Ulrich Lächelt is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Faculty of Life Sciences. His research focuses on nanoparticle technology, drug delivery systems, and gene therapy, with a particular emphasis on CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing and RNA-based therapeutics. He leads a project on nanoformulations of prime editing ribonucleoproteins (2025–2029), aiming to advance precision medicine. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in health and innovation. Research Interests: Nanoparticle design and material science CRISPR/Cas9 delivery systems siRNA and mRNA therapeutic formulations Cancer-targeted drug delivery Biomedical engineering applications Publications (2025–2023): Highlighted studies include dual pH-responsive CRISPR delivery systems and accelerated endosomal escape mechanisms. His work spans 40+ peer-reviewed articles, with recent trends focusing on xenopeptide carriers and tumor-targeted therapies. Grants & Projects: Current research funding includes a nanoformulations project (2025–2029). He actively collaborates on international initiatives, with recent presentations at global conferences on CRISPR delivery and gene editing strategies. Labs/Teams: Involved in interdisciplinary teams developing novel drug delivery platforms and screening tools for prime editor RNPs.
Justin Milner, PhD, serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine and is a member of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. His research develops novel approaches to enhance cancer immunotherapies through multi-omics and bioengineering techniques. Education: Postdoctoral Fellowship, UCSD PhD, UNC Chapel-Hill BS, UNC Chapel-Hill Dr. Milner's lab investigates molecular drivers of T cell differentiation and function within tumor microenvironments, utilizing cutting-edge genomics, bioengineering, and computational immunology. His work focuses on reprogramming T cell activity to overcome immunotherapy resistance in cancers, with particular emphasis on epigenetic regulation and metabolic adaptations of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Recent projects explore hydrogel-based delivery systems for immunotherapeutics and transcriptional networks governing T cell exhaustion. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals dominant themes in cancer immunotherapy enhancement, particularly through T cell engineering (7/15 articles), tumor microenvironment modulation (5/15), and computational approaches to T cell biology (3/15). Key methodologies include single-cell multi-omics, in vivo screening, and biomaterial-based drug delivery systems targeting solid tumors. Scientific Awards: NIH NCI K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award V Foundation Scholar Award Lung Cancer Initiative Career Development Award UNC Lineberger Innovation Award Multiple institutional pilot awards including Hirschberg Foundation and Mary Kay Ash Awards Dr. Milner currently advises three graduate students and multiple postdoctoral researchers while leading an NIH-funded R01 project ($2.79 million) investigating epigenetic regulation of T cell exhaustion. His lab maintains active collaborations across computational medicine and pancreatic cancer research programs at UNC. The Milner Lab operates within the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, utilizing core facilities for single-cell genomics, murine tumor modeling, and bioengineering. Current team includes seven researchers focused on T cell reprogramming strategies for solid tumor immunotherapy.
Daniela Strenkert is an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University, affiliated with the MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, Plant Biology Department, Molecular Plant Sciences Program, BioMolecular Science Gateway, and Cell & Molecular Biology Program. Her research focuses on systems biology approaches to understand gene regulation in photosynthetic organisms. Ph.D., University of Kaiserslautern, Germany Her lab investigates photosynthetic performance through multi-omics analysis of chromatin structure, transcriptomes, proteomes, and metabolomes in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii . Key areas include environmental acclimation, histone modification mapping (GreENCODE project), and regulatory RNA characterization. Recent publications emphasize computational modeling of photosynthetic protein interactions, metal homeostasis under stress, and chloroplast protein import mechanisms. Articles span 2025-2010, with 15 most recent from 2025-2022. Her work integrates genome-wide datasets to decode algal regulatory programs under climate change-relevant stressors. She teaches BS 161: Cells and Molecules and maintains a lab at 106 Plant Biology Lab. Contact: strenke2@msu.edu .
Emmanuel Ho is a Professor at the University of Waterloo and serves as the Associate Director of Graduate Studies & Research. His research focuses on nanomedicine and vaccine delivery, with expertise in drug delivery systems, polymer chemistry, and biomaterials. He leads the Ho Research Group, dedicated to developing innovative biomedical technologies for healthcare challenges. His work integrates materials science, pharmacology, and engineering to address issues in infectious diseases, ocular health, and drug delivery mechanisms. Key research areas include the design of smart polymers for targeted drug delivery, development of biosensors for rapid pathogen detection, and the application of nanotechnology in combating antimicrobial resistance. His projects often involve interdisciplinary collaborations, such as combining machine learning with nanoparticle formulation design to optimize therapeutic efficacy. Recent advancements from his lab include microwave biosensors for E. coli detection, bacteria-responsive drug release platforms, and pH-sensitive nanomicrobicides for HIV prevention. These innovations highlight his commitment to translating cutting-edge science into practical medical solutions. The Ho Research Group’s work has been widely published in top-tier journals, reflecting its impact on both academic and clinical fields.
Wei Deng is an Associate Professor and Deputy Head of School (Research) in the School of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Her research focuses on cancer nanotechnology, nanobiotechnology, and gene engineering, with significant contributions to radiation-activated chemotherapy (RAC) via liposomes and CRISPR-based therapies. She has pioneered treatments for rectal and breast cancers, including the development of patented RAC systems that reduce chemotherapy toxicity. Her work has led to the founding of biotech startup EosGene Pty Ltd for diabetic retinopathy therapies. Deng holds a PhD from Macquarie University and has attracted over $3.7M in grants from ARC, NHMRC, and Cancer Institute NSW. She leads interdisciplinary teams and contributes to global collaborations, including partnerships with UNSW and HK Winhealth Pharma Group. Her research spans drug/gene delivery systems, CRISPR biosensors, and nanoparticle engineering, emphasizing translational medicine and industrial challenges. Education: PhD in Biomedical Engineering, Macquarie University (Sydney) Leadership Roles: Deputy Head of School, Research; Co-founder of EosGene Pty Ltd Awards: DECRA Fellowship (ARC), Cancer Institute NSW Career Development Fellowship Key Projects: RAC liposomes (Patents US 12036282, Europe 3720422), CRISPR-based pathogen sensors, X-ray triggered PDT platforms Her research bridges nanotechnology and clinical applications, with 62 refereed publications (h-index 26) and 87% in top-tier journals. She actively supervises postgraduate research in CRISPR therapies, CAR T cell engineering, and targeted drug delivery.
Dr Marten Moore is a Research Fellow at the Division of Plant Sciences, The Australian National University. His research focuses on understanding mRNA dynamics, plant stress responses, and photosynthesis efficiency through molecular and genetic approaches. He investigates how plants adapt to environmental stresses such as light fluctuations and salinity, with a particular emphasis on retrograde signaling pathways linking chloroplasts to nuclear responses. Dr Moore’s work integrates experimental and computational methods, including the development of tools like ConCysFind for analyzing conserved protein sequences across plant species. He collaborates on projects aimed at enhancing crop resilience through improved energy use efficiency and yield stability, leveraging insights from wheat and Arabidopsis models. Key Projects: Using RNA regulation to improve energy use efficiency and boost yield in wheat (2024–2027) Regulators of protein translation reveal new pathways to plant productivity (2022–2025) Smart Plants and Solutions for Enhancing Crop Resilience and Yield (2021–2025) His research interests span mRNA fate during stress recovery, nitric oxide signaling in plant cells, and the role of glutathione peroxidases in symbiotic root nodules. Dr Moore’s contributions bridge fundamental plant biology with applied agricultural challenges, aiming to translate molecular insights into practical solutions for sustainable agriculture.
Dr. Deborah Goberdhan is an Associate Professor at the University of Oxford , affiliated with the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (DPAG) . She leads an independent research group investigating amino acid sensing , mTORC1 signaling , and exosome-mediated communication in cancer progression using both human cancer cells and Drosophila models . She serves on the Cancer Research UK Oxford Centre Research Committee , teaches Medical and Biomedical Sciences undergraduates , and acts as Academic Public Engagement Lead for her department. Her research focuses on cell growth regulation through Proton-assisted Amino acid Transporters (PATs) , which function as 'transceptors' modulating mTORC1 activity . This work has expanded to examine exosome heterogeneity and therapeutic delivery mechanisms with support from BBSRC and Cancer Research UK . She co-founded Oxosome , the Oxford extracellular vesicle interest group , to foster interdisciplinary collaboration. Key research areas include Cancer cell communication via exosomes Amino acid signaling in tumor progression Drosophila as cancer model system Clinical collaborations with Prof Adrian L Harris , Prof Freddie C Hamdy , and Prof Clare Verrill Recent publications highlight her group's contributions to exosome biogenesis (2023), brain-targeted siRNA delivery (2021), and nutrient stress responses in cancer (2020). She actively promotes scientific communication through ISEV social media initiatives.
Michelle Farkas is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her work bridges chemical biology, synthetic chemistry, and cancer biology to develop molecular tools for studying circadian rhythms and macrophage phenotypes in oncology contexts. Affiliated with the Graduate Program in Molecular & Cellular Biology Faculty member at the Center for Bioactive Delivery and Models to Medicine within the Institute for Applied Life Sciences Research focuses on: Designing reporters and modulators for circadian rhythms in cancer models Engineering macrophages for anti-cancer polarization and targeted delivery Developing chemically modified cells and nanozymes for therapeutic/diagnostic applications Scientific contributions include chemical modulation of circadian clocks, bioorthogonal nanozyme systems, and novel cell-based delivery platforms. Her recent publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches combining synthetic chemistry with cancer immunology. DOD-BCRP Postdoctoral Fellow Current projects aim to translate molecular tools into clinical diagnostics and therapies, leveraging collaborations across chemistry, biology, and medicine.
Vincent Rotello is a University Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He holds multiple affiliations including Faculty in the Graduate Program in Molecular & Cellular Biology, the Center for Bioactive Delivery, the Models to Medicine program, the Center for Personalized Health Monitoring, and the Materials Science and Engineering Interdisciplinary Graduate Program at the Institute for Applied Life Sciences. Dr. Rotello received his B.S. in Chemistry (Honors) from Illinois Institute of Technology in 1985, followed by an M. Phil and Ph.D. in Chemistry from Yale University in 1987 and 1990, respectively. He completed an NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 1990-1993 before joining the faculty at UMass Amherst. Professor Rotello's research focuses on supramolecular chemistry, particularly the study and application of non-covalent interactions including hydrogen bonding and aromatic stacking. His work spans nanotechnology, bionanotechnology, bioorthogonal chemistry, drug delivery, and antimicrobial development. His laboratory explores how these molecular recognition concepts can address essential questions in biology, biomedicine, and material chemistry, with particular emphasis on using synthetic organic chemistry to engineer interfaces between synthetic and biological worlds. The group has published over 650 peer-reviewed papers to date. His recent publications reveal a strong trend toward bioorthogonal catalysis, particularly 'nanozymes' and 'polyzymes' - nanomaterial scaffolds incorporating transition metal catalysts for localized drug and imaging agent generation. His research increasingly addresses biomedical applications including cancer treatment, bacterial infection control, and diagnostic development, with significant focus on antimicrobial applications and biofilm eradication. Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award (2023) Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate (2014, 2015, 2018-2023) Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (UK) NSF CAREER award Cottrell Scholar award Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Sloan Fellowship Professor Rotello has mentored numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, with recent PhD graduates including Dr. Aarohi Gupta and Dr. Aritra Nath Chattopadhyay. His research group maintains active collaborations across multiple disciplines and has secured significant funding for their work in nanotechnology and bionanotechnology. The group has published over 650 peer-reviewed papers, demonstrating consistent productivity and impact in their field. The Rotello Lab operates within the Lederle Graduate Research Tower at UMass Amherst, with office in room 379 and laboratory space in room 320. The group consists of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting scholars from around the world, working collaboratively on projects spanning antimicrobials, bioorthogonal chemistry, drug delivery, and sensing technologies. The lab has documented numerous visiting scholars from institutions across Europe, Asia, and North America, indicating strong international collaborations.
Prof. Dr. Olivia Merkel is the Chair of Drug Delivery at LMU Munich (since 2022) and holds a tenured professorship in the Faculty of Pharmacy. Her academic journey includes postdoctoral work at Philipps-Universität Marburg (2009), a PhD in Pharmaceutics (2009), and a tenure-track professorship at Wayne State University (2011–2017). She leads the Merkel Lab, focusing on advanced drug delivery systems, particularly siRNA and nanoparticle-based therapies. Research interests: Nanomedicine, targeted drug delivery, polymer engineering, and pulmonary delivery systems. Editorial roles: Molecular Pharmaceutics, Journal of Controlled Release, and European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics. Award: 2020 PHOENIX Pharma Science Award. Her lab combines experimental and computational approaches, with recent work on machine learning-driven polymer discovery and molecular dynamics simulations. Over 20 students and researchers collaborate in her group, addressing challenges in lung fibrosis treatment and T-cell targeting in asthma.
Maria M. Viveiros is an Associate Professor and Assistant Department Head in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at the University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Her research integrates experimental approaches like live cell imaging, molecular biology, and genetic mouse models to study meiotic division accuracy in oocytes, genomic stability, and the effects of environmental toxicants on embryonic development. She co-leads the Dr. Viveiros’s Lab and participates in interdisciplinary programs such as the Interdisciplinary Toxicology and Regenerative Biosciences Programs. Dr. Viveiros holds a PhD in Physiology and Pharmacology from the University of Guelph (Canada), an MSc from the same institution, and a BSc from McMaster University (Canada). She coordinates multiple graduate courses, including Integrative Systems Physiology I and II (VPHY 8210 and VPHY 8250), and leads the Endocrine and Reproductive Systems I course (VETM 5194). Her research interests focus on cell and developmental biology, regenerative medicine, reproductive physiology, and toxicology. Key projects address mechanisms regulating meiotic spindle assembly, monitoring chromosome attachment, and assessing how aging and environmental factors disrupt these processes. She explores epigenetic control of oocyte maturation, centromere function, and the impact of chemicals like bisphenol on gamete and embryo health. Publications highlight her work on pericentric satellite transcription, bisphenol toxicity, and epigenetic modifiers in oogenesis. Her contributions bridge molecular and cellular mechanisms with broader implications for human health, such as Down Syndrome and pregnancy loss linked to meiotic errors. She also investigates the role of proteins like ATRX, NEDD1, and Aurora Kinase A in spindle stability and chromosome segregation.
Professor Ronald van Rij holds the position of Professor of Experimental Virology and Head of the Laboratory of Experimental Virology at Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen, Netherlands. He also serves as a Guest Professor at the University of Pavia, Italy. His research focuses on antiviral mechanisms in insects, particularly the roles of RNA interference (RNAi) and piRNA pathways in Drosophila melanogaster and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. He has pioneered studies on viral defense in insects and vector competence, with translational work on antiviral compounds against pathogens like Zika and SARS-CoV-2 through the international 'COVID Moonshot' project. Education includes a PhD from the University of Amsterdam (2002) and postdoctoral fellowships at UCSF (USA) and the Hubrecht Institute (Netherlands). He has received prestigious grants such as ERC Consolidator and VICI awards, and was honored as Lecturer of the Year (2019) and PhD Supervisor of the Year (2017). Awards: ERC Proof of Concept Grant (2020), NWO VICI (2017), ERC Consolidator (2014), NWO VIDI (2008), EMBO Fellowship (2002). Teaching: Coordinates courses on virology, non-coding RNA, and innate immunity at Radboud University. Labs: Manages a BSL-3 facility for studying vector-borne pathogens in mosquitoes. His work bridges basic science and translational medicine, with emphasis on small RNA pathways and arbovirus control.
Lars Aagaard is an Associate Professor at the Department of Biomedicine - Research and Education, Aarhus University, Denmark. He is based at the Bartholin Building in Aarhus C and is actively engaged in research and teaching in the fields of gene therapy, RNA interference, and genome editing. His work focuses on developing viral vectors, particularly AAV and lentiviral vectors, for ocular gene therapy targeting retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. His research interests include the development of Dicer-independent RNAi systems, combinatorial gene therapy using microRNA and CRISPR/Cas9, and the delivery of RNA- and protein-based therapeutics. He also teaches Genetics and Personalized Medicine and supervises postdoctoral researchers, PhD, master's, and undergraduate students. The recent publications (2022–2024) reflect a strong trend in RNAi therapeutics, viral vector engineering, and translational applications in ocular and systemic diseases. Themes include gene silencing, immune modulation, and regenerative approaches using engineered cells. Aagaard actively contributes to the scientific community as a reviewer for journals such as Nature and Molecular Therapy . He has participated in key international conferences including ARVO, ASGCT, and ESGCT, demonstrating ongoing engagement with the global gene therapy community. Supervision of postdocs, PhD, master’s, and undergraduate students Active participation in international conferences and workshops Collaborative research across institutions, including Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo He is involved in both basic and translational research, with potential for clinical applications in gene and cell therapy.
Yanping Long is a Research Associate Professor at Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) in Shenzhen, China, affiliated with the School of Life Sciences and Department of Biology. She holds a PhD in Developmental Biology from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (2015), and a B.S. in Biotechnology from Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University (2007). Her career includes positions as Research Assistant Professor at SUSTech (2019-2023) and postdoctoral research under Dr. Jixian Zhai. Her research integrates wet-lab and computational approaches to develop cutting-edge genomic technologies. Primary interests include: Single-cell sequencing for plant systems (e.g., FlsnRNA-seq) Long-read sequencing applications (e.g., FLEP-seq, Pore-C) Gene expression regulation focusing on RNA processing, epigenetics, and transcriptional dynamics Her publications (2019-2023) demonstrate a strong focus on developing novel genomic methods and applying them to plant systems. Key themes include single-cell transcriptomics, chromatin architecture, RNA processing dynamics, and epigenetic regulation in model plants (Arabidopsis, Medicago) and crops (soybean, rice). Awards: Outstanding Young Women Award, Chinese Society for Plant Biology (2022) She holds patents for genomic technologies including single-cell library construction and barcoded gel bead methodologies. No student advisees or grant details were mentioned in the source materials.
Faisal Ibrahim is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry & Physics at the State University of New York at Old Westbury. He holds a BSc in Applied Chemistry from the University for Development Studies (Ghana), and MSc and PhD degrees in Organic Chemistry from East Tennessee State University and the University of Louisville, respectively. His postdoctoral research included roles at the National Cancer Institute (NIH) and the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy. He leads the Ibrahim Research Lab, focusing on nanomedicine and sustainable chemistry. His expertise spans Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Sustainable Nano-catalysis, and LNP-based drug delivery systems. His research emphasizes environmentally friendly methodologies, such as PS-750-M, a commercialized nonionic surfactant mimicking hazardous solvents. He develops lipid nanoparticles for siRNA/mRNA delivery targeting cancer therapy and biomedical applications. Key publications include advancements in Cu-catalyzed aqueous reactions, stealth lipid vesicles for cancer treatment, and micelle-enabled palladium catalysis. His work appears in journals like Advanced Functional Materials , Green Chemistry , and ACS Catalysis . He teaches Organic Chemistry courses and is affiliated with the Social and Environmental Justice Institute. His lab collaborates on interdisciplinary projects at the chemistry-nanotechnology-life sciences interface.
