Paul Esker is a Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology at Pennsylvania State University , where he investigates plant disease epidemiology and sustainable management practices. His work spans biological control, fungicide optimization, and climate change impacts on crop health. Research Interests Plant-microbe interactions in disease suppression Quantitative disease severity and yield loss modeling Climate-adaptive agricultural practices Scientific Contributions include developing tools like the MSE FINDR R application for statistical analysis, advancing global Fusarium databases, and documenting tar spot emergence in Pennsylvania. His publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches to phytopathometry. Scientific Awards NSF Grant for nematology research (2023) Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society Recognition (2025) Land Grant Research Impact Fellow (2025) Research Themes : Fungicide efficacy, microbiome-driven plant health, Fusarium species complex, soybean yield optimization, climate change adaptation, and emerging crop diseases like maize tar spot. Labs : Conducts research at 212A Buckhout Laboratory , University Park, PA, focusing on experimental plant pathology and sustainable pest management.
A. Murat Eren is a Professor of Ecosystem Data Science at the Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity at the University of Oldenburg. Previously, he served as Assistant Professor at the University of Chicago (2015-2022) and researcher at the Marine Biological Laboratory (2011-2015). His work bridges computational biology with microbial ecology, focusing on integrated 'omics approaches to study microbial lifestyles and responses to environmental change. Education : PhD in Biological Sciences, University of New Orleans (2011) Research interests include marine microbial ecology , computational discovery , and environmental genomics . He leads projects on GlobDB (microbial genome dereplication), anvi'o (open-source bioinformatics), and LucaProt (AI-driven viral discovery). Recent work spans metagenome assembly errors, microbiome interaction networks, and plasmid dynamics in polar regions. His lab trains postdoctoral researchers like Iva Veseli (C-CoMP fellow) and Florian Trigodet (metagenomic validation). He mentors Sarah Tucker (Simons fellow) and collaborates with institutions including Marine Biological Laboratory , MARUM , and AWI . The group emphasizes open science practices, community education, and the development of tools for studying microbial dark matter.
Yi-Qian Sun is a Senior Researcher in the Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Her work focuses on epidemiology, causal inference, and the interplay between lifestyle factors (e.g., vitamin D, body mass index) and chronic diseases such as cancer, dementia, and oral health conditions. PhD in Medicine, Linköping University, Sweden (2004) Medical Degree, Capital Medical University, China (1992) Her research combines genetic epidemiology, epigenetics, and biostatistical modeling to investigate causal relationships between risk factors and disease outcomes. She has led projects on vitamin D as a biomarker for lung cancer, causal links between oral health and systemic health, and Mendelian randomization studies for lifestyle-disease associations. Recent publications highlight her focus on vitamin D metabolism, obesity-related disease risks, and oral-systemic health connections. Her work spans population-based (HUNT Study) and clinical research, utilizing databases like UK Biobank for cross-cohort analyses. Prof. Sun collaborates internationally and applies advanced statistical tools (Stata, R) for study design and data analysis. She leads the HUNT4 Oral Health Study within the GLIDE2 Oral Health Genomics Consortium.
Samantha Baxter is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at MGH Institute of Health Professions, where she teaches in the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling program. She also works as a Senior Clinical Genomics Specialist at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard's Center for Mendelian Genomics , focusing on novel gene discovery and variant interpretation. With 12 years of experience in clinical and research laboratories, her expertise spans cardiovascular genetics, post-mortem testing, and IT-facilitated genomic data sharing. BS, Behavioral Neuroscience, Lehigh University MS, Genetic Counseling, Boston University School of Medicine Her research emphasizes genomic sequencing , data infrastructure , and clinical applications through publications on BRCA variant databases, patient matching tools, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy diagnostics. Key contributions include the development of the matchbox open-source platform for genomic data exchange. Scientific Awards: New Leader Award from the National Society of Genetic Counselors (2012) She actively participates in professional leadership as a chair of multiple NSGC Special Interest Groups and served on the NSGC Board of Directors. Her work bridges clinical genomics and bioinformatics to improve genetic diagnosis and counseling workflows.
Travis Gagie is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Computer Science at Dalhousie University, where he conducts research on compact data structures with applications in bioinformatics and computational genomics. He is currently teaching CSCI 6905: Compact Data Structures in Computational Genomics and is funded by an NSERC Discovery Grant (RGPIN-07185-2020). His work bridges algorithmic design with real-world challenges in genomic data representation and equitable healthcare. His educational background includes: BSc in Cognitive Science from Queen's University (Canada) MSc in Computer Science from the University of Toronto Dr. rer. nat. in Genome Informatics from Bielefeld University (Germany) Travis Gagie's research focuses on overcoming biases in genomic data analysis, particularly those arising from the use of a single reference genome. He investigates pan-genomic data structures such as variation graphs, founder sequences, and r-index to enable more inclusive and accurate genomic medicine. His work emphasizes scalable indexing methods for diverse populations and rare disease diagnosis, intersecting with ethical considerations in precision medicine. He has collaborated with researchers globally and taught courses in Spain and Chile. The recent articles in his portfolio reflect a strong trend in developing and analyzing data structures for pan-genomic applications. These include variation graphs (vg, minigraph), compact indexes (r-index, MONI/PHONI), and alignment tools (Giraffe, PLAST), all aimed at improving scalability, accuracy, and inclusivity in genomics. His research integrates theoretical computer science with practical bioinformatics challenges, particularly in the context of human and microbial pan-genomes. Although no formal scientific awards are mentioned in the provided texts, his active research program, teaching responsibilities, and grant funding indicate strong academic recognition and productivity. Travis Gagie has previously served as a research assistant at the Italian National Research Council and the University of Eastern Piedmont, completed postdoctoral work at the University of Chile, Aalto University, and the University of Helsinki, and was an associate professor at Diego Portales University. He has also been a visiting researcher at Illumina, the University of A Coruña, and the Czech Technical University. While he is not currently seeking graduate students or interns, he maintains an open-door policy for academic discussion via Webex and email. He emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations in genomics, particularly in relation to Indigenous populations and equitable healthcare access. He is actively involved in academic outreach, recommending seminars such as the CGEM series on equity in genomic healthcare and promoting workshops like Data Structures in Bioinformatics (DSB '21). He supports student learning through video lectures, assignments, and collaborative discussions, often integrating real-world case studies like the Silent Genomes Project to contextualize technical work.
Tomohiro I is an Associate Professor in the Department of Artificial Intelligence at Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan. He has been in this position since January 2019, following a research associate role at the same institution from 2015 to 2018. Prior to that, he held postdoctoral positions at Kyushu University and TU Dortmund, Germany. His academic foundation includes a Ph.D. in Science from Kyushu University, awarded in 2012. His research primarily centers on string algorithms , with a strong emphasis on compressed data structures , pattern matching , indexing , and algorithmic efficiency . Key interests include Lyndon factorization, Lempel-Ziv compression, palindrome matching, and reverse engineering of string data structures. He frequently collaborates with prominent researchers like Hideo Bannai and Shunsuke Inenaga, producing high-impact work in theoretical computer science. His recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on improving algorithms for string processing in compressed formats. Work on Re-Pair , RLBWT , and SLP encoding highlights his expertise in space-efficient computation. The 2022 Best Paper Award at IWOCA for work on Lyndon subsequences underscores the quality and recognition of his contributions. His research bridges theoretical analysis with practical algorithm design. Best Paper Award, International Workshop on Combinatorial Algorithms (IWOCA) 2022 Tomohiro I advises graduate students in his laboratory, although he currently notes that the lab is not accepting new research students. His work involves significant algorithmic research, often supported by theoretical grants or institutional funding, leading to numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals and conferences. He has also presented his work in invited talks, such as at CompressedAI2025 and WCTA 2024, indicating active engagement with the research community. He leads a research laboratory at Kyushu Institute of Technology, focused on advanced string processing and compressed data structures. His team collaborates extensively on algorithm design and analysis, contributing to the broader field of combinatorial pattern matching.
Associate Professor Johanna Kenyon is an ARC Future Fellow at Griffith University's School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, where she leads the Bacterial Polysaccharides Research laboratory. Her work focuses on Acinetobacter baumannii, a WHO critical priority bacterial pathogen, investigating the genetics of surface polysaccharides to inform clinical surveillance and non-antibiotic therapeutics. Education: PhD in Microbiology (2012), University of Sydney Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice (2015), Queensland University of Technology Research Interests: Kenyon specializes in bacterial surface carbohydrates, particularly capsular and lipooligosaccharides in A. baumannii. Her research integrates genomics, biochemistry, and structural biology to decode polysaccharide biosynthesis pathways and their role in antibiotic resistance and phage interactions. Key themes include glycan diversity, horizontal gene transfer, and translating genomic insights into diagnostic tools. Recent Article Trends: Her 15 most recent publications highlight structural and genetic diversity in A. baumannii polysaccharides, including novel modifications like 8-epipseudaminic acid and phage-mediated acetylation. She employs genomic analysis, carbohydrate chemistry, and bioinformatics to map evolutionary pathways and resistance mechanisms, with implications for therapeutic design. Scientific Awards: Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM) Frank Fenner Award (2023) ASM Jim Pittard Award (2017) Supervision & Grants: Kenyon supervises doctoral students and has secured significant funding, including an ARC Future Fellowship (2024–2028) for researching bacterial polymer determinants and a DECRA Fellowship (2018–2023) on polysaccharide biosynthesis. She contributes to the Ab-web platform for collaborative research. Labs & Teams: Affiliated with Griffith University's Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics and the Griffith Health group, she collaborates globally on projects like the Kaptive database, advancing carbohydrate-based diagnostics and therapeutics.
Dr. Ziv Gan-Or is an Associate Professor at The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital), which is part of McGill University. He serves as the Executive Director of the Clinical Research Unit (CRU) and the Leader of the Neurodegenerative Disorders Research Group. Dr. Gan-Or also leads the GBA1 Canada initiative (G-CAN) and the Neurogenomics and Precision Medicine lab (NAP-Med). Dr. Gan-Or completed his MD and PhD at Tel-Aviv University, Israel, with a major interest in lysosomal related genes and their role in the pathogenesis and progression of Parkinson's Disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Dr. Gan-Or's research primarily focuses on the genetics of neurodegenerative disorders, particularly Parkinson's Disease and REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD). His lab uses advanced multi-omic approaches to study the effects of genetics on risk, progression and response to medications in neurodegenerative disorders. A major focus is understanding how genetic background affects the conversion from RBD to neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's Disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, or multiple system atrophy. His work aims to identify novel pathways and mechanisms that may help develop treatments for these conditions. Analysis of Dr. Gan-Or's recent publications (2020-2024) reveals a strong emphasis on genetic factors in Parkinson's disease and related disorders. His research spans multiple areas including lysosomal biology (CTSB, GBA1, GALC genes), population genetics across diverse ethnic groups, functional analysis of disease-associated variants, and the application of machine learning to identify novel pathways. His work frequently involves large international collaborations, with studies incorporating data from dozens of research centers worldwide. Killam Scholar Dr. Gan-Or leads the Neurogenomics and Precision Medicine lab (NAP-Med) and the International RBD Genomics Consortium, which includes the world's largest cohort of RBD patients. His lab collaborates with over 60 collaborators worldwide, providing a unique, supportive and stimulating environment for trainees. He is actively involved in multiple research initiatives including the GBA1 Canada initiative (G-CAN), which aims to accelerate the development of treatments for GBA1-associated neurodegeneration.
Professor Lucie Clapp is Professor of Vascular Physiology at University College London (UCL), Institute of Cardiovascular Science, and currently serves as Head of Pre-clinical & Fundamental Science and Deputy Director of the Institute. She has been a faculty member since 1996, progressing from Senior Lecturer to Reader (2002) and full Professor (2005). From 2015 to 2021 she was an elected professorial member of UCL Council. Education: PhD, University of London (1985) BSc (Pharmacology, 2:1), University of Bristol (1981) Post-doctoral fellowship & Instructor in Physiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, USA (1985-1988) Research Interests: Professor Clapp’s work converges on vascular physiology, pulmonary hypertension, prostacyclin signalling and ion-channel pharmacology . Her laboratory deciphers the biophysical properties of vascular potassium channels and their roles in septic shock, vascular remodelling and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). She explores prostacyclin analogues at membrane and nuclear receptors, with emphasis on PPARγ-mediated pathways and novel receptor targets. Complementary studies focus on circulating biomarkers, mitochondrial dynamics and calcineurin regulation of K ATP channels in smooth muscle. Publication Trends: Across 178 outputs, recent work (2020-2025) centres on prostacyclin mimetics, GPCR pharmacology, microRNA regulation, epigenetic therapeutics and liquid-biopsy biomarkers for cancer and cardiovascular disease, reflecting a seamless integration of fundamental pharmacology with translational medicine. Scientific Awards & Fellowships: Howard Sprague Fellowship, American Heart Association (AHA) Career Development Award, Wellcome Trust Senior Fellowship, Medical Research Council (1996-2006) Fellow, American Heart Association (2001) Fellow, Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute (2010) Fellow, Royal Society of Biology (2011) AstraZeneca Prize for Women in Pharmacology, British Pharmacological Society (2017) Advancement of Learning and Teaching Award, UCL (2013) Teaching, Advising & Grants: Professor Clapp is a passionate educator and mentor. She founded and directs the iBSc in Cardiovascular Science for 3rd-year medical students, leads the Heart & Circulation module (PHOL0007) and lectures on multiple BSc, MSc and PhD programmes. Since 2009 she has co-organised and mentored on the British Heart Foundation 4-year PhD scheme. She has secured long-term funding from the MRC, Wellcome Trust, United Therapeutics and other biotech partners, and has served on editorial boards ( British Journal of Pharmacology , 2009-2015) and grant-review panels worldwide. Labs & Consortia: She heads a vibrant laboratory within the Centre for Cardiovascular Physiology & Pharmacology , Rayne Building, and spearheads the UCL-wide Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Consortium , uniting clinicians and scientists across affiliated hospitals. This network feeds into the national BRIDGE cohort study and the international Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute (PVRI) , where she sits on the Preclinical & Molecular Science Task Force.
Astrid von Mentzer is an Associate Senior Lecturer at the University of Gothenburg , affiliated with the Department of Microbiology and Immunology . Her research focuses on pathogenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), combining genomic approaches with machine learning to understand bacterial adaptation, spread, and disease mechanisms. Specializes in microbial genomics and antibiotic resistance research Investigates host-pathogen interactions through adhesin proteins Develops data-driven models for predicting pathogen transmission Studies hybrid E. coli strains with enhanced virulence potential Her recent work examines ETEC clones in aquatic environments (2025) and their molecular epidemiology in sub-Saharan Africa. She has created genomic resources like the ETECFinder database and contributed to understanding CS23-expressing isolates . Her lab ( vonmentzerlab.com ) applies computational methods to map transmission dynamics between humans, animals, and environmental reservoirs. Key methodologies include whole-genome sequencing , machine learning classification , and host specificity analysis . Research outcomes inform public health strategies for diagnostics and vaccine development against resistant strains.
Gianluigi Cardinali is a faculty member at the University of Perugia, specifically within the Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, School of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences. He serves as Coordinator of the Doctoral Program in Biotechnology, indicating a leadership role in academic training and research supervision. His research spans microbial biotechnology, yeast genetics, fungal biofilms, DNA barcoding, and sustainable agriculture. Key interests include plant-microbe interactions, industrial and medical mycology, metabolomics, and environmental microbiology. His work bridges fundamental science with practical applications in agriculture, food safety, and biomedicine. The recent publications (2023–2025) highlight a strong focus on sustainable solutions using microbial life, including waste valorization from olive oil and hemp, salt stress mitigation in crops using plant growth-promoting yeasts, and antimicrobial strategies against Candida biofilms using natural extracts and novel biomaterials. There is a consistent emphasis on molecular identification techniques such as NGS, DNA barcoding, and multi-omics approaches (metabolomics, proteomics) to study microbial diversity and function. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned in the provided text. Dr. Cardinali advises doctoral students as Coordinator of the Biotechnology PhD program and likely leads a research group focused on microbial biotechnology and fungal systems. His extensive publication record in high-impact areas suggests active grant funding, though specific grants are not listed. His research integrates laboratory experimentation with ecological and systems-level analysis, promoting interdisciplinary approaches. His laboratory appears to specialize in microbial identification using advanced spectroscopic (Raman, FT-IR), sequencing (NGS, MinION), and metabolomic techniques. The team investigates both environmental and clinical fungal strains, with applications spanning agriculture, food, and medicine. Research infrastructure likely includes facilities for yeast genetics, biofilm studies, and omics analysis.
Dr. Pawel Mordaka is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Cambridge. His research focuses on synthetic biology, genetic engineering, and plant metabolism, with a particular emphasis on chloroplast engineering and metabolic pathway optimization in model organisms like Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Clostridium . Department: Plant Sciences Academic Rank: Researcher Email: pmm63@cam.ac.uk His work spans synthetic biology tool development (e.g., CpPosNeg selection systems, Start-Stop DNA assembly), transgene regulation in chloroplasts, and bioengineering of microbial-plant interactions. Recent publications highlight advancements in genetic code compression, promoter engineering, and heterologous pathway reconstruction for biofuel and biocatalysis applications. Dr. Mordaka's research intersects molecular plant biology and industrial biotechnology, leveraging algal chloroplasts as testbeds for radical metabolic rewiring. His methodologies include VIGS protocols, PVX expression vectors, and terminator analysis to refine transgene expression. Contact: pmm63@cam.ac.uk
Anja C. Roden, MD is a Professor at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine , Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Anatomic Pathology. Board certified in anatomic and clinical pathology, she specializes in thoracic pathology with expertise in mediastinal tumors, lung tumors, malignant mesothelioma, interstitial lung diseases, and pulmonary transplant pathology. Clinical Roles : Medical Director, Immunostains Laboratory Research : 190+ peer-reviewed manuscripts, 40+ book chapters, Co-editor of "Mediastinal Lesions" and "Pulmonary Pathology" atlases Leadership : Past President, International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group; Current Chair, Thymic Tumor Subgroup, IASLC; Vice-Chair, European Society of Pathology Education : 2009: Surgical Pathology Fellowship, Mayo Clinic 2008: Anatomic & Clinical Pathology Residency, Mayo Clinic 1992: Medical Degree, Technical University of Dresden Research Focus spans mediastinal neoplasms, malignant mesotheliomas, biomarker development (diagnostic/predictive/theranostic), interstitial lung diseases, and pulmonary transplant pathology. Recent work emphasizes AI integration in ILD diagnosis, direct patient-pathologist interactions in transplant medicine, and molecular characterization of thoracic tumors. Scientific Awards : 2017: President's Pulmonary Pathology Society Innovation Award 2020: Best Author Award, Pathology Outlines Professional Activities : Active in clinical guideline development (WHO thoracic tumors 2021), serves on multiple international committees including the European Lung Cancer Congress Program Committee, Pulmonary Vascular Disease Steering Committee, and International Mesothelioma Panel. Regularly contributes to peer-review processes across major journals.
Daryl Armstrong Scott, Professor at Baylor College of Medicine in the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics , is a leading researcher in identifying genetic causes of congenital defects. His work focuses on congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) , 1p36 deletion syndrome , and neurodevelopmental phenotypes . Education: BS (Brigham Young University, 1993), PhD (University of Iowa, 2000), MD (University of Iowa, 2000) Certifications: American Board of Pediatrics (General Pediatrics), American Board of Medical Genetics (Clinical Genetics) Research Interests: Identifying genes for CDH and cardiovascular malformations (CVM) Investigating RERE gene mechanisms in 1p36 deletion syndrome Studying esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) via machine learning Global collaborations on neurodevelopmental disorders (autism, intellectual disability) Scientific Awards: Spriestersbach Dissertation Prize (1999) Fulbright and Jaworski Faculty Excellence Award (2013) Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award (2011) Research Trends (2022-2019): Recent publications highlight his use of exome sequencing , mouse models , and DECIPHER data to link genes like GATA4 , RERE , and FGFRL1 to congenital defects, with a strong focus on genotype-phenotype correlations and neurodevelopmental syndromes .
Emanuela Di Martino is a Researcher at the University of Catania , with significant affiliations at the Natural History Museum, University of Oslo , and the Natural History Museum London . Her work bridges paleontology, marine biology, and evolutionary ecology, focusing on bryozoans as a model for understanding macroevolutionary processes and tropical biodiversity dynamics. Education: PhD in Geosciences, Utrecht University (2014) Master’s in Geological Sciences Applied to Land Management, University of Catania (2008) Bachelor’s in Geology Applied to Land Conservation, University of Catania (2006) Her research interests include: Paleobiodiversity hotspots in tropical regions Allometric and life-history evolution under climate change Paleoenvironmental reconstructions using multitaxon approaches Taxonomy and phylogeny of Mesozoic-to-Recent marine bryozoans Her publication trends emphasize: Long-term evolutionary patterns in bryozoans Macroevolutionary dynamics and diversification Ecological impacts of marine debris Morphometric analysis via AI tools (e.g., DeepBryo) Phylogenetic studies with genome-skimming Competitive outcomes in fossil communities Scientific Awards: 2025 Visiting Professorship at CR2P, Paris 2021 Medaglia Giovanni Merla, Società Paleontologica Italiana 2018 European Commission Seal of Excellence for project ESTIMATE She has led projects like SELECT (Norwegian RCN) and macroevolution.abc (ERC), and holds editorial roles at Journal of Paleontology and Zootaxa . Her work involves collaborations with institutions in Norway, the UK, Spain, and the US, and she contributes to understanding ancient ecosystems through colonial invertebrates.
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