Jurgen Engelberth, PhD , is an Associate Professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio within the Biology, Health, and the Environment department under the College of Sciences . His research focuses on plant signaling compounds and jasmonic acid production pathways , with applications in abiotic and biotic stress responses . Education: PhD in Biology, Ruhr-Universität MS in Biology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität BS in Biology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Dr. Engelberth's research explores green leaf volatiles in plant defense mechanisms and stress adaptation , with recent work on abiotic stress protection and developmental trade-offs in maize. His publications analyze hormonal interactions , volatile signaling pathways , and mechanosensitive responses across 20 years. Key article trends include studies on jasmonic acid regulation (2004-2024), green leaf volatile functions in abiotic stress (2018-2024), and interplant communication mechanisms. Subfields span plant-insect coevolution , signal transduction pathways , and space biology applications . Dr. Engelberth's laboratory investigates plant stress priming and volatile-mediated defense systems using maize as a model organism . His work has appeared in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , Plant Cell , and Journal of Chemical Ecology .
Professor Lucie Clapp is Professor of Vascular Physiology at University College London (UCL), Institute of Cardiovascular Science, and currently serves as Head of Pre-clinical & Fundamental Science and Deputy Director of the Institute. She has been a faculty member since 1996, progressing from Senior Lecturer to Reader (2002) and full Professor (2005). From 2015 to 2021 she was an elected professorial member of UCL Council. Education: PhD, University of London (1985) BSc (Pharmacology, 2:1), University of Bristol (1981) Post-doctoral fellowship & Instructor in Physiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, USA (1985-1988) Research Interests: Professor Clapp’s work converges on vascular physiology, pulmonary hypertension, prostacyclin signalling and ion-channel pharmacology . Her laboratory deciphers the biophysical properties of vascular potassium channels and their roles in septic shock, vascular remodelling and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). She explores prostacyclin analogues at membrane and nuclear receptors, with emphasis on PPARγ-mediated pathways and novel receptor targets. Complementary studies focus on circulating biomarkers, mitochondrial dynamics and calcineurin regulation of K ATP channels in smooth muscle. Publication Trends: Across 178 outputs, recent work (2020-2025) centres on prostacyclin mimetics, GPCR pharmacology, microRNA regulation, epigenetic therapeutics and liquid-biopsy biomarkers for cancer and cardiovascular disease, reflecting a seamless integration of fundamental pharmacology with translational medicine. Scientific Awards & Fellowships: Howard Sprague Fellowship, American Heart Association (AHA) Career Development Award, Wellcome Trust Senior Fellowship, Medical Research Council (1996-2006) Fellow, American Heart Association (2001) Fellow, Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute (2010) Fellow, Royal Society of Biology (2011) AstraZeneca Prize for Women in Pharmacology, British Pharmacological Society (2017) Advancement of Learning and Teaching Award, UCL (2013) Teaching, Advising & Grants: Professor Clapp is a passionate educator and mentor. She founded and directs the iBSc in Cardiovascular Science for 3rd-year medical students, leads the Heart & Circulation module (PHOL0007) and lectures on multiple BSc, MSc and PhD programmes. Since 2009 she has co-organised and mentored on the British Heart Foundation 4-year PhD scheme. She has secured long-term funding from the MRC, Wellcome Trust, United Therapeutics and other biotech partners, and has served on editorial boards ( British Journal of Pharmacology , 2009-2015) and grant-review panels worldwide. Labs & Consortia: She heads a vibrant laboratory within the Centre for Cardiovascular Physiology & Pharmacology , Rayne Building, and spearheads the UCL-wide Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Consortium , uniting clinicians and scientists across affiliated hospitals. This network feeds into the national BRIDGE cohort study and the international Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute (PVRI) , where she sits on the Preclinical & Molecular Science Task Force.
Professor Julian Hibberd is Professor of Photosynthesis and Head of the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Cambridge, within the School of the Biological Sciences. His research group, the Molecular Physiology Group, focuses on understanding and improving photosynthesis, particularly through the evolution and genetic regulation of the C4 pathway. Research Interests: Evolution of C4 photosynthesis from C3 ancestors Gene regulation and transcriptional control in photosynthetic tissues Chloroplast development and bundle sheath cell specialization Synthetic biology approaches to improve crop productivity Use of model and crop species including Arabidopsis, rice, and Gynandropsis gynandra His lab employs advanced techniques such as genome-wide transcription factor binding analysis, single-cell sequencing, reporter gene systems, and high-performance computing to dissect the molecular mechanisms underlying C4 evolution and to explore how C3 crops like rice can be engineered for improved photosynthetic efficiency. Contact & Affiliations: Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge Email: info@plantsci.cam.ac.uk Phone: +44 (0)1223 333900
Dr. Shi-Zhen WANG is an Associate Professor at the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, China. She holds a PhD from Zhejiang University (2009) and a BSc from Fuzhou University (2004). Her research focuses on biocatalysis, enzymatic engineering, and biosynthesis of chiral compounds. Education: PhD (Zhejiang University), BSc (Fuzhou University) Current Position: Associate Professor, Xiamen University Previous Roles: Assistant Professor (Xiamen University), Postdoctoral Fellow (MIT), Visiting Scholar (Hamburg University of Technology) Her research involves controlled assembly of multi-enzyme systems for biosynthesis, discovery of novel enzymes from extremophiles , and graphene-based biosensors . Recent publications demonstrate expertise in enzyme immobilization, cofactor regeneration, and biocatalytic pathway engineering for pharmaceutical and chemical production. Publications highlight trends in multi-enzyme cascades , extremophile enzyme applications , and bioinspired immobilization techniques . Key methodologies include peptide linker fusion, metal ion substitutions, and biomineralization approaches.
Andrew Plested is a tenured Full Professor of Cellular Biophysics at Humboldt University of Berlin, leading his laboratory at Campus Nord in Berlin Mitte since 2023. His research integrates experimental, computational, and machine learning approaches to study ion channel dynamics and glutamate receptor function. His educational trajectory includes: Physics studies at Imperial College London PhD on anaesthetic mechanisms supervised by Nick Franks and Bill Lieb Postdoctoral research on single ion channels with David Colquhoun and Lucia Sivilotti at UCL Glutamate receptor structure-function studies at NIH under Mark Mayer Research focuses on the biophysical mechanisms of ion permeation and receptor activation, with emphasis on potassium channels and glutamate receptors. His work bridges molecular biophysics and neurological disorder mechanisms, utilizing advanced simulation techniques to decode cellular signaling pathways. Key scientific recognition includes: ERC Consolidator Grant (2015) for glutamate receptor biophysics DFG Heisenberg Professorship (2017-2022) Current externally funded projects drive his research agenda: the DFG-funded DynIon consortium (2021-2024) investigating ion channel transport dynamics, a machine learning-integrated glutamate receptor study (2020-2024), and NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence (2019-2025) targeting neurological/psychiatric disorders. These initiatives secure substantial grant support through 2025. His laboratory at Campus Nord operates as an interdisciplinary hub combining electrophysiology, structural biology, and computational modeling to advance understanding of cellular signaling mechanisms in health and disease.
Katja Kanninen is a Professor at the A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences within the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Eastern Finland. She leads the Cellular Neurobiology research group, focusing on how environmental factors impact brain health, with particular emphasis on air pollutants, viral infections, and Alzheimer's disease using patient-derived cell models. Her research interests span neurobiology of disease, environmental influences on brain health, and neurodegenerative disorders. Dr. Kanninen investigates how ultrafine particles from traffic emissions affect cellular functions in the brain, particularly in microglia and olfactory mucosa cells. Her work connects air pollution exposure to Alzheimer's disease mechanisms, examining how pollutants alter gene regulation, lysosomal functions, and signaling pathways like PI3K/AKT. She also explores the relationship between environmental exposures and neurodegenerative conditions through population studies across multiple international cohorts. The analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on environmental neurotoxicology, particularly the impact of air pollution on brain health. Her research spans molecular mechanisms using cellular models, epidemiological studies examining population-level effects, and systematic reviews establishing adverse outcome pathways. Key themes include the role of ultrafine particles in neurodegeneration, the connection between environmental exposures and Alzheimer's disease, and the use of novel methodologies like iPSC-derived models and multi-omics approaches to understand environmental impacts on the brain. Dr. Kanninen actively leads ongoing research projects including Neuro-Innovation (2021-2026) and the NOVEL MSCA Postdoctoral Programme (2024-2029), demonstrating her leadership in securing substantial research funding. Her Cellular Neurobiology group has established important collaborations across Europe and Asia, contributing to our understanding of environmental impacts on brain health through interdisciplinary approaches that bridge molecular neuroscience, environmental health, and clinical research.
Dr. Lavannya M. Pandit is an Associate Professor (tenure-track) at Baylor College of Medicine and full-time staff physician at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center . She serves as Director of the DeBakey Pulmonary Hypertension Program and is a core faculty member at the Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases (CTRID) . Education: BS in Biology and History from Yale University (1996) MD from University of Texas Southwestern Medical School (2000) Residency in Internal Medicine at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (2003) Fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care at Baylor College of Medicine (2008) Her research focuses on the physiologic and molecular mechanisms of pulmonary vascular diseases , particularly pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and COPD. Key areas include potassium channel dysfunction, rho-kinase signaling, vascular remodeling, and exosome-mediated pathogenesis. She has published extensively in journals like NEJM , Hypertension , and British Journal of Pharmacology . Current research projects include studies on COPD biomarkers , anatomic microniches in PAH , and smooth muscle cell biology in pulmonary vasculopathy. Her work is funded by multiple VA grants, including a CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARD and two active investigator-initiated grants ( Neutrophilic exosomes in COPD and Translational research on vascular remodeling ). Scientific Awards: VA Career Development Award (2013-2018)
Jakob Grunnet Knudsen is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, specializing in cell physiology and metabolic regulation. His research focuses on pancreatic α-cell function, glucagon secretion mechanisms, and glucose homeostasis in health and diabetes. University: University of Copenhagen Department: Department of Biology Academic Rank: Assistant Professor Research Areas: Glucagon signaling, diabetes pathophysiology, nutrient metabolism, ion channel regulation, and metabolic hormone interactions. His recent work explores how high-fat diets, amino acids, and neuroendocrine signals modulate glucagon release through novel molecular pathways. Articles emphasize therapeutic implications for diabetes management and metabolic disorders. Publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches spanning biochemistry, electrophysiology, and comparative toxinology to uncover fundamental mechanisms in hormone regulation.
Giles Yeo is a Professor of Molecular Neuroendocrinology at the University of Cambridge , affiliated with the Institute of Metabolic Science and the Department of Clinical Biochemistry . As Scientific Director of the Genomics/Transcriptomics Core and co-leader of an MRC-MDU research program, he bridges cutting-edge neuroscience with metabolic disease research. University of Cambridge Institute of Metabolic Science Department of Clinical Biochemistry His research focuses on identifying molecular pathways in the hypothalamus and brainstem that regulate energy homeostasis. Key projects include creating the HypoMap reference atlas and a high-resolution spatio-cellular map of the human hypothalamus (Tadross et al., Nature 2025). He investigates genetic mutations in obesity, such as MC4R and POMC , and collaborates on consanguineous family studies in Pakistan. Recent publications highlight his work on obesity genetics (SREK1, DENND1B), hypothalamic circuitry, and metabolic regulation via the melanocortin pathway. He advocates for public science communication, evidenced by his book Why Calories Don't Count (2021) and 2023 campaign on voter ID access for students. MBE (2020) for Research and Communication Honorary President of the British Dietetic Association Professor Yeo supervises PhD student Lucy Bedwell and collaborates with researchers like John Perry on population-level obesity genetics. His work is funded by the MRC , BBSRC , and the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research .
Rasna Sabharwal, PhD is an Assistant Professor at the University of Iowa in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine and Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology. Her research focuses on neurohumoral control of circulation in diseases like cardiomyopathy, heart failure, hypertension, Alzheimer’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), utilizing integrative physiological approaches in genetically modified mice. Education: PhD in Physiology (University of Birmingham, UK); Research Fellow in Internal Medicine (University of Iowa) Affiliations: Biomedical Science (Molecular Medicine), Neuroscience Graduate Program; Cardiovascular Research Center, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, Iowa Neuroscience Institute Her laboratory combines in vivo techniques (radiotelemetry, optogenetics, microdialysis) with molecular methods (siRNA, RNAseq) to study the renin-angiotensin system, sympathetic nervous system, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Recent work includes Alzheimer’s disease models , sex-based differences in autonomic regulation , and microparticle-based therapies for muscular dystrophy. She has received training grants from the National Institutes of Health and collaborates with the Pain Research Program.
Dr. Laura Katharina Sievers serves as a Clinician Scientist at the Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology (IKMB) within the Faculty of Medicine at Kiel University and the University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) in Kiel, Germany. Her position bridges clinical medicine and molecular research, focusing on cellular signaling pathways in disease pathogenesis and therapeutic development. Her research centers on Systems Immunology and Translational Inflammation Research , with three primary thrusts: (1) regulation of intestinal epithelial cell Hippo pathway signaling and its cellular impacts; (2) differential Hippo signaling roles in lymphocytes/endothelium during hypertensive end-organ damage; and (3) endocrine effects on intestinal inflammation for personalized medicine approaches. This work integrates molecular biology, immunology, and clinical translation. Analysis of her 2018-2021 publications reveals consistent focus on renal pathophysiology, particularly TMEM16 channel functions in kidney development and hypertension. Her research spans nephrology, pulmonology, and infectious diseases, demonstrating strong translational capacity from molecular mechanisms (e.g., TrkC-Igf1R signaling) to clinical applications (e.g., pediatric SARS-CoV-2 management). She actively contributes to the DFG-funded project Pregnancy as a perturbation principle of the intestinal microbiota , investigating pregnancy's impact on gut microbiome dynamics and its relationship to intestinal inflammation and inflammation-associated cancer. This collaborative effort involves the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Research Center Borstel, and Universität zu Lübeck. As a core member of Philip Rosenstiel's Systems Immunology research group at IKMB, Dr. Sievers operates within a multidisciplinary environment leveraging biobanking, genotyping, and single-cell technologies to advance inflammation research. Her laboratory work at Rosalind-Franklin-Str. 12 integrates epithelial cell biology with clinical datasets to develop novel therapeutic strategies.
Prof. Aurelia Tubaro is a Full Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Trieste , Faculty of Pharmacy. Her career spans over 40 years with expertise in Marine Biotoxins , Natural Products Toxicology , and Nanomaterials Safety Assessment . Director of Pharmacology and Toxicology of Natural Substances research group Member of EFSA's Scientific Expert Panel International AOAC Task Force Chair on Marine Toxins Editorial Board: Toxicon , Journal of Toxicology Research focuses include: Marine Biotoxins : Palytoxins, Azaspiracids, Tetrodotoxins Nanotoxicology : Graphene-based materials' cutaneous toxicity Pharmacognosy : Anti-inflammatory plant compounds Recent publications analyze: Nanoscale (2020): Graphene irritation potential Carbon (2020): Keratinocyte graphene interactions Toxins (2020): Pinnatoxin G oral toxicity Key contributions: Developed cell-based ELISA for algal toxin detection Advisory roles: UNESCO, US National Ocean Service Organizer of International Algal Toxins Symposia Her 180+ publications (h-index 33) cover ecotoxicology, pharmacology, and marine safety, with active involvement in Horizon 2020's EMERTOX and Graphene Flagship projects.
Dr. Anna Robinson is a Visiting Fellow in the Division of Biomedical Science & Biochemistry at the Australian National University (ANU), with a PhD and BSc Hons from ANU. Her research focuses on molecular dynamics simulations of voltage-gated ion channels, particularly sodium (Nav1.4) and potassium (Kv2.1, Kv1.3) channels, and their interactions with neurotoxins and inhibitors. She has pioneered computational studies on toxin binding mechanisms, channelopathies, and structural biology. Key Research Areas: Voltage-gated ion channels, molecular dynamics, neurotoxin interactions, enzyme engineering, mitochondrial detoxification Her recent work explores the DI S5-S6 extracellular linker dynamics of Nav1.4 in skeletal muscle, functionalized fullerene targeting of Nav1.7, and conotoxin binding mechanisms. Earlier studies include mitochondrial heteroplasmy in albatrosses and structural analysis of dienelactone hydrolase mutants. Scientific Awards Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) Dr. Robinson's publications span biopolymer simulations, enzyme engineering, and computational toxicology, with significant citations in sodium channel and neurotoxin research. She contributes to understanding ion channel dynamics in neurological disorders and muscle physiology.
Peter Todd, M.D., Ph.D., serves as the Bucky and Patti Harris Professor of Neurology at the University of Michigan Medical School , where he leads a research program focused on nucleotide repeat expansion disorders. His laboratory investigates how unstable DNA repeats cause neurological diseases through RNA-mediated toxicity and aberrant translation mechanisms, with particular emphasis on RAN translation in conditions including Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), ataxia, and CANVAS. Dr. Todd's research explores how repetitive genomic elements—constituting over half of human DNA—influence normal gene function and disease pathogenesis. His lab employs molecular genetics, neurobiological tools, and long-read sequencing approaches to study how RNA repeats sequester proteins and initiate non-canonical translation of toxic proteins without AUG start codons. Recent work has expanded into defining the native roles of repetitive elements in mRNA transcription and translation, with implications for common disease genetics. Analysis of Todd's 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on mechanistic neurobiology of repeat expansion disorders , with recurring themes in RAN translation regulation, TDP-43 pathology, and advanced genomic detection methods. His work bridges fundamental molecular insights with clinical applications, evident in studies on biomarker development (e.g., skin FMRpolyG measurement) and diagnostic yield in ataxia clinics. As a physician-scientist, Todd emphasizes the bench-to-bedside research model, combining clinical neurology with molecular investigation. His lab actively recruits researchers through the University of Michigan's world-class institutional framework, supporting next-generation scientists through collaborative, interdisciplinary projects. The Todd Lab's mission explicitly includes developing therapeutics for repeat expansion disorders while fostering future scientific leaders.
Lori Isom is the Maurice H. Seevers Professor and Chair of the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Michigan Medical School. She also holds professorships in Molecular and Integrative Physiology and Neurology. Dr. Isom has served as Chair of Pharmacology since 2015, following a national search, after serving as Interim Chair from 2014. Prior to this, she was Director of the Program in Biomedical Sciences and Assistant Dean for Graduate Education from 2008-2014. She serves on many institutional committees including as an elected member of the Medical School Executive Committee. Dr. Isom received her PhD in Pharmacology at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and completed her postdoctoral training in the laboratory of Dr. William A. Catterall at the University of Washington, a renowned expert in ion channel research whose recent passing (2024) she memorialized in publications. Dr. Isom's research program focuses on voltage-gated sodium channel function and the roles of sodium channel gene variants in developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE), including Dravet syndrome. Her lab investigates SCN1A, SCN1B, and SCN8A DEE variants in mouse models and in human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) neurons and cardiac myocytes. She showed, in collaboration with Dr. Jack Parent, that the high risk of SUDEP in Dravet syndrome may result from cardiac arrhythmias in addition to neuronal hyperexcitability. Most recently, she has collaborated with Stoke Therapeutics to develop the first antisense oligonucleotide precision therapeutic agent for Dravet syndrome, which is now in clinical trials. Her recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate a strong focus on sodium channelopathies, particularly related to Dravet syndrome and other developmental and epileptic encephalopathies. Her work spans molecular mechanisms, animal models, gene therapy approaches, and translational applications. A notable trend is the expansion of her research into cardiac manifestations of sodium channel disorders, reflecting her discovery that Dravet syndrome involves not just neuronal hyperexcitability but also cardiac arrhythmia risks. Her work on SCN1B-related Dravet syndrome has shown that neonatal gene therapy can reduce seizures and prolong lifespan in mouse models. NINDS Javits R37 MERIT award University of Michigan Rackham Distinguished Graduate Mentoring Award Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Fellow of the American Epilepsy Society Elected to the National Academy of Medicine (2021) American Epilepsy Society Basic Science Award (2022) Dr. Isom serves as PI of the NIH-funded Pharmacological Sciences Training Program T32 grant and is Co-PI of the NINDS-funded EpiMVP Center Without Walls. She has mentored numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, with several of her trainees now holding independent positions. Her mentorship excellence was recognized with the University of Michigan Rackham Distinguished Graduate Mentoring Award. She served as Director of the Program in Biomedical Sciences and Assistant Dean for Graduate Education from 2008-2014, demonstrating her commitment to academic training. Dr. Isom leads a research laboratory focused on sodium channel function and its implications for neurological and cardiac disorders. Her team includes graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research staff working on mouse models of sodium channelopathies and human iPSC-derived neurons and cardiac myocytes. She collaborates extensively with clinicians and researchers both within the University of Michigan and internationally, particularly through her leadership roles in epilepsy research organizations including the Dravet Syndrome Foundation Scientific Advisory Board, American Epilepsy Society, and International League Against Epilepsy Translational Task Force.
