Find Academic Supervisors

Stefan HothView profile

Professor

• Molecular Plant Physiology
• Plant Immunity
• Molecular Genetics
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Stefan Hoth is a Professor and Head of the Department of Molecular Plant Physiology at the University of Hamburg, within the Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences. His research focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying plant immunity, cellular processes, and plant-microbe interactions. He leads a team of doctoral researchers and postdoctoral associates at the Institute of Plant Sciences and Microbiology. Key areas of investigation include nucleolar RNA processing, ubiquitin ligase regulation, and root development. His academic career has been marked by contributions to understanding plant defense systems, including studies on PAMP-triggered immunity and temperature-dependent autoimmunity. Recent work explores structural features of plant proteins and their roles in cellular processes such as microtubule dynamics and RNA silencing. He oversees a lab located at the Otto Warburg House in Hamburg. Notable publications include studies on rRNA binding mechanisms in Brassicaceae and the role of SAUL1 in immune signaling. His team collaborates on projects addressing microbial ecology in salt marshes and blue carbon ecosystems. He can be contacted via email at the provided address.

Vibha SrivastavaView profile

Professor

• Plant Genetic Engineering
• CRISPR/Cas9 Applications
• Gene Silencing Mechanisms
• +2 more

Vibha Srivastava is Professor of Plant Biotechnology at University of Arkansas' Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences. Research develops precision genome engineering technologies including CRISPR/Cas9 systems, site-specific recombination (Cre-lox, FLP-FRT), and epigenetic controls. PhD in Plant Biotechnology from Jawaharlal Nehru University (1991). Current projects investigate vacuolar pyrophosphatase regulation of grain quality and ERECTA signaling in stress tolerance. Teaches graduate courses in plant genetic engineering and research techniques. Laboratory developed novel transformation methods: marker-free site-specific integration, recombinase-mediated multigene stacking, and heat-inducible CRISPR systems. Patents cover gene stacking technologies. Former advisees include PhD and MS students in plant molecular biology.

Suzanne LeeView profile

Associate Professor

• Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry
• RNA Biology
• +4 more

Suzanne Lee is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at Western Washington University. Her research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms governing RNA production, function, and degradation in Tetrahymena thermophila, a model organism. She emphasizes mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in research and STEM careers. Education: B.A. in Biological Chemistry (Wellesley College, 1998), Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology (UC Berkeley, 2007), Postdoctoral Fellowships (University of Colorado, Boulder and UC San Diego, 2008-2014). Research Interests: Non-coding RNAs, RNA interference pathways, cellular health maintenance, and the integration of biochemistry, molecular biology, and bioinformatics. Awards: NSF CAREER Award (2022), Peter J Elich Excellence in Teaching Award (2021), Helen Hay Whitney Foundation Fellowship (2009-2012), and Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship (1997-1998). Lab Environment: The Lee Lab prioritizes collaborative mentorship, with projects spanning RNA biology, student education, and interdisciplinary approaches. Collaborators include the Galati, Dahlberg, and Pollard labs at WWU.

Dan PollardView profile

Associate Professor

• Cell Biology
• Genetics
• Molecular Biology
• +5 more

Dan Pollard, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Biology Department at Western Washington University (WWU), part of the College of Science and Engineering. His research focuses on understanding cellular trait variation, particularly in budding yeasts, using a multidisciplinary approach combining genetics, biochemistry, and computational methods. He mentors students in his lab, emphasizing inclusive and rewarding educational experiences. Pollard holds a B.A. in Mathematics from Bowdoin College and a Ph.D. in Biophysics from UC Berkeley, specializing in bioinformatics, evolutionary genetics, and developmental biology. Research Interests: Molecular mechanisms of protein production and degradation Chromatin dynamics during aging Genomic analysis of RNA interference pathways Yeast diversity and outreach with local schools Recent Publications: Highlights include studies on codon bias effects on protein expression, DNA damage responses in Tetrahymena, and statistical methods for biologists. His work is supported by a National Science Foundation grant (MCB-1518314). Lab Members: Current researchers include Benjamin Haagen (protein expression heritability), Maggie Barry (translation rate modifiers), and others. Former students pursue careers in academia, medicine, and education. Education: Ph.D. in Biophysics, UC Berkeley (2007) B.A. in Mathematics, Bowdoin College (1998) Awards: NSF MCB-1518314 (2015-2023) for studying protein expression variation.

Jeremy MarshallView profile

Associate Professor

• Evolutionary Biology
• Behavioral Ecology
• Genomics
• +3 more

Dr. Jeremy Marshall is an Associate Professor & Director of Undergraduate Programs in the Department of Entomology at Kansas State University (KSU). He holds a Ph.D. in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (2000) and has held academic positions at KSU since 2006. His research focuses on evolutionary biology, behavioral ecology, and the genetic basis of adaptive phenotypes in insects, particularly the Allonemobius cricket species complex. Key topics include speciation mechanisms, postmating reproductive isolation, and environmental clines in traits like body size and diapause. Marshall’s work combines genomic, proteomic, and field studies to explore how genetic variation underpins adaptation and speciation. His lab uses advanced techniques like 2D-DIGE and RNA interference to identify proteins involved in reproductive isolation. He also investigates environmental influences on genetic traits, such as thermal tolerance and diapause plasticity. Notable contributions include sequencing efforts for cricket genomes and linking allele function to environmental fitness. Marshall teaches courses in entomology, behavioral ecology, and genetics at KSU. He actively mentors undergraduate and graduate students, fostering research projects in evolutionary biology and ecology. His lab facilities include molecular genetics labs, cricket breeding setups, and proteomics equipment. Collaborations with institutions worldwide highlight his role in advancing entomological research. His research has been funded by NSF grants, and his publications span journals like *Nature*, *PLoS One*, and *Genetics*. Marshall’s outreach includes curriculum development and undergraduate research programs, emphasizing hands-on learning and scientific communication.

Yoonseong ParkView profile

Professor

• Molecular Physiology
• Arthropod Biology
• G Protein-Coupled Receptors
• +3 more

Yoonseong Park is a University Distinguished Professor at the Department of Entomology, Kansas State University. His research focuses on molecular physiology of arthropods, particularly investigating G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), tick salivary secretion mechanisms, and systemic RNA interference. His work aims to understand fundamental biological processes and apply this knowledge to improve human health, such as developing insecticides targeting GPCRs and studying tick-borne diseases. Education: B.S. Agricultural Biology, Chonbuk National University, Korea (1991) M.S. Entomology, University of California, Riverside (1994) Ph.D. Insect Science, University of Arizona (1998) Postdoctoral Associate, University of California, Riverside (1998–2002) Research Interests: Dr. Park’s research spans molecular physiology, GPCR signaling, tick biology, and medical entomology. Key areas include: Evolution and function of neuropeptides and their receptors in insects like fruitflies and ticks. Neuroendocrine control of tick salivary secretion, focusing on dopamine and neuropeptides. Systemic RNA interference mechanisms in insects, with implications for pest control. Publications: His recent work emphasizes GPCR signaling pathways, tick physiology, and molecular mechanisms in arthropods. Notable contributions include discoveries in neuropeptide receptors and salivary gland regulation in ticks. Advising & Grants: Dr. Park advises students like Rachel Johnson Brown and Olayinka Olajiga. His lab has secured funding for projects on tick-borne diseases and RNAi applications. Recent awards include grants for Paulina Maldonado Ruiz (ESA Early Career Award) and Rachel Brown (Timothy Donaghue Scholarship). Labs/Teams: He leads the Arthropod Molecular Physiology Laboratory at Kansas State University, focusing on interdisciplinary research in entomology and molecular biology.

Naren VyavahareView profile

Professor

• Biomaterials
• Extracellular Matrix
• Heart Valve Implants
• +5 more

Dr. Naren Vyavahare is a Professor and Hunter Endowed Chair in the Department of Bioengineering at Clemson University. He leads the Vyavahare Lab, focusing on biomaterials, extracellular matrix biology, and cardiovascular disease therapies. His work addresses elastin degradation in diseases like aortic aneurysms and vascular calcification, developing targeted nanoparticle therapies and tissue-engineered devices for congenital heart defects. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Pune, India (1991). Research emphasizes site-specific drug delivery systems, including elastin-targeted nanoparticles for calcification reversal, and novel materials for pediatric cardiac devices. His lab's innovations include PGG-stabilized vascular implants and anti-inflammatory macrophage polarization strategies. Key projects involve chronic kidney disease-induced vascular calcification, pulmonary hypertension modeling, and elastin regeneration in diseased tissues. Notable contributions include preclinical proof-of-concept for calcification reversal therapies and bioprosthetic valve stabilization via crosslinking methods. Current efforts target translational applications for chronic diseases, combining biomaterial engineering with nanotechnology for precision medicine.

Gal WinterView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Gut Microbiology
• Microbial Ecology
• Antibiotic Resistance
• +3 more

Gal Winter is a Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences at the School of Science and Technology, University of New England (UNE). She coordinates the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences program and has received multiple awards for teaching and research excellence, including the Dean’s Award for Early Career Research Excellence (2018) and the Theo Murphy High Flyers Think Tank (2017). Her research focuses on microbial ecology in human and plant environments, particularly the gut microbiome’s role in depression and the gut-brain axis. Education: PhD in Molecular Biology (University of Western Sydney) MSc in Biochemistry and Food Science (Hebrew University of Jerusalem) BSc in Biochemistry and Food Science (Hebrew University of Jerusalem) Her work spans microbial biotechnology, antibiotic resistance, and collaborations with industry partners like the Future Foods Systems CRC. She has published in journals such as Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology and Environmental Microbiology . Gal applies microbial diversity principles to environmental systems, including hydroponic plant root microbiomes. Scientific awards include: 2019: Teachers Travel Award (Australian Association for Microbiology) 2018: School and Faculty Excellent in Teaching Award (UNE) 2017: Theo Murphy High Flyers Think Tank (Australian Academy of Science) Gal’s research supervision and grants highlight her contributions to gut microbiome studies and environmental microbiology. She collaborates with institutions like the Australian Wine Research Institute and the University of Queensland.

• Biophysics
• Solid-State NMR
• LCMS
• +3 more

Dr. Sung Kim is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Howard University's College of Arts & Sciences. His research focuses on structural and functional analysis of bacterial cell walls using advanced techniques like solid-state NMR and mass spectrometry. Dr. Kim investigates antimicrobial agent mechanisms and develops analytical tools for studying peptidoglycan in pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis . Education includes: Ph.D. in Molecular Biophysics from Washington University in St. Louis B.S. in Physics from Calvin College Research interests center on: Bacterial cell wall architecture and dynamics Novel antimicrobial target identification SSNMR probe development LC-MS applications in microbiology His recent publications emphasize molecular interactions in antibiotic mechanisms and pathogen structural biology, with consistent focus on NMR and mass spectrometry methodologies across bacterial species. Awards: No major scientific awards reported. Dr. Kim leads an active research group and maintains collaborations through his laboratory in the Chemistry Building. Current projects involve peptidoglycan characterization and antibiotic resistance studies.

Fayuan WenView profile

Assistant Professor

• Computational Biology
• Virology
• Sickle Cell Disease
• +5 more

Dr. Fayuan Wen is an Assistant Professor of Computational Biology in the Department of Biology at Howard University, part of the College of Arts & Sciences. She earned her PhD in Virology and Entomology from the Chinese Academy of Forestry (2006–2009), followed by postdoctoral training in Cellular Biology and Bioinformatics at the University of Guelph and Natural Resources Canada (2009–2016), and served as a Postdoc Associate at Howard University (2017–2023). Her research focuses on computational biology and bioinformatics, particularly analyzing next-generation sequencing (NGS) data (e.g., RNA-seq, WGS) to study gene regulation in host-virus interactions, Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), and overwintering insects. Current projects include identifying gene variants linked to Iron Overload in SCD using GWAS and polygenic risk score analysis, alongside biostatistical evaluations of electronic health records. Her work spans diverse areas such as antiviral responses in HIV-SCD comorbidity, genetic determinants of telomere length, and genomic studies of spruce budworms. Recent trends in her publications emphasize computational methods for viral pathogenesis, SCD complications, and evolutionary biology of insects. Dr. Wen has no listed scientific awards or advisees but maintains active collaborations in precision medicine and bioinformatics. Her expertise bridges virology, genomics, and clinical data analysis, with contributions to understanding complex genetic and health challenges.

Jennifer GutzmanView profile

Associate Professor

• Developmental Biology
• Cell Biology
• Zebrafish Model Systems
• +7 more

Jennifer Gutzman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), within the College of Letters & Science. Her research focuses on developmental biology, cell biology, and genetic approaches using zebrafish as a model system. She investigates brain morphogenesis and Myh9-related disease mechanisms, emphasizing cell shape changes and non-muscle myosin II function in development. She leads the Gutzman Lab, training graduate and undergraduate students in experimental techniques and mentoring numerous advisees. Education: PhD in Molecular and Environmental Toxicology (UW-Madison, 2004), Postdoc at Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research (2004-2011), BS in Biology from UMass Amherst (1998). Labs/Teams: Gutzman Lab at UWM, focusing on zebrafish models and cell biological studies. Grants/Funding: Supported by UWM's Research Growth Initiative and collaborative projects in developmental biology. Research Interests: Embryonic brain shape conservation, midbrain-hindbrain boundary formation, Myh9-related deafness/cataracts, and the role of extracellular matrix-myosin pathways in mechanotransduction. Her lab employs genetic, molecular, and cell biological methods to study these processes. Lab News Highlights: Recent publications (2025, 2022) on Myh9 genetics and laminin dynamics. Graduates include Dr. Laura Rolfs (2024) and Dr. Libby Falat (2022). Current advisee: Ph.D. candidate Gabby Voit. Funding: Actively engaged in research growth initiatives at UWM, supporting experimental work and student training.

Georgia KaferView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Reproductive Physiology
• Stem Cell Biology
• Placental Development
• +2 more

Georgia Kafer is a Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences at the University of the Sunshine Coast School of Health, where she leads the Fetal and Reproductive Health Laboratory. She holds a PhD in Physiology from University of Queensland and Graduate Certificate in Higher Education. Research spans reproductive physiology, stem cell biology, and placental development. Uses 3D stem cell models to study human placental development and investigates environmental stressors on fetal health. Pacific Islands research examines maternal micronutrient impacts. Publications reflect strong focus on epigenetic regulation of development, stem cell differentiation, and innovative models for ethically sensitive reproductive research. Recent work includes cancer metastasis mechanisms and educational applications of AI. Awards and fellowships: JSPS Fellowship (Japan) International placental research awards Australian postgraduate scholarships Leads multiple grants including NHMRC funding for placental stress research and Marsden Fund Award (NZ) for placental blood flow studies. Core member of the Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research supporting indigenous health researchers.

Ben TangView profile

Adjunct Associate Professor

• Drug delivery
• Nanoparticles
• Pharmacokinetics
• +3 more

Ben Tang, PhD, is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). He is affiliated with the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases (IND) and the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences. Tang completed his PhD in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, followed by postdoctoral training at MIT in the labs of Robert Langer and Daniel Anderson. His research focuses on developing novel drug delivery systems, particularly nanoparticles and biomaterials, to address pharmacokinetics challenges in neurodegenerative diseases and diabetes. He leads a pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism group at the IND, aiming to advance therapies for diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Tang's work emphasizes mucus-penetrating particles, glucose-responsive materials, and drug delivery strategies for sustained therapeutic efficacy. His contributions include seminal studies on nanoparticles for airway drug delivery and innovative approaches to diabetes management through nanomedicine. Education: PhD in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University (2009) BChE in Chemical Engineering, University of Delaware (2003) DEI Training: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion, UCSF (2018) Research Interests: Tang's research integrates engineering principles with biomedical applications. He develops: Biomaterials for targeted drug delivery Glucose-responsive systems for diabetes Mucus-penetrating nanoparticles for respiratory and vaginal delivery Pharmacokinetic models to optimize therapeutic biodistribution Innovative disease models for neurodegenerative disease studies His work bridges engineering and medicine, with a focus on translational applications for unmet clinical needs. Labs & Collaborations: Tang directs the pharmacokinetics/drug metabolism group at the IND, collaborating with industry (e.g., Amgen) and academic leaders in drug delivery. His lab develops tools to evaluate novel therapeutics and drug carriers, emphasizing clinical translation of nanomedicine innovations.

SuJean ChoiView profile

Professor

• Neuroscience
• Metabolism
• Obesity Research
• +3 more

SuJean Choi is a Professor and Associate Dean for Research in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Marquette University. She holds a B.S. in Physiological Psychology from the University of Michigan (1989) and a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Rochester (1995). Her postdoctoral training was at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Choi’s research focuses on the neural mechanisms regulating feeding behavior, metabolism, and energy balance, with implications for obesity, eating disorders, and metabolic disorders. She teaches courses such as Functional Neuroanatomy, Diseases of the Brain, and Career Prep for graduate students. Her lab employs behavioral, molecular, and imaging techniques to study neuropeptide interactions in the hypothalamus and striatum, particularly in binge eating and compulsive behaviors. She is involved in curricular initiatives like the Pre-Dental Post-Baccalaureate Program and the Undergraduate Summer Research Program. Dr. Choi collaborates with the Integrative Neuroscience Research Center (INRC) and contributes to interdisciplinary research on neuroendocrine circuits.

Ekaterina MirkinView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Chromosome Biology
• Genome Stability
• Nuclear Architecture
• +2 more

Ekaterina Mirkin is Senior Lecturer in Biology at Tufts University, specializing in chromosome biology and genome maintenance. Her research investigates molecular mechanisms of genomic stability and nuclear architecture. Research focuses on replication-transcription collisions in bacteria and eukaryotes, examining how these conflicts shape genome evolution. Current work explores protein-mediated chromosome interactions and DNA break repair asymmetry. Key professional activities: Curriculum development for genetics education Technology integration in laboratory instruction Undergraduate research mentorship Awarded the Teaching With Technology Award (2018) for innovative pedagogy in cell biology instruction.