Russell Epstein is a Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. He is affiliated with the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience and Goddard Labs. His research focuses on neural mechanisms underlying visual scene perception, spatial navigation, and memory. Epstein holds a BA in Physics from the University of Chicago and a PhD in Applied Mathematics from Harvard University. Epstein’s research interests include high-level vision, spatial cognition, and the neural basis of environmental representations. His lab uses functional MRI and cognitive neuroscience techniques to study how scenes, objects, landmarks, and spaces are encoded in brain systems such as the parahippocampal place area and retrosplenial cortex. Recent work explores cognitive maps, grid-like neural representations, and the role of multisensory cues in navigation. His articles emphasize spatial navigation strategies, hierarchical cognitive maps, and the interplay between perception and memory. Notable contributions include investigations into hippocampal spatial metrics, olfactory navigation, and the neural underpinnings of environmental learning. Epstein teaches courses on cognitive neuroscience, including PSYC 149 and PSYC 600. He advises two graduate students in Psychology and has no listed scientific awards. His work is supported by grants (unspecified) and conducted within collaborative teams at the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience. Epstein’s research extends to labs focused on spatial cognition and neuroimaging, advancing understanding of how humans mentally map environments through visual and sensory integration.
Marc V Fuccillo is an Associate Professor of Neuroscience at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, where he leads a research laboratory focused on understanding the neural circuit mechanisms underlying behavioral control. His work bridges molecular, synaptic, and behavioral approaches to investigate how striatal circuits regulate mouse behavior from simple motor patterns to complex goal-directed actions. Fuccillo holds dual appointments in the Neuroscience and Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Groups at Penn and maintains an active laboratory investigating the synaptic and circuit basis of neuropsychiatric disorders. Education: B.A. in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Music Performance (Violin) from Brown University (1998) Ph.D. in Developmental Genetics from New York University School of Medicine (2007) M.D. from New York University School of Medicine (2008) Fuccillo's research centers on the synaptic and circuit mechanisms of behavioral control, with particular emphasis on striatal circuits. His laboratory employs a range of technologies including mouse genetics, in vitro electrophysiology, in vivo imaging, and quantitative behavioral analysis to explore how neural circuits of the striatum regulate behavior and how disruptions in these circuits contribute to neuropsychiatric disorders. His work has particularly focused on autism-associated abnormalities in behavioral control, examining how synaptic adhesion molecules like neuroligins and neurexins shape circuit function and behavior, with significant findings regarding D1 dopamine receptor positive medium spiny neurons in the nucleus accumbens. Analysis of Fuccillo's recent publications reveals a strong focus on striatal circuit function across multiple dimensions. His work spans molecular neuroscience (examining synaptic adhesion molecules), cellular physiology (studying specific neuron types in striatal circuits), systems neuroscience (mapping circuit connectivity), and behavioral neuroscience (quantifying motor learning and decision-making). A unifying theme is how disruptions in specific molecular pathways lead to circuit-level abnormalities that manifest as behavioral phenotypes relevant to neuropsychiatric disorders, with particular attention to autism, OCD, and schizophrenia models. Scientific Recognition: Publications in high-impact journals including Nature Neuroscience, Current Biology, Cell Reports, and Neuron Research supported by multiple NIH grants including NIMH F32, NIMH K01, and HHMI Gilliam Fellowship awards for lab members Fuccillo actively mentors a diverse group of trainees including postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduates. His laboratory has produced numerous successful alumni who have gone on to faculty positions, medical residencies, and graduate programs at prestigious institutions. His mentoring approach emphasizes technical skill development across multiple neuroscience disciplines while fostering independent scientific thinking. Current research in his lab is supported by NIH funding focused on understanding the molecular architecture of striatal circuits and their role in behavioral control, with three major research directions exploring molecular logic of striatal circuits, circuit mechanisms of behavioral control, and striatal dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disease models. The Fuccillo Laboratory operates within the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania, with access to state-of-the-art facilities for molecular, electrophysiological, imaging, and behavioral neuroscience research. The lab maintains active collaborations with other neuroscience research groups at Penn and beyond, creating a rich intellectual environment for studying the neural basis of behavior. Current research directions include investigating whether there is a molecular logic to striatal circuit composition, how striatal circuits shape behavioral control, and what mouse models of autism, schizophrenia, and OCD can reveal about striatal circuit dysfunction in disease pathophysiology.
Maude Baldwin is the Director of the Evolution of Sensory and Physiological Systems department at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence. Her research focuses on the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying sensory receptor evolution in vertebrates, particularly in birds. Education : Ph.D. from Harvard University (Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, 2007-2014); B.A. from New York University (Gallatin School of Individualized Study, 2005). Research Interests include: Evolution of taste receptors, such as the repurposing of savory receptors for sweet detection in hummingbirds. Convergent evolution in sensory systems across vertebrates. Integrative approaches combining molecular methods, cell culture, and behavioral studies. Impact of dietary shifts on ecological and physiological adaptations. Publication Trends reveal a focus on comparative genomics , protein evolution , and sensory system adaptation , with specific attention to bird taste receptors , gene loss , and echolocation genetics . Labs & Teams : Baldwin leads a multidisciplinary team at the Max Planck Institute, recruiting researchers in comparative genomics , organoid technology , and vertebrate natural history . The group investigates sensory-diet coevolution and physiological trade-offs.
Dr. Lourdes Pena-Castillo is a Professor jointly appointed in the Departments of Computer Science and Biology at Memorial University of Newfoundland's Faculty of Science. Her research focuses on applying machine learning and bioinformatics to study bacterial gene regulation, with emphasis on transcriptomics, gene expression pathways, and microbiology. She leads the Bioinformatics Lab at MUN, developing computational tools like Promotech for promoter prediction and sRNARFTarget for sRNA target identification. Education: BSc in Information Systems Engineering, ITESM-Mexico MSc in Computer Science, University of Alberta PhD in Computer Science (Doktoringenieurin), Otto-von-Guericke Universität Magdeburg Postdoc in Bioinformatics, University of Toronto Research Interests: Bioinformatics, Genomics, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Transcriptomics, Gene Regulation, Microbiology Her work integrates computational methods with biological data to address challenges in molecular biology, including analyzing bacterial sRNA functions, promoter recognition, and disease diagnostics using machine learning. She has advised numerous graduate students, including PhD candidates Purvikalyan Pallegar and Bonita McCuaig, and MSc students like Ruben Chevez-Guardado and Kratika Naskulwar. Her lab focuses on translational research with applications in both basic science and clinical contexts. Publications span computational methods for bacterial gene regulation, bioinformatics tool development, and interdisciplinary projects in VR and healthcare informatics. Her research has contributed to understanding symbiotic relationships in marine organisms, inflammatory bowel disease diagnostics, and clavulanic acid production in Streptomyces. Grants & Collaborations: Works with interdisciplinary teams across computer science and biology, supported by grants enabling projects in bacterial genomics and computational tool development. Labs & Teams: Leads the Bioinformatics Lab at MUN, fostering collaborations with researchers in microbiology, computer science, and healthcare.
Jason Ritt is an Associate Professor of Brain Science (Research) and Scientific Director of Quantitative Neuroscience at the Robert J. and Nancy D. Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University. He holds affiliations with the Data Science Institute and collaborates across disciplines on quantitative research methods. Education : B.S., M.A., and Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Boston University (1997–2003). Research : Focuses on neural processing during active sensing and neuroengineering for neurostimulation. Combines electrophysiology, optogenetics, and theoretical approaches in rodent models. Develops closed-loop systems for studying sensory neural prosthetics and brain-machine interfaces. Key areas include synaptic diversity, neurocontrol algorithms, and sensory restoration. Teaching : Instructs NEUR 2100 NeuroPracticum, integrating hands-on neuroscience research training.
Dr. Frances Chen is a Professor and Area Coordinator in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia (UBC), located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam People. She holds a PhD from Stanford University (2009). Her research integrates health psychology, social psychology, and neuroendocrinology to explore how social experiences influence mental and physical health. Key areas include the physiological impacts of loneliness, social support, and hormonal changes during puberty on adolescent development. Education: PhD, Psychology, Stanford University, 2009 Research Focus: Dr. Chen investigates how social interactions 'get under the skin' through studies on loneliness, stress, conflict negotiation, and hormonal mechanisms. Her work emphasizes interventions to enhance social connection and reduce health disparities. Recent Article Trends: Recent publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches, including genetic influences on depression, effects of near-infrared lighting on cognition, and longitudinal studies on adolescent hormonal contraceptive use. Her work bridges basic science and applied health outcomes. Awards & Grants: Michael Smith Health Research BC C2 Award (2022) Killam Faculty Research Fellowship (2019) Teaching & Learning Enhancement Fund Grant (2025) SSHRC Prosociality Project Funding (2023) Lab & Mentorship: Director of the Social Health Lab, she mentors graduate and undergraduate students, prioritizing equity and inclusion. Recent lab achievements include studies on teen health development and interventions to improve student success in psychology programs. Lab Initiatives: UBC Teen Health and Development Study (longitudinal hormonal/mental health tracking) NIR lighting health impact research (collaborative interdisciplinary project) Prosociality 'in the Wild' SSHRC project
Kevin M. Franks is an Associate Professor of Neurobiology at Duke University, where he investigates how the olfactory system forms neural representations of sensory environments. His work focuses on functional neural circuits in the olfactory bulb and piriform cortex, using techniques like in vivo recordings, optogenetics, and behavioral assays. His research explores Neural circuit dynamics and plasticity Odor coding mechanisms Role of recurrent circuitry Integration of sensory modalities Recent publications highlight his contributions to understanding cortical odor representations, developmental neural connectivity, and cross-modal interactions. Awards include the 2024 Don Tucker Finalist recognition. He teaches advanced neuroscience courses at Duke, including Neurobiology research and concepts in neuronal systems.
Prof. Dr. Jing Wang is a Full Professor at the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering at ETH Zürich. His research focuses on air pollution control, nanoparticle transport, and environmental health and safety (EHS) impacts of nanomaterials. He has held roles including Assistant Professor at ETH Zürich (2010–present), Research Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota (2007–2010), and postdoctoral associate in Particle Technology (2005–2007). Education: Bachelor’s in Engineering (2000) – Tsinghua University, Beijing Master’s in Computer Sciences (2003) – University of Minnesota PhD in Aerospace Engineering (2005) – University of Minnesota Research Interests: Air/water filtration technologies Nanoparticle emission reduction and measurement Multiphase flow mechanics Environmental impacts of nanomaterials Collaborations: Industrial partnerships include 3M, BASF, Boeing, Intel, Samsung, and others in nanoparticle measurement and filtration solutions. Honors: 2011 Smoluchowski Award (Association for Aerosol Research) 2006 ‘Best Dissertation’ Award (University of Minnesota) 2004 Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship Teaching: Courses include Air Pollution Control, Environmental Engineering Seminars, and Excursions for Environmental Engineers. Labs/Teams: Leads the Particle Technology Lab and collaborates with the Institute of Environmental Engineering at ETH Zürich.
Jonny Kohl is a Group Leader at the Francis Crick Institute , where he established the State-dependent Neural Processing Laboratory in 2019. His work bridges neural circuits and internal physiological states (e.g., hunger, pregnancy) to decode instinctive behaviors like parenting and aggression in mice. PhD: MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge (2013) Postdoc: Harvard University (2014–2019) with support from EMBO, HFSP, and Wellcome Trust fellowships Research Interests : Kohl investigates how hormonal and metabolic states dynamically rewire neural circuits to drive adaptive behaviors. His lab combines circuit neuroscience , molecular biology , and behavioral profiling to study: State-dependent neural processing in parental behavior Chemosensory dominance hierarchies in mice Plasticity mechanisms in aggression circuits Development of ultrafast tissue labeling and cryoanesthesia tools Scientific Trends : His recent publications highlight hormone-mediated synaptic remodeling (2023), cost-effective lab tools (2023), and brain-wide activity mapping (2016). Collaborative work spans computational biology , metabolism , and imaging disciplines. Honors: NARSAD Young Investigator Award (2019), ERC Starting Grant (2019), Wellcome Trust Discovery Award (2025) Grants: BBSRC Research Grant (2025), BBSRC Pioneer Grant (2023) His lab mentors PhD and MSc students and has developed open-source neuroscience tools (e.g., cryoanesthesia device, 2023). Kohl's research has been featured in Nature , Science , and Cell .
Xiaoyu Cai is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, specializing in lung regeneration, aging biology, and stem cell plasticity. Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms governing alveolar type 2 (AT2) stem cell dynamics during aging and chronic lung diseases. Education: Bachelor of Medicine (Peking University, 2012), Master of Science (Peking University, 2015), PhD in Biology of Aging (USC & Buck Institute, 2021) Key Research Areas: Lung regeneration, inflammation resolution, stem cell aging, 3D organoid cultures Methodologies: Single-cell multiome, mouse genetics, multicellular organoid systems Collaborations: Translational partnerships with clinical teams for bench-to-bedside applications Dr. Cai's recent work explores lineage plasticity in aged lung stem cells, ferroptosis suppression via CRISPR screens, and cellular aging atlases across species. She previously held a postdoctoral position at Genentech Inc. and maintains a professional lab website. Contact: xcai2@luc.edu | Office: CTRE 123
Dr. Peter Bartsch serves as curator of the fish collection and construction project officer at the Museum für Naturkunde (MfN), Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, which is affiliated with Humboldt University Berlin. With expertise in ichthyology, embryology, and comparative anatomy, Dr. Bartsch has been instrumental in the museum's collection management and building renovation projects since joining the institution as a research associate before becoming curator in 2000. Dr. Bartsch received his academic training in ichthyology, embryology, and comparative anatomy at the University of Cologne. His academic career includes positions as a research assistant at the University of Tübingen and a postdoctoral fellowship at the Natural History Museum in Stockholm before joining the Museum für Naturkunde. Dr. Bartsch's primary research focuses on the evolution and systematics of major groups of bony fishes (Osteichthyes), with particular emphasis on primitive ray-finned fish lineages. His work integrates morphological analysis of both fossil and extant species to understand evolutionary relationships. A significant portion of his research centers on the developmental biology of ancient fish groups, especially the Polypteridae (bichirs), examining embryonic development, skeletal formation, and sensory systems. More recently, his interests have expanded to include the logistics and optimal management of research collections, reflecting his administrative responsibilities at the museum. Analysis of Dr. Bartsch's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on fish morphology, evolution, and development, with particular attention to primitive actinopterygian lineages. His work spans both systematic taxonomy and functional morphology, with increasing attention to museum collection management challenges. The publications demonstrate expertise in comparative anatomy across diverse fish groups including chondrichthyans (sharks, rays, and chimaeras) and basal actinopterygians. Recent work shows integration of molecular phylogenetic approaches with traditional morphological analysis. Dr. Bartsch has held significant administrative roles at the Museum für Naturkunde, serving as head of the collections department from 2011 to 2013. He was responsible for the museum's construction program for the east wing reconstruction, completed in 2010, which created modern facilities for the storage and scientific processing of the museum's wet collections. Currently, he manages the second phase of the building's renovation that began in 2011 and participates in planning for the future development of the museum's facilities. The Museum für Naturkunde houses extensive ichthyological collections that form the basis for Dr. Bartsch's research. His work involves close collaboration with various research teams within the museum, particularly in the areas of molecular phylogenetics, collection preservation, and paleontological research. The museum's facilities include specialized laboratories for morphological analysis, molecular studies, and collection management that support his research activities.
Prof. Dr. Susanne Foitzik is a Professor of Evolutionary Biology at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz since 2010, where she leads the Evolution & Behavioral Ecology of Ants research group at the Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution (IOME). Previously, she was Professor in Behavioral Ecology at LMU Munich (2004-2010) and Assistant Professor in Zoology at the University of Regensburg (2000-2004). She earned her PhD in Biology from Julius Maximilian University, Würzburg in 1998. Her research integrates approaches from behavioral ecology through genomics to epigenetics, focusing on ants as model organisms to study complex social behaviors. Host-parasite coevolution and social parasitism in ants Molecular mechanisms underlying division of labor Reversal of the fecundity-longevity trade-off in social insects Gene regulation in phenotypic plasticity Evolution of chemical communication systems Analysis of her recent publications (2022-2025) reveals a strong focus on molecular mechanisms of social behavior, with particular emphasis on host-parasite interactions, epigenetic regulation of behavior, and genomic adaptations in social insects. Her work increasingly combines transcriptomic, proteomic, and functional genomic approaches to understand the molecular basis of social evolution. Among her notable scientific achievements: Speaker of Research Training Group 2626 GenEvo: Gene Regulation in Evolution (2019-present) Speaker of EES Master Program funded by VW foundation (2007-2010) DAAD Fellow at State University of New York (1992-93) Prof. Foitzik has supervised numerous PhD students and postdocs, including Maide Macit, Tom Sistermans, and Marcel Caminer. Her research is supported by multiple DFG-funded projects investigating host-parasite coevolution, the role of gene regulation in division of labor, and parasite interference in host gene expression. She serves as Handling Editor for Biology Letters and previously served on the editorial board of Insectes Sociaux. Her research group operates within the Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution (IOME) at Mainz, with laboratory facilities at the Biozentrum I. The group collaborates extensively with researchers across Germany and internationally, including partnerships with institutions in Frankfurt, Freiburg, Bristol, and Tel Aviv.
Joel Zylberberg is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), affiliated with the Department of Ophthalmology within the School of Medicine . His research bridges Computational Neuroscience , Neural Networks , and Machine Learning , focusing on how neural activity and biological mechanisms inform artificial intelligence and visual cortex dynamics . Joel's work explores retinal computation , population coding , and neural adaptation , often analyzing mouse visual cortex and neurophysiological data . His recent publications highlight trends in dynamic retinal processes , stimulus-driven network topology , and brain-inspired machine learning , emphasizing the interplay between biophysics and computational modeling . Collaborators include Greg Field (UCLA), Richard Born (Harvard), and Michael DeWeese (UC Berkeley), with affiliations spanning institutions like University of Washington and University of California, San Diego (UCSD). His work appears in journals such as Nature Neuroscience , Neuron , and PLOS Computational Biology .
Dr. Jason Yi is an Assistant Professor of Neuroscience at Washington University School of Medicine (WashU Medicine). His research focuses on understanding the molecular pathways that shape nervous system development and function, with particular emphasis on autism spectrum disorders (ASD). He leads the Yi Lab, which investigates the role of the ubiquitin ligase UBE3A in the brain and its implications for neurodevelopmental disorders. Dr. Yi received his BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Dickinson College in 2001 and his PhD in Pharmacology from Duke University in 2009. His laboratory is broadly interested in the molecular pathways that shape nervous system development and function, with the ultimate goal of understanding how dysfunction in these pathways contributes to disease. The current focus is on autism spectrum disorders (ASD), using genetic information from human patients to guide in vitro and in vivo experiments employing biochemical, genetic manipulation, cell biological, and microscopy techniques. Dr. Yi's research has significant clinical implications, particularly in understanding how UBE3A dysfunction relates to both Angelman syndrome (caused by lack of UBE3A activity) and autism (caused by excessive UBE3A activity). His lab discovered that a single phosphorylation event in UBE3A turns off its ubiquitin ligase activity, and that mutations in this site are linked to autism. This work bridges disease genetics with a mechanistic understanding of ASD neurobiology and aims to define developmental timepoints for ASD onset. Dr. Yi's research has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards: Ruth K. Broad Biomedical Research Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship (2006) F32 Kirschstein National Research Service Award (2011) Christina Castellana Postdoctoral Fellowship (2011-2014) The University of North Carolina Postdoctoral Award for Research Excellence (2015) Bridge to Independence Award, The Simons Foundation (2017) NARSAD Young Investigator Award, Brain and Behavior Research Foundation (2018) Whitehall Foundation Research Grant (2018) Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Research Fellowship (2019) Dr. Yi's research program is supported by significant grant funding from organizations including The Simons Foundation, Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, and the Whitehall Foundation. His work bridges basic molecular neuroscience with clinical implications for neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autism spectrum disorders. Through his research, Dr. Yi is contributing to a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying ASD, which may ultimately lead to new therapeutic approaches and interventions. The Yi Lab maintains a collaborative research environment focused on cutting-edge neuroscience techniques. The lab combines molecular, cellular, and genetic approaches to study UBE3A function and its role in neurodevelopment. Their work utilizes patient-derived genetic information to guide experimental approaches, ensuring clinical relevance to autism spectrum disorders. Dr. Yi is also actively involved in mentoring graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, contributing to the training of the next generation of neuroscientists.
Dr. Junfang Wu is a Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology and holds a secondary appointment in Neurobiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She serves as Associate Director of UM-MIND (University of Maryland - Medicine Institute for Neuroscience Discovery), Director of the Anesthesiology Center for Neuroscience Research, and Vice-Chair for Translational Research in the Department of Anesthesiology. Her academic journey includes a BM in Medicine, MS in Pharmacology from Jiangxi Medical College, and PhD in Neuropharmacology from Nanjing Medical University, followed by postdoctoral training at China's Institute of Materia Medica and NIH. Research Focus: Neurotrauma, neuroinflammation, autophagy-lysosomal pathway, extracellular vesicles, Hv1/NOX2/ROS, TrkB.T1 Key Techniques: Rodent models of SCI/TBI, behavioral evaluations, EV characterization, quantitative imaging, molecular/cellular biology Dr. Wu's research explores the cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurological dysfunction following CNS trauma, with emphasis on autophagy-lysosomal disruption, microglial Hv1 channels, and EV-mediated neuroinflammatory signaling. Her 2025 Aging and disease study reveals age-dependent transcriptional changes post-anesthesia, while 2024 Brain, Behavior, and Immunity work demonstrates how SCI alters EV cargoes to drive brain neuroinflammation. Her team recently discovered that Hv1 proton channel ablation in microglia provides neuroprotection in SCI models. Her scientific contributions are recognized through the 2025 Matjasko Professorship in Anesthesiology Research. She has secured multiple NIH grants including: R01 NS145443 (2025-2030): cGAS signaling in brain trauma-induced neuroinflammation R01 AG077541 (2022-2027): TBI olfactory dysfunction and dementia progression 2RF1 NS094527 (2016-2027): Autophagy mechanisms in SCI R01 NS110825 (2020-2026): Hv1 channel in SCI/TBI Dr. Wu's laboratory personnel include Research Associates Yun Li and Zhuofan Lei, Post-doctoral Fellows Balaji Krishnamachary and Zihui Wang, Research Assistant Hui Li, and medical student Ruth Park. Her work spans from bench research on lysosomal damage to clinical implications for Alzheimer's disease-related dementia (AD/ADRD) and potential therapeutic strategies.
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