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Giel van DoorenView profile

Associate Professor

• Cell Biology
• Parasitology
• Molecular Biology
• +3 more

Giel van Dooren is an Associate Professor at the Research School of Biology , Australian National University. His research focuses on the cell biology and metabolism of apicomplexan parasites , particularly Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium falciparum , aiming to develop novel therapeutic strategies against these pathogens. Education: Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science (University of Melbourne, 2000), PhD (University of Melbourne, 2005) His work explores three core areas: Nutrient acquisition (plasma membrane transporters), Mitochondrial biology (electron transport chain inhibitors, apicoplast-mitochondrion metabolic integration), and Toxoplasma life cycle (felid host genetics). Collaborations include Kiaran Kirk , Adele Lehane , Alex Maier , and Kevin Saliba . Recent publications highlight advancements in understanding mitochondrial transporter functions , divergent respiratory complexes , and nutrient pathway drug targets . His lab actively seeks innovative tools for combating parasitic diseases through molecular physiology and metabolomics. Scientific Awards: College of Science Dean’s Commendation for Excellence in Education - Teaching Excellence (2024) College of Science Dean’s Commendation for Excellence in Education - Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning (2023) Bancroft-Mackerras Medal of the Australian Society for Parasitology (2021) College of Science Dean’s Commendation for Excellence in Education (2020, 2020) Grants & Projects: Na+-dysregulating antimalarials: PfATP4 physiology (2024-2027) Metal transporters in Toxoplasma gondii (2023-2026) Amino acid acquisition in Apicomplexans (2023-2025) Targeting mitochondrial ETC in parasites (2020-2023) Regulating nutrient uptake in intracellular parasites (2020-2022)

Andrew BassettView profile

Researcher

• Genome Engineering
• Neurodegenerative Diseases
• Stem Cell Research
• +5 more

Dr. Andrew Bassett serves as Head of the Cellular and Gene Editing Research group at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, where he develops cutting-edge genome engineering techniques using human pluripotent stem cells to investigate neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. His work focuses on scaling genetic screening approaches and improving CRISPR specificity for modeling complex disease mechanisms. His academic training includes: PhD at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (MRC-LMB) with Andrew Travers on chromatin remodelling in heterochromatin formation Postdoctoral research with David Baulcombe at the University of Cambridge studying small RNA roles in chromatin modification Additional postdoctoral work with Chris Ponting at the MRC Functional Genomics Unit (MRC-FGU) in Oxford, where he pioneered CRISPR applications in Drosophila Bassett's research program centers on developing advanced genome engineering methodologies for precise modulation of gene expression networks during development and neurodegeneration. His group specializes in creating complex editing events (SNPs, paired knockouts, enhancer perturbations) within iPSC-derived models, with particular emphasis on epigenetic regulation and transcriptional control. Current projects integrate single-cell 'omics and phenotypic assays to decode genetic causes of neurodegenerative disorders through the OpenTargets consortium. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals dominant trends in CRISPR technology development (35%), neurodegenerative disease modeling (30%), and single-cell functional genomics (25%). His work consistently bridges methodological innovation with disease mechanism studies, increasingly incorporating multi-omics approaches and expanding into cancer immunology and infectious disease applications since 2022. As group leader, Bassett mentors postdoctoral researchers and PhD students while securing major funding for genome engineering initiatives. His team operates within the Sanger Institute's Cellular Operations division and maintains critical partnerships with the OpenTargets consortium for therapeutic target validation. The laboratory specializes in high-throughput screening platforms using iPSC-derived neural and microglial models, with recent methodological advances including scSNV-seq and ONE-STEP tagging systems that significantly enhance precision genome editing capabilities.

• Virology
• Molecular Pathology
• Host-Pathogen Interactions
• +5 more

Dr. Richard Y. Zhao is a tenured Professor in the Department of Pathology and Microbiology-Immunology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. His research combines molecular biology, fission yeast genetics, mammalian biology, and virology to study virus-host interactions, particularly for HIV and Zika virus. He previously held academic positions at Northwestern University and Columbia University and has contributed to over 120 peer-reviewed articles. B.S., China Oceanography University (1981) M.S., Oregon State University (1995) Ph.D., Oregon State University (1991) Postdoctoral Training, Columbia University (1991-1992) Dr. Zhao's research focuses on: Virus-host interactions and pathogenicity High-throughput drug screening for antivirals Role of viral proteins in neuroinflammation and cancer Translational genomics in precision medicine His recent publications highlight SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a, Zika envelope proteins, and HIV protease inhibitors, emphasizing host-pathogen mechanisms across species. He has served on NIH panels and editorial boards for journals like Cell Research and Retrovirology . Scientific awards include: Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology (2019) Bernard L Mirkin Endowed Chair (2001-2004) Honorary Director, Shandong Gallo Institute (2009) Distinguished Service from SCBA (2015) Outstanding Service from CBA-USA (2016) Dr. Zhao also contributes to clinical diagnostics and personalized medicine through molecular testing and pharmacogenetics programs.

Michael AlfaroView profile

Professor

• Evolutionary Biology
• Marine Fishes
• Phylogenetics
• +3 more

Dr. Michael Alfaro is a Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UCLA, where he leads the UCLA Alfaro Lab. His research focuses on understanding evolutionary dynamics of organismal diversification, particularly in marine fishes. He employs interdisciplinary approaches combining evolutionary morphology, molecular phylogenetics, and theoretical evolution to explore patterns and mechanisms of morphological and functional diversity. Education: Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology, University of Chicago (2000) M.A. in Biology, Humboldt State University (1995) B.A. in Dramatic Arts, University of California, Davis (1989) Research interests emphasize the interplay between morphological diversity and ecological/functional dynamics. Notable themes include the drivers of diversification in marine lineages, the role of physiological traits in lineage success, and the integration of computational tools for large-scale phenotypic analysis. Alfaro has contributed to advancements in phylogenetic methodology and genomic resources for studying fish evolution. His work bridges macroevolutionary theory with empirical data, often leveraging crowdsourced phenotypic data and bioinformatics tools like Sashimi and Charisma for high-throughput analysis. The lab actively engages in collaborative projects addressing biodiversity patterns and evolutionary mechanisms across marine and terrestrial systems. Grants and advising activities are central to his academic contributions, though specific details are not detailed in the provided text. The UCLA Alfaro Lab collaborates internationally, emphasizing both basic research and applied conservation contexts.

Philip PughView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Antarctic biogeography
• Cladistics
• Multivariate analysis
• +4 more

Philip Pugh is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Anglia Ruskin University, specializing in Life Sciences. He has extensive experience in Antarctic biogeography, cladistics, and multivariate analysis, with a focus on biodiversity and environmental biology. His teaching includes the BSc (Hons) Marine Biology with Biodiversity and Conservation course. BSc Zoology, University of Wales Swansea, 1980 PhD Marine Biology, University of Wales Swansea, 1985 PGCE Biology with Integrated Science, University of Cambridge, 1988 Philip's research spans Antarctic biogeography, cladistics, and multivariate analysis. He investigates the origins of Antarctic fauna, human impacts on ecosystems, and develops computational methods for biogeography. His work integrates ecological modeling, taxonomy, and conservation biology. Recent research trends include Antarctic ecology, biodiversity analysis using multivariate techniques, and the ecological consequences of climate change and tourism. His publications address topics like tardigrade population dynamics, seabird entanglement, and land snail evolution in sub-Antarctic regions. Fellow, Linnean Society of London Fellow, Zoological Society of London Fellow, Royal Entomological Society of London Philip supervises graduate students in Antarctic ecology, taxonomy, and microbial environmental interactions. He is affiliated with the Applied Ecology Research Group and collaborates on projects involving seabirds, fungal pathogens, and conservation strategies.

Michael T. MonaghanView profile

Professor

• Freshwater Molecular Ecology
• Evolution
• Metabarcoding
• +12 more

Michael T. Monaghan is a Professor at the Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, and leads the Research Group in Molecular Ecology and Genomics at the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB). His work bridges evolutionary biology, molecular ecology, and environmental monitoring, focusing on freshwater systems and urban aquatic habitats. Education: B.S. (The Ohio State University, 1995), M.S. (Idaho State University, 1998), Dr. sc. nat. (ETH Zürich, 2002) Key Positions: Senior Scientist/Research Group Leader at IGB (2008–present), Visiting Professor at Duke-NUS Medical School (2016), Guest Professor at Ehime University (2015–2016) Dr. Monaghan's research explores freshwater biodiversity dynamics using molecular tools like metabarcoding and phylogenomics. His team investigates how environmental changes—climate warming, urbanization, pollution—affect microbial and insect communities, with a focus on eDNA applications and ecohydrology. His publications (2022–2025) span topics such as climate-driven plankton shifts, urban habitat adaptation by bees, toxin genetics in algae, and metagenomic monitoring of aquatic systems. Collaborative projects like BiNatUr and ODER~SO emphasize urban resilience and disaster ecology. Teaching includes data science in biology, evolutionary ecology, and environmental genomics at Freie Universität Berlin and the Institute of Computer Science. He mentors doctoral and master’s students in molecular ecology and trains interns in biodiversity genomics. Lab Members: Dr. Dagmar Frisch (Scientific Staff) Dr. Katrin Kiemel (Postdoc) Elisabeth Funke (Research Technician) Doctoral Candidates: Onur Erk Kavlak, Athena Karapli-Petritsopoulou, Daniel Wewer

• Plant Pathology
• Fungal Diseases
• Disease Epidemiology
• +3 more

Professor Michael W. Shaw is a distinguished academic at the University of Reading's School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, Department of Plant Sciences, with a research career spanning over two decades. His expertise lies at the intersection of plant pathology, disease epidemiology, and sustainable disease management strategies. Shaw's research interests encompass plant-pathogen interactions , particularly focusing on fungal diseases affecting major crops. His work investigates the epidemiology of plant diseases , fungicide resistance mechanisms , biological control strategies , and asymptomatic pathogen infections . He has made significant contributions to understanding pathogen evolution, host specificity, and the environmental factors influencing disease development. His recent publications demonstrate a consistent research trajectory examining the molecular, ecological, and epidemiological aspects of plant diseases. Shaw's work spans multiple pathosystems including Botrytis cinerea (gray mold), Venturia inaequalis (apple scab), begomoviruses affecting okra, and banana Xanthomonas wilt. His research integrates molecular techniques, field studies, and mathematical modeling to address complex plant health challenges. Professor Shaw has contributed significantly to the understanding of fungicide resistance development, particularly in cereal pathogens, and has explored innovative approaches to disease management through biological control agents and integrated strategies. His work on asymptomatic infections has revealed novel insights into host-pathogen relationships that extend beyond traditional disease paradigms. His collaborative research network spans internationally, with co-authors from multiple countries, reflecting the global relevance of his work in plant health and food security. Shaw's research has practical applications for sustainable agriculture and crop protection strategies worldwide.

• Immunology
• Virology
• Infectious Diseases
• +6 more

Paul Klenerman is a Professor at the Nuffield Department of Medicine within the Medical Sciences Division , University of Oxford. His research focuses on immune responses to infectious diseases including HIV, hepatitis B/C, and SARS-CoV-2, with emphasis on T-cell biology, vaccine development, and host-pathogen dynamics. Email: paul.klenerman@medawar.ox.ac.uk Collaborators: Ellie Barnes (Oxford), Adrian Hill (Oxford), Georg Lauer (Harvard), Robert Thimme (Freiburg), and others across 12 institutions. Key research themes include: CD161++/MAIT cell biology (bacterial/viral defense, liver immunology), HCV immune defense (vaccine trials using adenoviral vectors), and memory inflation (persistent immune responses post-viral infections). Recent publications (2024-2025) span vaccine immunology (hybrid immunity, bivalent boosters), liver immunobiology (MAIT cell repair mechanisms), infectious disease dynamics (HCV persistence, dengue progression), and single-cell analysis of gut/lung pathologies.

Ananias A. EscalanteView profile

Professor

• Evolutionary Genomics
• Malaria Research
• Population Genetics
• +3 more

Ananias A. Escalante is a Professor in the Department of Biology at Temple University's College of Science and Technology, and a core faculty member of the Institute for Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM). He holds a PhD in Biology from the University of California, Irvine (1995), and has held roles at the CDC (1995–2005) and Arizona State University (2005–2015). His research integrates population genetics with epidemiology, focusing on malaria parasites' evolution, drug resistance mechanisms, and biodiversity. Key areas include Plasmodium falciparum resistance mutations, primate malaria origins, and molecular tools for surveillance. Education: PhD in Biology, University of California, Irvine (1995) MSc in Ecology, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Venezuela Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Venezuela Research interests span evolutionary genomics, malaria parasite diversity, and the application of genomic tools to epidemiology. He investigates how genetic diversity in parasites influences drug resistance and transmission dynamics, with a focus on nonhuman primate malaria as a model for human malaria origins. His work includes phylogenetic studies of Plasmodium species and the development of mitochondrial genome protocols for pathogen analysis. Notable contributions include studies on Plasmodium vivax population genetics in the Americas, the impact of drug resistance mutations (e.g., pfhrp2/pfhrp3 deletions), and the molecular characterization of novel malaria parasites in reptiles and birds. He collaborates on initiatives like the Amazonian International Center of Excellence for Malaria Research. Advising and grants: While specific student names aren’t listed, his research team likely includes graduate students focused on evolutionary parasitology. Grants support projects on malaria genomics and vector ecology. He leads Temple’s iGEM lab, advancing interdisciplinary research in genomics and evolutionary medicine. Labs/Teams: Core faculty at Temple’s Institute for Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM), collaborating on projects integrating genomics, epidemiology, and evolutionary biology.

Lorenzo PellisView profile

Research Fellow

• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Mathematical Modeling
• Epidemiology
• +6 more

Dr. Lorenzo Pellis is a Research Fellow at the University of Manchester, holding the Sir Henry Dale Fellowship, and a Visiting Fellow at the University of Warwick's Mathematics Institute and Zeeman Institute. He is also an Honorary Research Associate at the Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Outbreak Analysis and Modelling, within the Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at Imperial College London. His research bridges applied mathematics and epidemiology, focusing on developing models that inform public health decisions. He earned his Doctoral degree in Mathematical Biology from Imperial College London in 2009, with a dissertation titled Mathematical models for emerging infections in socially structured populations: the presence of households and other social structures II: Comparisons and implications for vaccination . Pellis's research interests include the development of novel deterministic and stochastic methods to model infection spread dynamics, particularly in human populations with complex social structures. He focuses on directly transmitted infections and the impact of co-infections on epidemiological and evolutionary outcomes. His work emphasizes multi-scale models integrating within-host and between-host processes, with applications to antimicrobial resistance, HIV-TB co-infections, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) transmission in Kenya. He also explores model comparison techniques to assess the utility of simple models in public health decision-making. His recent articles collectively explore mathematical modeling in infectious disease dynamics, with a focus on network-based approaches, multi-strain infections, and the integration of within-host and between-host processes. They highlight challenges in metapopulation and network models, as well as the evolutionary dynamics of HIV and TB co-infections. Sir Henry Dale Fellow , funded by the Wellcome Trust and Royal Society His grants include support for his Sir Henry Dale Fellowship, which funds research on co-infections and multi-scale models. He collaborates with Prof. Matt Keeling and Dr. Thomas House at Warwick and Prof. James Nokes on RSV studies in Kenya. His work also involves improving epidemic dynamics approximation methods on networks. He is affiliated with the applied Mathematics group at Manchester's School of Mathematics, the Zeeman Institute at Warwick, and the MRC Centre at Imperial College. His interdisciplinary collaborations span institutions and disciplines, including applied mathematics, epidemiology, and public health.

John QualeView profile

Professor

• Antimicrobial Resistance
• Infection Control and Prevention
• Epidemiology
• +3 more

Dr. John Quale serves as Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, where he has maintained continuous affiliation since medical school. For over 25 years, he has been an attending physician in Infectious Diseases at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County and currently holds the position of hospital epidemiologist at Kings County Hospital. His educational background includes: MD from SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Residency at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Fellowship at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Dr. Quale's research centers on antimicrobial resistance mechanisms in Gram-negative pathogens, with particular expertise in Klebsiella pneumoniae epidemiology. His work investigates porin channel function, KPC carbapenemase expression, and novel antibiotic combinations to overcome resistance. He also focuses on infection control strategies for multidrug-resistant organisms in hospital settings, leveraging his dual role as clinician and epidemiologist to bridge laboratory findings with clinical practice. Analysis of his 2016-2018 publications reveals consistent focus on New York City's resistance landscape, particularly tracking KPC-producing K. pneumoniae evolution and evaluating next-generation beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations. His studies combine in vitro susceptibility testing, molecular characterization, and epidemiological surveillance to address carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae threats, establishing him as a key investigator in regional antimicrobial resistance dynamics.

• Microbial Ecology
• Bacterial Interactions
• Carbon Cycling
• +3 more

Shaul Pollak is an Assistant Professor at the Division of Microbial Ecology within the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science at the University of Vienna. His research focuses on bacterial interactions in ecosystems, particularly their roles in plant pathogen protection and carbon cycling across soil and marine environments. He leads a research group investigating how microbial processes scale from genetic mechanisms to planetary biogeochemical cycles. His primary research interests include microbial community assembly, bacterial metabolism of complex biopolymers, and evolutionary genomics of marine cyanobacteria. Current projects leverage genomic dark matter to predict soil carbon fluxes, examine plant-bacteria interactions under environmental change, and explore the diversity of Prochlorococcus marinus. His interdisciplinary approach integrates genomics, high-throughput experiments, and machine learning to bridge ecological and evolutionary theory. Analysis of his 2022-2025 publications reveals consistent themes in microbial community dynamics, with emphasis on polysaccharide degradation mechanisms, phage-bacteria interactions, and genomic predictors of bacterial metabolic functions. His work demonstrates how bacterial trade-offs and cross-feeding structures shape ecosystem processes from ocean biogeochemistry to human gut microbiome organization. Dr. Pollak actively recruits PhD students and postdoctoral researchers through university stipend programs, with current group members including Thomas Gaehtgens, Gerhard Gruber, Jyothsna Pujar, Qi Qi, Lior Shachar, Marco Sing, and Joana Valèrio. His laboratory maintains active collaborations across soil and marine microbial ecology projects, with research infrastructure supported by University of Vienna resources and external funding.

Andy WhiteView profile

Professor

• Mathematical Biology
• Ecological Modeling
• Evolutionary Dynamics
• +3 more

Andy White is a Professor in the School of Mathematical & Computer Sciences at Heriot-Watt University, specializing in mathematical biology. He holds dual roles in the Mathematics Department and the broader interdisciplinary research environment. His research focuses on developing mathematical models to address ecological and evolutionary questions, particularly in host-parasite dynamics and infectious disease management. He has held academic positions since 1999, progressing from a Lecturer to Professor by 2013. Education: PhD from University of Liverpool (1996), supervised by Professors Mike Begon and Roger Bowers. Early career included climate change research at NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (1996–1999). Research Interests: Mathematical modeling of biological systems, including adaptive dynamics in host-parasite interactions, population dynamics of ecological systems, and disease transmission mechanisms. Key projects include analyzing the UK grey squirrel invasion and tuberculosis/African swine fever spread. Collaborations span institutions like UC Berkeley and the Institute of Game and Wildlife Research, Spain. Recent Article Trends: Focus on pathogen-mediated invasions, virulence evolution in multispecies contexts, hyperparasite dynamics, and the ecological impacts of predator recovery (e.g., pine marten effects on squirrel populations). These studies combine theoretical models with real-world conservation applications. Grants & Collaborations: Engages in interdisciplinary projects addressing global challenges like biodiversity conservation and disease management. Active in collaborations across Europe and North America. Labs/Teams: Leads research groups focused on mathematical ecology and epidemiology, with contributions to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to life on land and good health.

Sheena D'ArcyView profile

Associate Professor

• Structural Biology
• Gene Transcription Mechanisms
• Protein Dynamics
• +3 more

Dr. Sheena D'Arcy is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas), affiliated with the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Her research focuses on structural biology, protein dynamics, and the molecular mechanisms of gene transcription, particularly involving histone chaperones and nuclear transport proteins. She holds a PhD in Structural Biology from the University of Cambridge (2008) and a BS in Biochemistry and Biology from the University of Sydney (2003). Her work employs advanced techniques like hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) and structural biology to investigate protein-RNA interactions, nucleosome assembly, and enzyme evolution. She leads the D'Arcy Lab, which explores topics such as TRAMP complex function, RanGTP signaling in histone transport, and conserved viral epitopes in coronaviruses. Dr. D'Arcy received a NIH ESI-MIRA grant (R35GM133751) to study nucleosome assembly mechanisms. Her research bridges molecular-level interactions with cellular processes, contributing to understanding epigenetic regulation and viral pathogenesis. She is currently not accepting undergraduate students but actively mentors graduate researchers in structural biology and biochemistry.

Sharon PeacockView profile

Professor

• Antimicrobial Resistance
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Microbial Genomics
• +3 more

Professor Sharon Peacock is a leading academic in medical microbiology and public health at the University of Cambridge. She holds the position of Executive Director & Chair of the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium (COG-UK) since 2020. Previously, she served as Professor of Clinical Microbiology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and University College London (2015-2019), and at the University of Cambridge Department of Medicine (2009-2015). Her research focuses on bacterial pathogens, antimicrobial resistance, and genomic surveillance of infectious diseases. Education and professional roles include non-executive directorships at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Public Health England (seconded roles). She has been recognized with significant honors including Commander of the British Empire (CBE), MRC Millennium Medal, and Unilever Colworth Prize. Her work bridges laboratory research and public health policy, particularly in genomic epidemiology of pathogens like SARS-CoV-2 and MRSA. Key contributions include defining transmission patterns of nosocomial pathogens through genomic studies, developing strategies for antimicrobial resistance, and leading international responses to infectious disease outbreaks. Her research integrates clinical microbiology with advanced genomic technologies to inform global health strategies.