Niels Madsen is a Professor at Aalborg University's Department of Chemistry and Bioscience within the Faculty of Engineering and Science. His research focuses on marine biology, fisheries management, and sustainable development, with a strong emphasis on applying computer vision and artificial intelligence to ecological challenges. He leads projects like AUTOFISK (automated fish monitoring) and JAMBO (benthic habitat analysis), addressing issues like discard mortality, gear selectivity, and marine conservation. Key affiliations include Environmental Biomonitoring and the BLUE – Marine & Maritime Research group. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly regarding life below water and climate action. Madsen has over 130 publications, including peer-reviewed articles on fish physiology, gear technology, and biodiversity policy. He actively engages in policy discussions, serving on Denmark's Biodiversity Council and advising on fisheries regulations. Notable projects include evaluating trawl fisheries' climate impacts and developing datasets for benthic classification. His research integrates technical innovations (e.g., underwater cameras) with ecological principles to enhance marine resource management. Media engagement highlights his advocacy for sustainable practices, such as opposing destructive bottom trawling.
Dr Carol Gray is a Principal Lecturer in the Department of Veterinary Nursing at Hartpury University, where she leads postgraduate programs including the Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Nursing. She previously served as a lecturer at the University of Liverpool School of Veterinary Science for 12 years and has a background in veterinary practice and clinic ownership. She holds a PhD from the University of Birmingham and an MA from Keele University, with expertise in veterinary ethics and socio-legal studies. PhD in Law, University of Birmingham (2019) MA in Medical Ethics and Law, Keele University (2012) PGCertMedEd, University of Dundee (2005) Her research focuses on informed consent , shared decision-making , end-of-life care , and veterinary humanities . She is co-convenor of Veterinary Humanities UK and a member of the RCVS Ethics Review Panel. Her recent work explores ethical challenges in veterinary practice and the role of contextualised care. Her recent publications (2023–2024) reflect a strong trend in veterinary ethics , informed consent processes , and humanities-informed veterinary practice . These works appear in journals like Veterinary Record and specialist publications, often addressing client communication, conscientious objection, and ethical frameworks in clinical and research settings. Member, RCVS Ethics Review Panel (2016–present) Honorary Ethics Consultant, University of Edinburgh (2019–present) External Examiner, Royal Veterinary College (2023–present) Co-convenor, Veterinary Humanities UK Dr Gray supervises PhD students and is actively involved in research projects, including a 2023–2024 study on euthanasia decision-making in veterinary and wildlife communities. She has served as an external examiner and delivered invited talks on open science, 3Rs, and informed consent. She contributes to academic leadership through the Hartpury Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee. She leads the Hartpury Veterinary Nursing Research group and collaborates nationally through networks like Veterinary Humanities UK. Her work bridges clinical practice, ethics, and education, promoting a humanistic and ethically grounded approach to veterinary care.
Dr Ruth Mackay is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences at Brunel University London. She leads the multidisciplinary Organ-on-a-Chip (OOC) Group and has been with Brunel since 2011, initially as a Research Fellow and from 2015 as Lecturer/Senior Lecturer. She earned a BEng in Mechanical Engineering (2007) and a PhD in Micro-electromechanical Systems (2011), both from the University of Dundee, supported by an EPSRC CASE grant with IDB Technologies. Research Interests Organ-on-a-chip technologies focusing on women’s health (vagina, ovaries, placenta, breast) Low-cost point-of-care diagnostic devices for infectious diseases Prosthetics and 3D scanning for transtibial amputees Soft robotics and microfluidic systems Medical device engineering and finite element analysis Her recent work has concentrated on smartphone-based 3D scanning of prosthetic sockets, dynamic coupling in transtibial prosthetics, and fabrication of electrospun scaffolds for tissue growth. These efforts intersect biomedical engineering, biomechanics, and translational medicine. Scientific & Professional Memberships MIEEE – Member, IEEE AMIMechE – Associate Member, Institution of Mechanical Engineers Member, Biochemical Society Member, European Organ-on-Chip Society (EUROoCs) Member, European Low Gravity Research Association Teaching & Supervision Module leader: ME3622 Mechanical Engineering Structures, ME3626 Vehicle Structures and FEA, ME5678 Medical Device Engineering, ME5692 Group Project (MEng) PhD supervision in organ-on-a-chip, microfluidics, and point-of-care diagnostics Laboratory & Teams Dr Mackay heads the Organ-on-a-Chip Group at Brunel, bringing together toxicologists, engineers, life scientists, and bioinformaticians to develop microphysiological systems for women’s health research.
Mina Kazemzadeh Dastjerd is an active researcher in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences at Vrije Universiteit Brussel's Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, specializing in liver cell biology and stem cell-based disease modeling. Her work focuses on developing advanced in vitro models for liver fibrosis and NAFLD using induced pluripotent stem cell technology. Her primary research interests center on liver fibrosis mechanisms , hepatic stellate cell biology , and iPSC-derived organoid systems for modeling chronic liver diseases. She employs cutting-edge techniques in 3D cell culture and co-culture spheroid systems to investigate disease pathogenesis and potential therapeutic interventions, with particular emphasis on retinoid signaling pathways and G-protein coupled receptors in fibrotic processes. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong trend toward improved disease modeling fidelity through integration of multiple cell types in 3D organoid systems, with increasing focus on molecular mechanisms of fibrosis progression and NAFLD pathogenesis. Her work bridges fundamental cell biology with translational applications for liver disease therapeutics. Scientific recognition includes: Best poster award at 7th annual BeSSCR meeting (May 2022) Best video award at IC3Rs symposium 2022 (September 2022) Her research is supported by fundamental projects including the FWOSB98 grant (2020-2024) for developing human iPSC-derived 3D liver NAFLD culture models. She actively contributes to the LIVR lab's mission of implementing the 3R principle (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) in liver disease research through advanced in vitro models. Her collaborative work spans multiple institutions, with significant contributions to datasets on liver fibrosis modeling published in Zenodo. Her laboratory work focuses on developing human-relevant liver models that reduce animal testing while improving pathological accuracy, particularly through co-culture spheroid systems and organoid technology that recapitulate key features of liver fibrosis and NAFLD progression.
Dr. Tonya Andreeva is a Researcher at the School of Life Sciences , Reutlingen University. Her work focuses on biomedical surface engineering, biomaterials, and cellular test systems. Keywords: Biomedical Engineering, Nanotechnology, Biomaterials, Surface Chemistry, Neurodegenerative Diseases Her research employs polyelectrolyte multilayer coatings for medical implants, graphene oxide integration to control cell behavior, and atomic force microscopy to study cellular biomechanics in pathologies like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Recent publications analyze 3D-printed titanium implant surfaces , antibacterial coatings , and biocompatibility testing using chick chorioallantoic membrane models. She has expertise in Langmuir monolayer characterization for understanding protein-lipid interactions relevant to membrane biology.
Jake Earl serves as an Adjunct Lecturer at Georgetown University and works as a bioethicist for the U.S. government, with expertise spanning theoretical and applied ethics in medical and research contexts. His academic foundation includes: Doctorate in Philosophy from Georgetown University (2017) Postdoctoral Fellowship in Bioethics at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center Prior professional roles encompass clinical ethicist positions at Inova Health System and the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, establishing his practical experience in high-stakes healthcare environments. Earl's research program critically examines research ethics, clinical ethics, and reproductive ethics through both philosophical analysis and policy engagement, with particular focus on informed consent frameworks, reproductive justice in the context of restrictive legislation, and ethical governance of pandemic-related research. Analysis of his 2020-2025 publications reveals three dominant thematic trajectories: evolving regulatory responses to research misconduct (especially post-pandemic), reproductive ethics intersecting with state abortion bans, and philosophical reconceptualizations of procreative obligations. His work consistently bridges abstract ethical theory with urgent real-world applications, demonstrating exceptional responsiveness to contemporary crises in public health and reproductive rights. No scientific awards or major grant funding are publicly documented in available sources. Earl's academic contributions appear focused on independent scholarship rather than team-based research initiatives, with no evidence of formal student supervision or laboratory leadership in current professional activities.
Miriam Zemanova is a Researcher in the Department of Geosciences at the University of Fribourg, affiliated with the Environmental Sciences and Humanities Institute and the Animalfree Research foundation. She holds a PhD in Ecology and Evolution from the University of Bern and completed postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Basel and University of Technology Sydney. Her work focuses on wildlife welfare, research ethics, and promoting the 3Rs principles (replacement, reduction, refinement) in wildlife research. She created the 3RsWildlife.info resource to guide ethical practices. Her educational background includes BSc in Applied Ecology (Czech University of Life Sciences), MSc in Ecological Conservation (Cranfield University), and MSc in Forestry, Water and Landscape Management (Czech University of Life Sciences). Research interests emphasize ethical methodologies, non-invasive genetic sampling, and compassionate conservation. Key publications address animal welfare in amphibians, university policies on animal replacement, and educational efficacy of humane teaching methods. She advocates for systemic reforms in wildlife research ethics and collaborates across disciplines to advance evidence-based conservation strategies. Her recent work includes analyzing attitudes toward animal dissection in Swiss education and assessing the prevalence of conscientious objection policies in veterinary training. Despite no listed awards, her contributions to ethical frameworks are influential in academic and applied conservation contexts. She maintains close ties with both academic and non-profit sectors through her dual affiliations.
Dr. Lisa Lione is an Associate Professor and Associate Director of the Doctoral College at the University of Hertfordshire (UH), specializing in translational pharmacology. She leads research on diabetes complications, novel psychoactive substances (NPS), and drug discovery, with a focus on mechanisms like TRPV1 antagonism and Siglec receptors. Her work integrates academia and industry, including collaborations with Transpharmation Ltd and international institutions like Aristotle University, Greece. She holds a Home Office project license for diabetes research (2009–2029) and supervises multiple PhD/MRes studentships funded by QR grants, industry partnerships, and international bodies like the IPHAMETRA Institute in Gabon. Her research includes investigating NPS health risks (2020–2024), TRPV1 antagonism for diabetes (2021–2025), and Siglec receptors in neuropathic pain (2023–2026). She also explores NSAIDs' off-target effects and SGLT2 inhibitors' safety. Her academic roles include editorial positions at journals like Frontiers in Pharmacology and external examiner roles at Imperial College London and other HEIs. Key projects include drug efficacy prediction via machine learning (2025) and economic assessments for organ-on-a-chip toxicity testing (2024–2025). Her over 60 publications span neuroinflammation, ketamine bladder effects, and phytochemical diabetes therapies. Awards include Fellowships from the Royal Society of Biology and roles in animal welfare advocacy (e.g., NC3Rs panel member and Springboard Academy Champion). Supervision highlights: 8 PhD/MRes awards completed and 6 current students, including industry-linked programs like the Hertfordshire-KTP PhD. Notable advisees include Dr. Michael Lanigan (neuropathic pain) and Dr. Alex Gant (NPS bladder effects). Her work emphasizes 3Rs principles in animal research and public engagement through media, festivals, and policy advocacy.
Ragnhild Elisabeth Heimtun Paulsen serves as Professor in the Department of Pharmacy at the University of Oslo's School of Pharmacy, where she has held academic positions since 1985. She currently leads the Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences (2021-2024) and maintains an active research program focused on molecular mechanisms of neurodevelopment and cell death in the central nervous system. Her primary research interests span Pharmacology, Neurobiology, Neurotoxicology, and Molecular Neurobiology, with specific focus on neurodevelopmental disorders, brain stroke, and epilepsy. Early in her career, she investigated astroglial functions, while her more recent work concentrates on brain receptors and their roles in neurodevelopment and cell death pathways. She has pioneered the use of chicken embryo as an alternative, 3R-compliant animal model for studying medication and environmental pollutant effects on neurodevelopment. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent research trajectory examining neurotoxic mechanisms through innovative model systems, particularly the chicken embryo model. Her work bridges pharmacology, neuroscience, and toxicology with emphasis on developmental neurotoxicity, receptor pharmacology, and molecular mechanisms of cell death. The publications demonstrate strong international collaboration across multiple institutions. Professor Paulsen teaches FARM3110 – Pharmacotherapy 2 and Physiology 3, and FARM5170 – Drugs for treatment of degenerative and lifestyle diseases at the University of Oslo. She has served in significant leadership roles including Secretary and President of the Norwegian Neuroscience Society (1997-2014) and as elected member of the Department Board (2013-2016). Her research is conducted through the Neurobiology & Toxicology and PharmaTox research groups, with collaborations extending to other departments within the Faculty of Pharmacy, the Department Group for Basic Medical Sciences at OUS, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, and multiple international partners as reflected in her publication record.
Mark Williams is an Associate Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of East Anglia (UEA), where he has been a faculty member since 1995. He is also a member of the Norwich Institute for Healthy Aging and serves as the University Human Tissue Safety Officer. His research focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of human intestinal epithelium, particularly in aging and disease contexts. Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia (1993) B.Sc. in Biophysics, University of East Anglia (1989) His research interests center on intestinal physiology, stem cell renewal, Wnt signaling, and epithelial homeostasis. He has developed a 3D ex vivo culture model of the human colonic epithelium to study crypt dynamics, aging, and cancer. His work integrates bio-imaging, functional genomics, and molecular pharmacology to investigate tissue regeneration and disease mechanisms. The recent research articles highlight a strong focus on gastrointestinal biology, aging, and cancer. Themes include epithelial renewal, DNA methylation, microbial interactions, and signaling pathways like Wnt and TGFβ/BMP. His studies often involve human tissue models and translational approaches, bridging basic science with clinical relevance in inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer. Mark Williams actively mentors PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, encouraging applications for fellowships such as Marie Curie and Royal Society. He has led numerous research projects funded by AstraZeneca, The Big C Appeal, and The Humane Research Trust. His administrative roles include organizing key biomedical modules and serving on the Food and Health Research Alliance steering group. He is involved in multiple collaborative research initiatives with clinicians at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and scientists at the Institute of Food Research. His lab, affectionately known as 'cryptomaniacs,' fosters a vibrant research environment combining rigorous science with team-building activities.
Afshin Beheshti, PhD , is Professor of Surgery and Computational & Systems Biology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine , Director of the Space Biomedicine Program , and Associate Director of the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine . He additionally serves as Visiting Researcher at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and remains an active investigator at NASA Ames Research Center through the Blue Marble Space Institute of Science. Education & Training: PhD in Physics, Florida State University (2002) Postdoctoral training in cancer research, systems biology, space biology, and radiation biology Research Focus: Dr. Beheshti’s work sits at the intersection of space biomedicine, regenerative medicine, and systems biology . He investigates how the space environment—microgravity, radiation, and altered circadian cycles—affects human physiology at molecular, cellular, and systemic levels. Core themes include microRNA-mediated gene regulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, radiation countermeasures, and precision diagnostics using label-free optical imaging combined with multi-omics. Recent Scientific Impact: In 2024, Dr. Beheshti co-led the Space Omics and Medical Atlas (SOMA) , the largest international compendium of space biology data to date, published across Nature and companion journals. His portfolio also spans COVID-19 and Long COVID investigations through the non-profit COVID-19 International Research Team (COV-IRT) and democratized AI development via the Kwaai Personal AI initiative. Honors & Awards: NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal ISS Research & Development Award – Compelling Results in Biology KBR Award for Excellence NASA Outstanding Service Award – Ames Safety Award Program II Funding & Collaborations: Dr. Beheshti has secured continuous funding from NASA, Department of Defense, and other federal agencies to advance countermeasure development against space radiation and microgravity-induced pathologies. His teams integrate wet-lab experiments, animal models, clinical data from astronauts, and advanced computational pipelines to deliver translational insights for both space exploration and terrestrial medicine. Laboratory & Outreach: At Pittsburgh he is establishing a next-generation Space Biomedicine Laboratory outfitted with multi-modal imaging, single-cell multi-omics, and AI-driven analytics. Parallel outreach programs target K-12, undergraduate, and graduate trainees to cultivate the next generation of space life scientists.
Alexandra Maertens is an Assistant Professor at the Bloomberg School of Public Health , affiliated with the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University . Her research focuses on applying machine learning to understand how chemicals disrupt cellular signaling and develop safer chemical designs. She holds a PhD from the Bloomberg School of Public Health (2014) and contributes to the Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) . Primary Institution: Johns Hopkins University School: Bloomberg School of Public Health Department: Environmental Health and Engineering Academic Rank: Assistant Professor Dr. Maertens' research integrates computational methods with toxicology, emphasizing Green Toxicology and Adverse Outcome Pathways . Her work spans regulatory toxicology , metabolomics , and AI-driven risk assessments , aiming to reduce reliance on animal testing through innovative computational models. Recent publications highlight her expertise in AI validation, sustainable chemical safety assessment, and transcriptomic analyses of chemical toxicity. She collaborates internationally on regulatory frameworks and contributes to policy discussions through her research outputs.
Sonja Schreiner is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Vienna, Faculty of Philology and Cultural Studies, Institute for Classical Philology, Medieval and Neo-Latin Studies. She has been an integral part of the university since 2001, teaching Latin and Neo-Latin literature, coordinating major international congresses, and serving on equality and gender committees. Education: 1994–1999: Diploma studies in Comparative Literature and Latin (University of Vienna) 1999: Mag.phil. (double diploma thesis on 18th-c. poet Zachariä and on Jesuit poetry) 1999–2003: Doctoral studies in Comparative Literature and Latin 2003: Dr.phil. (dissertation on multilingual Phaethon traditions) Research interests cluster around Neo-Latin literature, human-animal studies in Latin texts, history of science and of the university, reception of antiquity in children’s media, and emblematics. She explores how early-modern poets adapted classical myths, how scientific and veterinary knowledge was communicated in Latin, and how ancient culture is mediated for young audiences today. Her publication record (well over 150 items) displays a unique blend of philological precision and cultural breadth: critical editions of 18th-century Latin epics, studies on Harry Potter Latin, animal ethics in Pliny, and analyses of textbook receptions of classical authors. Recent trends show growing engagement with medical humanities, gender studies, and the ethical legacies of National-Socialist academia. Service & outreach: Member, Equal Opportunities Working Party & Gender Committee of the Faculty Editor, reviews section of Wiener Studien since 2016 Co-editor, Austrian journal lili (children’s literature research) Coordinator, 16th International Congress of Neo-Latin Studies (Vienna 2015) Board member, International Association for Neo-Latin Studies (IANLS) External associate, research cluster “The Past for the Present” She regularly organises Children’s University workshops and European Researchers’ Night events, bringing Latin and classical myth to young audiences.
Professor Axel Kornerup Hansen is a distinguished academic at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Health and Medical Science, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences. Holding dual qualifications as DVSci and DVM, along with Dipl. ECLAM certification, he serves as Head of Section in Preclinical Disease Biology with over 25 years of continuous service since 1997. His expertise centers on laboratory animal science, welfare, and the critical role of microbiota in biomedical research. Cand. med. vet. (DVM equivalent), Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen (1985) Dr. med. vet. (DVSci equivalent), Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen (1996) Charter diplomate, European College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (2000) European Veterinary Specialist in Laboratory Animal Medicine (2000) Professor Hansen's research focuses on improving mouse models for human diseases through microbiota interactions, with particular emphasis on how gut flora impacts disease development. His work bridges laboratory animal science with translational medicine, examining how experimental variables affect metabolic outcomes in obesity and diabetes models. His research has significant implications for refining animal models to better predict human responses to treatments. Analysis of his recent publications (2024-2025) reveals a strong focus on microbiome research, particularly examining how gut bacteria influence metabolic diseases, inflammatory conditions, and responses to dietary interventions. His work spans multiple model systems including mice, rats, and pigs, with increasing attention to translational applications in human health conditions like ulcerative colitis, anorexia nervosa, and type 2 diabetes. Professor Hansen serves as Chairman of the Danish 3R Centre and the National Committee for Animal Experimentation and Alternatives. He is an active member of numerous professional organizations including the Scandinavian Society for Laboratory Animal Science, American Society for Laboratory Animal Science, European Society for Laboratory Animal Veterinarians, European College for Laboratory Animal Medicine, and serves on the Editorial Review Board for Comparative Medicine. His research is supported through collaborations with major pharmaceutical companies including Novo Nordisk A/S, Lundbeck A/S, and LeoPharma, among others. He has served as consultant for Riverstone Biotech and previously worked at Møllegaard Breeding Center (now owned by Taconic). Professor Hansen has developed and taught numerous courses on laboratory animal science for both academic and industry audiences. He leads research in the Experimental Animal Models section, focusing on optimizing animal models through understanding microbiota interactions. His team works extensively with germ-free and gnotobiotic models to isolate the effects of specific microbial communities on disease phenotypes. The research environment emphasizes the 3R principles (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) in animal experimentation while maintaining scientific rigor.
Nathaniel Clark is a Lecturer in Physiology affiliated with both the School of Health Professions and School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Plymouth. His research focuses on the intersection of biology and chemistry in toxicology, particularly studying pollutants like micro/nanoplastics, nanomaterials, and their impacts on environmental and human health. He holds a dual role in teaching, leading modules in Nutritional Biochemistry and Physiology for Nutrition, Exercise, and Health students, alongside supervising undergraduate and postgraduate research projects. His research spans three core areas: (1) dietary toxicology of nanomaterials and nanoplastics in aquatic organisms, (2) plastic pollution's effects on human gut health and inflammatory diseases, and (3) trace element analysis in alternative diets. He has pioneered gold-standard methods using single particle ICP-MS and radioisotope tracing to study nanoplastics in fish tissues. His work emphasizes the 3R principles (replacement, reduction, refinement) in toxicology testing. Nathaniel supervises multiple PhD and MSc students investigating nanoplastic toxicity, gut health implications, and dietary alternatives. He collaborates widely, including roles as primary or secondary supervisor on studies involving fish bioaccumulation, IBD mechanisms, and metabolic health. His research aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targeting environmental sustainability and human health. Key facilities include access to state-of-the-art analytical tools for nanoparticle detection and in vitro/ex vivo biological testing models. He actively contributes to interdisciplinary efforts bridging toxicology, environmental science, and nutritional research.
