Laura Klesse, M.D., Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at UT Southwestern Medical Center, specializing in pediatric hematology-oncology and neurofibromatosis. She serves as Co-director of the Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) program and Director of the comprehensive neurofibromatosis program at Children’s Health. Her research focuses on neurofibromatosis, cancer biology, and psychosocial consequences in patients with genetic diseases. She also participates in drug development trials and studies on bullying in neurofibromatosis patients. Key publication themes: Neurofibromatosis (1999-2022), MAPK pathway inhibitors (2017), and developmental neuroscience (2000-2005) Notable collaborations: Luis Parada (UT Southwestern), David Bowers (medulloblastoma research) Scientific Awards: D Magazine Best Doctors (2018, 2022) D Magazine Best Pediatric Specialists (2015-2017, 2020-2021) Dedman Family Scholar in Clinical Care
Lan Peng, MD is a Professor of Pathology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. She specializes in anatomic pathology with clinical focus on liver, pancreas, and gastrointestinal disorders. Her research explores molecular mechanisms underlying acute liver failure, alcoholic/non-alcoholic liver diseases, and gastrointestinal cancers. Dr. Peng has co-investigated over 10 NIH-funded grants, focusing on biomarkers and histopathologic predictors in GI/liver disorders. Her work bridges clinical and molecular pathology, with publications in high-impact journals like Cell Reports and Lancet Oncology . Key research areas include pancreatic adenocarcinoma prognosis, microbiome influences in colitis, and computational pathology tools for cancer diagnosis. She has contributed to studies on vaccine-triggered autoimmune hepatitis and gene therapy vectors. Dr. Peng’s collaborations span immunology, oncology, and computational biology. Her lab investigates tumor suppression pathways (e.g., NLRP12, NOD2) and employs machine learning for microsatellite instability prediction in colorectal cancer. She maintains clinical expertise in diagnosing complex gastrointestinal tumors and molecular pathology challenges.
Ugwuji N. Maduekwe, MD, MMSc, MPH, FACS, FSSO serves as Associate Professor of Surgery and Associate Dean at the Medical College of Wisconsin's School of Medicine. She directs Regional Therapies in the Division of Surgical Oncology within the Department of Surgery, specializing in peritoneal surface malignancies and gastrointestinal cancers through cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC at Froedtert Hospital. Her academic credentials include: Doctor of Medicine from Harvard Medical School (2004) General Surgery Residency at Massachusetts General Hospital (2004-2011) Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (2011-2013) Dr. Maduekwe's research centers on health disparities in surgical oncology access and outcomes, with emphasis on socioeconomic barriers affecting peritoneal malignancy treatment. Her work integrates health equity frameworks with clinical outcomes analysis, exploring how neighborhood disadvantage influences HIPEC results and how insurance authorization systems create care disparities. She actively investigates surgical decision-making processes and applies machine learning to predict gastrectomy mortality. Her publication portfolio reveals consistent focus on appendiceal cancer staging validation, lymph node metastasis significance, and socioeconomic predictors in cytoreductive surgery. Recent work demonstrates growing integration of AI methodologies and multi-institutional collaborative approaches to address systemic barriers in surgical oncology. Professional recognition includes: Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) Fellow of the Society of Surgical Oncology (FSSO) As an Associate Dean and dedicated mentor, she actively guides medical students and residents while leading regional therapy initiatives. Her professional affiliations with the Society of Black Academic Surgeons and Association of Women Surgeons reflect commitment to diversity in surgical leadership. Current research trajectories indicate expanding work on automated prediction models and structural determinants of surgical oncology outcomes.
Böhm, J. is a researcher at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), specializing in colorectal cancer epidemiology and molecular oncology. With multiple publications from 2020-2025 in high-impact journals including Nature Genetics, Nature Communications, and the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Böhm contributes to understanding the genetic, metabolic, and nutritional factors influencing colorectal cancer development and outcomes. Böhm's research focuses on several key areas within colorectal cancer research. The work examines genetic susceptibility through large-scale genomic studies involving over 100,000 cases, metabolomic pathways including tryptophan-kynurenine metabolism and B-vitamin status, and body composition relationships with cancer outcomes. This multi-faceted approach integrates molecular, nutritional, and clinical perspectives to advance precision oncology for colorectal cancer patients. The publication record shows a strong emphasis on collaborative research through consortia like FOCUS and ColoCare, with studies analyzing biomarkers for cancer prognosis, genetic risk factors across diverse populations, and the relationship between nutritional status and cancer survival. Recent work (2024-2025) continues to advance fine-mapping of colorectal cancer susceptibility genes and metabolomic predictors of mortality. Böhm's scientific contributions include: Multi-omic analysis of over 100,000 colorectal cancer cases for genetic susceptibility studies Investigations into tryptophan-kynurenine pathway metabolites as mortality predictors Research on vitamin B6 status and colorectal cancer survival outcomes Analysis of body composition metrics and quality of life in cancer patients Studies of Lynch syndrome mutational profiles under surveillance As part of the DKFZ research community, Böhm collaborates with international teams across Europe and Asia, contributing to large-scale genomic and epidemiological studies that advance our understanding of colorectal cancer biology and improve patient outcomes through precision medicine approaches.
Timothy Lash is a Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health. He also serves as Editor-in-Chief of the journal Epidemiology and holds an affiliation as Associate Director of Population Sciences at the Winship Cancer Institute. His expertise spans cancer surveillance, molecular predictors of treatment efficacy, and epidemiologic methods like bias analysis and Bayesian approaches. Dr. Lash earned a B.S. from MIT, an M.P.H. and D.Sc. from Boston University's School of Public Health. He co-authored seminal textbooks including Modern Epidemiology (4th ed.) and Applying Quantitative Bias Analysis to Epidemiologic Data (2nd ed.). His research focuses on improving methodologies for observational studies, particularly addressing confounding and misclassification biases. Key research interests include cancer recurrence prediction, late-onset treatment effects, and application of advanced statistical techniques. Recent work emphasizes bias analysis frameworks, validation studies, and real-world evidence applications. He has contributed to studies on breast cancer outcomes, pharmacogenomics, and disparities in cancer mortality. His articles often explore methodological innovations in epidemiology, with recent trends addressing bias quantification, genetic-phenotype interactions in cancer therapies, and validation strategies for observational data. Notable collaborations include work on rotavirus vaccine efficacy, transgender health outcomes, and drug safety in chronic diseases. Dr. Lash has served as Past-President of the Society for Epidemiologic Research. His work bridges methodological rigor with practical public health applications, particularly in oncology and chronic disease management.
Tamar Taddei is a Professor of Medicine (Digestive Diseases) at Yale School of Medicine and Chief of Digestive Diseases at VA Connecticut Healthcare System . Her work spans clinical care , outcomes research , and interdisciplinary collaboration in liver diseases. Research Interests : Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) outcomes and early detection Cirrhosis management and decompensation prevention Liver Cancer Programs and VA regional tumor boards Clinical Trials (SACRED, PREMIUM, VOCAL study group) Publications (2023–2025) emphasize hepatology , medical informatics , and clinical epidemiology , with subfields including noninvasive diagnostics , tumor heterogeneity , and health equity in liver diseases. Scientific Awards : Alvan R. Feinstein Award (2017) Digestive Diseases Fellowship Teaching Award (2011) Samuel Kushlan Award for Clinical Excellence (2007) Education : MD from Georgetown University School of Medicine (2000) Residency at Georgetown University Hospital (2004) Fellowship at Yale University School of Medicine (2007) Clinical Leadership : Founded a VA regional tumor board and directs the Liver Cancer Program at VA Connecticut, integrating multidisciplinary care for liver cancer patients.
Petter Brandal is a Professor of Oncology at the Department of Oncology, University of Oslo. His research focuses on neuro-oncology, particularly in brain tumor diagnosis, treatment, and molecular profiling. He leads collaborative studies on gliomas, meningiomas, and pediatric brain tumors, emphasizing imaging techniques (MRI, perfusion imaging) and genomic analysis. Key roles: Neuro-oncology research, clinical trials, and translational studies Affiliations: University of Oslo, Radiumhospitalet (OUS), and affiliated research centers Research interests include advanced imaging for tumor growth prediction, radiation therapy outcomes, and genomic biomarkers for personalized treatment. His work bridges clinical care and scientific discovery, with a strong focus on improving patient survival and quality of life. Recent studies highlight contributions to glioma treatment optimization, pseudoprogression assessment, and long-term survivorship in pediatric patients. Collaborations span international groups like the EORTC Brain Tumor Group.
Dushyant Damania is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine (Pulmonary Medicine) at an unspecified institution. He practices at Jacobi Medical Center in Bronx, NY. His clinical and research activities span pulmonary medicine, critical care, neurology, and emergency medicine. Research interests include Investigating predictors of poor outcomes in critically ill patients using point-of-care ultrasound Studying metachronous primary lung cancers Comparative analysis of carotid intervention techniques Evaluating neuroinflammation mechanisms in septic conditions Assessing thromboembolism prophylaxis strategies His publications (2012-2021) focus on pulmonary diseases, stroke management, neuroinflammation, and medical imaging. Notable trends include cross-disciplinary research between pulmonary and neurological conditions, clinical decision-making, and postoperative outcomes. Contact: dushyant.damania@nychhc.org
Per Øyvind Enger is a Professor at the Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Norway. He is actively affiliated with the Neurology Clinic at Haukeland University Hospital and leads research in translational cancer and vascular research, particularly focusing on glioblastoma and brain metastases. Institution: University of Bergen Department: Department of Biomedicine Faculty: Faculty of Medicine Clinical Affiliation: Haukeland University Hospital His research interests center on understanding tumor-stroma interactions, cancer stem cells, and developing novel therapeutic strategies for malignant brain tumors. He investigates molecular mechanisms of tumor invasion, radiosensitization using repurposed drugs like sulfasalazine, and targeting metabolic pathways such as the xCT-glutathione axis. His work integrates preclinical models with clinical translation, including Gamma Knife radiosurgery and biomarker development. The publication trends reflect a strong focus on neuro-oncology, with recurring themes in tumor microenvironment, targeted therapy, drug repurposing, and combination treatments involving radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Recent works emphasize the role of glial and immune cells in tumor progression and treatment response. He has supervised multiple Master’s and doctoral students, contributing to training the next generation of researchers. His collaborative projects span chemistry, imaging, and clinical neurosurgery. Research Groups: Translational Cancer Research, Translational Cancer and Vascular Research Grants: Involved in preclinical studies on sulfasalazine, dactolisib, and buparlisib for glioblastoma (as part of doctoral work he supervised) His lab utilizes advanced models including patient-derived xenografts, dynamic MRI, and molecular targeting strategies. The team focuses on bridging experimental findings with clinical applications, particularly in radiosurgery and treatment response assessment.
Lars Tue Sørensen is a Clinical Associate Professor at the Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, specializing in gastrointestinal surgery and inflammatory bowel diseases. His clinical and research work focuses on surgical management of gallstone disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and gastrointestinal cancer, with strong connections to the Capital Region of Denmark healthcare system. Dr. Sørensen's research interests center around gastrointestinal surgery, with specific expertise in: Gallstone disease and its surgical management Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) Surgical outcomes and complications Clinical guidelines development Epidemiology of gastrointestinal conditions Comparative effectiveness of surgical and endoscopic procedures His recent research portfolio demonstrates a strong emphasis on population-based studies and randomized clinical trials in gastrointestinal surgery. Dr. Sørensen has contributed significantly to national clinical practice guidelines through the Danish Surgical Society, particularly for symptomatic gallstone disease management. His work often involves large-scale clinical data analysis and has practical implications for improving surgical care pathways and patient outcomes. Dr. Sørensen's research has received attention across academic platforms, with multiple publications being shared on social media, discussed in news outlets, and widely read by researchers on academic platforms like Mendeley. His collaborative network spans numerous Danish medical institutions, reflecting his integration within the national surgical research community.
Lewei Zhang serves as a Professor in the Department of Oral Biological & Medical Sciences at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Dentistry. His research centers on oral potentially malignant disorders, with emphasis on molecular mechanisms driving malignant transformation in oral epithelial dysplasia and lichenoid lesions. Dr. Zhang's research program integrates molecular pathology , microbiome analysis , and advanced imaging techniques to develop risk assessment models for oral cancer progression. Key focus areas include E-cadherin/beta-catenin signaling pathways, p53 immunohistochemical patterns, and the diagnostic potential of oral microbiome profiling. His work bridges basic science with clinical applications through image cytometry and multiplexed immune microenvironment analysis. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2020-2025) reveals three dominant research trajectories: (1) molecular characterization of dysplasia progression using cell adhesion markers, (2) clinicopathological analysis of lichenoid lesions with dysplastic features, and (3) development of non-invasive diagnostic tools including microbiome-based predictors and multispectral imaging. Notable methodological innovations include brushing-based DNA ploidy analysis and quantitative pathology toolboxes for risk stratification. As a graduate supervisor in UBC's Craniofacial Science programs, Dr. Zhang mentors students in translational oral cancer research. His extensive publication record demonstrates sustained contributions to early detection protocols and molecular classification systems for oral potentially malignant disorders, with direct implications for clinical management guidelines.
Dr. Quinn Dunlap is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Science, with additional affiliations as a member of the Markey Cancer Center and the Translational Oncology Research Program. His clinical focus spans head and neck surgery, microsurgical reconstruction, and management of complex surgical defects. Doctor of Medicine, University of Alabama School of Medicine (2015) Residency in Otolaryngology at University of Arkansas for Medical Science (2020) Postdoctoral fellowship at University of Arkansas for Medical Science (2021) Dr. Dunlap's research explores free tissue graft applications, neck dissection morbidity, and surgical reoperation strategies. His recent work examines fistula repair techniques, donor site selection, and robotic-assisted microvascular procedures. He actively contributes to surgical training methodologies and perfusion assessment in reconstructive contexts. Key trends in his publications highlight advancements in double-layer local flaps for post-maxillectomy defects (2024), comparative analyses of radial forearm and fibula flaps (2023), and randomized trials on microsurgical training (2023). Earlier works focus on venous flow monitoring, neck dissection outcomes, and robotic-assisted techniques across 2021-2022. As a collaborator in multidisciplinary oncology initiatives, Dr. Dunlap works with teams specializing in cancer research and translational surgical innovation. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) through contributions to surgical oncology and reconstruction.
Ioana Podina is a Professor at the Department of Applied Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Bucharest. She directs the Clinical Cognitive Sciences Laboratory and has held roles including Associate Professor, University Lecturer, and Senior Researcher at various institutions. Her work bridges clinical psychology, cognitive science, and technology. Her research focuses on digital mental health , human-computer interaction , psychopathology , and meta-research in psychology . She explores AI-driven interventions, VR environments, and network approaches to mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. The 15 most recent articles highlight trends in AI-based chatbots , VR exposure therapy , cancer survivor mental health , and meta-analytic studies on sociodemographic predictors and cognitive biases. These works emphasize technology integration in clinical practice and cross-disciplinary methodologies. She serves on editorial boards (e.g., Journal of Clinical Psychology), advises research councils, and contributes to policy via UNESCO’s Ethics of Neurotechnologies group. Her grants include projects like aiCARE, HoloTrain, and SIGMA, focusing on AI, augmented reality, and mobile health solutions.
Katia Bruxvoort is an Assistant Professor in Epidemiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, with a secondary appointment in the School of Medicine's Infectious Diseases division. Her research focuses on infectious disease prevention, vaccine safety, and healthcare system optimization. She holds adjunct roles at Kaiser Permanente Southern California and collaborates with global health initiatives such as the Sparkman Center for Global Health and the Center for AIDS Research. Education: PhD in Epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (2015), MPH from Emory University (2009), and BS in Biology from Calvin College (2005). Research interests include tuberculosis epidemiology, antimicrobial resistance, and clinical prediction modeling. She has pioneered studies on vaccine safety using large-scale health records and contributed to global health projects like malaria surveillance in Tanzania. Her work addresses healthcare disparities and integrates electronic health data for public health insights. Key research trends include vaccine adverse event analysis, tuberculosis prediction algorithms, and antibiotic stewardship strategies. She has published extensively on SARS-CoV-2 variants, post-transplant mortality predictors, and PrEP adherence in marginalized populations. Her academic roles include leadership in the Center for Clinical and Translational Science and the Center for Outcomes and Effectiveness Research and Education. She advocates for global health equity and mentors interdisciplinary teams in epidemiological method development.
Prateek Prasanna is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Informatics at Stony Brook University, holding a joint appointment in the School of Medicine and College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. He directs the Imaging Informatics for Precision Medicine (IMAGINE) Lab, which develops clinically translatable AI tools for medical decision-making. Education Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rutgers University B.Tech. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut Research Focus Dr. Prasanna's research bridges human and machine interpretation of medical images through four key thrusts: Computational Biomarkers : Radiomics/pathomics techniques for predicting cancer treatment response Generative AI : Disease-aware medical image synthesis using clinical insights Adaptive Learning : Meta-learning frameworks for domain generalization Explainable AI : Human-in-the-loop systems for interpretable diagnostics Publication Trends Recent work (2020-2023) demonstrates strong emphasis on oncology (lung/breast/brain cancers) and ophthalmology applications, with consistent focus on multi-modal data integration, deep learning architectures, and clinical validation of AI biomarkers across radiology/pathology domains. Awards Most Cited Paper Award 2017 from European Radiology COVID-19 research seed funding from OVPR/IEDM (2020) Lab Activities The IMAGINE Lab seeks MS/PhD/PostDoc candidates with ML/computer vision expertise. Current projects include NIH-funded development of immunotherapy response predictors and generative models for rare disease simulation.
