Dr. hab. Mariusz Trytek , Associate Professor at Maria Curie-Skłodowska University's Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology , specializes in industrial and environmental microbiology . His work bridges biocatalysis , biomimetic catalysis , and porphyrin-based photocatalytic systems , with applications in terpene oxidation, pharmaceutical development, and sustainable chemical synthesis. Department: Industrial and Environmental Microbiology Grants: NCN grant 2015/17/B/NZ9/03607 (2016-2019) Research Themes: Biotransformation of terpenes, fungal biocatalysts, porphyrin immobilization, biosorption of radionuclides His 200+ publications focus on α-pinene oxidation , porphyrin antiparasitic activity , and psychrophilic fungal biocatalysts . Recent work explores FTIR screening methods for biocatalyst efficiency and photodynamic inactivation of honeybee pathogens. Key collaborations include researchers from Polish Academy of Sciences, National Veterinary Research Institute, and interdisciplinary biotechnology teams. He maintains active ORCID: 0000-0002-4656-7737 with 51 publications and 2,825 citations.
Alice Dennis is a researcher at the Dr. Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences, affiliated with the Institute of Life-Earth-Environment and the Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology. Her work spans genetics, biodiversity genomics, epigenetics, and comparative physiology, with a focus on adaptive mechanisms in extreme environments. She is actively involved in projects related to climate resilience, gene family evolution, and tropical organism adaptation. Doctor of Science, PhD in Biology from Louisiana State University (2010) Bachelor of Science in Biology from University of California Davis (2003) Her research integrates epigenetic mechanisms with ecological stress response, particularly in non-model organisms. Recent projects examine cold adaptation in boreal ants, drought tolerance in cowpea, and epigenetic effects of environmental toxins in mangrove fish. She employs cutting-edge sequencing protocols to investigate adaptive ecology across diverse species. Scientific publications show a focus on Mitochondrial genomics Allele-specific expression Gene family evolution Population genetics Ecotoxicogenomics Drought tolerance mechanisms Her projects are frequently collaborative, involving institutions in Italy and Africa, with emphasis on equitable biodiversity research frameworks.
Dr. Alexandros Stratakos is an Associate Professor and Principal Investigator in Sustainable Agri-Food Production at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), holding the Wallscourt Fellowship. He leads research in non-thermal technologies, food safety, microbiology, and 3D food printing, aiming to develop applications beneficial to industry and consumers. His work integrates molecular microbiology, spectroscopy, and novel technologies like cold atmospheric plasma and 3D printing. Teaching focuses on research-informed education in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, including modules like Sustainable Food Production and Antimicrobial Agents. He supervises students at BSc, MSc, and PhD levels and co-leads the CRIB seminar series. Research areas include foodborne pathogen control, antimicrobial additives, lipid/polymer delivery systems, and non-thermal processing. Key awards include UKRI BBSRC funding and industry collaborations with Colgate-Palmolive and Wildlife World. Public engagement is emphasized through science festivals, school visits, and open days. PhD supervision is open to self-funded candidates in Food Safety, Food Microbiology, or Animal Welfare. Stratakos has secured over £1M in grants, including Vice Chancellor’s awards and pilot interdisciplinary projects.
David S. Douches is a Professor in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences within Michigan State University's College of Agriculture & Natural Resources. He directs three major programs: the MSU Potato Breeding & Genetics program, the Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology Interdepartmental Graduate Program, and the USAID Feed the Future Global Biotech Potato Partnership operating in Indonesia, Bangladesh, Nigeria and Kenya. Since joining MSU in 1988, he has released over 30 potato varieties and secured significant funding including USDA/NIFA North Central Regional Potato Breeding grants and USDA/BRAG gene editing projects. Dr. Douches earned his Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis. His expertise spans potato breeding and genetics with focus areas including: Polyploid breeding and genetics Breeding for disease and insect resistance SNP marker development and application Genetic engineering and gene editing applications Trait mapping and diploid potato breeding systems His research portfolio demonstrates strong emphasis on translating genetic discoveries into practical breeding outcomes. Recent publications highlight work on CRISPR-based self-compatibility induction in diploid potatoes, late blight resistance through R-gene stacking, heat tolerance mechanisms in wild germplasm, and molecular dissection of quality traits like cold-induced sweetening. The work bridges fundamental genomics with applied breeding objectives across multiple international contexts. Scientific recognition includes: Honorary Life Membership to Potato Association of America (2021) 2019 Corporate Connector of the Year 2014 William Beal Outstanding Faculty Award 2011 Potato Researcher of the Year Award Dr. Douches actively mentors graduate students like Natalie Kirk Wyland (studying Colorado potato beetle resistance) and Felix Encisol (focusing on genome editing). His $6M USDA-funded research on pest-management strategies involves international collaborations across Bangladesh, Indonesia, Egypt, South Africa, China, Peru, Guatemala, and Honduras. He previously directed the Solanaceae Coordinated Agricultural Project (SolCAP) which developed four widely-used potato SNP arrays. Current leadership includes the USAID Feed the Future Global Biotech Potato Partnership (2015-2026) and USDA-funded biotech initiatives assessing gene editing off-target effects. His Molecular Plant Sciences laboratory at 1066 Bogue Street conducts hands-on breeding work from greenhouse to field trials, emphasizing student involvement in all research stages. The program maintains strong industry connections through Michigan's position as the top US state for potato chip production.
Dr. Carsten Külheim is an Associate Professor at Michigan Tech's Ecosystem Science Center, specializing in plant-environment interactions and forest resilience. His research combines genomics, chemical ecology, and functional biology to develop trees capable of thriving under climate stressors. Education: Ph.D. and B.S. in Plant Physiology from Umeå University Research Focus: Investigates abiotic (heat, drought, cold) and biotic (insects, pathogens) stress responses in trees, utilizing whole-genome sequencing, functional genomics, and plant physiology. Key applications include sustainable forestry, biofuels, and high-tech material production from timber. Publication Trends: Recent work emphasizes terpene metabolism in Eucalyptus, climate adaptation strategies in oak species, and genomic approaches to wood formation. Research spans stress physiology, chemical defense mechanisms, and evolutionary genetics. Laboratory: The Kuelheim Laboratory develops genetic tools for improving tree resilience and resource efficiency in changing environments.
Jason Irwin is a Professor at Central Washington University, based in the Science Building (Room 338D), where he conducts research and teaching in biological sciences with a focus on organismal adaptation to extreme environments. His academic credentials include: Ph.D. from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio (2000) Dr. Irwin's research centers on physiological and ecological mechanisms of cold tolerance in freeze-tolerant insects and amphibians, investigating energy conservation strategies, water balance during freezing, and locomotor recovery post-thaw. His work bridges comparative physiology and conservation biology, examining how ectothermic species survive subzero temperatures through biochemical and behavioral adaptations. This research has critical implications for understanding climate change impacts on species distribution and extinction risks in vulnerable populations. Analysis of his 2002-2005 publications reveals consistent investigation of cryobiological adaptations across model organisms like the goldenrod gall fly and multiple frog species. Key themes include geographic variation in freezing responses, trade-offs between energy conservation and reproductive fitness, and microenvironmental influences on overwintering survival. These studies collectively advance the fields of thermal ecology and comparative physiology through rigorous experimental approaches in both laboratory and field settings.
Evžen Stuchlik is a Professor at the Czech Academy of Sciences' Institute of Hydrobiology, where he leads the Landau Astrobiological Laboratory. His research examines the interplay between atmospheric deposition, climate change, and alpine aquatic ecosystems, with emphasis on: Recovery of mountain lakes from acidification Paleolimnological detection of extraterrestrial impacts Nutrient dynamics under changing climate regimes Biological responses in high-altitude streams and lakes Stuchlik investigates biogeochemical feedbacks in freshwater systems, particularly how reduced acid deposition and warming temperatures alter nitrogen/phosphorus cycling, cation leaching, and ecological recovery trajectories. His work spans European mountain ranges, utilizing sediment cores and long-term monitoring to quantify environmental change. Recent publications demonstrate a focus on climate-driven acceleration of chemical recovery in lakes, flood impacts on headwater ecosystems, and chironomid-based climate proxies. Research consistently integrates: Hydrological modeling Paleoecological reconstruction Atmospheric pollutant transport Regional comparisons of alpine ecosystems Stuchlik coordinates field studies across the Tatra Mountains, Alps, and Pyrenees, collaborating with international teams to assess spatial patterns in aquatic biodiversity and sediment chemistry.
