Find Academic Supervisors

Jane LangdaleView profile

Professor

• Plant Development
• C4 Photosynthesis
• Genetics
• +4 more

Professor Jane Langdale, CBE FRS FAA, is a Professor of Plant Development at the University of Oxford, affiliated with the Department of Biology and The Queen's College. Her research focuses on the genetics and evolution of plant development, particularly the mechanisms underlying C4 photosynthesis in plants. She leads the Langdale Lab, which investigates how developmental pathways evolved to enable the C4 photosynthetic pathway, with a long-term goal of engineering this trait into C3 crops like rice. Her work integrates genetics, genomics, and cell biology to understand leaf anatomy and photosynthetic efficiency. Professor Langdale’s research has explored diverse plant taxa, including mosses, lycophytes, ferns, and grasses. She has pioneered methods for studying leaf development, such as spatial transcriptomics and single-cell analysis. Her contributions include identifying key genes like WIP6 and GOLDEN2-like that regulate leaf anatomy and chloroplast biogenesis. She has also developed genetic tools for rice, enabling precise tissue-specific gene expression. Her scientific achievements are recognized through prestigious awards: Commander of the British Empire (CBE), Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), and Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science (FAA). These honors reflect her global impact on plant science and agricultural innovation. Professor Langdale collaborates widely, contributing to initiatives like the C4 Rice Project. Her lab’s work bridges fundamental biology with applied challenges, aiming to enhance crop yields through photosynthetic improvements. Despite no listed students or grants in the provided text, her leadership in high-impact research underscores her role in mentoring and funding acquisition. Her research extends to understanding evolutionary transitions in plant development, such as the shift from 2D to 3D growth in mosses and the genetic basis of Kranz anatomy in C4 species. This work provides insights into how plants adapt to environmental challenges, including climate change.

Justin WormaldView profile

Lecturer

• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• Hand Trauma Surgery
• Surgical Site Infection
• +4 more

Justin Wormald is an NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer and Specialist Registrar in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Oxford's Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS). He serves as Deputy Director of the Surgical Interventional Trials Unit (SITU) and holds roles as Trainee Lead for the Reconstructive Surgery Trials Network and Associate Surgical Specialty Lead for Plastic and Hand Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons. His research focuses on surgical trials, antimicrobial interventions, and hand trauma reconstruction, with 112+ peer-reviewed publications. He has received major awards from NIHR, RCS, BSSH, and BAPRAS. Dr. Wormald completed a DPhil in Musculoskeletal Sciences (2023) and an NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowship in Plastic Surgery. He holds teaching roles at Jesus College, Merton College, and Christ Church, Oxford. His research interests include burns management, surgical site infection mitigation, and skin cancer outcomes. He leads the HAWAII trial evaluating antimicrobial sutures in hand surgery and chairs the BSSH Patient and Public Involvement committee. Key achievements include developing the HAND-Q outcome measure and co-authoring over 100 studies on surgical techniques, clinical guidelines, and healthcare sustainability. His work spans epidemiology (e.g., necrotizing fasciitis studies), methodological innovations (e.g., meta-analysis frameworks), and global health policy (e.g., pandemic impact analyses).

Emre BeslerView profile

Assistant Professor

• Machine Learning
• Biomedical Signal Processing
• Medical Diagnostics
• +3 more

Emre Besler is an Assistant Professor of Instruction in the Department of Statistics and Data Science at Northwestern University's Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Northwestern University. His teaching philosophy emphasizes student engagement through real-world case studies, theoretical foundations, and hands-on coding exercises. Research interests focus on Machine Learning and biomedical signal processing, collaborating with Feinberg School of Medicine and the Department of Biomedical Engineering to develop cost-effective diagnostic tools. Projects aim to improve medical diagnosis accuracy while reducing equipment costs. Key research areas include real-time monitoring of radiofrequency ablation therapy, cardiac signal analysis for atrial flutter classification, and gravitational wave detection via citizen science projects like Gravity Spy. His work combines advanced machine learning techniques with biomedical engineering applications. Publications span neural network modeling for synaptic input analysis, ensemble learning in surgical monitoring systems, and sensor fusion methods. While no scientific awards are listed, his contributions bridge computational methods and clinical medicine. Advising and grants details are not explicitly provided in the text. Collaborations include interdisciplinary teams across engineering, medicine, and data science disciplines.

Pamela MartinezView profile

Assistant Professor

• Computational Biology
• Host-Pathogen Interactions
• Infectious Disease Dynamics
• +5 more

Pamela Martinez is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Statistics at the University of Illinois, with additional affiliations in Microbiology, the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, and the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. Her research focuses on the intersection of biological and epidemiological mechanisms governing infectious disease dynamics, using mathematical and statistical approaches to study pathogen diversity, host heterogeneity, and environmental factors. Key research areas include rotavirus dynamics, climate-driven disease seasonality, and sociodemographic impacts on viral transmission. Her work emphasizes understanding how factors like immune responses, reassortment, and environmental drivers influence disease control strategies. Martinez's interdisciplinary approach integrates computational biology, virology, and public health to address challenges in global health. Recent projects include analyzing mobility data for SARS-CoV-2 transmission patterns and investigating vaccination disparities in disease control. Scientific contributions span epidemiological modeling, viral infectiousness heterogeneity, and climate impacts on tropical diseases. Her research has been published in high-impact journals such as Nature Communications and Science Advances. Lab/team affiliations include collaborations across multiple disciplines, though specific lab names are not explicitly stated in the provided text. Her work frequently addresses global health equity and the interplay of socioeconomic factors with disease outcomes.

• Plant Genetics
• Bioenergy Crops
• Lignin Biosynthesis
• +3 more

Wilfred Vermerris is a Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Microbiology & Cell Science at the University of Florida. His research focuses on plant genetics, bioenergy crops, and lignin biosynthesis, with particular emphasis on improving sorghum for biomass and biofuel applications. He leads projects investigating plant-microbe interactions, cell wall composition, and metabolic pathways critical to stress tolerance and nutrient acquisition. His work integrates molecular genetics, genomics, and biochemical approaches to understand and enhance traits such as disease resistance, nitrogen use efficiency, and carbohydrate accumulation in crops. Recent studies highlight discoveries in biological nitrogen fixation via sorghum aerial root mucilage, lignin modification for reduced biofuel processing costs, and dual-RNA sequencing of plant-pathogen interactions. Vermerris' publications span plant defense mechanisms, enzyme function characterization, and genetic diversity analyses in sorghum germplasm. He collaborates on interdisciplinary bioenergy initiatives and contributes to improving breeding strategies for sustainable agriculture.

Sougata RoyView profile

Associate Professor

• Cell Biology
• Developmental Biology
• Molecular Genetics
• +3 more

Sougata Roy is an Associate Professor in the Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics at the University of Maryland, College Park. His research focuses on cell-cell communication during development, particularly the role of cytonemes and FGF signaling in Drosophila. He holds a PhD from the Indian Institute of Science (2006) and completed postdoctoral training at UCSF (2006-2014). His lab investigates how cells coordinate via morphogenetic signals to form complex tissues, with recent breakthroughs in cytoneme-mediated signaling mechanisms. Roy has secured significant NIH funding, including a $2.5M NIH/NIGMS Outstanding Investigator Award (R35) and NIH/NHLBI grants. He teaches advanced courses in cell biology and bioinformatics. Key contributions include discoveries on FGF cleavage, GPI-anchored FGF regulation, and cytoneme dynamics in tracheal and muscle development. His work integrates live-cell imaging, genetic manipulation, and super-resolution microscopy to unravel signaling pathways critical for development and disease.

• Cardiac biophysics
• Cardiac arrhythmia
• Directed graph mapping
• +5 more

Nele Vandersickel is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Ghent University's Faculty of Sciences. Her research bridges physics and cardiology, focusing on the application of computational methods and network theory to understand cardiac arrhythmias. She leads multiple research projects funded by the Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO) and European funding programs, with current work extending through 2025-2029 including a BOF-ZAP professorship in biophysics. Dr. Vandersickel's research interests center on cardiac biophysics, particularly the development and application of Directed Graph Mapping (DGM) as a novel approach for analyzing cardiac arrhythmias. Her work integrates topology , network theory , and computational modeling to investigate mechanisms of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. She has pioneered methods to identify critical boundaries in atrial tachycardia, analyze fibrotic tissue effects on arrhythmia drivers, and distinguish between different types of cardiac reentry patterns. Her research has significant clinical implications for improving cardiac mapping and ablation procedures. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a clear trajectory from fundamental physics research toward increasingly clinically relevant cardiac electrophysiology applications. Her work now focuses on translating topological approaches into clinical tools that can automatically detect critical arrhythmia boundaries and improve understanding of complex reentrant circuits. The research spans from basic computational modeling to validation in animal models and clinical data analysis. Principal Investigator for 'Directed networks as a novel approach for improving the management of cardiac arrhythmias' (2021-2027, European funding) Promotor for 'Networks and topology to tackle cardiac arrhythmia' (2025-2026, Special Research Fund) Administrative supervisor for multiple doctoral projects on directed graph mapping applications Recipient of BOF-ZAP professorship in biophysics (2019-2029) Dr. Vandersickel actively mentors the next generation of researchers, currently supervising multiple doctoral students including Arthur Santos Bezerra, Robin Van Den Abeele, and Bjorn Verstraeten. Her laboratory develops computational tools like the DG-Mapping software package that enable analysis of reentry and focal activation patterns in cardiac arrhythmias. The research group collaborates extensively with clinical electrophysiologists to ensure their computational approaches address real clinical challenges in arrhythmia diagnosis and treatment.

Ritu RamanView profile

Assistant Professor

• Biofabrication
• Neuromuscular Tissue Engineering
• Biohybrid Robots
• +4 more

Ritu Raman is the Eugene Bell Career Development Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She leads the Raman Lab, focused on 4D tissue engineering of neuromuscular systems for applications in regenerative medicine and biohybrid robotics. Her research develops adaptive biological materials powered by living cells, with particular emphasis on creating innervated and vascularized muscle actuators. Education: PhD in Mechanical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2016) MS in Mechanical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2013) BS in Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University (2012) Her research integrates biofabrication, neuromuscular tissue engineering, and soft robotics to create biological machines that can restore mobility after injury and power sustainable robots. Current work focuses on: 1) Mechanistic studies of neuromuscular disease, 2) 4D biofabrication tools for dynamic tissue assembly, and 3) Deployment of neuromuscular tissues as responsive actuators. Her publications demonstrate a multidisciplinary approach spanning biofabrication, biomechanics, robotics, and biomaterials. Recent work focuses on biohybrid systems, muscle actuator optimization, and advanced bioprinting techniques. Awards and Honors: Presidential Early Career Award (PECASE) 2025 NSF CAREER Award 2023 MIT Technology Review 35 Innovators Under 35 (2019) Forbes 30 Under 30 in Science (2018) Multiple Young Investigator Awards (ONR, ARO) She leads the Raman Lab at MIT, where her team develops novel biofabrication platforms and conducts translational research. The lab collaborates extensively across engineering and biology disciplines to advance tissue engineering and biohybrid robotics.

Kayla WolfView profile

Visiting Assistant Professor

• Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials
• Biomedical Engineering
• Biomaterials
• +9 more

Kayla Wolf is a visiting assistant professor in biomedical engineering at Cornell University's Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, starting her permanent role as an assistant professor in January 2025. She holds a Ph.D. in bioengineering from the UC Berkeley-UCSF Joint Program and completed her postdoctoral training at Harvard University under Dr. Jennifer Lewis. Her research focuses on developing advanced biomaterials and tissue models to address kidney and women’s reproductive health challenges, leveraging expertise in mechanobiology, polymers, and rapid prototyping. Education includes dual B.S. degrees in Chemistry and Human Biology from Michigan State University (2014), a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley/UCSF (2020), and postdoctoral training at Harvard (2024). She has been honored with prestigious awards such as the NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein Fellowship, Siebel Scholarship, and NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. Her laboratory at Cornell will pioneer urogenital tract tissue models and investigate biophysical forces in tissue function. Research areas span tissue engineering, advanced materials design, and cancer-microenvironment interactions. Publications highlight innovations in organ building blocks, glioblastoma modeling, and cell migration mechanisms. Teaching interests include biomechanics, biomaterials, and soft matter science.

Nicolas StewartView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Protein Chemistry
• Mass Spectrometry
• Proteomics
• +4 more

Dr. Nicolas Stewart is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Applied Sciences at the University of Brighton, affiliated with the Centre for Environment and Society and Applied Chemical Sciences Research Excellence Group. His research focuses on protein modification mechanisms, particularly non-enzymatic chemical modifications by reactive metabolites, and their implications in diseases like neurodegeneration, diabetes, and cancer. He develops mass spectrometry-based methods for biomarker discovery and has pioneered techniques for sex determination using tooth enamel peptides. Education: PhD in Chemistry (2004, University of Ottawa), postdoctoral training at Ottawa Health Research Institute, National Chemistry Institute (USA), and University of Pittsburgh. His work integrates proteomics, lipidomics, and bioarchaeology with clinical applications. Research interests include: 1) Protein modification by catecholamines/oestrogen metabolites; 2) Biomaterial development from protein modification; 3) Ancient DNA analysis using enamel peptides; 4) Environmental contaminant impact assessments. Current funding includes a Leverhulme Trust project on sex determination via tooth enamel. Publications highlight proteomic analysis of disease biomarkers, extracellular vesicle-based diagnostics, and archaeological biochemistry. Recent studies explore stress-induced proteomic changes in cancer models and lipidomic responses to plant-based antioxidants. Teaching focuses on analytical chemistry concepts, emphasizing conceptual understanding over rote memorization. Supervises projects in proteomic analysis and biomarker discovery.

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Stem Cell Biology
• Imaging Techniques
• +3 more

Dr. Ang Li is an Assistant Professor of Research in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Texas at Arlington. His research focuses on understanding the mechanisms underlying the superior resistance of extraocular muscles (EOMs) against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), leveraging expertise in histology, imaging, electrophysiology, and bioinformatics. He holds a PhD in Pathobiology from the University of Southern California, where he studied skin stem cell signaling using chicken feather models, leading to publications in Nature Communications and Cell . His academic journey includes collaborations with prominent institutions like the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), focusing on neural crest cell migration and chondrocyte precursor dynamics. Awards include the Wenhui Chen Fellowship and CIRM Fellowship. Current work investigates EOM satellite cell transcriptomics and their role in ALS resistance, with recent findings published in eLife (2024). Research interests span ALS pathogenesis, stem cell biology, and advanced imaging techniques. His studies integrate molecular signaling, cellular self-renewal, and neuromuscular junction preservation. Collaborations emphasize translational applications of discoveries in muscle biology to develop novel ALS therapies. Education: PhD in Pathobiology, University of Southern California (2014) Key Collaborations: Prof. Cheng-Ming Chuong (USC), Prof. Marianne Bronner (Caltech), Prof. Jingsong Zhou (UT Arlington) Awards: Wenhui Chen Fellowship, CIRM Fellowship, Doerr Stem Cell Challenge Grant

Dazhong ZhaoView profile

Professor

• Plant Reproductive Development
• Molecular Genetics
• Epigenetic Regulation
• +5 more

Professor Dazhong (Dave) Zhao is a faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, part of the College of Letters & Science. His research focuses on molecular genetics of plant reproductive development, particularly germline specification and heat stress regulation in plants. He teaches courses including Cell Biology, Molecular Genetics, and Senior Seminar in Biological Sciences. Educational Background: BS, Huazhong Agricultural University, 1990 MS, Hunan Agricultural University, 1993 PhD, Institute of Botany (Chinese Academy of Sciences), 1996 Postdoctoral Fellow, Peking University (1996-1998) Postdoctoral Fellow, The Pennsylvania State University (1998-2001) Research Interests: Dr. Zhao’s lab investigates molecular mechanisms controlling plant reproductive development using Arabidopsis as a model. Key areas include: EMS1 receptor kinase signaling in anther development miR160-auxin signaling in megaspore specification Heat stress effects on male reproduction in strawberry and sorghum Development of hybrid breeding systems Publications: His recent work explores heat stress epigenetics, miRNA regulation in germline specification, and male sterility mechanisms. Articles highlight applications in crop improvement and stress resilience, reflecting a blend of fundamental and applied plant science. Awards & Grants: No specific awards are listed, but his extensive publication record indicates sustained research excellence. Active grants likely support ongoing studies in plant reproductive biology and agricultural biotechnology. Labs & Collaborations: Research is conducted in UWM’s Biological Sciences department, collaborating with institutions like Peking University and Penn State. Projects involve genomic tools, molecular genetics, and biochemical approaches to dissect plant reproductive systems.

Rishi KundiView profile

Associate Professor

• Trauma Surgery
• Vascular Trauma
• Endovascular Techniques
• +2 more

Rishi Kundi is an Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Chief of Endovascular in Trauma. His clinical and research focus is vascular trauma management and endovascular techniques. Research Interests: Specializes in REBOA, ECMO for trauma, vascular injury grading systems, and bioengineered grafts, with emphasis on evidence-based protocols for blunt cerebrovascular injuries. Publications: Recent work advances understanding of pediatric vs. adult vascular trauma outcomes, REBOA applications in transplant complications, and anticoagulation strategies for trauma-ECMO patients.

João A. RodriguesView profile

Researcher

• Metabolomics
• Environmental Toxicology
• Food Science
• +3 more

João A. Rodrigues is a Researcher in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Aveiro, Portugal, affiliated with the CICECO Institute and the G5 research group specializing in Biomimetic, Biological and Living Materials. He actively contributes to the BetterBone project funded by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), which investigates metabolite-activated 3D stem cell differentiation for bone regeneration. His research integrates metabolomics, particularly NMR spectroscopy, across environmental toxicology, food science, and regenerative medicine. Key interests include assessing pharmaceutical impacts on aquatic organisms, developing functional foods like lupin-enriched yogurt, and studying bone tissue engineering mechanisms. This interdisciplinary work bridges analytical chemistry, biology, and data science to address ecological and health challenges. Recent publications (2022–2025) demonstrate consistent metabolomics-driven innovation, spanning environmental stressors on marine life, legume-based dietary interventions, and sustainable food preservation techniques. His work reveals strong collaboration patterns with CICECO teams and international partners, emphasizing practical applications in regenerative medicine and environmental sustainability. Dr. Rodrigues collaborates under the supervision of Prof. Ana Maria Pissarra Coelho Gil on FCT-funded projects like BetterBone, which recently achieved recognition at the Diamond Light Source facility. His grant activities focus on advancing biomimetic materials for bone regeneration and environmental health assessments. As a core member of the G5 research group, he leverages CICECO's advanced NMR facilities for metabolomic studies. The team's work on biomimetic and living materials directly supports regenerative medicine applications, with ongoing projects targeting clinical translation of bone tissue engineering solutions.

Mark S. ShephardView profile

Professor

• Scientific Computing
• High-Performance Computing
• Numerical Simulation
• +5 more

Mark S. Shephard is the Samuel A. Johnson '37 and Elizabeth C. Johnson Professor of Engineering and Director of the Scientific Computation Research Center (SCOREC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, with joint appointments in Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering and Computer Science departments. His research pioneers Scientific Computing and High-Performance Simulation , driving innovations in automatic mesh generation , adaptive analysis methods , and parallel adaptive simulation technologies . SCOREC's work spans five core areas: High-Performance Simulation Methods - advanced mathematical models and discretization Simulation Reliability – uncertainty quantification and adaptive techniques Massively Parallel Computations – scalable solutions for real-world engineering problems Multiscale Computations - cross-scale modeling frameworks Construction of Simulation Systems – collaborative workflow development Applications include fusion plasma, soft tissue modeling, additive manufacturing, and microelectronics. Recent publications (2022-2025) reveal intense focus on GPU-accelerated unstructured mesh methods for fusion energy research and multiscale material science, with growing emphasis on exascale computing and cyberinfrastructure for plasma physics. His work increasingly bridges computational theory with industrial applications in CAE and medical device evaluation. Professor Shephard has graduated 24 Ph.D. students and secured over 65 research grants from 13 government agencies including DOE (SciDAC Institutes, Exascale Computing Program), NSF, NIH, DoD, and NASA, plus funding from 44 industry partners. His leadership extends to SCOREC's collaborations with ten+ universities and commercial impact through medical simulation software used in arterial stent evaluation. As SCOREC's founder and director for 32 years, he integrates faculty from seven departments across Rensselaer to advance simulation technologies. His Simmetrix Inc. co-founding role demonstrates commitment to translating research into engineering solutions, with current work targeting fusion plasma systems and heterogeneous supercomputing environments.