Kelly Arnold is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan. Her research integrates systems engineering principles with immunology to investigate variability in immune responses across infection, vaccination, and injury, with a focus on computational modeling and clinical translation. Research Focus Systems-level immune response modeling Vaccination and antibody functionality Vaginal microbiome-host interactions Chronic lung disease progression Computational serology and proteomics Recent Work Her 2025 studies examine SARS-CoV-2 vaccination responses in cancer patients and computational frameworks for vaginal probiotics. Earlier works (2024-2007) span COPD progression, lupus fibrosis, HIV susceptibility, and tissue engineering for fertility preservation. Methodologies include proteomic profiling, network modeling, and microfluidic systems.
Professor Urs Jenal is a Full Professor at the Biozentrum of the University of Basel, Switzerland, where he has led research on bacterial signal transduction since 2008. His laboratory investigates the molecular mechanisms of bacterial persistence and antibiotic resistance, with particular focus on pathogens causing chronic infections in humans. Previously, he served as Associate Professor (2002-2008) and Assistant Professor (1996-2002) at the same institution, and completed postdoctoral training at Stanford University and ETH Zurich. Education 2000: Habilitation and VENIA DOCENDI in Microbiology, University of Basel 1987-1991: PhD in Molecular Microbiology, ETH Zurich (supervisor: Prof. T. Leisinger) 1982-1986: Studies of Experimental Biology, ETH Zurich 1977-1981: Gymnasium with Matura Type C, Chur Research Focus Prof. Jenal's research centers on understanding how bacterial pathogens persist in the human body despite antibiotic treatments. His laboratory investigates cyclic nucleotides, particularly c-di-GMP, as signaling molecules that control bacterial biofilm formation, virulence, and antibiotic tolerance. His team studies pathogenic Escherichia coli causing recurrent urinary tract infections and Pseudomonas aeruginosa causing long-term lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients. Recent work has revealed how "sleeping" bacteria survive antibiotic treatments and how pathogens breach respiratory epithelia through goblet cell invasion. Scientific Recognition 2014: Elected member of the European Academy of Microbiology (EAM) 2013: ERC Advanced Investigator Award 2012: Elected member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) 2011: Elected member of the American Academy of Microbiology (AAM) Mentorship and Collaborations Prof. Jenal has mentored numerous PhD students and postdocs, many receiving awards for their research. His laboratory is part of the NCCR AntiResist initiative focused on developing novel approaches against antibiotic resistance. He collaborates extensively with clinical researchers and has developed innovative models, including human mini-lungs, to investigate pathogen-host interactions. His recent publications demonstrate how understanding bacterial persistence mechanisms can lead to new therapeutic strategies against chronic infections.
Prof. Dr. Alex Hall is an Associate Professor at the Department of Environmental Systems Science and Head of the Institute of Integrative Biology at ETH Zürich , Switzerland. He holds a PhD from the University of Edinburgh (2008), followed by postdoctoral work at the University of Oxford and ETH Zürich, including prestigious SNSF Ambizione and Marie Curie Intra-European fellowships. Research Focus: The Hall lab investigates Microbial interactions in human microbiomes Antibiotic resistance evolution Horizontal gene transfer dynamics Computational and in vitro modeling of microbial communities Evolutionary medicine applications Scientific Contributions: His recent studies analyze probiotic treatments for Staphylococcus aureus decolonization, strain-specific ecological success in gut microbiomes, and CRISPR-Cas system roles in plasmid conflicts. The lab employs computational frameworks combined with experimental validations. Scientific Awards: SNSF Ambizione fellowship Marie Curie Intra-European fellowship He also serves on the SNSF PRIMA fellowship evaluation panel and the ETH Zürich Coordination Council Medicine .
Masato Kato serves as Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center since 2020 and concurrently as Team Leader at Japan's National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology. His academic trajectory includes progressive appointments from Assistant Professor (2004-2014) to Associate Professor (2014-2020) at UT Southwestern, with prior postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School and Nara Institute of Science and Technology. 2020-present: Professor, Department of Biochemistry, UT Southwestern 2020-present: Team Leader, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Japan 2014-2020: Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, UT Southwestern 2010-2014: Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern 2004-2010: Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern 1999-2004: Postdoctoral Fellow, Ellenberger Lab, Harvard Medical School 1998-1999: Postdoctoral Fellow, Hakoshima Lab, Nara Institute of Science and Technology Dr. Kato's research pioneers the biophysical characterization of protein phase separation, particularly focusing on low-complexity domains (LCDs) in neurodegenerative disease contexts. His work establishes fundamental mechanisms of biomolecular condensate formation, including hydrogel polymerization, liquid-solid transitions, and mutation-induced dysregulation in ALS/FTD. Key contributions demonstrate how C9orf72-encoded poly-dipeptides disrupt nucleocytoplasmic transport and how redox states regulate Ataxin-2 phase behavior, bridging structural biochemistry with pathological mechanisms. Analysis of his 22 publications reveals a cohesive research program centered on LCD-driven phase transitions. The most recent 15 articles (2012-2019) systematically investigate pathological aggregation in neurodegeneration, structural basis of condensate formation, and regulatory mechanisms like phosphorylation and oxidation. This body of work establishes LCDs as central players in both physiological RNA granule assembly and disease-associated solidification, with strong emphasis on C9orf72-related ALS/FTD mechanisms. Dr. Kato maintains active leadership within the McKnight Laboratory at UT Southwestern, where his team employs integrated approaches spanning structural biology, cell biology, and biophysics to dissect phase separation mechanisms. His collaborative network includes prominent neuroscience and biochemistry groups, with co-authorship on key studies in Cell, Science, and PNAS.
Professor Marek Sanak serves as Full Professor at the Department of Internal Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College in Cracow, Poland. He concurrently holds leadership positions as Acting Director of the Department of Forensic Medicine, Head of the Division of Molecular Biology and Clinical Genetics, and Vice-Rector for Research and International Cooperation since 2016. His academic foundation includes: MD from Jagiellonian University Medical College Specialization in Pediatrics and Genetics PhD from Jagiellonian University Research appointments at Harvard University, University of Paris VI, and University of Zurich Professor Sanak's research integrates clinical genetics with molecular immunology, focusing on asthma pathogenesis, lipid mediators of inflammation, and genetic diagnostics. His laboratory employs advanced techniques including deep DNA/RNA sequencing to identify biomarkers and elucidate disease mechanisms. The work bridges fundamental molecular discoveries with clinical applications in respiratory diseases, allergic disorders, and forensic medicine, demonstrating particular expertise in aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease and epigenetic regulation of inflammatory pathways. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strategic evolution from classical asthma research toward molecular genetics and viral pathogenesis. His 2017-2021 work increasingly incorporates epigenetic approaches (DNA methylation, microRNA profiling) while expanding into SARS-CoV-2 research during the pandemic. The publications demonstrate interdisciplinary integration across immunology, respiratory medicine, and molecular diagnostics, with consistent focus on translational applications. His distinguished career has been recognized through numerous honors: The Lancet Investigators Award on Asthma (1997) Polish Ministry of Health Individual Prize (1999) Jagiellonian Laurel (2012) Pro Arte Docendi Award (2014/15) Gold Medal for Long Service (2019) Top 2% of world scientists ranking (Elsevier 2022) As Vice-Rector for Research, Professor Sanak has significantly expanded international collaborations with King's College London, University of Southampton, and University of Zurich. His leadership has secured substantial funding for molecular diagnostics and inflammatory disease research while mentoring numerous early-career researchers. He delivers invited lectures globally for organizations including the American Thoracic Society and European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Professor Sanak directs integrated research units across the Division of Molecular Biology and Clinical Genetics, Division of Biochemical and Molecular Diagnostics at University Hospital Cracow, and the Department of Forensic Medicine. These teams combine clinical service with basic research to advance genetic diagnostics and understand disease mechanisms, maintaining forensic genetics expertise developed over 20 years of practice.
Prof. Friederike Ebner holds the Chair of Infection Pathogenesis at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) since 2023, within the TUM School of Life Sciences. Her research focuses on the immunobiology of parasite infections, particularly studying gastrointestinal helminths like Ascaris suum and their interactions with host immune systems to design novel intervention strategies. She also develops biomedical models for studying infectious diseases. Educational Background: Friederike Ebner earned a biotechnology degree from TU Berlin and Dongseo University (South Korea). She completed her PhD in biology at Humboldt University Berlin (2014), followed by postdoctoral research in immunology at Freie Universität Berlin, where she became an assistant professor before moving to TUM. Research Interests: Her work spans helminth-host immune dynamics, vaccine development, microbiome interactions in parasitic infections, and translational models for human diseases. Key topics include Th2/Th1 immune balance, helminth-derived immunomodulators, and xenotransplantation safety. Notable Contributions: Her recent studies address diagnostic methods for ascariasis, microbiome roles in helminth survival, and immunotherapeutic applications of parasite products. Current efforts emphasize bridging fundamental immunology with clinical and veterinary applications. Professional Activities: Prof. Ebner teaches immunology and parasite biology at TUM while maintaining active collaborations in global health and infectious disease research. She advocates for interdisciplinary approaches to address knowledge gaps in parasitology and vaccinology.
Dr. Jacques Archambault is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at McGill University , and an associate member of the Division of Experimental Medicine since 2016. His research focuses on the molecular biology and pathogenesis of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) and polyomaviruses (HPyVs), with an emphasis on their replication mechanisms as episomes in host cells. The Archambault laboratory employs functional genomics, proteomics, and chemical biology approaches to identify cellular pathways exploited by these viruses and develop high-throughput assays for screening small molecule inhibitors of viral replication. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on HPV and HPyV replication machinery, including studies on the E1 helicase, UAF1-USP1 interactions, and structural characterization of viral proteins involved in DNA replication. His work bridges virology, oncology, and drug discovery, particularly targeting oncogenic HPV types implicated in anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers, as well as HPyVs like BKPyV and JCPyV that cause pathologies in immunosuppressed patients. Current efforts in the lab aim to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which HPVs and HPyVs replicate their genomes and to develop antiviral therapies targeting these processes. Techniques such as fluorescence anisotropy, NMR spectroscopy, and crystallography are frequently employed to study protein-DNA and protein-protein interactions critical to viral replication.
Hang Lu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication and Media at the University of Michigan's College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. He specializes in science, health, environmental, and risk communication (ComSHER), with a focus on media psychology. His research explores audience responses to media messages about sensitive topics and strategies to enhance message effectiveness. Lu holds a Ph.D. in Communication from Cornell University (2018), along with advanced degrees from Cornell, Marquette University, and Central South University in China. He directs the Media and Risk (MaR) Lab and previously served as a postdoctoral fellow at the Annenberg Public Policy Center. His research spans four main areas: 1) emotion dynamics in media responses, 2) predictors of information behaviors, 3) media effects on stigmatization, and 4) AI applications in sensitive domains. He has published in journals like Journal of Communication , Risk Analysis , and Public Understanding of Science , earning multiple top paper awards. As Vice Chair of the Environmental Communication Division at the International Communication Association, Lu contributes to interdisciplinary dialogue. His work addresses critical societal issues such as climate change communication, vaccination hesitancy, and emerging technology ethics.
Prof. Ilse Dewachter is the head of the Biomed Neuroscience research group at Hasselt University (UHasselt), specializing in Alzheimer’s therapy and prevention for over 25 years. Her work focuses on multi-targeted therapies targeting tau, inflammation, and ApoE, alongside pioneering research into disease prevention via blood-based biomarkers. Recent studies explore a protective APOE3ch mutation that halted Alzheimer’s progression in a patient, offering hope for new treatments. Research Interests: - Alzheimer’s disease mechanisms (Abeta, tau, inflammation) - Multi-target therapies and biomarker development - Neurodegenerative disease prevention strategies - Genetic mutations impacting disease progression Articles Overview: Her most recent work (2025-2022) addresses neuroinflammation, tau propagation models, and AI-driven neuroimaging. Key themes include APOE genetics, blood-brain barrier dynamics, and exercise impacts on cognition. Funding & Grants: Current projects require significant investment for advanced biomarker equipment and clinical trials. A notable €300,000 grant funded research on brain lipid metabolism’s role in Alzheimer’s. Labs & Teams: Leads the BIOMED Neuroscience group at UHasselt, collaborating internationally on preclinical models and drug development.
Prof. Casper Hoogenraad is a full professor in Molecular Neuroscience at the Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University. His research focuses on understanding how intracellular protein trafficking underlies neuronal development and function, with particular emphasis on the microtubule cytoskeleton, synaptic cargo trafficking, and synaptic plasticity. He leads an active research group within Utrecht University's Cell Biology department and collaborates extensively with other neuroscience research groups. Education: PhD, Erasmus University Rotterdam (1996-2001) Postdoc, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2002-2005) Hoogenraad's research spans three main themes: cytoskeleton dynamics during neurodevelopment and synaptic plasticity, motor proteins and adaptors as regulators of synaptic transport, and psychiatric and neurologic disease disorders linked to intracellular transport. His work combines genetics, biochemistry, molecular, and cellular biology methods in in vitro (neuron cultures), ex vivo (brain slices), and in vivo (mice) systems, along with advanced microscopy techniques including immunofluorescent confocal microscopy, high-resolution live cell imaging, and photo-activated localization microscopy (PALM). Analysis of Hoogenraad's recent publications reveals a strong focus on microtubule organization, neuronal polarity, and the molecular mechanisms underlying synaptic function and dysfunction. His work frequently explores how disruptions in intracellular transport contribute to neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorders, with particular attention to the relationship between cytoskeletal organization and cargo transport in neuronal compartments. Scientific Awards and Memberships: ZonMW-VIDI (2004) European Young Investigators (EURYI) award (2005) NWO-ALW VICI (2011) ERC Consolidator grants (2013) FENS-Kavli Network of Excellence (2014) European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) (2015) Young Academy of Europe (YAE) (2015) IBRO Kemali Prize (2016) Hoogenraad leads a research group studying neuronal development and function, with a particular focus on how intracellular transport mechanisms contribute to both normal brain function and neurological disorders. His laboratory employs a multidisciplinary approach combining molecular, cellular, and systems neuroscience techniques to investigate the molecular basis of neuronal polarity, synaptic plasticity, and the pathogenesis of neurological disorders. He has secured significant research funding through prestigious grants including ERC Consolidator grants. The Hoogenraad lab operates within the Cell Biology department at Utrecht University, collaborating with other research groups focusing on cellular dynamics, biophysics, and neurobiology. The lab utilizes advanced microscopy techniques including immunofluorescent confocal microscopy, high-resolution live cell imaging (spinning disc microscopy and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy), and quantitative analysis using advanced high-resolution microscopy (photo-activated localization microscopy). Current lab technicians include Phebe Wulf and Bart de Haan.
Professor Richard Wade-Martins is a leading academic in University of Oxford 's Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics . He directs the Molecular Neurodegeneration Research Laboratory and the Oxford Parkinson’s Disease Centre (OPDC). With degrees from Cambridge (MA) and Oxford (DPhil), he has held prestigious fellowships including Wellcome Trust Research Career Development Fellowship and NIH reviewer roles. His research targets molecular mechanisms in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases through iPSC models , transgenic mice , and lysosomal function studies . He pioneered work on SNCA , MAPT , and LRRK2 gene pathways. Current projects focus on gene therapy and mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegeneration. Key publications (2019–2025) reveal trends in single-cell transcriptomics , calcium channel inhibition , and TFEB/TFE3 lysosome modulation . His awards include Wellcome Trust Fellowships and advisory roles for Parkinson's UK , Alzheimer's Research UK , and EU consortia like StemBANCC and EFACTS . He leads the UK Dementia Platform iPSC Initiative and serves on international boards in Luxembourg and Canada.
Mahima Swamy is a Principal Investigator and Wellcome Trust Sir Henry Dale Fellow at the MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (PPU) at the University of Dundee. Her research focuses on understanding immune interactions at the intestinal epithelium, particularly the role of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) in maintaining gut homeostasis and resisting infections. She leads a lab investigating IEL biology, including their regulation by PIM kinases and LRRK2 in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and Crohn’s disease. Dr. Swamy earned her BSc in Biological Sciences from BITS Pilani and completed her PhD at the Max-Planck Institute in Freiburg, Germany. She held postdoctoral fellowships at CRUK London Research Institute and the University of Dundee before establishing her independent group in 2016. Her work combines proteomics, mouse models, and in vitro co-cultures to explore IEL signaling pathways and their dysregulation in diseases. Key research interests include: IEL-mediated protection against pathogens, metabolic adaptations of IEL to the gut environment, and the role of LRRK2 in intestinal immune function. Her lab collaborates with the Alessi lab to study LRRK2 inhibitors for IBD therapy. Education: BSc (BITS Pilani) → PhD (MPIIB, Germany) → Postdocs (CRUK, Dundee) Lab Members: Includes PhD students (Rebecca Pemberton, Srishti, Neema Skariah) and postdocs (Amanpreet Chawla, Purbasha Bhattacharya) Collaborations: Tayside Immunology Group, Society for Mucosal Immunology Scientific achievements include discoveries of PIM kinases in IEL function and LRRK2’s role in gut inflammation. Her group has pioneered tools like phospho-proteomic analyses and epithelial organoid:IEL co-cultures.
Dr. Alison Holloway is a Professor at McMaster University's Faculty of Health Sciences, specializing in environmental toxicology and reproductive health. Her research focuses on the effects of environmental contaminants (e.g., oil sands pollutants, pesticides, endocrine disruptors) on maternal and child health, metabolic disorders, and developmental outcomes. She has conducted studies on naphthenic acids, synthetic food additives, and maternal exposure to pharmaceuticals like fluoxetine. Key research areas include: Environmental contaminants' impact on reproductive systems and placental function Metabolic disturbances caused by chemical exposures during critical developmental windows Neurobehavioral and gastrointestinal effects of prenatal drug exposure Assessment of urban air pollution on in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates Her recent work highlights the role of the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway as a biomarker of environmental stress and the obesogenic effects of bisphenol analogs and food additives. Collaborations involve interdisciplinary teams addressing environmental health, with studies published in high-impact toxicology and public health journals. Dr. Holloway's research has informed policies on chemical safety and maternal health, emphasizing cross-species markers for organismal health and risk assessment of emerging contaminants like cannabis derivatives.
Dr. Andrew Bassett serves as Head of the Cellular and Gene Editing Research group at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, where he develops cutting-edge genome engineering techniques using human pluripotent stem cells to investigate neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. His work focuses on scaling genetic screening approaches and improving CRISPR specificity for modeling complex disease mechanisms. His academic training includes: PhD at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (MRC-LMB) with Andrew Travers on chromatin remodelling in heterochromatin formation Postdoctoral research with David Baulcombe at the University of Cambridge studying small RNA roles in chromatin modification Additional postdoctoral work with Chris Ponting at the MRC Functional Genomics Unit (MRC-FGU) in Oxford, where he pioneered CRISPR applications in Drosophila Bassett's research program centers on developing advanced genome engineering methodologies for precise modulation of gene expression networks during development and neurodegeneration. His group specializes in creating complex editing events (SNPs, paired knockouts, enhancer perturbations) within iPSC-derived models, with particular emphasis on epigenetic regulation and transcriptional control. Current projects integrate single-cell 'omics and phenotypic assays to decode genetic causes of neurodegenerative disorders through the OpenTargets consortium. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals dominant trends in CRISPR technology development (35%), neurodegenerative disease modeling (30%), and single-cell functional genomics (25%). His work consistently bridges methodological innovation with disease mechanism studies, increasingly incorporating multi-omics approaches and expanding into cancer immunology and infectious disease applications since 2022. As group leader, Bassett mentors postdoctoral researchers and PhD students while securing major funding for genome engineering initiatives. His team operates within the Sanger Institute's Cellular Operations division and maintains critical partnerships with the OpenTargets consortium for therapeutic target validation. The laboratory specializes in high-throughput screening platforms using iPSC-derived neural and microglial models, with recent methodological advances including scSNV-seq and ONE-STEP tagging systems that significantly enhance precision genome editing capabilities.
Francesca Chiodi is a Senior Professor in the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology at Karolinska Institutet, Sweden. Her research focuses on HIV pathogenesis, host-microbe interactions, and immune responses in infectious diseases. She holds a Docent title from Karolinska Institutet (1991) and has been continuously employed there since 2004. Her work spans virology, immunology, and clinical trials, with emphasis on HIV prevention strategies, mucosal immunity, and translational research. Research highlights include studies on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), host gene expression in foreskin tissue, and viral surface protein epitope profiling. She has led projects evaluating SARS-CoV-2 responses in mucosal tissues and contributed to global initiatives like the CHAPS study in sub-Saharan Africa. Her division, the Division of Host-Microbe , investigates microbial pathogenesis and immune mechanisms in chronic infections. Key collaborations include studies on B-cell dysfunction in HIV and TB co-infections, as well as vaccine design for immunocompromised populations. Publications (2020–2024) reflect her focus on clinical trials, transcriptomic analyses, and translational models. She has advised numerous collaborative studies but no formal student advisees are listed. Research funding includes grants for mucosal HIV prevention and SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis studies. Ongoing work explores immune reconstitution in early antiretroviral therapy and correlates of protective immunity in mucosal tissues.
