Professor Mick Rae is a leading academic at Edinburgh Napier University's School of Applied Sciences , specializing in reproductive biology and developmental programming. His research explores how prenatal environments influence lifelong health outcomes, particularly in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and metabolic dysfunction. Education : 1991: BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences, Napier Polytechnic 1995: PhD in Reproductive Sciences, University of Edinburgh Research Interests focus on: PCOS pathophysiology Prenatal steroid programming Ovarian function and cancer Intergenerational metabolic health Developmental endocrinology Recent Publications demonstrate expertise in ovine PCOS models, hepatic dysfunction, hormonal regulation, and nanomaterial toxicity assessment. His work bridges reproductive biology with systemic health impacts. Scientific Awards : Honorary Fellow, Deanery of Clinical Sciences, University of Edinburgh Advisory Roles include PhD and Master’s supervision across topics like Crohn's disease, talent development in Nigeria, and GABA receptor modulation. Current grants include MRC-funded projects on developmental steroid insults and SRF awards for microbiome/PCOS research.
Hannah Marchi is a researcher at the Department of Empirical Methods within the Faculty of Economics at the University of Bielefeld . Contact: hannah.busen@helmholtz-muenchen.de . Research Interests: Data science applications in economics and medicine Scientific collaboration network analysis Clinical decision support systems Proteomics and respiratory disease MRI-based disease scoring systems Publication Trends: Her work bridges data science with medical research , focusing on antibiotic stewardship , lung disease modeling , and interdisciplinary collaboration using statistical and machine learning approaches. Key Collaborations: Active in hematology (MPN studies), neonatology (UNSEAL BPD scoring), and rheumatology (referral optimization).
Dr. Velpandi Ayyavoo is a Professor and Vice Chair for Education at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, where she also serves as the Graduate Programs Director for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology. With over three decades of expertise in HIV-1 virology, her research focuses on understanding HIV neuropathogenesis and developing innovative models to study viral mechanisms in the central nervous system. Her educational background includes a PhD from Madurai Kamaraj University in India (1991), followed by postdoctoral training at The Wistar Institute (1991-1993) and a research associate position at The University of Pennsylvania (1994-1998). She teaches courses including Molecular Biology of Microbial Pathogens, Laboratory Methods, Seminar Series & Journal Club, Pathogen Biology, and Functional Genomics. Dr. Ayyavoo's research centers on HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND), where she pioneered the development of brain organoid models with microglia to study HIV neuropathogenesis. Her laboratory was the first to develop brain organoids with microglia, providing groundbreaking platforms for investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms of HIV in the central nervous system. She also investigates HIV latency in CNS reservoirs and potential therapeutic targets to activate the virus, addressing the critical challenge of viral persistence despite antiretroviral therapy. Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on advancing 3D brain organoid technology to model HIV neuropathogenesis, with increasing emphasis on immunocompetent models containing HIV-infected microglia. Her work bridges virology, neuroscience, and tissue engineering, creating innovative platforms that overcome previous limitations in studying the complex neural-glial interactions affected by HIV. Dr. Ayyavoo has made significant contributions to understanding HIV-1's impact on the central nervous system, particularly in how the virus causes neuroinflammation, dysregulates neurogranin, and induces synaptodendritic injury. Her research has evolved from studying viral proteins like Vpr to developing sophisticated organoid models that better represent human brain complexity. She actively mentors graduate students through the Infectious Diseases and Microbiology program and collaborates with researchers across disciplines to address the persistent challenges of HIV persistence in sanctuary sites like the brain. Her laboratory work has direct implications for developing therapeutic strategies to eliminate viral reservoirs and prevent neurocognitive complications in people living with HIV.
Elsje Pienaar is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Purdue University's West Lafayette campus. She actively participates in the First-Year Engineering Committee and maintains a research focus on computational modeling of biological systems, particularly in infectious diseases and cellular signaling mechanisms. Her work spans tuberculosis immunology, Alzheimer's disease microglial dynamics, calcium signaling pathways, and educational pedagogy innovations in engineering training. Key affiliations: Purdue University College of Engineering Research areas: Multi-scale biological modeling, host-pathogen interactions, calcium signaling mechanisms Contact: epienaar@purdue.edu Recent publications (2025-2023) demonstrate interdisciplinary expertise in: Tuberculosis granuloma dynamics using agent-based models Calcium signaling feedback in mechanobiology Educational interventions for computational skill development Alzheimer's disease microglial response mapping Ebola viral assembly inhibition strategies
Dr. Francisca Velkers is an Associate Professor in the Farm Animal Health department at Utrecht University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Her work focuses on poultry health and infectious disease epidemiology, with particular expertise in gut health, microbiome research, antimicrobial resistance, and avian influenza transmission dynamics. Dr. Velkers holds a Senior Qualification Research (2023), a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences with specialization in Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics (2006), and is a diplomate of the European College of Poultry Veterinary Science since 2012. She also obtained her Basic Education Qualification in 2013. Her research primarily centers on poultry gut health—including the microbiome, antimicrobial resistance, and biosecurity—as well as the introduction and transmission of infectious diseases within and between poultry farms, with a particular emphasis on avian influenza. She investigates transmission pathways of pathogens like Eimeria, Salmonella, and avian influenza viruses, examining how environmental factors, farm management practices, and host characteristics influence disease spread. Dr. Velkers frequently employs multidisciplinary approaches, integrating field epidemiology with laboratory-based microbiome analysis and mathematical modeling. Analysis of her recent publications reveals strong focus on avian influenza transmission dynamics, antimicrobial resistance in poultry production systems, gut microbiome development in broilers, and novel methods for disease detection and prevention. Her work spans from fundamental microbiome research to applied surveillance studies with direct implications for farm biosecurity and disease control. Senior Qualification Research (2023) European poultry specialist diplomate (2012) Basic Education Qualification (2013) Dr. Velkers actively mentors PhD students and collaborates with partner institutes both within the Netherlands and internationally on multidisciplinary projects. Her research has been supported by various grants focused on poultry health, infectious disease transmission, and antimicrobial resistance. She is particularly engaged in projects examining the interface between wildlife and poultry production systems, especially regarding avian influenza transmission pathways. Her work contributes significantly to understanding and mitigating disease risks in poultry production through improved biosecurity measures, surveillance strategies, and evidence-based interventions that balance animal health, welfare, and food safety considerations.
Rafiad Islam is an Associate Research Scientist in the Department of Neurology at Yale School of Medicine, specializing in behavioral neuroscience and developmental neurobiology with a current focus on the immunology of Parkinson's disease. His research integrates neuroimmunology, cognitive neuroscience, and developmental psychology to understand how early life experiences shape brain development and function. Dr. Islam earned his PhD in Neuroscience from Shimane University in 2020, following an MSc (2011) and BSc (2009) in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Dhaka. His research interests span autoimmune diseases, behavior mechanisms, memory processes, neurology, Parkinson's disease, and developmental psychology, with notable expertise in rodent neurosurgery and behavioral paradigms. His recent publications (2020-2024) demonstrate a strong thematic focus on early life adversity and its sex-specific impacts on neural development. Through collaborations with the Kaffman Lab and other Yale researchers, his work examines how early stress affects synaptic pruning, hippocampal connectivity, and cognitive function, with particular attention to microglial function and white matter integrity. His research also extends to neuropharmacology, investigating how natural compounds like theobromine, thymoquinone, and plant extracts can enhance cognitive function and memory. Dr. Islam's work bridges basic neuroscience with potential clinical applications for neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative conditions. His research has been published in high-impact journals including Brain, Behavior, and Immunity; Biology of Sex Differences; and Frontiers in Neuroscience, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of his contributions to understanding brain development and function. As a researcher with strong leadership and innovative thinking skills, Dr. Islam has established a productive trajectory in neuroscience research, combining molecular, cellular, and behavioral approaches to address fundamental questions about brain development, plasticity, and disease mechanisms.
Tatevik Hovhannes Sargsyan , born in 1984, is Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the Institute of Pharmacy, Yerevan State University (YSU), Armenia. Since 2022 she has also served as senior researcher at the "ArmBiotechnology" State Agricultural Research Center of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia. Her career progression began as junior researcher (2006-2012), moved to researcher (2012-2015), assistant at YSU (2015-2022) and culminated in her present associate professorship. Education: 2001-2006: Yerevan State University, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Chemistry – Certified Specialist 2012: National Academy of Sciences, "ArmBiotechnology" – Candidate of Sciences (Chemical Sciences) 2022: Yerevan State University – Rank of Associate Professor (Pharmaceutical Sciences) Research interests cluster around peptide and peptidomimetic chemistry , non-protein amino-acid synthesis , antifungal and antimicrobial agents , neuroprotective natural products and analytical method development . Her laboratory employs modern organic synthesis, HPLC-based analytics and in-vitro biological screening to design short bioactive peptides and unnatural amino-acid derivatives with therapeutic potential against microbial infections, oxidative stress and neurodegeneration. Across the 15 most recent publications (2022-2025) a clear trend emerges: hybrid molecules combining triazole, thiazole or phosphorus scaffolds with short peptides are systematically synthesized and evaluated for antifungal, antimicrobial and anticholinesterase activity. Parallel work explores natural matrices—clove, Leonurus cardiaca, amaranth and grape seed—for antioxidant or prebiotic applications, bridging synthetic and natural-product chemistry. Scientific honours and memberships: Member, Armenian Association of Biotechnologists NGO (since 2014) Member, Scientific Council of the Institute of Pharmacy, YSU (since 2020) Participant, Dutch Peptide Symposium, Netherlands (June 2017) While no doctoral students are explicitly named, she has acted as scientific supervisor for research on di- and tripeptide synthesis under Profs. Ashot Saghyan and Yuri Danghyan. Current funding sources and active grants are not detailed in the supplied material. Laboratory & teams: she heads a synthetic and analytical chemistry group within the Institute of Pharmacy, YSU, and collaborates closely with the ArmBiotechnology research collective on peptide-based antifungal projects.
Biju Bhargavan, PhD , is an Instructor in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), affiliated with the College of Medicine. His research focuses on molecular mechanisms of HIV-1-induced blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and epigenetic regulation in neuroAIDS pathogenesis. PhD in Pharmacology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India (2009) Research Interests: Dr. Bhargavan investigates how HIV-1 subtypes differentially affect BBB integrity through viral proteins, adhesion molecules, cytokines, and chemokine receptors. His work explores TLR signaling, epigenetic modifications (e.g., DNA methylation, histone acetylation), and nanomedicine-based drug delivery systems for CNS targeting. Scientific Contributions: He holds multiple international patents for pharmaceutical compositions targeting bone disorders using Butea isoflavones. His publications reveal key insights into: HIV-1 Tat protein interactions with TLR4/6 in neuroinflammation Epigenetic regulation of LEDGF in aging and oxidative stress TLR3-mediated IL-6 expression via JNK/TAK1 pathways SARS-CoV-2 spike protein effects on endothelial injury and coagulation Methodologies: Utilizes in vitro BBB models, humanized mice, and molecular signaling analyses to study viral neuropathogenesis and develop antiretroviral nanotherapeutics.
Prof. Dr. Sven Rottenberg is a Group Leader at the Institute of Animal Pathology within the University of Bern , and a member of the Neglected Diseases Cluster at the Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases (MCID) . His research spans oncology and infectious diseases, focusing on DNA damage response mechanisms, PARP inhibitor resistance, and comparative oncology using canine/feline models. Specializes in spatial transcriptomics and CRISPR/Cas9 functional genomics Develops AI-driven tools for digital pathology and drug safety assessment Investigates tumor microenvironment dynamics and metabolic vulnerabilities Research Trends : His recent work emphasizes Spatial omics technologies for tumor heterogeneity mapping Host-pathogen interactions in malaria and hemoparasites Artificial intelligence applications in veterinary and human oncology Genetic dropout screens for chemotherapy optimization Replication fork stability in BRCA-deficient cancers Canine tumor organoid biobanking
Prof. Dr. Gertraud Schüpbach serves as Professor and Head of the Veterinary Public Health Institute (VPHI) at the Department of Clinical Research and Veterinary Public Health within the Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland. Her leadership spans two operational sites: Schwarzenburgstrasse 161 in Liebefeld and Hallerstrasse 6 in Bern, with oversight of the Animal Welfare Department since its integration into VPHI in 2011. Veterinary Public Health constitutes her core research domain, focusing on disease monitoring, control, and prevention systems for zoonotic pathogens, animal welfare optimization, and food safety protocols. Her work bridges clinical veterinary practice with public health policy, particularly addressing antimicrobial resistance dynamics, infectious disease epidemiology in livestock, and welfare assessment methodologies across dairy, swine, and equine populations. The institute under her direction actively develops surveillance frameworks like the veterinary antibiotic prescription system (IS ABV) and implements risk-based approaches for farm inspections. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals dominant research trajectories in applying machine learning to livestock classification and welfare assessment, economic modeling of disease impacts (e.g., paratuberculosis in dairy herds), and physiological investigations of reproductive health in free-farrowing swine systems. Key methodological innovations include sensor-based environmental monitoring in calf housing, phytotherapeutic interventions for uterine involution, and biomarker validation for sepsis diagnosis in companion animals. Her work consistently leverages Swiss national datasets to generate farm-level solutions for European agricultural contexts. Scientific Recognition: No specific awards documented in source materials Prof. Schüpbach drives multiple continuing education initiatives including the CAS One Health program, annual MCID conferences, and specialized webinars on vaccine production and antimicrobial stewardship. Her operational framework integrates teaching, research support, and policy consultation with Swiss federal agencies, particularly through the Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases. The Veterinary Public Health Institute maintains active research teams focused on antimicrobial resistance surveillance, zoonotic pathogen detection, and welfare indicator validation. Current projects include the Smart Animal Health initiative for livestock welfare assessment, PharmaVax Ghana for vaccine production capacity building, and neutering campaign evaluations for feral cat population control in Switzerland.
Sandeep Silawal is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology , Paracelsus Medical University, with active roles in Nuremberg and Salzburg. His work focuses on the role of complement proteins in diseases such as osteoarthritis, SARS-CoV-2 infection, and developmental anomalies. Active projects since 2023, 2020, and 2017 explore complement regulation in lung/heart tissue during viral infections, osteoarthritis pathogenesis, and muscle/vascular anatomical variations. He supervises student research on topics like complement interactions in synovial fibroblasts and osteoarthritis signaling pathways. Research Interests Sandeep investigates the complement system's role in inflammatory and degenerative diseases, with recent studies on: SARS-CoV-2 : Complement regulation in infected lungs and synovial fibroblasts. Osteoarthritis : Interactions between complement proteins (C5/C5a), cathepsin D, and prolactin in chondrocytes. Anatomical Variations : Muscle anomalies (e.g., cleidocervical muscle) and vascular malformations. Email sandeep.silawal@pmu.ac.at
Ewa Klara Stürmer, MD, Professor heads the Wound Research Group within the Clinic and Polyclinic for Vascular Medicine at University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE). She is an internationally recognised expert in chronic wound care, biofilm infections, and translational physical therapies such as cold plasma and laser. Research Interests Chronic wound pathophysiology and biofilm-based infections Antimicrobial stewardship and novel antiseptic strategies Cold atmospheric plasma and light-based physical therapies Biomarkers for personalised wound diagnostics Patient empowerment and self-management in long-term wound care Across 75 peer-reviewed works (2020-2025), her publications reveal a clear trajectory from bench-to-bedside: development of sophisticated human biofilm models (hpBIOM), validation of cold-plasma devices, multicentre consensus guidelines on surgical-wound dehiscence, and qualitative studies on patient empowerment. Review articles frequently distil global evidence for clinicians, while original mechanistic studies elucidate how electromagnetic fields, light, and plasma modulate bacterial survival and skin-cell regeneration. Scientific leadership & grants Principal investigator of multiple federally funded wound-healing consortia Coordinator of international consensus initiatives (e.g., SWD, wound antiseptics) Head of translational research laboratory equipped with core-facility support (UKE Core Facilities) Her team collaborates closely with immunologists, bioengineers and nursing scientists across UKE’s Neuro-Immun-Network, C3i Infection cluster, and UCCH Oncology platforms.
Professor Aline Bozec leads the Osteoimmunology research group at the Department of Medicine 3 Research. Her work focuses on cellular and molecular mechanisms linking immune dysfunction to bone pathologies in rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and cancer metastasis, utilizing advanced in vitro and in vivo models. Current projects investigate HIF-1α's role in B cell metabolism and intestinal barrier integrity Explore estrogen's dual impact on immune regulation and bone loss Characterize eosinophil subtypes for arthritis resolution Key research themes include: Transcriptional regulation by AP-1 and HIFs in immune cells CLR-dependent myeloid cell activation Hypoxia-driven metabolic reprogramming Scientific contributions span 15 publications (2022-2024) with cross-disciplinary impact on immunology, rheumatology, and oncology. Major grants include: ERC Consolidator Grant (2021-2026) DFG Collaborative Research Center TRR 369 DIONE (2024-2027) DFG Research Group GRK 2740 (2022-2027) Her team of 15+ trainees includes scientific/medical doctoral candidates, master students, and postdoctoral researchers working on: Cell death signaling in osteocytes Metabolic regulation of plasmacyte function Microbiome-bone axis
Dominic Meek is an Honorary Professor at the School of Molecular Biosciences, focusing on biomaterials, nanotechnology, and orthopedic research. His work explores how nanoscale surface modifications influence cell behavior, particularly in bone regeneration, stem cell differentiation, and implant biocompatibility. Research Interests: Cell-biomaterial interactions, osteogenesis, nanotopography, and inflammation in orthopedic implants. Key Collaborations: Works with Matthew Dalby, Carol-Anne Smith, and Nikolaj Gadegaard on nanoscale orthopedic solutions. Publication Trends: Recent articles (2024-2022) address titanium surface engineering for bone induction, hematopoietic stem cell niches, and cobalt toxicity. Earlier works focus on stem cell self-renewal, biofilm prevention, and implant-related inflammation.
Professor Christoph Klein is Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, leading a research group focused on monogenic immunodeficiencies, gene therapy, and inflammatory bowel disease. His work bridges clinical pediatrics with cutting-edge molecular research, particularly in severe congenital neutropenia and very early onset inflammatory bowel disease (VEO-IBD). The Klein Lab operates within the Gene Center at LMU Munich, maintaining strong international collaborations. His educational background spans multiple continents and disciplines: MD from LMU Munich (1991), PhD in Immunology from University Paris VI (2000), clinical training at Harvard Medical School (1995-2000), and philosophical studies at Munich and Harvard. His dual expertise in medicine and philosophy informs his holistic approach to rare pediatric diseases. Professor Klein's research primarily investigates monogenic disorders of the immune system, with particular emphasis on severe congenital neutropenia (SCN), inflammatory bowel disease in children, and primary immunodeficiency disorders. His team has established innovative models using induced pluripotent stem cells combined with CRISPR/Cas9 technology to study neutrophil differentiation and function. The lab's work on IL-10 receptor deficiencies has led to novel therapeutic approaches for VEO-IBD patients through hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Analysis of Professor Klein's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on identifying genetic causes of rare pediatric immune disorders, particularly through whole genome sequencing approaches. His work bridges basic science with clinical applications, with significant contributions to understanding neutrophil biology, inflammatory bowel disease mechanisms, and gene therapy safety. The research demonstrates increasing sophistication in using stem cell models, proteomics, and systems biology to understand rare disease mechanisms. Khwarizmi International Award, Islamic Republic Iran (2016) Cusanus-Prize (2015) Member, American Society of Clinical Investigation (2014) Gottfried-Wilhelm-Leibniz Award, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (2010) William-Dameshek-Prize, American Society of Hematology (2011) Paul-Martini-Award (2011) Professor Klein mentors multiple doctoral researchers and collaborates with a diverse team including Principal Investigator Daniel Kotlarz and Scientific Project Manager Regina Steck. His research is supported by numerous prestigious grants including an ERC advanced grant, SFB1054, SFB914, KFO 250, and the VEO-IBD Consortium funded by the Helmsley Charitable Trust. His work on Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome gene therapy, though demonstrating efficacy, also revealed important safety considerations regarding vector integration. The Klein Lab operates within the Gene Center at LMU Munich, maintaining the Care-for-Rare alliance which provides rapid genomic sequencing for patients with severe congenital neutropenia worldwide. The lab has developed sophisticated models using induced pluripotent stem cells combined with CRISPR/Cas9 technology to study disease mechanisms and test potential therapies. Current research focuses on understanding the molecular basis of neutrophil disorders, developing novel diagnostic approaches for primary immunodeficiencies, and translating genetic findings into targeted therapies for children with rare diseases.
