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Valerian DoljaView profile

Professor

• Virus Diversity
• Virus Evolution
• Plant Cell Biology
• +3 more

Valerian Dolja is a Full Professor in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at Oregon State University, where he has served since 1994. His research focuses on virus diversity, evolution, and plant virology, with notable contributions to understanding viral movement mechanisms and host interactions. He holds a PhD and DSc from Moscow State University (1980, 1987) and has authored over 150 peer-reviewed articles. Education: PhD and DSc in Virology from Moscow State University. Professional Affiliations include editorial roles at Journal of Virology , Biology Direct , and Frontiers in Plant Science . Research Interests: Virus evolution, comparative genomics, plant RNA virology, and functional genomics. His work integrates molecular biology, genetics, and bioinformatics to explore viral origins and host-pathogen dynamics. Recent Articles Highlight Trends in Virome Evolution, Bacteriophage Diversity, and Plant Virus Movement Mechanisms. Key Findings Include the Role of Myosins in Plant Cell Transport and the Origin of Viral Capsids. Awards: Fellow of AAAS (2014), Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology (2013), Ruth Allen Award (2011), and multiple international recognitions for innovative research.

• Immunology
• Virology
• Antimicrobial Peptides
• +5 more

Prof. Peter Barlow is a Chair of Immunology and Infection at the School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University. He leads the Centre for Biomedicine & Global Health, focusing on host defence peptides (HDP) and their role in antiviral immunity, particularly against influenza, rhinovirus, and dengue virus. His work explores HDP's therapeutic potential for infections and inflammatory diseases like Crohn’s and IBD. He has secured over £4M in research grants, including from the MRC and CSO, and led projects on HDP-based therapeutics. Prof. Barlow has authored 120+ peer-reviewed articles and serves on editorial boards and funding panels, including the Chief Scientist Office Clinical Academic Fellowship panel. He is a media spokesperson for the British Society for Immunology and has engaged with global media on science communication. Education: BSc (Hons) and PhD from Edinburgh Napier University. Career highlights include research at the CDC (2009-2011) on pandemic influenza and leadership roles in Edinburgh Napier's research strategy, tripling external funding during his tenure as Director of Research (2015-2021). External roles include Scientific Advisor to the Food Standards Agency and membership in Edinburgh Infectious Diseases. His collaborative network spans institutions like Stanford University and the CDC. Research interests span HDP biology, autophagy modulation in drug responses, and nanomaterial interactions with immunity. His lab investigates novel peptide-based therapies and the role of environmental pollutants in immune dysfunction. He supervises PhD students on topics ranging from nanocellulose-HDP conjugates to antibiotic-resistant bacteria in drinking water. Key awards: FHEA (Fellow of Higher Education Academy), FRSB (Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology). His work has been featured in over 50 media outlets, including BBC, Sky News, and international newspapers. He also contributes to public engagement through The Conversation and BBC Media Fellowships.

Vishwanatha ReddyView profile

Lecturer

• Avian Virology
• Poultry Disease Pathogenesis
• Vaccine Development
• +3 more

Dr. Vishwanatha Reddy is a Lecturer in Bioveterinary Science at the School of Life Sciences, Keele University. His research focuses on poultry viruses, particularly the molecular biology and pathogenesis of avian coronaviruses (IBV), herpesviruses (ILTV, HVT, MDV), and birnaviruses (IBDV). He aims to design vaccines against immunosuppressive poultry viruses by studying cell destruction pathways and immunosuppression mechanisms. Dr. Reddy holds a DVM degree from Bangalore Veterinary College (2007), a master's in Biochemistry (via Indian Veterinary Research Institute), and a PhD from Ghent University under Prof. Hans Nauwynck. He has conducted postdoctoral research at The Pirbright Institute, earning a 2023 Strategic Career Development Award for IBDV research. His work emphasizes vectored vaccines using avian herpesviruses and understanding zoonotic pathogen interactions. Education: Bachelor's in Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Bangalore Veterinary College, India (2007) Master's in Biochemistry, supported by Indian Veterinary Research Institute PhD in Avian Virology, Ghent University, Belgium (2016) Research Interests: Avian viral pathogenesis, vaccine development, immunosuppressive mechanisms, and molecular biology of poultry viruses. Key focus areas include IBDV cell destruction pathways, HVT/ILTV-based vector vaccines, and zoonotic secondary infections. Awards: 2023 Pirbright Strategic Career Development Award Advising & Grants: Active in supervising research projects on avian viruses. Collaborations include work at The Pirbright Institute under Prof. Venugopal Nair and Dr. Yongxiu Yao. Labs/Teams: Part of the School of Life Sciences at Keele, with affiliations to The Pirbright Institute's virology programs.

Maxine WhittakerView profile

Professor

• One Health
• Public Health Systems
• Infectious Disease Control
• +5 more

Maxine Whittaker is a Professor and Dean of the College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences at James Cook University (JCU), Australia. She holds dual roles as Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Vector-Borne Diseases and Neglected Tropical Diseases and Co-Chair of the WHO Research Project Review Panel (RP2) on Reproductive Health. Her affiliations include JCU, the Queensland Government’s Biosecurity Ministerial Advisory Committee, and the Quadripartite One Health High-Level Expert Advisory Panel. She previously served as Dean at JCU (2016–2021) and held leadership positions in global health initiatives such as the Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network. Whittaker holds advanced qualifications: MBBS, MPH, PhD, FAFPHM (Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine), and GAICD (Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors). Her career spans over two decades of fieldwork in Bangladesh, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Papua New Guinea, and 10+ other countries. She specializes in operational research, health systems strengthening, and medical anthropology, focusing on One Health, sexual and reproductive health, and community-based interventions. Her research interests emphasize scaling-up pilot programs into policy, particularly through Expandnet’s WHO-published frameworks. She has pioneered studies on community engagement in disease control (dengue, malaria, lymphatic filariasis) and led projects worth over $80M AUD. Whittaker advocates for integrating social sciences into malaria research and has championed digital health transformation, publishing on workforce capacity and data democratization. Her leadership extends to global platforms: steering committee roles for the Global Fund’s Regional Artemisinin-Resistance Initiative, the Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security, and the CSIRO Pandemic Preparedness Mission. She also mentors women scientists in tropical health through initiatives like Catalyse and the ASTMH Global Health Committee. Whittaker’s awards include the Royal Australasian College of Physicians International Medal (2017). She is a co-editor of the Malaria Journal and serves on editorial boards for CABI One Health Resources and Public Health Action . Her work bridges clinical practice, policy, and community participation, with recent focus on pandemic preparedness and health equity in Australia’s remote regions.

Jonathan PerreaultView profile

Associate Professor

• Microbiology
• Biochemistry
• RNA Biology
• +5 more

Jonathan Perreault is an Associate Professor and holder of the Chair in Nanobiophotonics at the Armand-Frappier Health Biotechnology Center, National Institute of Scientific Research (INRS). His research focuses on understanding RNA's role in gene regulation, particularly in bacteria, including riboswitches, small RNAs, and their applications in biosensors and environmental biotechnology. He holds a B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biology/Biochemistry from Université de Sherbrooke and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Yale University. His research interests include microbiology, biochemistry, and RNA biology, with a focus on non-coding RNAs' regulatory roles in bacterial processes such as motility and biofilm formation. His team uses bioinformatics, molecular biology, and biophysics to discover novel RNAs and study their functions in environmental and pathogenic contexts. Publications highlight advancements in RNA structure-function relationships, metagenomic approaches to RNA discovery, and applications in wastewater treatment and viral expression strategies. His work bridges fundamental RNA biology with practical applications in biotechnology and environmental science. Dr. Perreault’s lab collaborates on projects involving RNA-based biosensors and environmental microbiology. His expertise spans from bench science to computational tools for RNA analysis, contributing to both academic and applied research outcomes.

• Health Technology Management
• Enterprise and Innovation
• Public Engagement in Health Research
• +3 more

G. Davies is an Associate Professor and Deputy Head of Department at the Swansea University School of Management , specializing in health technology management and enterprise innovation. He has held leadership roles including Head of Accelerate: Health Technology Centre at Life Sciences Hub Wales (2018-2019) and Senior Project Manager for Enterprise & Innovation at Swansea University Medical School (2012-2017). Current role since 2015 Key projects: AgorIP (£13m), Accelerate: Health Tech (£7m) Davies leads research at the intersection of healthcare innovation and business management , with 15 recent publications focusing on: Immunometabolic changes during pregnancy Macrophage behavior in surgical mesh integration Neonatal sepsis biomarker development Metabolic regulation of inflammatory responses Prostaglandin signaling in gut inflammation Public engagement highlights include: Keynote at UKSPA Conference (2016) UK-China Business Collaboration (2017) Chair at Digital Health Ecosystem Launch (2018)

Bàrbara BaroView profile

Academic

• Infectious Diseases
• Malaria Research
• Biomarker Discovery
• +3 more

Bàrbara Baro is an Assistant Research Professor at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), focusing on severe infections and global health. She completed her Biotechnology degree at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (2007) and earned her PhD in Biomedicine from Universitat de Barcelona (2013), studying mitotic regulation under Dr. Ethel Queralt. Her postdoctoral work included malaria vivax research in Brazil (FAPEAM fellowship), Plasmodium falciparum studies at Stanford University, and fieldwork in Papua New Guinea as a Beatriu de Pinós fellow. During the pandemic, she contributed to SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology and diagnostics research in Barcelona hospitals. Her research integrates molecular mechanisms of severe infections, biomarker discovery, and diagnostic tool development. Key projects include malaria transmission dynamics in Lihir Islands, immune/endothelial biomarker validation for COVID-19 prognosis, and host-parasite interaction studies. She leads a team developing point-of-care diagnostics and strategies to reduce infection-related mortality. Rewarded Fellowships: Beatriu de Pinós, FPU, FAPEAM, Stanford Child Health Collaborative Work: PNG Institute of Medical Research, Stanford University, Barcelona hospitals Her work spans 20+ peer-reviewed articles in journals like Frontiers in Immunology , PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases , and Blood . Current initiatives focus on translational research to improve global health outcomes through innovative diagnostics and therapeutic strategies.

Jeffrey BaraView profile

Associate Professor

• Medical Entomology
• Opportunistic Pathogens
• Experimental Evolution
• +3 more

Jeffrey Bara is an Associate Professor of Biology at Shenandoah University, located in the Department of Biology within the Arts & Sciences school. His research focuses on medical entomology, opportunistic pathogens, experimental evolution, and RNA viruses. He holds a B.S. from Western Illinois University and a Ph.D. from the University of Louisville. Bara's research interests center on vector-borne diseases, particularly the ecology of mosquitoes and their interactions with pathogens like dengue, La Crosse, and Sindbis viruses. He investigates microbiota dynamics in insect vectors, viral interference mechanisms, and the impact of environmental factors such as habitat type and invasive species on disease transmission. His recent publications (2014–2018) emphasize mosquito-borne virus interactions, microbial ecology in vectors, and the effects of environmental pollutants on insect physiology. These studies contribute to understanding viral transmission dynamics and ecological drivers of disease emergence. Bara has not listed any scientific awards in the provided information. His advising and grants sections remain unspecified, and he is not affiliated with any named labs or research teams in the text.

Melissa FierkeView profile

Professor

• Forest Entomology
• Invasive Species
• Biological Control
• +2 more

Dr. Melissa Fierke is a Professor in the Department of Environmental Biology at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Her research primarily focuses on introduced forest insects such as emerald ash borer, elm zigzag sawfly, and Sirex noctilio, with additional work on burying beetles and black-legged ticks. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Chemistry and Environmental Biology from Arkansas Tech University, an M.S. in Fisheries Science and Environmental Science from Oregon State University, and a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Arkansas. Her research interests span forest entomology, invasive species management, biological control, and ecosystem-level impacts of insect invasions. Current projects include collaborations with SUNY Cobleskill on American burying beetle conservation and with NY DEC on elm zigzag sawfly monitoring. Dr. Fierke maintains an active research lab with current postdoctoral scientist Timothy Morris and multiple graduate students. Her publications consistently address emerging challenges in forest health, with recent work emphasizing integrated pest management strategies, pollinator conservation, and ecological impacts of invasive species. Awards and Honors: SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Faculty Service (2018/19) President's Award for Public Service and Outreach (2014/15, 2013/14) Distinguished Teacher Award (2013/14) She teaches Systematic Entomology and serves as a reviewer for multiple journals including Forest Ecology & Management and Environmental Entomology.

• Immunology
• Innate Immunity
• Tumour Immunology
• +6 more

Karen Mossman is a Professor in the Department of Medicine at McMaster University, with expertise in molecular virology and cancer immunotherapy . She has held senior administrative roles, including Vice President Research and Chair of Biochemistry & Biomedical Sciences at McMaster. Research Focus : Innate immunity, tumor immunology, and virology, particularly on type I interferon responses, oncolytic viruses, and SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis. Education : HonBSc from the University of Guelph, PhD from the University of Alberta, and postdoctoral training in molecular virology. Her work bridges basic and pre-clinical research, with licensed technologies in oncolytic virus development. Recent studies explore viral replication mechanisms , immune checkpoint modulation , and cross-species viral interactions in bats. She has authored numerous high-impact publications on SARS-CoV-2, including genome assembly workflows, heart-on-a-chip models, and complement-mediated neutralization trends. Her 2024 article in Trends in Immunology highlights bat immune adaptations. Scientific Recognition : 2021 Top 100 Canada’s Most Powerful Women (WXN), 2024 ICIS Honorary Lifetime Membership Award.

Sassan AsgariView profile

Professor

• Insect host-pathogen interactions
• Mosquito-borne viruses
• Non-coding RNAs
• +2 more

Professor Sassan Asgari leads research on insect-virus interactions at the University of Queensland's School of the Environment. His lab investigates evolutionary adaptations in mosquito-pathogen systems, particularly dengue virus transmission mechanisms, utilizing molecular approaches including next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics. Research focuses on three primary areas: identifying pro-/anti-viral factors in mosquitoes, examining non-coding RNAs in host-pathogen interactions, and exploring microbiome impacts on viral replication. Research interests center on arthropod vectors, viral evolution, and host immune responses. Current projects examine Wolbachia-mediated virus blocking, epigenetic regulation of mosquito immunity, and RNAi pathways in insect antiviral defenses. The lab employs cutting-edge genomic tools to dissect vector competence mechanisms and develop novel disease control strategies. Publications consistently focus on molecular virology in mosquito vectors, with recent work emphasizing Wolbachia symbiont interactions, RNA modifications in antiviral responses, and viral inhibition mechanisms. Article keywords reveal strong emphasis on epigenetics, vector competence, and host-microbe coevolution across virology and molecular entomology domains. While no major scientific awards are documented, extensive research contributions include 169 peer-reviewed articles and 13 book chapters. The lab maintains collaborations with global health organizations and supervises graduate researchers in vector biology projects. Future work aims to translate basic research into field-applicable vector control methods.

• Infectious Diseases
• Vector Biology
• Malaria Control
• +4 more

George Christophides is a Professor of Infectious Diseases and Immunity at Imperial College London and Director of the Vector Immunogenomics and Infection Laboratory. He holds adjunct roles at the Cyprus Institute and has held visiting positions at institutions globally. His research focuses on mosquito immunity, malaria transmission, and climate change impacts on health. He completed his PhD at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and has led international projects funded by the Wellcome Trust and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. His work includes developing gene drive strategies to engineer malaria-resistant mosquitoes and advancing synthetic biology tools. He is an elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology and contributes to global health policy through organizations like the IPCC and IAP. Education: PhD (2000) and BSc (1993) from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Academic roles include Reader (2009–2011) and Senior Lecturer (2005–2009) at Imperial College London, as well as leadership roles at the Cyprus Institute (President 2020–2021, Associate Dean 2014–2020). Research interests span vector biology, microbial interactions, and climate change's role in disease spread. Key contributions include sequencing mosquito genomes and pioneering functional genomics. His lab explores mechanisms to block malaria transmission, such as targeting Plasmodium sporogony and engineering resistant populations via gene drives. Collaborations with institutions worldwide emphasize translational research and global health equity. Awards: Wellcome Trust Investigator (2015–2021), Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology. His work is supported by grants from the Gates Foundation and European initiatives. He advises on climate change adaptation and vector-borne disease control, authoring reports for the IPCC and IAP. Grants and collaborations include projects on gene drive efficacy, climate modeling for disease vectors, and microbiome effects on mosquito immunity. His lab's interdisciplinary approach integrates genomics, immunology, and environmental science to address global health challenges.

• Medical Entomology
• Vector Biology
• Arbovirus Transmission
• +3 more

Lison Laroche is a Researcher at the Department of Life Sciences within the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Imperial College London. Their work focuses on medical entomology, vector biology, and arbovirus transmission dynamics. They hold a PhD in Medical Entomology from the University of Montpellier, alongside an MSc in Medical and Veterinary Entomology, and a BSc in Biological and Ecological Sciences from international institutions in Canada and France. Research interests include understanding sand fly-Phlebovirus interactions, Toscana virus transmission ecology, and improving vector control strategies such as the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT). Their studies explore pathogen persistence in vectors, life-history tradeoffs in infected sand flies, and the epidemiological implications of vector-pathogen interactions. Recent work emphasizes colony maintenance of sand fly species and experimental infection protocols to advance disease mitigation strategies. Publications highlight contributions to vector competence research, pathogen co-infection dynamics, and the development of chemical sterilization methods for tsetse flies. Their interdisciplinary approach bridges entomology, virology, and ecology to address global health challenges posed by vector-borne diseases.

• Genetics
• Evolutionary Biology
• Insect Ecology
• +3 more

Dr Emily Remnant is an **Early Career Development Fellow** at the **University of Sydney**, affiliated with the **School of Life and Environmental Sciences** within the **Faculty of Science**. Her research focuses on understanding how insects adapt to environmental changes, particularly through genetic and genomic approaches. She investigates insecticide resistance mechanisms in insects and viral impacts on beneficial species like honey bees. Key techniques include next-generation sequencing, metagenomics, and controlled laboratory experiments combined with field studies. **Research Interests**: Genetics, evolutionary biology, insect ecology, honeybee health, virology, and environmental genomics. Her work bridges laboratory and field research to uncover molecular mechanisms underlying evolutionary responses in insects. **Grants and Collaborations**: Recent grants include projects on Varroa mite impacts on Australian bees and genome evolution studies. She collaborates with institutions like the Sydney Institute of Agriculture and the Marie Bashir Institute. **Affiliations**: Member of the **Sydney Institute of Agriculture**, associated with the **Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution (BEE) Lab**, and linked to the **Marie Bashir Institute**. Her research has been featured in media outlets such as ABC Rural and the University of Sydney News, highlighting her work on immunizing bees against viruses. **Labs and Teams**: Leads projects within the BEE Lab, focusing on honeybee pathology, viral dynamics, and ecological adaptations. Active in interdisciplinary research addressing global challenges in agriculture and conservation.

Andreas JürgensView profile

Professor

• Plant Ecology
• Infection Dynamics
• Pollination Biology
• +4 more

Prof. Dr. Andreas Jürgens serves as Dean for Student Affairs at the Technical University of Darmstadt, Department of Chemical Plant Ecology. His research focuses on plant-pathogen interactions, floral mimicry, pollination biology, and chemical ecology. He investigates how plants adapt to ecological challenges through mechanisms like carrion/dung mimicry and employs molecular methods to study fungal and phytoplasma pathogens in agricultural systems. Key areas: Phytoplasma infection dynamics, entomopathogenic fungi, pollinator-prey conflicts, and olfactory communication in plants and animals. Notable work includes studies on Cacopsylla psyllids, Botrytis cinerea strains, and the ecological roles of floral scent and color. Research extends to animal behavior, including rhino dung communication and bumblebee learning, demonstrating interdisciplinary approaches. His publications emphasize plant defense mechanisms, pathogen-vector relationships, and evolutionary trade-offs in multispecies interactions.