Hauke Smidt is a Personal Professor at Wageningen University & Research, affiliated with the Molecular Ecology group within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences. His research focuses on microbial ecology, particularly gut microbiota dynamics, antibiotic resistance, environmental microbiology, and the One Health framework. Smidt has supervised over 50 PhD students and contributed to 519 publications, including studies on microbiome resilience, fermented food impacts, and bioremediation strategies. Education and affiliations include leadership roles in projects addressing antimicrobial resistance, pig health, and drinking water microbiology. His work spans collaborations across Europe and Asia, with notable contributions to understanding microbial community responses to environmental stressors and dietary interventions. Smidt is actively involved in public outreach, as seen in media contributions discussing microbiome research and health benefits. Key projects include aquifer treatment for drinking water, microbiome simulation models, and combating plant pathogens. His awards and recognition are not explicitly listed, but his extensive publication record and project leadership highlight significant academic impact.
Ting Lu is an Associate Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the School of Biomedical and Translational Sciences, focusing on microbial synthetic biology and systems biology. Their research bridges biology, engineering, and physics to reprogram cellular functionalities through gene regulatory networks. Ph.D. in Biophysics, University of California at San Diego (2007) B.S. in Physics, Zhejiang University (2002) Ting Lu's work explores microbial ecosystems, synthetic gene circuits, and their applications in biotechnology and medicine. By combining experimental approaches with mathematical modeling, they investigate bacterial communication networks, metabolic pathways, and spatial dynamics in microbial communities. Selected research trends include microbial consortia engineering for bioremediation and bioproduction, complexity reduction in microbiomes, and predictive modeling of synthetic gene networks. Their publications span high-impact journals such as Nature Communications , Nature Chemical Biology , and eLife . Fellow, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (2022) Future Insight Prize (2021) Donald Biggar Willett Faculty Scholar (UIUC) (2020) NIH Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (2019) NSF CAREER Award (2015) AHA National Scientist Development Grant (2012) Ting Lu's lab has received grants from NIH, NSF, ONR, and industry partners. They offer undergraduate research opportunities in synthetic and systems biology, and teach advanced courses such as BIOE 430 - Intro Synthetic Biology and BIOE 432 - Systems Biology .
Paul O'Toole is a Professor of Microbial Genomics and Principal Investigator at the APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork. His research focuses on the gut microbiome's role in health, aging, and disease, particularly in the context of diet and probiotics. He leads projects like the ELDERMET study on elderly nutrition and the NU-AGE project exploring Mediterranean diets' anti-aging effects. He holds a BA (Mod.) from Trinity College Dublin and a PhD from Lund University, with postdoctoral training in Canada and New Zealand. Key grants include studies on dairy-derived microbiota, probiotic strain improvement, and microbiome analysis in aging populations. He has published extensively on Lactobacillus genomics, gut-brain interactions, and microbiome-driven health outcomes. His work bridges fundamental microbiology with clinical applications, emphasizing translational research. Scientific highlights include discovering microbiome links to cognitive decline, demonstrating dietary modulation of gut microbes to combat obesity, and identifying keystone species in healthy aging. He advocates for sustainability in conservation and food systems, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to global health challenges.
Dr. Aslı Özen is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Final International University . Her academic focus lies in human nutrition, functional foods, and dietary behavior analysis. Doctoral Degree : Human Nutrition, Universitat de les Illes Balears (2012) Master's Degree : Food Engineering, Istanbul Technical University (2006) Bachelor's Degree : Food Engineering, Istanbul Technical University (2003) Her research explores functional food consumption, beverage hydration patterns, and dietary shifts influenced by global events like the COVID-19 pandemic , with cross-cultural studies comparing European and international populations. Her work emphasizes Mediterranean diet adherence and the structural properties of food products. Key publication trends focus on nutritional epidemiology , public health interventions , and food science applications , particularly in fermented dairy products and sustainable gastronomy tourism.
Tanja Narancic is an Assistant Professor at the School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science at University College Dublin (UCD). She is also an academic collaborator at the Bioeconomy Research Centre BiOrbic, where she coordinates multiple research projects among PIs, PostDocs, PhD students, and designs projects proposed by industrial partners. Dr. Narancic earned her PhD in Applied Microbiology from the University of Belgrade, Serbia in 2012, followed by postdoctoral research at the Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering in Belgrade. In 2013, she joined University College Dublin as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow under Prof. Kevin O'Connor, where she investigated microbial metabolic pathways using proteomics, metabolomics, and synthetic biology tools as part of FP7 and H2020 projects. She became a Research Fellow at BiOrbic in 2019 before advancing to her current position as Assistant Professor. Her research focuses on elucidating bacterial metabolism and leveraging synthetic biology tools to exploit bacteria for producing high-value products. Key research areas include: Proteomics, Metabolomics, and Transcriptomics for microbial pathway analysis Metabolic engineering for bioproduction Biocatalysis and enzyme optimization Protein engineering and purification Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production from waste streams Plastic upcycling and biodegradation technologies Dr. Narancic's publication record demonstrates a strong focus on converting plastic waste into valuable biodegradable materials through innovative biotechnological approaches. Her recent work has centered on developing microbial systems for upcycling polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyolefins, and other recalcitrant plastics into polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and other high-value products. She has made significant contributions to understanding the metabolic pathways involved in plastic monomer conversion and has developed engineered strains with enhanced capabilities for plastic upcycling. As a principal investigator, Dr. Narancic leads multiple significant research projects including the Ad Astra Studentship (2023-2028), the UPLIFT project on sustainable plastics for food packaging (2021-2025), and the PROMOFER project (2024-2028) on optimizing PHB production. She also serves as a reviewer for numerous prestigious journals including Enzyme and Microbial Technology, Journal of Applied Microbiology, and Microbial Biotechnology. Her teaching portfolio includes coordination of multiple modules such as Bioprocessing, Metabolism and Disease, and SynBio for Bioeconomy, demonstrating her commitment to educating the next generation of scientists in both fundamental and applied aspects of biomolecular science.
Dr. Rachel Carmody is the Thomas D. Cabot Associate Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on energy metabolism, gut microbiome interactions, and their evolutionary implications. She leads the Nutritional & Microbial Ecology Lab, exploring how diet, genetics, and microbial communities influence human energy dynamics. Her work integrates evolutionary biology, physiology, and metagenomics to address questions about human uniqueness in digestion, maternal-offspring energy conflicts, and non-caloric dietary components. Office: Museum of Comparative Zoology 542; Email: carmody@fas.harvard.edu. Key research themes include gut microbiome-modulated obesity, placental hormone roles in pregnancy metabolism, and dietary digestibility frameworks. She also investigates evolutionary shifts in gut microbiota during human industrialization and animal domestication. Her lab employs mouse models, comparative studies, and multiomics approaches to dissect host-microbial interactions. Recent articles highlight microbiome effects on exercise-induced weight changes, antibiotic-induced obesity mechanisms, and cross-cultural dietary comparisons. While no awards are explicitly listed, her prolific publications reflect sustained impact in nutritional and evolutionary microbiology. No student advisees or grants are detailed in the provided text.
Linda J. Harris, Ph.D., is a Distinguished Professor of Cooperative Extension in Microbial Food Safety at the University of California, Davis, within the Department of Food Science and Technology. She served as Department Chair from 2016 to 2021. Her research focuses on microbial food safety, particularly in fresh produce and tree nuts, emphasizing pathogen behavior, antimicrobial treatments, and standard microbiological methods validation. She collaborates with food producers, processors, and government agencies to address food safety challenges. Dr. Harris earned her Ph.D. in Food Science from North Carolina State University in 1991. Her work integrates laboratory studies with extension activities to ensure practical applications in food safety. Key areas include evaluating pathogen survival on produce, developing sanitation protocols, and assessing risks associated with low-moisture foods. Her research trends highlight advancements in pathogen detection (e.g., MALDI-TOF technology), contamination prevention in postharvest handling, and consumer practices affecting food safety (e.g., homemade nut-based products). Recent articles address Salmonella and Listeria survival on produce, irrigation impacts on pathogens, and validation of pathogen reduction processes. Awards: 2021 AAAS Fellow 2018 Institute of Food Technologists Fellow 2004 Elmer Marth Educator Award Her advising and grants focus on low-moisture food safety, extension education, and industry partnerships. She leads initiatives like the Scientific Integrity Consortium and collaborates on national food safety guidelines. Dr. Harris is affiliated with the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science at UC Davis.
Professor Phil Purnell is a Professor of Materials and Structures at the School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds. His expertise spans materials science, infrastructure systems, circular economy, and interdisciplinary research. He leads projects addressing decarbonization, waste-to-resource systems, and sustainable construction materials. His roles include Deputy Head of School and advisor to UKRI, DEFRA, and the UK Government’s Circular Economy Taskforce. He holds visiting positions at the Royal College of Art and University of Cambridge. Education: PhD, BEng (Civil), and teaching qualifications (PCPCE, ACTLHE). His research focuses on circular economy applications in textiles, offshore wind, and foundational industries. Notable projects include the Textiles Circularity Centre, Yorkshire Circular Economy Living Lab, and Complex Value Optimisation for Resource Recovery (C-VORR). He advocates for systemic approaches to sustainability, integrating economic, technical, and environmental values. Research outputs emphasize decarbonization pathways, material lifecycle assessments, and robotics in infrastructure management. Collaborations with industry and policy bodies drive practical solutions for resource efficiency. His work bridges engineering, economics, and environmental science to address global challenges like waste management and climate change.
Professor Nick Paul is a marine scientist at the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC), leading applied research in seaweed and algae for sustainable product development. He holds a PhD and BSc (Hons) from UNSW and a Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Education Management from the University of Melbourne. His work focuses on seaweed aquaculture innovations, including waste-to-resource biotechnology, functional foods, and environmental remediation. He leads international projects funded by organizations like ACIAR, CSIRO, and Advance Queensland. Research interests include seaweed-based solutions for livestock health, wastewater treatment, and sustainable aquaculture expansion near the Great Barrier Reef. He has pioneered commercial land-based seaweed farming and developed intellectual property in this field. Awards include the 2015 UNAA World Environment Day Award for Sustainable Water Management and the 2015 Queensland Water Innovation Forum Best Paper. He serves on the Asian Fisheries Society Council and Fiji’s National Seaweed Taskforce. Key publications span seaweed cultivation methods, marine genomics, and socio-economic impacts of aquaculture in the Pacific. Grants total over A$3.7 million for projects like diversifying Pacific Island seaweed industries and improving Indonesian seaweed production.
Prof. Dr. Laura Nyström is a Full Professor of Food Biochemistry at ETH Zurich's Department of Health Sciences and Technology (D-HEST), part of the Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health (IFNH). She leads a research group focused on sustainable food systems, dietary fiber mechanisms, and plant-based material utilization. Her career includes tenure as Assistant Professor (2009–2016) and Associate Professor (2016–2021) before her promotion to Full Professor in 2022. She also chairs the D-HEST department since 2022. Education: MSc (2002) and DSc (2008) in Food Sciences from the University of Helsinki, Finland. Postdoctoral research (2008–2009) in Cereal Technology at the same institution. Research Interests: Healthy and sustainable foods via plant-based materials Health-promoting dietary fiber interactions Genetic diversity of grains and crop utilization Antioxidant extraction from olive mill waste (co-founding Gaia Technologies GmbH) Development of analytical methods for food chemistry Scientific Contributions: Over 70 publications, 3 book chapters, and 2 patents ERC Starting Grant (2015), AOCS Young Scientist Award (2017), and ETH Zurich Leadership Award (2018) Advising & Innovation: Guided interdisciplinary research teams on food chemistry and sustainability Co-developed industrial partnerships for food waste valorization Labs & Initiatives: EPNOE (European Polysaccharide Network) collaborations HealthFerm citizen science project on sourdough fermentation
Marc Habash is an Associate Professor at the School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph. His work focuses on microbial interactions in environmental systems, particularly pathogen detection, microbial biofilms, and water quality. He holds a BSc in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Toronto, an MSc in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Western Ontario, and a PhD in Environmental Biology from the University of Guelph. Research interests include molecular and culture-based detection of waterborne pathogens, microbial source tracking using Bacteroidales spp., and biofilm formation studies involving probiotics. Collaborative efforts examine proteomic analysis via mass spectrometry techniques. His lab is located in the Edmund C. Bovey Building (Room 3238). Publications emphasize environmental microbiology applications: from yeast tolerance mechanisms to advanced PCR methods for microbial viability quantification. Recent work explores bacterial surface dynamics, insect pest diapause induction, and enzymatic dehalogenation processes. Research consistently bridges fundamental microbiology with practical environmental monitoring solutions. No scientific awards are listed. Advising and grants sections remain unpopulated in available records. His interdisciplinary approach connects environmental engineering, molecular biology, and ecological systems analysis.
Dr. F. Jerry Reen serves as a Senior Lecturer and Principal Investigator in the School of Microbiology at University College Cork (UCC), Ireland. With over two decades of academic experience since joining UCC's Department of Microbiology in 2002, he has established himself as a leading researcher in microbial communication systems and host-pathogen interactions. His research group operates within the BIOMERIT Research Centre, and he maintains active collaborations across multiple institutions in Ireland and internationally. Dr. Reen earned his BSc in Biochemistry at the National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), followed by a PhD in the Molecular GlycoBiotechnology Group at NUIG, supported by an Enterprise Ireland Scholarship and an NUI Teaching Fellowship. His academic journey includes a postdoctoral position in the lab of Dr. E. Fidelma Boyd at UCC, during which he was a visiting scientist at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center in San Diego and received an IRCSET Postdoctoral Fellowship for bacteriophage-host interactions research. Dr. Reen's research focuses on deciphering communication systems underpinning polymicrobial-host interactions for human and ecosystem health, with particular emphasis on small molecule signaling in microbial communities. His work bridges fundamental microbiology with translational applications, targeting antimicrobial resistance through chemico-biological therapeutics and developing sustainable pharmaceutical production methods using marine biocatalysts. His research has evolved from early work on Vibrio species to current investigations of Pseudomonas aeruginosa signaling systems, bile acid interactions in cystic fibrosis, and marine enzyme applications in green chemistry. His laboratory's publication record demonstrates consistent productivity with over 80 peer-reviewed papers (h-index 26), spanning from foundational studies on LysR-type transcriptional regulators to recent innovations in virtual reality educational tools. The research trajectory reveals an expanding scope from molecular microbiology to systems-level understanding of microbial communities, with increasing emphasis on sustainable solutions for the pharmaceutical industry. Bronze LEAF Award (2022) - Green Campus University College Cork The Disciplinary Excellence in Learning, Teaching and Assessment (DELTA) Award (2021) - National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning Purdy-Lucey UCC Life Sciences Invention of the Year 2015 (2016) Best Poster Exhibition (2012) - Royal Irish Academy National Researcher of the Year, Silver Medal (2011) - Roche BioSciences Researcher of the Year, Gold Medal (2011) - Roche Dr. Reen has successfully secured significant research funding from multiple sources including Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), Health Research Board (HRB), Enterprise Ireland, and Irish Research Council. His current projects include 'BioBloc' enhanced Contact LEns solutioNS (BBCLENS), HEACOVID19, SSPC3 Pharm5, and investigations into novel macrolides for cystic fibrosis management. He has mentored numerous graduate students, including Stephanie Flynn (PhD, 2019), Noelle McCarthy (PhD, 2009), and David Woods (MSc, 2008), with two doctoral students currently completing their research. His educational innovations, particularly student-partnered virtual reality simulations, have transformed how challenging molecular concepts are taught. Dr. Reen leads an interdisciplinary research group that combines microbiology, chemistry, bioinformatics, and education technology. His team collaborates with internal UCC colleagues including Dr. Gerard McGlacken and Prof. Anita Maguire, as well as external partners from institutions like the University of Warwick, Medical University of Graz, and University de Porto. The laboratory maintains strong connections with clinical researchers studying cystic fibrosis and has developed novel approaches for detecting bacterial signaling molecules using boron-doped diamond electrodes.
Kevin Kohl is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh, where he joined in 2017 after completing his Ph.D. at the University of Utah and postdoctoral research at Universidad Nacional de San Luis (Argentina) and Vanderbilt University. His work bridges microbial ecology, physiological adaptation, and evolutionary biology with a focus on vertebrate digestive systems. Education: Ph.D., University of Utah, 2015 (Advisor: Dr. Denise Dearing) Postdoctoral Research, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, Argentina (with Dr. Enrique Caviedes-Vidal) Postdoctoral Research, Vanderbilt University (with Dr. Seth Bordenstein) Dr. Kohl's research centers on how host ecology and evolutionary history shape digestive physiology and gut microbial communities, particularly in herbivorous mammals and lizards coping with low-protein, high-fiber, and toxin-rich diets. The Kohl Lab employs comparative, experimental, and computational approaches across fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals to uncover functional implications and mechanistic bases of host-microbe relationships. Key research themes include phylosymbiosis, thermal physiology, nutritional ecology, and microbial dynamics in conservation contexts. His recent publications (2023-2025) reveal consistent exploration of diet-microbiome-physiology interactions, with emerging emphasis on methodological innovation (e.g., cryopreservation techniques, museum specimen analysis), climate change impacts on ectotherms, and accessibility in field research. Work spans fundamental mechanisms like gastric lysozyme evolution to applied conservation hologenomics initiatives. Dr. Kohl advises graduate students in biological sciences and leads the Kohl Lab, which maintains active international collaborations. The lab emphasizes rigorous experimental design while addressing real-world challenges like wildlife conservation microbiome applications and inclusive fieldwork practices. The Kohl Lab operates as a multidisciplinary hub investigating host-microbe interactions through projects including Integrative Nutritional Physiology, Landscape Variation in Pond Microbiomes, and Microbial Ecology of Animals Under Human Care. Current work increasingly integrates hologenomic perspectives to address conservation biology challenges and methodological limitations in microbiome research.
Ana Paula Mora Tavares is an Assistant Researcher at CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Portugal. She holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Aveiro (2006), preceded by a MSc from Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (2000) and a BSc from Estadual University of Rio de Janeiro (1997). Her academic career includes postdoctoral research at LSRE/FEUP (2006–2009) and a Ciência 2008-funded independent position (2009–present). She teaches laboratory classes in Microbial Biotechnology at the University of Aveiro and has been involved in COHITEC’s technology commercialization training. Research Interests: Her work focuses on biomolecules purification (e.g., enzymes, antibodies), ionic liquids, aqueous biphasic systems, nanomaterials, and biocatalysis for organic synthesis. She pioneers applications in enzyme immobilization, anticancer drug development (e.g., L-asparaginase), and eco-friendly bioremediation strategies. Current projects include the InsectERA initiative for circular economy innovation. Awards: 2007 Honourable Mention from Companhia União Fabril for PhD thesis Supervision: 3 PhD students (Ana Filipa Soares Pereira, Ana Isabel Bastos Valente, Ana Sofia Correia Marques) Key Projects: InsectERA (circular economy), COHITEC (technology valorization) Labs/Teams: PATh G5 - Biomimetic Materials Group and L3 Sustainability Unit at CICECO. Her research leverages interdisciplinary approaches, combining chemical engineering with nanotechnology for biomedical and environmental applications.
Claire Gaiani is a full Professor at the University of Lorraine, leading the Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Biomolécules (LIBio). With an ORCID iD: 0000-0003-0434-8453 , she focuses on sustainable food ingredient development from agroresources and food-waste, specializing in the formulation of bioactive compounds (probiotics, glycans, PUFA, flavonoids) into functional powders through industrial-academic collaborations. Habilitation to supervise research (2012, University of Lorraine) PhD in Food Science (2006, University of Lorraine) Engineer (M.Sc.) from ENSAIA (2002, University of Lorraine) Her research combines atomic force microscopy (AFM), XPS analysis, and industrial partnerships (Nestle, Arla Foods) to optimize dairy and plant-based powder properties. Recent work explores cryogel monoliths for probiotic delivery, plant seed gums as structuring agents, and maltodextrin surface characterization. Key scientific contributions include: Over 140 peer-reviewed papers (90% Q1 Food Science/Chemistry/Biophysics) 2 book editions ( Engineering Plant-Based Food Systems , 2023; Atomic Force Microscopy for Food Research , 2023) 10 book chapters 2 patents (FR2807932A1, FR2112358A) 65 international lectures (17 invited) Honors include: 2023 Grand Prix en Sciences Lorraine-Luxembourg 2015 IUF junior member (5-year term) 2011 Marcel Loncin Prize 2014 NIZO Dairy Conference keynote She supervises 9 postdocs and 15 PhD students, and serves on the European Bioencapsulation Research Group board. Her work drives innovations in powder rehydration, probiotic encapsulation, and sustainable food systems through the Agria Grand Est association.
