Find Academic Supervisors

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.

Laura SpagnoloView profile

Professor

• Structural Biology
• Genome Editing
• DNA Repair
• +3 more

Laura Spagnolo is Professor of Biophysical Chemistry in the Molecular Biosciences department at the University of Glasgow and Group Leader at the Research Complex at Harwell. She co-founded the Scottish Centre for Macromolecular Imaging and leads research on genome editing mechanisms using integrated structural biology approaches. She holds an MSc in Pharmacy from the University of Trieste and a PhD from the University of Padova/EMBL Heidelberg. Her research focuses on: Structural mechanisms of CRISPR systems and DNA repair complexes Macromolecular assemblies in genome editing and RNA metabolism Multi-scale structural analysis from atomic to cellular resolution Her publications demonstrate consistent focus on structural biology of DNA/RNA-processing complexes, with recent work emphasizing CRISPR machinery, DNA repair systems, and archaeal biology using cryo-EM and biochemical approaches. Active grants include: BBSRC funding for Staufen protein microscopy (2024-2027) MRC support for electron microscopy modernization (2022-2023) BBSRC project on DNA recombinases (2022-2025) Scottish Funding Council grants for macromolecular imaging (2018-2021) She directs the Spagnolo research group studying genome engineering complexes and collaborates with the Scottish Macromolecular Imaging Centre.

Jay Brito QueridoView profile

Assistant Professor

• Structural Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry
• +3 more

Jay Brito Querido, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Chemistry at the University of Michigan Medical School , with concurrent appointments as a Research Assistant Professor at the Life Sciences Institute and a Faculty Scholar at the Center for RNA Biomedicine . His research focuses on understanding how mRNA translation initiation is regulated in human health and disease, with a special emphasis on DEAD-box helicases using cryo-electron microscopy and biochemical approaches. B.S. , Biochemistry, University of Lisbon (2009) M.S. , Medical Biochemistry, University of Lisbon (2011) Ph.D. , Life and Health Sciences, University of Strasbourg (2017) Postdoctoral Scientist , MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (2018-2022) His research explores the structural and functional roles of DEAD-box helicases in translation initiation, including their interactions with ribosomes and regulatory proteins. Recent work demonstrates how cell stress induces selective translational suppression and characterizes tumor suppressor binding in ribosomal subunits. Collaborative studies compare pathogen-mammalian host translation differences for therapeutic targeting. Scientific accolades include: Best M.Sc. Thesis Award from RedTrV Best Ph.D. Thesis Award from Biology Society of Strasbourg FEBS Long-Term Postdoctoral Fellowship Medal of Merit - 1st Class from President of Cabo Verde He is affiliated with the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center and contributes to structural biology applications in RNA biomedicine and neuroscience research.

Ryan S. GrayView profile

Associate Professor

• Musculoskeletal Disease
• Developmental Biology
• Genetics
• +4 more

Ryan S. Gray, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at The University of Texas at Austin , with an adjunct faculty appointment in the Department of Nutritional Sciences within the College of Natural Sciences . Education: Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology from UT Austin Postdoctoral Training: Washington University School of Medicine Gray's research focuses on musculoskeletal diseases , particularly adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and cartilage degeneration . His lab employs a multi-tiered approach combining zebrafish , mouse , and cell culture models informed by human genomics to uncover mechanisms of spine development and disease. Key areas include: Genetic regulation of spine morphogenesis Role of cilia in cerebrospinal fluid dynamics Protein assembly in vertebrate evolution ADGRG6 and SOX9 signaling in cartilage homeostasis His publications highlight novel genetic pathways in AIS, including Kif6 , Inppl1a , and dysregulated dynein genes . Awards include the Early Investigator Podium Award (2017) and Best Poster Award (2015) from leading orthopedic societies. Gray leads the Gray Lab , which emphasizes translational research for musculoskeletal disorders. The lab's work spans from basic science (e.g., kinesin motor proteins) to clinical applications in scoliosis diagnosis and treatment.

Seval TÜRKView profile

Assistant Professor

• Histology and Embryology
• Immunohistochemistry
• Lectin Histochemistry
• +2 more

Seval TÜRK serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Basic Sciences at the Faculty of Dentistry, Antalya Science University since 2020. Her research integrates histological, embryological, and tissue engineering approaches with expertise in lectin histochemistry and stem cell applications. Educational background: Bachelor's in Biology, Süleyman Demirel University Faculty of Science and Literature (2008) Master's Degree, Süleyman Demirel University (2008-2010) Ph.D., Süleyman Demirel University (2011-2015) Second Doctorate in Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, İstinye University (2022-present, thesis stage) Dr. TÜRK's research focuses on structural tissue analysis using advanced histochemical techniques, with significant contributions to gastrointestinal histology, salivary gland pathology, and reproductive tissue dynamics. Her work examines glycoconjugate distributions, endoplasmic reticulum stress mechanisms, and stem cell applications across diverse animal models. Current investigations explore natural compounds' therapeutic potential against diabetic complications and environmental stressors' impacts on organ systems. Analysis of her 2022-2025 publications reveals consistent methodological rigor in lectin histochemistry and immunohistochemistry, with increasing emphasis on stem cell integration. Key thematic clusters include: 1) Chemical compound effects (cinnamic acid, acetyl L-carnitine) on tissue pathology, 2) Electromagnetic field and toxin impacts on cellular structures, and 3) Developmental biology of mammary glands and reproductive tissues. Scientific recognition: No specific awards documented in source materials Dr. TÜRK actively contributes to departmental quality assurance processes and institutional committees. Her extensive publication record indicates successful research project leadership and likely graduate student mentorship, though specific advisee details remain unreported. Current activities include dual institutional engagement between Antalya Science University and İstinye University's stem cell research programs. Her laboratory work centers on histochemical analysis of animal tissue models, particularly rodents and avian species, with recent expansion into stem cell applications through her ongoing doctoral research.

Pontus NordenfeltView profile

Associate Professor

• Infectious Medicine
• Immunology
• Cell Biology
• +8 more

Pontus Nordenfelt is an Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer at the Department of Infection Medicine (BMC), Lund University. He serves as Principal Investigator for multiple active projects, including InfPathMapper (Horizon Europe) and Broad antibody-based protection against SARS-CoV-2 (Swedish Research Council). His research spans infectious medicine, immunology, cell biology, and biophysics , focusing on human cell-environment interactions in infections and cancer. His lab investigates biomechanical forces, antibody-complement systems, and receptor signaling (Fc receptors, integrins), developing technologies like NETQUANT for quantifying neutrophil extracellular traps. Recent projects include Protumoral lipid droplet-loaded macrophages (Science Translational Medicine, 2024) and Targeting Cholesterol Homeostasis (2024). Pontus has received the Schyberg Award (2018) and Anna-Greta Crafoord Prize (2010). He manages advanced infrastructure including the Nikon Ti2 Pathogen Live Microscope and CytoFLEX flow cytometer , and contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals in health and innovation.

Edoardo SozziView profile

Research Fellow

• Neuroscience
• Neurobiology
• Stem Cell Research
• +6 more

Edoardo Sozzi is a Visiting Research Fellow and PhD student at Lund University's Faculty of Medicine, specializing in the Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology group under Prof. Malin Parmar. He earned a BSc in Biotechnology (2018) and a dual MSc in Neuroscience (2020) from the University of Pisa and Scuola Normale Superiore, Italy. His research focuses on the development, functionality, and diversity of human dopaminergic neurons using 3D cell culture systems like brain organoids and xenograft models, with heavy reliance on single-cell RNA sequencing. His work intersects neuroscience, developmental biology, and regenerative medicine, targeting neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease. Key publication trends include innovations in organoid technology , single-cell transcriptomics , and WNT signaling modulation . He has contributed to 11 scientific outputs , including a 2025 doctoral thesis, peer-reviewed articles in Nature Methods and Development , and a 2023 Horizon Europe grant (OpenMIND project) for opto-electronic neural modeling in neurodegenerative diseases. Sozzi actively participates in academic events, organizing conferences like Neuroscience Day 2024 and UniStem Day 2024 , and serves as a presenter in multidisciplinary initiatives (MultiPark). His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals for Medical and Health Sciences and Neurosciences .

Hawa Racine ThiamView profile

Assistant Professor

• Biophysics
• Cell Biology
• Immunology
• +5 more

Hawa Racine Thiam is an Assistant Professor of Bioengineering and Microbiology & Immunology at Stanford University , where she holds appointments in the Bio-X, Maternal & Child Health Research Institute (MCHRI), and Sarafan ChEM-H. Her research integrates microscopy , microfabrication , and quantitative cell biology to study the cellular biophysics of immune cells , particularly NETosis - a neutrophil-mediated pathogen-trapping mechanism with implications in both infection and sterile inflammation. Ph.D. in Biophysics from Institut Curie/Paris Descartes University (2014) Postdoctoral training in Quantitative Cell Biology at National Institutes of Health (2022) Co-inventor of microfabricated devices for cellular mechanics analysis Her lab's publications reveal trends in nuclear deformation mechanics , cytoskeletal dynamics , and RNA-protein complexes in autoimmunity . Key techniques include high-resolution time-lapse microscopy , mechanical modeling , and microenvironment engineering . Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Investigator (2022-2027) Esther Ehrman Lazard Faculty Scholar (2022-2025) ASCB Porter Prize Honorable Mention (2020) NIH Fellow Award (2019) As a mentor, she serves as Doctoral Dissertation Advisor and Postdoctoral Faculty Sponsor , guiding students in Bioengineering , Biophysics , and Immunology Ph.D. programs. Her work at Stanford's HR Thiam Lab aims to engineer innate immune cells for enhanced host defense while mitigating pathological inflammation through mechanobiological insights.

Janna HastingsView profile

Assistant Professor

• Medical Knowledge Systems
• Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
• Ontology Development
• +4 more

Janna Hastings is Assistant Professor for Medical Knowledge and Decision Support at the Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care (Faculty of Medicine) at the University of Zurich since August 2022, while also serving as Vice-Director of the School of Medicine at the University of St. Gallen. Her research focuses on digitalization in clinical contexts, examining how AI-driven knowledge systems reshape clinical practice, professional identity, and doctor-patient relationships. Education: PhD in Computational Biology (University of Cambridge, 2019), part-time MSc in Computer Science (University of South Africa, 2011), MSc in Philosophy (Open University, 2012) Prior Roles: Group Coordinator at European Bioinformatics Institute (2006-2015), Postdoctoral Researcher at Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg (2019-2022), Co-Leader of Human Behaviour-Change Project at University College London (2017-2022) Her research spans ontology development for biomedical domains (ChEBI, Human Behaviour Ontology), AI applications in healthcare decision-making, and behavior change interventions. Key projects include: Building ChEBI molecular ontology Developing Human Behaviour-Change Project knowledge system Ontology-driven mental health frameworks LLM applications in radiation oncology Time-series modeling of metabolism in ageing She explores the capabilities and limitations of clinical AI systems, with publications in JMIR and Lancet Digital Health , covering topics like bias prevention in generative AI and proteomic biomarker discovery. Her work bridges biomedical research with implementation science and digital ethics.

Jessica LarsenView profile

Associate Professor

• Biomaterials
• Drug Delivery
• Blood-Brain Barrier
• +12 more

Jessica Larsen is the Carol and John ’63 Cromer Family Endowed Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Clemson University. She holds a BS (2012) and PhD (2017) in Chemical Engineering from the University of Virginia and Auburn University, respectively. Research Focus: Polymeric biomaterials for blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration in neurotherapeutics Key Techniques: Enzyme-responsive polymersomes, gene editing delivery, disease-specific stimuli response Disease Targets: Parkinson’s disease, GM1 gangliosidosis, glioblastoma, peripheral nerve injuries Publications highlight advancements in CRISPR-Cas9 delivery MRI contrast agents RNA biology in neural repair Autophagy modulation BBB bypass strategies Awards include: Phil and Mary Bradley Award for Mentoring in Creative Inquiry 2021 Outstanding Faculty Woman at Clemson University NSF CAREER Award (2021) 2022 South Carolina Governor’s Young Scientist Award Advisees include PhD candidates E. Bagwell, M. Shin, N. Henkel, and D. Migliaccio, who contribute to her lab’s work on BBB-targeted therapies. Lab: The Larsen Lab (www.thelarsenlab.com) specializes in nanotherapeutic strategies for central nervous system disorders, with a focus on polymer-based delivery systems.

• Functional Genomics
• Non-coding Genome Analysis
• Developmental Genomics
• +3 more

Julia Metzger is a Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin, heading the Heisenberg Research Group Veterinary Functional Genomics . Her group investigates the genetic architecture of mammalian genomes, focusing on non-coding variations and their role in genotype-phenotype relationships , particularly through multi-omics approaches and high-throughput sequencing . Her research integrates computational genomics with experimental biology to study structural variations in pigs and horses, such as body size determination and curly hair phenotypes . Current projects include the Heisenberg-funded MEASURE initiative on regulatory genetics in growth biology. Recent publications highlight her expertise in transcriptome analysis , evolutionary genomics , and veterinary genetics , with co-authorship on studies involving equine , porcine models , and lemur population dynamics . She mentors students like Nima Khaveh (PhD, 2025) and Ward Al Raei (Master’s, 2024), who explore polyploid genomics and tandem repeat genotyping . Awards include the DFG Heisenberg grant .