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Karoline FaustView profile

Associate Professor

• Microbial community dynamics
• Microbial systems biology
• Bioinformatics
• +6 more

Karoline Faust is an Associate Professor at KU Leuven, affiliated with the Laboratory of Molecular Bacteriology (Rega Institute) and the Faculty of Medicine . She contributes to the iSi Health and Leuven One Health institutes, and serves on senior academic councils. Her research spans microbial systems biology, focusing on community dynamics and network analysis. Education: PhD in bioinformatics (2010, KU Leuven) Affiliations: KU Leuven, ISME Journal editorial board, Belgian Society for Microbiology Her research investigates microbial community dynamics , systems biology approaches to microbiomes, and bioinformatics tool development . She specializes in modeling human gut microbiota , synthetic microbial communities , and environmental microbiomes (e.g., microplastic impacts on Daphnia microbiomes). Her work integrates metabolic modeling , network analysis , and experimental systems to understand microbial interactions. Recent publications highlight her contributions to microbial network inference , 16S rRNA sequencing protocols , microfluidics , and ecological modeling of microbiomes. She develops tools like manta , miaSim , and CoNet to analyze community structures. Teaching: Karoline co-teaches courses in microbiology, bioinformatics, and network analysis at KU Leuven, and has contributed to international workshops on microbial network inference. Scientific Engagement: She serves as Senior Editor at ISME Journal and Secretary of the Belgian Society for Microbiology .

Jeremy WangView profile

Assistant Professor

• Computational Biology
• Genomics
• Microbiome Research
• +7 more

Jeremy Wang, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Genetics at the UNC School of Medicine . His research focuses on applying high-performance computational methods and machine learning to analyze high-throughput sequence data using long-read technologies (e.g., Oxford Nanopore) to advance precision personalized medicine . Key disease areas include Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) Respiratory Infectious Diseases His lab specializes in microbiome analysis , host-pathogen interactions , and computational genomics , working with collaborators in clinical, translational, and computational domains. His publications demonstrate expertise in long-read sequencing applications for Pediatric cancer classification SARS-CoV-2 genomic epidemiology Microbiome spatiotemporal dynamics Murine disease models Drosophilid genome assemblies Metagenomic bias analysis Collaborations span UNC and global institutions, with current work extending to clinical laboratory partnerships for pathogen sequencing and oral microbiome sampling methodology.

Zackary JohnsonView profile

Associate Professor

• Marine Microbial Ecology
• Biological Oceanography
• Algal Biotechnology
• +4 more

Zackary Johnson , the Juli Plant Grainger Associate Professor of Biological Oceanography and Marine Biotechnology at Duke University, leads interdisciplinary research at the intersection of marine microbiology and biogeochemical innovation. Affiliated with the Nicholas School of the Environment and based at the Duke Marine Laboratory , his work spans microbial ecology, algal biotechnology, and climate mitigation strategies. Education: Ph.D. in Marine Science (Duke University, 2004), B.S. in Biology (MIT, 1994) Research Interests focus on marine microbial communities, particularly the model phytoplankton Prochlorococcus , algal cultivation for sustainable bioproducts, and the ecological impacts of ocean acidification. His lab investigates microbial interactions across diverse environments—from coastal estuaries to open-ocean gyres—and develops technologies for carbon-negative aquaculture systems. Publications highlight expertise in microbial biogeography, algal biofuels, and climate-resilient marine food webs. Recent work explores drone-based ocean color sensing, Gulf Stream eddy microbiomes, and the role of Labyrinthulomycetes protists in carbon export. Scientific Awards: Juli Plant Grainger Associate Professorship DOE and NSF-funded projects Grants include high-profile initiatives like the Marine Algae Industrialization Consortium (MAGIC) and REU Site program for coastal research training. His lab maintains a dedicated research site for studying microbial dynamics and sustainable algal cultivation.

Jochen J. BrocksView profile

Professor

• Paleobiogeochemistry
• Geochemistry
• Geobiology
• +7 more

Professor Jochen J. Brocks is a faculty member at the Research School of Earth Sciences (RSES) at the Australian National University (ANU). He holds a PhD in Organic Geochemistry from the University of Sydney (2002) and a Diplom Chemie (~MSc Chemistry) from the University of Freiburg, Germany. His research focuses on Paleobiogeochemistry, using molecular fossils (biomarkers) to study ancient ecosystems and evolutionary processes, including the origin of life and the emergence of complex organisms. He is particularly interested in the conditions that led to the appearance of multicellular life and the role of primary producers in mass extinctions, as well as the potential existence of a 'lost world' of complex life in Earth's early oceans. He previously served as a Junior Fellow of the Harvard Society of Fellows (2001–2004). His research group, Brocks Geobiology, explores topics such as the molecular signatures of early organisms, the geochemical record of ancient oceans, and the preservation mechanisms of organic matter in sedimentary deposits. Brocks collaborates on projects like the biogeochemistry of salt lakes and the analysis of Precambrian rocks to trace microbial diversity. Education: PhD (Organic Geochemistry, University of Sydney, 2002), MSc (Chemistry, University of Freiburg, Germany). His research interests span the intersection of organic geochemistry and paleontology, with a focus on applying biomarker analysis to understand Earth's history. Recent work includes studies on the environmental aftermath of Snowball Earth glaciations, the origins of Dickinsonia as an early animal, and the preservation of ancient biomolecules in extreme conditions like evaporites and concretions. Brocks has contributed to significant debates in the field, such as reinterpreting steroid biomarkers to challenge early animal evolution timelines and identifying novel preservation mechanisms for plant fossils. His work often integrates experimental geochemistry with field studies, particularly in northern Australia and Mauritania, to explore the co-evolution of life and Earth's systems. Awards: Junior Fellow of the Harvard Society of Fellows (2001–2004). He supervises multiple research projects, including those investigating the Velkerri Formation and the McArthur River deposit. Brocks also collaborates on initiatives like the Sedimentary Geochemistry and Paleoenvironments Project, which synthesizes global data to inform Earth history. His lab work emphasizes the development of analytical techniques to distinguish syngenetic biomarkers from contaminants in ancient samples.

Mikhail GelfandView profile

Professor

• molecular evolution
• comparative genomics
• systems biology
• +7 more

Mikhail Gelfand is a Full Professor and Director of the Center for Molecular and Cellular Biology at Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech), where he also serves as Vice President for Biomedical Research. His distinguished career spans multiple prestigious institutions including Lomonosov Moscow State University and the Higher School of Economics. His educational background includes: 1985: MSc in mathematics (functional analysis) 1993: PhD in physics-mathematics (biophysics) 1998: DSc in biology (molecular biology) 2007: full professor (bioinformatics) Professor Gelfand's research focuses on molecular evolution, comparative genomics, systems biology, and metagenomics. His work examines eukaryotic processes including alternative splicing, mRNA editing, and chromatin structure, as well as bacterial genome evolution and transcription regulation. His lab combines data on three-dimensional chromatin structure, epigenetic states, and gene expression to obtain an integrated view of genome functioning across diverse organisms from humans to amoebae. One major research direction focuses on the evolution of transcript splicing and editing, while comparative analysis of bacterial genomes yields functional annotations of novel enzymes, transporters, and transcription factors. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on RNA editing in cephalopods, bacterial genome analysis, and computational approaches to understanding chromatin structure. The work spans molecular biology, evolutionary biology, and bioinformatics, with particular emphasis on how RNA editing contributes to adaptation and molecular evolution across metazoans. His research shows how edited adenines are more frequently substituted with guanine in evolution than their unedited counterparts, suggesting RNA editing may enhance adaptation. His notable awards include: The President of Russian Federation's Award for Young Doctors of Science (2000) The "Best Scientist of the Russian Academy of Sciences" award (2004) A. A. Baev Prize in Genomics and Genoinformatics (2007) Member of Academia Europaea (2010) As Director of the Center for Molecular and Cellular Biology, Professor Gelfand leads a research group that combines computational and experimental approaches to study genome function and evolution. His lab's work has significant implications for understanding molecular mechanisms of evolution and adaptation across diverse biological systems, from bacteria to complex eukaryotes. His research on metagenomics extends to practical applications in areas including coral disease, aphids, and oil wells.

Ellen KandelerView profile

Professor

• Soil Biology
• Microbial Ecology
• Biogeochemistry
• +5 more

Prof. Ellen Kandeler is a leading academic in soil biology and microbial ecology at the University of Hohenheim , heading the Department of Soil Biology within the Institute of Soil Science and Site Science. Her work focuses on microbial interactions, soil organic matter dynamics, and the impacts of land use and climate change on soil systems. She actively contributes to interdisciplinary projects funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), including studies on mineral-organic matter associations, pesticide degradation, and agroecosystem resilience. Research interests include rhizosphere dynamics, biogeochemical cycles, and the ecological functions of soil microorganisms, with applications in sustainable agriculture and environmental protection. She is also involved in institutional roles as a Deputy Ombudsperson for Scientific Integrity and member of committees overseeing large-scale research infrastructure. Her recent publications emphasize climate-soil feedbacks, microbial community assembly, and the biodegradation of agrochemicals. Projects like the DFG-FOR 1695 on agricultural landscapes under climate change highlight her commitment to addressing global environmental challenges through soil science. Prof. Kandeler’s work bridges fundamental and applied research, with a focus on translating soil microbial processes into strategies for sustainable land management and mitigating anthropogenic impacts on soil health.

Ben LarsonView profile

Assistant Professor

• Biological Physics
• Cell Biology
• Evolution
• +5 more

Ben Larson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), affiliated with the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies (CBIS). His research bridges biological physics, cell biology, and evolutionary principles to study complex cellular behaviors without nervous systems. BA in Physics, Reed College (2012) Postbaccalaureate Research Fellow, NIH NHLBI (2012-2014) PhD in Biophysics, UC Berkeley (2019) Postdoctoral Scholar, UCSF (2019-2024) Research Focus: The Larson Lab applies interdisciplinary tools from physics and computation to investigate sensorimotor activity in unicellular organisms like Euplotes , exploring how cells achieve sophisticated behaviors through cytoskeletal dynamics and finite-state mechanisms. Key themes include cellular decision-making, evolutionary biophysics, and multicellular morphogenesis. Scientific Awards: 2013 Orloff Science Award 2016-2019 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship 2016 Society of General Physiology Scholar 2020-2023 Merck Postdoctoral Fellowship 2022 Porter Prize for Research Excellence (ASCB)

Patrick KeelingView profile

Professor

• Molecular Evolution
• Protistology
• Microbial Diversity
• +4 more

Dr. Patrick Keeling is a Professor in the Department of Botany at the University of British Columbia (UBC), affiliated with the Biodiversity Research Centre and the Faculty of Science. He holds a Canada Research Chair Tier 1 in Microbial Diversity and Evolution. His research focuses on the molecular evolution and cell biology of eukaryotes, particularly protists, emphasizing their diversity, genomic adaptations, and roles in ecosystems. Key projects include studying endosymbiotic events, apicomplexan parasites, and the genomic evolution of microbial eukaryotes. Affiliations: Department of Botany, Biodiversity Research Centre, Faculty of Science (UBC) Research Interests: Protistology, microbial diversity, endosymbiosis, genome evolution, phylogenetics, and comparative genomics Dr. Keeling’s lab investigates protist taxa such as apicomplexans, dinoflagellates, and chlorarachniophytes, with a focus on their metabolic pathways, organelle evolution, and ecological roles. Recent work includes uncovering coral-infecting parasites, analyzing microbial symbioses, and exploring the origins of multicellularity. His team employs genomic, transcriptomic, and microscopy-based approaches to address evolutionary questions. Awards: Canada Research Chair Tier 1 (2021–present). Scientific contributions span over 200 publications, emphasizing protist diversity, parasite evolution, and endosymbiotic mechanisms. His lab hosts students and collaborates globally on marine and microbial research projects. Labs/Teams: The Keeling Lab at UBC, part of the Biodiversity Research Centre, integrates molecular, genomic, and ecological methods to study microbial eukaryotes. Collaborations include studies on coral symbionts, dinoflagellate evolution, and protistan microbiomes.

• Genome Evolution
• Gene Transfer
• Endosymbiosis
• +5 more

John M. Archibald is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at Dalhousie University's Faculty of Medicine in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. He serves as Director of the Institute for Comparative Genomics (ICG) and holds the Arthur B. McDonald Research Chair of Excellence. Dr. Archibald has been a department member since 2003 and was University Research Professor from July 2016 to June 2021. Dr. Archibald earned his PhD from Dalhousie University. Following postdoctoral research at the University of British Columbia with Patrick Keeling, he returned to Dalhousie as a faculty member in 2003. Dr. Archibald's research focuses on the genes and genomes of microorganisms, particularly examining how genes are transferred between eukaryotes, prokaryotes and viruses, and how endosymbionts become organelles. His laboratory uses molecular biological and computational methods to study the genes and genomes of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms. Key research areas include the pivotal molecular and biochemical events that have shaped eukaryotic evolution, understanding evolutionary relationships among eukaryotic microbes, how endosymbionts become organelles, and how eukaryotic genes, genomes and proteins change over time. Current work examines the spread of photosynthetic organelles (chloroplasts) in eukaryotes and the extent of lateral (horizontal) gene transfer in nuclear genomes. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on protist genomics, endosymbiosis, and the evolution of eukaryotic cells. The research spans multiple disciplines including genomics, evolutionary biology, microbiology, and bioinformatics, with particular emphasis on understanding the complex evolutionary history of eukaryotes through comparative genomic approaches. His work often involves international collaborations and large-scale genomic projects. Dr. Archibald has received numerous scientific honors including: Election as Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada Election as Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology (2015) Arthur B. McDonald Research Chair of Excellence University Research Professor (July 2016-June 2021) Membership in the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (2003-2017) Visiting By-Fellow at Churchill College, University of Cambridge (2012) Appointment to the Royal Society of Canada's College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists (2017) Dr. Archibald actively mentors graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, with current advisees including PhD students Cedric Blais, Dmytro Tymoshenko, and Jessica Latimer, and MSc student Charlotte Maclean. His lab has received substantial research funding that supports these trainees and enables cutting-edge genomic research. He has served in editorial roles for prestigious journals including Current Biology, Environmental Microbiology and BMC Biology, and was Treasurer of the International Society for Molecular Biology & Evolution (2009-2011). The Archibald Lab operates within the Institute for Comparative Genomics at Dalhousie University, which was officially launched in September 2021 with Dr. Archibald as Director. The lab maintains active collaborations with researchers worldwide and contributes to major international genomic initiatives including the Aquatic Symbiosis Genomics Project.

Michael LevinView profile

Professor

• Developmental Biology
• Bioelectricity
• Cognitive Science
• +7 more

Michael Levin is a Distinguished Professor at Tufts University in the Department of Biology within the School of Arts and Sciences. He serves as Director of both the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University and the Tufts Center for Regenerative and Developmental Biology. His laboratory investigates the intersection of developmental biology, artificial life, bioengineering, synthetic morphology, and cognitive science. Allen Discovery Center at Tufts Tufts Center for Regenerative and Developmental Biology Tufts/UVM: ICDO Harvard Wyss Institute Stibel Dennett Consortium for Brain and Cognitive Science The Proteus Institute MIT Science and Technology Center EBICS Levin's research focuses on understanding diverse intelligence in evolved, designed, and hybrid complex systems. His lab combines developmental biophysics, computer science, and behavioral science to study how cognition scales up from cellular competencies to organism-level behaviors. A key specialty is developmental bioelectricity—the study of how somatic electrical networks store, process, and act on information to control large-scale body structure. His team creates tools to read and edit the bioelectric code guiding proto-cognitive computations in the body. Levin's publications reveal a strong focus on bioelectricity, morphogenesis, and non-neural cognition across multiple model systems including Xenopus, planarians, and synthetic living constructs. His recent work explores collective intelligence as a unifying concept across biological scales, the development of microfluidic devices for measuring electrical connectivity, and optical estimation of bioelectric patterns in living embryos. His research spans fundamental developmental mechanisms to potential biomedical applications in regeneration and disease treatment. As an editor, Levin serves as Co-Editor-in-Chief of Bioelectricity and Founding Associate Editor of Collective Intelligence. He has mentored numerous post-doctoral fellows and graduate students who have gone on to establish their own research programs. His lab has received significant attention for creating novel biological machines (xenobots) and demonstrating that cells can store and transmit behavioral memory outside the brain. The Levin Lab maintains several significant research initiatives including the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts, the Tufts Center for Regenerative and Developmental Biology, and collaborations with the Wyss Institute at Harvard. The lab employs a multidisciplinary approach combining wet lab experiments with computational modeling to investigate how living systems achieve goal-directed behavior and pattern formation.

• Marine Microbial Ecology
• Protistan Trophic Relationships
• Harmful Algal Blooms
• +3 more

David Caron is the Captain Allan Hancock Chair in Marine Science and Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Southern California (USC), affiliated with the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. He co-founded the Center for Integrated Networked Aquatic Platforms (CINAPS) and is part of the Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies. His research focuses on marine and freshwater microbial ecology, particularly protist trophic relationships and harmful algal blooms. Caron holds a Ph.D. from the MIT-Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program in Biological Oceanography (1984), an M.S. (1977) and B.S. (1975) in Oceanography and Microbiology from the University of Rhode Island. Research Interests: His work spans protistan ecology, mixotrophic microalgae physiology, Antarctic protist adaptations, and molecular approaches to microbial ecology. He investigates harmful algal bloom dynamics, protist grazing impacts, and the role of environmental drivers in planktonic communities. His studies often integrate field observations, experimental work, and advanced technologies like robotic sampling platforms. Key Achievements: Caron has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and pioneered methods in protistan diversity assessment. He received the AAAS Fellowship (2011), American Academy of Microbiology Fellowship (2007), and the USC Raubenheimer Outstanding Senior Faculty Award (2010–2011). He served as President of the International Society of Protistologists (2004–2005). Grants & Labs: He leads CINAPS, which uses autonomous systems to monitor coastal ecosystems. His lab studies microbial communities in the Southern California Bight, focusing on harmful algal toxins (e.g., domoic acid) and their ecological impacts. Collaborations with engineers and roboticists enhance data collection and environmental modeling efforts.

Katherine McMahonView profile

Professor

• Microbial Ecology
• Environmental Microbiology
• Biogeochemistry
• +3 more

Katherine McMahon is a Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor in the College of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Her work focuses on microbial ecology, environmental microbiology, and biogeochemistry, particularly in freshwater systems like Lake Mendota. She leads long-term ecological studies integrating metagenomics and microbial population dynamics to understand ecosystem processes. Her research investigates the interplay between microbial communities, environmental drivers, and biogeochemical cycles. Notable projects include 20-year time-series studies of bacterial and viral ecology, mercury methylation in lakes, and the impact of climate change on microbial-driven ecosystem functions. She also explores engineered microbiomes for wastewater treatment. Recent work highlights viral dynamics, nitrogen fixation constraints, and microbial responses to environmental stressors. Articles emphasize freshwater lake microbiology, including protistan ecology and the role of electroactive bacteria. Her team’s contributions include refining the genus ‘Candidatus Accumulibacter’ and analyzing viral-host interactions in natural and engineered systems. Scientific recognition includes the Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professorship. Research is supported by grants addressing microbial community resilience, One Health, and climate-microbe-human interactions. Labs and projects include the Lake Mendota Microbial Observatory, generating extensive datasets on limnology, microbial traits, and environmental parameters. Collaborations bridge environmental engineering, public health, and evolutionary biology to address global challenges in water quality and microbial ecology.

• Hydrology
• Hydrogeology
• Soil Physics
• +5 more

Christine Stumpp is a Professor at the Institute of Soil Physics and Rural Water Management , affiliated with the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU) . Her work integrates hydrology , soil physics , and stable isotope analysis to address critical issues in groundwater recharge , climate change impacts on water systems , and microplastic transport in soils .

Laura ParfreyView profile

Associate Professor

• Microbial Ecology
• Protist Biology
• Host-Microbe Interactions
• +3 more

Dr. Laura Parfrey is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Botany and Zoology at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Faculty of Science. She is affiliated with the Biodiversity Research Centre, where her research focuses on microbial ecology of eukaryotic microbes (protists) and their interactions with bacteria in marine and mammalian ecosystems. Her research spans two primary areas: (1) the gut microbiome of mammals, investigating the consequences of microbial diversity loss and (2) coastal ecosystems in British Columbia, studying microbial colonization of marine hosts (e.g., invertebrates, seaweed) and their impact on host and ecosystem health. The Parfrey Lab employs experimental and descriptive approaches to understand microbial community dynamics under environmental stressors like salinity changes and anthropogenic impacts. Key research trends in her articles include microbial responses to abiotic stress, disease dynamics in kelp/seagrass, and the interplay between prenatal alcohol exposure and immune/gut microbiota changes. Her work bridges marine and terrestrial microbiology, emphasizing ecological and evolutionary processes. Dr. Parfrey’s lab actively collaborates on projects such as the AFRIBIOTA initiative, addressing gut microbiome and health outcomes in African populations. While no awards are explicitly listed, her contributions to microbial diversity research are recognized through high-profile collaborations and publications. Advising and grants: No formal student advisees are listed, but the lab participates in training programs via the Biodiversity Research Centre. Grant details are not provided in the text. Labs/teams: The Parfrey Lab is based in the Department of Botany, UBC, and contributes to interdisciplinary projects at the Biodiversity Research Centre.

• Palynology
• Stratigraphy
• Quaternary Geology
• +7 more

Martin J. Head is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at Brock University, where he has been a faculty member since 2005. He holds affiliations with the University of Cambridge, where he is a Life Member of Wolfson College, and maintains a status-level professorship at the University of Toronto. His research focuses on palynology and stratigraphy, particularly marine dinoflagellate cysts and the formal subdivision of the Quaternary Period. His research interests include the deep-sea record from ODP and DSDP sites, Eemian and Plio-Pleistocene palynology in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean regions, high-latitude Cenozoic palynology, and the morphology, taxonomy, and nomenclature of dinoflagellates. He is deeply involved in international stratigraphic initiatives, contributing to the definition of geological boundaries such as the Quaternary base and the Early–Middle Pleistocene transition. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend in formal stratigraphic definitions, paleoenvironmental reconstructions using dinoflagellate cysts, and Anthropocene research. His work spans biostratigraphy, paleoclimatology, and taxonomic systematics, with a focus on integrating biological and geological data for chronostratigraphic precision. Chair, ICS Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy (2012–present) Chair, Canadian Stratigraphy Commission (2010–present) Associate Editor, Journal of Paleontology (2004–present) Editorial Board Member, Palynology , Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology , and Boreas Professor Head has supervised numerous graduate students at Brock University, the University of Cambridge, and the University of Toronto, including PhD and MSc candidates working on dinoflagellate cysts, Quaternary stratigraphy, and paleoenvironmental analysis. His research has been supported by international collaborations and contributions to major stratigraphic working groups. He leads research activities within the Quaternary Palaeoenvironments Group at the University of Cambridge and maintains active laboratory and field-based research in marine sediment analysis, contributing to global paleoenvironmental databases and taxonomic standards.