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Aurora Esquela KerscherView profile

Associate Professor

• Cancer Biology
• MicroRNA Research
• Developmental Biology
• +3 more

Aurora Esquela Kerscher is an Associate Professor of Cancer Biology in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology at Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS). She also holds an adjunct position as Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Science at the College of William & Mary. Her research focuses on understanding the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in cancer progression and development, leveraging the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system to uncover conserved mechanisms. Dr. Kerscher's education includes a B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis, an M.S. and Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and postdoctoral training at Yale University. Her work investigates how miRNAs like lin-4 and let-7 families regulate developmental processes and cancer-associated pathways, with a particular emphasis on their roles in urothelial cancers such as prostate cancer. She aims to identify miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Her research integrates C. elegans genetics with mammalian cell culture and mouse models to study miRNA function in cancer. Key areas include miRNA-mediated gene regulation, tumor suppression, and oncogene activation. Despite no explicitly listed awards or grants in the text, her contributions to miRNA biology have been widely recognized in the field. Dr. Kerscher’s lab actively explores the translational potential of miRNA discoveries, focusing on bridging basic research with clinical applications in cancer therapy and diagnostics. She collaborates with institutions to advance understanding of miRNA pathways in both developmental and pathological contexts.

Eric Van NostrandView profile

Assistant Professor

• RNA Genomics Technologies
• RNA Processing Mechanisms
• Host:RNA Viral Interactions
• +4 more

Eric Van Nostrand is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Baylor College of Medicine, and a member of the Therapeutic Innovation Center. His research focuses on RNA processing regulatory networks, particularly how RNA binding proteins (RBPs) regulate RNA processing in health and disease. He holds a PhD from Stanford University School of Medicine (2012), a BS from MIT (2005), and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at UC San Diego (2020). Research interests include RNA genomics technologies, mechanisms of RNA processing, host-viral interactions, and bioinformatics. His group develops innovative methods like chimeric eCLIP to map RBP interactions and study their roles in viral replication, cancer, and physiological processes. Key projects investigate how viruses hijack host RNA processing systems, and how dysregulated mRNA translation drives breast cancer progression. Notable contributions include defining snoRNA-target interactions using chimeric eCLIP, uncovering roles for SNORD89 in spliceosome biogenesis, and identifying novel RBP functions in pluripotent stem cells. He is also involved in industry collaborations, serving as co-founder and advisor to Eclipse BioInnovations. Publications span high-impact journals like Nature, Genome Biology, and Cell Reports, with a focus on RNA biology, viral mechanisms, and translational applications. His work bridges computational and experimental approaches to advance understanding of RNA's role in disease and therapeutic development.

Christopher HammellView profile

Professor

• Developmental Timing
• Gene Regulation
• RNA Biology
• +2 more

Christopher Hammell is Professor at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Faculty Head of the Functional Genomics Shared Resource. His lab investigates gene regulatory mechanisms controlling developmental timing using C. elegans models. Education: PhD in Biochemistry, Dartmouth Medical School (2002) BSc in Biochemistry, University of Georgia (1995) Research Focus: Studies how genes turn on/off with precise timing during development, and how disruptions contribute to diseases like cancer. Current projects examine satellite cell function, skeletal muscle growth regulation, and interventions for muscle deficits.

Andrew Patrick RiceView profile

Professor

• Viral Gene Expression
• Transcriptional Regulation
• HIV Pathogenesis
• +4 more

Andrew Patrick Rice is a Professor in the Department of Molecular Virology & Microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. He holds the Nancy Chang Endowed Professorship and is a member of the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center. His research focuses on gene expression regulation during viral infections, particularly HIV and influenza A. Ph.D., Brandeis University (1982) B.A., University of California, Santa Cruz (1973) Advanced training at Imperial Cancer Research Fund and University of Cambridge (1982) Research Interests : Dr. Rice investigates how the HIV Tat protein interacts with cellular factors like P-TEFb (Cdk9/Cyclin T1) to regulate transcriptional elongation. His lab also explores influenza A NS1 protein interactions with PDZ domains and their role in virulence. Key areas include: Transcriptional regulation in HIV RNA polymerase II phosphorylation MicroRNA and lncRNA in viral replication PDZ protein associations in pathogenic viruses Cell cycle subversion by HIV Cyclin T1 induction during macrophage differentiation Scientific Trends : His recent publications emphasize transcriptional elongation mechanisms in HIV, miRNA inhibition of viral replication, and PDZ-binding motifs in influenza virulence. Articles from 2003–2021 highlight cross-disciplinary insights into virology, molecular biology, and immunology.

Nancy J. RuschView profile

Professor

• Calcium Channels
• Potassium Channels
• Hypertension
• +3 more

Nancy J. Rusch is a Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine. She holds a Ph.D. from the Mayo Clinic (1983). Her research focuses on ion channel abnormalities in hypertension, particularly calcium and potassium channels in vascular muscle cells, with a goal to identify channel-based therapies for systemic and pulmonary hypertension. She employs molecular, cellular, and in vivo techniques in her investigations. Recent research grants include NIH R01 grants (e.g., R01 HL097107), AHA Predoctoral Fellowships, and collaborations with institutions like PhRMA and the Arkansas CCTR. She has advised students such as Shrum, Stolarz AJ, and Detweiler ND, contributing to studies on lymphatic dysfunction, renal transplantation, and channel therapies. Key areas of study include mitochondrial BK channel roles in renal preservation, doxorubicin-induced lymphostasis, and leptin’s impact on obesity-related hypertension. Her work bridges basic science with translational medicine, aiming to improve vascular health outcomes.

Elke AlbrechtView profile

Researcher

• Animal Biology
• Meat Science
• Muscle Development
• +4 more

Dr. Elke Albrecht is a Researcher at the Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), leading the Working Group Muscle-Fat Crosstalk. She holds a PhD in Food Engineering and Biotechnology from the Technical University of Dresden and has been a Scientist at FBN since 2005. Her research focuses on skeletal muscle biology in farm animals, meat quality, marbling, and interactions between muscle and fat cells. She teaches 'Methods for Characterization of Skeletal Muscle Tissue' at the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Rostock (M.Sc. level). Her work spans molecular mechanisms of muscle and fat development in cattle, pigs, and poultry, with emphasis on adipogenesis, nutrient supplementation effects, and environmental stress impacts. Notable contributions include studies on glutamine supplementation’s role in muscle development, heat stress effects on dairy cows, and endocannabinoid system regulation in livestock metabolism. Publications span 1990s to 2025, covering topics like bovine muscle fiber development, intramuscular fat deposition, and myokine biology. Key projects include metabogenomic analysis of long non-coding RNAs in cattle and molecular adaptations in heat-stressed dairy mammary glands. She collaborates widely, with co-authors from institutions in Germany, China, Japan, and beyond. Labs/Teams: Her research group integrates histology, molecular biology, and metabolomics to study muscle-fat crosstalk in livestock. Current projects explore nutrient partitioning mechanisms and environmental stress impacts on meat quality.

• Plant Molecular Biology
• Stress Response
• RNA Biology
• +3 more

Dr. Waleed Albihlal is a Research Fellow at the University of Surrey's School of Biosciences, holding a PhD, MSc, and BSc. His research bridges molecular plant biology and RNA regulatory mechanisms, with expertise in stress response pathways and gene expression control. Research Focus: His work explores heat shock transcription factors (HSFs) in Arabidopsis under environmental stress, uncovering their roles in drought resistance, pathogen defense, and developmental gene regulation. Recent investigations extend to unconventional RNA-binding proteins and their conserved functions in post-transcriptional control across biological systems. Publication Trends: Albihlal's articles reveal two interconnected themes: 1) Molecular mechanisms of plant stress adaptation through HSF networks, and 2) Evolutionary conservation of non-canonical RNA-protein interactions. His 2018 studies demonstrate advanced genomic techniques like ChIP-seq and RNA-seq to map transcriptional hierarchies.

• Epigenetics
• Cancer Biology
• Molecular Biology
• +6 more

Suza Nur is a Postdoctoral Scholar affiliated with the Cao Lab, focusing on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of epigenetics, molecular biology, and computational biology. Her work explores mechanisms underlying cancer progression, immune response modulation, and drug discovery through advanced in silico methods. Key research areas include epigenetic regulation of cancer pathways, natural compound-based therapies, and antiviral drug design targeting pathogens like SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV. Nur’s studies also integrate metabolomics and environmental biotechnology, such as wastewater treatment innovations using membrane bioreactors. Her research interests span from understanding DNA methylation dynamics in cancer cells to designing multiepitope vaccines and identifying bioactive compounds from plant sources (e.g., Catharanthus roseus, Avicennia marina) for therapeutic applications. She employs computational tools for drug discovery, including molecular docking and siRNA design, alongside experimental validation of epigenetic编辑编辑编辑编辑编辑编辑 editing strategies to enhance cancer immunotherapy. Nur’s articles reflect a strong focus on translational research, bridging basic science and clinical applications. Her work often addresses unmet needs in oncology, infectious diseases, and environmental health, with contributions to both mechanistic understanding and practical solutions. While no formal awards or grants are listed, her prolific publication record highlights sustained engagement with high-impact research topics. Her affiliation with the Cao Lab suggests collaborative research within a team specializing in epigenetics and molecular medicine, though specific lab roles or funding sources are not detailed here.

Ite A. OffringaView profile

Professor

• Lung Cancer
• Epigenetics
• Transcriptomics
• +7 more

Ite A. Offringa is a Professor of Surgery and Cancer Biology at the University of Southern California (USC) Keck School of Medicine. She completed her Ph.D. at the University of Leiden in 1991 and a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School from 1991–1996 before joining USC faculty in 1996. Fields of Expertise Lung Cancer (Adenocarcinoma & Small Cell) Epigenetics & DNA Methylation Transcriptomics & Single-Cell Analysis Biomolecular Interactions & Protein Engineering Early Detection Biomarkers Health Equity in Cancer Research The Offringa laboratory investigates epigenetic mechanisms in lung cancer, focusing on DNA methylation patterns in primary lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Her team explores how environmental exposures alter the lung epigenome and integrates genomic/epigenomic data to identify precancerous lesions and early detection markers. They also analyze immune responses in SCLC and utilize the SwitchSENSE DRX2 Biosensor for biomolecular interaction studies. Her research spans lung biology, cancer development, and translational applications. Key projects include: Epigenetic basis of alveolar development Role of single nucleotide polymorphisms in cancer risk Protein engineering for drug development Health equity initiatives (CaRE2 Summer Program) Grants and funding sources include: National Institutes of Health American Lung Association Canary Foundation Department of Defense Private donors (Mettler, Pembroke, Zygielbaum families, etc.)

Magdalena PłechaView profile

Researcher

• Microbial Genomics
• Transcriptomics
• Conservation Genetics
• +3 more

Magdalena Płecha Magdalena Płecha is a researcher at the University of Warsaw , affiliated with the Department of Eukaryotic Microorganisms and Molecular Biology. Her work focuses on microbial genomics, transcriptomics, and evolutionary processes in eukaryotes. Key research areas include mitochondrial genome evolution, intron processing mechanisms in euglenids, and the application of microbial consortia in food production (e.g., dry-aged beef biostarters). Education & Training: Internship at the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics PAS (2008–2009) Visiting Research Scholar at University of California, Irvine (2013) Exchange Scholar at University of Oslo (2015) Research Interests: Combining genomic and ecological approaches to study microbial diversity, evolution of phototrophy in eukaryotes, and conservation genetics of endangered species (e.g., sturgeon, bowhead whales, seagrasses). Her lab develops novel methods for analyzing non-model organisms, including euglenids and ancient DNA samples. Recent Research Trends: Publications emphasize applied microbiology (food biotechnology) alongside fundamental evolutionary studies. Recent work explores fungal-bacterial interactions in meat aging and genetic markers for sturgeon conservation. Awards: First Prize, Open Science Project Proposal (#NGSchool2017) ESF Short Visit Travel Grant (2014) Grants & Leadership: Led projects on biostarter development (NCBiR), evolution of phototrophy (EMBO Grant), and euglenid intron studies (Opus 10/11 grants). Collaborates internationally with institutions in Norway, the US, and across Poland. Labs & Teams: Active in the Institute of Evolutionary Biology, contributing to molecular biology infrastructure and scientific communication initiatives through blogs ( bioalternatywa ) and media partnerships (Radio Czwórka, Świat Nauki).

Wei LiView profile

Research Fellow

• Photovoltaic Engineering
• Materials Science
• Renewable Energy
• +2 more

Wei Li is a Research Fellow in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Monash University. Previously, he was an associate researcher in the Cu2ZnSnS4 Group at UNSW's School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering. His research focuses on photovoltaic engineering, materials science, and renewable energy technologies, particularly crystalline silicon thin-film solar cells. Education credentials: PhD in Photovoltaic Engineering from University of New South Wales (2013) Master's in Materials Science from Wuhan University of Technology (2009) Bachelor's in Materials Science from Wuhan University of Technology Research interests center on advanced materials for solar energy conversion, photocatalytic processes, and functional nanomaterials. His work spans fundamental material development to practical applications in energy and environmental technologies. Publications demonstrate expertise in photocatalyst design, material characterization, and process optimization. Recent work focuses on methane photocatalytic conversion, MOF-based adsorption systems, and functional coatings for biomedical applications. Research frequently employs advanced computational modeling alongside experimental validation. Scientific awards: No awards reported in available materials. Laboratory affiliations include Monash's chemical engineering research facilities. Industry collaborations not specified in available documentation.

Amei AmeiView profile

Professor

• Mathematical Biology
• Population Genetics
• Probability Theory
• +4 more

Dr. Amei Amei is a Professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Her research focuses on applying probability theory and statistical methods to address problems in mathematical biology and population genetics. She specializes in developing and applying Poisson random field models to analyze genetic data, particularly for inferring mutation rates, selection coefficients, and species divergence times using DNA sequence data. Her work also extends to cancer detection modeling and interdisciplinary applications in biostatistics. Affiliation: University of Nevada, Las Vegas Key Research Areas: Mathematical Biology, Population Genetics, Stochastic Processes, Biostatistics Center Affiliation: Center for Applied Math & Statistics (SEB Program Group) Her recent research trends emphasize longitudinal genetic studies, integrating machine learning with statistical models to analyze spatial transcriptomics and cell-type deconvolution. She has contributed to Alzheimer's disease genetic studies, hypertension locus identification, and cancer biomarker research. Her work bridges theoretical probability with applied biological problems, addressing both evolutionary and clinical questions. Grants & Advising: While specific grants or student names are not listed, her publications indicate active involvement in collaborative research with interdisciplinary teams. She leads projects at the intersection of computational biology and statistical genetics. Labs/Teams: Active member of the Center for Applied Math & Statistics, collaborating on applied mathematical modeling and statistical challenges in biological systems.

• Occupational Health
• Environmental Health
• Exposure Assessment
• +3 more

Maria Albin is a Professor at the Unit of Occupational Medicine within the Institute of Environmental Medicine at Karolinska Institutet. She is affiliated with the Chemical and physical exposure in the work environment and health research group led by Jenny Selander. Her research focuses on occupational and environmental health determinants, including exposure assessment, chemical/physical workplace risks, and social inequalities in health. Scientific Advisor to the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare Former advisor to the Public Health Agency and Swedish Work Environment Agency PI of the FORTE-funded 'A sustainable new working life' program Principal investigator in EU Horizon 2020 projects EPHOR and INTERCAMBIO Research Interests: Her work spans occupational epidemiology, biomarkers of effect, and policy interventions like public procurement for improved working conditions. Notable areas include: Chemical/physical workplace exposures Shift work health impacts Environmental justice Non-communicable disease occupational links Grants and Funding: Current projects include studies on social gradients in cardiovascular disease, sustainable work environments in the digital age, and chromium exposure mitigation (SafeChrom project). Over 30 active grants focus on work-related health equity, algorithmic management, and green job safety. Labs/Teams: Participates in multidisciplinary teams including the EU EPHOR mega-cohort and the Swedish National Work and Health research network.

• Cardiology
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Atherosclerosis
• +4 more

John Pernow is a Professor of Cardiology and Senior Physician at the Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet. He leads the Division of Cardiology and focuses on endothelial dysfunction in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, particularly in diabetes and hyperlipidemia. His research explores mechanisms to improve endothelial function and limit myocardial injury during infarction. Education: MD from Karolinska Institutet (1991), PhD in 1988 on neuropeptide Y. Academic roles include Associate Professor of Pharmacology (1991), Head of Cardiology Division (2006), and full Professor (2008). Research emphasizes arginase regulation, red blood cell dysfunction in diabetes, and cardioprotective strategies. Clinical studies include the IAMI trial on influenza vaccination post-MI and the MIMET trial on metformin in MI. Key interests include cardiovascular imaging, biomarkers, and translational studies from molecular to clinical trials. His lab investigates non-coding RNA and extracellular vesicles' roles in disease.

• Eukaryotic Gene Regulation
• Chromatin Biology
• Transcription Mechanisms
• +3 more

Michael F. Carey is a Professor in the Department of Biological Chemistry at the David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles. His research focuses on the fundamental mechanisms of eukaryotic gene regulation, particularly examining the interplay between chromatin structure and transcription machinery. Dr. Carey's research interests center on chromatin biology and transcription mechanisms, with specific expertise in nucleosome dynamics, RNA polymerase II function, and epigenetic regulation. His laboratory investigates how chromatin structure influences transcription initiation and elongation, with particular focus on the roles of chromatin remodeling complexes such as INO80 and SWI/SNF in regulating gene expression. His work spans from basic biochemical mechanisms to implications in cellular processes including stem cell maintenance, neuronal differentiation, and aging. Analysis of Dr. Carey's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on chromatin architecture and transcription regulation. His research demonstrates how chromatin remodeling complexes maintain genomic stability, regulate enhancer-promoter communication, and control cell-type specific gene expression programs. His work bridges structural biochemistry with functional genomics, providing mechanistic insights into how transcription machinery interacts with nucleosomal templates. Dr. Carey has been consistently funded by NIH grants including the IRACDA program (K12GM106996), and multiple R01 grants focusing on chromatin and transcription mechanisms. His laboratory has made significant contributions to understanding the molecular mechanisms of transcriptional activation, nucleosome remodeling, and the coordination between chromatin structure and gene expression. His laboratory has developed numerous biochemical and molecular techniques for studying transcription and chromatin, with several methodological papers published in Cold Spring Harbor Protocols. Dr. Carey has also mentored numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who have gone on to establish successful careers in academia and industry.