Peter C. Petersen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neuroscience within the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen. Holding a Civilingeniør (MSc) in Technical Physics from DTU and a PhD in Neuroscience, he specializes in systems-level neural mechanisms using electrophysiological approaches. His educational background includes: Civilingeniør (MSc) in Technical Physics, DTU PhD in Neuroscience Petersen's research focuses on neural dynamics in memory and motor systems, combining in vivo electrophysiology with computational modeling. He investigates hippocampal place cells for spatial working memory and rotational dynamics in spinal cord networks, while developing neurotechnology tools like CellExplorer for single-neuron analysis. His work bridges experimental neuroscience, engineering, and data science to decode circuit-level computations. Recent publications (2020-2024) reveal a dual emphasis on hippocampal memory mechanisms (e.g., temperature effects on sharp wave ripples) and innovative methodology (e.g., 3D-printed microdrives). This trajectory demonstrates consistent advancement from tool development to fundamental discoveries in neural coding, with increasing collaboration intensity as evidenced by multi-institutional authorship. Scientific awards: No specific awards were documented in the source material. While explicit advising details are absent, his leadership in software/hardware development (CellExplorer, microdrive systems) implies active mentorship of technical researchers. Grant information isn't specified, though high-impact publications suggest sustained funding for neurotechnology and systems neuroscience projects. Petersen directs the Petersen Lab (https://petersenlab.org/), which employs chronic electrophysiology in rodent models to study memory and movement. The lab maintains strong ties with the Buzsáki lab (hippocampal research) and continues collaborations initiated during his NYU Langone Health tenure (2016-2022), reflecting an integrated approach to neural circuit analysis across institutions.
Mark Monroe Rich is a Professor in the Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology & Physiology and Professor of Clinical Neuroscience at Wright State University School of Medicine, with over 25 years of combined clinical and research expertise in neuromuscular diseases. His MD/PhD background includes specialized fellowship training in neuromuscular disorders, positioning him at the intersection of patient care and laboratory investigation. Dr. Rich's research program centers on electrophysiologic defects across the neuromuscular axis, with particular emphasis on peripheral nerve pathologies, neuromuscular junction dysfunction, and skeletal muscle excitability disorders. His lab actively investigates disease mechanisms in myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, critical illness neuropathies, spinal muscular atrophy, ALS, Huntington's disease-related myopathies, and chemotherapy-induced sensory deficits. Current work focuses on identifying druggable targets for rapid therapeutic translation, especially regarding muscle excitability dysregulation in genetic muscle diseases. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a consistent trajectory toward mechanistic studies of action potential abnormalities in disease models, with growing emphasis on Huntington's disease, myotonia congenita, and periodic paralysis. His work increasingly integrates transverse tubule ultrastructure, ion channel dysfunction, and neuromuscular junction plasticity to explain pathological phenotypes. Dr. Rich's contributions have been recognized through significant honors: Wright State Academy of Medicine Outstanding Senior Faculty Achievement Award (2019) University Professor designation (2019) Teaching excellence award, School of Medicine (2020 and 2022) His laboratory maintains continuous NIH funding exceeding 25 years, supporting both basic science investigations and therapeutic development. While specific student mentorship isn't detailed in available records, his extensive publication record (110+ articles) indicates active training of researchers through collaborative projects. The lab employs advanced electrophysiological and ex vivo preparation techniques to model disease states and evaluate potential interventions, operating within Wright State's neuroscience research infrastructure.
Ryoma Hattori is an Assistant Professor at the University of Florida, based at the UF Scripps Biomedical Research campus in Jupiter, FL. His laboratory, the Hattori Lab, focuses on neural mechanisms underlying cognitive functions, learning, and their disruption in autism. Dr. Hattori received his educational degrees from prestigious institutions: Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Harvard University (2016) A.M. in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Harvard University (2012) B.S. in Biophysics and Biochemistry from the University of Tokyo (2010) His research interests center on decision making, reinforcement learning, and number sense, using systems and computational approaches. The lab employs techniques such as in vivo 2-photon imaging, optogenetics, virtual reality behaviors, and machine learning to investigate neural activity and plasticity dynamics in mice. A significant focus is understanding how these processes are impaired in autism spectrum disorder. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on computational neuroscience and neural circuit mechanisms. His work spans from developing advanced imaging and analysis tools to uncovering fundamental principles of value coding and meta-reinforcement learning, with applications in both basic neuroscience and artificial intelligence. Dr. Hattori has received numerous scientific awards, including: Outstanding Mentor Award 2025 from Society of Research Fellows, UF Scripps SFARI Bridge-to-Independence Award 2022-Current from Simons Foundation Warren Alpert Distinguished Scholar Award 2021-2024 from Warren Alpert Foundation Postdoctoral Grant Award 2021-2022 from The KANAE Foundation And several fellowships during his postdoctoral and graduate training. As a principal investigator, Dr. Hattori leads multiple active grants, including the Shenoy Undergraduate Research Fellowship in Neuroscience (2025-2026) and a project on "Neural activity and plasticity dynamics for reinforcement learning in autism" funded by the Simons Foundation. His mentorship has been recognized with the Outstanding Mentor Award. The Hattori Lab is a dynamic research group utilizing cutting-edge technologies to explore the neural basis of cognition, with a particular interest in translational implications for autism and related disorders.
Sarah A Stanley, MBBCh, PhD is a faculty member at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she leads the Stanley Laboratory. Her research spans multiple disciplines at the intersection of neuroscience, diabetes, and molecular biology, with significant contributions to understanding the neuroendocrine regulation of metabolism. Education: BA, University of Cambridge BChir, University of Cambridge MB, University of Cambridge PhD, Imperial College, London University Dr. Stanley's research focuses on three primary areas: pioneering the use of radio waves and magnetic fields to stimulate individual cells and neurons (radiogenetics and magnetogenetics); developing nanoparticles in bioengineered murine models for preclinical applications; and advancing understanding of the interaction between central and peripheral systems in appetite control and diabetes. Her work represents a unique integration of engineering approaches with fundamental neuroscience and metabolic research. Her publications demonstrate a strong trajectory in neuroendocrine research with applications to diabetes treatment, showing increasing sophistication in techniques from molecular biology to advanced neural modulation approaches. The research shows particular strength in translating basic science discoveries into potential therapeutic applications. Scientific Awards: 2016 Alexander and Alexandrine Sinsheimer Scholar Award 2016 Dr. Harold and Golden Lamport Research Award 2015 Cell Symposia: Engineering the Brain International Travel Award Darwin Prize in Experimental Natural Sciences Arthur Burrows Prize (Dermatology) James Anderson Prize (Medicine and Surgery) Dr. Stanley's laboratory is currently funded by The National Institutes of Health and American Diabetes Association, working in close collaboration with colleagues across Mount Sinai and partnerships with Professor Jeffrey Friedman at Rockefeller University and Professor Jonathan Dordick at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Her research program demonstrates strong institutional support and strategic collaborations that enhance the impact of her work. The Stanley Laboratory operates across multiple facilities at Mount Sinai, including locations in the Annenberg Building and Atran Berg Laboratory Building, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of her research that bridges neuroscience, engineering, and metabolic medicine.
Jesse R. Dixon, M.D., Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at the Gene Expression Laboratory of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California. His research explores 3D genome architecture, chromatin organization, and gene regulation mechanisms, with implications for cancer and developmental disorders. He employs cutting-edge genomic technologies like Hi-C and single-cell multi-omics to investigate how chromosomal rearrangements impact gene expression. Dr. Dixon's work focuses on: Topological Domains (TADs) and their role in enhancer-promoter communication Haplotype phasing using chromatin conformation data Structural variant-driven oncogene activation in cancer Single-cell mapping of chromatin and DNA methylation dynamics His publications consistently demonstrate innovations in 3D genome analysis, particularly in neurobiology and oncology contexts, with recurring themes of chromatin topology, epigenetic regulation, and computational genomics. Awards & Honors: Pew Biomedical Scholar (2024) Helmsley Salk Fellow He mentors graduate and postdoctoral researchers in genomics and computational biology, with current projects on chromatin dynamics in cancer and development. The Dixon Lab actively develops novel methodologies for studying genome architecture.
Dr. Adele McCormick is Reader in Molecular Virology at the University of Westminster's School of Life Sciences, where she leads the Genomics and Infectious Diseases research group. She coordinates the MSc Biomedical Science program and teaches molecular biology and clinical microbiology. Education background: PhD in Sustainable Energy Systems, University of Sheffield MSc in Clinical Pathology, University of Sheffield BSc in Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Sheffield Her research focuses on viral pathogenesis, antiviral resistance mechanisms in HIV/HCV, and the role of endogenous retroviruses in neurological disorders. She established the university's genomics facility for BSL-2 pathogen sequencing and collaborates internationally on antiviral development projects. Recent publications emphasize molecular diagnostics, SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics, and retroviral involvement in ALS. Her work shows increasing focus on nanoparticulate antivirals and long-read sequencing applications since 2020. Dr. McCormick has secured substantial research funding including an ALS Association grant ($325,000) and directs the Westminster virology research group. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology and serves on editorial boards for virology journals.
Terry D. Johnson is Senior Instructional Professor and Program Director for the Master of Engineering at the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering. He holds an MS in Chemical Engineering from MIT and is an emeritus Teaching Professor from UC Berkeley, where he co-founded the Masters of Translational Medicine program. Research integrates engineering and biomedicine, with patented innovations in tissue engineering and synthetic biology. Recent work develops sustainable textile dyeing technologies eliminating toxic reductants. Earlier projects include microfluidic hepatocyte cultures and EGF-functionalized biomaterials. Awards: Golden Apple Award for Outstanding Teaching (UC Berkeley 2010) Distinguished Teaching Award (UC Berkeley 2013) Co-authored the popular science book How to Defeat Your Own Clone . Teaches molecular engineering courses and directs master's programs bridging technical innovation and medical translation.
Thomas Carell is a Professor of Organic Chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany, a position he has held since 2003. He has established himself as a leading researcher in the fields of epigenetics, DNA repair mechanisms, and prebiotic chemistry. His work bridges chemistry and biology, with significant contributions to understanding epigenetic modifications and the origins of life. Dr. Carell's educational background includes chemistry studies at Münster and Heidelberg Universities, where he completed his PhD under Professor Staab. He then pursued postdoctoral research at MIT with Professor J. Rebek, focusing on chemical compound libraries and projects bridging chemistry and biomedicine. Professor Carell's research interests center on the chemical analysis of epigenetic modifications and processes, particularly focusing on DNA/RNA lesion processes using nucleotide analogues, tracers, and high-end mass spectrometry. His laboratory has made groundbreaking contributions to understanding prebiotic chemistry and the origins of life, developing innovative technologies for non-canonical nucleoside and nucleotide synthesis. A significant portion of his work explores the organic chemistry of modified nucleosides and nucleotides, with implications for understanding fundamental biological processes and potential therapeutic applications. His research has evolved from early work on nucleic acid chemistry at ETH Zurich to pioneering studies on photolyase reactions and DNA repair at Marburg, culminating in his current work on epigenetic control mechanisms and prebiotic chemistry at LMU Munich. His extensive publication record demonstrates a consistent trajectory of high-impact research, with articles appearing in top-tier journals including Nature, Science, and Cell. The research themes span from fundamental organic chemistry to biological applications, with a particular emphasis on epigenetic mechanisms and prebiotic chemistry. His most recent work suggests an early RNA-peptide world, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of life's origins, building on his earlier discoveries regarding DNA lesion-induced mutations, DNA repair mechanisms, and epigenetic control via oxidative DNA methylation. Professor Carell's scientific achievements have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards: Supervisory Board member of BASF SE (2019) Alexander Todd-Hans Krebs Lectureship, Royal Society of Chemistry (2017) Windaus Memorial Lecture, Göttingen (2017) Inhoffen-Medal for Excellence in Natural Product Research of the Helmholtz Society (2016) Gait-Lecture Award, Royal Society of Chemistry (2014) Werdelmann Lecture, University-Essen Duisburg (2013) Melvin Calvin Lecture in Organic Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley (2011) Šorm Award of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (2011) Order of Merit from the Federal Republic of Germany (2010) Van 't Hoff Lecture, Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences (2009) Ferdinand Lecture, University of Sheffield (2008) Otto Bayer Award, Bayer Schering Foundation (2008) Philip Morris Research Award (2006) Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Award of the DFG (2004) Lady Davis Award, Technion, Israel (2004) Pasteur Medal of the JCO, Ecole Polytechnique (2001) Professor Carell leads an active research group (the Carell Group) at LMU Munich, supervising numerous PhD and Master's students working at the intersection of chemistry and biology. His laboratory has secured significant research funding to support their innovative work on epigenetic modifications, DNA repair mechanisms, and prebiotic chemistry. The group maintains strong international collaborations, as evidenced by Professor Carell's numerous visiting professorships at institutions worldwide, including University Descartes in Paris, Australian National University, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche in Bologna, and Technion Israel Institute of Technology. The Carell laboratory operates state-of-the-art facilities for organic synthesis, mass spectrometry, and molecular biology, enabling their interdisciplinary research approach. The group consists of chemists, biochemists, and molecular biologists working collaboratively to address fundamental questions in chemical biology. Professor Carell's election to the Supervisory Board of BASF SE in 2019 highlights the translational impact of his research and his standing in both academic and industrial chemistry communities.
Lena Nguyen is an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) within the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences. Her research focuses on understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of brain development and how molecular signaling pathways contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders and epilepsy. She leads the Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Epilepsy Lab, aiming to advance treatments for conditions like tuberous sclerosis complex and focal cortical dysplasia. Nguyen holds a B.S. in Biology (University of Houston, 2009), a Ph.D. in Neuroscience (Baylor College of Medicine, 2016), and completed postdoctoral training in Neurosurgery and Cellular & Molecular Physiology at Yale University School of Medicine (2022). Her work integrates molecular biology, animal models, and translational approaches to study mTOR signaling pathways and their role in epilepsy pathogenesis. Key research interests include cortical neuron development, molecular mechanisms of epilepsy, and translational control. Her studies investigate how dysregulation of pathways like mTORC1 and 4E-BP1 leads to neuronal dysfunction and seizures, with a focus on developing therapeutic strategies. Recent work highlights the potential of targeting MEK-ERK signaling and HCN4 channels in epilepsy treatment. Nguyen has received prestigious awards including the American Epilepsy Society Fellows Program (2019), the Epilepsia Basic Science Prize (2016), and the Grass Foundation Young Investigator Award (2014). Her funding includes grants from the TSC Alliance, NIH-NICHD, and the Yale Swebilius Foundation, supporting projects on translational control mechanisms, gene therapy, and developmental epilepsy. Her lab actively explores novel therapeutic targets and employs cutting-edge techniques such as in utero electroporation and translating ribosome affinity purification to study age-dependent gene expression in cortical neurons. Ongoing projects aim to bridge basic research with clinical applications, focusing on improving outcomes for patients with neurodevelopmental and epileptic disorders.
Massimo Filippi is a Full Professor of Neurology at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University and holds leadership roles including Director of the Neurology and Neurorehabilitation Units, Multiple Sclerosis Center, Alzheimer Center, and Quantitative Neuroimaging Unit at San Raffaele Hospital. His research focuses on neuroimaging techniques, particularly MRI, to study neurological diseases like multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s. He has authored over 1,640 papers and serves on editorial boards of major journals, including co-editing the Journal of Neurology. Education: MD from University of Milan (1986) Specialization in Neurology (University of Milan, 1990) Specialization in Neurophysiopathology (University of Pavia, 1994) Research Interests: Pioneering the use of MRI to understand disease mechanisms in multiple sclerosis, neurodegenerative disorders, and brain mapping. His work emphasizes clinical neuroimaging biomarkers, disease progression, and therapeutic monitoring. Key Awards: Rita Levi Montalcini Award (2001) Distinguished Dr. Luis Barraquer Ferré Lecture (2015) Ranked #1 in global MS research influence (2022) Teaching & Leadership: Oversees neurology residency programs, chairs academic committees, and advises international institutions. He has held over 680 invited lectures and chairs major congresses like AAN and ECTRIMS. Labs/Teams: Heads the Neurotech Hub, Neuroimaging Research Unit, and the BrainMap interdepartmental program, integrating advanced neuroimaging with clinical research.
Rui Chen, PhD, is a Researcher in the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Their work focuses on integrating multi-omics data with advanced computational methods to uncover genetic mechanisms in complex diseases, including schizophrenia, cancer, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Dr. Chen’s research emphasizes leveraging machine learning for precision medicine applications, such as predicting cancer outcomes and identifying druggable genes. Key areas of expertise include functional genomics, Bayesian statistical frameworks, and computational tool development for genomic data quality control (e.g., the DRAMS tool). Their studies often bridge basic science and clinical translation, using zebrafish models and biobank resources for disease discovery. Dr. Chen has contributed to advancements in understanding gene regulatory networks in plants (e.g., rice stamen development) and has pioneered methods for analyzing non-coding variants using deep learning. Their work consistently addresses translational challenges in genetics, such as improving rare variant association studies and refining GWAS interpretations through multi-omics integration. Contact: rui.chen.1@vanderbilt.edu
Liman Liu is an Associate Research Scientist at the Yale School of Medicine, affiliated with the Department of Internal Medicine at Yale University. Their research focuses on auditory system physiology, neurodegenerative diseases, and inner ear biology. Key projects include investigating hearing sensitivity mechanisms, Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers, and the impact of genetic mutations on cochlear function. Research interests span hearing protection mechanisms, genetic influences on auditory disorders, and the intersection of neuroscience with otolaryngology. Notable contributions include studies on Cx26 mutations and hyperacusis, efferent neuron roles in hearing protection, and early Alzheimer’s detection via auditory deficits. Liu’s work integrates molecular biology, electrophysiology, and animal models to address hearing loss and neurodegenerative challenges. Collaborative efforts aim to advance therapies for ototoxicity and neurosensory disorders.
Athanasios Vourvopoulos is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico (University of Lisbon). He leads research in Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI), Virtual Reality (VR), and neurorehabilitation, focusing on applications for stroke recovery and neurological disorders. His work integrates EEG neurofeedback, neuromodulation, and embodied VR to enhance clinical outcomes. He teaches courses such as Fundamentals of Bioinstrumentation and Introduction to Biomedical Engineering. Research Interests Brain-Computer Interfaces Neurorehabilitation EEG Neurofeedback Neuromodulation techniques Human-Machine Interaction Assistive technologies His research emphasizes translating neurotechnologies into clinical settings, with studies on BCI-VR systems for motor recovery in stroke patients and EEG-based action anticipation in robotics. Recent work includes multimodal neuroimaging (EEG-fMRI) and open-source tools like NeuXus for real-time artifact reduction. Awards Early Career Investigator Award , International Society for Virtual Rehabilitation (ISVR, 2022) Diploma of Excellence in Teaching , Instituto Superior Técnico (IST, 2023) He collaborates with the Institute of Systems and Robotics (ISR-Lisbon) and has published extensively on BCI-VR integration, neuromodulation, and neurorehabilitation outcomes. His labs focus on developing embodied VR systems and BCI-driven therapies for motor impairment recovery.
Edor Kabashi is a leading researcher in translational neuroscience, specializing in genetic causes of neurological disorders such as Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy (DEE), Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). His team at the Imagine Institute (Necker Hospital site) develops advanced cellular and zebrafish models to elucidate disease mechanisms and accelerate therapeutic validation. Key research areas include iPSC-derived neurons, drug screening platforms, and genomic sequencing analysis. Collaborations span national/international networks with institutions like ANR and pharmaceutical partners. Expertise: Genetic epilepsy, neurodegeneration, translational drug development Techniques: CRISPR gene editing, induced pluripotent stem cells, high-throughput screening Current projects focus on fast-tracking neuroprotective compounds into clinical trials, leveraging state-of-the-art platforms such as transcriptomic/proteomic analysis and advanced imaging. Actively recruiting postdocs and PhD candidates with expertise in zebrafish models, molecular genetics, and bioinformatics.
Ignacio Arganda Carreras is an Associate Professor at the Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU) and an Ikerbasque Research Associate, affiliated with the Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC). His research focuses on biomedical computer vision, with a strong emphasis on deep learning applications in microscopy and medical imaging. Key areas include bioimage analysis pipelines, domain adaptation for cross-modal image segmentation, and AI-driven solutions for healthcare diagnostics. He has contributed extensively to open-source tools like BiaPy, CartoCell, and DL4MicEverywhere, which advance accessibility to deep learning in bioimaging. His work bridges computational methods with biological and medical challenges, addressing issues like 3D object detection, super-resolution imaging, and automated classification in microscopy and clinical settings. Research highlights include developing the MitoEM and Nucmm datasets for mitochondria and neuronal nuclei segmentation, as well as innovative applications in wound healing modeling and aquaculture monitoring. His methodologies emphasize reproducibility, generalization, and mitigation of overfitting in deep learning models.
