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Vakil TakhaveevView profile

Lecturer

• DNA Damage and Repair
• Aging Mechanisms
• Cancer Biology
• +6 more

Dr. Vakil Takhaveev is a Lecturer at ETH Zurich's Department of Health Sciences and Technology, within the Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health. His research focuses on DNA damage mechanisms, aging, cancer, and neurodegeneration, with particular emphasis on developing novel DNA-damage-sequencing methods like click-code-seq and TRABI-Seq . He investigates anticancer drug action (e.g., trabectedin), aging clocks using DNA oxidation profiling, and stress-induced carcinogenesis. His work integrates multi-omics approaches and advanced sequencing techniques. Research Directions: Novel DNA-Damage-Sequencing Methods: Developed click-code-seq and TRABI-Seq for genomic mapping of DNA lesions and repair dynamics. Anticancer Drug Action: Explored mechanisms of trabectedin and other chemotherapeutics, linking DNA repair vulnerabilities to therapy resistance. Aging Clocks: Created DNA oxidation-based biomarkers for biological aging using genome-wide profiling in human and mouse models. Stress-Induced Pathologies: Studies metabolic and DNA damage links to early tumorigenesis and neurodegeneration. Awards & Recognition: 2025 Public Award Winner in PIs of Tomorrow competition 2024 ETH Zurich Career Seed Award Best presentation awards (Swiss Chemical Society, American Chemical Society) Grants & Collaborations: Impetus grants for aging clock development Swiss Chemical Society and American Chemical Society fellowships Labs & Teams: Leads research on DNA damage and aging mechanisms at ETH Zurich, collaborating with international groups in oncology and toxicology.

• Microbial Genomics
• Gut Microbiome
• Aging and Healthy Aging
• +4 more

Paul O'Toole is a Professor of Microbial Genomics and Principal Investigator at the APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork. His research focuses on the gut microbiome's role in health, aging, and disease, particularly in the context of diet and probiotics. He leads projects like the ELDERMET study on elderly nutrition and the NU-AGE project exploring Mediterranean diets' anti-aging effects. He holds a BA (Mod.) from Trinity College Dublin and a PhD from Lund University, with postdoctoral training in Canada and New Zealand. Key grants include studies on dairy-derived microbiota, probiotic strain improvement, and microbiome analysis in aging populations. He has published extensively on Lactobacillus genomics, gut-brain interactions, and microbiome-driven health outcomes. His work bridges fundamental microbiology with clinical applications, emphasizing translational research. Scientific highlights include discovering microbiome links to cognitive decline, demonstrating dietary modulation of gut microbes to combat obesity, and identifying keystone species in healthy aging. He advocates for sustainability in conservation and food systems, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to global health challenges.

Jeremy GuestView profile

Professor

• Circular Bioeconomy
• Wastewater Treatment
• Resource Recovery
• +5 more

Dr. Jeremy Guest is the Levenick Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering (and courtesy appointment in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). He serves as Associate Director for Research at the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) and leads the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI). His research focuses on advancing circular bioeconomies through sustainable sanitation systems, resource recovery from wastewater, and biofuel/bioproduct development from lignocellulosic biomass. Guest's work emphasizes Quantitative Sustainable Design (QSD) methodologies to bridge engineering innovation with policy and investment decisions. Education: PhD in Environmental Engineering (University of Michigan, 2012); MS (Virginia Tech, 2007); BS (Bucknell University, 2005). Research interests include wastewater treatment innovation, nutrient recovery, bioenergy systems design, and sustainable agriculture practices. Key contributions include the EcoRecover phosphorus recovery process, the QSDsan modeling platform, and leadership in CABBI's $262.5M DOE-funded initiative. Guest has secured funding from NSF, US EPA, USDA, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Recognitions include the NSF CAREER Award, 2021 James J. Morgan Early Career Award, and the Paul L. Busch Award. He advises over 15 graduate students and leads multiple high-impact projects like the NEWgenerator sanitation system and oilcane biorefinery integration. Lab/Group: Guest Research Group focuses on experimental, computational, and policy-oriented research to solve global sustainability challenges. Current projects address algae-based wastewater treatment, fecal sludge management in low-income regions, and precision fermentation systems development.

Maria Manuela PintadoView profile

Professor

• Food Biotechnology
• Functional Ingredients
• Bioactive Compounds
• +2 more

Maria Manuela Pintado is Full Professor and Director of CBQF research center at Universidade Católica Portuguesa's Faculty of Biotechnology. She leads interdisciplinary research in sustainable food systems and functional ingredients. Research domains include: Valorization of agro-industrial byproducts Development of bioactive edible films Design of functional foods for chronic disease prevention Circular economy applications in food systems Recent publications (2023-2025) show strong focus on sustainable biomaterials and health-promoting ingredients, with notable increases in circular economy applications and precision nutrition studies. Key innovations include antiviral biopolymers from yeast and bioactive films for food preservation. Awards include recognition for circular economy innovations and upcycling research. Directs extensive EU-funded projects including THRIVE (€4M) and CIRCUL-A-BILITY, supervising large research teams and industrial partnerships.

Georg GuggenbergerView profile

Professor

• Soil Science
• Soil Chemistry
• Biogeochemistry
• +7 more

Professor Georg Guggenberger is a distinguished academic at Leibniz University Hannover, where he serves as Professor of Soil Chemistry within the Department of Soil Science at the Institute of Earth System Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences. In addition to his research and teaching responsibilities, he holds several significant administrative positions including Vice Dean for Research in the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Executive Management at both the Institute of Soil Science and Department of Soil Science levels, and Chair of the Selection Committee for the M.Sc. Landscape Sciences program. Prof. Guggenberger's research program focuses on fundamental processes governing soil organic matter dynamics across diverse ecosystems worldwide, from Arctic to tropical regions. His work investigates biotic and abiotic factors influencing the formation, transport, and stabilization of soil organic matter, with particular emphasis on soil fertility maintenance. He employs advanced methodologies including stable isotope approaches, biomarker analyses, microspectroscopic techniques (XPS, ESEM, NMR, NanoSIMS), and molecular biological methods to study biogeochemical interactions on mineral surfaces, dissolved organic matter dynamics, plant-mycorrhizal-soil interactions, permafrost soil organic matter, and impacts of land use and climate change on soil organisms. Analysis of Prof. Guggenberger's recent publications reveals a strong interdisciplinary research program spanning soil biogeochemistry, carbon cycling, soil microbiology, and climate change impacts. His work integrates field experiments along environmental gradients with laboratory manipulation studies to identify underlying mechanisms. The research shows particular strength in understanding organic matter stabilization mechanisms, microbial contributions to soil processes, and development of sustainable soil management practices that address climate change challenges. Prof. Guggenberger actively contributes to academic service through his leadership roles in examination boards and committees, including the Examination Board for Geosciences programs and the Selection Committee for Landscape Sciences. His administrative responsibilities as Vice Dean for Research demonstrate his commitment to advancing research within the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Leibniz University Hannover.

Hong LiView profile

Associate Professor

• Food Science
• Food Processing Technology
• Food Safety
• +3 more

Hong Li is an Associate Professor at the University of California, Davis, specializing in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of food science, engineering, and biotechnology. Their work focuses on innovative food processing technologies, including infrared drying systems, catalytic thermal treatments, and microbial inactivation methods. Li's research also addresses sustainable production of alternative proteins, nutraceuticals, and optimization of agricultural by-products. Key research interests include food safety, energy-efficient processing, and the application of advanced technologies like cold plasma and mathematical modeling in food systems. Li has contributed to advancements in nut drying, fish meat quality, and fungal protein production. Their work emphasizes practical solutions for industrial applications while maintaining nutritional and sensory quality. Publications highlight Li's expertise in food physics, interdisciplinary collaboration, and bridging theoretical models with real-world processing challenges. Despite extensive contributions, no scientific awards or named grants are explicitly mentioned in the text.

• Metabolomics
• Antibiotic Resistance
• Biotechnology
• +5 more

Per Bruheim is a Professor at the Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). He leads the Bruheim research group, focusing on Deep Phenotyping of prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems using advanced metabolomics, fluxomics, and lipidomics techniques. He is the scientific leader of the NV faculty Mass Spectrometry lab and has developed targeted/non-targeted MS methods applied to diverse biological systems. Teaching roles include leading the 2-year and 5-year Biotechnology programs (MSBIOTECH and MBIOT5). He teaches courses such as TBT4140 Biochemical Engineering, TBT4110 Microbiology, and TKP4170 Process Design. Current research projects include targeting antibiotic resistance via bacterial stress responses (Trond Mohn Foundation), chemically defined cell culture media development, and peptide drug inhibition of translesion synthesis mechanisms. Research interests center on metabolomics and systems biology approaches to study microbial physiology and antibiotic resistance, with applications in bioprocessing and sustainable protein production. His lab employs mass spectrometry for precise metabolic profiling and collaborates internationally on projects involving lipidomics and flux analysis. Advising and grants involve mentoring over a dozen master’s theses on topics like microbial fermentation optimization, single-cell protein production, and recombinant protein expression. He actively pursues funding for projects addressing AMR mechanisms and bioprocess innovation. The Bruheim group also collaborates with industry on sustainable raw material utilization for microbial cultures. Labs/Teams: Leads the Mass Spectrometry facility at NTNU and directs the Bruheim research group within the Institute of Biotechnology (IBT). Collaborates with national/international partners in microbiology, metabolomics, and bioprocessing.

Dajana VuckovicView profile

Professor

• analytical chemistry
• metabolomics
• lipidomics
• +7 more

Dajana Vuckovic, PhD, is a full Professor and Concordia University Research Chair in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Concordia University's School of Health. She directs the Centre for Biological Applications of Mass Spectrometry (CBAMS) and leads an active research group. Her education includes a PhD from the University of Waterloo and an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Toronto. Dr. Vuckovic's research focuses on cutting-edge analytical chemistry methodologies with emphasis on: Advanced mass spectrometry techniques for metabolomics and lipidomics Innovative sample preparation approaches for complex biological matrices Biomarker discovery and validation for cardiovascular health and inflammation Development of standardized protocols for untargeted analysis Applications in nutrition and neurological research Her extensive publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on analytical method development, particularly in LC-MS based metabolomics and lipidomics. Recent works emphasize QA/QC standardization, tissue analysis advancements, and novel applications in neuroscience and cardiovascular research. Awards & Honors: PetroCanada Young Innovator Award As Director of CBAMS, she oversees interdisciplinary research in biological mass spectrometry. She actively contributes to professional organizations including the Metabolomics Association of North America (Board Member), Metabolomics Innovation Centre, and Metabolomics Quality Assurance and Quality Control Consortium (mQACC).

Marilia ChiavegatoView profile

Assistant Professor

• Grazing Systems
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Agroecosystems Resilience
• +6 more

Marilia Chiavegato is an Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University, holding a split appointment in the Department of Animal Sciences and the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science. She specializes in agroecosystem sustainability, focusing on crop-livestock integration, grazing systems, and environmental impact assessment. Her work emphasizes climate change adaptation through multi-year analysis of large-scale datasets. Education: Ph.D. in Animal Sciences, Michigan State University (2014) M.S. in Applied Chemistry to Agriculture and the Environment, University of São Paulo (2010) B. Eng. in Agronomic Engineering, University of São Paulo (2008) Research Interests: Resilience of agroecosystems under climate change Greenhouse gas emissions monitoring Grazing management strategies Integrated crop-livestock systems Soil carbon sequestration Recent Work Trends: Dr. Chiavegato’s research bridges field-scale analysis with environmental pressures, focusing on mitigating emissions while enhancing productivity. Recent studies include grazing management’s impact on methane/nitrogen dynamics and biochar’s role in sustainable agriculture. Advising & Grants:** Advises students in Animal Sciences and Horticulture/Crop Science. Research funding sources include USDA grants and collaborative initiatives on sustainable farming. Labs/Teams:** Collaborates with Ohio State’s Agricultural Research and Development Center and Extension programs to translate research into practical farm solutions.

• Agricultural Marketing
• Market Theory
• Sustainable Agriculture
• +4 more

Peter Breunig is a Professor at the University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan-Triesdorf (HSWT), working within the Department of Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition. His academic focus centers on agricultural marketing, market theory, and sustainable food systems. As Coordinator specializing in "Marketing and Management in Agribusiness" and Public Relations lead for the Agriculture department, he plays a significant role in shaping the institution's engagement with industry and the public. His educational expertise is reflected in his comprehensive teaching portfolio covering: Agricultural markets Fundamentals of Agricultural Marketing Marketing and Management of Regional Value Chains (Master) Market theory and market policy Regional marketing Strategies of International Agricultural Marketing (Master) Processes and economics of crop/animal production Professor Breunig's research bridges theoretical market concepts with practical applications in agriculture, with particular emphasis on sustainability transitions. His work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary collaboration across agricultural economics, food science, environmental studies, and technology fields. Recent publications reveal a clear trend toward addressing sustainability challenges in food systems, particularly regarding consumer acceptance of alternative proteins, climate impacts of agricultural practices, and digital transformation in agriculture. Among his notable scientific contributions are studies on: Media portrayal of new genetic technologies in agriculture Consumer acceptance of animal-free dairy products Climate change mitigation potentials in agricultural systems Digital transformation frameworks for agricultural ecosystems Professor Breunig has supervised numerous master's theses across diverse topics in agricultural marketing and management, and currently mentors doctoral candidates including Tanja Strobel-Unbehaun and Hanno Koßmann. His research projects include "Mastering opportunities yourself - scouting, career guidance and key qualifications in Agriculture" where he serves as project lead, demonstrating his commitment to developing future agricultural professionals.

William R. CluettView profile

Professor

• System Identification
• Process Control
• Systems Biology
• +4 more

William R. Cluett is a Professor at the University of Toronto's Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry within the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. He holds a B.Sc. from Queen’s University and a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta, and is a licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng). Currently serving as Dean’s Advisor on Innovations in Undergraduate Education, Cluett bridges engineering principles with systems biology in his research. B.Sc., Queen’s University Ph.D., University of Alberta Cluett's research spans traditional process control and design, extending into systems biology where he collaborates with Professor Krishna Mahadevan. His work focuses on integrating engineering methodologies with biological systems, including multiscale modeling, dynamic metabolic engineering, and computational toxicology. His publications highlight trends in applying control theory to metabolic networks, developing algorithms for genome-scale modeling, and designing bistable cell factories. These contributions reflect interdisciplinary efforts between chemical engineering and computational biology. Scientific Awards & Recognitions: Fellow of Engineers Canada (2021) Medal for Distinction in Engineering Education (2021) OCUFA Teaching Award (2020) President’s Teaching Award (2018) Sustained Excellence in Teaching Award (2016) Bill Burgess Teacher of the Year Award (2014) Fellow, AAAS (2009) Fellow, Chemical Institute of Canada (1998) Syncrude Canada Innovation Award (1997) Cluett has contributed to major grants and collaborative projects in systems biology and metabolic engineering. He actively advises on undergraduate education innovations and maintains strong affiliations with the Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry.

• Grassland Ecology
• Forage Science
• Sustainable Livestock Production
• +4 more

Juan Solomon serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Agriculture, Veterinary and Rangeland Sciences at the University of Nevada, Reno. His research lab operates from Building FA, Room 226d (Mail Stop 202), with direct contact via (775) 784-6888 or juansolomon@unr.edu. Education: B.S. in Agriculture, University of Guyana (2000) Graduate Diploma in Education-Science, University of Guyana (2005) M.S. in Agriculture, Mississippi State University (2010) Ph.D. in Agriculture, Mississippi State University (2013) Research Focus: Dr. Solomon's work centers on grassland ecology and sustainable pastoral systems for ruminant livestock, with emphasis on grazing management, forage quality evaluation, and drought-tolerant crop development. His research program investigates water use efficiency in semiarid forage systems, nutrient cycling dynamics, and climate-resilient crop screening—particularly for native and improved forages in arid western environments. Field studies often integrate ecosystem service valuation with practical livestock production metrics. Publication Trends: Recent work (2023-2025) demonstrates concentrated expertise in alternative forage systems, with 15 high-impact studies examining teff double-cropping, industrial hemp varietals, and cover crop nutrient cycling in Nevada's semiarid landscapes. Key methodological approaches include deficit irrigation analysis, nitrogen optimization trials, and biomass decomposition modeling—all targeting resource-efficient agricultural solutions for water-limited regions.

Ian CarrollView profile

Associate Professor

• Microbiome Research
• Gut-Brain Axis
• Nutritional Therapies
• +3 more

Ian Carroll, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Nutrition at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research focuses on gastrointestinal biology and disease, with specific expertise in microbiome interactions. He directs the Carroll Lab and holds affiliations with the Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease (CGIBD), where he serves as a Microbiome Focus Area investigator. Dr. Carroll's research centers on mechanisms through which intestinal microbiota and their metabolites influence gastrointestinal physiology, behavior, and weight regulation. His work spans microbiome dynamics in obesity, diabetes, and eating disorders , with particular emphasis on short-chain fatty acid physiology , gut-brain axis communication , and nutritional interventions . His laboratory has pioneered techniques for biological sample collection and bacterial DNA isolation from human fecal and mucosal samples. His publication trends reveal strong focus on Microbiome responses to dietary interventions (fiber, almonds, purified diets) Longitudinal biomarker discovery using interpretable machine learning Clinical applications in hypertension, bariatric surgery, and anorexia nervosa Cross-species validation through murine models Award Highlights: CGIBD Pilot and Feasibility Award (2012) Dr. Carroll maintains active collaborations across multiple disciplines including gastroenterology, immunology, and computational biology. His work integrates molecular techniques with clinical studies to develop nutritional therapies for gastrointestinal diseases. Current research examines microbial contributions to weight regulation post-bariatric surgery and mechanisms underlying microbiome-mediated blood pressure control. The Carroll Lab operates within the MBRB building facility, conducting translational research bridging basic microbial science with clinical applications in metabolic and gastrointestinal disorders.

• Microbial Ecology
• Bioremediation
• Bioenergy Production
• +4 more

Dr. Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown is a Professor and Director of the Biodesign Center for Health Through Microbiomes at Arizona State University's School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment. She holds affiliations with the School of Life Sciences, College of Health Solutions, and serves as a Senior Global Futures Scientist. Her research integrates molecular microbial ecology to address bioremediation, bioenergy production, and the gut microbiome's role in obesity, metabolism, and autism. She earned a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from Georgia Tech (2005), an M.S. in Environmental Engineering from Georgia Tech (2000), and a B.S. in Industrial Biochemical Engineering from UAM-I Mexico City (1996). Her research focuses on microbe-environment interactions in three key areas: optimizing bioremediation systems for contaminants like chlorinated solvents; developing microbial bioenergy platforms; and investigating links between gut microbiota and human health conditions such as autism, obesity, and metabolic disorders. She pioneered gut microbiome research in autism spectrum disorders. Her recent publications emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, including clinical trials on diet-microbiome interactions, multi-omic analyses of microbial communities, and innovative environmental remediation strategies. Research frequently incorporates metagenomics, metabolomics, and biofilm reactor technologies. Scientific Awards: Fulbright Scholarship NSF CAREER Award Fulton Engineering Exemplar Faculty Arizona Researcher of the Year (AZBio, 2020) Highly Cited Researcher (Web of Science, 2020 and 2021) She has secured extensive funding from NIH, DoE, DoD, and NSF for projects spanning microbial ecology, bioenergy, and medical applications. As director of the Biodesign Center, she oversees interdisciplinary teams developing microbiome-based therapies and environmental solutions. Current work explores microbial contributions to energy balance and precision synbiotics for neurodevelopmental disorders.

Derek BrakeView profile

Assistant Professor

• Animal Nutrition
• Ruminant Digestion
• Cattle Metabolism
• +2 more

Dr. Derek Brake is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Animal Sciences within the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri. He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Ruminant Nutrition from Kansas State University. Dr. Brake teaches courses in Ruminant Nutrition (AnSci 4332/7332) and Beef Production (AnSci 4975/4975W/7975). His research program focuses on fundamental and applied aspects of ruminant nutrition with particular emphasis on: Nutrient utilization efficiency in beef and dairy cattle Small intestinal starch digestion mechanisms Application of computer vision and AI for precision livestock management Metabolic adaptations to different feed sources Sustainable forage and crop utilization systems Analysis of his recent publications reveals strong research focus on: Innovative feed evaluation methods Metabolic interventions for improving cattle productivity Sustainable grazing and forage management systems Advanced technologies for livestock monitoring Mycotoxin mitigation strategies Dr. Brake maintains active collaborations with the beef and dairy industries with research aimed at simultaneously improving livestock productivity, economic returns for producers, and environmental sustainability of cattle production systems.