Dr. Myrtani Pieri is an Associate Professor at the University of Nicosia, affiliated with the School of Life and Health Sciences and the Department of Life Sciences. She holds a PhD in Molecular Biology and Genetics from the University of Oxford and a Science Entrepreneurship diploma from Said Business School. Education: PhD (Oxford), Science Entrepreneurship (Oxford), BSc in Biology (Patras) External Experience: Postdoctoral Research Associate at University of Oxford (2013-2014) and University of Cyprus (2009-2014) Her research spans two primary domains: Gastrointestinal physiology (focusing on microRNA roles in colorectal cancer) and Science Communication (leading citizen science initiatives like the SUSTAIN Erasmus+ project). Keywords: molecular biology, bioethics, education, and sustainable development. Notable scientific awards include: First Prize, FameLab 2011 UNIVERSITAS Foundation Fund (2016) Erasmus+ Grant (2017) She leads the ICSE Science Factory project (2023-2026), connects schools with communities for STEM engagement, and co-founded SciCo-Cyprus, pioneering science communication in Cyprus through platforms like Café Scientifique and School-lab competitions.
Andreas Birgegård is a Docent (Associate Professor) affiliated with the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. His work is primarily focused on eating disorders research, with particular emphasis on anorexia nervosa, genetic epidemiology, and psychiatric comorbidities. As an active researcher, he has contributed to numerous high-impact publications in the field of eating disorders and mental health. Birgegård's research interests span across eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa, with a strong focus on genetic epidemiology. His work explores the complex interplay between genetic factors and clinical presentations of eating disorders, including investigations into polygenic risk scores, shared genetic architecture with other psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia, and the impact of these disorders on mental health outcomes. His research often incorporates large-scale population studies, utilizing Swedish national registries and international collaborations to examine diagnostic patterns, treatment efficacy, and the longitudinal course of eating disorders. He has also contributed significantly to refining diagnostic criteria, notably proposing the reclassification of atypical anorexia nervosa as 'Restrictive Eating Disorder' (RED) to improve diagnostic clarity in both research and clinical practice. Analysis of Birgegård's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on the genetic underpinnings of eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa. His work frequently examines the relationship between polygenic risk and clinical outcomes, exploring how genetic factors influence symptom presentation, treatment response, and comorbid conditions. There is also a notable focus on the impact of external factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with eating disorders, as well as investigations into specific symptom dimensions like maladaptive exercise behaviors and ARFID. His research methodology often combines epidemiological approaches with genetic analyses, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the biological and psychological mechanisms underlying eating disorders. Birgegård has been actively involved in several major research initiatives, including the Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative (EDGI) and collaborations with the international eating disorders research community. His work frequently appears in top-tier journals such as Molecular Psychiatry, Nature Genetics, and the International Journal of Eating Disorders, reflecting the significance and impact of his contributions to the field.
Marike Gabrielson is an Associate Professor (Docent) at Karolinska Institutet , affiliated with the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics . She specializes in molecular cancer epidemiology , focusing on breast cancer risk and prevention . Co-Director , BRECT – Karolinska Breast Cancer Theme Centre Co-Director , MEB-WISE – Women in Science at Medical Epidemiology Principal Researcher (2025–present) and Senior Researcher (2018–2025) Research Interests: Her work explores the molecular epidemiology of breast cancer through four pillars: (1) breast tissue biology and mammographic density biomarkers, (2) tamoxifen’s mechanisms and biomarkers, (3) individualized preventive therapy, and (4) co-PI of the POWER clinical trial in precision medicine. Key projects include the KARMA cohort (70,000 participants) and Mendelian randomization studies linking hormones/proteomics to cancer risk. Scientific Contributions: She identified low-dose tamoxifen’s tissue effects , hormonal pathways regulating mammographic density, and proteomic signatures for risk prediction. Her work emphasizes precision prevention and tailored adjuvant therapy . Grants from Swedish Cancer Society , Region Stockholm , and Karolinska Research Grants support her research. Advising: Supervised Nida Khan (2024), Mattias Hammarström (2021), and Shadi Azam (2016). Her lab integrates epidemiology , proteomics , and clinical trials to advance breast cancer prevention.
Thuy Dung Nguyen serves as a Postdoctoral Researcher (mapped to Research Fellow academic rank) at Karolinska Institutet's Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics within Lu Yi's Precision Psychiatry research group (2024-2026). Her work integrates Scandinavian national register data with advanced genetic epidemiological methods to dissect depression heterogeneity. Her academic credentials include: PhD in Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet (2024) Master of Medical Science (120 Credits), Karolinska Institutet (2018) Master of Public Health in Epidemiology, Karolinska Institutet (2018) Bachelor of Public Health (Epidemiology/Biostatistics major), Hanoi University of Public Health (2013) Dr. Nguyen's research investigates the genetic architecture of major depressive disorder (MDD) subtypes through genome-wide association studies and sibling-based register analyses. She pioneers work on depression's mood-psychotic spectrum connections and Scandinavian burden epidemiology while exploring physical activity/sedentary behavior impacts on mental health. Her methodological toolkit includes Mendelian randomization for drug repurposing studies and causal inference in psychiatric genetics. Publication analysis reveals three dominant research thrusts: (1) Genetic dissection of MDD heterogeneity and subtypes (70% of recent work), (2) Scandinavian register-based depression epidemiology (20%), and (3) Physical activity/sedentary behavior interactions with mental health (10%). Her 2025-2023 output emphasizes cross-disorder genetic analyses while earlier work established physical activity's protective role against depression. No scientific awards are documented in available sources. Current advising activities and grant leadership are not publicly specified, though she contributes to large collaborative projects like the Swedish National March Cohort. Her role focuses on data analysis within Lu Yi's team rather than independent mentorship. She operates within Karolinska Institutet's Precision Psychiatry group which develops stratified treatment approaches for depression through genetic, epidemiological, and clinical data integration. The team leverages Scandinavia's unique population registers to identify depression endophenotypes for targeted interventions.
Valentina Valenti is a Researcher at the Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome . Her work spans cardiovascular diseases, oxidative stress, autophagy, and molecular mechanisms in cardiac remodeling. Specializes in coronary artery disease, heart failure, and environmental influences on cardiovascular health Active in translational research using animal models and clinical cohorts Research Trends Her recent publications focus on: Mitophagy modulation for cardioprotection Autophagy activators (e.g., trehalose) in myocardial infarction Environmental factors (pollution, climate change) influencing cardiovascular events Comparative toxicity of tobacco products using the SUR-VAPES study framework Epigenetic mechanisms in vascular oxidative stress Prognostic imaging tools for coronary artery disease Publications Key themes include coronary artery calcium scoring, vascular dysfunction, and genetic variants affecting thrombosis. Recent work (2025) examines carotid web-related strokes in young patients.
Per Nilsson is a senior researcher at Linnaeus University's Department of Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences within the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. He leads the Host Response to Biomaterials Laboratory (HoRB) and co-leads the Linnaeus University Centre for Biomaterials Chemistry. His work focuses on understanding interactions between the complement system, thromboinflammation, and biomaterials, with applications in transplantation medicine, nanotoxicology, and inflammatory diseases. Research Highlights: Developed novel whole blood models for studying complement activation Created therapeutic coatings to regulate thromboinflammation Investigated complement dysregulation in heart failure and AMD Explored nanoparticle hemocompatibility and blood-material interactions Methodological Expertise: Established advanced analytical techniques for complement proteins Developed quartz crystal microbalance platforms for diagnostics Created experimental models for thromboinflammatory responses Publication Trends (2022-2025): Recent work spans nanotechnology (DNA nanoparticles, iron oxide nanoparticles), cardiovascular immunology (titanium implants, ischemia-reperfusion injury), complement diagnostics, and novel therapeutic approaches targeting C5/CD14 pathways. His research combines molecular biology, materials science, and clinical immunology.
Karsten Øvretveit is an affiliated researcher at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), working at the HUNT Center for Molecular and Clinical Epidemiology within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. His research bridges genetics, epidemiology, and sports science with applications in cardiovascular health and athletic performance. His educational background includes: PhD in Medicine and Health Sciences (expected 2025), NTNU MSc in Clinical Health Science (2022), NTNU MSc in Sport Sciences (2018), NTNU MSc in Exercise Physiology (2017), NTNU Øvretveit's research focuses on polygenic risk prediction for cardiovascular traits, martial arts physiology , and evolutionary nutrition . His work combines large-scale cohort analyses with practical applications in combat sports and public health, particularly examining gene-environment interactions in blood pressure regulation and motivational dynamics in Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes. He employs both quantitative big-data approaches and single-subject methodologies. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a dominant trend in genetic epidemiology applied to cardiovascular phenotypes, alongside parallel investigations into combat sports performance and evolutionary nutrition frameworks. His work consistently integrates molecular genetics with real-world health outcomes and athletic applications. He currently supervises Master's students in Sport Sciences courses (IDR3920, IDR3921, IDR3025) at NTNU, guiding research in specialized areas of sports physiology and performance. As a core member of the HUNT Center for Molecular and Clinical Epidemiology, Øvretveit contributes to population-scale studies investigating genetic and environmental determinants of health, collaborating with international consortia including FinnGen.
Ferenc Szekeres is a Senior Lecturer in Biomedicine at the Department of Health Sciences, University of Skövde, where he has been working since 2015. His academic background includes dual Master's degrees in Computer Science and Computational Biology from the University of Skövde, followed by a PhD in Medicine from Karolinska Institutet focusing on insulin signaling in skeletal muscle metabolism. His research interests primarily focus on cancer biology , particularly pancreatic cancer, obesity, and metabolic disorders. Dr. Szekeres investigates the role of metabolism, diet, and stress in cancer progression, with special emphasis on reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathways and the evaluation of novel pharmaceutical compounds for cancer and stroke treatment. He maintains an active collaboration with Glucox Biotech AB. His most recent publications show a strong focus on pancreatic cancer research, particularly examining how compounds like digitoxin affect cancer cell metabolism and proliferation. His work also explores NOX inhibitors and their potential therapeutic applications for both cancer and cardiovascular conditions. Dr. Szekeres currently leads multiple research projects including the MIND-GUT study investigating diet, obesity, mental health and gut microbiome interactions; evaluation of new pharmaceutical compounds for cancer and stroke; and a study on the whole-body effects of a ketogenic diet. MIND-GUT study (2024-2026): Investigating diet, obesity, mental health and gut microbiome Pharmaceutical compounds evaluation (2016-2025): Developing new treatments for cancer and stroke Food-Gut-Brain-Mind-Health (2020-2025): Ketogenic diet effects on multiple health parameters Dr. Szekeres has supervised numerous final-year projects since 2016, mentoring students working on cancer research topics including prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, glioblastoma, and hepatic cancer. His supervision often involves collaborations with both University of Skövde and external partners like Glucox Biotech AB and Karolinska Institutet.
Arto Hautala serves as Associate Professor of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation at the University of Jyväskylä's Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences. He heads Finland's academic discipline of physiotherapy and directs the Physiotherapy Team. Hautala chairs the working group for Finland's exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation guideline and advises on national physical activity guidelines. From 2021-2024, he directed MOKUVE (a network of 11 universities for rehabilitation), and starting in 2025, he will lead FiRe (26 universities). He also advises Finland's National Sports Council through 2027. Hautala earned his doctorate in physiology from the University of Oulu, focusing on exercise and autonomic nervous system regulation. He then conducted post-doctoral research in human genomics at Louisiana's Pennington Biomedical Research Center, gaining expertise in molecular biology and genetic analysis techniques. Hautala's research explores technology-enhanced remote rehabilitation, personalized exercise therapy for disease prevention and management, and individual variability in exercise responses. He investigates autonomic dysfunction markers linked to cardiovascular mortality and seeks objective methods to quantify subjective pain. His work integrates physiology, biomechanics, and clinical practice to develop tailored rehabilitation strategies that improve patient outcomes across diverse health conditions. His recent publications demonstrate a focus on evidence-based rehabilitation interventions, including studies on sarcopenia in older adults, cardiac rehabilitation for atrial fibrillation, spinal cord injury outcomes, and musculoskeletal pain management. Hautala combines clinical trials with real-world observational data to evaluate technology-driven and personalized approaches. His Finnish-language publications address foundational topics like individual exercise responses and evidence-based practice, reflecting his commitment to both international and national scholarly discourse. As director of the Physiotherapy Team and Finland's national rehabilitation networks (MOKUVE until 2024 and FiRe from 2025), Hautala coordinates multidisciplinary collaborations across 26 universities. These initiatives integrate research, education, and clinical practice to advance rehabilitation science and policy, positioning him as a key architect of Finland's rehabilitation research infrastructure.
Professor Chris Murgatroyd is a Professor of Epigenetics at Manchester Metropolitan University, with an international reputation in molecular psychiatry and neuroendocrinology. His research focuses on gene-environment interactions in early-life aging, epigenetic mechanisms in neuroendocrine systems, and neurodegenerative disease pathways. With over £6.7m in grant funding as PI/Co-I, he maintains active national/international collaborations and has supervised 14 PhD and 9 MRes students. Doctorate (Dr. rerum naturalium, magna cum laude) from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich (2000-2005) MSc in Medical Genetics from University of Newcastle (1997-1998) BSc in Genetics from Swansea University (1994-1997) His research spans epigenetic programming of neuroendocrine systems, stress biology, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Key publications include studies on DNA methylation in maternal stress, synaptic plasticity mechanisms, and cis-regulatory element roles in multicellularity. As an academic leader, he serves as Research Lead for Aging and Lifelong Health at the Centre for Bioscience, and has acted as external examiner for multiple universities. He pioneered research-informed teaching innovations, including publishing a complete undergraduate thesis in a peer-reviewed journal and creating instructional videos adopted department-wide. Public engagement highlights include maintaining the website www.powerofthegene.com , authoring two public-facing genetics books, and delivering talks to schools and public forums like Café Scientific. His work has been featured in BBC and international media.
Anja Frei is a Senior Researcher at the Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute (EBPI) of the University of Zurich. She holds a PhD in Psychology (specializing in social and health psychology) from the University of Zurich and an MSc in Epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Her research focuses on Chronic disease epidemiology (particularly COPD) Physical activity promotion and measurement Digital health interventions Health behavior change Aging populations She leads the WHO Collaborating Centre for Physical Activity and Health at EBPI and contributes to policy development through HEPA Europe and COST action networks. Her work includes Randomized controlled trials (HOMEX-2, SELFIS-2) Mobile application development (QUALUCA) Public health cohort studies (ZVAC, CORONA IMMUNITAS) Scientific contributions span Methodological innovations in wearable sensor data Behavioral intervention design Implementation science Health equity research with recent emphasis on digital mobility assessment standardization (Mobilise-D) and post-COVID-19 condition studies.
Cindy B. Matsen is a fellowship-trained Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Utah , affiliated with the Huntsman Cancer Institute . Board-certified in General Surgery, she specializes in breast cancer surgery and benign breast diseases. Undergraduate: University of Oregon (Biology) MD: University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine Residency: General Surgery at University of Utah Fellowship: Breast Surgical Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Her research focuses on shared decision making , health communication , and cancer care delivery , with a particular emphasis on preference elicitation for improved cancer outcomes. She collaborates across communication , population health , epidemiology , engineering , and molecular biology fields. Recent publications highlight her work on: Breast cancer staging and surgical outcomes Clinical trial design (NRG-BR005, I-SPY2) Cancer survivorship during the COVID-19 pandemic Medical imaging techniques for invasive lobular carcinomas Telehealth implementation in oncology care Clinically, she operates at: Huntsman Cancer Institute - Cancer Hospital North 2K (Salt Lake City) Sugar House Health Center (Salt Lake City) Patient reviews consistently highlight her professionalism , compassion , and clear communication regarding diagnoses and treatment options.
Jonathan Joseph Chipman is an Assistant Professor of Biostatistics at the University of Utah , affiliated with the Department of Population Health Sciences and the Cancer Biostatistics Shared Resource at the Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI). He also holds an adjunct appointment in the Department of Family & Preventive Medicine . Education: BS in Statistical Science from Brigham Young University, MS in Biostatistics from the University of Minnesota, and PhD in Biostatistics from Vanderbilt University under Dr. Robert Greevy. Research Interests: Chipman specializes in causal inference , randomization methods , and adaptive monitoring schemes for clinical trials. His work emphasizes reducing modeling assumptions, improving trial efficiency through covariate-adjusted randomization , and integrating clinical context into statistical estimation. Methodological Contributions: He has developed sequential matched randomization frameworks and second-generation p-value monitoring techniques. His collaborations span cancer survivorship, prostate cancer screening, and skin cancer prevention studies. Teaching: Courses include Design and Implementation of Clinical Trials (MDCRC 6040), Statistical Methods for Clinical Trials (PHS 7070), and Advanced Statistical Computing in R (PHS 7045). Formerly taught Paradigms of Statistical Inference (PHS 7060). Advisees: Currently mentoring PhD student Yeonjung Jo on prostate cancer prognostication projects. Contact: Email: jonathan.chipman@hci.utah.edu Laboratory: Chipman Lab
Ki Aston, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery and Adjunct Associate Professor in Obstetrics & Gynecology at the University of Utah School of Medicine. He serves in the Division of Urology at University of Utah Health, specializing in andrology, embryology, and the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility. Dr. Aston combines cutting-edge research with compassionate patient care, focusing on optimizing fertility treatments and developing personalized infertility care approaches. Dr. Aston completed his PhD in Animal Science: Reproductive Physiology at Utah State University in 2007, with dissertation research on somatic cell nuclear transfer efficiency and nuclear reprogramming. He then joined the University of Utah's Andrology lab as a Postdoctoral Fellow, contributing to the pioneering team that successfully cloned the first equine species. Appointed to the faculty in 2011, he has established himself as a leader in male reproductive health research. His research program centers on the genetics of male infertility, male infertility and comorbid health conditions, the impact of paternal health and lifestyle on offspring outcomes, and improving sperm diagnostics and fertility treatment protocols. Dr. Aston employs advanced genomic and epigenetic methodologies to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying infertility, with particular focus on DNA methylation patterns, genetic variants, and single-cell analysis of testicular tissue. Analysis of Dr. Aston's publication record reveals a strong emphasis on translational research, with recent work bridging basic science discoveries to clinical applications. His publications frequently involve large-scale genomic studies and international collaborations, particularly through the consortia he co-founded, demonstrating a consistent focus on identifying genetic markers and molecular pathways involved in male infertility. Co-founder of the Genetics of Male Infertility Consortium (GEMINI) Co-founder of the International Male Infertility Genomics Consortium (IMIGC) Board Certified by the American Board of Bioanalysis Dr. Aston's research program has generated numerous high-impact publications in leading journals including Human Molecular Genetics, Fertility and Sterility, and the American Journal of Human Genetics. His leadership in establishing major international research consortia has facilitated significant advances in understanding the genetic basis of male infertility through collaborative, multi-center studies. His laboratory work focuses on male fertility diagnostics and the genetic underpinnings of infertility, utilizing advanced genomic techniques including single-cell RNA sequencing (as evidenced by the Human Infertility Single-Cell Testis Atlas project). This research directly informs clinical practice by improving diagnostic capabilities and developing more personalized treatment approaches for male infertility patients.
Nicholas A Burd is a Professor at the University of Illinois in the School of Kinesiology and Community Health and also holds a Professorial affiliation with Nutritional Sciences. He serves as an Affiliate in the Personalized Nutrition Initiative and a Chair at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. His research investigates how nutrition and exercise interact to regulate whole-body and skeletal muscle metabolism, focusing on dietary protein requirements across health states. Key Research Areas: Skeletal muscle, stable isotopes, aging, obesity, Type II diabetes. Major Collaborations: Includes work with S. A. Paluska, S. J. Petruzzello, and C. H. Hillman. His recent publications analyze: Vegan diets and muscle protein synthesis in young adults Impact of physical activity breaks on cognitive function in obesity Role of gut microbiota metabolites in inhibitory control Food matrix effects on amino acid absorption Firefighter ergonomics and physical performance Honors include the Peter J. Reeds Memorial Young Investigator Award (2015). His work bridges nutritional science with cognitive and metabolic health outcomes.
