Stuart B. Goodman is the Robert L. and Mary Ellenburg Professor of Surgery and Professor with Tenure in Stanford University's Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, with a courtesy appointment in Bioengineering. He previously served as Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery at Stanford (1994-2002). His expertise spans clinical practice in adult reconstructive surgery, with research focusing on joint replacements, osteonecrosis, musculoskeletal tissue regeneration, and implant biocompatibility. Educations: BSc, MD, MSc (University of Toronto), PhD (Lund University). Key Roles: Former AAOS Biological Implants Committee Chairman, Society for Biomaterials President (2001-2002), NIH Council Member (2021-2024). His research integrates clinical outcomes with basic science, emphasizing biomaterials, inflammation, and tissue engineering. Over 660 peer-reviewed publications highlight his contributions to orthopaedic innovation. Awards include the Clemson Award (2000), Lifetime Achievement Award (Bone and Joint Surgeons), and multiple Fellowships (FBSE, FIOR, etc.). Professional Memberships: AAOS, European Hip Society, Knee Society, Orthopaedic Research Society. Editorial Boards: Multiple medical and bioengineering journals.
Prof. Florian Krammer is a Professor of Vaccinology at the Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He serves as Principal Investigator of the Sinai-Emory Multi-Institutional Collaborative Influenza Vaccine Innovation Center (SEM-CIVIC) and his laboratory is part of the NIH-funded Centers for Excellence in Influenza Research and Surveillance (CEIRS). His work focuses on developing broadly protective vaccines against influenza and other emerging RNA viruses. University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (Advanced training in biotechnology and applied virology) Prof. Krammer's research centers on understanding broadly-reactive immune responses against surface glycoproteins of RNA viruses, with a primary focus on influenza viruses but also including coronaviruses, hantaviruses, and filoviruses. His laboratory investigates cross-reactive antibody responses toward viral surface glycoproteins with the goal of translating basic research into novel vaccines and therapeutics. A major focus has been the development of a universal influenza virus vaccine that would protect against a range of influenza virus subtypes by boosting antibodies to the highly conserved HA stalk domain. His work has progressed from successful animal model testing to human clinical trials. Prof. Krammer's extensive publication record includes over 100 papers, with recent research focusing on neuraminidase-based vaccines, chimeric hemagglutinin approaches, mucosal vaccine delivery, and cross-reactive antibody responses to emerging variants. His laboratory has generated a large panel of research reagents for influenza and other RNA viruses, including recombinant proteins and monoclonal antibodies. Endowed Professor of Vaccinology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (2019) Member of the Vaccine and Edward Jenner Vaccine Society Young Investigator Program (2014-2017) ESWI Young Scientist Travel Award and 'Young Scientist Co-Chair' (2014) Options for the Control of Influenza VIII Promising Investigator Scholarship (2013) As Principal Investigator of SEM-CIVIC, Prof. Krammer leads a major initiative aimed at developing improved seasonal and universal influenza virus vaccines that induce long-lasting protection against drifted seasonal, zoonotic, and future pandemic influenza viruses. His laboratory team includes numerous postdoctoral fellows, research scientists, and administrative staff working on various aspects of viral immunology and vaccine development. The Krammer laboratory collaborates with multiple institutions including BioBus, Inc. and the Wild Bird Fund, and participates in the New York City Virus Hunters program to engage the community in scientific research.
Olivia L. Francis-Boyle, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine at Loma Linda University and Principal Investigator of an independent research program. She teaches immunology and endocrinology and focuses on acute leukemia mechanisms, therapeutic development, and drug modeling. Her research employs patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, in vitro/in vivo approaches, and high-throughput sequencing. Education: PhD in Molecular Biology, Loma Linda University (2015) MS in Biomedical Science, Walden University (2011) BS in Biology, Andrews University (2005) Research Interests: Investigating cellular/molecular mechanisms of acute leukemias (AML/ALL), evaluating therapeutic candidates (biologics, small molecules, immunotherapies), and leveraging PDX models for precision medicine. Recent Article Trends: Her work spans leukemia drug development, TSLP signaling in B-ALL, and metabolic pathways in AML. Key themes include xenograft models, therapeutic screening, and molecular mechanisms. Grants & Advising: Principal Investigator: Combination anti-PD1 therapy and TILs for AML (2020-2025) Completed grants include TSLP in pediatric B-ALL (2012-2013) and Hyundai Hope on Wheels (2015-2016) Labs & Teams: Leads a lab training students/fellows in leukemia research, collaborating on preclinical drug models and translational studies.
William B. Messer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at Oregon Health & Sciences University (OHSU), with a focus on virology and immunology. Previously, he was a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Medicine. His research emphasizes dengue virus genetics, alphavirus pathogenesis, and immune responses to SARS-CoV-2. He holds an M.D. and Ph.D. from UNC, where his doctoral work investigated dengue virus evolution in Sri Lanka. Education: Ph.D., Ecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2003 M.D., University of North Carolina School of Medicine, 2006 Residency in Internal Medicine, UNC Hospitals, 2009 Fellowship in Infectious Diseases, UNC School of Medicine, 2012 Research Interests: Dr. Messer studies viral evolution, immune responses to flaviviruses (e.g., dengue, Zika), and vaccine development. His work includes multi-omic profiling of immune dysregulation in viral infections and antibody dynamics in SARS-CoV-2. His lab explores viral genetics and host-pathogen interactions, with implications for public health and clinical interventions. Publications: His work spans high-impact journals, focusing on viral pathogenesis, vaccine efficacy, and immune correlates of disease severity. Recent studies include analyses of SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses and cross-neutralizing immunity against alphaviruses. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with OHSU and international teams on viral research, including projects on dengue epidemiology and SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics.
Professor Melissa Brown is a leading academic in Molecular Microbiology at Flinders University, Australia, affiliated with the College of Science and Engineering and the Biological Sciences Department. She holds a PhD and B.Sc. (Hons) from Adelaide University, with postdoctoral training at the University of British Columbia and the University of Sydney before joining Flinders in 2007. Education: Ph.D. (1992): Molecular characterisation of the rfb region of Vibrio cholerae O1 (Ogawa) B.Sc. (Hons) (1984): Molecular characterisation of the haemolysin determinant from V. cholerae B.Sc. (1983): Microbiology and Immunology, University of Adelaide Research Interests: Her work focuses on bacterial mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance, particularly multidrug efflux pumps and pathogen adaptation in healthcare environments. Key areas include Acinetobacter baumannii pathogenesis, hospital water system contamination, and biofilm dynamics. Her research contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to good health and clean water. Professional Engagement: Senior Editor of Journal of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Reviewer for journals like Frontiers in Microbiology and granting agencies (ARC, NHMRC) Committee roles in the South Australian Branch of the Australian Society for Microbiology and the Adelaide Protein Group Awards: Fellow of the American Society of Microbiology (FAA) Fellow of the Australian Society of Microbiology (FASM) Bellberry Research Award (2009) Teaching and Grants: Coordinates and lectures courses in Microbiology, including BIOL3761 Foundations in Microbiology and BIOL3782 Advanced Microbiology. Her grants include ARC and NHMRC funding for studies on antimicrobial resistance and hospital water systems.
Venuprasad Poojary, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Internal Medicine and Immunology at UT Southwestern Medical Center and a member of the Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases. He joined the faculty in 2019. His research focuses on regulatory mechanisms of immune cells in gastrointestinal inflammation and cancer, with a goal to identify therapeutic targets for chronic inflammatory diseases. Education: B.Sc. in Biochemistry (Mangalore University), M.Sc. in Bioscience (Mangalore University), Ph.D. in Immunology (National Center for Cell Science, Kolkata). Postdoctoral training at La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology (San Diego). Research interests include Th17 cell regulation, RORγt signaling, mitochondrial dysfunction in inflammation, and immunotherapeutic approaches for intestinal disorders. His lab investigates mechanisms linking inflammation to cancer and autoimmune conditions, with recent work on protein modifications and mitochondrial pathways. Publications span topics like colonic inflammation, T-cell exhaustion, and Wnt/β-catenin inhibition, emphasizing translational research. He is affiliated with professional organizations including the American Association of Immunologists and American Association for Cancer Research. Led by Dr. Poojary, the Poojary Research Lab collaborates on projects addressing immune checkpoints and therapeutic development. No specific grants or advisees are listed, but the lab actively engages in collaborative research initiatives.
Iain MacArthur is a Researcher at Northumbria University, specializing in bacterial genetics, genomics, and pathogen evolution. His work focuses on Bordetella pertussis and Rhodococcus equi , investigating topics such as genetic diversity, virulence mechanisms, and diagnostic tools. He has supervised PhD students Samuel Rattray and Michael Gollan, with current projects involving bacterial adhesins and vaccine development. MacArthur's research integrates genomic analysis, gene essentiality studies, and pathogen-host interactions, contributing to understanding bacterial evolution and drug resistance. His publications span microbiology, genomics, and infectious diseases, with a focus on novel diagnostic assays and genomic insights into pathogen behavior. Key Research Themes: Bacterial genetic diversity, pathogen virulence, diagnostic methods, and vaccine targets. Notable Contributions: Developed a qPCR assay for live/dead bacterial quantification, analyzed B. pertussis evolution via large-scale genomic studies, and explored R. equi virulence plasmids.
Guillaume Jacquemet is an Associate Professor (tenure track) at the University of Turku's Faculty of Science and Engineering, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology. He is affiliated with the InFLAMES Flagship (Innovation Ecosystem based on the Immune System) Solutions for Health. His research focuses on cell biology, microscopy techniques, and computational biology, with a focus on cancer metastasis mechanisms and imaging technologies. Jacquemet leads or co-leads several projects, including the PanMet initiative on pancreatic cancer metastasis mechanisms and the CellMech Center of Excellence in Cellular Mechanostasis. He develops software tools like CellTracksColab and DL4MicEverywhere, advancing reproducible microscopy analysis. His research integrates live-cell imaging, super-resolution microscopy, and AI to study cell migration, tumor invasion, and immune responses. Key projects include investigating CD44-HA interactions in cancer cell arrest and SHANK3's role in KRAS-mutant cancers. Jacquemet collaborates internationally and organizes events like Forskarnatten to promote science communication. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and innovation. Publications highlight advancements in phototoxicity reduction via AI, quantitative tracking platforms, and molecular complex analysis. His datasets and open-source tools, such as ZeroCostDL4Mic, democratize bioimage analysis. Jacquemet's research bridges experimental and computational biology, addressing challenges in live imaging and cellular mechanics.
Jonathan Göke is a researcher at the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), part of A*STAR. He completed his PhD at the International Max Planck Research School for Computational Biology and Scientific Computing (IMPRS-CBSC), supervised by Prof. Dr. Martin Vingron. His work focuses on Comparative Genomics and studying recurring motifs in non-coding DNA , with applications in stem cell biology and epigenetics. Education: B.Sc. in Bioinformatics, Freie Universität Berlin (2007). PhD in Computational Biology, IMPRS-CBSC (2012). Visiting student, University of Sheffield (2006). Research interests include analyzing gene regulatory elements, kinase-chromatin interactions, and computational methods for genomic analysis. His work bridges bioinformatics and experimental biology, with contributions to understanding embryonic stem cell regulation and intellectual disability genetics. Advising and grants: No documented advisees, but contributed to doctoral training through IMPRS-CBSC. Current projects include genomic studies at GIS, though specific grants are not listed here. Labs/Teams: Affiliated with GIS, which focuses on genomic research in health and disease.
Adeyemi Adedeji serves as Distinguished Scientist-Pathologist and Head of Clinical Pathology in Translational Safety Pathology within Development Sciences at Genentech, where he has contributed for nine years to oncology and non-oncology therapeutic safety assessment. His expertise bridges clinical pathology, translational biomarker development, and immunotoxicology to support preclinical safety evaluation of biologics and small molecules. His educational background includes: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from University of Ibadan, Nigeria (2005) PhD in Molecular Microbiology from University of Missouri-Columbia (2012) Veterinary Clinical Pathology Residency at University of California-Davis (2015) Diplomate of American College of Veterinary Pathologists (2015) Dr. Adedeji's research focuses on advancing clinical pathology endpoints for drug safety assessment, with particular emphasis on urinary biomarker development, immunotoxicology, and implementation of 3Rs principles (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) in toxicity studies. His work has established novel approaches for urinary biomarker normalization, microsampling techniques, and fasting protocol optimization to enhance animal welfare without compromising data quality. As Project Pathologist, he integrates clinical pathology data with anatomic findings to assess pharmacological and toxicological effects, directly contributing to regulatory submissions. His 33 Genentech publications demonstrate consistent focus on translational biomarker qualification, with recent work emphasizing deep learning applications in bone marrow analysis, bispecific antibody safety assessment, and cardiovascular toxicity mechanisms of TGFβ inhibitors. The research shows increasing sophistication in integrating multiple data streams for comprehensive safety assessment. His scientific recognition includes: 3Rs Genentech 1st place Award (2024) Society of Toxicology Best Paper Award (2023) 3Rs Global Roche 1st place award (2023) American College of Toxicology Best Paper Award (2020) Multiple Genentech Creative Genius Awards (2017-2018) As Project Pathologist, Dr. Adedeji provides scientific leadership across multiple therapeutic programs, collaborating with global pathologists and scientists to design preclinical safety studies and interpret findings for regulatory submissions. He actively contributes to establishing scientific standards through participation in the Scientific and Regulatory Policy Committee, focusing on integration of clinical and anatomic pathology data. His work with the 3Rs Advisory Group has led to significant refinements in toxicity study protocols, enhancing animal welfare while maintaining scientific rigor. Dr. Adedeji leads the Safety Biomarker Expert Resources team, driving scientific and technical support for identification, development, and validation of translational biomarkers. His group collaborates with global biomarker and immunotoxicology teams to advance technologies supporting safety studies and in-vivo safety models.
Leslie B. Poole serves as Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at Wake Forest School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, where she has been faculty since 1992. She holds leadership roles as Director of the Center for Structural Biology and Co-Director of the Center for Redox Biology & Medicine, contributing significantly to institutional research infrastructure and scientific community engagement. Her educational background includes: B.A. in Biology & Chemistry, Wake Forest University (1980) Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Wake Forest University (1988) Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Maryland-College Park (1988-1991) Dr. Poole is an internationally recognized expert in redox biology , specializing in oxidation/reduction control of protein and enzyme function. Her pioneering work defined the chemistry of biological thiol redox reactions and established hydrogen peroxide as a critical signaling molecule. Her research bridges biochemistry , cancer biology , and translational medicine , with applications in developing novel therapeutics and diagnostic tools for oxidative stress-related diseases. Current investigations focus on redox regulation in cancer progression, cardiotoxicity of chemotherapeutics, and mitochondrial oxidative stress mechanisms. Analysis of her recent publications (2022-2025) reveals persistent emphasis on peroxiredoxin function, protein sulfenylation detection, and redox-mediated signaling in cancer and inflammation. Key trends include therapeutic targeting of redox vulnerabilities in KRAS-mutant cancers, mitochondrial redox control of immune responses, and innovative approaches to mitigate chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity through redox modulation. Her scientific recognition includes: 2024 WFU Friends of Chemistry Distinguished Alumni Award Dr. Poole has secured over $16 million in extramural funding (94% from NIH), demonstrating exceptional grant-writing success. She has mentored numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows while leading collaborative research initiatives. Her administrative contributions span university committees including safety oversight and Women in Medicine & Science advocacy. She directs the Center for Structural Biology and co-directs the Center for Redox Biology & Medicine, where her team develops redox-based detection technologies including the patented platform commercialized through Xoder Tech, LLC, a Women Owned Small Business she co-founded.
Ridhdhi Desai, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at Drexel University College of Medicine. She leads the Desai Lab, focusing on pancreatic cancer development using human stem cell-derived organoid models. Her work investigates mechanisms underlying precancerous lesions like IPMNs and PanINs, particularly how oncogenic mutations (e.g., GNAS) drive cell proliferation and tumor progression. Education: BSc (Honors) in Molecular Biology and Genetics from the University of Toronto (2005), PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the same institution (2010). Postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School/Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (2010-2018). Research Interests Cell-type specific oncogene activity in pancreatic cancer Modeling IPMN progression using organoids Exocrine-endocrine crosstalk in pancreatic disease Oncogenic GNAS signaling pathways Key Findings Discovered PKA-dependent/independent mechanisms of GNAS-driven proliferation in pancreatic ductal organoids Developed long-term oncogenic GNAS-expressing organoid models Identified cell lineage tropism effects on oncogene cooperation Awards NIH-NCI Transition Career Development Award (2023) Ruth L. Kirschstein Postdoctoral Award (2015-2018) Young Canadian Cell Biologist of the Year (2013) Yoshio Masui Prize (2010) Lab Team Includes PhD/Master’s students and research assistants exploring pancreatic cancer mechanisms. Open to recruiting motivated trainees across levels.
Laila Meija is an Associate Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation at Riga Stradins University. Her expertise focuses on nutrition science, maternal health, and obesity-related research. She has held consecutive roles as an Expert in Health Sciences with the Latvian Council of Science since 2017. Her research spans dietary habits, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid status in populations, and the metabolic impacts of obesity. Notable projects include: the Excess Weight, Dietary Habits and Vitamin D and Omega-3 Fatty Acid Status in Pregnancy study (2020-2023), and SYSTEMIC: Sustainable Food Systems (2020-2023). She currently co-leads the Dynamics of dietary habits in Latvia project (2025-2029). Education: Multiple Expert qualifications in Health Sciences from the Latvian Council of Science Her research interests include: Maternal and child nutrition Obesity immunology Bariatric surgery outcomes Nutrition literacy and sustainability Recent studies highlight correlations between dietary patterns and health outcomes in perimenopausal women, omega-3 indices in pregnancy, and B cell profiles in obesity. Her work integrates clinical data with population health perspectives. Professional activities include thesis reviewing (Daugavpils University, Latvia University of Life Sciences), EU-funded research coordination, and media contributions addressing public health topics like sugar consumption and bariatric surgery. Laila leads a research team focused on sustainable food systems and has supervised multiple PhD candidates. Key datasets include maternal nutrition studies archived at Riga Stradins University (2023).
Suzanne Ahmed is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nanoscience at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Penn State University, an M.S. from the University of California, Berkeley, and a B.Sc. from the University of California, Riverside. Her research focuses on developing low Reynolds number, biomimetic active matter systems, including nanomotors and nanorobots, with applications in biomedicine, environmental remediation, and oil recovery. She previously served as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Harvard University. Her work emphasizes designing adaptive bioinspired systems, novel propulsion strategies, and motion behavior in confined environments. Current research trends include exploring thermodynamic efficiency of soft robots and fine control over motion modes. Ahmed has published extensively in journals like J. Phys. Chem. B , ACS Nano , and Langmuir . She currently oversees an open postdoctoral fellowship position focused on advancing active matter research. Her contributions bridge fundamental physics and applied nanotechnology, with interdisciplinary collaborations in materials science and biomedical engineering.
Dr. Stephanie Meyer is a Researcher at Newcastle University, focusing on interdisciplinary research in toxicology, molecular biology, and environmental health. Her work spans investigations into chemical toxicity, cellular mechanisms in mitosis, and the effects of environmental and pharmaceutical agents on liver function. She collaborates extensively with academic and industry partners, contributing to advancements in in vitro hepatocyte models for drug safety testing and studies on endocrine disruptors. Her research interests include hepatotoxicity, epigenetic regulation, and radiation biology. Recent studies highlight her exploration of ionic liquid toxicity, estrogen receptor interactions, and the development of novel biotechnological tools like the NanoBiT luciferase system. Dr. Meyer also addresses public health policy through analyses of patent law reforms affecting medicine accessibility in South Africa. Key contributions include identifying xenobiotic triggers in autoimmune liver diseases and establishing B-13/H cell models for lipid dysregulation studies. Her work bridges basic science and applied toxicology, with implications for regulatory safety assessments and clinical practices.
