Jonathan Santo is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), where he serves as Director of the Graduate Developmental Psychology Program and as a faculty member in the Office of Latino/Latin-American Studies. His research explores peer relations, cultural differences in self-esteem, and classroom-level influences on child and adolescent development, with a focus on improving school environments and fostering positive social interactions. ORCA Faculty Fellow His research spans broad areas including Developmental Psychology , Social Support Systems , and Cross-Cultural Peer Dynamics , with specific attention to peer victimization , self-continuity , school climate , and developmental trajectories in Brazilian and Colombian youth . Recent publications analyze topics like hikikomori experiences , friendship security , and HPA axis dysregulation in adolescents. Scientific awards include the ORCA Faculty Fellow recognition. His work often involves longitudinal assessments of peer relationships cross-cultural comparisons (Brazil, Colombia, China, Nigeria, Singapore, U.S.) policy-focused blog posts on family separations and school interventions
Martin Aigner is Associate Professor and Private Lecturer at the Karl Landsteiner Private University of Health Sciences, where he heads the Clinical Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine at Tulln University Hospital. He also teaches at the Medical University of Vienna and the University for Continuing Education Krems. A board member and president (2022–2025) of the Austrian Society for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics (ÖGPP), he is also involved in the Austrian Pain Society and Austrian Balint Society. His research interests center on the integration of biological, psychological, and social factors in psychiatry, with key areas including transitional psychiatry, obsessive-compulsive and mood disorders, the gut-brain axis, and the impact of environmental toxins like mycotoxins on mental health. He leads the PhD program in 'Mental Health and Neuroscience' and supervises doctoral research. His recent publications reflect a strong trend in interdisciplinary mental health research, combining clinical psychiatry with neuroscience, nutrition, and digital health. Themes include neurofeedback for addiction, microbiome influences on depression, and psychosomatic manifestations in chronic conditions. His work often involves neuroimaging and clinical trials. Three scientific prizes from the Austrian Pain Society Scientific prize from the Vienna Association for Neurology and Psychiatry Contributor to WFSBP guidelines on pharmacological treatment of eating disorders Co-author of guidelines for post-viral conditions He serves as principal investigator in multiple funded projects, including studies on depression and the microbiome, probiotics, and psychosis triggers. He is also co-investigator in follow-up care and community mental health initiatives. Aigner is editor-in-chief of psychopraxis. neuropraxis and advocates for digital health literacy and sustainable mental health structures, particularly in youth care. He leads the Research Center for Transitions Psychiatry, emphasizing early intervention, resilience, and patient empowerment through recovery companions. His team includes habilitated senior physicians, fostering innovation in clinical and research settings.
Mariana K. Falconier is a Professor in the Department of Family Science at the University of Maryland, College Park, and Director of the Couple and Family Therapy Master's Program. She holds a PhD and MS in Family Studies from the University of Maryland, alongside a Licentiate in Psychology from the University of Buenos Aires. Her work integrates clinical practice with research on couple dynamics under chronic stress, particularly focusing on economic, immigration, medical, and minority stressors among marginalized groups such as low-income, Latine, and LGBTQ+ populations. Educations: PhD in Family Studies, University of Maryland, College Park (2005) Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), University of Maryland, College Park (2002) Licentiate in Psychology (equivalent to MA Psychology), University of Buenos Aires (1992) Research Interests: Dr. Falconier’s work centers on dyadic coping mechanisms, economic and immigration-related stress mitigation, and culturally adapted interventions for underserved populations. She has developed the evidence-based TOGETHER/JUNTOS en PAREJA program, which integrates relationship and financial education, funded over $11 million federally and adapted for Latine immigrant and LGBTQ+ couples. Her research emphasizes emotional co-regulation, intersectional stress frameworks, and program evaluation methodologies. Grants & Awards: Recipient of the National Council for Family Relations’ Excellence in Professional/Clinical Practice Award and the George F. Kramer Practitioner of the Year Award. Over $11 million in federal grants have supported her program development and evaluation efforts. Teaching & Leadership: Taught nationally and globally in multicultural MFT, couple therapy, and post-modern approaches. Directed the Virginia Tech Center for Family Services (2008-2016) and the MFT Master’s Program (2017-2018). Currently teaches courses on gender/ethnicity in family services, couple therapy, and clinical supervision. International Impact: Collaborations in Switzerland, Romania, Italy, Hungary, Pakistan, and Chile. Presented at the Vatican City on family stress and coping for Pope Francis and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. Editor of Couples Coping with Stress: A Cross-Cultural Perspective (2016) and co-author of Treatment Plans and Interventions in Couple Therapy (2024). Labs & Teams: Active in the Center for Healthy Families and the Department of Family Science’s interdisciplinary initiatives.
Prof. Dr. Ir. Benoit STIJLEMANS is a Research Professor at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, where he leads research within the Myeloid Cell Immunology Team. His work focuses on the intricate interactions between host immune responses and parasitic infections, particularly African trypanosomiasis, while also exploring applications in cancer immunology. His educational background includes a Bio-engineering degree in Cell- and Gene biotechnology (1989-1995) followed by a PhD in Applied Biological Sciences (1995-2006) focusing on inflammation-associated anaemia in African trypanosomiasis. He progressed from Post-doctoral assistant (2006-2013) to Senior post-doctoral researcher (2014-2020) before becoming a Research Professor in 2020. Dr. STIJLEMANS' research spans immunology, particularly myeloid cell biology, with emphasis on macrophage function in both infectious disease and cancer contexts. His work bridges fundamental immunological mechanisms with translational applications, especially in nanobody technology development. He has made significant contributions to understanding how parasites like Trypanosoma manipulate host immune responses, particularly through the MIF cytokine family, and how these insights can inform cancer immunotherapy approaches. His research integrates molecular, cellular, and systems-level approaches to dissect complex host-pathogen and tumor-immune interactions. His publication record demonstrates consistent productivity with research spanning from 2002 to the present, with recent work focusing on macrophage plasticity, nanobody applications, and the immunological interface between parasitic infections and cancer biology. Development cooperation prize – edition 2006 Dr. STIJLEMANS has established himself as a leading researcher in myeloid cell immunology, with particular expertise in macrophage biology during parasitic infections and cancer. His work on nanobody technology represents an innovative approach to both diagnostics and therapeutics. The Myeloid Cell Immunology Team he is associated with serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research connecting immunology, parasitology, and cancer biology, fostering collaborations that address fundamental questions while seeking practical applications for disease intervention.
Maitreyi Das is an Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director in the Department of Biology at Boston College. She relocated her lab from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville to Boston College in 2022 and is based in Higgins Hall. Her research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms governing cell shape and cytokinesis in Schizosaccharomyces pombe (fission yeast), with a particular emphasis on the roles of Cdc42 and Rho family GTPases in cell polarity and division coordination. Her work integrates live-cell imaging, genetic approaches, and collaborations with engineers/mathematicians to model regulatory networks. Key projects include defining spatiotemporal activation patterns of Cdc42 during cytokinesis, investigating how septum formation coordinates with actomyosin ring constriction, and exploring cell polarization dynamics post-division. Her lab is funded by the NSF and NIH and has produced over 20 peer-reviewed articles since 2005. Collaborations include work with Francesc Verde and Dario Vavylonis. Students advised include Udo Onwubiko (PhD 2022, now at UNC-Chapel Hill), Bethany Campbell, Brian Hercyk, and others. Research highlights include discoveries on Cdc42/Rho1 crosstalk, GEF/GAP coordination in cytokinesis, and phosphorylation-dependent Gef1 regulation.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Markus Gallei is a Full Professor of Polymer Chemistry at Saarland University, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, where he leads the Gallei Lab. His research focuses on the development of nano-structured and stimuli-responsive polymeric materials inspired by natural hierarchical design principles. He holds a W3 professorship and is actively involved in interdisciplinary research bridging polymer chemistry, colloidal science, and self-assembly for advanced applications. His primary research interests include polymer chemistry , self-assembly of block copolymers , stimuli-responsive materials , smart membranes , photonic materials , and ceramic templating . His group develops novel synthetic strategies such as controlled radical polymerization and post-functionalization to create functional hybrid nanostructures. These materials are applied in fields like photonics , separation technologies , and energy storage . The recent publications reflect a strong trend toward redox-responsive systems , metallopolymer-based materials , 3D-printed structural colors , and environmental applications such as PFAS removal. The research combines fundamental polymer synthesis with applied materials engineering, emphasizing scalable and sustainable approaches. Reimund-Stadler-Prize donated by the GDCh (2017) Emerging Investigator 2016, RSC Journal of Materials C Fond der Chemischen Industrie (2016) Emerging Investigator 2016, RSC Polymer Chemistry Fellowship Max-Buchner-Foundation (DECHEMA) (2015) Young Talents 2015, Polymer Science, Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics Prize of the Familie-Bottling-Foundation (2011) Honor for PhD Thesis (summa cum laude), TU Darmstadt (2010) Prize of the Foundation of the Ehemaligen des Deutschen Kunststoff-Instituts (2007) GDCh-Prize for Chemistry (Abitur) (2000) Markus Gallei has led a junior research group at TU Darmstadt and has been a visiting scientist at MIT. He advises students and collaborates extensively on interdisciplinary projects. His lab is supported by national and EU-level funding, particularly in the area of smart inorganic polymers. He is a member of the editorial board of Frontiers in Polymer Science (Colloids) and part of the EU network 'Smart Inorganic Polymers'. The Gallei Lab operates within a well-equipped research environment, focusing on the self-assembly of core-shell particles , melt-shear organization , and functional hybrid films . The group actively develops new methodologies for creating porous membranes , ceramic precursors , and stimuli-responsive opal films .
Charan Ranganath is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Davis, and director of the Dynamic Memory Lab. He is affiliated with the UC Davis Center for Neuroscience and the Center for Mind and Brain, focusing on human memory and executive control using neuroimaging, electrophysiology, and behavioral methods. His research explores the neural basis of memory, including roles of the prefrontal cortex, medial temporal lobes, and hippocampus in working and long-term memory. Education: Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, Northwestern University M.S., Clinical Psychology, Northwestern University B.A., Psychology, University of California, Berkeley Ranganath’s research spans hippocampal-cortical interactions, curiosity-driven memory enhancement, schizophrenia-related memory deficits, and computational models of memory systems. His work reveals overlapping prefrontal and medial temporal lobe activity in memory tasks and investigates how stress, aging, and neuromodulation affect memory dynamics. His research trends emphasize episodic memory , relational memory , neural oscillations , cortico-hippocampal networks , curiosity-driven learning , and clinical applications in mental illness. Scientific Awards: Guggenheim Fellowship Leverhulme Trust Visiting Professorship Laird Cermak Award Samuel Sutton Award Chancellor’s Fellow award Young Investigator Award (Cognitive Neuroscience Society) National Security Science and Engineering Faculty Fellowship (2015) He has secured grants from the Department of Defense, National Institute of Mental Health, and private foundations. His lab collaborates with Andy Yonelinas on recognition memory and with others on field potentials in hippocampal studies. He teaches Human Learning, Cognitive Neuroimaging, and Current Research in Psychology.
Dr. Lina Herhaus holds dual roles as a Research Group Leader at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and a W1 Professor at Hannover Medical School (MHH). Her research focuses on immune signaling, autophagy, and molecular mechanisms underlying immune pathways. She leads the "Immune Signaling" group at HZI, funded by the MICROSTAR Program, and has prior leadership at Goethe University Frankfurt (2020–2024) and the Frankfurt Cancer Institute (2019–2020). Education: PhD in Biochemistry and Cell Signaling (2014) – MRC, University of Dundee Double Degree in Molecular Biology and Applied Biology (First-Class Honors, 2010) – Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg and University of Dundee Early research at ECOSUR, Mexico (2006–2007) Research Interests: Immune signaling pathways Autophagy regulation and its role in disease Molecular mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis Host-pathogen interactions in Salmonella and HCMV infections Therapeutic targeting of autophagy pathways Awards: Signal Transduction Society (STS) Science Award (2024) AIM Council of International Rising Stars (2024) Tim Hunt Prize for Cell Biology (2013) Grants & Leadership: Lead HZI’s Immune Signaling Group since 2024 Previously led Immune Signaling Group at Goethe University (2020–2024) Funded by MICROSTAR Program (HZI) and MHH Labs/Teams: Immune Signaling Group at HZI Campus, collaborating on autophagy, immune pathways, and infectious disease research.
Greig Shearer is a Lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry at the Department of Chemistry, University of Bath. He is actively engaged in research and is currently accepting doctoral students. His work bridges synthetic inorganic chemistry with advanced materials science, focusing on functional porous materials. Research Interests: Dr. Shearer's research lies at the intersection of inorganic and supramolecular chemistry, with a strong emphasis on metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). His work explores the design, synthesis, and functionalization of MOFs for applications in biomolecule immobilization, controlled release of semiochemicals, and defect engineering. He investigates how pore architecture and chemical functionality influence host–guest interactions and material performance. Publication Trends: His publications over the past decade reveal a sustained focus on MOF chemistry, particularly the UiO-66 family. Research themes include defect control, modulated synthesis, postsynthetic modification, and the interaction of biomolecules within porous matrices. His work combines experimental characterization with computational modeling, demonstrating a multidisciplinary approach to materials development. Scientific Awards: No awards explicitly mentioned in the provided text. Advising and Grants: Dr. Shearer is accepting PhD students, indicating active supervision. While specific grants are not listed, his consistent publication output in high-impact journals suggests sustained research funding. His collaborations span computational modeling, spectroscopy, and biological applications, reflecting a networked research approach. Labs and Teams: Although specific lab names or team structures are not provided, his research is conducted within the Department of Chemistry at the University of Bath, likely involving interdisciplinary collaboration given the breadth of techniques and applications in his work.
Susanne Kramer is a Professor in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of Würzburg's Biocenter. She leads the Kramer Lab, focusing on mRNA metabolism and posttranscriptional gene regulation in trypanosomes. Her academic journey includes a PhD from LMU Munich (2005), postdoctoral research at the University of Cambridge (2005–2011), and a DFG-funded Junior Group Leader position (2011–2018) before earning a Heisenberg Professorship in 2022. Education: 2005: Dr. rer. nat., LMU Munich 2016: Habilitation, University of Würzburg Research Interests: Susanne's work centers on RNA granules, mRNA export mechanisms, and trypanosome-specific post-transcriptional control. She developed novel methods for RNA granule purification, uncovering key insights into mRNA de-capping enzymes and co-transcriptional export in trypanosomes. Her lab uses cutting-edge techniques like super-resolution microscopy and single-molecule FISH to study subcellular RNA dynamics. Publications Trends: Her recent work highlights advancements in nuclear pore architecture, mRNA export pathways, and enzyme discovery (e.g., ApaH phosphatases). These studies bridge molecular mechanisms in trypanosomes with broader implications for cellular biology. Awards: 2022: Heisenberg Professorship (RNA Biology of Kinetoplastids) 2018: Heisenberg Funding (DFG) Advising & Labs: As a group leader, Susanne mentors graduate and undergraduate students. Her lab collaborates on projects involving RNA granule dynamics, mRNA processing, and trypanosome biology. Future research focuses on untangling the interplay between RNA metabolism and pathogenic mechanisms in trypanosomes. Lab Infrastructure: Located at the Biocenter, the Kramer Lab houses advanced imaging and molecular biology facilities to support its interdisciplinary studies.
Sebastian Baumgarten is the Head of the 'Parasite RNA Biology' Group at the Institut Pasteur, France, a position he has held since June 2021. He is affiliated with the Department of Biology of Host-Parasite Interactions. Previously, he was a post-doctoral researcher at the same institute from 2016 to 2021. His educational background includes a Ph.D. (2013–2016) and MSc (2012–2013) from the Red Sea Research Center at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia, and a BSc (2009–2012) from the University of Tübingen, Germany. His research centers on RNA biology in malaria parasites, particularly focusing on RNA modifications such as m6A and tRNA methylation, epigenetic regulation, and post-transcriptional gene control in Plasmodium falciparum . He employs advanced genomic techniques including CRISPR, RNAseq, and ChIPseq to study gene regulation and immune evasion mechanisms in protozoan parasites. His recent publications reveal a strong trend in understanding how RNA modifications influence parasite development, stress response, and antigenic variation. His work bridges molecular parasitology with epitranscriptomics, contributing significantly to the understanding of gene regulation in malaria parasites. Notable scientific contributions include studies published in Nature Microbiology , mBio , EMBO Reports , and Life Science Alliance , focusing on m6A methylation, RUF6 ncRNA interactions, and cohesin-mediated gene repression. He has supervised or collaborated with several researchers including post-doctoral fellows, PhD students, and technicians within his team. His group is actively involved in uncovering the molecular mechanisms of parasite survival and immune evasion, with potential implications for antimalarial drug and vaccine development. The 'Parasite RNA Biology' group operates within the Institut Pasteur's ecosystem, leveraging interdisciplinary platforms for genomics, imaging, and functional analysis to advance understanding of malaria parasite biology.
Marina Alexandra Pedro Andrade is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics at ISCTE - University Institute of Lisbon and an Integrated Researcher at ISTAR-Iscte (Research Center in Information Sciences, Technologies and Architecture). Her academic qualifications include a PhD in Quantitative Methods (ISCTE-IUL, 2007), a Master's in Applied Mathematics - Probability and Statistics (Faculty of Sciences - University of Lisbon, 2001), and a Bachelor's in Applied Mathematics - Probability and Statistics (Faculty of Sciences - University of Lisbon, 1998). Her research focuses on Mathematics , Probability and Statistics , Stochastic Processes , Bayesian Statistics , and Computational Modeling , with applications spanning forensic science, drug design, architectural rehabilitation, and ergonomics. She employs advanced statistical methods to solve real-world problems, such as DNA analysis for forensic identification and mathematical modeling of queueing systems. Her publications reflect interdisciplinary collaboration, with recent work exploring virtual reality's impact on human behavior, problem-based learning in mathematics education, and proteasome inhibitor design. She frequently utilizes Bayesian networks, stochastic modeling, and computational frameworks across diverse domains. In academic management, she serves on the Scientific Council (2023-2027) and has organized conferences like the International Conference on Advanced Research in Technologies, Information, Innovation and Sustainability (ARTIIS 2023). She coordinates courses including Mathematics I/II (Economics) and Probabilities and Stochastic Processes (Computer Engineering). She has supervised 1 doctoral thesis and 8 master's projects, covering topics from third-sector strategy to UAVs in firefighting. Her research project 'Transformation Grammars' (2004-2019) developed shape-grammar methodologies for housing rehabilitation in collaboration with European institutions.
Margaret McGee is an Associate Professor at the School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science , University College Dublin , with a research focus on cancer biology and extracellular vesicle signaling. Her work spans hematological malignancies, bone marrow microenvironment interactions, and mitotic regulatory mechanisms. She coordinates major modules including Genetic Basis of Disease and Regulation of Gene Expression . BSc University of Reading Dip Applied Science Dublin Institute of Technology PhD Biochemistry Trinity College Dublin Her research explores extracellular vesicle-mediated communication in cancer progression, cyclophilin A's role in mitotic exit, and preclinical biotherapeutic development. Current collaborations with Vejle Hospital Denmark and Mater Hospital Dublin investigate EV-based liquid biopsies for therapy response prediction. Notably, she co-authored the foundational MISEV2023 guidelines for extracellular vesicle research. Scientific contributions include: Wellcome Trust ISSF Mid Career Fellow (2017) Conway Institute Fellow (2007) IRCSET Fellowship (2003) She leads the EU Twinflag consortium for EV-based biomarker development in joint disorders and chairs the SBBS Research, Innovation and Impact Committee (2020-2024). Her lab has trained numerous researchers who now hold prominent positions in academia and industry.
Dr. Dieter Kressler is a Senior Researcher at the Department of Biology , Faculty of Science and Medicine , University of Fribourg. Holding a PhD and serving as head of the proteomics platform , his work focuses on the molecular mechanisms of eukaryotic ribosome biogenesis. Email: dieter.kressler@unifr.ch ORCID: 0000-0003-4855-3563 Contact: +41 26 300 8645 Location: PER 05 building, Fribourg Research Interests include: Dedicated chaperones for ribosomal proteins Co-translational regulation of ribosomal protein expression Ubiquitin signaling in ribosome assembly RNA helicase roles in pre-ribosomal particles Structural dynamics of ribosome maturation Stress response coupling to translational control His 15 most recent publications (2025-2016) reveal a consistent focus on ribosome biogenesis, with key articles in eLife , Nature Communications , and Nucleic Acids Research . Research spans from thermal avoidance circuits in C. elegans to ubiquitin fusion mechanisms in yeast ribosomes , integrating structural biology, genetics, and biochemical approaches.
Joëlle Darwiche is a Professor at the University of Lausanne , affiliated with the LIVES Centre . Her research focuses on family psychology , coparenting dynamics , and mental health in vulnerable populations , particularly forced migrants and families undergoing assisted reproductive technologies. She employs advanced quantitative methods and observational frameworks like the Lausanne Trilogue Play. Research Interests: Coparenting, family resilience, AI in therapy, post-separation child outcomes, and stress dynamics in ART families. Recent Publications: Explore AI applications in relationship counseling, coparenting interventions, and longitudinal impacts of asylum status on migrant mental health. Methodology: Specializes in dyadic behavioral analysis, Markov modeling, and longitudinal Actor-Partner Interdependence Models.
