Find Academic Supervisors

Subas MallaView profile

Associate Professor

• Plant Pathology
• Agricultural Biotechnology
• Crop Disease Management
• +3 more

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.

Brandon KimView profile

Assistant Professor

• Microbiology
• Blood-Brain Barrier
• Host-Pathogen Interactions
• +3 more

Brandon Kim is an Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences at The University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas), affiliated with the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. His primary research focuses on understanding blood-brain barrier (BBB) failure during infectious diseases, particularly investigating how bacterial and viral pathogens disrupt BBB integrity to cause meningitis and encephalitis. He holds adjunct positions at the University of Alabama and University of Alabama at Birmingham. Education includes a B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology (2009, San Diego State University), Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology (2015, UC San Diego/San Diego State), and postdoctoral training in Cell Biology/Microbiology at the University of Würzburg (2020) and Biological Engineering at the University of Wisconsin (2018). Research interests span microbiology, host-pathogen interactions, and stem cell-derived BBB models. Key projects include identifying bacterial factors in BBB interaction, neurovascular unit contributions to bacterial infections, and BBB failure during meningitis. His work bridges infectious disease mechanisms and neurodegenerative processes. Recent publications (2024-2025) explore transcriptomic responses to pathogens like Coxsackievirus B3 and Streptococcus agalactiae in BBB models, CRISPRi applications for pathogen modulation, and capsaicin's role in viral spread. Awards include the Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship (2018) and multiple Outstanding Faculty Mentor Awards (2021, 2023). Current funding includes NIH grants for BBB studies ($447k, 2023–2025) and Streptococcus CRISPRi research ($149k, 2024–2026). Presentations highlight topics like 'Blood-Brain Barrier Identity Crisis' and pathogen-induced BBB disruption at institutions such as Aarhus University and Goethe University Frankfurt.

Barth F. SmetsView profile

Professor

• Environmental Engineering
• Bioprocess Engineering
• Microbial Ecology
• +5 more

Barth F. Smets is a Professor in the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering at Aarhus University, specializing in the intersection of Environmental Engineering and Life Sciences. His work focuses on bioprocess development for water and environmental applications, with a particular emphasis on microbial ecology and antimicrobial resistance management. He has led multidisciplinary research groups across Europe, the USA, and Asia, coordinating large-scale projects in sustainable biotechnology and environmental engineering. Education: Trained at the interface of Engineering (Environmental & Biochemical) and Life Sciences (Microbiology & Agronomic Sciences). Experience: Over 20 years of managing multi-institutional R&D projects and leading international research teams. Skills: Expertise in project management, innovation facilitation, and translational research. His research interests center on solving environmental challenges through mission-oriented R&D, including wastewater treatment optimization, microbial biotechnology for sustainability, and understanding resistance gene transfer dynamics in engineered systems. He actively promotes collaborative, purpose-driven research environments. Key research trends in his publications include antimicrobial resistance in wastewater systems, nitrogen cycle dynamics in engineered environments, and novel methods for quantifying gene transfer mechanisms. He emphasizes practical applications of fundamental science to achieve planetary and human benefits. Awards: No explicit awards listed, but his work has been recognized through peer-reviewed publications in top journals like Environmental Science & Technology and ACS ES&T Engineering . He advises on staff development and project management strategies, fostering professional growth aligned with organizational goals. His current focus includes advancing sustainable bioprocess technologies and improving emission monitoring in wastewater treatment plants. He is affiliated with AU Engineering at Aarhus University and has contributed to initiatives at the intersection of environmental engineering and microbial systems biology.

Ludovic TailleuxView profile

Research Professor

• Host-Pathogen Interactions
• Tuberculosis Immunology
• Innate Immunity
• +4 more

Ludovic Tailleux is a Research Professor at the Pasteur Institute , specializing in host-pathogen interactions and tuberculosis immunology . His work focuses on the innate immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, particularly in human dendritic cells and macrophages. He has identified DC-SIGN/CD209 as a critical host cell receptor for M. tuberculosis and collaborates with Laurent Barreiro (University of Montreal) on genetic determinants of immune variation. Education : Not explicitly detailed in the text, but inferred from research depth to include advanced training in immunology/microbiology. Tailleux's research spans innate immunity , antigen presentation , genetic architecture of immune response , and host-directed therapies . His projects include identifying host genetic factors affecting M. tuberculosis interplay and analyzing epigenetic changes in immune cells. The 15 most recent publications highlight trends in zinc toxicity mechanisms , nanocarrier drug delivery , microRNA regulation , and purinergic signaling in TB pathogenesis. He contributes to educational initiatives, including an upcoming MOOC on Tuberculosis (2025) at Pasteur Institute. Collaborative efforts with institutions like University of Montreal and technical teams at Pasteur are central to his work. Tailleux also investigates macrophage polarization , angiogenesis exploitation by TB , and innate immune reprogramming through DNA methylation studies.

• Fungal Genomics
• Plant Pathology
• Evolutionary Biology
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Eva Stukenbrock leads the Max Planck Fellow Group Environmental Genomics at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology in Plön, Germany. Her research focuses on the genomic evolution of plant-pathogenic fungi, particularly Zymoseptoria tritici , using population genomics and comparative approaches to unravel mechanisms of host specialization, virulence, and genome plasticity. Key Research Areas: Fungal plant pathogens, evolutionary genomics, population genetics, host-pathogen interactions, and microbiome dynamics Academic Leadership: Supervised 15+ PhD, Master’s, and Bachelor’s students in fungal pathogenesis and genomics Technical Innovation: Developed confocal microscopy pipelines for plant-fungal interaction analysis Her recent work reveals how domestication history shaped pathogen emergence, with studies on barley net blotch and oat crown rust in 2024. She has also uncovered roles of horizontal chromosome transfer in asexual pathogens and accessory chromosome loss leading to endophytic lifestyle shifts. Current projects include AI-assisted infection dynamics and tRNA composition analyses in fungal adaptation. Selected scientific trends from her 15 most recent articles include: Host specialization linked to vernalization requirements Segmental duplications driving accessory genome evolution Hybrid incompatibilities as speciation drivers Seed microbiome differences between wild and domesticated wheat Her lab collaborates with institutions like Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel and CRC Press , focusing on fungal effector biology , chromatin regulation , and agricultural disease management .

Alexander HerbigView profile

Researcher

• Computational Pathogenomics
• Ancient DNA Analysis
• Microbial Evolution
• +3 more

Dr. Alexander Herbig leads the Computational Pathogenomics research group at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, focusing on reconstructing ancient bacterial pathogen genomes to study their evolutionary trajectories. The group investigates pathogens like Yersinia pestis , Mycobacterium leprae , and Helicobacter pylori , emphasizing mechanisms of pathogenicity and host adaptation over millennia. Specializes in computational tools for pathogen evolution Employs phylogenetic analyses to identify functional variants Studied pathogens in context of human coevolution Current projects include analyzing ancient pathogens from archaeological remains and exploring microbial adaptation patterns. The group collaborates with interdisciplinary teams across evolutionary anthropology, microbiome sciences, and molecular archaeology.

Katherine Paige LemonView profile

Associate Professor

• Microbiome Research
• Human Nasal Microbiota
• Microbe-Microbe Interactions
• +3 more

Katherine Paige Lemon is an Associate Professor at Baylor College of Medicine, holding dual appointments in the Department of Molecular Virology & Microbiology and the Pediatric-Infectious Diseases division. She is also affiliated with the Alkek Center for Metagenomics and Microbiome Research and the Immunology and Microbiology (IY) Graduate Program. Her research focuses on the human nasal microbiome, microbial interactions, and their implications for health and disease. Education: AB in Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations, Harvard University PhD in Biology from MIT (Laboratory of Dr. Alan Grossman) MD from Harvard Medical School Postdoctoral Training at Harvard Medical School with Dr. Roberto Kolter Research Interests: Dr. Lemon’s work explores the complex microbial communities in the human nose, investigating how beneficial bacteria like Dolosigranulum pigrum and Corynebacterium species combat pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus . Her lab studies metabolic interactions, microbial competition, and the impact of these dynamics on antibiotic resistance and disease prevention. Grants: Funding Mechanisms of Corynebacterium-Dolosigranulum Interactions (NIH NIGMS, 2021–2026) Microbiome Discovery to Combat Antibiotic Resistance (NIH NIAID, 2021–2026) Labs/Teams: Her research is conducted within the Alkek Center for Metagenomics and Microbiome Research, focusing on experimental and computational approaches to study microbial ecosystems.

• Metabolic Medicine
• Chemical Pathology
• Obesity Research
• +5 more

Suha Al-Naimi is an Associate Professor in Nutrition and Human Health at the University of Suffolk's School of Allied Health Sciences. She holds an MB ChB from Baghdad Medical School, an MSc in Chemical Pathology & Molecular Biology from the University of Surrey, and a PhD in Chemical Pathology & Metabolic Medicine from the University of Liverpool. Her professional qualifications include Fellow Higher Education Academy (2017) and Registered Nutritionist (2016). Her research focuses on metabolic medicine, obesity, regenerative medicine, and the interplay between gut hormones and microbiota. She has pioneered studies on augmented reality platforms for asthma education and led investigations into obesity's role in COVID-19 outcomes. She currently serves as Course Leader for modules like Clinical Nutrition and Scientific Study Skills, integrating problem-based learning (PBL) and interprofessional learning (IPL) methodologies. As Principal Investigator, she examined an AR-driven asthma care education tool, while co-leading a study on obesity's impact on severe COVID-19 outcomes. Her work has produced over a dozen peer-reviewed publications and presentations, including landmark studies on Giardia pathogenesis and shift work metabolic effects. She actively advises PhD candidates exploring sustainable nutrition and obesity-related self-harm mechanisms. Professionally, she maintains membership in the Royal College of Pathologists and contributes to interdisciplinary teams advancing metabolic and regenerative medicine research.

• Evolutionary Biology
• Genomics
• Ecology
• +3 more

Dr. Arne Jacobs is a Research Fellow in the Department of Evolution & Diversity at the University of Glasgow. His research focuses on evolutionary genomics, with a particular emphasis on understanding adaptive processes in natural populations. Key areas of study include genomic mechanisms underlying phenotypic adaptation, gene regulation in response to environmental changes, and the interplay between genetic variation and ecological pressures. Research interests: Evolutionary Biology, Genomics, Ecological Genetics, Population Genomics, and Urban Adaptation. Grants include projects on climate change impacts on aquatic species, genomic variation in life-history traits, and stickleback diversity in Lake Constance. Supervises students exploring topics like molecular mechanisms of adaptive divergence and urban landscape effects on animal dispersal. His work bridges experimental and computational approaches, leveraging genomic data to uncover evolutionary dynamics in species such as zebra finches, Atlantic silversides, and Arctic charr. Recent studies highlight the role of alternative splicing and transcriptomic changes in adaptation, alongside structural genomic variation driving ecological resilience.

• Microbial Genomics
• Public Health
• Antimicrobial Resistance
• +12 more

Alexandra Isabel Cardoso Nunes is a researcher at the Genomics and Bioinformatics Unit of the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Portuguese National Institute of Health (INSA), and an invited professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and the School of Psychology and Life Sciences at Lusófona University (ULusófona). She is actively involved in national and international research projects under the One Health framework, particularly in antimicrobial resistance, pathogen genomics, and outbreak surveillance. Her research interests span Microbial Genomics, Public Health, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Bioinformatics, Pathogen Evolution, and One Health . She employs advanced genomic and transcriptomic techniques to study bacterial and viral pathogens, with a focus on Chlamydia trachomatis , Salmonella , Campylobacter , Mycobacterium tuberculosis , and SARS-CoV-2 . Her work integrates laboratory and computational methods for integrative surveillance and drug development. Her recent publications highlight trends in zoonotic pathogen transmission, AMR in food-producing animals, genomic surveillance of emerging outbreaks (e.g., mpox, SARS-CoV-2), and development of novel antimicrobial materials . These studies are increasingly interdisciplinary, combining veterinary, human, and environmental health perspectives under the One Health umbrella. European ERA-NET PathoGenoMics Ph.D. Award 2011 Gold Medal for Distinguished Services from the Portuguese Ministry of Health ASA Travel Award 2014 Nunes has (co-)supervised 27 students, including postdoctoral researchers, PhD, MSc, and BSc candidates, and currently mentors 10 students. She has participated in over 30 national and international research projects, including EU4Health, Horizon 2020, and ECDC-funded initiatives. She is a member of COST Action CA21145 'EURESTOP' and the Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV). She leads the development of bioinformatics tools like INSaFLU-TELEVIR for viral genomic surveillance and is co-inventor of a European patent on surfactant-based hydrogels for infection prevention. Her work bridges research, public health policy, and technological innovation.

Haike AntelmannView profile

Professor

• Oxidative Stress Physiology
• Redox Biology
• Bacterial Pathogens
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Haike Antelmann holds the W3-Professorship for Molecular Microbiology at the Institute of Biology-Microbiology, Freie Universität Berlin since 2015. She previously served as group leader at the Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University of Greifswald (2006-2015) and completed her Habilitation there in 2009. Her research focuses on microbial redox biology, thiol-based stress responses in Gram-positive pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae , and proteomic analysis of bacterial adaptation mechanisms. Key contributions include elucidating bacillithiol/mycothiol roles in protein protection and redox signaling. Education: PhD (1998) and Habilitation (2009) from Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University Greifswald, specializing in bacterial proteomics and stress physiology. Notable awards include the ERC Consolidator Grant (2013) and AcademiaNet membership (2015). She serves on editorial boards of BMC Microbiology , Molecular Microbiology , and Scientific Reports . Research interests emphasize thiol-redox regulation in pathogenesis, including protein S-thiolation under oxidative/electrophilic stress and bacterial responses to host immune defenses. Her lab investigates bacillithiol's role in virulence and antibiotic tolerance, with recent work on allicin mechanisms and neutrophil phagosome interactions. Lab members: Postdocs (Eberhard Klauck, Vu Van Loi), PhD students (Huihui Li), and technical staff (Zeynep Gümüsboga) Key techniques: Proteomics, redox biosensors, transcriptomics, bacterial physiology studies Collaborations: GBM Study Group on Redox Biology, SPP1710 projects Recent articles highlight Staphylococcus aureus adaptation to host-derived stressors (hypothiocyanous acid, itaconic acid) and mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance. Her work bridges basic microbiology with translational applications in infectious disease intervention.

Ben StodartView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Plant Pathology
• Pathogenomics
• Crop Protection
• +8 more

Ben Stodart is a Senior Lecturer in Plant Biology at Charles Sturt University, affiliated with the School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences and the Gulbali Research Institute. His work spans research, teaching, and international development in plant pathology and crop protection. Education: BSc (Hons), Flinders University of South Australia PhD in Plant Pathology/Molecular Biology, University of Adelaide Dr Stodart's research focuses on integrated plant disease management , biosecurity systems , and pathogenomics . His expertise includes fungal pathogens causing dieback in tree crops such as walnut and persimmon, population dynamics, and point-of-care diagnostics. He has led capacity-building projects in Cambodia and Laos through ACIAR funding. His recent publications highlight a strong trend in emerging fungal pathogens , dieback diseases , and molecular characterization of plant pathogens, particularly in Australian agriculture. The research combines field studies, genomics, and fungicide evaluation to improve crop health and resilience. Scientific Engagement: ORCID: 0000-0002-3184-7998 Scopus Profile with h-index of 18 and over 850 citations Active contributor to scientific media, including a 2014 piece on regional biosecurity Dr Stodart is actively involved in research supervision and serves as one of three higher degree research coordinators in his school. He has co-supervised PhD students and contributes to curriculum development in crop protection, genetics, and microbiology. His research is supported by international collaborations and grants from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). He is associated with key research networks in Australia and Southeast Asia, focusing on agricultural resilience, plant health, and sustainable development. His lab work emphasizes practical solutions for farmers and biosecurity agencies.

Joseph RossView profile

Research Fellow

• Microbiology
• Mycology
• Entomology
• +3 more

Joseph Ross is a Research Fellow in the Keyhani lab at the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago. His research focuses on fungal symbiosis, entomopathogens, and microbial interactions with insects, particularly in ambrosia beetles and mosquitoes. He explores host-microbe relationships using advanced techniques like cell cytometry and metabolic profiling. Key areas of investigation include fungal colonization mechanisms in mycangia, viral-fungal co-infections in arthropods, and the ecological impacts of invasive fungal pathogens. Ross also contributes to studies on neurobehavioral therapies for Gulf War Illness using pharmacological agents like oleoylethanolamide. His work bridges microbiology, entomology, and molecular biology, addressing both ecological and biomedical questions through interdisciplinary approaches.

• Plant Genetics
• Bioenergy Crops
• Lignin Biosynthesis
• +3 more

Wilfred Vermerris is a Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Microbiology & Cell Science at the University of Florida. His research focuses on plant genetics, bioenergy crops, and lignin biosynthesis, with particular emphasis on improving sorghum for biomass and biofuel applications. He leads projects investigating plant-microbe interactions, cell wall composition, and metabolic pathways critical to stress tolerance and nutrient acquisition. His work integrates molecular genetics, genomics, and biochemical approaches to understand and enhance traits such as disease resistance, nitrogen use efficiency, and carbohydrate accumulation in crops. Recent studies highlight discoveries in biological nitrogen fixation via sorghum aerial root mucilage, lignin modification for reduced biofuel processing costs, and dual-RNA sequencing of plant-pathogen interactions. Vermerris' publications span plant defense mechanisms, enzyme function characterization, and genetic diversity analyses in sorghum germplasm. He collaborates on interdisciplinary bioenergy initiatives and contributes to improving breeding strategies for sustainable agriculture.

• Microbial Genomics
• Antibiotic Resistance
• Enteric Pathogens
• +2 more

Dr. Tracy Hazen is Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, with additional affiliation at the Institute for Genome Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. in Applied Biology from Georgia Institute of Technology, where she studied microbial ecology and Vibrio parahaemolyticus diversity. Research employs comparative genomics and transcriptomics to investigate enteric pathogens (particularly E. coli-associated childhood diarrhea) and multidrug-resistant nosocomial pathogens. Current work focuses on antibiotic-resistant pathogen diversity and translational applications of sequencing-based microbial surveillance for outbreak detection in healthcare settings. Key publications examine E. coli pathogenesis, virulence plasmids, multidrug resistance mechanisms, and genomic diversity of pathogens in clinical contexts. Research keywords include E. coli, Klebsiella, Acinetobacter, genomics, evolution, antibiotic resistance, and microbial surveillance.