Breanna Dixon holds a Doctor of Philosophy and is affiliated with the Division of Immunology, Immunity to Infection and Respiratory Medicine. Her research focuses on antimicrobial resistance, bacterial infections, and the application of microbial volatiles and mass spectrometry for diagnostic and monitoring purposes. She has contributed to studies on carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, ampicillin resistance in Escherichia coli , and volatile biomarkers in mechanically ventilated patients. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to good health and well-being. Recent publications include peer-reviewed articles in Journal of Applied Microbiology , Clinical Infectious Diseases , and Journal of Mass Spectrometry and Advances in the Clinical Lab . She collaborates with researchers like W. M. Ahmed and S. J. Fowler on interdisciplinary projects.
Rose Hirowatari is a Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry at Trinity Western University, where she specializes in analytical chemistry and undergraduate lab development. She is deeply involved in teaching laboratory courses, mentoring student instructors, and applying advanced techniques like NMR and GC/MS to both academic and practical contexts, such as gardening and cooking. Her research focuses on chemical analysis methods and their applications in dairy studies and organic synthesis. Education: Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (Trinity Western University, 2010) Research Interests: Rose employs cutting-edge analytical tools such as infrared spectroscopy (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Her work includes collaborations with local companies like Nutriva Group to analyze dairy trials and investigate the impact of dietary fats on milk composition. She has also contributed to the development of novel organic synthesis methods for industrial applications. Awards: Recipient of the NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (2009) Teaching & Mentorship: Rose instructs and oversees multiple chemistry laboratory courses (CHEM 198, 199, 221, etc.), emphasizing hands-on learning and student mentorship. She has supervised undergraduate thesis research, including a 2019 study on volatile organic compounds in milk using SPME-GC/MS analysis. Labs/Teams: Actively involved in TWU’s Chemistry Department labs, focusing on analytical chemistry and dairy product research through partnerships with industry.
Sukh Singh is a Professor in the Division of Immunology, Immunity to Infection and Respiratory Medicine at the University of Manchester. He serves as Head of the airway pharmacology group and Medical Director for early phase clinical trials in the Medicines Evaluation Unit (MEU). With extensive training in respiratory medicine and clinical pharmacology, including an industrial placement for phase 1 experience, he has established himself as a leading researcher in obstructive lung diseases. His educational background includes a BA (Hons) in Medical Sciences (1989), MB, B.Chir. (1991), and MA (Hon) (1992) from Cambridge University, followed by MRCP (1996) and MD (2002) from the University of Manchester. He was appointed as senior lecturer in respiratory pharmacology at the University Hospital of South Manchester in 2003. Professor Singh leads a translational airway pharmacology group investigating inflammation in asthma and COPD, with research spanning from basic pharmacological studies using primary cells concerning corticosteroid insensitivity and novel molecular targets, through to early phase proof of concept clinical trials. His fingerprint analysis reveals significant expertise in Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (100%), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (62%), Asthma (29%), Sputum analysis (29%), Placebo studies (23%), Alveolar Macrophage research (22%), Bronchodilating Agents (21%), and Macrophage biology (19%). His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on COPD and asthma pathophysiology, therapeutic interventions, and personalized treatment approaches. Current research examines alveolar macrophage function in COPD severity, biological therapies for COPD management, chronotherapy applications in asthma, small airway histopathology, and mast cell plasticity in inflammatory diseases. Member of University Of Manchester representative on CHOP (Committee of Heads and Professors of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics) British Pharmacology Society member British Association of Lung Research member British Thoracic Society member Royal College of Physicians member American Thoracic Society member European Respiratory Society member British Society of Immunology member Professor Singh supervises a research team comprising 6 post-docs, 1 research assistant, 2 research technicians, 3 clinical fellows (PhD registered), and 3 non-clinical PhD students. He serves as an MRes tutor for year 4 medical students, delivering seminars on asthma, and has supervised 5 medical student 10-week research projects. His international collaborations include the EvA FP7 COPD consortium and the ECLIPSE study, the largest ever COPD longitudinal cohort study funded by GSK.
Professor Peter Budd is a renowned academic and faculty member at the University of Manchester, specializing in Polymer Chemistry and Materials Chemistry. He holds the title of Professor of Polymer Chemistry and leads research in advanced materials, particularly focusing on polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) and their applications in molecular separations, carbon capture, and energy-efficient processes. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to climate action and clean energy. Budd earned his BSc (Hons) and PhD in Chemistry from the University of Manchester (1978 and 1981, respectively). He spent 8 years as a research chemist at BP Research Centre before joining Manchester as a lecturer in 1989. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) and a Chartered Chemist (CChem). His research group investigates novel materials for gas and liquid separations, emphasizing PIMs' role as molecular sieves. Key projects include graphene-based membranes (2013–2018) and collaborations under the SynHiSel Programme Grant. Budd has received awards such as the Better World Award (2022) and the Making A Difference Award (2022). He is affiliated with the Organic Materials Innovation Centre (OMIC) and the Knowledge Centre for Materials Chemistry (KCMC). His work spans academic and industrial partnerships, with notable contributions to membrane technology and sustainable energy solutions.
Amy Trowbridge is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research focuses on plant-insect interactions under environmental change, particularly how climate factors influence tree defensive strategies and ecosystem processes. She holds a Ph.D. in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and a B.S. in Integrative Biology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Her work integrates field and lab experiments with advanced techniques like stable isotopes and '-omics' tools to study carbon allocation, chemical defense mechanisms, and pest/pathogen success. Key interests include drought impacts on tree metabolism, trade-offs between tree traits under stress, and microbiome effects on plant defenses. She leads the Trowbridge Lab, which combines molecular biology with ecosystem-scale observations to address global change challenges. Recent projects involve analyzing data from the 2022-2023 Game Ridge field experiments in Montana, exploring carbon dynamics in drought-stressed pines, and developing remote sensing methods to detect invasive species. Her research has been featured in high-impact journals across ecology, forestry, and environmental science. Grant activities include collaborative NSF-funded projects on plant defense budgets and biodiversity drivers. She emphasizes interdisciplinary training for students, with current projects focusing on spectroscopy applications and climate-driven pest outbreaks.
Aditya Banerjee is a Research Fellow in the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at the University of Michigan. He works on a cross-disciplinary NIH-funded project spanning the School of Dentistry, Life Sciences Institute, and MCDB. His research focuses on plant stress responses, particularly abiotic stress tolerance, phytoremediation, and molecular mechanisms underlying fluoride and heavy metal toxicity. He holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry. Research Interests : Abiotic stress tolerance in rice and other crops Molecular mechanisms of fluoride toxicity and detoxification Role of phytohormones (e.g., melatonin, ABA) in stress adaptation Phytoremediation strategies for environmental pollutants Plant-microbe interactions in stress resilience Key Projects : NIH-funded studies on clinical microbiology and molecular biology across interdisciplinary teams Development of stress-tolerant rice varieties using genetic engineering Investigation of nanomaterial applications in agriculture Affiliations : Stockbridge Lab (primary affiliation) Life Sciences Institute School of Dentistry
Dr. Lubomira Tosheva is a Senior Lecturer in Materials Chemistry at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU). She holds an MSc from Sofia University and a PhD in Chemical Technology from Lulea University. Her research focuses on advanced materials, nanotechnology, and their applications in environmental sustainability, catalysis, and biomedical engineering. She leads the MSc Advanced Materials Programme and serves on the editorial boards of journals like Green Carbon and Materials . Dr. Tosheva has expertise in zeolite synthesis, photocatalytic systems, and antimicrobial materials, with notable contributions to waste valorization and dental biomaterials. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and has collaborated internationally, including at the Manchester Metropolitan Joint Institute in China. Her work bridges academic research with industrial applications, emphasizing sustainable materials and energy solutions. Education: MSc in Chemistry, Sofia University (1995) PhD in Chemical Technology, Lulea University (2001) Research Interests: Design and synthesis of porous materials (zeolites, MOFs, nanomaterials) Photocatalytic systems for environmental remediation and energy Antimicrobial materials for biomedical applications Industrial waste valorization and sustainable materials Awards and Editorial Roles: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) Associate Editor, Green Carbon Editorial Board Member, Methane and Materials topical collections Labs and Collaborations: Active in interdisciplinary research teams within MMU’s Natural Sciences department, collaborating with global partners on projects involving advanced materials for environmental and healthcare applications.
Federico Battista is an Associate Professor at the Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona. His primary research focuses on chemical engineering processes for environmental sustainability, particularly in waste valorization and biorefinery systems. He leads the 'Environmental and Bioprocess Chemical Engineering' research group managing the LABICAB laboratory, specializing in organic waste treatment for biofuel and high-value compound production. Research projects include the EU-funded LIFE DIMITRA (anaerobic digestate valorization), BRIC INAIL (biochemical hydrogen production from waste), and AgriLoop (circular agriculture via residues). His work integrates anaerobic digestion, biogas upgrading, and membrane technologies for nutrient recovery. Teaching includes modules on waste biotreatment, inorganic chemistry, and life cycle assessment. He advises PhD programs in Biotechnology and participates in governance roles across multiple academic committees. Key technical contributions span biohydrogen production optimization, biorefinery platform development, and sustainable waste-to-resource systems with a focus on circular economy principles.
Elisa Salvetti is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biotechnology at the University of Verona. Her academic sector is Agricultural, Food and Environmental Microbiology (AGRI-08/A), with research interests in Microbial Biotechnology (ERC LS9_4), Food Biotechnology (LS9_5), and Phylogenetics (LS8_8). She teaches courses in Food Microbiology, Microbial Ecology, and Applied Microbiology for food innovation across undergraduate and graduate programs, including Bachelors' and Master's degrees in Innovation and Sustainability in Food Production and Viticultural/Oenological Sciences. Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms of food-relevant microorganisms, including probiotic and spoilage organisms, leveraging genomic and biotechnological approaches. The Food Microbiology Laboratory under her leadership explores microbial interactions in food systems and their industrial applications. She actively contributes to academic governance, serving on the PhD Board of Smart Agrifood Sciences and teaching committees. Her work bridges fundamental research and applied biotechnology, addressing topics like waste valorization, microbial community dynamics, and functional food development. Collaborations with spin-off companies like Microbion S.r.l. and Genartis S.r.l. highlight her role in translating research into industry solutions.
Stephanie Zaleski is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at California State University, East Bay (CSUEB). She holds a PhD in Chemistry from Northwestern University (2016) and a BA in Biochemistry from Barnard College (2011). Her postdoctoral research (2016–2020) spanned cultural institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Library of Congress, focusing on analytical and materials chemistry. Her lab investigates plasmonic nanoparticle assemblies and applies surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to molecular sensing in art conservation, environmental monitoring, and point-of-care diagnostics. Research projects include flexible SERS substrates, structure-enhancement relationships in multi-layered substrates, and label-free detection of volatile organic compounds. Collaborations with museums and archives address material characterization in cultural heritage. Her lab currently includes students Jordan Barragan, John Juanitas, Ingrid Vargas, Klavdija Bukovec, and Garrett Fisher. She maintains an active research group profile at zaleski-lab-csueb . Dr. Zaleski’s work bridges analytical chemistry with practical applications in conservation science and environmental sensing, leveraging nanotechnology and advanced spectroscopic techniques to address interdisciplinary challenges.
Alexander Samokhvalov is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Morgan State University. He is affiliated with the DOD Center of Excellence for Advanced Electro-Photonics with 2D Materials. His academic journey includes a B.Sc. and M.Sc. from Novosibirsk State University (Russia), a Ph.D. from the Weizmann Institute of Science (Israel), and postdoctoral positions at Duke University, UCSB, Auburn University, and Rutgers University. His research focuses on high-resolution spectroscopic methods, nanomaterials, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and their applications in drug delivery, environmental remediation, and energy materials. Dr. Samokhvalov has pioneered ultra-high resolution solid-state synchronous luminescence spectroscopy and holds a U.S. patent (2021) related to this method. He has secured major grants from the Army Research Laboratory and NIH, and his work is widely published in peer-reviewed journals. Education: B.Sc./M.Sc. Chemistry, Novosibirsk State University, Russia (1992) Ph.D. Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel (2002) Research Interests: Development of advanced spectroscopic techniques (e.g., synchronous luminescence) Nanomaterials for drug delivery and environmental applications MOF-based sorbents for ultraclean fuels and toxin remediation 2D materials (WSe₂, WS₂) optoelectronic properties Grants & Collaborations: Funding from ARL and NIH supports studies on EMI shielding, MOF encapsulation, and nanocomposite sorbents. Active collaborations include DOD initiatives and industry partnerships. Labs/Teams: Leads the Advanced Spectroscopy and Nanomaterials group at Morgan State, contributing to the DOD Center of Excellence's mission in electro-photonics and 2D materials.
Helene LeBlanc is an Associate Professor in the Department of Forensic Science at Ontario Tech University and serves as the Undergraduate Program Director of the Forensic Science program. Her research focuses on forensic entomology, particularly volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with decomposition and their impact on carrion insects. She leads the LeBlanc Entomology Lab, which also explores integrated pest management strategies using electroantennography techniques. Education: PhD in Forensic Science from the University of Derby with Rothamsted Research (2008) MSc in Forensic Science from the University of Strathclyde (2001) BSc from Saint-Mary's University (1998) Board Certified Forensic Entomologist (2017) Her expertise includes forensic entomology consulting, molecular biology, and chemosensory studies. She has collaborated with international organizations such as La Police Scientifique (France), LGC Forensics (UK), and the Derbyshire Constabulary (UK). Her work spans forensic science education, criminalistics, and applied entomology in both criminal investigations and agricultural pest control. Awards: Board Certified Forensic Entomologist (American Board of Forensic Entomology, 2017) Advising & Grants: While specific grant details are not provided, her research on VOCs and pest management demonstrates sustained academic engagement. She teaches advanced courses in forensic biology, criminalistics, and crime scene science. Labs/Teams: LeBlanc Entomology Lab focuses on interdisciplinary research in forensic entomology and applied ecological studies.
Katherine R. Goodrich is a Professor and Chair of the Biology Department at Widener University’s College of Arts & Sciences. Her research focuses on plant-insect interactions, particularly floral scent chemistry, pollination ecology, and ecological mimicry. She actively involves undergraduates in research, emphasizing hypothesis-driven learning and grant-writing skills. Education: PhD in Plant Biology (2008), University of South Carolina Research Interests: She investigates how plants use scent, color, and morphology to communicate with insects, including floral mimicry in pawpaw pollination and biomechanical adaptations in plant structures. Her work bridges plant chemistry, ecology, and evolutionary biology. Awards & Grants: Recipient of the Cynthia H. Sarnoski Science Faculty Fellowship (2019-2021), Widener Faculty Institutional Leadership Award (2021), and multiple research grants from Widener University. Her leadership in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives has shaped campus policies. Service & Media: Presented invited lectures at Harvard University and contributed to media discussions on pawpaw biology. Leads campus efforts in DEI initiatives, serving on Faculty Council committees.
Professor Hongqi Sun is a Professor of Chemistry and ARC Future Fellow at the School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia. He leads research in catalysis using nanostructured materials for solar-to-chemical/fuel conversion (e.g., hydrogen) and environmental remediation. His work addresses UN Sustainable Development Goals related to clean energy, environmental protection, and sustainable resource management. Roles: Node Leader (Chemicals for Space, International Space Centre), Board Director (Minerals Research Institute of WA), Delegate (Australia-USA Hydrogen Partnerships). Grants: ARC/Australia-USA partnerships, industry collaborations (e.g., Tianqi Lithium). Awards: 2023 WA Premier’s Mid-Career Scientist of the Year, Highly Cited Researcher (Clarivate, 2019–2022), Top 40 Australian Research Superstars (2020). Research interests span hydrogen production, solar energy, catalysis, nanomaterials, and lithium resource valorization. Recent projects include decarbonization via lithium carbonate production from CO₂ emissions and circular economy innovations in Australia’s lithium sector. Publications focus on advanced oxidation processes, photocatalysis, and sustainable catalytic systems. Key contributions include carbon nitride-based catalysts, single-atom catalyst engineering, and Fenton-like reaction mechanisms. Grants/Projects: 5 active ARC grants (e.g., photothermal catalysis for hydrogen, 3D solar-driven ammonia conversion). Labs/Teams: Leads international collaborations in clean energy, environmental remediation, and space chemicals research.
Anna Traksmaa is a Senior Lecturer at Tallinn University of Technology's School of Science, Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, with a 0.10 full-time equivalent (FTE). She has been a project leader at TFTAK since 2005, focusing on food and fermentation technologies. Her research spans food science, cereal chemistry, and fermentation, with expertise in sourdough metabolites, bread staling, and volatile compound analysis using GC/MS and microcalorimetry. She teaches MSc courses on cereal processing and plant food technology. Traksmaa holds a PhD (2012) and a Research Master's (2002) from Tallinn University of Technology, with a thesis on rye sourdough fermentation. Awards include the 2013 National Student Research Competition first prize and the 2008 ICC Best Poster Award. Research & Administrative Roles: Project Leader at TFTAK (2005–2023) Member of the Management Committee for the COST project CA18101 (SOURDOMICS) Lead roles in over 16 research projects, including systems biology of food technologies and novel food fermentation processes Research Focus: Her work addresses bread staling mechanisms, cereal processing, and microbial dynamics in sourdough systems. She explores sustainable food technologies, with contributions to understanding polysaccharide composition, gluten functionality, and microbial community analysis. Awards: First Prize, National Student Research Competition (2013) Best Poster Award, ICC Bosphorus 2008 Conference Grants & Projects: Competence Center of Food and Fermentation Technologies (2004–2023) Systems Biology of Food Technologies (2014–2019) Novel Waste Management of Baltic Sea Red Algae (2015–2017) Supervision: Advised over 10 MSc students on topics ranging from gluten quality analysis to sustainable bread production techniques. Labs/Teams: Active in TFTAK's food fermentation laboratories and collaborates internationally through the COST network.
