Find Academic Supervisors

Michael S. CohenView profile

Associate Professor

• Chemical Biology
• Molecular Design
• NAD+ Regulation
• +3 more

Michael S. Cohen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) School of Medicine. His research program integrates chemical biology and molecular design to develop novel tools for probing NAD+ regulation and ADP-ribosylation in cellular systems. His educational background includes: B.S. from University of California, Irvine (2000) Ph.D. from University of California, San Francisco (2006) LSRF Postdoctoral Fellowship at Weill Cornell Medical College (2006-2011) Dr. Cohen's laboratory focuses on two interconnected research pillars: (1) elucidating novel roles for NAD+ metabolism in cellular physiology, and (2) deciphering the biological functions of ADP-ribosylation—a post-translational modification catalyzed by PARP enzymes. His team pioneered orthogonal NAD+ analogue-enzyme pairs, selective PARP inhibitors, and real-time NAD+ biosensors that overcome limitations of conventional methods. These chemical tools enable precise manipulation and monitoring of NAD+-dependent processes in living cells. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2020-2025) reveals a strategic expansion from fundamental mechanism discovery toward translational applications. Key themes include PARP-mediated immune regulation (e.g., PARP7 in interferon signaling and autoimmunity), cancer immunotherapy enhancement (via PARP11 modulation of regulatory T cells), and neuro-cardiac repair mechanisms. His work bridges chemical biology, immunology, and regenerative medicine through innovative molecular engineering. His scientific recognition includes: Pew Biomedical Scholar (2015) Richard T. Jones New Investigator Award (2016) ICBS Young Chemical Biologist Award (2018) Dr. Cohen mentors graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in chemical biology techniques, with research supported by NIH and foundation grants. His laboratory maintains active collaborations with OHSU clinicians investigating applications in autoimmunity, viral pathogenesis, and cardiac injury models. The Cohen Lab operates within OHSU's collaborative research ecosystem, utilizing core facilities for chemical proteomics and live-cell imaging to translate basic discoveries into therapeutic strategies for NAD+-related pathologies.

• Social Cognition
• Computational Psychiatry
• Neural Mechanisms
• +3 more

Marco K. Wittmann is an MRC Career Development Fellow and Group Leader at the Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research, based in the Department of Experimental Psychology at University College London (UCL). His research focuses on the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying social cognition and adaptive behavior in complex social environments. His educational background includes: BSc and MSc in Psychology (Diplom in Psychologie) from the Universities of Constance and Freiburg, Germany (2011) MSc in Neuroscience from the University of Oxford, UK (2012), funded by a Wellcome Trust scholarship DPhil in Neuroscience from the University of Oxford, UK (2017) Dr. Wittmann's research integrates computational modelling , neuroimaging , and brain stimulation techniques to investigate the neural basis of social cognition. His work particularly examines how the brain represents self and others, navigates social interactions, and adapts mental strategies in diverse social contexts. A key focus is on the causal role of specific brain regions, such as the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, in social decision-making. His recent publications span high-impact journals including Nature Communications , Neuron , and Annual Review of Neuroscience , reflecting a strong emphasis on computational psychiatry , social neuroscience , and causal brain-behavior relationships . His work often involves primate models and human studies, bridging basic and clinical research. Scientific awards and fellowships include: MRC Career Development Fellowship Wellcome Trust Scholarship for MSc and DPhil As a group leader, Dr. Wittmann supervises a dynamic team and secures competitive research grants. His lab, the Metacognition and Computational Psychiatry Group, is part of the Max Planck-UCL Centre and focuses on cutting-edge research using non-invasive transcranial ultrasound stimulation to establish causal links between brain activity and social behavior.

Celia KjærbyView profile

Associate Professor

• Sleep Neuroscience
• Glymphatic System
• Sleep-Arousal Transitions
• +5 more

Celia Kjærby is an Associate Professor at the Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, where she also leads the Division of Sleep-Arousal State Transitions at the Center for Translational Neuromedicine. Her research focuses on understanding sleep micro-structures and their role in cognitive performance and brain health. Education: PhD, Graduate School of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen (2012) M.Sc. (human biology), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen (2007) Bachelor of Science (biology), Faculty of Sciences, University of Copenhagen (2004) Kjærby's research investigates how sleep-arousal transitions impact restorative sleep processes related to memory consolidation and waste clearance. Her work is particularly relevant for understanding neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders where sleep disturbances play a significant role. She examines the complex micro-structures of sleep and how frequent short arousals contribute to normal sleep function. Her recent publications (2024-2025) reveal a strong focus on the glymphatic system, cerebral blood flow regulation during sleep, and the relationship between sleep disturbances and neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease. Her research integrates advanced techniques including CRISPR/Cas9, fluorescent imaging, and machine learning approaches to analyze sleep patterns. Scientific Recognition: Member of Lundbeck Foundation Investigator Network (LFIN) (2022) Cover feature in Nature Neuroscience (August 2022) Kjærby has secured significant research funding including the Lundbeck Foundation Fellow award (2023), Lundbeck Foundation Seed Grant (2023), and an Inge Lehmann independent grant from the Independent Research Fund Denmark (2022). She serves on the editorial board of Frontiers in Neural Circuits and reviews for prestigious journals including Nature and Neuron. She is also active in scientific outreach, regularly participating in public lectures and media interviews about sleep science. She leads the research group focused on Sleep-Arousal State Transitions and has been instrumental in organizing neuroscience events including the monthly 'DIM the Brain' forum for students and postdocs at the University of Copenhagen since 2016.

• Neuroimmunology
• Neuroinflammation
• Neurodegeneration
• +4 more

Shohreh Issazadeh-Navikas is a Professor at the Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC) within the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen. Her research focuses on the intersection of neuroscience and immunology, particularly in neuroinflammatory conditions. Her primary research areas include: Neuroimmunology Neuroinflammation Neurodegeneration CNS cancer Professor Issazadeh-Navikas's work bridges Neuroscience, Immunology, and Tumor Immunology, with significant implications for conditions like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders. Her research examines the complex relationships between immune responses and neural degeneration, with particular attention to mitochondrial function, T cell regulation, and inflammatory pathways in the central nervous system. Her publications have received extensive attention, being featured in high-impact journals and widely shared across news outlets, social media platforms, and referenced in patents, demonstrating both scientific impact and potential translational applications. She leads the active Issazadeh-Navikas Group at BRIC, which investigates mechanisms underlying neuroinflammatory diseases and explores potential therapeutic approaches for neurological disorders.

• Zebrafish Biology
• Neural Regeneration
• Spinal Cord Injury
• +6 more

Jan Kaslin is a researcher at Life Sciences University specializing in zebrafish models to investigate neural regeneration, spinal cord injury recovery, and related biological processes. With a publication record spanning from 2016 to 2021, Dr. Kaslin's work focuses on understanding the mechanisms of neuronal circuit regeneration and functional recovery following injury. Dr. Kaslin's research interests center around zebrafish biology as a model system for studying human neurological conditions. Key areas include neural regeneration mechanisms, inflammation responses in neural repair, precursor neuron migration, spinal cord injury recovery, and molecular pathobiology of genetic disorders like Sanfilippo syndrome. The research employs advanced molecular and cellular techniques to unravel the complex processes underlying neural circuit formation and repair. Analysis of Dr. Kaslin's publications reveals a clear research trajectory focused on leveraging zebrafish's remarkable regenerative capabilities to understand neural repair mechanisms. The work spans developmental biology, neural regeneration, and disease modeling, with particular emphasis on how inflammation triggers precursor neuron migration to facilitate circuit regeneration. This research has significant implications for developing therapeutic approaches for spinal cord injuries and neurodegenerative conditions. Dr. Kaslin actively collaborates with researchers across multiple institutions, as evidenced by the co-authorship patterns in publications. The research has garnered substantial attention in the scientific community, with multiple papers receiving significant citation counts and media coverage. Current work appears focused on translating findings from zebrafish models to potential applications in human neural repair and regeneration. Dr. Kaslin's laboratory likely focuses on zebrafish neurobiology and regeneration, utilizing this powerful model organism to investigate fundamental questions about neural circuit formation, injury response, and repair mechanisms. The research program integrates molecular biology, genetics, and behavioral analysis to provide comprehensive insights into neural regeneration processes.

• Cell Biology
• Biochemistry
• MAP Kinase Signaling System
• +3 more

Anatoly Kiyatkin is a Research Scientist in the Department of Pharmacology at Yale School of Medicine , Yale University. His research focuses on understanding the dynamics of receptor tyrosine kinase-mediated signaling networks, particularly how these networks influence cell fate decisions. Key areas of study include EGFR dimerization, signaling kinetics, and cross-talk between mitogenic and survival pathways. Kiyatkin holds a PhD in Biophysics from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. His work integrates computational modeling with experimental biology to dissect signal transduction mechanisms in health and disease, with implications for cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Recent studies explore how mutations in EGFR affect glioblastoma progression and how ligands differentially stabilize receptor dimers to modulate signaling outputs. Collaborations include projects with Boris Kholodenko, Mark Lemmon, and others, addressing topics like MAPK signaling, systems biology, and drug resistance mechanisms. Over 40 peer-reviewed publications since 2000 highlight his contributions to cell signaling dynamics, receptor engineering, and translational research in Alzheimer's disease vaccines.

• Neuroscience
• Consciousness Studies
• Neuroimaging
• +4 more

Aya Khalaf is an Associate Research Scientist at the Yale School of Medicine, affiliated with the Blumenfeld Lab and the Janeway Society. Her research focuses on understanding neural mechanisms of consciousness, brain-computer interfaces, and machine learning applications in healthcare. She collaborates with leading institutions and researchers globally on studies involving EEG, fTCD, and neuroimaging techniques. Key research interests include auditory and visual perception networks, impaired consciousness in epilepsy, and hybrid BCI systems. Her work bridges cognitive neuroscience with engineering, aiming to translate findings into clinical tools. Notable collaborations include projects with Hal Blumenfeld, Dennis Spencer, and international teams testing consciousness theories. Publications highlight advancements in neural activity analysis, BCI calibration optimization, and multimodal signal processing. Her contributions span theoretical neuroscience frameworks and applied biomedical engineering solutions.

Christopher DullaView profile

Professor

• Neurotransmission
• Neuronal Network Function
• Epilepsy
• +4 more

Christopher Dulla is a Professor and Interim Chair of Neuroscience at Tufts University School of Medicine. His research focuses on understanding how neurotransmission shapes neuronal networks, with particular emphasis on epilepsy and traumatic brain injury. He holds the Landis Award for Outstanding Mentorship (2018) and leads a lab using advanced imaging and electrophysiological techniques to study astrocyte-neuron interactions and synaptic dysfunction. Education : Ph.D., University of Colorado, 2005 B.S., University of Arizona, 2000 Research Interests : His lab investigates astrocyte glutamate uptake, GABAergic interneuron development, and metabolic control of neuronal activity. Key areas include the role of astrocytes in epilepsy pathophysiology and the development of novel therapies for traumatic brain injury. Grants & Awards : Multiple NIH grants on epilepsy, glutamate signaling, and traumatic brain injury mechanisms. Ellison Foundation awards for glutamate clearance research. Teaching & Leadership : Teaches courses in Neuroscience and Cell Biology, and serves as Program Director for the Neuroscience Program at Tufts Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Active in professional societies, including the American Epilepsy Society. Labs & Teams : His laboratory integrates interdisciplinary approaches to study synaptic dysfunction, with ongoing work on astrocyte physiology and antiepileptogenic therapies.

Alessandra PieraniView profile

Professor

• Cortical Development
• Neurological Disorders
• Neuronal Migration
• +3 more

Alessandra Pierani is a Professor leading a research team focused on understanding the genetics and development of the cerebral cortex, particularly the role of Cajal-Retzius cells in neural circuit formation. Her work bridges developmental neuroscience, evolutionary biology, and clinical applications, with affiliations at Institut Imagine (Paris) and the Institute of Psychiatry and Neurosciences of Paris (IPNP). Her research investigates how transient neuronal populations influence cortical architecture, with implications for neurological disorders like autism, schizophrenia, and epilepsy. Key areas include neuronal migration, synaptic gene regulation, and the evolutionary origins of higher-order cortical functions. Her team employs mouse and primate models to study developmental mechanisms linking early brain formation to later-onset psychiatric conditions. Recent projects emphasize translational research, collaborating with clinicians and geneticists to develop mouse models for cortical abnormalities and improve diagnosis of neurodevelopmental diseases. The team includes 22 members from 7 nationalities, with associated labs at both institutes.

Judith ParidaenView profile

Researcher

• Cell Biology
• Developmental Biology
• Neurosciences
• +3 more

Dr. Judith Paridaen is a Scientific Coordinator at the CogniGron initiative within the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Groningen. She holds a PhD from Utrecht University (2009) and completed postdoctoral research at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics in Dresden. Her work focuses on neural stem cell biology , investigating how stem cells make division and fate decisions during brain development using zebrafish and mouse models. Research interests include: Asymmetric cell division mechanisms Role of subcellular structures (centrosomes, cilia) in neurogenesis Stem cell fate decisions in developing and adult tissues Single-cell genomics and lineage tracing techniques Key achievements include: Rosalind Franklin Fellowship (2016) NWO-Vidi Grant (2017) Member of Young Academy Groningen (2019) Teaching responsibilities include coordinating the Current Themes in Healthy Ageing course and supervising research projects in M.Sc. programs. Her lab actively seeks motivated students for collaborative research projects.

Gerard KaikoView profile

Associate Professor

• Regenerative Medicine
• Stem Cell Biology
• Mucosal Immunology
• +7 more

Associate Professor Gerard Kaiko is an academic at the University of Newcastle's School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, serving as Theme Leader for Stem Cells and Organoids in Mucosal Diseases at HMRI. His research focuses on mucosal organoids, stem cells, and microbiome-driven therapies for diseases like cystic fibrosis, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease. He holds an NHMRC CJ Martin Fellowship and has contributed to high-impact journals like Cell , Science , and Science Translational Medicine . Education: PhD in Immunology & Microbiology, University of Newcastle Roles: Associate Professor, Theme Leader, and Principal Investigator in multiple grants Labs/Teams: Leads the Stem Cells and Organoids group at HMRI Research Interests: Mucosal organoids for drug discovery, stem cell biology in tissue repair, microbiome mining for therapies, and precision medicine using patient-derived organoids. His work bridges basic science and clinical translation, including a national clinical trial for cystic fibrosis precision medicine. Articles Trends: Recent work explores ACE2 expression in asthma, maternal microbiome impacts on immunity, and organoid-based platforms for cystic fibrosis therapies. His lab's innovations include 3D organoid culture systems and exosome-based drug delivery. Scientific Awards: NHMRC CJ Martin (Overseas) Fellowship, NHMRC Career Development Fellowship Grants: Over AUD$10 million in funding from NHMRC, industry, and philanthropy

• Neuroscience
• Neuroimaging
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• +3 more

Stefania Della Penna is an Associate Professor at the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) Institute for Superconductors, Innovative Materials and Devices. Her research focuses on neuroimaging techniques such as MEG and fMRI, particularly investigating brain connectivity, neural oscillations, and their roles in cognitive processes like attention, decision-making, and motor learning. She has contributed to studies on Alzheimer's disease biomarkers, psychedelic drug effects, and the dynamics of functional brain networks. Her work integrates computational modeling (e.g., Hopfield networks) with experimental approaches to understand how neural connectivity underpins perception and cognition. Key contributions include analyzing alpha/beta rhythm modulations during cognitive tasks and identifying core networks in resting-state brain activity. Dr. Della Penna collaborates extensively in international projects like the Human Connectome Project, advancing neuroimaging methods for studying brain dynamics. Her publications span 95+ articles in top journals such as Neuron , Biological Psychiatry , and NeuroImage .

Peter HagoortView profile

Professor

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Neurolinguistics
• Language Disorders
• +3 more

Peter Hagoort is a renowned cognitive neuroscientist and Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at Radboud University Nijmegen. He serves as Director Emeritus of the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics and Founding Director of the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour. His research focuses on the neural basis of language, employing techniques like ERP, MEG, PET, and fMRI to study language processing in health and disorders such as aphasia, dyslexia, and autism. He holds multiple prestigious awards, including the NWO-Spinoza Prize (2005), the Yuen Ren Chao Prize (2024), and the Silver University Medal from Radboud University (2023/2024). He is a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and the National Academy of Sciences (USA). Current research interests include the neurobiological mechanisms of language comprehension and production, inter-brain synchrony in communication, and the cognitive neuroscience of spoken language using animal models like bats. He supervises PhD students exploring topics such as vocal learning in bats and neural dynamics of communication in autism spectrum conditions. Awards: Over 10 major prizes, including the Spinoza Prize and Yuen Ren Chao Prize. Grants & Leadership: Programme director of the Gravitation program Language in Interaction; steering roles in national and international initiatives. Labs/Teams: Donders Institute Neurobiology of Language group; Max Planck Psycholinguistics Institute.

Francesco NegroView profile

Professor

• Applied Physiology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Neurophysiology
• +3 more

Francesco Negro is a Full Professor in Kinesiology at the University of Brescia. He holds a M.Sc. in Telecommunication Engineering from Politecnico di Torino and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Aalborg University. Previously, he served as a PostDoc at the University Medical Center in Göttingen. His research focuses on applied physiology of the human motor system, signal processing of electromyography (EMG), and modeling spinal neural networks. Key areas include motor unit behavior, neuromuscular disorders, exoskeleton biomechanics, and exercise physiology. Recent work investigates E-biking intensity domains, motor unit adaptations in tendinopathy, and neural control mechanisms in skill acquisition. He employs high-density EMG and magnetomyography to study neuromuscular function, particularly in aging populations and clinical settings like stroke rehabilitation. His studies also address ergonomic interventions using wearable technologies to mitigate musculoskeletal strain in occupational tasks.

Justus KebschullView profile

Assistant Professor

• Neural Circuits
• Connectomics
• Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
• +12 more

Justus Kebschull is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His research bridges neuroscience, genomics, and molecular engineering to understand brain structure, evolution, and function across vertebrates. He is affiliated with the Biomedical Engineering Program and the Neuroscience Training Program, mentoring graduate students and leading a dynamic research lab. Research Interests: Dr. Kebschull's work focuses on neural circuits , connectomics , and molecular neuroscience , with a strong emphasis on evolutionary perspectives. He develops and applies cutting-edge technologies such as MAPseq, BRICseq, in situ sequencing, single-cell RNA-seq, and viral tracing to map brain connectivity and gene expression at single-cell resolution. His lab investigates how brain regions and cell types evolve, how circuits adapt to new functions, and how these principles are disrupted in neurodevelopmental disorders and addiction. Publication Trends: His recent publications highlight a strong focus on comparative connectomics , cerebellar evolution , and high-throughput neuroanatomical methods . His work integrates connectivity data with transcriptomic and functional activity profiles, enabling a systems-level understanding of brain organization. Key themes include circuit duplication in brain evolution, scalability of neural mapping, and cross-species analysis from mice to sharks. Scientific Recognition: While no specific awards are listed, his publication record in top-tier journals such as Science , Nature , Cell , and Neuron reflects significant scientific impact and recognition in the neuroscience community. Advising and Research Support: Dr. Kebschull actively mentors graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. His lab is expanding and currently recruiting PhD students, postdocs, and technicians. His research is supported by competitive funding, enabling the development of novel tools for brain mapping and disease modeling. Research Environment: The Kebschull Lab is a highly interdisciplinary team situated at the intersection of neuroscience, synthetic biology, virology, and computational biology. The lab fosters innovation in molecular tool development and applies these to fundamental questions in brain evolution and disease. Ongoing projects include high-throughput comparative connectomics, developmental mechanisms of circuit formation, and the impact of drugs and disorders on neural architecture.