Michał Sułek is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology , Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (UMCS), affiliated with the Department of Virology and Immunology . His research focuses on insect immunology, particularly host-pathogen interactions in Galleria mellonella , immune priming, and biochemical defense mechanisms. Key Research Areas: Insect immune system evolution Antimicrobial peptides and proteins Pathogen-specific immune responses Biochemical characterization of immune effectors Recent publications demonstrate expertise in immune priming modulation, phenoloxidase activity, and coagulation dynamics. His work utilizes Galleria mellonella as a model organism for studying innate immunity and vaccine development. Grant involvement includes projects on Pseudomonas entomophila infection responses (2020, 15,000 zł) and antifungal β-glucan compounds (2021, 14,000 zł). Internships span evolutionary immunology at Jagiellonian University, microbiome-pathogen interactions at University of Copenhagen, and clinical flow cytometry at Medical University of Lublin.
Lise Sofie Nissen-Meyer is an Associate Professor at the Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo. Her research focuses on immunological aspects of blood donation, transfusion medicine, and immune responses to pathogens and vaccines. She maintains an active research program with numerous publications in high-impact journals. Dr. Nissen-Meyer's primary research interests include allergen sensitization in blood donors, HLA antibodies and their impact on transfusion safety, inflammatory biomarkers in disease states, and immune responses related to blood donation and transfusion. Her work bridges basic immunology with clinical applications in transfusion medicine, particularly focusing on how immune responses affect blood product safety and efficacy. Analysis of her recent publications (2022-2025) reveals a strong focus on immunological responses to SARS-CoV-2, including vaccine responses, convalescent plasma therapy, and the impact of the pandemic on blood donation practices. Her research consistently examines neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), calprotectin, and other inflammatory markers as biomarkers of disease severity and immune activation. A significant portion of her work investigates how various medical conditions and treatments affect blood donor eligibility and transfusion outcomes. Dr. Nissen-Meyer collaborates extensively with researchers at Oslo University Hospital and internationally, particularly with colleagues studying immunology, transfusion medicine, and infectious diseases. Her research team appears to be actively involved in both basic science investigations of immune mechanisms and clinical studies evaluating transfusion practices and donor screening protocols.
Dr. Pascale Flury is a Research Associate at the Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Switzerland. She has been working at the university since 2022, previously serving as a Senior Scientist at the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL (2019-2022) and as a Postdoctoral Researcher at ETH Zurich and University of Lausanne (2016-2018). Her educational background includes a PhD in Phytopathology from ETH Zurich (2016). Her research focuses on plant-microbe interactions, particularly how plant-beneficial rhizobacteria can protect crops against pathogens and pests. Dr. Flury specializes in understanding the ecological mechanisms of interactions between rhizosphere bacteria (especially fluorescent Pseudomonas ) with various hosts, plant-pathogenic microbes, and the environment. Research Focus: Her work bridges plant pathology, microbiology, and agricultural science, with particular emphasis on bacterial ecology in the rhizosphere and their applications in sustainable crop protection. Publication Trends: Her recent publications (2022-2013) demonstrate consistent research in plant-beneficial bacteria, particularly Pseudomonas strains, and their dual roles in plant protection and insect pathogenicity. Her work spans molecular mechanisms, ecological interactions, and practical applications in agriculture. Dr. Flury's research has significant implications for developing sustainable agricultural practices that leverage beneficial microbes to reduce chemical pesticide use. Her interdisciplinary approach connects plant pathology, microbiology, and entomology to address fundamental questions about microbial ecology and practical crop protection strategies.
Paul Johnston is a Senior Bioinformatician at the School of Medicine, University of St Andrews , affiliated with the Infection and Global Health Division and Population and Behavioural Science Division. His work focuses on antimicrobial resistance, microbiome dynamics, and host-microbe interactions. Research Areas : Antimicrobial peptides, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, insect microbiomes, and gene expression. Key Projects : Evolution of antibiotic tolerance, microbiome analysis in insects, and citizen science initiatives like 'Antibiotics Under Our Feet'.
Prof. Dr. Ilona Grunwald Kadow is Vice Rector for Research and Young Scientists at the University of Bonn and Professor of Physiology at the Faculty of Medicine since 2022. She serves as Head of the Institute of Physiology II and leads the Grunwald Kadow Laboratory, which focuses on understanding how nervous systems enable humans and animals to adapt to environmental changes. She was elected as a member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) in 2024, recognizing her outstanding achievements in life sciences research. Position: Vice Rector for Research and Young Scientists Institution: University of Bonn, Faculty of Medicine Department: Institute of Physiology II Research Focus: Neurogenetics of behavior, neural circuits, sensory processing Model Organisms: Drosophila melanogaster, mouse Professor Grunwald Kadow's research primarily investigates how sensations and needs influence individual behavior and decision-making. Her work spans multiple levels of analysis, examining behavior, neural circuits, and genes that control sensations and behavior. She combines neuroscience and physiology to understand brain-body communication at cellular and molecular levels. Her laboratory has made significant contributions to understanding how physiological states like hunger, reproductive status, and internal needs modulate sensory perception and decision-making processes. The research employs advanced techniques including computer-based behavioral analysis, (opto)genetics, and in vivo microscopy. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on neural circuit mechanisms underlying state-dependent behavior. Her work frequently examines how physiological conditions alter sensory processing, with particular attention to dopaminergic signaling, glial function, and neural circuit plasticity. Her research spans multiple model systems including Drosophila, zebrafish, and mouse, demonstrating a commitment to cross-species validation of fundamental principles in neuroscience. A recurring theme across her work is how internal states gate sensory processing and behavioral output. EMBO Member (2024) ERC Starting Grant recipient EMBO Young Investigator Multiple prestigious fellowships including EMBO and Human Frontiers Science Program awards Recipient of the Otto Hahn Medal from the Max Planck Society Professor Grunwald Kadow leads the iBehave neuroscience network, which brings together scientists across disciplines to investigate survival-critical behaviors and underlying neural networks. Her laboratory maintains active collaborations and has secured significant third-party funding. She has successfully mentored numerous doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers, with several former team members establishing independent research careers. Her TEDx talk 'Sind wir die Opfer unserer Sinne?' (Are we victims of our senses?) demonstrates her commitment to public science communication.
Mark J F Brown is Professor in Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation at the Department of Biological Sciences, Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour, Royal Holloway, University of London. His research focuses on three interconnected strands using bees as model systems: evolutionary ecology of host-parasite interactions, conservation biology of insects, and general biology of social insects. With over 174 research outputs and leadership of 16 projects (4 active), he maintains a prominent research program addressing critical pollinator health issues. Professor Brown's research interests span evolutionary ecology, particularly host-parasite dynamics in bee systems, where he investigates virulence expression, multi-host parasite systems, and transcriptomic responses. His conservation work examines global pollinator declines, focusing on bees as essential pollinators, and explores DNA barcoding for solitary bee identification. His social insect research covers foraging behavior, mating biology, and colony founding. His work contributes significantly to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services. Analysis of his recent publications reveals strong trends in pollinator-parasite interactions at landscape scales, with increasing focus on molecular mechanisms, chemical ecology, and conservation applications. His work bridges fundamental evolutionary questions with urgent conservation needs, particularly regarding pesticide impacts, disease spillover between managed and wild pollinators, and climate change effects on host-parasite systems. His scientific recognition includes two major awards in 2023: the Outstanding Doctoral Supervision Award from Royal Holloway University of London and the Outstanding Research Supervisor of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards. His work has received significant attention with coverage across 92+ news outlets, 20+ Facebook pages, and incorporation into policy documents. Professor Brown leads several major research initiatives including Callunene (funded by NERC), WILDPOSH (European Commission), and the Global Assessment of Pollinator Dependence of Medicinal Plants. His research group supervises numerous students and has produced extensive scholarly output across journals like Nature, Nature Ecology & Evolution, and Proceedings of the Royal Society B. His lab webpage (www.markjfbrown.com) provides further details on ongoing projects and team members. The Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour at Royal Holloway provides the institutional home for his research, which integrates field and laboratory approaches to address fundamental questions in evolutionary ecology with direct conservation applications. His collaborative network spans multiple countries and disciplines, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of modern pollinator research.
T'ai H. Roulston is an Associate Professor and Curator at the State Arboretum of Virginia, affiliated with the University of Virginia. His work focuses on the ecology and evolution of plant-insect interactions , particularly pollinator dynamics and parasitoid-host relationships. Research Areas: Bumble Bee Population Dynamics Ecosystem Services of Wild Pollinators Evolutionary Ecology of Bees and Parasitoid Flies Mason Bee Population Dynamics Recent publications highlight his lab's work on: Impacts of exotic bee species on native populations Parasitism effects on bumble bee behavior and survival Climate change influences on pollinator-plant interactions Land-use changes affecting bee communities Pollinator conservation strategies Pest control in agricultural systems Roulston's research integrates field studies with laboratory experiments, emphasizing the importance of biodiversity and environmental stewardship in sustaining pollinator ecosystems.
Dr. Ben Jones is a Researcher at the University of York, specializing in pollinator epidemiology and ecotoxicology. His work focuses on understanding interactions between diet, behavior, and immunity in honey bees, as well as disease management and pesticide safety testing. Education: PhD in Honey Bee Immunology and Behavior, University of Exeter (2017) Ben joined the Epidemiology & Cancer Statistics Group (ECSG) in 2020, transitioning from prior roles in public and private sectors where he addressed honey bee health and agrochemical safety. His research bridges ecological and health sciences, emphasizing environmental impacts on pollinator health. Contact: b.d.jones@york.ac.uk
Scotland C. Leman is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Programs in the Department of Statistics at Virginia Tech's College of Science. He holds a Ph.D. in Statistics from Duke University (2007) and advanced degrees from Stanford University and UC Davis. His research focuses on Bayesian statistics, visual analytics, stochastic modeling, and applications in molecular evolution and epidemiology. Leman has developed innovative methods in statistical simulation and interaction-driven data analysis, bridging computational statistics with domain sciences like genetics and public health. Education: Ph.D., Statistics, Duke University (2007) M.S., Statistics, Duke University (2005) M.S., Scientific Computing & Computational Mathematics, Stanford University (2003) B.S., Mathematics (Cum Laude), UC Davis (2001) Research Interests: Leman's work integrates statistical theory with applied problems in genetics and epidemiology. He develops Bayesian methods for analyzing complex biological systems, including pathogen evolution, disease transmission dynamics, and chromosomal evolution in malaria mosquitoes. His visual analytics research emphasizes user-driven interaction with statistical models, enabling more intuitive data exploration in domains such as public health and environmental science. Awards: Mu Sigma Rho (National Statistics Honor Society) Phi Kappa Phi (National Honor Society) Pi Mu Epsilon (Mathematics Honor Society) Golden Key Teaching & Leadership: As Director of Graduate Programs, Leman oversees the department's graduate curriculum while teaching advanced courses in Bayesian statistics, stochastic modeling, and data analytics. His teaching emphasizes hands-on learning through interactive visualizations and real-world data applications. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams in computational biology, epidemiology, and visual analytics. Active in malaria genomics research through projects on Anopheles mosquitoes and pathogen host adaptation.
Junpeng Deng is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Oklahoma State University (OSU). He holds a B.S. from the University of Science and Technology of China (1993), an M.S. from the Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (1996), and a Ph.D. in Biophysics from The Ohio State University (2001). Postdoctoral research at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (2001–2006) preceded his faculty appointment at OSU in 2006, where he became a full Professor in 2016. His research focuses on protein structural biology, particularly understanding the structure-function relationships of proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Parkinson’s), autoimmune disorders, infectious diseases, and cancer. Techniques include X-ray crystallography, biochemistry, and biophysics to investigate protein mechanisms and drug design. Key projects involve SAMD9 antiviral proteins, Hsp90 chaperones, and Pseudomonas virulence factors. Dr. Deng has secured grants from NIH and other agencies, including studies on SAMD9’s antiviral mechanisms, viral membrane assembly proteins, and Ca 2+ -mediated virulence. He teaches advanced courses such as Protein Structure and Enzyme Function and mentors students in research and thesis work. His lab contributes to interdisciplinary efforts in structural biology, drug discovery, and plant genetics, with over 50 peer-reviewed publications and patents.
Thomas Flatt is Professor of Evolutionary Biology at the University of Fribourg's Department of Biology (Faculty of Science and Medicine). His research investigates the genetic basis of adaptation, life history evolution, aging, and chromosomal inversion polymorphisms using Drosophila and other model systems. Flatt's work integrates population genomics, experimental genetics, and physiology to study trade-offs between fitness components. Key areas include the role of balanced inversion polymorphisms in adaptation, genetic mechanisms underlying lifespan-fecundity trade-offs, and seasonal adaptation patterns across Drosophila populations. He co-leads the European Drosophila Population Genomics Consortium (DrosEU). Recent publications (2021-2024) demonstrate expanding focus on genomic architecture of supergenes, host-microbe interactions in aging, transcriptomic methodologies, and global adaptation patterns. His group maintains the DEST genomic resource for Drosophila population studies and employs diverse approaches from theoretical modeling to experimental evolution.
Dr. Alex Cristino is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Environment and Science - Bioscience at Griffith University, specializing in systems biology, genetics, and epigenetics. He is affiliated with the Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery and the Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics. His research integrates computational and experimental approaches to uncover disease-associated gene networks for precision medicine, focusing on neurological disorders and cancers. Dr. Cristino currently supervises doctoral students in areas such as chronic CHIKV disease, synthetic virology, microRNA roles in oral cancer, and schizophrenia epigenetics. He has led or co-led multiple grants totaling over $2 million, including projects on Alzheimer’s disease models, NK cell dysfunction in Hodgkin lymphoma, and drug discovery for schizophrenia using patient-derived stem cells. His work spans molecular mechanisms in neurodegeneration, cancer biology, and honeybee developmental genetics. Notable recent projects include circular RNA applications in neurological conditions and IRE1α/XBP1 signaling in immune cells. Dr. Cristino’s lab contributes to drug discovery initiatives and translational research, leveraging patient-derived cell models to design novel therapies targeting dysfunctional pathways. He collaborates widely, with cross-disciplinary projects in systems biology, genomics, and clinical applications.
Michelle Colgrave is Deputy Director (Impact) at CSIRO Agriculture and Food, based in Brisbane, Australia. Her expertise lies in proteomics and mass spectrometry applied to agriculture and food science, focusing on proteins related to food intolerance, allergy, and bioactive health benefits. She leads initiatives such as the Future Protein Mission and contributes to global research in peptide evolution and structure. A Chief Investigator in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, her work bridges molecular biology with practical applications. Education: PhD in Science (2002), University of Wollongong Bachelor of Advanced Science (Hons I) (1999), University of Wollongong Research Interests: Proteomics in food systems, allergen detection, gluten-free cereal development, and bioactive peptide discovery. Her research emphasizes translational science, ensuring high-impact publications in journals like Nature and PNAS . Publications: Over 100 peer-reviewed articles, with recent work addressing gluten quantification, insect protein safety, and crop improvement through omics approaches. Her methodologies, such as LC-MS/MS-based allergen tracking, set industry standards. Awards & Recognition: 2022: Fellow of ATSE 2020: ICM Agrifood Award 2016: CSIRO Chairman's Medal 2012: John Philip Award Leadership & Community: Serves on boards like the Asia Oceania Agricultural Proteomics Organization and organizes international mass spectrometry conferences. Editorial roles include Peptidomics and Journal of Integrated Omics .
Dr. Michael Weible is a Lecturer in the School of Environment and Science (Bioscience Department) at Griffith University. He is a member of the Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery (2008–2024). His research focuses on neural stem cell biology, P2X7 receptor signaling, calcium dynamics, and Wolbachia-host interactions. He has supervised four doctoral students and led/co-led multiple research grants totaling over $400,000 in funding. Key grants include projects on neurodegenerative disease modeling, live-cell physiology, and advanced microscopy techniques. His work bridges cell biology, neuroscience, and biomedical applications, with contributions to understanding stem cell niches, inflammation in neurogenesis, and microbial symbiosis in insects. Grants: Includes projects like "Tale of Two Cities" ($120,000), Olympus FluoView upgrades ($30,000), and SPIO nanoparticle research ($22,000). Students: Supervised studies on P2X7 receptors, nanoparticle cytotoxicity, Wolbachia effects on insect behavior, and EGFR signaling in neural stem cells. Labs/Teams: Affiliated with Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery and collaborative groups in live-cell physiology and stem cell research. Research highlights include developing in vitro models of spinal cord development, exploring tryptophan's role in stem cell niches, and uncovering Wolbachia's impact on insect aggression and symbiotic breakdown. His work has implications for neurodegenerative disease therapies and microbial-endocrine interactions.
Professor Edward Holmes is a virologist and NHMRC Leadership Fellow at the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Medicine and Health. He is a Fellow of both the Australian Academy of Science (FAA) and the Royal Society (FRS). His research focuses on the evolution, emergence, and ecology of RNA viruses, particularly their cross-species transmission to humans and animals. Key projects include studying SARS-CoV-2, influenza, dengue, and ancient pathogens using molecular genetics and metagenomics. Holmes has held prestigious roles such as Verne M. Willaman Chair at Pennsylvania State University (USA) and Affiliate Member of the NIH’s Fogarty International Centre. Current positions: Professor of Virology, NHMRC Leadership Fellow Past roles: Fogarty International Centre (2005–2012), New College Oxford (1999–2004) Research interests span RNA virus evolution, metagenomic pathogen discovery, and ancient DNA analysis of historical pandemics. His work addresses mechanisms of viral emergence, ecological drivers of zoonotic spillover, and microbial causes of disease syndromes. Collaborations include institutions in China (Chinese CDC, Fudan University) and global virology networks. Recent achievements: 2023 Croonian Medal (Royal Society), 2021 Prime Minister’s Science Prize, 2020 NSW Science Prize, and over 792 peer-reviewed publications (h-index 178). Current PhD applications are welcome in viral ecology and evolution. Grants include NHMRC Leadership Fellowships and ARC Australian Laureate Fellowships. His lab focuses on viral diversity in terrestrial and aquatic environments, bat viromes, and ancient pathogen genomics. International ties include guest professorships in China and collaborations with global health organizations.
