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Sandra BaldaufView profile

Professor

• Evolutionary Biology
• Genomics
• Phylogenetics
• +3 more

Sandra Baldauf is a Professor at the Department of Organismal Biology; Systematic Biology at Uppsala University. Her research focuses on evolutionary biology, genomics, and phylogenetics, particularly in understanding eukaryotic origins, microbial diversity, and molecular evolution. She has contributed significantly to studies of slime molds (Dictyostelids), mitochondrial genetics, and the reconstruction of the eukaryote tree of life. Her work bridges genomic analysis with organismal biology, using molecular tools to explore evolutionary relationships and genetic mechanisms across diverse taxa. Key areas include the study of horizontal gene transfer, phylogenetic methodology, and the role of natural products in parasitology. Recent publications highlight her contributions to resolving the eukaryote root, analyzing acaricidal plant oils, and discovering new species of social amoebae. Her research emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches combining fieldwork, genomic sequencing, and computational biology. Awards and grants are not explicitly mentioned in the provided text, though her high citation count and international collaborations suggest significant recognition. She advises students through her research activities, though specific names are not listed here.

Leslie BabonisView profile

Assistant Professor

• evolutionary development (Evo-Devo)
• origin of novelty
• invertebrate biodiversity
• +7 more

Leslie Babonis is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Cornell University, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on the mechanisms underlying the evolution of novel traits, particularly in cnidarians and ctenophores. She leads the Babonis Lab, which investigates gene regulation, cell identity, and tissue morphogenesis in organisms like corals, jellyfish, and comb jellies. Her work bridges evolutionary developmental biology and genetics, emphasizing the origins of biodiversity through studies of cell type innovation and loss. Education: Ph.D., University of Florida (2011); B.S., University of Miami (2003). Research Interests: Evolutionary development (Evo-Devo), origin of novelty, invertebrate biodiversity, cnidarians, ctenophores, gene regulation, cell identity, tissue morphogenesis, regeneration, and the evolution of multicellularity. The lab employs CRISPR, RNA sequencing, and behavioral assays to dissect these processes. Students and Advising: Advises PhD students Sarah Arnold, Kennedy Bolstad, Yareli Alvarez, and Moey Rojas, as well as undergraduate researchers like Ice. Recent accolades include NSF GRFP and NSERC grants for her advisees. Labs and Teams: The Babonis Lab operates in Corson Hall, focusing on cnidocyte evolution, colloblast gene functions, and assisted coral evolution. Collaborative projects include studies on comb jellies and sea anemones, with a particular emphasis on regeneration and defensive structures.

Tanmay BharatView profile

Professor

• Structural microbiology
• Cryo-electron tomography
• Microbial multicellularity
• +4 more

Tanmay Bharat is a Research Leader and Principal Investigator at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology , University of Cambridge, where he heads the Role of Surface Molecules in Microbial Multicellularity group. His laboratory combines cutting-edge electron cryo-tomography with correlative light and electron microscopy to dissect how surface molecules drive bacterial and archaeal multicellularity and biofilm formation. Research themes span structural microbiology , cryo-electron tomography method development , and the molecular basis of antibiotic tolerance . By resolving surface architectures from atoms to whole cells, his team reveals universal principles governing microbial community assembly and identifies new therapeutic vulnerabilities against pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Mycobacterium tuberculosis . His recent work includes the discovery of membraneless cation channels in ammonia-oxidizing archaea, elucidation of phage tactoid-mediated antibiotic tolerance, and structural characterization of bacterial biofilm scaffolds. These studies are being translated, in collaboration with clinicians, into strategies that disrupt pathogenic biofilms. Group members: Post-doctoral researchers & graduate students: Jan Böhning, Ido Caspy, Camila Clemente, Zephyr Ford, Julia Gordeeva, Buse Isbilir, Kenny Jungfer, Eloise Mawdesley, Hannah Ochner, Olivia Smith, Abul Tarafder, Bogdan Toader, Andriko von Kügelgen, Zhexin (Eric) Wang, Yuexuan Zhang Contact: Email: tbharat@mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk

Tal DaganView profile

Professor

• Microbial Evolution
• Plasmid Genetics
• Horizontal Gene Transfer
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Tal Dagan is a Professor at the Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Germany, within the Biology Center. Her research focuses on microbial evolution, plasmid dynamics, horizontal gene transfer, and bacterial symbiosis. Education: Habilitation in Microbiology (2011, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf), Ph.D. in Molecular Evolution (2005, Tel-Aviv University), M.Sc. & B.Sc. in Molecular Evolution and Biology (Tel-Aviv University). Her research explores the evolutionary mechanisms of plasmids, antibiotic resistance gene transfer, and microbial symbiosis in marine and plant-associated systems. She investigates how genetic elements like plasmids evolve under environmental pressures and contribute to bacterial adaptability. Recent publications highlight computational tools for DNA duplication detection, plasmid fitness optimization through toxin-antitoxin systems, and the role of natural transformation in cyanobacteria. Her work bridges theoretical models with experimental validation in microbial genomics. Grants from collaborative projects like CRC 754, CRC 1182, and SPP 2002 support her research. She leads a multidisciplinary team analyzing microbial interactions in extreme environments and synthetic biology applications.

Yashraj ChavhanView profile

Assistant Professor

• Evolutionary Biology
• Asexual Evolution
• Multicellularity Evolution
• +4 more

Yashraj Chavhan is an Assistant Professor at the School of Biology , Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram. His research focuses on evolutionary biology of asexual organisms through experimental evolution, genomics, and transcriptomics using bacterial and bacteriophage models. Wenner-Gren Postdoctoral Fellow PhD from IISER Pune Masters in Biotechnology from IBB Pune Research Themes: Origin and evolution of multicellularity Cell differentiation in nascent lineages Phenotypic plasticity in ecological coexistence Complex adaptation in asexual populations Scientific Awards: Wenner-Gren Postdoctoral Fellowship Teaching: Courses in evolution, population genetics, and ecology. Funding: Supported by Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and IISER TVM.

Mihaela PavlicevView profile

Professor

• Evolutionary Developmental Biology
• Reproductive Biology
• Pregnancy Evolution
• +5 more

Mihaela Pavlicev serves as a Professor in the Department of Evolutionary Biology within the Faculty of Life Sciences at the University of Vienna. Her research program bridges evolutionary theory, developmental biology, and genomics to investigate fundamental questions about mammalian reproduction and phenotypic evolution. Her primary research interests focus on: Evolutionary developmental mechanisms underlying pregnancy Genomic innovations at the fetal-maternal interface Pleiotropy and evolvability in complex traits Comparative analysis of reproductive systems across mammals Evolutionary trade-offs in pelvic morphology and childbirth Analysis of her recent publication trajectory (2023-2025) reveals a concentrated effort to decode cellular and molecular innovations in mammalian pregnancy through single-cell genomics and cross-species comparisons. Her work consistently challenges established paradigms, such as demonstrating that uterine receptivity mechanisms predate placental mammals and re-evaluating the obstetrical dilemma in human evolution. Key methodological approaches include comparative transcriptomics, quantitative genetics, and theoretical modeling of evolutionary processes. Dr. Pavlicev leads significant research initiatives including: Evolutionary trade-offs in the human and mammalian pelvis (2023-2026, active) Evolution of the mammalian maternal-fetal cell-communication (2020-2024, completed) She actively mentors students and postdoctoral researchers while maintaining extensive international collaborations, particularly with the Wagner lab. Her advisory role extends through co-authorship on numerous publications and supervision of research projects focused on evolutionary genomics and reproductive biology. Her laboratory employs cutting-edge single-cell genomic techniques to investigate cell type evolution across mammalian species, with particular emphasis on decidual stromal cells and fetal-maternal signaling networks. Current work integrates computational approaches to model evolutionary trajectories of reproductive traits while examining clinical implications for pregnancy disorders.

Lillian Fritz-LaylinView profile

Professor

• Quantitative Evolutionary Cell Biology
• Cell Motility
• Cytoskeleton
• +5 more

Lillian Fritz-Laylin is a Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where her research program investigates the evolution and diversification of cellular motility mechanisms across eukaryotic lineages. Her work bridges cell biology, evolutionary genomics, and biophysics to understand fundamental questions about cytoskeletal evolution. Her educational background includes: B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley (2003) Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley (2010) Postdoctoral training at the University of California, San Francisco (2010-2017) Dr. Fritz-Laylin's research centers on Quantitative Evolutionary Cell Biology, specifically examining how cell crawling mechanisms evolved through comparative studies of diverse organisms including Naegleria gruberi, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, human neutrophils, and insect cells. Her lab integrates comparative genomics, phylogenetics, and advanced microscopy to dissect the molecular basis of cytoskeletal networks, with particular focus on actin and microtubule dynamics. This approach reveals both conserved core mechanisms and lineage-specific innovations in cellular motility. Analysis of her publication record shows consistent emphasis on protist genomics and cytoskeletal evolution, with frequent use of Naegleria as a model system. Her work demonstrates how molecular adaptations in cytoskeletal regulators drive phenotypic diversity across eukaryotes, while maintaining core cellular functions. The research spans evolutionary cell biology, quantitative imaging, and the application of genomic tools to non-traditional model organisms. Scientific awards: No awards were documented in the provided materials. Regarding advising and grants, the available documentation does not specify current advisees or active grant funding, though her extensive publication record suggests ongoing research support. The Fritz-Laylin Lab operates at the intersection of multiple disciplines, utilizing a unique combination of free-living protists, fungal pathogens, and human cells to investigate evolutionary principles of cellular organization. The lab's collaborative approach connects molecular cell biology with broad evolutionary questions, maintaining active partnerships across microbiology, genomics, and biophysics research communities.

Raghuveer ParthasarathyView profile

Professor

• Biophysics
• Microbial Ecology
• Multicellular Organization
• +4 more

Raghuveer Parthasarathy is a Professor of Physics at the University of Oregon's College of Arts and Sciences, affiliated with the Systems and Integrative Physiology (SAIL) initiative. His research focuses on biophysics, particularly the interplay between physical laws and biological systems. Key research areas include microbial community organization in vertebrate guts, bacterial motility, and advanced microscopy techniques. He joined the University of Oregon in 2006 after earning his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 2002. Parthasarathy's work integrates experimental and computational approaches, using light-sheet microscopy to study gut microbiome dynamics and bacterial-host interactions. His lab investigates how physical principles like adhesion forces, phase transitions, and fluid dynamics govern microbial spatial organization and functional outcomes. Notable contributions include exploring antibiotic-induced gelation effects and the role of bacterial motility in host colonization. Teaching interests include general education courses for non-science majors, such as 'The Physics of Life' and 'The Physics of Energy and the Environment.' He maintains an active blog (eighteenthelephant.com) and authored the popular science book So Simple a Beginning: How Four Physical Principles Shape Our Living World . Research tools developed in his lab include automated light-sheet imaging systems and machine learning approaches for 3D bacterial identification. His interdisciplinary work spans biophysics, microbiology, and computational biology, with applications to host-microbe symbiosis and disease mechanisms.

Stanisław Dunin-HorkawiczView profile

Researcher

• Computational Biology
• Protein Structure and Function
• Molecular Evolution
• +3 more

Dr. Stanisław Dunin-Horkawicz is affiliated with the University of Warsaw's Laboratory of Structural Bioinformatics. His research focuses on computational methods to study protein sequences, structures, and functions, with emphasis on machine learning applications, evolutionary origins of protein families, and fibrous proteins like coiled-coil domains. He leads a systems biology project on molecular pathways related to multicellularity (NCN OPUS grant 2020/37/B/NZ2/03268). Key contributions include developing tools like DeepCoil for coiled-coil prediction, pLM-BLAST for homology detection, and localpdb for protein structure management. His work spans structural bioinformatics, protein engineering, and evolutionary biology, addressing topics such as HAMP domain signaling, RNA structure prediction, and viral protein evolution. Collaborative projects involve international teams and cutting-edge methods like AlphaFold2 for protein modeling. His research has implications for understanding neurodegenerative diseases, bacterial pathogenesis, and enzyme specificity engineering.

Loren BabcockView profile

Professor

• Paleontology
• Sedimentary Geology
• Evolutionary Paleobiology
• +3 more

Loren Babcock is a Professor at The Ohio State University and Director of the Orton Geological Museum. He is affiliated with the School of Earth Sciences and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Kansas (1990). Education: Ph.D., University of Kansas, 1990 Loren's research focuses on the early history of multicellular animals, particularly trilobites, and biotic changes across the Ediacaran-Cambrian transition. His work also includes Cambrian global chronostratigraphy, processes of fossilization, and evolutionary paleobiology, with an emphasis on the role of predation in evolution and biologic asymmetry. Loren has authored over 125 scientific articles and seven books, including the textbook Visualizing Earth History . He is recognized for his contributions to paleontology and geology through various awards and fellowships. Charles Schuchert Award for Excellence and Promise in Paleontology Erasmus Haworth Award for Distinguished Alumni Honors in Geology Fellow of the Geological Society of America Fellow of The Paleontological Society Loren currently serves as Secretary of the International Subcommission on Cambrian Stratigraphy and is actively engaged in advancing the understanding of Earth's history through his research and publications.

• Genome Evolution
• Endosymbiosis
• Molecular Phylogeny
• +3 more

Dr. John Archibald is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada. He holds the Arthur B. McDonald Research Chair of Excellence and serves as Director of the Institute for Comparative Genomics (ICG). His research focuses on genome evolution, endosymbiosis, and molecular phylogeny, particularly in microbial systems. Dr. Archibald has been a faculty member since 2003 and is affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine and the School of Graduate Studies. He has held roles such as University Research Professor (2016–2021) and has authored over 170 scientific publications and two books, including One Plus One Equals One: Symbiosis and the Evolution of Complex Life . PhD in 2001 from Dalhousie University Postdoctoral research with Patrick Keeling at UBC Leading the Archibald Lab, which studies microbial genomics and symbiotic evolution His research interests include the evolution of plastids, lateral gene transfer, and the genomic footprints of endosymbiosis. Notable achievements include pioneering work on nucleomorph genomes and the role of symbiosis in eukaryotic origins. Dr. Archibald has received prestigious awards such as the CSMB Senior Investigator Award (2024) and Fellowship in the Royal Society of Canada (2017). Recent work includes studies on protist pangenomics, symbiotic genome sequencing, and the evolutionary dynamics of microbial pathogens like monkeypox virus. His lab collaborates on projects like the Aquatic Symbiosis Genomics initiative, aiming to decode symbiotic relationships across life's tree.

Hagai AbeliovichView profile

Associate Professor

• Yeast Cell Biology
• Autophagy Mechanisms
• Mitochondrial Turnover
• +4 more

Prof. Hagai Abeliovich is an Associate Professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Institute of Biochemistry and Food Science, part of the Faculty of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Quality Sciences. His research focuses on yeast cell biology and biotechnology, particularly autophagy mechanisms, mitochondrial turnover, and metabolic engineering. Education: B.Sc. Chemistry and Biology (Hebrew University, 1987) M.Sc. Biochemistry (Hebrew University, 1990) Ph.D. Molecular Biology (Hebrew University, 1996) Research Interests: Prof. Abeliovich investigates nutrient-starvation-induced autophagy in yeast, mitochondrial turnover via mitophagy, effects of food preservatives on membrane trafficking, and metabolic engineering of yeast for plant nutraceutical production. His work bridges fundamental cell biology with biotechnological applications. Publications Trends: Recent articles emphasize mitophagy regulation, selective autophagy mechanisms, and yeast models for understanding cellular stress responses. Key topics include mitochondrial protein phosphorylation, lipid signaling in mitophagy, and comparative analysis of autophagy across species. Editorial Roles: Member of editorial boards for Autophagy and Journal of Biological Chemistry since 2007 and 2013, respectively. Lab/Teams: Leads a research group exploring autophagy in yeast and its industrial applications. Collaborates with institutions like UCSD and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Mattheen RafiqiView profile

Assistant Professor

• Ecological Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Eco-Evo-Devo)
• Developmental Endosymbiosis
• Molecular mechanisms of major evolutionary transitions
• +3 more

Dr. Mattheen Rafiqi is an Assistant Professor at Bezmialem Vakıf University's Beykoz Institute of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, affiliated with the Molecular Biology department. He earned his PhD from The University of Chicago and Wageningen University, with earlier degrees from SK University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir, India. His research focuses on Ecological Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Eco-Evo-Devo), particularly the integration of endosymbionts into host developmental processes. He has received prestigious awards like the Ramalingaswami Re-entry fellowship and QCBS Excellence Awards. His lab studies insects as model systems to explore symbiotic relationships and their evolutionary impacts. Current grants include TUBITAK-funded projects on endosymbiosis mechanisms and microbiome studies. Dr. Rafiqi mentors multiple PhD and MSc students, co-advising on topics ranging from BMP signaling to evolutionary theory. His lab team includes postdocs and research assistants working on projects like gut microbiome analysis and ant developmental genetics. Education: PhD (2008, University of Chicago/Wageningen), MSc (2002, Wageningen), BSc (1999, SK University). Research Themes: Molecular basis of evolutionary transitions, symbiotic gene regulation, and endosymbiont-host interactions. Methodologies include genetic analysis, comparative embryology, and microbiome characterization. Ongoing projects involve ant colonies, bumblebee symbionts, and antibiotic effects on insect development.

Juliet GrayView profile

Professor

• Paediatric Oncology
• Cancer Immunotherapy
• Monoclonal Antibody Therapies
• +5 more

Professor Juliet Gray is a leading academic in the field of paediatric oncology at the University of Southampton, affiliated with the Department of Paediatric Oncology at Southampton Children's Hospital and the Centre for Cancer Immunology. Her research focuses on neuroblastoma and cancer immunotherapy, particularly the development of novel antibody therapies and international clinical trials for children with neuroblastoma. Key affiliations: Institute for Life Sciences, Centre for Cancer Immunology, Antibody and Vaccine Group, Institute of Developmental Sciences Her research interests include: Translational immunotherapy research for neuroblastoma FC gamma receptor polymorphism analysis Pre-clinical modeling of neuroblastoma Epigenetic therapies combined with monoclonal antibodies Development of 3D tumor models for osteosarcoma and neuroblastoma Recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate expertise in: Antibody engineering for enhanced effector functions Clinical trials for paediatric cancers Epigenetic modulation in high-risk neuroblastoma Exercise physiology effects on immunotherapy efficacy Molecular radiotherapy optimization Scientific awards include: CRN Wessex Outstanding Principal Investigator (2018) Solving Kids Cancer Research Hero (2022) Professor Gray holds leadership roles in: SIOPEN European Neuroblastoma Research Network NCRI Childhood Cancer Leukaemia Clinical Study Group Scientific Advisory Boards for Solving Kids Cancer and Neuroblastoma Australia CRUK Protocol Safety Review Board She actively contributes to: International clinical trials (MINIVAN, ITCC-SIOPEN BEACON) Grants from Cancer Research UK, Children's Cancer & Leukaemia Group, and Neuroblastoma UK Multidisciplinary collaborations with immunologists, geneticists, and clinical teams

• Evolutionary Biology
• Complex Systems
• Synthetic Biology
• +4 more

Ricard Solé is an ICREA Research Professor at Universitat Pompeu Fabra , where he leads the Complex Systems Lab at the PRBB (Biomedical Research Park). He is also an External Professor at the Santa Fe Institute and a founding member of the NASA-associated Center for Astrobiology. PhD in Physics (Polytechnic University of Catalonia) Degrees in Physics and Biology (University of Barcelona) His research bridges evolutionary biology and synthetic biology , focusing on reconstructing evolutionary innovations like protocells and multicellularity through synthetic approaches. Key themes include: Synthetic Major Transitions Unstable Evolutionary Dynamics in RNA viruses and cancer Terraforming ecosystems Complex biological network evolution His recent work (2024–2025) spans topics from synthetic multicellularity to AI-driven ecological control, with a focus on bifurcations, nonequilibrium dynamics, and resilience mechanisms. Notable scientific awards include: Barcelona City Award for Science (2004) James McDonnell Foundation Award in Complex Systems La Vanguardia Award for Science (2011) ERC Advanced Grant (2012) He has published over 250 papers (18,000+ citations) and actively collaborates with institutions like UCSF and the European Center for Living Technology.