Dr. May Sin Ke is a Junior Research Fellow and Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Oncology at the University of Oxford's Old Road Campus. Her research focuses on immunotherapy in cancer, particularly leveraging bispecific monoclonal antibodies for colorectal cancer and adenocarcinomas. She specializes in developing biological assays to model cancer biology and identify therapeutic targets. Her doctoral work at Oxford explored tumour heterogeneity in triple-negative breast cancer under hypoxic conditions using single-cell sequencing. During her BSc at the University of Tsukuba, Japan, she developed 3D spheroid models of dermal papilla cells for hair growth screening. Key research interests include tumour heterogeneity, hypoxia-driven cancer mechanisms, and translational applications of 3D cell culture models. Her recent publications emphasize single-cell technologies and their challenges in understanding cellular diversity in oncology. No scientific awards are listed in the provided text. Her work contributes to therapeutic target discovery through advanced cellular and molecular approaches.
Brittany Givens is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Kentucky College of Engineering. Her research focuses on developing polymeric sustained-release drug delivery systems targeting tumors, with particular emphasis on addressing health disparities in endometrial cancer treatment. Ph.D. in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, University of Iowa (2019) M.Eng. in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, University of Iowa (2017) B.S. in Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Pittsburgh (2014) Her laboratory develops biodegradable polymer-based delivery systems for chemotherapeutics and analgesics, with recent projects exploring PCL nanoparticle formulations and copper oxide nanoparticle interactions in reproductive tissues. Collaborations include work with Dr. Kaitlin Fogg (Oregon State) and Dr. Eva Goellner (UK Toxicology and Cancer Biology). Key article trends include polymeric drug carriers, tumor-targeting strategies, and health equity considerations in nanomedicine. The Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award recognizes her innovative research approach. As an educator, Dr. Givens teaches Separation Processes (CME 415), Thermodynamics (CME 320), and Graduate Reactor Design (CME 650), emphasizing accessibility and active learning. Her lab has mentored multiple undergraduate researchers including Ashbey Manning (AIChE award winner) and Zachary Beickman (now at Purdue PhD program). Givens Lab at UK is fully operational with current projects examining sustained-release formulations for paclitaxel resistance, core-shell microparticle designs, and comparative efficacy studies in 2D/3D cell culture platforms.
Dr. Kate Miroshnikova leads the Biophysical Regulation of Cell State Dynamics lab at the University of Münster , affiliated with the Cells in Motion Interfaculty Centre and Collaborative Research Center 1348 . Her interdisciplinary research integrates biophysics, cell biology, and engineering to study how mechanical forces regulate chromatin architecture, nuclear dynamics, and cell fate decisions. Lab focus: Mechano-osmotic environments, macromolecular crowding, and nuclear shape abnormalities in cancer Methodology: 2D/3D in vitro models, organoids, mouse models, bioreactors Research emphasizes mechanosensitive checkpoints in genome integrity, mechanochemical feedback loops , and nuclear deformation mechanisms with implications for DNA damage protection and aging. Key findings include the role of chromatin-lamina interfaces in aging/cancer and dynamic coupling of cellular position with fate in multilayered tissues. Contact: Email: kate@mpi-muenster.mpg.de Phone: +49 251 70365-350 Follow on Bluesky: @katemiro.bsky.social
Professor UĞUR AYDIN is affiliated with Gaziantep University Faculty of Dentistry in the Department of Clinical Sciences . He has held various academic positions since 2016 including Professor (2023–), Associate Professor (2017–2023), and Assistant Professor (2011–2017). His education includes a Medical Specialization in Endodontics (2016–2020) from Ondokuz Mayis University Institute of Health Sciences and a Türkiye Licence in Dentistry (2016–2020) from Marmara University Faculty of Dentistry . His research interests focus on Endodontics with emphasis on Laser Applications , Root Canal Biofilm Removal , and Dental Material Evaluation . His work explores Cyclic Fatigue Resistance of Instruments , Smear Layer Elimination , and Dentinal Crack Formation during endodontic procedures. He has supervised 25+ theses at dental specialization, master’s, and PhD levels. His grants include 7 national research projects supported by TÜBİTAK and Higher Education Institutions, such as projects on Laser Dentistry , Photodynamic Therapy , and Apical Pressure Dynamics . He has co-authored 28 scientific articles and 1 book chapter on Endodontic Radiology .
Toni Aebischer is Head of Unit 16, Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria at the Department of Infectious Disease, Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in Berlin, Germany. He obtained his Dr. rer. nat. in Immunology from ETH Zurich in 1989 and has built an extensive career in infectious disease research, with particular focus on host-pathogen interactions at molecular and population levels. His educational background includes post-doctoral studies at the Walter & Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne (1990-1993), followed by positions at the Max Planck Institutes in Tübingen and Berlin, and later at Edinburgh University where he held a Marie-Curie Excellence Team grant. He received his venia legendi from Humboldt University in 2019, formally qualifying him to teach at university level. Aebischer's research centers on parasitic infections, particularly Giardia duodenalis and Leishmania species. His work spans molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis, virulence factors, drug resistance, and public health implications of neglected parasitic diseases. He has established human intestinal organoids as a key research tool for studying gastrointestinal pathogens and leads Project 1 of the SPP 2332 Physics of Parasitism focusing on the physics of Giardia adhesion. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on molecular detection methods, organoid-based infection models, and epidemiological studies of parasitic diseases. The research shows increasing integration of biophysical approaches with traditional parasitology to understand mechanical aspects of parasite-host interactions. Among his notable achievements is securing a Marie-Curie Excellence Team grant for leishmaniasis research. His leadership extends to service on the extended board of the Deutsche Parasitologische Gesellschaft and the National Platform for Zoonotic Research. At RKI, Aebischer established the unified Parasitology, Mycology and Mycobacteriology Unit in 2009. His team focuses on advancing pathogen identification methods, understanding molecular mechanisms of virulence and drug resistance, expanding molecular epidemiology tools, and informing public health policy. The unit maintains biobanking projects to functionally characterize parasite populations, particularly for treatment-resistant Giardia strains.
Associate Professor Egon Perilli is a biomedical engineer and imaging scientist based at Flinders University’s Medical Device Research Institute (College of Science and Engineering). He additionally holds an Affiliate Lecturer appointment in Anatomy & Pathology at the University of Adelaide and an Honorary Fellowship in Medicine at the University of Melbourne. His career spans prestigious European institutions—University of Antwerp and Istituti Ortopedici Rizzoli in Bologna—before establishing a prominent research programme in Australia. Education & Training Post-Doctoral Researcher, SkyScan (now Bruker micro-CT) & Visionlab, University of Antwerp, Belgium, 2007–2008 Scientific Researcher, Medical Technology Laboratory, Istituti Ortopedici Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy, 2002–2007 Research Focus Associate Professor Perilli’s work integrates state-of-the-art in vitro and in vivo micro-computed tomography with digital volume correlation and experimental biomechanics to investigate bone structure–function relationships. His primary application areas are osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, where he quantifies micro-architectural deterioration, evaluates implant fixation strategies, and explores 3-D-printed biomaterials. A particular emphasis is placed on translating high-resolution imaging data into predictive models of fracture risk and implant longevity. Recent Publication Trends Between 2019 and 2025, his output reveals an intensified focus on (i) cementless orthopaedic implants and their mechanical environment, (ii) time-elapsed micro-CT to capture failure mechanisms under physiological loads, and (iii) additive-manufactured Ti–6Al–4V components with controlled porosity. These works collectively advance personalised orthopaedics and evidence-based implant design. Awards & Leadership Past President (2018-2021), Australian & New Zealand Orthopaedic Research Society (ANZORS) ANZORS Secretary (2015-2018) Council Member, International Federation of Musculoskeletal Research Societies (IFMRS), since 2018 Supervision & Grants He currently supervises PhD and Honours projects in bone biomechanics, micro-CT instrumentation, and osteoarthritis. His mentees have garnered major accolades, including ANZORS PhD Oral Presentation Awards, Best Student Publication Awards, Commonwealth Scholarships, and international travel bursaries from ESB and WCB. He reviews for ARC, NHMRC, Wellcome Trust, and leading orthopaedic journals, indicating sustained grant and editorial engagement. Laboratory & Collaborations His team operates within the Flinders Medical Device Research Institute, leveraging micro-CT systems, mechanical testing rigs, and custom software for digital volume correlation. Active collaborations span national synchrotron facilities and international partners in Belgium, Italy, and the United States, fostering a multidisciplinary environment that bridges engineering, medicine, and materials science.
Fan Yang is a Part-Time Lecturer in the Department of Statistics at the University of Pittsburgh’s Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. Their research focuses on advanced materials science, nanotechnology, and engineering applications. Yang’s work spans topics such as phase separation technologies, 2D materials characterization, and biomedical coatings for vascular stents. They are particularly active in developing functional coatings for oil-water separation, ionic liquid-based lubricants, and 3D-printed devices for multiphase systems. Key research contributions include studies on graphene and hexagonal boron nitride wettability, environmental contaminant effects on materials, and titanium dioxide coatings for cytocompatibility. Their interdisciplinary approach bridges chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, and biomedical applications, with a focus on practical solutions for industrial and healthcare challenges. No scientific awards or grants are explicitly mentioned in the provided texts. Advising records are also not listed here.
Nicholas A. Kurniawan is an Associate Professor in the Soft Tissue Engineering and Mechanobiology group at the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). He is also a member of the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS). His research focuses on understanding cellular behavior in different physical environments through the creation of precisely controlled biomimetic cellular environments. He received his PhD in 2012 from the National University of Singapore, where he studied the role of matrix viscoelasticity in cancer metastasis. Following this, he conducted postdoctoral research as a Marie Curie Fellow at AMOLF in Amsterdam, investigating hierarchical structure-property relations in the cytoskeleton and extracellular matrices. In 2015, he joined TU/e to establish his research group. Dr. Kurniawan's research is highly interdisciplinary, spanning biophysics, cell biology, protein polymers, biomechanics, and soft matter. His work centers on creating biomimetic cellular environments at multiple scales—from 2D micropatterns to 3D extracellular matrices and bioreactors—where physical and mechanical cues to cells can be precisely controlled. These in vitro platforms enable systematic breakdown of the origins of basic cellular behavior, such as orientation, migration, and differentiation. The overarching goal is to apply these insights to direct cell response in vivo, for example to promote tissue regeneration or slow down disease progression. His fingerprint includes significant contributions to Tissue Engineering (100%), Fibroblast research (70%), Rigidity studies (63%), Multiscale Engineering (63%), Cell Function (55%), Biological Tissue Engineering (52%), Microenvironments (49%), and In Vitro studies (46%). His recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate a strong focus on cellular mechanobiology, particularly how substrate properties (stiffness, topography, adhesion) influence fibroblast behavior. There is growing emphasis on dynamic and photoresponsive biomaterials, organoid engineering, and computational approaches to tissue analysis. His work shows a clear trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated control of cellular microenvironments and deeper understanding of how physical cues translate to cellular responses. ERC Starting Grant for 'Control cell communication and tissue regeneration' (2019) Dr. Kurniawan has supervised 34 students and research projects. He led the 'Advaessel' research project (2020-2021) focused on advanced materials processing for regenerating blood vessels. His research is supported by significant funding that enables cutting-edge investigations into cellular mechanobiology and tissue engineering. The Soft Tissue Engineering and Mechanobiology group employs a highly collaborative approach, working with researchers across disciplines to develop biomimetic cellular environments that bridge fundamental science with clinical applications in regenerative medicine. The research group maintains state-of-the-art facilities for biomaterial fabrication, cell culture, and mechanical characterization. They employ advanced techniques including UV-photopatterning, two-photon printing, and dynamic substrate topographies to create precisely controlled cellular microenvironments. Their work bridges fundamental cell biology with translational applications in cardiovascular tissue regeneration and disease modeling.
Carlos Eduardo Semino is an Associate Professor in the Bioengineering Department at the IQS School of Engineering, Universitat Ramon Llull. His research focuses on biomaterials, cancer biology, and tissue engineering, with a particular emphasis on 3D cell culture models and drug delivery systems. He leads projects like NanoPan-3D, exploring novel nanocarriers for pancreatic cancer treatment, and contributes to the GQF research group in pharmaceutical chemistry. Key Projects: Includes collaborations on drug resistance mechanisms, pancreatic cancer therapy, and biomaterial-mediated tissue repair. Research Interests: Self-assembling peptides, biocompatible materials, pancreatic cancer pathobiology, and in vitro/ex vivo models. His work bridges bioengineering and oncology, with notable studies on focal adhesion kinase regulation, peptide scaffold biodegradation, and syndecan signaling in cancer progression.
Mihai Lucanu is a Professor at the Gh. Asachi Technical University of Iasi , serving as Dean of the Faculty of Electronics and Telecommunications. His academic work focuses on advanced power electronics and electromagnetic phenomena. Subjects taught: Industrial Electronics, Power Electronics, Pulse Width Modulation Techniques Research areas: Power Converters, Fuzzy Controllers, Electromagnetic Scattering Research Highlights: His expertise spans power electronics optimization, including soft switching converters , power factor correction , and multi-level inverters . In computational electromagnetics, he specializes in Wave Iterative Process simulations for complex scattering problems. Academic Output: His publications cover topics from high-frequency AC choppers to electromagnetic diffraction analysis, with recent 2025 work on voltage ripple and neural network implementations in 3D semiconductor technology. Contact: mlucanu@etc.tuiasi.ro
Xiaoping Bao is the William K. Luckow Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at Purdue University's Davidson School of Chemical Engineering. His lab focuses on stem cell bioengineering and immunoengineering, developing therapies for cardiovascular diseases and cancers using engineered immune cells and pluripotent stem cells. Key projects include CAR-neutrophil therapies, cardiac organoid development, and gene-edited cell therapies. Research interests span stem cell differentiation, biomaterials, optogenetic regulation of cell signaling, and translational therapies for immune evasion and fibrosis. His work integrates synthetic biology, materials science, and clinical applications. Grants/Awards: NSF CAREER Award (2022), BMES-CMBE Rising Star (2023), Purdue Early Career Research Award (2025), NIH R01 grants, and multiple industry collaborations. Labs: Part of Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery and Purdue Institute for Cancer Research. Students/Postdocs: Mentors ~20 researchers including PhD students (Ju, Yun Chang, Jackson Harris) and postdocs (Huiyang Li). Recent breakthroughs include engineered CAR-neutrophil therapies, hypoimmunogenic cardiac organoids, and optogenetic control systems for stem cell differentiation.
Manuel Bañobre is a Research Scientist and Group Leader at the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), where he leads the Bañobre Research Group focused on nanomedicine for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in cancer, inflammatory, and neurological diseases. His group works in close collaboration with clinical partners to enable translational medical research and develop personalized treatment approaches. The Bañobre Group's research spans from fundamental studies on disease biomarkers and cellular interactions to applied cross-disciplinary work on developing nanostructures (inorganic, organic, hybrid) for precision disease diagnosis, therapy, and theranostics. Their work encompasses in vitro (2D, 3D, OoC), ex vivo, and in vivo experimentation across various technology readiness levels within an international framework. Dr. Bañobre's research interests center on nanomedicine at the frontier of Chemistry, Materials Science, Biophysics, Engineering, and Biology. His group develops innovative approaches for early disease diagnosis and targeted treatment, with particular focus on cancer theranostics, biomarker validation, and translational applications. The interdisciplinary nature of his work enables the development of novel nanoplatforms that bridge fundamental science with clinical needs. Analysis of Dr. Bañobre's recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on magnetic nanoparticles for cancer theranostics, microneedle drug delivery systems, bacteriophage applications, and sustainable nanomaterials for bioimaging. His work demonstrates integration across multiple disciplines, with particular emphasis on translating laboratory findings into clinically relevant applications. Key trends include pH-responsive drug delivery systems, tumor-associated macrophage targeting, and development of novel diagnostic platforms combining nanotechnology with artificial intelligence. Carbon-Coated Magnetic Catalysts for environmental applications Advanced microneedle systems for healthcare monitoring and drug delivery Magnetic nanoparticles for cancer theranostics and environmental remediation Bacteriophage delivery systems for food safety and medical applications Sustainable fluorescent materials for cancer bioimaging Brain-on-a-chip models for neurodegenerative disease screening Dr. Bañobre mentors numerous PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, fostering the next generation of scientists in nanomedicine. His group includes researchers working on diverse aspects of nanomedicine, from fundamental materials science to clinical applications. The breadth of research projects suggests significant funding support for his interdisciplinary work through initiatives like PROMISEANG, IBEROSmais, UnTAM, CiNTech, HfPT, MAGNOSTICS, CRYSTAL3, BrainChip4MED, and PANA. The Bañobre Group operates within a collaborative international framework, working at the intersection of multiple scientific disciplines to develop innovative solutions for healthcare challenges. Their laboratory facilities support comprehensive nanomaterials development, characterization, and biological testing across various disease models, positioning them at the forefront of translational nanomedicine research.
Dr. Miodrag Dragoj is a Senior Research Associate at the Department of Neurobiology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade. He has been employed at the institute since July 2014 and currently leads project work packages in the TargetedResponse project (IDEJE program) and BioengineeredTumor project (PRIZMA program), both supported by the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia. Dr. Dragoj graduated in 2013 from the Faculty of Biology at the University of Belgrade, specializing in Molecular Biology and Physiology. He completed his doctoral studies in Molecular Biology (focusing on Molecular Biology of Eukaryotes) at the University of Belgrade in 2018, with a thesis titled "Effects of CXCR4 receptor and focal adhesion kinase inhibition in invasion suppression and overcoming resistance in non-small cell lung cancer." His doctoral research was conducted through the project "Identification of molecular markers for predicting tumor progression, response to therapy, and disease outcome" (III41031), funded by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia. Dr. Dragoj's research focuses on cancer biology, neurobiology, 3D cell culture techniques, and bioinformatics . His work primarily investigates non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), glioblastoma, and the development of biomimetic tumor models for drug testing. He has made significant contributions to understanding multidrug resistance mechanisms, particularly related to ABC transporters, and developing functional diagnostics for personalized cancer therapy. His research integrates molecular biology techniques with advanced cell culture models to improve cancer treatment strategies. Goran Ljubijankić Foundation award for the best doctoral thesis in molecular biology defended in 2018 in Serbia Dr. Dragoj is actively involved in multiple research projects, including leading work packages in the TargetedResponse project (focusing on functional diagnostics of NSCLC) and the BioengineeredTumor project (developing biomimetic tumor engineering approaches). His work contributes significantly to advancing personalized medicine approaches in oncology through functional screening and biomimetic models. His research group develops advanced 3D cell culture models, particularly using alginate-based microfibers, to create more accurate representations of tumor microenvironments for drug testing. This work bridges the gap between traditional 2D cell cultures and in vivo models, providing valuable insights for cancer drug development.
Katharina Koch serves as Junior Research Group Leader at the Leibniz Institute for Environmental Medical Research (IUF) in Düsseldorf, Germany, where she heads the Environmental Toxicants and the Brain Research group. Her work focuses on developing and validating alternative methods to animal testing for assessing neurotoxicity, with particular emphasis on developmental and adult neurotoxicity. She collaborates extensively with national and international partners including researchers from Ruhr University Bochum, University of Konstanz, and institutions in the United States and Switzerland. Dr. Koch's research interests center on creating cross-species 3D neurosphere test systems for characterizing developmental neurotoxicity (DNT), which form an integral component of the DNT in vitro battery supported by EFSA and OECD. Her work extends to endocrine-mediated DNT, embryotoxicity, and developmental immunotoxicity. She has established several neurotoxicity Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) and contributes to novel toxicology concepts for cognitive dysfunction with regulatory applications. Her group's work on BrainSphere models is advancing next-generation risk assessment within the EU-PARK project and investigating Cockayne syndrome B disease mechanisms. Her research group operates within a robust funding framework, with projects supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG), European Union Horizon programs, the US National Toxicology Program, and industry partnerships through Leibniz Alternatives. The group has developed AI-based cell identification from high-content imaging analyses and established biostatistical pipelines for comparative data processing. Dr. Koch actively mentors a team of doctoral students, master's students, and postdoctoral researchers, fostering the next generation of toxicology scientists. Her collaborative network spans multiple disciplines, connecting environmental science, neuroscience, and regulatory toxicology to advance human-relevant testing approaches that reduce reliance on animal models.
Dr. Muhammad Rizwan is a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW), with a secondary appointment in Ophthalmology. He holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the National University of Singapore (2017), followed by postdoctoral training at the University of Waterloo (2017–2019) and the University of Toronto (2019–2021). His research focuses on hydrogel-based biomaterials for tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and precise cell/drug delivery for in-situ regeneration. **Education & Training:** Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore (2012–2017) M.S., Bio-nano Engineering, Hanyang University (2010–2012) B.Sc., Materials Engineering, Punjab University (2004–2009) Postdoc, Chemical Engineering, University of Toronto (2019–2021) Postdoc, Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo (2017–2019) **Research Interests:** His work emphasizes designing hydrogel-based biomaterials for ocular, neural, and liver tissue regeneration. Key areas include: Clinically translatable biomaterials Modulating cellular processes in 2D/3D environments Optimizing biomaterials for organ-specific regeneration **Awards:** Singapore International Graduate Award (doctoral research) University of Toronto Research Excellence Award (postdoctoral work) NIH R01 (National Eye Institute) and NIDDK grants **Lab Collaborations:** Partnerships with clinicians and institutions globally, including Terasaki Institute and UT Southwestern Medical Center. The lab is funded by NIH, UTSW startup funds, and other agencies. **Grants & Future Work:** Active projects include NIH-funded studies on liver organoid development and ocular regeneration. The lab is expanding into granular bioinks, stem cell engineering, and in vivo biomaterial testing.
