Anthony Caterisano is a Professor of Health Sciences at Furman University, with over 35 years of academic and athletic leadership. He holds a Ph.D., M.A., and B.S. from The University of Connecticut, SUNY, and UNC Chapel Hill. His research focuses on exercise physiology, resistance training, and sports medicine, with notable publications in journals like Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise . Dr. Caterisano is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (FACSM) and has authored/co-authored books on football training and resistance techniques. He has served as wrestling coach at Furman, Spartanburg Methodist College, and currently coaches at Wade Hampton High School. As a competitive powerlifter, he has secured 16 South Carolina state titles, 10 national titles, and 10 world gold medals in masters-level competitions. His work bridges scientific research and practical application, with grants and presentations on topics like strength training methodologies and cardiovascular adaptations. Key contributions include studies on Tsunami Barbell training, metabolic responses to exercise, and core muscle engagement. His awards reflect both academic excellence and athletic achievement, while his grants and presentations underscore his commitment to advancing sports science.
Dr. Jimeng Sun is a Health Innovation Professor at the Siebel School of Computing and Data Science and Carle Illinois College of Medicine at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Co-founder of Keiji AI , he leads groundbreaking research at the intersection of artificial intelligence and healthcare, actively deploying clinical AI systems and developing frameworks like PyHealth and Therapeutics Data Commons . His research spans four major areas: Clinical AI Systems : Developing interpretable models (e.g., RETAIN) for patient similarity, temporal event prediction, medication recommendation, and clinical outcome forecasting Drug Discovery : Creating molecular optimization frameworks, drug-target interaction models, and AI-driven platforms Clinical Trials : Pioneering patient-trial matching, outcome prediction, and optimization frameworks using deep learning and graph neural networks Biosignal Analysis : Advancing sleep staging, seizure classification, and automated EEG/Cardiac monitoring systems With over 500 top-tier publications (including in Nature , NEJM AI , and leading AI conferences) and an h-index of 99, his work has been recognized with the Top 100 AI Leaders in Drug Discovery and Advanced Healthcare award. He maintains active collaborations with institutions like Massachusetts General Hospital , Medidata Solutions , and OSF Healthcare . His recent publications reveal a strong focus on: Reinforcement learning applications in medical data analysis Large language model adaptation for clinical tasks Knowledge graph integration with AI systems Synthetic data generation for healthcare Multi-modal learning in clinical contexts Explainable AI for medical applications Dr. Sun's lab ( Sunlab ) emphasizes practical impact over theoretical work, actively collaborating with hospitals and healthtech companies. He welcomes contributions from clinicians, researchers, and industry partners through initiatives like his AI for Health webinar series .
Alexis Battle is an Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins University with appointments in Biomedical Engineering , Computer Science , and Genetic Medicine (secondary). She directs the Malone Center for Engineering in Healthcare and serves as Deputy Director of the Data Science and AI Institute . Educated at Stanford University (PhD in Computer Science, 2013), Battle transitioned to academia after leadership roles at Google. Research Focus: Battle’s work bridges genomics and machine learning , emphasizing the impact of genetic variation on human health. Her lab develops tools like Watershed to predict functional effects of rare variants, aiming to enhance rare disease diagnosis. Key themes include non-coding DNA analysis , personalized genomics , and systems biology , with applications in cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative disorders . Publications & Awards: Over 60 peer-reviewed articles in journals like Nature , Science , and Genome Biology , with recent emphasis on single-cell transcriptomics , multiomics integration , and telomere biology . Recipient of the President’s Frontier Award (2022), Microsoft Investigator Fellowship (2019), and Searle Scholar (2016). Scientific Awards: 2022 President’s Frontier Award 2019 Microsoft Investigator Fellowship 2019 Johns Hopkins Discovery Award 2017 Johns Hopkins Catalyst Award 2016 Searle Scholar Advising & Funding: Mentors 11 PhD students, 3 undergraduates, and postdoctoral fellows. Her research is funded by NIH, Searle Scholars, and institutional grants. The Battle Lab collaborates on projects like the GTEx Consortium , focusing on gene regulation and clinical genomics .
Dr. Samira Lakhal-Littleton is an Associate Professor of Cell Physiology and MRC Senior Non-Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, affiliated with the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics and Brasenose College. Her research focuses on iron homeostasis, systems biology, and oxygen sensing mechanisms in cardiovascular and systemic physiology. Education: BSc in Human Genetics (University College London), DPhil in Molecular Medicine (University of Oxford) Her work bridges cell physiology and translational medicine, with key discoveries on hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), iron regulatory genes TMPRSS6 and GDF15 , and the role of hepcidin in altitude adaptation and chronic diseases. She utilizes tissue-specific animal models to study iron regulation in heart, kidney, placenta, and vasculature. Recent publications highlight her contributions to understanding: FLASH radiotherapy effects linked to iron-dependent lipid peroxidation Clinical implications of myocardial iron dynamics in heart failure Hepcidin's role in vascular protection and placental iron transfer Biomarker development for predictive iron deficiency diagnostics Scientific Leadership: British Heart Foundation Intermediate Fellowship (2012) MRC Senior Fellowship (2020) BioIron Society Board Member (2019) She collaborates with clinical teams on translational projects and serves as a Tutorial Fellow in Medicine at Brasenose College, mentoring students in physiological sciences.
Prof. Dr. Dennis Säring is a faculty member at the University of Applied Sciences Wedel , specifically affiliated with the School of Engineering. His academic and research activities focus on Deep Learning , Medical Image Analysis , and applications of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare and biomedical imaging. He has led seminars on Deep Learning topics and supervised student projects in Autonomous Driving at Audi's AADC 2018 competition. Research Highlights : Cardiovascular imaging, forensic age estimation via MRI, neural network-based bone segmentation, and cerebrovascular aneurysm analysis. Technical Expertise : Cardiac MRI, 3D/4D image processing, parametric mapping, and spatiotemporal data fusion. His recent publications (2018-2023) emphasize 3D MR segmentation for age assessment, CMR strain analysis in athletes, and T1/T2 mapping for myocarditis. Key collaborations include institutions like the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf and Wedler Hochschulbund, with funding for autonomous vehicle research. While no explicit scientific awards are listed, his work spans clinical cardiology, forensic radiology, and AI-driven medical diagnostics.
Michael McAlpine is a Professor in the Mechanical Engineering department at the University of Minnesota . He also holds affiliations with the Biomedical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering departments. His research focuses on 3D printing functional materials & devices , Nanoscale inks , Biomedical devices , Bioelectronics , and Flexible Microsystems . Research Interests : 3D Printing, Biomedical Engineering, Nanotechnology, Flexible Electronics, Microfluidics Labs : ME 361/363 Contact : mcalpine@umn.edu , (612) 626-3303, ME 117 Recent Research Trends include 3D Printed Biomedical Devices , Flexible Electronics , and Bioprinting Applications . His work spans from Spinal Organoid Formation to Programmable Drug Release Capsules . Scientific Award : Circulation Research 2020 Best Manuscript Award
James Briscoe is a Senior Group Leader at The Francis Crick Institute in London, where he leads a research group focused on developmental biology and morphogen signaling. He previously held positions at the Medical Research Council's National Institute for Medical Research, which later became part of the Francis Crick Institute. Education: BSc in Microbiology and Virology from the University of Warwick, UK PhD from Imperial Cancer Research Fund/King's College London Postdoctoral training at Columbia University with Thomas Jessell Dr. Briscoe's research focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of graded signaling by morphogens and the role of transcriptional networks in cell fate specification. His laboratory employs a range of experimental and computational techniques using model systems including mouse and chick embryos and embryonic stem cells. His work has significant implications for understanding developmental processes and their relationship to disease. His recent publications demonstrate a continued focus on morphogen gradients, neural tube development, and computational approaches to understanding cell fate decisions. His research increasingly integrates single-cell technologies and computational modeling to unravel the complexities of developmental patterning. Scientific Awards and Honors: EMBO Young Investigator (2001) EMBO Gold Medal (2008) Elected to EMBO (2009) Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (2019) Fellow of the Royal Society (2019) As Editor-in-Chief of the journal Development since 2018, Dr. Briscoe plays a significant role in shaping the field of developmental biology. His leadership extends to mentoring researchers and contributing to scientific policy discussions, as evidenced by his recent publication 'Science under siege: protecting scientific progress in turbulent times.' Dr. Briscoe's laboratory at the Crick Institute is well-equipped with access to advanced facilities including light microscopy, flow cytometry, genomics, and computational resources, enabling a multidisciplinary approach to developmental biology questions.
Jennifer A. Smith, PhD, MPH is an Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Research Associate Professor of Survey Research at the University of Michigan School of Public Health . She also serves as Director of the Certificate in Public Health Genetics and is Assistant Director of the Cohort Development working group for U-M Precision Health and the Michigan Genomics Initiative. Education: PhD, Epidemiology, University of Michigan (2011) MA, Statistics, University of Michigan (2009) MPH, Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan (2005) BS, Biological Sciences, Cornell University (2001) Research Interests: Dr. Smith is a genetic epidemiologist whose work lies at the intersection of genomics, epigenomics, and social epidemiology . She investigates how genetic, epigenetic, and transcriptomic variation influence age-related chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, dementia, and cognitive decline. A major focus is understanding how social, psychosocial, and neighborhood determinants interact with genetic risk to shape socioeconomic and racial/ethnic health disparities . Research Projects: Her work leverages large, multi-ethnic cohorts including the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), GENOA, SWAN, MESA, and LASI. She is a core faculty member of the Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health (CSEPH) , and affiliated with MiCDA, the Center for Midlife Science, and the PNG Program . She also collaborates with leading consortia such as CHARGE and TOPMed. Selected Trends in Publications: Her recent work (2022–2025) emphasizes epigenetic mediation of social determinants on cardiovascular and cognitive health, polygenic risk scores across diverse ancestries , and multi-omics integration in aging and disease. These studies consistently highlight how social environments and genetic architecture jointly influence health outcomes across populations. Contact: Email: smjenn@umich.edu Office: 734-615-9455 Address: 2631 SPH I, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Weiqiang Chen is a Professor of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering at New York University's Tandon School of Engineering and Director of Research and PhD Programs. He holds a joint appointment at NYU Langone's Perlmutter Cancer Center as a Faculty Member of the Tumor Immunology Research Program. B.S. in Physics (Nanjing University, 2005) M.S. in Electrical Engineering (Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 2008) M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering (Purdue University, 2009) Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering (University of Michigan, 2014) His research focuses on Lab-on-a-Chip , Organ-on-Chip systems, Biomaterials , and Mechanobiology , with applications in cancer biology, stem cell engineering, and immune monitoring. He pioneers microfabrication technologies for real-time observation of cellular interactions, including CAR T-cell immunotherapy efficacy and tumor microenvironment dynamics. Recent grants include NSF funding for leukemia bone marrow niche modeling, NIH Trailblazer Awards for glioblastoma immunotherapy research, and collaborations with the Arthritis Foundation for synovium-on-chip rheumatoid arthritis studies. His work has been supported by over $2M in federal and institutional research funding. National Science Foundation (NSF) grants for leukemia-on-chip and glioblastoma modeling National Institutes of Health (NIH) awards for immunotherapy research American Heart Association fellowships and institutional training programs Chen's scientific awards include the American Heart Association Fellow distinction, multiple Young Investigator Awards from Lab on a Chip and Biomedical Engineering Society, and recognition for his dissertation on nanotopography in stem cell differentiation. He leads the Applied Micro-Bioengineering Laboratory (AMBL) , which develops microphysiological systems for drug testing and personalized medicine. His team has created the first immunocompetent leukemia-on-a-chip for CAR T-cell therapy screening and glioblastoma models that enable patient-specific immunotherapy validation.
Eric Grivel is a Professor at the University of Bordeaux affiliated with the IMS Bordeaux (Integration Laboratory from Materials to Systems). His research focuses on Signal and Image Processing Spectral Analysis Stochastic Process Modeling His work spans theoretical contributions to signal processing and practical applications in radar systems and biomedical signal analysis. Key trends in his recent publications include Optimization of Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA) for Hurst exponent estimation Development of divergence metrics for comparing ARMA and Gaussian processes Waveform design in MIMO OFDM DFRC (Dual Function Radar-Communication) systems Integration of AI tools like ChatGPT in educational signal processing projects Collaborations and industrial partnerships evident in his publications involve institutions such as Indian Institute of Science Thales Airborne Systems STMicroelectronics CEA Leti Slb (Schlumberger)
Professor Robert McLaughlin is a faculty member in the School of Biomedicine at the University of Adelaide, affiliated with the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. He leads the Bioengineering Imaging Group and serves as Managing Director of the start-up Miniprobes. His research focuses on developing optical imaging technologies, including non-invasive tools for blood flow assessment and miniaturized imaging probes. He has secured over $14M in research grants and holds an h-index of 45 with 98 journal papers, 7 patents, and 2 book chapters. Prof. McLaughlin’s career includes roles at the University of Oxford and Siemens Medical Solutions, followed by academic leadership since 2007. His innovations span optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescence imaging, and dual-modality systems for clinical applications. Awards include the 2014 WA Innovator of the Year, 2015 Australian Innovation Challenge, and 2016 South Australian Premier’s Research Fellowship. His research emphasizes practical medical solutions, such as imaging needles for deep-tissue diagnostics and optical devices for real-time surgical monitoring. The Bioengineering Imaging Group collaborates with industry and academia to translate technologies into clinical practice.
Carmen Bergom, MD, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology at Washington University School of Medicine (WashU Medicine), where she joined the faculty in 2020. She holds secondary appointments in the Division of Cancer Biology and the Siteman Cancer Center. Her research focuses on leveraging genetic models to improve radiation therapy efficacy while mitigating radiation-induced cardiotoxicity , particularly in breast cancer patients. Key areas include radiation biology , tumor microenvironment , and cardio-oncology . Recent publications highlight her work in genetic mapping of radiation sensitivity (e.g., rat chromosome 3 variants), innovative imaging techniques (e.g., integrin-targeted PET), and clinical trial design for cardiovascular risk stratification. Her laboratory has pioneered the first genetic studies of radiation-induced cardiac dysfunction. Scientific awards include the Michael Fry Research Award (2021) and recognition as a Top Doctor in America (2018, 2019). She serves as Chair of the ASTRO Science Council Scientific Review Panel and co-chair of the Clinical and Experimental Research in Radiation Oncology meeting at ESTRO. Dr. Bergom treats breast cancer patients clinically and mentors students across all levels (undergraduate to postdoctoral). Her work bridges basic research with clinical applications , aiming to develop biomarkers and therapeutic targets for radiation oncology.
Houman Savoji is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal. He is also a full-time researcher at the CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center and principal investigator in regenerative medicine, organs-on-chip, and bioprinting at TransMedTech Institute. Dr. Savoji received his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at Polytechnique Montréal in 2016. He then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto. His research expertise combines advanced manufacturing technologies (micro- and nano-fabrication, 3D bioprinting, microfluidics, cell electrospinning) with functional and composite materials for applications in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and organs-on-chip. His work focuses on the design, development, optimization, implementation, and characterization of innovative functional biomaterials using emerging engineering technologies, with particular emphasis on cardiac tissue engineering and biomimetic pulmonary heart valves for pediatric patients. Dr. Savoji has published extensively on biomaterials, tissue engineering, 3D bioprinting, and organ-on-chip technologies. His recent publications demonstrate expertise in viscoelastic characterization of soft tissues, engineering immune responses to biomaterials, ceramic engineering for biomedical applications, and advanced 3D bioprinting techniques for cardiac and vascular tissue engineering. 2017-2020, Postdoctoral Research Grant, CIHR 2017-2019, Postdoctoral Research Grant, FRQNT 2017-2018, Human Society of International Grant, Human Toxicity Assessment Project 2016, CR-CHUM Research Center Award 2015, Star Student-Researcher Award, FRQNT 2014-2015, Jane and Frank Warchol Fellowship, Society of Vacuum Coaters Foundation 2013, Institute of Textile Science Award 2012-2015, Excellence Doctoral Scholarship for Foreign Students, FRQNT Dr. Savoji has supervised Master's students including Ines Barrakad (2024) working on 'Advanced manufacturing technologies versus molding of corneal implants: 3D printing vs molding of a Keratoprosthesis' and Zineb Ajji (2023) researching 'Development of perfusable patches by 3D bioprinting for potential application in cardiac tissue regeneration.' He has secured numerous research grants from organizations including CIHR, NSERC, FRQNT, FRQS, MITACS, and others for projects related to 3D bioprinting of cardiac tissues, biomimetic heart valves, and other tissue engineering applications. The Savoji Laboratory, located within the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology and Institute of Biomedical Engineering of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Montreal, the Research Center of the CHU Sainte-Justine (CHUSJ), and the TransMedTech Institute, focuses on multidisciplinary research involving 3D bioprinting using stem-cell derived human cardiac cells to fabricate functional cardiac tissues for transplantation and drug discovery applications.
Dr. Frances Chen is a Professor and Area Coordinator in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia (UBC), located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam People. She holds a PhD from Stanford University (2009). Her research integrates health psychology, social psychology, and neuroendocrinology to explore how social experiences influence mental and physical health. Key areas include the physiological impacts of loneliness, social support, and hormonal changes during puberty on adolescent development. Education: PhD, Psychology, Stanford University, 2009 Research Focus: Dr. Chen investigates how social interactions 'get under the skin' through studies on loneliness, stress, conflict negotiation, and hormonal mechanisms. Her work emphasizes interventions to enhance social connection and reduce health disparities. Recent Article Trends: Recent publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches, including genetic influences on depression, effects of near-infrared lighting on cognition, and longitudinal studies on adolescent hormonal contraceptive use. Her work bridges basic science and applied health outcomes. Awards & Grants: Michael Smith Health Research BC C2 Award (2022) Killam Faculty Research Fellowship (2019) Teaching & Learning Enhancement Fund Grant (2025) SSHRC Prosociality Project Funding (2023) Lab & Mentorship: Director of the Social Health Lab, she mentors graduate and undergraduate students, prioritizing equity and inclusion. Recent lab achievements include studies on teen health development and interventions to improve student success in psychology programs. Lab Initiatives: UBC Teen Health and Development Study (longitudinal hormonal/mental health tracking) NIR lighting health impact research (collaborative interdisciplinary project) Prosociality 'in the Wild' SSHRC project
Dr. Owen Dillon is a Research Fellow in the Discipline of Medical Imaging Sciences at the University of Sydney's Faculty of Medicine and Health. He holds affiliations with the ACRF Image X Institute and the Dodd-Walls Centre for Photonic and Quantum Technologies. His work focuses on advanced imaging techniques for medical applications, particularly computed tomography (CT) and motion compensation in radiation therapy. He completed his PhD in Mathematics at the University of Auckland, specializing in probabilistic compression algorithms for inverse problems. Education: B.Sc. Physics & Applied Mathematics (2013, University of Auckland), First Class Honours in Mathematics (2015), PhD Mathematics (2018). Research interests include inverse problems, Bayesian statistics, CT image reconstruction, and real-time imaging systems. Current projects involve optimizing CT acquisition geometries, motion-compensated 4D imaging, and anatomical motion estimation. His contributions have led to clinical trials reducing radiation dose and scan times. He advises two PhD students and collaborates on grants like the Quantum CT project. Grants: 'Quantum CT for Cancer Diagnosis' (2024), 'Functional Imaging in Lung Cancer' (2024). His work bridges mathematical theory with clinical applications in oncology and interventional radiology.
