Chadi Calarge, M.D. is a Professor at Baylor College of Medicine and leads the Calarge Lab affiliated with Texas Children’s Hospital and the Meyer Center for Developmental Pediatrics and Autism . His research focuses on the biological basis of mental illness in children and adolescents , particularly examining interactions between mental health and physical outcomes, such as growth patterns, bone health, metabolic changes, and gut-brain axis dynamics. Research Themes : Psychiatric medication effects on growth hormone signaling and longitudinal growth Role of iron deficiency and gut permeability in internalizing disorders Genetic moderators of antipsychotic and SSRI side effects Microbiome and inflammatory markers in adolescent depression Metformin as an adjunct for antipsychotic-induced metabolic issues Key Publications (2015-2024) span psychopharmacology , developmental neuroscience , and pediatric psychiatry , with recurring themes of growth inhibition from SSRIs and antipsychotics iron deficiency as a biomarker in psychiatric disorders microbiome alterations linked to mental health genetic risk factors for medication side effects metabolic monitoring standards in youth psychiatric care
Dilber Ece Uzun is an Associate Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Brown University and a founding Director of Clinical Bioinformatics at Lifespan Academic Medical Center. She also serves as Associate Director of the Center for Clinical Cancer Informatics and Data Science (CCIDS) and Editor-in-Chief of JMIR Bioinformatics and Biotechnology . B.S., Chemical Engineering, Istanbul Technical University M.S., Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Sabanci University PhD, Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University (Boston, MA) Her research focuses on translational bioinformatics and machine learning-based predictive models applied to cancer and neurodevelopmental disorders , particularly autism spectrum disorder and precision medicine . She has developed computational genetics frameworks and drug delivery models. Her publications span genetics , bioinformatics , drug delivery systems , and neurodevelopmental disorder analysis, with a strong emphasis on machine learning and predictive modeling in both cancer and autism research. 2022 : Brown University Karen T. Romer Prize for Undergraduate Advising and Mentoring 2013 : First Place, DPHB Research Day Poster Competition 2012 : First Place, DPHB Research Day Poster Competition 2010 : Fellowship from Brown University Institute for Brain Science 2009 : Fellowship from Northeastern University Provost Office 2007 : Multiple teaching and poster competition awards Dr. Uzun leads the Translational Bioinformatics Lab and collaborates with Brown University's Center for Computational Molecular Biology and Center for Translational Neuroscience .
Dr. Lin Chen is a tenured Professor of Biostatistics in the Department of Public Health Sciences at The University of Chicago, where they have been faculty since 2010, progressing from Assistant Professor (2010-2017) to Associate Professor (2017-2024) and now Professor (2024-present). Previously, they completed postdoctoral research at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (2008-2010) under Drs. Ross L. Prentice and Li Hsu, and at Princeton University (2008) under Dr. John D. Storey. Dr. Chen earned their Ph.D. in Biostatistics from the University of Washington in 2008 under Dr. John D. Storey, following a B.S. in Economics from Peking University (2002). Their research focuses on developing advanced statistical methods for statistical genomics , big omics data analysis , multivariate analysis , missing data analysis , and mixed-effects models . Their work has significantly advanced methodologies in Mendelian randomization, multi-omics integration, and genetic association studies. Dr. Chen's recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on integrative approaches that connect multiple layers of genomic data across different biological contexts. Their research demonstrates particular expertise in developing statistical frameworks that bridge genetic variation with molecular phenotypes and complex traits, often addressing critical challenges in causal inference and mediation analysis within genomic studies. The work consistently appears in top-tier journals including Nature Communications, Nature Genetics, and The American Journal of Human Genetics. The Best Paper in Genetic Epidemiology Award for the Year 2021 The Departmental Best Dissertation Award 2017-2018 (awarded to Jiebiao Wang) Dr. Chen actively mentors graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, with several former lab members now in faculty positions or industry roles at major pharmaceutical companies. Their lab currently has ongoing postdoctoral openings. They have developed multiple widely-used software packages including GMAC, Primo, mvMISE, ofGEM, MixRF, mixEMM, PEMM, Trigger, RHT, SNPath, and EigenR2, available through CRAN, GitHub, and Bioconductor. Dr. Chen teaches courses including Applied Regression Analysis, Introduction to Biostatistics, Statistical Analysis with Missing Data, and Introductory Statistical Genetics at the University of Chicago.
Katia Sol-Church is a Research Professor of Pathology at the University of Virginia School of Medicine and serves as the Director of the Genome Analysis & Technology Core within the Office of Research Core Administration. Her academic journey began with a Doctoral Degree in Cellular Biology from Université Paul Sabatier (Toulouse, France) and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from McGill University (Montreal, Canada). Her research spans genomics , RASopathies , and cancer predisposition syndromes , with a focus on applying omics technologies to enhance biomedical research rigor and reproducibility. She has pioneered discoveries in rare genetic disorders like Costello syndrome and Noonan syndrome, often collaborating with institutions such as Nemours and the University of Virginia. Her publication record reveals a trend toward integrating genomic analysis with clinical applications , including studies on coronary artery disease regulatory mechanisms (2022), auditory neuropathy genetics (2021), and RASopathy phenotyping (2017-2019). Collaborations with teams at UVA, Nemours, and international institutions underscore her interdisciplinary approach. As Director of the UVA Genomics Core, she leads initiatives to advance biomedical research infrastructure , emphasizing scientific reproducibility and clinical genomics across departments like Pathology and Pediatrics.
Dr. Fereydoun Hormozdiari is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine. His research focuses on developing computational methods for analyzing genomic data, particularly in structural variation discovery, genome assembly, and disease prediction using omics data. He leads a lab that integrates machine learning and combinatorial algorithms to address challenges in understanding complex disorders like autism and cancer. Key research areas include: Structural variation discovery and genotyping using next-generation sequencing technologies. Development of novel algorithms for de novo genome assembly. Identification of genetic modules and pathways linked to neurological disorders. Prediction of complex disorders through integrated analysis of genomic and transcriptomic data. Recent work includes advancements in early-stage cancer detection using cell-free RNA biomarkers and AI, as well as tools for tumor phylogeny reconstruction and structural variant genotyping. His contributions span over 80 publications in high-impact journals like Nature, Cell, and Genome Research. Lab and team collaborations involve interdisciplinary approaches, combining computational biology with clinical applications. Ongoing projects emphasize translating genomic insights into predictive models for personalized medicine and disease intervention.
Dr. Laura Donker Kaat is a researcher in Clinical Genetics at Erasmus University Medical Center, focusing on neurodegenerative disorders. Her work integrates genetics, epigenetics, and neuropsychology to study frontotemporal dementia phenotypes and genetic syndromes. Her research examines: Genetic and epigenetic markers in frontotemporal lobar degeneration C9orf72-related dementia manifestations DNA methylation episignatures for rare disease diagnosis Personality changes in presymptomatic dementia Survival factors in neurodegenerative disorders Recent publications demonstrate her focus on translating genetic findings into clinical applications, particularly through DNA methylation analysis and neuropsychiatric assessment tools.
Tobias Kaufmann is a Full Professor of Neurotechnology and Computational Psychiatry at the University of Tübingen, Germany, and a Senior Researcher at the Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research (NORMENT) at the University of Oslo, Norway. His research focuses on investigating the pathophysiological changes in brain structure and function, particularly exploring their genetic underpinnings through computational analysis of large-scale neuroimaging and genetic datasets. He has contributed to understanding the genetic architecture of brain regions like the thalamus and brainstem, their roles in psychiatric and neurological disorders, and the development of neuroimaging tools such as ARTiiFACT for artifact processing. His work bridges neurotechnology, computational methods, and clinical psychiatry to advance precision medicine approaches in mental health. His research interests include neuroimaging genetics, brain aging, and the application of machine learning to neuroimaging data. He has developed software tools for analyzing brain connectivity and functional networks, with a focus on schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other psychiatric disorders. Kaufmann is also involved in collaborative initiatives like the ECNP NeuroImaging Network to promote open science and data-sharing in mental health research. His lab at NORMENT focuses on integrating multimodal data (e.g., MRI, genetics) to study brain disorders, while his role at the University of Tübingen emphasizes advancing neurotechnological methods. He has no listed awards but has published extensively in top journals like Nature Neuroscience and NeuroImage, with a strong emphasis on computational psychiatry and neuroimaging methodologies.
Jinchuan Xing is a Professor at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, where he leads the Xing Lab of Genomics. His research focuses on human genomic variation, mobile DNA elements, evolutionary and population genetics, and their implications for human disease. He integrates computational and experimental methods to study genome-wide variation, with applications in disease gene identification and genomic technology development. His research interests include: Mobile DNA element biology Human demographic history and population diversity Disease gene identification using whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing High-altitude adaptation genetics Transposable element regulation and expression piRNA and small RNA pathways His recent publications highlight a strong trend in reproductive genomics, particularly in identifying genetic risk factors for embryo aneuploidy in IVF patients, using advanced sequencing technologies. Other work spans evolutionary genomics in diverse species (bats, moths, Drosophila), structural variation in neurodevelopmental disorders, and proteogenomic discovery. His lab actively develops and applies bioinformatic tools for variant analysis and gene prioritization. Scientific awards and honors are not explicitly mentioned in the provided text. Jinchuan Xing advises several graduate students, including Nan Wang, Siqi, Ellie Lu, and Tongji Xing. His lab has received significant funding, including an R01 grant from NICHD on aneuploidy risk, a grant from the Center for Human Evolutionary Studies, and a Life Sciences Alliance Pilot Seed Funding grant in collaboration with the Department of Statistics. These grants support research in fertility genomics, disease gene discovery, and genomic tool development. The Xing Lab of Genomics is an active research group conducting interdisciplinary studies combining genomics, bioinformatics, and molecular biology. The lab welcomes new members regularly, including master’s and PhD students, and collaborates across departments. Current projects include understanding the genetic basis of meiosis, fertility, and high-altitude adaptation, as well as developing Markovian gene networks for disease gene discovery.
Katarina Pelin is a Senior University Lecturer at the University of Helsinki, affiliated with the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences and the Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme. Her work focuses on Genetics, Developmental Biology, and Physiology , particularly in neuromuscular disorders like nemaline myopathy. 1985–present: Active researcher in neuromuscular disorders 2012–present: Co-PI and administrative leader at Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics Her recent publications (2021–2025) highlight advancements in genetic diagnostics for muscle diseases, including linked-read sequencing , ddPCR methods , and phenotype-genotype correlations . Key genes studied: TNNT1 , NEB , ACTA1 , and TPM3 . She actively contributes to peer review (Acta Neurologica Belgica, BMC Pediatrics, Science Translational Medicine) and doctoral supervision . Her research emphasizes copy number variations , gene expression , and muscle regulatory proteins .
John Manak serves as Professor and Biomedical Sciences Program Director in the Department of Biology at the University of Iowa, conducting research at the intersection of genomics, genetics, and neurobiology. His work employs model organisms including Drosophila and Xenopus to investigate human genetic disorders and develop translational therapies. His academic background includes: PhD from Columbia University Dr. Manak's research focuses on identifying causative mutations for congenital anomalies such as spina bifida, branchio-oto-renal syndrome, renal agenesis, and cleft lip/palate. His lab discovered ISM1 as a critical craniofacial patterning gene and elucidated PRICKLE's role in epilepsy-ataxia syndromes using fly models. Current work explores glial immune responses and oxidative stress pathways in seizure progression, with potential for repurposing anti-inflammatory drugs as novel anti-epileptic therapies. Analysis of his 2019-2023 publications reveals consistent emphasis on copy-number variation analysis in craniofacial disorders and epilepsy mechanisms. Key trends include identification of novel clefting genes (COBLL1, RIC1, ARHGEF38), chromatin organization studies involving Dm-Myb, and translational approaches targeting neuroinflammation. His work bridges fundamental genetic discovery with clinical applications through integrated genomic and physiological analyses. No scientific awards were specified in the source material. As principal investigator, Dr. Manak mentors graduate students and postdoctoral researchers while securing research funding evidenced by his publication record in high-impact journals including Nature, PNAS, and Cell Reports. His leadership extends to directing the Biomedical Sciences Program and contributing to departmental research initiatives. His laboratory maintains active research programs utilizing Drosophila for epilepsy modeling, Xenopus for craniofacial studies, and mammalian systems for neuroprotection research. The lab collaborates extensively with University of Iowa core facilities including the Carver Center for Genomics and Carver Center for Imaging, employing techniques ranging from CRISPR-based gene editing to electrophysiological analysis of neural circuits.
Michael Baudis is a Professor of Bioinformatics and Tumorgenomics at the Institute of Molecular Biology , Faculty of Science, University of Zurich. He leads the development of the Progenetix database, a global reference for cancer genomic copy number alterations, and contributes to international standards through his membership in the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) . Research focuses on genomic data representation , cancer subtype classification , and data sharing protocols Key projects include Beacon networks , Phenopackets , and GA4GH standards Email: michael.baudis@uzh.ch His recent work explores short tandem repeat variations , attention-based deep learning for CNAs , and heterogeneity in cancer classifications . Methodological contributions include segment_liftover , CNARA , and pgxRpi for genomic data calibration and analysis.
Abby Hare is an Associate Professor of Biology at the Department of Biological and Allied Health Sciences , Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania . She earned her Ph.D. in microbiology and molecular genetics from Rutgers University and a B.S. in biochemistry and molecular biology from Ursinus College with a minor in biostatistics. Teaching: Genetics, Bioinformatics, Anatomy and Physiology, Concepts in Biology Research Focus: Identification and phenotypic characterization of rare genetic variants in neuropsychiatric disorders using genomic datasets and electronic health records. Research Trends: Her publications highlight interdisciplinary work bridging genomics , neurodevelopmental disorders , and clinical phenotyping . Key areas include copy number variants , gene-gene interactions in autism and language impairments, and environmental influences on mental health.
Erin Heinzen is an Associate Professor at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, with a joint appointment in the UNC Department of Genetics. She holds a Pharm.D. and Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, followed by postdoctoral training at Duke University. Her research focuses on the genetic and genomic basis of epilepsy disorders, particularly somatic mutations and transcriptomic regulation in neurological diseases. Education: Pharm.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2001) Ph.D., Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (2004) Research Interests: Dr. Heinzen’s lab investigates somatic mutations in epilepsy and brain malformations, using induced pluripotent stem cells and advanced sequencing technologies. Key projects include studying SLC35A2 variants in intractable epilepsy and analyzing transcriptomic changes in brain tissue. Her work has identified 15 epilepsy genes, including the gene for Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood. Grants & Awards: NIH-funded research, including $7M in collaborative grants to study genetic variants in epilepsy. Active in consortia like Epi4K and ILAE. Labs & Teams: The Heinzen Lab collaborates with neurology, neuropathology, and neurosurgery groups globally, advancing neurogenetics and treatment approaches for intractable seizures.
Michael Schatz is the Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of Computational Biology and Oncology at Johns Hopkins University, with joint appointments in the Department of Computer Science at the Whiting School of Engineering and the Department of Biology at the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences. He also serves as a member of the Cancer Prevention and Control Program at Johns Hopkins' Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and maintains an adjunct position at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Dr. Schatz's research focuses on computational biology and genomics, with particular expertise in DNA sequencing analysis and scalable computing solutions for genomic data. His work spans medical applications for understanding autism spectrum disorders and cancer, as well as agricultural applications for crop improvement. He founded and directs the Schatz Lab, which has developed numerous widely-used computational tools including NGMLR, Sniffles, Scalpel, GECCO, Ginkgo, FALCON, Assemblytics, CloudBurst, and Crossbow. His recent work has made significant contributions to understanding structural variations in cancer genomes, analyzing South Asian genomic diversity, and identifying genes responsible for size variations in nightshade plants like tomatoes and eggplants. Dr. Schatz has pioneered the use of cloud computing in genomics and remains at the forefront of developing algorithms for large-scale biological sequence analysis. Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellowship (2015) NSF CAREER Award (2014) Genome Technology's Young Investigator of the Year (2010) Winship Herr Award for Excellence in Teaching (twice) TIME100 recipient (2022) Dr. Schatz actively advises PhD students including Arun Das (recently defended) and Mahler Revsine (NSF GRFP fellow). He serves on editorial boards for Genome Biology, GigaScience, and Cell Systems, and regularly participates in major genomics conferences including the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory meetings. His lab continues to develop innovative computational approaches at the intersection of biotechnology and algorithmics, with applications spanning human health, agriculture, and evolutionary biology.
George Vasmatzis, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular Medicine at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, and holds a joint appointment in Cancer Biology within the Department of Quantitative Health Sciences. He serves as co-director of the Biomarker Discovery Program in the Center for Individualized Medicine, where he leads a multidisciplinary research team integrating bioinformatics, molecular biology, and computational genomics to advance cancer diagnostics and personalized treatment. Education: Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, Boston University M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Purdue University B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Texas Tech University Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, NIH Postdoctoral Research Associate, Boston University Research Interests: Dr. Vasmatzis specializes in biomarker discovery for cancer diagnosis, focusing on large genomic alterations such as breakpoints, rearrangements, and copy-number variations. His work addresses lineage relationships in cancer progression, genomic changes distinguishing indolent from aggressive tumors, viral integration sites, and targetable genomic alterations. He employs next-generation sequencing and computational models to enable non-invasive cancer monitoring via liquid biopsy. A significant focus is on allelic dependence and phasing of mutations to understand functional impacts. Publication Trends: His recent publications reflect a strong emphasis on translational genomics, leveraging cutting-edge technologies like nanopore sequencing and 3D tumor models. Research spans oncology, bioinformatics, immunology, and nanotechnology, with applications in early detection, therapy monitoring, and precision medicine. Key journals include Genome Biology , Cancer Genetics , and Frontiers in Immunology . Scientific Awards: Innovation Accelerator Award, Mayo Clinic, 2023 Member, NCI Special Emphasis Panels (2008–2010) Participant, NCI Early Detection Research Network, 2008 Member, National Biospecimen Network Informatics Task Force, 2005–2007 Grants & Advising: Dr. Vasmatzis has served as Principal Investigator on NIH-funded projects, including the NCI-funded 'CORE--GENE DISCOVERY BIOINFORMATICS' and co-PI on the SPORE in Prostate Cancer. He mentors a research team of bioinformaticians, molecular biologists, and pathologists. While specific student names are not listed, his lab actively trains researchers in computational and molecular genomics. Laboratories & Collaborations: His lab is embedded within the Center for Individualized Medicine and collaborates extensively with Rashid Bashir, Ph.D., at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, on nanopore-based DNA detection technologies. This work has potential for stool-based early colon cancer detection. He is also involved in Mayo Clinic’s Cancer Biomedical Informatics Grid and multiple institutional research committees.
