Olga Russakovsky is an Associate Professor in the Computer Science Department at Princeton University, with additional affiliations at the Center for Statistics and Machine Learning and the Center for Information Technology Policy. She serves as Associate Director of the Princeton AI Lab and chairs the Board of Directors for AI4ALL, the nonprofit she co-founded in 2017. Her research integrates computer vision with machine learning, human-computer interaction, and fairness/transparency in AI systems. She leads the Visual AI Lab, focusing on developing intelligent systems that understand the visual world while addressing societal impacts of technology. Dr. Russakovsky is a prominent advocate for diversity in AI. She co-founded multiple educational initiatives including: Stanford AI4ALL (originally SAILORS, 2015) for high school girls Princeton AI4ALL (2018) for underrepresented racial/ethnic groups AI4ALL nonprofit (2017) to cultivate diverse AI leadership AI4ALL Open Learning (free K-12 AI curriculum) College Pathways program for undergraduate inclusion She has influenced policy through congressional engagement and media outreach, with featured coverage in MIT Technology Review, TheAtlantic, Wired, and EdWeek addressing AI's diversity crisis.
Mengliang Zhang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Ohio University, College of Arts and Sciences. He leads an interdisciplinary research group focused on mass spectrometry and chemometrics, with applications in forensic, food, agricultural, environmental, and material sciences. His lab develops innovative analytical strategies for detecting toxicants, characterizing nanomaterials, and profiling metabolites in botanicals and food systems. Ph.D., Chemistry, Ohio University, 2015 Dr. Zhang’s research integrates instrumentation, chemometrics, and computational tools to address complex analytical challenges. His group works on forensic fiber and ignitable liquid analysis, plant metabolomics, nanomaterial surface chemistry, and environmental toxicant monitoring. His work is highly interdisciplinary, bridging chemistry, data science, and real-world applications in forensics and public health. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend in advancing ambient ionization mass spectrometry (especially DART-MS), chemometric modeling, and metabolite profiling across diverse matrices—from fire debris to broccoli microgreens. His work increasingly emphasizes automation, quantitation, and database development for botanical phytochemicals. Scientific honors include the MTSU Distinguished Research Award (Early Career), and his students have received prestigious awards such as the Goldwater Scholarship and multiple URECA recognitions. He is actively supported by federal grants from NSF, USDA, DOE, DOJ (NIJ), and FEMA. Dr. Zhang mentors a vibrant research team of graduate and undergraduate students, guiding them in publishing high-impact research and presenting at national conferences like ASMS, Pittcon, and AAFS. He has organized sessions at SciX and served on editorial boards of Journal of Forensic Sciences and Journal of AOAC INTERNATIONAL . His lab recently relocated to Ohio University in August 2024, equipped with advanced instrumentation including UHPLC-QTOF-MS and DART-MS systems.
Weiping Tang is a Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, holding the Janis Apinis Professorship in the School of Pharmacy and the Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professorship. He also serves as Director of the Medicinal Chemistry Center at the School of Pharmacy and maintains a faculty appointment with the Department of Chemistry in the College of Letters and Science. Janis Apinis Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor Director of Medicinal Chemistry Center Faculty Appointment with Department of Chemistry Dr. Tang received his B.S. in Chemistry from Peking University in 1997, M.S. in Chemistry from New York University in 1999, Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Stanford University in 2005, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Medicinal Chemistry, Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery at Harvard University in 2007. Dr. Tang's research program focuses on drug discovery for cancer, infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders through three interconnected areas: Organic Synthesis (advancing glycoscience through novel carbohydrate synthesis technologies), Medicinal Chemistry (developing small molecules that selectively remove disease-associated proteins), and Chemical Biology (dissecting biological pathways using novel small molecule probes). His group operates as an interdisciplinary team where chemists and biologists collaborate closely on drug discovery projects, with particular emphasis on developing novel degraders for disease-causing proteins. Analysis of Dr. Tang's publication record reveals a significant shift toward targeted protein degradation technologies, particularly PROTACs and molecular glues, while maintaining strong foundations in carbohydrate chemistry. His most impactful recent work includes developing degraders for extracellular and membrane proteins (previously considered 'undruggable'), creating rapid synthesis platforms like Rapid-TAC and Rapid-Glue, and advancing understanding of ternary complex formation for novel PROTAC design. His research spans both chemical methodology development and therapeutic applications across multiple disease areas. Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professorship Janis Apinis Professorship Numerous high-impact publications in leading chemistry and pharmacology journals Editor's pick and hot paper designations for significant contributions Dr. Tang mentors a diverse team of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and staff scientists with expertise spanning synthetic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, carbohydrate chemistry, computational chemistry, biochemistry, and cell biology. His group has developed innovative platforms for the rapid synthesis of protein degraders and has made significant contributions to understanding the mechanisms of action for these novel therapeutics. Current research includes developing selective degraders for cancer targets like RIPK1, BRD4, and CARM1, as well as advancing delivery systems for clinical translation. The Tang Research Group maintains state-of-the-art facilities within the School of Pharmacy at UW-Madison, equipped for comprehensive chemical synthesis, compound characterization, and biological evaluation. The group actively collaborates with researchers across campus and with industry partners to advance discoveries toward clinical applications, with particular focus on cancer therapeutics and protein degradation technologies.
Hyun (Michel) Koo is a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine , with affiliations in the Department of Orthodontics , Division of Community Oral Health , and Division of Pediatric Dentistry . As Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Center for Innovation & Precision Dentistry (CiPD) , he leads interdisciplinary efforts merging bioengineering, nanotechnology, and oral health research. Education : DDS and PhD Research Focus : Biofilms, bacterial-fungal interactions, and nanotechnology for oral disease prevention Leadership : Co-Director of CiPD; key roles in training programs like NIDCR-sponsored R90 and T90/R90 Dr. Koo’s research explores biofilm mechanisms in oral infectious diseases, particularly childhood caries, through engineering methods and microrobotics . His team developed micron-scale robots for automated biofilm eradication and FDA-approved nanoparticles for caries prevention. Collaborations with Penn Engineering, including Dr. Daeyeon Lee and Dr. Kacy Cullen, emphasize translational approaches. The 15 most recent publications highlight his work in nanorobotics , interkingdom biofilms , and precision diagnostics . Articles span 2025–2024 and address topics like adaptive micromotors , biofilm matrix degradation , and single-cell microbial interactions . These emphasize his focus on targeted therapies and biofilm microenvironment engineering . Key Awards : Elected Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) IADR Distinguished Scientist Award for innovative dental research Dr. Koo trains next-generation researchers through the CiPD NIDCR T90/R90 Postdoctoral Training Program , mentoring fellows like Smruti Nair (ACE2 Chewing Gum development) and Zhi Ren (K99 awardee). His work intersects with Penn Health-Tech, CT3N , and Penn Institute for Biomedical Informatics , fostering transdisciplinary innovation.
Claus Lamm is a Full Professor of Biological Psychology at the University of Vienna , where he leads the Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Unit (SCAN-Unit) . He serves as Vice Dean for Research and Advancement of Early Career Researchers at the Faculty of Psychology and holds affiliations with the Vienna Cognitive Science Hub , Environment & Climate Change Hub , and Austrian Academy of Sciences . His academic career spans international collaborations and formative research experience abroad. Scientific Focus: Lamm investigates the neural underpinnings of empathy and prosocial behavior , employing multi-modal approaches combining neuroimaging, psychopharmacology, and psychoneuroendocrinology . His work extends to comparative studies with ravens and dogs, and explores environmental social neuroscience through climate change decision-making research. Recent publications show trends in cross-cultural psychology , machine learning applications , and neurobiological pathways related to social behavior. Awards & Grants: Recipient of the APS Mentor Award for his support of early career researchers. Funded by European Research Council , Austrian Science Fund , Vienna Science and Technology Fund , and intramural grants exceeding €10 million. Key projects include "Unravelling the opioid system in empathy" and "Comparative dog-human fMRI" . Media Engagement: A prominent public science communicator, Lamm has appeared in Nature , Science Magazine , and Austrian media outlets like Ö1 Mittagsjournal and ORF2 , discussing topics from pandemic psychology to social media effects . He maintains active outreach through Science TV and educational programs .
Cristian Gómez Canela is a Full Professor in the Department of Analytical and Applied Chemistry at the School of Engineering, Ramon Llull University (IQS). He serves as Coordinator of the Master's Degree in Analytical Chemistry and is an active member of the Catalan Chemical Society (SCQ), representing SCQ in EuChems-EYCN. His academic journey includes a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Barcelona (2014), followed by postdoctoral research at IDAEA-CSIC and King's College University. Dr. Gómez Canela's research focuses on environmental analytical chemistry, particularly the optimization and validation of analytical methods based on liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) for determining organic pollutants in environmental samples. His work extends to metabolomics applied to aquatic organisms and the analysis of neurotoxic compounds in water systems. His research fingerprint reveals strong expertise in zebrafish models (100%), neurotransmitter analysis (66%), Daphnia magna studies (64%), and neurotoxicity assessment (21%). His recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate a clear trend toward environmental neurotoxicology, with emphasis on the effects of pharmaceuticals and industrial pollutants on aquatic organisms. His work integrates advanced analytical techniques with biological endpoints to assess environmental risks, particularly focusing on neurological and cardiovascular impacts. The research spans method development for pollutant detection, environmental monitoring, and mechanistic studies of neurotoxic effects. Dr. Gómez Canela leads multiple significant research projects including CHEMIPARK (2024-2027) on passive sampling methodologies for environmental pollutants, GESPA (2022-2025) as part of the Environmental Process Engineering and Simulation Group, and several projects on neuroactive compounds in water systems. He has an impressive research output with 91 scientific publications from 2011-2025 and an h-index of 27 with over 2,000 citations. As a dedicated educator, he contributes to multiple academic programs including the Master in Analytical Chemistry, Master in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, and undergraduate degrees in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. His research group GESPA represents a multidisciplinary team combining chemical engineering, biotechnology, and chemical analysis to advance environmental sustainability through theoretical and experimental approaches.
Brooke Hudspeth, PharmD, is an Associate Professor and Chief Practice Officer at the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Pharmacy. She oversees community pharmacy initiatives and serves as acting President of the Kentucky Pharmacists Association (KPhA). Her roles include mentoring pharmacy students and residents as a preceptor, and leading collaborative projects with organizations like the American Pharmacists Association Foundation, Kroger Co., and the CDC. Educationally, she holds a Doctor of Pharmacy from the UK College of Pharmacy, alongside PGY1/PGY2 Community-based Pharmacy Practice Residencies from the same institution. Her research focuses on diabetes prevention, obesity, and pharmacist-driven clinical services, particularly through expanding the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) to five U.S. states via a $7.5M CDC grant. Research interests emphasize health disparities, vaccine accessibility, and optimizing pharmacist roles in self-care conditions. Notable projects include influenza point-of-care testing and pharmacy partnerships during the pandemic. Her work bridges academic innovation with real-world healthcare challenges, advocating for policy changes to enhance pharmacist payment for clinical services. Despite no explicitly listed awards, her impactful grant-funded projects reflect significant contributions to public health. She advises students and residents while leading residency expansion initiatives. Collaborations with major institutions underscore her role in advancing pharmacy practice and education nationally. Hudspeth’s lab/team is embedded within UK’s College of Pharmacy, focusing on translational research to improve patient care through pharmacist-led interventions. Future work includes expanding telehealth pharmacy services and addressing healthcare workforce shortages.
Yusuf Sayed is a Professor of Education at the University of Cambridge 's Faculty of Education. His expertise spans global education policy, equity, inclusion, and social justice, with over 40 years of international experience as a scholar, policy practitioner, and education rights activist. He holds qualifications including a PhD in Comparative Education and Policy from the University of Bristol and an MBA from the University of Brighton. Former roles include Professor at the University of Sussex, South African Research Chair in Teacher Education, and Founding Director of the Centre for International Teacher Education (CITE) at CPUT, South Africa. Professional memberships: Visiting Professor at Sussex, Honorary Professor at CITE, Editorial Board Member of key journals, and active in BAICE, CESI, SACHES, and SAERA. His research focuses on equity in education systems , particularly in the Global South, analyzing barriers to social and cognitive justice. Key areas include teacher education, public-private partnerships, inclusive pedagogy, and decolonizing education. Current projects address teacher pedagogy in South Africa, equity in PPP schooling, and the role of international development agencies. Yusuf has authored/co-authored over 20 books and 200+ academic works, engaging with diverse contexts across Africa, Asia, and beyond. His work critiques policy implementation gaps and advocates for marginalized voices in educational decision-making. Advising & Grants: Supervised over 40 doctoral students to completion, currently guiding postgraduates on education governance and policy. Teaches MPhil modules on globalization and education, and leads the Research Methods program. Labs/Teams: Affiliated with the Research in Education, Assessment, and Learning (REAL) Centre at Cambridge and the Centre for International Teacher Education (CITE).
Angela D. Kent is a Professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she also serves as Director of the Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology within the School of Integrative Biology. She is affiliated with the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. Her research focuses on microbial communities in agroecosystems and natural environments, particularly their roles in nitrogen cycling, soil health, and sustainable bioenergy production. Key research interests include microbial interactions in plant-microbe systems, the impact of genetic variation in crops on microbial processes, and the ecological and biogeochemical implications of soil microbiomes. She has authored over 99 publications and supervised datasets on topics such as denitrification dynamics, rhizosphere microbiome assembly, and microbial contributions to nitrogen retention. Dr. Kent has received the NACTA Educator Award (2012) and has contributed to high-impact studies on topics like microbial community responses to environmental stressors and the application of stable isotopes in bioenergy research. Her work bridges microbial ecology, agronomy, and environmental science, emphasizing practical solutions for sustainable agriculture and ecosystem management.
Calliope Dendrou is an Associate Professor in Clinical Pathology and Inflammation at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology (KIR), University of Oxford, leading the Immune Disease Multiomics Laboratory. She previously held a Wellcome & Royal Society Sir Henry Dale Fellowship at the University of Oxford’s Centre for Human Genetics before joining KIR in 2023. Her research focuses on immune disease mechanisms using multiomics approaches, including genomic profiling to identify therapeutic targets across tissues and immune-mediated diseases. She co-leads large-scale projects like the Oxford-J&J Cartography Consortium and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative’s LEGACY Network, and teaches on the MSc in Genomic Medicine program. Educational Background: BSc (Biology, Imperial College London, 2005; Forbes Memorial Medal Winner); PhD in Infection & Immunity (University of Cambridge, 2010). Postdoctoral training at the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine under Prof. Lars Fugger. Research interests include immunogenetics, cytokine signaling pathways, drug repositioning, and cross-disease pathophysiology. Her work integrates single-cell and spatial transcriptomics to dissect immune-cell interactions in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and celiac disease. Recent articles highlight her contributions to understanding vaccine adjuvant responses, Th17 cell roles in spondyloarthritis, and immune-epithelial networks in celiac disease. Collaborations emphasize multi-omic data analysis (e.g., Panpipes pipeline) and translational studies toward precision medicine. Awards: Forbes Memorial Medal (BSc), Wellcome & Royal Society Sir Henry Dale Fellowship. Leadership roles include Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Champion and 'Single-Cell & Spatial Omics for Precision Medicine' Module Lead. Lab & Teams: Immune Disease Multiomics Lab at KIR. Active in collaborative initiatives such as the LEGACY Network, focusing on large-scale immune profiling in ancestrally diverse populations.
Armelle Choplin is an Associate Professor at the University of Geneva's Department of Geography and Environment within the Geneva School of Social Sciences, and affiliated with the Global Studies Institute since 2019. She serves as Director of the Institute of Environmental Governance and Territorial Development (IGEDT), leading research on urban transformations in the Global South. Research Focus Her research examines urban policies, social transformations, and development challenges in African cities and the Global South. Core interests include: urban planning dynamics, governance frameworks, construction industry impacts, poverty alleviation, sustainable development pathways, globalization effects, digital innovation in urban contexts, and postcolonial urban studies. Her geographical specialization focuses on West Africa and MENA regions. Publication Analysis Recent publications (2017-2024) demonstrate consistent focus on material urbanism, governance innovations, and spatial justice in African cities. Key thematic clusters include: urban material flows (concrete, energy), participatory planning methods, transnational urban corridors, and postcolonial urban theory. Methodologically, her work combines spatial analysis with political economy and ethnographic approaches. Research Leadership She directs multiple international projects including: Global Urb: Global Urbanism from the South MatéRhône: Construction materials in Rhone Valley West African Coastal Corridor study (Accra-Lagos axis) URBACOT: West African Coastal Urban Dynamics Observatory Map&Jerry: Participatory mapping in Cotonou Student Advising Currently supervising eight doctoral candidates researching urban development topics across Africa. Her teaching portfolio includes courses on urban globalization, metropolitan governance, spatial justice, and regional project development at both bachelor's and master's levels.
Marc V Fuccillo is an Associate Professor of Neuroscience at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, where he leads a research laboratory focused on understanding the neural circuit mechanisms underlying behavioral control. His work bridges molecular, synaptic, and behavioral approaches to investigate how striatal circuits regulate mouse behavior from simple motor patterns to complex goal-directed actions. Fuccillo holds dual appointments in the Neuroscience and Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Groups at Penn and maintains an active laboratory investigating the synaptic and circuit basis of neuropsychiatric disorders. Education: B.A. in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Music Performance (Violin) from Brown University (1998) Ph.D. in Developmental Genetics from New York University School of Medicine (2007) M.D. from New York University School of Medicine (2008) Fuccillo's research centers on the synaptic and circuit mechanisms of behavioral control, with particular emphasis on striatal circuits. His laboratory employs a range of technologies including mouse genetics, in vitro electrophysiology, in vivo imaging, and quantitative behavioral analysis to explore how neural circuits of the striatum regulate behavior and how disruptions in these circuits contribute to neuropsychiatric disorders. His work has particularly focused on autism-associated abnormalities in behavioral control, examining how synaptic adhesion molecules like neuroligins and neurexins shape circuit function and behavior, with significant findings regarding D1 dopamine receptor positive medium spiny neurons in the nucleus accumbens. Analysis of Fuccillo's recent publications reveals a strong focus on striatal circuit function across multiple dimensions. His work spans molecular neuroscience (examining synaptic adhesion molecules), cellular physiology (studying specific neuron types in striatal circuits), systems neuroscience (mapping circuit connectivity), and behavioral neuroscience (quantifying motor learning and decision-making). A unifying theme is how disruptions in specific molecular pathways lead to circuit-level abnormalities that manifest as behavioral phenotypes relevant to neuropsychiatric disorders, with particular attention to autism, OCD, and schizophrenia models. Scientific Recognition: Publications in high-impact journals including Nature Neuroscience, Current Biology, Cell Reports, and Neuron Research supported by multiple NIH grants including NIMH F32, NIMH K01, and HHMI Gilliam Fellowship awards for lab members Fuccillo actively mentors a diverse group of trainees including postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduates. His laboratory has produced numerous successful alumni who have gone on to faculty positions, medical residencies, and graduate programs at prestigious institutions. His mentoring approach emphasizes technical skill development across multiple neuroscience disciplines while fostering independent scientific thinking. Current research in his lab is supported by NIH funding focused on understanding the molecular architecture of striatal circuits and their role in behavioral control, with three major research directions exploring molecular logic of striatal circuits, circuit mechanisms of behavioral control, and striatal dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disease models. The Fuccillo Laboratory operates within the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania, with access to state-of-the-art facilities for molecular, electrophysiological, imaging, and behavioral neuroscience research. The lab maintains active collaborations with other neuroscience research groups at Penn and beyond, creating a rich intellectual environment for studying the neural basis of behavior. Current research directions include investigating whether there is a molecular logic to striatal circuit composition, how striatal circuits shape behavioral control, and what mouse models of autism, schizophrenia, and OCD can reveal about striatal circuit dysfunction in disease pathophysiology.
Dr. Xinwei Ye serves as a Researcher in the Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis division at Utrecht University's Faculty of Science. His primary affiliation is with the Department of Chemistry, where he conducts cutting-edge research on heterogeneous catalysis for environmental applications, particularly focusing on selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems for automotive emissions control. With a strong background in inorganic materials and advanced characterization techniques, Dr. Ye contributes significantly to understanding catalyst structure-performance relationships. Educational Background: Master of Science (MSc) - Institution not specified in source Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Chemistry, Utrecht University (2022) Dr. Ye's research program centers on the development and mechanistic investigation of copper-exchanged zeolite catalysts for NH 3 -SCR processes. His work integrates multiple advanced characterization methodologies including operando spectroscopy, scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM), and atom probe tomography to probe catalyst behavior under working conditions at nanometer resolution. This multi-technique approach enables unprecedented insights into active site speciation, reaction mechanisms, and deactivation pathways in emission control catalysts. Analysis of Dr. Ye's publication record from 2018-2022 reveals a cohesive research trajectory focused on copper-zeolite SCR catalysts. His work consistently addresses critical challenges in catalyst durability and performance optimization through fundamental understanding of structure-activity relationships. The publications demonstrate increasing sophistication in experimental approaches, moving from membrane synthesis (2018) to nanoscale deactivation studies (2020) and ultimately to comprehensive structure-performance correlations in his doctoral thesis (2022). As a core member of Utrecht University's catalysis research community, Dr. Ye collaborates extensively with the renowned Weckhuysen group. His research is conducted within well-equipped laboratories featuring state-of-the-art instrumentation for catalyst synthesis, testing, and characterization, including access to synchrotron radiation facilities for advanced X-ray techniques.
Prof. Dr. André Bardow is a Full Professor in Energy and Process Systems Engineering at ETH Zurich , leading research at the intersection of thermodynamics, machine learning, and sustainable energy systems. Previously, he held professorships at RWTH Aachen University (2010-2020) and TU Delft (2007-2010). He also served as part-time director at Forschungszentrum Jülich (2017-2022) and visiting professor at UC Santa Barbara (2015/16). His work focuses on energy systems optimization , computer-aided molecular design , and CO2 capture & utilization . PhD from RWTH Aachen University Current ETH Zurich affiliation Former roles at RWTH Aachen, TU Delft, Jülich Research Center His research integrates machine learning with thermodynamic modeling to optimize processes like crystallization and electrochemical cooling . Recent publications demonstrate advancements in solvent design, CO2 transport LCA, and ORC working fluid optimization. He chairs the VDI Technical Committee for Thermodynamics (2016-2024) and has received multiple awards including the Covestro Science Award and Arnold-Eucken-Award . Current projects address carbon circular economies , electrified chemical production , and AI-driven process optimization . His lab at ETH Zurich develops cutting-edge technologies like ML-CAMPD frameworks for sustainable separation processes and photoacid-based CO2 capture systems. Funding from the H2020 Systemic Expansion of Circular Ecosystems (grant 101036854) supports these initiatives. 2024 Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher 2022 Inaugural Lecture: "To sustainability and beyond: A computer-animated story on energy & chemicals" Recipient of multiple teaching and research excellence awards
David S. Eisenberg is a Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Biological Chemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he also serves as Director of the UCLA-DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics and as an HHMI Investigator. His research focuses on protein interactions, particularly the structural basis for conversion of normal proteins to the amyloid state and conversion of prions to the infectious state. Dr. Eisenberg earned his undergraduate degree in biochemical sciences from Harvard College and his D.Phil. degree in theoretical chemistry from Oxford University on a Rhodes Scholarship. His postdoctoral research was on ice and water with Walter Kauzmann at Princeton and in protein crystallography with Richard Dickerson. He joined the UCLA faculty after his postdoctoral studies. Dr. Eisenberg and his research group focus on protein interactions in amyloid and prion diseases. These diseases involve protein aggregation where normal functional proteins convert to abnormal aggregated forms. Systemic amyloid diseases like dialysis-related amyloidosis result from fiber accumulation until organ failure, while neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, and prion conditions appear to be caused by smaller oligomers. In 2005, his team determined the atomic-level structure for the amyloid fiber spine, revealing a 'steric zipper' of two parallel beta sheets packed across a dry interface. Since then, they've determined approximately 90 amyloid spines from 15 disease-related proteins. In 2010, they identified the structure of a toxic amyloid-related oligomer consisting of six anti-parallel beta strands forming a cylindrical barrel. His recent publications demonstrate continued innovation in amyloid research, with focus areas including structural prediction of amyloid formation, mechanisms of tau fibril disassembly in Alzheimer's disease, cryo-EM analysis of amyloid polymorphism, and structure-based design of inhibitors for amyloid toxicity. His work integrates computational, structural, and biochemical approaches to understand protein aggregation across multiple disease contexts. Dr. Eisenberg has received numerous prestigious awards and honors: National Academy of Sciences Member American Philosophical Society Member Institute of Medicine Member Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator Biophysical Society Emily M. Gray Award Harvard Westheimer Medal UCLA Seaborg Medal Technion - Israel Institute of Technology Harvey Prize in Human Health As Director of the UCLA-DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics and an HHMI Investigator, Dr. Eisenberg leads significant research initiatives in protein structure and aggregation. His laboratory combines X-ray crystallography, bioinformatics, and biochemical techniques to investigate protein interactions, with particular emphasis on amyloid-forming proteins and their role in disease. The Eisenberg Lab, located in Boyer Hall at UCLA, maintains an active research program investigating the structural basis of protein aggregation. The lab continues to build on its landmark discoveries of amyloid structures while exploring new frontiers in understanding protein misfolding diseases and developing potential therapeutic interventions.
