Dr. Cécile Gautier is a researcher in the Mycology Department at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, France, specializing in medical mycology and antifungal resistance. Her work focuses on Epidemiology of invasive fungal infections Mechanisms of azole resistance Emerging mould pathogens Clinical microbiology diagnostics Recent publication trends highlight her expertise in: Azole Resistance: Genetic mechanisms (KSR1 loss of heterozygosity), drug tolerance, combination therapies Mucormycosis: National surveillance programs, prognostic factors, public health implications Emerging Pathogens: Uncommon fungal species identification, clinical diagnostic challenges Immunodeficiency-Related Infections: STAT3-deficiency complications, host-pathogen interactions Collaborations with the French Mycoses Study Group and contributions to journals like Lancet Regional Health - Europe and Medical Mycology demonstrate her leadership in clinical mycology research.
Dr. Mehran Dastmalchi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant Science at McGill University , located on the Macdonald Campus. His research spans plant molecular genetics, biochemistry, and metabolic engineering , with a focus on isoflavonoid biosynthesis in legumes , plant-microbe interactions , and sustainable agricultural systems . Research Interests: Dr. Dastmalchi's laboratory investigates soil and water sustainability , crop and livestock production systems , and bio-based products and bioenergy . His specialization lies in plant metabolic engineering and synthetic biology , aiming to enhance human health and agricultural productivity. Key areas include abiotic and biotic stress responses , gene-environment interactions , and plant-microbe signaling . His work integrates transcriptomics, proteomics, and biochemical assays to dissect complex metabolic pathways, particularly in soybean and legume species , and to engineer these pathways for improved crop resilience and nutritional value. Scientific Contributions: Dr. Dastmalchi has published extensively in high-impact journals, with over 25 peer-reviewed articles from 2014 to 2025. His research has significantly advanced understanding of isoflavonoid biosynthesis , alkaloid transport , and metabolic flux regulation in plants. Notable findings include the discovery of chalcone isomerase-like proteins that modulate isoflavonoid pathways and the characterization of transporters for specialized metabolites . Contact Information: Email: mehran.dastmalchi@mcgill.ca Office: Raymond Building, R2-021A Phone: 514-398-7858
Karen McLuskey is a Research Associate in the Department of Molecular Biosciences at the University of Glasgow, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences. Her work focuses on structural biology and enzymology within parasitic organisms. 2010-2014: Wellcome Trust Grant for structural and activity studies of trypanosomatid metacaspases Research Interests: McLuskey's research spans structural biology, parasitology, and cysteine peptidase studies, particularly in trypanosomatid pathogens like Leishmania and Trypanosoma. Her publications demonstrate expertise in protein crystallography, enzymatic activity analysis, and membrane protein purification techniques. Publication Trends: Recent work (2024) examines TORC1 as a nutrient-regulated regulator in Leishmania, while earlier studies focus on metacaspase structures, cysteine peptidases, and high-throughput methodologies for protein analysis. Themes include parasite biology, structural enzymology, and microbiome interactions. Scientific Contributions: Crystal structure determination of key parasitic enzymes Development of high-throughput protein purification protocols Metabolite activity ranking algorithms Labs & Collaborations: McLuskey collaborates closely with Jeremy Mottram's research group, focusing on parasitic disease mechanisms and structural characterization of virulence factors.
Chris Richards is a Professor in the Department of Animal & Food Sciences at Oklahoma State University since 2017. He holds a PhD in Animal Sciences from the University of Kentucky (1999), an MS in Animal Sciences from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (1996), and a BS in Animal Sciences from Texas A&M University (1992). His research focuses on beef cattle genetics, feed/water efficiency, methane emissions, and health management , with significant contributions to climate adaptation strategies and sustainable livestock production. Education: PhD, Animal Sciences, University of Kentucky (1999) MS, Animal Sciences, University of Nebraska–Lincoln (1996) BS, Animal Sciences, Texas A&M University (1992) His work on genetic heritability of water intake behaviors, methane prediction models , and feedlot health protocols has been published in journals like the Journal of Animal Science and Translational Animal Science . He has secured continuous funding from the U.S. Geological Survey (2017–2025), U.S. Department of Agriculture (2014–2021), Novus International (2012–2029), and Lallemand Animal Nutrition (2007–2015). Richards teaches graduate-level courses including Doctoral Research and Dissertation and Master's Thesis in International Agriculture , emphasizing independent research in beef cattle systems. His extension publications on topics like water requirements and PI-BVDV management provide practical guidance for producers. Collaborations span institutions such as the University of Nebraska, Texas A&M, and industry partners like Kemin Industries and ABS Global.
Shantanu Bhatt is a Professor and Advising Coordinator of Biology at Saint Joseph's University (SJU), affiliated with the Department of Biology. His research focuses on attaching and effacing (A/E) pathogens, particularly enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and Escherichia albertii , aiming to identify virulence factors and regulatory small RNAs (sRNAs) that modulate the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE), a critical pathogenicity island. BS in Biology from Denison University (2001-2004) PhD in Microbiology & Molecular Genetics from Emory University (2005-2011) Dr. Bhatt’s work employs an interdisciplinary approach integrating bioinformatics, genetics, and biochemistry to characterize bacterial virulence mechanisms and develop therapeutic strategies against drug-resistant strains. He has mentored numerous undergraduate and graduate students at SJU, with a focus on recombineering techniques and regulatory RNA networks. His publications span from 2007 to 2023, covering topics such as sRNA-mediated transcriptional repression (OmrA/OmrB, Spot42), carbon metabolism (AzuCR), LEE regulation by Hfq and CsrA, and zoonotic transmission of EPEC. Collaborations include researchers at NIH, Emory University, and Saint Joseph's University. As Advising Coordinator, he guides biology students while leading a lab that investigates host-pathogen interactions and the biochemical underpinnings of bacterial disease. His 2017 invited manuscript on drug-resistant microbes and 2012 dissertation on CsrA’s role in EPEC virulence reflect his long-term commitment to understanding pathogenesis.
John D Helmann is a full Professor in the Department of Microbiology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, at Cornell University . He has dedicated his career to studying Bacillus subtilis as a model organism for bacterial stress responses, particularly focusing on cellular adaptation to antibiotic-induced envelope stress, reactive oxygen species, and metal ion imbalances. Bachelor's in Chemistry and Biology (University of California, Santa Cruz, 1982) Ph.D. in Biochemistry (University of California, Berkeley, 1987) Postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School (1987-1990) His research emphasizes transcriptional regulation and metal homeostasis in bacteria. Key areas include: Stress response mechanisms to environmental challenges Regulation of metal ion transport and utilization Redox biology and thiol-based regulatory systems CRISPR-Cas9 engineering of bacterial systems Cell envelope biogenesis and antibiotic targets Bacterial virulence and host-pathogen interactions Publications from 2019-2025 reveal an evolutionary trajectory in understanding: 2025 : Metal ion signaling across ecosystems 2024 : Cell envelope metalation processes 2023 : Fur-family regulatory networks 2022 : Magnesium homeostasis under stress 2021 : Metabolic checkpoint systems Scientific Recognition : Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (2013) Outstanding Basic Research Award, Cornell CALS (2012) Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology (2010) Professor Helmann teaches advanced graduate courses in Bacterial Structure and Function and contributes to scientific communication skill development. His laboratory at Cornell maintains a strong focus on experimental microbiology and molecular techniques.
Marie-Claire Arrieta is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Physiology & Pharmacology and Pediatrics at the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary. She leads the Arrieta Lab, which is part of the International Microbiome Center, focusing on the early-life microbiome in health and disease. Her research spans multiple clinical studies through the Alberta BLOOM initiative, which investigates microbiome development in premature and term infants. Dr. Arrieta's research interests center on microbial colonization beginning at birth and its impact on human health. Her lab investigates how the early-life microbiome communicates with developmental programming events necessary for a healthy start in life. Key research areas include asthma development, neurodevelopment and stress axis, metabolic syndrome and obesity, colonization resistance, and microbial ecology. She employs clinical and preclinical research approaches using Next Generation Sequencing, Metabolomics, and Immunological Profiling in both humans and animal models to decipher the role of bacterial and fungal microbiomes in chronic diseases. Her publication record shows a strong focus on the gut microbiome's role in childhood asthma, with significant contributions to understanding how early-life microbial exposure affects immune development. Recent work has expanded to include the fungal microbiome (mycobiome) and its implications for metabolic health and atopic diseases. Her research demonstrates how environmental factors such as birth method, feeding practices, and antibiotic use influence microbiome development and subsequent disease risk. Member of Health Inequality Network Life sciences discipline with focus on intestinal microbiome and asthma Author of public science communication materials including a published book and work on a children's book Active advocate for women in science Dr. Arrieta's work bridges clinical observation with mechanistic understanding, translating discoveries from human cohorts into animal models. Her Alberta BLOOM study follows premature infants from birth to three years, collecting comprehensive biological and clinical data to examine microbiome development. She has contributed to significant consensus statements including the ISAPP consensus on fermented foods and has participated in important discussions about methodological rigor in low-biomass microbiome studies.
Prof. dr Radmila Resanović is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine , University of Belgrade, Serbia. She specializes in poultry diseases, toxicology, and animal nutrition, with a focus on mycotoxins and feed additive efficacy. Academic Rank: Full Professor Department: Diseases of Poultry, Carnivores, and Wildlife Her research explores T-2 toxin mitigation , mycotoxin impacts on livestock, and novel diagnostics for avian viral infections. Key publications include studies on: Comparative adsorbent efficacy against OTA in broilers (2015) PBFD virus nucleotide analysis in psittacines (2017) Molecular sexing techniques for endangered birds (2013) She has co-authored works on parasitology , clinoptilolite supplementation , and salmonellosis prevention through vaccination. Her work bridges veterinary pathology, feed safety, and conservation biology.
Uroš Glavinić is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade. His academic work focuses on molecular genetics, veterinary diagnostics, and specialized research in bee ecology and health. He teaches multiple advanced courses including Molecular-Genetic Diagnostics in Veterinary Medicine, Molecular Markers in Race Analysis and Pedigree, Bee Behavior and Molecular Ecology, and Veterinary Genetics. Dr. Glavinić's research primarily centers on veterinary molecular genetics with a specialized focus on honey bees and other animals. His work explores molecular markers for species identification, genetic diagnostics of veterinary importance, and the application of natural compounds in managing bee diseases. His research demonstrates a strong emphasis on practical applications of molecular techniques in veterinary practice and apiculture. Analyzing his publication record from 2014-2023 reveals consistent productivity with a clear thematic focus on veterinary genetics, molecular diagnostics, and bee health. His work frequently appears in journals like Acta Veterinaria-Beograd, Insects, and Parasites & Vectors, demonstrating expertise in both veterinary science and entomology. The research shows progression from basic molecular techniques to more complex applications in disease management and genetic analysis. While specific grant information isn't detailed in the provided materials, his extensive publication record across multiple veterinary and entomological journals indicates successful research funding and collaborative projects. His work frequently involves multi-institutional collaborations, particularly with researchers at the University of Belgrade's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Glavinić's laboratory work appears focused on molecular diagnostics and genetic analysis, particularly for veterinary applications and bee health management. His research on natural compounds for Varroa control and Nosema management suggests specialized facilities for in vitro and field testing of alternative treatments in apiculture.
Dr. Benjamin Brennan is a Senior Lecturer in Virology at the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (CVR), where he leads the Brennan Lab as Principal Investigator. He holds a Wellcome Trust/Royal Society Sir Henry Dale Fellowship and serves as an Editor for the Journal of General Virology. His research focuses on understanding how bunyaviruses, particularly those in the Phenuiviridae family, are transmitted by vectors to mammals and how they overcome host immune defenses. Dr. Brennan's research interests center on tick-borne viruses, especially Banyangvirus and Phlebovirus genera. His lab employs virological methods such as reverse genetics technologies and acarology to investigate how clinically relevant pathogens are transmitted by arthropods. Key research areas include examining virus-vector interactions, studying molecular biology of arboviruses in different systems, analyzing innate immune factors in arthropods that control virus replication, developing tools to study tick-borne virus replication in vivo, and investigating viral protein functions during infection of both mammalian and arthropod cells. His work aims to understand why these viruses can infect arthropods without causing disease and to develop attenuated viruses for potential live-attenuated vaccines or vector control agents. Analysis of Dr. Brennan's 15 most recent publications (2019-2025) reveals a strong focus on tick-borne bunyaviruses, particularly SFTS virus, Rift Valley fever virus, and related pathogens. His research spans molecular virology, host-pathogen interactions, vector immunity, and vaccine development. A notable trend is the application of reverse genetics systems to study virus biology and develop vaccine candidates, along with increasing exploration of RNA interference pathways in vector immunity. 2017: Support Sir Henry Dale Fellowship (Lord Kelvin Adam Smith Leadership Fellow Funding) 2018: Wellcome Trust/Royal Society Sir Henry Dale Fellowship Dr. Brennan supervises multiple PhD students including Krittika Dummunee, Alexandra Wilson, and Andrew Clarke, and has previously mentored researchers such as Veronica Rezelj and Stephanie Cumberworth. His research is supported by significant grants including the Wellcome Trust-funded projects 'What makes viruses tick?' (2022-2024) and 'What makes phleboviruses tick?' (2018-2023), BBSRC funding for 'Vaccines and molecular tools for SFTSV control' (2018-2021), and current UKRI funding for 'TickTools: Development of tools to monitor and control tick-borne diseases' (2023-2026). The Brennan Lab operates within the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, utilizing specialized containment facilities (CL2 and CL3) for working with tick-borne pathogens. The lab collaborates with multiple international research groups and is involved in public engagement projects including a citizen science initiative with The Conservation Volunteers Scotland to monitor ticks and tick-borne viruses across Scotland.
Daniel Haydon is a Professor of Population Ecology and Epidemiology at the University of Glasgow, affiliated with the School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine. He joined the university in 2004 after completing a PhD at the University of Texas at Austin and postdoctoral positions at Oxford, UBC, Edinburgh, and Guelph. From 2010–2022, he served as Director of the Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, which later merged to form the current School. He convenes the School's Fellowship Committee and leads the College Futures theme in Planetary Health. His research integrates quantitative approaches in ecology and epidemiology. Key interests include: Community structure/function, stability in food webs/competitive networks Spatial population dynamics, movement models, and population viability Wildlife/livestock/zoonotic disease epidemiology using pathogen genomics Innovative seroprevalence analysis and outbreak size prediction He collaborates extensively with the Wellcome Trust's Afrique One initiative to build One Health capacity in sub-Saharan Africa. His recent articles (2023–2025) focus on: Disease dynamics (rabies, brucellosis, RVF, leptospirosis) Ecological modeling methodologies (observation processes, isotope geolocation) Agroecology and conservation (cocoa farms, pollinator habitats) One Health economics (vaccine valuation, farmer wellbeing) This reflects sustained engagement with complex disease systems, molecular tools, and interdisciplinary approaches across Africa and globally. Daniel actively supports academic development as Fellowship Committee convenor and contributes to the University's Planetary Health strategy. He maintains collaborations across continents, particularly in Tanzania and Ghana.
Professor Elizabeth Aitken is a leading plant pathologist at The University of Queensland , affiliated with the School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability and the ARC Research Hub for Sustainable Crop Protection . Her research focuses on tropical crop diseases, particularly bananas, ginger, cotton, and sunflower, with collaborations spanning Queensland Department of Primary Industries and CSIRO. BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Science, University of Edinburgh PhD in Plant Pathology, University of Aberdeen Research Interests : Genetics of plant-pathogen interactions, molecular pathogenicity mechanisms, and disease diagnostics. Key areas include Fusarium wilt resistance in bananas , pathogenicity gene analysis (e.g., Six genes in Fusarium oxysporum ), and climate change impacts on pathogen fitness . Recent Research Trends : Her 2025-2023 publications highlight genomic studies of Fusarium and Verticillium pathogens, QTL mapping for banana resistance, and RNAi-based disease management strategies. Scientific Awards : Fellow, Australasian Plant Pathology Society Supervision & Grants : Supervised over 20 PhD/MPhil students. Current projects (2022-2027) include advanced genomics for horticulture and banana resistance gene identification, funded by BMGF, ARC, and Hort Innovation Australia. Past grants involved myrtle rust impact studies and climate change research.
Wei-Shou Hu is a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at the University of Minnesota , affiliated with the Institute for Engineering in Medicine and the Cellular Mechanisms of Cancer initiative. His research bridges chemical engineering principles with biomedical applications, focusing on synthetic biology, biopharmaceutical manufacturing, and viral vector production. Develops synthetic cell lines for recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) production Investigates metabolic robustness in fed-batch cell culture systems Applies multi-omics approaches (transcriptomics, proteomics) to bioprocess optimization Contributes to biomanufacturing standards through collaborations with NIIMBL and NIST Key research areas include: Synthetic Biology: Designing engineered mammalian cell systems and CHO lines for therapeutic applications Metabolic Engineering: Enhancing cellular metabolism for improved biopharmaceutical yields Viral Vector Production: Optimization of AAV production systems for gene therapy Genomic Analysis: Developing algorithms for sequencing data interpretation and integration Recent publications show expertise in: Comparative transcriptomic/proteomic analysis of viral production systems Systematic characterization of synthetic cell line productivity Elucidation of capsid assembly mechanisms in viral vectors Development of mechanistic-empirical models for bioprocess control Dr. Hu has received multiple research grants including: National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) membership NIH/NIGMS funded projects on biotechnology development Collaborative grants with University of Massachusetts Lowell on biomanufacturing His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals through advancements in biopharmaceutical manufacturing and disease treatment technologies.
Lukasz L. Stelinski is a Professor in the Department of Entomology and Nematology at the University of Florida/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC). His work focuses on integrated pest management strategies for citrus systems, particularly targeting insect vectors of economically significant diseases. Research Themes Biological and chemical control of citrus pests Reducing pesticide impacts on non-target organisms like honey bees Mechanisms of virus-vector interactions Recent publications emphasize practical citrus production guides developed with multidisciplinary teams, covering pests such as Drosophila suzukii , Asian citrus psyllid, and root weevils. He also contributes to molecular studies on viral disease dynamics and vector biology. Collaborations include partnerships with researchers like Drs. Lauren Diepenbrock, Jawwad Qureshi, and Nian Wang, particularly in deploying Citrus tristeza virus-based platforms for Huanglongbing (HLB) mitigation.
Dr. Rea Laila Antoniou Kourounioti is a Lecturer in Molecular Biosciences at the University of Glasgow's School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences. With an interdisciplinary background in Biology (Imperial College, London) and Mathematics (University of Crete), she completed her PhD at the University of Nottingham in 2014 on artificial photosynthesis before conducting postdoctoral research at the John Innes Centre. Current Research: Investigates plant temperature sensing mechanisms, focusing on molecular responses to cold and climate change impacts. Methodology: Integrates mathematical modeling with molecular biology, genetics, and omics approaches. Key Research Themes: Distributed temperature sensing networks Epigenetic and environmental control of flowering time Mathematical modeling of gene expression dynamics Climate change adaptation in plants Publications: 15 most recent works examine temperature-dependent gene regulation, epigenetic memory, and interdisciplinary approaches to plant-environment interactions. Her students include Joseph McLeod and Chantal Sharples, working on projects like "Mathematical modeling of environmental information processing in hybrid aspen" and "Engineering Crops to Extend Growing Seasons".
