Find Academic Supervisors

Dana Carroll is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Utah's Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, renowned as the "father of the gene-editing revolution" for pioneering zinc-finger nucleases that enabled CRISPR technology. With a 48-year career at the institution, he has shaped genome editing across medicine, agriculture, and basic science. Education: Bachelor's degree from Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania PhD from the University of California, Berkeley Postdoctoral research at Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Glasgow Postdoctoral research at Carnegie Institution Department of Embryology, Baltimore Research Focus: Carroll's work centers on targetable nucleases (zinc-finger, TALENs, CRISPR/Cas) for precise genome editing in over 200 organisms. His lab optimizes these tools for clinical trials targeting genetic diseases and agricultural improvements in crop nutrition and animal welfare, while actively addressing ethical implications through public discourse and international policy development. Scientific Recognition: National Academy of Sciences membership American Academy of Arts and Sciences Fellowship Novitski Prize (2012) and Sober Lectureship Award (2014) University of Utah Distinguished Innovation Award (2017) Utah Governor’s Medal (2018) and Rosenblatt Prize (2023) Mentorship & Leadership: Carroll supervised 31 graduate/postdoctoral students and served on 125 thesis committees. As Biochemistry Department co-chair (1980s) and sole chair (1998-2009), he recruited Nobel laureates and revitalized the department. His committee service spans 26 university-wide, 50 School of Medicine, and 20 NIH panels, alongside innovating graduate courses on recombinant DNA technology and gene therapy ethics. Current Initiatives: As a Huntsman Cancer Institute member in the Nuclear Control Program, Carroll advances clinical genome editing applications while co-authoring the 2020 international report on heritable human genome editing for the U.S. National Academies and UK Royal Society.

• Genome Editing
• Gene Therapy
• Zinc-Finger Nucleases
• +5 more

Mark Zylka serves as the W.R. Kenan, Jr. Distinguished Professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Physiology at the UNC School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He directs a research laboratory focused on neurodevelopmental disorders and pain mechanisms, with affiliations at the UNC Neuroscience Center and support from multiple NIH institutes. His research spans autism etiology , Angelman syndrome , chronic pain pathways , and environmental neurotoxicology . The lab employs CRISPR/Cas gene editing, AAV vectors, single-cell RNA-seq, and behavioral analysis to investigate molecular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders and pain sensation. Recent work emphasizes environmental chemical impacts on neurodevelopment and gene therapy approaches for autism-related conditions. Publications from 2023-2025 reveal strong trends in CRISPR-based therapeutics for Angelman syndrome, environmental chemical screening for neurodevelopmental risks, and computational pain assessment tools . Key interdisciplinary fields include neurogenetics, molecular toxicology, and translational neuroscience with emphasis on Wnt signaling pathways and epigenetic regulation. Scientific Awards: Rita Allen Foundation Award Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellowship Searles Scholars Program Whitehall Foundation Grant Ester A. & Joseph Klingenstein Fund Award Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Grant Laboratory funding demonstrates exceptional grant acquisition across federal and private sources. Major support comes from NIH/NIEHS, NIH/NIMH, NIH/NINDS, Rett Syndrome Research Trust, Angelman Syndrome Foundation, Autism Speaks, and Simons Foundation. The lab maintains active collaborations through the UNC Neuroscience Center and NC TraCS institute, with recent focus on developing PainFace software for standardized pain assessment and CRISPR-based therapies for neurogenetic disorders.

• Autism Research
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Pain Mechanisms
• +3 more

Shannon Sirk is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Bioengineering at the University of Illinois. Their research focuses on synthetic bioengineering, particularly developing living therapeutics and engineered microbial systems for targeted drug delivery. Key areas include heterologous protein secretion in Bacteroides species, FcRn-binding peptide engineering for antibody salvage, and metabolic pathway activation in human gut symbionts. Notable achievements include the NIH Trailblazer Award and American Lung Association funding for research on respiratory viruses. Sirk leads the Sirk Lab, which explores synthetic biology applications in precision medicine and gut microbiome engineering. Their work spans genome editing technologies, antibody engineering, and immunoPET imaging. Research Themes: Living therapeutics, microbial engineering, protein secretion systems, gene regulation Key Projects: Synthetic microbiota for drug delivery, FcRn-based transcytosis mechanisms Lab Website: Sirk Lab Publications highlight innovations in recombinase engineering, zinc-finger nucleases, and quantum dot-based diagnostics. The team collaborates across disciplines to bridge synthetic biology with clinical applications.

• Synthetic Bioengineering
• Protein Engineering
• Microbial Engineering
• +3 more

Pietro Genovese is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and Principal Investigator at the Gene Therapy Program of Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorder Center. He is also affiliated with the Division of Hematology/Oncology at Boston Children’s Hospital and the Department of Pediatric Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. His work focuses on advancing genome editing tools for safe and effective therapies in hematological disorders and cancer immunotherapy. Dr. Genovese’s research spans hematology, oncology, and stem cell biology, with a focus on correcting genetic defects, improving adoptive immunotherapies, and enhancing gene therapy protocols. His team has pioneered methods like epitope editing to evade CAR-T cell recognition and reduce treatment toxicity. He has received prestigious awards, including the 2024 ASGCT New Investigator Award and the 2016 ESGCT Award. His lab, established in 2019, aims to translate genetic engineering innovations into clinical treatments for inherited and malignant diseases. Key projects include the HDR-mediated correction of HIGM1, now in advanced development stages.

• Genome Editing
• Gene Therapy
• Immunotherapy
• +5 more

John Young is an Associate Professor and Elizabeth Backofen Endowed Professor in the Department of Biology at Simmons University, part of the School of Science and Health Professions. His research focuses on developmental biology, particularly neural patterning and limb formation in amphibians using Xenopus laevis as a model system. He teaches courses in development, stem cells, and biological diversity. Education: PhD from University of California, Berkeley; MS from University of Oregon; BS from Aquinas College. Research interests include understanding how genetic mechanisms drive neural tube formation and limb development in vertebrates. His lab employs genome-editing techniques and molecular biology to study developmental processes, with a focus on evolutionary contexts such as axial polarity and limb positioning. Recent work explores how heterochrony (timing shifts) influences limb evolution in birds and amphibians. 2023: Published on genitalia development and lab plastic reuse methods 2021: Explored Hox-Gli3 balance and limb initiation in tetrapods 2017: Clarified roles of Noggin in pharyngeal arch development Professional affiliations include the Society for Developmental Biology. He mentors students via the SURPASs program, emphasizing independent research training. Presentations include invited talks at Cold Spring Harbor and the University of Cambridge on amphibian limb evolution and embryology. Labs/Teams: Leads the Young Lab, part of the Department of Biology at Simmons. Collaborates internationally on projects like the Marine Biological Laboratory’s Embryology Course.

• Developmental Biology
• Neural Patterning
• Limb Formation in Amphibians
• +3 more

Steen Henning Hansen, M.D., Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, based at Boston Children's Hospital. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of cancer development, particularly in epithelial cells, with emphasis on GTPase signaling, cell adhesion, and tumor suppression pathways. Dr. Hansen directs an active research laboratory investigating oncogenic signaling and has secured continuous NIH funding for over two decades. Principal Investigator on 5 NIH grants from 2003-2025 Published 49 peer-reviewed articles with over 2,000 citations Specializes in Rho GTPase signaling in cancer biology Dr. Hansen's research primarily investigates GTPase-activating proteins and their role in epithelial cell biology and cancer development. His work has established critical connections between Rho GTPase signaling, cell adhesion through cadherins, and tumor suppression mechanisms. The laboratory employs advanced techniques including CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, single-cell analysis, and sophisticated mouse models to study cancer pathogenesis, with particular focus on fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma and epithelial oncogenesis. Recent work has expanded into immunological aspects of cancer, particularly how tumor cells interact with the immune system. Analysis of Dr. Hansen's 15 most recent publications reveals a consistent focus on cell signaling pathways in cancer, with increasing emphasis on the Hippo pathway, immune interactions, and precision oncology approaches. His work demonstrates an evolution from fundamental cell biology mechanisms toward translational applications, with several publications directly addressing potential therapeutic targets in cancer. Notably, his research bridges basic molecular mechanisms with clinical applications, particularly in liver cancer and epithelial malignancies. Dr. Hansen has received substantial research funding throughout his career, with continuous NIH support since 2003. His current portfolio includes an R03 grant investigating innate immune signaling in fibrolamellar carcinoma (2023-2025) and previously led multiple R01 and R21 grants focused on RhoGAP signaling in epithelial oncogenesis. His laboratory has trained numerous postdoctoral fellows and graduate students who have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry. The Hansen laboratory operates within the Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital research ecosystem, collaborating extensively with experts in immunology, gastroenterology, and cancer biology. The lab maintains strong connections with the Blavatnik Institute and utilizes core facilities for advanced microscopy, genomics, and animal modeling. Current research directions include developing novel models of fibrolamellar carcinoma, investigating mitochondrial metabolism in cancer, and exploring the interface between cell adhesion signaling and immune recognition in tumors.

• Cell Signaling
• Cancer Biology
• Epithelial Cell Biology
• +5 more

Frank F. Soldner, M.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience and Department of Genetics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. His research focuses on neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson's, using innovative approaches combining induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, and systems biology. He develops patient-specific cellular models to study disease mechanisms and identify therapeutic targets. Key research areas include: (1) Functional analysis of genetic risk variants in non-coding regions, (2) Epigenetic regulation in disease progression, (3) High-throughput screening of compounds using engineered neurons, and (4) 3D organoid models for neurodegenerative disorders. His work bridges basic science and translational medicine, emphasizing disease modeling with genetic precision. Publications highlight contributions to α-synuclein toxicity mechanisms, CRISPR-based disease modeling, and single-cell epigenetic analysis. His lab collaborates extensively with genomic databases and employs cutting-edge tools like genome-scale screens to uncover disease pathways. Current studies investigate lipidomic changes in Parkinson's and mitochondrial quality control mechanisms.

• Neurodegenerative diseases
• Stem cell biology
• Genome editing (CRISPR/Cas9)
• +5 more

Dr. Nathan Lawson is a Professor at UMass Chan Medical School within the T.H. Chan School of Medicine and Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences . He has multiple affiliations across departments including Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology , RNA Therapeutics Institute , and Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology . BS in Zoology from University of Rhode Island (1994) PhD in Biology from Yale University (1999) Postdoctoral work at NIH studying zebrafish angiogenesis Joined UMass Medical School in 2002 Lawson's research focuses on developmental angiogenesis and endothelial differentiation using zebrafish models . His work explores: Vascular patterning mechanisms Endothelial cell heterogeneity Genetic models of vascular disease Development of knockout technologies His publications (2015-2025) show expertise in gene editing (CRISPR/Cas9, zinc-finger nucleases), vascular development , and computational genomics . He develops zebrafish disease models for conditions like congenital lymphedema and neurodegenerative disorders. Lawson's lab ( lawsonlab.umassmed.edu ) investigates: Vascular disease mechanisms Notch-VEGF signaling interactions Endothelial progenitor cell behavior Small molecule screening for vascular therapies

• Developmental Angiogenesis
• Endothelial Heterogeneity
• Vascular Biology
• +3 more

Dr. Keith R. Jerome is a Professor at the University of Washington, holding dual appointments in the Departments of Microbiology and Laboratory Medicine. He serves as Head of the Virology Division within Laboratory Medicine. Education: B.S. in Chemistry from Georgetown College, M.D. and Ph.D. from Duke University (focusing on T cell antigens in breast tumors). Dr. Jerome's research centers on chronic and latent viruses, including HIV, hepatitis B, herpes simplex virus (HSV), and human papillomavirus (HPV). His work explores viral immune evasion mechanisms and innovative curative strategies using DNA editing enzymes such as homing endonucleases and zinc finger nucleases to inactivate latent viral DNA. This approach aims to eliminate viral reservoirs and potentially cure persistent infections. Recent publications highlight his focus on HSV-1 pathogenesis, SARS-CoV-2 mutations, CMV reactivation in transplant recipients, and gene editing applications. His studies span in vivo models, transcriptomics, and species-specific gene transfer barriers. Collaborations with researchers like Aubert, Schiffer, and Roychoudhury underscore his interdisciplinary approach. As Head of the Virology Division, Dr. Jerome leads a team investigating viral latency and therapeutic interventions. His lab's work on gene editing and viral DNA cleavage has been published in journals like Nature Communications and Molecular Therapy .

• Virology
• Immunology
• Gene Editing
• +3 more

David Segal, Ph.D., Professor at the University of California, Davis Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, leads groundbreaking research in programmable DNA/RNA-binding platforms for genetic and epigenetic therapies. His work addresses neurologic disorders through Angelman syndrome and Huntington's disease models, employing Zinc fingers , TALEs , and CRISPR/Cas systems to engineer precise gene regulation without double-strand breaks. Research Pillars: Genome Engineering: Developing programmable transcription factors and nucleases Epigenetic Editing: Exploring histone/DNA methylation dynamics Neurogenetic Therapeutics: Brain-targeted delivery via AAV, nanoparticles, stem cells As a key member of the NIH Somatic Cell Genome Editing (SCGE) consortium and collaborator with the Innovative Genomics Institute , his lab creates molecular probes for live-cell gene edit detection while investigating fundamental questions about epigenetic persistence mechanisms.

• Genome Engineering
• Neurogenetics
• Epigenetics
• +5 more

David Drubin and Georjana Barnes are Professors in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. They co-lead the Drubin/Barnes Lab, which investigates the molecular mechanisms of actin-mediated membrane trafficking and mitotic/meiotic fidelity in both Saccharomyces cerevisiae (budding yeast) and mammalian cells. Research areas include: Clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) using zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) and TALENs for endogenous gene tagging Actin cable assembly regulation by cyclin-dependent kinases Role of kinesins in chromosomal passenger complex localization Membrane dynamics and phospholipid functions during vesiculation Proteomic identification of spindle/kinetochore components Recent publications highlight: 2024 work on mitotic spindle disassembly mechanisms 2016 design principles for clathrin-mediated vesiculation 2013 studies on anionic phospholipids in CME Awards & Outreach: Laboratory won BioTechniques Journal's Science Parody of the Year (2012) for 'Grad School, I Love You (But You're Bringin' Me Down)' David Drubin serves as Editor-in-Chief of Molecular Biology of the Cell Key advisees include: Yidi Sun (JCS 2012) Itziar (PhD Biophysics, JCB 2024) Ross Pedersen (JCB 2013) Rebecca Lu (MBoC 2016) Julian Hassinger (PNAS 2016)

• Actin-mediated membrane trafficking
• Clathrin-mediated endocytosis
• Mitosis/meiosis regulation
• +6 more

Professor Kent Golic is a faculty member in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Utah, specializing in genetics and chromosome dynamics. He holds a B.S. from Kansas State University (1980) and a Ph.D. from the University of Washington (1986), followed by postdoctoral research at the University of Chicago. Since 1990, he has been at the University of Utah, advancing from Assistant Professor (1990–1997) to Associate Professor (1997–2000) before becoming a full Professor in 2000. His research focuses on chromosome behavior, DNA repair mechanisms, and telomere dynamics in Drosophila melanogaster . Key interests include dicentric chromosome breakage, homolog-dependent repair, anaphase bridges, and the role of centromere strength. He has pioneered methods for targeted mutagenesis using zinc finger nucleases and CRISPR-based systems, with contributions to understanding gene drive safety and synthetic symbiotic systems. Professor Golic has received prestigious awards, including the Genetics Society of America’s Novitski Prize (2009) and the University of Utah’s Distinguished Research Award (2001). He has served on committees such as the NIH Scientific Advisory Board for the Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and contributed to risk assessments for genetically modified organisms. He teaches advanced genetics courses and supervises thesis research. His grants include NIH-funded projects on chromosome breakage, telomere function, and protein misfolding. Notable publications span Genetics , Science , and PLOS Genetics , addressing topics like chromosome healing, P53 regulation, and synthetic symbioses.

• Genetics
• Molecular Biology
• Cell Biology
• +3 more

Nancy Horton is a Professor at the Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology (MCB) within the University of Arizona's College of Science. She holds additional professorships at the BIO5 Institute, Genetics GIDP (Graduate Interdisciplinary Program), and Cancer Biology GIDP. Her laboratory is located in Life Sciences South Building, Rooms 404, 410 (lab) and 454 (office). Her research focuses on structural and mechanistic studies of enzymes involved in DNA processing, particularly enzyme filamentation mechanisms and their roles in catalytic activation and specificity. Key areas include the SgrAI endonuclease and NS1 protein of human parvovirus B19. Her work bridges biochemistry, structural biology, and molecular biophysics to understand enzyme function and regulation. Her research interests emphasize the structural basis of enzyme function, including allosteric regulation, protein-DNA interactions, and viral replication mechanisms. She employs techniques like X-ray crystallography, ion mobility mass spectrometry, and kinetic modeling to study these systems. Recent studies highlight how filament formation in SgrAI enhances catalytic efficiency and alters DNA sequence specificity, with implications for understanding enzyme regulation in biological systems. Her publications consistently address topics such as metal-ion mediated catalysis, viral nuclease activity, and the design of small-molecule inhibitors targeting epigenetic proteins. While no specific awards are listed, her sustained contributions to enzyme mechanism research suggest recognition within the scientific community. Her lab actively investigates enzyme dynamics and their applications in antiviral strategies and structural biology.

• Structural Biology
• Enzymology
• DNA-Protein Interactions
• +3 more

Brian Ellis is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at Lipscomb University. He specializes in parasitic worm research, gene therapy delivery systems, and undergraduate science education. Ellis holds a PhD in cell regulation/biochemistry from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and completed postdoctoral work at UC San Diego on anthelmintic drug discovery. B.S.: Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of Denver Ph.D.: Cell Regulation/Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center Postdoc: UC San Diego (Raffi Aroian Lab) His research focuses on combating soil-transmitted helminths (hookworm, whipworm) affecting 1.5B people globally, combining drug discovery with genetic engineering approaches. He actively involves Lipscomb students in parasitology research while maintaining a strong commitment to integrating faith and science education. Recent publications emphasize anthelmintic efficacy testing using C. elegans models, drug combination studies for nematicidal agents, and optimizing viral vectors for gene therapy applications. His work bridges basic science research with global health interventions. Award-winning educator passionate about mentoring undergraduate researchers, Ellis has taught at community colleges and previously led a research lab at Bethel University. He maintains active collaborations in both parasitology and gene delivery systems development.

• Parasitic Infectious Diseases
• Gene Therapy
• Medical Research
• +3 more

Mehrdad Abedi serves as a Professor of Medicine in the Internal Medicine Department at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine. His clinical practice focuses on malignant hematology and cellular therapy within the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center and Transplant Center. His research spans hematopoietic stem cells, bone marrow transplantation models, and gene/cellular therapies. Abedi's work demonstrates significant contributions to CAR T-cell therapy for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, as evidenced by multiple ZUMA-3 trial publications. His laboratory investigations explore novel cellular therapy applications for hematological malignancies and genetic disorders. Key publication trends show concentrated research in 2021-2025 on CAR T-cell therapies (particularly brexucabtagene autoleucel), with substantial clinical trial involvement in lymphoma, leukemia, and myeloma treatment. His work bridges basic science in stem cell biology with translational applications in refractory hematological malignancies. Scientific Recognition: Alpha Clinic Award, UC Davis Health (2017) Dr. Abedi maintains active leadership in professional societies including the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, American Society of Hematology, and Southwest Oncology Group. His clinical philosophy emphasizes team-based care involving nurses, pharmacists, and social workers to deliver comprehensive patient management. While specific grant details aren't provided, his extensive clinical trial participation suggests substantial research funding support.

• Bone Marrow Transplantation
• Hematological Malignancies
• Cellular Therapy
• +5 more