Dr. Ewan Campbell , PhD, is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen , affiliated with the School of Biological Sciences and the Centre for Genome Enabled Biology and Medicine . With over 15 years of experience in genomics and molecular techniques, he specializes in applying cutting-edge tools like next-generation sequencing (NGS), RNA interference (RNAi), and proteomics to address agricultural and biomedical challenges. Research Interests : Invertebrate physiology, Aquaporin proteins, RNAi-based pest control, genomic approaches to disease vectors, and translational applications of molecular biology. Teaching : Leads advanced courses in vector biology, infectious diseases, and animal physiology. Scientific Contributions include: Pioneering RNAi techniques in Varroa destructor and ticks Patents for RNAi-mediated gene regulation Developing NGS solutions for pesticide resistance analysis Creating in vitro feeding systems for mite studies Outreach : Has spoken to 5,000+ people at 60+ events, emphasizing public engagement and policy impact. Recognized by BBSRC for research impact (2016).
Jorge Ivan Correa Drubi is an Assistant Professor (part-time, 2-hour appointment) in the Department of Forest Management and its Environment at the Faculty of Forestry Sciences and Nature Conservation, University of Chile. His academic career spans over 14 years of continuous teaching since 2007, primarily focusing on forestry business and economics courses. Education: Forestry Engineering degree from University of Chile (completed December 7, 1977). Research Focus: Drubi specializes in the intersection of forestry management and business economics, with expertise in: Corporate management strategies for forestry enterprises Financial modeling for environmental resource allocation Market dynamics of forest products Ecological economics in conservation contexts Vector ecology in forest-disease transmission Teaching Portfolio: He has consistently taught core courses including: Business Management (2023-2024) Financial and Marketing Fundamentals for Forestry (2015-2020) Forest Market (2007-2010) Introduction to Forestry Sciences (2024) Student Advising: Co-advised Daniela Estay Olea's 2020 research on Chagas disease vector ecology. Research Publications: Recent work demonstrates interdisciplinary focus on parasitic disease vectors in forest ecosystems, particularly examining how pathogen interactions affect vector behavior and disease transmission dynamics.
Sean Phillip Riley is an Associate Professor in the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Maryland, College Park, within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. His research focuses on intracellular bacteria, particularly Rickettsia , and their interactions with mammalian hosts. His educational background includes: Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky B.S. from the University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign Postdoctoral training at Louisiana State University and the University of Chicago Dr. Riley's research centers on understanding how Rickettsia pathogens, such as R. rickettsii (the cause of Rocky Mountain spotted fever), interact with host cells and the immune system. His lab investigates host-directed therapeutics, the interplay between Rickettsia and the innate immune system (particularly the complement system), vaccinology for rickettsial diseases, and bacterial adaptations in different host environments (mammalian vs. arthropod vectors). This work aims to develop new diagnostic tools, antibiotics, and vaccines. His recent publications (2020-2023) primarily focus on Rickettsia infections, highlighting the role of the complement system and macrophage activation in controlling bacterial proliferation. The research spans microbiology, immunology, and infectious diseases, with an emphasis on host-pathogen interactions and therapeutic interventions. No scientific awards were mentioned in the provided text. Dr. Riley advises several students, including PhD candidate Jinyi (Cornelia) Zhu and undergraduate student Marissa Elassal. He also mentors postdoctoral scholar Mustapha (Masten) Dahmani. While specific grants are not detailed, his research is supported by ongoing projects in host-directed therapeutics and rickettsial pathogenesis. His laboratory, located in the Avrum Gudelsky Veterinary Center, is part of the integrated Department of Veterinary Medicine and the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. The team includes postdocs, PhD candidates, and undergraduates working collaboratively on cutting-edge research in intracellular bacterial pathogens.
Kelly Oten is a researcher at North Carolina State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences , specializing in Entomology & Plant Pathology . Their work focuses on invasive forest pests and plant diseases affecting hardwood trees across North Carolina. Expertise in invasive species management including spotted lanternfly, emerald ash borer, and tree-of-heaven Specialist in tree disease control for oak, elm, dogwood, and ash species Proficient in pest management strategies for ornamental and agricultural trees Key research areas include: Biological control methods using parasitoid wasps Herbicide applications in forest management Identification and mitigation of invasive plant/pest interactions Recent publications cover: Callery pear invasive offspring (2025) Laurel wilt disease (2025) Elm tree diseases (2025) Gall wasp biology (2025) Firewood pest dispersal (2021)
Tuomas Aivelo is a Research Fellow at the University of Helsinki , affiliated with the Faculty of Science . He serves as a supervisor in the Doctoral Programme in Wildlife Biology and is associated with the Helsinki One Health (HOH) , Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS) , and Institute for Urban Studies (Urbaria) . Research: Ecology and evolutionary biology of pathogens/parasites, urban ecology, biology didactics. Teaching: Leads Introduction to Biology Teaching course, lectures on parasite ecology, urban ecology, science communication. Projects: Leads Helsinki Urban Rat Project (studying rat pathogens and urban coexistence) and collaborates on citizen science initiatives. Research Trends: Recent articles focus on urban ecology , parasite dynamics , and science education , with interdisciplinary work bridging ecology , public health , and pedagogy . Scientific Awards: Silver Merit Award of the Finnish Association of Biology and Geography Teachers (2017) J.V. Snellman Award (2019) Honorary Mention from the Lauri Jäntti Foundation (2019) Honorary Member of Symbioosi Association (May 2022) Tieto-Finlandia Award Nomination (2018) Advising: Supervises master’s theses and co-supervised doctoral research on rodenticide resistance. Engaged in Biology Olympiad and Explore-Try-Develop competition. Labs & Teams: Affiliated with the Global Change and Conservation Lab and collaborates with institutions like the Academy of Finland and Walter Ehrström Foundation .
Mariko Dale is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Molecular Biology at Umeå University, Sweden, working within the Oliver Billker Lab at the Hospital area campus (6K and 6L). Her research centers on molecular host-parasite dynamics, specifically investigating Plasmodium berghei infection mechanisms in mosquitoes. She earned her PhD from the University of Bern, Switzerland, where she studied Cryptosporidium parvum host-pathogen interactions, identifying exported parasite proteins and conducting single-cell transcriptional analysis in neonatal mouse infection models. Dr. Dale's current work focuses on temporal monitoring of mosquito hemolymph metabolite alterations during Plasmodium infection to pinpoint critical parasite nutrients, combined with integrated single-cell host-parasite transcriptomics. Her methodologies bridge metabolomics and genomics to dissect infection mechanisms in malaria vectors, emphasizing dynamic metabolic dependencies and cellular response pathways. As a core member of the Oliver Billker Lab, she operates at Umeå University's medical campus, utilizing advanced molecular profiling facilities to advance understanding of parasite-vector coevolution and potential transmission-blocking targets.
Professor Ahmet Kürşat Azkur serves at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine within the Department of Preclinical Sciences . As a leading virology expert, his research focuses on Veterinary Virology , Immunopathology , and Zoonotic Diseases through molecular epidemiology of animal viruses. Key Research Themes : Viral genetics of bovine pathogens, immunological mechanisms of viral diseases, zoonotic transmission dynamics. Recent Work : Notable contributions to understanding monkeypox outbreaks, bovine coronavirus genomics, and immunopathological aspects of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Methodological Expertise : Molecular detection techniques, metagenomic analysis, viral genome characterization, and cytokine signaling studies. His work spans viral diseases affecting cattle (ephemeral fever, coronaviruses, rotaviruses) and cross-species infections like Epstein-Barr virus in pediatric cancers. Publications emphasize virus-host interactions in both veterinary and human health contexts.
Kayleigh O'Keeffe serves as a Teaching Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Lehigh University, where she joined in 2022. Her academic appointments include teaching core courses such as BIOS 044 (Integrative and Comparative Biology), BIOS 296 (Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases), and BIOS 325 (Microbiology Lab), reflecting her dual expertise in research and evidence-based pedagogy. Education Ph.D. in Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill B.A. in Biology, Amherst College Dr. O'Keeffe's research program integrates ecology and evolutionary biology to investigate within-host microbial interactions and their consequences for infectious disease dynamics. She examines how microbiome composition influences parasite growth, transmission, and evolutionary potential across host populations, with particular focus on vector-borne diseases like Lyme disease. Her work employs field mesocosms, phylogeographic analysis, and dual RNA-seq techniques to unravel complex host-microbe-parasite relationships. She actively promotes science communication through student-led projects that translate ecological concepts for public audiences. Her publication record demonstrates consistent output in high-impact journals including PLOS ONE, Parasites & Vectors, and Frontiers in Microbiology, spanning microbial ecology, evolutionary genetics, and methodological innovation in non-model systems. Key thematic trends include microbiome-mediated disease modulation, vector population dynamics, and host community responses to pathogens. No scientific awards were documented in the provided materials. Dr. O'Keeffe mentors undergraduate researchers in both laboratory and field settings, emphasizing experimental design and scientific communication skills. Her educational initiatives include student-created science communication projects focused on infectious disease ecology. While specific grant details weren't provided, her research program appears supported through departmental resources and collaborative frameworks within Lehigh's biological sciences infrastructure. She operates within Lehigh University's Department of Biological Sciences research ecosystem, leveraging campus facilities including microscopy suites, cell culture labs, and flow cytometry resources. Her work intersects with broader university initiatives in molecular biology and infectious disease research, particularly through student training programs like SEA-Phages.
Alan Dyer is a Professor in the Department of Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology within the College of Agriculture at Montana State University. His research and teaching focus on plant pathology, particularly root, seed, and seedling diseases, as well as the ecology and evolution of pathogens. His educational background includes a B.S. from Cornell University (1989), and M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities (1999 and 2002, respectively). Dr. Dyer's research interests center on the community ecology and evolution of root pathogens. He investigates the dynamics of soil-borne pathogens affecting crops such as wheat and sugar beet, with a particular emphasis on Fusarium crown rot, root lesion nematodes, and other seed and root diseases. His work integrates molecular tools and ecological approaches to understand pathogen survival, spread, and management. His publication record from 1991-2017 reveals consistent focus on agricultural pathogen diagnostics and management, with recurring themes in molecular detection methods, disease resistance evolution, and integrated pest management for cereal crops and sugar beet. Key methodological approaches include qPCR applications and histological analysis. Dr. Dyer has been recognized with several nominations for teaching and advising excellence at Montana State University, including: Nominated for Academic Advising (2020) Nominated for Academic Advising (2019) Nominated for President's Excellence in Teaching Award (2015) He currently leads multiple research initiatives funded by USDA NIFA, Montana Wheat & Barley Committee, and NSF addressing crown rot complex virulence, rhizosphere microbiome interactions, and seedborne pathogen management. His extension work includes developing practical seed treatment guides and participating in industry outreach events across Montana.
Oreta Samples, D.H.Sc. is an Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of the Master of Public Health program at Fort Valley State University's College of Agriculture, Family Sciences and Technology. She holds a Doctor of Health Sciences degree from Nova Southeastern University and a Master of Public Health with concentration in Environmental Health from Fort Valley State University. Dr. Samples has extensive educational background including a Bachelor of Science and Associates of Science in Veterinary Technology from Fort Valley State University. Her academic journey includes an Emerging Infectious Diseases Post-Graduate Certificate from the University of St. Joseph and a Certificate as an On-Line Instructor from Saint Francis University. Her research interests focus on veterinary public health, zoonotic diseases, environmental health, epidemiology, and One Health approaches. Dr. Samples has made significant contributions to understanding disease transmission between wildlife and humans, particularly examining zoonotic diseases in white-tailed deer, raccoons, and opossums. She has published extensively on veterinary parasitology, clinical pathology, and public health issues affecting rural and minority communities. Dr. Samples' recent publications demonstrate her expertise across multiple disciplines including veterinary medicine, public health, and environmental science. Her work spans from clinical veterinary topics like foxtail injuries and polypharmacy to broader public health issues such as prostate cancer screening in Black men and obesity among college students. A common thread throughout her research is the intersection of animal health, environmental factors, and human well-being. Georgia Board of Regents Chancellors Individual of the Year BRONZE Award (2016) Bailus Walker, Jr. Diversity and Inclusion Award (2023) from National Environmental Health Association Editorial Board Member for Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association (2023) Academic Chair for Georgia Environmental Health Association (2014-2023) Dr. Samples has successfully mentored numerous students and secured significant grant funding for her research, including multiple Evans-Allen grants totaling over $300,000 and several mini-grants from Morehouse School of Medicine. She serves as a visiting professor at multiple institutions including Capella University, Chamberlain University, and Grand Canyon University, demonstrating her national impact in public health education. Her laboratory work focuses on zoonotic disease transmission, with current projects examining pathogens in white-tailed deer and their potential transmission to hunters and wildlife processors. She collaborates with researchers across multiple institutions and has established herself as a leader in veterinary public health and One Health approaches.
Dr. Kami Alexander Pekayvaz serves as a DZHK Junior Research Group Leader at the Department of Internal Medicine I, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. His laboratory investigates the intersection of cardiovascular immunology and thrombosis, with strategic positioning between basic and translational research using advanced immune-profiling techniques and reverse translational models. Research interests focus on catecholamine-mediated neutrophil-coagulation interplay in septic and sterile cardiovascular inflammation. His work employs single-cell analyses to characterize inflammatory disease settings, with key investigations into: Neuro-immune interfaces in thrombosis Immunothrombosis mechanisms in atherosclerosis Peripheral neuro-immune communication Single-cell biology of inflammatory cardiovascular diseases Evolutionary relevance of stress-induced thrombotic pathways His research demonstrates how environmental stressors trigger conserved catecholamine-neutrophil axes that balance pathogen containment against pathological thrombosis. Major scientific awards include: Clinician Scientist of the Year, LMU Klinikum (2025) DZHK Junior Research Group Leader (2025) Bayer Thrombosis Research Award (2025) Rolf-Becker-Preis (2021) His publication portfolio reveals consistent leadership in immunothrombosis research, with recent articles demonstrating how single-cell approaches uncover monocyte-neutrophil axes in human thrombosis, multiomic signatures in coronary syndromes, and neutrophil plasticity in pathogen defense. His laboratory operates at the critical junction of cardiovascular medicine, immunology, and systems biology, with particular emphasis on translating mechanistic insights into clinical applications for inflammatory cardiovascular conditions.
Amanda Duarte Barbosa is a Senior Lecturer in One Health at Murdoch University's School of Veterinary Medicine, affiliated with the Harry Butler Institute's Centre for Biosecurity and One Health. Her roles include academic teaching and research leadership in veterinary parasitology and public health. She holds a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine from UFMG (2009), MSc in Veterinary Epidemiology (2011), and a PhD in Veterinary Sciences from Murdoch University (2018), with postdoctoral experience in vector-borne pathogens research. Education: Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais (2004–2008) Master of Science in Veterinary Epidemiology, UFMG (2009–2011) PhD in Veterinary Sciences, Murdoch University (2013–2017) Her research focuses on molecular epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens within a One Health framework, including diagnostic technology development, protozoan pathogen evolution, wildlife conservation, and public health interventions. She has pioneered studies on zoonotic risks from ticks, rodents, and wildlife, emphasizing cross-disciplinary approaches. Key research themes include: Zoonotic parasites (Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Trypanosomes) Tick-borne disease dynamics in humans and animals Food safety and traceability systems Indigenous community engagement in disease control Her work has advanced understanding of vector-borne disease transmission pathways and informed policy on biosecurity measures. Recent projects include assessing tick-related risks to WA cattle industries and developing culturally sensitive disease prevention strategies with Indigenous communities. Awards: Odile Bain Memorial Prize (2019) for veterinary parasitology research Cass Foundation Travel Award (2023) Australian Companion Animal Health Foundation Grant (2023) Dr. Barbosa has secured over AUD 1.2M in competitive grants as principal and co-investigator, including projects on bat trypanosomes and canine tick-borne diseases. She supervises multiple postgraduate students and leads the Cryptick Laboratory, which focuses on innovative diagnostic tools and One Health initiatives.
James Peterson is Assistant Professor and USGS Unit Leader at Oregon State University's Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences. His research examines aquatic ecology with emphasis on lotic communities, population dynamics, and conservation applications for fish species. Current work investigates physical/biotic factors affecting stream-dwelling taxa across multiple ecological scales. Research integrates: Population dynamics and community production modeling Taxon-habitat relationships across landscapes Sampling methodology innovation Conservation tool development Recent publications focus on salmonid ecology, habitat restoration tradeoffs, species distribution modeling, and structured decision-making frameworks for water resource management.
Jan Van Den Abbeele is a Full Professor and Unit Head of the Trypanosoma Unit at the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM), Belgium. He also serves as Guest Professor at Ghent University (2013-2016). His roles include coordinating the Group Protozoa in the BMS department, vice-chair of the Institutional Ethics Board, and member of the ITM Policy Commission Research. Educated at the University of Antwerp (PhD in Biological Sciences, 2001), his research focuses on African trypanosomes, particularly Trypanosoma brucei and T. congolense. Key areas include parasite development in tsetse flies, immune responses, drug resistance mechanisms, and diagnostic tool development. In 2021, his unit became a WHO Collaborating Centre for Human African Trypanosomiasis. Research highlights include the ERC-funded NANOSYM project (2011) exploring symbiotic bacteria as delivery systems for anti-trypanosome nanobodies. Current projects address trypanosome survival mechanisms, host immune interactions, and genetic modification of symbiotic bacteria (paratransgenesis). Recent publications (2022-2025) emphasize flagellar biology, surface protein roles, and metabolic adaptations influencing human infectivity. Awards include the ERC Grant and WHO designation. His work spans 22 active research projects and 112 publications, with collaborations in Africa and Europe.
Professor Poppy Lamberton is a leading academic in infectious disease ecology and global health at the University of Glasgow. She holds a Professorship in the School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine and leads research in the Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology. Her work focuses on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), particularly schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminths, and onchocerciasis. She advises the Scottish Schistosomiasis National Advice, Investigation and Liaison Group (SNAIL), collaborating with Health Protection Scotland and NHS Education for Scotland. Her research integrates epidemiology, genetics, and social science to address NTD challenges. She has secured grants from the European Research Council, EPSRC, USAID, and the Royal Society. Notable projects include developing diagnostic tools like the recPOC-CCA test and investigating genetic diversity of Schistosoma species post-mass drug administration. Professor Lamberton’s interdisciplinary approach combines anthropology, economics, and engineering to design sustainable interventions, such as Vector Ludo—a board game educating communities on disease vectors. Her work emphasizes community engagement and policy integration for effective NTD control. Her lab’s innovations span molecular epidemiology, precision mapping of infection risks, and metabolic biomarker identification. Current priorities include evaluating the impact of combined mass drug administration and sanitation infrastructure on schistosomiasis burden in Uganda.
