Find Academic Supervisors

• Epigenetics
• Retroelements
• Transposable elements
• +5 more

Didier Trono is a Full Professor at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), where he leads the Laboratory of Virology and Genetics (LVG) within the School of Life Sciences. Formerly, from 2004 to 2012, he served as the founding dean of EPFL's Faculty of Life Sciences, orchestrating its development and growth during this formative period. Trono received his medical education at the University of Geneva, followed by clinical training in pathology, internal medicine, and infectious diseases in Geneva and at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. His scientific career began at the Whitehead Institute of MIT, and in 1990 he was recruited by the Salk Institute of San Diego to launch an AIDS research center. After seven years in the United States, he returned to Europe and eventually joined EPFL. Dr. Trono's research has evolved significantly over his career. Initially focusing on virus-host interactions, he studied pathogens like HIV and Hepatitis B virus, creating HIV-derived genetic transfer tools that are now successfully used in gene therapy. For approximately the last fifteen years, his research has centered on epigenetics, particularly exploring the impact of retroelements and their control mechanisms on development and physiology of higher organisms, including humans. His laboratory investigates how transposable elements and KRAB zinc finger proteins regulate gene expression, with important implications for understanding cancer biology and developing new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Analysis of his recent publications (2022-2024) reveals a strong focus on transposable elements, KRAB zinc finger proteins, and their roles in gene regulation and cancer. His work combines molecular biology, genomics, and bioinformatics approaches to understand how these ancient viral remnants have been co-opted by the host genome to regulate development and cellular functions. The research spans basic molecular mechanisms to potential clinical applications in cancer diagnosis and therapy, with some recent work also addressing SARS-CoV-2 and immune responses. Throughout his career, Professor Trono has mentored numerous PhD students, including Bojkowska Karolina, Brandão Sanches Vong Martins Filipe Amândio, Bulliard Yannick, Coluccio Andrea, Corsinotti Andrea, Coudray Alexandre, De Tribolet-Hardy Jonas Caspar, and Dorschel Iris Arianna. His laboratory has received significant funding to support research at the intersection of virology, genetics, and epigenetics, contributing to EPFL's reputation as a leading institution in life sciences research. The Trono Laboratory continues to be at the forefront of research on retroelements and their regulatory mechanisms, maintaining a vibrant research environment that bridges fundamental biological questions with potential medical applications, particularly in cancer research and precision medicine.

• RNA Biology
• Bioinformatics
• Plant Molecular Biology
• +4 more

Peter Brodersen is a Professor at the Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen , specializing in Bioinformatics and RNA Biology . His research focuses on RNA modification (m6A), YTHDF proteins, and small RNA pathways in plants. Recent research trends from his group include: (1) molecular mechanisms of ARGONAUTE-small RNA interactions, (2) m6A-YTHDF regulatory systems in plant development, and (3) RNAi-independent roles of DICER-LIKE proteins in antiviral defense. Collaborations span Denmark and international institutions. Publications highlight cross-disciplinary work bridging computational biology and experimental plant genetics. Key subfields include RNA structure, epigenetic regulation, and antiviral immunity.

Michael BaymView profile

Associate Professor

• Microbial Evolutionary Genomics
• Antibiotic Resistance
• Computational Biology
• +7 more

Dr. Michael Baym is an Associate Professor of Biomedical Informatics at Harvard Medical School with affiliate appointments in Microbiology and the Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, and as an Associate Member of the Broad Institute. He leads the Baym Lab, which studies microbial evolutionary genomics and antibiotic resistance through a hybrid of experimental, computational, and theoretical approaches. His research focuses on: Antibiotic Resistance Evolution and practical interventions Mobile Genetic Elements (plasmids, phages, transposons) Computational Genomic Algorithms for big data analysis Synthetic Biology tools and technologies Key recent publications explore phage discovery systems , phylogenetic compression of microbial genomes, and RNA-guided gene drives in plasmids. His work is supported by multiple NIH/NIGMS and NSF grants including a MIRA award. Scientific honors include: Packard Fellowship (2018) Pew Biomedical Scholarship (2020) Sloan Research Fellowship (2020) A. Clifford Barger Excellence in Mentoring Award (2021) SSQBio Mentorship Award (2022) The lab actively trains PhD students and postdoctoral fellows with alumni occupying academic and industry positions globally. Current team members include researchers from interdisciplinary backgrounds working at the intersection of experiment, computation, and theory .

Ana Maria VelezView profile

Associate Professor

• Insect Toxicology
• Environmental Toxicology
• Resistance Management
• +7 more

Ana Maria Velez is an Associate Professor at the Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her research focuses on insect responses to chemical stressors, particularly RNA interference (RNAi) and Bt toxins for pest management. With a 80% research and 20% teaching appointment, she leads the Insect Toxicology Lab and teaches courses like 'Toxins in the Environment' and 'Insecticide Toxicology.' Education: Ph.D. in Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2013 M.S. in Entomology, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, 2009 B.S. in Biology, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Colombia, 2006 Her research spans molecular, organismal, and population levels to evaluate transgenic crops and RNAi technologies. Key areas include resistance mechanisms, non-target effects, and risk assessment frameworks. She has extensive publications on western corn rootworm and fall armyworm, emphasizing sustainable pest control. Her work also addresses sublethal impacts on non-target species like monarch butterflies and honeybees. Recent articles highlight RNAi delivery optimization, Bt resistance dynamics, and ecological impacts of insecticides. Her lab collaborates on patents for RNAi-based pest suppression methods targeting chromatin remodeling and developmental genes. Scientific Awards Distinguished Multicultural Alumni (2019) DuPont Young Professor Award (2016) International Congress of Entomology Travel Awards (2016) Widaman Trust Distinguished Graduate Assistant (2011) Milton E. Mohr Teaching Fellowship (2012) The Vélez Arango Lab investigates durability and safety of insect control technologies, with emphasis on RNAi and Bt crops. Their work informs integrated pest management (IPM) systems and regulatory frameworks.

Ralph BockView profile

Professor

• Plant Molecular Biology
• Chloroplast Biology
• Organelle Biotechnology
• +7 more

Prof. Dr. Ralph Bock serves as Director of Department 3: Organelle Biology, Biotechnology and Molecular Ecophysiology at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology in Potsdam, Germany, where he also leads the Organelle Biology and Biotechnology research group. Previously, he held positions as C4 Professor for Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology at the University of Münster (2001-2004) and Group Leader at the Institute of Biology III, University of Freiburg (1996-2001). His academic credentials include: Habilitation: University of Freiburg, 1999 Doctorate: University of Freiburg, 1996 Diploma: University of Halle, 1993 Prof. Bock's research focuses on plant molecular biology with particular emphasis on chloroplast biology, organelle biotechnology, and molecular ecophysiology. His work spans genetic engineering of plastids, photosynthesis research, plant biotechnology applications, and understanding organelle-nucleus communication. He has made significant contributions to developing chloroplast transformation systems and applying them to molecular farming, metabolic engineering, and understanding fundamental processes in plant cell biology. His research has important implications for sustainable agriculture, bioenergy, and pharmaceutical production, particularly through the development of plant-based systems for producing vaccines and therapeutic proteins. Analysis of Prof. Bock's recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on chloroplast biology, genetic engineering, and molecular farming applications. His work spans fundamental research on organelle genetics, photosynthesis, and stress responses, as well as applied research on using plant and algal systems for biopharmaceutical production. A notable trend is the increasing use of advanced genetic engineering techniques, including CRISPR-based approaches, to manipulate organelle genomes. His research also shows growing interest in algal systems as alternative expression platforms for molecular farming, particularly red algae like Porphyridium for producing viral antigens and glycoproteins.

Curtis SuttleView profile

Professor

• Marine Virology
• Aquatic Microbiology
• Phytoplankton Ecology
• +6 more

Curtis Suttle is a Professor in the Department of Botany at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Science. He also holds affiliations with Earth and Ocean Sciences, Microbiology and Immunology, and the Institute for Oceans and Fisheries. His research focuses on marine virology and the ecological roles of viruses in aquatic ecosystems, particularly their impact on phytoplankton and microbial communities. Dr. Suttle received his B.Sc. and Ph.D. from UBC, was a Coastal Marine Scholar at SUNY StonyBrook (1987-88), and served as Assistant/Associate Professor at the University of Texas at Austin (1988-96) before returning to UBC. His research program investigates the biology and ecology of viruses that infect microalgae and cyanobacteria. Key areas include discerning viral effects on primary productivity, isolating novel marine viruses, developing molecular identification methods, and studying viral distribution patterns. His work has revealed that viruses can occur in seawater at concentrations exceeding 10 5 ml -1 , with cyanophage concentrations reaching 10 6 infectious units ml -1 in coastal waters. Dr. Suttle's team has developed PCR primers specific for viral DNA polymerase genes, showing these viruses belong to a single family related to herpes viruses. Recent publications show a strong focus on marine viral ecology, with particular attention to oyster microbiomes, viral taxonomy, and the role of viruses in marine ecosystems. His research spans from coastal environments to the deepest ocean trenches, examining viral diversity across environmental gradients and investigating viral impacts on carbon cycling and marine food webs. Dr. Suttle leads an active research group with several post-doctoral associates, research scientists, and graduate students. His team conducts field work at multiple locations including the Naica Mine in Mexico, Pavilion Lake in British Columbia, Saanich Inlet, and the Strait of Georgia. Current projects include collaborations with the Hakai Institute, Line P Research Cruise, and CASES (Canadian Arctic Shelf Exchange Study). His laboratory has made significant contributions to understanding viral roles in marine ecosystems, particularly through expeditions to extreme environments like the Naica crystal caves and deep ocean trenches. Ongoing research explores viral impacts on microbial community structure, carbon cycling, and ecosystem function across diverse marine habitats.

• Plant Developmental Biology
• Epigenetics
• Plant Genetics
• +5 more

Ueli Grossniklaus is an Ordinary Professor at the University of Zurich within the Faculty of Mathematical and Natural Sciences , affiliated with the Department of Plant and Microbiology . His work focuses on plant developmental biology, particularly epigenetic and genetic mechanisms governing reproduction and adaptation. Key Courses: Epigenetics, Plant Biology Workshop, Group Seminars on Current Research Laboratory Techniques: Advanced methods in plant cell mechanics, transcriptomics, and genome editing Research Interests span plant epigenetics, reproductive biology, and the interplay between environmental stress and genetic regulation. He investigates: Mechanistic control of gametogenesis and fertilization Epigenetic contributions to plant adaptation Evolutionary implications of asexual reproduction Biophysical forces in plant cell growth Publication Trends (2025–2018) reveal expertise in: Arabidopsis and fern model systems Epigenetic regulation (DNA methylation, histone dynamics) Apomixis and hybrid seed failure mechanisms Biomechanics of pollen tubes and carnivorous plants Genome editing tools (CRISPR) and long-read sequencing Scientific Collaborations include interdisciplinary projects on: Microfluidic devices for plant cell analysis Gene drive ecology and ethics 3D imaging of plant reproductive structures Advising and Grants focus on mentoring through research internships in developmental biology, genetics, and systems biology. His lab engages in: Epigenetic response to environmental stress Cell wall mechanics in reproduction Computational modeling of plant growth Laboratory Teams integrate plant biologists, bioengineers, and computational scientists to study: Mechanistic gene regulation Evolutionary developmental biology Microrobotics for cellular force measurement

Wouter RoosView profile

Professor

• Biophysics
• Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
• Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
• +5 more

Prof. Wouter Roos is a Professor at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Science and Engineering, affiliated with the Molecular Biophysics department at the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials. His research focuses on viral dynamics, membrane assemblies, and protein mechanics, utilizing advanced techniques like High Speed Atomic Force Microscopy (HS-AFM) and optical tweezers. Education: Studied Physics at the Universiteit van Amsterdam, earned a PhD from the Universität Heidelberg under Joachim Spatz. Conducted postdoctoral research at Max-Planck-Institut, Institut Curie, and Vrije Universiteit before joining Groningen in 2015. Research Interests: Physical Virology (viral material properties and dynamics), membrane biophysics (synthetic cells and lipid interactions), and molecular motor systems. His work bridges physics, chemistry, and biology to understand nanoscale biological processes. Recent Article Trends: Studies on hybrid membranes for synthetic cells, leukemic cell mechanics, and antibiotic-membrane interactions highlight his interdisciplinary approach. Key techniques include HS-AFM and single-particle tracking. Awards: Received a VIDI grant and multiple national/international grants. His lab leads the oLife Co-Fund consortium and participates in the MOSBRI research infrastructure. Grants & Leadership: Coordinates the oLife Fellowship Programme and chairs the Molecular Biophysics Lab. Active in steering committees for EU-funded initiatives. Labs/Teams: Heads the Molecular Biophysics Lab, focusing on viral dynamics and membrane systems. Collaborates globally on projects like ESCRT-III polymerization and antibiotic mechanisms.

• Virology
• Molecular Pathology
• Host-Pathogen Interactions
• +5 more

Dr. Richard Y. Zhao is a tenured Professor in the Department of Pathology and Microbiology-Immunology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. His research combines molecular biology, fission yeast genetics, mammalian biology, and virology to study virus-host interactions, particularly for HIV and Zika virus. He previously held academic positions at Northwestern University and Columbia University and has contributed to over 120 peer-reviewed articles. B.S., China Oceanography University (1981) M.S., Oregon State University (1995) Ph.D., Oregon State University (1991) Postdoctoral Training, Columbia University (1991-1992) Dr. Zhao's research focuses on: Virus-host interactions and pathogenicity High-throughput drug screening for antivirals Role of viral proteins in neuroinflammation and cancer Translational genomics in precision medicine His recent publications highlight SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a, Zika envelope proteins, and HIV protease inhibitors, emphasizing host-pathogen mechanisms across species. He has served on NIH panels and editorial boards for journals like Cell Research and Retrovirology . Scientific awards include: Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology (2019) Bernard L Mirkin Endowed Chair (2001-2004) Honorary Director, Shandong Gallo Institute (2009) Distinguished Service from SCBA (2015) Outstanding Service from CBA-USA (2016) Dr. Zhao also contributes to clinical diagnostics and personalized medicine through molecular testing and pharmacogenetics programs.

• Genomics
• Molecular Biology
• Evolutionary Biology
• +3 more

Judith Risse is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Bioinformatics (BIF) department at Wageningen University & Research. Her work focuses on genomic and evolutionary studies, including phylogenomic analysis of plant development, insect adaptation, and microalgal biotechnology. She has contributed to projects involving genome sequencing, transcriptome analysis, and nanopore technologies. Education: Completed her PhD in Bioinformatics (2014) under Prof. Bisseling and Dr. Leunissen, focusing on text-mining for metabolic pathway reconstruction. Research Interests: Floral development in Asteraceae, evolutionary adaptation in insects (e.g., field crickets), and genomic mechanisms of stress tolerance in microalgae. Her work integrates computational biology with experimental genomics. Publications: Key contributions include studies on dandelion floral genetics (2023), great tit genome inversion analysis (2023), and microalgal thermotolerance (2022). She has also published on cricket genomics (2020) and viral photosynthesis interactions (2022). Projects: Led a PhD project on text-mining applications in metabolic pathway analysis. Currently involved in collaborative projects on plant and animal genomics. Labs/Teams: Active in the BIF group at Wageningen, collaborating with institutions like St Andrews University and the Netherlands Institute of Ecology.

Fengzhu SunView profile

Professor

• Computational Biology
• Bioinformatics
• Statistical Genetics
• +6 more

Dr. Fengzhu Sun is a Professor of Quantitative and Computational Biology and Mathematics at the University of Southern California. His research spans computational biology, bioinformatics, statistical genetics, and mathematical modeling, with a focus on metagenomics, protein interaction networks, and genome sequence analysis. Dr. Sun earned his Bachelors in Mathematics from Shandong University, Masters in Probability and Statistics from Peking University, and PhD in Applied Mathematics from USC. He returned to USC in 2000 as an associate professor after serving at Emory University (1995-2000), becoming a full professor in 2006. His research interests encompass protein interaction networks, gene expression, SNPs, linkage disequilibrium, and their applications in predicting protein functions, gene regulation networks, and disease gene identification. He pioneered alignment-free methods for genome and metagenome sequence comparison, with recent work focusing on virus-host interactions in metagenomic data. His publication record shows consistent innovation, with recent work (2023-2025) emphasizing deep learning approaches (DeepMicroClass, DeepDecon, DeepLINK) and novel statistical methods. His research demonstrates strong interdisciplinary integration of computational methods with biological applications. Fellow of American Association for the Advancement of Sciences (AAAS, 2012) Fellow of American Statistical Association (ASA, 2015) Fellow of Institute of Mathematical Statistics (IMS, 2023) Fellow of International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB, 2024) Fellow of Asia-Pacific Artificial Intelligence Association (AAIA, 2025) Member of International Statistical Institute (ISI, 2012) USC Mellon Mentoring award for faculty mentoring (2012) USC Dornsife College senior Raubenheimer Outstanding Faculty Award (2017) Dr. Sun has mentored numerous successful students and postdocs, many now in academic positions or at leading tech and biotech companies. His research group develops computational methods for complex biological data analysis, with current focus on advanced deep learning for metagenomic classification, cancer cell fraction estimation, and virus-host interaction analysis. He has created influential software tools including DeepMicroClass, ImputeCC, DeepDecon, and ViralCC that have become standard resources in computational biology.

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Biostatistical Methods
• Chronic disease
• +4 more

Xiaoyu Che is an Assistant Professor of Biostatistics at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, where he serves as the principal biostatistician in the Center for Infection and Immunity (CII) at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. His work bridges statistical methodology with biomedical research, focusing on complex disease mechanisms through advanced data analysis approaches. Dr. Che received his academic training at prestigious institutions: BS in Mathematics from Zhejiang University (2006) PhD in Mathematics from Claremont Graduate University (2013) Dr. Che's research program centers on the development and application of statistical methods for multi-omics analyses, with particular focus on understanding the pathogenesis of chronic and neurodevelopmental conditions. His work spans multiple domains including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), and Gulf War Illness (GWI). He employs sophisticated biostatistical approaches to integrate diverse biological data types, revealing novel insights into disease mechanisms. His methodological expertise includes Bayesian statistics, metabolomic analysis, immune signature identification, and microbiome characterization, all aimed at translating complex biological data into meaningful clinical insights. Analysis of Dr. Che's publication record reveals a strong thematic focus on applying advanced statistical methods to understand complex disease mechanisms. His work consistently bridges biostatistical innovation with biomedical discovery, particularly in the areas of neurodevelopmental disorders and chronic fatigue conditions. The publications demonstrate progression from foundational methodological work to increasingly sophisticated multi-omics integration approaches, reflecting both technical growth and expanding research impact. His collaborative approach is evident through numerous high-impact publications with interdisciplinary teams across Columbia University and beyond. Dr. Che teaches BIST P8104: Probability in the Biostatistics MS degree program at Columbia, demonstrating his commitment to training the next generation of biostatisticians. While specific grant information isn't detailed in the provided materials, his extensive publication record across multiple high-impact journals suggests successful grant funding supporting his research program. As principal biostatistician in the Center for Infection and Immunity, Dr. Che plays a critical role in the analytical framework of the center's research initiatives. His work supports the center's mission to understand the relationship between infectious agents and human health through rigorous quantitative analysis. The collaborative nature of his research is evident in the diverse range of co-authors spanning immunology, virology, microbiology, and clinical medicine.

Janet SmithView profile

Research Professor

• Structural Biology
• Biochemistry
• Enzymology
• +4 more

Janet Smith is a Research Professor at the Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan , specializing in structural biology and biochemical mechanisms. She has made seminal contributions to understanding protein structures in natural product biosynthesis, plant peptide macrocyclization, and viral RNA degradation pathways. Ph.D. in Biochemistry from University of Wisconsin-Madison Postdoctoral work with Wayne Hendrickson at Naval Research Laboratory Former Purdue Professor of Biological Sciences Visiting Scientist at European Molecular Biology Laboratory Her research focuses on: Structural analysis of enzymes in polyketide and ribosomal peptide biosynthesis Development of synchrotron-based methods for protein crystallography Mechanistic understanding of zinc-finger antiviral protein complexes Evolutionary control of enzymatic stereoselectivity Recent publications highlight her work on: New plant protein folds enabling cyclic peptide biosynthesis (2024 Nature Chemical Biology) Structural basis for macrolactone formation in antibiotics (2024 ACS Catalysis) High-resolution bacterial carbonic anhydrase structure (2025 Acta Crystallographica) Scientific recognition includes: National Research Council Research Fellowship (postdoctoral) Collaborative leadership in structural biology facilities at GM/CA@APS beamlines She contributes to international education through lectures on structural biology and synchrotron radiation. Her collaborative work with the Ohi Lab on KHNYN-ZAP complexes reveals novel viral RNA degradation mechanisms (2024 PNAS).

Christopher S. SullivanView profile

Professor

• Virology
• Non-coding RNA Biology
• RNA Interference
• +5 more

Christopher S. Sullivan is a Professor in the Department of Molecular Biosciences within the College of Natural Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin. He directs an active research laboratory focused on viral non-coding RNA biology and host-pathogen interactions, with continuous funding evidenced by publications spanning 2005-2025. His work bridges molecular virology, immunology, and RNA biology through investigations of tumor viruses and host defense mechanisms. Research interests center on the role of non-coding RNAs in viral infection and host defense pathways, with particular emphasis on viral microRNAs , RNA interference mechanisms , and host-pathogen coevolution . His lab studies diverse virus families including Polyomaviridae, Herpesviridae, Retroviridae, and avipoxviruses, with key discoveries regarding viral miRNA functions in tumorigenesis and immune evasion. Research approaches integrate molecular virology, next-generation sequencing, and computational analysis to dissect RNA-based regulatory networks. Publications reveal consistent focus on viral non-coding RNA functions, particularly how viruses exploit host RNA machinery (notably DUSP11 phosphatase) to modulate immune responses. Recent work (2021-2025) expands into viral shedding dynamics, SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics, and circular RNA biology in polyomaviruses, demonstrating evolving yet cohesive research trajectory in RNA-virus interactions. Scientific contributions include: Pioneering identification of viral microRNAs across multiple virus families Discovery of DUSP11's critical role in RNA triphosphate regulation during infection Mechanistic insights into viral evasion of RNAi and innate immunity Development of novel RNA-based detection methods The Sullivan lab maintains active collaborations through the Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, John Ring LaMontagne Center for Infectious Disease, and Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Programs. Lab culture emphasizes collective scientific inquiry with stated mission to 'increase understanding of pathogen-host interactions while enjoying the company of fellow lab members.' Current research directions include viral exploitation of RNA modification pathways and identification of novel host defense mechanisms using viruses as 'molecular divining rods.'

Kerry M OliverView profile

Professor

• Defensive Symbiosis
• Insect-Microbial Partnerships
• Evolutionary Biology
• +5 more

Kerry M. Oliver is a Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Entomology at the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences. Her research focuses on defensive symbiosis, particularly examining how heritable microorganisms protect insects against various biotic and abiotic threats. She leads a research laboratory that takes a multidisciplinary approach to understanding ecological and evolutionary consequences of these symbiotic relationships. Dr. Oliver's research primarily centers on aphids and their symbiotic bacteria, especially Hamiltonella defensa , which protects aphids against parasitoids through bacteriophage-encoded toxins. Her work spans organismal studies, molecular and genomic analyses, and field research to track the impact of defensive symbionts from molecular to ecosystem levels. She's particularly interested in how climate change affects these symbiotic relationships and the eco-evolutionary dynamics that maintain diversity in natural populations. Her laboratory's recent publications reveal trends in understanding how defensive symbionts provide protection against diverse threats including parasitoids, pathogens, and environmental stressors. Current research directions focus on thermal resilience of symbiotic defenses under climate change and the eco-evolutionary dynamics where evolution and ecology operate on similar timescales. This work has significant implications for ecosystem management and species conservation in rapidly changing environments. Current Students: Roy Kukuk, Kenedie Jones, Ben Trendle (PhD), Alina Makarenko (MS) Former Students: Clesson Higashi, Nicole Lynn-Bell, Stephanie Weldon, Adam Martinez, Matt Doremus, Laura Kraft, Hannah Dykstra Courses Taught: ENTO 4000/6000 (General Entomology), First-Year Odyssey seminars on insect evolution and symbiosis Dr. Oliver leads a research team studying defensive symbiosis, with Dr. Vilas Patel serving as Lab Manager and Research Professional. Their work combines laboratory experiments with field studies to investigate how symbionts like Hamiltonella defensa provide protection against parasitoids through phage-encoded toxins, and how these relationships respond to environmental challenges like climate change.