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Jenny OuyangView profile

Associate Professor

• Endocrinology
• Urban Ecology
• Physiological Adaptation
• +4 more

Jenny Ouyang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Nevada, Reno , where she also serves as Director of the Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology graduate program. She earned her B.S. and B.A. from the University of California, Irvine (2007), followed by M.A. and Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Princeton University (2009, 2012). Her research focuses on the ecology and evolution of physiological systems , particularly how hormonally regulated traits enable organismal adaptation to environmental changes like urbanization , light pollution , and endocrine stress responses . Education: Ph.D., Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University (2012) M.A., Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University (2009) B.S., Biology, University of California, Irvine (2007) B.A., French, University of California, Irvine (2007) Her work integrates neuroendocrine mechanisms with ecological contexts to understand phenotypic flexibility and epigenetic adaptation in birds. Recent projects examine how artificial light at night disrupts circadian rhythms, hormonal profiles, and parental behaviors across urban-rural gradients. She has secured major grants including the NSF CAREER award (2022) for studying urbanization and NIH COBRE funding (2017) as part of a neuroscience team. Key collaborations include Dr. Maria Echeverry at Universidad Pontificia Javeriana in Colombia through her 2023 Fulbright award . The Ouyang Lab combines natural and laboratory experiments to investigate stress physiology, with recent papers analyzing glucocorticoid responses to urbanization, gene expression patterns under light pollution, and epigenetic reorganization in response to environmental stressors. Her publications span top journals like Proceedings of the Royal Society B , Biology Letters , and Ecology Applications , where her 2022 paper on lead pollution and reproduction was highlighted by ESA and Swedish Radio. Scientific Awards & Recognition: US Fulbright Scholars Award (2023) NSF CAREER grant (2022) NIH COBRE grant (2017) as team member Advising students like Valentina Alaasam (NSF GRFP awardee) and Ivan Celso Carvalho Provinciato (Dean's Merit Fellowship)

Steven L'HernaultView profile

Professor

• Spermatogenesis
• Cell Biology
• Genetics
• +2 more

Steven L'Hernault is Professor and Chairman of Biology at Emory University, where he leads research on cellular and developmental processes using Caenorhabditis elegans models. His laboratory investigates molecular mechanisms underlying spermatogenesis, focusing on genetic controls of sperm development and function. The L'Hernault Lab studies highly conserved genome protection mechanisms in germ lines using genetic, molecular, and biochemical approaches. Key research areas include secretory vesicle function, membrane protein interactions, and ubiquitin ligase activity during sperm differentiation. Recent publications examine paternal epigenetic inheritance pathways and palmitoyltransferase functions in spermiogenesis. The lab maintains an extensive collection of C. elegans mutants with defective spermatogenesis to study fundamental cellular processes.

Peter A. JonesView profile

Professor

• Epigenetics
• DNA methylation
• Cancer epigenetics
• +7 more

Peter A. Jones is President and Chief Scientific Officer at the Van Andel Institute (VAI) in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he leads the Department of Epigenetics. He previously served as Director of the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center from 1993 to 2011 and has been a central figure in advancing epigenetics research, particularly in cancer. His laboratory investigates DNA methylation, chromatin dynamics, and epigenetic therapies. Research Interests: Dr. Jones's work centers on epigenetic mechanisms in cancer, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, nucleosome positioning, and the therapeutic potential of epigenetic drugs. His research has pioneered the use of DNA methylation inhibitors like 5-azacytidine and explored viral mimicry as a mechanism for immune activation in cancer. He also studies transposable elements and their role in gene regulation and immune response. Publication Trends: His recent publications (2021–2024) reveal a strong focus on the interplay between epigenetics and immunotherapy, particularly how DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi) induce viral mimicry, enhance immune recognition, and improve responses to checkpoint blockade. Studies span hematological malignancies, solid tumors, and T cell biology, with frequent collaboration with Stephen Baylin and others. Scientific Awards: Member, National Academy of Sciences Member, National Academy of Medicine Fellow, AACR Academy Fellow, AAAS Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences Kirk A. Landon Award for Basic Cancer Research (2009) Medal of Honor, American Cancer Society (2011) Outstanding Investigator Grant, NCI Harvey Prize (2024) Advising and Grants: Dr. Jones mentors multiple postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and research scientists. His lab is supported by major grants, including the VAI-SU2C Epigenetics Dream Team, which has launched 15 clinical trials. He has received sustained funding from the National Cancer Institute and collaborates with institutions worldwide to advance epigenetic therapies. Labs and Teams: He leads the Peter Jones Laboratory at VAI, a multidisciplinary team investigating epigenetic regulation in cancer. The lab includes computational biologists, clinical researchers, and molecular biologists, working on both basic mechanisms and translational applications. The team is part of larger collaborative initiatives such as the VAI-SU2C Epigenetics Dream Team and the International Linked Clinical Trials Program.

• Epidemiology of Birth Defects
• Gene-Environment Interactions in Perinatal Health
• Nutrition and Reproductive Outcomes
• +4 more

Gary M. Shaw is the Rosemarie Hess Professor and Professor (Research) at Stanford University , with courtesy appointments in the Department of Epidemiology and Population Health and Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology - Maternal Fetal Medicine . He serves as Co-PI of the March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center at Stanford and PI of the California Center for Finding Causes and Preventives of Birth Defects . His research focuses on the Epidemiology of birth defects Gene-environment interactions in perinatal outcomes Nutritional factors in reproductive health . He has developed machine learning approaches for precision parenteral nutrition and predictive models for preterm birth, while investigating persistent metabolomic signatures following hypertensive pregnancy disorders. Shaw's recent work explores Climate change impacts on reproductive health Maternal-fetal immune interactions Epigenetic mechanisms in perinatal disease with applications of multiomics to neonatal intensive care units. As a member of Bio-X and the Maternal & Child Health Research Institute , he contributes to translational research networks while serving as Associate Editor for Birth Defects Research and American Journal of Medical Genetics . He supervises Med Scholar Project student Richard Liang Doctoral co-advisor for Saskia Comess and Richard Liang Master's advisor for Lenae Joe while leading the Division of Neonatology as Associate Chair for Clinical Research (2012-2025). His laboratory work integrates Metabolomic profiling Proteomic analysis Computational modeling Machine learning for biomedical data to advance neonatal care through precision medicine approaches.

Tim LewensView profile

Professor

• Philosophy of Biology
• Philosophy of Science
• Bioethics
• +3 more

Tim Lewens is Professor of Philosophy of Science and Head of the Department of History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Cambridge, currently on leave for the 2024/25 academic year. His career bridges philosophy, biology, and bioethics with significant institutional roles including Deputy Director of CRASSH (2014-2017) and Council Member of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics (2009-2015). His research focuses on philosophy of biology, evolutionary theory, and bioethics, with particular expertise in human nature debates, extended evolutionary synthesis, and medical ethics. Key contributions include critical analyses of mitochondrial replacement therapy ethics, genome editing implications, and conceptual challenges in cultural evolution. His work consistently addresses interdisciplinary tensions between biological determinism and social constructivism. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals dominant themes in evolutionary philosophy (40%), bioethics (35%), and conceptual foundations of science (25%). Notable trends include re-examining Paleyan design arguments in modern biology, ethical frameworks for emerging biotechnologies, and interdisciplinary approaches to human nature that challenge essentialist perspectives. Lewens has secured major research funding including an ERC grant for 'A Science of Human Nature?' (2011-2016) and Templeton Foundation funding for 'Putting the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis to the Test' (2016-2019). His policy impact is evident through contributions to Nuffield Council reports on mitochondrial DNA disorders (2012) and human body donation (2011), demonstrating applied philosophical engagement with contemporary medical ethics.

Peer BorkView profile

Professor

• Bioinformatics
• Computational Biology
• Systems Biology
• +3 more

Peer Bork is a Professor at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, where he serves as Strategic Head of Bioinformatics and co-head of the Structural and Computational Biology Unit. He also holds honorary professorships at the University of Würzburg (Germany) and Fudan University (China). Educational background: PhD in Biochemistry (1990) Habilitation in Theoretical Biophysics (1995) Research interests span bioinformatics , systems biology , and microbiome analysis , focusing on functional prediction, comparative genomics, and data integration. His work explores global patterns in microbial communities, including enterotypes, drug-microbiome interactions, and planetary-scale gene fluxes. Scientific impact includes over 550 publications (70+ in Nature , Science , and Cell ) and groundbreaking discoveries like the human gut enterotypes and microbiome-based cancer biomarkers . Key projects include the SPIRE microbiome resource and the TARA Oceans expedition . Honors and leadership: EMBO member (2000) Nature Creative Mentoring Award (2008) ERC Advanced Investigator Grants (2011, 2015) Leopoldina member (2014) Honorary doctorate (University of Utrecht, 2017) Co-founder of 5 biotech companies Collaborative networks include partnerships with institutions in Berlin (Max-Delbrück-Center), Würzburg (Germany), and Shanghai (China), as well as global initiatives like the TREC expedition for environmental microbiome analysis.

Catherine MarlerView profile

Professor

• Behavioral Neuroendocrinology
• Animal Behavior
• Social Neuroscience
• +7 more

Catherine Marler is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she leads the Marler Lab focused on the Biology of Brain and Behavior. Her research program investigates the intricate connections between endocrine systems and social behaviors, with particular emphasis on how hormones like testosterone and oxytocin shape complex social interactions in monogamous mammals. Dr. Marler's research primarily utilizes the California mouse (Peromyscus californicus) as a model organism, capitalizing on its unique monogamous, biparental, and territorial nature. Her work spans both laboratory and field settings, allowing for comprehensive investigation of neuroendocrine mechanisms in naturalistic contexts. Key research themes include the role of testosterone in territorial behavior and winner effects, oxytocin's influence on pair bonding and parental behavior, and the neural substrates of ultrasonic vocalizations. Recent publications reveal a strong focus on conditioned place preferences related to testosterone pulses, oxytocin's effects on social behaviors across different developmental stages, and the neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying aggression and pair bonding. Her work demonstrates how social experience, environmental context, and endocrine systems interact to shape complex behavioral outcomes, with particular attention to sex differences and transgenerational transmission of behaviors. Dr. Marler has published extensively in top journals including Hormones and Behavior, Proceedings of the Royal Society, and Animal Behaviour, with her most recent work appearing in high-impact venues throughout 2023-2025. Her research program represents a sophisticated integration of behavioral observation, endocrine manipulation, and neural analysis to unravel the mechanisms underlying social behavior in mammals. As an advisor, Dr. Marler mentors students in behavioral neuroscience and endocrinology, fostering research that bridges laboratory and field approaches to understand the evolution and mechanisms of social behavior. Her lab maintains a strong commitment to rigorous scientific methodology and innovative experimental design in the study of neuroendocrine-behavior relationships.

Jordan CragoView profile

Assistant Professor

• Aquatic Toxicology
• Environmental Toxicology
• Ecotoxicology
• +5 more

Dr. Jordan Crago is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Toxicology at Texas Tech University and affiliated with the STEM CORE program. His research specializes in aquatic toxicology, investigating how environmental chemicals impact development and reproductive success in fish and invertebrates through integrated field-laboratory approaches. Education: Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Bachelor of Science, Ohio University Dr. Crago's research employs field observations to guide laboratory experiments focused on adverse outcome pathways across diverse contaminants. His work spans pesticides, microplastics, perfluorinated compounds, and emerging pollutants, emphasizing multi-pathway effects on development and reproduction. He prioritizes identifying high-risk environmental chemicals through mechanistic studies using model organisms like zebrafish and fathead minnow. Analysis of his 2019-2025 publications reveals consistent focus on molecular, physiological, and behavioral endpoints in aquatic toxicology. Key themes include developmental/reproductive toxicity, transgenerational effects, and advanced methodologies like predictive molecular signatures and benchmark dose modeling. His work frequently addresses pesticide impacts, microplastic fate in food webs, and PFAS alternatives using zebrafish as a primary model system. Dr. Crago actively mentors undergraduate researchers, integrating them into data collection, analysis, and publication. Three mentees have co-authored peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. He contributes to STEM education through Texas Tech's STEM CORE program and volunteers with Lubbock's Boys and Girls Club for after-school programs.

James CurleyView profile

Associate Professor

• Social Dynamics
• Social Neuroscience
• Social Determinants of Health
• +4 more

James Curley is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, part of the College of Liberal Arts. He is Co-Director of the Behavioral and Social Data Science Major and Principal Investigator of the Social Dynamics Lab. His research focuses on the neurobiological basis of social behavior, social hierarchies, and long-term physiological changes linked to social status. He earned his B.A. from the University of Oxford and a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge, followed by postdoctoral work at Cambridge before joining Columbia University in 2012. At UT Austin since 2017, he has received awards including the Affordable Education Champion (2021), Dr. Wendy Domjan Excellence in Teaching Award (2021), and President’s Associates Teaching Excellence Award (2022). His teaching includes courses on statistics, R programming, and social behavior analysis. Curley’s lab investigates social dynamics through interdisciplinary approaches, combining behavioral studies with genomic, transcriptomic, and neuroendocrine analyses. He emphasizes open educational resources, co-authoring an open-access textbook for statistics and developing interactive learning tools. His work spans animal and human social systems, exploring how early life experiences shape behavior and how social hierarchy impacts neural and physiological processes. He has published extensively on topics like social dominance, gene expression, and the application of network models to understand social interactions. Teaching highlights include PSY 317L (statistics for behavioral sciences), PSY 120R (R programming), and UGS 302 (Being Social). His commitment to affordable education and innovative pedagogy has been recognized nationally. Research collaborations include studies on primate microbiota, stress vulnerability in depression models, and transgenerational epigenetic effects. He maintains affiliations with platforms like GitHub and Google Scholar, reflecting his embrace of open science principles.

• Family Business
• Franchising
• Corporate Governance
• +3 more

James G. Combs (PhD, Louisiana State University) is the Della Phillips Martha Schenck Chair of American Private Enterprise at the University of Central Florida and a Visiting Professor at the University of Ottawa. His scholarly work focuses on family business , franchising , research synthesis , and corporate governance , with publications in top-tier journals like the Academy of Management Journal, Strategic Management Journal, and Journal of Business Venturing. His research explores critical themes such as: Strategic decision-making in family firms Franchising and organizational routines Corporate governance mechanisms (e.g., shareholder agreements) Meta-analytic techniques in management research His 2025-2023 publications highlight emerging trends in entrepreneurial pivoting , lean startup methodologies , alliance portfolio diversity , and CSR in family businesses . He has served as Associate Editor for multiple journals and held leadership roles in the Academy of Management and Southern Management Association (SMA), including SMA President. Combs ranks among the top 2% of management scholars by citation impact and has received the 2020 SMA Hunt Sustained Outstanding Service Award and the 2021 Rosenberg Center Eminent Franchising Scholar Award. He is a Fellow of the Southern Academy of Management and a 21st Century Entrepreneurship Fellow.

• Epigenetics
• Chromatin Biology
• Reproductive Aging
• +5 more

Arunika Das is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine , where she leads the Das Lab. Her research focuses on the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms governing chromosome inheritance during meiosis and early development, with a particular emphasis on centromere biology and aneuploidy. Education: PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology (Rutgers University, 2016), MS in Biochemistry (University of Calcutta, 2009), BS in Chemistry (St. Xavier’s University, 2007) Research Highlights: Investigates centromere inheritance through reproductive and embryonic challenges Studies aneuploidy mechanisms in early embryos Uses mouse, fly, and horse models for comparative genome stability analysis Active in Cornell Center for Reproductive Sciences and Center for Vertebrate Genomics Scientific Awards: Society for the Study of Reproduction - Emerging Investigator Award (2024-2025) S. Walter Englander Postdoctoral Research Award (2022) Keith R. Porter Award Honorable Mention (2022) Marine Biological Laboratory Fellowship (2017) Teaching: Leads curriculum development for a reproductive medicine MS program and teaches in Cornell’s Veterinary School. Mentors graduate, undergraduate, and capstone projects.

Anne Ferguson-SmithView profile

Professor

• Genomic Imprinting
• Epigenetics
• Developmental Genetics
• +3 more

Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith is a leading mammalian developmental geneticist and epigeneticist at the University of Cambridge, holding the Arthur Balfour Professorship of Genetics. As Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, she oversees the university's research strategy while maintaining her laboratory's focus on genomic imprinting and epigenetic inheritance . Her work bridges experimental and computational approaches through affiliations with the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge Neuroscience, and the Centre for Trophoblast Research. Research in her lab investigates epigenetic mechanisms in developmental processes , particularly through the lens of Dlk1-Dio3 imprinted domain studies. Current themes include: Stem cell epigenetic programming Environmental modulation of epigenetic states Role of repetitive elements in genomic regulation Her group integrates mouse and zebrafish models with high-throughput genomics and mathematical modeling . Key collaborations include: Wellcome Trust UKRI Medical Research Council BBSRC NIH Scientific honors include: Elected EMBO Member (2006) Academy of Medical Sciences (2012) Fellow of the Royal Society (2017) Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) The lab maintains family-friendly research practices and actively participates in interdisciplinary collaborations across Cambridge and internationally.

Ralph G. MeyerView profile

Professor

• Molecular Cell Biology
• Reproductive Toxicology
• Developmental Biology
• +5 more

Ralph G. Meyer is a Professor and Department Head at the College of Veterinary Medicine , Utah State University (USU). He holds a PhD in Molecular Cell Biology (University of Kaiserslautern, 1998) and completed postdoctoral training in Molecular Toxicology at University of Tuebingen and University of Arizona. Education : PhD (1998), MS (1994) in Molecular Cell Biology Academic Roles : Faculty at University of Pennsylvania, Interim Head at USU CVM’s VCLS department Research Interests focus on: Reproductive toxicology and developmental biology Epigenetic regulation of sperm chromatin NAD+ metabolism in aging and disease Scientific Awards : Biology of Reproduction Top Reviewing Editor (2017, 2018) NIH Ruth-Kirschstein-NRSA Fellowship (T32, 2002-2004) Edward A. Smuckler Memorial AACR Poster Award (2004) Teaching : Course director for Fundamentals of Pharmacology (VM7522) and Veterinary Toxicology (VM7523) since 2013. Mentored graduate students including Renata Hoskova and Chelsea Ketchum.

Adele MurrellView profile

Professor

• Epigenetics
• Genomic Imprinting
• DNA Methylation
• +6 more

Professor Adele Murrell is a Professor of Epigenetics in the Department of Life Sciences at the University of Bath's Faculty of Science. She serves as Co-Director of the Centre for Therapeutic Innovation and is affiliated with both the Centre for Mathematical Biology and the Centre for Bioengineering & Biomedical Technologies (CBio). She is currently accepting doctoral students and maintains an active research program with multiple ongoing projects. Her research focuses on understanding how cells establish and maintain their specific identities through epigenetic mechanisms. Her work centers on epigenetic barriers and cell identity, genomic imprinting as a model epigenetic system, long-range epigenetic silencing in cancer, and epigenetic reprogramming during metastasis. She investigates how higher-order chromatin structure and epigenetic modifications shape the genome within the nucleus to constitute cell identity and provide memory of developmental origins. Her current work examines colon cancer and liver metastasis, focusing on changes in DNA methylation and its demethylation intermediates such as 5-hydroxymethylcytosine. Analysis of Professor Murrell's recent publications reveals a strong focus on DNA hydroxymethylation patterns in cancer progression, particularly in colorectal cancer metastasis. Her work bridges molecular epigenetics with clinical applications, exploring how epigenetic changes during metastasis could be targeted to prevent cancer spread. She has developed novel techniques for detecting epigenetic modifications and has made significant contributions to understanding allele-specific chromatin domains and genomic imprinting mechanisms. Professor Murrell leads multiple research projects including 'Two stages of genome wide 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) reprogramming during colorectal carcinogenesis and liver metastasis' funded by the MRC until February 2024, and 'Modelling the fits and starts of how genes burst into expression' funded by The Leverhulme Trust until June 2024. She was also a Co-Investigator on the 'Multi User High-Content Confocal Microscope' project funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. Her laboratory work connects with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to health and well-being. Her fingerprint analysis shows strong activity in Epigenetics (100%), DNA Methylation (94%), Allele research (73%), Methylation studies (69%), Genomic Imprinting (60%), CTCF research (56%), Promoter Region analysis (44%), and Differentially Methylated Regions (34%).

Allen J. MooreView profile

Professor

• Evolutionary Ecology
• Behavioral Genetics
• Parental Care Evolution
• +5 more

Allen J. Moore is a Distinguished Research Professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences. His work bridges evolutionary biology, genetics, and behavioral ecology with a focus on understanding the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying complex social behaviors in insects. Moore's research program centers on the evolution of parental care and social behavior, primarily using burying beetles (Nicrophorus species) as model organisms. His work integrates quantitative genetics, molecular biology, and behavioral ecology to investigate how indirect genetic effects shape coevolutionary dynamics between interacting individuals. A significant portion of his recent research examines the role of DNA methylation, particularly Dnmt1, in reproductive processes and behavioral plasticity across insect species. His approach combines field observations with molecular techniques to address fundamental questions about how genes and environment interact to produce adaptive behaviors. Analysis of Moore's recent publications reveals a strong trajectory toward understanding the epigenetic regulation of social behavior. His work demonstrates how molecular mechanisms like DNA methylation interact with environmental factors to influence parenting strategies, reproductive timing, and kin recognition. The research spans multiple insect systems including burying beetles, crickets, and whiteflies, providing comparative insights into the evolution of social behavior across diverse taxa. Moore maintains active collaborations within the University of Georgia, particularly with Patricia Moore in the Entomology department, as evidenced by their joint research on DNA methylation in insects. His lab appears to train graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, contributing to the next generation of evolutionary biologists while advancing our understanding of how complex social behaviors evolve and are maintained in natural populations.