Alisa Piekny, PhD, is a Professor of Biology and Associate Dean of Research and Infrastructure at Concordia University's School of Health. Her research focuses on cytoskeleton regulation during cell division, migration, and polarity, particularly in cancer cells. She employs human cell cultures, iPSCs, and collaborative drug discovery approaches to advance anti-cancer therapies and nanotechnology-based diagnostic tools. Education: PhD (University of Calgary), Post-Doc (IMP Vienna and University of Chicago). Research interests include anillin protein dynamics, microtubule-actomyosin interactions, and nanoparticle-cell interactions. Her work bridges cell biology with translational medicine, emphasizing cytokinesis mechanisms and their hijacking in cancer. Recent publications highlight innovations in drug delivery systems, fluorescent nanoparticle imaging, and molecular tools for live-cell cytokinesis analysis. Collaborations span nanotechnology, cancer biology, and developmental biology, yielding insights into cell fate regulation and therapeutic targeting. Her research has been recognized through interdisciplinary projects at the interface of biology and materials science, with a focus on practical medical applications.
David A. Tirrell serves as Provost and holds the Ross McCollum-William H. Corcoran Professorship in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at the California Institute of Technology. He earned his B.S. (1974) from MIT, M.S. (1976) and Ph.D. (1978) from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and received an honorary doctorate (D.h.c.) from Eindhoven Technical University. Chair, Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (1999-2009) Director, Beckman Institute (2012-2018) Provost (2017-present) His research focuses on macromolecular chemistry and genetic code reengineering to incorporate non-canonical amino acids into proteins. This work enables novel approaches to biomaterials design , proteomic analysis , and protein evolution with applications in tissue regeneration and molecular imaging . Recent publications highlight 3D-printable cellular composites , engineered bacterial films , and non-canonical amino acid applications in medical contexts. Scientific recognitions include election to: American Academy of Arts and Sciences American Philosophical Society All three branches of U.S. National Academies (Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine) As principal investigator of the Tirrell Lab , he has mentored numerous students and researchers like Sophie Miller, Hanwei Liu, and Grace Wang, whose work spans synthetic biology , genetic code modification , and advanced proteomic techniques .
Yunpeng Ye serves as an Associate Research Scientist within the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging at Yale School of Medicine. His primary appointment is in Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, with additional affiliation with the Bioimaging Sciences PET Core. Dr. Ye earned his PhD from Peking Union Medical College in 1993, establishing a foundation for his career in medical imaging research. His research focuses on advanced imaging techniques, particularly in the field of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and biomedical imaging. As part of the Bioimaging Sciences PET Core, he contributes to the development and application of cutting-edge imaging technologies for medical diagnosis and research. His work bridges clinical applications with technical innovation in medical imaging systems. While specific publications were not detailed in the available information, his institutional affiliations suggest expertise in quantitative imaging analysis, radiotracer development, and clinical applications of PET technology across various medical specialties. Dr. Ye's position within the Radiology department places him at the intersection of clinical medicine and technological innovation, contributing to Yale's imaging research infrastructure through the PET Core facility.
Jan Ellenberg is a Senior Scientist and Head of the Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) since 2006 and 2010, respectively. He also serves as EMBL Delegate to the Euro-BioImaging Interim Board since 2014 and has coordinated multiple EMBL units and pan-European imaging infrastructure projects. PhD in biochemistry (1998, NIH & Freie Universität Berlin) Diploma in biology (1994, Universität Hamburg) His research focuses on cell biology , nuclear and chromosome dynamics , and advanced microscopy technologies . Key areas include mitosis/meiosis , nuclear pore complex organization , and super-resolution/light-sheet microscopy development. Scientific awards include the Allen Distinguished Investigator (2017), ERC Advanced Investigator (2016), and Walter Flemming Medal (2004). His publications (>130) frequently appear in top journals like Nature, Science, and Cell. 2017 Allen Distinguished Investigator 2016 ERC Advanced Investigator 2016 Honorary Doctor of Philosophy at Åbo Akademi University 2006 EMBO Member
Maryellen L. Giger, Ph.D. is the A.N. Pritzker Distinguished Service Professor of Radiology, Committee on Medical Physics, and the College at the University of Chicago. She serves as Vice-Chair of Radiology (Basic Science Research) and was the immediate past Director of the CAMPEP-accredited Graduate Programs in Medical Physics/Chair of the Committee on Medical Physics. Her career spans over 30 years of pioneering research in computer-aided diagnosis, machine learning, and deep learning applications in medical imaging. Dr. Giger's research focuses on computational image-based analyses for cancer risk assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, and response to therapy, particularly in breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, lupus, bone diseases, and more recently, COVID-19. Her work has evolved from developing computer-aided diagnosis systems to utilizing 'virtual biopsies' in imaging genomics association studies for discovery. She has made significant contributions to quantitative imaging, radiomics, and AI applications in medical imaging, with emphasis on translating research into clinical practice. Her publication record shows a clear trajectory from foundational work in computer vision for medical imaging to cutting-edge AI and deep learning applications. The recent publications demonstrate her leadership in large-scale collaborative efforts like the Medical Imaging and Data Resource Center (MIDRC), focus on health equity through AI analysis, and expansion into diverse applications including gynecological imaging, lung cancer screening, and trauma assessment. Her work consistently bridges technical innovation with clinical relevance. Dr. Giger has received numerous prestigious honors including membership in the National Academy of Engineering, the William D. Coolidge Gold Medal (the highest award from AAPM), and being named one of the 50 most impactful medical physicists in the last 50 years. She is a Fellow of multiple professional societies including AAPM, AIMBE, SPIE, SBMR, and IEEE. Her 2019 TIME magazine recognition for QuantX, the first FDA-cleared machine-learning-driven system for cancer diagnosis, highlights her translational impact. As an educator and mentor, Dr. Giger has guided over 100 graduate students, residents, and medical students throughout her career. She has secured substantial research funding including NIH R01 grants and serves as contact PI for the NIH NIBIB-funded & ARPA-H-funded Medical Imaging and Data Resource Center (MIDRC). Her leadership extends to former presidencies of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine and SPIE, and she was the inaugural Editor-in-Chief of the SPIE Journal of Medical Imaging. Dr. Giger co-founded Quantitative Insights, Inc. through the University of Chicago's New Venture Challenge, which developed QuantX - the first FDA-cleared AI system for cancer diagnosis. She leads the Medical Imaging and Data Resource Center (MIDRC), a critical resource for AI development in medical imaging that received the 2023 DataWorks Prize. Her research laboratory bridges engineering, physics, and clinical medicine to develop and validate quantitative imaging biomarkers and AI tools for precision medicine.
Lu Wei is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the California Institute of Technology and an Investigator at the Heritage Medical Research Institute. She holds a B.S. from Nanjing University (2010) and a Ph.D. from Columbia University (2015), joining Caltech in 2018. Research Areas: Optical spectroscopy, Biophysics, Bio-imaging, Chemical probe development Education: B.S. Nanjing University (2010), Ph.D. Columbia (2015) Research Interests include next-generation optical imaging techniques based on nonlinear vibrational spectroscopy for live-cell dynamics. Her work spans super-resolution label-free imaging , quantitative polyQ aggregate analysis in Huntington’s disease, Raman-guided pharmacometabolomics for melanoma, and environmental sensing in subcellular systems. Recent Publications highlight trends in vibrational thermometry (2025), high-speed bond-selective imaging (2025), and photochromic Raman microscopy (2023), with applications from single-molecule to cellular biology . 2024 Margaret Oakley Dayhoff Award 2023 NSF CAREER Award 2022 Sloan Research Fellowship 2021 Scialog Fellow Students : 5 Ph.D. graduates (Dr. Jiajun Du, Dr. Kun Miao, Dr. Xiaotian Bi, Dr. Li-En Lin, Dr. Dongkwan Lee) and current advisees including Adrian, RJ, Phil, Yulu, Berea, and Kwan. The lab has received grants from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, NSF, Curci Foundation, and Eli Lilly. Labs & Collaborations : The Wei Lab at Caltech collaborates with Karthikeyan (metabolic imaging) and Mazmanian Labs (microbiome studies). They host interdisciplinary teams in physical chemistry and chemical biology.
Professor Jana Zaumseil is a distinguished academic at Heidelberg University, holding the position of Professor for Applied Physical Chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Sciences since 2014. She also maintains a co-opted position with the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy since 2016. Currently serving as Executive Director of the Institute for Physical Chemistry and Spokesperson for the DFG Research Training Group GRK 2948, she leads the Zaumseil research group (also known as the Nanomaterials for Optoelectronics group) at Heidelberg University's Institute for Physical Chemistry. Her educational background includes a PhD in Physics from the University of Cambridge (2003-2007) with a Gates Cambridge Trust Scholarship, and a Diplom (equivalent to M.Sc.) in Chemistry from the University of Leipzig (1997-2022). Prior to her position at Heidelberg, she served as Professor for Nanoelectronics at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (2009-2014), and completed postdoctoral work at Argonne National Laboratory (2007-2009) following an internship at Bell Laboratories (2002-2003). Zaumseil's research program focuses on the optical and electronic properties of carbon-based nanomaterials, particularly single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and organic semiconductors. Her group specializes in processing, functionalization, characterization and application of these unconventional semiconductors for optoelectronic devices and sensors. They investigate charge transport and light-matter interaction using a wide range of experimental techniques including synthesis, optical spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, device fabrication, and electrical/optical device characterization. Their work bridges fundamental understanding with potential applications in sensing, imaging, circuits, and energy conversion. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong trend toward defect engineering in carbon nanotubes, particularly creating and optimizing luminescent sp 3 defects for near-infrared applications. Her research increasingly integrates fundamental studies of charge transport with practical device applications, especially in neuromorphic computing, biosensors, and thermoelectrics. The interdisciplinary nature of her work is evident in the combination of chemistry, physics, and materials science approaches across her publication record. Dan Maydan Prize for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (2024) Jahrespreis der Universität Heidelberg (2023) ERC Consolidator Grant (2019) ERC Starting Grant (2012) Alfried-Krupp-Award for Young University Professors (2010) Professor Zaumseil has secured substantial research funding including multiple ERC grants and leads several major collaborative projects such as the ERC Advanced Grant SCALE-NT, Collaborative Research Center SFB 1249, Cluster of Excellence 3D Matter Made to Order, and Research Training Group GRK 2948. She has mentored numerous doctoral and master's students, with her group recently receiving recognition including a Student Poster Presentation Award for Niklas Herrmann. As Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Science (2019-2021) and current Vice Dean (2021-), she has played significant leadership roles within the university structure. The Zaumseil research group operates within Heidelberg University's Institute for Physical Chemistry, utilizing advanced facilities for nanomaterial synthesis, optical spectroscopy, and device characterization. The group participates in several major collaborative initiatives including the Cluster of Excellence 3D Matter Made to Order and the Collaborative Research Center SFB 1249, reflecting its integration within Heidelberg's broader research ecosystem focused on molecular systems and materials science.
Jian Hu is a Professor at Michigan State University (MSU) in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, with joint appointments in the Department of Chemistry and the BioMolecular Science Gateway. His research integrates structural biology, biochemistry, and biophysics to investigate macromolecular mechanisms in biology and biomedicine, focusing on bio-metal utilization and homeostasis. Ph.D., Peking University, 2004 B.S., Beijing Medical University, 1999 Associate Research Scientist, Yale University (2008–2013) Postdoctoral Research Associate, Florida State University (2005–2007) The Hu lab targets three major projects: (1) ZIP metal transporters, exploring alternating access mechanisms and substrate specificity; (2) Lar proteins, analyzing Ni-pincer cofactor biosynthesis and catalytic mechanisms; and (3) PIPK lipid kinases, studying membrane sensing and inhibitor development. Collaborations with Dr. Robert P. Hausinger and Dr. Xuefei Huang advance drug discovery and structural elucidation. Recent publications highlight interdisciplinary work, blending plant biology (phenylalanine metabolism, peroxisome dynamics) with computational methods (watermarking algorithms, signal processing). His collaborations extend to engineering and medicine, emphasizing functional characterization of proteins and drug target validation. Scientific Awards: Invited State-of-the-Art Review, FEBS Journal 2021 Current courses include BMB 829: Special Problems in Macromolecular Analysis & Synthesis and CEM 999: Doctoral Dissertation Research . The lab employs X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, NMR, and biochemistry to resolve atomic-level structures and functions of critical macromolecules, including ZIP4 and PIP5Kγ.
Charless C. Fowlkes is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), and a member of the UCI Vision Group. His research focuses on computational vision, integrating visual recognition with 3D scene understanding and developing tools for biological image analysis. UCI Chancellor's Fellow (2019-2022) NSF CAREER Award recipient (2013) Helmholtz Prize winner (2015) Research Interests His work spans computational vision, image understanding, 3D scene reconstruction, and machine learning applications in biological and forensic domains. He develops methods for automated pollen classification, cardiac tissue analysis, and forensic shoeprint matching. Recent Publications His recent work includes 3D scene reconstruction with epipolar transformers, forensic shoeprint analysis, and image inpainting techniques. These show trends in integrating geometric understanding with deep learning. Scientific Awards Awarded the Marr Prize (2009), Helmholtz Prize (2015), and NSF CAREER Award (2013), he has received recognition for both theoretical and applied contributions to computer vision. Teaching & Advising He has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in computer vision since 2008 and advised numerous PhD, MS, and BS students who now work at institutions like Google, Apple, and CMU. Collaborations He collaborates with labs at UIUC (Punyasena Lab), Harvard (DePace Lab), and UCI (Cinquin Lab, Khine Lab) for biological applications of computer vision.
Thomas Graham is an Assistant Professor and PhytoGro Research Chair in Controlled Environment Systems at the University of Guelph, where he also serves as R&D Manager for the Controlled Environment Systems Research Facility (CESRF). His academic journey includes a BSc in Environmental Sciences from the University of Guelph and Stirling University (1997), an MSc in Horticulture (2001), and a PhD in Environmental Biology (2012), all from the University of Guelph. He completed a NASA Post-Doctoral Fellowship (2012–2015) at Kennedy Space Center, focusing on bioregenerative life-support systems for space exploration. Dr. Graham’s research expertise spans controlled environment agriculture (CEA) , space biology , medicinal crop production , and water remediation . He leads projects addressing food security, crop diversification in urban farming, and sustainable practices for high-intensity agriculture. Key initiatives include developing CEA systems for medical crops, optimizing tree crops for spaceflight, and advancing composting-based closed-loop systems. His scientific contributions are reflected in roles as Associate Editor for Gravitational and Space Research and Editor for special issues on Agriculture in Space . He collaborates with NASA, USDA, OMAFRA, and international agencies like the German Space Agency (DLR). Awards include the NASA Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship. Dr. Graham emphasizes mentorship, conducting bi-weekly graduate meetings and fostering student autonomy while providing structured support. His lab integrates interdisciplinary approaches to tackle global challenges, from climate resilience to lunar food production.
Mattias Brunström serves as Assistant Professor of Cardiology and Associate Professor of Epidemiology at Umeå University's Faculty of Medicine within the Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Section of Cardiology. He is concurrently a resident physician at Norrlands University Hospital and holds leadership roles as chairman of Sweden's national hypertension working group and scientific secretary of the Swedish Society for Hypertension, Stroke and Vascular Medicine, with active participation in the European and International Societies of Hypertension. His academic foundation includes a 2018 PhD thesis examining blood pressure-lowering treatment effects across different blood pressure levels through systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials. This doctoral work established his expertise in evidence-based cardiovascular therapeutics and epidemiological methodology. Dr. Brunström's research program centers on cardiovascular disease risk factors, with specialized focus on hypertension pathophysiology and aortic diseases. His group investigates how adolescent blood pressure levels predict future cardiovascular events, examining interactions with obesity, physical fitness, and diabetes to improve risk stratification. They also analyze differential effects of antihypertensive drug classes on cardiovascular outcomes and study risk factors for aortic dissection/rupture to optimize preventive surgical interventions. This work addresses critical gaps in managing the world's leading cause of death, where uncontrolled hypertension contributes to 10 million annual fatalities despite effective treatments. Analysis of his 2024-2025 publications reveals dominant themes in hypertension guideline development, treatment threshold controversies, and cardiovascular risk assessment. His work frequently challenges conventional approaches (e.g., questioning excessive treatment of 'elevated' blood pressure in elderly patients) while advancing evidence for lifestyle interventions and beta-blocker utility. Methodologically, his research leverages large cohort studies (including 1.4 million enlistee data), systematic reviews, and international collaborations through societies like ESH and ISH to translate epidemiological findings into clinical practice. Dr. Brunström leads multiple funded research initiatives including 'Remission of type 2 diabetes through eHealth' (2022-2028) and 'VIPviza' (2013-2027), directing a multidisciplinary team that bridges clinical cardiology, epidemiology, and public health. His advisory role extends to national guideline committees and international hypertension societies where he shapes clinical practice through evidence synthesis and position papers. Based at Norrlands University Hospital's Cardiology Section, his research group operates within Umeå University's strong cardiovascular research ecosystem, maintaining active collaborations with the Swedish National Diabetes Register and international consortia. Their work emphasizes real-world applicability, examining topics like bedtime dosing of antihypertensives and self-report diagnostic tools to overcome barriers in hypertension control where only 25% of affected individuals achieve target blood pressure levels.
Assoc. Prof. Dietmar Pum is a leading researcher at the Institute of Biophysics, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). With a career spanning over three decades, he has pioneered work on S-layer proteins as nanobiotechnological tools and biomimetic surface functionalization. His research bridges microbiology, biophysics, and nanomaterials science. Education & Career Doctorate (1984) and Habilitation (1992) at Vienna University of Technology Awarded FEBS (1987) and EMBO (1982) fellowships Assoc. Univ. Prof. since 1997, Deputy Head of Biophysics Institute since 2014 Research Focus Dr. Pum's work centers on leveraging S-layer proteins for nanoscale fluid mechanics , molecular imprinting , and biohybrid materials . His projects explore: Self-assembly of 2D protein crystals Functionalization of carbon nanotubes Biomimetic sensor development Applications in diagnostics and environmental technology Publication Trends His recent publications (2025-2019) highlight interdisciplinary advancements in: Nanoscale biofluid dynamics Gold nanoparticle synthesis via microbial enzymes Archaeal S-layer characterization Protein-directed nanomaterials Biosensor platforms Lipid quantification via machine learning Scientific Recognition Philip Morris Research Prize (1998) Cardinal Innitzer Prize (1992) ÖAGM Prize (1986) Peer reviewer for Nature Materials , Advanced Materials , and Biophysical Journal Advising & Collaborations Dr. Pum has supervised over 15 theses, mentoring students in topics ranging from Caenorhabditis elegans imaging to nanomembrane fabrication. He leads international collaborations under EU Horizon and FWF grants, including the Stimuli Responsive Materials project (2020-2025). Labs & Networks As a core member of BOKU's Center for NanoBiotechnology and the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Molecular Nanotechnology , he develops bioinspired nanomaterials and contributes to global programs in molecular self-assembly.
Nathalia Peixoto is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Affiliate Faculty in Bioengineering at George Mason University. Her work bridges neural engineering, biomedical applications, and assistive technology development with international collaborations across Israel, Ireland, Peru, and Korea. Educational background: PhD in Electrical Engineering, Universidade de Sao Paulo MS, University of Campinas Research Interests: Dr. Peixoto specializes in neural engineering with focus on brain-computer interfaces using wearable devices. Her lab develops: Neural prosthetics and implantable systems Bioimpedance-based medical sensors Low-cost electrophysiological recording platforms Community-centered engineering design solutions Publication Trends: Her 2022-2025 publications demonstrate strong interdisciplinary convergence between neuroscience, biomedical engineering, and AI. Key trends include machine learning for seizure detection in zebrafish models, electrochemical optimization of neural interfaces, and community-engaged design projects addressing societal challenges through transdisciplinary graduate training. Grants and Projects: Principal investigator for multiple NSF-funded initiatives: NRT-HDR: Transdisciplinary Graduate Training (2019-2024) Smart and Connected Communities: Networked Devices (2017-2019) Bioimpedance for retinal implants (2015-2017) C2MW: Classroom to Makers Week (2015-2016) Additional funding from VA STEM CoNNECT and Longwood University. Laboratory: The Neural Engineering Lab integrates chemistry, physics, and engineering disciplines through team-based projects involving high school to graduate students. Current work includes sustainable food-waste solutions, tremor-capturing robots for low-resource areas, and neural implants with international academic partnerships.
Nicolas Chiaruttini is a Lecturer and Scientist at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), affiliated with the School of Life Sciences. He serves in the BioImaging and Optics Core Facility (PTBIOP) and contributes to doctoral education through the EDMS - Teaching program. Institution: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) School: School of Life Sciences Department: BioImaging and Optics Core Facility Roles: Scientist, Lecturer Office: AI 0140, Building AI, Station 15, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland Contact: +41 21 693 96 29 | nicolas.chiaruttini@epfl.ch ORCID: 0000-0003-4722-6245 Unit Websites: BioImaging and Optics Core Facility , EDMS Program His research and professional interests center on bioimaging, optics, and image processing, particularly in the context of life sciences and micro/nano-sciences. These areas are reflected in his dual role supporting advanced imaging technologies and teaching in doctoral programs. He teaches the course Image Processing for Life Science , which integrates computational techniques with biological imaging applications. While no recent publications or awards are listed in the provided text, his work is aligned with interdisciplinary research at the intersection of engineering, physics, and biology. Nicolas Chiaruttini is actively contributing to both research infrastructure and academic education at EPFL, demonstrating a commitment to advancing scientific methodology and training the next generation of researchers in quantitative imaging and analysis.
Peter Burke is a Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (joint appointments in Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering ) at the Samueli School of Engineering, University of California, Irvine . His research bridges nanoelectronics with biotechnology , focusing on carbon nanotubes , graphene devices , and mitochondrial bioenergetics . He has received prestigious Young Investigator Awards from the Office of Naval Research and Army Research Office. Education: B.A. in Physics, University of Chicago (1992) Ph.D. in Physics, Yale University (1998) His work spans quantum electronics , high-speed semiconductor devices , and bio-nano interfaces . Recent publications highlight drone technology , mitochondrial electrical activity , and AI-driven nanoscale sensing . Research trends include terahertz spectroscopy , super-resolution imaging , and open-source medical devices like the NanoStat potentiostat . Scientific Awards Young Investigator Award, Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Program Award, Army Research Office As director of the BurkeLab , he develops nano-electronic interfaces for biological systems, including mitochondrial membrane potential assays and graphene-based biosensors . His lab's innovations in carbon nanotube arrays and scanning microwave microscopy have advanced bio-nano applications.
