Felicia Gerst is a Senior Scientist at the Helmholtz Diabetes Center and the Institute for Diabetes and Obesity (IDM). She earned her Habilitation at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Tübingen, in 2019, following postdoctoral and doctoral fellowships at the University Hospital Tübingen and the Graduate School GRK1302/2. Her research focuses on beta-cell biology, insulin secretion, and the interplay between pancreatic adipose tissue and metabolic diseases. Education & Career Habilitation (2019), Faculty of Medicine, University of Tübingen Postdoctoral Fellow (2007–2019), Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Tübingen Doctoral Fellow (2004–2007), Institute of Physiology, University of Tübingen Dr. Gerst's research spans beta-cell function , insulin secretion dynamics , and pancreatic fat cell activity in health and disease. Her work integrates endocrinology , molecular biology , and diabetes pathophysiology , with recent studies exploring incretin-responsive organoids and free fatty acid receptor mechanisms. Her publications highlight trends in pancreatic adiposity , islet-adipose interactions , and hepatokine signaling in beta-cell dysfunction. Awards include the HUMAIN Award (InSphero, Switzerland) for functional organoid models. Scientific Awards HUMAIN Award (InSphero, Switzerland) Dr. Gerst leads the Islet Facility , contributing to networks like the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) and European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). Grants include DDG Grant (2023) and DZD Grant (2018–2019) .
Dr. Raymond Chung is a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and serves as the Director of Hepatology and Vice Chief of the Gastrointestinal Division at Massachusetts General Hospital. His work focuses on hepatitis virus pathogenesis and antiviral strategies. NIH-funded research on HCV persistence mechanisms Leader of the NIH Hepatitis B Research Network's Mass General site Director of the Center for Human Immunology U19 Program Research interests include: HCV interferon resistance mechanisms HIV/HCV coinfection dynamics Lipid metabolism-virus interactions Development of novel antiviral therapies Genetic determinants of treatment response Biomarkers for liver disease progression His lab has developed: High-throughput HCV replicon models Whole genome siRNA screening for host targets Translational studies linking HCV to diabetes and fibrosis Clinical trials of natural compounds like naringenin
Gunilla Westermark is a Professor of Medical Structural Biology at Uppsala University, specializing in protein conformational diseases. She leads her research group at the Department of Medical Cell Biology within the Faculty of Medicine. Professor of Medical Structural Biology Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University Faculty of Medicine, Uppsala University Her research focuses on amyloidosis , particularly islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) and alpha-synuclein interactions, with applications in diabetes , neurodegenerative diseases , and protein misfolding . Recent work explores in vivo amyloid seeding, inflammasome regulation , and structural analysis of pathological amyloid fibrils using Cryo-EM and Micro-ED techniques. Key publications (2021-2025) address molecular mechanisms of amyloid toxicity , diagnostic assays for amyloid detection, and therapeutic strategies targeting protein aggregation. Her group collaborates on beta-cell transplantation studies and investigates prion-like transmission of amyloid pathology in inflammatory and metabolic diseases. Gunilla Westermark's laboratory employs Drosophila melanogaster models and human islet studies to dissect protein folding disorders . Her work has implications for Alzheimer's disease-diabetes links , transplantation failures , and public health risks in food chains related to amyloid.
F. Jon Kull '88 serves as Dean of the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies at Dartmouth College and holds the prestigious Rodgers Professorship in Chemistry. As an active faculty member in the Chemistry Department, he leads a research laboratory focused on understanding protein structure and function at the molecular level using X-ray crystallography and complementary biophysical techniques. His dual leadership roles position him at the intersection of academic administration and cutting-edge scientific research. Dr. Kull earned his A.B. in Chemistry from Dartmouth College, graduating magna cum laude and as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He completed his Ph.D. in Biochemistry at the University of California, San Francisco, where his groundbreaking work included solving the first structure of a kinesin motor domain in 1996, published in Nature. His research program spans two primary areas of investigation: structural analysis of bacterial virulence gene regulatory proteins and fine-tuning the catalytic cycle of kinesin motors. In bacterial pathogenesis research, his laboratory focuses on Vibrio cholerae, investigating the structural and functional characteristics of regulatory proteins involved in virulence gene expression. This work has significant implications for developing therapeutics against cholera and other enteric bacterial infections. In molecular motor research, his lab studies kinesin proteins to understand the detailed mechanism of force generation, with applications in developing treatments for diseases involving motor protein defects. Analysis of his recent publications (2012-2021) reveals a strong focus on bacterial virulence mechanisms, particularly in Vibrio cholerae and enterotoxigenic E. coli, with increasing emphasis on identifying and characterizing small molecule inhibitors of virulence regulators. His structural biology approach consistently combines X-ray crystallography with functional studies to provide mechanistic insights into protein function. The Rodgers Professor at Dartmouth College, Endowed Chair (2012) Dartmouth Center for the Advancement of Learning Faculty Fellow (2012) Gridley Faculty Fellow (2011) Dean of the Faculty Award for Outstanding Mentoring and Advising (2010) Linda B. and Kendrick R. Wilson III Fellow (2007) Education Fellow in the Life Sciences by the National Academies (2006) March of Dimes Basil O'Connor Starter Scholar Research Award (2003) Dr. Kull has mentored numerous graduate and undergraduate students through the Kull Laboratory, with alumni including Justin Cruite, Jessica Day, Britney Privett, and Anne Woodbrey. His current research team includes Research Assistant Professor Charles R. Midgett and graduate students Jessica D. Tolbert and Minje Kim. The laboratory's work on bacterial virulence regulation has been supported by grants investigating structural mechanisms of virulence gene expression in Vibrio cholerae, with potential applications for developing novel anti-infective strategies that target virulence rather than viability. The Kull Laboratory maintains active research programs in two main areas: structural analysis of bacterial virulence gene regulatory proteins (particularly AphA, AphB, ToxR, ToxS, ToxT, and HapR in Vibrio cholerae) and investigation of kinesin motor mechanics. The laboratory employs X-ray crystallography as its primary tool, complemented by spectroscopy, calorimetry, small angle X-ray scattering, kinetics studies, NMR, and computational methods to study macromolecular structure-function relationships.
Maria Florencia Sánchez is a molecular imaging researcher leading the Transmembrane Signaling Lab at the European Institute for Molecular Imaging (EIMI) , affiliated with the University of Münster , Germany. She holds a doctorate in natural sciences (Dr. rer. nat.) and focuses on the molecular mechanisms of transmembrane signaling, receptor dynamics, and GPCR activation. Her research spans transmembrane signaling , GPCR dynamics , lipid bilayer systems , and receptor confinement . Through advanced imaging and biophysical techniques, she investigates how spatial organization and confinement influence receptor behavior and signaling outcomes, particularly in the context of neuropeptide and amyloid-beta signaling. Her publications reveal a consistent focus on ligand-independent GPCR signaling , receptor clustering , and membrane microdomains . These works bridge molecular biophysics and cell biology, offering insights into how membrane organization modulates signal transduction. She is actively engaged in research with no indication of retirement or departure from her current institution. Her lab is part of a larger collaborative network within EIMI, contributing to both fundamental science and translational imaging applications.
Dr Chi-Ho Ng is a Research Fellow at the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering , The University of Queensland . His research focuses on advanced materials processing, particularly in additive manufacturing and surface treatments of titanium alloys. Bachelor (Honours) in Production Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University Masters in Manufacturing Technology, Cranfield University PhD in Materials Engineering, The University of Queensland His research interests include: Additive manufacturing techniques (wire arc, laser powder bed fusion) Hot isostatic pressing for defect elimination and microstructure control Laser-based surface modification (nitriding, alloying) Biomedical applications of titanium alloys and coatings Use of machine learning for porosity analysis in 3D-printed materials Recent publications highlight his work on β-fleck defect characterization, cryogenic coolant applications, and machine learning-assisted porosity analysis in titanium alloys. He actively supervises projects related to piezoelectric materials for biomedical applications and has received funding from the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation for process optimization research.
Siam Oottamasathien, MD, FAAP, FACS, is an Adjunct faculty member in the Department of Surgery at the University of Utah, where he directs the pediatric urology basic science research program. A board-certified pediatric urologist and principal investigator, he couples clinical expertise with innovative translational research focused on bladder inflammation, fibrosis, and hyaluronic-acid–based therapeutics. Education & Training BA in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry – University of Colorado at Boulder MD – University of Colorado School of Medicine Urology Residency & Chief Residency – University of Colorado Health Sciences Center Pediatric Urology Fellowship – Vanderbilt University Research Interests Dr. Oottamasathien’s laboratory integrates developmental biology, biomaterials science, and urologic translational medicine. A central theme is the use of hyaluronic-acid derivatives to modulate inflammatory cascades within the bladder wall. By developing in vivo murine models that recapitulate interstitial cystitis and painful bladder syndrome, his group identifies molecular targets and validates novel anti-inflammatory therapeutics. His team has pioneered photocrosslinkable hyaluronan-gelatin hydrogels for 3-D bioprinting of bladder constructs, engineered gold-nanoparticle/HA composites for localized drug delivery, and elucidated T-box transcription-factor networks governing genitourinary organogenesis. These efforts bridge bench discoveries to bedside applications, with several patents and an FDA-track small-business partnership (GlycoMira Therapeutics) advancing lead compounds toward clinical trials. Scientific Awards & Honors American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Urology – Basic Science Research Award (2006, 2010, 2012) American Urological Association / Pfizer Award – Benign Urologic Disease Research Society of Pediatric Urology Early Career Investigator Representative & 2nd Place (AUA 2013) Primary Children’s Hospital Early Career Development Award Primary Children’s Hospital Integrated Science Award Funding & Grants NIH R01 DK100868 – Glycosaminoglycan derivatives for bladder pain NIH K12 UL1RR025764 – University of Utah CCTS Career Development Award NIH Phase I SBIR R43DK093413 – GlycoMira Therapeutics collaboration NIH T32 HL079874 – Post-doctoral training under Nobel Laureate Dr. Mario Capecchi National Kidney Foundation – Utah Chapter grant American Urological Association / Pfizer Research Award Laboratory & Collaborations Dr. Oottamasathien leads a multidisciplinary team housed within the University of Utah’s Department of Surgery and maintains active collaborations with the Department of Medicinal Chemistry (Glenn Prestwich, PhD). The group integrates murine genetics, biomaterials engineering, and translational pharmacology to accelerate pediatric urologic therapeutics from concept to clinic.
Maria Bettini is a Professor of Pathology at the University of Utah School of Medicine and a faculty member in the Molecular Biology Program, where she investigates immunological mechanisms of autoimmunity with emphasis on type 1 diabetes pathogenesis. She earned her B.S. from East Tennessee State University and Ph.D. from Emory University, establishing expertise in T cell immunology and autoimmune disease models. Her research program centers on T cell-mediated destruction of pancreatic beta cells, focusing on regulatory T cell (Treg) function, T cell receptor signaling diversity, and metabolic-immune interactions. Using genetically modified mouse models, flow cytometry, and transcriptional analysis, her lab explores how self-tolerance fails in autoimmunity and identifies pathways for therapeutic intervention, particularly through Treg modulation. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals dominant themes in TCR repertoire analysis, CAR-T engineering applications for autoimmunity, and novel mechanisms of Treg suppression in tissue-specific inflammation, with strong translational focus on diabetes therapeutics. Dr. Bettini has mentored numerous graduate students in the Molecular Biology Program and secured sustained funding from the National Institutes of Health for her work on autoimmune diabetes mechanisms and tolerance restoration strategies. Her laboratory maintains advanced capabilities in murine diabetes models, single-cell TCR sequencing, metabolic phenotyping, and antigen-specific T cell tracking, operating within the University of Utah's Department of Pathology immunology research cluster.
Peter J. Edmonds is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, University of Utah . He specializes in Respiratory Critical Care and Sleep Medicine , with a focus on systematic reviews and meta-analyses. His clinical locations include the Huntsman Cancer Institute , University of Utah Hospital , and Sleep Wake Center . Board Certifications : American Board of Internal Medicine (Internal Medicine, Critical Care Medicine, Pulmonary Disease) Education : Undergraduate in Biology (Liberty University), MD (SUNY Upstate Medical University), Residency and Fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center His research explores the intersections of internal medicine , critical care , sleep disorders , and nephrology . Recent work includes analyzing vaping-induced lung damage , sleep apnea predictors , and renal complications from medications. Patients consistently praise his attentive care and professionalism , with a 4.9/5 rating from 49 reviews.
Tarja Kokkola, PhD, docent, serves as Research Coordinator at the Institute of Clinical Medicine within the School of Medicine at the University of Eastern Finland. She manages quality systems for the Clinical Research Centre, including two ISO 15189-accredited diagnostic laboratories, and contributes to development, validation, and quality assurance of clinical chemistry methodologies. Her research spans multiple critical areas in biomedical science, with particular emphasis on biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases (especially Alzheimer's disease), type 2 diabetes mechanisms, and sirtuin-related pathways. She has developed expertise in cerebrospinal fluid diagnostics, metabolic phenotyping, and multi-omics integration approaches. Her work bridges clinical laboratory practice with translational research through extensive collaboration in major European research initiatives. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on Alzheimer's disease biomarkers (6 articles), type 2 diabetes mechanisms (5 articles), and methodological innovations in multi-omics data analysis (4 articles). Her research demonstrates consistent methodological rigor with emphasis on clinical applicability, particularly in differential diagnosis of neurodegenerative conditions and stratification of metabolic disease subtypes. As an active collaborator in the IMI DIRECT consortium and FinnGen project, she contributes to large-scale European efforts to understand disease heterogeneity and develop precision medicine approaches. Her publications consistently appear in high-impact journals across neurology, diabetes research, and analytical methodology fields. Dr. Kokkola also provides lectures and training in quality management, auditing, and risk assessment, supporting the next generation of clinical researchers. Her leadership in maintaining ISO 15189 accreditation for diagnostic laboratories demonstrates commitment to research quality standards essential for translational medicine.
Richard Blake Ross, MD is Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and treats patients at UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central & North in Colorado Springs. He completed medical school at Case Western Reserve University (2019), internship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (2020), and served as Chief Resident in Radiation Oncology at the University of Colorado (2024). Education & Training: MD – Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 2019 BS – University of Tennessee, 2013 Internship – Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 2020 Residency – University of Colorado (Chief Resident), Radiation Oncology, 2024 Research Focus: Dr Ross leads translational projects exploring how dietary fatty acids and immune modulators (PPAR-α agonists, IL-7, CGRP signalling) interact with radiotherapy in head-and-neck, pancreatic, breast and brain tumors. His work employs stereotactic radiosurgery, intensity-modulated radiotherapy and novel immunotherapy combinations to improve tumor control while limiting toxicity. Across 20 peer-reviewed articles (2016-2024) he has identified dietary oleic acid as a potential counteractor of radiation-induced immunity, demonstrated that sensory-nerve-derived CGRP suppresses tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in HNSCC, and contributed to multi-institutional radiosurgery outcomes for breast-cancer brain metastases. Professional Memberships: American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) – Member American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) – Member Clinical Practice: He specializes in radiation management of brain tumors, head-and-neck, genitourinary and gastrointestinal malignancies, emphasizing patient education and shared decision-making. He practices at UCHealth sites in Colorado Springs and holds hospital privileges at Memorial Hospital Central & North.
Professor Dmitri Sviridov is a leading scientist in cardiovascular and lipid biology, currently affiliated with the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute and holding professorial appointments at Monash University (School of Biomedical Science, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) and George Washington University (Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Tropical Medicine). His career spans over 40 years, combining academic excellence with translational research. Graduated from Pirogov Russian National Medical Research University Head of the Lipoproteins and Atherosclerosis Laboratory (since 2002) Research Focus: Molecular and cellular mechanisms of lipid/lipoprotein metabolism, reverse cholesterol transport, lipid rafts, and their roles in cardiovascular, metabolic, and infectious diseases. His work bridges basic science and clinical applications, with notable studies on HIV and cytomegalovirus impacts on lipid metabolism. Publication Trends: Concentrates on lipid rafts, cholesterol efflux, HDL functions, and viral interactions with lipid pathways, reflecting cross-disciplinary work in Cell Reports , Circulation Research , Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology , and The Journal of Biological Chemistry . NHMRC Senior Research Fellow Recipient of over A$31 million in research grants (NIH, NHMRC, National Heart Foundation) Collaborations: Engages in international partnerships with institutions like UCSD, NHLBI/NIH, and George Washington University. Leads the Lipoproteins and Atherosclerosis Laboratory at Baker Institute.
Max Planck Institute for Empirical AestheticsGermany
Gerd Geisslinger is a Professor at the Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe University Frankfurt. His research focuses on the neurobiology and neuropharmacology of pain and inflammation, identification of novel pain targets, anti-tumor effects of analgesics, and platelet function analysis. Key Methods: Mass-spectrometry (LC/MS/MS, GC, HPLC), real-time PCR, DNA sequencing, 2D gel electrophoresis, yeast-two-hybrid system, and calcium imaging. Animal Models: Formalin test, hot-plate test, neuropathic pain models, tumor models, and antisense oligonucleotide knockdown. Human Pain Models: CO2-stimulation, heat-capsaicin model, freeze lesion, and DOMS model for mechanical hyperalgesia. His work spans translational research, integrating pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling and microdialysis for drug concentration analysis. Publications from 2001–2005 highlight studies on opioid receptor genetics, COX mechanisms, JNK signaling in cancer, and kinases in pain pathways.
Pedro HERRERA is a Full Professor at the University of Geneva, where he conducts significant research in pancreatic islet biology and diabetes. His academic position and extensive publication record indicate a prominent role in endocrinology research. His research focuses on several key areas within diabetes and islet cell biology: Cell reprogramming of pancreatic alpha cells into insulin-producing cells Mechanisms of insulin and glucagon secretion regulation Compensatory mechanisms following beta cell loss Islet transplantation and immunological aspects Molecular mechanisms of diabetes pathogenesis Translational applications for diabetes treatment Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on understanding pancreatic islet cell identity, function, and plasticity. His work consistently explores how pancreatic cells can be manipulated for therapeutic purposes, particularly through cell reprogramming approaches that could potentially treat diabetes without requiring external insulin administration. The research demonstrates sophisticated understanding of cellular mechanisms and shows promise for future diabetes therapies. Dr. HERRERA's work bridges fundamental science with clinical applications, making significant contributions to both theoretical understanding of islet cell biology and practical approaches to diabetes treatment. His research group appears to include laboratory technicians, doctoral candidates, and other researchers working collaboratively on various aspects of pancreatic islet biology.
Carsten Schulte is a Lecturer in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, with an active research career spanning over two decades. His work bridges engineering principles with cellular biology, focusing on how physical forces and topographical features influence cellular behavior and function. Dr. Schulte's research interests center on mechanotransduction, the process by which cells convert mechanical stimuli into biochemical signals. His work explores how nanoscale topographical features influence cellular adhesion, differentiation, and signaling pathways across various cell types including neurons, pancreatic beta cells, and cancer cells. He has made significant contributions to understanding the role of the glycocalyx, extracellular matrix, and cytoskeletal elements in mediating mechanotransductive responses. His publication record shows consistent output in high-impact journals including Nanoscale, Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, and Journal of Nanobiotechnology, with research trends indicating growing interest in patient-specific applications of mechanobiology principles, particularly in cancer research and regenerative medicine. Two prestigious scientific prizes recognizing contributions to nanobiotechnology and cell mechanics Extensive collaborative network across European institutions Research featured in multiple news outlets and cited in patents Dr. Schulte's work has practical applications in tissue engineering, biosensor development, and understanding disease mechanisms where mechanical forces play a critical role. His research group employs advanced techniques including atomic force microscopy, nanofabrication, and force spectroscopy to investigate cell-microenvironment interactions at the nanoscale level.
