Ernesto BernalMizrachi, MD , is a Professor and Chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at the University of Miami School of Medicine. His research focuses on pancreatic beta cell mass regulation, Akt/mTOR signaling pathways, and islet transplantation for diabetes therapy. Secondary appointment in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Deputy Director of Beta Cell Biology and Signal Transduction Research Highlights: His work explores the molecular mechanisms of beta cell proliferation and survival, nutrient signaling via mTOR, and the role of alpha cells in glucose homeostasis. He aims to develop pharmacological agents for diabetes treatment and improve islet transplantation outcomes. Scientific Awards: American Diabetes Association Career Development Award American Diabetes Association Junior Faculty Award Soderquist Endowed Professorship Clinical Scientist Award (VA) Elected member, American Society for Clinical Investigation Publications highlight his contributions to understanding Akt/mTOR signaling, beta cell biology, and novel therapeutic strategies for diabetes. He also mentors students and serves on NIH and JDRF review panels.
Rumela Chakrabarti, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Co-Director of the Surgical Breast Cancer Research Group. She is a full member of the Sylvester Cancer Center's Tumor Biology Program. Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology from Kent State University Postdoctoral training at Princeton University and State University of New York Her research focuses on cell signaling mechanisms in breast cancer, particularly: Notch/Wnt signaling in tumor development Role of MDSCs and tumor-associated macrophages in metastasis Paradoxical functions of interferon gamma in cancer progression Lipid metabolism connections to TNBC aggressiveness Recent publications highlight her work on: Molecular mechanisms of chemoresistance Immune cell interactions in TNBC Development of novel mouse tumor models Scientific honors include: Breast Cancer Alliance Exceptional Award DoD Breast Cancer Research Fellowship McCabe Grant Fellowship, University of Pennsylvania Gallo Award for Outstanding Cancer Research Her laboratory employs advanced techniques including organoid co-culture, PDX models, single-cell RNA-sequencing, and confocal microscopy to develop combination therapies targeting both stromal and cancer cells in aggressive breast cancer treatment.
Dr. Ronald Anderson is a distinguished researcher affiliated with the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Pretoria , the School of Clinical Medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand , and institutions such as the National Health Laboratory Service , South African Medical Research Council , and Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine . His work spans immunology, oncology, and infectious diseases. Dr. Anderson’s research focuses on immune dysregulation in cancer , including studies on soluble immune checkpoints and systemic inflammatory stress in patients with conditions like xeroderma pigmentosum. He also investigates inflammatory responses in viral co-infections (e.g., HIV and COVID-19), neutrophil function , and pharmacological impacts on immune cells . His publications highlight trends in immunopharmacology and inflammatory stress , with a strong emphasis on infectious disease interactions and cellular immunity . Grants from the Medical Research Council , National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , and National Science Foundation have supported his work. Collaborations and co-authorships span institutions including the National Research Foundation of Korea , Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung , and Abbott Laboratories . Research teams include experts from the National Health Laboratory Service and Central Drug Research Institute India .
Jan Beckendorf is a Senior Physician and Clinician-Scientist at the Department of Cardiology, Angiology, and Pulmonology within Heidelberg University Hospital . He also serves as a Research Associate at the Institute of Experimental Cardiology , leads the Pregnancy Heart Team: Cardiology of Pregnancy , and is the Medical Director of the Mathes Wunderlich Ward . Education: Medical Degree: Medical University of Graz Doctorate: University of Heidelberg (2018) - "Characterization of calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II isoforms delta and gamma deficient mice under normal conditions and in a model of ischemic cardiomyopathy" Research Focus: His work bridges molecular cardiology and clinical cardiology, with a particular emphasis on heart failure, cardiac imaging, and pregnancy-related cardiac conditions. He has extensively studied calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) in cardiac remodeling, ventricular assist devices, and novel therapeutic approaches for advanced heart failure. His translational research includes both in vivo murine models and clinical cohort studies. Clinical Expertise: Beckendorf is a board-certified specialist in internal medicine and cardiology, with additional qualifications in heart failure management. His clinical roles span advanced heart failure care, heart transplantation, and specialized pregnancy cardiology services. Publications & Impact: With publications spanning from 2010 to 2024, his research has significantly contributed to understanding cardiac remodeling post-infarction, biomarker trajectories in chronic heart failure, and novel imaging techniques for myocardial infarction quantification in small animal models.
Ramon Klein Geltink is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Medicine, and an Investigator at BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR). His research program focuses on understanding how immune cell metabolism influences function in both cancer and autoimmune conditions, with particular emphasis on childhood diseases. Dr. Klein Geltink's research interests center on immunometabolism, specifically how metabolic pathways regulate T cell function in cancer immunotherapy and autoimmune diseases. His lab investigates the role of metabolite availability, transport, enzyme expression, and cofactor availability in immune cell activation and function. Key research areas include adoptive cellular therapy, metabolic reprogramming of immune cells, and the application of metabolomic techniques to develop better treatments for children with immune-related diseases. Analysis of Dr. Klein Geltink's recent publications reveals a strong focus on CD8+ T cell metabolism in cancer immunotherapy, with particular attention to how nutrients like glutamine, fatty acids, and redox balance influence T cell function in the tumor microenvironment. His work bridges fundamental metabolic research with clinical applications, particularly in pediatric oncology and autoimmune disorders. The research spans from basic metabolic mechanisms to translational applications, with several publications examining how metabolic interventions could improve cellular therapies. Dr. Klein Geltink collaborates extensively with clinicians and clinician-scientists at BCCHR to translate metabolic findings into potential therapeutic approaches. His lab utilizes biochemical and metabolomic techniques to understand immune cell metabolism and its implications for disease treatment. His research group includes multiple postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and research assistants working on various aspects of immunometabolism. Dr. Klein Geltink's work has been supported by competitive funding mechanisms including CIHR Project Grants, indicating recognition of the significance and quality of his research program.
Megan Levings is a Professor at the University of British Columbia in the Department of Surgery and School of Biomedical Engineering. She serves as Head of the Immunity in Health and Disease program at BC Children's Hospital Research Institute while maintaining associate membership in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Her research focuses on harnessing regulatory T cells (Tregs) for immune tolerance therapies in transplantation and autoimmune diseases. Research Themes: Treg molecular/cellular biology Clinical Treg therapy trials Standardized immune monitoring implementation Engineering antigen-specific Tregs Transplant rejection prevention Autoimmune disease treatment Key Collaborations: Canadian National Transplantation Research Program Canucks for Kids Fund Childhood Diabetes Laboratories BC Diabetes Research Network Facilities: Located at BC Children's Hospital Research Institute Laboratory Room A4-186
Francis C. Lynn is a Professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC) , affiliated with the Department of Surgery and School of Biomedical Engineering . His research focuses on pancreatic β-cell biology, diabetes pathogenesis, and regenerative therapies using human pluripotent stem cells. Key affiliations: UBC , BC Children's Hospital Research Institute , BC Diabetes Research Network Research emphasis: Gene regulatory networks in β-cell differentiation, CRISPR/Cas applications, and cell-based diabetes treatments. Recent research trends include stem cell-derived β-cell engineering, single-cell transcriptomics for lineage tracking, and strategies to enhance islet transplantation via immunomodulation (e.g., CCL22-expressing grafts). Publications in 2024–2025 highlight environmental toxin impacts (Dechlorane Plus), MED15’s role in β-cell maturation, and AHR-HIF1α pathway interactions in diabetes. Students include PhD candidate Alexander Garner , who explored pancreatic islet architecture. The Lynn Lab ( lynnlab.ubc.ca ) employs murine and human stem cell models to dissect β-cell failure mechanisms and regeneration pathways.
Dr. Kenneth Watterson is a Lecturer in Molecular Biosciences at the University of Glasgow. He is affiliated with the Molecular Pharmacology & Cellular Signalling research group, focusing on lipid signaling and metabolic regulation. Research Interests Pharmacology of free fatty acid receptors (FFA1, FFA4, GPR120) Role of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in smooth muscle contraction and wound healing AMPK signaling in glucose and lipid metabolism Neuroendocrine regulation of energy balance Development of pharmacological tools for metabolic disease research Article Trends Dr. Watterson's publications (2000-2017) demonstrate expertise in S1P signaling , FFA receptor pharmacology , and metabolic disease mechanisms . His work spans diabetes research , smooth muscle physiology , and lipid mediator biology , with recent emphasis on drug discovery for metabolic disorders. Labs & Teams Active member of the Molecular Pharmacology & Cellular Signalling group at University of Glasgow, collaborating on lipid signaling projects. His research involves interdisciplinary teams in pharmacology, endocrinology, and cell biology.
Orhan K. Öz, M.D., Ph.D., is a Professor of Radiology at UT Southwestern Medical Center and Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. He serves as Chief of Nuclear Medicine, Medical Director of Nuclear Medicine at Parkland Memorial Hospital, and Director of the Nuclear Medicine Residency Program. He holds the Wechun Pak Professorship of Bone Physics and the Robert W. Parkey, M.D. Distinguished Professorship in Radiology. B.S. in Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics – Morehouse College M.S. in Applied Mathematics – Clark Atlanta University M.D. and Ph.D. in Biophysics – Stanford University Residency in Radiology – UT Southwestern Advanced Training in PET – University of California, Los Angeles Dr. Öz's research focuses on imaging pancreatic beta cells , diabetic foot infections , novel imaging probe development , and estrogen regulation of bone metabolism . His work bridges nuclear medicine, molecular imaging, endocrinology, and oncology. He has developed a SPECT/CT-based scoring system for diabetic foot infections, contributing significantly to clinical practice. His recent publications reflect a strong trend in molecular and hybrid imaging , particularly using SPECT/CT and PET for cancer, metabolic bone diseases, and endocrine disorders. The research emphasizes quantitative imaging , biomarker development , and translational applications in diabetes and neuroendocrine tumors. Scientific honors include: Wechun Pak Professorship of Bone Physics Robert W. Parkey, M.D. Distinguished Professorship in Radiology Recognition by peers in RSNA and SNMMI for contributions Dr. Öz is actively involved in academic service, mentoring, and grant-funded research. He has served as Co-Director of the Preclinical Nuclear Imaging Laboratory and the Molecular Imaging Probe Laboratory. He advises on radiation safety as Chief of Radiation Safety at Parkland Health & Hospital System and participates in key institutional and international committees, including the IRB Subcommittee on Human Use of Radiation and the International Society of Clinical Densitometry’s Scientific Advisory Council. He is a dedicated educator and frequently lectures nationally and internationally in countries including Australia, Turkey, and China. His editorial contributions include peer-reviewing for journals such as Bone , Journal of Nuclear Medicine , Endocrine , and PLOS One .
A. Dean Sherry is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Texas at Dallas and Professor of Radiology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, with over 50 years of combined academic service. He held the Cecil & Ida Green Distinguished Chair in Systems Biology (2005-2022) and directed UT Southwestern's Advanced Imaging Research Center (2005-2019). Key Research Areas: Development of paraCEST agents for pH/redox imaging, hyperpolarized 13C metabolic tracers, and zinc-responsive MRI contrast agents. Awards: Doherty Award (1990), Chancellor’s Teaching Award (1994), ISMRM Fellow (2011), World Molecular Imaging Society Fellow (2015), Gold Medals (ISMRM 2015, WMIS 2013), NAI Fellow (2023). Applications: Liver/heart metabolism studies, tumor imaging (glioblastoma, prostate cancer), pancreatic beta-cell function monitoring. Techniques: 13C isotopomer analysis, dynamic nuclear polarization, 31P MRS for ATP synthesis measurement. His group co-developed activatable MRI agents that respond to biological indices like pH and metal ions. Publications span molecular imaging probe design, metabolic pathway analysis, and high-field (7T) human metabolic studies using 31P magnetization transfer experiments.
Erik Renström is a Professor at Lund University , serving as Vice-chancellor for Diabetes - Islet Pathophysiology within University Management. His research focuses on pancreatic beta-cell function and diabetes mechanisms. Active in the LTH Profile Area: Nanoscience and Semiconductor Technology Principal Investigator at Lund University Diabetes Centre Research interests include: Insulin secretion dynamics Diabetes pathophysiology Aging-related beta-cell dedifferentiation Omics-driven hypothesis generation Mechanosensor proteins (PIEZO1, CaV3.2) Pancreatic islet imaging Recent publications highlight CD59 fusion proteins , CART receptor biology , and PIEZO1 mechanosensors in beta-cell function. Collaborations span Medical and Health Sciences with global partners. Scientific achievements include: Knud Lundbaek Award 2015 Infrastructure contributions include superresolution microscopy at the Department of Clinical Sciences, Malmö.
Tony Hansson is an Affiliated Researcher at Uppsala University’s Department of Women's and Children's Health and serves as Head of Office in the University Administration; Regional Offices; Office of Medicine and Pharmacy . Holding an MD (FM) and associate professorship in mucosal immunology, his work focuses on pediatric inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and biomarker development, particularly for celiac disease and type 1 diabetes. Academic Qualifications: FM, MD, Associate Professor of Mucosal Immunology Dr. Hansson’s research explores the intersection of mucosal immunology, metabolic disorders, and inflammatory responses in children. He has contributed extensively to understanding celiac disease diagnostics, including antibody detection methods and biomarker validation. His recent publications highlight advancements in celiac disease screening, ulcerative colitis monitoring, and autoimmune correlations with type 1 diabetes and Down syndrome. Collaborative projects like U-CAN underscore his role in biobanking and clinical data integration. Tony Hansson’s work spans both clinical and laboratory investigations, emphasizing non-invasive diagnostic tools (e.g., fecal markers, serological tests) and mechanistic studies of immune responses in gastrointestinal and metabolic conditions.
Professor Mark Dickman, affiliated with the School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering at the University of Sheffield, is a leading expert in Bioanalytical Science and Engineering . His research focuses on developing advanced analytical techniques for characterizing nucleic acid therapeutics, particularly oligonucleotide and mRNA-based drugs. Industry collaborations include ThermoFisher, AstraZeneca, Syngenta, and RedShift Bio. Academic Background : First Class BSc (Biochemistry/Chemistry), PhD at the Krebs Institute (University of Sheffield). Professional History : Research Scientist at Transgenomic Ltd (1993-2003), then academic staff at the University of Sheffield. Key research areas include: Bioseparations (HPLC, 2D-LC, ion-pair chromatography) Biological Mass Spectrometry for RNA and protein analysis Nucleic Acid Therapeutics (mRNA vaccines, oligonucleotide drugs) CRISPR-Cas Systems and RNA interference His publications (over 40) demonstrate expertise in chromatographic methods, bacterial cell wall analysis, and epigenetic studies. Recent work explores: mRNA critical quality attribute monitoring RNA biocontrol purification Peptidoglycan structural characterization Mass spectrometry-based RNA sequence mapping Professional memberships include the Royal Society of Chemistry and American Society for Mass Spectrometry . He contributes to teaching through the CPE 240 Engineering From Living Systems course.
Dr. Mohammed A Nassar is a University Teacher and Lecturer at the School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, UK, holding this position since 2010. His academic background includes a Senior Postdoctoral Fellowship at UCL's Molecular Nociception Group (1999-2009) and a Wellcome Prize Fellowship (1998-99), with postgraduate training at UCL's Wellcome Laboratory for Molecular Pharmacology (1994-1998). His educational journey features: Postgraduate Studies (PhD), University College London, 1994-1998, funded by Wellcome Prize Studentship Dr. Nassar's research centers on molecular changes in primary sensory neurons associated with pathological pain. His laboratory employs molecular biology, cellular biology, and functional assays to investigate how inflammation and nerve injury sensitize neurons, aiming to identify targets for novel analgesic drugs. Key focus areas include sodium channel dynamics (Nav1.7, Nav1.8, Nav1.9) and diabetic neuropathy mechanisms. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals dominant themes in sodium channel pharmacology, nociceptor excitability, and translational pain research. His work bridges molecular mechanisms with drug discovery, particularly in diabetic neuropathy models and compound screening for selective analgesia. His scientific recognition includes: Wellcome Prize Fellowship (1998-99) Wellcome Prize Studentship (1994-1998) Dr. Nassar actively supervises postgraduate research through two key projects: investigating diabetic neuropathy-induced excitability changes in db/db mice and screening compounds for selective nociceptor inhibition. His teaching portfolio spans undergraduate courses including Cell & Molecular Biology, Pharmacological Techniques, and Molecular Physiology of Ion Channels, complemented by a Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching (FHEA). He leads a research laboratory within the School of Biosciences focused on sensory neuron pathophysiology, utilizing advanced techniques to study pain mechanisms and therapeutic interventions.
Pradip Saha, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor at Baylor College of Medicine , actively contributing to biomedical research for over two decades. Currently serving as Co-Director of the Mouse Metabolism & Phenotyping Core , he specializes in in vivo metabolic characterization of mouse models for diseases like diabetes, obesity, cancer, and neurological disorders. Advanced Training : Baylor College of Medicine (2001), National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (1998) Degree : Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Calcutta University (1996) Dr. Saha’s research focuses on metabolic disorders, diabetes, obesity, and their intersections with cancer . He developed the Mouse Metabolism Core (MMC) in 2008, providing state-of-the-art metabolic phenotyping services to institutions like MDACC, TMHRI, UTHSC, and MIT. His work emphasizes specialized assays for metabolic parameters and expert interpretation. Key research trends from his publications include: Metabolic regulation in diabetes and obesity Role of nuclear receptors in metabolic diseases Therapeutic targeting of adipose tissue Epigenetic mechanisms in adipogenesis Genetic protection against metabolic syndrome The Mouse Metabolism Core collaborates with the Metabolomics Core to dissect metabolic pathways in cancer and diabetes research. His expertise spans biochemistry, metabolic phenotyping, and translational medicine.
