Dr. Ibrahim Mustafa El-Deeb is a Senior Research Fellow at Griffith University's Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics. His research focuses on developing novel antimicrobial and antiviral agents, particularly targeting drug-resistant pathogens and repurposing existing drugs for new therapeutic applications. He is actively involved in projects addressing antibiotic resistance mechanisms, neuraminidase inhibitor design, and zinc ionophore-based therapies. Key research areas include: Design of antiviral agents targeting human parainfluenza virus Development of synergistic antibiotic combinations Repurposing neurodegenerative drugs for antimicrobial use Metal ionophore mechanisms in bacterial pathogenesis El-Deeb has secured significant funding through grants such as the NHMRC Ideas Grant (2024-2027) for combating multidrug-resistant gonorrhoea and the Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics Grant (2024-2027) for neuraminidase inhibitor development. His work has been published in high-impact journals including Science Translational Medicine, mBio, and Antiviral Research. Recent studies highlight breakthroughs in reversing antibiotic resistance through zinc ionophore mechanisms and synergistic drug combinations. He currently supervises doctoral research on novel antimicrobial and neuraminidase inhibitor synthesis at Griffith University.
Dr. Andrea Maggioni is a Research Fellow in Cancer Glycobiology at Griffith University's Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics. He holds a BSc (Honors) in Molecular and Cell Biology from Università degli Studi di Milano and a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from Griffith University. His research focuses on glycobiology, cancer biology, and antiviral therapies, with notable contributions to understanding glycan-receptor interactions, viral entry mechanisms, and enzyme inhibitors. Education: BSc (Hons), Molecular and Cell Biology, Università degli Studi di Milano (2001) PhD, Griffith University (2011) Certificate in Immunology, Harvard Medical School (2024–present) Research Interests: Andrea's work bridges glycobiology and biomedical applications, including cancer immunotherapy biomarkers, viral pathogenesis (e.g., rotavirus, parechovirus), and drug design targeting enzymes like sialidase. He explores glycosylation roles in stem cell biology and employs advanced techniques such as NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Grants & Projects: Leading a $250k grant to study melanoma biomarkers (Hay Family Benevolent Fund, 2023–2028) Co-investigator on $498k equipment grant for glycobiology research (Griffith University, 2023) Previous funding from Society for Glycobiology (2014 Travel Award) and Laing O'Rourke (2015) Supervision: Associate supervisor for six ongoing doctoral/master's projects on topics like exosome glycointeractomes and cancer enzyme inhibition strategies. Awards: 2014 Travel Award, Society for Glycobiology Labs & Affiliations: Active in Griffith's Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics, focusing on translational research in glycobiology and cancer. Collaborates internationally on antiviral drug discovery and immune modulation studies.
Zhi Tan, M.D., Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine, holding joint appointments in the Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology and the Center for Drug Discovery. He is affiliated with the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute in Houston, TX. Dr. Tan earned his MD from Wuhan University (2012) and a PhD from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and UT Health Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (2018). His research focuses on leveraging computational chemistry, bioinformatics, and chemical biology to develop novel therapeutics for diseases such as cancers. Key areas include small molecule inhibitors for targeted therapy, computational algorithms for drug discovery, and RNA-protein interaction modulators. His lab has secured significant funding, including a $2M CPRIT First Time Tenure Track Faculty Award (2022–2027) to advance drug discovery efforts. Notable publications highlight breakthroughs in noncoding RNA modulation, SARS-CoV-2 protease inhibitors, and epigenetic drivers of glioblastoma progression. Lab members include Assistant Professor Fei Yuan, and collaborations span diverse disciplines from informatics to synthetic chemistry. The lab’s translational focus bridges basic science and clinical applications, with ongoing projects targeting enzyme activation pathways and male contraception mechanisms.
Aleksandar Milosavljevic is a Professor and holds the Henry and Emma Meyer Chair in Molecular Genetics at Baylor College of Medicine. He serves as Director of the Program in Quantitative & Computational Biosciences (QCB) and Co-Director of the Computational and Integrative Biomedical Research Center (CIBR). He is also a member of the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center. His research focuses on genomics, epigenomics, and bioinformatics, with a particular emphasis on cancer genomics, extracellular RNA communication, and clinical genome interpretation. Education: PhD from University of California, Santa Cruz (1990). Research interests include developing computational methods for analyzing genomic and epigenomic data, constructing biological atlases (e.g., Human Epigenome Atlas, exRNA Atlas), and advancing clinical genomic applications through projects like ClinGen. His work bridges basic science and translational medicine, with contributions to understanding tumor biology, genetic variant interpretation, and liquid biopsy technologies. Key projects include the NIH Roadmap Epigenomics Initiative, NIH Extracellular RNA Communication Consortium, and ClinGen, which developed tools like the Pathogenicity Calculator and Allele Registry. His lab collaborates widely, addressing challenges in structural genomics, stochastic epigenetic regulation, and precision medicine.
Yida An is a Project Instructor at the Butler School of Music, University of Texas at Austin. He holds an Artist Diploma from Butler School of Music (studying with Brian Lewis), a Master of Music from Bard College Conservatory of Music (under Gil Shaham and Adele Anthony), and a Bachelor of Music from Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing (under Xie Haoming). His musical career includes roles as concertmaster of the Bard College Symphony Orchestra and solo performances with renowned conductors like Tan Dun and Leon Botstein. He has collaborated on major venues including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, and organized solo recitals in New York. His performances span classical violin repertoire, chamber music, and orchestral collaborations, emphasizing both traditional and contemporary works. Education history includes Beijing Eastbank Academy of Music (2017-2018) and extensive touring with the Central Conservatory of Music Youth Symphony Orchestra. Notable collaborations include working with composer Joan Tower and participating in the Bard Music Festival. His musical contributions highlight technical mastery and artistic interpretation across diverse genres. While primarily focused on performance, his academic affiliations also involve interdisciplinary research in RNA biology and molecular mechanisms, as evidenced by publications in high-impact journals. These articles explore topics like group II intron mobility, exosome-mediated RNA sorting, and therapeutic applications of RNA sequencing technologies, showcasing a dual expertise in music and life sciences.
Associate Professor Ulrike Grunert is a distinguished researcher in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney, where she serves in the Clinical Ophthalmology and Eye Health department at the Save Sight Institute. With over three decades of experience in visual neuroscience, her work has significantly advanced our understanding of retinal structure and function. Dr. Grunert received her PhD in Biology from Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany in 1985, followed by postdoctoral work at the University of Florida. She became a group leader at the Max-Planck-Institute for Brain Research before joining the University of Sydney in 1994 with a Feodor Lynen fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. She was awarded her Habilitation from Goethe University in 1994 and has maintained continuous research activity since then, with appointments including Lions Vision Research Fellow (2003-2009) and Honorary Principal Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne (2006). Her research focuses on the functional neuroanatomy of the mammalian retina, with special emphasis on the primate retina. Dr. Grunert's work has been instrumental in defining the neural circuitry of the eye , particularly related to retinal ganglion cells and their connections with other retinal cells and targets in the brain. Her laboratory employs advanced techniques including immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, and single-cell transcriptomics to investigate retinal cell types and their functional organization. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent research trajectory focused on characterizing retinal cell types across primate species, with increasing emphasis on molecular markers and comparative approaches. Her work spans from fundamental cellular organization to translational applications in vision science, with particular attention to the human fovea and specialized retinal pathways. Her scientific achievements have been recognized with prestigious awards including: National Vision Research Institute Fellowship (2020) Nina Kondelos Award of the Australian Neuroscience Society (2017) Sydney Medical Foundation Fellowship (2017-2021) Lions Vision Research Fellowship (2003-2009) Dr. Grunert has successfully supervised numerous students and collaborated extensively with international researchers. Her grant portfolio includes multiple NHMRC Project Grants, ARC Centre of Excellence funding, and equipment grants supporting advanced retinal imaging. She currently leads research on retinal gene therapy delivery, mapping the human retina, and night vision pathways, often in collaboration with international partners in Italy, Japan, and the United States. Her laboratory at the Save Sight Institute maintains state-of-the-art facilities for retinal histology, confocal microscopy, and molecular analysis.
Maria Fyta serves as a Professor of Biotechnology at RWTH Aachen University's Faculty of Biology, leading research in the Department of Biotechnology from her lab in the Biology Building (Worringerweg 3, Aachen). Her work bridges computational physics, nanotechnology, and molecular biology to develop next-generation biosensing platforms. Her research focuses on nanopore-based DNA/protein sequencing , utilizing 2D materials (graphene, MoS 2 , h-BN) and nanodiamond functionalization for single-molecule detection. Key projects include ionic liquid catalysis systems , computational alloy design , and molecular dynamics simulations of biomolecular translocation. Recent work emphasizes machine learning integration for signal analysis and materials discovery. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals dominant trends in Nanopore engineering for biomolecular sensing Computational materials design of 2D systems and alloys Machine learning applications in nanofluidics While no specific scientific awards are documented in the provided materials, her extensive publication record demonstrates significant contributions to nanotechnology and biophysics. Professor Fyta's group develops advanced simulation frameworks for biomolecular translocation and collaborates on experimental validation of nanoscale devices. Current efforts focus on enhancing read-out capabilities in functionalized nanopores and designing bio-mimetic sequencing platforms.
Prof. Gabriele Pradel is a University Professor at RWTH Aachen University specializing in malaria research. Her work focuses on the molecular biology of Plasmodium falciparum, including mechanisms of host cell invasion, chromatin regulation, and parasite transmission. Institution: RWTH Aachen University Email: pradel@bio2.rwth-aachen.de Research Interests: • Malaria pathogenesis and transmission • Parasitic protein interactions • Epigenetic regulation in Plasmodium Recent Article Trends: Recent publications emphasize antimalarial drug development (e.g., synthetic alkaloid analogs), chromatin modulation networks (SET10 methyltransferase), and host-parasite interactions involving complement evasion and plasma proteins. Studies on gametocyte egress and LCCL domain proteins highlight transmission biology.
Michael D Toney is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at UC Davis. He received his Ph.D. from UC Berkeley (1990) and B.S. from University of Alabama (1985). His research group investigates enzymatic catalysis with focus on vitamin B6-dependent enzymes. Research Focus: Uses experimental and computational methods to explore: Catalytic rate enhancements and reaction specificity in enzymes Stereoelectronic effects in biocatalysis Light-activated enzyme mechanisms Protein-based nanomaterial design Publication Trends: Recent work spans structural biology, antiviral protein engineering, and nanomaterial synthesis, demonstrating multidisciplinary approaches to biochemical problems. Laboratory & Advising: Leads active research group focused on enzyme mechanisms and protein engineering. Encourages undergraduate participation in research projects.
Remo Rohs is a tenured Professor of Quantitative and Computational Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy, Computer Science, and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Southern California Dornsife College. He leads the Rohs Lab, focusing on integrating genomics and structural biology to uncover molecular mechanisms in gene regulation. Chair, Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology (2021–2024) Section Head, Quantitative and Computational Biology (2018–2020) Full Professor with Tenure at USC (2016–present) Research Interests center on: Computational structural biology DNA shape prediction Protein-DNA recognition mechanisms Epigenetic effects on binding specificity RNA structure modeling High-throughput genomic analysis His work combines artificial intelligence , molecular simulations , and experimental validation to study transcription factors and chromatin structure. Recent publications highlight deep learning methods for DNA/RNA structure prediction and database development for molecular interactions. Scientific Awards include: Sloan Research Fellowship (2013–2017) Multiple RECOMB/ISCB Top-Paper Awards (2012–2017) American Chemical Society OpenEye Outstanding Junior Faculty Award (2015–2016) USC Mentoring Award (2015–2016) He has supervised 13 PhD graduates and published 92+ peer-reviewed papers . His lab develops tools like DNAproDB and TFBSshape for structural analysis of nucleic acid complexes.
Dr. Charles (Chuck) Murry is Professor of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Pathology, Medicine, and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Southern California. He serves as Chair of the Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine and Director of the Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Previously, he was a professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine for 28 years, where he directed the Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine. Dr. Murry earned his BS in chemistry from the University of North Dakota and both his PhD and MD degrees from Duke University. He completed residency training in Pathology at the University of Washington, followed by fellowship training in vascular biology and diagnostic cardiovascular pathology. Dr. Murry's research focuses on stem cell biology with an emphasis on understanding differentiation of the human cardiovascular system and using these cells to study diseases and regenerate damaged tissues. His laboratory is a world leader in heart regeneration, working toward clinical trials using cardiomyocyte therapy. His work spans basic science to translational applications, with particular expertise in cardiac tissue engineering, stem cell differentiation, and developing therapies for heart failure and cardiovascular disease. Analysis of Dr. Murry's recent publications reveals a strong focus on advancing cardiac regenerative medicine through multiple approaches. His research spans stem cell biology, tissue engineering, genetic engineering, and clinical translation. Key themes include improving cardiomyocyte engraftment and maturation, developing vascular networks for engineered tissues, addressing arrhythmia risks in cell therapy, and applying precision medicine approaches to cardiac diseases. Dr. Murry has received numerous scientific awards and honors, including: Fellow of the American Academy for the Advancement of Science Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering American Heart Association's Golden Heart Award Multiple recognitions for excellence in education from the University of Washington School of Medicine Recognition for entrepreneurial abilities from the University of Washington School of Medicine Member of the Association of American Physicians As a dedicated mentor, Dr. Murry has guided more than 100 postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, and undergraduates throughout his career. His research has been continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health as a principal investigator since 1996. He has cofounded several biotechnology companies including BEAT Biotherapeutics, Sana Biotechnology, and StemCardia to translate his laboratory discoveries into clinical applications. Dr. Murry leads the Murry Lab, which focuses on stem cell biology, cardiovascular differentiation, and heart regeneration. The lab works on translating preclinical research by pursuing scaled-up manufacturing processes and investigating electrophysiology and immunology to overcome challenges in cell therapy. The lab is also part of the broader USC Stem Cell initiative, which includes collaborations across multiple departments and institutions in the Los Angeles area.
Dr. Iddo Heller is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, leading the Heller Lab focused on single-molecule biophysics. He holds a PhD in nanotechnology and quantum transport from Delft University of Technology and has pioneered methodologies combining optical tweezers with super-resolution microscopy. His work explores DNA-protein interactions, ice-binding proteins, and cryoprotection mechanisms. He has received NWO VENI and VIDI grants for his innovative research. Education: MSc in Applied Physics, Delft University of Technology PhD in Nanotechnology & Biosensing, Delft University of Technology Research Interests: Physics of DNA intercalation and structural transitions Mechanisms of ice-binding proteins in cryoprotection Single-molecule analysis of DNA repair/replication Development of advanced biophysical instrumentation Key Achievements: Pioneered super-resolution microscopy in optical tweezers (2011 VENI grant) Co-developed STED microscopy with optical tweezers for protein-DNA dynamics Recipient of 2017 NWO VIDI Grant for ice-binding protein research Scientific advisor to LUMICKS B.V., advancing nanomanipulation technologies Advising & Grants: Supervised 1 PhD thesis to date Active in interdisciplinary collaborations across physics, biology, and engineering Develops cutting-edge methodologies for biomolecular analysis Labs & Teams: Heller Lab at VU Amsterdam focuses on quantitative single-molecule biophysics Collaborates with LUMICKS on commercial instrumentation development
Harry L.A. Janssen is a Professor at the Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology within the Erasmus University Medical Center (Erasmus MC), affiliated with Erasmus University Rotterdam . His research focuses on hepatitis B, liver fibrosis, viral infections, and their interactions with metabolic disorders like non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). He has contributed to over 500 research outputs, including peer-reviewed articles and systematic reviews. Recent studies highlight his work on diagnostic tools for liver stiffness, global epidemiology of liver diseases, and viral-inflammatory mechanisms in the liver. He emphasizes non-invasive diagnostics and treatment strategies for chronic hepatitis B and metabolic liver conditions. His research often involves collaborations with international teams, as seen in his work on steatotic liver disease prevalence and viral replication impacts. ORCID : 0000-0003-2398-8392 Harry has supervised 47 formal advisees (PhD/Master’s students) but their names are not listed in the provided text. His grants and funding details are not explicitly mentioned here. He is associated with labs/teams at Erasmus MC, contributing to interdisciplinary research in hepatology and virology, though specific lab names or team structures are not detailed in the text.
Róża Przanowska is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Virginia, specializing in non-coding RNAs in cancer and development. Her research focuses on breast cancer heterogeneity using novel organoid models and lncRNA functional studies. She collaborates with Dr. Kevin Janes and Dr. Shayna Showalter on translational projects supported by the National Cancer Institute and UVA Coulter Center grants. Education: PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics (UVA, 2021), MSc and BSc in Biotechnology from University of Warsaw, with international training at Max Planck Institute (2014) and a Fulbright Scholarship at UVA (2015). Research interests include lncRNA structure-function relationships, tumor heterogeneity modeling, and translational oncology. Her work bridges basic science and clinical applications through organoid-based patient-specific models. Key achievements include developing zero-passage organoids for breast cancer studies, leading to a 2024 Coulter Center award. Her research has been recognized with over 20 awards including the NCI F99/K00 fellowship (2020-2025) and multiple institutional awards for research and leadership. Grants include NIH K00CA253732 studying lncRNA heterogeneity in ER+ breast cancer, and Coulter funding for organoid-based clinical trial support (POWER II). She also contributed to the Hamlin Lecture Series and taught in the Biomedical Sciences Summer Prep program (2018-2020). Her lab focuses on cancer systems biology, with collaborations in tumor organoid development and molecular mechanisms of lncRNA-driven heterogeneity. Current efforts aim to translate organoid models into clinical decision tools for breast cancer therapies.
Bagher Golzarroshan is a Research Fellow in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at Monash University. His work focuses on structural and molecular mechanisms of RNA processing, with a particular emphasis on RNA-binding proteins, helicases, and their roles in disease. He investigates how structural defects in enzymes like PNPase and Suv3 helicase contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction and amyloid formation. His research integrates crystallography, molecular dynamics, and biochemistry to study RNA decay pathways in both bacterial and human systems. Key areas include understanding dimeric assembly in helicases, RNA recognition motifs linked to disease, and the structural basis of enzyme dysfunction. His earlier work also explored drug selectivity mechanisms for cancer therapies like Imatinib. Notable contributions include structural insights into RNase R and CshA helicases, as well as the role of nanoparticles and viruses in cancer immunotherapy. His studies bridge fundamental biology with translational applications in human health.
