Francisco Raymo is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the College of Arts and Sciences , University of Miami. He is an active academic with a focus on photophysics, nanomaterials, and bioimaging technologies. Role: Professor University: University of Miami School: College of Arts and Sciences Department: Chemistry Email: fraymo@miami.edu Phone: 305-284-2639 His research spans photoactivatable fluorophores, theranostic nanomaterials, and optical microscopy advancements. Recent work explores green-light-activated BODIPYs for low-phototoxicity imaging and halloysite nanotubes for drug delivery. Scientific trends in his publications include fluorescent probe design , chemodynamic therapy , super-resolution imaging , and clay-based nanocarriers . Key subfields involve cellular uptake pathways, peroxidase-like nanomaterials, and single-molecule tracking.
Manuel Eibinger is a researcher at the Institute of Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering within Graz University of Technology , Austria. With expertise in biotechnology and bioprocess engineering, his work focuses on enzymatic degradation of cellulose, multienzyme cascades, and nanoscale biomolecular interactions. Research Focus: Cellulose breakdown mechanisms, enzyme synergy, and bio-based product development Techniques: Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), single-molecule imaging, and computational modeling Applications: Biomass conversion, food science, and nanobiotechnology His publications (2011–2025) explore cellulose-degrading nanomachines, protein extraction from brewer's spent grain, and tunable bioemulsions. Collaborations include researchers like Kracher D., Haltrich D., and Nidetzky B.
Xiaowei Zhuang is a Chinese-American biophysicist and the David B. Arnold Jr. Professor of Science at Harvard University, where she holds joint appointments in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and the Department of Physics. She is also an Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, contributing significantly to advanced bioimaging technologies. Education: B.S. in Physics (University of Science and Technology of China, 1991); Ph.D. in Physics (University of California, Berkeley, 1996) Postdoctoral: Chodorow Postdoctoral Fellow at Stanford University (1997–2001) Renowned for inventing STORM (Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy), Zhuang’s research has revolutionized super-resolution fluorescence microscopy by overcoming diffraction limits. Her lab develops innovative single-molecule imaging techniques, including MERFISH (Multiplexed Error-Robust Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization), enabling precise spatial transcriptomics and cellular structure visualization. Current work spans 3D chromatin organization, tumor-immune interactions, and neural circuit mapping. The 15 most recent publications highlight her lab’s expertise in super-resolution imaging , spatial transcriptomics , chromatin dynamics , neurobiology , and cancer-immune crosstalk . These works demonstrate cross-disciplinary applications from single-molecule biophysics to clinical oncology . Scientific Awards: Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences (2019), Vilcek Prize (2020), Heinrich Wieland Prize (2022), MacArthur Fellow (2003), NAS Award in Molecular Biology (2015) Academic Recognition: Member of National Academy of Sciences (2012), American Philosophical Society (2019), and Chinese Academy of Sciences (2015) Zhuang’s laboratory at Harvard has trained prominent researchers like Dr. Melike Lakadamyali and continues advancing single-virus tracking , live-cell imaging , and cellular structure analysis . Her work bridges physics, chemistry, and biology to address fundamental biological questions through technological innovation.
Lucas Pelkmans is a Full Professor at the Department of Molecular Life Sciences at the University of Zurich. He leads the Pelkmans Lab, a multi-disciplinary research group focused on understanding how biological scales are crossed from single molecules to tissues. His lab develops quantitative and scalable experimental approaches combined with computational and statistical methods to study fundamental biological questions. His research interests center on quantitative cell biology, systems biology, and the study of membrane-less organelles through phase separation. Pelkmans' work explores how cells process information across different scales, with particular focus on single-cell heterogeneity, cellular decision-making, and the principles governing biological organization. His lab actively encourages researchers to develop both wet-lab and dry-lab skills to tackle complex biological problems. The Pelkmans Lab has produced numerous high-impact publications, particularly in the areas of single-cell analysis, membrane-less organelles, quantitative imaging, and systems biology. Recent work demonstrates strong trends toward multimodal data integration, advanced computational approaches for analyzing cellular states, and understanding phase separation phenomena across biological scales. The lab's publications frequently appear in top-tier journals including Nature, Science, and Cell. Scientific Awards: ERC Advanced Grant (2020) EMBO member (2015) ERC Consolidator (2015) Ernst Hadorn Foundation-endowed Chair (2010) European Young Investigator Award (2005) ETH Medal (2003) Pelkmans actively mentors PhD students and postdoctoral fellows, with his lab comprising researchers from diverse backgrounds including physics, chemistry, computer science, and biology. His teaching includes courses on quantitative and molecular systems biology, and systems dynamics in cell and developmental biology. The lab has received significant grant support, including multiple ERC grants, enabling their innovative research on cellular organization and scale-crossing phenomena. The Pelkmans Lab maintains a highly collaborative environment that emphasizes both individual brilliance and team support. They have developed innovative technologies such as iterative indirect immunofluorescence imaging (4i) for multiplexed protein mapping, which has applications in precision medicine. The lab's work bridges fundamental biological questions with technological innovation, creating new approaches for studying cellular organization across multiple scales.
Sophie Dumont is a Professor in the Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) School of Pharmacy . She is also an Investigator at the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub and affiliated with the Quantitative Biosciations Institute (QBI) and Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center . Professor, Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences UCSF Byers Award in Basic Science (2021) Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Investigator (2020) NIH New Innovator Award (2015) Sloan Research Fellow (2013) Research Interests : The Dumont Lab investigates how molecular properties generate cellular machine function, focusing on mitotic spindle mechanics and chromosome segregation . Key areas include self-organization of macromolecular complexes , force generation and response , and mechanical robustness in cell division . Publications (2024-2025) address spindle microtubule damage repair , force-dependent stabilization , and friction reduction at kinetochores . Recent work demonstrates how the Astrin-SKAP complex and NuMA protein mechanically reinforce spindle structures. Scientific Recognition : UCSF Outstanding Faculty Mentorship Award (2018) Women in Cell Biology Junior Award (ASCB) (2018) NSF CAREER Award (2016) Advising : Mentored Lila Neahring (Weintraub Award 2021) and multiple students in Biophysics , Tetrad , and Developmental Biology programs . Labs & Collaborations : Leads the Dumont Lab at UCSF, collaborating with UCSF-UC Berkeley Joint Bioengineering Group and Quantitative Biosciences Institute .
Jaak Kikas, born 23 February 1949, has been Professor of Physics of Disordered Systems at the University of Tartu since 1996. Holding a doctorate in solid-state physics (1979), he has continuously advanced the understanding of disordered solids and high-resolution molecular spectroscopy, leveraging site-selective and single-molecule techniques. Education 1967 – Tallinn 2nd Secondary School, Gold Medal 1972 – University of Tartu, Diploma with Honour (Theoretical Physics) 1979 – ESSR Academy of Sciences, Institute of Physics, Candidate of Phys.-Math. Sciences (Solid-State Physics) Research Interests His research spans seven tightly inter-related areas : Site-selective spectroscopy methods for disordered solids Statistical theory of spectral inhomogeneity and spectral diffusion Spectral hole-burning processes in solids Optics of spectrally selective media and hole-burning applications Low-temperature dynamics of glasses under temperature and pressure High-resolution spectroscopy of molecular crystals and proteins Molecular probing of local relaxation in incommensurate solids Publication Trends Across more than 90 peer-reviewed works, Kikas has systematically explored the interplay between microscopic disorder and macroscopic optical response. Recent papers (2007-2014) emphasize single-molecule studies in incommensurate matrices , rare-earth ion spectroscopy in glasses , pressure-tunable emission , and non-destructive residual-stress diagnostics in glass panels . These contributions integrate fundamental condensed-matter physics with practical photonic and biomedical applications. Scientific Awards 1986 USSR State Prize in Science – awarded to the research team for the cycle “Photoburning of stable spectral holes and laser spectroscopy of complex molecules” . Administrative & Leadership Roles Professor Kikas has held continuous leadership positions at the University of Tartu: Head, Institute of Materials Science (1996–2007) Head, Department of Materials Science, Institute of Physics (2007–present) Member, Council of the Institute of Physics (2007–present) Member/Council Chair, UT & TUT Doctoral School “Functional Materials and Technologies” (2005–present) Chair, Science Council of the AHHAA Science Centre Foundation (1999–present) Chair, UT School of Science Council (1997–present) Member, Advisory Board, Estonian Academy of Sciences Proceedings: Physics & Mathematics (1992–present) Laboratory & Team He leads the Department of Materials Science within the Institute of Physics at the University of Tartu, coordinating experimental and theoretical research on disordered solids, high-resolution spectroscopy, and functional optical materials. The group operates advanced cryogenic, high-pressure, and single-molecule spectroscopy facilities, fostering collaboration across Estonian and international institutions.
Ignacio IZEDDIN is an Associate Professor ( Maître de conférences ) at the Institut Langevin, ESPCI Paris, which is part of CNRS and Université PSL. His research sits at the critical intersection of advanced optical imaging, biophysics, and molecular cell biology, with a particular focus on pushing the boundaries of what can be visualized and understood about molecular distribution and cellular dynamics. His primary research interests include Single-Molecule Localization Microscopy (SMLM), super-resolution imaging techniques, single particle tracking (SPT), biophotonics, diffusion processes in cell biology, molecular cell biology, transcription regulation, DNA repair mechanisms, and light-matter interactions at the nanoscale. Dr. IZEDDIN's work aims to develop innovative microscopy tools that overcome current limitations in spatial and temporal resolution, enabling the capture of rapid, dynamic cellular processes with unprecedented clarity. The trends in his recent publications reveal a strong focus on developing event-based sensor technology for high-speed single-molecule localization, creating novel 3D microstructured substrates for cellular imaging and calibration, studying light-matter interactions at the nanoscale through fluorescence lifetime imaging, and applying these advanced techniques to understand fundamental biological processes like DNA repair, chromatin dynamics, and cellular differentiation. His work consistently bridges physics, engineering, and biology to solve complex imaging challenges. Dr. IZEDDIN is actively involved in research funding and recruitment, with current projects including a European LIGHTinParis COFUND PhD position analyzing alpha-synuclein diffusion in neurons using super-resolution microscopy based on event sensors, and hiring for a software engineer position to develop data processing tools for event-based SMLM technology. His laboratory employs a highly interdisciplinary approach, combining physics, biology, and engineering expertise to tackle challenging problems in cellular imaging. Current projects involve collaborations with neuroscientists, physicists, and engineers to study everything from molecular diffusion in neurons to macrophage differentiation on 3D topographical substrates.
Clément CABRIEL is a CNRS Researcher affiliated with the Institut Langevin (ESPCI Paris / PSL University). He specializes in Single-Molecule Localization Microscopy (SMLM) and its applications across bioimaging , nanophotonics , and microfabrication . Key Collaborations: Works with Ignacio Izeddin (Institut Langevin) and international teams on interdisciplinary projects. Research Focus: Develops 3D super-resolution techniques, event-based sensors for high spatio-temporal imaging, and microstructured substrates for cellular modeling and axial calibration. Achievements: Pioneered SMLM calibration tools using fractal-like substrates (2025), explored M2d macrophage differentiation via 3D topographies (2024), and advanced event-based sensor technology for dense single-molecule imaging (2023). His work bridges optics , materials science , and cell biology . Community Engagement: Co-organizes the Young Scientist Network GDR Imabio to foster European bioimaging collaboration and career development for early-career researchers.
Hilary Ashe is a Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology at the Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester since 2013. Her career includes prior roles as Senior Lecturer (2009-2013), Lecturer (2007-2009), and Lister Institute Research Fellow (2002-2007) at the same institution. She also held a Lecturer position at the Centre for Developmental Genetics, University of Sheffield (2000-2001) following postdoctoral work at UC Berkeley and University of Oxford.
Enrico Carlon is a Professor at KU Leuven within the Faculty of Sciences and the Department of Physics and Astronomy . He leads the Statistical and Computational Physics research group in the Physics of Soft Matter and Biophysics unit, part of the Physics of Life (PoL@KUL) cluster. Research Focus: DNA mechanics , chromatin structure , biomolecular condensates , and SMC protein dynamics Teaching: Advanced Statistical Mechanics, Computational Physics (Molecular Dynamics/Monte Carlo), Polymer Physics Research Interests center on understanding DNA's mechanical behavior under cellular conditions, including DNA elasticity across length scales Non-local twistable wormlike chain modeling Entropic DNA pistons for active transport Chromatin microphase separation SMC-mediated loop extrusion mechanics DNA-mediated allostery mechanisms His article trends emphasize computational modeling of DNA's statistical mechanics, with recent work on topological domain analysis , coarse-grained DNA simulations , and chromatin structure inference from microscopy data. Scientific Awards : 2024 Editor's Pick for 'Insights into elastic properties of coarse-grained DNA models' 2025 Editors' Suggestion for 'Statistical mechanics of multiplectoneme phases in DNA' Selected for special issue on 'Chromatin Structure and Dynamics' (2025) Advising includes PhD students Lucas Dooms , Arianna Fassino , Eva Punter , and Midas Segers , plus master students like Fritz Förster (TU Dresden collaboration). His lab develops computational approaches within the Physics of Life cluster, collaborating with international groups on DNA's role in nanopore proteomics and chromosome organization .
Ji-Xin Cheng is a Professor at Boston University, specializing in Molecular Spectroscopic Imaging Technologies , Label-Free Microscopy , and Medical Photonics . His research spans biomedical imaging, antimicrobial therapies, and neuroscience. Education: PhD, University of Science and Technology of China (1998) Research Interests focus on developing label-free chemical imaging tools to address biological questions like membrane dynamics in neurons, cancer metabolism, and pathogen resistance. His work bridges engineering, physics, chemistry, and medicine to enable precision diagnostics and photonic therapies . Article Trends include innovations in SRS and CARS microscopy , optoacoustic devices , and single-molecule detection . These span biomedical imaging , neuroscience , and antimicrobial phototherapy . Scientific Awards SPIE Photonics West Translational Research Award (2015) Grants include NCI/STTR and NSF SBIR for clinical translation of imaging devices. His Drug-Free Treatment projects explore photonic modulation of neural tissues and pathogen eradication .
Carmen Rubio-Verdú is Professor at ICFO – The Institute of Photonic Sciences , where she leads the STM on 2D Quantum Materials group. Her laboratory exploits milli-kelvin scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy to uncover emergent quantum phenomena in two-dimensional and moiré systems. Research Focus: Correlated electron phases in magic-angle graphene and other 2D heterostructures Superconductivity, Mott insulating states, Wigner crystals and spin liquids Atomic-scale engineering of van der Waals materials through twist and stacking Yu–Shiba–Rusinov states and molecular magnetism on superconducting surfaces Across more than twenty high-impact publications since 2016, her work reveals a consistent trajectory: applying ultra-low-temperature STM to visualize real-space signatures of many-body physics in graphene multilayers, transition-metal dichalcogenides and designer moiré superlattices. The studies map out electronic nematicity, multifractal superconductivity, Kondo-lattice behavior and tunable p–n junctions, thereby bridging fundamental theory and nanoscale device engineering. Group & Opportunities: The STM team currently welcomes motivated Master students, PhD candidates and post-doctoral researchers . Prospective members are encouraged to consult the ICFO jobs portal or contact Prof. Rubio-Verdú directly.
Qian Zhu is an Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine in the Department of Molecular Genetics . He earned a BSc in Computer Science and Biochemistry from the University of Ottawa , a PhD in Computational Biology from Princeton University , and completed postdoctoral training at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Harvard Medical School . Research Focus : Computational Biology, Cancer Genomics, Spatial Transcriptomics Key Projects : Spatial Multiomic Integration, Triple Negative Breast Cancer Disparities, Chromatin Structure Analysis, Software Development Recent Trends : His 15 most recent publications (2025-2018) focus on spatial transcriptomics tools ( Giotto , Xenomake ), cancer disparities research, chromatin structure analysis, and computational methods for single-cell data integration. These works reflect expertise in machine learning application to biomedical imaging, tumor microenvironment characterization, and epigenetic regulation. 2025 : Spatial omics analysis of racial disparities in TNBC 2024 : BCL11A tetramer function, xenograft data processing 2023 : CRISPR screening in leukemia 2022 : Chromatin regulators in developmental disease Awards : 2025 - Marion R. Wright Award for Scientific Excellence 2022 - CPRIT Tenure-Track Faculty Recruitment Award Collaborations : Works with experimental biologists on tumor progression, therapy resistance, and hematopoietic development. His lab includes bioinformatics programmers and graduate students.
Dr. Renald Schaub is a Reader in the School of Chemistry at the University of St Andrews, where he also serves as the Director of the Scottish Centre for Interdisciplinary Surface Spectroscopy (SCISS). He leads the Schaub Research Group, which focuses on the application of high-resolution scanning probe microscopy and spectroscopy to study fundamental processes related to the nano-scale design and characterisation of functional materials. His research has significant implications for heterogeneous catalysis, photo-catalysis, molecular electronics, and other technological applications. Dr. Schaub graduated in 1996 from the Department of Physics at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland. He then completed his PhD at the Department of Physics of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), followed by postdoctoral research at the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre of the University of Aarhus in the group of Professor F. Besenbacher. Dr. Schaub's research focuses on understanding fundamental principles and mechanisms involved in the chemistry and physics of surfaces. His group employs scanning probe microscopies (STM, AFM) to obtain high-resolution, real-space information on surface phenomena, supported by theoretical calculations (DFT). Their work goes beyond traditional high-magnification topography to include local electronic and vibrational spectroscopy of single atoms/molecules, atomic and molecular manipulation, fast-acquisition imaging for studying surface dynamics, and high-pressure measurements for meaningful studies at the gas/solid interface. Key research areas include graphene, molecular electronics, and surface science approaches to heterogeneous catalysis. The group's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on graphene nanoribbons, molecular switches, and functionalized graphene for various applications. Their work combines experimental STM/AFM techniques with theoretical approaches to understand surface phenomena at the atomic scale, with applications spanning from molecular electronics to catalysis and biosensing. Dr. Schaub has received several prestigious awards including the EaStCHEM Hirst Fellowship from the Scottish Funding Council (£30k), and Researcher Fellowships from the NSF-Switzerland (Junior: 56k CHF; Senior: 132k CHF). As an advisor, Dr. Schaub has supervised numerous PhD students whose research has led to publications in high-impact journals such as Science, Nature Communications, ACS Nano, Nano Letters, and Physical Review Letters. His group has secured funding from various sources including EPSRC, Scottish Funding Council, and Technology Strategy Board for projects related to graphene-based devices, functionalized graphene electrodes, and graphene layer development. The Schaub Research Group is part of EaStCHEM, a joint research school between the Universities of St Andrews and Edinburgh, and is affiliated with the Scottish Centre for Interdisciplinary Surface Spectroscopy (SCISS). They operate a low-temperature STM combined with q-plus AFM sensor (CreaTec/SPECS instrument), capable of operating at 5K with exceptional stability for atomic-scale investigations.
David Paul Corey serves as the Bertarelli Professor of Translational Medical Science at Harvard Medical School's Department of Neurobiology. His research focuses on mechanotransduction in vertebrate hair cells, particularly the structural and functional analysis of tip-link proteins (CDH23, PCDH15) and transduction channels (TMC1/2). The Corey Laboratory develops gene therapies for Usher syndrome and hereditary deafness using advanced techniques including X-ray crystallography Single-molecule force spectroscopy Adeno-associated viral vectors Cryo-electron microscopy Current translational work targets Usher syndrome type 1F through dual-AAV delivery systems and base editing approaches. The lab employs multidisciplinary methods combining biophysics , molecular genetics , and nanomechanical modeling to understand and treat sensory deficits. Recent publications highlight breakthroughs in Mini-PCDH15 protein design Primate gene therapy safety Transduction channel pore characterization Therapeutic force spectroscopy with ongoing clinical translation efforts. Scientific distinctions include: Bertarelli Foundation Professorship NIH grant collaborations Leadership in mechanotransduction
