Jamie Depelteau is a Researcher at the Faculty of Science , Utrecht University , specializing in Structural Biochemistry . Their work focuses on advancing Cryogenic Electron Microscopy (cryo-EM) tools and studying microbial ultrastructure under environmental stress. Research Areas : Structural biology, cryo-EM methodology, bacterial/archaeal cell structure, Vibrio cholerae pathogenesis. Affiliation : Utrecht University, Faculty of Science, Structural Biochemistry department. Jamie's recent publications highlight innovations in cryo-EM sample preparation (2020, 2022) and investigations into Vibrio cholerae adaptation (2021). They have also contributed to understanding hydrocephalus genetics in H-Tx rats (2000–2002). Contact : j.s.depelteau@uu.nl | jsdepelteau@uu.nl
Dr. Hille Fieten is an Associate Professor at Utrecht University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, specializing in Internal Medicine of Companion Animals. She coordinates the Expertise Center for Genetic Veterinary Medicine, focusing on sustainable breeding of healthy companion animals through molecular genetics research and development of diagnostic tools like the PETscan system and Fit2Breed application. Her research examines hereditary diseases in dogs and cats, with emphasis on copper metabolism disorders, gastric carcinoma, inflammatory myopathies, and translational models for human diseases. She employs genomic analyses, biomarker discovery, and epidemiological approaches to study breed-specific conditions in Labrador Retrievers, Kooiker dogs, and Belgian Shepherds. Fieten's publications demonstrate consistent focus on canine genetic disorders as models for human diseases, particularly in hepatology and oncology. Her work bridges veterinary and human medicine through comparative studies of copper metabolism disorders, cancer genetics, and inflammatory conditions. Awards & Grants: VENI grant for translational genetic research in Labrador Retrievers She leads research on genetic epidemiology and breeding management, supervising projects that integrate clinical data with genomic analyses. As coordinator of the Expertise Center for Genetic Veterinary Medicine, she oversees development of DNA testing protocols and breeding decision algorithms.
Ben Langmead is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Johns Hopkins University's Whiting School of Engineering, with a joint appointment in Biostatistics at the Bloomberg School of Public Health. He directs the Langmead Lab, which develops computational methods for genomics including sequence alignment tools (Bowtie, HISAT, Vargas), pangenome indices (MONI), and large-scale data analysis platforms (recount3, Snaptron). Education: B.S. Computer Science, Columbia University (2003, summa cum laude) M.S. Computer Science, University of Maryland (2009) Ph.D. Computer Science, University of Maryland (2012) Research Focus: Dr. Langmead's lab creates open-source tools for DNA sequence analysis that address computational bottlenecks in genomics. Their work spans: 1) High-performance sequence alignment algorithms using novel indexing structures; 2) Scalable solutions for querying massive genomic datasets; 3) Bias-aware methods for accurate genomic analyses; and 4) Educational resources for computational biology. Core research areas include pangenome graph representations, metagenomic classification, and cloud-based genomics infrastructure. Publication Trends: Recent articles (2020-2025) demonstrate a focus on pangenome indexing innovations (MONI, Movi), sequence alignment benchmarking (Vargas), and efficient genomic distance calculations. Emerging themes include reference bias mitigation, compressed data structures for large-scale genomics, and specialized tools for emerging sequencing technologies like single-cell and nanopore sequencing. Awards and Honors: Benjamin Franklin Award for Open Access in Life Sciences (2016) Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship (2014) NSF CAREER Award (2014) Professor Joel Dean Excellence in Teaching Award (2018) William H. Huggins Excellence in Teaching Award (2018) Genome Biology Award (2009) Academic Activities: Leads the Langmead Lab comprising graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Current grant support includes NIH funding for genomic indexing research and cloud-based genomics platforms. Organized the Genomics@JHU seminar series and serves on multiple NIH study sections. Editorial board member for Genome Biology and ACM Journal of Experimental Algorithmics.
Itamar Willner is a distinguished Israeli chemist and Professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem who holds significant affiliations with the East China University of Science and Technology. He was appointed as an Honorary Professor in 2007, co-established the Ministry of Education's Joint Laboratory for International Cooperation in Structurally Controlled Molecular Engineering in 2017 as international director, and was appointed an "Internationally Renowned Master Visiting Professor" in 2022. He is a Foreign Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (elected 2021), member of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities (2002), European Academy of Sciences and Arts (2004), and German National Academy of Sciences (2009). Professor Willner's research spans supramolecular chemistry, nanomaterials, and biomaterials, with specific focus on DNA chemical biology and optoelectronic biosensing. His pioneering work includes the construction of bio/nanofunctional self-assembly systems such as DNA molecular machines and logic gates, development of bio-nanocatalytic methods, and the innovative concept of "nucleic acid aptamers" that enhances enzyme-mimicking catalysis. His recent development of "DNA dynamic networks" provides a powerful platform for studying non-equilibrium biomolecular assembly, while his work on artificial photosynthesis systems explores novel energy dissipation mechanisms. His extensive publication record includes over 850 SCI-indexed papers in journals like Nature and Science, with more than 89,000 citations and an H-index of 142. His research has led to significant applications in molecular-supramolecular electronics, intelligent responsive materials, controllable functional interfaces, and optoelectronic/bioelectronic assembly systems, driving innovations in photo/electrochemical probes, drug delivery systems, and molecular machines. His scientific achievements have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards: Israel Prize in Chemistry Rothschild Prize EMET Award (awarded by the Prime Minister of Israel) Israel Chemical Society Gold Medal Professor Willner has served on the editorial boards of nearly 20 major academic journals including JACS, ACIE, Nano Letters, ACS Nano, Small, and ChemPhysChem. His collaborative work with Chinese scholars through the Ministry of Education's Joint Laboratory has established a significant hub for basic research, talent development, and international collaboration in precision chemistry and molecular engineering, bringing together top scientists from China and abroad.
Shan X. Wang is the Leland T. Edwards Professor in Stanford University’s School of Engineering, with joint appointments in Materials Science and Engineering and Electrical Engineering , and courtesy appointment in Radiology . He directs the Center for Magnetic Nanotechnology and leads the Wang Group , which conducts research in magnetic nanotechnology, biosensors, spintronics, and AI-enhanced diagnostics. Education: PhD, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University (1993) MS, Physics, Iowa State University (1988) BS, Physics, University of Science and Technology of China (1986) Research Interests: Dr. Wang is a leading expert in magnetic nanotechnologies , biosensors , spintronics , and information storage . His work spans magnetic biochips, cancer diagnostics, magnetic nanoparticles, MRAM, and AI-driven personalized medicine. His group also explores edge AI , point-of-care diagnostics , and big data mining for biomarker discovery. Scientific Awards & Honors: IEEE Magnetics Society Achievement Award (2025) Fellow, National Academy of Inventors (2021) Fellow, IEEE (2009) Fellow, American Physical Society (2012) Leland T. Edwards Professorship (2018) Frederick Terman Faculty Fellow (1994–1997) IBM Faculty Award (2013–2014) XPRIZE Bold Epic Innovator Award (2017) Startups & Translational Impact: Dr. Wang has co-founded six Silicon Valley startups including Curve Biosciences , Magic Lifescience , and Nvigen , focusing on cancer diagnostics, rapid NAT products, and magnetic nanoparticle applications. Teaching & Advising: He teaches courses such as Biochips and Medical Imaging and Great Inventions That Matter , and advises numerous PhD and master's students across Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, and Bioengineering. Labs & Facilities: His group operates in Geballe Laboratory for Advanced Materials (GLAM) , Stanford Nanofabrication Facility (SNF) , Stanford Nano Shared Facilities (SNSF) , and collaborates with MIPS , Bio-X , SystemX Alliance , and the Stanford Cancer Institute .
Irina Savchenko is a Professor at the Department of Macromolecular Chemistry, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. With over two decades of experience, she leads a research group focused on photoactive polymers and nanosystems for optoelectronics and electromagnetic-responsive materials. Doctor of Chemistry (Ph.D. analog) - Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, 1996 Doctor of Sciences - Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, 2012 Her research spans azopolymers , polymer nanoparticles , and electroluminescent devices , emphasizing applications in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and singlet oxygen sensitization . Her team employs advanced techniques like self-exclusion chromatography , atom-force microscopy , and transmission electron microscopy . Key publication trends focus on polymer synthesis , nonlinear optical properties , and nanocomposite design , particularly with azobenzene and coumarin-based systems. Current projects include developing photo-switchable materials and lanthanide-doped polymers for electromagnetic-controlled devices. Contact: iras@univ.kiev.ua
Associate Professor Benjamin Tayo, Ph.D., is a faculty member in the Department of Engineering & Physics at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO), where he has taught since 2019. He concurrently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Physics at Grand Canyon University. Previously he held the rank of Assistant and then Associate Professor of Physics at Pittsburg State University (2013-2019). Education Ph.D. in Computational Materials Physics, Lehigh University (2012) M.Sc. in Condensed Matter Physics, ICTP & University of Trieste (2007) B.Sc. in Physics and Computer Science, University of Buea (2004) Graduate certificates in Medical Physics (University of Florida) and Data Science (Harvard via edX) Research Focus Dr. Tayo’s research integrates ab-initio density-functional theory with high-performance computing to investigate two-dimensional and advanced functional materials. His group targets solar-energy harvesting, energy-storage electrodes, high-speed electronics, optoelectronics, and label-free DNA biosensors. Current projects include: 2-D materials beyond graphene for nano-bioelectronic sensing High-throughput computational screening for renewable-energy and biomedical applications Machine-learning-enhanced materials discovery Collaborations span UCO’s Buddy supercomputer, NERSC, and experimental partners at Pittsburg State, Kansas, Lehigh and Tulsa universities. Publication Trends Over the past decade Dr. Tayo has published extensively on the electronic, optical and sensing properties of graphene, phosphorene, silicene and related nanostructures. Recent work (2020-2023) emphasizes computational DNA-sequencing platforms, ferrocene-based copolymers for sensing, and methodological studies in physics education. His earlier studies (2012-2015) centered on carbon nanotube excitons, graphene nanoribbon band-gap engineering and III-nitride alloys for visible-light applications. Honors & Awards NIH R15 Award ($425,928, 2022-2025) Kansas EPSCoR Partners in Science & Technology recognition PSU Exceptional Faculty Performance Award 2014/15 Sherman-Fairchild Fellowship (Lehigh) ICTP-TRIL Fellowship (UNESCO/IAEA) Grants & Student Mentoring Dr. Tayo has served as PI or Co-PI on grants from NIH, NSF EPSCoR, and the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center. He has directed nine master’s theses and numerous undergraduate research projects. His former students have progressed to doctoral programs at Kansas State, Case Western Reserve, UMass Boston and medical physics residencies. Professional Engagement Active memberships include the American Physical Society, Oklahoma Academy of Sciences, American Association of Physics Teachers, and American Association of Physicists in Medicine. He has delivered eight invited talks and over twenty conference presentations worldwide.
Dr. Peter Mojzeš is a faculty member at the Institute of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. He holds a CSc. (Candidate of Sciences) degree and has been affiliated with Charles University since 1995, serving as a Fellow since 1997. Education: MSc in Biophysics and Chemical Physics (1985), PhD in Biophysics (1991) at Charles University, with thesis on Raman spectroscopy of nucleic acid interactions. His research focuses on optical spectroscopy to study biomolecules like nucleic acids, proteins, and porphyrins, utilizing advanced techniques such as resonance Raman and SERS . He has extensive experience in building spectroscopic experiments for applied research. His recent publications (2024) span diverse applications of Raman spectroscopy, including parrot color variation, DNA i-motif dynamics, purine crystal physiology in algae, and nanocomposite SERS substrates. Earlier works (2023–2020) explore protist elemental uptake, viral assembly imaging, and microalgal nutrient reserves. Dr. Mojzeš maintains collaborations across Europe, with long-term research stays in France and Japan. His lab focuses on physical chemistry of biomolecules and microalgal biotechnology , contributing to open-access data repositories like MicrobioRaman.
Kaya Bilguvar serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at Yale School of Medicine. She is actively affiliated with the Brain Tumor Research program and Neurogenetics Program, contributing to Yale's interdisciplinary neuroscience research initiatives. Her work bridges clinical neurosurgery with cutting-edge genomic approaches to understand neurological disorders. Dr. Bilguvar completed her MD at Marmara University in 2000, followed by a Postdoctoral Associate position at Yale University in 2007, and earned her PhD in Medical Biology and Genetics from Marmara University in 2022. This unique combination of clinical and advanced scientific training informs her research approach. Her research focuses on identifying genetic bases of human diseases affecting nervous system structure and function, with special emphasis on cerebral cortical malformations, schizophrenia, early-onset neurodegenerative syndromes, and migraine. She employs multi-omic approaches and develops patient-derived 2D and 3D induced neuronal systems to elucidate disrupted biological processes. Additionally, she pioneers high-throughput omics approaches for early detection and profiling of brain tumors, particularly through circulating tumor DNA analysis. Dr. Bilguvar's publication record demonstrates a clear trajectory in neurogenetics, with increasing focus on multi-omics integration and translational applications. Her work spans from fundamental genetic discoveries in neurodevelopmental disorders to clinical applications in brain tumor diagnostics and precision oncology. She maintains an extensive collaborative network at Yale, with particularly strong connections to Dr. Murat Günel (65 co-publications), Dr. Katsuhito Yasuno (34 co-publications), and Dr. Zeynep Erson Omay (20 co-publications), reflecting her central role in Yale's neurogenetics research ecosystem. Dr. Bilguvar currently serves as a Sub Investigator in the clinical trial 'Genetic and molecular studies of developmental neuropsychiatric disorders' (HIC ID 0301024156), which is recruiting participants through December 31, 2025, focusing on child development, autism, and brain-related conditions.
Tom de Greef is a Full Professor at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), affiliated with the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS) and the Centre of Living Technologies . His work spans synthetic biology, molecular computing, and engineered living systems, with a focus on programmable molecular systems and DNA-based technologies. Biomedical Engineering department Core member of ICMS Founding member of Centre of Living Technologies Member of Netherlands Academy of Engineering His research explores the intersection of synthetic biology, computer science, and chemistry, developing DNA-based data storage systems, synthetic cells, and programmable biochemical networks. Recent work highlights advancements in cell-free modeling and DNA reaction systems capable of learning-like behavior. Notable trends in his publications include: Integration of mechanism-based and data-driven approaches in synthetic biology Innovations in DNA nanotechnology for imaging applications Development of biochemical systems with memory and learning capabilities Scientific recognition includes: ERC Starting, Consolidator, and PoC grants NWO VICI/VICI grants Cram-Lehn-Pedersen Prize Groundbreaking TU/e researcher award He supervises a large research group and contributes to educational programs in system estimation, biochemical simulation, and synthetic biology through courses and iGEM projects.
Sri Chandana Kanchibhotla is a Researcher at the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) within UNSW Sydney, affiliated with the School of Psychiatry . She specializes in neurogenetics and epigenomics of ageing, focusing on age-related disorders and molecular mechanisms of cognitive decline. Works with CHeBA's major cohorts: Sydney Centenarian Study, Older Australian Twins Study (OATS), and Sydney Memory and Ageing Study (MAS) Recipient of 2014 Gordon Parker Award for Best Student Paper Expertise in genetic data management, DNA methylation analysis, and whole genome sequencing Her research explores how genetic and epigenetic factors influence brain structure and gene expression in older adults, contributing to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Recent work focuses on heritability of gene expression patterns in peripheral blood. Scientific contributions include publications in Genes , Plos One , and Ageing Research Reviews , with keywords spanning neurogenetics, epigenomics, and brain microstructure analysis. Current responsibilities include maintaining genetic data master files Manages long-term data storage at UNSW Collaborates with Dr Karen Mather and Professor Perminder Sachdev
George M. Church is the Robert Winthrop Professor of Genetics at Harvard University and a member of the Affiliated Faculty of the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology. He leads the Church Lab within the Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, focusing on transformative technologies for reading and writing 3D/4D biological structures, with applications in genome engineering, synthetic biology, and aging reversal research. His work spans computational biology, DNA data storage, and bioethics, emphasizing interdisciplinary innovation and equitable technology development. Current Affiliation: Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School Collaborations: Wyss Institute Synthetic Biology Platform, Consortium for Space Genetics Key research areas include Genome Project Write , Synthetic Morphogenesis , AI/ML for Protein Design , and Gene Drives . The lab also explores DNA-based surveillance systems, universal diagnostics, and de-extinction projects. Regular lab meetings occur at NRB 350/335 and Wyss Woodpecker locations.
William Zeiger is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine. He specializes in movement disorders (Parkinson's disease) and leads a research lab studying cortical circuit dysfunction in neurological conditions. His work integrates two-photon calcium imaging and molecular pathology. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (BS, Molecular and Cellular Biology) University of Chicago (MD, PhD in Molecular Pathology & Molecular Medicine) Johns Hopkins (Medical Internship) UCLA (Neurology Residency, Movement Disorders Fellowship) His research focuses on: Alpha-synuclein pathology in Parkinson's Post-stroke cortical remapping Calcium homeostasis in neurodegeneration Development of open-source imaging tools Mechanisms of somatosensory circuit remapping Clinical studies on physician technology adoption Recent publications highlight work on stroke recovery mechanisms (2023), imaging innovations (2023), and synucleinopathy pathophysiology (2023). The lab pursues multi-year NIH-funded projects (R01NS129517, K08NS114165). Scientific Awards 2024 Dan Lewis Foundation Prize 2018 AAN Young Investigator Scholarship 2018 Jean-Louis Riehl Award 2018 Augustus S. Rose Teaching Award 2017 Excellence in Teaching with Humanism Award Zeiger's lab has trained multiple undergraduate and graduate researchers including Sid Panda, Scarlett Ramos Rodriguez, and Rochelle Mosley. The lab collaborates widely in neuroimaging, hosts visiting scholars, and participates in community outreach programs targeting underserved neighborhoods.
Dr. Olga Scholten serves as a Project Manager in Business Development at Wageningen University & Research, where she leads multiple agricultural research initiatives focused on sustainable crop breeding. With a "dr.ir." title indicating Dutch doctoral and engineering credentials, she functions as Co-promotor for PhD candidates and Project Leader for numerous initiatives under the Green Breeding (Groene Veredeling) program. Her research portfolio spans from fundamental genome analysis to practical agricultural applications. Dr. Scholten's research interests center on Allium species genetics (particularly onions and leeks) and cucurbit pest resistance . Her work encompasses onion genome exploitation , mechanisms of pest resistance against aphids, whiteflies and thrips, and molecular regulation of bulb dormancy . She has pioneered approaches to identify genetic markers for breeding programs and investigate the relationship between plant physiology and pest dynamics. Her fingerprint analysis reveals dominant expertise in onion research (100%), Allium genetics (81%), seed characteristics (44%), cultivar development (42%), and fungal pathogen resistance (34%). Dr. Scholten actively supervises PhD candidates, most notably Aleem, M. who is researching aphid and whitefly resistance in cucurbits. She coordinates substantial research funding through projects like 'Programma Groene Veredeling' and 'Exploitation of the onion genome to develop breeding tools,' securing support from Dutch agricultural initiatives. Her collaborative network spans multiple research institutions and extends internationally as indicated by her project collaborations. She leads research teams focused on onion genome analysis , pest resistance mechanisms , and sustainable breeding methodologies . These teams integrate molecular biology, field trials, and data analysis to develop practical breeding solutions for farmers. Dr. Scholten's work bridges fundamental research with practical agricultural applications, particularly in organic farming contexts where chemical pest control options are limited.
Katarina Ejeskär is a Professor of Biomedicine at the University of Skövde's School of Health Sciences, where she has been employed since 2015. She leads the Translational Medicine TRIM research group and is responsible for the university's fruit fly facility used in both research and teaching. Prior to her position at Skövde, she led her own research group at Sahlgrenska Academy and has been an Associate Professor in experimental clinical genetics since 2011. She earned her undergraduate degree in molecular biology from the University of Gothenburg and completed her PhD in clinical genetics from Sahlgrenska Academy in 2000 with a thesis focused on neuroblastoma genetics. Her primary research interest centers on childhood cancer, particularly neural tumors with a focus on 11q-deleted neuroblastoma. She investigates genetic changes in tumors and their effects on tumor survival and growth using cultured cells, fruit fly models, and primary tumor material. Her work often analyzes genetic data from publicly available databases to formulate testable hypotheses. She has established several collaborative projects with researchers including Ferenc Szekeres (digitoxin treatment of pancreatic cancer), Homa Tajsharghi (rare genetic disorders), Åsa Torinsson Naluai (gluten intolerance, diabetes and probiotics), Victoria Rotter Sopasakis (alternative splicing and PI3K signaling), and Frida Abel (fusion genes in brain tumors). Her recent publications from 2020-2025 demonstrate a strong focus on neuroblastoma genetics, pancreatic cancer treatments, and genetic disorders. The research shows consistent exploration of molecular mechanisms underlying cancer progression, with particular attention to genetic deletions, fusion genes, and potential therapeutic targets. Her work frequently employs bioinformatics approaches alongside experimental validation using multiple model systems. She has received research funding for projects including childhood cancer research, pancreatic cancer treatment with digitoxin, gluten intolerance and diabetes, and obesity and androgen excess in women. Her most recent projects include examining eye movements and biomarkers during moderate alcohol consumption (2024-2026) and investigating mobile phone-based interventions for reducing alcohol consumption (2025-2026). As an educator, she teaches primarily in the Biomedicine Program, focusing on genetics, tumor biology, and thesis work. She serves as the main supervisor for doctoral students and coordinates various courses at both bachelor's and master's levels. Her commitment to integrating research with education is evident through her management of the fruit fly facility used for both research and teaching purposes.
