Find Academic Supervisors

Glenn J. McGarveyView profile

Professor

• Carbohydrate-Based Molecular Recognition
• Complex Glycoconjugate Synthesis
• Molecular Glycosciences
• +3 more

Glenn J. McGarvey is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Virginia's School of Arts & Sciences, specializing in Molecular Glycosciences. His research focuses on the synthesis and application of complex carbohydrates for biomedical interventions. His research interests center on Carbohydrate-Based Molecular Recognition and Complex Glycoconjugate Synthesis , with emphasis on cellular communication mechanisms involving cell surface carbohydrates conjugated to proteins and lipids. These structures mediate critical processes in normal cellular function and diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, viral/bacterial infections, and cancer metastasis. His work bridges synthetic organic chemistry with biological applications through the development of: Synthetic cancer vaccines targeting cell surface carbohydrate antigens C-glycoside oligosaccharide/peptide hybrids for DNA recognition Unnatural glycopeptide structures for therapeutic applications Dr. McGarvey's publication record demonstrates expertise in stereoselective glycoside synthesis and C-glycosyl amino acid development, with research trends indicating sustained focus on carbohydrate-based molecular recognition systems for disease intervention. His work consistently integrates synthetic methodology development with biological targeting applications. His laboratory actively investigates the dense stereochemical properties of carbohydrates to generate novel biorecognition molecules, with particular emphasis on creating new therapeutic approaches for modifying biological function in disease contexts.

• Glycobiology
• Structural Biology
• Medicinal Glycoscience
• +4 more

Vitor Pomin is an Associate Professor of Pharmacognosy and Research Associate Professor at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy , specializing in glycobiology, structural biology, and NMR spectroscopy. His research focuses on marine-derived sulfated glycans, their structural characterization, and biomedical applications in anticoagulation and antiviral therapies. Education: Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (2008) Postdoctoral Research, Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia (2011) Dr. Pomin’s work explores the structural requirements of sulfated polysaccharides for anticoagulant and antiviral activities, particularly against SARS-CoV-2 , using advanced techniques like molecular dynamics simulations and surface plasmon resonance . His recent publications highlight the therapeutic potential of sea cucumber fucosylated chondroitin sulfates and red algal sulfated galactans in modulating viral interactions and blood coagulation. He serves as an editor and reviewer for journals including Glycobiology , Marine Drugs , and Journal of Biological Chemistry , reflecting his influence in biomedical glycoscience.

Clay BennettView profile

Professor

• Organic Synthesis
• Carbohydrate Chemistry
• Synthetic Methodology
• +3 more

Clay Bennett is a Professor of Chemistry at Tufts University's School of Arts and Sciences, leading the Bennett Lab. His research focuses on developing efficient methodologies for carbohydrate synthesis, particularly using asymmetric catalysis to streamline oligosaccharide production. He holds a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania (2005) and a BA from Connecticut College (1999). His work spans organic synthesis, carbohydrate chemistry, and applications in drug discovery. Recent projects include reagent-controlled glycosylation strategies, automated continuous-flow synthesis, and total synthesis of antimicrobial molecules like saccharomicin B. Dr. Bennett has secured grants from NSF and NIH, including awards for glycosyl sulfonate research and reagent-controlled glycosylation. He teaches advanced organic chemistry courses and mentors a lab team of graduate/undergraduate students. The lab emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to address challenges in glycobiology and therapeutics.

Chandra BhattacharyaView profile

Assistant Professor

• Organic Chemistry
• Chemical Biology
• Medicinal Chemistry
• +8 more

Chandra Bhattacharya is an Assistant Professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry . As founder of the university's mRNA Nanomedicine Program , her research bridges bioengineering , drug delivery , and personalized medicine through carbohydrate-based molecular targeting. Assistant Professor, Medicinal Chemistry (UNLV, 2025) Postdoc, Bioengineering (MIT, 2022–2024) Postdoctoral Researcher (Caltech, 2009) PhD, Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry (Arizona State University) MSc, Chemistry (Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur) BSc, Chemistry (Presidency College, India) Her research focuses on: Smart Biomaterials for glucose-responsive insulin delivery Glycochemistry to decode carbohydrate-protein interactions mRNA Delivery via lipid nanoparticles Cancer Immunotherapy using CAR T-cell engineering Key article trends include: Organ-specific mRNA delivery systems Carbohydrate-functionalized nanocarriers Viscoelastic material characterization Immune cell targeting via glycolipids Major awards: JDRF Postdoctoral Fellowship (2018–2021) DAAD Research Internship (2008) Mentioned in 2024 PhRMA Foundation grant for CAR T cell innovation Lab team includes 4 graduate students and 1 post-baccalaureate researcher. Current projects focus on in vivo T-cell reprogramming with mRNA-loaded nanoparticles.

Fabio SantoriView profile

Researcher

• Biomass & Bioenergy
• Enzymes Involved in Glycoconjugate Metabolism
• Glycoconjugates in Animal Development & Disease
• +8 more

Fabio Santori is a researcher at the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center (CCRC) at the University of Georgia . His work is tied to glycoconjugate metabolism, plant cell wall biosynthesis, and molecular modeling, aligning with the center's focus on glycoscience and bioinformatics. He is part of multidisciplinary teams such as the BioFoundry:GREAT and the GlyGen Network for Advanced NMR (NAN), contributing to projects like the NIH Graduate Training Program in Glycoscience and the NSF Materials Innovation Platform (GlycoMIP). Research Interests include: Glycoconjugate metabolism in animal development and disease Plant cell wall structure and function Host-microbial interactions through glycoconjugates Advancing NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling tools

S. Randal VossView profile

Professor

• Regenerative Medicine
• Developmental Biology
• Genetics
• +5 more

S. Randal Voss serves as Professor in the Department of Neuroscience and core faculty member at the Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center (SCoBIRC) at the University of Kentucky. He directs the NIH P40-funded Ambystoma Genetic Stock Center (AGSC), a national resource distributing axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) to researchers worldwide for regeneration studies. His academic credentials include a BS from Francis Marion University, MS from Western Carolina University, PhD from Clemson University, and postdoctoral training at UC-Davis. Voss employs genetic, genomic, and developmental approaches to decipher salamander regeneration mechanisms for complex structures like limbs and spinal cord. His research bridges fundamental developmental biology with translational regenerative medicine, focusing on epigenetic regulation, thyroid hormone signaling, and comparative genomics to identify conserved pathways applicable to human therapies. Analysis of his 2019 publications reveals dominant themes in axolotl genome architecture, epigenetic control of regeneration initiation, and natural product chemistry synergies. His work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary integration between molecular biology, biochemistry, and evolutionary developmental biology. His scientific recognition includes: NSF CAREER Award (1999-2002) University of Kentucky Research Professor Award (2010) Francis Marion University Distinguished Alumni Award (2018) Current research funding and scholarly activities: Grants: NIH (P40 Research Resource Center), Army Research Office Mentoring: Supervision of trainees through AGSC and SCoBIRC programs in regenerative biology Publications: 80+ peer-reviewed articles with emphasis on regeneration mechanisms He leads the Ambystoma Genetic Stock Center in the Biomedical Biological Sciences Research Building, maintaining critical axolotl colonies and research infrastructure while directing a laboratory investigating genetic determinants of tissue regeneration.

Robert FieldView profile

Professor

• Carbohydrate Chemistry
• Plant Polysaccharides
• Industrial Biotechnology
• +3 more

Robert Field is an Honorary Professor at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, leading its development since 2020. A University of East Anglia graduate (BSc 1986, PhD 1989), he held academic roles at the University of Oxford, University of Dundee, University of St Andrews (full Professor from 1999), and the John Innes Centre. His research focuses on carbohydrate chemistry, plant polysaccharides, and biotechnology applications, addressing sustainable nutrition and infectious diseases. He founded Iceni Diagnostics and serves as its CEO, developing diagnostics (e.g., a SARS-CoV-2 lateral flow test). Education: BSc (1986), PhD (1989) from University of East Anglia; postdoctoral work at Oxford (1989–91) and Dundee (1992–94). Research interests span carbohydrate biochemistry, plant/algae polysaccharides, bacterial adhesion, and diagnostics. Projects integrate chemical synthesis, enzymology, and omics approaches. Collaborations span kingdoms (plants, bacteria, protozoa) for impactful outcomes. Notable awards include the Royal Society of Chemistry Carbohydrate Award (1996), Longitude Prize Discovery Award (2016), and Fellowship in India’s Association of Carbohydrate Chemists (2018). Leadership roles: President of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Chemistry-Biology Interface Division. Co-founded Iceni Glycoscience (2014) for glycoscience applications. Key projects include advancing mass spectrometry (21ALERT project) and developing sustainable biocatalytic methods.

Charlie FehlView profile

Assistant Professor

• Chemical Biology
• Glycobiology
• Sugar Signaling
• +5 more

Charlie Fehl is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Wayne State University's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on developing chemical tools to understand sugar biology and treat metabolic diseases. Dr. Fehl leads the Fehl Lab, which aims to build a world where we can predict, control, and prevent metabolic diseases like cancer, diabetes, and obesity. Dr. Fehl's educational background includes: B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Michigan (2009) Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Kansas (2014) Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Oxford, UK (2014-2018) Dr. Fehl's research spans the intersection of chemical biology, glycobiology, and disease mechanisms. His lab develops highly selective chemical reactions that can occur in living cells to track sugar signaling motifs in disease states characterized by altered sugar metabolism. A key focus is on hexosamine sugar signaling pathways including glucosamines, which play critical roles in diseases resulting from unbalanced sugar usage. The Fehl Group designs innovative chemical tools such as light-controlled photosugars and cell compartment-specific "GlycoID" labeling strategies to precisely define the roles of hexosamine sugar-driven effects. Their work applies chemical biology tools at the interface of metabolism, disease, and cancer pathways to discover new roles for glucose-driven events in cells and disease, with particular emphasis on cancers that have elevated risk in patients with hyperglycemia. Analysis of Dr. Fehl's recent publications reveals a strong focus on O-GlcNAc biology, with particular emphasis on developing novel chemical tools for studying glycosylation in live cells. His research spans from fundamental chemical methodology development to applications in cancer biology and metabolic disease. A clear trend shows progression from basic chemical tool development toward increasingly sophisticated applications in disease models, particularly in understanding the connections between hyperglycemia, O-GlcNAc modification, and cancer progression. Dr. Fehl has received numerous prestigious awards and grants, including: University Research Grant (WSU, 2019-2020) Ebbing Faculty Development Award (WSU, 2020-2021) NIH R35 Grant (2021-2026): "Spatiotemporal tools to interrogate O-GlcNAc functions in cellular signaling" NSF CAREER award (2023-2028): "CAREER: Illuminating O-GlcNAc-driven functions of the human proteome" Mizutani Foundation for Glycoscience research grant (2023-2024): "Capturing real-time sugar signaling in cells with light-released O-GlcNAc probes" Michigan Diabetes Research Center Pilot & Feasibility Award (2024-2025): "Targeting aberrant O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) glycosylation in prediabetic insulin resistance" Dr. Fehl is actively involved in training the next generation of chemical biology innovators through his research lab and teaching responsibilities. He teaches courses including Organic Spectroscopy (CHM6240/7240), Tools of Molecular Biology (CHM6635/7635), Organic Chemistry 1 (CHM1240), and Drug Design (CHM6270/7270). His research program is well-funded through multiple federal and foundation grants, allowing him to maintain an active research program investigating the connections between sugar metabolism, glycosylation, and disease states. The Fehl Lab operates from laboratory space in Chemistry building rooms 420 and 421 at Wayne State University. The lab brings together expertise in chemical synthesis, cell biology, and disease modeling to investigate how altered sugar metabolism contributes to disease. They maintain a dedicated disease project platform that investigates how hyperglycemia can lead to diabetes and different tumor types using a combination of in vitro and in vivo models. The lab is particularly known for developing innovative chemical tools like light-controlled photosugars and the GlycoID labeling strategy for studying glycosylation in live cells.

Magdalena Faijes SimonaView profile

Associate Professor

• Enzyme
• Oligosaccharide
• Polysaccharide
• +5 more

Magdalena Faijes Simona is an Associate Professor in the Bioengineering Department at IQS School of Engineering , Universitat Ramon Llull. She leads the Grup de Química Biològica i Biotecnologia and focuses on enzyme engineering, carbohydrate metabolism, and glycoscience applications in biocatalysis and immunology. Research Trends : Recent publications (2021–2023) demonstrate expertise in designing glycoengineered nanoparticles for vaccine targeting characterizing bacterial glycolipid synthases elucidating enzymatic hydrolysis mechanisms in bifidobacteria improving glycosynthase activity through mutagenesis synthesizing defined oligosaccharides for immunological applications Her work bridges structural biology , biocatalysis , and biomedical materials . Grants & Collaborations : Current projects include GLYCOENGIN (2023–2026): Engineering glycoenzymes for biocatalysis Influència dels processos de fermentació (2024): Studying fermentation impacts on Guatemalan coffee quality paCOSVALOR (2022–2024): Biotecnological production of chitosan oligosaccharides GQBB Group (2022–2025): Coordinated research in biological chemistry Pre-ETN-GLYCO (2020–2022): European training network for microbial glycan interactions She collaborates with institutions like AGAUR and Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación.

Linda OlsonView profile

Assistant Professor

• Pharmacology
• Structural Biology
• Glycobiology
• +3 more

Linda Olson, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Her research focuses on carbohydrate recognition mechanisms and ligand specificity of the mannose-6-phosphate receptor (MPR) family proteins, employing techniques like X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. She also investigates the role of salt-inducible kinase II in disease. Her work bridges structural biology, glycobiology, and cell biology, contributing to understanding glycoprotein trafficking and enzyme targeting. Research Interests: Mechanisms of carbohydrate recognition by MPR proteins Structural and functional analysis of glycoproteins Role of salt-inducible kinase II in disease pathways MPR-mediated lysosomal enzyme sorting Publications highlight her expertise in structural biology and glycobiology, with studies on mannose-6-phosphate receptor interactions, enzyme-ligand binding, and protein expression systems. No scientific awards or grants are explicitly listed, though her work is supported by NIH grants (implied via PMCIDs). No formal advisees are mentioned. Labs/Teams: Her research is conducted within the Department of Pharmacology, collaborating with institutions like the University of Wisconsin-Madison and international teams.

Maher Abou HachemView profile

Professor

• Enzyme Biochemistry
• Carbohydrate Active Enzymes
• Gut Microbiota
• +2 more

Maher Abou Hachem is Professor at the Technical University of Denmark's Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, specializing in carbohydrate-active enzymes and proteins. His research focuses on glycoside hydrolases, carbohydrate binding modules, and enzymatic processing of biomass polysaccharides with applications in gut microbiota studies and biotechnology. Education includes: PhD in Biotechnology from Lund University MSc in Chemical Engineering from Lund University Research interests encompass enzymology of carbohydrate-active proteins from probiotic bacteria, microbial glycan utilization pathways, and enzymatic synthesis of oligosaccharides. His work integrates protein biochemistry with microbiome science to develop novel biotechnological applications. Recent publications demonstrate innovations in enzyme engineering, structural biology of glycosidases, and applications in blood group conversion technology. Articles highlight enzyme mechanism studies and biocatalytic processes for glycoconjugate modification. International collaborations include research visits to Hokkaido University through a JSPS fellowship and keynote lectures at international conferences. Research partnerships span Japan, Netherlands, Norway and the United States. Leads research on ATP-binding cassette transporter-mediated glycan uptake in probiotic bacteria. His team develops expression systems in bacterial and yeast platforms for recombinant enzyme production.

William YorkView profile

Professor

• Biochemistry
• Glycobiology
• Bioinformatics
• +3 more

William York is a Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Georgia, with a courtesy appointment in the Computer Science department. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia (1996). His research focuses on spectroscopic and computational methods for analyzing complex carbohydrates, bioinformatics tools for glycan studies, and plant cell wall biology. He leads initiatives like GlyGen, a glycan structure repository, and develops software tools for glycomics data analysis (e.g., GRITS Toolbox). His work bridges biochemistry, informatics, and plant biology to advance understanding of carbohydrate roles in organisms and bioenergy applications. Research Interests: • Carbohydrate analysis via NMR and computational methods • Glycoinformatics and data standardization • Plant cell wall structure and biosynthesis • Development of tools for glycan annotation and archiving • Biomass utilization in bioenergy contexts Publications highlight advancements in glycan databases (GlyTouCan, GlyGen), enzymatic mechanisms (e.g., xylan acetylation), and plant polysaccharide structure-function relationships. His contributions include the MIRAGE project for glycomics data standards and collaborative frameworks like the GlySpace Alliance.

Laura L KiesslingView profile

Professor

• Chemical Biology
• Glycobiology
• Carbohydrate Biochemistry
• +6 more

Laura L Kiessling is the Novartis Professor of Chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), affiliated with the Department of Chemistry within the College of Science. Her research focuses on chemical biology approaches to elucidate the roles of carbohydrates in biological systems, particularly in signal transduction, pathogen recognition, and stem cell regulation. Key areas include carbohydrate polymer biosynthesis, mycobacterial metabolism, and the design of synthetic glycopolymers for biomedical applications. Her work integrates synthetic chemistry, structural biology, and cell biology to develop innovative tools like fluorogenic probes and expansion microscopy techniques. Kiessling’s lab has pioneered methods such as Lectin-Seq and modular polymeric antigens to study host-microbe interactions and immunity. She collaborates with institutions globally on projects ranging from antibiotic discovery to stem cell differentiation mechanisms. Her contributions bridge disciplines to address challenges in infectious diseases and regenerative medicine. Research Group: Kiessling Group Laboratory Website: kiesslinglab.com Administrative Assistant: Heather Hubbard Her scientific achievements include developing glycan probes, understanding UDP-galactopyranose mutase inhibitors, and exploring chemoattractant mechanisms in bacteria. Kiessling’s work emphasizes interdisciplinary strategies to decode carbohydrate-mediated processes at molecular and cellular levels.

• Enzymology
• Protein Engineering
• Glycoscience
• +12 more

Antoni Planas Sauter is a Full Professor in the Department of Bioengineering at IQS School of Engineering, where he has served since 1993. He is the Head of the Biological and Biotechnological Chemistry Group (GQBB), a leading research group focused on protein and enzyme analysis, therapeutic targeting, and biocatalytic applications in microorganisms. He has held several leadership roles, including Head of the Bioengineering Department (2007–2018) and Head of the Biochemistry Laboratory (1993–present). He is also an elected Fellow of the Reial Acadèmia de Ciències i Arts de Barcelona and has served in key international roles, including President of the European Carbohydrate Organization (2017–2019). PhD in Chemical Engineering, IQS (1987) Degree in Chemical Engineering, IQS (1982) Degree in Biochemistry, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB, 1987) Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California, Berkeley (1988–1989) His research centers on glycoscience, particularly the protein engineering and enzymology of glycosidases, glycosyltransferases, and carbohydrate esterases. His work spans biocatalysis, directed enzyme evolution, metabolic engineering in bacteria, yeast, and microalgae, and the study of amyloid proteins in neurodegenerative diseases. He also investigates therapeutic targets in infectious diseases and the application of engineered enzymes in agriculture and biomedicine. His recent publications highlight trends in computational enzyme engineering, structural analysis of modular enzymes, and the biotechnological production of bioactive oligosaccharides. These works reflect a strong interdisciplinary approach integrating biochemistry, molecular biology, computational modeling, and industrial applications. Emyl Fischer Award 2013 – European Carbohydrate Organization Elected Fellow – Reial Acadèmia de Ciències i Arts de Barcelona (2019) Board Member, European Chemical Society (EuChemS), Division of Chemistry in Life Sciences (2020–) President, Grupo Especializado de Hidratos de Carbono, Real Sociedad Española de Química (2021–) He actively supervises students and leads major research projects, including CROP-SAFE , GLYCOENGIN , and paCOSVALOR . He has secured funding from the European Commission and national agencies, and he serves as a supervisor for doctoral fellows such as Marta Texidó Barahona under the FPI-2020 program. His research group collaborates internationally, with projects involving institutions in the USA, France, Colombia, and across Europe. The GQBB research group, under his coordination since 1999, operates at the intersection of fundamental biochemistry and applied biotechnology, developing innovative solutions for health, agriculture, and industrial bioprocessing.

• Synthetic Biology
• Chemical Biology
• Glycobiology
• +7 more

Benjamin Schumann is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, and a Group Leader at the Francis Crick Institute. His work bridges synthetic chemistry, biochemistry, and cell biology to develop precision tools for glycan analysis, focusing on O-GalNAc glycosylation and its role in diseases like cancer. He is affiliated with multiple networks including the CRUK Convergence Science Centre and the Institute of Chemical Biology. Diploma in Biochemistry, Tübingen University (2010) Doctor of Natural Sciences, Max Planck Institute/FU Berlin (2015) His research explores glycosylation using bump-and-hole enzyme engineering and BOCTAG technology, enabling cell-specific glycoprotein profiling. He investigates how glycan modifications affect SARS-CoV-2 spike protein dynamics and tumor growth, particularly in prostate cancer via GALNT7 upregulation. Recent publications highlight his lab's development of steric-bulk GalNAc analogues to bypass endogenous enzyme promiscuity, enhancing glycan labeling specificity. His work also improves mass spectrometry analysis of glycopeptides through charged tags. Award for Excellence in Glycosciences Otto Hahn Medal (2017) 2021 Horizon Prize Winner He supervises PhD student Beatriz Calle and leads the Imperial College MRes Drug Discovery and Development course. His lab collaborates with the Fuchter group and industrial partners, utilizing facilities like the MRC Biomedical NMR Centre and Proteomics STP.