Steven R. Hall is a Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), School of Engineering. His research focuses on aerospace control applications and optimal control theory, with significant contributions to helicopter vibration reduction and actuator design. Education: S.B., 1980; S.M., 1982; Sc.D., 1985, all from MIT Dr. Hall's work bridges aerospace systems and electrochemical actuation, exploring innovative methods for vibration control and structural dynamics in rotorcraft. His career spans both technical and administrative roles, including Chair of the MIT Faculty (2013–2015). His recent publications highlight expertise in aerospace controls , rotor dynamics , electrochemical actuators , and engineering education . Notably, his 2024 article on dental prosthetics’ entrepreneurial aspects deviates from his core aerospace themes. Scientific Awards: Tau Beta Pi Member (1983–1985), Hertz Fellow (1998), Raymond L. Bisplinghoff Fellow Dr. Hall has served in leadership positions at MIT, including Assistant Department Head (1997–1998), and is affiliated with the Aerospace Controls Lab . His career demonstrates a commitment to advancing aerospace technology and education.
Dr. Jingsong Zhou is a Professor of Kinesiology and Associate Director of the Bone-Muscle Research Center at The University of Texas at Arlington. Her research focuses on neuromuscular diseases, particularly Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), with expertise in striated muscle physiology, calcium signaling, and mitochondrial dysfunction. She leads the Neuromuscular Diseases Lab, which develops genetic mouse models and molecular probes to study ALS mechanisms. Dr. Zhou’s work has been supported by NIH, MDA, DOD, and the ALS Association. She serves on the NIH SMEP study section and has over 20 years of academic experience, including postdoctoral training at Vanderbilt University College of Medicine and a PhD from Rush University School of Medicine. Education: Postdoctoral Fellow in Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University College of Medicine (2001) PhD in Molecular Biophysics and Physiology, Rush University School of Medicine (1997) Diploma in Medicine, Hunan Medical University (Xiangya Medical School) (1986) Research Interests: Mechanisms of calcium signaling and mitochondrial dysfunction in ALS Role of sarcolemma repair and autophagy in neuromuscular disease progression Development of therapeutic strategies targeting mitochondrial health and membrane integrity Grants and Funding: NIH grants focused on ALS pathogenesis and muscle-bone interactions Support from MDA, DOD, and ALS Association for translational research projects Labs and Teams: Director of the Neuromuscular Diseases Lab at UT Arlington Collaborations in developing mouse models and molecular tools for ALS research
Laura (Kai) Burrus is a Professor in the Department of Biology within the College of Science and Engineering at San Francisco State University, where she has been a faculty member since 1997. Her research has evolved from studying Wnt signaling in developmental biology to addressing climate change resilience through microbial ecology. Education: BS in Chemistry - College of William and Mary (1986) PhD in Biochemistry - University of Wisconsin-Madison (1991) Post-doc in Developmental Biology - Harvard University (1996) Dr. Burrus' research has historically focused on the biochemical and cellular mechanisms underlying Wnt gradient formation in chick embryos, with relevance to birth defects and cancer. Her work has been funded by NIH, NSF, CSUPERB, and MDA over the last 20 years. She is currently transitioning her research to analyze the role of microbes in climate change resilience, motivated by her recognition that 'climate change is inherently racist.' She is actively involved with Lifting Black Voices in STEM and is leading an effort to launch an interdisciplinary Certificate in Climate Change Causes, Impacts, and Solutions. As one of five LGBTQIA biology faculty at SFSU, she brings unique perspectives to her work on inclusive classroom practices. Her publication record spans from 1994 to 2021, with recent work focusing on Wnt signaling mechanisms, educational approaches in STEM, and the transition to climate change research. Her research shows a clear evolution from fundamental developmental biology to applied environmental science, while maintaining a strong foundation in molecular and cellular mechanisms. Scientific Contributions: Pioneering work on Wnt protein trafficking and modification Research connecting Wnt signaling to cancer biology Leadership in developing inclusive STEM education practices Transition to climate change resilience research with focus on microbial ecology Dr. Burrus has mentored numerous undergraduate and graduate students throughout her career, with many alumni going on to pursue advanced degrees and careers in science. She has been actively involved in pedagogical innovation and is pioneering new approaches to effectively communicate research to both scientific and lay communities. Her lab has received funding from multiple sources including NIH, NSF, CSUPERB, and MDA. She is currently involved in oyster reef restoration research in the San Francisco Bay, investigating microbial communities as indicators of climate resilience. This work represents an aspirational shift from her previous focus, leveraging molecular expertise to address pressing climate challenges while mentoring students from diverse backgrounds.
Howard Sirotkin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neurobiology & Behavior at Stony Brook University's Renaissance School of Medicine. His research focuses on neural development, utilizing zebrafish as a model organism to study processes like neural stem cell differentiation, neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., autism, epilepsy), and the impact of environmental pollutants like PFAS. He holds a PhD from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and has been at Stony Brook since 2002. His lab employs cutting-edge genetic tools and behavioral assays to investigate molecular mechanisms underlying nervous system formation and dysfunction. Education: B.S. Microbiology (University of Florida, 1991); M.S./Ph.D. Molecular Genetics (Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1993/1996). Research Themes: (1) Neural stem cell regulation, (2) Disease modeling in zebrafish, (3) Chromosome engineering, (4) Environmental toxicant effects Key Technologies: Zebrafish genetics, high-resolution live imaging, CRISPR-based genome editing Lab Members: Includes PhD students (Carly Gomes, Gina Rizzo), MS students, and undergraduate researchers Grants: NIH-funded projects on PFAS toxicity and neural stem cell signaling Facilities: State-of-the-art lab in Stony Brook's Life Sciences Building with dedicated microscopy and behavioral testing suites
Julian Guttman is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Simon Fraser University (SFU), specializing in Cellular Microbiology. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of the journal Cytoskeleton . His research focuses on bacterial infections' molecular mechanisms, particularly how pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes , E. coli , and Salmonella manipulate host cell cytoskeletons (actin, microtubules) to invade, spread, and cause disease. Key areas include actin-based motility, pathogen-induced membrane protrusions, and therapeutic development. His lab actively recruits undergraduate, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows. Education: BSc (University of Western Ontario), MSc and PhD (University of British Columbia). He has published extensively on host-pathogen interactions, with recent work on Listeria's caveolin-mediated spreading, KATNAL1-driven microtubule disassembly by Klebsiella, and cyclophilin A's role in Salmonella invasion. His work bridges microbiology, cell biology, and structural biology to combat infectious diseases.
Dr. Richard W. Gross is Professor of Medicine and Developmental Biology at Washington University School of Medicine and Professor of Chemistry. He holds a PhD from Washington University, MD from New York University Medical School, and BA from Columbia College. His research focuses on the chemical biology of membranes in health and disease, specializing in lipidomics, metabolomics, and membrane signaling. He pioneered shotgun lipidomics technology for direct identification and quantification of lipid molecular species in biological systems. Developed novel shotgun lipidomics technology combining intrasource separation, multidimensional MS, and array analysis Investigates phospholipase regulation and membrane signaling complexes Studies altered lipid metabolism in obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease
Dr. Sindy K.Y. Tang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University, with courtesy appointments in Bioengineering and Radiology. She leads the Micro-Nano-Bio Lab, focusing on developing micro/nano-scale devices for precision medicine and environmental sustainability. Her work bridges engineering, biology, and medicine through microfluidic platforms for single-cell analysis, cancer organoid models, and allergy diagnostics. Educational Background: PhD in Engineering Sciences (Harvard University, advised by Prof. George Whitesides) MS in Electrical Engineering (Stanford University) BS in Electrical Engineering (Caltech) Research Focus: Dr. Tang's lab explores innovative tools for understanding cellular wound repair, cancer immunotherapy modeling, and precision diagnostics. Key projects include: Microfluidic 'guillotine' for controlled cell dissection Basophil activation tests for food allergy diagnosis Automated micro-dissection systems for tumor organoids Awards & Recognition: NSF CAREER Award (2020) Kenneth & Barbara Oshman Faculty Scholar Invited Lecture at Nobel Symposium on Microfluidics (2019) Lab & Collaborations: The lab collaborates with institutions like UCSF, PNNL, and the Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy Research. Ongoing efforts include synthetic neuron construction (NSF-funded) and spatial proteomics for cancer biology. Recent publications span wound repair mechanisms, fomite transmission studies, and organoid-based cancer models.
Professor Daniel Davis MBE FMedSci is the Head of the Department of Life Sciences and Professor of Immunology at Imperial College London. He holds affiliations with the Institute of Chemical Biology, the CDT in Chemical Biology: Innovation in Life Sciences (as a supervisor), and research groups in Immunology and Molecular Mechanisms of Disease. His academic journey includes a doctorate in Physics from Harvard University and prior roles as Director of Research at the Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research (University of Manchester). His research focuses on nanoscale biology of immune cell interactions, employing advanced microscopy techniques to study immune synapse formation, cytotoxicity mechanisms, and immunological regulation. Notable contributions include elucidating how immune cells use adhesion, signaling, and structural reorganization to target pathogens and cancer cells. Professor Davis has authored four popular science books, including Self Defence: A Myth-Busting Guide to Immune Health (2025), The Beautiful Cure (2018), and The Compatibility Gene (2014), which bridge public understanding of immunology and biology. His work has been recognized with prestigious awards such as the Royal Society Science Book Prize and the Prose Award. His articles span topics like NK cell heterogeneity, gene therapy for neurological disorders, and super-resolution microscopy applications. Grants and collaborations include work on AAV-based gene therapies and immunomodulatory drug development. Davis actively engages in public science communication through festivals, media outlets (e.g., BBC, Guardian), and international speaking engagements. His research labs at Imperial College focus on interdisciplinary approaches, combining biophysics, genetics, and clinical applications to advance immunology and translational medicine.
Sangwoo Kim is a Tenure Track Assistant Professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) in the Institute of Mechanical Engineering. He leads the Mechanics of Soft and Biological Matter Laboratory (MESOBIO), focusing on the interplay between mechanics, physics, and biology in living systems. His research spans soft matter physics, developmental biology, and mechanical engineering. 2023–Present: Tenure Track Assistant Professor, EPFL School of Engineering Postdoctoral Fellow, UC Santa Barbara Mechanical Engineering Ph.D. in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Kim’s research investigates fundamental properties of biological and soft materials, including: Tissue morphogenesis and embryonic development Mechanical behavior of amorphous and active matter Non-equilibrium dynamics in cellular systems Phase transitions in biological tissues Stress and osmotic pressure quantification His recent publications reveal a focus on: Biological jamming and fluidization Zebrafish axis elongation mechanics Energy landscapes of cellular matter Active matter modeling Statistical mechanics of soft materials Developmental force transmission Kim supervises PhD students and teaches courses in structural mechanics at EPFL, emphasizing problem-solving in engineering design.
Prof. Henning Hintzsche is a Professor at the University of Bonn's Institute of Nutrition and Food Sciences. His research focuses on genotoxic effects of food-derived substances, employing methods such as DNA damage analysis and micronucleus assays. Key interests include understanding mechanisms of genotoxicity, developing protective strategies, and improving regulatory risk assessment frameworks. Notable work includes studies on micronucleus dynamics in cell models and toxin mixtures' effects in zebrafish and human cells. Research topics span synthetic dyes (e.g., Alizarin Red S), perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and natural compounds like pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Findings have been published in journals like Archives of Toxicology and Scientific Reports . Collaborations emphasize translational applications in food safety and regulatory science. No awards or grants are explicitly listed, though his work contributes to EU policy frameworks. His lab's interdisciplinary approach bridges basic toxicology with real-world risk mitigation strategies.
Elliot Hui, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), within the Samueli School of Engineering. His research focuses on biological microtechnology, including spatial cell biology, microscale tissue engineering, global health diagnostics, and microfluidic computing. He leads the Hui Lab, which develops tools for automating biochemical reactions, controlling cellular organization, and understanding tissue development dynamics. Key achievements include pioneering microfluidic logic systems for autonomous laboratory automation and creating novel cell culture platforms to study intercellular communication in tissues. His work bridges engineering and biology, addressing challenges in diagnostics and regenerative medicine. Notable contributions include the development of a programmable finite state machine for microfluidic control and a SLAS Fellowship awarded to his student Erik. Research Interests: Microfluidic devices, cell-cell interaction modeling, tissue engineering, and lab-on-a-chip systems. Labs/Teams: Hui Lab at UCI, specializing in microscale biological systems and automation. Publications span topics such as microfluidic computing architectures, tissue dissociation devices, and Bayesian experimental design. His work emphasizes applications in global health diagnostics and mechanistic studies of cellular processes.
Andrea Rocco is an Associate Professor in Physics and Mathematical Biology and Head of the Quantum Sciences Research Group at the University of Surrey. He holds affiliations with the School of Mathematics and Physics and the Centre for Mathematical and Computational Biology. Rocco earned his PhD in Physics from the University of North Texas (1998) and held postdoctoral positions at the University of Barcelona, University of Rome La Sapienza, CWI (Netherlands), and the University of Oxford. His research bridges theoretical physics (quantum mechanics, open systems, decoherence) and biological physics (stochastic dynamics in living systems, gene networks). Educations: BSc in Physics, University of Pisa (1994) PhD in Physics, University of North Texas (1998) Research Interests: His work explores quantum-classical transitions, quantum thermodynamics, and noise-induced phenomena in biological systems. Recent grants include a US$3M award for studying time and life. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology and the Higher Education Academy. Awards: Member of the Institute of Physics (MInstP) Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (FRSB) Advising & Grants: Rocco leads the Quantum Sciences Group and has supervised postdoctoral researchers like Thomas Guff. His grants include major funding for interdisciplinary quantum-biological research. Labs/Teams: Head of the Quantum Sciences Research Group at Surrey, integrating theoretical physics and computational biology.
Naratip Santitissadeekorn is a Senior Lecturer in Data Assimilation at the School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Surrey, where he is affiliated with the Mathematics at the Interface Group. His work bridges mathematics, data science, and real-world applications in urban planning, crime analysis, and geophysical fluid dynamics. Dr. Santitissadeekorn received his PhD from Clarkson University in 2008, with a dissertation titled "Transport Analysis and Motion Estimation of Dynamical Systems of Time-Series data." His doctoral research was supervised by Professor Erik Bollt. Following his PhD, he completed two significant postdoctoral positions: from 2008-2011 at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, working with Professor Gary Froyland on numerical techniques for finite-time Lagrangian coherent set identification, with applications to delimiting the polar vortex and Agulhas rings; and from 2011-2014 at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, working with Professor Chris Jones on data assimilation projects. Dr. Santitissadeekorn's research focuses on inverse problems and data assimilation in geophysical fluid dynamics, the applications of Lagrangian Coherent Structures (LCS), and computational ergodic theory. His work combines theoretical mathematics with practical applications, particularly in urban growth modeling and crime analysis. He has developed innovative methods for identifying coherent structures in fluid flows, estimating transition probabilities from spatiotemporal data, and creating data-driven frameworks for urban expansion scenarios. His research demonstrates how mathematical techniques can be applied to solve real-world problems in environmental science, urban planning, and public safety. An analysis of Dr. Santitissadeekorn's recent publications (2020-2023) reveals a strong focus on urban expansion modeling and network analysis. His work on urban growth has evolved from basic cellular automata models to sophisticated frameworks that manage uncertainty through parameter clustering and growth mode identification. His research on Hawkes processes has advanced ensemble-based filtering techniques for analyzing count data in large networks. These publications demonstrate a consistent pattern of applying mathematical rigor to complex spatiotemporal phenomena, with increasing emphasis on data-driven approaches and practical applications. Dr. Santitissadeekorn has made significant contributions to data assimilation methods, particularly through the development of the extended Poisson-Kalman filter (ExPKF) for urban crime modeling. His teaching includes courses in Algebra and Bayesian Statistics, reflecting his expertise in both theoretical and applied mathematics. While specific awards are not mentioned in the available information, his extensive publication record in high-impact journals demonstrates recognition within his field. Dr. Santitissadeekorn's research has practical implications for urban planning and law enforcement. His work on urban expansion models helps planners understand different growth trajectories, while his crime modeling research contributes to improved police patrolling strategies. His interdisciplinary approach, combining mathematics, computer science, and domain-specific knowledge, positions him at the forefront of applying data science to societal challenges.
Daniela Calvetti is the James Wood Williamson Professor in the Department of Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, and Statistics at Case Western Reserve University. Her research focuses on large-scale scientific computing, computational inverse problems, uncertainty quantification, and predictive modeling in neuroscience, metabolism, and cellular physiology. She holds a PhD from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Her work integrates advanced mathematical techniques with biomedical applications, including brain energy metabolism modeling, MEG/EEG source reconstruction, and computational methods for medical imaging. Notable contributions include Bayesian hierarchical algorithms for inverse problems and interdisciplinary collaborations bridging mathematics with neuroscience and physiology. Recent research highlights include developing sparsity-promoting Bayesian models for tomography, computational frameworks for neuromuscular control variability, and predictive models of disease dynamics like post-pandemic COVID-19 recurrence. Her methodologies emphasize statistically inspired preconditioning and adaptive meshing techniques to enhance computational efficiency in solving complex inverse problems. Dr. Calvetti has published extensively across computational science, inverse problems, and biomedical applications. She leads a research group advancing interdisciplinary computational methods with applications in neuroscience, virology, and metabolic systems.
Soojung Claire Hur is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University (JHU), with a secondary appointment in the Department of Oncology at the JHU School of Medicine. She is affiliated with the Hopkins Extreme Materials Institute and the Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology. Her research focuses on developing microfluidic platforms to study complex fluid dynamics and translate these insights into clinical applications, particularly in oncology and regenerative medicine. Education: Hur earned her B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from UCLA (2005, 2007, 2011). She was a Rowland Fellow at Harvard University (2011–2016) and conducted clinical studies at Vortex Biosciences, Inc. before joining JHU's Whiting School of Engineering faculty in 2015. Research Interests: Her work spans inertial microfluidics, nonlinear fluid dynamics, cellular biophysics, and personalized medicine. She pioneers techniques like vortex-assisted electroporation and inertial focusing for high-throughput cell analysis, separation, and drug delivery. These methods aim to improve cancer diagnosis, immunotherapy, and gene therapy. Awards: Notable honors include the 2024 Johns Hopkins Discovery Awards, the 2023 Susan G. Komen Career Catalyst Award, and the 2018 Johnson & Johnson WiSTEM2D Scholars Award. Her research is funded by the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the Hartwell Foundation, and others. Advising & Grants: While no students are listed, her grants support projects like drug resistance monitoring and rare cell analysis. She holds three U.S. and two international patents for microfluidic technologies. Labs & Roles: The Hur Lab on Micro-Fluidic Biophysics develops clinical tools for cell mechanics analysis. Hur serves as an editor for Nature Scientific Reports , SLAS Technology , and Biomicrofluidics , and reviews for major journals and agencies like the NSF and NASA.
