Find Academic Supervisors

Athina E MarkakiView profile

Professor

• Tissue Engineering
• Biomaterials
• Regenerative Medicine
• +3 more

Professor Athina E Markaki serves as Professor of Materials & Biomedical Engineering in the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge, leading research in advanced biomaterials and tissue engineering solutions for regenerative medicine with emphasis on vascularization and tubular scaffold development for human conduit replacement. Her academic credentials include a Diploma in Metallurgical Engineering (8.6/10) from the National Technical University of Athens and a PhD in Materials Science from the University of Cambridge. Markaki's research program centers on vascularisation techniques for clinically relevant tissue dimensions and tubular scaffolds to replace diseased or damaged human conduits, integrating biomaterials science with regenerative medicine principles. Key applications span liver tissue engineering, neural crest-derived stem cell differentiation, and vascular graft development, with strong translational focus on orthopaedic and cardiovascular medical devices. Analysis of her recent publications reveals dominant trends in biomimetic scaffold design, particularly collagen-based tubular structures and hydrogel systems for vascularized tissue constructs. Her work demonstrates interdisciplinary convergence of AI-driven retinal assessment, glioblastoma modeling, and self-healing cementitious materials, with consistent emphasis on clinically applicable regenerative solutions for liver, bone, and neural tissues. Her distinguished scientific contributions are recognized by major awards: Rosetrees Trust 2017 Interdisciplinary Award European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant (2010) Advanced EPSRC Fellowship (2005) De Montfort Award at SET for Britain National Event (2004) Young Scientist Prize 2003 (5th Euromech Solid Mechanics Conference) Multiple academic excellence awards from Greek foundations Markaki directs a well-funded research program including ERC and EPSRC grants, mentoring graduate students in tissue engineering while teaching core engineering curricula covering plastic deformation, fracture mechanics, and medical materials design. Her group maintains strong industry and clinical partnerships to advance regenerative technologies. Her laboratory, accessible via http://www-memti.eng.cam.ac.uk/, specializes in vascularized tissue constructs and tubular scaffolds using laser-based manufacturing, biomimetic design, and hydrogel engineering to address critical challenges in tissue replacement and disease modeling.

Florent GinhouxView profile

Researcher

• Myeloid Cell Biology
• Cancer Immunology
• Tumor Microenvironment
• +4 more

Florent Ginhoux is a Researcher at Gustave Roussy 's Tumor Immunology and Cancer Immunotherapy Program (U1015). He leads the Florent Ginhoux Laboratory (ginhouxlab.com), focusing on myeloid cell biology in cancer progression and immunotherapy development. His team integrates spatial transcriptomics (Visium HD, Xenium), single-cell RNA sequencing , and MACSIMA spatial proteomics to dissect tumor-immune interactions. His research spans pediatric oncology (brain tumors, neuroblastomas, sarcomas) and adult cancers (pancreatic, head/neck carcinomas). Key projects include Developing iPSC-derived macrophages for patient-specific tumor modeling Characterizing TREM2+ multinucleated macrophages as prognostic indicators Creating MoMac-VERSE and DC-VERSE compendiums for cross-tissue myeloid cell analysis His lab collaborates with pediatric oncologists and bioinformaticians on projects funded by 2024 Fight-Kid Cancer grant ( MiMiC-Kids ) 2024 ANR Excellence Chair ( MATCH ) 2024 Horizon HIT-GLIO grant 2021 INCa PEDIAHRG High-Risk/High-Gain program

Analisa DiFeoView profile

Associate Professor

• Ovarian Cancer
• miRNA Regulation
• Cancer Biology
• +5 more

Analisa DiFeo, Ph.D., serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology and Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Michigan Medical School. Her research program, based at Michigan Medicine, focuses on molecular mechanisms of ovarian cancer development and progression through interdisciplinary collaboration within the university's extensive research ecosystem. Dr. DiFeo's laboratory investigates microRNA regulation and gene expression in ovarian tumor biology using integrated in vitro and in vivo approaches. Her research spans molecular oncology, cancer signaling pathways, and tumor microenvironment interactions, with particular emphasis on PP2A signaling, miR-181a function, and mechanisms of platinum resistance in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma. Her team develops patient-derived models and mouse systems to dissect oncogenic processes and identify therapeutic vulnerabilities. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2024-2025) reveals consistent focus on gynecologic cancers, especially ovarian and uterine malignancies. Key research themes include PP2A tumor suppressor reactivation, miRNA-driven oncogenesis, tumor microenvironment dynamics, and development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting molecular dependencies in treatment-resistant disease. Her work bridges basic molecular mechanisms with translational applications. Dr. DiFeo actively mentors students in her laboratory, emphasizing hands-on training in molecular biology techniques, cancer genetics, and mouse modeling. She encourages passionate students to seek research opportunities through direct inquiry, providing comprehensive training in wet lab methodologies, tissue culture, and development of patient-derived cancer models. Her lab fosters collaborative problem-solving for complex oncology challenges. The DiFeo Laboratory operates within the Center for RNA Biomedicine at the University of Michigan, leveraging institutional resources for RNA-focused cancer research. Her team collaborates across disciplines to investigate microRNA functions in tumor initiation, progression, and therapeutic resistance, utilizing advanced models including tumoroids and genetically engineered systems to mimic clinical disease phenotypes.

• Signal Transduction
• Oncology
• Biochemistry
• +5 more

Manfred Jücker is a Professor at the Institute of Biochemistry and Signal Transduction within the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) . His research focuses on phosphoinositide signaling pathways , particularly the PI3K/AKT/mTOR network , and their roles in cancer progression and leukemia pathogenesis . Jücker investigates how Akt isoforms differentially regulate metastasis , drug resistance , and cell survival in tumors like hepatocellular carcinoma , breast cancer , and colorectal cancer . Recent publications highlight his work on SHIP1 phosphatase in hematopoietic malignancies , targeted kinase inhibition in AML , and metabolic reprogramming via AKT isoform regulation . His team uses in vitro tumor models , xenotransplantation , and phosphoproteomics to explore novel therapeutic approaches. Jücker collaborates extensively with clinicians and researchers in oncology , immunology , and translational medicine , contributing to drug development strategies and personalized cancer therapy . Key projects include reducing animal experiments through in vitro tumoroids and analyzing CYTL1 as a treatment target in elderly AML patients.

Gerardo TurcattiView profile

Adjunct Professor

• Drug Screening
• Chemical Biology
• Bio-analytical Chemistry
• +5 more

Gerardo Turcatti is an Adjunct Professor at the School of Life Sciences (EPFL), leading the Biomolecular Screening Facility (BSF) and the Biomolecular Screening Core Facility. He holds roles in SSV-Teaching and directs the ACCESS program under the NCCR-Chemical Biology initiative. With a Master's in Chemical Engineering (University of Geneva) and a PhD in Chemistry and Biochemistry (EPFL, where he won the best doctoral thesis award), his expertise spans multidisciplinary R&D in drug screening, chemical biology, and bio-analytical chemistry. His research focuses on high-throughput screening technologies, including holographic imaging for cardiomyocyte dynamics and red blood cell storage studies. He has pioneered platforms for malaria drug discovery and cancer therapeutics, leveraging 3D tumoroid models and combinatorial chemistry. His work extends to antiviral research, including SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors and canine distemper virus studies, and includes innovations in nucleic acid sequencing technologies through his former role as CTO of Manteia S.A. Key Projects: ACCESS platform, BSF facility, Next-Gen sequencing tech development Teaching: Leads the 'Methods: from disease models to therapy' course, integrating hands-on platform rotations in life sciences Labs/Teams: Directs EPFL's Biomolecular Screening Facility and collaborates with industry and academic partners Publications emphasize translational applications, including drug repurposing, cardiovascular toxicity screening, and red blood cell storage optimization. His contributions bridge academic research and industrial innovation, with over 100 peer-reviewed articles and patents in chemical biology and drug discovery.

Geeta MehtaView profile

Associate Professor

• Biomaterials
• Biomechanics
• Cancer Microenvironment
• +7 more

Geeta Mehta, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on engineered cellular microenvironments using biomaterials and microtechnology to study cancer biology, stem cell engineering, and regenerative medicine. She leads the Engineered Cellular Microenvironments (ECM) Lab and emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration across materials science, oncology, and biomedical engineering. Her work addresses critical challenges in ovarian cancer, breast cancer, and bone marrow stem cell research through innovations in bioMEMS, microfluidics, and tumoroid models. Recent studies include mechanotransduction in cancers, personalized tumoroid drug screening, and development of antimicrobial surfaces. She actively explores translational applications, including a phase II clinical trial of metformin targeting cancer stem cells. Research Highlights: 3D tumor modeling, cancer stem cell dynamics, mechanobiology of tumors, and antimicrobial biomaterials Labs/Teams: Engineered Cellular Microenvironments (ECM) Lab Key Collaborations: Cross-departmental work in materials science, oncology, and biomedical engineering Publications span over two decades, with recent emphasis on tumor microenvironment complexity, chemoresistance mechanisms, and biomaterials innovation. Her research bridges fundamental science and clinical translation, aiming to advance personalized cancer therapies and regenerative strategies.

• Biomedical Science
• Molecular Biology
• Cancer Cell Biology
• +4 more

Dr. Xi Zhang is a Research Fellow at the Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics, Griffith University, with expertise in biomedical science and biomarker discovery. He works in the Saliva and Liquid Biopsy Research Team, focusing on non-invasive diagnostics for systemic diseases. Education: PhD in Biomedical Science (Queensland University of Technology, 2018), Master of Biotechnology (University of Queensland, 2013), Bachelor of Science (China Pharmaceutical University, 2011) Research Interests: His work bridges molecular biology, cancer cell biology, and clinical chemistry to develop salivary biomarkers for head and neck cancer, heart failure, and liver disease. He specializes in mass spectrometry, immunoassays, and statistical analysis. Scientific Contributions: Dr. Zhang holds a PCT patent (WO/2019/028507) licensed to ESN Cleer, Melbourne, and contributes to 15+ peer-reviewed articles in Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences Talanta Cancer Medicine Molecular Biology Reports His research spans liquid biopsies, tumoroid profiling, and glycomics. Teaching & Supervision: He serves as Associate Supervisor for 5 PhD projects and 2 Masters theses, including topics on tumoroids, exosomes, and cell-free DNA methylation. His work is funded by Tour de Cure and Gallipoli Medical Research Ltd.

• Bladder Cancer
• Non Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer
• Molecular Biomarkers
• +6 more

Dr. Tahlita Zuiverloon is an active researcher in the Urology department at Erasmus MC, with a primary focus on bladder cancer research. Her work spans molecular biology, clinical oncology, and translational medicine, with particular emphasis on non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Her research interests center around identifying molecular biomarkers for cancer progression and treatment response prediction. Dr. Zuiverloon investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying bladder cancer development and progression, with special attention to therapeutic targets and predictive biomarkers for treatments like BCG immunotherapy. Her work also extends to testicular germ cell tumors and the application of artificial intelligence in pathology for improved diagnostic accuracy. Analysis of her recent publications (2025) reveals a strong trend toward translational research that bridges molecular findings with clinical applications. Her work spans from basic molecular studies on ARID1A loss in bladder cancer to large international multicenter clinical validation studies using AI-powered pathology assays. The predominant fields covered include urological oncology, molecular diagnostics, immunotherapy response prediction, and cancer biomarker discovery. Dr. Zuiverloon maintains active collaborations across multiple institutions, as evidenced by her international multicenter studies. Her research has been featured in high-impact journals including Nature Reviews Urology , Journal of Urology , and European Urology , with significant attention from both academic and clinical communities.

Aurel PerrenView profile

Professor

• Pathology
• Neuroendocrine Tumors
• Pancreatic Cancer
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Aurel Perren is Vice Dean for Digitalization at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern , and Head of the Institute of Pathology . His research focuses on neuroendocrine tumors, pancreatic cancer, and digital pathology applications. Current academic roles: Vice Dean Digitalization, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern Institutional affiliation: Institute of Pathology, University of Bern Research Interests : Aurel Perren's work spans pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms , thyroid tumor heterogeneity , and AI-driven medical diagnostics . Key areas include metabolic tumor profiling , immune microenvironment dynamics , and digital pathology implementation . Scientific Collaborations & Tools : He contributes to ENETS position statements and develops deep learning-based diagnostic workflows for lymph node metastases and tumor cell fraction quantification. His team investigates 3D tumor mapping via micro-CT radiomics and molecular subtyping of neuroendocrine tumors. Publications & Projects : Recent articles highlight MCT transporter inhibition strategies, molecular subtyping of PanNETs, and validation of NETest liquid biopsy for high-grade neuroendocrine neoplasms. Current projects focus on spatial immune heterogeneity and personalized tumoroid therapies.

Sven RottenbergView profile

Professor

• Oncology
• DNA Damage Response
• Comparative Oncology (Canine/Feline Models)
• +5 more

Prof. Dr. Sven Rottenberg is a Group Leader at the Institute of Animal Pathology within the University of Bern , and a member of the Neglected Diseases Cluster at the Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases (MCID) . His research spans oncology and infectious diseases, focusing on DNA damage response mechanisms, PARP inhibitor resistance, and comparative oncology using canine/feline models. Specializes in spatial transcriptomics and CRISPR/Cas9 functional genomics Develops AI-driven tools for digital pathology and drug safety assessment Investigates tumor microenvironment dynamics and metabolic vulnerabilities Research Trends : His recent work emphasizes Spatial omics technologies for tumor heterogeneity mapping Host-pathogen interactions in malaria and hemoparasites Artificial intelligence applications in veterinary and human oncology Genetic dropout screens for chemotherapy optimization Replication fork stability in BRCA-deficient cancers Canine tumor organoid biobanking

• Saliva Diagnostics
• Biomarkers (Cancer/Heart Failure)
• Liquid Biopsies
• +7 more

Professor Chamindie Punyadeera is a leading academic at Griffith University, holding a joint appointment in Science and Health within the School of Environment and Science. She leads the Salivary Diagnostics and Liquid Biopsy Laboratory, focusing on biomarker development for precision health, particularly in cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Her work bridges academia and industry, emphasizing non-invasive diagnostics through saliva and liquid biopsies. Education: BSc, University of Botswana (1991–1994) MSc (Cum Laude), University of the Witwatersrand (1995–1996) PhD, University of the Witwatersrand (1997–2000) Research Interests: Professor Punyadeera’s work spans salivary proteomics, liquid biopsies, and biomarker discovery for cancers (e.g., head and neck, lung, and oral) and heart failure. She also explores biosensors, exosomes, and epigenetic markers. Her lab develops translational tools like the FDA-approved CancerDetect saliva test for head and neck cancer. Grants & Collaborations: ARC Research Hub for Molecular Biosensors (MOBIUS, $540,000) National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants for saliva diagnostics Industry partnerships with Viome and Gallipoli Medical Research Ltd Labs & Impact: Her lab’s innovations include miRNA-based oral cancer diagnostics and hydrogel-free tumoroid models for drug testing. She advocates for women in STEMM and has filed patents for salivary biomarker panels for liver cirrhosis, HPV-driven cancers, and oral cancer prediction.

• Cardiac Electrophysiology
• Atrial Fibrillation
• Calcium Handling in Cardiomyocytes
• +4 more

Cristina E. Molina is a researcher affiliated with the Medizinische Fakultät der Universität Hamburg at the Universitätsklinikum Eppendorf (UKE). Her work focuses on cardiac electrophysiology, atrial fibrillation mechanisms, and calcium handling in cardiomyocytes. She investigates cAMP and cGMP signaling pathways in health and disease, particularly their roles in arrhythmogenesis and cardiac remodeling. Her research integrates molecular, cellular, and translational approaches, including live cell imaging of cyclic nucleotides, fibroblast proliferation dynamics in lung fibrosis models, and preclinical drug evaluation using patient-derived xenografts. She also studies the impact of atrial fibrillation on ventricular function and explores novel therapeutic targets involving phosphodiesterases (PDE3, PDE4, PDE8) and potassium channel regulation. Key contributions include defining pathological niches in lung diseases via spatial transcriptomics and elucidating how mechanical stress and adenosine receptor activation contribute to arrhythmias. Her interdisciplinary work bridges basic science and clinical cardiology, aiming to improve understanding of cardiovascular pathophysiology and develop new diagnostic/therapeutic strategies.

• Urology
• Bladder Cancer
• Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
• +7 more

Joost Boormans is a Full Professor in the Department of Urology at Erasmus MC, a leading academic medical center in the Netherlands. His clinical and research expertise lies in urological oncology, with a strong focus on bladder cancer and surgical oncology. His research interests center on improving outcomes in bladder cancer through translational and clinical studies. Key areas include the management of non-muscle-invasive and muscle-invasive bladder cancer, the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, oncological outcomes after cystectomy, and the development of molecular biomarkers to guide personalized treatment decisions. He actively contributes to nationwide and multicenter studies, leveraging real-world data and advanced molecular modeling. The recent publication trends indicate a strong emphasis on precision oncology, patient cohort analyses, and integrative models using tumoroids and genomic data. His work spans clinical trials, systematic reviews, and translational research, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach to urothelial cancer. Dr. Boormans has supervised multiple doctoral and research-level students, as indicated by the 'Supervised Work' section, although specific names are not listed. He collaborates extensively across institutions and countries, particularly in large-scale clinical studies. While no specific grants are mentioned, his involvement in nationwide and multicountry research suggests active funding support. He is part of research teams focusing on genitourinary oncology, molecular diagnostics, and surgical outcomes, contributing to both clinical practice and scientific advancement in urology.

Arno van LeendersView profile

Professor

• Prostate Cancer
• Bladder Cancer
• Neoplasm
• +5 more

Arno van Leenders is a full professor at Erasmus MC specializing in Pathology with a focus on Prostate Cancer (100% fingerprint) and Bladder Cancer (100% in recent outputs). Active in Neoplasm research (46% fingerprint) and Biopsy Technique development (29%), he collaborates internationally on Prostatectomy (43%) and Gleason Score accuracy (24%). His recent work includes: Multidisciplinary approaches to prostate cancer overdiagnosis Bladder cancer chemotherapy outcomes analysis ARID1A loss modeling in tumoroids 4D pathology for prostate cancer dynamics Research spans Magnetic Resonance Imaging (22%), Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy (100%), and Surgical Margin analysis (18%).

Peter MullenView profile

Research Fellow

• Cancer Modeling
• Tumoroid Development
• Drug Resistance Mechanisms
• +5 more

Peter Mullen serves as a Research Fellow within the Cellular Medicine Division of the School of Medicine at the University of St Andrews, working under Professor David Harrison. His research focuses on developing primary tumouroid models from renal and colorectal cancer tissues obtained during patient surgeries. His research interests center on 3D cancer modeling using spinner flasks and microfluidic devices to establish tumor cultures (tumouroids). Key areas include drug testing with conventional and protide-modified compounds, analysis via immunofluorescence, and investigation of mechanisms like collateral resistance in breast cancer models. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals through cancer therapeutics development. Recent publications demonstrate expertise in CRISPR/Cas9 screening, gemcitabine analogs (NUC-1031), thymidylate synthase inhibition (NUC-3373), and signaling visualization toolkits for combination therapy design. His 2024-2025 work includes spatial mass spectrometry characterization of renal cell carcinoma tumoroids. Mullen collaborates extensively within oncology research, with fingerprint topics including Gemcitabine, Cell Cycle, ProTide technology, CRISPR/Cas9 systems, Cancer Modeling, Protein Kinase B pathways, and Breast Cancer mechanisms. His datasets include patient-derived tumoroid characterizations and chemical synthesis projects.