Find Academic Supervisors

Melanie FirestoneView profile

Assistant Professor

• Public health surveillance
• Infectious disease
• Foodborne disease
• +4 more

Melanie Firestone is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. Her academic journey includes a PhD in Environmental Health Sciences from the University of Minnesota, an MPH in Epidemiology from Columbia University, and a BS in Health & Exercise Science from Wake Forest University. Prior to joining the School of Public Health, she served as a CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Officer assigned to the Minnesota Department of Health. Dr. Firestone's research focuses at the intersection of infectious diseases and environmental health, with particular emphasis on improving public health surveillance systems to reduce enteric infections. Her work extensively examines the role of restaurants in foodborne illness transmission and prevention, as well as effective communication of food safety messages to the public. Her expertise spans public health surveillance, infectious disease epidemiology, foodborne disease investigation, food safety practices, and outbreak response. Analysis of her publication record reveals consistent research contributions in food safety, infectious disease epidemiology, and public health surveillance. Her work frequently involves collaborative investigations of foodborne outbreaks, SARS-CoV-2 transmission patterns, and zoonotic disease events. Recent publications demonstrate her focus on methodological improvements in outbreak detection and understanding transmission dynamics across various settings including restaurants, fitness centers, and households. Dr. Firestone is actively engaged with professional organizations including the Council for State and Territorial Epidemiologists, the International Association for Food Protection, and the Minnesota Environmental Health Association, demonstrating her commitment to advancing public health practice through professional collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Betty ChungView profile

Associate Professor

• Translational Control
• Gene Expression Mechanisms
• Host-Pathogen Interactions
• +4 more

Dr Betty Chung is an Associate Professor of Integrated Infection Biology at the Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge. Her research focuses on translational control of protein synthesis during host-pathogen interactions, utilizing ribosome profiling and RNA structure studies to investigate gene expression mechanisms across animal and plant pathogens. Specializes in host-pathogen interface dynamics Applies ribosome profiling and RNA sequencing technologies Investigates infection responses across multiple biological domains Key affiliations include: Co-Chair, Cambridge Infectious Diseases Member, Microbiology and Parasitology Division Collaborator with Plant Sciences and Biochemistry departments Her work bridges molecular biology, immunology, and biotechnology to develop climate-resilient pathogen countermeasures.

• Immunology
• Molecular Immunology
• T cell biology
• +5 more

Brigitta Stockinger is a distinguished Professor at the Francis Crick Institute, leading research in the Division of Molecular Immunology. With a career spanning over three decades, she has established herself as a leading authority in immunology, particularly in the study of T cell biology and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) pathway. PhD in Biology from the University of Mainz Postdoctoral training in London, Cambridge, and Heidelberg Member of the Basel Institute for Immunology (1985-1991) Group leader at MRC National Institute for Medical Research (1991-present, now part of Francis Crick Institute) Head of Division of Molecular Immunology (2010-present) Professor Stockinger's research has evolved from studying immune tolerance using T cell receptor transgenic mouse models to pioneering work on immunological memory with CD4 memory T cells. Her lab made seminal discoveries regarding Th17 cell differentiation factors, which led to groundbreaking research on the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) as an environmental sensor in the immune system. Her work spans fundamental immunology, infection responses, inflammation, and the intersection of environmental factors with immune regulation. Analysis of her extensive publication record (over 65 Crick publications) reveals a strong focus on Immunology (38 publications), followed by Model Organisms (12), Genetics & Genomics (10), and Tumour Biology (9). Her most influential work appears in top journals including Nature (5 papers), Nature Immunology (6 papers), and Immunity (6 papers), demonstrating the high impact of her research on understanding T cell plasticity, AHR signaling, and mucosal immunity. Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (2005) EMBO fellow (2008) Fellow of the Royal Society (2013) ERC Advanced Investigator grant (2009) Wellcome Senior Investigator Grant (2013) CRUK grant (2015) Wellcome Investigator Grant (2018) Professor Stockinger's laboratory investigates how environmental factors influence immune responses through the AHR pathway, with particular emphasis on intestinal immunity, inflammation, and host-microbe interactions. Her work has significant implications for understanding inflammatory bowel diseases, infection responses, and the role of dietary components in immune regulation. She has established numerous collaborations across the Francis Crick Institute and maintains active research programs examining AHR's role in both innate and adaptive immunity.

Daniel Blanco-MeloView profile

Assistant Professor

• Virology
• Immunology
• Evolutionary Biology
• +3 more

Dr. Daniel Blanco-Melo is an Assistant Professor at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, holding dual appointments in the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division and Public Health Sciences Division . He is also a member of the Translational Data Science Integrated Research Center (TDS IRC). PhD in Biological Sciences (Rockefeller University, 2016) Postdoctoral Fellow (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 2016-2021) BS in Genomics (UNAM, Mexico, 2008) His research focuses on evolutionary virology, analyzing how animal hosts and viruses co-evolve through molecular biology, genomics, and bioinformatics. Key themes include: Antiviral immune strategy evolution Paleovirology of ancient pathogens Computational modeling of host-virus interactions Translational therapeutic design Recent work explores Influenza A virus NS1 protein dynamics and cross-species host response prioritization. Awards include Science News' SN10: Scientists to Watch (2024) and CZI funding (2023) . The lab actively engages in international collaborations and data science integration.

• Coevolution
• Infectious Disease Dynamics
• Influenza
• +3 more

Sarah Cobey is a Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Chicago. Her research focuses on the coevolution of pathogens and host immunity , particularly influenza , using computational and mathematical models . Education: AB from Princeton (2002), PhD from University of Michigan (2009), Postdoc at Harvard School of Public Health (2013) Research Interests : The Cobey Lab studies adaptive immunity dynamics , including antibody repertoire evolution , vaccine effectiveness , and immune-mediated pathogen competition . Key areas include influenza evolution , vaccination strategies , and B cell response predictability . Publication Trends (2023–2025): Recent work examines longitudinal immune modeling , influenza antigenic diversity , and cross-reactive antibody dynamics . Collaborations span immunology , virology , and public health . Scientific Awards : NIH New Innovator Award (2014) James S. McDonnell Scholar (2014) Neubauer Fellowship (2016) NSF GRF (2005) Grants : Past and current NIH funding includes U01AI187063 (2025–2029) on Adaptive Immunity to Influenza and R01AI170116 (2022–2027) on Influenza Vaccine Response Variability . Labs & Collaborations : Leader of the Cobey Lab , with collaborations at Harvard, NIH, and WHO. Projects often involve multi-scale modeling linking individual immune responses to population-level viral evolution .

• Environmental Bioprocess Engineering
• Biological Wastewater Treatment
• Microalgae Biofuel Production
• +3 more

Dr. D. Grant Allen is a Professor and Frank Dottori Chair in Pulp and Paper Engineering at the University of Toronto's Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry (Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering). He serves as Principal Investigator at the Bioprocess Engineering Lab and BioZone research center. His education includes a B.A.Sc. and M.A.Sc. from the University of Toronto, and a Ph.D. from the University of Waterloo. Dr. Allen's research focuses on environmental bioprocess engineering , with emphasis on: Microalgae cultivation for biofuels/chemicals using CO₂ and wastewater Advanced biological wastewater treatment and toxicity reduction Biosolids dewatering using novel bioflocculants and enzymatic methods Bioconversion of waste streams into value-added products Biofilm/floc microbiology and process optimization His publications demonstrate strong interdisciplinary trends in sustainable waste valorization, algal biotechnology, and advanced sludge treatment techniques, with consistent focus on industrial applications in pulp/paper and wastewater sectors. Awards & Honors: Sustained Excellence in Teaching Award (2022) Professor Diran Basmadjian Teacher of the Year Award Fellow: Chemical Institute of Canada, AAAS, Canadian Academy of Engineering, Engineering Institute of Canada LeSuer Memorial Award for Technical Excellence He currently advises graduate students and leads collaborative projects with industry/government partners. As Principal Investigator at BioZone, he coordinates interdisciplinary teams developing bioscience solutions for sustainability. Current projects include photocatalytic wastewater pretreatment and microfluidic carbon capture systems.

• Dermatology
• Microbiology
• Inflammation
• +5 more

Maia Delage Toriel is a dermatologist and researcher at Institut Pasteur , focusing on Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) pathogenesis, microbiota interactions, and innovative therapeutic approaches. She leads key projects like SHINE-HS (hormonal influences), ABCESS2 (antibiotic regimens), and ROXANE (genetics and microbiota). Education: Medical studies at University of Necker (1997–2005) Dermatology residency at CHRU Tours (2005–2009) Diploma in Skin Cancerology (2008–2009) Head of Clinic Assistant in Dermatology at Bobigny (2009–2012) Research Interests center on HS etiology, including: Microbiota-host interface dysregulation Tryptophan catabolism and inflammation Sex-related dimorphism in disease manifestation Antibiotic resistance patterns Development of dynamic severity scoring systems (e.g., IHS4) Publications and clinical trials highlight her work on antimicrobial strategies, microbial profiling, and surgical outcomes. Her studies integrate metagenomics , metabolomics , and clinical data to address HS complexity. Collaborations span multidisciplinary teams at Institut Pasteur, focusing on translational immunology, microbiome dynamics, and open science initiatives.

Paul JohnsonView profile

Professor

• Microbiology
• Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
• Molecular Genetics
• +4 more

Paul Johnson, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Biology Department at the University of North Georgia, specifically within the College of Health and Natural Sciences. He maintains an office in the Health and Natural Sciences building, room 435, in Dahlonega. Dr. Johnson teaches several courses including Microbiology for Allied Health Professions, Genetics, Food Microbiology (Study Abroad), Environmental Microbiology, and General Microbiology. Dr. Johnson earned his Ph.D. in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from Emory University in 2010 and his B.S. in Biology from North Georgia College & State University in 2002. Following his doctoral studies, he completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Emory University from 2010-2012. Dr. Johnson's research focuses on understanding bacterial mechanisms for evading antimicrobial agents, specifically differentiating between antibiotic resistance (heritable genetic mechanisms) and antibiotic tolerance/persistence (survival of genetically identical subpopulations). His work primarily utilizes two model organisms: N. gonorrhoeae and S. aureus . This research has important implications for developing more effective antimicrobial therapies and understanding treatment failures. Dr. Johnson has made significant contributions to understanding efflux pumps, gene regulation in pathogenic bacteria, and the molecular mechanisms underlying antibiotic resistance. Analysis of Dr. Johnson's publication record reveals a consistent focus on antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, particularly in Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Staphylococcus aureus . His work spans molecular genetics, bacterial physiology, and the clinical implications of resistance mechanisms. Over time, his research has expanded from basic mechanisms of efflux pumps to broader questions about bacterial persistence and the evolutionary dynamics of resistance development. The interdisciplinary nature of his work connects microbiology, molecular genetics, and clinical medicine. Dr. Johnson serves as an advisor for Biology and Pre-Medicine students at UNG. His expertise in microbiology and antimicrobial resistance informs both his research and teaching, creating a strong connection between his scholarly work and classroom instruction. While specific grant information isn't provided in the available materials, his productive publication record suggests successful research funding. Based on his research focus on N. gonorrhoeae and S. aureus , Dr. Johnson likely maintains laboratory facilities for bacterial culture, genetic manipulation, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. His work on microbial population dynamics suggests sophisticated experimental approaches to studying bacterial communities and their responses to antimicrobial challenges.

Joel SokolView profile

Professor

• Sports Analytics
• Applied Operations Research
• Health Informatics
• +7 more

Joel Sokol is the Harold E. Smalley Professor in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Georgia Tech. He serves as Director of the interdisciplinary Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) degree, offered both on-campus and online. His academic journey began with a Ph.D. in Operations Research from MIT (1999), followed by bachelor's degrees in Mathematics, Computer Science, and Applied Sciences in Engineering from Rutgers University (1994). Education Ph.D. in Operations Research (MIT, 1999) B.S./B.A. in Mathematics, Computer Science, Applied Sciences in Engineering (Rutgers, 1994) Dr. Sokol's research focuses on Sports Analytics , Health Informatics , and Supply Chain Optimization . He pioneered the LRMC (Logistic Regression/Markov Chain) method for NCAA basketball tournament predictions, which has become an industry standard. His work extends to organ transplantation logistics, maritime shipping networks, and semiconductor manufacturing optimization, blending machine learning with traditional operations research techniques. The articles reflect his interdisciplinary expertise: 2025 introduced a Smart Stadium Testbed for real-time sports analytics, while 2024 addressed Language Model Safety . Earlier publications (2023–2018) focused on transplant survival modeling, vaccine scheduling, and maritime logistics, showcasing his ability to apply analytics to diverse domains. Scientific Awards EURO Management Science Strategic Innovation Prize (2008) Cozzarelli Prize finalist (non-sports research) Georgia Tech's highest teaching awards (multiple years) INFORMS and IISE recognitions for curriculum development As a leader in analytics education, Sokol co-founded the INFORMS Sports Operations Research section and served as INFORMS Vice President of Education. His work has practical applications in professional sports, healthcare, and industry, with methodologies adopted by teams, medical institutions, and global logistics networks.

Achour AmiriView profile

Associate Professor

• Plant Pathology
• Fungicide Resistance
• Epidemiology
• +4 more

Achour Amiri is an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at Washington State University, affiliated with the Wenatchee Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center (TFREC). His work bridges applied epidemiology and disease management for tree fruits in the Pacific Northwest. Education: Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, University of Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris, France) M.Sc. in Plant Pathology, Gembloux Agricultural University (Belgium) Engineering Degree in Agricultural Sciences, National Institute of Agronomy (Algeria) Amiri's research focuses on tree fruit diseases , particularly postharvest pathologies of pome fruits. He investigates: Applied epidemiology of orchard pathogens like Podosphaera leucotricha and Botrytis cinerea Development of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies Molecular tools for fungicide resistance detection Risk assessment modeling for disease outbreaks His publications reveal trends in fungicide resistance mechanisms and molecular diagnostic technologies for pathogens affecting apples, pears, and cherries. Key subfields include: Botrytis fruit rot dynamics Penicillium expansum resistance evolution Neofabraea species detection Chemical control optimization Postharvest disease surveillance Genomic resources for fungal pathogens Amiri actively engages in extension activities, collaborating with stakeholders in Washington's tree fruit industry through diagnostic services and research partnerships at TFREC's Overley Laboratory.

• Data Mining
• Bioinformatics
• Machine Learning
• +3 more

Domingo Savio Rodríguez Baena is a Professor at Pablo de Olavide University, affiliated with the Department of Computer Languages and Systems. His research focuses on data mining, bioinformatics, and computational biology, with a particular emphasis on biclustering algorithms, gene co-expression networks, and high-performance computing applications. PhD in Engineering, Data Science, and Bioinformatics (2012) from Pablo de Olavide University His work spans interdisciplinary domains, including recommender systems , livestock behavior analysis , and biological data interpretation . Recent articles highlight his contributions to multi-GPU optimization , ensemble learning , and historical database construction . Key collaborations include the DATAi Intelligent Data Analysis and DASE Data Analytics Science & Engineering research groups. He has developed tools like the CyEnGNet–App for gene network visualization and BIGO for gene enrichment analysis. Contact: dsrodbae@upo.es

Frida Ben-AmiView profile

Professor

• Ecology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Host-Parasite Interactions
• +3 more

Prof. Frida Ben-Ami is a faculty member at Tel Aviv University, affiliated with the George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences and the School of Zoology. She maintains an active research laboratory focusing on host-parasite interactions and the ecological impacts of climate change. Her research combines ecology and evolutionary biology to examine how global warming and extreme weather conditions affect disease spread and host-parasite dynamics. Her work primarily uses model systems including Daphnia -microparasites (bacteria and microsporidia), crustaceans, rotifers, and freshwater snails. She investigates how infection by multiple parasite strains affects virulence evolution, environmental and epigenetic effects on host immunity, and the relationship between sexual reproduction and parasite presence through field work, laboratory experiments, and molecular methods. Prof. Ben-Ami's laboratory is currently recruiting researchers at all levels to study parasite adaptation to extreme climate conditions, requiring creative thinking, potential background in evolutionary biology or ecology, analytical skills, and strong English communication abilities. Her laboratory is located in Sherman 304 at Tel Aviv University, with contact available through email frida@tauex.tau.ac.il and office/lab phone numbers +972-(0)3-6406080 and +972-(0)3-6405347 respectively.

Isabel Douterelo SolerView profile

Lecturer

• Water Microbiology
• Drinking Water Distribution Systems
• Biofilm Ecology
• +5 more

Dr. Isabel Douterelo Soler serves as a Lecturer in Water & Applied Microbiology at the University of Sheffield's School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering within the Department of Civil and Structural Engineering. Since joining as a Research Associate in 2010 on an EPSRC Challenging Engineering project, she has established herself as a leading researcher in urban water systems, culminating in her independent EPSRC Living with Environmental Change Fellowship award in 2016. Her research spans interdisciplinary water quality challenges at the intersection of drinking water supply, sewage infrastructure, and groundwater systems. Key focus areas include biofilm ecology in distribution networks, climate change impacts on water safety, molecular monitoring of pollution, and public health risks from urban flooding. She employs advanced techniques like metagenomics and machine learning to develop risk mitigation technologies for climate-resilient water infrastructure. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals dominant trends in phosphate dosing effects on microbial communities, temperature-driven changes in biofilm dynamics, and molecular methods for pollution tracking. Her work consistently bridges laboratory research with real-world applications through collaborations with water utilities and environmental agencies. Her scientific recognition includes the prestigious EPSRC Living with Environmental Change Fellowship. Major Grants: EPSRC Challenging Engineering project, NBIC proposal with Welsh Water, CIVVSNSF CBET collaboration (US NSF/EPSRC), and Dwr Cymru Welsh Water phosphate dosing initiative. Advising Status: Not currently seeking new PhD students but maintains active supervision through research projects. She actively contributes to the Groundwater Protection & Restoration, Water Distribution Systems & Infrastructure, and SuDS research groups while collaborating with the Pennine Water Group and Co-UDlabs on sustainable urban drainage solutions.

• Computational Genomics
• Single-Cell Genomics
• Immunology
• +3 more

Dr. Stephen Sansom serves as Associate Professor and Group Leader of the Computational and Single Cell Genomics Group at the University of Oxford's Kennedy Institute. His work bridges computational biology with immunology to decode inflammatory disease mechanisms through advanced genomic approaches. His academic foundation includes a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry from the University of Dundee (2001) followed by a DPhil in Developmental Biology through the Wellcome Trust 4-year PhD programme at the University of Cambridge. Postdoctoral research at the Gurdon Institute with Dr. Rick Livesey established his expertise in genomic analysis of neural development. Dr. Sansom's research centers on computational genomics of immune processes, particularly central tolerance mechanisms and inflammatory disorders. His group pioneers single-cell genomic methodologies to dissect cellular heterogeneity in conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and atherosclerosis. Key innovations include developing frameworks for analyzing promiscuous gene expression in thymic epithelia and deconvoluting monocyte responses in immune-mediated diseases through collaborative projects with experimental immunologists. Analysis of his recent publications reveals dominant themes in macrophage biology during atherosclerosis progression, B/T cell dynamics in viral infections (including influenza and COVID-19), and stromal cell contributions to joint destruction in arthritis. His work consistently identifies novel cellular states and molecular networks driving pathogenesis, with strong emphasis on translational relevance for therapeutic targeting. Supported initially by an MRC Career Development Fellowship in Chris Ponting's CGAT program, Dr. Sansom now directs the Computational Genomics team he established at the Kennedy Institute in 2014. His collaborative model integrates computational expertise with wet-lab immunology across multiple Oxford research groups. The Sansom Group operates as the Computational and Single Cell Genomics Group within the Kennedy Institute, maintaining specialized pipelines for high-dimensional genomic data analysis. Current efforts focus on scaling single-cell multi-omics approaches to track immune cell evolution during chronic inflammation and infection.

Jonathan ReadView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Transmission Dynamics
• Evolutionary Dynamics
• +4 more

Dr Jonathan Read serves as Senior Lecturer in Biostatistics at Lancaster Medical School, Lancaster University, specializing in infectious disease transmission dynamics and evolutionary patterns through network-based epidemiological modeling. Educational background includes: PhD in Ecology, University of Stirling (1996) BSc in Biology, York University (1991) His research integrates social contact pattern measurement with population-scale transmission modeling, behavioral response analysis during epidemics, and large-scale human mobility frameworks. Current work focuses on refining outbreak assessment methods and pathogen evolutionary dynamics through both primary data collection and secondary analysis approaches. Recent publications demonstrate a strong emphasis on mobility data integration for infectious disease research, particularly in leptospirosis case studies and pandemic preparedness applications, reflecting interdisciplinary convergence of spatial epidemiology, statistical modeling, and public health intervention design. Scientific recognition includes: Weldon Memorial Prize Dr Read actively supervises PhD candidates in disease dynamics modeling and epidemic control strategies while leading multiple DSI-funded projects including school-level pathogen transmission control, mobility model effectiveness assessment, and SARS-CoV-2 surveillance systems. His research portfolio spans epidemic threat evaluation across Malawi, Uganda, and UK school environments. He contributes to the CHICAS DSI - Health research group and provides expert consultation to the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling, with ongoing projects extending through 2030 addressing transmission network quantification and epidemic preparedness.