Michael Rory Daws is a Professor in the Section of Anatomy at the University of Oslo, affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine. He holds a permanent faculty position since 2015 and specializes in innate immune system receptors, focusing on their roles in autoimmunity and cancer. His research spans immunology, cell biology, and molecular mechanisms of immune receptor signaling. Education: PhD in Immunology, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne (1995) Research Interests: Dr. Daws investigates innate immune receptors such as DAP12-associated receptors, C-type lectin receptors (e.g., Mincle, DCAR1), and their roles in pathogen recognition, autoimmune disorders, and cancer immunology. His work emphasizes receptor-ligand interactions, signaling pathways, and their implications for disease mechanisms. Publications: His recent work highlights studies on heteromeric receptor complexes in macrophages, neuroinflammation linked to multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s disease risk factors. He collaborates extensively with researchers like Sigbjørn Fossum and Erik Dissen on projects involving innate immune cell receptors in rats and humans. Labs/Teams: His group is part of the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, focusing on innate immunity and receptor biology. Collaborations include studies on NK cell receptors and osteoclast differentiation.
Dr. Lex Kraaijeveld is a Principal Teaching Fellow in Ecology and Evolution at the University of Southampton's Department of Biological Sciences, where he has held academic positions since 2006. He currently serves as Senior Tutor and Exams Officer, having previously been Director of Programmes (2014-2018). His career includes postdoctoral research at Imperial College London (1994-2005) after earning his PhD from Leiden University in 1994. Kraaijeveld's research examines the interplay between ecological and evolutionary processes, focusing on insect-parasite/pathogen interactions. Primary model systems include Drosophila melanogaster and its natural enemies: parasitoids ( Asobara tabida ), fungi ( Beauveria bassiana ), and microsporidia ( Tubulinosema kingi ). Key research areas include coevolution of resistance mechanisms, fitness trade-offs, and host-pathogen arms races. His publications demonstrate interdisciplinary work spanning conservation biology, microbial ecology, and evolutionary genetics. Recent articles reflect applied conservation themes (e.g., Grevy's zebra conservation), while foundational work explores experimental evolution of host resistance. Consistent themes include coevolutionary dynamics, immunological trade-offs, and population-level adaptations. Kraaijeveld is affiliated with the Institute for Life Sciences and the Ecology and Evolution research group. He contributes to projects like 'Microbial Community Engineering' and maintains collaborations with specialists in microbiology, conservation, and evolutionary theory.
David Berry is a Professor at the University of Vienna's Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Research, affiliated with the Center for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science and the Faculty of Chemistry. His research focuses on microbiome dynamics in health, disease, and environmental contexts, particularly addressing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to health and environmental sustainability. Berry leads initiatives such as the Engineering enhanced microbiome function using synthetic ecology (EnhanceFun) and Dysfunctional gut-immune-brain axis in premature infants (NeoGIBA) , emphasizing translational microbiome applications. Recent work includes studies on UTI prevention via cranberry/ascorbic acid supplementation, gut microbiota modulation of stress responses, and microbial contributions to obesity and neurodevelopmental disorders. He has authored over 130 peer-reviewed articles and actively collaborates globally, contributing to projects like HiBC (human gut microbiota strain collection) and BaMiKO (fiber-microbiome interactions). Berry’s grants span microbiome engineering, preterm infant brain health, and environmental exposome studies. His lab investigates microbial-chemical interactions, with a focus on microplastics, mycotoxins, and dietary interventions. Notably, Berry’s work bridges fundamental microbiology with clinical and environmental applications, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations.
Thomas Wiehe is a Professor for Bioinformatics and Population Genetics at the University of Cologne, where he has been a faculty member since 2003. He leads the Wiehe Research Group, focusing on evolutionary genomics and theoretical population genetics. His research centers on the evolution of multi-copy gene families, including gene duplication, copy number variation, and selective sweeps. Using mathematical modeling and bioinformatics, he investigates genomic dynamics in structured populations, with applications in zebrafish, beetles, plants, and nematodes. His recent publications span theoretical models of coalescent processes, genome architecture, and adaptation, reflecting a strong trend in integrating mathematical theory with empirical genomics. Key themes include unequal recombination, mutation accumulation, and the interplay between demography and selection. He has authored numerous high-impact papers in journals such as eLife , Genetics , PLoS Computational Biology , and Theoretical Population Biology . Thomas Wiehe has supervised multiple researchers and students through his research group, contributing to training in computational biology and evolutionary genomics. His work is supported by ongoing research projects and collaborations across Europe. He leads a research lab focused on bioinformatics and population genetics, utilizing simulations and data analysis to explore genome evolution. The group investigates both animal and plant systems, emphasizing conserved evolutionary mechanisms.
Prof. Li Deng is a Full Professor at the TUM School of Life Sciences and holds the Chair of Bacterial Disease Prevention at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). She is also the joint director of the Central Institute for Infection Prevention (ZIP). Her research focuses on phage biology, virome, and microbiome, employing single-cell technologies, multi-omics, and machine learning to study phage-bacteria interactions and develop phage-based therapies. Education: BEng in Environmental Engineering, Tsinghua University, China MSc in Environmental Sciences, University of Nottingham, UK PhD in Microbiology, University of Bristol, UK Her work bridges fundamental research and clinical applications, aiming to combat infectious diseases by restoring healthy microbiota. Key contributions include advancing understanding of gut microbiome dynamics and virome roles in human health. Awards: ERC Starting Grant (2018) Helmholtz Young Investigator Group (2016–present) Emmy-Noether Junior Research Group (2016–present) Advising and Grants: Prof. Deng leads research groups funded by the DFG, Helmholtz Association, and EU. Her projects include developing phage-based tools and investigating virome roles in disease prevention. Labs/Teams: Directs the ZIP institute, focusing on translational research in infection prevention and microbiome engineering.
Professor Joanne P. Webster FMedSci is a Visiting Professor at the School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, and holds the Chair in Parasitic Diseases at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC). Her career spans roles as a postdoctoral Fellow, Royal Society Research Fellow, and co-Director of the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative (SCI), which provided 300 million treatments in sub-Saharan Africa. She is Director of the London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR) and previously led RVC's Centre for Emerging, Endemic and Exotic Diseases. Education: Double First-Class BSc Hons (university unspecified), Doctoral research at the University of Oxford on zoonotic disease epidemiology, focusing on Toxoplasma gondii and schistosomiasis. Research interests include global health, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), schistosomiasis control, and One Health approaches integrating human and veterinary medicine. Her work emphasizes disease transmission dynamics, drug resistance, and hybridization between parasite species. She has pioneered large-scale deworming programs and evaluated interventions in Africa and Asia. Awards include the Royal Society Leeuwenhoek Medal (2023), Queen’s Anniversary Prize, and recognition as a top international charity leader. Her research has been highlighted in the UKCDR Case Study for global impact. Grants and advisory roles include leadership in SCI, LCNTDR, and the UKRI GCRF Action Against Stunting Hub. She collaborates across disciplines to address parasitic disease challenges, including vaccine development and gut microbiota studies. Labs/Teams: Director of LCNTDR, former Head of Pathogen Flow in Ecosystems (RVC), and co-leader of schistosomiasis research networks. Her work spans academic institutions and NGOs to implement evidence-based disease control strategies.
Ke Li is an Associate Professor at the University of Georgia, specializing in the resilience of water systems and ecological-evolutionary dynamics. His work focuses on symbiotic relationships between insects and microbes, particularly defensive mechanisms against parasitoids and pathogens. He is affiliated with the School of Environmental, Civil, Agricultural & Mechanical Engineering, and his research combines field studies with lab experiments to understand how symbiotic interactions influence host survival under environmental stressors like climate change. Research Interests: Host-parasitoid coevolutionary dynamics Symbiont-mediated defense mechanisms Climate change impacts on mutualistic systems Metabolic interactions within symbiotic communities Phage roles in symbiont functionality His recent articles highlight innovative approaches integrating metabolomics and transcriptomics to study stress responses, as well as exploring how symbionts modulate host resistance to pathogens and environmental shifts. Despite no listed awards, his prolific publication record reflects significant contributions to understanding symbiotic systems' ecological roles.
Michel Ohmer is an Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of Mississippi, specializing in disease ecology and ecophysiology with a focus on amphibians. His research examines how environmental stressors influence wildlife disease dynamics, particularly involving the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). He investigates the physiological and ecological mechanisms shaping host-pathogen interactions under global change scenarios. Dr. Ohmer holds a Ph.D. from The University of Queensland (2016), an M.S. from Otago University (2011), and a B.S. from Cornell University (2008). Postdoctoral research at the University of Pittsburgh (2016–2020) and Washington University in St. Louis (2020–2021) further shaped his expertise in amphibian conservation and ecoimmunology. His research integrates lab experiments, mesocosms, and field studies to understand disease resilience across life stages. Notable contributions include developing CRISPR-based detection tools (FINDeM) for rapid organism identification and exploring how pond hydrology influences pathogen spread. He teaches courses in physiology, conservation physiology, and infectious disease ecology. Dr. Ohmer's work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to address amphibian declines caused by climate change and emerging pathogens.
Choukri Ben Mamoun is the John F. Enders Professor of Medicine in the Department of Infectious Diseases at Yale School of Medicine, with secondary appointments in Microbial Pathogenesis and Pathology. He is an affiliated faculty member of the Yale Institute for Global Health, contributing to interdisciplinary research on global infectious disease challenges. His research focuses on parasitic diseases, particularly malaria and babesiosis, with an emphasis on drug discovery, antiparasitic agents, and translational approaches to combat infectious diseases. His work spans molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis, host-parasite interactions, and the development of novel therapeutic strategies against protozoan infections. His recent publications highlight a strong trend in targeting apicomplexan parasites through multi-omics approaches, drug repurposing, and combination therapies. Key themes include antigenic switching in Plasmodium falciparum , virulence factor identification in Babesia duncani , and the evaluation of new quinolone-based antiparasitics. His research integrates molecular biology, biochemistry, and preclinical models to advance therapeutic innovation. While no specific scientific awards are listed in the provided text, his high-impact publications in journals such as Cell , Nature Microbiology , and PNAS reflect significant recognition in the field of infectious diseases. As a senior professor and principal investigator, Dr. Ben Mamoun mentors trainees and leads a research team focused on parasitology and drug development. He is actively involved in collaborative research, frequently co-authoring with scientists like Pratap Vydyam and Erol Fikrig. His lab contributes to major Yale initiatives including the Yale Fibrosis Program and the Yale Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS).
Andrew Wang is an Associate Professor of Internal Medicine (Rheumatology) and Immunobiology at Yale School of Medicine. He holds primary and secondary appointments in Rheumatology and Immunobiology, and is affiliated with multiple research centers including the Diabetes Research Center, Human and Translational Immunology Program, Liver Center, Yale Center for Systems and Engineering Immunology (CSEI), and the Yale Center for Research on Aging (Y-Age). He is also a member of the Janeway Society and the Yale Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS). Education: AB in Biochemistry, Harvard University (2004) MD and PhD in Immunobiology, University of Texas Southwestern and University of Paris V (2011) Internal Medicine Residency and ABIM Research Pathway, Yale University School of Medicine/Yale New Haven Hospital (2013) Postdoctoral Fellow, Yale University School of Medicine (2017) Rheumatology Fellowship, Yale University School of Medicine (2017) Dr. Wang’s research focuses on the integration of inflammation, metabolism, and neuroimmunology to understand disease pathogenesis and host defense. His lab investigates how environmental cues interact with the host immune system to shape disease trajectories. Key research themes include inflammatory physiology, energy allocation in immunity, the neuroimmune basis of placebo and nocebo effects, moonlighting functions of the immune system, and the relationship between cell death and inflammation. His work combines mouse models, human samples, and techniques from immunology, metabolism, and behavioral biology. His recent publications highlight a strong trend in understanding the systemic coordination of immune and metabolic responses across different inflammatory states. His research has revealed how fasting affects disease tolerance, how GDF15 mediates tissue tolerance, and how immune sensing can drive behavioral avoidance. These studies reflect a deep integration of immunology with neuroscience and physiology. Scientific Awards: Pew Biomedical Scholar (2020) Blavatnik Fund for Innovation Awardee (2019) Martin Luther King Service Award (2011) Solomon Snyder Scholar (2008) Dr. Wang has been actively involved in mentoring and collaborative research. He has collaborated with prominent scientists including Ruslan Medzhitov, Akiko Iwasaki, and Noah Palm. He serves as a sub-investigator in clinical trials such as the LISTEN Study on Long Covid. His lab is supported by his academic appointments and institutional affiliations, and he continues to advance interdisciplinary research at the intersection of immunology, metabolism, and neuroscience. His lab is located at The Anlyan Center, 300 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, and he maintains clinical practice in rheumatology, seeing patients with complex inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.
Olivia Pares is a Research Fellow at the University of Maryland Center of Environmental Science-IMET, specializing in marine disease ecology and blue crab (Callinectes spp.) biology. Her doctoral research focuses on the interplay between life-history traits, pathogen prevalence (e.g., CsRV1 and Hematodinium sp.), and host range in tropical ecosystems. Supported by NOAA EPP and the Smithsonian Institution, her work integrates field studies and systematic reviews to address conservation challenges in fisheries and coral reef health. Education: B.S. from Universidad del Sagrado Corazón (Puerto Rico), transitioning from analytical chemistry to marine science. Key Projects: NOAA NERTO review on Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease, assessment of Torrecillas Lagoon crab fisheries, and Smithsonian-funded CsRV1 host range studies. Her research bridges disease ecology with fisheries management, emphasizing tropical ecosystems' vulnerability to emerging pathogens. Findings on crab reproductive strategies and pathogen transmission dynamics have been presented at major conferences like the American Fisheries Society and National Shellfisheries Association. Awards: NOAA EPP Doctoral Fellowship (2021), Smithsonian Pre-doctoral Fellowship. Collaborations: Advised by Dr. Eric Schott (IMET) and NOAA’s Helena Antoun, with fieldwork in Puerto Rico and Maryland. Ongoing projects include analyzing CsRV1’s role in blue crab population dynamics and exploring implications for tropical marine resource management. She completed her Ph.D. in May 2025 with a dissertation on disease-ecology linkages in Callinectes spp.
Dr. Austen Ganley is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Auckland's School of Biological Sciences, specializing in Genetics , Genomics , and Molecular Evolution . He earned his BSc, BSc(Hons), and PhD in Genetics from Massey University before conducting postdoctoral research at Duke University, National Institute of National Biology (Japan), and National Institute of Genetics (Japan). Education PhD in Genetics (Massey University, 1995-2000) BSc (Honours) in Genetics (Massey University, 1993-1993) BSc in Genetics (Massey University, 1990-1992) His research focuses on genome structure and the evolution of repetitive DNA sequences , particularly ribosomal DNA (rDNA) dynamics. Through experimental evolution in yeast models and genomic analyses of fungi like Epichloë festucae , he investigates mechanisms such as concerted evolution , gene conversion , and nucleolar organization in relation to cellular aging and pathogenic adaptation. Recent publications highlight his work on non-coding transcription in aging, allopolyploid gene expression patterns, and fungal genome architecture . His studies often employ comparative genomics and high-throughput sequencing to uncover conserved eukaryotic responses to genome merger events. Despite extensive collaborations, no specific scientific awards are mentioned in the provided data. As an accredited PhD supervisor , he contributes to training the next generation of researchers. His laboratory work spans institutions in Japan, Denmark, and New Zealand, with technical expertise in phylogenetic footprinting , Hi-C mapping , and homeolog expression analysis .
Suzana Straus is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of British Columbia, where she leads an active research group focused on biomolecular structure and membrane interactions. Her laboratory is situated within UBC's Chemistry Department, utilizing advanced spectroscopic and biophysical techniques. Her primary research interests center on membrane proteins and antimicrobial peptides , with specific emphasis on understanding their structure-function relationships in native lipid environments. Using solid-state NMR as a primary tool, her work bridges biophysics, microbiology, and medicinal chemistry. Key research areas include: the mechanism of action of cationic antimicrobial peptides (particularly aurein family peptides from Australian frogs), lipopeptide antibiotics like daptomycin, and viral membrane proteins from Human Herpes Viruses 6 and 7 that may contribute to Multiple Sclerosis pathogenesis through molecular mimicry of myelin basic protein. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals strong trends in antimicrobial peptide engineering (particularly conjugation strategies with polymers to enhance stability and reduce toxicity), viral pathogenesis (focusing on HHV-6 U24 protein interactions), and advanced delivery systems for infection control. Her work increasingly incorporates immunomodulatory approaches alongside direct antimicrobial activity. Straus maintains an active laboratory with numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, as evidenced by consistent authorship patterns showing trainees as first authors on significant publications. Her research has important implications for developing new anti-infective agents against drug-resistant pathogens. Her group maintains strong collaborations with pharmaceutical companies (Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Migenix/Biowest Pharma) and interdisciplinary research centers at UBC, focusing on translating basic biophysical insights into therapeutic applications. The laboratory environment emphasizes both fundamental biophysical characterization and applied biomedical outcomes.
Iliyan Iliev is an Associate Professor at the Department of Medicine and the Jill Roberts Institute for Research in IBD, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University. His research focuses on host-microbiota interactions, particularly how gut fungi (mycobiota) influence immunity, neuroimmune processes, and inflammatory diseases like IBD, allergies, and cancers. Current Affiliation: Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University Prior Affiliations: European School of Molecular Medicine, University of Milan, Tohoku University, Meiji Co., Ltd, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Research Interests : The Iliev Laboratory investigates molecular mechanisms by which fungal and bacterial symbionts shape host immunity, neuroimmune communication, and inflammation. Key areas include: Host-fungal coevolution Trans-kingdom (fungal-bacterial) interactions Role of mycobiota in IBD, allergies, and cancers Gut-brain axis modulation by fungi Development of methodologies for mycobiota and fungal genetics Publication Trends : Recent work spans fungal contributions to: IL-17/IL-22 pathways in gut barrier function Tumor-associated fungal species in GI and lung cancers Neuroimmune communication and behavior Strain-specific immunity in IBD Anti-fungal antibody regulation (IgA/IgG) Chitin-binding receptor FIBCD1 in fungal control Scientific Awards : Fellow of CIFAR Fungal Kingdom: Threats and Opportunities Cancer Research Institute Lloyd J. Old STAR Fellow Burroughs Welcome Fund Investigator in Pathogenesis of Infectious Disease Young Investigator Award, Society for Mucosal Immunology K99/R00 NIDDK Career Development Award Labs & Teams : He co-founded the WCM Microbiome Core laboratory and collaborates on translational, experimental, and computational mycobiome analyses. His lab develops CRISPR-Cas9 fungal strain editing systems and bioinformatics pipelines to study host-fungal interactions.
Joao Xavier, PhD, is a Professor in the Computational & Systems Biology Program at the Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). His research integrates computational modeling and experimental biology to investigate cellular interactions in cancer, focusing on microbiome influences on treatment outcomes, metastasis mechanisms, and metabolic regulation of cell behavior. His academic background includes a PhD from Universidade Nova de Lisboa. Research interests center on systems biology approaches to cancer-microbiome interactions, with emphasis on microbial ecology in oncology , metastatic biomarker discovery , and metabolic flux dynamics . The lab employs machine learning, mathematical modeling, and wet-lab validation to decode complex biological behaviors. Recent publications (2022-2025) reveal a dominant focus on clinical microbiome analysis in cancer patients, metastasis prediction via metabolic signatures, and computational tools for microbial community visualization. Key trends include gut microbiota depletion effects on immunity, oral bacterial translocation as clinical markers, and evolutionary dynamics of drug resistance. Scientific recognition includes: Director's New Innovator Award, National Institutes of Health (2011) Biofilm Young Investigator Award, Center for Biofilm Engineering (2010) He mentors graduate students including Qixiu Han and Vishwas Mishra, with notable alumni such as Kerry Boyle and Laura de Vargas Roditi. His NIH-funded research leverages collaborations across MSKCC's computational and clinical divisions, targeting microbiome-based interventions for cancer therapy optimization. The Joao Xavier Lab comprises senior scientists, computational biologists, and technicians working on interdisciplinary projects. Current team members include Lab Manager Sneh Sharma, Senior Research Scientist Ana Djukovic, and Computational Biologist Isaac Stamper, supported by institutional infrastructure from MSKCC's research divisions.
