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Stephanie S CemanView profile

Professor

• Neurobiology
• Protein-Nucleic Acid Interactions
• Regulation of Gene Expression
• +5 more

Stephanie S Ceman is a Professor at the University of Illinois with multiple appointments across the institution. She holds professorial positions in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biomedical and Translational Sciences, Neuroscience Program, and Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, while also serving as an Affiliate of the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. Dr. Ceman's educational background includes: B.S. in Bacteriology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Postdoctoral fellow at the University of Chicago Postdoctoral fellow at Emory University Her research focuses on neurobiology, protein-nucleic acid interactions, and regulation of gene expression , with particular emphasis on neurological and behavioral disorders. Dr. Ceman investigates the molecular basis of disease, post-translational modifications, and RNA-protein interactions, with MOV10 RNA helicase as a central subject of her research. Her work demonstrates that MOV10 is essential for embryonic development and neuronal branching, functioning as a cofactor for both the microRNA pathway protein AGO2 and Fragile X protein FMRP. Analysis of Dr. Ceman's publication record shows a consistent research trajectory centered on RNA helicase MOV10 and its critical role in neuronal function. Her recent work explores how MOV10 binds to RNA G-quadruplexes to modulate AGO2 association with MicroRNA Recognition Elements, using engineered mouse lines to investigate MOV10's impact on brain development and behavior. This research bridges molecular neuroscience, RNA biology, and neurological disorder mechanisms. Dr. Ceman has been recognized for excellence in instruction, as noted in university press releases highlighting award recipients for teaching excellence. Dr. Ceman actively mentors students and researchers in her laboratory, teaching courses including MCB 474 (Genetic Disorders & Counseling) and MCB 493 (Special Topics in Molecular and Cell Biology). Her research program has produced 44 scholarly outputs, demonstrating sustained productivity in her field. Her laboratory employs advanced techniques including individual nucleotide Crosslinking Immunoprecipitation (iCLIP) to map MOV10's interactions with neuronal mRNAs. Current research directions include investigating how MOV10 phosphorylation regulates its RNA unwinding activity and how MOV10 influences dendrite development through Dicer1 regulation.

Yaroslava G. YinglingView profile

Professor

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Computational Biology
• +6 more

Dr. Yaroslava G. Yingling is a Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at North Carolina State University. She holds adjunct appointments in Physics and Biomedical Engineering, reflecting her interdisciplinary expertise. Her research spans biomimetic materials, nanotechnology, and AI-driven materials discovery. Key Affiliations: NCSU College of Engineering, Joint Biomedical Engineering Department (NCSU-UNC), Triangle Materials Research Science and Engineering Center Research Focus: Combines materials simulations , data science , and biomolecular engineering to develop nanomaterials for environmental remediation, DNA/RNA-based nanostructures, and sustainable technologies. Specializes in molecular dynamics and machine learning for materials design. Scientific Contributions: Pioneered AI methods for materials informatics , DNA self-assembly , and biomimetic nanoparticle design . Her work on phosphorus sustainability and reflectin-inspired materials has received significant attention. Awards: DOE Ten at Ten Scientific Idea Award NSF CAREER Award University Faculty Scholar Leadership Roles: Served as Associate Department Head for Scholarship and Education, Director of Graduate Certificate in Materials Informatics, and Director of Undergraduate Program. Active in editorial boards of Journal of Materials Science and ACS Biomaterials Science .

• Ubiquitin-Proteasome System
• ER-Associated Degradation (ERAD)
• Unfolded Protein Response (UPR)
• +7 more

Dr. Shengyun Fang is a Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine , holding primary appointments in Pharmacology & Physiology and secondary appointments in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology . His research focuses on the ubiquitin-proteasome system and ER-associated degradation (ERAD), particularly how ERAD dysfunction and the unfolded protein response (UPR) contribute to disease pathogenesis. Education: MBBS, Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, China Postdoctoral Associate, Physiology, University of Iowa PhD, Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa Postdoctoral Fellow, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD Dr. Fang's current work involves drug discovery targeting ER proteostasis in collaboration with the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS). His lab is developing first-in-class drugs like UBA1 activity enhancers and RNF5 inhibitors, with potential applications in VEXAS syndrome, spinal muscular atrophy, α-1-antitrypsin deficiency-associated liver disease, obesity-related cancers, and aging. The 15 most recent articles highlight his work on ERAD modulation (65% of articles), small molecule drug discovery (40%), and disease mechanisms in neurodegeneration (35%) and oncology (45%). Keywords include proteostasis, ubiquitination, ER stress, and autophagy. Grants : NIH 1U01AR081599-01 (2022-2027), 30% PI allocation, focusing on pharmacological UBA1 activity enhancement in VEXAS syndrome models. Labs & Collaborations : Collaborates with NCATS scientists; research involves zebrafish models, live cell imaging, and translational studies on ER stress in human diseases.

• Neurology
• Bioinformatics
• Computational Biology
• +7 more

Yuxuan Hu is a Postgraduate Associate at the Yale School of Medicine , affiliated with the Department of Neurology . Their research spans neurology, bioinformatics, pharmacology, and artificial intelligence applications in medicine. Research focuses on RNA sequencing analysis, drug repurposing, and AI-driven vaccine design Contributions to SARS-CoV-2 studies, cancer biology, and computational toxicology Published work on neurogenetics, neuro-oncology, and neuroimmunology Recent publications highlight bioinformatics pipeline development , machine learning applications for drug design, and systematic reviews on neurological treatments. Their work bridges computational methods with clinical neurology applications. Contact: yuxuan.hu@yale.edu

Michael J. GandalView profile

Associate Professor

• Psychiatric genetics
• Functional genomics
• Transcriptomics
• +9 more

Michael J. Gandal is the William & Noreen Heznecker Associate Professor in Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. He holds secondary affiliations with the Lifespan Brain Institute (LIBI), Penn Epigenetics Institute, Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine (CHOP), and Institute for Biomedical Informatics. His research combines computational biology and functional genomics to investigate neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders , including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) , ADHD , bipolar disorder , and schizophrenia . Education: BS in Biomedical Computation, Stanford University (2006) PhD in Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania (2011) MD in Clinical Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania (2013) Research Themes: His work focuses on genetic mechanisms , gene network biology , and single-cell genomics in the human brain. Key methodologies include GWAS , transcriptomics , and methylomics . Scientific Contributions: He has led major publications in Science , Nature Genetics , and Cell , particularly in single-cell analysis across 388 human brains and cross-ancestry gene regulation atlases. His team has uncovered cell-type shifts in neuropsychiatric conditions and novel isoform-level associations with disorders.

Carol PrivesView profile

Professor

• Cancer Biology
• Tumor Suppressor Proteins
• Cell Biology
• +5 more

Carol Prives serves as the Da Costa Professor of Biology at Columbia University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, where she leads groundbreaking research on the p53 tumor suppressor protein. Her work is central to understanding cancer biology, as mutation of the p53 gene represents the most frequent lesion detected in human cancer. Location: 816 Fairchild, Mail Code: 2422, Columbia University Contact: +1 212 854 2557 | clp3@columbia.edu Dr. Prives' research focuses on several critical aspects of p53 biology: the structure and function of the p53 protein, the p53/Mdm2 regulatory circuit, cellular responses to genotoxic stress, the roles of p63 and p73 homologs, and the mechanisms by which p53 promotes apoptosis. Her laboratory has made seminal discoveries, including identifying hCAS/Cse1L as a novel co-regulator of p53 target genes, demonstrating that p53 can slide on DNA, and revealing how cyclin G1 regulates the p53/Mdm2 circuit. Her extensive publication record shows a consistent focus on p53 signaling pathways with increasing exploration of connections to cancer metabolism, immune responses, and metastasis. Recent work has revealed p53's role in repressing the mevalonate pathway for tumor suppression and its connections to ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma. Her 2024 publication on "p53 at the crossroads of tumor immunity" demonstrates her ongoing leadership in connecting fundamental p53 biology to cutting-edge cancer immunotherapy approaches. Among her distinguished honors are membership in the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, Fellowship in The Royal Society, and membership in the National Academy of Sciences. These prestigious recognitions reflect the profound impact of her work on the field of cancer biology. American Academy of Arts & Sciences Member Fellow of The Royal Society National Academy of Sciences Member Dr. Prives' laboratory has been instrumental in training numerous scientists in cancer research, with many of her former students and postdocs establishing successful independent careers. Her research has been consistently supported by major funding from the National Institutes of Health and other prestigious organizations, enabling her team to maintain cutting-edge facilities for molecular and cellular analysis. The Prives laboratory operates as a vibrant research community where molecular biologists, biochemists, and cell biologists collaborate to unravel the complexities of p53 signaling. Her team employs diverse methodologies including structural biology, genomics, and live-cell imaging to investigate how p53 functions as the "guardian of the genome" and how its dysfunction contributes to cancer development.

Deborah Bell-PedersenView profile

Professor

• Circadian Rhythms
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• +7 more

Dr. Deborah Bell-Pedersen is a Thomas University Professor and Associate Head of Biology at Texas A&M University (TAMU), renowned for her pioneering work in circadian clock mechanisms and their implications for human health. Her research focuses on how circadian oscillators regulate rhythmic gene expression in the model organism Neurospora crassa , with particular emphasis on mRNA transcription, translation, and links to cancer and aging. Key affiliations: Texas A&M University (1997–present) Leadership roles: Associate Editor of the Journal of Biological Rhythms , Board of Directors for the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms and Fungal Genetics Society Honors: University Professor title, Fellow of American Academy of Microbiology and AAAS, multiple research excellence awards Her work has revealed that the circadian clock controls translation fidelity via eIF2α activity and ribosome interactions, linking reduced clock function to aging. Articles highlight her expertise in MAPK signaling, glycogen metabolism regulation, and fungal stress response, with implications for human diseases like glioma and metabolic disorders. Scientific recognition includes TAMU Jo Ann Treat Award for Excellence in Research Eminent Scholar and Distinguished Research Awards Fellowships from AAAS and American Academy of Microbiology Dr. Bell-Pedersen mentors students in circadian biology and emphasizes independence in research, inspired by her PhD advisor Marlene Belfort. She also explores interdisciplinary connections between circadian rhythms and vaccination timing, cognitive performance, and physical balance. Outside academia, she is learning violin (in honor of her late father’s musical legacy) and cares for rescue animals including 4 cats, a dog, a horse, and 3 miniature donkeys.

Nada LallousView profile

Assistant Professor

• Cancer Biology
• Biochemistry
• Biophysics
• +7 more

Dr. Nada Lallous serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Urologic Sciences at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Medicine and Senior Research Scientist at the Vancouver Prostate Centre. Her research focuses on cancer drug development, particularly targeting molecular mechanisms of prostate cancer progression, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance through biochemical and biophysical approaches. Her educational background includes a M.Sc and Ph.D in Structural Biochemistry and Biophysics from the University of Strasbourg and the Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology (IGBMC) in France, followed by postdoctoral training at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO). She joined the Vancouver Prostate Centre in 2012 and was appointed Research Scientist in 2017. Dr. Lallous' research expertise spans cancer biology, protein biochemistry, drug design, and structural biology. She has extensive experience in protein characterization, X-ray crystallography (contributing to 20 Protein Data Bank structures), and preclinical validation of novel inhibitors. Key interests include androgen receptor signaling, transcription factors, biomolecular condensates, and overcoming therapeutic resistance in prostate and breast cancers through targeting molecular drivers like Lin28 and Myc. Analysis of her 2023-2025 publications reveals a dominant focus on androgen receptor (AR) biology in prostate cancer, with significant emphasis on AR variants (AR-V7), phase separation phenomena, and development of novel inhibitors targeting AR domains, Lin28-let-7 interactions, and Myc-Max dimerization. Her work integrates computational drug design, structural biology, and functional validation to address therapeutic resistance. Dr. Lallous has secured competitive funding including an NIH-SPORE grant from the National Cancer Institute to study androgen receptor variants in circulating tumor DNA. She mentors graduate students in UBC's Experimental Medicine program, including PhD candidate Louise Ramos working on bifunctional PARP-HDAC inhibitors. She actively collaborates with pharmaceutical companies on drug development projects. As manager of the protein bioengineering and biophysics group at the Vancouver Prostate Centre, Dr. Lallous is establishing a core facility to support preclinical drug validation and structural studies for cancer researchers, enabling high-throughput inhibitor screening and biophysical characterization.

Shantanu BhattView profile

Professor

• Microbiology
• Molecular Genetics
• Bacterial Virulence
• +7 more

Shantanu Bhatt is a Professor and Advising Coordinator of Biology at Saint Joseph's University (SJU), affiliated with the Department of Biology. His research focuses on attaching and effacing (A/E) pathogens, particularly enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and Escherichia albertii , aiming to identify virulence factors and regulatory small RNAs (sRNAs) that modulate the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE), a critical pathogenicity island. BS in Biology from Denison University (2001-2004) PhD in Microbiology & Molecular Genetics from Emory University (2005-2011) Dr. Bhatt’s work employs an interdisciplinary approach integrating bioinformatics, genetics, and biochemistry to characterize bacterial virulence mechanisms and develop therapeutic strategies against drug-resistant strains. He has mentored numerous undergraduate and graduate students at SJU, with a focus on recombineering techniques and regulatory RNA networks. His publications span from 2007 to 2023, covering topics such as sRNA-mediated transcriptional repression (OmrA/OmrB, Spot42), carbon metabolism (AzuCR), LEE regulation by Hfq and CsrA, and zoonotic transmission of EPEC. Collaborations include researchers at NIH, Emory University, and Saint Joseph's University. As Advising Coordinator, he guides biology students while leading a lab that investigates host-pathogen interactions and the biochemical underpinnings of bacterial disease. His 2017 invited manuscript on drug-resistant microbes and 2012 dissertation on CsrA’s role in EPEC virulence reflect his long-term commitment to understanding pathogenesis.

James DaviesView profile

Associate Professor

• Genomics
• Genome Editing
• Chromatin Structure
• +4 more

James Davies is an Associate Professor of Genomics at the Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford . He holds an MRC Clinician Scientist Fellowship and serves as an Honorary Consultant Haematologist in Oxford. His research group at the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine focuses on genomics, genome editing, and chromatin structure. Education: Medicine at the University of Oxford, specialist training in haematology and intensive care medicine in London. Research Focus: Development of high-resolution sequencing techniques (e.g., Micro Capture-C, Next Generation Capture-C) to study genome architecture, gene regulation, and applications in treating haematological diseases like thalassaemia and sickle cell disease. Key Publications: >15 recent articles in journals such as Nature Genetics , Blood , and Nature , covering topics in 3D genome structure, enhancer biology, and clinical genome editing. Collaborations: Partnerships with biotech companies for clinical translation of genome editing therapies. Scientific Awards: MRC Clinician Scientist Fellowship Lab Activities: The Davies Lab combines molecular biology , computational biology , and clinical research to bridge basic science with therapeutic applications. Their work on chromatin folding mechanisms has implications for understanding gene expression and disease pathogenesis.

Kai ErdmannView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Molecular Cell Biology
• Mechanobiology
• Mechanotransduction
• +6 more

Dr Kai Erdmann is a Senior Lecturer in Molecular Cell Biology at the School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, where he has been employed since 2012. His academic career includes leading his research group at Ruhr-University Bochum (2006-2012) and postdoctoral work at Yale University School of Medicine (2005-2006). He obtained his PhD at Ruhr-University Bochum (1993-1996) and was a Feodor Lynen Fellow (2003-2005). Dr Erdmann's research focuses on molecular and cellular mechanobiology , particularly how mechanical cues regulate mechanotransduction pathways and membrane trafficking in disease contexts like fibrosis and cancer. His work has pioneered using YAP as a model mechanotransducer to identify novel proteins involved in stiffness sensing. Key studies include the role of Fas/CD95 endocytosis in apoptosis regulation and mechanical control of alternative splicing factors . He has published extensively in journals like Nature Communications and EMBO Journal while coordinating the Marie Curie ITN TRANSPOL and collaborating with institutions like Yale University and TU Dresden. Scientific awards include the Feodor Lynen Fellowship (Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, 2003-2005) Eurotrans-Bio Award (2011, consortium) His research is funded by DFG and the Fritz Thyssen Foundation, with recent work exploring organ-on-a-chip models for Lowe syndrome and gut inflammation.

Paul WatersView profile

Associate Professor

• Epigenetics
• Molecular Biology
• Sex Chromosome Evolution
• +4 more

Associate Professor Paul Waters is affiliated with the University of New South Wales in the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences . His research program focuses on epigenetic regulation of transcription in vertebrates , particularly sex chromosome evolution and dosage compensation mechanisms across diverse species including marsupials , monotremes , and reptiles . Current projects investigate X chromosome inactivation in wallabies and Tasmanian devils, thermolabile sex determination in the Australian central bearded dragon, and chromatin regulation during hibernation in reptiles. Active PhD/MSc/Honours/3rd-year projects available in Epigenetics and Molecular Biology Teaching Genetics (BABS2204/2264) and other molecular genetics courses Research Trends : Analysis of 15 recent articles reveals sustained focus on sex chromosome biology (X/Y evolution, dosage compensation), epigenetic silencing (DNA methylation, chromatin modifiers), and comparative genomics (marsupial models, platypus, reptiles). Additional work on long non-coding RNAs (e.g., Xist/RSX), meiotic chromosome dynamics , and transposable element evolution . Scientific Awards : NHMRC Ideas Grant APP1182667 (2020-2023) ARC Discovery Project DP180100931 (2018-2020) ARC Discovery Project DP170101147 (2017-2020) Australian Research Fellowship DP0987091 (2009-2014) ARC Discovery Project DP0987091 (2009-2014) Advising & Grants : Supervises PhD/MSc/Honours/undergraduate researchers in epigenetics and molecular biology. Holds multiple ARC/NHMRC grants totaling over $2.5 million , including work on drug-seeking silencing (2020), meiotic sex chromosome evolution (2015), and ancestral genome reconstruction (2008). Collaborations span University of Adelaide , Monash University , ANU , and University of Stellenbosch . Labs & Teams : Leads a research group studying sex chromosome evolution using genomic assemblies , fluorescence in-situ hybridization , and 3D chromatin analysis . Collaborates with Indigenous conservation groups , genomic sequencing teams , and international cytogeneticists (e.g., Ruiz-Herrera, Marshall Graves, Georges). Lab focuses on reptilian hibernation genomics , transmissible cancer epigenetics , and meiotic dynamics in basal mammals .

John D HelmannView profile

Professor

• Microbiology
• Bacterial Stress Responses
• Transcriptional Regulation
• +3 more

John D Helmann is a full Professor in the Department of Microbiology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, at Cornell University . He has dedicated his career to studying Bacillus subtilis as a model organism for bacterial stress responses, particularly focusing on cellular adaptation to antibiotic-induced envelope stress, reactive oxygen species, and metal ion imbalances. Bachelor's in Chemistry and Biology (University of California, Santa Cruz, 1982) Ph.D. in Biochemistry (University of California, Berkeley, 1987) Postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School (1987-1990) His research emphasizes transcriptional regulation and metal homeostasis in bacteria. Key areas include: Stress response mechanisms to environmental challenges Regulation of metal ion transport and utilization Redox biology and thiol-based regulatory systems CRISPR-Cas9 engineering of bacterial systems Cell envelope biogenesis and antibiotic targets Bacterial virulence and host-pathogen interactions Publications from 2019-2025 reveal an evolutionary trajectory in understanding: 2025 : Metal ion signaling across ecosystems 2024 : Cell envelope metalation processes 2023 : Fur-family regulatory networks 2022 : Magnesium homeostasis under stress 2021 : Metabolic checkpoint systems Scientific Recognition : Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (2013) Outstanding Basic Research Award, Cornell CALS (2012) Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology (2010) Professor Helmann teaches advanced graduate courses in Bacterial Structure and Function and contributes to scientific communication skill development. His laboratory at Cornell maintains a strong focus on experimental microbiology and molecular techniques.

• Neurogenetics
• Inherited Peripheral Neuropathies
• Genetic Linkage Analysis
• +4 more

Professor Marina Kennerson is a leading academic at the University of Sydney , affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine and Health and the School of Medical Sciences . She serves as Director of the Northcott Neuroscience Laboratory (ANZAC Research Institute), Principal Hospital Scientist at Concord Hospital's Molecular Medicine Laboratory, and Deputy Director (Research) for the Sydney Local Health District Institute of Precision Medicine and Bioinformatics. Her work focuses on Neurogenetics , particularly identifying causative genes for Inherited Peripheral Neuropathies (IPN), with over 25 years of experience in the field. Research Interests Gene discovery for IPN using genetic linkage and next-generation sequencing Functional genomics via iPSC-derived motor neurons and C. elegans models Transition of genomic technologies to clinical neurogenetic testing Leadership in global consortia like the Peripheral Nerve Society and Asian Oceanic Inherited Neuropathy Consortium Scientific Contributions Her research program integrates multiomics approaches with AI tools to analyze genomic data. She has identified 10 causative IPN genes and two structural variation mutations (DHMN1 and CMTX3), advancing pre-clinical modeling and therapeutic development. Her lab's work has established Concord Hospital as a reference center for IPN testing in Australia. Collaborations International partnerships include collaborations with: University of Malaya (Malaysia) – Dr. Azlina Ahmad-Annuar and Dr. Nortina Shahrizaila University of Miami (USA) – Professor Stephan Zuchner

Fan YuanView profile

Professor

• Drug Delivery
• Gene Delivery
• Vaccine Development
• +7 more

Dr. Fan Yuan is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Ophthalmology at Duke University and a Member of the Duke Cancer Institute . His research focuses on transport analysis in drug and gene delivery , cell and tissue biomechanics , and electric field-mediated gene delivery for cancer and ocular disease therapy. Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from City University of New York (1990) B.S. and M.S. in Physics from Peking University (1983, 1985) Research Interests: Drug, gene, and vaccine delivery systems Pharmacokinetics and transport barriers Electroporation and electrotransfer technology Tumor pathophysiology and ocular delivery Nanoparticle and macromolecule transport Scientific Contributions: Over 100 peer-reviewed publications Author of a textbook on Transport Analysis in Biological Systems Developed models for tumor microvasculature and ocular drug transport Scientific Awards: Fellow, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (2007) National Science Foundation CAREER Award (2000) SPORE in Breast Cancer Career Development Award (1996) IPM Innovative Instrumentation Awards (1993, 1994) Dr. Yuan’s recent work emphasizes acoustofluidic devices for targeted drug delivery, lysosomal function modulation in vaccine efficiency, and biomechanical analysis of trabecular meshwork in glaucoma research.