David Overy is Adjunct Research Professor at Carleton University and Research Scientist at Agriculture and AgriFood Canada. His program integrates metabolomics, genomics, and traditional taxonomy to study fungal secondary metabolism and plant-microbe interactions. Research pillars: Metabolite phenotyping of fungal plant pathogens Discovery of novel fungal species and natural products CRISPR-based editing of biosynthetic gene clusters Multi-omics integration for biotechnological applications Recent publications describe new fungal species from hardwood trees and elucidate biosynthetic pathways for mycotoxins using gene editing. Teaches mass spectrometry-based metabolomics courses nationally. Leads high-throughput fungal culturing initiatives for bioprospecting. Collaborates internationally on fungal genomics and metabolomics projects.
Nichole Broderick is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Johns Hopkins University. She previously held positions as an Assistant Professor at the University of Connecticut and a postdoc at EPFL, Switzerland. Her research focuses on host-microbiome interactions, particularly in Drosophila melanogaster, examining how microbiota influence immunity, development, and physiology. She is also engaged in STEM education initiatives, such as the Tiny Earth network for undergraduate antibiotic discovery projects. Education: PhD in Entomology and Microbiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2004) Postdoctoral Research at EPFL, Switzerland, under Bruno Lemaitre (2013-2015) Research interests include the molecular mechanisms of microbiota establishment, the role of the immune system beyond classical functions, and the ecological and evolutionary impacts of microbiome perturbations. She investigates how diet influences microbiome composition and function and explores transgenerational microbiome effects on immunity. Her lab develops tools like the Dietary Composition Calculator (DDCC) to standardize research across microbiome studies. Advising and grants involve mentoring graduate students and postdocs in NIH-funded projects, including NIGMS grants, and fostering diverse training through career development plans. She actively recruits trainees from underrepresented groups and encourages external funding applications. Labs and teams: The Broderick Laboratory at Johns Hopkins, established in 2020, focuses on Drosophila gut microbiome research and collaborates with global academic networks. The lab emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches combining genetics, genomics, and ecology.
Dr. Gudrun Koeniger is a research scientist affiliated with the Chair of Behavioral Physiology & Sociobiology (Zoology II) at the University of Würzburg, Germany. She maintains an active research profile focusing on honeybee biology, with particular emphasis on reproduction and species of the genus Apis , holding the status of External member and Freelancer within the department. Dr. Koeniger's research program centers on honey bee reproduction across various species of the genus Apis , with special emphasis on Asian honey bees including Apis cerana , Apis koschevnikovi (which she helped rediscover in 1988), Apis nuluensis (which she helped describe in 1996), Apis dorsata , Apis florea , and Apis andreniformis . Her work also investigates the biology of parasitic honeybee mites such as Varroa destructor , Varroa jacobsoni , Tropilaelaps clareae , and Tropilaelaps koenigerum . Notably, she collaborated with Prof. Dr. N. Koeniger on developing a device to control horizontal transfer of Varroa destructor in cooperation with Bayer Animal Health, Leverkusen. Her publication record spans from 1989 to 2015, demonstrating sustained focus on honeybee reproductive biology. The research shows progression from anatomical studies of reproductive structures to complex investigations of mating behavior and molecular analyses. A consistent theme throughout her work is understanding reproductive mechanisms that maintain species boundaries among different honeybee species, with particular attention to Asian species that have been historically understudied. Dr. Koeniger has maintained a long-standing research partnership with Nikolaus Koeniger (her husband), who is listed as Professor Emeritus. Their collaborative work includes species descriptions, reproductive studies, and the development of practical solutions for honeybee health issues. She continues to be actively associated with the Zoology II department at the University of Würzburg, maintaining current contact information and professional identifiers including ORCID (0000-0003-0759-1491).
Jordan Carr Peterson is a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, specializing in regulation and public law. He also serves as Associate Editor at Research & Politics . Education: Ph.D. in Political Science, University of Southern California (2018) J.D., University of Florida Levin College of Law Research Focus: Peterson's work examines the operation of public authority in U.S. lawmaking institutions, with particular emphasis on how legal and political institutions structure organizational practices and individual conduct. His research employs both traditional legal analysis and empirical social science methods to investigate critical issues facing the American state. His research spans several interconnected areas: the legal regulation of sexual behavior, economic conflicts of interest in government, policy implementation across fragmented institutional structures, and LGBTQ+ rights. He is particularly interested in how business interests influence the policy process and how the distribution of legal authority across American institutions affects social justice outcomes. Research Impact: Peterson's scholarship has appeared in leading journals including Journal of Politics , Political Research Quarterly , Legislative Studies Quarterly , Rutgers University Law Review , and Missouri Law Review . His work bridges multiple disciplines including political science, law, economics, and public administration, contributing to scholarly understanding of institutional design, regulatory processes, and policy implementation. Awards and Recognition: Western Political Science Association Best Article Award (2020) for work published in Political Research Quarterly Cynthia Weber Award (2022) from APSA's Sexuality & Politics section for best paper on Supreme Court implementation of gay rights holdings Professional Service: In addition to his research and teaching responsibilities, Peterson serves as Associate Editor at Research & Politics , contributing to the editorial processes of this important political science journal. His combined roles as educator, researcher, and editor position him at the intersection of academic scholarship and policy-relevant research. Current Research Directions: Peterson continues to develop research analyzing how vertical and horizontal distribution of legal authority constrains LGBTQ equality, examining the persistence of unconstitutional laws criminalizing consensual sexual behavior, and investigating the impact of economic conflicts of interest on public policy outcomes. His ongoing projects promise to deepen understanding of institutional constraints on social justice and effective governance.
Cathal Heavey is a Professor at the School of Engineering , University of Limerick (UL). He specializes in Production and Operations Management , Industrial Engineering , and Supply Chain Modelling , with expertise in simulation and decision support systems. Active in Industry 4.0 , Digital Twin , and Smart Manufacturing research. Contributions to UN Sustainable Development Goals in supply chain sustainability and industrial innovation. Recent research trends focus on integrating simulation, machine learning, and digital twin technologies for production scheduling and supply chain resilience. Key sub-fields include Reinforcement Learning , Deep Learning , Flexible Job Shop Scheduling , and Secure Resource Sharing in semiconductor manufacturing.
Dr. Iulia Siedschlag is an Associate Research Professor at the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and an Adjunct Professor at the Department of Economics, Trinity College Dublin. Her research focuses on Competitiveness, Trade, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and the digital and green transitions of enterprises. She leads ESRI’s research on FDI and economic growth in the context of European integration. Her expertise spans international trade, innovation economics, and environmental policy. She has advised bodies like the European Commission, World Bank, and OECD, and secured numerous competitive grants from national and international organizations. She leads international research consortia and has authored over 150 publications in top journals such as Research Policy and Regional Studies . Research Themes: Digital transitions, green investments, FDI determinants, EU Single Market effects, and SME internationalization. Grants & Awards: Multiple grants from the EU, ESRI, and Irish agencies; recognized as a leading expert in international economics. Her work bridges policy and academia, emphasizing how environmental and technological changes reshape firm strategies and macroeconomic outcomes. She is a frequent speaker at global forums and chairs expert groups on competitiveness and sustainability.
Elizabeth Danka is an Assistant Professor of Biology at St. Norbert College, where she has been teaching since Fall 2020. She holds a B.S. in Biology and B.A. in Spanish from the University of Richmond, a Ph.D. in Molecular Cell Biology from Washington University in St. Louis, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship as a SPIRE Scholar at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her academic role includes teaching courses such as introductory biology, microbiology, medical microbiology, and cellular physiology, emphasizing active learning and critical thinking development. Her research focuses on bacterial pathogenesis, particularly studying host-pathogen interactions in organisms like Burkholderia cepacia and uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). Techniques employed include molecular genetics, biochemistry, microscopy, and model systems like plants, cell cultures, and mice. Current projects explore virulence factors in B. cepacia and the role of outer membrane proteins in UPEC infections. Dr. Danka mentors students in her lab, providing hands-on research training and encouraging participation in scientific conferences. Her work bridges microbiology, immunology, and molecular biology, with applications in understanding disease mechanisms and improving diagnostic strategies.
Henriette W Langdon is a Professor in the Department of Communicative Disorders and Sciences at San José State University (SJSU), part of the College of Education. With over 40 years of experience, she specializes in working with bilingual children with speech and language disorders, emphasizing cultural and linguistic diversity in clinical practice. Her career includes full-time faculty service since 1997 and part-time roles prior to that. She holds licenses in Speech Pathology and credentials from the California State Department of Education. Education: She earned a B.S. in Chemistry, Pharmacy, and Biology from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). Later, she obtained an Ed.M. in Foreign Languages from Tufts University and an Ed.D. in Special Education and Psycholinguistics from Boston University. Research Interests: Dr. Langdon’s work centers on bilingualism’s impact on speech-language development, assessment methodologies for non-English speakers, and effective collaboration with interpreters/translator in healthcare and education. She co-authored a revised edition of Working with Interpreters and Translators (2015), a seminal guide for professionals in speech-language pathology and audiology, and designed courses like Speech and Language Development in a Cross-Cultural Society and Providing Services in Spanish to Clients . Awards: Recognized as a Diversity Champion by ASHA (2009), she has also received multiple accolades including Fellowships from both ASHA (2001) and CSHA (1997), plus CSHA’s Diversity Award (1998) and Outstanding Service Award (2011). Her contributions emphasize equity in service provision for multilingual populations. Teaching & Grants: She has taught numerous courses including Student Teaching , Advanced Assessment , and Clinical Supervision . Courses like EDSP 268 were specifically designed for students under SJSU’s Horizonte, Arco Iris, and Cascades Diversity grants. Her clinical practice includes providing services in Spanish, French, and Polish. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with Terry Irvine Saenz on book revisions and co-authored works. Active in developing testing tools such as the SPELT-3 Spanish Edition and W-ABC Spanish Edition, which address cultural and linguistic assessment needs in multilingual contexts.
Roles & Affiliations: Thea Brennan-Krohn is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and an Associate Physician in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Boston Children's Hospital. She is affiliated with the laboratory of Dr. James Kirby at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), focusing on antibiotic resistance and diagnostic microbiology research. Education: BA in Classics, Brown University MD, Stanford University School of Medicine Pediatrics Residency & Pediatric Infectious Diseases Fellowship, Boston Children's Hospital Medical Microbiology Fellowship, BIDMC Certifications include American Board of Pediatrics (General & Infectious Diseases) and American Board of Medical Microbiology. Research Focus: Dr. Brennan-Krohn investigates antibiotic combinations against multidrug-resistant bacteria and yeast, with a focus on improving antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods. Her work employs innovative technologies like inkjet printer-based assays and transcriptomics to study synergistic drug interactions and resistance mechanisms. Key areas include carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, Candida auris, and Burkholderia cepacia complex. Articles & Trends: Recent publications emphasize synergistic antibiotic combinations, antimicrobial stewardship curriculum implementation, and overcoming resistance via drug repurposing. Her research bridges clinical diagnostics and translational science, addressing urgent challenges in treating pandrug-resistant pathogens. Awards: No scientific awards explicitly mentioned in the text. Advising & Grants: While no formal advisees are listed, her research collaborations involve multidisciplinary teams. Grants and funding sources are not detailed here. Labs & Teams: Active in Dr. James Kirby's laboratory at BIDMC, contributing to advancements in antimicrobial susceptibility testing and microbiology diagnostics.
Dr Sam Amsbury is a Lecturer in the School of Biosciences at the University of Sheffield, holding the BBSRC Discovery Fellowship. His academic trajectory includes a PhD in Plant Molecular Biology from the University of Sheffield (2012–2016) and a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Cell Wall Biochemistry at the University of Leeds (2016–2020). His research focuses on plant cell wall assembly, stress responses, and biomass applications. Key areas include biochemical mechanisms of cell wall polysaccharide interactions, genetic regulation of stress-induced compositional changes, and optimizing cell wall fragmentation for sustainable biorefinery processes. Advanced glycomic and genomic techniques are central to his work, aiming to identify novel genes and enzymes for cell wall engineering. His publications span plant cell wall biochemistry, stress signaling, and biopolymer utilization. Notable contributions include studies on callose-cellulose interactions, guard cell mechanics, and microbial degradation of hemicelluloses. He has been awarded the BBSRC Discovery Fellowship for innovative research bridging fundamental biology and applied biotechnology. Dr Amsbury collaborates across disciplines, integrating plant physiology, proteomics, and chemical engineering. His work addresses global challenges in food security and renewable resource development through deepening understanding of plant cell wall dynamics.
Joshua Blodgett is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at Washington University. His research focuses on interdisciplinary studies of bacterial small molecule production, particularly in Streptomyces and related organisms. Key areas include chemical ecology, biosynthesis regulation, and the discovery of novel bioactive compounds with applications in medicine and agriculture. Blodgett's work bridges biology, chemistry, and ecology, emphasizing the untapped biosynthetic potential of microbes through sequencing-based approaches. His lab explores evolutionary roles of chemical modulators and develops tools for metabolic engineering in Streptomyces species. Recent courses taught include Bacterial Bioprospecting and Biotechnology, integrating biochemistry, genetics, and bioinformatics for practical applications in biotechnology. Publications highlight advancements in understanding antibiotic crypticity, P450 enzyme functions, and nonribosomal peptide discovery. His research has been supported by grants such as the NSF CAREER award for studying actinobacterial metabolic silencing mechanisms. Blodgett collaborates widely, with contributions to genomic and metabolomic analysis of microbial systems.
Dr. Alexander Sawatsky is Professor and Chair of Social Work at Canadian Mennonite University. With a PhD from University of Manitoba and extensive clinical experience in mental health settings, he leads development of CMU's BSW program while maintaining practice connections. His scholarship critically examines social work's relationship with political structures, developing anarchist frameworks for anti-oppressive practice. Recent publications theorize the integration of faith perspectives with radical social work traditions. Teaching emphasizes critical consciousness development and prepares students to navigate tensions between institutional systems and community-based liberation praxis. Sawatsky serves on the Manitoba College of Social Workers board and engages in community initiatives focused on decolonization.
Dr. Karey McCullough is Interim Associate Dean and Associate Professor in the School of Nursing within the Faculty of Education and Professional Studies at Nipissing University. She teaches courses in the BScN Collaborative program covering Pharmacology, Trauma/Emergency Nursing, Preceptorship, and Global Health. Her nursing career began in emergency care with experience spanning medicine, surgery, critical care, and flight nursing. Her primary research focuses on International Preceptorship and Curriculum Development in nursing education. McCullough has received multiple grants to conduct research on International Preceptorship models and their implementation in undergraduate nursing programs.
Prof. Mario Pezzino is a Professor of Industrial Economics at the University of Manchester's School of Social Sciences. He serves as Director of Teaching and Learning and is a Principal Fellow of AdvanceHE. His expertise includes applied microeconomic theory, industrial organization, and healthcare market analysis. Research Interests: Horizontal/Vertical Product Differentiation Hospital and Pharmaceutical Market Structures Evolutionary Game Theory Applications Economics of Intrinsic Motivation Recent Work Trends: Focus on evolutionary dynamics in tax compliance, healthcare policy impacts, and co-creation in economics education. His studies explore physician prescribing behaviors, dual practice regulations in developing nations, and nonlinear market models. Advising & Grants: Actively supervises students in Industrial Organization. Current projects analyze tax reform effects on tax evasion and Pay-for-Performance schemes in intrinsic motivation contexts.
Konstantinos Beis is a Research Professor in Membrane Protein Structural Biology at Imperial College London's Department of Life Sciences, part of the Faculty of Natural Sciences. His research focuses on understanding bacterial pathogenesis and drug resistance mechanisms, particularly through the structural analysis of membrane proteins, ABC transporters, and antibacterial peptides. He holds affiliations with the Centre for Structural Biology, Research Complex at Harwell, and the Membrane Receptor Network. His work employs advanced structural biology techniques such as cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography, and biophysical methods like PELDOR/EPR and smFRET. Key research themes include the structural basis of drug resistance, the mechanism of ABC transporters, and the development of novel antibacterial strategies. Beis collaborates with institutions like Diamond Light Source Ltd and has contributed to studies on Klebsiella pneumoniae, antimicrobial peptides, and conjugation systems in bacteria. His publications span over two decades, with recent work emphasizing structural insights into transporters, antibiotic resistance mechanisms, and innovative techniques in crystallography. Beis’s findings have implications for drug discovery and combating antibiotic resistance, reflecting his commitment to bridging structural biology and applied microbiology.
