Cornelius Barry is an Associate Professor in the Department of Horticulture at Michigan State University, with affiliations to the Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology program, AgBioResearch, and the Molecular Plant Sciences Graduate Program. He joined MSU in July 2007 with a 75% research and 25% teaching appointment. Education: PhD and BSc from the University of Nottingham and University College of Wales Current roles: Director of NSF REU Site: Plant Genomics @ MSU His research focuses on the evolution of biochemical diversity within the Solanaceae family , particularly specialized metabolites like terpenoids, flavonoids, and alkaloids. He investigates their roles in plant defense, pollinator attraction, and human applications through genomics, metabolite profiling, and synthetic biology. Recent publications show expertise in alkaloid biosynthesis , trichome chemistry , and metabolic pathway engineering . Key collaborations include teams at Boyce Thompson Institute, Texas A&M, and University of Nottingham. He advises graduate students in Genetics , Biochemistry & Molecular Biology , and Molecular Plant Sciences programs.
Jessica A. Mong, PhD , is a Professor in the Department of Pharmacology & Physiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine , where she also serves as Assistant Dean for Graduate & Post-Doctoral Studies and Director of Graduate Education for the Program in Neuroscience. Her research focuses on the neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying sex differences in sleep circuitry and the estrogenic modulation of sleep-wake cycles. Primary Appointment: Pharmacology & Physiology Administrative Title: Assistant Dean for Graduate & Post-Doctoral Studies Laboratory Director: Program in Neuroscience Research Interests: Dr. Mong's work investigates how ovarian steroids influence sleep-wake behavior through sexually differentiated neuroanatomical substrates. Key areas include: Mechanisms of estrogenic modulation in the median preoptic nucleus (MnPN) Developmental programming of sex differences in sleep sensitivity Translational studies using rodent and nonhuman primate models of menopause Functional significance of hormonal influences on sleep quality and recovery Scientific Trends: Her recent publications (2023-2025) emphasize: Role of KCNMA1 channelopathy in sleep regulation Adenosinergic signaling in MnPN Translational menopause models Estrogen's protective effects against noise-induced hearing loss Sex-dependent responses to kynurenine pathway challenges Awards & Appointments: NIH BIRCWH Scholar (Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health) Co-Chair, Society for Women’s Health Research Interdisciplinary Research Network on Sex-Differences in Sleep Health NIH/NHLBI R01 HL129138 grant recipient Education & Training: B.S., Biology, Gettysburg College (1987-1991) Ph.D., Neuropharmacology, University of Maryland Baltimore (1994-2000) NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship in Endocrinology, Rockefeller University (2000-2003)
Catherine Marler is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she leads the Marler Lab focused on the Biology of Brain and Behavior. Her research program investigates the intricate connections between endocrine systems and social behaviors, with particular emphasis on how hormones like testosterone and oxytocin shape complex social interactions in monogamous mammals. Dr. Marler's research primarily utilizes the California mouse (Peromyscus californicus) as a model organism, capitalizing on its unique monogamous, biparental, and territorial nature. Her work spans both laboratory and field settings, allowing for comprehensive investigation of neuroendocrine mechanisms in naturalistic contexts. Key research themes include the role of testosterone in territorial behavior and winner effects, oxytocin's influence on pair bonding and parental behavior, and the neural substrates of ultrasonic vocalizations. Recent publications reveal a strong focus on conditioned place preferences related to testosterone pulses, oxytocin's effects on social behaviors across different developmental stages, and the neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying aggression and pair bonding. Her work demonstrates how social experience, environmental context, and endocrine systems interact to shape complex behavioral outcomes, with particular attention to sex differences and transgenerational transmission of behaviors. Dr. Marler has published extensively in top journals including Hormones and Behavior, Proceedings of the Royal Society, and Animal Behaviour, with her most recent work appearing in high-impact venues throughout 2023-2025. Her research program represents a sophisticated integration of behavioral observation, endocrine manipulation, and neural analysis to unravel the mechanisms underlying social behavior in mammals. As an advisor, Dr. Marler mentors students in behavioral neuroscience and endocrinology, fostering research that bridges laboratory and field approaches to understand the evolution and mechanisms of social behavior. Her lab maintains a strong commitment to rigorous scientific methodology and innovative experimental design in the study of neuroendocrine-behavior relationships.
Professor Nick Turner is a Professor in Bioanalytical Chemistry at the University of Sheffield's Department of Chemistry within the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences. He holds a BSc in Pharmacology (University of Southampton, 1997), an MRes in Biochemistry (University of Exeter, 1999), and a PhD in Bio-organic Chemistry (Cranfield University, 2004). His career includes roles at the University of Utah, University of Newcastle (Australia), Open University, and De Montfort University, where he progressed from Lecturer to Reader in Bioanalytical Chemistry. In 2022, he received an EPSRC Established Career Fellowship for artificial chaperone research and was awarded a personal chair. His research focuses on molecular recognition, particularly molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for biosensing, nucleic-acid-polymer hybrids, and artificial chaperones. These technologies address challenges in drug detection, environmental monitoring, and biomedical diagnostics. He actively supports PhD applications in these areas. Awards: EPSRC Established Career Fellowship (2022), Senior Fellowship of HEA (2016) Professional Memberships: Royal Society of Chemistry, Macro Group UK (Secretary) Teaching interests include analytical chemistry and pharmacology, emphasizing modern techniques like VR/AR in drug design education. He contributes to interdisciplinary projects such as the Open Science Laboratory and MOOC development.
Dr. Catherine Crockford is Research Professor and Director of the Ape Social Mind Lab at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, affiliated with the Department of Human Behavior, Ecology and Culture. She co-directs the Tai Chimpanzee Project in Ivory Coast, studying habituated chimpanzee groups and sooty mangabeys. Her research examines primate social cognition, communication evolution, and neuroethology through behavioral observations, hormone sampling, and neuroimaging. Key interests include: Evolution of social bonding and cooperation mechanisms Maternal effects on offspring development Vocal communication and combinatorial signaling Neurobiological bases of social behavior Her publications demonstrate consistent focus on chimpanzee vocal combinatorics, stress physiology, social learning, and comparative neuroanatomy, often integrating field data with endocrine and imaging methodologies. She leads an ERC project investigating early-life influences on social skills and supervises 8 PhD students researching primate communication, social dynamics, and energetics. Laboratory infrastructure supports field endocrinology and collaborative neuroimaging studies.
Dr. Deborah Goberdhan is an Associate Professor at the University of Oxford , affiliated with the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (DPAG) . She leads an independent research group investigating amino acid sensing , mTORC1 signaling , and exosome-mediated communication in cancer progression using both human cancer cells and Drosophila models . She serves on the Cancer Research UK Oxford Centre Research Committee , teaches Medical and Biomedical Sciences undergraduates , and acts as Academic Public Engagement Lead for her department. Her research focuses on cell growth regulation through Proton-assisted Amino acid Transporters (PATs) , which function as 'transceptors' modulating mTORC1 activity . This work has expanded to examine exosome heterogeneity and therapeutic delivery mechanisms with support from BBSRC and Cancer Research UK . She co-founded Oxosome , the Oxford extracellular vesicle interest group , to foster interdisciplinary collaboration. Key research areas include Cancer cell communication via exosomes Amino acid signaling in tumor progression Drosophila as cancer model system Clinical collaborations with Prof Adrian L Harris , Prof Freddie C Hamdy , and Prof Clare Verrill Recent publications highlight her group's contributions to exosome biogenesis (2023), brain-targeted siRNA delivery (2021), and nutrient stress responses in cancer (2020). She actively promotes scientific communication through ISEV social media initiatives.
Greg J. Norman is Associate Professor, Associate Chair, and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Psychology at the University of Chicago, with a secondary appointment in Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience. He joined the faculty in 2012 after completing his Ph.D. and postdoctoral research at the same institution. Education: Bachelor's in Psychology and Philosophy, The Ohio State University Ph.D. in Psychology (Behavioral Neuroscience), The Ohio State University, 2010 Postdoctoral Research Scholar, University of Chicago, Laboratory of John T. Cacioppo Dr. Norman's research lies at the intersection of social neuroscience, psychophysiology, behavioral endocrinology, and behavioral genetics. He investigates how social interactions modulate physiological systems—including the autonomic nervous system, neuroendocrine axes, and inflammatory responses—to influence health outcomes. His work employs both human and animal models, with a particular focus on oxytocin signaling, stress reactivity, and neural mechanisms of social evaluation. He uses multilevel assessment techniques to bridge behavior, biology, and social context. His recent publications reveal a strong thematic focus on the neurobiological underpinnings of social behavior and health. Key areas include oxytocin's role in autonomic regulation and social buffering, the impact of loneliness and social isolation on neuroinflammatory and cardiovascular responses, and the neural basis of evaluative processing in social contexts. His work frequently appears in high-impact journals such as PNAS , Psychosomatic Medicine , and Hormones and Behavior , reflecting interdisciplinary rigor and clinical relevance. Scientific Awards: No awards listed in the provided text. As Director of Graduate Studies, Dr. Norman plays a central role in mentoring and shaping the training of graduate students in psychology. While specific students are not named, his extensive publication record with multidisciplinary teams suggests active supervision and collaboration. He has contributed to major handbooks and has been involved in research supported by institutional and federal funding, though specific grants are not detailed in the text. Labs and Research Teams: His research is conducted in laboratories associated with the Department of Psychology and the former Center for Cognitive and Social Neuroscience at the University of Chicago. He has collaborated extensively with prominent researchers including John T. Cacioppo, Gary G. Berntson, A. Courtney DeVries, and Louise Hawkley, indicating membership in a large, interdisciplinary social neuroscience research group.
Jenna Ann McHenry is an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience and Neurobiology at Duke University, holding a primary appointment in the School of Medicine's Department of Neurobiology. As a Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, she leads the McHenry Lab focused on neural circuit mechanisms underlying social and motivated behaviors. Her educational background includes: Ph.D., Florida State University (2013) B.S., Florida State University (2007) Dr. McHenry's research defines fixed and flexible features of molecularly defined neural circuits controlling social and nonsocial motivated behaviors, with emphasis on hypothalamic subnuclei and connections to midbrain dopaminergic reward systems. Her lab employs optogenetics, in vivo deep-brain calcium imaging, viral/genetic targeting, and advanced behavioral analysis to investigate circuit processing in disorders including Autism Spectrum Disorders, Reproductive Mood Disorders, Eating Disorders, and Major Depression. Specializing in chronic deep-brain microscopy, her team tracks neural networks during awake behavioral states over time. Her publication record demonstrates consistent innovation in neural circuit analysis, with recurring themes of hormonal modulation of social reward circuits, state-dependent sensorimotor processing, and neural mechanisms of social homeostasis. Key contributions include identifying prepronociceptin neurons in arousal responses and elucidating how adolescent sleep shapes adult social preferences. Major recognitions include: NARSAD Young Investigator Award (2017) K99 Pathway to Independence Award (NIMH, 2017) Notable Nole Alumni Award (Florida State University, 2018) NRSA Postdoctoral Fellowship (NIMH, 2013) Dr. McHenry actively mentors graduate students and postdocs, with current lab openings advertised. Her research is supported by substantial grants including the Neurobiology Training Program (2024-2029), Establishing Neural Circuits for Social Homeostasis (2022-2027), and Illuminating Socially-Modulated Homeostatic Control Circuits (2022-2025). She teaches Behavioral Neuroendocrinology and research practicums across psychology and neuroscience programs. The McHenry Lab operates at the forefront of systems neuroscience, utilizing GSRB II facilities for deep-brain imaging and circuit manipulation. As part of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, the lab collaborates extensively on translational research bridging basic neural mechanisms with clinical applications in mental health disorders.
Andrew Godwin is a Professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center , where he serves as the Chancellor’s Distinguished Chair in Biomedical Sciences and Director of Molecular Oncology in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. He is also the Deputy Director of the NCI-designated University of Kansas Cancer Center and the Founding Director of the Kansas Institute for Precision Medicine and Biospecimen Shared Resource . Dr. Godwin is a leader in translational research and precision medicine , with a focus on molecular oncology , biomarker discovery , and genomic diagnostics . His work bridges basic and clinical science to improve cancer patient care, particularly in ovarian cancer , Ewing sarcoma , and breast cancer . He has contributed over 230 ovarian cancer-related publications and pioneered studies linking the PI3K/AKT pathway to cancer treatment targets. His research program encompasses liquid biopsies using extracellular vesicles , molecular therapeutics , companion diagnostics , and clinical trial validation . He leads the Biomarker Discovery Laboratory and has secured over $250M in extramural funding , including a $11.4M NIH grant for precision medicine initiatives. His team has developed CELLSEARCH® , the first FDA-cleared test for circulating tumor cells. Notable awards include the Dolph C. Simons, Sr. Higuchi Award (2020), Outstanding Mentorship in Pathology Award (2024), and multiple mentoring accolades from KU. He has mentored over 150 trainees across career stages and leads a multidisciplinary lab with expertise in genomics , proteomics , and bioengineering . Academic Roles: Chancellor’s Distinguished Chair in Biomedical Sciences Director, Molecular Oncology, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Deputy Director, KU Cancer Center Founding Director, Kansas Institute for Precision Medicine Adjunct Professor, Bioengineering Program, University of Kansas Scientific Awards: KUMC Achievement Award for mentoring postdocs (2014) Chancellor’s Club Award for Research (2018) Dolph C. Simons, Sr. Higuchi Award (2020) KU Excellence in Mentoring Award (2021) Outstanding Mentorship in Pathology (2024) Key Research Themes: Extracellular vesicles as liquid biopsy tools Molecular mechanisms of sarcoma and breast cancer Genomic diagnostics and precision oncology Clinical trial biomarker validation Biospecimen repository leadership
Amar U. Kishan, MD , a tenure Professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA , serves as Executive Vice Chair for the Department of Radiation Oncology and as Chief of the Genitourinary Service since 2019. His clinical expertise focuses on radiation treatment of prostate and bladder cancers , with pioneering work in stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and image-guided radiotherapy . Dr. Kishan graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Medical School after dual BA degrees at UC Berkeley in Molecular and Cell Biology and Public Health, followed by residency at UCLA and internship at Scripps Mercy Hospital . Education : Harvard Medical School (MD, 2012), UC Berkeley (BA in Molecular/Cell Biology & Public Health) Awards : Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine (2021), UCLA Exceptional Physician (2024), Super Doctors® Rising Stars (2020-2024) Dr. Kishan leads translational research connecting radiation oncology with genitourinary cancer biology. His 310+ publications in journals like JAMA , Lancet Oncology , and European Urology emphasize radiation technology innovations , including MRI-guided SBRT and adaptive radiation therapy. Key trials he spearheads include ILLUSION (CT-guided SBRT) and HEATWAVE (apalutamide + SBRT). Major funding sources include National Institutes of Health , Department of Defense , and Prostate Cancer Foundation . His work has redefined prostate cancer treatment paradigms , demonstrating that high-dose radiation can match surgery in aggression cases, while multi-modal approaches improve survival rates. Dr. Kishan also contributes to re-irradiation protocols and radioresistance proteogenomics , advancing precision oncology. Key Grants : NIH, DoD, PCF, ASTRO Clinical Trials : ILLUSION, HEATWAVE, PET imaging-based radiation targeting
Saumik Basu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of Georgia (UGA), based at the Tifton Campus within the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences. His research focuses on developing sustainable integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for vegetable crops in South Georgia. He leads the Vegetable Entomology Lab, which investigates pest complexes like whiteflies, diamondback moths, and pepper weevils, along with their interactions with plant pathogens. His work emphasizes molecular ecology, plant defense mechanisms, and the role of abiotic factors (e.g., climate, soil microbiota) in pest management. Education: B.S. in Human Physiology, University of Calcutta M.S. in Biotechnology, Visva-Bharati University Ph.D. in Molecular Plant Virology, Jawaharlal Nehru University Postdoctoral Research: University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and Washington State University (WSU) Research Interests: Molecular mechanisms of plant-insect interactions Sustainable IPM for vegetable pests Plant defense signaling and phytohormonal crosstalk Impact of soil microbiota on pest-pathogen dynamics Climate change effects on agroecosystems Lab & Collaborations: The lab collaborates with county extension agents, growers, and other research groups to translate findings into practical solutions. Current projects address pest attack order effects on plant defenses and the role of biopesticides like Metarhizium fungus. Graduate students and postdocs work on topics such as soil amendments for pest resistance and vector-borne disease transmission. Advising & Grants: Advises Ph.D. candidate Sourav Pal and M.S. student Rajesh Udavant. Technical staff includes Charles Laney Gruver, an expert in field trials and insect rearing. Undergraduate Alexis Crossgrove supports lab activities. Labs/Teams: Vegetable Entomology Lab (UGA), previously affiliated with Molecular Plant Sciences at WSU.
Adrian Whitty is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at Boston University . His research focuses on protein-protein and protein-ligand recognition, particularly in developing mechanistic understandings of growth factor receptor activation and advancing drug discovery for protein-protein interaction inhibition. Education: B.Sc. (Honors) in Chemistry from King’s College, University of London (1985); Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Chicago (1991); Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Brandeis University's Biochemistry Department (1990-93). His work integrates biochemical and cell-based assays using advanced technologies like FRET, Time-Resolved Fluorescence, and Surface Plasmon Resonance (Biacore 3000). He collaborates with computational chemists, organic synthesis experts, X-ray crystallographers, and biologists to develop novel approaches for designing small molecule inhibitors of protein-protein interactions. Recent publications highlight trends in machine learning applications for molecular scientists, structural analysis of enzyme mechanisms, macrocycle-based drug design, and quantitative studies of protein interaction energetics. His lab emphasizes rigorous hypothesis-driven experimental design, preparing students for careers in academia or industry. Advisory and leadership roles include membership in The Protein Society (2008-present), the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) Governing Council (2007-present), and founding roles in the Council for Systems Biology in Boston (CSB2) and the Institute for Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery at SUNY Stony Brook. His laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for fluorescence, analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC), dynamic light scattering (DLS), isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and tissue culture, supporting diverse techniques including flow cytometry and reaction pathway modeling with Mathematica and MATLAB.
Sara Liin is a Senior Associate Professor at Linköping University, affiliated with the Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Her research focuses on ion channel dysfunction in cardiac arrhythmias, particularly exploring polyunsaturated fatty acids and endocannabinoids as therapeutic avenues. She holds a PhD in Neurobiology (2011) and a Master in Medical Biology (2005). Her work emphasizes understanding how genetic mutations in cardiac ion channels lead to arrhythmias and developing targeted treatments. Recent studies highlight the role of estrogen in exacerbating arrhythmia risk and the potential of endocannabinoids like ARA-S to rescue mutant channels. Liin has secured grants totaling SEK 64 million and leads a research group investigating lipid-channel interactions and drug development strategies. Key achievements include the Eric K Fernström award (2021) and collaborative projects with institutions like the University of Miami and SciLifeLab. Her lab, part of the Division of Cell and Neurobiology, explores translational applications of ion channel research to combat heart rhythm disorders.
Professor Neil Harrison is a Clinical Professor in Neuroimaging at Cardiff University's School of Medicine, leading the Immunopsychiatry Research Group at CUBRIC and the Haydn Ellis Building. He previously established the UK's first Clinical Immunopsychiatry Service in Sussex. His expertise spans neuroimaging, psychiatry, and immunology, focusing on how immune systems interact with brain function in mental illnesses like depression and Alzheimer’s. He holds grants from the MRC, Wellcome Trust, and Janssen Pharmaceutics. Education: PhD in Neuroscience from UCL’s Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, psychiatry training at the Maudsley Hospital and National Hospital for Neurology, Queen Square. Research interests include neuroinflammation’s role in mental health, with a focus on translational approaches like wearable technology for early disease detection. He chairs the Psychoneuroimmunology Research Society and advises the Wellcome Trust’s Clinical Interview Committee. Grants and collaborations include work on imaging brain inflammation, chronic fatigue mechanisms, and translational immunopsychiatry. His lab investigates neuroimaging biomarkers and clinical applications of immunological insights in mental health.
Jeff Dangl is the John N. Couch Professor and an HHMI Investigator at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he leads research in the Department of Biology. He has been studying plant-microbe interactions since 1989, focusing on two main areas: the plant immune system and the root microbiome. His laboratory is located in the Genome Sciences Building on UNC's historic campus, which is part of the Research Triangle Park area, a leading hub for biotechnology research. Dr. Dangl's research interests span several interconnected areas of plant-microbe interactions. His work examines how plants recognize pathogens through their two-tiered immune system consisting of extracellular pattern recognition receptors and intracellular NLR receptors. He also investigates how the plant immune system shapes the composition and function of the root microbiome. His lab uses Arabidopsis thaliana as a model system to study these interactions at multiple biological scales, from molecular and structural levels to small mesocosms. The research trends in Dr. Dangl's recent publications indicate a strong focus on understanding the molecular mechanisms of plant immune receptors, particularly NLR proteins and their activation pathways. His work increasingly integrates microbiome research with plant immunology, exploring how commensal microbes interact with and potentially modulate the plant immune system. There's also significant emphasis on the structural and functional aspects of immune receptor complexes, as well as the evolutionary dynamics of plant-pathogen interactions. HHMI Investigator John N. Couch Professor Dr. Dangl leads a diverse research group with members from several countries, emphasizing small team approaches to tackle complex problems in plant-microbe interactions. His students and postdocs benefit from access to multiple inputs about their work through this collaborative environment. His laboratory has developed expertise in genomics, ecological modeling, metabolic modeling, and both forward and reverse genetics to address questions about microbiome assembly and function. The Dangl lab maintains strong connections with the broader scientific community through collaborations and participation in major research initiatives. They work within the rich research environment of the Research Triangle Park, which includes UNC, Duke University, North Carolina State University, the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, and numerous life-science companies.
