Joana Falcao Salles is a Professor in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Groningen, leading the Salles Lab focused on Microbial Community Ecology. Her research integrates ecological and evolutionary theories to understand microbial community formation and their environmental impacts. She holds a PhD from Leiden University (2005) and has held academic positions since 2008. She serves as Treasurer on the Executive Board of the International Society for Microbial Ecology (ISME). Her expertise spans microbial ecology in soils, plants, and animals, with a focus on microbial diversity, invasion dynamics, and symbiotic relationships. Key projects include studying salt marsh microbiomes, plant-microbe interactions in agriculture, and the role of microbiomes in host immunity. She has secured grants for initiatives like PotatoMETAbiome and INSECTFEED, advancing sustainable agriculture and circular economy solutions. Salles has published over 150 peer-reviewed articles, with recent work on microbial solutions to climate change, antibiotic resistance, and gut-brain axis interactions. Her lab collaborates globally, addressing challenges in environmental sustainability and public health.
Tom Wenseleers is a Professor at KU Leuven's Department of Biology within the Faculty of Science, where he leads the Laboratory of Socioecology and Social Evolution. His research spans theoretical and experimental approaches to evolutionary biology, with particular focus on social insect systems. Research spans social insects (ants, bees, wasps), microbes, viruses, and human systems Primary model organisms: social insects studying major evolutionary transitions Current projects examine caste determination, chemical communication, and evolutionary conflicts His research integrates theoretical modeling with experimental, behavioral, and comparative studies. Recent work combines genomic techniques and high-throughput GC/MS analysis to decipher chemical communication systems. Current trends show increasing interdisciplinary work spanning virology (SARS-CoV-2 variants), microbial ecology (antibiotic resistance), and robotics (pollinator behavior monitoring). The research demonstrates consistent application of evolutionary theory to diverse biological systems while maintaining social insects as the core model. Wenseleers actively mentors PhD students and postdocs, with recent graduates including Kamiel Debeuckelaere and Viviana Di Pietro. His lab receives substantial funding through multiple concurrent research projects, including Promotor roles on grants examining caste development in bee societies and microbial metabolite screening. The laboratory maintains strong international collaborations across Europe and South America. The lab operates within the Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Conservation unit at KU Leuven, with physical location at Naamsestraat 59, box 2466, 3000 Leuven. The research group maintains active outreach programs including science workshops for schools and public engagement events focused on insect conservation.
Vivianne Vleeshouwers is an Associate Professor in Plant Breeding at Wageningen University and Research Centre, specializing in plant-pathogen interactions with a focus on potato disease resistance. Her research spans multiple projects related to Phytophthora infestans (the causal agent of late blight) and other potato pathogens. Her research interests center on plant immunity mechanisms, particularly how wild potato species recognize pathogens through immune receptors. She investigates effector biology, host-pathogen co-evolution, and molecular mechanisms of disease resistance. Her work combines molecular biology, genomics, and plant breeding approaches to develop durable resistance strategies against devastating potato diseases. Dr. Vleeshouwers has published 126 research outputs with recent work focusing on RXLR effectors, immune receptor diversification, and co-infection dynamics. Her publications show a strong trend toward understanding molecular plant-pathogen interactions at the genomic and proteomic levels, with increasing emphasis on translational research that can be applied to crop improvement. She actively supervises multiple PhD students and leads several research projects focused on potato disease resistance. Her team collaborates internationally with researchers across Europe and beyond, working on various aspects of plant pathology and resistance breeding. Dr. Vleeshouwers' laboratory focuses on effectoromics, immune receptor identification, and resistance gene deployment strategies. Her team utilizes advanced genomic techniques including genome sequencing, proximity labeling, and high-throughput phenotyping to understand and enhance plant disease resistance mechanisms.
Jonathan Klassen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology / Microbiology at the University of Connecticut . His research focuses on microbial community ecology, particularly using the fungus-growing ant symbiosis as a model system to study the evolution of microbial interaction networks. He couples genomics and chemical biology to understand molecular mechanisms in symbiosis and explore drug discovery opportunities. PhD : Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Alberta Postdoctoral Study : Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison His work spans microbial ecology, symbiosis, secondary metabolite discovery, and comparative genomics. Recent publications highlight studies on microbial exclusion dynamics in ant symbiosis, ITS2 metabarcode biases, and chemical defense mechanisms in insect-associated microbes. Scientific Awards : “Highly Accessed” article in BMC Genomics (2012) Contact : Email: jonathan.klassen@uconn.edu Phone: 860-486-6890 Lab: @klassenlab
Jeri Barak is a Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. She leads the Barak Lab, focusing on bacterial-plant interactions with implications for food safety. Education : BS in Marine Biology and English (San Jose State University, 1993); PhD in Plant Pathology (UC Davis, 2000) Research Interests center on how plant pathogens like Xanthomonas gardneri and Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato alter host physiology to create niches for secondary microbes, particularly Salmonella enterica . Her work examines: Pathogen-induced apoplast modifications Bacterial community dynamics in infected plants Vector-mediated pathogen transmission (e.g., leafhoppers, thrips) Environmental factors affecting colonization Foodborne pathogen persistence Publication Trends reveal a focus on Salmonella and Xanthomonas interactions in tomato and lettuce systems. Keywords include microbial ecology, plant-pathogen dynamics, and agricultural safety. Student Mentorship highlights include advising Sofia Weinstein , who spearheaded the UW Organic Collaborative and Electric Food Truck initiative. Outreach & Education involves teaching Global Food Security (PP311) and leading initiatives like the Food Recovery Network. Her lab bridges plant pathology and public health through applied research.
Hannes Schuler is a Tenured Associate Professor of Agricultural and Forest Entomology at the Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano (UniBZ). His research focuses on the evolutionary ecology of insect pest species, with particular emphasis on host-microbe interactions and symbiont-mediated adaptations. He leads the Schuler Lab and is a member of the Competence Centre for Plant Health at UniBZ. Dr. Schuler's primary research interests include: Evolutionary ecology of insect pest species Microbial symbionts and their impact on host ecology and evolution Population genomics of invasive insect species Sustainable pest management approaches Tripartite interactions between phytoplasma, vectors, and microbiomes His research combines genomic and population genomic approaches with in vivo experiments in laboratory and semi-field settings. Dr. Schuler's lab has made significant contributions to understanding the role of bacterial symbionts in invasion processes, particularly in fruit flies (Rhagoletis species), psyllids, and bark beetles. Recent work has focused on the microbiome of invasive species, symbiont-mediated adaptations, and the development of sustainable pest control strategies that reduce chemical pesticide use. Dr. Schuler has edited a special issue of the journal Insects titled "Insect Symbionts: Evolution and Application," which features 11 publications spanning topics from symbiont-driven seasonal adaptation to Wolbachia-mitochondrial DNA associations. His research has been presented at numerous international conferences including the European Conference of Entomology and the Population Genetics Group Meeting, with recent presentations at CNIE 2025 in Siena covering apricot aphids, olive fly symbionts, and psyllid symbionts. Among his notable achievements: Successful supervision of multiple PhD students including Maja, Juan, and Giulia Calia Securing funding for multiple research projects on insect symbionts and pest management Establishing international collaborations with researchers across Europe Organizing lab activities and mentoring junior researchers Dr. Schuler actively supervises Master's and PhD students, teaches courses on plant protection, theory of scientific method, and plant and livestock health, and maintains an active research program with multiple ongoing projects investigating the role of symbionts in invasion biology and sustainable pest management.
Kadeem Jamal Gilbert is an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University (MSU) affiliated with multiple programs and institutes: Plant Biology, Kellogg Biological Station, Molecular Plant Sciences Program, Plant Resilience Institute, and Ecology, Evolution & Behavior Program. His research focuses on plant-animal/microbe interactions, symbiosis, physiological regulation of leaf microenvironments, and carnivorous plants. Education: Ph.D. from Harvard University Dr. Gilbert's work integrates ecological and physiological approaches to study plant interactions with insects, microbes, and environmental gradients. His lab employs transcriptomics, chemical ecology, and community ecology frameworks to investigate carnivorous plant adaptations, phylloplane regulation, and global change impacts on species interactions. Recent publications highlight his research trajectory across plant physiology, microbial ecology, and evolutionary biology. These include studies on anthocyanin-mediated plant-insect interactions, fluid regulation in Nepenthes pitcher plants, and landscape-scale transcriptomic responses to environmental stressors. His work reveals fundamental insights about ecological filters in plant microhabitats and evolutionary tradeoffs in carnivorous species. Current research themes include plant volatile signaling in herbivore specialization, pH-mediated microbial community assembly, and ecological transcriptomics across environmental gradients. The Gilbert Lab maintains active outreach and press engagement while maintaining field sites at the Kellogg Biological Station.
Dagmar Woebken is Associate Professor and Head of the Department for Microbiology and Ecosystem Science at the University of Vienna, where she leads the Division of Microbial Ecology. Her research investigates microbial survival strategies in challenging soil habitats, particularly focusing on adaptation mechanisms to environmental stressors. Research encompasses three primary themes: Dormancy and reactivation dynamics in desert soil microbial communities Assembly and function of plant-associated microbiomes Ecological success factors of Acidobacteria in terrestrial environments Her group employs molecular techniques including metagenomics, stable isotope probing, and single-cell approaches (NanoSIMS, Raman microspectroscopy) combined with cultivation-based methods. Publications demonstrate expertise in: Microbial adaptation to extreme environments Plant-microbe-nutrient interactions Genomic basis of bacterial ecological strategies Recent work increasingly utilizes advanced imaging and isotopic tracing to investigate microbial processes at cellular scales. Dr. Woebken pioneered the NifMAP bioinformatic pipeline for analyzing nitrogen-fixing communities and developed methods combining Gold-FISH with NanoSIMS for targeted analysis of plant-associated bacteria. She leads research projects on microbial symbioses funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF). She directs a research group investigating microbial ecology across ecosystems from deserts to forests. Current projects include studies of ant-plant-microbe associations and microbe-mediated nitrogen cycling in grasslands. The group maintains collaborations with international institutions and participates in public outreach through science communication platforms.
Kathie Therese Hodge is an Associate Professor at Cornell University's School of Integrative Plant Science, specializing in fungal systematics and plant/insect pathogens. She leads the Cornell Plant Pathology Herbarium (CUP), a globally significant biodiversity repository with 300,000+ specimens. Her research focuses on fungal biodiversity, mycotoxin production in food systems, and evolutionary relationships among fungi. She also serves as Associate Director of Teaching for the School. Education: Ph.D. (1998), M.S. (1993) from Cornell University; B.Sc. (1990) from University of Toronto. Teaching includes courses like 'Magical Mushrooms, Mischievous Molds' and field-based 'Mushrooms of Field and Forest,' reaching over 300 undergraduates annually. Research Interests: Fungal classification and evolution Pathogens impacting global food systems Biohybrid robotics using fungal networks Public outreach on mycology Notable Achievements: 2024 Donald C. Burgett Distinguished Advisor Award Recipient of NSF-funded herbarium digitization projects Pioneered Paecilomyces niveus research linking fungal spoilage to patulin contamination Outreach: Leads New York State 'Peck' mushroom foray, maintains the Cornell Mushroom Blog and @cornellfungi Instagram, and advises on mushroom poisoning emergencies.
James B Nardi serves as a Researcher in the Department of Entomology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with 64 scholarly outputs including a 2023 Princeton University Press book. His work focuses on insect model systems like Manduca sexta and hemipterans to investigate developmental biology, immunology, and host-microbe symbiosis through cellular and morphological analyses. Dr. Nardi's research centers on Insect Immunology, Developmental Biology, and Entomology, with key investigations into hemocyte function, epithelial monolayer dynamics during metamorphosis, and microbial interfaces in insect midguts. His fingerprint analysis highlights Manduca Sexta (100%), Hemocytes (61%), and Epithelial Cells (53%) as core research pillars, utilizing advanced techniques to study tissue remodeling and immune responses. Recent publications (2018-2023) reveal concentrated exploration of insect midgut physiology and developmental transitions, particularly protein secretion during molting, luminal membrane structures in lace bugs, and abdominal epithelial remodeling in Manduca. These studies bridge Cell Biology, Microbial Ecology, and Insect Physiology, emphasizing the interplay between developmental processes and microbial associations. Scientific Awards: No awards, fellowships, or medals were documented in the source materials. Advising and grants: Information regarding student mentorship, postdoctoral supervision, or research funding sources was not provided in the available data. Laboratory infrastructure: While collaborations with Miller, Bee, and Wallace are evident, specific research teams, laboratory facilities, or institutional centers were not described.
Cameron Currie is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Biomedical Sciences at McMaster University. His research focuses on microbial symbiosis, particularly in insect-fungus-bacteria relationships, with applications to antibiotic discovery and understanding the complex interactions in natural systems. His research interests span microbial ecology, antibiotic production, co-evolution, and biodegradation processes. He investigates the symbiotic relationships between insects (particularly ants) and microorganisms, exploring how these interactions can lead to novel drug discovery and insights into ecosystem dynamics. The recent publications of Dr. Currie cover diverse topics in microbiology, ecology, and biochemistry, with particular emphasis on lignocellulose degradation, microbial competition, fungal impacts on ecosystems, and biofilm inhibition. These articles demonstrate his focus on microbial interactions, particularly in insect agricultural systems. Dr. Currie teaches courses in drug discovery and development (BIOMEDDC 3B06) at McMaster University.
Andrea Perna is an Assistant Professor at the IMT School for Advanced Studies in Lucca, Italy, with a background in theoretical biology and biophysics. Previously, he held a Senior Lecturer position at the University of Roehampton, UK, and conducted research across Europe and Australia. His work focuses on collective animal behavior, pattern formation in biological systems, and ecology, combining experimental, computational, and mathematical approaches. Education: Degree in Biological Sciences from Scuola Normale Superiore and University of Pisa (Italy), followed by a PhD in Psychophysics (neurobiology) from Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa. Research Interests: Collective behavior in fish schooling, termite nest architecture, biophysical principles of animal group cohesion, and the interplay between individual behavior and ecosystem properties. Notable projects include modeling trail networks in ants and exploring how environmental factors influence nest construction in termites. Labs/Teams: Leads the Networks Unit at IMT School, collaborating with institutions like the Hawk Conservancy Trust and international researchers in ecology, mathematics, and physics. Active in mentoring PhD and post-doctoral researchers in complex systems and ecological modeling. Grants/Funding: Secured funding for post-doctoral positions studying termite nest evo-devo and collaborative projects on raptor flight mechanics.
Professor James Cook is a Theme Leader for Plants, Animals and Interactions at the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (HIE) at Western Sydney University. He holds the academic rank of Professor and leads research focused on ecology, evolution, and symbiosis, with particular emphasis on pollination systems and insect ecology. Professor Cook received his BA in Zoology from Oxford University and his PhD in Evolutionary Biology from Imperial College London. His previous academic appointments include positions at La Trobe University, Imperial College London, and the University of Reading. Professor Cook's research interests lie at the intersection of ecology, evolution, and symbiosis , with particular emphasis on pollination systems and insect-microbe interactions . His work spans multiple scales from molecular to ecosystem levels, investigating how species interactions shape biological communities. He is particularly renowned for his expertise in fig-pollinator mutualisms and stingless bee biology . His research integrates field studies, laboratory experiments, and molecular approaches to address fundamental questions in evolutionary ecology while also addressing applied challenges in agricultural pollination and conservation biology . Analysis of Professor Cook's recent publications reveals a strong focus on pollination ecology and insect-microbe symbioses . His work spans both fundamental research on evolutionary processes and applied studies addressing agricultural challenges. A significant portion of his recent work examines stingless bees as potential managed pollinators for Australian horticulture, alongside investigations into alternative pollinators beyond honey bees. His research increasingly incorporates molecular methods to understand microbial communities and their impacts on host biology. There's also a growing emphasis on climate change impacts on pollination systems and the development of resilient pollination strategies for future agricultural systems. Natural Environment Research Council (NERC, UK) College Member (2007-2010) Royal Entomological Society Symbiosis Special Interest Group Convenor (2005-2012) Editorial Board Member, Journal of Evolutionary Biology (2005-2008) NERC Advanced Research Fellow (1998-2003) SERC Research Fellow (1993-1995) Royal 1851 Commission Research Fellow (1991-1993) Australian Entomological Society Conservation Committee Member (2017-present) Invited collaboration with Professor Wan-Jin Liao's group at Beijing Normal University Professor Cook currently leads multiple significant research projects focused on pollination services for Australian horticulture. His grant portfolio includes projects on stingless bee husbandry , alternative pollinators including flies, and pollinator health . He collaborates extensively with researchers across Australia and internationally, with projects spanning from basic research on fig-wasp mutualisms to applied studies on crop pollination. Professor Cook has authored over 70 research articles and six book chapters, demonstrating sustained research productivity throughout his career. Professor Cook's research involves extensive field, laboratory, and glasshouse work, with a strong emphasis on molecular methods. His work connects with collaborators across Australia, India, China, France, the UK, and the USA, creating a robust international research network focused on pollination ecology and insect symbioses. His leadership in the Plants, Animals and Interactions research theme at HIE provides a framework for integrating fundamental ecological research with practical applications for sustainable agriculture and conservation.
Benton Taylor is an Assistant Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology and Faculty Fellow at the Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University. His research focuses on terrestrial ecosystem responses to global change drivers such as rising CO2, nutrient pollution, and extreme weather. He leads the Taylor Lab, investigating symbiotic nitrogen fixation, below-ground tree responses, and soil carbon dynamics across tropical to boreal ecosystems. His work integrates field experiments, observational studies, and global data analyses to understand feedbacks between ecosystems and climate change. Key research themes include nitrogen-fixing plant symbiosis, CO2 effects on root systems, and soil carbon sequestration mechanisms. Taylor collaborates internationally, with projects ranging from Costa Rican rainforests to Alaskan tundra. His lab emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to address questions at molecular to ecosystem scales. Recent publications highlight novel insights into root exudation under elevated CO2, tropical nitrogen cycling gaps, and microbial mediation of tree responses. The lab actively mentors graduate students (e.g., Calvin Heslop, Carina Berlingeri) and postdocs (e.g., Lindsay McCulloch) exploring nutrient-cycling frontiers. Taylor’s team also prioritizes environmental justice through science communication and inclusive research practices, as stated in their lab’s diversity value statement.
Olaf Schmidt is a Professor at the School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin (UCD). His academic career includes roles such as Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor (2008–2017) and extends back to a Post-doctoral Research Assistant position (1999–2001). He holds a Ph.D. from UCD (2000), an M.Sc. in Soil Science from the University of Aberdeen (1993), and a Diplom-Agraringenieur from Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg (1992). Research Focus: Schmidt specializes in soil ecology, earthworm biology, stable isotope analysis, and sustainable agriculture. His work addresses topics like soil restoration, invasive species impacts, food authentication, and ecosystem rehabilitation. He leads projects such as Edaphobase 2.0 and the Gunnera tinctoria invasion studies. His research integrates molecular techniques, isotopic tracing, and large-scale data synthesis. Awards & Recognition: Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society (2023) Honorary Member of the Association of Applied Biologists (2022) Fellow of the Institute of Soil Science (2023) Teaching & Outreach: Coordinates modules on soil science, environmental microbiology, and the circular bioeconomy. Engages in public lectures on topics like earthworm contributions to soil health. Collaborates internationally, including a visiting professorship at the University of Agriculture in Kraków (2022). Grants & Impact: Contributed to the SmartGrass project, enhancing sustainable agricultural practices through multispecies swards. His work on peat alternatives and mine tailings rehabilitation has practical implications for environmental management and policy. Labs & Collaborations: Active in the Global Soil Biodiversity Initiative and Soil BON network. Edaphobase 2.0 exemplifies his data-driven approach to soil biodiversity research.
