Professor Sarah E. O'Connor is the Director of the Department of Natural Product Biosynthesis at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena, Germany. Her research focuses on understanding and engineering biosynthetic pathways for plant-derived natural products. 2024 Prelog Medal and Lectureship, ETH Zurich 2024 Member of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina 2024 Doctors honoris causa, Université de Tours 2023 Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize 2023 Fellow of the Royal Society 2022 Ernest Guenther Award in Natural Product Chemistry 2019 RSC Perkin Prize for Organic Chemistry O'Connor's work bridges plant biochemistry, enzymology, and synthetic biology to explore complex natural product synthesis. She is recognized for her contributions to biotechnology and chemical ecology through prestigious awards and memberships.
Lauren Andrews serves as Associate Professor and Marvin and Eva Schlanger Faculty Fellow in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her research integrates synthetic biology and genetic engineering to develop programmable cellular systems for biotechnological applications. Education: Postdoctoral Training: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Biological Engineering and Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard) PhD: University of Colorado Boulder, Chemical Engineering (2012) MS: University of Colorado Boulder, Chemical Engineering (2009) BS: Cornell University, Chemical Engineering (2006) Dr. Andrews' research focuses on establishing genetic design rules for reprogramming cellular regulation and metabolism. Her lab pioneers synthetic gene networks, genetically-encoded biosensors, and high-throughput methodologies for optimizing genetic designs in both model and non-model bacteria. This work enables precise control of cellular sensing, memory, and environmental responses through multiplexed DNA assembly and next-generation sequencing. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals dominant themes in bacterial biosensor development (particularly for bioremediation), quorum sensing engineering, and programmable genetic circuits for probiotic applications. Her research consistently bridges fundamental genetic circuit design with practical implementations in bacterial consortia and non-model organisms. Scientific Awards: Marvin and Eva Schlanger Faculty Fellowship NSF CAREER Award (2020) for "Programmable synthetic microbial consortia for complex multicellular functions" Her grant portfolio demonstrates significant funding for collaborative research in bacterial communication systems and model-guided design of synthetic ecosystems. The Andrews Lab maintains active partnerships with the MIT-Broad Foundry and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where she co-founded the Synthetic Biology Summer Course. Current projects focus on CRISPR-based regulation in non-model bacteria and algorithmic programming of sequential logic in probiotic strains. The Andrews Lab operates within the Life Science Laboratories at UMass Amherst, utilizing advanced facilities for genetic prototyping and high-throughput screening. Her team develops multiplexed tools for exploring genetic design spaces, with particular emphasis on soil bacteria and Gram-positive pathogens for environmental and therapeutic applications.
Amit R. Reddi is a Professor at the Department of Chemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology. His research focuses on metalloproteins, particularly the mechanisms of heme trafficking and redox signaling in relation to cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and infectious diseases. He has received numerous awards for both research and teaching excellence. Education : B.A. from Carleton College (2003) Ph.D. from Columbia University (2008) NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship at Johns Hopkins University (2013) Research Interests : The Reddi laboratory investigates cellular mechanisms of metalloprotein activation and inter-biomolecular communication in metabolic and signaling pathways critical to human health. Key projects explore heme trafficking pathways and the role of Cu/Zn Superoxide Dismutase (SOD1) in redox signaling, with implications for cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and microbial pathogenesis. Scientific Awards : Vasser Woolley Faculty Fellowship (2021) Student Recognition of Excellence in Teaching Class of 1934 Award (2021) CTL/BP Junior Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award (2019) Bergmann Memorial Award (2018) Blanchard Professorship (2016) NSF CAREER Award (2015) NIH NRSA Post-doctoral Fellowship (2008-2011) Grants & Fellowships : NSF CAREER Award (2015) Sigma Xi Grants-In-Aid-of-Research (2003) NIH Cancer Research Training Award Fellowship (1999-2001)
Lucas Paoli is a Researcher and Course Instructor at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland. He leads the Paoli Lab (Microbiome Immunity and Ecology) within the Global Health Institute (GHI) under the School of Life Sciences (SV). His roles include scientific collaboration and teaching responsibilities in life sciences engineering. Paoli holds a PhD in Microbiome Research from ETH Zürich (2018-2023), an M.Phil. in Environmental Policy from the University of Cambridge (2017-2018), and an M.Sc. in Ecology and Evolution from École normale supérieure (2015-2017). Research Focus: His work bridges microbial immunity and ecology, investigating how microbes defend against viral infections across ecosystems like oceans and human microbiomes. Techniques include global-scale metagenomics and functional genomics to study immune strategies and ecological interactions. Key themes involve microbial community dynamics, viral defense mechanisms, and the impact of environmental factors on microbial immunity. Lab & Education: The Paoli Lab explores microbiome-immunity interactions with a focus on ecological contexts. Paoli supervises PhD students in Life Sciences Engineering. His research outputs span microbial ecology, metagenomic tool development, and marine microbiome studies. Contact: lucas.paoli@epfl.ch, AAB 1 39, +41 21 693 16 99.
Amy E. Fraley is an Assistant Professor at ETH Zürich, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, and leads the Medicinal Chemistry Research Group. Her cross-disciplinary work bridges natural products biosynthesis, pharmaceutical sciences, and environmental sustainability through enzymatic chemistry and biotechnology. BSc in Chemistry, Millersville University of Pennsylvania (2014) PhD in Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan College of Pharmacy (2019) Postdoctoral work at ETH Zürich Institute of Microbiology under Prof. Jörn Piel Her research focuses on harnessing biosynthetic enzymes (e.g., halogenases, monooxygenases, Diels-Alderases) to create sustainable bioactive metabolites. She explores natural product biosynthesis in fungi and marine bacteria, targeting disease mechanisms and green chemistry applications. Recent work includes metagenomic studies of Lake Chilika microbial mats and polyketide synthase engineering. Notable scientific awards include the 2024 JSP Fellow at Bürgenstock Conference, 2018 Rackham Predoctoral Fellowship, and multiple University of Michigan honors. Her group secured funding from the ETH4D Doctoral Mentorship Grant and Messerli Foundation . Collaborations span structural biology, synthetic chemistry, and microbiology, with key contributions to flavoenzyme characterization and bioactive compound libraries . The lab emphasizes interdisciplinary training and innovation in biocatalytic tools for organic synthesis.
C. Perry Chou is a full professor in the Chemical Engineering Department at the University of Waterloo, with a cross-appointment in Biology. He holds a BSc and MSc from National Taiwan University and a PhD from Rice University, all in Chemical Engineering. His research focuses on integrating biochemical, genetic, and metabolic engineering strategies to enhance biomanufacturing using microbial cell factories. Key areas include recombinant protein production, microbial biotechnology, and biofuel development. Education: PhD in Chemical Engineering, Rice University (1995) MSc in Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University (1987) BSc in Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University (1984) Research Interests: Dr. Chou’s work spans biochemical engineering, bioprocessing, and metabolic engineering. He develops strategies for microbial strain construction, fermentation optimization, and bioproduct purification. His research bridges fundamental biological sciences with applied engineering to advance biomanufacturing. Publications: His 90+ peer-reviewed articles highlight contributions to strain engineering, CRISPR-Cas9 tools, and microbial production of chemicals like 5-aminolevulinic acid and propionate. Recent trends emphasize nanomaterial applications (e.g., graphene oxide) and sustainable biofuel pathways. Awards: Canada Research Chair (Canada) 1000-talent Award (China) Advising & Grants: Dr. Chou actively mentors graduate students and contributes to editorial roles at journals like Biotechnology Advances and Scientific Reports . He teaches courses such as CHE 161 (Engineering Biology) and CHE 562 (Advanced Bioprocess Engineering). Labs/Teams: Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to advance bioprocess development, though specific lab names are not explicitly mentioned in the text.
Aditi Das is a Full Professor in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the Georgia Institute of Technology, College of Sciences. She leads the Das Laboratory, which focuses on the biochemistry and chemical biology of lipids, particularly studying cytochrome P450 enzymes and their role in lipid metabolism, endocannabinoid systems, and inflammatory pathways. Her educational background includes: B.Sc. in Chemistry from St. Stephen's College M.Sc. in Chemistry from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (I.I.T) Ph.D. in Chemistry from Princeton University Postdoctoral research at Northwestern University (NSF-NSEC fellow) and Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois UC Professor Das's research interests center around understanding the physiological role of lipids in sustaining homeostasis and their implications in disease states such as neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Her laboratory specializes in: Enzymology of cytochrome P450s, particularly CYP2J2 epoxygenase Metabolism of ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids and their derivatives Minor cannabinoid metabolism by cytochrome P450 enzymes Discovery of novel anti-inflammatory lipid metabolites and endocannabinoids Mechanistic studies of membrane proteins using nanodisc technology Her work bridges biochemistry, chemical biology, and pharmacology to uncover novel therapeutic targets related to lipid signaling pathways. Analysis of Professor Das's recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on cannabinoid metabolism by cytochrome P450 enzymes, with particular emphasis on how these metabolic processes generate bioactive compounds that interact with the endocannabinoid system. Her research increasingly explores the therapeutic potential of omega-3 derived endocannabinoid epoxides in inflammatory and neurodegenerative conditions. The use of nanodisc technology for studying membrane proteins in near-native environments remains a consistent methodological thread throughout her work, enabling detailed mechanistic insights into enzyme function. Professor Das has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing her research excellence and teaching: 2024 NIH Outstanding Researcher Award (MIRA R35) for established investigators 2024 Vasser Woolley Faculty Fellowship 2023 Plenary Lecture at the International Society of the Study of Xenobiotics (ISSX) 2021 E.L.R. Stokstad Award 2019-2021 List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent 2019 Eicosanoid Research Foundation Young Investigator Award 2019 Zoetis Research Excellence Award 2019 Mary Swartz Rose Young Investigator Award 2015 National Scientist Development Award from the American Heart Association 2022 El Sohly Award from the American Chemical Society Professor Das actively mentors a diverse group of students and postdoctoral researchers, with several former lab members now holding faculty positions or working at prestigious institutions. Her laboratory has secured significant funding from NIH, NSF, and other sources to support research on lipid metabolism, cannabinoid pharmacology, and membrane protein biochemistry. Notable grants include an NIH R35 Outstanding Investigator Award (MIRA), an NIH R21 grant from NIDA, and multiple collaborative grants with other research groups. The Das Laboratory operates within the Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Biosciences (IBB) at Georgia Tech, utilizing state-of-the-art facilities for biochemical and biophysical studies. The lab specializes in nanodisc technology to study membrane proteins in near-native environments, with particular expertise in cytochrome P450 enzymes and their interactions with lipid substrates. Recent work has expanded into collaborative projects involving lipidomics, structural biology, and translational applications of lipid signaling research.
Megan L. Matthews is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Arts & Sciences, where she leads an active research group focused on chemical biology and enzymology. Her lab develops innovative chemical proteomics technologies to uncover novel enzyme cofactors and regulatory post-translational modifications, particularly those involving reactive electrophiles, which cannot be predicted from genomic sequences. B.S. in Chemistry, Miami University (2005) Ph.D. in Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University (2011) Postdoctoral Fellow, The Scripps Research Institute (2012–2017) Her research centers on the concept of the 'electrophilome'—a largely unexplored half of the reactive proteome. By designing 'reverse-polarity' chemical probes, her group enables the discovery of functionally significant electrophilic modifications in proteins, especially those involved in cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. These discoveries open new avenues for therapeutic intervention through covalent targeting. The recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on enzyme mechanisms, cofactor discovery, and chemical probe development. Her work spans from fundamental enzymology (e.g., halogenases, ribonucleotide reductases) to applied chemical biology (e.g., hydrazine probes, chemoproteomic profiling). The keywords across her publications highlight emerging themes in metalloenzymes, radical chemistry, and covalent proteome mapping. Her scientific contributions have been recognized through prestigious fellowships, including the Merck Helen Hay Whitney Postdoctoral Fellowship. She has published in top-tier journals such as Nature , Nature Chemical Biology , and Journal of the American Chemical Society . Dr. Matthews advises graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in her lab, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment. Her lab emphasizes the importance of diverse perspectives in scientific discovery. She has secured research funding to support projects in probe development, target characterization, and disease mechanism studies, particularly in neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. The Matthews Lab is actively engaged in advancing reverse-polarity activity-based protein profiling (RP-ABPP) for in vivo applications and inhibitor screening. The group collaborates with experts in structural biology, spectroscopy, and disease modeling to translate basic discoveries into therapeutic insights.
Simone D. Castellarin is a Professor in the Department of Applied Biology at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Land and Food Systems, and holds the Canada Research Chair Tier 2 in Viticulture. His research focuses on the molecular and physiological mechanisms governing berry ripening and composition in grapes, blueberries, and raspberries, with emphasis on genomic regulation under environmental stressors like heatwaves and drought. PhD in Plant Biology from the University of Udine (2007) Postdoctoral training at Hochschule Geisenheim University and University of California Davis Research areas include terpene biosynthesis, jasmonate signaling, cuticular wax dynamics, and agronomic strategies for climate change mitigation. Key projects involve remote sensing for vineyard zoning , hormone application effects , and genetic studies of berry quality traits . His work spans collaborations with industry bodies like the BC Wine and Grape Council and academic partners including the Cantu Lab at UC Davis. Recent publications highlight genomic analyses of terpene synthases, water deficit impacts on metabolites, and postharvest quality assessments. Awards include the 2009 Rudolf Hermanns Prize for viticultural research. He supervises numerous PhD and Master's students, and leads the Castellarin Lab at UBC's Wine Research Centre.
Dr. Megan Bergkessel is a Research Professor in Molecular Microbiology at the University of Dundee's School of Life Sciences. Her research focuses on understanding how bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa regulate activities during growth arrest, particularly in resource-limited environments. This work addresses antibiotic tolerance mechanisms critical to chronic infections. Principal Investigator leading studies on non-growing bacterial physiology Recipient of a £900k UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship (2020) Expertise in antimicrobial resistance and microbial stress responses Current research explores regulatory pathways enabling protein synthesis in non-growing states, with implications for developing novel infection treatments. Supervises PhD projects investigating two-component signaling systems and environmental sensing in P. aeruginosa. Recognized for teaching excellence in Biological and Biomedical Sciences programs. PhD opportunities: Adaptive antimicrobial resistance mechanisms and environmental sensing roles Media commentary available via Corporate Communications
Professor Mohammad Movassaghi is a faculty member in the Department of Chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He holds the rank of Professor and leads a research group focused on synthetic organic chemistry, particularly the synthesis of complex natural products and the development of new reaction methodologies. His research emphasizes structurally intricate and biologically active molecules, such as alkaloids and polyketides. Key areas include: Synthesis of alkaloids like agelastatins, communesins, and voacangines Mechanistic studies of catalytic processes and asymmetric reactions Biosynthesis-inspired strategies for complex molecules Recent publications highlight advancements in stereocontrolled total syntheses, enzymatic dimerization studies, and applications in cancer research. Notable examples include the synthesis of (+)-Hazuntiphylline (2025), (-)-Voacinol (2022), and Himastatin (2022). His work bridges organic synthesis with biological insights, such as elucidating the role of disulfide reduction potentials in epidithiodiketopiperazines (2020). Professor Movassaghi’s lab collaborates across disciplines, integrating computational modeling (e.g., molecular dynamics simulations of diketopiperazine dimerases) and experimental organic chemistry. His group’s efforts have led to innovations in palladium-catalyzed reactions, diazene fragmentation strategies, and biomimetic dimerization approaches. Lab Website: [Link]
Pamela Ronald is a Distinguished Professor of Plant Pathology at the University of California, Davis, affiliated with the Department of Plant Pathology within the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Her research focuses on understanding and enhancing crop resilience, particularly in rice, through genetic and molecular mechanisms. Key areas include plant immunity against pathogens, climate adaptation, and sustainable agricultural practices. Education and Background: Details on her academic qualifications are not explicitly mentioned in the provided text, but her career trajectory suggests advanced training in plant genetics and pathology. Research Interests: Ronald’s work centers on engineering disease-resistant crops, studying plant-microbe interactions, and developing climate-resilient varieties. Notably, she has contributed to identifying genes like XA21 that confer resistance to bacterial infections and pioneered methods to reduce methane emissions in rice. Her studies also explore the role of sulfated peptides in pathogen virulence and host defense mechanisms. Publications Trends: Her recent articles emphasize molecular mechanisms of plant immunity, genetic engineering applications, and sustainability challenges. Themes include directed evolution of immune receptors, machine learning in genotype-phenotype prediction, and mitigation of agricultural greenhouse gases. Awards and Recognition: While specific awards are not listed here, her leadership in plant genetics and advocacy for evidence-based biotechnology policies reflect significant recognition in her field. Grants and Advising: Ronald has led projects funded by agencies like the U.S. Department of Energy, focusing on bioenergy crops like switchgrass. She collaborates globally on initiatives such as the Rice Protein Tagging Project and the AI Institute for Next Generation Food Systems. Labs and Teams: She directs the Crop Genetics Innovation Lab at UC Davis, fostering interdisciplinary research in crop improvement and sustainable agriculture.
Dr. Xi Chen is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of California, Davis, where he has been a faculty member since 2003. His research spans carbohydrate chemistry, glycobiology, and cancer biology, with notable contributions to chemoenzymatic methods for glycoconjugate synthesis. Dr. Chen's work focuses on developing hybrid chemical-enzymatic approaches to synthesize complex carbohydrates and glycoconjugates, characterizing glycosyltransferase mechanisms, and designing enzyme mutants for improved catalysis. He also investigates carbohydrate-based diagnostics and therapeutics, particularly in cancer and inflammatory diseases. His recent publications highlight interdisciplinary studies linking carbohydrate metabolism to p53 tumor suppression pathways and RNA-binding protein regulation in cancer. Awards include AAAS Fellow (2015), ACS Isbell Award (2012), and NSF CAREER Award (2006). He earned his Ph.D. at Wayne State University (2000) and B.S. at Xiamen University (1994). Scientific Awards American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow (2015) Dean's Team Award for Excellence (2013) Carbohydrate Research Award for Creativity (2013) ACS CARB Horace S. Isbell Award (2012)
Dr. Audrey Lamb is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), within the College of Sciences. She joined UTSA in 2020 after rising to full professor at the University of Kansas, where she served as interim dean of graduate studies in 2019. Her leadership extends to professional organizations, including serving as an elected council member for the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Dr. Lamb received her B.S. in Chemistry from Furman University in 1993 and her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 1998. She completed postdoctoral studies in biochemistry at Northwestern University before beginning her academic career at the University of Kansas in 2003. Dr. Lamb's research focuses on understanding bacterial pathogenesis through mechanistic enzymology and structural biology. Her lab investigates how human pathogens biosynthesize metallophores for metal ion scavenging and riboflavin (Vitamin B2) biosynthesis pathways. These studies aim to identify targets for novel antibiotic development against multidrug-resistant pathogens. Her work spans bacterial enzymology, structural biology, and metabolic pathway analysis, with applications in antimicrobial drug design. Analysis of Dr. Lamb's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on enzyme mechanisms in bacterial metabolism, particularly in metallophore and riboflavin biosynthesis pathways. Her work combines structural biology with kinetic analysis to elucidate catalytic mechanisms. Many publications investigate enzymes from pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Trypanosoma cruzi, highlighting the translational potential of her basic science research for antimicrobial development. Dr. Lamb has received notable recognition including: Election as a 2022 Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Award-winning teaching and mentoring at undergraduate and graduate levels Dr. Lamb has mentored numerous students and postdoctoral fellows, with many alumni now in academic, industrial, and research positions. Her lab has received funding from prestigious sources including the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, American Lung Association, and W.M. Keck Foundation. She actively collaborates with researchers at Loyola University Chicago, Texas A&M University, University of Kansas Medical Center, and UTSA's Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology. The Lamb Lab maintains a comprehensive suite of equipment for protein biochemistry and structural studies, including multiple AKTA FPLCs, a stopped-flow spectrophotometer, crystallization robot, various spectrophotometers, and HPLCs. This infrastructure supports their research on enzyme mechanisms and structural biology of bacterial metabolic pathways.
Dr. Matthew Kimber is a Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Guelph. His research focuses on structural biology of bacterial systems, particularly bacterial polysaccharides and microcompartments. He employs x-ray crystallography to study molecular architectures, with current projects exploring mechanisms of bacterial surface polysaccharide assembly and bacterial microcompartment function. Education: B.Sc. (Hons) Molecular Genetics and Molecular Cell Biology from the University of Toronto (1993), Ph.D. in Molecular and Medical Genetics from the University of Toronto (2000). Research Interests: Structural basis of polysaccharide assembly and modification, bacterial microcompartment structure-function relationships, and enzyme mechanisms. Key projects include studies on glycosyltransferases, carboxysomes, and aminoacetone degradation pathways. Lab Members: Current graduate students include Laura Seidel, Liam Noseworthy, Manitabhai Govind, and Shaoqian Zong. Former members include Patrick Ryan, Evan Mallette, and Tom Keeling. Lab Focus: Probing structural details of biological molecules to understand function, with emphasis on bacteria’s strategies for polysaccharide modification and microcompartment assembly. Recent work includes characterization of enzymes involved in O-antigen biosynthesis and microcompartment shell proteins.
