Paul J. Kenny, PhD is a Professor and Chair of Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , where he also serves as Director of the Drug Discovery Institute . His research focuses on understanding brain mechanisms underlying addiction, obesity, and schizophrenia, with a particular emphasis on distributed neural networks shaping motivation and decision-making. Education: BA, Trinity College Dublin PhD, University of London His lab employs cutting-edge technologies such as AI-driven behavior quantification, CRISPR-based genome editing, and single-cell/spatial transcriptomics to map gene expression and identify therapeutic targets for neuropsychiatric disorders. Recent publications highlight advancements in: Understanding stress-induced depression mechanisms Developing novel brain clearing methods for implant localization Scientific recognition includes: Jacobi Medallion (2025) Alton Ochsner Award Relating Smoking and Disease (2020) Daniel H. Efron Research Award (2018) Tom Connor Distinguished Investigator Award (2015) Mathilde Solowey Lecture Award (2012) Jacob P. Waletzky Memorial Award (2010)
Björn Forsberg is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM) at Linköping University, where he leads a research group in structural bioinformatics. He is affiliated with SciLifeLab Linköping and the National Supercomputer Centre (NSC), and is part of the Wallenberg National Program for Data-Driven Life Science (DDLS), supported by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. His work bridges computational science and molecular biology, focusing on the development of novel methods for analyzing cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) data. His research centers on understanding molecular life through data-driven approaches. He develops computational tools to analyze ensemble cryo-EM data, using spatial filtering and local correlation metrics to identify sources of structural variation and attribute them to biological mechanisms. His lab leverages high-performance computing resources, including the Berzelius supercomputer, to process large-scale datasets and improve the resolution and interpretability of molecular models. This work has broad implications for understanding diseases like Alzheimer's and for drug discovery. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in advancing cryo-EM methodology, particularly through software development (e.g., RELION) and the integration of machine learning and GPU computing. His work spans fungal metabolism, ion channel dynamics, chloroplast ribosomes, and foundational algorithmic improvements in 3D reconstruction. The research combines structural biology, bioinformatics, and computational physics to extract biological meaning from complex data. Scientific Awards and Recognition: Selected for the SciLifeLab and Wallenberg National Program for Data-Driven Life Science (DDLS) Supported by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation through DDLS and the PALS (Program for Academic Leaders in Life Science) network Björn Forsberg is actively building his research team, advising PhD and master’s students, and seeking postdoctoral researchers with backgrounds in computational biology, computer science, or related fields. His lab collaborates with leading experts in structural biology and uses national research infrastructures to push the boundaries of data-driven life science. He has no listed formal grants yet, but his program is funded through major foundation support. His research is conducted at the intersection of the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM), SciLifeLab Linköping, and the National Supercomputer Centre (NSC), forming a multidisciplinary environment for innovation in computational structural biology.
Courtney C. Babbitt is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, with additional affiliation to the Commonwealth Honors College. Her research is centered in evolutionary genomics, focusing on gene regulation, cis-regulatory evolution, and phenotypic differences between humans and non-human primates. B.A., Columbia University, 1999 Ph.D., University of Chicago, 2005 Postdoctoral Training, Duke University, 2006–2013 Her research integrates computational and experimental approaches to study genome-wide changes in gene expression, noncoding RNA, and enhancer activity, particularly in neural and metabolic contexts across primates. She investigates how regulatory evolution shapes phenotypic innovation, with a focus on brain development and function. Recent publications highlight trends in primate brain gene expression, metabolic differences in neural cell types, and the functional evolution of regulatory elements. Her work frequently employs comparative genomics in human, chimpanzee, and other primates, using fibroblasts, neural progenitor cells, and brain tissues. While no personal scientific awards are listed, her students have received recognitions such as the Henry Little Award, UMass 21st Century Leadership Award, and travel awards for conference presentations, reflecting strong mentorship. Katie Rickelton – Outstanding Student Presentation, AABA 2025 Rithvik – Henry Little Award in BMB Chiruza – UMass 21st Century Leadership Award Dr. Babbitt actively advises graduate students and leads the Babbitt Lab for Evolutionary Genomics, which uses high-throughput sequencing and functional genomics to explore the genotype-to-phenotype map. The lab has secured ongoing research activity as evidenced by recent publications and student involvement. Current projects include functional testing of rapidly evolving cis-regulatory regions and comparative analyses of brain metabolism and extracellular matrix heterogeneity. The Babbitt Lab is located in Morrill Science Center III at UMass Amherst, with active research in neural cell type-specific gene expression, astrocyte activation, and evolutionary transcriptomics. The lab fosters a collaborative environment integrating bioinformatics and wet-lab techniques to address fundamental questions in evolutionary biology.
Dr. Gi Fay Mok is a Lecturer in Biomedicine and Group Leader at the BioMedical Research Centre (BMRC), School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia. He leads an independent research lab focused on developmental and stem cell biology, with funding from the British Heart Foundation, the Royal Society, and UKRI DTP. He is actively mentoring PhD and MSc students and contributes to academic leadership as the organizer of the 'Cell, Development and Molecular Biology' seminar series and as BIO Research Staff Co-ordinator. PhD, University of Nottingham (2009–2012) Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of East Anglia (2013–2019) Post-doctoral Research Associate, Earlham Institute (2020) Lecturer & Group Leader, University of East Anglia (2022–present) Dr. Mok's research centers on the embryonic origin of hematopoietic and endothelial stem cells, aiming to inform regenerative medicine. His lab uses the chick embryo as a model system and integrates CRISPR-based genome editing , advanced live imaging , single-cell sequencing (scRNA-seq, ATAC-seq), and computational biology to dissect gene regulatory networks and cellular dynamics during early blood development. A key goal is to enable the in vitro generation of clinically relevant stem cells for therapeutic use. The recent publications highlight a strong focus on developmental genomics , spatial transcriptomics , and gene regulation in embryogenesis . His work spans single-cell profiling of avian and mouse embryos, regulatory mapping of somite maturation, and functional studies of genes like Talpid3 in stem cell behavior. The research consistently bridges fundamental developmental mechanisms with translational applications in regenerative medicine. Dr. Mok has secured competitive research funding from major bodies including the British Heart Foundation , the Royal Society , and UKRI . These grants support projects on enhancer validation, hematoendothelial lineage tracing, and chromatin remodeling in development. Royal Society: Rapid in vivo validation of enhancer elements during embryonic hematoendothelial development (2023–2025) British Heart Foundation: Characterizing the embryonic origin of haemangioblasts (2020–2023) BBSRC: Unravelling microRNA-chromatin remodelling in myogenesis (2016–2019) John & Pamela Salter Charitable Trust: microRNA detection in embryonic tissues (2014–2015) Dr. Mok advises multiple students, including UKRI-BBSRC NRP DTP PhD candidates Lydia Pouncey and Andreas Nikolopoulos. His lab, the Mok Lab, is embedded within the BMRC at UEA and collaborates extensively with researchers such as Prof. Andrea Münsterberg and Dr. Iain Macaulay. The team combines wet-lab and computational approaches to address key questions in developmental biology.
Associate Professor Kar-Chun Tan is affiliated with Curtin University's School of Molecular and Life Sciences within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. He leads the 'Septoria nodorum blotch biology' research program at the Centre for Crop Disease Management (CCDM). His work focuses on molecular plant pathology, proteomics, metabolomics, and genetic mapping of wheat to combat fungal pathogens. Key research areas include necrotrophic effector identification, transcription factor regulation of virulence, and wheat defensome mechanisms. Dr. Tan has received significant recognition, including a 2014 Eureka Prize finalist award for Sustainable Agriculture and a 2005 Western Australian Young Achiever Award semifinalist nomination. His research has led to advancements in understanding fungal pathogen interactions with wheat, including the role of transcription factors like PnPf2 in effector gene expression. His publications span proteomic analyses of oomycetes, transcriptional regulation in fungal pathogens, and genetic mapping of wheat resistance genes. Collaborative projects include studies on Septoria nodorum blotch dynamics, phosphite action mechanisms in oomycetes, and the role of accessory chromosomes in pathogen virulence. Tan's work bridges molecular biology and agricultural applications, aiming to enhance crop resilience against fungal diseases.
Jennifer Han is an Assistant Professor of Biology in the School of Science at Marist College. Her research focuses on plant-fungi-pest interactions, aiming to enhance sustainable agriculture and environmental health through biocontrol strategies. She previously served as faculty at Washington State University, where she developed fungi-based bee-safe pesticides and taught undergraduate and graduate courses. Ph.D. in Plant Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (2014) B.L.A. in Landscape Architecture, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (2003) Her research interests span plant biology, molecular genetics, mycology, and sustainable horticulture, with a strong emphasis on beneficial fungi and their applications in pollinator health. She investigates how fungal biocontrol agents, such as Metarhizium , can mitigate threats like the Varroa mite and honey bee viruses, offering environmentally safe alternatives to chemical pesticides. Her recent publications highlight advancements in fungal biocontrol, papaya genomics, and pollinator protection, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach combining genetics, microbiology, and ecological design. The work demonstrates a consistent focus on sustainable solutions in agriculture and conservation. Extracts of Polypore Mushroom Mycelia Reduce Viruses in Honey Bees (2018) Directed evolution of Metarhizium fungus improves its biocontrol efficacy against Varroa mites in honey bee colonies (2021) Transcriptional regulation of dosage compensation in Carica papaya (2021) Dr. Han has secured significant research funding, including a $1.6 million award from the Altman Foundation and multiple grants from the Washington State Department of Agriculture, supporting her work on bee health and fungal technology transfer. She actively mentors students and collaborates with industry and agricultural stakeholders. She is a frequent invited speaker at beekeeping and mycology conferences, promoting public understanding of fungal applications in agriculture. Her outreach includes media interviews, podcasts, and educational workshops on sustainable pest management and pollinator conservation.
Laura A. Katz is the Elsie Damon Simonds Professor of Biological Sciences at Smith College. Her research focuses on elucidating principles of eukaryotic evolution through phylogenetic reconstruction, community sampling, and genome evolution analyses. Key Research Areas: Phylogenomics of microbial eukaryotes Genome evolution in ciliates and testate amoebae Epigenetic mechanisms in evolutionary adaptation Biodiversity of understudied protist lineages Education: Ph.D., Cornell University A.B., Harvard College Recent publications highlight her work on lateral gene transfer in eukaryotes, virophage taxonomy, and the role of mobile genetic elements in genome evolution. Her lab employs advanced techniques like single-cell transcriptomics and amplicon sequencing to explore protist diversity in unique ecosystems such as New England bogs and pitcher plant microhabitats.
Michael B. Eisen is a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator and Professor of Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development at the University of California, Berkeley. He leads the Eisen Lab , affiliated with the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and the California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences. His work integrates computational and experimental approaches to study gene regulation and evolution in Drosophila melanogaster and Saccharomyces cerevisiae . Research interests focus on deciphering the molecular basis of organismal diversity through regulatory sequence evolution. Key projects include mapping chromatin accessibility in Drosophila embryos, modeling evolutionary constraints on regulatory sequences, and analyzing transcriptional network variation across species. Recent publications highlight trends in comparative genomics, host-pathogen interactions, and technical advances in RNA-seq. Scientific Awards: Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator Raymond & Beverly Sackler Chair in Computational Biology The Eisen Lab is committed to open science, publishing all work in open-access journals and freely sharing data, software, and intellectual property. The lab's interdisciplinary approach spans molecular biology, computational genomics, and evolutionary analysis.
Dr. Philippa Warren is a Senior Lecturer at King's College London's Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), where she leads an independent research group focused on spinal cord injury recovery mechanisms. Based at the Wolfson Sensory, Pain and Regeneration Centre, she holds a prestigious Wellcome Trust & Royal Society Sir Henry Dale Fellowship and serves as Race Equality Champion for her department. Her research interests center on understanding physiological deficits following neurological trauma, with particular focus on respiratory and locomotor function recovery after spinal cord injury. Using advanced techniques including respiratory physiology, X-ray videography, neuroimaging, chemogenetics, and viral vector therapeutics, her lab develops translational approaches to restore normal breathing and movement in chronic injury cases. Her work bridges basic neuroscience with clinical applications, targeting the spinal-motor axis for therapeutic intervention. Warren's publication record demonstrates consistent focus on chronic spinal cord injury recovery, particularly respiratory function restoration. Her research shows progression from basic mechanisms of neural plasticity to development of specific therapeutic approaches including viral vector delivery systems, chondroitinase treatments, and neurotrophin-based interventions. The work spans from fundamental physiological characterization to pre-clinical therapeutic development. Sir Henry Dale Fellowship (Wellcome Trust & Royal Society) King's Prize Fellowship Guarantors of Brain Travel Award (2018) Trainee Professional Development Award (2018) Dr. Warren actively supervises research within her laboratory and contributes significantly to educational programs, co-leading Stem Cell and Spinal Cord Injury MSc programs while lecturing across undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Her research is supported by multiple major grants including projects from the Wellcome Trust, EPSRC, MRC, and International Spinal Research Trust, totaling millions in funding for investigations into chronic motor recovery, respiratory function restoration, and neural circuit dissection. The Warren Laboratory, situated within King's College London, represents a dynamic team applying state-of-the-art approaches to address the critical challenges of spinal cord injury recovery, with particular emphasis on respiratory function that affects quality of life for millions worldwide.
Erin Green is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), where she leads an active research laboratory investigating epigenetic regulation through protein post-translational modifications. Her work integrates molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, genomics, and proteomics using Saccharomyces cerevisiae and mammalian models to study chromatin signaling pathways in gene expression and stress response. Education: Postdoctoral Fellowship, Stanford University (2013) Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley (2007) B.A., Bryn Mawr College (2000) Dr. Green's research focuses on how histone methylation, particularly at lysine residues, regulates chromatin structure and function to maintain genomic integrity during cellular stress and gene expression. Her lab investigates canonical and novel methylation sites, non-histone protein methylation, and the role of lysine methyltransferases like Set5 and SMYD proteins in telomere maintenance and cancer pathways. Using evolutionary conserved yeast models, her work provides insights into human diseases including tumorigenesis and aging-related pathologies. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals consistent emphasis on chromatin stress responses, telomere biology, and lysine methylation signaling. Key trends include: (1) mechanistic studies of SET domain proteins in stress adaptation, (2) crosstalk between histone modifications and DNA repair, (3) translational implications for cancer metastasis (particularly prostate cancer via SMYD3-MAP3K2 axis), and (4) development of yeast models for human aging processes. Her work bridges fundamental chromatin biology with disease mechanisms through conserved epigenetic pathways. Dr. Green has secured significant research funding including multiple NIH grants: a funded R01 on lysine methylation in chromatin and stress responses (2017-2022), an active project on SMYD lysine methyltransferase Set6 (2023-present), and previously funded work on telomere chromatin homeostasis (2016). She actively mentors graduate students including recent PhD graduates (Maraki Negesse, Elgar Gabibov) and current candidates (Chase Andre, Fidelia Asomani), with several trainees presenting at national conferences and publishing high-impact work. The Green Lab maintains a dynamic research environment within UMBC's Biological Sciences Building, characterized by frequent conference presentations (ASBMB, FASEB), collaborative projects, and integration of undergraduate researchers through programs like Meyerhoff and U-RISE. Current work focuses on lysine methylation signaling in stress responses, with ongoing projects examining noncanonical SET domain functions and SMYD methyltransferase roles in proteostasis.
Dr. Gary Brennan is an Assistant Professor at the School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, and a member of the Conway Institute. He is a Funded Investigator at the FutureNeuro Research Center and has held affiliations with institutions including the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and the University of California-Irvine. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of epilepsy, particularly epigenetic and epitranscriptomic regulation, RNA modifications, and neuroinflammatory pathways. Education: PhD in Physiology & Medical Physics from RCSI (2015) Postdoctoral Training: University of California-Irvine (2012-2015) under Prof. Tallie Z. Baram; RCSI (2016-2018) under Prof. David Henshall His research program addresses three critical challenges: (1) understanding molecular reprogramming after brain insults, (2) developing RNA-based therapies targeting epigenetic processes, and (3) identifying peripheral biomarkers for epilepsy prediction. Key contributions include studies on microRNA regulation of seizure networks, m6A RNA methylation in temporal lobe epilepsy, and systemic delivery of antagomirs timed with blood-brain barrier disruption. His work has been published in journals like Nature Reviews Neurology , JCI Insight , and Molecular Brain . Recent funding includes grants from Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), Health Research Board (HRB), and the European Union. He has received awards such as the CURE Taking Flight Award and Marie Curie Fellowship. Dr. Brennan also supervises PhD students and coordinates modules on CNS diseases and multicellular systems.
Nikki Traylor-Knowles is a Professor at the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science at the University of Miami, with a secondary faculty appointment in the Biology department. Her research focuses on coral immunology, climate change impacts on marine organisms, and evolutionary conservation mechanisms. Primary Affiliation: University of Miami, Rosenstiel School Secondary Affiliation: Biology Department Her work spans molecular responses to thermal stress, microbiome dynamics, single-cell characterization of immune systems, and stem cell-based conservation strategies. Recent publications highlight collaborations on the Cnidarian Cell Culture Consortium and metabolomic profiling for coral cell culture establishment. Scientific awards and grants include NSF-BSF funding for cellular immune mechanisms in corals under heat stress. She actively contributes to diversity initiatives in marine sciences and explores inclusive metrics for academic success.
Dr. Dieter Kressler is a Senior Researcher at the Department of Biology , Faculty of Science and Medicine , University of Fribourg. Holding a PhD and serving as head of the proteomics platform , his work focuses on the molecular mechanisms of eukaryotic ribosome biogenesis. Email: dieter.kressler@unifr.ch ORCID: 0000-0003-4855-3563 Contact: +41 26 300 8645 Location: PER 05 building, Fribourg Research Interests include: Dedicated chaperones for ribosomal proteins Co-translational regulation of ribosomal protein expression Ubiquitin signaling in ribosome assembly RNA helicase roles in pre-ribosomal particles Structural dynamics of ribosome maturation Stress response coupling to translational control His 15 most recent publications (2025-2016) reveal a consistent focus on ribosome biogenesis, with key articles in eLife , Nature Communications , and Nucleic Acids Research . Research spans from thermal avoidance circuits in C. elegans to ubiquitin fusion mechanisms in yeast ribosomes , integrating structural biology, genetics, and biochemical approaches.
Mark Hankins is a Professor of Visual Neuroscience and Associate Head of the Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology (NLO) at the University of Oxford , with a Visiting Professor appointment in Bioengineering at Imperial College London . His career spans foundational research in visual physiology and translational optogenetics. Education: BSc in Biophysics PhD in Biophysics (Imperial College London) Research Interests focus on light-dependent signaling in the retina and brain, non-visual light detection , and melanopsin-based optogenetics for vision restoration. His work bridges retinal biology , regenerative medicine , and neurotechnology . Recent Publications (2025–2022) highlight advancements in optogenetic therapies for retinal degeneration, retinal remodeling, and translational challenges in prosthetic devices. Key themes include retinal prosthetics , gene therapy , and neural engineering . Scientific Awards include Wellcome Trust Vision Fellowship Grants from MRC, BBSRC, and Hoffman-La Roche Students and Collaborators include postdoctoral researchers and doctoral candidates funded by Wellcome Trust , BBSRC , and EPSRC . He leads the Retinal Neurobiology and Optogenetics Group at Oxford, with collaborations at Cambridge and Manchester .
Dr. Kenneth G Ross is a Professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences . His research focuses on population biology , molecular evolutionary genetics , and comparative genomics of social insects. University: University of Georgia School: College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Department: Entomology His work explores genetic variation across social insect populations, including fire ants ( Solenopsis invicta ), yellowjacket wasps , and tent caterpillars , to infer breeding biology, gene flow, and evolutionary mechanisms. Recent studies examine supergene regulation of social organization and gene expression patterns in hybrids. Key article trends include invasive species genetics , social behavior genetics , and ecological adaptation . Publications span journals like Science , Nature , and PLoS ONE .
