Find Academic Supervisors

• Metabolic Medicine
• Hepatology
• Nutritional Science
• +3 more

Adel Pezeshki is an Associate Professor in the Department of Animal & Food Sciences at Oklahoma State University (OSU). He holds the endowed position of Animal Science Graduates of Distinction & IPGS Endowed Professor. Dr. Pezeshki earned his Ph.D. in Veterinary Sciences (Physiology) from Ghent University in 2010 and completed postdoctoral training at the University of Calgary. His research focuses on hepatic insulin signaling, hepatokines, and dietary amino acid regulation of glucose metabolism. Key areas include the role of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in metabolic health and their effects on insulin sensitivity and gluconeogenesis. Education: Ph.D. in Veterinary Sciences (Physiology), Ghent University (2010) M.Sc. in Animal Sciences, Isfahan University of Technology (2005) B.Sc. in Animal Sciences, University of Zanjan (2003) Research Interests: Dr. Pezeshki investigates liver-derived hepatokines and their impact on glucose homeostasis. His lab explores how dietary BCAA restriction improves insulin signaling and suppresses gluconeogenesis, focusing on novel pathways and therapeutic targets for diabetes. Techniques include genome editing, transcriptomics, and animal models. Grants: He leads the Oklahoma Center for Microbiome Research grant (2024–2026), investigating microbiome interactions in nutrition and health. Labs/Teams: His lab integrates cellular and animal models to study metabolic pathways, with collaborations in nutritional science and endocrinology.

Julia M. GohlkeView profile

Professor

• Environmental Health
• Public Health
• Climate Change Impacts
• +3 more

Julia M. Gohlke is a Professor in the Department of Population Health Sciences at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech. Her work focuses on the human health implications of global environmental change, disaster risk assessment, and innovative methods for understanding environmental health impacts. She holds a PhD in Environmental Health from the University of Washington (2004), an MS from the same institution (2001), and a BS in Biology from the University of Michigan (1997). Her research explores topics such as flood-related health outcomes, methane emissions from oil and gas operations, and heat exposure disparities. She has held roles including AAAS Science Policy Fellow at the U.S. Department of State and Postdoctoral Fellow at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Her interdisciplinary work integrates environmental epidemiology, geospatial analysis, and community engagement. Key areas of focus include: Climate change and health vulnerability Disaster risk communication and mitigation Bioinformatic approaches to environmental health Public health policy for air and water quality Her research group (Gohlke Research Group) collaborates on projects combining synthetic population modeling, remote sensing, and community-driven solutions to address environmental health challenges. Recent work emphasizes heat index exposure metrics, flood-associated emergency department visits, and maternal-child health outcomes in high-risk regions.

• One Health
• Epidemiology
• Emerging Infectious Diseases
• +3 more

Victoria Brookes is an Associate Professor in Epidemiology and One Health at the University of Sydney's Faculty of Science. She holds Fellowships in Epidemiology (ANZCVS) and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RVC). Her research focuses on evidence-based approaches to emerging and neglected infectious diseases through One Health frameworks. She has led projects on disease preparedness in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Indigenous community health initiatives, and zoonotic diseases like rabies and Japanese encephalitis. Her work integrates field studies, risk assessments, and mathematical modeling. Dr. Brookes has extensive emergency disease response experience, including the 2001 UK foot-and-mouth outbreak and the 2007 Australian equine influenza crisis. Her current roles include Section Editor for PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases and membership in Sydney's Southeast Asia Centre. Key research themes include wildlife-livestock interfaces, disease modeling, and Indigenous community-based surveillance. Publications span over 100 peer-reviewed articles, with recent focus on Japanese encephalitis epidemiology, rabies control strategies, and biosecurity practices in agriculture. Awards include ANZCVS Epidemiology Fellowship and RCVS Fellowship. She teaches epidemiology, One Health, and emerging diseases at undergraduate to PhD levels. Current grants support Japanese encephalitis modeling, rabies preparedness, and Q fever research. Her lab collaborates globally on zoonotic disease projects, with active grants including a University of Sydney/Glasgow Health Inequalities initiative and a Sydney-SE Asia collaborative grant. Notable collaborations involve Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and India for field studies.

• Veterinary Epidemiology
• One Health
• Wildlife Diseases
• +6 more

Nohra E. Mateus-Pinilla, DVM, PhD, MS, MBA, is Principal Veterinary Epidemiologist at the Illinois Natural History Survey and holds three concurrent professorial appointments at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: Research Associate Professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences, and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Pathobiology. Education: DVM, PhD, MS, MBA — all with emphasis on Veterinary Epidemiology Research Interests: Dr. Mateus-Pinilla’s work sits at the intersection of veterinary epidemiology, One Health, and wildlife disease ecology. Her primary foci include: Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in cervids—especially white-tailed deer—including prion biology, genetic susceptibility, surveillance design, and the demographic impacts of infection on pregnancy and population dynamics. Tick-borne and multi-host zoonotic pathogens such as Borrelia burgdorferi , Anaplasma , and emerging rickettsial agents, with emphasis on active surveillance, spatial risk modeling, and human behavioral dimensions of exposure among hunters, farmers, and veterinary professionals. Broader One Health themes that integrate wildlife, domestic animal, environmental, and human health—spanning waterbirds in the Great Lakes under climate change, lead toxicology in urban opossums, and the global genomics of haemosporidian parasites. Publication Trends: Across 2024–2025 alone, her >15 most recent papers reveal intensified efforts in three arenas: (1) refining CWD surveillance systems and estimating prevalence biases under low-testing regimes; (2) mapping and modeling tick distributions and pathogen carriage across Illinois and the contiguous United States; and (3) quantifying human–wildlife interfaces through cross-sectional surveys, knowledge-attitude-practice studies, and risk-communication strategies. Scientific Awards & Recognition: No specific named awards are listed in the provided text; however, her work is widely disseminated via open-access journals, extensive dataset releases, and cross-platform social-media engagement (e.g., Bluesky, X, Mendeley). Grants, Students, & Teams: While individual grant numbers and student names are not detailed, Mateus-Pinilla leads or co-leads large multi-disciplinary teams evidenced by 95+ research outputs and eight publicly archived datasets (2021–2025). These datasets, hosted by the University of Illinois, cover topics ranging from tick-surveillance education for public-health employees to pregnancy and CWD status in >15,000 female white-tailed deer across northern Illinois. Laboratories & Affiliations: She is affiliated with the Wildlife Veterinary Epidemiology Laboratory and conducts collaborative research through the Illinois Natural History Survey, the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, and the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois.

Chad VezinaView profile

Professor

• Prostate Development
• Urinary Tract Disorders
• Developmental Toxicology
• +4 more

Chad Vezina is a Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Comparative Biosciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine. He holds a B.A. from St. Olaf College (1998), a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University at Buffalo (2003), and completed postdoctoral training at UW-Madison (2009). His research focuses on prostate and urinary tract development, with a particular emphasis on prostate growth mechanisms, hormone signaling, and translational models of urological diseases. He leads the Vezina Lab, which investigates interventions for age-related urinary disorders in humans and companion animals. Dr. Vezina's work combines developmental biology, toxicology, and translational research to identify pharmacological targets for prostate disease. He has pioneered studies on how male hormones initiate prostate ductal formation and spatial patterning. His lab employs mouse and canine models to study fibrosis, inflammation, and infection-related urinary dysfunction. He is a key member of the Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program and has mentored multiple trainees, including past student Marcela Ambrogi. Recent research highlights include discovering serotonin-mediated defenses against UTIs, elucidating collagen-driven prostate fibrosis mechanisms, and identifying novel roles for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor in autoimmune prostatitis. His work bridges basic science and clinical applications, with a focus on improving therapies for lower urinary tract dysfunction in aging populations.

Thomas OttView profile

Professor

• Bio-inspired Computing
• Applied Neuroinformatics
• Machine Learning
• +7 more

Prof. Thomas Ott is the Director of the Institute of Computational Life Sciences at the ZHAW School of Life Sciences and Facility Management. His research focuses on Bio-inspired Computing, Applied Neuroinformatics (including Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning), Modelling of Complex Systems, and Forecast Methodologies for Traffic/Logistics. He leads projects in AI-driven health systems, ecological sustainability, and industrial analytics. Ott has collaborated on over 50 peer-reviewed publications, with recent work emphasizing neuromorphic computing, predictive analytics in healthcare, and chaos-based network analysis. Education & Affiliations: His academic background includes prior roles at institutions like the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich. He serves on boards of Prognosix AG, Life Sciences Zurich Business Network, and Biotechnet Switzerland. Research Interests: Ott’s work bridges computational methods with real-world applications, such as AI for agriculture (fruit classification), predictive maintenance in healthcare systems, and traffic flow optimization. His team develops hybrid human-machine learning frameworks for complex decision-making processes. Projects & Grants: Key projects include 'Shapescience – AI for Morphologically-Based Fruit Recognition', 'Predictive Analytics for Hospital Supply Chains', and 'Smartstones - AI for Plant Breeding'. These reflect his focus on applied AI solutions for industry and public health. Labs & Teams: He oversees interdisciplinary teams at ZHAW’s Computational Life Sciences lab, integrating computer science, biology, and engineering for innovative problem-solving.

• Medical Biotechnology
• Biology of Development
• Cancer Biology
• +4 more

Alexandre José Neto Trindade is an Associate Professor at Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, specializing in Biomedical Sciences. He holds a PhD in Animal Sciences and Technology from the University of Lisbon and has developed four mutant mouse lines pivotal for understanding Notch signaling in embryogenesis, cancer, and angiogenesis. His academic roles include coordinating the Biomedical Sciences degree and leading the 'Technologies and Solutions in Healthcare' research group at CiiEM. He has been PI in multiple projects, including InFishMix and InsectERA, and supervises two PhD students. Education: PhD in Animal Sciences and Technology (2008), University of Lisbon; BSc in Microbiology and Genetics (2002), Faculty of Sciences, Lisbon. Research focuses on Notch signaling pathways in cancer, vascular biology, and reproductive processes. His work includes anti-angiogenic therapies, tumor metastasis mechanisms, and regenerative medicine using insect-based biotechnology. Key projects involve optimizing transgenesis in soldier fly larvae and developing diagnostic tools for canine lymphoma. Publications span over 30 peer-reviewed articles in journals like Cells , Antibiotics , and Development . Awards include Egas Moniz Pedagogical Innovation Awards (2022, 2023) and the UTL/Caixa Geral de Depósitos Young Researchers Award (2009). Leadership roles include Subdirector at CiiEM, Board member of Portuguese Society for Veterinary Sciences (SPCV), and organizing international conferences like the 2018 CIISA Congress. Active in educational innovation, emphasizing active learning and digital tools like Dreamshaper®.

• Genetics & Genomics
• Veterinary Medicine
• Immunology
• +3 more

Karin Davies is a Researcher II at the Gluck Equine Research Center , part of the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment at the University of Kentucky. Her role involves scientific research and operations within the Genetic Testing Lab and Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. She specializes in advanced diagnostic techniques and equine health studies, focusing on genetics, immunology, and infectious diseases. Her research interests include equine genomics, reproductive health, and toxicology, contributing to advancements in veterinary diagnostics and disease management. She is based at 108A Gluck Equine Research Center, Lexington, KY, and can be reached via email at kldavi2@uky.edu or phone at (859) 218-1165 (Lab). Karin’s work supports the broader goals of the Gluck Center, which focuses on equine health research, disease prevention, and translational science. She collaborates across departments to advance equine medicine and genetic testing technologies.

Cecilia RochaView profile

Research Professor

• Reproductive Physiology
• Pregnancy Loss
• Beef Cattle
• +1 more

Dr. Cecilia Rocha is a Research Assistant Professor and State Extension Specialist investigating reproductive efficiency in beef cattle. Her program develops strategies to reduce early pregnancy loss through fundamental studies of embryo-maternal communication. Current projects examine hormonal regulators of pregnancy establishment and impacts of nutritional supplements on reproductive outcomes.

Thomas SpencerView profile

Professor

• Animal Health & Production
• Reproductive Biology
• Developmental Biology
• +3 more

Thomas Spencer is a Curators' Distinguished Professor of Animal Sciences at the University of Missouri and serves as Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development. He holds a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University (1995) and completed postdoctoral training at Baylor College of Medicine (1997). His research focuses on uterine and placental biology, including uterine development, placental gene regulation, and reproductive health in livestock and humans. Education: Ph.D., Texas A&M University (1995); PostDoc, Baylor College of Medicine (1997) Affiliations: Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri Division of Research Research interests include uterine gland function, endometrial regeneration, and evolutionary aspects of placental development. His lab uses animal models to study reproductive biology, with recent work on bovine placenta genomics and endometriosis mechanisms. Publications emphasize genomic analyses of reproductive outcomes in cattle, placental gene networks, and uterine disease impacts. Key themes include embryo-maternal interactions, gene regulatory pathways in reproduction, and translational applications to improve animal and human health. Notable contributions include defining uterine gland roles in pregnancy and identifying genetic factors influencing fertility in livestock. Current projects explore organoid models for uterine biology and microbiome effects on postpartum recovery.

• Animal Science
• Reproductive Physiology
• Dairy Cattle Management
• +4 more

Dr. Emma Bleach is a Senior Lecturer in Animal Science at Harper Adams University's Agriculture and Environment Department. With a dairy farming background, her research focuses on optimizing dairy cow reproduction, calf rearing systems, and sustainable livestock practices. She holds a PhD in Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology from the University of Reading (2000), specializing in ovarian dynamics and hormone profiles in dairy cows. Her work integrates experimental techniques like transrectal ultrasonography and immunoassays with precision livestock technologies. Current research includes dairy cow-calf rearing, calf weaning transitions, and equine anthelmintic resistance. She co-leads the PGC/PGD/MSc Ruminant Nutrition program and teaches modules on farm animal production, sustainable livestock systems, and ruminant feeding strategies. Emma’s research projects emphasize calf health, including milk feeding regimes, concentrate systems, and welfare monitoring via sensors. She has supervised 6 PhD/MRes students investigating topics like oestrus expression, calf jackets, and Johne’s disease behavior impacts. Her work bridges practical management and academic rigor, supported by her roles in the British Society of Animal Science and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Key research groups: Beef and Sheep Research Group Dairy, Heifer and Calf Research Group Awards: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) Teaching contributions span undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including module leadership for Recent Advances in Ruminant Nutrition and Principles and Practice of Livestock Husbandry . Her work frequently addresses stakeholder perceptions in animal health services and co-produced care frameworks.

• Agroecology
• Sustainable Food Systems
• Animal Nutrition
• +3 more

Edmore Mashatise is a Senior Lecturer in Sub-Saharan and Tropical Agriculture at Harper Adams University, based in the Agriculture and Environment department. His research focuses on agroecology for sustainable food systems, with a particular emphasis on livestock development and socio-economic dimensions of farming in tropical regions. He holds a Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). His work investigates animal nutrition using locally available resources like corn cobs, reproductive biology in pigs, and traditional farming practices in semi-arid areas of Zimbabwe. He advises on sustainable agricultural practices and has conducted field studies in smallholder farming communities. Mashatise’s Twitter profile (@EMashatise) highlights his engagement with African agriculture and sustainable farming topics. His office is located in G45 of the Tudor Lodge building at Harper Adams University.

Misty L. VirmaniView profile

Assistant Professor

• Neonatology
• Pediatrics
• Reproductive Biology
• +3 more

Misty L. Virmani, M.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics — Division of Neonatology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Her academic background includes a Fellowship at UAMS and residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. She holds certifications from the American Board of Pediatrics in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine and General Pediatrics. Dr. Virmani's research focuses on neonatology, nanotechnology applications in medicine, and maternal-child health. Her work spans diverse areas such as bovine X sperm enrichment, lysosome biogenesis imaging, and optimizing electronic medical records. She has also studied prenatal care outcomes for incarcerated women in Arkansas. She practices primarily at UAMS Medical Center and Arkansas Children’s Hospital, specializing in newborn and infant care. Her clinical expertise includes addressing breastfeeding challenges, maternal-infant health, and neonatal intensive care. Dr. Virmani actively contributes to public health education through videos discussing breastfeeding law, workplace challenges for lactating mothers, and maternal health policies.

Sandra DüpjanView profile

Researcher

• Bioacoustics
• Animal welfare
• Affective states in animals
• +1 more

Dr. Sandra Düpjan is a Researcher at the Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), leading the working group on Animal Behaviour & Welfare. Her research focuses on affective states in animals, bioacoustics, and animal cognition. Since 2023, she heads the focus topic 'Individualising farm animal husbandry' and serves as Deputy Equal Opportunities Representative. Research Interests: Her work investigates how animals express emotions through behavior, integrating bioacoustic analysis with studies on cognition-physiology interactions. Key areas include emotional lateralization, cognitive bias paradigms, and welfare indicators in livestock. Articles Focus: Recent publications (2017-2022) emphasize swine ethology, emotional contagion, and welfare assessment, with recurring themes in vocal communication analysis, laterality studies, and affective state monitoring. Methodological innovations include automated bioacoustic systems for estrus detection. Teaching: Delivers lectures on behavioural biology at the University of Rostock and practical courses on animal-friendly husbandry.

• Virology
• Infectious Diseases
• Veterinary Diagnostic Medicine
• +3 more

Leyi Wang is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Illinois, affiliated with both the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab and the Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine. His research focuses on viral pathogenesis, zoonotic diseases, and diagnostic methodologies for infectious agents in animals. His work spans key areas including SARS-CoV-2 variants in wildlife and livestock, genomic characterization of emerging viruses (e.g., bovine boosepivirus, porcine deltacoronavirus), and influenza virus dynamics in swine populations. Notable contributions include studies on viral coinfections, diagnostic test validation, and molecular insights into chronic infections. Recent publications highlight investigations into viral shedding patterns in nursery pigs, fecal sample pooling for SARS-CoV-2 detection in animals, and mortality analysis of SARS-CoV-2 in big cats. Collaborations involve multidisciplinary teams addressing One Health challenges, with a focus on improving diagnostic accuracy and understanding host-pathogen interactions. His research integrates virology, immunology, and clinical diagnostics, addressing critical gaps in animal health surveillance and zoonotic disease mitigation strategies.