Dr. Nida Sajid Ali is a Lecturer at the School of Pharmacy, Monash University, Malaysia. Her research focuses on clinical oncology, particularly prognostic and predictive factors influencing treatment plans and survival outcomes in cancer patients. She also explores broader pharmacy practice issues like medication adherence and patient communication skills training. Her academic journey includes a postgraduate research degree completed in 2017 and a transition to Monash University in 2019. Research interests span cancer treatment modalities, molecular biomarkers (e.g., EGFR mutations), and supportive care strategies for cachexia/malnutrition in oncology patients. Notable contributions include studies on gefitinib efficacy in lung cancer, mHealth adoption patterns, and the impact of smoking on adenocarcinoma outcomes. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being). Publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches combining clinical oncology with pharmacoepidemiology and digital health innovation. She has no listed awards but demonstrates active research collaboration in Malaysia and international journals.
Quansheng Du is an Associate Professor at the Medical College of Georgia , affiliated with the Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine and the Department of Neurology . His academic appointments include teaching responsibilities in advanced molecular biology courses such as BIOM 8230 Biology of Proteins in Disease and BIOM 8022 Molecular Cell Biology . Education: Ph.D., Molecular Biology, Wuhan University (1999) MS, Molecular Biology, Wuhan University (1995) Research Interests span molecular mechanisms in neurological diseases, regenerative medicine, and metabolic pathways in cancer cachexia. His work includes studies on genetic disorders (MRKH syndrome), microRNA roles in neuronal survival, purine synthesis inhibition in pulmonary hypertension, and TEAD1 signaling in cardiomyocyte protection. Recent Publications (2021–2024) focus on molecular biology intersections with neuroscience, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer metabolism, with recurring themes in genetic regulation, cellular reprogramming, and metabolic dysregulation.
Dr. Maria Rohm serves as Head of the Research Division 'Tissue Crosstalk' at the Institute for Diabetes and Cancer, Helmholtz Munich, leading investigations into metabolic disease interconnections since 2020. Previously a Junior Group Leader (2017-2020), her career includes postdoctoral research at the University of Oxford (2014-2017) under a Novo Nordisk Fellowship and the German Cancer Research Center (2012-2014). Her educational foundation comprises Biology studies at Heidelberg University and the University of Manchester, culminating in a Dr. rer. nat. from Heidelberg in 2012 where she examined adipose tissue lipolysis in obesity. Rohm's research centers on tissue crosstalk mechanisms in diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cancer cachexia, emphasizing lipid/glucose metabolism and adipose tissue function. She pioneers the conceptual framework that obesity/diabetes and cachexia represent opposing metabolic extremes requiring integrated study, with particular focus on ceramide signaling, mitochondrial dysfunction, and energy homeostasis disruptions in disease pathogenesis. Her multi-omics approach reveals critical overlaps in disease pathways that could transform therapeutic development. Publication analysis shows consistent focus on metabolic reprogramming across cancer cachexia and diabetes, with emerging emphasis on lipid mediators as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Key trends include translational exploration of AMPK-stabilizing peptides and ceramide modifications for treating tissue wasting. Her scientific recognition includes: Vincenz-Czerny Price for Oncology (2021) ERC Starting Grant (2020) Lipidology Prize (2019) Research Award by German Diabetes Society (2013) Rohm directs significant grant-funded research, notably the ERC Starting Grant investigating metabolic crosstalk in cachexia. As Board of Directors and Educational Committee member of the Cancer Cachexia Society, she drives global research initiatives for this fatal condition affecting most cancer patients. Her advocacy highlights the urgent need for mechanistic understanding to develop effective treatments. She leads the 'Tissue Crosstalk in Cancer Metabolism' research group at Helmholtz Munich, employing multi-omics and mouse models to dissect metabolic communication between organs. Her team collaborates extensively within European research networks, with emphasis on translating basic discoveries into clinical applications for metabolic diseases and cancer-associated wasting syndromes.
Dr. Wenyi Luo is an Assistant Professor of Pathology at Yale School of Medicine, specializing in Anatomic Pathology and GI Pathology. He holds roles such as Director of the Immunohistochemistry Lab and has previously served at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) as Assistant Professor and Surgical Pathology Rotation Director. His research focuses on liver and gastrointestinal pathology, oncology, and cellular mechanisms in diseases like hepatocellular carcinoma and pancreatic cancer. Education: MD from Peking University Health Science Center (2004), PhD in Genetics from University of Alabama Birmingham (2010), and postdoctoral training at UAB and MD Anderson Cancer Center. Board certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology. Research interests include cancer biology, necroptosis regulation, liver fibrosis, and therapeutic strategies for cholestasis and cholangiopathy. His work integrates molecular pathology with clinical outcomes, emphasizing translational applications. Notable contributions include studies on macrophage-cancer cell interactions in pancreatic cachexia and miRNA roles in adipogenesis. Collaborations span hepatology, oncology, and metabolic disorders. He has no listed awards but maintains an active publication record in high-impact journals like Cancer Cell and Gastroenterology . Labs/Teams: Involved in gastrointestinal and liver pathology research at Yale, contributing to interdisciplinary projects in cancer biology and liver disease mechanisms.
James Morizio serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Duke University, leveraging 35+ years of expertise in analog CMOS microelectronics for biomedical applications. His research bridges electrical engineering with neuroscience through disruptive sensor interface technologies for neural recording/stimulation and ultrasonic microfluidics. His educational background includes a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Duke University (1995) M.S. in Electrical Engineering from University of Colorado, Boulder (1984) B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (1982) Morizio's research focuses on developing high-performance neural interfaces and acoustofluidic systems. Key areas include wireless neural instrumentation for closed-loop electrophysiology, CMOS-based ultrasonic transducers for microfluidic manipulation, and low-power VLSI design for implantable devices. His work emphasizes translating microelectronics innovations into biomedical solutions for neuroscience and diagnostics. His publication portfolio demonstrates consistent contributions to neural engineering and microfluidics, with recent trends showing increased focus on acoustofluidic diagnostics (e.g., AIMDx chip) and osseointegrated neural interfaces for prosthetic control. The research spans fundamental circuit design to translational applications in cancer metabolism and neuroprosthetics. Scientific recognition includes 15-year service award from Triangle BioSystems International/Harvard Bioscience Inc. (2016) Current research is supported by major grants including Neuro-CROWN (ultra-flexible electrode arrays), digital acoustofluidic systems for biomedical automation, and osseointegrated neural interfaces for prosthetic control. His teaching portfolio spans advanced VLSI design and special topics courses, though specific advising roles are not documented. Collaborative work involves interdisciplinary teams in neuroscience and biomedical engineering, particularly through partnerships with Triangle BioSystems International and translational projects using ovine models for neural interface validation.
James C. Lo, M.D., Ph.D., is the Rohr Family Clinical Scholar and Associate Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College . As a physician-scientist, he directs a basic research laboratory investigating the molecular basis of cardiometabolic diseases. 2023 : Rohr Family Clinical Scholar 2023 : Associate Professor of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College 2021 : Assistant Professor of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College Education: 2006 - M.D., University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine 2004 - Ph.D., University of Chicago 1998 - B.S., University of Chicago Dr. Lo's research focuses on molecular mechanisms of metabolic diseases with emphasis on: Cardiovascular biology in diabetes and obesity Adipose tissue function and thermogenesis Pancreatic islet physiology in metabolic stress Inter-organ communication networks Novel therapeutic targets for diabetes Cardiac complications in metabolic disorders Complement system in endocrine regulation His lab employs single-cell RNA-seq , genetic models , and multi-omics approaches to study: β cell subpopulations in diabetes Complement receptor signaling Adipose-liver-heart cross-talk Extracellular vesicle-mediated dysfunction Sex-dependent metabolic regulation Scientific Contributions: First to identify adipsin's role in β cell protection Discovered complement system's role in islet function Defined adipose tissue as SARS-CoV-2 target Elucidated mechanisms of obesity-induced arrhythmias Developed cross-species models of metabolic stress Research Funding: Currently holds 8 major grants as Principal Investigator or Key Personnel, including: $2.1M - NIH/NHLBI Mechanisms of Obesity-induced Atrial Fibrillation (2025-2028) $2.8M - NIH/NIDDK NAD+ Metabolism in β Cell Dysfunction (2025-2030) $1.5M - AHA Obesity-Driven Atrial Fibrillation (2024-2027) $1.2M - AHA Zebrafish Heart Regeneration (2023-2026) His laboratory team at the Belfer Research Building (New York, NY) includes post-doctoral fellows, Ph.D. students, medical students, and research technicians working in a collaborative environment.
Adam Kepecs is a Professor of Neuroscience and Professor of Psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine, where he leads the Kepecs Lab as a BJC Investigator. His research focuses on reverse-engineering the computational and neurobiological processes underlying cognition and decision-making with applications to biological psychiatry and artificial intelligence. Kepecs earned his BSc in Computer Science and Mathematics from Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Hungary (1997) and his PhD in Neuroscience from Brandeis University (2002). His research spans multiple areas including neural basis of confidence in decisions, cortical circuits and interneurons, neuromodulatory systems, computational psychiatry, neuro-immune interactions, and neuro-inspired artificial intelligence. His research interests center on understanding the algorithms governing behavior, how specific neural circuits and cell types generate cognition, motivation, and emotion, and how brain-body interactions shape physiology and behavior. He employs a multidisciplinary approach combining quantitative behavioral analysis, high-density electrophysiology and imaging, optogenetics, anatomical tracing, molecular biology, and computational modeling to understand how populations of neurons control behavior and cognitive functions. The most recent publications reveal a strong focus on confidence computation across species, neural mechanisms of decision-making, dopamine signaling in perception and psychosis, neuro-immune interactions in cancer, and developing computational frameworks for translating behavioral phenomena across species. His work bridges fundamental neuroscience with clinical applications, particularly in psychiatric disorders. James and Cathleen Stone Faculty Award, CSHL Kavli Frontiers of Science Fellow Eppendorf and Science prize for Neurobiology, Finalist John Merck Scholar Klingenstein Fellow Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow McKnight Memory & Cognitive Disorders Award Kepecs leads a multidisciplinary team that brings together researchers from diverse backgrounds to tackle neuroscience's toughest questions. His lab has expanded into biological psychiatry and immunology since joining Washington University, exploring new frontiers in brain-body physiology. They are committed to translating findings from animal models to clinical applications to improve mental health research and care. The Kepecs Lab is known for pioneering a computational behavioral approach to isolate distinct cognitive processes and translate them across species, including establishing a rigorous framework linking human confidence reports to statistical decision confidence.
Professor Irene Higginson is a leading academic in palliative care and policy at King's College London, holding the role of Professor of Palliative Care & Policy at the Cicely Saunders Institute within the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care. She also serves as Director of the Better Health & Care Hub. Her roles include honorary consultant positions at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, and Lewisham Hospital. She has held leadership roles such as Executive Dean of her faculty and Director of Research and Innovation at King’s College Hospital Trust. Her research focuses on palliative care quality, symptom management (especially breathlessness and cachexia), and healthcare service evaluation. Notably, she leads the EU-funded BETTER-B programme investigating breathlessness interventions. She is a globally recognized researcher with over 4000 citations and recognition as a Highly Cited Researcher (top 1% in her field). Her work spans clinical trials, outcome measurement (e.g., Palliative Care Outcome Scale), and policy development. Recent studies include pharmacological breathlessness management in COPD and non-cancer conditions, as well as evaluating palliative care access and equity. She contributes to international initiatives like the EAPC White Paper on outcome measurement. Education Background : Public Health and Palliative Medicine training, with prior roles at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Grants & Projects : Leads over 200 projects funded by NIHR, EU, and charities like Cicely Saunders International. Awards : NIHR Senior Investigator (Emeritus), top 30 UK female scientist by citations. Teaching : Supervises PhD students, teaches on MSc palliative care programs, and mentors medical trainees. Her research emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, addressing inequities in palliative care access and improving models for multimorbidity and complex conditions. She chairs the NIHR Health and Social Care Delivery Research Programme’s funding committee and directs Cicely Saunders International’s scientific activities.
Mark Mondrinos is an Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Tulane University, affiliated with the School of Science & Engineering. His research focuses on developing microphysiological systems and organoid-based models to study human tissues and diseases, with a particular emphasis on lung, muscle, and interstitial tissues. He integrates confocal microscopy and biochemical analysis to bridge translational gaps in preclinical therapy screening. Academic roles include teaching courses such as Microphysiological Systems (BMEN 6440) and Quantitative Physiology (BMEN 3070/6070). Education & Affiliations: Inaugural Fellow, Center for Engineering Mechanobiology at Penn (2017) Postdoctoral Fellow in Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania (2014–2016) Postdoctoral Fellow, Temple University School of Medicine (2012–2014) Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, Drexel University (2011) B.Sc. Chemical Engineering & Biological Chemistry, Florida State University (2002) Research Focus: His lab engineers biologically-inspired models to study respiratory exposure injuries (e.g., vaping), fibrotic disorders, and muscle injury. Current projects include multi-organ microfluidic models for systemic effects of malignancies like cachexia. Key tools include organ-on-a-chip platforms and advanced imaging techniques. Publications: Recent work spans PKC-delta inhibition in sepsis, tumor microenvironment modeling, and vascularized lung scaffolds. These studies highlight translational applications in drug screening and disease mechanisms. Awards: 2013 Jeanette Piperno Memorial Award 2011 Drexel University Best PhD Dissertation Labs/Teams: His laboratory at Tulane specializes in tissue engineering and microphysiological systems, collaborating with institutions like the University of Pennsylvania's Mechanobiology Center. Ongoing projects aim to advance personalized medicine through organ-on-a-chip technologies.
Sung Han, PhD, is an Associate Professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, where he leads research in the Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology. He holds the Pioneer Fund Developmental Chair and focuses on understanding the brain’s alarm system—how it detects aversive sensory stimuli and mediates emotional, behavioral, and physiological responses. His work has significant implications for neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism, PTSD, panic disorders, and chronic pain. Education: BS in Genetic Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Korea MS in Neuroscience, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Korea PhD in Neurobiology & Behavior, University of Washington, Seattle Dr. Han’s research interests lie at the intersection of neural circuitry, neuropeptide signaling, and affective neuroscience. He investigates how specific brain circuits—particularly in the brainstem—process threat signals using tools such as optogenetics, chemogenetics, and in vivo imaging. His work emphasizes the role of neuropeptides like CGRP and PACAP in encoding pain, panic, and emotional valence. He aims to uncover fundamental mechanisms that can be targeted for therapeutic interventions in sensory-processing disorders. His recent publications (2021–2025) reveal a strong trend in dissecting neural pathways involved in affective pain, respiratory control, panic-like behavior, and neuropeptide transmission. These studies frequently employ genetically encoded tools and animal models to map and manipulate specific circuits, highlighting a focus on precision neuroscience and translational relevance. Scientific Awards: NIMH Biobehavioral Research Award for Innovative New Scientist (BRAINS), 2018 SFARI Bridge to Independence Award, 2016 Life Sciences Research Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2015–2018 KBRI Postdoctoral Research Award, Association of Korean Neuroscientists, 2012 Korea Research Foundation Research Grant, 2005 Dr. Han actively mentors students and postdoctoral researchers, though specific names are not listed. His lab benefits from significant grant support, including awards from NIMH and SFARI. He is involved in developing novel tools for monitoring and silencing neuropeptide release, reflecting a strong emphasis on innovation. His work is closely tied to key discoveries at Salk, such as the identification of CGRP by Ron Evans, and he collaborates within a vibrant neuroscience community, including inspiration from Ed Callaway’s work on neural circuit mapping. He is part of a dedicated team studying brainstem circuits and their role in integrating sensory, emotional, and autonomic functions. His lab is at the forefront of using modern neuroscience techniques to decode how the brain responds to threats, with the ultimate goal of developing therapies for neurological and psychiatric conditions.
James G. Tidball is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), College of Letters and Science. His research focuses on skeletal muscle wasting, regeneration, and the immunobiology of muscular dystrophy. Dr. Tidball earned his B.S. in Zoology from Duke University (1975) and his Ph.D. from Dalhousie University (1981). His early work at Duke with Professor Steve Wainwright centered on organismal responses to mechanical environments, which evolved into groundbreaking research on myotendinous junctions during postdoctoral studies at Duke. His laboratory investigates how the immune system regulates skeletal muscle injury and repair, with particular emphasis on macrophage phenotypes (M1/M2) in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Key discoveries include identifying immune-mediated muscle damage as central to DMD pathology and pioneering work on Klotho protein's role in muscle regeneration and aging. Current NIH-funded projects explore epigenetic mechanisms of Klotho in neonatal/aging muscle and pharmacological manipulation of macrophage-T cell interactions for DMD therapy. Dr. Tidball's publication trends reveal consistent leadership in muscular dystrophy immunobiology, with recent work expanding into aging-related sarcopenia, Klotho-mediated epigenetic regulation, and novel therapeutic strategies targeting immune-muscle crosstalk. His most cited papers establish foundational concepts in immune modulation of muscle pathology. As principal investigator, he directs an active research program supported by multiple NIH grants. His team includes postdoctoral fellows and collaborators focused on macrophage biology, Klotho signaling, and preclinical therapeutic development for muscular dystrophies. The lab maintains specialized facilities for muscle histology, flow cytometry, and transgenic mouse models including mdx (DMD) and aging cohorts.
David A Guertin is a Professor at UMass Chan Medical School, affiliated with the T.H. Chan School of Medicine and the Program in Molecular Medicine . His research focuses on nutrient sensing, metabolic regulation, and the mTOR pathway, with significant implications in cancer, diabetes, and obesity. Education: BS in Science, Saint Michael's College PhD in Philosophy, University of Massachusetts Medical School Postdoc, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research (2009) Guertin's work explores the interplay between nutrient sensing signaling mechanisms and metabolism, particularly through the mTOR pathway. He has contributed to understanding mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2), brown adipose tissue development, and metabolic homeostasis. His research also links altered nutrient sensing to diseases like cancer, diabetes, and tuberculosis. Recent publications highlight his team's analysis of metabolic dependencies in brown adipocytes, mTORC2-AKT signaling, and pathways like PTHrP in pancreatic cancer cachexia. Articles span journals such as Nature Metabolism , Genes & Development , and Cell Reports , emphasizing metabolism, cell biology, and genetic regulation. Scientific Awards: Damon Runyon Cancer Research Fellowship Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Special Fellow NIH/NCI Pathway to Independence Award PEW Scholar Award Charles Hood Foundation Child Health Research Award Leukemia & Lymphoma Research Scholar Guertin's lab offers postdoctoral positions and is part of interdisciplinary programs like the MD/PhD Program and the Diabetes and Endocrinology Research Center . He mentors students and trains researchers in molecular medicine and cancer metabolism.
Mauricio Berriel Diaz is a Researcher at the Helmholtz Center Munich , serving as Deputy Director and Head of the Division Metabolism and Cancer since 2015. His work bridges energy metabolism and oncology, with a focus on systemic metabolic interactions in cancer progression and therapy. Deputy Director, Institute for Diabetes & Cancer (since 2015) Head of Division Metabolism and Cancer Research Interests: His research program investigates the interconnections between energy metabolism and cancer, particularly: Mechanisms of cancer cachexia (systemic wasting syndrome) Tumor-host metabolic interactions Lipid metabolism in obesity-related cancer progression Therapeutic targeting of tumor metabolism Systemic metabolic regulation in disease contexts Scientific Contributions: His work has expanded understanding of cancer cachexia beyond skeletal muscle loss to include roles of liver and adipose tissue metabolism, with recent publications in Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle , EMBO Molecular Medicine , and Cell Metabolism . Scientific Leadership: Selected honors and editorial roles include: Associate Editor, Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle (since 2018) Peer reviewer for top journals including Nature Communications and Oncogene Referee for Swiss National Science Foundation Sinergia Program (2015)
Prof. Dr. Natalia S. Pellegata serves as Head of the Neuroendocrinology Division at the Institute for Diabetes and Cancer, Helmholtz Munich since 2016 and holds an Adjunct Professorship at the Technical University of Munich's Faculty of Medicine since 2018. With over two decades of research experience, she leads translational studies focused on neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and cancer cachexia, leveraging unique animal models for drug discovery. Her seminal work established CDKN1B as a tumor susceptibility gene, defining MEN4 syndrome in humans through cross-species validation using the MENX rat model. Current research identifies druggable pathways including BMP signaling in pheochromocytomas and angiopoietin/Tie2 in pituitary tumors, providing clinical rationale for dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors and anti-angiogenic therapies. Recent investigations extend into metabolic dysregulation in cancer cachexia, emphasizing lipid metabolism alterations. Publication analysis reveals consistent focus on metabolic mechanisms in tumor progression, with recurring themes in lipid metabolism (ceramides, PLA2G7), stress response pathways, and metabolic enzyme targeting across neuroendocrine and breast cancers. These studies bridge preclinical models with human pathophysiology through rigorous translational frameworks. Scientific recognition includes: Eleonore Trefftz Visiting Professorship for Women Scientists, Technical University of Dresden (2015) Her laboratory operates within major collaborative networks including CRC/TRR 205 'Adrenal Research', the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (ENS@T), and legacy SFB824 imaging consortia, utilizing functional imaging for in vivo therapy monitoring and preclinical drug evaluation.
Emanuele Rizzuto is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Sapienza University of Rome. His research focuses on biomedical and industrial applications, including biomechanical measurements of muscle tissues, neuromuscular junction functionality, and energy storage systems. He leads initiatives such as the Rome Technopole 'Advanced Materials and Systems' and has secured significant grants for projects like NEST and SELFIE-CHECK. Rizzuto teaches courses in mechanical measurements, clinical diagnostics, and energy engineering. His editorial roles include guest editorships for journals like Energies and Sensors . Recent work includes innovations in hydrogen production, battery efficiency, and optical sensors for biomedical applications. Education : Industrial Engineering qualifications and National Scientific Qualification as Full Professor (2019). Research Interests : Biomedical engineering (muscle repair, neurodegenerative diseases), energy storage, and smart materials for heritage preservation. Grants : Over €500k in recent funding for energy storage, biomaterials, and ALS research. Labs/Teams : Open Lab Rome Technopole, involvement in interdisciplinary projects like CALAMITY and Counteracting neuromuscular junction dismantlement.
