Ivan Marazzi is Associate Professor of Biological Chemistry at UC Irvine School of Medicine, leading the Center for Epigenetics & Metabolism. Research explores transcriptional regulation dynamics, NF-kappaB signaling, and chromatin organization in inflammation and host-virus interactions. Recent investigations focus on circadian control of immunity, DNA damage responses, and therapeutic targeting of inflammatory pathways. The lab employs molecular biology and genomics approaches to study transcriptional mechanisms in viral infections, cancer, and immune disorders.
Margot Elizabeth Quinlan is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of California Los Angeles, where she leads a research program focused on cytoskeletal dynamics and cellular mechanics. Her work bridges molecular biology, biophysics, and cell biology, with particular emphasis on actin filament organization and formin proteins. Dr. Quinlan's educational background includes: Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from University of Pennsylvania (2002) B.A. in Biology from Reed College (1991) Her research interests center on cytoskeletal dynamics, particularly the role of formin proteins in actin polymerization and cellular organization. She has made significant contributions to understanding how formins regulate actin filament assembly in diverse cellular contexts including cardiomyocytes, neurons, and during bacterial infection. Her work employs sophisticated biochemical, biophysical, and cell biological approaches to dissect molecular mechanisms of cytoskeletal regulation. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on formin proteins and their diverse roles across biological systems. Her research spans fundamental mechanisms of actin dynamics, implications for cardiac function, neuronal development, and pathogen-host interactions. She has developed important insights into how formins interact with other cytoskeletal components and how their activity is regulated through post-translational modifications. Dr. Quinlan maintains an active research laboratory (Quinlan Lab) at UCLA, with publications spanning cell biology, microbiology, neuroscience, and developmental biology. Her work has established important connections between basic cytoskeletal mechanisms and physiological processes across multiple systems.
Yi Yin is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Genetics at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Medicine. Her research focuses on understanding homologous recombination (HR), a major pathway for repairing double-strand breaks in DNA, which has critical implications in cancer biology, development, and genome stability. Dr. Yin received her PhD and MS in Genetics and Genomics and Statistical Science, respectively, from Duke University in 2015. Her educational background has equipped her with a strong foundation in both biological mechanisms and quantitative analysis. Her research interests center on building a probabilistic understanding of homologous recombination through the development of high-throughput single-cell sequencing technologies. The central vision of her lab is to develop tools that can predict genome fragility, identify epigenetic contexts regulating DNA breakage, determine how DNA repair gene variants affect repair processes, and understand the consequences of HR from single cells to individuals. She has developed the sci-L3 suite of single-cell sequencing technologies, which enables linear amplification of single-cell genomes at scale (up to 1 million cells) and supports multi-omics applications including whole-genome sequencing, targeted sequencing, and DNA/RNA co-assays. Analysis of Dr. Yin's publication record reveals a consistent research trajectory focused on DNA repair mechanisms, particularly using yeast as a model organism to study homologous recombination. More recently, her work has expanded to include SARS-CoV-2 genomic epidemiology, demonstrating the versatility of her genomic technologies. Her publications show increasing impact, with several highly cited papers in top journals like Nature Biomedical Engineering, Molecular Cell, and Nature Biotechnology. Damon Runyon-Dale F. Frey Award for Breakthrough Scientists, Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation (2020-2022) Damon Runyon Fellowship Award, Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation (2016-2019) Dr. Yin serves as Principal Investigator on NIH R35GM142511 "Understanding spontaneous mitotic crossover by single-cell multi-omics" (2021-2026), which supports her development of a full-fledged HR mapping platform. Her lab is working to characterize genome, tissue, and evolutionary variation in mitotic HR rates and machinery, with broader interests in genome-wide characterization of HR partner choice, cell-type variation in DNA repair pathway usage, construction of dense linkage maps in non-model organisms, and discovery of new DNA repair genes in unculturable microbes. The Yin Lab @ UCLA continues to push the boundaries of genomic technology development and its application to fundamental biological questions.
Anil Day is a Reader (equivalent to Associate Professor) in the Division of Molecular & Cellular Function at the University of Manchester. His research focuses on chloroplast biotechnology, transplastomic technologies, and microalgal engineering for industrial applications. Education includes: PhD from John Innes Centre, Norwich MA Biochemistry from University of Oxford Day's research examines plastid gene function and develops transplastomic technologies for precise engineering of chloroplast genomes. His work enables high-yield production of therapeutic proteins and development of next-generation biotech crops with natural gene containment through maternal inheritance. Awards and honors: Teaching Excellence Award (2012) UMIP Prize for Industrial Collaboration (2009) He directs the MSc in Biotechnology and Enterprise program, teaches cytoplasmic genetics, and supervises postgraduate research on chloroplast biotechnology applications.
Akhil Vaidya, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at Drexel University College of Medicine, where he also serves as Director of the Center for Molecular Parasitology. He obtained his PhD from the University of Bombay in 1972. His research focuses on understanding the molecular functioning of malaria parasites to develop new antimalarial drugs, with particular emphasis on mitochondrial biology and parasite metabolism. His laboratory investigates essential mitochondrial processes in Plasmodium parasites including electron transport chain function, ATP synthase assembly, and pyrimidine biosynthesis pathways. These studies have led to discoveries of novel drug targets and mechanisms of existing antimalarials like atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone). Dr. Vaidya collaborates internationally on drug discovery projects with Medicines for Malaria Venture, including development of pyrazoleamide compounds that disrupt parasite sodium homeostasis. Research publications demonstrate consistent focus on molecular parasitology, mitochondrial function in apicomplexans, antimalarial drug mechanisms, and parasite metabolism. Recent work explores mitochondrial ribosomal proteins, metabolic roles of endosymbiotic organelles, and transcriptional regulation in Plasmodium. Honors & Awards: Provost Award for Outstanding Scholarly Productivity - Career (2024) Award for Excellence in Basic Science Mentoring (2023) He leads a research team including staff scientists Joanne Morrisey, Michael Mather, and Sudipta Das, and advises graduate students April Pershing, Ming Yang, Lindsay Pomykala, and Suyash Bhatnagar. His work is supported by grants from the NIH and Medicines for Malaria Venture.
Giandomenico Orlandi is a Full Professor at the University of Verona's Department of Computer Science, affiliated with the School of Science and Engineering. He holds leadership roles including Department Director, Faculty Board member for the Interuniversity PhD in Mathematics, and coordinator of Erasmus+ partnerships. His research focuses on Partial Differential Equations, Calculus of Variations, and Geometric Measure Theory, with applications to optimal transport and mathematical modeling in industry and biology. Education: Extensive academic background in mathematics, culminating in his current professorship. Research Interests: Elliptic PDE systems, variational models in physics (superconductivity, Bose-Einstein condensation), geometric networks, and optimal transport theory. His work includes international projects like ECMI Teaching Center certification (2017) and collaborations with institutions like Grenoble INP-UGA. He has led over 20 research initiatives since 2002, focusing on topics from industrial modeling to cultural heritage imaging. His teaching spans functional analysis, mathematical analysis modules, and applied mathematics courses since 2000. Labs & Teams: Involved with Laboratorio INFOMICS, OPDATE (Formal Methods Lab), and STARS (Geographical Systems Lab). Grants: Key roles in PRIN, GNAMPA, and EU-funded projects (e.g., HPRN-CT-2002-00274).
William B. Messer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at Oregon Health & Sciences University (OHSU), with a focus on virology and immunology. Previously, he was a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Medicine. His research emphasizes dengue virus genetics, alphavirus pathogenesis, and immune responses to SARS-CoV-2. He holds an M.D. and Ph.D. from UNC, where his doctoral work investigated dengue virus evolution in Sri Lanka. Education: Ph.D., Ecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2003 M.D., University of North Carolina School of Medicine, 2006 Residency in Internal Medicine, UNC Hospitals, 2009 Fellowship in Infectious Diseases, UNC School of Medicine, 2012 Research Interests: Dr. Messer studies viral evolution, immune responses to flaviviruses (e.g., dengue, Zika), and vaccine development. His work includes multi-omic profiling of immune dysregulation in viral infections and antibody dynamics in SARS-CoV-2. His lab explores viral genetics and host-pathogen interactions, with implications for public health and clinical interventions. Publications: His work spans high-impact journals, focusing on viral pathogenesis, vaccine efficacy, and immune correlates of disease severity. Recent studies include analyses of SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses and cross-neutralizing immunity against alphaviruses. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with OHSU and international teams on viral research, including projects on dengue epidemiology and SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics.
Erkin Şeker, Ph.D. , is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of California, Davis, where he also serves as Co-Director of the Center for Neuroengineering and Medicine and Chair of the Designated Emphasis in Neuroengineering . His research integrates micro- and nanofabrication, electrochemical biosensors, multifunctional neural interfaces, and microfluidic tissue chips to address challenges in healthcare and life-science miniaturization. Education: Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, University of Virginia (2007) Research Interests Prof. Şeker’s group operates at the intersection of nanoporous metals , microfluidics , and device engineering . Current thrusts include: Nanostructured electrochemical biosensors for nucleic-acid detection in food safety, water quality, and medical diagnostics. Multifunctional biomedical device coatings that combine neural recording with on-demand drug delivery to combat epilepsy and other neurological disorders. Nanoporous metal morphology libraries for high-throughput investigation of structure–property relationships. Microphysiological models of neuroinflammation and gut–brain-axis interactions using tri-culture tissue chips. Publication Trends Over the past decade the group has produced >80 peer-reviewed articles spanning Analytical Chemistry , ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces , Advanced Functional Materials , Lab on a Chip , and Journal of Neuroinflammation . The work reveals a clear trajectory from fundamental studies of nanoporous gold mechanics and surface chemistry to translational applications in closed-loop neural control, nucleic-acid diagnostics, and tissue-level disease models. Scientific Awards & Honors NSF CAREER Award NIH NIBIB Trailblazer Award UC Davis Academic Senate Distinguished Graduate and Professional Teaching Award UC Davis Graduate Studies Distinguished Graduate and Postdoctoral Mentorship Award BMES Cellular & Molecular Bioengineering Young Innovator Next Level Research Award (College of Engineering) Fund for Medical Discovery Award (Massachusetts General Hospital) Elevation to IEEE Senior Member Advising & Funding Prof. Şeker has mentored >25 Ph.D. and M.S. students and numerous undergraduates. Active funding includes NSF, NIH (NIBIB, NINDS, NIA, NCCIH), USDA-NIFA, UC Lab Fees, and industry partnerships totaling several million dollars. He is PI or Co-PI on grants such as: "NeuralStorm: Taking Neuroengineering by Storm" (NSF NRT) "Closed-Loop Electro-Fermentation…" (USDA-NIFA) "Next-Generation Neural Interfaces Based on Axonal Confinement…" (NIH NIBIB Trailblazer) "A Scalable Primary Cortical Tri-Culture Model…" (NIH R03) Labs & Teams He directs the Şeker Research Group , a multidisciplinary team of graduate students, post-docs, and undergraduates housed in the UC Davis College of Engineering. Shared resources include College clean-room facilities, the Center for Neuroengineering and Medicine, and collaborative ties with the UC Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Environmental Health Sciences Center.
Mariana Silva Artur is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Plant Physiology, Wageningen University & Research. Her research focuses on plant desiccation tolerance and seed resilience, particularly investigating molecular and genomic mechanisms enabling survival under extreme conditions. She leads the Seed Resilience Group, combining experimental physiology, bioinformatics, and molecular biology to study seed survival in arid and high-temperature environments. Education: Bachelor of Biology (Federal University of Lavras, Brazil, 2008-2012) MSc in Agronomy/Plant Physiology (Federal University of Lavras, Brazil, 2012-2014) PhD in Plant Physiology (Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands, 2014-2018) Postdoc in Plant Ecophysiology (Utrecht University, Netherlands, 2018-2020) Postdoc in Plant Physiology (Wageningen University & Research, 2020-2023) Research Interests: Desiccation tolerance, seed resilience, functional genomics, gene regulation, plant proteins, and climate resilience. Her work explores how plants adapt to extreme environmental conditions through evolutionary and molecular mechanisms. Grants & Projects: NWO ENW-Veni Grant (2020) investigating DT regulation during seed maturation Seeds for the Future Initiative (2020-2023) HEAT Project (NWO-funded study on seed quality under high temperatures) Fine Drying Project (NWO-Veni, 2021-2024) Labs/Teams: Head of the Seed Resilience Group within the Laboratory of Plant Physiology. Collaborates on systems-level approaches to enhance seed survival strategies.
Ingrid Vetter is a Research Professor and Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology (Dortmund, Germany), leading the research group on Structural Elucidation of Proteins and Protein Complexes within the Department of Mechanistic Cell Biology. She has held this tenured position since 1995 and serves as a Principal Investigator in Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 1093, contributing to Project Z2 (X-Ray Crystallography). Her work focuses on structural biology, nuclear transport mechanisms, and small GTP-binding proteins. Education: Ph.D. in Biology (1990), Max Planck Institute for Medical Research and University of Heidelberg Postdoctoral training at EMBL (Heidelberg) and University of Oregon (USA) Diploma in Biology (1987), University of Frankfurt Research Interests: Dr. Vetter’s research integrates structural biology and biochemistry to study cellular signaling pathways, particularly kinetochore architecture, nuclear pore complexes, and GTPase regulation. Her lab uses X-ray crystallography to investigate protein structures and their roles in processes like nuclear transport and mitosis. Scientific Contributions: Her recent work includes studies on centromere maintenance (PLK1’s role), correction of HTRA1 conformational defects, and structural insights into kinetochore complexes. Over 60 publications highlight her contributions to understanding protein interactions and cellular mechanisms. Awards and Funding: Scholarship from Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes (1985–87) DFG and industry fellowships during postdoctoral phases Leadership in multiple CRC projects (CRC 642, CRC 1093) Labs and Collaborations: Her group collaborates with Prof. Andrea Musacchio (kinetochore studies) and Prof. André Wittinghofer (GTPase research). The lab employs advanced crystallography facilities, including a Rigaku X-ray generator and automated screening systems.
Kristen Buck is a Professor at Oregon State University, affiliated with the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences (CEOAS). She leads the Elemental Ocean Lab, focusing on trace metal biogeochemistry, particularly iron, copper, and nickel in marine ecosystems. Her research emphasizes organic ligand-driven metal bioavailability and its impact on ocean productivity and toxicity. Research Interests: Dr. Buck’s work bridges chemical oceanography and marine ecology, investigating how organic ligands mediate trace metal cycling. Key areas include iron limitation in open oceans, copper toxicity in coastal regions, and the role of microbial interactions in metal speciation. Her lab quantifies macronutrient and trace metal dynamics using advanced analytical techniques. Recent Work Trends: Publications from 2023–2024 highlight studies on microbial ligand production in hydrothermal systems, silica cycling post-phytoplankton blooms, and GEOTRACES-driven insights into global trace metal complexation. Themes include methodological advancements in speciation analysis and interdisciplinary approaches linking physical, chemical, and biological ocean processes. Grants & Collaboration: Active in large-scale programs like GEOTRACES and EXPORTS, she collaborates internationally to advance understanding of ocean biogeochemical cycles. No explicit awards are listed, but her contributions are recognized through high-impact interdisciplinary research. Labs & Teams: Her Elemental Ocean Lab integrates analytical chemistry, microbial ecology, and global oceanography, fostering collaborations with institutions worldwide to address critical questions in marine trace metal dynamics.
Iain MacArthur is a Researcher at Northumbria University, specializing in bacterial genetics, genomics, and pathogen evolution. His work focuses on Bordetella pertussis and Rhodococcus equi , investigating topics such as genetic diversity, virulence mechanisms, and diagnostic tools. He has supervised PhD students Samuel Rattray and Michael Gollan, with current projects involving bacterial adhesins and vaccine development. MacArthur's research integrates genomic analysis, gene essentiality studies, and pathogen-host interactions, contributing to understanding bacterial evolution and drug resistance. His publications span microbiology, genomics, and infectious diseases, with a focus on novel diagnostic assays and genomic insights into pathogen behavior. Key Research Themes: Bacterial genetic diversity, pathogen virulence, diagnostic methods, and vaccine targets. Notable Contributions: Developed a qPCR assay for live/dead bacterial quantification, analyzed B. pertussis evolution via large-scale genomic studies, and explored R. equi virulence plasmids.
Jacek Otlewski is a Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Biotechnology at the University of Wrocław, where he leads the Department of Protein Engineering. He earned his M.S. in Biochemistry with Distinction (1980), Ph.D. in Biochemistry (1983), and D.Sc. in Biophysical Chemistry (1991) from the same institution. His career includes positions as Visiting Professor at the University of Virginia and Purdue University, Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship at Max-Planck-Institut für Biochemie, and extensive leadership roles including Vice Director for Research and membership in scientific councils across multiple institutes. His research focuses on protein engineering, protein-protein interactions, and structural biology. Key areas include: Design of stable protein scaffolds and therapeutic proteins Mechanisms of serine proteinases and their inhibitors Applications of phage display and directed mutagenesis Structural analysis using NMR and X-ray crystallography Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2006-2011) reveals strong emphasis on protein domain interactions (particularly PDZ domains), therapeutic protein engineering, and structural characterization of proteins involved in cellular signaling and disease mechanisms. Research frequently combines experimental biochemistry with computational approaches. Scientific Awards and Honors: Leon Marchlewski Medal (2003) Polish Minister of Higher Education Awards (4 total) International Research Scholar, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (2001) Foundation for Polish Science Scholarship (2000) Mozolowski Award (1981) 8 University President Awards He has served on editorial boards for Annexins and The Central European Journal of Biology , and as referee for over 30 scientific journals. Major service includes coordination of international symposia, membership in ERC grant panels, and leadership positions in Polish and European scientific committees including the National Committee of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
Prof. Michael Hochberg is a Distinguished Research Director at CNRS and an External Professor at the Santa Fe Institute. His career spans senior roles at CNRS (1991–present), sabbaticals at University of Wisconsin and University of California, Berkeley, and fellowships at Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin. His research bridges population ecology, evolutionary biology, and cancer evolution , focusing on host-parasite coevolution, phage therapy, and the ecological underpinnings of cancer risk. His recent publications emphasize the application of evolutionary principles to medical challenges , including phage-antibiotic synergy and evolutionary constraints on tumor development. Trends include interdisciplinary approaches connecting microbial ecology, cancer biology, and social evolution . CNRS Silver Medal (1997) Honorary Research Fellow, University of Wisconsin Zoology (1998) Visiting Miller Professor, UC Berkeley (2009) Fellow, Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin (2013–2014) Hochberg has trained over 50 Masters and PhD students, supervised 10 postdocs, and secured grants from ANR, INCa, and the James S. McDonnell Foundation. He leads editorial roles at Faculty of 1000 and Science Advances , and previously directed the Darwinian Evolution of Cancer Consortium (2012–2015).
Professor James Bron is a Professor of Aquatic Animal Health and Head of the Aquatic Parasitology Research Group at the University of Stirling's Institute of Aquaculture. He holds a BSc in Zoology with Marine Zoology (University of North Wales, Bangor), an MSc in Bioarchaeology (University College London), and a PhD from the University of Stirling (1987). His career spans over 30 years focused on aquatic parasitology, finfish health, and disease control in aquaculture. He leads interdisciplinary research on sea lice, bacterial/viral pathogens, and gill diseases (e.g., AGD), emphasizing applied solutions such as vaccines, genetic resistance, and engineering interventions. His work integrates microscopy (SEM/TEM/confocal), modeling, and functional feed development, with funding from BBSRC, EU Horizon, and industry partners. He collaborates globally on projects addressing sustainable aquaculture challenges. Research Interests: Sea lice biology and control mechanisms Genetic resistance to pathogens Immunological responses in fish Novel treatments and diagnostics Functional feed development Key Contributions: Over 150 publications and 18 research projects. His team pioneered studies on sea lice resistance to chemicals, developed imaging techniques for parasite detection, and advanced genomic approaches for disease management. He chairs the Aquaculture Health group and advises on EU regulatory frameworks for aquatic pathogens.
