Zhe Ji is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at McCormick School of Engineering and the Department of Pharmacology at Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University. His research integrates computational and experimental genomics to study gene transcription and RNA translation in cell fate commitment and oncogenic processes, aiming to develop precision medicine strategies. **Education**: Postdoctoral Fellow in Cancer Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School Postdoctoral Fellow in Computational Biology, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard Ph.D. in Computational Genomics, Rutgers University B.S. in Biotechnology, Nanjing University, China **Research Focus**: Keywords include Data Science, Computational Biology, Functional Genomics, RNA, Cancer, Inflammation, and Machine Learning. The lab explores regulatory mechanisms underlying disease, with a focus on translational control, cancer metastasis, and inflammatory networks. **Grants & Advising**: No specific grants or student advisees listed. The lab emphasizes collaborative projects and computational-experimental approaches. **Lab Affiliations**: Zhe Ji’s lab is part of Northwestern’s interdisciplinary environment, bridging engineering and medicine to advance genomic technologies and therapeutic strategies.
Professor Yasamin Mostofi is a faculty member in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She is also affiliated with the Department of Computer Science and the Center for Control, Dynamical Systems and Computation. Her work bridges wireless systems, robotics, and machine learning. PhD, Stanford University MS, Stanford University MS, Sharif University of Technology Research Interests : Her lab focuses on wireless systems and autonomous agents , developing novel mathematical models for RF sensing and communication-aware robotics. Current directions include WiFi/millimeter wave/6G-based imaging and analytics, networked robotics for cellular systems, human-robot collaboration, and machine learning integration. Recent Publications : Her work spans through-wall crowd analytics , robot-assisted connectivity , and vision-aided wireless sensing , with applications in smart health, security, and retail optimization. Key trends include cross-modal integration (WiFi and vision), synthetic data generation, and real-world clinical validation. Scientific Recognition : Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) Antonio Ruberti Prize, IEEE Control Systems Society NSF CAREER Award IEEE Region 6 Outstanding Engineer Award IEEE Fellow (2020) Advising and Leadership : She mentors PhD students in systems research, with graduates joining leading companies like Qualcomm and Google. She co-founded NPJ Wireless Technology (Nature Portfolio) and serves on editorial boards including IEEE Transactions on Control of Network Systems .
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
Karoline Faust is an Associate Professor at KU Leuven, affiliated with the Laboratory of Molecular Bacteriology (Rega Institute) and the Faculty of Medicine . She contributes to the iSi Health and Leuven One Health institutes, and serves on senior academic councils. Her research spans microbial systems biology, focusing on community dynamics and network analysis. Education: PhD in bioinformatics (2010, KU Leuven) Affiliations: KU Leuven, ISME Journal editorial board, Belgian Society for Microbiology Her research investigates microbial community dynamics , systems biology approaches to microbiomes, and bioinformatics tool development . She specializes in modeling human gut microbiota , synthetic microbial communities , and environmental microbiomes (e.g., microplastic impacts on Daphnia microbiomes). Her work integrates metabolic modeling , network analysis , and experimental systems to understand microbial interactions. Recent publications highlight her contributions to microbial network inference , 16S rRNA sequencing protocols , microfluidics , and ecological modeling of microbiomes. She develops tools like manta , miaSim , and CoNet to analyze community structures. Teaching: Karoline co-teaches courses in microbiology, bioinformatics, and network analysis at KU Leuven, and has contributed to international workshops on microbial network inference. Scientific Engagement: She serves as Senior Editor at ISME Journal and Secretary of the Belgian Society for Microbiology .
Christine Selhuber-Unkel is a Full Professor (W3) for Molecular Systems Engineering at the Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering and Advanced Materials (IMSEAM) at Heidelberg University. She serves as co-chair of the Executive Board of the Flagship Initiative 'Engineering Molecular Systems' and is a spokesperson for the 'Cellular Biophysics' section of the German Biophysical Society. Additionally, she is a member of the executive board of the Cluster of Excellence '3D Matter Made to Order'. Education: Studied physics at Heidelberg University (2000-2002) M.Sc. degree in Physics from Uppsala University (2003) PhD in Physics from Heidelberg University (biological adhesion on nanopatterned substrates) Professor Selhuber-Unkel's research focuses on functional interfaces and their interactions with biological systems, including responsive interfaces, micro-/nanostructured interfaces (including 2-photon laser printing), and biofunctionalized hydrogels. Her work specifically targets controlling cellular properties such as parasite migration, with potential applications in soft robotics and biomaterials. She also experimentally studies biophysical properties of cells including mechanosensing, cellular force generation, adhesion forces, and statistical properties of intracellular motion and migration. Her research group is involved in multiple projects related to parasite physics, including studies on Giardia adhesion, Plasmodium infected erythrocytes, and Toxoplasma gondii. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on hydrogel engineering, cellular mechanics, and microfluidic systems for studying cell behavior. The research spans from fundamental biomaterials development to applications in ophthalmology, tissue engineering, and parasite mechanics. Scientific Awards: European Research Council Consolidator Grant (PHOTOMECH) European Research Council Starting Grant (CELLINSPIRED) Feodor Lynen Fellow for research stay at Cornell University Emmy Noether postdoctoral fellowship Otto Hahn Medal from the Max Planck Society Professor Selhuber-Unkel has received significant research funding, including multiple ERC grants and DFG funding. She previously served as spokesperson for the DFG research training group 'Materials for Brain' at Kiel University (2017-2020). Her research group maintains strong collaborations across multiple institutions focused on biophysical approaches to understanding cellular and parasite mechanics. Her laboratory develops advanced techniques including traction force microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and microengineered systems for studying cellular mechanics in confined environments. The group's work bridges materials science, biophysics, and parasitology to develop novel approaches for understanding and controlling cellular behavior.
Mark Wallace is a Professor of Chemistry at King's College London, affiliated with the Department of Chemistry and the Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences. He holds a Royal Society University Research Fellowship (2005–2016) and has been a lecturer at Oxford University before joining King's in 2016. His research focuses on membrane protein function and artificial membrane mimics, combining optical microscopy and nanotechnology. He earned a PhD from the University of Cambridge (2002) and postdoctoral training at Stanford University and the National Institute for Medical Research. Key research interests include membrane protein dynamics, lipid bilayer engineering, and single-molecule imaging. He has pioneered techniques like droplet interface bilayers and interferometric scattering microscopy. His work has led to patents and applications in molecular sensing and medical research. Awards include the 2002 Gregorio Weber Prize and the 2015 RSC Norman Heatley Award. He is actively involved in public outreach, including video podcasts and educational competitions. Recent publications emphasize artificial ion channels, nanoparticle formation monitoring, and mitochondrial protein dynamics. His lab collaborates with institutions like the London Centre for Nanotechnology and the Rosalind Franklin Institute. Over 30 students and researchers have been mentored, with active grants from EPSRC, Wellcome Trust, and BBSRC.
Nicole M. Gasparini is an Associate Professor in Tulane University's Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, School of Science & Engineering. She holds a Ph.D. from MIT (2003) and researches fluvial/tectonic geomorphology, landscape evolution modeling, and climate-erosion interactions using tools like Landlab. Her work investigates sediment transport, river network evolution, and human impacts on landscapes. Research integrates field data with numerical models to quantify erosion processes across diverse environments. Publications demonstrate expertise in geomorphic model development, particularly through contributions to the Landlab toolkit. Recent articles focus on climatic controls on erosion, fault geomorphology, and uncertainty quantification in earth-surface models. Awards: Marguerite T. Williams Award for contributions to geosciences and advocacy against harassment in STEM Leads collaborative projects on landscape response to climate change and mentors students/postdocs in geomorphology and computational modeling.
Professor Hala Zreiqat AM is a leading biomedical engineer at The University of Sydney , serving as the Director of the ARC Training Centre for Innovative BioEngineering . A Fellow of all major Australian academies (AAS, ATSE, FAHMS, FRSN), she develops 3D printed bioceramics for bone regeneration while championing diversity through initiatives like the IDEAL Society and BIOTech Futures mentorship program. Her work bridges academia, clinical practice, and industry in musculoskeletal research . Research Focus: Her lab creates synthetic bone scaffolds that mimic natural bone architecture, strength, and porosity, enabling non-rejected bone regeneration via patient-matched implants. Key applications include orthopaedic, dental, and maxillofacial repair , with over $18M in competitive funding and multiple patents. Current projects explore AI-driven scaffold performance prediction and anti-senescence strategies for aging-related bone loss. Scientific Trends: Recent publications highlight 3D printed nanovoxelated ceramics , antisenescence biomaterials , and multifunctional theranostic platforms . Her team integrates machine learning for scaffold design, atom probe tomography for interface analysis, and two-photon imaging for cellular monitoring in 3D environments. 2021-2022 Fulbright Senior Scholar 2018 NSW Premier's Woman of the Year 2019 Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology Fellow of Australian Academy of Science (2021) Over $18M in research funding Teaching & Leadership: She designed core courses like Tissue Engineering and Nanomaterials in Medicine , mentoring 158 students in 2020 alone. As Chair of CAAR (2020-2023), she strengthens Australia-Arab collaborations. Her lab trains early-career researchers , with alumni now in academia and industry.
Angela Pitenis is an Associate Professor in the Department of Materials at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), within the College of Engineering. Her research focuses on interfacial phenomena in soft materials, particularly friction, adhesion, wear, and deformation of complex surfaces ranging from living cells to polymer nanocomposites. She employs advanced experimental techniques such as microscopy, spectroscopy, and interferometry to study these interfaces under extreme conditions and within buried environments. Her work has direct applications in healthcare, energy sustainability, and engineering design. Prof. Pitenis holds a Ph.D., M.Sc., and B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida. Her research group investigates biomaterials, hydrogel lubrication, and bioinspired materials, with recent studies addressing implant-associated inflammation, tumor cell dynamics in 3D microgels, and pH-responsive hydrogel friction. She is affiliated with the Materials Research Lab at UCSB and contributes to interdisciplinary projects at the intersection of materials science and biology. Notable research trends in her work include the development of biocompatible lubricious surfaces, understanding friction-induced biological responses, and designing smart materials with tunable mechanical properties. Her studies on photoresponsive hydrogels and superlubricious materials highlight innovations in responsive and adaptive material systems. Pitenis emphasizes in situ experimental methods and has pioneered techniques for analyzing dynamically evolving material interfaces. Her research also extends to marine biomaterials, such as the mechanical resilience of sessile tunicates, and explores applications in medical implants, bioreactors, and energy systems. While specific awards are not listed here, her contributions reflect a commitment to advancing soft matter tribology and biomaterials science.
Katy D. Heath is a Professor of Plant Biology and Affiliate Professor in Microbiology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). She leads the Plant Biology department and is affiliated with the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. Her research focuses on the evolution of mutualisms, particularly plant-microbe interactions such as legume-rhizobium symbiosis, emphasizing genetic and ecological factors influencing symbiotic stability and adaptation. She investigates how environmental pressures (e.g., global change) shape mutualistic relationships and microbial community dynamics. Education: B.S. (2000) and Ph.D. (2007) from the University of Illinois and University of Minnesota, respectively, followed by postdoctoral work at the University of Toronto (2007–2009). Research Interests: Symbiosis evolution, microbial genetics, plasmid transmission dynamics, and the impacts of agricultural practices on rhizobia populations. She studies diverse systems, including Medicago-Sinorhizobium, soybean-Bradyrhizobium, and invasive legume-rhizobium interactions. Recent publications (2020–2025) highlight studies on endophyte impacts on soybean yield, rhizobia diversity under conventional farming, and genomic analyses of symbiotic coevolution. Her work integrates molecular biology, quantitative genetics, and ecology. Grants & Collaborations: Lead PI on a $12.5M NSF Biology Integration Institute (Genomics and Eco-evolution of Multi-scale Symbiosis). Her team includes collaborations with institutions like Indiana University and the University of Chicago. Labs & Teams: Heath Lab focuses on symbiosis research, with active projects on microbiome dynamics, plasmid-host coevolution, and community outreach (e.g., Boys and Girls Club collaborations). Recent lab highlights include student graduations (e.g., Ivan Sosa Marquez, Chase) and awards like the John R. Laughnan Award in Plant Biology.
Michael Lampson is Professor of Biology at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Arts and Sciences, with secondary appointments in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology. He serves as faculty in the Cell and Molecular Biology (CAMB) and Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (BMB) Graduate Groups, and is affiliated with the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB). Ph.D., Cornell University, Weill Medical College, 2002 AB, Harvard College, 1994 Dr. Lampson's research program focuses on fundamental mechanisms of chromosome biology, with particular emphasis on cell division, centromere inheritance, and meiotic drive. His lab investigates how selfish genetic elements can violate Mendel's First Law through meiotic drive, the stability of centromere chromatin through the germline, and the role of repetitive satellite DNA in chromosome segregation. Using innovative approaches including mouse model systems, optogenetic tools, and biochemical techniques, his work bridges cell biology, genetics, and evolutionary biology to address questions with implications for reproductive biology, cancer, and genetic inheritance. Analysis of Dr. Lampson's recent publications reveals a strong focus on the intersection of centromere biology, meiotic drive, and chromosome segregation mechanisms. His work increasingly incorporates computational approaches alongside experimental systems to study evolutionary aspects of centromere function. The research demonstrates consistent innovation in methodology, particularly in developing optogenetic tools for precise manipulation of cellular processes. Key themes include the role of satellite DNA variation, mechanisms of non-Mendelian inheritance, and the stability of chromatin structures through cell division and development. Searle Scholar Award American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) fellow Dr. Lampson's research is supported by multiple NIH grants including from NIGMS, NHGRI, NICHD, and NCI, as well as University of Pennsylvania funding sources including the University Research Foundation, Abramson Cancer Center, and several specialized research centers. He collaborates extensively with researchers across disciplines, including Ben Black (Biochemistry), Dennis Discher (Chemical Engineering), Dave Chenoweth (Chemistry), and Roger Greenberg (Cancer Biology), reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of his work. His lab has trained numerous graduate students and postdocs who have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry. The Lampson Lab maintains state-of-the-art facilities for cell biological, genetic, and biochemical research, with specialized equipment for live-cell imaging, optogenetic manipulation, and mouse genetics. The lab fosters a collaborative environment that bridges molecular, cellular, and evolutionary perspectives on chromosome biology.
Professor Ruth Cameron FREng is affiliated with the University of Cambridge, serving as a Professor of Materials Science in the Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy. She co-directs the Cambridge Centre for Medical Materials alongside Professor Serena Best, focusing on therapeutic materials that interact with the body. Her research spans medical materials and biomaterials , emphasizing ice templating for creating 3D environments to control tissue growth. These environments are applied in cardiac, dental, and orthopedic repair, cancer research, and blood cell production. She also investigates biodegradable polymers , composites , and drug delivery systems , exploring relationships between material processing, morphology, and degradation. Collaborators: Cedric Ghevaert, Sanjay Sinha, Andrew McCaskie Core Research Disciplines: Materials for Tissue Repair, Composite and Nanocomposite Materials, Polymers and Macromolecular Materials
Jiaoyang Li is an Assistant Professor at the Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon University , where she leads research in large-scale multi-robot coordination. She earned her Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Southern California (2022) under Professor Sven Koenig and holds a B.Eng. in Automation from Tsinghua University (2017) . Ph.D. (2022): University of Southern California B.Eng. (2017): Tsinghua University Research Focus : Jiaoyang Li's work centers on algorithms for multi-robot coordination in dynamic environments. Key areas include: Multi-Agent Path Finding (MAPF) Lifelong Planning for Autonomous Systems Kinodynamic Motion Planning Warehouse and Transportation Automation Human-Robot Collaboration Integration of Planning and Machine Learning Swarm Robotics Publication Trends : Recent work spans 2023-2025 , showing emphasis on: Scalable coordination for 10,000+ robots Bézier curve optimization for dual-arm assembly Diffusion models in multi-robot motion planning Guidance graph optimization for airport/railway traffic Multi-objective search in warehouse automation Temporal plan graphs for switchable passing orders Scientific Honors : ICAPS-24 Best Student Paper Award Three top dissertation awards (ICAPS-23, IFAAAMAS, USC) 2023 League of Robot Runners champion Outstanding student paper award at ICAPS-20 Technology Commercialization Award from USC Student Leadership : Advises 5 Ph.D. students and 1 Master's student at CMU, with alumni now at MIT (Ying Feng) and USC (Yimin Tang). Collaborates with visiting students from National University of Singapore and Tsinghua University. Lab Affiliation : Directs the Artificial Intelligence for Robot Coordination at Scale (ARCS) Lab , focusing on: Warehouse automation with thousands of robots Multi-arm LEGO assembly systems Railway coordination algorithms Cooperative assembly with multiple manipulators
Ovijit Chaudhuri is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University, with a courtesy appointment in Bioengineering. He leads research at the interface of mechanics and biology, focusing on how cellular and extracellular mechanical properties influence biological processes like cancer progression and tissue formation. His work employs advanced tools such as atomic force microscopy and 3D cell culture systems. Education: Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley/San Francisco (Bioengineering, 2009) B.S., University of California, Berkeley (Engineering Physics, 2003) Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard University (Biomaterials, 2013) Research Interests: His lab explores molecular mechanisms behind cellular mechanics, extracellular matrix dynamics, and how mechanical cues regulate cell behavior. Key areas include cancer metastasis, mechanotransduction, and engineered biomaterials for 3D cell culture. Publications Trends: Recent work emphasizes viscoelastic hydrogels, matrix mechanics in cancer progression, and mechanistic insights into cell migration. Over 50 publications since 2015 highlight interdisciplinary approaches in biomaterials and mechanobiology. Awards: Not explicitly listed in provided materials. Advising & Labs: No specific advisee names listed, but his lab focuses on collaborative projects in mechano-biology. Active in developing biomaterial systems for drug discovery and tissue engineering applications. Labs/Teams: Leads the Chaudhuri Lab at Stanford, which integrates engineering principles with biological systems to address complex disease mechanisms and therapeutic strategies.
George Perry is a Professor of Anthropology at Pennsylvania State University, with research intersections in Biology, Evolutionary Medicine, and Genomics. He is affiliated with the Huck Institutes' Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Ecology, Molecular Cellular and Integrative Biosciences, and Bioinformatics and Genomics programs. Perry directs the Anthropological Genomics Lab , focusing on paleogenomics and evolutionary adaptation. Research areas: anthropological genomics, parasite evolution, human body size transitions, and evolutionary medicine Key collaborations: international teams in Madagascar, Europe, and Africa Leadership: Bioinformatics and Genomics Chair (2019–2023) His 2025–2022 publications span evolutionary responses to invasive species, human migration health impacts, chemosensory gene adaptation, and primate genomic diversity. Notable methodological contributions include ancient DNA recovery and comparative paleogenomics. Perry advises graduate students like Vanessa Garcia and Annette Mercedes, with grants including NIH support for Cuban health disparity studies. Scientific leadership includes tenure-line promotions (2023) and NASA Space Grant collaborations.
