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Tao JiangView profile

Professor

• Algorithms
• Computational Molecular Biology
• Genomics
• +3 more

Tao Jiang is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of California, Riverside (UCR). He holds academic affiliations with the Algorithms and Computational Biology Lab, Genetics Graduate Program, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, and Center for Plant Cell Biology. His research focuses on algorithm design, computational molecular biology, and finite automata complexity. He has held visiting positions at Tsinghua University and the Shanghai Center for Bioinformation Technology. Education: B.S. from University of Science and Technology of China (1984), Ph.D. from University of Minnesota (1988). Former faculty at McMaster University (1989–2001). Research Interests: Algorithmic techniques for string/tree/graph problems, approximation algorithms, Kolmogorov complexity applications, computational genomics, isoform inference, metagenomics, and algorithmic bioinformatics tools like PedPhase, TISHunter, MSOAR, and IsoLasso. Grants: Funded by NSF (EAGER, ABI) and NIH (NIDDK). Collaborations with Frances Sladek, Thomas Girke, and James Borneman. Teaching: CS 141 (Intermediate Data Structures), CS 238 (Algorithmic Techniques in Computational Biology), CS 150 (Automata/Formal Languages), and CS 260 (Bioinformatics Seminar). Office hours in Winston Chung Hall. Professional Contributions: Editorial board roles at Journal of Combinatorial Optimization, BMC Bioinformatics, and Algorithmica. Recent conference involvement at RECOMB 2023 and ISMB/ECCB 2023.

Moriah L. SzparaView profile

Professor

• Neurovirology
• Genomics of Pathogen Variation
• Neuron-Virus Relationships
• +5 more

Moriah L. Szpara is a Professor of Biology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Pennsylvania State University, where she holds dual appointments in both departments and is affiliated with the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences and the Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics. She leads the Szpara Laboratory, which focuses on neurovirology and viral genomics, particularly studying herpes simplex virus (HSV) interactions with neurons. Dr. Szpara's research centers on viral genetic contributions to virulence, viral diversity in clinical settings, and molecular interactions between HSV and host neurons. Her lab employs a range of approaches from genomics and bioinformatics to neuronal cell culture models. Key research areas include viral variation and neurovirulence, neuronal consequences of HSV infection, and HSV latency in neurons. The lab has developed open-source software packages like VirAmp and VirGA for herpes virus genome assembly and comparison. Dr. Szpara's publication record shows consistent high-impact research in herpesvirus genomics, with recent work focusing on viral diversity, transmission dynamics, and host-pathogen interactions. Her publications span virology, genomics, neurobiology, and infectious diseases, demonstrating interdisciplinary research that bridges computational and experimental approaches. Spear Colloquium Lecturer (2018) Priscilla Schaffer Memorial Award & Lectureship (2017) Daniel R. Tershak Memorial Teaching Award (2017) National Institutes of Health Research Scholar Development Award (K22; 2013) Dr. Szpara actively mentors students at all levels, from undergraduates to graduate students. Her lab includes researchers like Mei-Ling Liber (graduate student) and Jessica Eckard (undergraduate), among others. She has received substantial funding for her research, including NIH awards, and her lab has produced multiple software tools that are widely used in the virology community. The Szpara Lab also organizes the Virology@PSU network and maintains strong clinical collaborations to study HSV in human patients.

Julien GagneurView profile

Professor

• Genomics
• Computational Biology
• RNA Sequencing Analysis
• +5 more

Julien Gagneur is a Full Professor at the Technische Universität München (TUM) and a Group Leader at Helmholtz Munich. He holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics from École Centrale Paris and a Master's in Machine Learning from École Normale Supérieure de Cachan. His research focuses on computational methods for genomics, with an emphasis on developing tools like FRASER (for splicing outlier detection) and OUTRIDER (RNA sequencing outlier analysis) to advance rare disease diagnostics. His work integrates multi-omics data, including genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics, to uncover genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying diseases. Key research areas include rare disease genomics, aberrant splicing detection, and machine learning applications in biology. He has contributed to clinical implementation of RNA sequencing for Mendelian disorder diagnosis and pioneered methods for analyzing single-cell epigenomics and chromatin accessibility. His academic journey includes roles as an Assistant Professor at TUM (2016–2019) and a Group Leader at the Gene Center, LMU Munich (2012–2015). He has advised numerous students, including Ziga Avsec, Daniel Bader, and others, many of whom have contributed to impactful projects in computational biology and genomics. Dr. Gagneur's lab collaborates globally, particularly through initiatives like the Solve-RD consortium, enhancing rare disease diagnostics through harmonized RNA-seq frameworks. His work bridges computational innovation with clinical applicability, addressing pressing challenges in genomic medicine.

Ke LiView profile

Associate Professor

• Water System Resilience
• Ecological-Evolutionary Dynamics
• Insect-Microbe Symbiosis
• +3 more

Ke Li is an Associate Professor at the University of Georgia, specializing in the resilience of water systems and ecological-evolutionary dynamics. His work focuses on symbiotic relationships between insects and microbes, particularly defensive mechanisms against parasitoids and pathogens. He is affiliated with the School of Environmental, Civil, Agricultural & Mechanical Engineering, and his research combines field studies with lab experiments to understand how symbiotic interactions influence host survival under environmental stressors like climate change. Research Interests: Host-parasitoid coevolutionary dynamics Symbiont-mediated defense mechanisms Climate change impacts on mutualistic systems Metabolic interactions within symbiotic communities Phage roles in symbiont functionality His recent articles highlight innovative approaches integrating metabolomics and transcriptomics to study stress responses, as well as exploring how symbionts modulate host resistance to pathogens and environmental shifts. Despite no listed awards, his prolific publication record reflects significant contributions to understanding symbiotic systems' ecological roles.

Ana BaričevićView profile

Assistant Professor

• Marine Biology
• Phytoplankton Ecology
• Metabarcoding
• +4 more

Ana Baričević is an Assistant Professor at the Ruđer Bošković Institute's Center for Marine Research, affiliated with the Laboratory for Evolutionary Ecology (LEE) in Rovinj, Croatia. Her research focuses on marine plankton ecology, diatom diversity, and environmental genomics using advanced techniques like metabarcoding. She holds a PhD in molecular biology from the University of Zagreb (2015), where her thesis explored p53 family genes in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. Key research areas include phytoplankton biodiversity, harmful algal blooms (HABs), and the impacts of environmental pressures on marine ecosystems. Notable work includes developing a regional diatom transcriptome database and analyzing long-term phytoplankton dynamics in the Adriatic Sea. She collaborates internationally on projects like ProtectAS, addressing climate change and marine biodiversity conservation. Her publications span 20+ peer-reviewed articles, emphasizing metabarcoding applications, nutrient limitation effects on diatoms, and the ecological roles of species like Ostreopsis ovata. She advocates for standardized protocols in DNA metabarcoding to improve biomonitoring reliability.

Jason StricklandView profile

Assistant Professor

• Adaptive evolution
• Genotype-phenotype mapping
• Venom evolution
• +4 more

Dr. Jason Strickland is an Assistant Professor and Assistant Department Chair in the Biology Department at the University of South Alabama. He holds an adjunct position in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. His research focuses on understanding how genomic changes influence phenotypic traits, particularly in venom evolution of snakes. He earned his Ph.D. in Conservation Biology (2018) from the University of Central Florida, an M.S. in Biology (2011) and B.S. in Biology (2009) from Angelo State University. Education: Ph.D. - 2018: Conservation Biology, University of Central Florida M.S. - 2011: Biology, Angelo State University B.S. - 2009: Biology, Angelo State University Research Interests: Dr. Strickland’s work integrates field studies, lab experiments, and computational methods to explore adaptive evolution, venom evolution, and genotype-phenotype relationships. His lab uses venom as a model system due to its direct link between genes and toxic proteins. Key areas include venom complexity in rattlesnakes, genomic adaptations to environmental pressures, and the ecological impacts of venom variation. Collaborations span institutions like Florida State University and Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango. Awards & Grants: National Geographic Research and Exploration Grant (with Dr. Mark Margres) Editor’s Choice Award, Toxins journal (2021) Sigma Xi Grants in Aid of Research (2015) Advising & Grants: Current students include AJ Stewart (graduate, studying garter snake venom), Anne Elizabeth Thaxton (undergraduate, scorpion venom research), and Grace Coppinger (undergraduate, black-tailed rattlesnake variation). Past students have transitioned to careers in forensic science and military roles. Active grants address venom evolution in island ecosystems and genomic adaptations in watersnakes. Labs & Teams: His lab, the SSSTING Lab (Snakes, Scorpions, Spiders, Toxins, INformatics, Genomics), is based in the Life Sciences building. Collaborators include Dr. Darin Rokyta (Florida State University) and Dr. Gamaliel Castañeda-Gaytán (Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango).

Alessandro De MouraView profile

Associate Professor

• Dynamical Systems
• Statistical Physics
• Chaos Theory
• +7 more

Dr. Alessandro De Moura is a Reader in the Department of Physics at the School of Natural and Computing Sciences, University of Aberdeen. He holds a PhD in Physics from Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brazil, and has established a research program at the intersection of physics, mathematics, and biology. His research focuses on dynamical systems , statistical physics , and chaotic advection , with applications to fundamental biological processes. Key areas include mathematical modeling of DNA replication, dynamics of protein synthesis, stress responses in pathogenic fungi like Candida albicans , bacterial homeostasis, and macromolecular dynamics in cellular membranes. His interdisciplinary work involves close collaboration with biologists at Aberdeen and beyond. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward quantitative and theoretical biology , using tools from nonlinear dynamics and statistical mechanics to model complex cellular behaviors. His work spans from abstract chaotic systems to concrete biomedical applications, particularly in microbial stress adaptation and genome regulation. Dr. De Moura has made significant contributions through publications in high-impact journals such as Physical Review E , Nucleic Acids Research , PLoS Computational Biology , and Scientific Reports . His collaborative nature is evident in co-authorships with experimental biologists, suggesting active involvement in interdisciplinary teams and likely supervision or mentorship of students and postdocs. He has been instrumental in modeling: Stochastic genome replication dynamics Regulation of ribosome recruitment by gene length Membrane-mediated clustering of mechanosensitive channels Oxidative and osmotic stress responses in fungi Chaotic advection in fluid flows His email is a.moura@abdn.ac.uk , and he is an active, full-time faculty member with no indication of retirement or emeritus status.

• Organelle organization and function
• Mitochondrial biology
• Phototaxis and cytoskeletal asymmetry
• +3 more

Carol L Dieckmann is a Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Arizona , where she has held a faculty position since 1984. Her work bridges fundamental cellular processes across yeast and green algae, with particular emphasis on mitochondrial function and eyespot assembly mechanisms. PhD in Biology (University of California, San Diego) BSc in Biological Science (University of California, Irvine) Research interests focus on: Coordination of mitochondrial fatty acid synthesis with RNA processing and respiratory complex assembly Genetic regulation of phototaxis through eyespot-chloroplast interactions Microtubule rootlet dynamics in cellular asymmetry establishment Lipoic acid biosynthesis and its role in enzyme complex activation Her 15 most recent publications (2003-2021) span mitochondrial gene expression regulation, phototaxis mutants, and cross-kingdom studies of organelle biogenesis. Key subfields include: Mitochondrial-nuclear crosstalk Protein lipoylation pathways Cytoskeletal patterning of organelles Photoreceptor trafficking mechanisms RNA processing-degradation interplay Evolution of eukaryotic flagella Teaching includes: Molecular Basis of Life (MCB 301) Senior Capstone courses (BIOC 498/MCB 498) Directed Research (MCB 392/BIOC 392)

• Vascular Biology
• Immunology
• Inflammation
• +4 more

Jordan Pober is the Bayer Professor of Translational Medicine and Professor of Immunobiology, Pathology, and Dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. He serves as Director of the Human and Translational Immunology Program and Vice-Chair of the Department of Immunobiology for the Section of Human and Translational Immunology. Dr. Pober earned his AB from Haverford College (1971) and MD/PhD from Yale University (1977), followed by residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital, and a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University. His research focuses on vascular endothelial cell functions in inflammatory/immune responses and their impact on vascular health, with applications in organ replacement therapy and tissue engineering. Key areas include: T lymphocyte recognition of vascular antigens Cytokine signaling pathways in endothelial cells Transcriptional regulation of adhesion molecules Endothelial cell injury/resistance mechanisms His recent publications demonstrate strong focus on transplantation immunology, vascular tissue engineering, endothelial cell signaling, and nanomedicine applications in vascular targeting. Award highlights include: Rous-Whipple Award (2011) Basic Science Established Investigator Award (2018) Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (2023) Bohmfalk Teaching Prize (2019) Dr. Pober directs multiple research programs including the Vascular Biology and Transplantation Program and co-directs the Joint Yale-Cambridge University Biomedical Research Program. He maintains active collaborations across vascular biology, immunology, and tissue engineering disciplines.

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Neurobiology
• Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
• +7 more

Kartik Pattabiraman is an Assistant Professor in the Child Study Center and the Department of Neuroscience at Yale School of Medicine, where he also holds affiliations with the Wu Tsai Institute, Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, and Janeway Society. Education: Ph.D. in Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco (2016) M.D., University of California, San Francisco (2016) Sc.B. in Neuroscience, Brown University (2007) His research focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms governing cerebral cortex development, particularly how gene regulatory networks and evolutionary changes contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia. His work integrates developmental neurobiology, genomics, and translational psychiatry to understand circuit-level disruptions in developmental disabilities. His recent publications highlight advanced research on prefrontal cortex development, transcriptome-connectome dynamics, and the role of retinoic acid and CBLN2 in neural patterning and spinogenesis. These studies, often published in top-tier journals like Nature and PNAS , reflect a strong emphasis on human-specific brain evolution and disease mechanisms. Scientific Awards: Klingenstein Simons Fellowship in Neuroscience Deeda Blair Research Initiative Award NIH Bridge to Independence Award Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award for Medical Scientists Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) Career Award Kartik Pattabiraman leads the Pattabiraman Lab and is actively involved in mentoring trainees and securing research grants. He is board-certified in both general and child & adolescent psychiatry, and his work bridges clinical practice with cutting-edge neuroscience research. He is affiliated with key research initiatives including the Neural Disorders and Neuroscience Research Training Program (NRTP) and Yale’s Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS). Research Labs and Teams: Pattabiraman Lab (https://pattabiramanlab.yale.edu/) Collaborator with Nenad Sestan Lab Member of Yale’s Wu Tsai Institute and Center for Brain & Mind Health

Mohamed El-HadidiView profile

Associate Professor

• Bioinformatics
• Genomics
• Computational Biology
• +7 more

Dr. Mohamed El-Hadidi is an Associate Professor in Bioinformatics at the Department of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Dubai Campus, where he also serves as the Programme Director for the MSc Bioinformatics program. He previously held an Assistant Professor position and led the Bioinformatics Research Group at Nile University, Egypt, and is actively involved in national scientific initiatives such as the Egyptian Genome Project. Educational Background: PhD in Bioinformatics, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Germany (2016) MSc in Biotechnology, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon, Portugal (2012) MSc in Computational and Systems Biology, Aalto University, Finland (2011) Postgraduate Diploma in Bioinformatics, ITI, Egypt (2011) BSc in Biotechnology, Cairo University, Egypt (2006) His research focuses on Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) data analysis , multi-OMICS integration , and microbiome-host interactions , with applications in precision medicine, infectious diseases, and environmental microbiology. He has made significant contributions to human and microbiome genomics, including work on SARS-CoV-2, cancer, and antibiotic resistance. The most recent publications reflect a strong trend in computational approaches to disease mechanisms, microbiome dynamics, and machine learning applications in genomics. His work spans drug repurposing , cancer bioinformatics , antibiotic resistance tracking , and AI-driven diagnostics , demonstrating a multidisciplinary and translational research profile. Scientific Contributions: Active member of the Scientific Committee of the Egyptian Reference Genome Project Council Vice President, National Egyptian Bioinformatics Network Published extensively in journals such as Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences , Scientific Reports , Cell Host & Microbe , and PLOS Computational Biology Contributed book chapters on metagenomic data analysis and microbiome workflows Dr. El-Hadidi has supervised student projects and led the development of academic programs in bioinformatics. His industry consulting experience complements his academic work, enhancing the practical relevance of his research. He has led projects on benchmarking bioinformatics tools, disease variant identification in Egyptian populations, and AI-based diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases using microbiome data. He is affiliated with research teams focused on microbiome analysis , genomic data integration , and computational workflows such as MetaFlow and AmpliconNet, contributing to open and reproducible science in bioinformatics.

• Genetics
• Genomics and transcriptomics
• Molecular evolution
• +2 more

Dr. Austen Ganley is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Auckland's School of Biological Sciences, specializing in Genetics , Genomics , and Molecular Evolution . He earned his BSc, BSc(Hons), and PhD in Genetics from Massey University before conducting postdoctoral research at Duke University, National Institute of National Biology (Japan), and National Institute of Genetics (Japan). Education PhD in Genetics (Massey University, 1995-2000) BSc (Honours) in Genetics (Massey University, 1993-1993) BSc in Genetics (Massey University, 1990-1992) His research focuses on genome structure and the evolution of repetitive DNA sequences , particularly ribosomal DNA (rDNA) dynamics. Through experimental evolution in yeast models and genomic analyses of fungi like Epichloë festucae , he investigates mechanisms such as concerted evolution , gene conversion , and nucleolar organization in relation to cellular aging and pathogenic adaptation. Recent publications highlight his work on non-coding transcription in aging, allopolyploid gene expression patterns, and fungal genome architecture . His studies often employ comparative genomics and high-throughput sequencing to uncover conserved eukaryotic responses to genome merger events. Despite extensive collaborations, no specific scientific awards are mentioned in the provided data. As an accredited PhD supervisor , he contributes to training the next generation of researchers. His laboratory work spans institutions in Japan, Denmark, and New Zealand, with technical expertise in phylogenetic footprinting , Hi-C mapping , and homeolog expression analysis .

• Plant Metabolism
• Metabolomics
• Plant Stress Physiology
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Alisdair Fernie serves as a Research Group Leader within the Department of Root Biology and Symbiosis at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology in Potsdam, Germany. His position as a full Professor reflects his leadership in plant metabolic research, where he directs the Central Metabolism research group investigating fundamental biochemical processes in plants. His research spans Plant Metabolism, Metabolomics, Plant Stress Physiology, Molecular Plant Biology, Plant Biochemistry, and Photosynthesis. Fernie employs advanced omics technologies to dissect metabolic networks, particularly focusing on how plants reconfigure their biochemistry in response to environmental stresses and developmental cues. His work integrates systems biology approaches to understand metabolic fluxes and regulatory mechanisms across diverse plant species. Analysis of his 2024-2025 publications reveals dominant themes in plant metabolomics, stress adaptation mechanisms, and biotechnological applications for crop improvement. His research frequently utilizes model systems like Arabidopsis alongside economically important crops including tomato, rice, maize, and citrus, with particular emphasis on postharvest physiology, nutrient signaling, and the molecular basis of specialized metabolism. Prof. Fernie leads the Central Metabolism research group, which investigates core metabolic pathways and their regulation through innovative combinations of biochemical, genetic, and computational approaches. His team's work on organelle interactions, lipid metabolism, and stress-responsive metabolic reprogramming has positioned them at the forefront of plant systems biology research.

Eric RivalsView profile

Research Professor

• String algorithms
• Data indexing
• Sequence analysis
• +13 more

Eric Rivals is a CNRS Research Director in Computer Science and Bioinformatics at University Montpellier, working at the LIRMM research laboratory. He serves as co-head of the bioinformatics platform ATGC and has held significant leadership positions including Head of the Institute of Computational Biology (2015-2019), Head of the French Molecular Bioinformatics network (2010-2016), and Head of the computer science department (2007-2010). Dr. Rivals earned his PhD in Computer Science from Lille I University in 1996, completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the German Cancer Research Center (1996-1999), and received his Habilitation from Montpellier University in 2005. His academic progression at CNRS includes Directeur de Recherche Classe 2 (2008), Classe 1 (2016), and Classe exceptionnelle (2023). His research spans the intersection of computer science, bioinformatics, and biology with expertise in string algorithms, sequence analysis, and genomic applications. Dr. Rivals' work uniquely bridges theoretical algorithm development with practical bioinformatics solutions, particularly in cancer research and genomic analysis. His publications demonstrate consistent contributions to both computer science theory and biological applications, with recent work focusing on epitranscriptomics, cancer diagnostics, and algorithmic solutions for genomic data analysis. Dr. Rivals has received numerous scientific recognitions including the 2025 Palmarès des inventeurs award, the 2023 Trophées de l'innovation from University Montpellier, and the 2009 Dortmunder Gambrinus Fellowship. His 2007 Genome Biology article was highlighted by Faculty of 1000 in Biology as work of exceptional significance. He has supervised over 15 PhD students and numerous postdoctoral researchers across diverse projects. Dr. Rivals leads or participates in multiple significant research initiatives including the NUMEV project on Multiple Myeloma relapse, the EpiTransDiag innovation project, Marie-Curie ITN EURECA, and several INCA-funded cancer research projects with substantial grant funding. As co-head of the ATGC bioinformatics platform, Dr. Rivals oversees a major bioinformatics service infrastructure that is part of France Génomique, the Institut Français de Bioinformatique, and the Cancéropôle Grand Sud Ouest networks. His team develops and maintains critical bioinformatics tools like LoRDEC for long-read error correction, which has been integrated into major analysis platforms including Galaxy.

• Bioinformatics
• Plant Biology
• Genetics
• +4 more

Dr. Harm Nijveen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Bioinformatics at Wageningen University & Research. His work focuses on computational biology, plant genetics, and transcriptomics, with a particular emphasis on seed biology and epigenetic mechanisms. Active in projects involving spatial seed transcriptomics, genome stress responses in crops, and regeneration biology Co-promotor for PhD candidates in genomics, bioinformatics, and plant development Research interests span DNA methylation dynamics, PEBP gene functions, and stress adaptation in plants. His datasets include genome assemblies, multi-parent recombinant inbred line populations, and seed dormancy transcriptomics. Current projects explore developmental stage regulation, single-cell transcriptomics, and integrative approaches linking genomics to phenomics. Collaborations involve institutions like University of Washington and Netherlands-Pakistan partnerships.