Dr. Stephen Renaud is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at Western University. He holds a PhD and B.Sc. from Queen's University. His research focuses on placental development and function, particularly the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying trophoblast differentiation and maternal-fetal immune interactions. Key interests include OVO-like transcription factors, endogenous retroviral genes, and maternal immune tolerance. His work bridges basic science with public health implications, addressing complications like pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Publications emphasize placental biology, immunology, and developmental mechanisms, with contributions to journals like Placenta , Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , and Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences . No scientific awards are listed, but his research has been widely cited (h-index 28). He advises no listed students but maintains an active lab exploring placental biology. His office is in the Medical Sciences Building, Room 428, with contact via srenaud4@uwo.ca.
Dr. Suren Tatulian is a Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Central Florida (UCF), with a joint affiliation at the Biomolecular Sciences Center. He holds a BS in Physics from Yerevan State University, Armenia, and a PhD in Biology from the Institute of Cell Biology, St. Petersburg, Russia. Research Focus: Molecular biophysics, protein-membrane interactions, amyloidogenesis, interfacial enzymology, and neurodegenerative disease mechanisms. Key Techniques: Protein engineering, spectroscopy (FTIR, fluorescence), computational modeling, and structural analysis of toxins and amyloid peptides. His recent work explores amyloid β peptide behavior in lipid membranes, cholera toxin disassembly mechanisms, and peptide-based inhibitors of neurotoxic aggregation. Dr. Tatulian has mentored students in biophysical research and leads studies on membrane pore formation and protein folding dynamics. Lab Affiliation: Biomolecular Sciences Center at UCF, where he investigates biophysical aspects of neurodegenerative diseases and toxin translocation.
Verena Siewers is a Research Professor at the Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology. Her work focuses on synthetic biology and metabolic engineering of yeast cell factories for producing biofuels, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and bioplastics, with particular emphasis on developing biosensor tools for pathway optimization. Key research themes: yeast-based biosensors, lipid metabolism engineering, CRISPRi/a applications, and dynamic gene regulation Notable projects include: Development of acetic acid tolerance mechanisms Optimization of fatty acid ethyl esters production Engineering phosphoketolase pathways for acetyl-CoA overproduction Her recent articles reveal trends in: CRISPR-mediated pathway engineering Stress response transcriptional profiling Heterologous plant gene expression in yeast Promoter and transcription factor engineering Funding sources: VINNOVA Novo Nordisk Foundation Carl Tryggers Stiftelse EU Horizon grants Swedish Research Council (VR) Formas
Joseph N. Contessa, MD, PhD is an Adjunct Professor of Therapeutic Radiology and Pharmacology at Yale School of Medicine, where he serves as Director of Yale Medicine's Central Nervous System Radiotherapy Program. His clinical practice focuses on treating patients with brain tumors, head and neck cancers, and tumors at the base of the skull, including rare entities such as low-grade and malignant gliomas, ependymomas, high-grade meningiomas, hemangiopericytomas, paragangliomas, and schwannomas. Dr. Contessa's research spans multiple areas of cancer biology with a particular emphasis on molecular mechanisms of therapeutic resistance and novel approaches to radiosensitization. His work explores the role of N-linked glycosylation in cancer progression and treatment resistance, developing small molecule inhibitors targeting this pathway to overcome resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. He also investigates targeted therapies for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, molecular imaging of the epidermal growth factor receptor, and drug discovery through high-throughput screening approaches. Analysis of Dr. Contessa's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on the intersection of radiation oncology and molecular biology, particularly examining how glycosylation pathways influence cancer cell response to radiation and targeted therapies. His work spans basic science investigations into protein folding and quality control mechanisms to clinical applications in lung cancer, brain tumors, and head and neck cancers. A significant portion of his research explores how inhibiting specific glycosylation enzymes can sensitize tumors to radiation therapy. Dr. Contessa actively collaborates with leading researchers at Yale including Veronica Chiang (6 publications), Barbara Burtness (2 publications), Kimberly Johung (2 publications), and Scott Gettinger (2 publications). He serves as a Sub Investigator on the clinical trial 'Determining Mechanisms of Sensitivity and Resistance to Anti-Cancer Therapy for Advanced Lung Cancer' (HIC ID 1603017333), which is scheduled for primary completion in June 2026. His laboratory work is closely integrated with clinical care through multiple Yale centers including the Brain Tumor Center, Gamma Knife Center, Head and Neck Cancers Program, and Yale Cancer Center. Dr. Contessa's research bridges basic science discoveries in protein glycosylation with clinical applications in radiation oncology, creating a translational pipeline from bench to bedside for patients with challenging malignancies.
Susan C. Baker, PhD is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Loyola University Chicago's Stritch School of Medicine. With over three decades of research experience, her work focuses on coronavirus replication mechanisms and host immune response modulation. PhD from Vanderbilt University Leading expert in coronavirus pathogenesis Key contributor to Kawasaki Disease etiology research Her coronavirus research examines: RNA polymerase polyprotein processing Interferon antagonism by viral proteins Live attenuated vaccine development Endoribonuclease function in immune evasion Protease stability and pathogenesis Double membrane vesicle formation Recent publication trends show: 2025 studies on necroptosis inhibition 2024 work on coronavirus evolution 2023 analysis of SARS-CoV-2 mutations 2020-2018 investigations of interferon antagonism 2019 structural-functional studies of replication proteins 2017 research on viral protein interactions The laboratory investigates both fundamental coronavirus biology and translational applications for vaccine development, maintaining active collaborations with infectious disease experts like Dr. Anne Rowley in Kawasaki Disease research.
Peter Verwilst is an Associate Professor at the Medicinal Chemistry division of the Rega Institute for Medical Research , part of KU Leuven 's Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences. He leads projects in allosteric modulation of enzyme targets , fluorescent markers for neurodegenerative diseases , and novel antimicrobial development , particularly focusing on Gram-negative bacteria and HIV-related therapies. His research integrates computational modeling , chemical synthesis , and fluorescent probe design . He supervises PhD students including Margaux Billen , Eline Goffin , and Radu Bulai , and collaborates with institutions like Masaryk University and the Institut Pasteur de Lille. Current projects explore CCR5 signaling modulators , PurK inhibitors , and DNA-Encoded Libraries for P. aeruginosa antibiotics. Scientific awards include supporting students like Radu Bulai in obtaining FWO PhD Fellowships . His teaching includes Organische chemie I & II and Medicinale chemie courses. The lab recently celebrated securing a C1 grant and welcomes international collaborations.
Dr. Peixin Yang is the Christopher R. Harman, MD Endowed Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He serves as Professor with tenure in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences and holds a secondary appointment in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. Dr. Yang is the founding director of the Center for Birth Defect Research at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and leads multiple NIH-funded research projects totaling millions of dollars. Dr. Yang's educational background includes: B.S. in Animal Science from Zhejiang Agricultural University (1986-1990) M.S. in Animal Reproductive Sciences from Nanjing Agricultural University (1990-1993) Ph.D. in Biophysics from Tokyo University of Agriculture & Technology and Zhejiang University (1994-1999) Postdoctoral Research Associate at University of Nebraska Medical Center (1999-2002) BIRCWH scholar (NIH K12) at University of Maryland Baltimore (2008-2009) Dr. Yang has built an extensive research program focused on diabetic embryopathy, particularly examining how maternal diabetes induces neural tube defects (NTDs), congenital heart defects (CHDs), and kidney defects. His laboratory was the first to establish a mouse model of diabetic embryopathy and reveal the causal role of JNK1/2 in neural tube defects. He has made significant contributions to understanding the molecular mechanisms of cellular stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and autophagy in neural tube defect formation. Dr. Yang also investigates the effects of maternal obesity on placental function and has established the Maryland Maternal Health Research Center of Excellence. His recent work has expanded to include studies on SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy and connections between insulin resistance signaling and Alzheimer's disease. Analysis of Dr. Yang's recent publications reveals a strong focus on the molecular mechanisms of diabetic embryopathy, with particular emphasis on epigenetic regulation, cellular stress signaling pathways, and placental function. His work consistently bridges basic science with clinical applications, developing potential therapeutic approaches for preventing birth defects. A significant portion of his recent research examines the intersection of maternal metabolic conditions (diabetes and obesity) with fetal development, while also expanding into novel areas like viral infections in pregnancy and connections to neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Yang's notable scientific achievements include: The F. Clarke Fraser New Investigator Award from the Teratology Society (2013) BIRCWH scholar (NIH K12) (2008-2009) The Lalor foundation postdoctoral Fellowship (2002-2003) Dr. Yang currently directs a multi-million dollar NIH-funded research group with multiple active R01 grants. His current projects investigate the intersection of mTOR/p70S6K1 signaling and HIPPO-Yap tissue organizer in neurulation, heightened hypoxia and DNA methylation in heart defects of diabetic embryopathy, hyperglycemia-induced cardiac progenitor dysfunction, and epitranscriptomic alterations in diabetic embryopathy. He has developed a robust research program in maternal diabetes-induced heart defects, which was previously an understudied area. Dr. Yang is also leading efforts to establish the Maryland Maternal Health Research Center of Excellence, focusing on the adverse effects of obesity, placental accreta spectrum, and opioid use disorder. As the founding director of the Center for Birth Defect Research at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Dr. Yang leads a multidisciplinary team of translational and clinical scientists. His laboratory has made original contributions to understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying maternal diabetes-induced structural birth defects. The team employs genetically modified mouse models, whole-embryo culture systems, and human placental studies to investigate the effects of metabolic conditions on fetal development. Dr. Yang's group has been instrumental in developing natural compounds as potential preventatives for diabetic embryopathy, including trehalose, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, and curcumin.
Dr. R. Claudio Aguilar is a Professor and Assistant Head in the Department of Biological Sciences at Purdue University, where he leads the Aguilar Lab. His research focuses on understanding protein trafficking, membrane transport, and cell polarity establishment, with applications to cancer and developmental diseases. Key areas include the study of Lowe Syndrome and the development of anti-cancer therapies, such as EGF-targeted toxin agents and fibronectin-based targeting strategies. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Buenos Aires (1996). Research interests include vesicle trafficking, endocytic signaling, and the role of epsin proteins in cancer cell migration and invasion. His lab has pioneered therapeutic approaches against bladder cancer and Lowe Syndrome, leveraging insights from yeast and mammalian cell models. Notable achievements include the design of receptor micro-clustering strategies (patented) and the development of induced pluripotent stem cell models for disease study. Dr. Aguilar has received numerous awards, including the Purdue University Faculty Scholar (2018), Sigma Xi Midcareer Research Award (2017), and multiple travel and mentoring awards. His work spans over 100 publications, with a focus on cellular dynamics, membrane biology, and translational research. He teaches courses in eukaryotic cell biology and supervises undergraduate and graduate research projects. Lab activities include hosting seminars like the Cell Dynamics Series and organizing outreach events such as Science in the Movies nights. Collaborations extend to institutions globally, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to cell biology challenges.
Tina H. Lee is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), part of the Mellon College of Science. Her research focuses on understanding the structure-function relationships of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), particularly how proteins such as Yip1A and atlastin regulate its architecture and dynamics. Her work integrates cell-based RNA interference, biochemical assays, and microscopy to study ER organization's role in cellular physiology and neurological disorders like hereditary spastic paraplegia. Education: Ph.D. from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), followed by a postdoctoral appointment at CMU. Research Interests: ER membrane networks, protein-lipid interactions, GTPase-driven membrane fusion, and disease-linked ER structural defects. Her lab uses advanced microscopy and mutagenesis to dissect how ER-shaping proteins influence organelle function and human health. Key Findings: Identified Yip1A’s role in ER dispersal and atlastin’s critical function in ER network connectivity. Her studies reveal how atlastin mutations disrupt ER structure, contributing to neurological diseases. Scientific Recognition: Two publications highlighted as Faculty of 1000 Must Read/Recommended for their significance in the field. Laboratory: Lee’s lab employs interdisciplinary approaches, combining genetics, biochemistry, and cell biology to advance understanding of ER biology. Her work bridges fundamental research and translational insights into ER-related pathologies.
Shaul Yogev is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neuroscience and the Department of Cell Biology at Yale School of Medicine. He is affiliated with the Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program and the Wu Tsai Institute, reflecting his interdisciplinary research in neuronal cell biology. PhD, Weizmann Institute of Science, Molecular Genetics Postdoctoral Training, Stanford University with Kang Shen BSc and MSc, Paris VII University, France Dr. Yogev's research focuses on the fundamental mechanisms governing neuronal architecture and transport. His lab investigates how the neuronal cytoskeleton, particularly microtubules, is organized and how this organization enables polarized cargo transport essential for synaptic maintenance over long distances. Using C. elegans as a model system, his team employs advanced live imaging and genetic tools to study microtubule nucleation, motor protein navigation, and organelle distribution. Their work has significant implications for understanding neurodegenerative diseases where axonal transport is compromised. His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on microtubule dynamics, motor-cargo interactions, and organelle transport, with key contributions to understanding mitochondrial trafficking, spectrin transport, and ER stress in neurons. These studies employ cutting-edge imaging and quantitative analysis techniques, positioning his lab at the forefront of cellular neuroscience. Human Frontiers Fellowship Haim Holzman memorial prize for academic excellence and scientific accomplishments Dr. Yogev leads an active research program with strong collaborative ties, particularly with Marc Hammarlund and Pietro De Camilli. His lab has developed novel imaging methodologies and contributed significantly to understanding how neurons maintain their complex structure and function. He is involved in graduate education through the Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program and the Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program at Yale. Dr. Yogev's work is conducted within the vibrant neuroscience community at Yale, including the Wu Tsai Institute and the Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, where his research on cytoskeletal dynamics contributes to broader efforts in understanding brain function and disease.
Verena Kriechbaumer is a Senior Lecturer in Biotechnology and Plant Sciences at the School of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University . She is Deputy Director of the Oxford Brookes University Centre for Bioimaging and a leading expert in plant endoplasmic reticulum (ER) structure, membrane proteins, and auxin biosynthesis, utilizing biochemical techniques, high-resolution live cell imaging, and interdisciplinary approaches. Research Focus: Plant cell biology, ER architecture, auxin metabolic pathways, protein-membrane interactions, bioinformatics, and translational projects such as engineering plants to convert methane into biofuel. Key Techniques: FRET-FLIM, light sheet microscopy, single-particle tracking, and optogenetics. Publication Trends: Recent studies emphasize ER-membrane contact sites, organelle interaction networks, and the role of reticulons in viral trafficking and methane monooxygenase expression. Collaborative work spans physics, bioenergy, and industrial biotechnology. Scientific Awards: Fellowship from Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies (2013) Santander Travel Fellowship (2018) Oxford Brookes Research Excellence Award (2020-21) Grants: Leverhulme Trust grant for "pMMO in plants" (2015-2017), STFC Harwell facility grants (2017-2021), BBSRC funding (2021-2026), and industry collaborations with Porton Biopharma Ltd. Labs & Teams: Leads the Endomembrane Structure and Function Group , collaborates with physicists at STFC Harwell Campus, and contributes to European Commission-funded projects like "Advanced Training for Next Generation Scientists in Spatio-Temporal Imaging."
Ville Paavilainen is a Research Director at the Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, and supervisor for doctoral programs in Biomedicine and Integrative Life Science. With a postdoctoral background at the University of California, San Francisco (2008–2014), he focuses on Biochemistry , Cell Biology , and Molecular Biology , particularly mechanisms of protein translocation, membrane biology, and structural modeling. His research includes groundbreaking work on Sec61 translocon inhibition for cancer therapy and mitochondrial gene expression noise . Recent publications address lipid scrambling pathways, glioma stem cell targeting, and actin regulation. Active projects span EU-funded drug discovery and NIH collaborations. Key scientific contributions include Elucidating Sec61-client interactions Developing computational models for signal peptide prediction Uncovering mitochondrial-ER communication mechanisms He has supervised PhD theses (e.g., Paul Carlson) and contributed to over 39 research outputs. His work bridges structural biology, computational modeling, and translational pharmacology, with applications in tumor biology and neurodegenerative disease research.
Michael J. Caplan is the C.N.H. Long Professor of Cellular and Molecular Physiology and Professor of Cell Biology at Yale School of Medicine, where he also serves as Chair of the Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology. He has been a faculty member at Yale since 1988, following the completion of his M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from Yale University in 1987. His academic journey began with a bachelor's degree in Biology from Harvard University in 1980. Dr. Caplan's research program focuses on understanding how membrane proteins are sorted in polarized epithelial cells, with particular emphasis on the Na,K-ATPase (sodium pump) in renal epithelial cells. His laboratory has made significant contributions to understanding the mechanisms responsible for Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD), particularly through studies of the polycystin-1 and polycystin-2 proteins. His work has revealed that polycystin-1 undergoes proteolytic cleavage to release its C-terminal tail, which enters the nucleus and modulates signaling pathways including Wnt signaling. His research also explores connections between renal cilia and olfactory signaling pathways in kidney function. Analysis of Dr. Caplan's recent publications reveals a strong focus on the molecular mechanisms underlying polycystic kidney disease, with particular attention to protein trafficking, membrane contact sites, transcriptional regulation in cystic cells, and novel therapeutic approaches. His work spans multiple disciplines including cell biology, molecular physiology, and translational medicine, with increasing integration of advanced imaging techniques and nanotechnology approaches. Dr. Caplan has received numerous prestigious awards including: Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2023) Carl W. Gottschalk Distinguished Lectureship from the American Physiological Society (2012) Young Investigator Award from the American Society of Nephrology (1998) National Young Investigator Award from the National Science Foundation Fellowships from the Helen Hay Whitney Foundation and David and Lucille Packard Foundation As an educator and mentor, Dr. Caplan has received Yale's Postdoctoral Mentoring Prize (2010) and Bohmfalk Award for Excellence in Basic Science Teaching (2000). He currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of the journal Physiology and on the Board of Directors of the American Physiological Society. His laboratory continues to be at the forefront of research on kidney cell biology and polycystic kidney disease pathogenesis, with ongoing investigations into novel therapeutic targets and mechanisms of disease progression.
Professor Peter Højrup is affiliated with the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Southern Denmark, focusing on protein structure and function through advanced biochemical techniques such as mass spectrometry and chemical cross-linking. His research spans biomedical mass spectrometry, systems biology, and proteomics, with a particular emphasis on endoplasmic reticulum proteins like calreticulin and calnexin. Education: PhD in Molecular Biology (1986, Odense University), MSc in Molecular Biology (major) and Chemistry (minor) (1982, University of Aarhus) His research interests include: Developing methods for determining protein 3D structures and interactions via chemical cross-linking and mass spectrometry. Fast glycosylation analysis of immunoglobulins and cancer markers. De novo proteomics of fish mucus proteins. The articles highlight trends in mass spectrometry applications, structural biology, and glycosylation studies, with recent work on SARS-CoV-2 epitope mapping, therapeutic antibody characterization, and host cell protein quantitation. Supervision includes training postdocs, PhD, MSc, and BSc students, though specific student names are not provided.
Brooke Gardner is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at UC Santa Barbara. Her research focuses on peroxisome biogenesis and homeostasis, particularly investigating how organelle dysfunction contributes to aging-related diseases. She leads the Gardner Lab, which employs biochemistry, cell biology, and genetics to study peroxisome regulation. Dr. Gardner holds a BA from Middlebury College, a PhD from UCSF, and completed postdoctoral research at UC Berkeley. She joined UCSB in 2019 and is affiliated with the Center for Aging and Longevity Studies (CALS). Education: PhD in Biochemistry, UC San Francisco (Walter Lab, 201X) BA in Biochemistry, Middlebury College Miller Fellow, UC Berkeley (Martin Lab) Research Interests: Peroxisome biogenesis and degeneration Role of Pex proteins in organelle formation Impact of peroxisomal dysfunction on aging and metabolic disorders Mechanisms of protein translocation across peroxisomal membranes Lab Members and Advising: Graduate students: Bashir Ali, Soham Chowdhury, Milagros Esmerode, Nikki Jacobsen, Connor Sheedy Undergraduates: David Boehm, Sambhav Jain, Alexei Miller Lab Manager: Julien Bacal Labs & Affiliations: Gardner Lab, UC Santa Barbara Center for Aging and Longevity Studies (CALS) Neuroscience Research Institute
