Find Academic Supervisors

Rebecca HaleView profile

Physician Scientist

• Immunology
• Allergy
• Pediatrics
• +3 more

Dr. Rebecca Hale, MD, PhD, serves as an Attending Physician in the Division of Immunology at Boston Children's Hospital and holds an academic appointment as Instructor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. She specializes in pediatric immunology, allergy, and medical genetics, providing clinical care for patients with immune system disorders. Yale University (Undergraduate, 2007) Emory University School of Medicine (MD, 2017) Baylor College of Medicine (Residency in Pediatrics/Medical Genetics, 2021) Dr. Hale's research focuses on immune regulatory disorders, autoantibody profiling, and genetic aspects of immunological conditions. Her work bridges clinical practice with scientific investigation in primary immunodeficiencies and autoimmune disorders affecting children. She is board certified in both Pediatrics and Medical Genetics. Her recent publications demonstrate expertise across immunology, with particular emphasis on T cell biology, glycosylation in allergic responses, and rare genetic immune disorders. The research shows a clear trajectory toward understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying pediatric immune dysregulation. Dr. Hale provides comprehensive clinical care through Boston Children's Hospital's Division of Immunology, which is recognized as a leading center for pediatric immunology research and treatment. The division treats over 30,000 patients annually across multiple specialty programs including allergy, asthma, atopic dermatitis, and primary immunodeficiencies.

• Epigenetics
• Chromatin Biology
• Histone Modifications
• +5 more

Erin Green is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), where she leads an active research laboratory investigating epigenetic regulation through protein post-translational modifications. Her work integrates molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, genomics, and proteomics using Saccharomyces cerevisiae and mammalian models to study chromatin signaling pathways in gene expression and stress response. Education: Postdoctoral Fellowship, Stanford University (2013) Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley (2007) B.A., Bryn Mawr College (2000) Dr. Green's research focuses on how histone methylation, particularly at lysine residues, regulates chromatin structure and function to maintain genomic integrity during cellular stress and gene expression. Her lab investigates canonical and novel methylation sites, non-histone protein methylation, and the role of lysine methyltransferases like Set5 and SMYD proteins in telomere maintenance and cancer pathways. Using evolutionary conserved yeast models, her work provides insights into human diseases including tumorigenesis and aging-related pathologies. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals consistent emphasis on chromatin stress responses, telomere biology, and lysine methylation signaling. Key trends include: (1) mechanistic studies of SET domain proteins in stress adaptation, (2) crosstalk between histone modifications and DNA repair, (3) translational implications for cancer metastasis (particularly prostate cancer via SMYD3-MAP3K2 axis), and (4) development of yeast models for human aging processes. Her work bridges fundamental chromatin biology with disease mechanisms through conserved epigenetic pathways. Dr. Green has secured significant research funding including multiple NIH grants: a funded R01 on lysine methylation in chromatin and stress responses (2017-2022), an active project on SMYD lysine methyltransferase Set6 (2023-present), and previously funded work on telomere chromatin homeostasis (2016). She actively mentors graduate students including recent PhD graduates (Maraki Negesse, Elgar Gabibov) and current candidates (Chase Andre, Fidelia Asomani), with several trainees presenting at national conferences and publishing high-impact work. The Green Lab maintains a dynamic research environment within UMBC's Biological Sciences Building, characterized by frequent conference presentations (ASBMB, FASEB), collaborative projects, and integration of undergraduate researchers through programs like Meyerhoff and U-RISE. Current work focuses on lysine methylation signaling in stress responses, with ongoing projects examining noncanonical SET domain functions and SMYD methyltransferase roles in proteostasis.

• HIV-1 humoral immunity
• HIV-1 elite controllers
• Broadly neutralizing antibodies
• +3 more

Mohammad M. Sajadi, MD, is Professor of Medicine and Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Clinical Care and Research at the Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine. Based in Baltimore, he directs a translational research program focused on HIV-1 humoral immunity and SARS-CoV-2 immunology. Education & Training: While the provided text does not list explicit degrees, his MD title indicates medical training followed by specialty and research training in infectious diseases and virology. Research Interests: Dr. Sajadi’s laboratory studies the molecular basis of broadly neutralizing antibody responses against HIV-1, with particular attention to elite controllers who suppress virus without therapy. The group engineers next-generation monoclonal antibodies for improved potency, manufacturability, and CNS delivery. Parallel efforts dissect SARS-CoV-2 immunity, exploring antibody durability, mucosal protection, and environmental influences on COVID-19 mortality. Publication Trends: Across >50 recent papers, a clear trajectory emerges: early work defined signatures of broad HIV neutralization in plasma, followed by mechanistic studies on λ-light-chain bias and memory B-cell responses. Recent outputs pivot toward translational development—liposomal antibody delivery, glial progenitor-based gene therapy for HIV brain reservoirs, and multiplex serology platforms. COVID-19 studies mirror this translational depth, covering vaccine immunogenicity, maternal antibody transfer, and climate-linked epidemiology. Scientific Recognition: While no specific awards are listed, sustained NIH and institutional funding, high-impact publications in J Infect Dis , J Virol , PNAS , and invited reviews in 2020-2025 collectively underscore international recognition in HIV and COVID-19 antibody research. Grants & Collaborations: Dr. Sajadi leads multi-disciplinary teams spanning virology, structural biology, and pharmacology. Active collaborations include the NIAID-funded Consortia for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Development, the Global COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Project, and industry partnerships for antibody manufacturing scale-up. Laboratory & Teams: The Sajadi Laboratory is housed within the Institute of Human Virology, occupying state-of-the-art BSL-2/3 space. Core teams include post-doctoral fellows, graduate students, research technicians, and computational biologists working on antibody engineering, single-cell B-cell repertoire analysis, and in vivo challenge models.

• Prion diseases
• Neurodegenerative diseases
• Neuroinflammation
• +5 more

Ilia V. Baskakov is a Professor at the Center for Biomedical Engineering and Technology and Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine. His research focuses on understanding the mechanisms of prion-induced neurodegeneration and the role of glial cells in neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Baskakov's educational background includes: M.S. in Bioorganic Chemistry from Moscow University Ph.D. in Biophysics from the Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow Postdoctoral training in biophysics and protein folding with Wayne Bolen at University of Texas Medical Branch Postdoctoral training on prions with Nobel laureate Stanley Prusiner at UCSF Dr. Baskakov's research primarily focuses on prion diseases and their relationship to broader neurodegenerative disorders . His laboratory uses a multidisciplinary approach combining animal pathology, transcriptome analysis, neuroimmunology, cell biology, structural analysis, biochemistry, and imaging to investigate prion-induced neurodegeneration. Key areas of investigation include the role of reactive astrocytes and reactive microglia in disease progression, the impact of prion protein sialylation on neuroinflammation and disease outcomes, and the mechanisms of prion strain adaptation . His groundbreaking work demonstrated that transmissible prion disease can be induced using amyloid fibrils prepared in vitro, challenging conventional understanding of prion transmission. An analysis of Dr. Baskakov's recent publications reveals a strong focus on glial cell responses in prion diseases, particularly examining how reactive microglia and astrocytes contribute to neurodegeneration. His work increasingly explores the relationship between glial activation states and disease progression, with recent studies investigating microglial phagocytosis of neurons and astrocyte-mediated neuronal toxicity. There's also continued emphasis on the role of prion protein post-translational modifications, particularly sialylation, in determining disease phenotypes and strain characteristics. Dr. Baskakov has made significant contributions to the understanding of prion biology through his laboratory's work. His team established that the degree of astrocyte activation is predictive of incubation time to prion diseases and demonstrated that challenge with prion protein with reduced sialylation does not cause prion infection. The laboratory developed innovative approaches including a new imaging technique combining atomic force and fluorescence microscopy to study prion strain evolution. Dr. Baskakov's laboratory is equipped with advanced instrumentation including an Atomic Force Microscope PicoLE combined with inverted fluorescence microscopy, CD spectrophotometer, FTIR spectrometer, fluorimeter, dynamic light scattering system, HPLC and FPLC systems, and fluorescence inverted microscope. Current research projects focus on understanding whether microglia-driven phagocytosis and astrocyte reactivity should be targeted as potential therapeutic strategies for treating prion diseases.

Gary BrennanView profile

Assistant Professor

• Epigenetics
• RNA Biology
• Epilepsy
• +2 more

Dr. Gary Brennan is an Assistant Professor at the School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, and a member of the Conway Institute. He is a Funded Investigator at the FutureNeuro Research Center and has held affiliations with institutions including the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and the University of California-Irvine. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of epilepsy, particularly epigenetic and epitranscriptomic regulation, RNA modifications, and neuroinflammatory pathways. Education: PhD in Physiology & Medical Physics from RCSI (2015) Postdoctoral Training: University of California-Irvine (2012-2015) under Prof. Tallie Z. Baram; RCSI (2016-2018) under Prof. David Henshall His research program addresses three critical challenges: (1) understanding molecular reprogramming after brain insults, (2) developing RNA-based therapies targeting epigenetic processes, and (3) identifying peripheral biomarkers for epilepsy prediction. Key contributions include studies on microRNA regulation of seizure networks, m6A RNA methylation in temporal lobe epilepsy, and systemic delivery of antagomirs timed with blood-brain barrier disruption. His work has been published in journals like Nature Reviews Neurology , JCI Insight , and Molecular Brain . Recent funding includes grants from Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), Health Research Board (HRB), and the European Union. He has received awards such as the CURE Taking Flight Award and Marie Curie Fellowship. Dr. Brennan also supervises PhD students and coordinates modules on CNS diseases and multicellular systems.

• Cancer Biology
• Hematopoietic Malignancies
• Extracellular Vesicles
• +6 more

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.

Chad SlawsonView profile

Professor

• O-GlcNAcylation
• Mitochondrial Biology
• Cancer Metabolism
• +4 more

Chad Slawson is Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Kansas Medical Center . His research focuses on O-GlcNAcylation , a dynamic post-translational modification that regulates cellular processes such as nutrient sensing, stress response, and mitochondrial function. Dr. Slawson's laboratory has made significant contributions to understanding how O-GlcNAc modifies proteins in the Mitochondria Nucleus Cytoplasm to affect disease mechanisms including cancer and Alzheimer's. His work has been funded by major organizations including National Institutes of Health (NIH) Midwest Cancer Alliance Patton Trust and he maintains active professional affiliations with American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) American Chemical Society (ACS) Recent publication trends show Dr. Slawson's expanding impact across Neurodegenerative disease mechanisms Cancer metabolism Immunometabolism Transcriptional regulation Mitochondrial stress response Metabolic disease pathways His laboratory has developed novel CRISPR-based tools for studying O-GlcNAc regulation at genomic cis-regulatory elements, advancing epigenetic research methodologies.

• Ribosome biogenesis
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• +5 more

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.

Han-Jou ChenView profile

Lecturer

• Neuroscience
• Molecular Biology
• Cell Biology
• +3 more

Dr. Han-Jou Chen is a Lecturer in Neuroscience at the Department of Biology, University of York. Their research investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying protein aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s, with a focus on chaperone response systems and RNA-protein interactions. Current projects include exploring cell-specific responses to TDP-43 pathology and developing small molecule activators of the HSF1 pathway for therapeutic applications. Education: PhD in VAPB mutation studies (Imperial College London), MSc in Molecular Medicine (National Taiwan University), Postdoc in TDP-43 pathogenesis (King's College London) Research interests center on protein homeostasis in neuronal cells, particularly how dysregulation of the heat shock protein (HSP) network and RNA binding contributes to TDP-43 aggregation. Their work combines cellular models, CRISPR editing, and collaborations with biophysicists for drug screening. Recent publications highlight their dual focus on understanding TDP-43 pathology and developing chaperone-targeted therapies. They actively supervise PhD students through cell-based projects and maintain collaborations with European networks focused on ALS treatment. As an educator, Dr. Chen teaches advanced neuroscience and genetics courses, emphasizing critical thinking and translational research approaches. Their tutorials encourage deep exploration of neuroscience topics through paper discussions and evidence-based essay writing.

Donald F. HuntView profile

Professor

• Analytical Biochemistry
• Mass Spectrometry
• Proteomics
• +5 more

Donald F. Hunt is Professor of Chemistry at the University of Virginia, College of Arts and Sciences, where he leads a research program that pioneers ultra-sensitive mass spectrometry methods for protein characterization and immunopeptidomics. Research Focus: Development of nanoflow HPLC-microelectrospray ionization techniques coupled to ion-trap and Fourier-transform mass spectrometers. Structural analysis of proteins and post-translational modifications at femtomole/attomole sensitivity. Discovery of peptide antigens presented via MHC molecules on cancerous or infected cells for vaccine development. Large-scale differential proteomics to compare healthy vs diseased states, drug treatments, and secreted proteins. Identification of phosphoproteins, protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions. Recent Publications: All five 2017 papers leverage advanced mass-spectrometry workflows to dissect antigen presentation, MHC-peptide specificity, phosphorylation-dependent antigens, and high-resolution intact protein fragmentation. Laboratory & Facilities: The Hunt laboratory occupies Room 188B in the Chemistry Building at the University of Virginia, equipped with state-of-the-art ion-trap and FT-ICR mass spectrometers optimized for nano-LC-ESI-MS/MS analyses.

• Single Cell Genomics
• Transcription Factors
• Chromatin Complexes
• +4 more

Xi Chen is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), since 2019. He previously worked as a Senior Staff Scientist at the Wellcome Sanger Institute (2016–2019) and Postdoctoral Fellow at the European Bioinformatics Institute (2013–2016). His academic journey includes a PhD in Life Sciences (2009–2012) and BSc in Experimental Medicine (2005–2009) from the University of Manchester and Peking University Health Science Center respectively. Education: PhD, Life Sciences, University of Manchester (2009–2012) BSc, Experimental Medicine, Peking University Health Science Center (2005–2009) Research Interests focus on: Developing single-cell epigenetic and transcriptomic sequencing technologies Epigenetic and bioinformatic analysis of genomic data Using T cells and stem cells as models to study transcription factors and chromatin complexes in cell fate determination and memory Recent Publications highlight his work in single-cell genomics (2018–2019), with methodological advances like rapid chromatin accessibility profiling and insights into T helper cell CRISPR screens, embryonic stem cell differentiation, and innate immunity variability. His publications span high-impact journals including Cell , Nature , and Nucleic Acids Research . Labs & Collaborations: Xi Chen leads the xichenlab.com , a hub for single-cell genomics research. The lab recruits postdocs and research assistants for both computational (dry lab) and experimental (wet lab) roles, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and access to SUSTech's supercomputing resources.

• Stem Cell Biology
• Respiratory Biology
• Toxicology
• +3 more

Dr. Oliver Brookes is a Research Fellow at Queen Mary University of London's School of Engineering and Materials Science, supervised by Prof David Lee in Engineering Building 147. His work bridges biomedical engineering and toxicology through advanced in vitro model development. Primary research foci include: Stem Cell Biology : Biomechanical properties of embryonic stem cells and pericyte differentiation from mesenchymal stem cells Respiratory Modeling : Co-culture systems for alveolar/bronchial epithelium and nanoparticle interaction studies Nanotoxicology : Pulmonary surfactant effects on nanoparticle uptake and xenobiotic exposure mechanisms His 2017-2023 publications demonstrate evolving expertise in 3D respiratory barrier models, with increasing emphasis on repeated exposure scenarios and secretome dynamics. Key methodological trends include integration of biomechanical analysis with stem cell models and translation of co-culture systems for toxicity screening. Brookes currently leads an Innovate UK-funded project (£34,996 BBSRC ICURe Explore grant; Oct 2024-Jan 2025) focused on commercializing respiratory barrier models. He collaborates within Prof Lee's biomaterials research group and cross-institutional toxicology networks to advance preclinical testing platforms.

Pål FalnesView profile

Professor

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Protein Methylation
• +5 more

Pål Falnes is a Professor at the University of Oslo , affiliated with the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology . His research focuses on protein methylation, particularly in mitochondrial contexts and its implications for RNA/DNA repair mechanisms. Active in studying seven-β-strand (METTL) methyltransferases and their roles in lysine methylation. Investigates mitochondrial enzymatic activity , including ATP synthase and citrate synthase regulation. Research Interests : Dr. Falnes specializes in post-translational modifications , particularly lysine and histidine methylation. His work bridges protein-RNA interactions , translation dynamics , and mitochondrial metabolism , with recent studies on METTL family members like METTL13, METTL18, and FAM173B. Article Trends : Publications highlight METTL methyltransferases in human proteomics, mitochondrial respiration regulation, and DNA/RNA repair via AlkB proteins. Key themes include chronic pain mechanisms , ribosome biogenesis , and sequence-specific enzymatic methylation . Research Groups : He leads the Biological Methylation - Falnes group and contributes to the Center for Computational Inference in Evolutionary Life Science (CELS) .

Alicia K. ByrdView profile

Assistant Professor

• DNA Damage Response
• Helicase Enzymes
• G-quadruplex Structures
• +3 more

Alicia K. Byrd serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine. She also holds an Associate Member position at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. Her research focuses on DNA damage response mechanisms, particularly the role of helicase enzymes in maintaining genomic stability. Dr. Byrd's research interests center on DNA repair pathways and genomic instability. Her laboratory investigates how helicases resolve secondary DNA structures like G-quadruplexes, which can cause chromosomal rearrangements leading to cancer or Fragile X Syndrome. Using biophysical, biochemical, and cellular techniques—including single-molecule kinetics, proteomics, and genomics—her team examines enzyme mechanisms both individually and within multi-protein complexes, with emphasis on post-translational modifications. Her publication analysis reveals strong specialization in G-quadruplex biology and helicase function across diverse systems from bacteriophage to human enzymes. Key trends include methodological innovations in DNA unwinding assays, structural analyses of helicase-DNA interactions, and exploration of helicase roles in replication fork dynamics. The research demonstrates consistent focus on fundamental mechanisms of DNA repair enzymes with translational implications for cancer and genetic disorders. Dr. Byrd leads an active research program in the Biomedical Research Center (B408), utilizing advanced techniques to study DNA-protein interactions. Her laboratory maintains collaborative relationships across multiple institutions as evidenced by co-authorship patterns in publications.

• Neurodegeneration
• Autophagy
• Polyamine metabolism
• +5 more

Rong Zhai is a Professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Chicago. She has an active research program focused on neurodegeneration, autophagy, polyamine metabolism, and microRNA-mediated neuroprotection. Education: PhD in Neurobiology – University of Alabama at Birmingham Postdoctoral Fellowship in Neurogenetics – Baylor College of Medicine Research Interests: Dr. Zhai’s work centers on understanding molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases using Drosophila models. Her research spans autophagy regulation, polyamine biosynthesis, microRNA-mediated post-transcriptional control, and NAD+ metabolism. She has made significant contributions to understanding how metabolic imbalances and protein aggregation contribute to diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, and rare genetic neuropathies. Scientific Impact: Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on translational neuroscience, particularly in developing therapeutic strategies for rare genetic disorders like Snyder-Robinson syndrome and hereditary neuropathies. She has consistently published in high-impact journals such as Nature Genetics , PNAS , Cell Death & Disease , and EMBO Molecular Medicine . Funding: Dr. Zhai has been continuously funded by the NIH since 2008, holding multiple R01, R21, R33, and RF1 grants as Principal Investigator. Her current projects focus on polyamine imbalance in neurotoxicity and microRNA regulation of neuroprotective pathways.