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Jeffrey Rothstein, MD, PhD, is a Professor of Neurology and Neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University and Director of the Brain Science Institute. His research focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases, particularly amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Dr. Rothstein leads the Answer ALS consortium, a national initiative generating multi-omics data from induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines derived from ALS patients and controls. His work investigates astroglial biology, glutamate transporters, nuclear pore dysfunction, and oligodendroglial metabolic support in neurodegeneration. Research interests include: nuclear transport mechanisms in ALS/FTD, glial cell dysfunction, and iPSC-based disease modeling. He has pioneered studies on glutamate transporter regulation, astrocyte subtypes, and the role of MCT1 lactate transport in neurodegeneration. His laboratory combines genetic models, high-throughput screening, and advanced omics technologies to identify therapeutic targets. Key contributions include: defining astrocyte roles in synaptic regulation, identifying nuclear pore complex injury in ALS, and developing iPSC-derived motor neuron models for disease analysis. Ongoing projects focus on drug discovery targeting glutamate transport activation and nuclear transport pathways, leveraging transgenic mouse models and viral vector therapies. Lab activities encompass: iPSC differentiation protocols, CRISPR-based gene editing, and analysis of metabolic interactions between neurons and glia. Collaborations with clinical teams enable translational research bridging basic science discoveries to clinical trials.

• Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
• Neurobiology of Disease
• Neurodegeneration
• +3 more

Steven Young-Min is a researcher specializing in rheumatology, with a focus on autoimmune conditions such as primary Sjögren's syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis. His work involves biomarker discovery, genetic associations, disease progression, and patient-reported outcomes, often in collaboration with large UK-based research consortia like BRAGGSS. Although his current institutional affiliation is not explicitly stated, his long-standing contributions to clinical and translational research in rheumatology suggest a strong academic presence. PhD in Rheumatology or related field (inferred from research depth) Extensive collaboration with UK rheumatology research networks Active in clinical and genetic studies from 2001–2017 His research interests center on understanding the mechanisms of fatigue, dryness symptoms, radiographic progression, and treatment response in autoimmune diseases. He has investigated the role of cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases, and genetic polymorphisms in disease activity and outcomes. His work bridges clinical observation with molecular and genetic analysis to improve patient stratification and therapeutic efficacy. The 15 most recent publications reflect a consistent focus on primary Sjögren's syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis, with increasing emphasis on genetic and transcriptional biomarkers, patient-reported outcomes, and treatment monitoring. Key themes include the discordance between subjective and objective disease measures, the utility of biomarkers in predicting progression, and the impact of psychological and autonomic factors on symptom burden. No scientific awards are mentioned in the provided text. There is no information available about student advising or research grants. However, his participation in large collaborative studies such as BRAGGSS indicates involvement in funded research programs. His work on genetic associations and treatment response suggests leadership or significant contribution to multicenter projects. While no specific lab or research team is named, his repeated collaborations with groups studying rheumatoid arthritis genetics (e.g., BRAGGSS) and Sjögren's syndrome registries imply active membership in established research networks focused on autoimmune disease mechanisms and outcomes.

• Rheumatology
• Autoimmune Diseases
• Primary Sjögren's Syndrome
• +7 more

Dr. Bojlul Bahar is a Senior Lecturer in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Central Lancashire, affiliated with the School of Health, Social Work and Sport and the Sport, Nutrition and Clinical Sciences team. He holds a PhD in Nutrition & Food Science and specializes in molecular nutrition, focusing on inflammation and metabolic syndrome, including obesity and type-2 diabetes. His research explores gene regulation by dietary bioactives and signaling pathways in health and disease. His work spans interdisciplinary collaborations, with publications in areas such as dietary supplements’ efficacy in sports performance, omega-3 fatty acids in hemodialysis patients, and gene polymorphisms in colorectal cancer. He has contributed to over 40 peer-reviewed articles, emphasizing translational research with applications in clinical and agricultural contexts. Key research trends include investigating the molecular mechanisms of dietary interventions, the role of specific genes (e.g., FTO) in disease susceptibility, and the impact of bioactive compounds on metabolic and inflammatory pathways. His studies often employ both in vitro and in vivo models, including animal and human trials. Bahar collaborates widely, with projects addressing obesity, diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. His expertise bridges basic science and clinical practice, aiming to improve public health through evidence-based nutritional strategies.

• Molecular Nutrition
• Inflammation Biology
• Metabolic Syndrome
• +3 more

Xinshu Grace Xiao is a Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), part of the College of Letters and Science. Her research focuses on RNA editing, alternative splicing, and genetic variants in post-transcriptional regulation, with applications to neurological disorders like Alzheimer's Disease and schizophrenia, as well as cancer biology. Education: She earned a PhD in Health Sciences and Technology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2004. Research Overview Xiao's work combines computational and experimental approaches to study RNA processing mechanisms. Key areas include: - RNA editing dysregulation in schizophrenia and its mitochondrial consequences. - Genetic variants in 3' UTR regions impacting cancer driver gene expression. - Regulation of dsRNA derived from retrotransposable elements in Alzheimer's Disease. - Development of tools like L-GIREMI and dsRID for RNA analysis. Grants & Funding As Principal Investigator, she leads NIH-funded projects including: - Regulation and function of dsRNAs in AD (R01AG078950). - Cancer-RNA editing relationships (R01CA262686). - Alzheimer's-related 3' UTR variants (R01AG075206). Labs & Teams Her Xiao Lab at UCLA develops computational tools and conducts experimental studies on RNA processing in health and disease. Collaborations include work with the Geschwind Lab and others in neurogenetics and cancer biology.

• RNA editing
• Alternative splicing
• Genetic variants in post-transcriptional regulation
• +6 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.

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

Dr. Claire Deakin is a Lecturer in Health Leadership and Management in the School of Population Health at the University of New South Wales, and an Embedded Academic in Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD). With over ten years of research experience as a translational researcher, she works directly with WSLHD senior executives, managers and frontline clinicians to generate evidence that improves healthcare quality and efficiency. Her research focuses on health systems and health services across hospital, community and district-wide services, leveraging her expertise in cohort studies, advanced statistical and epidemiological methods, health data science, data linkage and genomics. She works with observational real-world datasets including electronic health records, linked administrative datasets and genomic data. Dr. Deakin's research, which includes over 40 peer-reviewed publications, has led to major advances in understanding and treatment of rheumatic diseases, particularly rare diseases such as juvenile myositis. Her work demonstrates strong integration of biostatistics with clinical practice to address real-world healthcare challenges. Her recent publications show a strong focus on autoimmune conditions, particularly juvenile inflammatory diseases, with emphasis on interferon pathways, mitochondrial dysfunction, and biomarker development. She also conducts significant research on real-world medication use and treatment patterns in chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Dr. Deakin holds qualifications including a BSc (Hons), LLB (Hons), and PhD. Her work bridges the gap between academic research and practical healthcare delivery through her embedded position with WSLHD, allowing for direct translation of research findings into clinical practice.

• Health systems
• Health services and systems
• Digital health
• +12 more

Associate Professor Gila Moalem-Taylor is a research-focused academic at the Translational Neuroscience Facility, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney. She leads the Neuropathic Pain Research Group and serves as the Postgraduate Coordinator at the School of Biomedical Sciences. Her academic journey includes a PhD from the Weizmann Institute of Science (2001), followed by a Rothschild Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Cincinnati Medical Centre, and postdoctoral fellowships at UNSW. Dr. Moalem-Taylor's research expertise spans: Neuroimmune interactions in health and disease Neuropathic pain mechanisms and treatments Multiple sclerosis and autoimmune disorders Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy Immunomodulation and neuromodulation approaches Her laboratory employs various approaches including animal models of nervous system injury/disease, in vivo immune cell therapies, in vitro culture systems of dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons, microglia, and regulatory T cells, along with molecular, biochemical, histological, microscopy, and imaging techniques. Current research focuses on the role of immune cells and their mediators (e.g., cytokines) in neuropathic pain caused by peripheral nerve injury, autoimmune diseases of the nervous system such as multiple sclerosis, and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Dr. Moalem-Taylor has secured significant research funding including: NHMRC Project Grant (APP1162060) - $927,520 (2019-2023) NHMRC Ideas Grant (APP1187416) - $732,693.60 (2020-2023) UNSW Medicine Seed Grant - $80,000 (2022-2023) MS Australia Grant - $250,000 (2023-2025) Her scientific awards include: 2021 Mid-Career Award from the International Society of Neuroimmunology 2020 Researcher of the Year Award from the School of Medical Sciences 2018 SoMS Citation Classic Award for highly cited papers 2018 SoMS Award for Higher Degree Research Supervision 2017 UNSW Arc Postgraduate Supervisor Award Dr. Moalem-Taylor supervises PhD and Honours students and manages a research team focused on neuroimmunology and pain mechanisms. She is also co-convenor of the NEUR3221 Neurophysiology course and serves as Postgraduate Coordinator for the School.

• Neuroimmunology
• Neuropathic Pain
• Chronic Pain
• +6 more

Hyun Min Kang is a Professor of Biostatistics at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. He specializes in developing statistical methods and computational tools for analyzing large-scale genomic data. His work focuses on spatial transcriptomics, single-cell genomics, and statistical approaches for genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Dr. Kang's research aims to understand the molecular basis of complex diseases using cutting-edge technologies like Seq-Scope for ultra-high-resolution spatial transcriptomics and tools like demuxlet/popscle for scalable single-cell analysis. Education: PhD in Computer Science from UC San Diego (2009), MS and BS in Electrical Engineering from Seoul National University (2000/1998). Research Interests: Spatial transcriptomics enables submicrometer resolution studies of gene expression dynamics. His lab develops tools to analyze sequence data (e.g., verifyBamID, GotCloud, Cramore) and has contributed foundational methods for GWAS through linear mixed models (EMMA/EMMAX). Recent projects include applications of spatial transcriptomics in liver and muscle tissues, and population-scale single-cell epigenomics. Key Contributions: Pioneered methods for contamination detection in sequence data, developed widely used software (EPACTS, GEMMA), and advanced spatial genomics via Seq-Scope technology. His group's work on clonal hematopoiesis and rare variant analysis has implications for precision medicine. Labs/Teams: Leads computational genomics efforts in the Biostatistics department, collaborating with labs like Jun G. Jun’s group on spatial transcriptomics and population-scale studies. Active in TOPMed and UK Biobank consortia.

• Spatial Transcriptomics
• Single-cell Genomics
• Statistical Genomics
• +3 more

Stephen A. Smith is a Professor and Director of the Program in Biology at the University of Michigan's Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. He leads research in phylogenetics, computational evolutionary biology, and biogeography, focusing on plant evolution and methodological advancements. His lab develops tools like PyPHLAWD and phyx for phylogenetic analysis and has contributed to understanding plant diversification, genome duplications, and global biogeography. Education : Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology (Yale University, 2008), M.S. in Evolutionary Biology (Yale, 2005), B.A. in Liberal Arts (Sarah Lawrence College, 2003). Teaching : Courses on Evolution and Phylogenetic Methods and Theory. Research Interests : Plant evolution, phylogenomics, computational methods, and biogeography. His lab explores topics such as Caryophyllales diversification, whole-genome duplications, and the impact of climate on speciation. Notable projects include the Ericales phylogenomics initiative with the University of Florida and the development of AI-driven specimen analysis tools like LeafMachine2. Awards : 2024 AAAS Fellow for contributions to phylogenetics and plant evolutionary studies. Advising & Grants : Supervises graduate students and postdocs, including work on transcriptomics and biodiversity conservation. Collaborates on NSF-funded projects exploring plant chemistry, paleopolyploidy, and evolutionary transitions. Labs & Resources : Director of the Smith Lab at U-M, contributing to the Biological Sciences Building. Engages with the Program in Biology and Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics.

• Phylogenetics
• Computational Evolutionary Biology
• Biogeography
• +3 more

Faisal Rezwan is a Senior Lecturer in Bioinformatics at the Department of Computer Science, Aberystwyth University, UK. He holds a PhD in Bioinformatics from the University of Hertfordshire (2012) and has held prior academic roles at the University of Southampton and Cranfield University. His research focuses on applying machine learning and data integration to analyze genetic and epigenetic data, particularly in the context of human health and disease prediction. He has developed bioinformatics tools for analyzing DNA methylation and genomic data, and his work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and innovation. Education: PhD in Bioinformatics (University of Hertfordshire, 2012); Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice; Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Research Interests: Bioinformatics, health informatics, machine learning applications, epigenetics, DNA methylation analysis, and computational disease prediction. His work spans bioinformatics tool development, genome-wide transcriptomic studies, and electronic health record systems analysis. Recent research trends include studies on DNA methylation's role in asthma, birth outcomes, and transgenerational effects of smoking, as well as AI applications in allergy management. His publications span over 50 peer-reviewed articles, with a focus on epigenetic mechanisms and predictive modeling. Awards: Prestigious Turing Fellowship for research applying deep learning to patient data from electronic health records. Teaching and Supervision: Coordinator and lecturer in undergraduate modules; co-supervisor of two doctoral students. Active in academic practice with a focus on innovative teaching methods. Labs/Teams: Part of interdisciplinary teams in bioinformatics, health informatics, and epigenetic research collaborations across multiple institutions.

• Bioinformatics
• Health informatics
• Data integration
• +5 more

Kevin Cooper is a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Pathology at Case Western Reserve University's School of Medicine. His work focuses on dermatology-related immunology, inflammation, and comorbidities with cardiovascular disease and oncology. Key research areas include psoriasis pathogenesis, biomarker discovery, and vitamin D's role in immune modulation. He has contributed to studies on monocyte biology, TLR7/NF-κB signaling, and racial disparities in skin disease outcomes. Notable research trends include: Analysis of psoriasis endotypes through transcriptomics and systems biology Investigation of cardiovascular risks in dermatological patients Development of liquid biopsy techniques for cancer recurrence detection Evaluation of vitamin D's therapeutic potential in skin inflammation His 2024 work demonstrated apremilast's cardioprotective effects via monocyte modulation, while 2023 studies identified genetic predictors of ustekinumab responsiveness. Earlier work (2017-2020) established vitamin D's role in mitigating sunburn inflammation and revealed racial disparities in hidradenitis suppurativa outcomes. No formal awards or grants are listed in the provided materials. He has advised no students, but collaborates widely with dermatology and pathology teams at Case Western Reserve.

• Dermatology
• Immunology
• Inflammation
• +7 more

Laurent Gueguen is a Professor at École Normale Supérieure de Lyon (ENS Lyon), specializing in molecular evolution, phylogenetics, and computational biology. He teaches mathematics, modeling in biology, and computer science in undergraduate and graduate programs (BEE@Lyon and Bioinfo@Lyon), focusing on programming in R and Python for biologists. His research emphasizes molecular modeling in evolution, particularly phylogeny, and involves developing the Bio++ suite of bioinformatics libraries with collaborators like Julien Dutheil. He also maintains the DGINN pipeline, co-developed with Léa Picard and Lucie ÉTIENNE, for detecting genetic innovations in gene families. His work spans evolutionary genomics, genomic tool development, and the integration of computational methods in biological research. Research Interests: Molecular evolution and phylogenetic analysis Computational methods in genomics and bioinformatics Evolutionary trajectories of viral and host proteins Genetic innovation detection and phylogenetic reconciliation Integration of sequence and genomic data for evolutionary studies Publications Highlight Trends: His recent work focuses on viral-host interactions (e.g., HIV-1, SARS-CoV-2), genome organization, and computational tools for phylogenetic analysis. Articles emphasize methodological advancements in evolutionary genomics, such as GC-biased gene conversion effects and ancestral genome reconstruction. Advising & Grants: Supervised PhD student Léa Picard. Collaborates with institutions like the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology and CIRI (ENS Lyon). His tools (Bio++, DGINN) are widely used in the field. Labs/Teams: Active in teams at ENS Lyon and collaborates with CIRI and international groups in bioinformatics and evolutionary biology.

• Molecular Evolution
• Phylogenetics
• Computational Biology
• +4 more

Terry Braun is a Professor in the Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Iowa, serving as Director of the Coordinated Laboratory for Computational Genomics and Interim Director of the Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. He holds additional roles as the Hansjoerg E.J.W. Kolder MD Professor in Best Disease Research and Professor in Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. His research focuses on genetics, bioinformatics, and macular degeneration, with a strong emphasis on integrating computational methods into medical research. Braun completed his PhD in Genetics (2001), MS in Electrical & Computer Engineering (1995), and BS in Electrical Engineering (1993), all from the University of Iowa. His academic journey has been institutional, reflecting deep institutional commitment. His research interests span genomic analysis, machine learning applications in healthcare, and molecular mechanisms underlying inherited retinal diseases and neuroendocrine tumors. Key projects include developing predictive models for treatment responses in cancers and creating open-access systems for genetic disease education. Publications highlight advancements in tumor biomarker identification, drug resistance mechanisms, and computational tools for genomic variant prioritization. His work bridges engineering, medicine, and computer science to address complex biomedical challenges. Braun leads multidisciplinary teams at the Coordinated Laboratory for Computational Genomics and the Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, focusing on translational research and computational infrastructure for genomic medicine.

• Genetics
• Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
• Macular Degeneration
• +4 more

Giovanni Ciriello is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computational Biology at the University of Lausanne (UNIL), Faculty of Biology and Medicine. He leads the Computational Systems Oncology Lab and is affiliated with the Swiss Cancer Center Léman, the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, and the Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC) at EPFL. Appointed as assistant professor in 2015 and promoted to associate professor in 2019, he conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of algorithm design, data science, and molecular oncology. Education: M.Sc. in Computational Science and Engineering, University of Padua (2005) Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, University of Padua and Georgia Institute of Technology (2009) His research centers on understanding how genetic and epigenetic alterations cooperate during cancer development and progression. He develops computational frameworks to analyze large-scale oncogenomic datasets, focusing on tumor evolution, mutual exclusivity of mutations, and the identification of tissue-independent tumor subtypes for precision therapy. His lab investigates cancer cell plasticity, chromatin 3D architecture, and transcriptional reprogramming using single-cell and spatial multi-omics technologies. The analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward integrative computational oncology, combining algorithm development with high-throughput biological data to uncover evolutionary dependencies in cancer, predict therapeutic response, and model cellular identity transitions. His work leverages pan-cancer datasets like The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and emphasizes translational impact through collaboration with experimental and clinical teams. Nature Genetics (2013, 2019, 2020) Cell (2015, 2018) Cancer Cell (2017) Giovanni Ciriello has supervised Master’s and doctoral students at UNIL and EPFL and teaches computational science to undergraduate and graduate students in biology and molecular life sciences. His research is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), the Swiss Cancer League, and private foundations. He actively recruits Ph.D. students and postdoctoral researchers for projects involving spatial transcriptomics, single-cell analysis, and algorithm development. The Ciriello Lab focuses on three main research axes: (1) Cancer Evolutionary Dependencies — studying co-occurring and mutually exclusive genetic alterations to understand selection pressures in tumors; (2) Cancer Cell Plasticity — investigating epigenetic and transcriptional reprogramming that allows cancer cells to change identity; and (3) Chromatin 3D Architecture — exploring how structural changes in chromatin influence gene regulation and tumor phenotypes using cutting-edge spatial and single-cell omics.

• Computational Biology
• Cancer Genomics
• Oncogenomics
• +13 more

Michael Caterina, MD, PhD, is a Professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, holding appointments in the Department of Biological Chemistry, Department of Neurosurgery, and Department of Neuroscience. He is the Solomon H. Snyder Professor of Neurosurgery and serves as Director of both the Department of Biological Chemistry and the Neurosurgery Pain Research Institute. His research program is centered on the molecular and cellular basis of pain, with a focus on pathological pain states. Professor of Biological Chemistry Professor of Neuroscience Solomon H. Snyder Professor of Neurosurgery Director, Department of Biological Chemistry Director, Neurosurgery Pain Research Institute Dr. Caterina's research spans developmental, cellular, and molecular neuroscience, with a strong emphasis on neuropathic and inflammatory pain. His lab employs mouse models and a multidisciplinary toolkit including behavioral assays, electrophysiology, transcriptomics, CRISPR, and synthetic biology. Key areas include pain mechanisms in hereditary palmoplantar keratodermas, neuropathic pain following nerve injury, and the development of genetically encoded systems for targeted pain relief. His work bridges basic science with translational applications. The recent publications reflect a strong trend in understanding pain at the intersection of genetics, neuroimmunology, and cellular signaling. Themes include ion channel function (TRPV1, TRPC3), noncoding RNA regulation, glial contributions to pain, and innovative methodologies for imaging and modulation of neuronal activity. His research consistently targets novel mechanisms that could lead to improved pain therapies. Scientific awards and honors include: Solomon H. Snyder Professorship Dr. Caterina advises graduate students through multiple programs, including the Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Biological Chemistry, and the Neuroscience Training Program. His lab receives funding to support extensive research on pain mechanisms, including studies on nerve injury, immune-neuronal interactions, and synthetic biology approaches. Collaborative grants with institutions and interdisciplinary teams are evident in his publication record. The Caterina lab operates within the Biophysics Building at Johns Hopkins, utilizing state-of-the-art facilities for molecular, cellular, and behavioral neuroscience. The team includes researchers focused on pain pathways, genetic models, and therapeutic innovation, working in close collaboration with clinical and basic science laboratories across the institution.

• Molecular Neuroscience
• Cellular Neuroscience
• Developmental Neuroscience
• +12 more