Gregory Monteith is a Professorial Research Fellow at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Queensland. He leads the Calcium Signalling Therapeutics Team (CaSTT), focusing on cellular signaling in disease and drug target identification. His research integrates genetically encoded calcium indicators with high-throughput screening to develop therapies targeting calcium-mediated pathways in cancer. He holds grants from NHMRC, ARC, and international bodies, and has received awards for research excellence and supervision. Education: Bachelor (Honours) and PhD from the University of Sydney. Research Interests: Calcium regulation in disease, ion channels as drug targets, and high-throughput screening. Key Projects: High-content imaging platforms for drug discovery, breast cancer metastasis mechanisms, and viral infection calcium signaling. His lab has developed FLIPR-Tetra systems for high-throughput calcium assays. Recent work includes studies on ORAI1, TMCO1, and PIEZO1 channels in cancer progression and drug resistance. He advises numerous PhD students and collaborates internationally on translational research. Notable awards include the UQ Research Higher Degree Supervision Excellence Award (2016) and a Research Mentorship Award (2017). His work bridges basic science and clinical applications, with over 400 publications and patents in drug development.
Prof. Dr. Lukas Milles is a Professor (W2) at the Gene Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich and an Emmy Noether Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute (MPI) of Biochemistry in Martinsried. His research focuses on de novo protein design, leveraging deep learning and biophysical characterization to engineer proteins with novel functions. He holds appointments at both LMU and the MPI, bridging computational and experimental approaches in biomolecular design. Academically, Milles earned a PhD in Physics/Biophysics from LMU (2014–2018) under Prof. Hermann Gaub, followed by postdoctoral training at the University of Washington’s Institute for Protein Design (2019–2023) with Prof. David Baker. His interdisciplinary work spans protein stability, host-pathogen interactions, and synthetic biology, with a focus on autocatalytic enzymes and catch-bond mechanisms inspired by bacterial pathogens. Key research interests include single-molecule biophysics, high-throughput protein screening, and machine learning-driven design. His lab develops tools like RFdiffusion and ProteinMPNN to predict and engineer protein structures and functions. Notable achievements include designing mechanically robust proteins and elucidating the molecular basis of pathogen adhesin stability. Scientific awards include the HFSP Cross-Disciplinary Fellowship (2020–2023) and EMBO Long-Term Fellowship (2019–2020). His group actively collaborates with institutions worldwide, advancing applications in biomedicine and biomaterials. Current projects prioritize synthetic protein systems for targeted therapies and mechanoresponsive biomolecules.
Jorge I. Rodriguez, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Practice and Industry Capstone Projects Coordinator at the School of Computing within the University of Georgia . His work bridges biomedical engineering and advanced manufacturing, focusing on bioprinting technologies for tissue engineering, drug delivery systems, and medical applications. His expertise spans 3D bioprinting for cancer spheroid models Inkjet-based drug screening platforms Oxygen-generating scaffold fabrication Biocompatible material development Recent research emphasizes rapid, cost-effective solutions for personalized cancer therapy screening and microvascular system construction. His articles highlight innovations in bioprinting fundamentals , cell culture substrates , and composite material durability . No scientific awards are listed, but his work has direct industry collaboration through capstone projects. His research involves developing miniature drug-testing platforms and bioprinted oxygen-supplying scaffolds , with potential applications in organ-on-a-chip systems and vascular engineering.
Zahra Afrasiabi is a Professor of Chemistry and Undergraduate Director of the Life Sciences Concentration at Soka University. She holds a PhD from the Missouri University of Science and Technology, an MSc from the University of Pune, and a BSc from K. N. Toosi University of Science and Technology. Her research focuses on bioinorganic chemistry, nanomaterial applications in medicine, environmental science, and agriculture, with a particular emphasis on cancer treatment and nanosensor development. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses including General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and special topics in Cancer and Nanochemistry. Her research interests span nanosensor development for biomolecule detection, environmental nanotechnology, and synthesis of chemotherapeutic agents. Dr. Afrasiabi has secured multiple grants as Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-PI, including USDA and NIH-funded projects on nanosensors, nanoparticle-based diagnostics, and environmental remediation. Notable publications include studies on silver nanoparticle impacts on soil enzymes and gold nanoparticle applications in biomedical imaging. Education: PhD, Missouri University of Science and Technology MSc, University of Pune BSc, K. N. Toosi University of Science and Technology Grants & Awards: USDA Teaching Capacity Building Grant (2007-2010) USDA-AFRI Grant for High Throughput NanoSensors (2014-2017) USDA-NIFA Grant for Water Quality Nanotechnology (2019-2022) Her work bridges chemistry with interdisciplinary applications, emphasizing practical solutions for environmental and health challenges through nanotechnology innovation.
Jakub Nedbal is a Researcher at King’s College London’s Department of Physics within the Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences. He holds a Master’s in Physics from Masaryk University (Czech Republic) and a Master’s in Immunology from King’s College London, alongside a PhD focused on imaging techniques in B cell biology. His research specializes in developing advanced fluorescence-based imaging technologies, particularly leveraging SPAD arrays and time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) techniques. Notable contributions include creating the first fluorescence lifetime flow cytometer using TCSPC and co-developing a fast TCSPC microscope with parallelized SPAD array detectors. Current work focuses on spatially resolved TCSPC detectors for thick-sample imaging and low-phototoxicity techniques. Outside academia, Jakub served as Product Development Lead for a startup commercializing TCSPC array cameras until 2018. His innovations have been applied to art conservation via fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) for varnish analysis and have advanced microalgae cultivation bioreactor designs. His research interests span fluorescence lifetime imaging, microscope development, SPAD arrays, and photosynthesis studies. Recent work highlights include a novel dual-excitation fluorometer for photosynthesis research and a SPAD array camera for lightsheet FLIM. His techniques address challenges in live-cell imaging phototoxicity and high-throughput FRET screening.
Darci Trader is an Associate Professor at the University of California-Irvine (UCI) in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Her research integrates chemical biology and organic chemistry to discover small molecules targeting the proteasome and immunoproteasome, with a focus on cancer therapeutics and protein degradation. Previously at Purdue University, her lab moved to UCI in 2023. Key projects include developing proteasome stimulators for neurodegenerative diseases and immunoproteasome-based prodrugs. Research interests span proteasome biology, targeted protein degradation, and small molecule drug discovery. Notable achievements include the NIH R01 grant for immunoproteasome research and the development of activity-based probes for proteasome monitoring. Awards and grants include the Showalter Research Award, Purdue Cancer Center grants, and fellowships for students like Christine Muli and Marianne Maresh. Lab activities involve interdisciplinary collaborations, with studies on proteasome subunit binders (e.g., Rpn-6, Rpn-13) and the design of chimeric molecules for direct protein degradation. The lab has mentored numerous graduate students and postdocs, contributing to over 50 publications since 2016. Facilities include FRH 3003/3011 at UCI, with state-of-the-art equipment for biochemical and pharmacological research. Recent work (2025) highlights breakthroughs in immunoproteasome prodrug strategies and ByeTAC molecules for bypassing E3 ligases in proteasome-mediated degradation. Ongoing efforts aim to translate discoveries into clinical applications for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
Benjamin J. Renquist is a Professor in the Department of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the University of Arizona. He earned his PhD in Nutrition from the University of California, Davis, and completed postdoctoral training at Oregon Health & Science University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. His research program spans both basic and applied science, focusing on the metabolic consequences of obesity and improving animal agricultural efficiency. PhD in Nutrition, University of California, Davis MS in Animal Science, University of California, Davis BS in Animal Science, Colorado State University Dr. Renquist’s research centers on the role of hepatic GABA in obesity-induced insulin resistance, hypertension, and hyperphagia. His lab discovered that liver fat accumulation increases GABA production, which contributes to metabolic dysfunction. Current work explores the mechanisms of GABA regulation and the development of inhibitors to prevent insulin resistance, including a clinical trial on GABA transaminase inhibition. Additional research investigates the links between obesity and asthma, as well as heat stress effects on feed intake and lactation in livestock. His lab has developed innovative metabolic rate assays for embryonic fish and skeletal muscle in cattle, leading to two biotech spin-offs: GenetiRate, Inc. (acquired in 2021) and GenetiRate2, LLC. The 15 most recent publications highlight a strong focus on liver metabolism, GABA signaling, heat stress, and energy homeostasis. Key themes include the discovery of hepatic GABA as a neuro-hepatokine, the role of ion gradients in energy expenditure, and translational models for metabolic disease. The work spans molecular mechanisms, animal models, and clinical applications, demonstrating a cohesive research trajectory in metabolic regulation across species. His scientific contributions have been recognized with several awards: Idea Funding Winner, Start-Up Tucson (2020) Flinn Foundation Bioscience Entrepreneurship (2020) Highly Cited Article, Journal of Endocrinology (2020) Editor's Choice, Applied Animal Science (2019) North Atlantic Seafood Forum Innovation of the Year (2019) Highly Read Author, Journal of Endocrinology (2018) Dean’s Research Advisory Council Award, College of Agriculture (2014) Dr. Renquist mentors numerous students, including honors undergraduates and graduate researchers, and teaches courses such as Nutrition Physiology, Topics in Metabolic Disease, and Directed Research. He has secured funding from the Arizona Biomedical Research Commission and the American Heart Association. His lab continues to pioneer tools and insights for understanding and treating metabolic disease and enhancing sustainable animal production. He leads a dynamic research team focused on liver-brain communication, metabolic dysregulation in obesity, and the development of high-throughput assays for energy expenditure in zebrafish and livestock. The lab’s work on heat stress and feed efficiency directly addresses challenges in animal agriculture under climate change. Their innovative approaches have led to commercial applications and ongoing clinical translation.
Luc Berthiaume is a Professor in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta, where he leads a research laboratory focused on protein fatty acylation. His work bridges fundamental biochemistry and clinical applications, particularly in cancer and apoptosis. He is based in the Medical Sciences Building and is a member of the Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta. Research Interests: Dr. Berthiaume's research centers on protein fatty acylation—specifically myristoylation and palmitoylation—and its critical roles in cellular signaling, membrane targeting, protein stability, and disease. His lab investigates how these modifications regulate apoptosis, mitochondrial metabolism, and oncogenic pathways in cancers such as lymphoma and leukemia. Recent Research Trends: His recent publications highlight the development of innovative chemical biology tools—such as bioorthogonal fatty acid analogs and click chemistry—for detecting and identifying acylated proteins both in vitro and in vivo. These methods have revolutionized the field by replacing hazardous radioactive labeling. His work increasingly connects lipid modifications to transcriptional regulation and metabolic control, with strong implications for therapeutic development. Scientific Awards & Recognition: Cover feature in Human Molecular Genetics (2014) Invited Commentary in Nature Chemical Biology (2013) Featured paper in Journal of Cell Science (2013) Cited in Faculty of 1000 (2006) Advising and Funding: Dr. Berthiaume has mentored numerous graduate students and research associates, many of whom are co-authors on high-impact publications. His research has been consistently supported by major funding bodies including the Alberta Cancer Foundation, Alberta Innovates, the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP), and private investors. He co-founded PACYLEX Pharmaceuticals to translate his discoveries into therapies, with PCLX-001 entering Phase I clinical trials in 2021 for lymphoma. Laboratory and Collaborations: The Berthiaume Laboratory is embedded within a vibrant research ecosystem at the University of Alberta and collaborates extensively with experts in chemical biology, oncology, and cell signaling. The lab is part of the Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta, facilitating translational research and interdisciplinary innovation.
Dr. Barbara Kazmierczak is a Professor of Medicine and Microbial Pathogenesis at Yale School of Medicine, with appointments in Infectious Diseases and Microbial Pathogenesis. She directs Yale's MD-PhD program and investigates bacterial pathogenesis mechanisms in Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. Her work bridges clinical and basic science research through the American Society for Clinical Investigation and American Academy for Microbiology fellowships. Education: PhD (Rockefeller University, 1993), MD (Cornell University Medical College, 1994) Departments: Medicine (Infectious Diseases), Microbial Pathogenesis Leadership: MD-PhD Program Director, Vice Chair for Basic Research Her research program focuses on Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence mechanisms, including Type 3 secretion systems, Type 4 pili, and polar flagellum dynamics during infection. She explores host responses like NLRC4 inflammasome activation and longitudinal microbiome-host interactions in cystic fibrosis infants. Her lab develops novel antimicrobial approaches through personalized bacteriophage therapy. Notable scientific awards include Burroughs-Wellcome Fund Investigator (2007), Donaghue Investigator (2002), and Hellman Family Fellow (2002). She holds leadership roles in educational initiatives including the Yale Biomed Amgen Scholars Program and Yale Combined Program in Biological Sciences. Dr. Kazmierczak's recent publications highlight advancements in phage therapy for multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas , bacterial surface characterization methods, and microbiome chemical interactions. Her work addresses critical gaps in antibiotic resistance mechanisms and physician-scientist training optimization. Lab affiliations: Whisk Lab Center for Pulmonary Injury, Inflammation, Repair and Therapeutics (CPIRT) Yale Center for Infectious Disease Modeling and Analysis
Joe El-Khoury is a Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Director of the Clinical Chemistry Laboratory at Yale School of Medicine. He holds dual roles as Director of Clinical Chemistry and the Clinical Chemistry Fellowship Program at Yale New Haven Health. His research focuses on improving kidney function biomarkers, clinical laboratory performance, and mass spectrometry applications. He completed his PhD at Cleveland State University and postdoctoral training at Cleveland Clinic. Education: PhD (Cleveland State University, 2012), BS (American University of Beirut, 2008), Postdoctoral Fellowship (Cleveland Clinic, 2014). Advanced certifications include Yale School of Management programs (2017-2018). Research interests include SDMA as a kidney function biomarker, mass spectrometry adoption in clinical labs, and reducing pre-analytical errors. He has developed novel assays and contributed to lipid testing guidelines through ADLM collaborations. Recent articles focus on hepatitis C serology assays, creatinine delta thresholds for AKI, and trimester-specific haptoglobin reference intervals. His work emphasizes diagnostic accuracy and laboratory automation advancements. Notable awards include 2024 SYCL Mentor of the Year and 2023 IFCC Young Investigator Award. He serves as a reviewer for Clinical Chemistry, The Journal of Applied Laboratory Medicine, and others. His team addresses fluid contamination detection using machine learning and evaluates new clinical assays for diagnostic reliability. Current projects include high-throughput SDMA assays and improving creatinine-based eGFR equations.
Dr. Jens Peter von Kries is the Head of the Screening Unit at the Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP) in Berlin, Germany, within the Research Section of Chemical Biology. He leads a high-throughput screening platform that provides open-access services for academic and small-to-medium enterprise (SME) research projects. His research focuses on high-throughput screening (HTS) technologies, including biochemical and cell-based assays, automated liquid handling systems (Tecan, Beckman Coulter), acoustic dispensing, and advanced data analysis using R, Python, and KNIME workflows. His work supports drug discovery through services such as primary screening, hit validation, IC50 determination, LC-MS quality control, and Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) binding studies. He also oversees RNAi and CRISPR-based genetic screening and high-content imaging. A recent publication in Frontiers in Neurology (2023) highlights his involvement in studying the role of endothelial dysfunction and ACE-2 in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and post-COVID neurological damage, indicating an expanding interest in the intersection of molecular pharmacology and neuroinfectious diseases. The publications analyzed show a strong emphasis on translational chemical biology , combining advanced screening technologies with mechanistic insights into disease pathways, particularly in virology and vascular biology. His work bridges assay development, data science, and biomedical application. Lead researcher in high-throughput screening and automation Expertise in assay development and validation for drug discovery Active contributor to research on molecular mechanisms of viral infections Dr. von Kries collaborates with academic teams and manages a multidisciplinary technical team within the Screening Unit. The facility operates as a core technology platform, supporting a wide range of external and internal research projects, with an emphasis on open access and scientific collaboration.
Sean Brown is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Built Environment and Life Sciences at Abertay University. His research focuses on reproductive physiology, particularly the regulation of sperm function and ion channel (dys)function in human sperm, in collaboration with the University of Dundee and NHS Tayside. He also conducts pedagogic research in online teaching and assessment. PhD in Neuroscience, University College London Postdoctoral experience at University College London and University of Dundee External examiner at Modern Science and Arts University, Cairo (2012–2014) Reviewer for Human Reproduction Dr. Brown's research interests center on reproductive physiology, with emphasis on ion channel function in sperm, intracellular calcium signaling, acrosome reaction, and fertilization mechanisms. His work combines electrophysiological techniques (patch clamp) with molecular biology to study CatSper and other cation channels. He also investigates pedagogical innovations in higher education, particularly inquiry-based learning and quality by design in curriculum development. His recent publications reflect a dual focus: (1) reproductive biology, exploring calcium signaling, sperm activation, and high-throughput screening for male fertility; and (2) educational research, focusing on inquiry-based learning modules and assessment in biomedical sciences. These works appear in journals such as Molecular Human Reproduction , International Journal of Molecular Sciences , and Journal of Biological Education . Scientific recognition includes: Grants from Tenovus Scotland Carnegie Scotland funding Medical Research Council (MRC) support Chief Scientist Office grants Dr. Brown has supervised research students (5 supervised works noted) and secured competitive research funding. He has contributed to curriculum development as an undergraduate module leader for Human Physiology, Medical Physiology, Transfusion Science, and Advanced Pathophysiology. His external service includes acting as an examiner and peer reviewer, demonstrating professional engagement. He is also involved in collaborative research networks with the University of Dundee and NHS Tayside.
Bahram Parvin is a Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, with a laboratory at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). His work focuses on developing novel cancer therapeutics through epithelial-stromal signaling research and creating computational methods to identify tumor heterogeneity biomarkers. He teaches courses in Bioimaging, Tissue Engineering, Deep Learning, and Digital Signal Processing (DSP), bridging interdisciplinary research between biomedical and computational domains. Research Interests: Cancer therapeutics, tumor heterogeneity, 3D cell culture models, deep learning for medical imaging, and computational biology. Awards: Received an R&D100 Award in 2014 for BioSig3D, a pioneering system for high-content screening of 3D cell culture models. Key Contributions: BioSig3D, CSTA-NET, MAT3D, and algorithms for nuclei segmentation in histology images. His recent publications (2025–2014) emphasize advancements in 3D medical image analysis, particularly in oncology and histopathology. Parvin’s work combines experimental and computational approaches to address challenges in tumor profiling and cellular imaging.
Peter Scott McPherson is a Distinguished James McGill Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery and Anatomy and Cell Biology at The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital), which is a McGill University research and teaching institute. He is a member of the Neurodegenerative Disease Research Group and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. Dr. McPherson's research focuses on understanding protein trafficking in the endo/lysosomal system and how disruptions in these pathways lead to neurological disorders. His laboratory employs biochemical, molecular, structural, genetic, and cellular approaches to identify and characterize proteins involved in endosomal trafficking. Key research areas include: Neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease and ALS Brain tumors, particularly glioblastoma Neurodevelopmental disorders including DENND5A-mediated epileptic encephalopathy Protein trafficking mechanisms involving Rab GTPases and DENN domain proteins Antibody validation through the YCharOS initiative McPherson's recent publications (2021-2024) demonstrate a strong focus on the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. His work centers on Rab GTPases and DENN domain proteins that regulate intracellular trafficking pathways. A significant portion of his research investigates how disruptions in endosomal-lysosomal trafficking contribute to Parkinson's disease pathology, glioblastoma development, and rare neurodevelopmental conditions. His laboratory has also made important contributions to understanding viral entry mechanisms, including SARS-CoV-2 infection pathways, and has pioneered work on antibody validation through the YCharOS initiative. Dr. McPherson has received several notable scientific recognitions: Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (FRSC) Publications featured in Faculty of 1000 Research selected as 'Novel and Newsworthy' at the American Society for Cell Biology Full-page feature in the Globe & Mail for his work on mitochondrial dysfunction in ARSACS Subject of Nature News and Views coverage Dr. McPherson leads the McPherson Laboratory, which investigates the cell biological basis of neurological disease. He has co-led the YCharOS initiative (antibody characterization through open science) with Research Scientist Carl Laflamme, which collaborates with 14 major antibody manufacturers to validate commercial antibodies. All data from this initiative is rapidly transmitted to open sources (YCharOS and Zenodo) as part of a public good. His laboratory has secured significant funding for research into neurodegenerative disorders and protein trafficking mechanisms, including a $1.5M Open Science project grant. The McPherson Laboratory is part of the broader research ecosystem at The Neuro, which includes the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute and the Neurodegenerative Disease Research Group. His team consists of postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and research associates working collaboratively to unravel the molecular mechanisms of neurological disorders. His work on recreating Parkinson's disease pathology in human neurons has recently been highlighted in institutional news.
Michael G. Kharas is a Professor at Weill Cornell Medicine's Pharmacology Graduate Program and an Investigator at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center's Molecular Pharmacology Program. His research focuses on RNA regulators in hematopoietic stem cells and leukemia pathogenesis, particularly Musashi-2 and m6A methylation mechanisms. Dr. Kharas investigates how post-transcriptional RNA regulation affects symmetric/asymmetric cell division balance in HSCs and leukemic stem cells. His lab develops small molecules targeting RNA-binding proteins and studies metabolic adaptations in leukemia, including fructose utilization and serine synthesis pathways. Current projects explore RNA methylation, chromatin regulation, and screening approaches for self-renewal modulation. His publications reveal trends in RNA biology, epigenetics, and leukemic stem cell targeting. Key subfields include m6A-dependent differentiation control, Musashi-2 networks, metabolic dependencies, chromatin maintenance, and therapeutic strategies against RNA regulators. Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Career Development Award Alex Lemonade Stand Foundation ‘A’ Award American Society of Hematology Junior Faculty Scholar Award Kimmel and V-Scholar Awards Louis V. Gerstner Young Investigator Award As lab head, he mentors researchers and collaborates across institutions. His work spans basic HSC biology, translational leukemia models, and drug discovery platforms targeting RNA-protein interactions.
