Prof Benjamin Schwessinger is a Professor at the Australian National University (ANU), affiliated with the Division of Plant Sciences. His research focuses on plant pathogens, fungal genomics, and the evolutionary dynamics of pathogen adaptation. Key areas include understanding rust fungi biology, host-pathogen interactions, and structural genomic variations in plants like Eucalyptus. He has pioneered methodologies for high-throughput protein secretion optimization in yeast and developed diagnostic tools for invasive pathogens such as Austropuccinia psidii (myrtle rust). Research Interests: Plant-microbe interactions and immunity Fungal genomics and sexual recombination mechanisms Evolving pathogen populations in agricultural systems Genomic tools for disease surveillance and biosecurity His recent work explores the genomic basis of pathogen adaptation, including studies on wheat stripe rust and myrtle rust. Collaborations span fungal pathogenomics, eucalyptus structural genomics, and yeast biotechnology. He leads multiple projects funded by ANU and ARC, including the Plant Biosecurity Training Centre. His lab emphasizes reproducible research practices and early career researcher development. Key projects include: Digital yeast bioprospecting for non-alcoholic beer production Surveillance of airborne pathogens in Australian Botanic Gardens Genome evolution of cereal rust fungi Labs/Teams: Core member of ANU's Plant Biosecurity Group and collaborator in the ARC Training Centre in Plant Biosecurity.
Soumya Ramu is a researcher affiliated with the University of Queensland's Frazer Institute, focusing on antimicrobial drug discovery and antibiotic development. Her work spans antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic compounds with an emphasis on overcoming antibiotic resistance mechanisms. Research Interests: Ms. Ramu's research includes developing novel antibiotics against drug-resistant bacteria, evaluating existing drugs for repurposing (e.g., cannabidiol), and studying chemical agents targeting biofilm-associated infections. She explores metal-ion complexation effects on antibiotic activity and investigates mechanisms of bacterial resistance. Collaborations: Her work involves interdisciplinary teams across medicinal chemistry, microbiology, and pharmacology, collaborating with institutions like the Translational Research Institute and global researchers in antibiotic development. Publications: Ramu's 24+ journal articles and conference papers (2012-2022) highlight contributions to antibiotic design, resistance mechanisms, and drug-activity optimization. Key topics include lipoglycopeptides for biofilm infections, platinum-based antibacterial complexes, and minor groove binder therapeutics.
María Ángeles Ayllón is an Associate Professor at the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM), leading the Virus-Fungus-Plant Interaction group. Her research focuses on understanding mycovirus-fungal host interactions and their application in biocontrol. She collaborates with the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) on viral family classifications, such as Botourmiaviridae and Hypoviridae . Her work addresses fungal pathogen control via viral agents to reduce pesticide use, aligning with EU’s Green Deal goals. Ayllón oversees a multidisciplinary team including PhD students and postdocs, such as Javier Pardo Medina and Julio L. Rodríguez-Romero. Her research spans three main areas: mycovirus diversity and evolution, molecular mechanisms of viral-fungal interactions, and development of synthetic mycoviruses as biocontrol tools. Key projects include analyzing the mycovirome of Botrytis cinerea isolates and constructing infectious viral clones for reverse genetics. She has secured grants like Molecular Mechanisms in Botrytis-Plant Interaction (PID2020-120106RB-I00) and the H2020-funded ViroPlant initiative, fostering international collaboration. Ayllón’s team explores novel mycoviruses and their impact on fungal virulence, aiming to develop eco-friendly alternatives to chemical fungicides. Her contributions include discovering new viral families and elucidating RNA silencing pathways in fungi. Ongoing efforts focus on synthetic biology approaches to enhance mycovirus efficacy in agricultural settings.
Sheng-Yang He is the Benjamin E. Powell Distinguished Professor of Biology at Duke University's Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, holding concurrent appointments in Cell Biology (Basic Science Departments) since 2022. Previously, he served at Michigan State University from 1995, including roles as University Distinguished Professor (2013–2020) and Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator (2011–2024). He earned his Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Cornell University in 1991. His research focuses on host-microbe interactions, particularly plant immunity against pathogens like Pseudomonas syringae and the impact of climate change on disease dynamics. Key interests include microbiome regulation, bacterial effector proteins, and plant defense mechanisms in Arabidopsis and agricultural crops. His lab explores strategies to enhance plant resilience through understanding co-evolutionary processes. Recent work highlights discoveries in postharvest fruit immunity, pathogen-induced membrane channels, and microbiome roles in autoimmune responses. He has secured major grants from NIH and USDA, including a $1.9M NIH award studying bacterial pathogenesis mechanisms. Awarded membership in the National Academy of Sciences (2015) and AAAS Fellow (2012), He has mentored numerous students through courses like BIOLOGY 531S (Interplay Between Plants and Climate Change) and advises on training programs like the Tri-Institutional Molecular Mycology Training Program. His lab maintains an active presence in both academic and applied plant science communities.
Cory Hirsch is an Associate Professor & Interim Department Head in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Minnesota , located in the College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) . His lab focuses on Plant Stress Resistance Biology , leveraging genomic, transcriptomic, and phenomic approaches to understand plant responses to abiotic (e.g., extreme temperatures, salinity) and biotic (e.g., pathogens) stresses. Key research areas include microbiome interactions, pathogen resistance mechanisms, and precision phenotyping. He leads or collaborates on grants from USDA, Minnesota Soybean Council, and the University of Minnesota. Education: PhD and BS in Plant Breeding/Genetics and Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The Hirsch Lab is based in Stakman Hall , with a focus on translational research bridging basic science and agricultural applications. Research Themes: The lab uses cutting-edge technologies to dissect genomic variation and gene expression dynamics in crops like maize, wheat, and sugar beet. Recent work includes transposable element roles in stress responses, hyperspectral imaging for disease detection, and machine learning for phenotyping. Projects emphasize understanding stress biology to enhance crop resilience. Grants & Collaborations: Notable projects include USDA-funded studies on transposable elements in maize abiotic stress, Minnesota Soybean Council support for soybean disease phenotyping, and collaboration with the Microbial and Plant Genomics Institute. These efforts aim to improve crop productivity and sustainability. Labs & Infrastructure: The lab is equipped with advanced phenotyping tools, including RGB/hyperspectral imaging systems and drone-based platforms. It collaborates with multiple departments and external institutions to advance integrative plant science.
Mariagrazia Pizza is a Professor of Microbiology and Co-director of the Centre of Bacterial Resistance Biology (CBRB) at Imperial College London's Faculty of Natural Sciences. She previously held roles as Senior Scientific Director of Bacterial Vaccines at GSK and Head of Research at GVGH. Her expertise spans over 30 years in vaccine development, with a focus on bacterial pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Klebsiella pneumoniae. She pioneered the MenB vaccine (4CMenB), which has been licensed in over 50 countries and protects infants against meningococcal B disease. Her current research targets Klebsiella pneumoniae, a multidrug-resistant pathogen, aiming to identify novel vaccine candidates and virulence factors. Education and Career: Extensive experience in academia and industry, including leadership roles in global vaccine initiatives. Research Interests: Vaccine development, bacterial pathogenesis, antimicrobial resistance, and reverse vaccinology approaches. Key projects include MenB vaccine efficacy, cross-protection mechanisms, and Klebsiella virulence factors. She has received prestigious awards including the MahnHoon Award 2023 and is an elected member of EMBO, the European Academy of Microbiology, and Academia Europaea. With over 250 publications and 70 patents, she contributes to global health initiatives through WHO advisory roles and the IUMS Bacteriology Division. Labs and Collaborations: Leads the CBRB, collaborating globally on vaccine research and antimicrobial resistance solutions.
Dmitry Korkin is a Professor of Computer Science at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and holds the prestigious Harold L. Jurist '61 and Heather E. Jurist Dean's Professor title. He maintains strong interdisciplinary connections across campus, with formal affiliations in Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Data Science, Biology & Biotechnology, and Mathematical Sciences departments. His educational background includes: Postdoctoral training in Bioinformatics & Computational Biology at the University of California, San Francisco (2007) PhD in Computer Science from the University of New Brunswick, Canada (2003) MS in Applied Mathematics from Moscow State University, Russia with High Distinction (1999) Professor Korkin leads an interdisciplinary research program at the intersection of computer science and biology. His lab specializes in applying machine learning, data mining, and massive data analytics to investigate molecular mechanisms underlying complex diseases including cancer, diabetes, and autism, as well as deadly infections like pandemic flu. The research integrates multi-omic, systems, and structural biology data to develop comprehensive models of disease mechanisms. A distinctive aspect of his work involves developing hardware-optimized algorithms for large-scale genome evolution analysis, enabling studies of animal and plant genomes at unprecedented scale. The lab maintains strong collaborative ties with experimental biologists to validate computational predictions through wet-lab experiments. His publication record demonstrates a clear evolution from foundational work in protein structure analysis toward increasingly complex systems biology applications. Early research focused on protein binding sites and structural classification, while more recent work addresses host-pathogen interactions and pandemic virus structure. The lab's work on SARS-CoV-2 represents a significant pivot toward immediate public health applications, developing what has been described as a 'periodic table' of structural elements for the virus. Key recognition: Harold L. Jurist '61 and Heather E. Jurist Dean's Professor Professor Korkin has secured multiple research grants including WPI President's Research Catalyst Grants and seed funding for early-stage projects. His work on SARS-CoV-2 structure was published in Viruses and featured in Nature Neuroscience. He maintains active collaborations both nationally and internationally, with research findings covered by major media outlets including Spectrum News 1, Phys.org, and Nautilus magazine. Notably, his lab's structural analysis of the COVID-19 virus led to a unique collaboration with Scottish artist Angela Palmer, resulting in a sculptural model displayed at the Oxford Museum of Natural History. He directs the Korkin Lab (korkinlab.org), which maintains a strong focus on computational approaches to biological problems. Beyond research, Professor Korkin has demonstrated significant humanitarian engagement, opening his home to the family of Ukrainian professor Vitaly Yurkiv amid the Russian invasion and working to help find academic positions for displaced Ukrainian scholars in the United States. His office is located in Unity Hall, Room UH460, and he can be reached at dkorkin@wpi.edu.
Dr. Mona Bajaj-Elliott serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation at University College London's Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (Faculty of Population Health Sciences). She concurrently holds the position of Co-Departmental Graduate Tutor at UCL. External appointments include Lecturer for the MSc Cancer program at the University of Nottingham, External Reviewer for Oxford's MSc Experimental Immunology, membership on the British Society of Gastroenterology's Gut Microbiome for Health Expert Panel, and Scientific Officer at BoobyBiome since April 2022. Her educational background includes a PhD from Birkbeck College (1984) and a BSc (Hons) from the University of London (1980). Her research centers on the gut microbial-immune axis in pediatric contexts, with five primary focus areas: (a) Gut microbiome dynamics in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation outcomes, (b) Microbial metabolite impacts on gastrointestinal homeostasis, (c) Gut microbiome roles in infant development, (d) Microbiome contributions to antimicrobial resistance, and (e) Mucosal defense mechanisms in infection and food allergy. Her laboratory investigates host-microbe-food antigen interactions at mucosal surfaces. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals dominant research themes in pediatric microbiome-immunology interfaces, with significant emphasis on stem cell transplantation, renal transplantation, and infant/maternal microbiome dynamics. Key methodological approaches include longitudinal microbiome tracking, metabolome analysis, and translational models of infection and inflammation. Her work consistently bridges basic microbial science with clinical pediatric applications. Teaching responsibilities encompass Module Directorship for Acute & Chronic Infectious Diseases (BSc Population Health Year 2), co-direction of Epidemiological Transition (BSc Year 1) and Personalised Medicine (MSc) modules, and cross-faculty instruction on gut microbiome roles in intestinal/extraintestinal health including mental health connections. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being).
Dr. Steven J. Jones is a Professor in the Department of Medical Genetics at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Associate Director/Head of Bioinformatics at the Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Research Centre. He serves as Director of the CIHR/MSFHR Bioinformatics Training Program and the UBC Bioinformatics Graduate Program, with associate memberships at the Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies and Michael Smith Laboratories. Dr. Jones' research focuses on computational genomics and cancer bioinformatics , analyzing mutational landscapes and epigenetic targets in oncology. His work includes next-generation sequencing , structural variant detection , and long-read sequencing applications for resolving complex genomic architectures. He has extensive experience with transcriptome analysis , gene regulation , and comparative genomics across diverse organisms including C. elegans , conifers, and human pathogens. His 15 most recent publications highlight expertise in long-read sequencing for cancer genomics , imprinting disorders , and structural variation analysis. Key contributions include developing the Circos visualization tool for comparative genomics and pioneering bioinformatics approaches for epigenetic modifier discovery in oncology. Scientific Awards : Spencer Award for IT innovation (2005) 2007 Medical Genetics teaching award (UBC) 2011 Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada 2012 UBC Killam teaching prize 2014 Distinguished Achievement Award (UBC Faculty of Medicine) 2014 Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences Clarivate Analytics Highly Cited Researcher (2016, 2018) Dr. Jones actively advises graduate students and serves as a data analysis center for the Canadian Epigenetics, Environment and Health Research Consortium (CEEHRC). He co-founded Ifowonco Bioinformatics Inc. and Alamya Health, PBC, and consults for Apotheca Systems Inc.
Laura Cook is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Binghamton University. Her research focuses on understanding how Gram-positive bacterial pathogens, particularly streptococci, colonize host mucosal surfaces like the vaginal tract and nasopharynx. She employs molecular, cell culture, and animal models to investigate bacterial genetic programs, interactions with host microbiota, and pathogenesis mechanisms. Education: Postdoctoral training at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), followed by a PhD and a combined BS/BA from the University of Minnesota. Research Interests: Microbiology, microbial-host interactions, bacterial genetics, biofilm formation, heme utilization, and pathogen colonization dynamics. Her lab explores how bacterial species—both commensal and pathogenic—interact within host environments to influence disease outcomes, with applications to vaccine development and infection prevention. Publications highlight her work on streptococcal colonization mechanisms, heme transport proteins (e.g., HupZ), and the role of bacterial signaling systems (e.g., SaeRS) in pathogenesis. Recent studies emphasize vaginal and nasal tract colonization, biofilm formation, and the impact of host signals on bacterial behavior. Labs/Teams: The Cook Lab at Binghamton University investigates host-microbe interactions using interdisciplinary approaches, bridging molecular biology, microbiology, and infectious disease research.
Marcello Manfredi is an Associate Professor at the Department of Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale 'Amedeo Avogadro'. His research focuses on proteomics, lipidomics, and metabolomics, with applications in infectious diseases (e.g., COVID-19), cancer therapy (e.g., triple-negative breast cancer), and functional food development. He leads projects on universal cancer vaccines (UniCanVax), environmental pollution mitigation (SCENARIOS), and sustainable chemical design (INSIGHT). Collaborations span across Europe and Italy, with expertise in multi-disciplinary approaches to biomedical and environmental challenges. Key research interests include extracellular vesicles, biomarker discovery, and the interplay between diet and chronic diseases. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in health and environmental sustainability. He holds grants from AIRC, the European Commission, and other funding bodies, demonstrating a strong commitment to translational research.
Associate Professor Fatemeh Vafaee is a leading researcher at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) , holding appointments as Associate Professor in the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences (BABS) and Deputy Director (Science) of the UNSW AI Institute . She previously served as Deputy Director of the UNSW Data Science Hub (uDASH) and has held academic positions at the University of Toronto and the University of Sydney. PhD in Artificial Intelligence from University of Illinois at Chicago Postdoctoral Fellowships at University of Toronto and University of Sydney Founded the AI-Enhanced Biomedicine Laboratory in 2017 Her research focuses on deploying advanced AI techniques to address biomedical challenges through: Biomarker Discovery for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases Single-Cell Multi-Omics data integration and analysis Computational Drug Repositioning and network pharmacology Multi-Omics Data Fusion and temporal network modeling Recent publications demonstrate expertise in liquid biopsy development , single-cell imaging , and AI-driven cancer diagnostics . Her methodological contributions include novel deep learning architectures for omics data analysis and graph neural networks for drug synergy prediction. Scientific accolades include: Winner, Women in AI Asia-Pacific Health Award (2023) Runner-Up, WAI-APAC Innovator of the Year (2023) Top 10 Women in AI in Asia-Pacific (2023) Australian Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Society Research Excellence Award (2023) She supervises PhD candidates across computational biomedicine and AI in healthcare , with significant grant achievements exceeding $17M in competitive funding, including schemes from ARC Discovery , NHMRC , and Medical Research Future Fund .
Dr Mehrad Hamidian is a Senior Lecturer in Microbiology at the Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection (AIMI) at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). His research focuses on antibiotic resistance mechanisms in Acinetobacter baumannii , particularly genomic characterization of resistance genes and plasmid dynamics. He holds a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Sydney and an MSc in Medical Microbiology from Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Education: PhD in Microbiology, University of Sydney, Australia MSc in Medical Microbiology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies (Higher Education), University of Sydney Research Interests: Characterization of antibiotic resistance genes in Acinetobacter baumannii Genomic and plasmid-based analysis of antimicrobial resistance spread Development of surveillance tools for tracking bacterial resistance Adaptation mechanisms to antimicrobial nanoparticles Awards & Fellowships: Fellow of the Australian Society for Microbiology (FASM) Australian Society for Microbiology Jim Pittard Early-Career Award (2019) ARC DECRA Fellowship (2020) UTS Chancellor's Research Fellowship (2018) Leadership & Service: Member of the UTS Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) Editor for mSystems Scientific committee member, 2022 International Acinetobacter Conference Labs & Teams: Leads a research group focusing on Acinetobacter baumannii genomics and resistance mechanisms, contributing to the world’s first online database and plasmid typing scheme for the pathogen.
Jenny Koebernick is an Associate Professor in Cotton & Soybean Breeding at Auburn University’s College of Agriculture, within the Department of Crop, Soil & Environmental Sciences. Her work focuses on genetic improvement of cotton and soybean crops, with particular emphasis on disease resistance, seed quality traits, and sustainable agricultural practices. Her research integrates genomic technologies like genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and molecular diagnostics to address challenges such as Cercospora leaf blight, Corynespora cassiicola, and Cotton Leafroll Dwarf Virus (CLRDV). She collaborates on strategic plans for soybean genomics research and develops germplasm lines with enhanced agronomic traits. Recent studies explore interactions between genotype, environment, and management practices, including nutrient efficiency and pest/disease dynamics. Her work spans crop physiology, precision agriculture technologies, and extension efforts to improve Alabama’s agricultural productivity. Key contributions include optimizing cottonseed oil content, refining soybean test weight metrics, and advancing understanding of 65-year yield trends in U.S. cotton production. She leads interdisciplinary efforts to address CLRDV transmission and blueberry stem blight in Alabama’s agroecosystems.
Subas Malla is an Associate Professor at Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Uvalde, affiliated with the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences. His research focuses on plant pathology, microbial genomics, and crop disease management, particularly in onions and watermelons. He leads studies on bacterial/fungal pathogens, genomic tools for disease resistance, and sustainable agricultural practices. Research Interests: Characterization of bacterial and fungal pathogens affecting onions and watermelons Development of genomic and molecular tools for disease diagnosis and management Genetic dissection of disease resistance traits in horticultural crops Optimization of irrigation and pest management strategies Recent Article Trends: Recent work emphasizes genomic analysis of plant pathogens (e.g., Curtobacterium allii , Pseudomonas uvaldensis ), pathogen distribution surveys, and breeding for disease resistance in watermelon and onion crops. He also explores novel bacterial virulence mechanisms and their mobilization via plasmids. Grants & Advising: While specific grants are not detailed, his work aligns with USDA priorities in crop protection and sustainable agriculture. He collaborates on projects involving pathogenomics and crop improvement. Labs & Affiliations: Based at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Uvalde, he contributes to applied research addressing South Texas agricultural challenges, particularly in vegetable and small grain crops.
