Find Academic Supervisors

• Machine Learning
• Computational Biology
• Bioinformatics
• +4 more

Catherine Mooney is a Professor in the School of Computer Science at University College Dublin (UCD), leading the Life Science Data Analytics Group (LiSDA). Her research focuses on applying machine learning to healthcare challenges, including biomarker development, clinical decision support systems, and addressing ethical and technical barriers in healthcare AI. Education: BSc in [field unspecified] from Trinity College Dublin PhD in Computer Science from UCD Prof Dip University Teaching & Learning from UCD Research Interests: Machine Learning applications in healthcare Biomarker discovery for neurological and metabolic conditions Explainable AI for clinical decision support Promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM education Her work bridges computational methods with medical challenges, emphasizing ethical AI and translational research. Notable Awards: Best Paper Award in Applied Biosciences (2023) UCD Long-Service Award (2022) Best Poster Award at ITiCSE ’20 (2020) Her research has led to impactful tools like LiSDA’s clinical decision support systems for epilepsy and pregnancy care. She also advocates for gender diversity in computing, serving in leadership roles like Vice Principal for EDI in UCD’s College of Science (2022–2024).

Michelle CD BridiView profile

Assistant Professor

• Neuroscience
• Synaptic Plasticity
• Sleep Research
• +7 more

Michelle CD Bridi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at West Virginia University School of Medicine , with a joint affiliation at the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute . Her research integrates synaptic plasticity , sleep physiology , and neurological conditions to investigate dynamic synaptic regulation under typical and atypical states. Education: BS , McGill University, 2006 PhD , University of Pennsylvania, 2013 Research Focus: The Bridi Lab explores how daily oscillations in excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance are disrupted in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) , aging , and post-stroke states . Current projects address: 1) synaptic adaptation to sleep/wake cycles, 2) E/I imbalance in neurodevelopmental disorders, and 3) molecular mechanisms maintaining neuronal firing rate homeostasis. Publication Trends: Recent work spans REM sleep plasticity , autism models , and neurodegenerative interventions , emphasizing synaptic oscillations , NMDA receptor pathways , and gene therapy applications. Collaborative efforts with Morgan Bridi's lab extend findings to stress and stroke contexts. Grants & Collaborations: Research is funded by NIH/NIGMS , BBRF , and NSF . The lab actively collaborates with cross-institutional teams and is recruiting postdocs and students for ongoing studies.

Yeonhwa ParkView profile

Professor

• Functional Foods
• Obesity
• Environmental Contaminants
• +3 more

Yeonhwa Park is a Professor and holder of the Francis Chair in the Department of Food Science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her research focuses on functional foods, bioactive components, and environmental contaminants' effects on obesity and aging. She investigates food bioactives like conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and environmental pollutants like PFAS to understand their roles in metabolic disorders and aging mechanisms. Her work spans multiple models, including C. elegans, zebrafish, and rodent studies, emphasizing translational applications for human health. Teaching responsibilities include courses such as 'Science of Food' (FS150), 'Biology of Food in Human Health' (FS270), and 'Bioactive Food Components' (FS750). Awards include Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (2017–2018), Faculty Convocation Award (2015), and the Timothy Mounts Award (2015). Her research has been published in over 150 peer-reviewed articles, with recent emphasis on environmental contaminants' impact on obesity and type 2 diabetes, and the use of C. elegans for screening bioactives. Key findings include CLA's role in fat reduction, PFAS-induced metabolic disruption, and the application of alternative models (e.g., C. elegans) to reduce animal testing. Her lab integrates molecular biology, toxicology, and food science to address global health challenges like the obesity epidemic and environmental toxin exposure.

Junfang WuView profile

Professor

• Neurotrauma
• Neuropharmacology
• Neuroinflammation
• +7 more

Dr. Junfang Wu is a Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology and holds a secondary appointment in Neurobiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She serves as Associate Director of UM-MIND (University of Maryland - Medicine Institute for Neuroscience Discovery), Director of the Anesthesiology Center for Neuroscience Research, and Vice-Chair for Translational Research in the Department of Anesthesiology. Her academic journey includes a BM in Medicine, MS in Pharmacology from Jiangxi Medical College, and PhD in Neuropharmacology from Nanjing Medical University, followed by postdoctoral training at China's Institute of Materia Medica and NIH. Research Focus: Neurotrauma, neuroinflammation, autophagy-lysosomal pathway, extracellular vesicles, Hv1/NOX2/ROS, TrkB.T1 Key Techniques: Rodent models of SCI/TBI, behavioral evaluations, EV characterization, quantitative imaging, molecular/cellular biology Dr. Wu's research explores the cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurological dysfunction following CNS trauma, with emphasis on autophagy-lysosomal disruption, microglial Hv1 channels, and EV-mediated neuroinflammatory signaling. Her 2025 Aging and disease study reveals age-dependent transcriptional changes post-anesthesia, while 2024 Brain, Behavior, and Immunity work demonstrates how SCI alters EV cargoes to drive brain neuroinflammation. Her team recently discovered that Hv1 proton channel ablation in microglia provides neuroprotection in SCI models. Her scientific contributions are recognized through the 2025 Matjasko Professorship in Anesthesiology Research. She has secured multiple NIH grants including: R01 NS145443 (2025-2030): cGAS signaling in brain trauma-induced neuroinflammation R01 AG077541 (2022-2027): TBI olfactory dysfunction and dementia progression 2RF1 NS094527 (2016-2027): Autophagy mechanisms in SCI R01 NS110825 (2020-2026): Hv1 channel in SCI/TBI Dr. Wu's laboratory personnel include Research Associates Yun Li and Zhuofan Lei, Post-doctoral Fellows Balaji Krishnamachary and Zihui Wang, Research Assistant Hui Li, and medical student Ruth Park. Her work spans from bench research on lysosomal damage to clinical implications for Alzheimer's disease-related dementia (AD/ADRD) and potential therapeutic strategies.

Eduardo Mercado IIIView profile

Professor

• Bioacoustics
• Cognitive Psychology
• Marine Ecology
• +5 more

Eduardo Mercado III is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University at Buffalo, College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on bioacoustics, cognitive psychology, and marine ecology, particularly the vocal behavior of humpback whales and its implications for understanding human impact on marine ecosystems. He is also known for his work in perceptual learning, autism spectrum disorder, and comparative cognition. Scientific Awards Guggenheim Fellowship Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship Research Trends His recent publications emphasize bioacoustic analysis of humpback whale songs, including their spectral entropy, cyclical variations, and adaptive adjustments to anthropogenic noise. Additional work explores perceptual learning mechanisms in autism, neural network modeling for acoustic classification, and cognitive processes in canines and rodents. Projects Mercado’s “Singers as Sentinels” project combines acoustic analysis of humpback whale songs with public awareness initiatives about ocean noise pollution. The project will produce a book, Why Whales Sing and Dolphins Don’t , and a web-based interface for public engagement.

Joe PatonView profile

Professor

• Neural Mechanisms of Time
• Interval Timing
• Rodent Neurophysiology
• +5 more

Joe Paton is a Professor and Principal Investigator at the Champalimaud Neuroscience Programme, Champalimaud Foundation in Lisbon, Portugal. He leads the Paton Lab which focuses on understanding how animals determine which environmental cues are predictive of behaviorally relevant events, known as the credit assignment problem. His research combines behavioral experiments with neurophysiological recordings in rodents to investigate neural mechanisms of time perception and decision making. Dr. Paton's research interests center on interval timing, temporal processing in the brain, and the neural basis of learning. His work particularly examines how the striatum and dopamine systems contribute to time perception and how animals solve the credit assignment problem through statistical inference in the time domain. His lab employs advanced techniques including optogenetics, neural recordings, and computational modeling to address these questions. Analysis of Dr. Paton's recent publications reveals a strong focus on striatal function in timing processes, with particular attention to how neural populations encode temporal information. His work bridges behavioral neuroscience with computational approaches, demonstrating how timing mechanisms influence decision making and learning processes. The research spans multiple levels from cellular mechanisms to behavioral outputs. Midbrain dopamine neurons control judgment of time (2016) Striatal dynamics explain duration judgments (2015) A Scalable Population Code for Time in the Striatum (2015) The Neural Basis of Timing: Distributed Mechanisms for Diverse Functions (2018) Dr. Paton has mentored numerous PhD students and postdoctoral researchers through the INDP (International Neuroscience Doctoral Program) and supervises a diverse team including research technicians, postdocs, and students. His lab has contributed significantly to understanding the neural basis of time perception and its role in learning and decision making. The Paton Lab also develops experimental tools and frameworks like Bonsai for behavioral neuroscience research.

Kristen PleilView profile

Associate Professor

• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology
• Neuropharmacology
• +4 more

Kristen Pleil is an Associate Professor at Weill Cornell Medicine in the Graduate School of Medical Sciences, affiliated with the Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience. She serves as Co-director of the NIGMS-sponsored Training in Pharmacological Sciences (TIPS) predoctoral T32 program. Academic Appointments: Assistant Professor (2016), Associate Professor (2021) Education: BA in Psychology (Emory University, 2005), PhD in Neuroscience (Duke University, 2010), Postdoc at University of North Carolina School of Medicine Research Focus: The Pleil lab investigates how sex and stress hormones regulate alcohol/substance use, stress responsivity, and affective behavior through neuropeptidergic brain circuits and hormone-neuropeptide signaling. Key projects include estrogen's role in alcohol drinking and anxiety, opioid receptor signaling in reward/aversion learning, and sex-dependent thalamic control of stress responses. The lab uses in vivo and ex vivo mouse models to study synaptic/epigenetic plasticity across developmental stages. Publications Trends: Her work spans molecular pharmacology, neurophysiology, and addiction research with a focus on sex differences in neuropsychiatric diseases. Articles cover topics like estrogen signaling in binge drinking, opioid-context memory, thalamic circuits in stress response, and optogenetic tools for receptor imaging. Scientific Awards: President’s Young Investigator Award, ISBRA (2013) Elizabeth Young New Investigator Award, OSSD (2015) K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award, NIAAA (2015) Kellen Foundation Junior Faculty Fellowship (2016) NARSAD Young Investigator Award (2017) Early Career Investigator Award, NIDA-NIAAA (2017) Training and Collaborations: As Co-director of the TIPS T32 program, she mentors graduate students in pharmacological sciences. Her collaborations include researchers at UNC, Duke, and Weill Cornell, with grants from NIAAA, NIMH, and NIGMS.

Silvia MaioliView profile

Associate Professor

• Alzheimer's Disease
• Neuroscience
• Cholesterol Metabolism
• +4 more

Silvia Maioli is an Associate Professor (Docent) and Principal Researcher at Karolinska Institutet's Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, where she leads the 'Alzheimer's Disease Risk Factors & Sex-Specific Mechanisms' research group. She is also Facility Coordinator for the Animal Behavior Core Facility (ABCF) at Karolinska Institutet. Dr. Maioli earned her PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Bologna in 2011, followed by postdoctoral training at Karolinska Institutet. Her research focuses on understanding the biological mechanisms behind risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's Disease (AD), with particular emphasis on sex differences. Her laboratory investigates: Cholesterol metabolism in the brain and its role in AD progression The interplay between ApoE, cholesterol metabolites (oxysterols), and neurodegeneration Sex hormone interactions with brain cholesterol metabolism Multi-medication therapies and their sex-specific effects on AD pathology Identification of early biomarkers for women at risk of developing AD CYP46A1 as a potential therapeutic target for women at higher risk of AD Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong translational approach combining mouse models with human clinical data to identify sex-specific therapeutic targets. Her work demonstrates that common multi-medication therapies affect AD pathology differently in male and female mice, and that protein activation in the brain may protect women against neurodegenerative diseases. Scientific Recognition Royal grant from King Gustaf V and Queen Victoria's Foundation for research on sex-differences in Alzheimer's Disease Nearly 20 million SEK from the Swedish Research Council Multiple grants from Alzheimerfonden, KID-funding, and other foundations Dr. Maioli actively mentors the next generation of researchers, currently serving as main supervisor for 2 PhD students and co-supervisor for 3 PhD students. She has directed two PhD theses and supervised 15 master's students. Her teaching includes directing the PhD Course 5239 'Behavioral Analysis in Rodents' and contributing to several other programs at Karolinska Institutet. As Facility Coordinator for the Animal Behavior Core Facility, Dr. Maioli leads a team specializing in behavioral testing of mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases. Her laboratory employs molecular biology techniques, in vitro and in vivo models, and analysis of human samples to investigate sex-specific mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease.

• Applied Mathematics
• Fluid Dynamics
• Topological Chaos
• +5 more

Jean-Luc Thiffeault is a Professor of Applied Mathematics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, serving as Chair of the Department of Mathematics. His research spans applied mathematics, fluid dynamics, and topological chaos, with a focus on mixing mechanisms in viscous flows, biogenic mixing by microorganisms, and computational modeling. Key research themes include: Topology-driven fluid mixing via braid theory; Chaotic advection in low-Reynolds environments; Microswimmer interactions with boundaries and waves; Development of numerical tools for dynamical systems analysis. He has authored significant software packages like braidlab (braid analysis), rodent (ODE integration), and jlt lib (utility functions for scientific computing). Collaborative projects include studies on hagfish slime unraveling, burger flipping dynamics, and Brownian particle winding around vortices. His work is supported by NSF grants DMS-0806821 and CMMI-1233935, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches combining mathematics, physics, and computational methods.

Ju LuView profile

Assistant Professor

• Neuroscience
• Neural Circuitry
• Synaptic Plasticity
• +3 more

Ju Lu serves as an Assistant Professor at Lehigh University with office location in Iacocca Hall (room 0111), contactable via phone (610.758-3687) and email (jul724@lehigh.edu). Her academic position reflects active engagement in neuroscience research and education within the university's life sciences framework. Education Background: Ph.D. in Neurobiology from Harvard University (2008) B.Eng. in Microelectronics from Tsinghua University (2002) Research Focus: Dr. Lu's work pioneers investigations into neural circuit dynamics and synaptic plasticity mechanisms using advanced optical imaging technologies. Her research spans: Cortical circuit reorganization during motor skill acquisition across species Stress-induced synaptic alterations mediated by microglia in prefrontal circuits Therapeutic applications of psychedelic compounds for neural circuit restoration Development of three-photon microscopy for deep-brain imaging Genetically-encoded neurotransmitter sensors for in vivo studies This multidisciplinary approach bridges molecular neuroscience, systems-level circuit analysis, and translational mental health applications. Publication Trends: Analysis of Dr. Lu's 15 most recent publications (2016-2023) reveals an evolving trajectory from foundational studies on dendritic spine plasticity toward translational neuroscience. Early work emphasized optical imaging methodology and basic plasticity mechanisms, while her 2021-2023 publications increasingly focus on stress-related circuit disruptions and psychedelic therapeutics. A consistent thread involves combining high-resolution in vivo imaging with behavioral models to establish causal links between neural circuit dynamics and cognitive functions. Honors and Awards: No scientific awards or fellowships were documented in the provided materials. Mentorship and Funding: While specific student mentees and grant funding details are not specified in the source text, her extensive collaborative publication record indicates active supervision of research personnel and successful acquisition of research support. Research Infrastructure: Her methodological expertise in advanced microscopy suggests utilization of specialized imaging facilities, though no dedicated laboratory or research team is explicitly identified in the available documentation.

• Cellular Neuroscience
• Systems Neuroscience
• Behavioral Neuroscience
• +3 more

Prof. Laura Busse is a Professor at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), leading the Research Group in the Department of Biology II, Division Neurobiology. She holds roles as a Regular Member of MCN, Full Member of GSN, and Deputy Head of the GSN Examination Board. Her research focuses on cellular and systems neuroscience, particularly investigating how contextual information influences visual perception through neural circuits in mice. Key areas include feedback mechanisms, behavioral state effects, and thalamocortical interactions. Her work employs advanced techniques like high-density extracellular recordings and optogenetics to study active behavior in rodents. Current students include Simon Renner, Gregory Born, and others. Recent research highlights include studies on corticothalamic feedback effects, thalamic spatial integration, and the role of pupil dynamics in neural activity. She leads the Vision Circuits Lab (https://visioncircuitslab.org), exploring how sensory inputs and brain states shape visual processing. Her articles reveal trends in understanding thalamocortical communication, adaptive sensory systems, and the biological basis of neural network models. She coordinates the SPP2411 project on cortico-subcortical loops, emphasizing interdisciplinary neuroscience.

Felix SchweizerView profile

Professor

• Neurobiology
• Synaptic transmission
• Neurotransmitter release
• +5 more

Felix Schweizer is Professor of Neurobiology at the David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, and concurrently serves as Interim Director of the Brain Research Institute and Chair of the Graduate Interdepartmental Program for Neuroscience, reflecting his leadership in both research and graduate training. Education Ph.D. in Biochemistry (summa cum laude), University of Basel, 1989 Research Interests Schweizer’s laboratory focuses on the molecular mechanisms of synaptic transmission and neuronal communication. Using electrophysiology, optical imaging, and quantitative proteomics, his group investigates how protein ubiquitination dynamically regulates neurotransmitter release and neuronal excitability. Recent projects explore microbial metabolite sensing by vagal afferents, the synaptic impact of environmental toxicants linked to Parkinson’s disease, and how gravitational load alters vestibular synaptic architecture. Collaborations with Drs. James Wohlschlegel (multiplexed SILAC proteomics), David Krantz (pesticide neurotoxicology), and Larry Hoffman (vestibular biology in altered gravity) extend the lab’s reach from molecular mechanisms to systems-level neuroscience. Scientific Awards No specific awards are listed in the provided text. Advising & Grants As Chair of the Graduate Interdepartmental Program for Neuroscience, Schweizer oversees interdisciplinary Ph.D. training across UCLA. The laboratory continuously hosts post-doctoral fellows and graduate students, and recent funding supports work on ubiquitin-mediated synaptic modulation, pesticide-induced neurodegeneration, and spaceflight-induced synaptic plasticity in the vestibular system. Labs & Teams The Schweizer laboratory, located in the Center for Health Sciences at UCLA, integrates electrophysiology, advanced imaging (serial EM and EM tomography), and biochemical approaches to dissect synaptic function across rodent, Drosophila, and human tissue models.

• Neuroscience
• Behavioral Genetics
• Electrophysiology
• +3 more

Rui M. Costa is a Professor of Neuroscience at Columbia University, with appointments in Neurology and the Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute. His research focuses on understanding how molecular networks in the brain influence neural circuits to shape behaviors, particularly in action control and disorders like Autism Spectrum Disorders and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Primary Affiliation: Columbia University Departments: Neuroscience, Neurology Institute: Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute Research Interests Molecular and neural circuit mechanisms of action control Goal-directed actions vs. habits Behavioral disorders: Autism and OCD Neural plasticity in motor learning Publication Trends His recent work explores corticostriatal dynamics, basal ganglia pathways, and endocannabinoid modulation in habit formation. Studies also investigate Foxp2 mutations, motor learning consolidation, and two-photon imaging of neural activity in rodents.

Nyeema HarrisView profile

Associate Professor

• Wildlife Conservation
• Urban Ecology
• Human-Wildlife Interactions
• +3 more

Nyeema Harris is the Knobloch Family Associate Professor of Wildlife and Land Conservation at the Yale School of the Environment (YSE), part of Yale University. She focuses on wildlife conservation, urban ecology, and the socio-ecological dimensions of human-wildlife interactions. Her work examines how urbanization impacts predator behavior, diets, and biodiversity, while advocating for inclusive sustainability approaches that address equity and justice in environmental scholarship. Education includes a PhD from North Carolina State University, an MS from The University of Montana, and a BS from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. These degrees span wildlife science and conservation biology. Her research interests emphasize urban carnivore ecology, community-based conservation strategies, and systemic racism’s ecological consequences. She integrates spatial modeling with social equity frameworks, as seen in her publications on textured species range maps and critiques of environmental landscapes of fear. Publications highlight trends in urban wildlife adaptation, interdisciplinary methods, and ethical considerations in conservation. Key themes include dietary shifts in predators due to environmental changes, the role of historical data in species forecasting, and mitigating health risks linked to urbanization and gentrification. Dr. Harris actively advises doctoral students and is involved in initiatives like SNAPSHOT USA and Michigan ZoomIN, leveraging citizen science for ecological monitoring. She has not been noted for specific scientific awards in the provided texts. Her office is located in Kroon Hall, Room 223, at 195 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT. She contributes to environmental justice discourse and has been featured in news articles discussing her work on African carnivore range loss, urban rodent control, and systemic racism in urban ecosystems.

Bo LiView profile

Professor

• Neuroscience
• Neural circuits
• Synaptic plasticity
• +12 more

Bo Li is the Robert Lourie Professor of Neuroscience at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) in the School of Biological Sciences. His research focuses on the neural circuits underlying cognitive function and dysfunction related to anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and autism, with particular emphasis on synaptic mechanisms and rodent behavioral models. He earned his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of British Columbia in 2003. Education: Ph.D., Neuroscience, University of British Columbia (2003) M.Sc., Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (1997) B.Sc., Medicine, Jining Medical College (1992) Li's lab integrates in vitro and in vivo electrophysiology, imaging, molecular and genetic techniques, optogenetics, and chemogenetics to probe fear and reward circuits in rodent brains. His work examines how these circuits contribute to adaptive and maladaptive behaviors, with significant implications for understanding mental disorders. Recent publications highlight his exploration of the vitamin B6 pathway in cancer, opioid neuropeptide dynamics in motivation, and area postrema neurons in brain-body interactions. His research also addresses salience assignment through striatal-amygdala circuits and dietary choice regulation via neurotensin neurons in the extended amygdala. Scientific awards include: HFSP Research Grant awards 2015 NARSAD Independent Investigator grant WSBS Teaching Award 2015 Students in his lab include Sara Boyle, Mingzhe Liu, and Danielle van de Lisdonk. His work has been supported by NIH BRAIN Initiative grants and involves collaborations across multiple CSHL laboratories.