Karthikeyan Baskaran is an Associate Professor at the Department of Medicine and Optometry, Linnaeus University, Sweden. He holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences (2012) from the same institution and conducted postdoctoral research at Indiana University School of Optometry. His research focuses on pediatric refractive development, low vision rehabilitation, and retinal imaging, with emphasis on myopia epidemiology and optical interventions. He received the FAAO award in 2016 and leads the REVO research group. Education: PhD in Biomedical Sciences, Linnaeus University, 2012 Postdoc, Indiana University School of Optometry, USA Bachelor’s in Optometry, Elite School of Optometry, India, 2004 Research Interests: Myopia progression and risk factors Peripheral refraction and ocular growth Retinal imaging techniques (OCT, aberrometry) Reading performance assessments in low vision Notable Achievements: FAAO (Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry) Leading the longitudinal myopia study in Swedish schoolchildren Over 60 peer-reviewed publications spanning optometry and ophthalmology Labs/Teams: Research in Eyes, Vision and Optometry (REVO) group focusing on translational vision science.
Peter Pagels is a Senior Lecturer at Linnaeus University's Department of Sport Science within the Faculty of Social Sciences. He holds a PhD in Medical Science in Public Health and teaches in programs including Sports Science, Physical Education Teacher Education, and Preschool Education. His research focuses on physical activity promotion, outdoor environment impacts on health, and sports medicine. Project Lead for the HAPPY-senior outdoor gym intervention targeting aging populations Principal Investigator on the REI project studying relative energy deficiency in sports Managing the Sports Physiology Lab at Kalmar campus Research interests include sustainable sports development, pediatric physical activity patterns, and UV exposure in school environments. He has published extensively on environmental influences on health behaviors and aging populations' physical training benefits.
Manuel Noia Guldrís is a Lecturer at the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), where he is actively engaged in teaching and research. He contributes to multiple degree programs including Biotechnology, Optics and Optometry, and the University Master in Optometry, delivering core courses such as Cell Biology, Developmental and Tissue Biology, and Ocular Immunology. His research is aligned with the Interdisciplinary Group in Pharmaceutical Technology, Parasitic Immunobiology and Water Parasitosis , indicating a multidisciplinary focus on immunological and parasitological aspects of health, particularly in ocular and waterborne contexts. His expertise bridges basic cellular processes with applied pharmaceutical and clinical concerns in optometry and biotechnology. The teaching and research profile of Manuel Noia Guldrís reflects a strong integration of fundamental biological sciences with specialized applications in vision science and parasitology. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to understanding cellular and immunological mechanisms in health and disease. While no scientific awards or publications are listed in the provided text, his ongoing teaching responsibilities across multiple programs suggest active academic engagement. He participates in both undergraduate and postgraduate education, contributing to the training of future scientists and optometrists. Manuel Noia Guldrís is involved in research activities through his affiliation with a specialized interdisciplinary research group at USC. This group focuses on pharmaceutical development, host-pathogen interactions in parasitic diseases, and water-related parasitosis, with potential implications for public health and ocular medicine.
Maria Luz Perez-Paralle Mera is a Lecturer in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Santiago de Compostela. Her research focuses on Developmental and Molecular Biology in Aquaculture, bridging fundamental biological mechanisms with applications in aquatic species cultivation. She has been actively involved in teaching Biochemistry I and II for Pharmacy programs since the 2022/2023 academic year, including the Double Bachelor Degree in Pharmacy and Optics and Optometry. Her courses emphasize foundational biochemical principles critical for healthcare and pharmaceutical studies. Research activities are centered within the Developmental and Molecular Biology in Aquaculture group, though no specific publications or grants are explicitly listed in the provided data. Awards or recognitions are not mentioned. Tutoring hours remain unspecified across recent academic years. Her instructional role spans multiple academic terms, demonstrating consistent commitment to undergraduate education in biochemistry and its interdisciplinary connections to pharmaceutical sciences and marine biology.
Shaleen B Korch is Professor of Pharmacology at Midwestern University holding concurrent appointments across six colleges including Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Arizona College of Optometry, College of Dental Medicine-Arizona, College of Graduate Studies - Arizona, and College of Health Sciences-Glendale. His research program bridges microbial pathogenesis and synthetic biology with significant contributions to bacterial persistence mechanisms and therapeutic applications. Education: Ph.D., University of North Dakota, 2005 Research Focus: Dr. Korch's laboratory investigates bacterial toxin-antitoxin systems in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Escherichia coli , with pioneering work on hipA-mediated persistence and relBE modules. His innovative development of synthetic ATP-binding proteins enables targeted ATP depletion in cancer cells and bacterial systems, revealing novel metabolic adaptations. Recent research explores microbiome alterations in Drosophila Parkinson's disease models, connecting microbial ecology to neurodegenerative processes through gut-brain axis mechanisms. Publication Trends: Analysis of 13 publications (2003-2023) shows evolution from foundational work on bacterial persistence (hipA7 allele, relBE systems) toward translational applications including cancer therapy via ATP manipulation and neurodegenerative disease modeling. Current research emphasizes interdisciplinary connections between microbial physiology, synthetic biology, and human disease mechanisms with strong citation impact in persistence research. Research Support: Arizona Alzheimer's Consortium grant (2022-2023): Identifying probiotics and bacterial genes ameliorating motor dysfunction in Parkinson's disease models Midwestern University intramural grant: Metabolic adaptations in HeLa cancer cells related to energy status Teaching Activities: Dr. Korch teaches Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics courses (PHARG 566, 570, 580) across multiple health professions programs including Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.), Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.), and Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) curricula, integrating his research expertise into pharmacological principles and therapeutic applications.
Garilyn Jentarra, Ph.D., serves as Professor at Midwestern University across three colleges: Arizona College of Optometry, College of Dental Medicine-Arizona, and College of Graduate Studies. She is the Program Director for the Precision Medicine Program, which she guided through development and successful launch in June 2021. Dr. Jentarra has held progressively senior positions at Midwestern since 2012, advancing from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor and ultimately to her current Professor rank in 2023. Education: Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Arizona State University (2004) Postdoctoral Fellowship in Developmental Neurogenetics at Barrow Neurological Institute (2004-2012) Dr. Jentarra's research focuses primarily on Alzheimer's Disease, with secondary interests in neurogenetic disorders. Her current work investigates brain metabolomics and the role of microbes in Alzheimer's disease development. She has demonstrated that bacterial genetic sequences exist in brain tissue from both AD patients and controls, suggesting amyloid beta may function as an antimicrobial peptide. Her metabolomic studies have identified altered short-chain fatty acid metabolism in AD brains, indicating potential dietary interventions. She also studies gut microbial population differences in AD mouse models, suggesting AD-associated gene alleles substantially influence body microbial populations. Analysis of Dr. Jentarra's publication record reveals a clear evolution from early work on neurogenetic disorders like Rett syndrome and neurofibromatosis toward her current Alzheimer's disease focus. Her recent publications (2020-2024) predominantly examine microbial influences on AD and brain metabolomics, reflecting her lab's current research direction. The most impactful work appears to be her 2010 and 2016 studies on energy metabolism alterations in AD, which have received significant citations. Dr. Jentarra teaches multiple courses in the Precision Medicine Program including Introduction to Genetics and Genomics, Genetics of Monogenic and Complex Diseases, Microbial Genetics, and Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues of Precision Medicine. She directs capstone projects and specialized courses applying precision medicine to inflammatory, autoimmune, and neurological diseases. Her laboratory work centers on the relationship between microbial populations and Alzheimer's disease pathology, with particular emphasis on brain metabolomics, gut-brain axis interactions, and the antimicrobial properties of amyloid beta. The research team employs techniques including 16s rRNA gene sequencing, metabolomic profiling, and analysis of bacterial components like lipopolysaccharide in brain tissue.
