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Carla E CaceresView profile

Professor

• Population Ecology
• Community Ecology
• Evolutionary Ecology
• +3 more

Dr. Carla E. Cáceres is a Professor and Director of the School of Integrative Biology at the University of Illinois. She holds additional appointments in the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Prairie Research Institute, and Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment. Her research focuses on population, community, and evolutionary ecology, exploring how biodiversity arises and is maintained, with emphasis on disease ecology and limnology. She has received numerous awards including Fellowships from AAAS and Ecological Society of America, and the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). Education: Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University (1997) BS in Biology, University of Michigan (1991, High Honors) Additional training in Environmental Genomics and Undergraduate Education (2009-2010) Her research integrates ecological and evolutionary processes to address questions about life-history variation, metacommunity dynamics, and disease distribution. Recent work examines predator-prey interactions influencing disease spread, fungal pathogen dynamics in Daphnia, and microbiome impacts on mosquito larvae. Over 100 peer-reviewed articles demonstrate her focus on aquatic ecosystems and disease ecology. Awards: AAAS Fellow (2017) Ecological Society of America Fellow (2016) PECASE (2003) Multiple teaching awards recognizing excellence in undergraduate education Research & Leadership: Leads interdisciplinary teams at multiple institutes, oversees grants exploring disease ecology mechanisms, and advises students in ecological research. Her lab actively investigates zooplankton-parasite systems and urban aquatic habitats.

Gail CarsonView profile

Research Fellow

• Global Health Strategy
• Epidemiology
• Public Health Preparedness
• +3 more

Dr. Gail Carson is an Associate Fellow at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and serves as Director of the international clinical research network ISARIC. Her roles include Chair of WHO's GOARN partnership and Chair of the WHO EURO preparedness technical advisory group. She holds an OBE for her contributions to public health. Dr. Carson trained as an infectious diseases physician and has led pandemic preparedness and response efforts for over a decade. Her education includes a Diploma of Organisational Leadership from Saïd Business School (2017), which enhanced her interdisciplinary collaboration skills with sectors like sports and academia. She has extensive experience in global health networks, including managing the ISARIC federation of 130+ countries' clinical research sites and leading responses to outbreaks like Ebola and the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Research focuses on pandemic strategy, clinical data harmonization, and long-term health consequences of infectious diseases. Her work produced the ISARIC 4C Mortality Score and 4C Deterioration model for hospitalized patients. Key areas include global health equity, pandemic preparedness frameworks, and multi-stakeholder collaboration. Publications emphasize longitudinal cohort studies, systematic reviews, and predictive models for pandemic outcomes. Awards include the OBE (2021) recognizing her leadership in global health networks during crises. Advisory roles include directing ISARIC's 1M+ patient observational database and advising WHO on outbreak response strategies. She co-leads the Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Disease Preparedness (GloPID-R) and has pioneered ethical standards for emergency clinical trials in epidemics. Labs/Teams: ISARIC (International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infections Consortium), GOARN (Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network), and WHO EURO Preparedness 2.0 Technical Advisory Group.

Lidwien SmitView profile

Professor

• One Health
• Environmental Epidemiology
• Respiratory Diseases
• +6 more

Prof. Dr. Lidwien Smit is a Full Professor of One Health and Environmental Epidemiology at Utrecht University, leading the One Health Microbial group at the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS). She holds academic roles in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and serves as Scientific Director of the Netherlands Center for One Health. Her research focuses on environmental and occupational risk factors affecting human health, particularly respiratory diseases and antimicrobial resistance linked to livestock farming. She leads large-scale studies like the VGO study on farm emissions and the CLAIRE project evaluating air purification systems against airborne pathogens. Education: MSc (cum laude) in Environmental Sciences (Wageningen University, 2001), PhD in Environmental Epidemiology (Utrecht University, 2008), and postdoctoral training at INSERM in Paris. Over 140 scientific publications include landmark studies on SARS-CoV-2 transmission in mink farms and antimicrobial resistance in European livestock. Research Interests: One Health frameworks, zoonotic diseases, air quality, microbiome dynamics, and occupational health. Her work bridges human, animal, and environmental health with a focus on sustainable agriculture and disease prevention strategies. Publications highlight her contributions to understanding farm-related health risks, viral transmission pathways, and environmental policy. Awards include the NWO ASPASIA Grant (2018) and European Respiratory Society recognition (2016). Leadership roles: Theme Leader for One Health (Utrecht Veterinary Medicine), Board member of the Netherlands Center for One Health, and committee roles with ZonMW, Dutch Lung Foundation, and Health Council. Labs/Teams: Heads the One Health Microbial group at IRAS, collaborates on interdisciplinary projects like CLAIRE and the VGO study. Active in policy advising for agricultural sustainability and public health.

• Veterinary Virology
• Virus Evolution
• Zoonotic Diseases
• +4 more

Dr. Denise Marston is a Lecturer in Veterinary Virology and One Health at the University of Surrey's School of Veterinary Medicine, part of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. Her research focuses on viral zoonoses, lyssavirus evolution, and the epidemiology of rabies, with particular emphasis on bat-associated viruses and their implications for public health. She received the 2017 prize for best PhD thesis from the La Foundation Méditerranée Infection for her work on lyssavirus genetic elements and host species transmission. Education: BSc (Hons) in Microbiology from the University of Leicester (1994), followed by a PhD in Infectious Diseases from Aix-Marseille University (2017). Her career spans roles at the Institute for Animal Health, APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency), and the University of Surrey. Research Interests: Veterinary virology, virus evolution, zoonotic diseases, rabies transmission dynamics, lyssavirus diversity, and One Health approaches to disease control. She has pioneered the use of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to study lyssaviruses and contributed to understanding bat rabies ecology in Europe and beyond. Teaching: Delivers modules on veterinary pathology and infectious diseases in the BVMSci (Hons) Veterinary Medicine program, including VMS 2003–2009 and BMS3074. Scientific Awards: Recognized for her PhD thesis on lyssavirus genetics, highlighting her contributions to viral evolution and pathogenesis research. Labs/Teams: Involved in cross-agency projects, such as implementing WGS for bovine TB surveillance in GB and One Health initiatives to combat zoonotic outbreaks.

• Avian Influenza
• Virus Research
• Infectious Diseases
• +3 more

Prof. Thijs Kuiken is a Full Professor in Virology at Erasmus MC, part of Erasmus University Rotterdam. His research focuses on viral diseases, particularly avian influenza, coronaviruses, and zoonotic pathogens. He leads studies on virus transmission, pathogenesis in animal models, and One Health approaches to infectious disease surveillance. Key research interests include understanding virus-host interactions, evaluating outbreak responses in wildlife, and developing preventive strategies for emerging pathogens. Kuiken has contributed to high-impact studies on SARS-CoV-2 neuroinvasion in ferrets, rabies virus strain comparisons, and canine distemper outbreaks in urban fox populations. His work integrates virology, immunology, and epidemiology, emphasizing translational outcomes for public and veterinary health. Over 267 research outputs and 13 supervised works reflect his prolific academic contributions.

Tiffany Lowe-PowerView profile

Assistant Professor

• Bacteriology
• Bacterial Genetics
• Plant-Microbe Interactions
• +3 more

Tiffany Lowe-Power is an Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology at the University of California, Davis, affiliated with the Department of Plant Pathology. Her research focuses on bacteriology, bacterial genetics, and plant-microbe interactions with particular emphasis on xylem pathogenesis and rhizosphere ecology. Her work explores how plant pathogens such as Ralstonia species colonize and thrive in plant vascular systems, including mechanisms of biofilm formation, chemotaxis, and virulence factor regulation. Her research interests also encompass bacterial physiology and metabolism, particularly the role of exopolysaccharides like EPS-I in pathogen dissemination, and the degradation of plant defense compounds such as hydroxycinnamic acids. She has developed diagnostic tools for Ralstonia species differentiation and contributed to open-access standards in plant pathology research. Key themes in her publications include genomic analyses of Ralstonia diversity, functional genomics of type VI secretion systems, and the ecological and evolutionary drivers of pathogen virulence. Her recent work addresses emerging bacterial wilt outbreaks in crops like ginger and the genetic basis of resistance in tomato, pepper, and eggplant cultivars. Tiffany’s research integrates molecular biology, genomics, and biophysical approaches to understand microbial adaptation in plant environments. She advocates for reproducibility and transparency in scientific practices, as highlighted in her 2024 guidelines for open-access plant pathology research. She leads the Lowe-Power Lab at UC Davis, whose research portal is available at https://lowepowerlab.github.io/ .

John BoyceView profile

Professor

• Antibiotic resistance mechanisms
• Bacterial pathogenesis
• Host immunity to infections
• +7 more

Professor John Boyce is a distinguished academic and researcher at Monash University, where he serves as a Professor and group leader in the Department of Microbiology within the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute. He is also a founding member of the Centre to Impact Antimicrobial Resistance, playing a key role in developing community engagement and environmental engineering strategies to combat antibiotic resistance. His work spans multiple disciplines including microbiology, genomics, and infectious disease research. Professor Boyce's primary research interests focus on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, bacterial pathogenesis, and host immunity to infections. He specializes in studying a wide range of Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens, with particular emphasis on Acinetobacter baumannii , Pasteurella multocida , Burkholderia pseudomallei , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Dichelobacter nodosus , and Clostridium perfringens . His expertise in next-generation high-throughput sequencing for bacterial genomics and transcriptomic analyses has positioned him at the forefront of antimicrobial resistance research. His research program encompasses several key areas: understanding how Acinetobacter baumannii uses its type VI secretion system to kill competitors; defining the molecular mechanisms of Pasteurella multocida pathogenesis; developing novel antibiotic combinations to treat multi-drug resistant pathogens; and investigating how small RNAs control gene expression in Gram-negative bacteria. These research streams are highly relevant to addressing global health challenges related to antimicrobial resistance. Professor Boyce's publication record demonstrates a consistent trajectory of high-impact research, with recent work focusing on pathogenomics, structural biology of bacterial secretion systems, and optimization of antibiotic combinations against resistant pathogens. His collaborative approach is evident in the interdisciplinary nature of his publications, which span microbiology, pharmacology, structural biology, and environmental science. Professor Boyce leads an active research group with multiple ongoing projects funded by competitive grants. His current projects include "Harnessing type VI secretion system lysins for fighting bacterial superbugs" (2025-2027), "Overcoming resistance emergence to recent antibiotics" (2025-2028), and "Role of Pasteurella surface polysaccharides in pathogenesis and immunity" (2021-2024). He collaborates extensively with researchers both within Monash University and internationally. The Boyce Laboratory employs a range of advanced techniques including whole genome sequencing, transcriptomic analysis, proteomics, bacterial mutagenesis, and disease modeling in chickens and mice. This comprehensive approach enables the team to investigate bacterial pathogenesis from multiple angles and develop innovative strategies to combat antibiotic-resistant infections.

Christian DzuvorView profile

Research Fellow

• Vaccinology
• Emerging Infectious Diseases
• Antibody Therapeutics
• +6 more

Christian Dzuvor is a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at Harvard University's T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases. Previously, he completed his PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering at Monash University (2019–2022) and holds a BSc (Hons) in Chemical Engineering from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana (2017). His research focuses on integrating protein engineering, nanotechnology, and immunology to develop novel vaccines, antibody therapeutics, and antimicrobial agents against emerging pathogens like coronaviruses and drug-resistant bacteria. Education: PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering, Monash University (2019–2022) BSc (Hons) in Chemical Engineering, KNUST (2013–2017) Research Interests: Viral immunology, universal vaccine design, protein nanotechnology, antimicrobial peptides, and interdisciplinary approaches to pandemic preparedness. He is particularly inspired by his mentor Prof. Kizzmekia S. Corbett (designer of the Moderna SARS-CoV-2 vaccine) to engineer safe and effective vaccines and antibodies for future pandemics. Awards & Honors: Distinguished Global Talent Awardee (Australian Government, 2020) Monash Graduate Research Scholarship (2019–present) International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (2019–present) Grants & Collaborations: His PhD research was supported by an ARC grant (DP210103595) focusing on peptide-based nanoparticles against superbugs. Current work at Harvard emphasizes viral immunology and universal vaccine development. Labs & Teams: Works in Prof. Kizzmekia S. Corbett's lab at Harvard, focusing on immunological approaches to combat emerging viral threats. Active in networks like VIIN (Victorian Infection and Immunity Network) and Ausbiotech.

Marjorie MatocqView profile

Professor

• Population Genetics
• Evolutionary Biology
• Conservation Biology
• +3 more

Marjorie Matocq is a Professor of Population & Evolutionary Genetics and Director of the Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology (EECB) Graduate Program at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). She is affiliated with the Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Science within the College of Agriculture. Her research focuses on understanding patterns of genetic diversity and the ecological, demographic, and historical processes that shape them, with a particular emphasis on small mammals like woodrats (Neotoma spp.). Matocq completed her B.S. at California Polytechnic State University (1992), M.S. at San Francisco State University (1996), and Ph.D. at UC Berkeley (2000). Her work integrates molecular genetics, morphological analysis, and field studies to address questions at the interface of ecology and evolution. Current projects include studying hybridization dynamics, climate impacts on species distributions, and conservation genetics of endangered species like the pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis). Her research emphasizes field-based data collection and genomic approaches, often involving collaborations with natural resource agencies. She mentors students in Conservation Biology and Molecular Ecology courses, emphasizing outreach and applied conservation. Her lab’s work has implications for managing threatened species and understanding evolutionary processes in fragmented landscapes. Matocq’s research spans from molecular-level adaptations to large-scale ecological interactions, with recent studies focusing on toxin tolerance, hybrid zone dynamics, and habitat connectivity. She advocates for bridging traditional ecological knowledge with modern genomic tools to address conservation challenges.

• Water Treatment
• Environmental Engineering
• Wastewater Reclamation
• +2 more

Krishna Pagilla is the Ralph & Rose Hoeper Engineering Professor and Foundation Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, where he serves as Director of the Nevada Water Innovation Institute. His research focuses on advanced water treatment technologies, pathogen removal, and sustainable water reuse systems. Key affiliations include leadership in water innovation initiatives and interdisciplinary collaboration. Research interests center on: Pathogen detection/removal in water systems Disinfection byproduct formation and control Aquifer storage and recovery optimization Wastewater-based epidemiology Emerging contaminant treatment Articles demonstrate consistent focus on: Water reclamation technologies Viral transport mechanisms Treatment process optimization Environmental monitoring techniques

Sherryl A. BrovermanView profile

Professor

• HIV/AIDS Prevention
• Global Health
• Public Health
• +3 more

Sherryl A. Broverman is a Professor of the Practice of Biology and Global Health at Duke University, affiliated with Trinity College of Arts & Sciences and the Duke Global Health Institute. She holds a Ph.D. from Indiana University and a B.A. from Cornell University. Her research focuses on HIV prevention in rural Kenya, global health interventions, and inclusive science education. Broverman co-founded the Women's Institute for Secondary Education and Research (WISER) in Kenya, which empowers girls through education and health initiatives. Her work includes developing community-based interventions, such as church-based mental health programs and school curricula for HIV prevention. She has led grants funded by the National Science Foundation and the Josiah Charles Trent Memorial Foundation. Broverman teaches courses like 'AIDS and Other Emerging Diseases' and 'Global Diseases,' emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to global health challenges. She has mentored numerous students, including those in Duke's virtual DukeEngage program, which connects U.S. students with Kenyan peers. Broverman received the Citizen Science Award in 2015 and has been recognized for her leadership in Trinity College. Her professional activities include advising on global health initiatives, serving on academic councils, and participating in conferences focused on science education and social justice. Her research and service reflect a commitment to equity, particularly through WISER's efforts to improve education and health outcomes for marginalized girls in Kenya.

Robert Jeffrey HoganView profile

Professor

• Bacteriology
• Animal Models of Human Disease
• Cell Culture
• +10 more

Dr. Robert Jeffrey Hogan serves as Professor with joint appointments in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Department of Infectious Diseases at the University of Georgia's College of Veterinary Medicine. His 30-year research career includes pivotal roles at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Trudeau Institute, USAMRIID, and Southern Research Institute, focusing on high-consequence pathogens under BSL-2/3/4 containment. His research expertise spans: Bacteriology, Virology, and Immunology Animal Models of Human Disease and Cell Culture Pathogenesis, Vaccinology, and Vector-Borne Diseases Zoonotic Diseases and Infectious Disease Modeling Dr. Hogan's work targets Ebola, Marburg, SARS coronaviruses, and influenza through immune response analysis and countermeasure development. Scientific recognition includes: National Research Service Award from NIH-NIAID for T cell responses against respiratory viruses As Principal Investigator at USAMRIID and UGA, he has led high-containment research teams developing vaccines and therapeutics. His current work examines SARS-CoV-1/2, influenza, and Burkholderia pathogens under BSL-2/3 conditions, advancing medical countermeasures for emerging infectious diseases.

Joseph A. CookView profile

Professor

• Conservation Biology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Parasitology
• +3 more

Joseph A. Cook is a Professor and Curator of the Division of Mammals at the Museum of Southwestern Biology, affiliated with the Department of Biology at The University of New Mexico. He holds a Ph.D. from UNM (1990) and has dedicated his career to advancing biodiversity research through natural history collections. His work integrates molecular and morphological approaches to study conservation biology, evolutionary processes, and host-parasite interactions. Research interests focus on biotic conservation, historical biogeography, and the natural history of subterranean mammals and island species. He leads initiatives like IsoBank (isotopic data repository) and advocates for global natural history infrastructure. Key projects include phylogeographic studies of small mammals, hantavirus ecology in Panama, and PFAS contamination assessments in Southwestern ecosystems. Dr. Cook emphasizes the critical role of museum collections in predicting emerging pathogens and informing conservation strategies. His lab explores epigenetic mechanisms influencing longevity and collaborates on projects such as the oVert Thematic Collections Network to digitize vertebrate specimens. He actively promotes international solidarity for biodiversity research and ethical access to biological resources. Recent work addresses climate-driven shifts in food webs, genetic diversity of Neotropical bats, and hybridization dynamics in Andean rodents. His interdisciplinary approach bridges ecology, genetics, and policy to address global challenges in biodiversity preservation and public health.

• Food Virology
• Microbial Ecology
• Public Health
• +3 more

Malak Esseili is an Assistant Professor at the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Department of Food Science & Technology. Her work focuses on understanding the molecular ecology of human noroviruses and emerging viral pathogens to improve detection, prevention, and control strategies. Research Interests: Microbial ecology of viral pathogens Environmental and foodborne virus transmission Public health impact reduction Development of detection methods along the farm-to-fork supply chain Contact: Malak.Esseili@uga.edu | Phone: 770-228-7213 | Address: 1109 Experiment Street, Melton Building 182, Griffin, GA 30223

Ann Na ChoView profile

Lecturer

• Human 3D Organoids
• Brain Organoid
• Tissue Engineering
• +10 more

Dr. Ann Na Cho is a Lecturer in the School of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Sydney, where she serves as Principal Investigator and Group Leader of the human Brain Microphysiological System (hBMS) Laboratory. She holds prestigious fellowships including the Sydney Horizon Fellowship and NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellowship. Dr. Cho is also a member of The University of Sydney Nano Institute, the Brain and Mind Centre, and the Charles Perkins Centre. Dr. Cho's research focuses on developing innovative human brain organoids and microphysiological systems to model brain function and disease. Her expertise spans stem cell biology, tissue engineering, microfluidics, biomaterial chemistry, nanomedicine, drug development, and bioinformatics. She established the world's first Tissue engineered human brain-on-a-chip combining human pluripotent stem cells, 3D brain-mimetic biomaterial and organ-on-a-chip technology, with her pioneering work published in high-impact journals including Nature Communications, Nature Biomedical Engineering, and Science Advances. Her research has significant implications for understanding neurological disorders, viral infections' effects on the brain (including SARS-CoV-2 induced 'brain fog'), and developing personalized therapeutic approaches without relying on animal models. Dr. Cho's publications demonstrate a clear trajectory from fundamental stem cell and tissue engineering research toward increasingly sophisticated brain models with clinical applications, particularly in neuroinflammation, psychiatric disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. MIT Technology Review, Innovators Under 35 (TR35) Asia Pacific (2024) Australian Museum Eureka Prize Finalist for Outstanding Early Career Researcher (2024) Dean's Award, University of Sydney, Outstanding Research (2025) Vice-Chancellor Award, University of Sydney, Early Career Research of the Year (2025) Member of the Year in Nano Institute (2024) Dr. Cho mentors multiple graduate students working on cutting-edge projects including human cortex-midbrain organoid-on-a-chip platforms, neuroinflammation modeling, and mechanisms regulating TDP-43 dysfunction. She has secured significant research funding including NHMRC Investigator Grants and Sydney Horizon Fellowships focused on modeling neuroinflammation, viral infections, and developing personalized brain models for Alzheimer's disease. Her laboratory serves as a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration, connecting neuroscience, engineering, and clinical research to advance our understanding of brain function and disease.