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Paul StuppleView profile

Professor

• Small Molecule Drug Discovery
• Cancer Therapeutics
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• +3 more

Prof. Paul Stupple is a Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at Monash University, Australia, with over 20 years' experience in pharmaceutical industry and academia. He holds leadership roles at Canthera Discovery and manages the Australian Translational Medicinal Chemistry Facility. His expertise lies in small molecule drug discovery, particularly targeting cancer therapies and epigenetic regulators. Affiliations: Monash University, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Canthera Discovery (Director, Medicinal Chemistry) Education: BA and DPhil in Chemistry from the University of Oxford (1992–1999). Early career at Pfizer as a medicinal chemistry leader, delivering 6 clinical candidates. Key contributions include: Licensing deals with Merck (2016) and Pfizer (2018) for preclinical projects Leading the Cancer Therapeutics CRC's medicinal chemistry program Research Interests: Small molecule drug discovery focused on histone acetyltransferase inhibitors, cancer therapeutics, and epigenetic modulation. Notable projects include development of KAT6A/B inhibitors for ER+ breast cancer and STING agonists for immunotherapy. Grants/Projects: Principal Investigator for major initiatives like MedChem Australia (2023–2028) and drug target identification platforms. Collaborates widely with institutions like WEHI and University of Sydney. Over 28 peer-reviewed publications spanning 1997–2025. Labs/Teams: Oversees the Australian Translational Medicinal Chemistry Facility, a key resource for drug discovery in Australia.

Herman SintimView profile

Professor

• Chemical Biology
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• +13 more

Herman Sintim is the Grace-Rupley Professor of Chemical Biology in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Notre Dame, where he also serves as the Associate Director of the Harper Cancer Research Institute. He has previously held faculty positions at Purdue University and the University of Maryland at College Park, progressing from Assistant to Full Professor. His research is highly interdisciplinary, bridging organic chemistry, chemical biology, and drug discovery. Research Interests: Dr. Sintim's research focuses on understanding and modulating cyclic dinucleotide signaling pathways in both bacteria and mammalian immune systems. His lab explores the roles of molecules like c-di-GMP, c-di-AMP, and cGAMP in biofilm formation, virulence, and immune activation, particularly via the STING pathway. A major thrust is the development of small molecule probes and therapeutics targeting these pathways for use in cancer immunotherapy and as novel antibiotics. Additionally, his group pioneers the synthesis of new kinase inhibitors using multi-component reactions to combat drug resistance in cancer, targeting kinases such as FLT3, CDKs, and RET. The recent publications of the Sintim group reflect a strong trend in designing novel chemotypes for both STING modulation (agonists and antagonists) and kinase inhibition, with an emphasis on oral bioavailability and efficacy in animal models. These works span chemical synthesis, biochemical evaluation, and translational applications in oncology and immunology. Scientific Awards: Lafayette Lions Club Cancer Research Award (2022) Sigma Xi Distinguished Lecturer (2015) Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award (2011) Allen Angerio Award for Excellence in Faculty Mentorship (2010) Kavli Fellow (2009) NSF CAREER Award (2008) Roche First Prize, Switzerland (2002) First Innocentive Awardee (2001) Pfizer UK PhD Prize (2001) ORS Fellowship, University of Oxford (2000) Pathfinder Scholarship, University College London (1996) Advising and Grants: While specific students are not listed, Dr. Sintim has a well-established record of mentoring, recognized by awards such as the Allen Angerio Award. He has secured major funding through grants like the NSF CAREER Award and has advanced drug discovery projects to the level of co-founding KinaRx LLC, indicating strong translational grant and entrepreneurial success. His leadership as Associate Director of a major cancer research institute further underscores his role in guiding research teams and collaborative science. Labs and Teams: The Sintim Research Group at Notre Dame operates at the intersection of synthetic organic chemistry and biological signaling, with active projects in cancer, inflammation, and antibiotic discovery. The lab employs integrated computational and experimental workflows and collaborates widely, as seen in multi-institutional publications involving researchers in pharmacology, oncology, and immunology.

Feyruz V. RassoolView profile

Professor

• DNA damage and repair
• Genomic instability
• Epigenetic therapy
• +7 more

Feyruz V. Rassool is a Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, with primary appointment in Radiation Oncology. She serves as Co-director of the Experimental Therapeutics Program at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMGCCC) and holds an adjunct Associate Professor position at VARI’s Center for Epigenetics. Her research focuses on DNA damage/repair pathways in cancer, particularly their therapeutic exploitation through PARP and DNMT inhibitors. Education: B.Sc. in Human Genetics (1983, University College London), Ph.D. in Biological Sciences (1990, Royal Postgraduate Medical School) Postdoctoral Training: University of Chicago (1990-1994) Her work explores the intersection of DNA repair , epigenetics , and mitochondrial dysfunction to develop novel therapies for breast, ovarian, lung, and leukemias. Key projects include STING-dependent interferon signaling , pathogen mimicry in cancer cells, and metastasis suppression through PARPi/epigenetic combinations. Dr. Rassool is part of the SU2C Epigenetics Dream Team and has secured multiple grants from NCI, NIH, and the Adelson Medical Research Foundation. Her recent preclinical studies with PARP/DNMT inhibitors are being translated into Phase I/II trials for AML and TNBC. Scientific Awards Ziskin Award (2012) NCI-SPORE Grant Co-Leader NIH/NCI P30 CA134274 Support Grant She has mentored 13 PhD/postgraduate researchers and collaborates on clinical trials with Pfizer, VARI-SU2C, and ASTRO. Her lab employs techniques like DNA repair assays , RNAseq , and mouse xenograft models to investigate mechanisms of action for epigenetic drugs.

Nathan GianneschiView profile

Professor

• Chemical Biology
• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• +3 more

Nathan Gianneschi is the Jacob & Rosaline Cohn Professor of Chemistry, Materials Science & Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University’s McCormick School of Engineering. His research focuses on biomaterials, polymers, and nanomaterials, integrating chemical biology and biomimicry to develop therapeutics, diagnostics, and functional materials. His interdisciplinary group uses advanced techniques like liquid-cell TEM to study material dynamics. Education: PhD (Northwestern University), Postdoc (Scripps Research Institute). Research interests include synthetic melanin for tissue repair, proteomimetic polymers for targeted therapy, and nanomaterial characterization. Notable achievements include pioneering enzyme-responsive nanoparticles and biomimetic materials. Key awards: 2017 Blavatnik Young Scientist finalist, 2016 Royal Society of Chemistry Fellow, and multiple NIH awards. His work bridges chemistry, engineering, and medicine, with applications in cancer therapy, regenerative medicine, and drug delivery.

Luke LairsonView profile

Professor

• Chemical Biology
• Drug Discovery
• Cancer Biology
• +4 more

Professor Luke Lairson leads the Lairson Laboratory at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), focusing on chemical biology to study cell fate mechanisms in disease. His work spans small molecule discovery targeting cancer stem cells, tumor microenvironment modulation, and myelination enhancement using primary human and rodent cell models. Education: PhD in Chemistry (2007, University of British Columbia), BS in Biochemistry (2002, University of Guelph). Professional roles include Assistant Professor at TSRI (2010–present), Principal Investigator at the Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation (2010–2011), and Director of High Throughput Discovery at California Institute for Biomedical Research (2016–2017). Research Interests: Chemical approaches to cancer immunotherapy, drug discovery for neurodegenerative diseases, and modulation of immune checkpoint proteins. Key projects include STING agonist development, HSP90 inhibitors, and metabolite-driven oligodendrocyte maturation. Publications: Over 50 peer-reviewed articles, including high-impact work in PNAS , Nature Chemical Biology , and Cancer Research . Recent focus areas include microbiota-derived STING activators and JAK-inhibitor immunotherapy combinations. Awards: Canadian Society for Chemistry Boehringer Ingelheim Thesis Award (2010), Royal Society Short Visit Award (2007), and multiple scholarships for organic chemistry innovation. Lab Activities: Integrates high-content screening, medicinal chemistry, and proteomics to identify mechanism-based therapies. Current initiatives include repurposing drugs for remyelination and developing non-nucleotide STING agonists for systemic cancer immunotherapy.

• Immunology
• Cancer Therapy
• Oncology
• +3 more

Angelo Porciuncula is an Associate Research Scientist in the Department of Pathology at Yale School of Medicine, affiliated with the Schalper Lab. He holds a PhD from the University of Navarra. His research focuses on immunology, cancer therapy, and stem cell biology, with a particular emphasis on immune microenvironment modulation in oncology and translational drug development. Key projects include studying STING pathway activation via antibody-drug conjugates (e.g., TAK-500) targeting CCR2-expressing myeloid cells, as well as investigating immunotherapeutic biomarkers in lung cancer and glioblastoma. His work spans clinical-stage drug evaluation, tumor immunology, and epigenetic reprogramming of stem cells. Publications highlight contributions to understanding senescence mechanisms in cancer, pancreatic differentiation of iPSCs, and the role of OX40/OX40L pathways in tumor immunity. Porciuncula collaborates widely, including with Kurt Schalper and teams at Takeda Pharmaceuticals. His research bridges basic science and clinical applications, aiming to advance targeted therapies and regenerative medicine strategies.

Wenjie LuoView profile

Researcher

• Neuroscience
• Alzheimer's Disease
• Microglial Research
• +5 more

Wenjie Luo is a researcher at the Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, focusing on neurodegenerative diseases and neuroimmunology. His role involves investigating molecular pathways linking tauopathy, microglial function, and genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. Education: B.S. and M.S. from Peking University (China), Ph.D. from Albert Einstein College of Medicine (2001) His research explores the interplay between neuroinflammatory mechanisms, tau pathology, and genetic variants in Alzheimer's disease progression. Key areas include the cGAS-STING pathway, TREM2 agonism, and microglial interactions with oligodendrocytes. Recent publications highlight his work on tau propagation models, microglial signaling pathways (NF-κB, AKT), and sex-based differences in neurodegeneration. He collaborates on grants from the National Institute on Aging and BrightFocus Foundation, focusing on tau metabolism, TREM2 ligands, and APOE mutations in neurodegenerative diseases.

Sarah A. StanleyView profile

Associate Professor

• Immunology
• Mycobacterium Tuberculosis
• Host-Pathogen Interactions
• +7 more

Sarah A. Stanley is an Associate Professor in the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine at the School of Public Health. Her research focuses on understanding immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), a pathogen responsible for significant global mortality. Her work addresses why natural immunity often fails to eradicate Mtb infections, exploring both host immune mechanisms and bacterial virulence strategies. The Stanley Lab employs a multidisciplinary approach, including bacterial/host genetics, microscopy, chemical biology, and proteomics to dissect host-pathogen interactions. Research interests include host-derived metabolites’ role in macrophage antimicrobial activity, Th17 immunity, bacterial nanocompartments as oxidative stress defenses, and human genetic polymorphisms influencing tuberculosis outcomes. Current projects investigate how interferon-γ-independent pathways and GM-CSF activation of HIF-1α modulate immunity, alongside bacterial strategies to evade host defenses. The lab also develops mucosal vaccination strategies using cyclic dinucleotide adjuvants to enhance T cell responses. Publications emphasize mechanisms of Mtb persistence, host immune evasion, and translational approaches to vaccine/therapeutic design. The lab’s long-term goals include identifying novel targets for therapies and vaccines to combat tuberculosis, leveraging insights from host-pathogen biology.

Jianxun SongView profile

Professor

• Immunology
• Cancer Immunotherapy
• Autoimmune Disorders
• +3 more

Jianxun (Jim) Song, PhD, is the R.L. Bricker Endowed Professor in the Department of Microbial Pathogenesis & Immunology at the Texas A&M University Health Science Center School of Medicine. His research focuses on T-cell immunity, metabolic reprogramming, and immunomodulatory strategies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. He leads the Song Lab, which investigates how immune cells combat infections and tumors, with a particular emphasis on therapeutic applications like CAR-T cell therapy and engineered bacterial vaccines. Dr. Song's education includes a PhD from The Third Military Medical University (1998) and a postdoctoral fellowship at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology (2004). His work spans four core research projects: T-cell metabolic regulation, eEF2K-driven immune modulation, Brucella-based cancer immunotherapy, and immune therapies for autoimmune disorders such as type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. His research interests include understanding how proteins like NAC1 and eEF2K regulate immune cell function and metabolism. His lab develops strategies to enhance antitumor immunity and suppress autoimmune responses, using engineered live attenuated bacteria to modulate microenvironments. Dr. Song has been recognized with the AAI Careers in Immunology Fellowship. Key contributions include discoveries about NAC1's role in T-cell activity and tumor progression, eEF2K's impact on immune cell subsets, and the use of Brucella mutants to improve cancer immunotherapy outcomes. His lab also explores stem cell-derived regulatory T cells for treating autoimmune diseases.

Guizhi ZhuView profile

Associate Professor

• Immunology
• Nucleic Acid Engineering
• Functional Biomaterials
• +10 more

Guizhi Zhu (Julian) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Michigan — Ann Arbor . He is also a Center Member at the Rogel Cancer Center and Biointerfaces Institute . His research focuses on RNA-based therapeutics and vaccines at the intersection of immunology, nucleic acid engineering, and functional biomaterials. Dr. Zhu earned a B.S. from Nankai University (China), a Ph.D. from the University of Florida (USA), and completed postdoctoral training at the National Institutes of Health . His work has been continuously supported by federal grants from NIH , DoD , and ACS , including a $2.3M NIH/NCI R01 grant (2022-2027) and a DoD Breast Cancer Research Breakthrough Award (2022-2025). Developing circRNA and mRNA vaccines for cancer and infectious diseases Designing nucleic acid immunotherapeutics (circRNA, gene-editing gRNA, siRNA) Engineering cGAS-STING-targeted immunomodulators for cancer and autoimmune diseases Creating biomaterials delivery systems : lipid nanoparticles, polymeric microneedles, hydrogels His 15 most recent publications (2020-2025) demonstrate expertise in circular RNA vaccines , nucleic acid delivery , and combination immunotherapy . His 2022 review in Journal of Controlled Release has been cited 231 times, highlighting his leadership in RNA therapeutics. 2022 : Mary Ann Liebert Young Investigator Award, AAPS Emerging Leader Award 2021 : NIH MIRA R35 grant ($1.9M), METAvivor Early Career Award 2019 : KL2 Scholar (NCATS, NIH) The Zhu Research Group includes 15+ members working on projects like tumor therapeutic mRNA vaccines and RNA editing. They currently accept PhD students, postdocs, and visiting scholars.

Blossom A. DamaniaView profile

Professor

• Viral Oncogenesis
• Molecular Pathogenesis
• Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus (KSHV)
• +7 more

Blossom A. Damania is the Boshamer Distinguished Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, where she serves as Vice Dean for Research. She is a member of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and Co-Leader of the Virology Research Program. Her research focuses on the molecular pathogenesis of oncogenic human tumor viruses, particularly Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which are associated with various cancers including Kaposi's sarcoma, lymphomas, and other malignancies. Education: PhD, University of Pennsylvania Dr. Damania's research spans virology, cancer biology, and immunology, investigating how oncogenic viruses cause cancer and evade host immunity. Her laboratory examines the molecular mechanisms by which viruses like KSHV and EBV transform cells and persist through latent and lytic infection phases. Key research areas include: Viral proteins involved in cellular transformation and cell signaling modulation Mechanisms of viral-induced angiogenesis in Kaposi's sarcoma Host-pathogen interactions, particularly viral evasion of innate immunity Development of therapeutics targeting viral replication and persistence Translational applications of viral cancer research to non-viral cancers Analysis of Dr. Damania's publication record shows a consistent focus on viral immune evasion mechanisms, with recent work emphasizing DNA sensing pathways like cGAS-STING and their subversion by viral proteins. Her research increasingly identifies potential therapeutic targets for virus-associated cancers, demonstrating strong translational potential. Scientific Awards and Honors: Hyman L. Battle Distinguished Cancer Research Award, 2021 Award for Excellence in Basic Science Mentoring, UNC-Chapel Hill, 2020 Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2020 Faculty Award for Excellence in Doctoral Mentoring, UNC-Chapel Hill, 2018 Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 2017 Dr. Damania has secured substantial research funding from sources including the National Institutes of Health, Burroughs Wellcome Fund, and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She is recognized for excellence in mentoring, having received multiple awards for doctoral and basic science mentoring. Her collaborative research approach is exemplified by her long-standing partnership with Dirk Dittmer, with whom she has co-authored 57 publications and successfully navigated the 'two-body problem' in academia. Dr. Damania leads the Damania Lab at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, which maintains weekly joint lab meetings with Dirk Dittmer's laboratory. During the COVID-19 pandemic, their labs collaborated on SARS-CoV-2 sequencing. She co-directs the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center's Virology and Global Oncology programs, working to develop treatments for virus-associated cancers worldwide.

Chun-Jun (CJ) GuoView profile

Associate Professor

• Microbiome
• Molecular Mechanisms
• Metabolomics
• +4 more

Chun-Jun (CJ) Guo is an Associate Professor at Weill Cornell Medicine's Jill Roberts Institute for Research in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Department of Medicine. His research focuses on developing genetic tools for human microbiota and investigating molecular mechanisms of host-microbe interactions related to IBD and metabolic diseases. Education: B.Sc. in Pharmacy, Fudan University (2009) Ph.D. in Pharmacy, University of Southern California (2015) Research Interests: Dr. Guo's lab integrates bioinformatics, microbial genetics, metabolomics, and chemical biology to study how microbiota-derived molecules influence host immunity and disease. Key areas include CRISPR-based microbiota engineering, bile acid metabolism, and therapeutic reprogramming of host-microbe interactions. Publications: Recent work highlights microbiota-driven bile acid modifications in cancer, probiotic cross-feeding strategies for metabolic diseases, and serotonin's role in neonatal immune tolerance. His tools for genetic manipulation of nonmodel gut microbes enable mechanistic studies in vivo. Scientific Awards: 2023 Scialog Award 2022 Kenneth Rainin Foundation Innovator Award 2020 Noster & Science Microbiome Runner-Up Prize 2020 AGA-Allergan Pilot Award in IBD 2019 NIH New Innovator Award Labs & Teams: The Guo Group develops CRISPR-Cas9 systems for Clostridiales and other gut bacteria, investigates microbiota metabolites in preclinical mouse models, and collaborates on translational studies linking microbial genetics to immune/metabolic diseases.

Zhuhao WuView profile

Assistant Professor

• Neuroscience
• Neurovascular Coupling
• Neural Circuit Mapping
• +4 more

Zhuhao Wu serves as Assistant Professor of Neuroscience at the Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College since 2022. His research integrates neurovascular biology, neural circuit mapping, and neurodegenerative mechanisms to understand brain organization and disease processes. Education: Ph.D. in Neuroscience, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2011) B.S. in Biological Sciences, Tsinghua University, China (2003) Research Focus: Dr. Wu pioneers multi-scale investigations of neurovascular coupling , brain-wide circuit organization , and neurodegenerative pathways . His lab employs whole-brain imaging , single-cell transcriptomics , and genetic engineering in murine models to dissect mechanisms of stroke recovery, tau pathology, and developmental disorders. Current work emphasizes regional blood-brain barrier heterogeneity and axon degeneration pathways with therapeutic implications. Publication Trends: Recent work (2023-2025) reveals three convergent themes: (1) neurovascular dynamics in health/disease, (2) high-resolution brain atlasing techniques, and (3) molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration. Publications in Cell , Nature , and Neuron demonstrate methodological innovation in circuit mapping and translational relevance to stroke, Alzheimer's, and autism spectrum disorders. Grant Portfolio: Principal Investigator Subaward: NINDS R01 Investigating Neurobiology of Early Cognitive Impairment (2024-2029) Principal Investigator Subaward: NINDS R01 Mechanisms of anosmia in COVID-19 (2023-2028) Principal Investigator Subaward: NINDS BRAIN CONNECTS Center for Large-scale Imaging (2023-2028) Principal Investigator Subaward: NINDS Global mapping of DDX3X mutation circuits (2023-2028) Principal Investigator Subaward: NIAID single-cell encephalitis pathogenesis (2023-2026) Dr. Wu leads a multidisciplinary team within the Brain and Mind Research Institute focused on developing HOLiS (whole-brain staining/clearing pipeline) and TrailMap for neural circuit analysis. His lab collaborates extensively on NIH BRAIN Initiative projects advancing large-scale connectome mapping.

Hani GoodarziView profile

Associate Professor

• Computational Biology
• RNA Biology
• Cancer Genomics
• +3 more

Hani Goodarzi, PhD , is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), with dual affiliation to the Arc Institute and Helen Diller Cancer Center. His laboratory employs a systems biological framework integrating computational and experimental approaches to investigate metastatic progression in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Princeton University PhD in Quantitative & Computational Biology Postdoctoral Fellow, Rockefeller University (Cancer Systems Biology) NIH R01 Grants (2016–2026) Research Themes : Machine learning for in silico functional genomics Evolutionary dynamics of oncRNA regulatory modules in cancer Post-transcriptional control via tiRNA fragments and RNA methylation RNA structural element discovery using pyPAGE algorithms Scientific Recognition : Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise (2022) NIH K99/R00 Award (2015) Tri-Institutional Breakout Prize (2014) Blavatnik Regional Award (2015) Laboratory Impact : Developed Deep Generative AI for early-stage lung cancer detection Identified ENPP1 as innate immune checkpoint in breast cancer Created pyPAGE framework for gene-set enrichment analysis

Andreas LundqvistView profile

Professor

• Cancer and Oncology
• Cell and Molecular Biology
• Immunology in the medical area

Andreas Lundqvist is a Professor at the Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet. His research focuses on understanding mechanisms of immune escape in solid tumors, particularly investigating NK and T cell regulation. He leads the Cell-based Immune Therapy for Cancer group, aiming to develop novel immunotherapies. Education & Roles: PhD in Immunology, Karolinska Institutet (2003) Professor since 2023; Associate Professor (2012–2023); Assistant Professor (2009–2012) Prior roles include Staff Scientist and Research Fellow at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) (2003–2008) Research Interests: Lundqvist's work targets immune evasion in cancer, with emphasis on NK and T cell dynamics. His group explores tumor microenvironment interactions, immune checkpoint modulation, and biomarker discovery. Recent studies focus on renal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and Hodgkin lymphoma. Grants & Funding: Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund (2024–2025) Swedish Research Council (2023–2026) Swedish Cancer Society (2022–2024) Advising & Labs: Lundqvist supervises a research group including PhD students and postdoctoral fellows. Notable alumni include Dhifaf Sarhan (Karolinska Institutet) and Erik Wennerberg (The Institute of Cancer Research).