Prof. Marcy Zenobi-Wong is a Full Professor at ETH Zurich's Department of Health Sciences and Technology, specializing in biofabrication and tissue engineering. Her research focuses on cartilage regeneration using advanced biomaterials, including nanofilm coatings and 3D printing techniques. She holds patents in tissue engineering and has pioneered methods like filamented light (FLight) biofabrication for creating anisotropic tissues. Her academic journey includes a B.Sc. from MIT (1985), M.Sc. and Ph.D. from Stanford (1987, 1990), followed by postdoctoral work at the University of Michigan. She leads the Biofabrication Group at ETH, developing therapies for joint repair and regenerative medicine. Courses taught include Biomedical Engineering and Materials and Mechanics in Medicine . Research highlights include engineered hydrogels for cartilage protection, CRISPR-driven gene editing in chondrocytes, and biohybrid neural interfaces. Her work bridges material science, cell biology, and clinical applications, with a focus on translational medicine. Collaborative projects involve creating elastic cartilage grafts for microtia reconstruction and volumetric printing of complex tissue constructs.
Michel M. Maharbiz is a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of California, Berkeley. He leads research on miniaturized bioelectronic interfaces, including neural dust implants and cyborg insects. He holds affiliations with the Berkeley Sensor & Actuator Center (BSAC), Center for Neural Engineering & Prostheses (CNEP), and SWARM Lab. His education includes a Ph.D. in EECS from UC Berkeley (2003) and a B.S. in EE from Cornell University (1997). Maharbiz's research integrates MEMS, ultrasonic systems, and synthetic biology to develop wireless neural interfaces, implantable sensors, and biohybrid devices. Key focus areas are neural dust technology for peripheral nerve recording, magnetoelastic strain sensors for medical applications, and electrochemical biosensing using bacterial flagellar motors. His publications emphasize neural interfaces, ultrasonic implants, and biomedical monitoring. Recent articles explore ultrasonic power delivery (2025), radiation detectors for oncology (2025), and fracture-healing smart plates (2019). Trends include miniaturization of wireless implants, closed-loop therapeutic systems, and novel biomaterials. Scientific Awards: McKnight Technological Innovations in Neuroscience Award (2017) Chan-Zuckerberg Biohub Investigator (2017) NSF CAREER Award (2009) MIT TR10 Top Emerging Technology (2009) Bakar Fellows Spark Award (2012) He directs the Maharbiz Lab, advancing neural dust and bioelectronic interfaces. Projects include impedance-based fracture monitoring, carbon fiber neural arrays, and hernia repair sensors. Funding includes NSF and industry partnerships for implantable device development.
Andre Levchenko is the John C. Malone Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Yale University, with secondary appointments in the Department of Neurosurgery and affiliations with the Cancer Signaling Networks, Immunology, and the Yale Program in Neurodevelopment and Regeneration. His research focuses on systems biology, signal transduction, and cell-cell communication, utilizing microfluidics and computational modeling to study cancer progression, stem cell behavior, and neurological disorders. PhD, Columbia University MEng, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology Levchenko's work explores how cells process dynamic signals to make critical decisions, particularly in glioblastoma migration, organoid development, and cardiovascular tissue engineering. His lab develops innovative microfluidic platforms and mathematical models to dissect multicellular communication and signaling networks. Recent publications highlight his contributions to understanding YAP-driven cancer invasion , NOTCH signaling in angiogenesis , and metabolic regulation of hypoxia responses . He has pioneered methods for organoid modeling and single-cell analysis , advancing precision in biological signaling studies. Scientific Awards : Computational Molecular Biology Post-Doctoral Fellowship (Burroughs Wellcome Fund) National Academies Keck Futures Conference Invitee Distinguished Guest Lecturer, University of Virginia American Asthma Foundation Early Excellence Award Fellow, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering Levchenko leads the Levchenko Lab at the Yale Systems Biology Institute, collaborating with institutions like Mayo Clinic and Yale Cancer Center. His research has received recognition in Faculty of 1000 and multiple journal highlights.
Matthew L Becker is the Hugo L Blomquist Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at Duke University, with additional appointments in Mechanical Engineering and Material Science, and Biomedical Engineering. His research focuses on polymer chemistry, bioconjugate chemistry, molecular imaging, additive manufacturing, and degradable materials for bone, soft tissue, neural, and vascular tissue engineering. Education: B.S. from Northwest Missouri State University (1998), M.A. (2000) and Ph.D. (2003) from Washington University in St. Louis Research interests include developing tunable degradable polymers for flexible electronics, tissue engineering (bone, neural, vascular), and additive manufacturing. His group is pioneering 3D printing of bioresorbable medical devices and custom inks for biomaterials. Recent work explores stereochemistry-dependent polymer properties, mechanochromism, and machine learning-driven biomaterials design. Key applications: Drug delivery systems Biodegradable adhesives Tissue regeneration scaffolds Scientific honors include: Fellow, National Academy of Inventors (2022) Fellow, American Chemical Society (2020) Carl S. Marvel Award in Creative Polymer Chemistry (2019) Fellow, American Institute for Medical and Biomedical Engineering (2018) Fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry (2017) Biomacromolecules/Macromolecules Young Investigator Award (2015) He teaches advanced courses in mechanical engineering and polymer chemistry, with a focus on 3D printing and biomaterials. His group has developed novel medical devices including resorbable suture anchors, hernia mesh coatings, and neuroprosthetic scaffolds.
Prof. Waldemar Kolanus leads the Molecular Immunology and Cell Biology department at the University of Bonn's Life & Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES) . His research bridges immunoregulation , stem cell dynamics , and metabolic stress responses in immune cells. Unit 2 member at LIMES Principal investigator in SFB 704 and ImmunoSensation Cluster Leads a multidisciplinary lab with postdocs, PhD students, and technical staff His work focuses on intracellular signaling pathways connecting immune activation to tissue homeostasis, particularly through: Cytohesin proteins in integrin-mediated adhesion and migration TRIM71 in stem cell regulation and congenital hydrocephalus High-salt environments affecting macrophage function Publication trends show expertise in immune cell migration , genetic models , and chemical inhibition , with frequent use of mice and zebrafish for in vivo studies. Key articles explore: TRIM71's dual role in auditory development and germ cell maintenance Cytohesin family's Golgi regulation and insulin signaling Ruxolitinib's off-target migration inhibition of dendritic cells Contact details: Address: LIMES Institute, Carl-Troll-Straße 31, Bonn Email: kolanus.sekretariat@uni-bonn.de Phone: +49 228 73-62788
Massimo Mischi is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) and chairs the Signal Processing Systems (SPS) Division , the largest division at TU/e with over 250 researchers. He founded the Biomedical Diagnostics (BM/d) Lab in 2012, which now includes 180 researchers and clinical/industrial advisors, focusing on biomedical signal processing for diagnostics and monitoring.
Brian Greenfield, MD, FRCPC, ABPN is an Associate Investigator at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) and affiliated with the Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience (BRaIN) Program. He is a professor at McGill University and focuses on childhood suicide research through genetic predisposition, disease pathways, treatments, and predictive testing. His work intersects with mental health, borderline personality disorder (BPD), and externalizing disorders in youth. Email: brian.greenfield@muhc.mcgill.ca Dr. Greenfield's research explores the genetic and clinical dimensions of suicide risk in children and adolescents. He investigates biomarkers, predictive algorithms, and treatment models to address mental health crises, particularly in borderline personality disorder and suicidal behaviors. His publications highlight innovative approaches to suicide prevention in youth, including outpatient rapid-response systems, diagnostic tools for BPD, and population-level surveillance algorithms. Research keywords include psychiatry, genetics, health economics, and clinical psychology. As part of the BRaIN Program at RI-MUHC, Dr. Greenfield contributes to translational neuroscience and integrative mental health studies, bridging clinical practice with research to improve outcomes for vulnerable young populations.
Jessica Williams, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurosciences at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute (LRI) with additional faculty appointments at Case Western Reserve University, Kent State University, and Cleveland State University. She serves as the Cleveland Clinic liaison for Kent State University and represents the Clinic on the Executive Council for the Brain Health Institute and the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program Executive Committee. Education: Postdoctoral Fellowship in Neuroimmunology, Washington University School of Medicine (2017) Ph.D. in Immunology, The Ohio State University (2011) M.S. in Physiology, Purdue University (2006) B.S. in Biology/Chemistry, Lindenwood University (2004) Dr. Williams' research focuses on neuroimmune interactions during multiple sclerosis, particularly examining regional responses of CNS glia to immune stimuli and astrocyte-immune crosstalk. Her lab employs murine MS models, primary human and murine cell analyses, and MS patient lesion assessment to investigate cytokine-mediated neuroprotection and CNS repair mechanisms. Recent work highlights protective astrocyte functions mediated by traditionally deleterious cytokines. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals consistent focus on neuroimmune crosstalk in MS, with increasing emphasis on astrocyte heterogeneity, cytokine signaling (particularly IFNγ), and novel therapeutic targets like immunoproteasomes. Key themes include regional CNS differences in immune responses, glial cell repair mechanisms, and translating basic findings into potential MS therapies. Scientific Awards: Lerner Research Institute Excellence in Education Award (2022) Mentor of the Year Award (2023) Dr. Williams actively mentors the next generation of scientists as evidenced by her CIMER Trained Mentor certification and the graduation of PhD student Brandon Smith. Her research is supported by significant funding from the NIH, National MS Society, W.M. Keck Foundation, Brain Health Research Institute, and Neurological and Vision Impact Area. She regularly serves on study sections for the NIH, National MS Society, and Department of Defense. The Williams Laboratory investigates the interplay between immune and central nervous systems during MS, with current projects examining cytokine-mediated neuroimmune crosstalk for CNS repair and regionally distinct glial responses to inflammation. The lab employs advanced techniques including murine MS models and primary human cell analyses to identify novel therapeutic pathways for MS patients.
Konstantinos Anastassiadis is a Professor at the Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB) of Dresden University of Technology , leading the Stem Cell Engineering group at the Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC) . His research focuses on unraveling molecular pathways regulating stem cell self-renewal and lineage commitment, with a strong emphasis on genetic engineering tool development and epigenetic mechanisms during cellular reprogramming. The lab utilizes mouse and human embryonic stem cells, neural stem cells, mesenchymal stromal cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in their investigations. Core Research Areas: Molecular regulation of stem cell fate Epigenetic mechanisms (e.g., UTX/UTY histone demethylases) Genetic engineering tool development (Flp, Dre, Vika recombinases, CRISPR protocols) Conditional immortalization systems for rare cell expansion Publications highlight his contributions to understanding: Role of histone methyltransferases (MLL1, MLL2, Setd1b) in hematopoiesis and cancer Epigenetic regulation during mouse development and spermatogenesis Genetic tools for protein tagging, transposon-mediated BAC transgenesis Interactions between stem cells and niche microenvironments Transcriptional and mechanical markers during reprogramming Collaborations span immunology , developmental biology , and bioinformatics . The lab actively participates in teaching activities at CMCB and maintains a focus on translational applications of stem cell research.
Milos Popovic is a Professor and Director at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, and serves as Senior Scientist and Director of Research at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute (KITE), University Health Network. He holds the Toronto Rehab Chair in Spinal Cord Injury Research and Neural Engineering and co-leads the Centre for Research in Advanced Neural Implant Applications (CRANIA). His leadership spans academic, clinical, and translational research domains in neuroengineering and rehabilitation. His research focuses on neurorehabilitation, neuroprosthetics, functional electrical stimulation (FES), brain-machine interfaces, and assistive technologies . He develops physiological control systems and therapeutic robotics to restore motor function after spinal cord injury and stroke. His work integrates biomechanics, signal processing, and human-machine interfaces to innovate rehabilitative solutions. Dr. Popovic's recent publications emphasize electrical neuromodulation, FES therapy for motor recovery, deep brain stimulation for cognitive deficits, and wearable/implantable technologies . The articles reflect a strong trend toward closed-loop systems, translational research, and interdisciplinary innovation in neuroengineering and rehabilitation. Swiss National Science Foundation Technology Transfer Award - 1st place (1997) Engineering Medal for Research and Development, Professional Engineers of Ontario (2008) Elected to the College of Fellows, American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering (2011) 1st Prize and Best Intellectual Property Award, TiEQuest Business Venture Competition (2012) Morris (Mickey) Milner Award for Assistive Technologies (2013) University of Toronto Inventor of the Year Award (2013) University Health Network’s Inventor of the Year Award (2015) Dr. Popovic has secured significant research funding and leads the Neural Engineering and Therapeutics team at KITE. He co-founded MyndTec Inc. and the Canadian National Spinal Cord Injury Conference, demonstrating strong mentorship, innovation, and national impact. He advises graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in biomedical engineering and rehabilitation sciences. He leads the Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory and the Neural Engineering and Therapeutics Team at KITE, fostering collaboration across engineering, neuroscience, and clinical rehabilitation. His lab develops advanced neurotechnologies with a focus on clinical translation and commercialization.
Prof. Dr. Simon Schäfer leads the Schäfer Lab at the Technische Universität München , focusing on engineering advanced organoid systems to study human brain development, disease modeling, and repair mechanisms. His work bridges stem cell biology, gene editing, and bioengineering to develop personalized therapies for brain disorders. Stem Cell & Organoid Technology Neurodevelopmental Mechanisms Neurodegenerative Disease Models Gene Editing & Neuroimmune Interactions Translational Neuroscience Recent research emphasizes brain organoid development, microglia phenotypes, and neurodevelopmental timing anomalies in autism. His team’s work also explores zika virus interactions with glioblastoma stem cells and neuronal plasticity in psychiatric disorders. Scientific awards and funding include support from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (BBRF), and Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy). Collaborations span institutions like the TUM Center for Organoid Systems. Advises 6 students (2 PhD, 1 MSc, 3 associated) Labs include Schäfer Lab, COS@TranslaTUM Contact: simon.schafer@tum.de
Westley Weimer is a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) at the University of Michigan, College of Engineering. He teaches advanced courses such as EECS 590 (Advanced Programming Languages) and EECS 481 (Software Engineering), and has previously taught at the University of Virginia. His research integrates software engineering, programming languages, and cognitive science, focusing on automated program repair, program analysis, and the neuroscience of code comprehension. University: University of Michigan School: College of Engineering Department: Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Academic Rank: Professor His research interests include automated program repair (e.g., GenProg), software quality, cognitive modeling of programming, neuroimaging studies of code review, and the application of medical imaging to software engineering. He explores deep questions at the intersection of consciousness, time, and computation, advocating for interdisciplinary approaches to understanding the mind through programming behavior. The most recent publications reflect a trend toward empirical and cognitive studies in software engineering, combining automated repair with human factors, neuroimaging (fMRI, TMS), and real-world software challenges. Themes include bias in code review, programming under cognitive influences, and the neurological basis of code comprehension. His work increasingly bridges computer science with psychology, neuroscience, and social science. Scientific awards include multiple Distinguished Paper Awards at ICSE, FSE, and ESEC/FSE, Best Paper and Runner-up awards, and several 10-Year Most Influential Paper Awards from ASE, GECCO, POPL, and ASPLOS, recognizing the lasting impact of his contributions to automated software repair and program analysis. He has advised numerous PhD and Master’s students, many of whom have gone on to faculty positions or industry research roles. He contributes to academic service through organizing diversity and inclusion initiatives, maintaining graduate career resources, and promoting ethical and inclusive practices in computing. He leads a vibrant research group focused on improving software quality through both technical and human-centered innovations, with ongoing projects in automated repair, cognitive modeling, and secure systems.
Dana Pe'er is a Professor and Chair of the Computational and Systems Biology Program at the Sloan Kettering Institute (SKI) of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She is also an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and holds the Alan and Sandra Gerry Endowed Chair. Dr. Pe'er leads an interdisciplinary research group that combines advanced genomics approaches with machine learning to address fundamental questions in biomedical science, with particular focus on cancer biology, developmental biology, and immunology. Dr. Pe'er earned her PhD from Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel. Her academic journey includes a postdoctoral fellowship with George Church at Harvard Medical School. Before joining Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in 2016, she held faculty positions at Columbia University. Dr. Pe'er's research focuses on understanding cellular plasticity, the consequences of intra-tumor heterogeneity, cancer evolution and metastasis, and the mechanisms by which regulatory circuits go awry in disease. Her lab combines single-cell and spatial profiling technologies with machine learning approaches to investigate gene regulation, cellular plasticity, and cell-cell communication in the contexts of cancer, immunity, and development. They are particularly interested in how organisms develop from a single cell to generate diverse cell types, how epigenetic control rewires during development, and how cells communicate to execute multicellular responses. Analysis of Dr. Pe'er's recent publications reveals a strong focus on developing computational methods for single-cell and spatial genomics data analysis. Her work spans cancer types including pancreatic, prostate, colorectal, and breast cancer, with emphasis on tumor heterogeneity, metastasis mechanisms, and cellular plasticity. A significant portion of her research involves creating novel algorithms and tools like CellRank, REUNION, and SEACells that enable researchers to extract meaningful biological insights from complex genomic datasets. 2023 Class of 2023 Inductee - American Academy of Cancer Research (AACR) Academy 2023 Innovator Award - International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB) 2021 Fellow - International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB) Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator (2021) 2019 Ernst W. Bertner Memorial Award - University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center 2016 Lenfest Distinguished Faculty Award - Columbia University 2014 Director's Pioneer Award - National Institutes of Health 2014 Overton Prize - International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB) Dr. Pe'er is known for her dedicated mentorship approach, describing herself as "a mama bear" who cares deeply about her trainees while expecting independence, innovation, and hard work. She mentors numerous PhD students and postdocs in her lab. Her HHMI Investigator award provides approximately $9 million over seven years, enabling ambitious research directions. She also collaborates extensively with the Single-cell Analytics and Innovation Lab (SAIL) at MSK to generate new data from emerging technologies, working closely with wet-lab collaborators at MSK and beyond to apply computational methods to cutting-edge datasets across multiple disease areas. The Pe'er Lab is an interdisciplinary group of computational biologists with diverse backgrounds ranging from pure mathematics to clinical medicine. They work closely with wet-lab collaborators to apply their computational methods to cutting-edge datasets across cancer, immunology, and developmental biology. The lab is described as open, supportive, collaborative, and fun, with access to world-class facilities at the Sloan Kettering Institute. Dr. Pe'er's work continues to push the boundaries of computational biology and cancer research, with the ultimate goal of developing more effective, personalized therapies for cancer patients.
Vibhu Sahni, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Neuroscience and Lab Director of the Laboratory for Cell Fate Specification and Circuit Development at the Burke Neurological Institute, an affiliate of Weill Cornell Medicine. His research focuses on understanding molecular mechanisms underlying corticospinal circuit development and regeneration, particularly after injuries like spinal cord injury or stroke. His work integrates developmental neuroscience principles to identify strategies for repairing neural circuits involved in motor control. Research interests include axon guidance, segment-specific neural circuit formation, and the molecular basis of neural regeneration decline during development. Key projects investigate how genes like Cbln1 direct axon targeting to thoraco-lumbar regions and why long-distance regenerative ability varies across spinal segments. Recent publications highlight discoveries in segmental axon targeting specificity and the dynamic loss of regenerative capacity in corticospinal neurons. His lab employs advanced techniques such as single-cell RNA sequencing, in vivo electroporation, and microsurgical lesion models to study these processes. Current grants include funding from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation and Wings for Life Spinal Cord Research Foundation to advance molecular strategies for corticospinal circuit repair.
Suradip Das is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, where he serves as a Senior Research Investigator. His work bridges neural engineering and regenerative medicine to address critical challenges in nerve and muscle repair. His academic training includes: B.Tech in Biotechnology from Heritage Institute of Technology (2010) PhD in Biosciences and Bioengineering from Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (2016) Dr. Das specializes in biomaterials development , peripheral nerve injury models , neuromuscular interface engineering , and stem cell-based regeneration . His research pioneers innervated tissue-engineered muscle constructs, demonstrating how motor neurons and endothelial cells synergistically enhance skeletal myocyte maturation. He innovates custom mechanobioreactors that apply tensile forces to guide nanofiber alignment for optimal myofiber formation, significantly advancing volumetric muscle loss treatments. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a dominant focus on neuromuscular regeneration (75% of articles), with emerging exploration of psychedelic compounds in neural repair. His work consistently integrates human iPSC-derived models , multi-cellular co-cultures , and large-animal validation to address translational gaps. Key trends include optogenetic control of motor units (2023), porcine nerve injury models (2020), and the critical role of pre-innervation in creating pro-regenerative microenvironments (2020-2022). As a core member of the Cullen Lab, Dr. Das collaborates on developing biofabricated neural microtissues for delayed nerve fusion and rapid functional recovery. His research directly informs clinical strategies for peripheral nerve repair and muscle regeneration through rigorous mechanistic studies and innovative engineering solutions.
