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Chad A. ShawView profile

Professor

• Statistics
• Genomics
• Systems Biology
• +3 more

Chad A. Shaw is a Professor at Baylor College of Medicine and a Joint Professor of Statistics at Rice University. He serves as Director of the D2K Laboratory at Rice, and holds additional roles including Investigator at the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute and Faculty Member at the Baylor College of Medicine’s STaR Center and Quantitative & Computational Biosciences program. His expertise spans statistical genomics, bioinformatics, and molecular genetics. Education: BS in Mathematics (Duke University, 1995); PhD in Statistics (Rice University, 2001). Research Interests: Focuses on statistical methods for genomics, including next-generation sequencing analysis, structural variation studies, and clinical exome sequencing. Key contributions include probabilistic models for mutation transmission in human genetic diseases, copy-number variation analysis, and functionalization of genetic variants. His work bridges computational statistics with clinical applications, addressing challenges in rare disease diagnostics and Mendelian disorder modifiers. Publications: Over 200 peer-reviewed articles, including foundational studies on recurrence risk in genetic disorders and mechanisms of structural variation. Recent work emphasizes Bayesian modeling in sequencing assays, CNV-driven genetic diseases, and prenatal genomic analysis. Awards/Grants: No explicit awards mentioned, but his research has been cited ~17,000 times. Active in grant-funded projects across computational and clinical genomics. Advising: Trained 5 PhD students and advised over 10 others, with students contributing to areas like high-dimensional regression and software tools for variant prioritization. Labs/Teams: Leads the D2K Laboratory at Rice, fostering interdisciplinary research in data science and computational biology.

• Immunology
• Cancer Biology
• Oncology
• +3 more

Baozhu Huang is an Associate Research Scientist affiliated with the Chen Lab at Yale School of Medicine, Yale University. Their research focuses on immunology and oncology, particularly exploring immune checkpoint regulation, tumor microenvironment dynamics, and cancer immunotherapy strategies. Current projects include analyzing spatial transcriptomics in lung cancer and investigating CD8+ T cell quiescence mechanisms. Key research interests span Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors , Tumor Microenvironment , and Cancer Immunotherapy . Recent work highlights novel biomarkers for checkpoint blockade therapies and preclinical advancements in CAR-T cell therapies targeting B7-H3 antigens. Huang collaborates closely with the Chen Lab to advance translational immunology research. No scientific awards are explicitly noted in the provided texts. They currently advise no formally listed students, though collaborative work with the Chen Lab may involve trainees.

Maria ChikanaView profile

Assistant Professor

• Machine Learning
• Biomedical Informatics
• Genomics
• +3 more

Maria Chikana is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computational and Systems Biology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Her research focuses on leveraging machine learning and genomic datasets to address complex biological questions, including multi-omics analysis and molecular evolution. She is affiliated with the Carnegie Mellon-University of Pittsburgh PhD Program in Computational Biology. Her lab develops computational methods like PLIER to analyze gene-environment interactions and genotype effects in the brain. Key publications include work on causal network perturbations in single-cell analysis (Bioinformatics) and context-specific genotypic effects (Nature Methods), with high-profile recognition in Science and media outlets like the New York Times and National Geographic . Contact: mchikina@pitt.edu | 412-648-3338 | Biomedical Science Tower, Room 3078.

Gareth InmanView profile

Professor

• Cancer Biology
• TGFβ Signalling
• Genomics
• +5 more

Professor Gareth Inman is a leading academic in cancer biology at the University of Glasgow 's School of Cancer Sciences , where he has held the Professor of Cell Signalling title since 2018. He also serves as Director of Research Strategy at the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute. His research focuses on TGFβ and BMP signaling in squamous cell carcinomas (cSCC, head/neck SCC, pancreatic SCC), investigating their dual tumor-suppressive and tumor-promoting roles through in vitro , in vivo , and clinical genomics studies. PhD, University of London (1995) BSc, University of York (1990) His work spans molecular mechanisms of TGFβ pathway inactivation , driver gene identification in squamous cancers via whole-genome/exome sequencing, and development of targeted therapeutics that selectively block pro-oncogenic TGFβ/BMP actions. Key collaborations include Owen Sansom (mouse cSCC models) and Peter Bailey (genomics). Recent publications highlight his lab's expertise in long non-coding RNA dynamics (2025), TGFβ mimicry by helminth proteins (2024), and disease continuum progression in cSCC (2023). His team employs ex vivo models, single-cell sequencing, and patient-derived xenografts to bridge basic research and clinical translation. Ian Stevenson Award for Public Engagement (2016) Association for International Cancer Research Fellowship (2003) Lab members include researchers Samantha Campbell , Christina Schoenherr , and PhD students Max Bone , Rhona Hurley . His work has been funded by Cancer Research UK and collaborative grants with academic institutions.

Owen SansomView profile

Professor

• Colorectal Cancer
• Wnt Signalling
• Cancer Biology
• +6 more

Professor Owen Sansom is Director of the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute in Glasgow, where he leads the Colorectal Cancer and Wnt Signalling research group. His work focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying colorectal cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis using state-of-the-art preclinical models. His educational background includes a PhD from the University of Edinburgh (2002), MRes in Biology from the University of Manchester (1997), and BSc in Genetics (First Class Honours) from the University of Nottingham (1996). Prior to his current role as Director (since 2017), he served as Deputy Director of the CRUK Beatson Institute (2011-2017) and has been a Group Leader at the institute since 2005. Professor Sansom's research interests center on colorectal cancer biology, particularly Wnt signaling pathways, cancer stem cells, and therapeutic resistance mechanisms. His lab utilizes genetically engineered mouse models to investigate how key driver mutations contribute to cancer development and response to therapy. He is particularly interested in developing stage- and subtype-specific targeted therapies for colorectal cancer patients. His recent publications reveal significant trends in colorectal cancer research, with strong emphasis on cellular plasticity, tumor heterogeneity, metabolic reprogramming, and the tumor microenvironment. His work spans molecular mechanisms, preclinical models, and translational applications, with particular focus on WNT-dependent colorectal cancer, therapeutic vulnerabilities, and metastasis mechanisms. Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (2017) CRUK Future Leaders in Cancer Research Prize (2012) Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (2012) BACR/AstraZeneca Young Scientist Frank Rose Award (2007) Professor Sansom actively mentors numerous PhD students and postdoctoral researchers in his lab, supervising projects related to colorectal cancer biology, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. His research is supported by multiple funding sources including Cancer Research UK, industry partnerships with Novartis, and participation in major cancer consortia such as ACRCelerate, CRUK Grand Challenge Rosetta, and CRUK Grand Challenge SpecifiCancer. His lab operates as part of the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, where they utilize advanced preclinical models, organoid culture systems, and multi-omics approaches to investigate colorectal cancer biology. The team includes bioinformaticians, postdoctoral scientists, clinical research fellows, and graduate students working collaboratively on various aspects of colorectal cancer research.

Kåre Lehmann NielsenView profile

Professor

• Gene sequencing and analysis
• Potato developmental biology
• Genomics
• +5 more

Kåre Lehmann Nielsen is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Bioscience at Aalborg University , associated with the Functional Ecology and Genomics group and the Center for Microbial Communities . His research focuses on plant genomics, microbial interactions, and agricultural biotechnology, with a strong emphasis on potato genetics, genome analysis, and functional genomics. Research Interests : Gene sequencing and analysis in plants and microbes Genetic variation and its impact on phenotypic traits Molecular breeding for crop improvement Microbial community dynamics and symbiosis Carbohydrate-active enzymes and secondary metabolites Recent Research Trends : Recent work highlights genomic prediction in tetraploid potatoes, the role of genetic variation in aging processes in Drosophila melanogaster , and the functional analysis of fungal enzymes. His studies often integrate transcriptomics, metagenomics, and bioinformatics to address challenges in plant breeding and microbial ecology. Grants and Projects : PI of projects like Sekventering og vedligeholdelse af MASPot kartoffelpopulationen (2023–2025) Collaborations on microbial community studies and disease-resistant potato development Labs and Teams : Lead researcher in the Functional Ecology and Genomics group, focusing on microbial communities and plant-microbe interactions. Active in the Center for Microbial Communities at Aalborg University.

Vito RebeccaView profile

Assistant Professor

• Translational Molecular Biology
• Cancer Biology
• Melanoma Research
• +9 more

Vito Rebecca, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, with a joint appointment in the Bloomberg School of Public Health. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying melanoma metastasis and therapy resistance, particularly in acral lentiginous melanoma. PhD, University of South Florida, 2014 BS, Lafayette College, 2009 His research interests center on understanding how tumor cells adapt to therapies and metastasize, with a focus on signaling pathway plasticity , lysosomal catabolism , biomechanical forces , and stem cell-like subpopulations in melanoma. His lab employs a multidisciplinary approach integrating genetic editing , bioinformatics , in vivo models , and patient-derived xenografts to identify actionable vulnerabilities in aggressive cancer cells. The trends in his recent publications reflect a strong emphasis on cancer signaling networks , transcriptional reprogramming , genomic architecture , and metabolic adaptations in melanoma and other cancers. His work spans from basic molecular mechanisms to translational applications, often identifying novel therapeutic targets in resistant cancers. Melanoma Research Alliance Young Investigator Award, 2023 Johns Hopkins University Discovery Award, 2023 Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Pilot Award, 2022 Johns Hopkins University Faculty Innovation Award, 2021 Melanoma Research Foundation Career Development Award, 2019 Dr. Rebecca leads an active research laboratory with significant collaborative efforts across institutions, including studies involving patient-derived models and bioinformatic analyses. His work is supported by competitive grants and institutional awards, enabling innovative research in cancer biology and therapy resistance. He contributes to training and mentorship through his role in academic programs and collaborative science.

Elizabeth NeumannView profile

Assistant Professor

• Neurological diseases
• Molecular imaging
• Mass spectrometry
• +4 more

Elizabeth Neumann is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of California, Davis, where her lab focuses on the molecular and cellular architecture of neurological diseases using advanced analytical tools. Her research integrates matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI MSI) with multimodal technologies like immunofluorescence, spectroscopy, and transcriptomics to decode complex biological systems. Education: BS in Chemistry from Baylor University, PhD from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign under Jonathan Sweedler Postdoctoral training: NIH Postdoctoral Fellow at Vanderbilt University under Richard Caprioli and Jeffrey Spraggins The Neumann lab specializes in developing high-resolution imaging methods for spatial lipidomics and metabolomics, with applications spanning neuroscience, nephrology, and electrochemistry. Their work enables non-destructive molecular profiling of tissues while preserving spatial context. Recent publications emphasize MALDI TIMS IMS for lipid distribution analysis, multimodal integration with CODEX immunofluorescence, and innovative approaches in single-cell chemical analysis. Collaborative efforts include contributions to the NIH Human Biomolecular Atlas Program. Scientific awards: NIH/NIDDK F32, NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, multiple institutional scholarships Leadership: Active in developing community guidelines for antibody-based imaging and FAIR data stewardship Research collaborations span Vanderbilt, University of Illinois, and cross-institutional consortia, with a focus on advancing analytical methods for biomedical discovery.

Christopher ChiuView profile

Professor

• Immunology
• Medical Microbiology
• Clinical Sciences
• +3 more

Prof. Christopher Chiu is a Professor of Infectious Diseases and Immunology at Imperial College London's Faculty of Medicine. His research focuses on respiratory viral infections (RSV, influenza, SARS-CoV-2), pathogenesis, and vaccine development. He leads the CEPI-HERA MusICC consortium and the Imperial Network for Vaccine Research, collaborating internationally on vaccines and human challenge studies. His work combines clinical trials with experimental medicine techniques to study immune responses, particularly mucosal and systemic immunity. Education: MA (Cambridge), BMBCh (Oxford), MSc (Queen Mary), PhD (Imperial College London). Affiliations: Immuno-Pathology Network, Vaccine Research Network, Section of Adult Infectious Disease. His research integrates controlled human infection models (CHIs) to assess vaccine efficacy and correlates of protection. Key projects include studying immune responses to respiratory pathogens and developing biomarkers for disease severity. He has pioneered methodologies to analyze viral kinetics and host immunity, contributing to global pandemic preparedness efforts. Awards: Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Training Fellowship, MRC Clinician Scientist Fellowship. Prof. Chiu’s lab investigates immunological mechanisms behind asymptomatic vs. severe infections, with a focus on B/T cell responses and viral interactions. He is a key figure in regulatory and collaborative initiatives advancing vaccine research and clinical trial standards.

Stephen CarpenterView profile

Assistant Professor

• Infectious Disease Immunology
• Tuberculosis Research
• Vaccine Development
• +3 more

Stephen Carpenter, MD, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases & HIV Medicine) and Pathology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. His research focuses on understanding T cell and macrophage interactions in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infections, with the goal of developing novel TB vaccines. Previously, he held roles as an Attending Physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Director of Early Clinical Development at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. His lab employs cutting-edge techniques like single-cell transcriptomics and TCR sequencing to study immune responses in latent TB infection. Education: MD and PhD from University of Massachusetts Medical School. Key career milestones include postdoctoral training under Dr. Sam Behar, residency at NYU School of Medicine, and fellowship at Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital. Research Interests: Vaccine-elicited T cell responses, Mtb-host interactions, macrophage biology, and translational immunology. His lab’s work bridges basic science and clinical applications, aiming to translate findings into therapeutic strategies against chronic infections. Lab Members: Includes post-doctoral scholars (Robert Schauner, Vlad Stetsenko), research assistants (Dan Gail, Nancy Nagy, Scott Reba), and PhD candidates (Vinicius Suzart, Avinaash Kaur Sandhu). The lab is located at BRB1040, Biomedical Research Building, Cleveland, OH.

Keri MartinowichView profile

Associate Professor

• Translational Neuroscience
• Neuropsychiatric Disorders
• Gene Expression
• +12 more

Keri Martinowich is a Senior Investigator and Director of Translational Neuroscience at the Lieber Institute for Brain Development (LIBD) and an Associate Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She leads an interdisciplinary research program focused on understanding molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, PTSD, and autism. Her research integrates animal models with human postmortem brain studies, using advanced techniques including single-nucleus and spatially resolved transcriptomics, viral transgenesis, and circuit-level manipulation to identify cell-type-specific gene expression patterns and their functional roles in behavior. Her lab develops open-access tools for data exploration and emphasizes reproducibility and data sharing. Dr. Martinowich's recent publications reveal trends across cognitive and computational neuroscience, with a strong emphasis on neural circuits, gene regulation, and translational psychiatry. Her work spans molecular neuroscience, systems-level analysis, and behavior, often focusing on BDNF signaling, fear, social behavior, and cortical-subcortical circuitry. She actively mentors graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, many of whom have advanced to PhD programs and faculty positions. Electrophysiology and attention circuits (locus coeruleus–prefrontal cortex) Spatial transcriptomics in human brain regions (locus coeruleus, prefrontal cortex) BDNF mechanisms in maternal behavior, aggression, and fear memory Cell-type-specific signatures in reward and stress circuits She has no explicitly listed scientific awards in the provided text, but her leadership, high-impact publications, and NIH-level research program indicate significant recognition in the field. Dr. Martinowich advises a diverse team of graduate students, postdocs, and research associates affiliated with programs in Neuroscience, BCMB, CMM, and Human Genetics at Johns Hopkins. Her lab has secured substantial funding to support cross-species studies integrating molecular profiling with behavioral neuroscience. She collaborates extensively with experts in bioinformatics, genomics, and psychiatry. Her laboratory at the Lieber Institute for Brain Development in Baltimore is a hub for translational neuroscience, combining wet-lab experimentation with computational analysis. The team develops interactive dashboards for public data access and focuses on identifying novel therapeutic targets for psychiatric disorders. Current directions include refining spatial transcriptomic methods and reverse-translating human genetic findings into causal animal models.

Jeremy NathansView profile

Professor

• Developmental Neuroscience
• Neurobiology of Disease
• Molecular Genetics
• +12 more

Jeremy Nathans is a Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His research spans developmental neuroscience and the neurobiology of disease, with a focus on Frizzled receptors and their role in mammalian development. His research interests include neural and vascular development, Wnt signaling, retinal biology, and the molecular basis of sensory systems. The Nathans laboratory employs gene manipulation in mice, cell culture models, and biochemical reconstitution to investigate molecular events in development and disease. Key areas include axon guidance, neural tube closure, retinal vascularization, and planar cell polarity. The trends in his recent publications highlight a strong focus on neurovascular development, particularly through Wnt and Norrin signaling pathways. His work integrates single-cell genomics, structural biology, and mouse genetics to understand barrier formation, limb development, and disease models. Themes include Frizzled receptor function, endothelial cell biology, and transcriptional regulation in neural and vascular tissues. Dr. Nathans has mentored numerous researchers and contributed to major advances in visual pigment genetics and retinal disease mechanisms. His laboratory has developed innovative technologies for genetic manipulation and visualization of cell populations in the mouse. He has secured significant research funding to support his work in developmental signaling and disease modeling. He leads an active research lab focused on the molecular mechanisms of development, particularly in the visual system and central nervous system. The lab utilizes advanced techniques including genetically directed cell labeling, single-cell RNA sequencing, and structural analysis to dissect signaling pathways in vivo.

Leonardo Collado TorresView profile

Assistant Professor

• Bioinformatics
• Biostatistics
• Computational Genomics
• +9 more

Leonardo Collado Torres is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biostatistics at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and leads the R/Bioconductor-powered Team Data Science at the Lieber Institute for Brain Development (LIBD). His interdisciplinary research bridges biostatistics, bioinformatics, and neuroscience to study psychiatric disorders through high-throughput genomic technologies. PhD, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2016 BS, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), 2009 Dr. Collado Torres specializes in the analysis of RNA-seq, single-cell/nucleus RNA-seq, and spatial transcriptomics data, with a focus on gene expression across multiple biological scales. His work emphasizes reproducibility, open science, and the development of accessible computational tools. He is a strong advocate for data science training and mentorship, organizing initiatives such as the LIBD rstats club and contributing to open-source R/Bioconductor packages like derfinder, recount, and spatialLIBD. His recent publications highlight advancements in spatial gene expression mapping in the human brain and tools for reproducible transcriptomic analysis. These works span disciplines including neuroscience, genomics, and software development, with subfields such as spatial transcriptomics, psychiatric disorder mechanisms, and open-source bioinformatics tooling. Scientific honors include the CONACyT scholarship and service on the Bioconductor Community Advisory Board and rOpenSci’s Statistical Software Peer Review advisory board. Principal Investigator, R/Bioconductor-powered Team Data Science, LIBD Co-founder, LIBD rstats club Co-founder, Community of Bioinformatics Software Developers (CDSB), Latin America Active contributor to R/Bioconductor open-source projects Dr. Collado Torres fosters a collaborative and inclusive research environment, offering data science guidance sessions and comprehensive onboarding resources for team members. His leadership promotes best practices in coding, reproducibility, and scientific communication.

Erik UllianView profile

Professor

• Astrocyte Biology
• Neurodegenerative Diseases
• Synaptic Plasticity
• +7 more

Erik Ullian is a Professor at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), with a focus on neuroscience. His research spans astrocyte biology, synaptic plasticity, and neurodegenerative diseases, supported by prestigious awards such as the NIH New Innovator Award and Allen Distinguished Investigator Award. Education: BA in Biological Science (University of Chicago, 1991), PhD in Neuroscience (UCSF, 1997), Postdoc in Neurobiology (Stanford, 2004) His work explores astrocyte-neuron interactions, neuroinflammation, and mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease, ALS, and glioblastoma. Key methodologies include CRISPRi screening, brain organoids, and transcriptomic analysis. Recent publications highlight TDP-43 pathology in ALS, glucose metabolism restoration in Alzheimer's, and astrocyte roles in cancer suppression. Earlier contributions include neurodevelopmental studies on synaptic mapping and SARS-CoV-2 tropism for astrocytes. Scientific Awards Epilepsy training grant award (2001) Zaffaroni research fellowship in addiction research (2002) Sandler Award (2004) Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship (2005) March of Dimes Basil O’Connor Award (2006) Research to Prevent Blindness- New Investigator Award (2009) NIH New Innovator Award (2014) Walt and Lilly Disney Award for Amblyopia Research (2015) Allen Distinguished Investigator Award (2015)

Harish VasudevanView profile

Physician Scientist

• Neurofibromatosis
• Nervous system tumors
• Receptor tyrosine kinase signaling
• +3 more

Dr. Harish Vasudevan is a physician scientist at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), holding joint appointments in the Departments of Radiation Oncology and Neurological Surgery. His research focuses on neurofibromatosis and nervous system tumors, particularly investigating oncogenic growth factor signaling through receptor tyrosine kinases and the Ras pathway to identify novel therapeutic strategies. Education: PhD in Medicine/Neuroscience from Mount Sinai School of Medicine (2017), MD, and BS in Biology from Caltech (2009) Research highlights include molecular profiling of melanoma brain metastases, epigenetic reprogramming in schwannomas, and spatial genomic analysis of meningiomas. Current projects supported by the Department of Defense and Children's Tumor Foundation aim to clarify Ras GAP specificity and develop NF1 reconstitution therapies. Selected Awards: SNO Adult Basic Research Abstract Award (2017), Roentgen Resident/Fellow Research Award (2022-2025), Francis Collins Scholar Award (2022) Dr. Vasudevan's collaborative work spans brain metastasis atlases, radiation-immunotherapy synergy, and neurogenetic imaging-genomics correlations. His publications demonstrate expertise in genomic analysis, spatial transcriptomics, and clinical outcomes research.