks for gene regulation and studies on Xenopus epithelial development. He was principal grant holder for a project funded by the Aage og Johanne Louis-Hansens Fond (2020–2023), analyzing spatial transcriptomics during embryogenesis .

Stefanie HauckView profile

Associate Professor

• Cellular & Systems Neuroscience
• Biomedical Neuroscience
• Proteomics
• +3 more

Stefanie Hauck serves as GSN associate faculty at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich while leading the Metabolomics and Proteomics Core at Helmholtz Zentrum München. Her research bridges Cellular & Systems Neuroscience with Biomedical Neuroscience, focusing on proteome-wide identification of neurodegenerative mechanisms in retina and brain through advanced mass spectrometry techniques. Her laboratory specializes in targeted/non-targeted metabolomics, lipidomics, and quantitative proteomics (LC-MS/MS), with particular expertise in Müller glial cell characterization and gene activation strategies against retinal degeneration. Research methods include immunopeptidomics, extracellular matrix profiling, and certified Olink platforms (Target96/48, Explore) for proximity extension assays. Analysis of her 2019-2022 publications reveals strong thematic continuity in neural proteomics, with emphasis on retinal degeneration mechanisms, centrosome proteome organization in neural cells, and pathological connectivity in amyloid-affected brains. Her work consistently integrates molecular profiling with functional validation to identify therapeutic targets. Scientific Awards: No specific awards or fellowships were documented in the source material. Dr. Hauck actively supervises graduate researchers through the Graduate School of Neuroscience, including Viktoria Split (PhD defense) and Lew Kaplan (Thesis Advisory Committee). Her research infrastructure is supported by Helmholtz Zentrum München's core facility resources and collaborative networks within the GSN framework. The Metabolomics and Proteomics Core under her direction operates as a central hub for multi-omics analysis, maintaining certified Olink platforms and advanced mass spectrometry systems that enable high-throughput proteomic studies across multiple neuroscience research groups.

Shenglin MeiView profile

Assistant Professor

• Computational Biology
• Cancer Genomics
• Tumor Microenvironment
• +7 more

Shenglin Mei, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute (FBRI) at Virginia Tech and the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. His lab is based at the Children's National Research & Innovation Campus in Washington, D.C., where he leads research on tumor microenvironment remodeling during cancer metastasis. Dr. Mei holds a Ph.D. in Bioinformatics from Tongji University and completed postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. His research integrates computational biology, single-cell genomics, spatial transcriptomics, and machine learning to study the molecular mechanisms of tumor progression and metastasis. His research interests include: Computational methods for multi-omics data integration (scRNA-seq, scATAC-seq, spatial transcriptomics) Context-dependent remodeling of the tumor microenvironment Identification of novel regulators in cancer metastasis Organ-specific metastasis mechanisms Development of therapeutic strategies for metastatic cancers Dr. Mei's recent publications focus on metastatic cancers such as neuroblastoma, renal cell carcinoma, and prostate cancer, utilizing single-cell and spatial technologies to dissect immune and stromal remodeling in primary and metastatic tumors. His work has revealed key immunosuppressive mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets in the tumor microenvironment. Scientific awards and honors include: Young Investigator Award, Royalty Pharma-Prostate Cancer Foundation (2023–2026) Challenge Award, Michael & Lori Milken Family Foundation-Prostate Cancer Foundation (2022–2025) Outstanding Graduates Award, Nanjing Agricultural University (2012) Dr. Mei has secured significant research funding and leads an active lab focused on computational cancer genomics. He is actively mentoring postdoctoral fellows and graduate students, and his lab collaborates with multiple institutions. The Mei Lab is currently recruiting talented researchers to advance computational methods and biological discovery in cancer metastasis. His research team is based at the Children's National Research & Innovation Campus, contributing to the Cancer Research Center - D.C., and is part of the Children's National Center for Cancer and Immunology Research.

• Neuroscience
• Alzheimer's Disease Research
• Microglial Immunometabolism
• +6 more

Josh M. Morganti, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Kentucky's College of Medicine. His research focuses on neuroimmunology, Alzheimer's disease mechanisms, and traumatic brain injury pathophysiology. Affiliations: Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, SCOBIRC - Faculty Associates Research Themes: APOE4 genotype effects, microglial immunometabolism, neuroinflammatory responses to injury, sex-specific neurodegeneration Recent work emphasizes spatial profiling of glial cell metabolism in Alzheimer's disease, lipid droplet proteomics in neuroinflammation, and hepatic-brain lipid axis regulation. Key methodologies include transgenic mouse models and multi-omics analysis. Publications highlight collaborations with institutions like the University of Kentucky and translational approaches to neurodegenerative disease.

Vincenzo CerulloView profile

Professor

• Immunotherapy
• Cancer Therapy
• Gene Therapy
• +4 more

Roles and Affiliations: Vincenzo Cerullo is a Professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki , leading the ImmunoViroTherapy Lab within the Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences. He supervises doctoral programs in Integrative Life Science, Biomedicine, and Drug Research. He holds adjunct roles in experimental virology and has served as Principal Investigator and group leader in molecular cancer biology. Education: He earned a Master of Pharmacy (1998) and PhD in Biotechnology (2004) from the University of Naples and University of L’Aquila. He became a Docent in Experimental Virology at the University of Helsinki (2011). Research Focus: His work centers on Immunovirotherapy , combining oncolytic viruses with immunomodulatory strategies to combat cancer. Key areas include: Oncolytic Adenoviruses : Engineering viruses to enhance tumor targeting and immune activation. Cancer Vaccines : PeptiCRAd platform for personalized vaccines using peptide-coated vectors. Epigenetic Therapy : Synergizing with viral vectors to improve treatment efficacy. Clinical Translation : Bridging preclinical models (e.g., murine melanoma) to human trials. Recent Research Trends: Articles emphasize high-throughput viral titering , PD-L1 modulation via PNA , and selenium nanoparticle synergies . Themes include precision medicine, immune checkpoint inhibition, and combinatorial therapies. Awards & Recognition: 2012: New Investigator of the Month (ASGT) 2014: Outstanding Young Investigator (ESGCT) 2013: Nomination for ASGCT’s Outstanding New Investigator 1999: Società Chimica Italiana Award for Master’s Thesis Grants & Leadership: Secured over €1.2M in grants from Sigrid Jusélius Foundation, Business Finland, and Cancer Foundation Finland. Supervised 6 PhD candidates and mentored 4 master’s students. Led projects on mesothelioma treatment, viral vaccine development, and personalized oncology. Labs & Collaborations: Directs the ImmunoViroTherapy Lab, collaborating internationally with Baylor College of Medicine (USA), University of Verona (Italy), and national partners like Akseli Hemminki at the University of Helsinki.