Konstantinos Kalogeropoulos is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), leading research at the Cell Diversity Lab. His work bridges proteomics, computational biology, and snake venom research. Current projects: "The Proteomic Landscape during Influenza Infection" (2022-2025) Supervisor for PhD projects on protease network rewiring in psoriasis and wound exudate degradomics Research interests include: Proteomic analysis of inflammatory diseases Snake venom toxin structure prediction Extracellular matrix biomechanics De novo peptide sequencing algorithms Computational modeling of protease networks Recent article trends demonstrate his work in • Database-free proteomics (InstaNovo/InstaNexus) • Snake venom pathophysiology (V-ToCs clustering) • Inflammatory disease biomarkers (psoriasis, impaired healing) • Extracellular matrix mechanics (fibronectin tension, gut inflammation) Advising: Supervises PhD students Polhaus, C. J. M. and Haack, A. M., focusing on protease networks and wound healing.
Jeff Schorey is the George B. Craig Jr. Professor and a full Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Notre Dame, where he has been a faculty member since 2004. He currently serves as Director of the Integrated Biomedical Sciences (IBMS) graduate program and previously held leadership roles including Chair of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and Associate Director of the Eck Institute for Global Health. His research focuses on the pathobiology of mycobacterial diseases, particularly Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. avium . His work investigates the molecular interactions between mycobacteria and host macrophages, with a special emphasis on the role of exosomes in immune modulation, diagnostics, and vaccine development. He also explores novel antibiotic development in collaboration with chemists at Notre Dame and global partners. His recent publications reveal a strong trend in extracellular vesicle biology, host-pathogen signaling, and translational applications in TB diagnostics and treatment. The articles span immunology, microbiology, and molecular biology, with recurring themes in exosome function, RNA sensing, and antimicrobial development. George B. Craig Jr. Collegiate Professor Dr. Schorey has advised graduate students and leads an active research lab focused on mycobacterial pathogenesis. His work is supported by collaborations across disciplines and institutions, particularly in drug development and clinical translation. He has contributed significantly to understanding how exosomes can serve as both biomarkers and therapeutic tools. His lab employs cellular immunology, animal models, and clinical sample analysis to study mycobacterial infections. He leads the IBMS program, shaping graduate education in biomedical sciences at Notre Dame.
Dr. Karen Anderson is a Professor at Arizona State University (ASU), affiliated with the School of Life Sciences, the Biodesign Center for Personalized Diagnostics, and the College of Health Solutions. Her research focuses on tumor biology and immune system interactions in cancer, particularly developing biomarkers for early detection of cancers like breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and HPV-related cancers. She employs molecular techniques such as protein arrays, next-gen sequencing, and functional genomics to identify therapeutic targets and vaccine candidates. Education: Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology (Duke University), M.D. from Duke University School of Medicine, and B.A. in Chemistry (University of Virginia). Research interests include cancer immunotherapy, autoantibody profiling, and translational applications of proteomics. Key achievements include pioneering autoantibody-based biomarker assays and investigating HPV serology in head and neck cancers. Awards include the Health Care Heroes Award and recognition as one of Arizona's Most Influential Women. Teaching responsibilities include courses on research techniques and honors thesis supervision. Grants span biomarker validation, cancer genomics, and point-of-care diagnostics. Active in professional service, including roles in grant review panels and public health initiatives.
Peter A. Jones is President and Chief Scientific Officer at the Van Andel Institute (VAI) in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he leads the Department of Epigenetics. He previously served as Director of the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center from 1993 to 2011 and has been a central figure in advancing epigenetics research, particularly in cancer. His laboratory investigates DNA methylation, chromatin dynamics, and epigenetic therapies. Research Interests: Dr. Jones's work centers on epigenetic mechanisms in cancer, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, nucleosome positioning, and the therapeutic potential of epigenetic drugs. His research has pioneered the use of DNA methylation inhibitors like 5-azacytidine and explored viral mimicry as a mechanism for immune activation in cancer. He also studies transposable elements and their role in gene regulation and immune response. Publication Trends: His recent publications (2021–2024) reveal a strong focus on the interplay between epigenetics and immunotherapy, particularly how DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi) induce viral mimicry, enhance immune recognition, and improve responses to checkpoint blockade. Studies span hematological malignancies, solid tumors, and T cell biology, with frequent collaboration with Stephen Baylin and others. Scientific Awards: Member, National Academy of Sciences Member, National Academy of Medicine Fellow, AACR Academy Fellow, AAAS Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences Kirk A. Landon Award for Basic Cancer Research (2009) Medal of Honor, American Cancer Society (2011) Outstanding Investigator Grant, NCI Harvey Prize (2024) Advising and Grants: Dr. Jones mentors multiple postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and research scientists. His lab is supported by major grants, including the VAI-SU2C Epigenetics Dream Team, which has launched 15 clinical trials. He has received sustained funding from the National Cancer Institute and collaborates with institutions worldwide to advance epigenetic therapies. Labs and Teams: He leads the Peter Jones Laboratory at VAI, a multidisciplinary team investigating epigenetic regulation in cancer. The lab includes computational biologists, clinical researchers, and molecular biologists, working on both basic mechanisms and translational applications. The team is part of larger collaborative initiatives such as the VAI-SU2C Epigenetics Dream Team and the International Linked Clinical Trials Program.
Dr. Rong Fan is the Harold Hodgkinson Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Professor of Pathology at Yale University. His research focuses on developing and applying single-cell and spatial omics technologies to study immune systems, cancer, and aging. His lab has pioneered technologies like the IsoCode microchip for high-throughput protein profiling, and spatial multi-omics platforms (e.g., DBiT-seq, spatial-ATAC-seq) to analyze tissue complexity at cellular resolution. He co-founded IsoPlexis, Singleron Biotechnologies, and AtlasXomics to commercialize these innovations. Education: PhD in Chemistry from UC Berkeley (2006), B.S. in Applied Chemistry from University of Science and Technology of China (1999). Postdoctoral training at Caltech before joining Yale in 2010. Research interests include CAR-T cell therapy optimization, spatial epigenomics, and multi-omics integration. Key achievements include discovering biomarkers predictive of CAR-T efficacy and defining spatial genomic landscapes in cancer and neuroinflammation. Awards: NSF CAREER Award, Packard Fellowship, election to AIMBE, CASE, and NAI. Serves on advisory boards for Bio-Techne and Yale Ventures. Active in training future scientists via the Yale Biomedical Engineering and Yale School of Medicine programs.
Vitaly Kheyfets, PhD, serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics-Critical Care Medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus School of Medicine, where he directs research at the intersection of pediatric critical care and cardiopulmonary pathophysiology with emphasis on pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). His primary research focuses on right ventricular adaptation to pulmonary hypertension, utilizing machine learning-driven multi-omics analysis to identify disease biomarkers and molecular networks. He pioneers computational fluid dynamics approaches for hemodynamic modeling in congenital heart conditions like Glenn physiology, while also investigating sleep oscillatory patterns as neurodegenerative biomarkers. His methodology integrates proteomics, spatial transcriptomics, and pressure waveform analysis to dissect vascular remodeling mechanisms. Publication trends reveal a strong emphasis on translating computational models into clinical applications for PAH prognostication, with recent work developing AI-cooperative diagnostic platforms and characterizing microvascular changes in the right ventricle. Cross-disciplinary collaborations span proteomics, imaging, and sleep neuroscience, demonstrating consistent innovation in both pulmonary hypertension and neurodegenerative disease biomarker discovery.
Simone D. Castellarin is a Professor in the Department of Applied Biology at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Land and Food Systems, and holds the Canada Research Chair Tier 2 in Viticulture. His research focuses on the molecular and physiological mechanisms governing berry ripening and composition in grapes, blueberries, and raspberries, with emphasis on genomic regulation under environmental stressors like heatwaves and drought. PhD in Plant Biology from the University of Udine (2007) Postdoctoral training at Hochschule Geisenheim University and University of California Davis Research areas include terpene biosynthesis, jasmonate signaling, cuticular wax dynamics, and agronomic strategies for climate change mitigation. Key projects involve remote sensing for vineyard zoning , hormone application effects , and genetic studies of berry quality traits . His work spans collaborations with industry bodies like the BC Wine and Grape Council and academic partners including the Cantu Lab at UC Davis. Recent publications highlight genomic analyses of terpene synthases, water deficit impacts on metabolites, and postharvest quality assessments. Awards include the 2009 Rudolf Hermanns Prize for viticultural research. He supervises numerous PhD and Master's students, and leads the Castellarin Lab at UBC's Wine Research Centre.
Dr. Angelika Rambold is a Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics in Freiburg, Germany, heading the Laboratory for Metabolic Organelle Networks in Immunology within the Department of Developmental Immunology. Previously affiliated with the University of Münster's Center for Molecular Biology of Inflammation (ZMBE) and Institute of Medical Biochemistry until January 2025, she investigates how intracellular organelle networks regulate immune cell function during inflammation, infection, and metabolic stress. Her research centers on dynamic interactions between mitochondria, lysosomes, lipid droplets, and autophagosomes during cellular adaptation to nutrient deprivation and pathogen challenge. Key interests include organelle communication mechanisms in immune cell activation, metabolic reprogramming in T cells and macrophages, and how defects in organelle networks drive primary immunodeficiencies like Chediak-Higashi syndrome. She employs advanced live-cell microscopy, super-resolution imaging, metabolomics, and single-cell transcriptomics to dissect these processes in primary immune cells and human disease models. Analysis of her publication record reveals consistent focus on mitochondrial dynamics as a central regulator of immune cell metabolism and fate determination. Landmark studies demonstrate TFEB-mediated itaconate synthesis for bacterial control in macrophages and coordinated organelle network responses during starvation, establishing critical links between organelle communication, immunometabolism, and disease pathogenesis across multiple immune cell types. Dr. Rambold serves as a supervisor in the Cells in Motion International Max Planck Research School (CiM-IMPRS) Graduate Programme, mentoring PhD students in interdisciplinary research. Her laboratory maintains active collaboration with the Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency (CCI) at the University of Freiburg to translate basic findings on organelle-mediated immune defects into clinical insights for patient-oriented research.
Caetano Reis e Sousa is a Professor of Immunology at Imperial College London and Senior Group Leader/Assistant Research Director at the Francis Crick Institute. He leads the Immunobiology Laboratory, focusing on dendritic cell biology, immune responses to pathogens, and cancer immunotherapy. His research explores how dendritic cells detect pathogens and dying cells, triggering adaptive immunity. Key roles include investigating cross-presentation mechanisms, C-type lectin receptors (e.g., DNGR-1), and vaccine development strategies. Education: BSc (Hons) Biology from Imperial College London (1989), DPhil in Immunology from University of Oxford (1992). Postdoctoral training at NIH under Ron Germain. Career milestones include founding the Immunobiology Lab at CRUK London Research Institute (1998–2015) before joining the Crick. Awards & Recognition: Highly Cited Researcher (Thomson Reuters), BD Biosciences Prize (2002), Liliane Bettencourt Award (2008), Louis-Jeantet Prize (2017), Fellowships at Royal Society (2019), Academy of Medical Sciences (2006), and EMBO (2006). Named Officer of the Order of Sant'Iago da Espada (Portugal, 2009). Research Themes: Dendritic cell activation pathways, cross-presentation of tumor antigens, microbiome-cancer immunity links, and immune evasion mechanisms. Collaborations involve institutions like UCL, King's College London, and global health networks. Labs/Teams: Head of Immunobiology Lab at Crick, with expertise in immunology, cell biology, and virology. Facilities include Flow Cytometry, Genomics, and Light Microscopy cores. Active in pandemic response (e.g., SARS-CoV-2 testing initiatives).
Donald Rio holds the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Distinguished Chair in the Biological Sciences and is a Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology. He is affiliated with the Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Center for Integrative Genetics. His lab focuses on nucleic acid transactions, including transposable element mobilization (P elements) and RNA binding protein mechanisms controlling alternative splicing. Research highlights include studies on THAP9 proteins in humans/zebrafish, cryo-EM structural analysis of transposase-DNA complexes, and splicing regulation in neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and Parkinson’s. His work combines biochemical, genetic, and computational approaches, including the development of the Junction Usage Model (JUM) for splicing analysis. Research interests span transposition mechanisms linked to HIV integration, immune system recombination, and evolutionary genome dynamics. His team investigates how RNA binding proteins like hnRNPA1 influence splicing in disease contexts, with projects involving CRISPR-based models and patient RNA-seq data analysis. Collaborations include studies on splicing accuracy across tissues and age, and the impact of splicing defects in neurodegenerative disorders. Key awards include the Goldman Chair. His lab’s contributions bridge fundamental molecular mechanisms with translational applications in genetic disease modeling and drug discovery. Recent work focuses on isogenic stem cell models (iSCORE-PD) for Parkinson’s research and structural biology insights into transposase function. Grants and projects involve NIH funding for ALS splicing studies and collaborations with institutions like the Buck Institute. His lab actively publishes in top journals such as Genome Research , PNAS , and Nature , with a strong emphasis on cryo-EM and bioinformatic methods.
Christopher Buckley is the Kennedy Professor of Translational Rheumatology and Director of Clinical Research at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford. He holds concurrent roles as Director of NIHR Infrastructure for Birmingham Health Partners. His research focuses on fibroblast biology in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), stromal cell interactions, and translational medicine approaches to stratified therapy. He leads the Arthritis Therapy Acceleration Programme (A-TAP), advancing precision medicine strategies for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Educations: BSc Biochemistry, University of Oxford (1985) MBBS Medicine, Royal Free Hospital, London (1990) DPhil in Molecular Medicine (Wellcome Trust Fellowship) under Prof. John Bell (Oxford) Research Interests: Pathogenic fibroblast subpopulations in RA and systemic sclerosis Tissue-resident memory T cells in chronic inflammation Spatial transcriptomics of synovial and tendon tissues Pro-resolving fibroblast networks during inflammation resolution Development of biomarkers for disease flare/remission Awards & Leadership: MRC Senior Clinical Fellowship (2001) Arthritis Research UK Professorship (2002) Director, Birmingham NIHR Clinical Research Facility (2012-2017) Key Projects: Leading A-TAP's stratified pathology approach for drug development Investigating Wnt signaling in stromal inflammation Developing cellular atlases of joints using spatial transcriptomics
Jennifer Lewis is the Hansjorg Wyss Professor of Biologically Inspired Engineering and Jianming Yu Professor of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University's Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). Her research focuses on bioengineering, materials science, and advanced manufacturing, with emphasis on 3D-printed functional materials, organoids, and soft robotics. She leads the Lewis Research Group, which develops biomimetic technologies for regenerative medicine, energy systems, and robotics. Lewis holds appointments in SEAS, the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, and the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering. Her research areas include applied mathematics, fluid mechanics, soft matter physics, and bioengineering applications such as kidney organoid models, vascularized tissues, and programmable materials. Notable innovations include kidney organoid-on-chip systems for drug testing, 3D-printed liquid crystal elastomers, and bioprinted cardiac tissues. Lewis was awarded the 2025 James Prize in Science and Technology Integration for pioneering interdisciplinary research. Her lab's projects span organ building blocks, immune-response modeling in transplanted tissues, and acoustophoretic printing techniques for high-resolution bioprinting. Collaborations include the NIH Somatic Cell Genome Editing Program and industry partnerships for bioprosthetic valve research. She advises on grants totaling over $20M and mentors a multidisciplinary team of postdocs and graduate students in materials science, biomedical engineering, and mechanical engineering. Lewis' lab facilities include the Pierce Hall lab (Cambridge) and Allston SEAS campus, with state-of-the-art 3D printing systems, microfluidics platforms, and bioreactors for organoid culture. Current projects aim to engineer functional human tissues for therapeutic applications and develop smart materials with programmable mechanical/chemical responses.
Meng Li is the Noah Harding Associate Professor of Statistics at Rice University's School of Engineering. He specializes in Bayesian analysis, machine learning, and statistical theory. His research bridges methodological development and applications in biomedical sciences, materials informatics, and neuroimaging. Li holds a Ph.D. from North Carolina State University and a B.S. from Sun Yat-sen University. He has been recognized with awards including the 2020 Rice Engineering Excellence Award and the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award. Li's research focuses on probabilistic modeling of complex data such as images, functional data, and networks. His funded projects include AI frameworks for pancreatic cancer biomarkers and Bayesian spatiotemporal modeling of marine ecosystems. He collaborates with institutions like Houston Methodist and Baylor College of Medicine on medical applications. His teaching includes advanced courses like Bayesian Statistics and Advanced Bayesian Inference. He advises over 30 students, many of whom have pursued academic and industry roles. Li serves as an associate editor for Bayesian Analysis and the new ACM Transactions on Probabilistic Machine Learning.
Montserrat Anguera, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine. Her research focuses on epigenetic mechanisms of gene regulation underlying sex differences in development and disease, with particular emphasis on X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) and its implications for female-biased autoimmune disorders. Dr. Anguera investigates how gene expression from the X-chromosome is regulated to ensure dosage compensation between males and females, and how these mechanisms become altered in diseases exhibiting sex-bias. Her laboratory has established novel epigenetic pathways involving the X-chromosome that impact human development, immune responses, and lymphocyte function. She employs advanced techniques including RNA/DNA fluorescence in situ hybridization, immunofluorescence, and allele-specific RNA sequencing to achieve single-cell resolution of epigenetic characteristics of the inactive X chromosome. Her research reveals a consistent focus on the intersection of X-chromosome biology and immunology, particularly regarding sex-biased autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus. Key findings include the discovery that lymphocytes maintain X-chromosome inactivation differently than other somatic cells, with the inactive X exhibiting euchromatic features in female lymphocytes that may underlie female bias in autoimmune disorders. She coined the term 'dynamic XCI maintenance' to describe how T and B cells relocalize Xist RNA and heterochromatic marks to the inactive X chromosome following antigen-mediated stimulation. Dr. Anguera's laboratory includes postdocs Katherine Forsyth and Nikhil Jiwrajka, research specialist Zowie Searcy, graduate students Isabel Sierra and Natalie Toothacre, postdoctoral researcher Nuriban Valero-Pacheco, and PhD student Emma Welter. Together, they investigate epigenetic regulation of X-linked genes in development and disease contexts. She is an active member of multiple prestigious research institutes at Penn, including the Epigenetics Institute, Institute for Immunology, Center for Research on Reproduction & Women's Health, and Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Her work bridges epigenetics, immunology, and developmental biology, providing novel insights into mechanisms underlying female-biased autoimmune disorders.
Steven A. Corcelli is a Professor and Interim Dean of the College of Science at the University of Notre Dame, with a research focus on Theoretical Chemistry and Molecular Dynamics Simulations . His work bridges Physical Chemistry and Biochemistry , targeting Energy Applications and Biomolecular Binding Mechanisms . He leads the Computational Molecular Science & Engineering Laboratory (CoMSEL). Ph.D., Chemistry, Yale University (2001) Sc.B., Chemistry, Brown University (1997) Research interests span ionic liquids for Carbon Capture , aqueous electrolytes in battery technologies , and molecular binding processes in immunology and DNA interactions . His group employs GPU-accelerated simulations and weighted ensemble methods to uncover structural and dynamic motifs. Recent publications highlight trends in vibrational spectroscopy , TCR-MHC binding , and CO2 solvation mechanisms . Awards include the Thomas P. Madden Award (2020) , ACS Fellowship (2016) , and NSF CAREER Award (2009) . Staff: Erin Brossard (Ph.D.), Nell Karpinski, Shuang Wu, Noah Vasconez, Kaitlyn Handy, Isabel Thompson
