Find Academic Supervisors

Sek Won KongView profile

Associate Professor

• Precision Medicine
• Genomics
• Bioinformatics
• +6 more

Dr. Sek Won Kong is an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School and a faculty member in the Computational Health Informatics Program (CHIP) at Boston Children’s Hospital. His research focuses on biomarker discovery using genomics and computational biology tools, with a particular emphasis on autism spectrum disorder, precision medicine, and cell therapy. He completed his MD at Seoul National University College of Medicine and clinical training in psychiatry at Seoul National University Hospital, followed by postdoctoral work in molecular medicine and brain imaging. Research Interests: Biomarker discovery through genetics/genomics Precision medicine implementation in pediatric care Cell therapy using reprogrammed autologous cells Whole-genome sequencing analysis Polygenic risk score applications Articles Trends: His recent work spans AI-driven genomics, stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease, immunomodulation in transplantation, and metabolic network analysis in heart failure. These studies emphasize translational applications of omics technologies and AI to improve clinical diagnostics and therapies. Labs/Teams: Leads the CHIP research unit at Boston Children’s Hospital, focusing on computational biology and translational medicine.

• Environmental Genomics
• Ecotoxicology
• Population Genomics
• +3 more

Markus Pfenninger is a Professor and Principal Investigator at the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research in Frankfurt, Germany, leading the Functional Environmental Genomics group. His work addresses critical gaps in ecotoxicology by developing genomic methods to measure germ cell mutation rates in multicellular eukaryotes, challenging the reliance on prokaryotic models for human risk assessment. Research focuses on: Environmental genomics and mutation rate analysis using Chironomus riparius as a model organism Population genomics of adaptation to pollutants (cadmium, microplastics, urban sediments) Genome assembly for non-model organisms and climate change genomics Development of ISO-standardized mutagenicity assessment frameworks Analysis of 150+ recent publications reveals dominant themes in anthropogenic pollutant effects, with 2023-2025 work emphasizing multigenerational genomic responses to complex stressors. Key innovations include genome-wide screening for mutation rate quantification and establishing Chironomus riparius as a model for ecotoxicological genomics, demonstrating higher sensitivity than conventional tests. The Functional Environmental Genomics group includes Dr. Halina Binde-Doria (Postdoc) and collaborates with Jun.-Prof. Dr. Ann-Marie Waldvogel. Based at Senckenberganlage 25 in Frankfurt, the team employs NGS techniques for reference genome construction, population re-sequencing, and RNA-seq analyses within ecological and evolutionary experimental frameworks.

Eivind HovigView profile

Emeritus Professor

• Bioinformatics
• Cancer Genetics
• Genomic Analysis
• +3 more

Eivind Hovig is an Emeritus Professor at the Department of Informatics, University of Oslo. His research focuses on bioinformatics, cancer genetics, and genomic analysis, with contributions to clinical applications in precision medicine and genetic disease management. He is affiliated with projects like the Centre for Computational Inference in Evolutionary Life Science (CELS) and RESCUER, and has collaborated extensively on initiatives such as the Prospective Lynch Syndrome Database. Research Interests: Dr. Hovig’s work spans bioinformatics tools (e.g., MirGeneDB, FuSViz), cancer genomics (Lynch syndrome, polygenic risk scores), and computational methods for genomic data analysis. His research integrates clinical and molecular data to advance personalized oncology and genetic screening strategies. Publications: His recent work highlights advancements in polygenic risk modeling, microRNA databases, and colorectal cancer surveillance strategies. Collaborations across international consortia underscore his role in translating genetic insights into clinical practice. Labs/Teams: Active in the CELS research group and projects like CoMorMent, focusing on computational biology and evolutionary life science applications.

Jeff BoydView profile

Professor

• Molecular Genetics
• Genomics
• Ovarian Cancer
• +6 more

Jeff Boyd is a Professor at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL), affiliated with the Cancer Center and serving as Chair of the Translational Advisory Group. He holds a Ph.D. in Toxicology and Biochemistry from North Carolina State University (1986). His research focuses on molecular genetics, genomics, and inherited genetics of gynecologic and breast cancers, with emphases on ovarian carcinoma natural history, metastatic breast cancer, and cancer stem/progenitor cells. Notably, he explores hypotheses about parallel metastasis models and polygenic susceptibility in breast cancer. Boyd’s work integrates histopathology and molecular genetics to unravel cancer origins. He leads the Boyd Laboratory and collaborates with Northwell Health’s Center for Genomic Medicine, advancing clinical molecular diagnostics. Key contributions include genomic analyses of pancreatic, prostate, and soft tissue sarcomas, as well as studies on BRCA mutations and treatment responses. Recent publications highlight pancreatic cancer survival linked to GATA6 amplification, organoid models predicting chemotherapy efficacy, and pan-cancer genomic insights. His research bridges basic science and clinical applications, emphasizing translational medicine.

Nurdan KuruView profile

Researcher

• Computational Biology
• Population Genomics
• Evolutionary Genomics
• +3 more

Nurdan Kuru is a postdoctoral researcher currently affiliated with the Siepel Lab, focusing on computational evolution, population genomics, and phylogeny-aware algorithm development. She holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Sabancı University, where her research centered on variant effect prediction and co-evolution analysis under the supervision of Dr. İlker Birbil and Dr. Sinan Yıldırım. Prior to joining the Siepel Lab in May 2024, she conducted postdoctoral work in the Adebali Lab at Sabancı University. Her research interests span computational biology, evolutionary genomics, and the development of tools for analyzing genetic variants and population-level genomic data. Key areas include polygenic risk score prediction using Ancestral Recombination Graphs (ARGs), phylogeny-aware pathogenicity prediction (e.g., PHACTboost), and co-evolutionary dynamics in proteins. Her work bridges algorithmic innovation with practical applications in medical genetics and evolutionary biology. Nurdan’s publications reflect a focus on algorithm development for genomic analysis, including tools like Phylostat and PHACT, as well as studies on calcium-sensing receptors and drug interaction modeling. She has contributed to scalable data analysis frameworks and privacy-preserving optimization methods in computational biology.

Elizabeth AkamView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Genetics
• Sports Science
• Public Health
• +4 more

Dr. Elizabeth Akam is a Senior Lecturer in Biosciences and a Senior Teaching Fellow within the School of Sports, Exercise and Health Sciences. Her career spans academic research, pharmaceutical industry experience, and a strong focus on sports and exercise science. She holds a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Liverpool (awarded the Gibson Sinclair Scholarship thrice) and a PhD from the University of Leicester on muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, supported by a Wellcome Prize Scholarship. Her research interests integrate genetics with health and performance, particularly exploring genetic polymorphisms in sports, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer biology. Notable work includes studies on ACE gene polymorphisms in athletes, CAD risk in South Asian populations, and the role of exercise in modulating cancer progression. She has also contributed to advancements in mesenchymal stem cell cryopreservation and telomere dynamics in endurance athletes. Her scientific awards include the prestigious Wellcome Prize PhD Scholarship and the undergraduate Gibson Sinclair Scholarship. Research highlights include systematic reviews on combat sport genetics and menstrual cycle effects on rugby performance, alongside studies on the protective effects of endurance exercise against age-associated cancer mechanisms. Affiliations include the Lifestyle for Health and Wellbeing Research Group. Her work bridges molecular genetics, sports science, and clinical applications, addressing both fundamental and applied health questions through interdisciplinary approaches.

Ishan BhattView profile

Associate Professor

• Audiology
• Hearing Science
• Genetic Epidemiology
• +4 more

Ishan Bhatt is an Associate Professor in the Department of Speech and Hearing Science at the University of Iowa. His research focuses on identifying genetic and non-genetic risk factors for complex hearing disorders, with a specific emphasis on developing audiogenomic tools for early detection and personalized intervention strategies. Key areas include tinnitus, noise-induced hearing loss, and genetic comorbidities associated with hearing difficulties. He teaches courses such as CSD 6245 (Pediatric Audiology), CSD 3185 (Hearing Loss and Audiometry), and CSD 6290 (Auditory Evoked Potentials). His research lab, the Audiogenomics Lab, explores molecular and epidemiological approaches to audiological challenges. Recent work highlights polygenic risk scoring, epigenetic biomarkers, and virtual reality-based interventions for hearing disorders. Notable contributions include studies on tinnitus genetics, speech-in-noise deficits, and noise exposure impacts in young adults and musicians. His interdisciplinary approach bridges clinical audiology, genomics, and public health to address unmet needs in hearing healthcare.

Matthew FisherView profile

Associate Professor

• Rehabilitation Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering
• +4 more

Matthew Fisher is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at North Carolina State University (NC State) and an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Orthopaedics at NC State. He is also the Director of Graduate Studies in Biomedical Engineering. Fisher joined NC State in 2014 as part of the Translational Regenerative Medicine cluster hire initiative. His research focuses on applying engineering principles to understand and improve regenerative therapies for musculoskeletal soft tissues, including ligaments, tendons, and menisci. Key areas include bioscaffold design, advanced manufacturing (e.g., 3D printing), and in vivo biomechanical studies using porcine models. Education: Ph.D., Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh (2010) B.S., Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University (2005) Research Interests: The lab investigates tissue growth mechanics, bioscaffold fabrication, and translational strategies for soft tissue repair. Current projects involve 3D-printed fibrous scaffolds for tendon/ligament regeneration, robotics-based joint biomechanics analysis, and the role of growth factors in tissue healing. Fisher emphasizes bridging nanoscale material design with macroscale functional outcomes. Awards: Rising Star Award (BMES, 2020) NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship (2013) North Carolina State University Seed Award (2015) Teaching: BME 362: Biomaterials Characterization BME 590: Functional Tissue Engineering BME 484/584: Tissue Engineering Fundamentals Labs/Teams: Fisher leads the Regenerative Orthopaedics Lab, collaborating with NC State's Department of Mechanical Engineering and UNC-Chapel Hill. The lab integrates robotics, imaging, and biomaterials to develop preclinical models for translational research.

Zhaolei ZhangView profile

Professor

• Computational Biology
• Gene Regulation
• Genomics
• +5 more

Dr. Zhaolei Zhang is a Professor at the University of Toronto's Department of Molecular Genetics, affiliated with the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and the Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research. His research focuses on computational biology, with an emphasis on gene regulation mechanisms mediated by microRNAs and DNA methylation. He holds a PhD in Biophysics from the University of California, Berkeley, and a BSc from Nankai University, China. Key research interests include developing computational tools for genomic data analysis, modeling gene expression regulation in diseases like cancer, and exploring epigenetic changes as diagnostic markers. His lab has pioneered methods integrating microRNA target prediction, DNA methylation analysis, and machine learning for precision medicine applications. Notable achievements include the CIHR New Investigator Award and the Ontario Early Researcher Award. He collaborates with clinical researchers on projects such as predicting leukemia outcomes through mutational analysis and developing diagnostic tools for neurological disorders. Dr. Zhang's work spans computational modeling of RNA modifications (e.g., m6A), single-cell transcriptomics analysis, and software development (e.g., SNPdryad for variant prediction). His lab also investigates the role of transcription factors and epigenetic regulators in human diseases.

Giuseppe ARENAView profile

Professor

• Analytical Chemistry
• Thermodynamics
• Spectroscopic Studies
• +5 more

Giuseppe Arena is a Full Professor of Analytical Chemistry at the University of Catania, Italy, specializing in thermodynamic and spectroscopic studies of metal complexes, speciation in aqueous solutions, and supramolecular chemistry. He holds a Laurea in Industrial Chemistry (1973) from the University of Catania and has held academic positions including Visiting Professorships at Brigham Young University (USA) and collaborations with institutions worldwide. Education: Laurea magna cum laude in Industrial Chemistry (1973), University of Catania Post-doctoral fellowship, University of St. Andrews (Scotland, 1976) Research Interests: Thermodynamic studies of bio-functional ligand metal complexes Speciation in aqueous solutions Optimization of calorimetric systems Development of polymer membrane carriers for metal removal Supramolecular chemistry, including calixarene-based hosts and metallacrowns Awards: Sunner Memorial Award (1989), The Calorimetry Conference, USA Medaglia Canneri (2013), Italian Chemical Society His research has produced over 115 peer-reviewed publications (H-index 34) and includes collaborations with universities in Italy, the USA, Japan, and Russia. He has coordinated national and international research projects, including PRIN 2015 and bilateral agreements with UC Berkeley and Nagoya University. As a leader in calorimetry and analytical chemistry, he serves on editorial boards (e.g., Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry) and holds leadership roles in the Italian Chemical Society and international scientific associations. Recent work focuses on metal-ion interactions in biological systems (e.g., copper in neurotrophins, zinc in amyloid-β), development of novel supramolecular hosts, and thermodynamic modeling of complexation processes. His contributions span analytical techniques, drug delivery systems, and environmental applications of polymer membranes.

• Precision medicine
• Pharmacogenomics
• Translational medicine
• +4 more

Azmeraw Amare is an NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow and Associate Professor at the Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide. His research focuses on precision medicine, pharmacogenomics, and translational medicine using genetic and bioinformatic approaches. He leads the Genetic Epidemiology Research Group investigating mental health disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and healthy ageing traits through multi-omics approaches. Dr. Amare has received numerous awards including the Young Tall Poppy Award for science communication and recognition as one of Australia's top 40 Rising Stars in Health Sciences. His publication record includes high-impact papers in Nature, JAMA Psychiatry, and Molecular Psychiatry.

• Genetics
• Heritability
• Statistical Modelling
• +2 more

Beben Benyamin is an Associate Professor at UniSA Allied Health & Human Performance. His research integrates genetic and environmental factors in phenotypes like disordered eating, depression, psychosis, and their links to physical health outcomes like obesity. Funded by NHMRC grants, his work examines epigenetic variations influencing genetic risk through DNA methylation and small RNA analysis. Research focuses on genetic epidemiology across diverse populations, including large-scale meta-analyses of heritability and genomic studies of rare diseases. Current projects investigate the role of inflammation in depression during aging and molecular mechanisms in psychotic disorders. Key publications examine childhood height heritability across ancestries, exome sequencing for glycogen storage diseases, and transcriptomic drivers of schizophrenia.

• Bayesian Biostatistics
• Adaptive Clinical Trial Design
• Statistical Computing
• +7 more

Dr. Sonia Jain is a Professor of Biostatistics at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health & Human Longevity Science, UC San Diego. She holds a PhD and MSc in Statistics from the University of Toronto. Her research focuses on Bayesian biostatistics, adaptive clinical trial design, and correlative studies, with applications in infectious diseases, pediatric cardiology, PTSD, and TBI. She leads collaborative projects across disciplines, including clinical trials and population health studies. Education: PhD in Statistics, University of Toronto MSc in Statistics, University of Toronto Research Interests: Bayesian methods for clinical trials Nonparametric Bayesian models Public health applications in infectious diseases and trauma Statistical computing and machine learning Key Publications: Her work spans PTSD biomarkers, sepsis management, HIV treatment adherence, and polygenic risk analysis. Recent studies include adaptive trial designs for rare diseases (MISTIC trial) and machine learning models for PTSD prediction in military populations. Advising & Grants: Dr. Jain collaborates on grants involving trauma outcomes, HIV care, and pediatric cardiology. She mentors students in biostatistical methodologies and interdisciplinary research. Labs/Teams: She is part of the Division of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics and the TRACK-TBI consortium, focusing on traumatic brain injury outcomes.

Kirby Deater-DeckardView profile

Professor

• Developmental Science
• Developmental Psychopathology
• Developmental Biopsychology
• +3 more

Kirby Deater-Deckard is a Professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His research focuses on individual differences in social-emotional, behavioral, and cognitive development, with particular attention to parenting practices, developmental psychopathology, and neurobiological mechanisms. He holds affiliations with the Center for Research on Families and the Rudd Adoption Research Program. His work employs quantitative methods, including behavioral genetics and epigenetics, to study developmental processes across cultures. Education: PhD in Psychology from the University of Virginia (1994). Research interests include temperament, self-regulation, neuroimaging, and the interplay between genetic and environmental factors in development. He leads the Individual Differences in Development Lab, investigating topics like child-parent interactions, adolescent well-being, and the impact of socioeconomic disadvantage on neural development. Publications emphasize cross-cultural studies, longitudinal analyses of adolescent development, and pandemic impacts on family dynamics. His work often addresses global mental health through frameworks like machine learning and cultural normativeness. He collaborates internationally on projects such as the Parenting Across Cultures Project and studies of posttraumatic stress in conflict zones. Teaching areas include human development, quantitative behavioral genetics, and developmental psychopathology. Grants and awards support his research on topics like parental self-efficacy, executive function in infants, and the neurocognitive correlates of maltreatment.

Shamil SunyaevView profile

Professor

• Computational Genomics
• Population Genetics
• Mutation Biology
• +4 more

Shamil Sunyaev is a Professor of Biomedical Informatics at Harvard Medical School and a Professor of Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. His research focuses on computational and population genetics, including mutation biology, evolutionary genetics, and the genetic basis of complex and Mendelian traits. He leads the Sunyaev Lab, which develops computational methods for genomic analysis and investigates genetic variation’s role in health and disease. Dr. Sunyaev holds a PhD in molecular biophysics from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and completed postdoctoral training in bioinformatics at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL). He is an Institute Member at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and co-organizes the Boston Evolutionary Genomics Supergroup. His work spans cancer genomics, applied human genetics, and computational tools for large-scale sequencing studies. His research interests include mutation origin and effects, population genetics, and the allelic architecture of complex traits. Recent work emphasizes integrating evolutionary principles with modern genomic data to understand disease mechanisms and improve clinical interpretation of genetic variants. Dr. Sunyaev participates in graduate programs such as the Harvard Biophysics Program and Harvard Bioinformatics and Integrative Genomics Program. He teaches BMIF 201 - Concepts in Genome Analysis and collaborates widely across institutions and disciplines, reflecting his commitment to advancing translational bioinformatics.