Lennart Blomqvist is a Professor/Senior Physician at Karolinska Institutet's Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery. He leads the Diagnostic Radiology research group, specializing in cancer imaging, particularly MRI applications for rectal and prostate cancers. His work has advanced treatment selection and outcomes through MRI innovations, including segmental liver function measurement techniques. Education: Docent (Associate Professor) at Karolinska Institutet since 2002. Research Interests: Focus on radiology and medical imaging in oncology, with emphasis on MRI and PET techniques for tumor characterization, treatment response assessment, and anatomical mapping to improve surgical and therapeutic strategies. Key areas include rectal cancer staging, prostate cancer grading, and lymph node analysis. Grants: Lead investigator on Swedish Research Council-funded studies evaluating radiotherapy protocols in rectal cancer (2011–2016). Labs/Teams: Directs the Diagnostic Radiology research team at Karolinska University Hospital, collaborating internationally on imaging standards and clinical trials.
Dr. Mara Rocchi is an Affiliate Researcher at the University of Glasgow , affiliated with the School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine and Moredun . Her research focuses on veterinary virology and immunology, with expertise in tick-borne pathogens, zoonotic diseases, and marine mammal health. Veterinary virology and immunology Tick-borne pathogens and zoonotic transmission Marine mammal infectious diseases Her recent publications highlight advancements in vaccine development for arboviruses and investigations into Brucella species in marine mammals. Collaborative work spans pathogen surveillance , genomic characterization , and mechanisms of immune evasion in animal models. Supervised: William McLellan
Laura Saule is a Scientific Assistant in the Department of Radiology at Riga Stradins University and serves as a Curriculum Validation Expert. Her work contributes to the Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) through clinical medicine research. Her primary research areas include Medical Imaging, Nuclear Medicine, and Oncology, with specific expertise in prostate cancer diagnostics using PET/CT and MRI, as well as novel radionuclide applications. She investigates multimodal imaging techniques for renal masses and carotid plaque instability, aiming to develop standardized diagnostic algorithms. Recent publications demonstrate a focus on integrating advanced imaging modalities such as multiparametric MRI, PET/CT, and contrast-enhanced ultrasound to improve cancer detection and characterization. Her work often involves quantitative analysis, including apparent diffusion coefficient measurements, to assess disease aggressiveness and guide treatment. No scientific awards were mentioned in the available information. Saule has contributed to multiple research projects, including EU-funded initiatives on high-performance computing for digital skills training and national grants from the Latvian Council of Science for prostate cancer and renal mass imaging studies. She collaborates with international partners through networks like PRISMAP for radionuclide research. She is an active participant in research teams at Riga Stradins University, engaging in projects that bridge clinical practice with translational research in radiology and nuclear medicine.
Cecilia Sahlgren is a Professor at the Faculty of Science and Engineering , Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology at Åbo Akademi University, affiliated with the InFLAMES Flagship (Innovation Ecosystem based on the Immune System) Solutions for Health. Her research focuses on cellular signaling mechanisms, particularly the Notch signaling pathway, and their roles in cancer biology, vascular homeostasis, and mechanobiology. She leads multiple high-impact projects funded by the European Commission, Finnish research councils, and foundations. Research Interests: Notch signaling pathway, cancer cell biology, vascular biology, mechanotransduction, and biomimetic modeling. Her work bridges basic science and translational research, addressing topics like blood-brain barrier delivery systems and tumor microenvironment modeling. Grants & Projects: NAP4DIVE (EU): Non-animal nanoparticle delivery platform for blood-brain barrier studies (2025–2028). Tumor-LN-oC (EU): Tumor lymph node-on-a-chip (2021–2025). SignalSheets: Multilayer mechanosignaling in vascular systems (2020–2024). Awards: 2018: Knight, First Class, of the Order of the White Rose of Finland. 2018: Member of The Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters. 2017: Member of the Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences in Finland. 2013: ÅAU Chancellor’s Prize for best publication. Labs/Teams: Leads interdisciplinary teams in vascular biology, cancer research, and biomaterials, collaborating internationally on projects like OptoNotch (light-activated signaling) and computational arterial modeling.
Dr. Ahmed Ashraf is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Manitoba's Price Faculty of Engineering. His research focuses on artificial intelligence, deep learning, and biomedical imaging applications in healthcare, epigenomics, transportation engineering, and power systems. He holds a B.Sc. from UET Lahore (2000), M.Sc. and Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University (2006/2010), and postdoctoral training at UPenn (2013) and Toronto Rehab Institute (2018). Education: B.Sc. (2000), M.Sc. (2006), Ph.D. (2010) – Carnegie Mellon; Postdocs at UPenn (2013), Toronto Rehab (2018) His research interests include neural network architectures for biomedical image analysis, AI-driven epigenomic studies, and interdisciplinary AI applications. Key projects include developing interpretable CNN models for partial discharge classification in electrical systems, enhancing multimodal microwave imaging for breast cancer detection, and addressing algorithmic bias in facial analysis for dementia patients. Publications span applications in medical imaging, material analysis, and AI ethics, with a focus on translating machine learning innovations into clinical and engineering solutions. He actively mentors graduate students seeking interdisciplinary research opportunities.
Trine Folseraas serves as Associate Professor at the Department of Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, with clinical affiliation at Oslo University Hospital (OUS Rikshospitalet). Her research centers on primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), cholangiocarcinoma, and liver transplantation outcomes. She maintains active roles in the Clinical Liver Research Center and NoPSC initiatives. Her research interests span genetic epidemiology of autoimmune liver diseases , cancer risk stratification in PSC , and mechanistic studies of biliary pathogenesis . Recent work integrates multi-omics approaches including genomics, metabolomics, and transcriptomics to identify biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Her publications reveal strong focus on immune dysregulation in PSC, bile composition analysis, and cross-border comparative studies between Norwegian and international patient populations. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2021-2025) shows consistent output in high-impact hepatology journals with emphasis on translational research connecting molecular mechanisms to clinical outcomes. Key trends include development of liquid biopsy biomarkers for cholangiocarcinoma detection, investigation of vitamin metabolism in liver disease, and application of advanced computational methods to imaging and genomic data. Dr. Folseraas participates in major international collaborations including the European Network for the Study of Cholangiocarcinoma (ENS-CCA) and multi-center clinical trials like TESLA. Her work demonstrates consistent funding through participation in large-scale research consortia focused on rare liver diseases and cancer outcomes. Her laboratory work, conducted through the Clinical Liver Research Center, focuses on molecular characterization of PSC progression and cholangiocarcinoma development. The research environment emphasizes translational approaches bridging basic science discoveries with clinical applications in hepatology and transplantation medicine.
Dr. Thijs van Dalen is a Researcher at Erasmus MC, specializing in the Department of Surgery. His work focuses on breast cancer, radiation therapy, surgical oncology, and pediatric neurology. He has contributed to studies on partial breast irradiation, genomic-guided treatment adjustments, and lymph node detection in melanoma. Key areas: Breast cancer treatment, radiation oncology, surgical techniques, and pediatric epilepsy. Collaborates nationally and internationally on clinical trials and registry studies. His research emphasizes improving treatment outcomes through innovative techniques like MRI-guided irradiation and fluorescence imaging. He has published widely, with notable work on de-escalation strategies in breast cancer and seizure characterization in children.
Yen Chin Koay is a Senior Research Fellow and Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellow (Level 1) at the University of Sydney’s School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health. He collaborates with Prof. John O’Sullivan and A/Prof. Sean Lal, focusing on bridging fundamental and clinical research to translate discoveries into therapies for heart failure. His work leverages advanced techniques such as stable isotope tracing, Seahorse analyzers, and mouse models of HFpEF. Koay is affiliated with the Centre for Drug Discovery Innovation and Charles Perkins Centre, emphasizing translational cardiovascular research. His research interests center on mitochondrial dysfunction in aging and aging-related diseases, particularly heart failure. Key projects include investigating NAD+ therapy’s role, activating ketogenesis, and studying maternal diet’s impact on offspring cardiac development. He has established unique small animal models to explore metabolic pathways in HFpEF and employs integrative omics approaches to dissect complex pathophysiology. Notable awards include the 2023 NSW CVRN Professional Development Award, 2022 Sydney Cardiovascular Symposium Rising Star Award, and the prestigious 2013 Prime Minister’s Australia Endeavour Postgraduate Award. His current research students are Bailey MCINTOSH and Michael RAHMAN, focusing on HFpEF therapeutic capacity and maternal diet-cardiac development links. Grant funding includes the National Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellowship, USyd/UofG Pump Prime Funding, and NSW Health Cardiovascular Collaborative Grants. His work highlights diet’s impact on cardiovascular health, metabolic biomarkers, and the role of disulfiram in metabolic syndrome.
Dr. Jun Li is a Research Fellow at the University of Sydney's School of Medical Sciences, focusing on cancer genomics, proteomics, and molecular biology. His work addresses colorectal cancer recurrence, genetic susceptibility in breast and ovarian cancers, and microbiome analysis in gastrointestinal precancerous conditions. Research interests include genomic and proteomic characterization of tumors, molecular mechanisms of metastasis, and translational diagnostics. His studies integrate advanced sequencing technologies (e.g., PCR/SERS) with clinical specimens to identify biomarkers and genetic variants. Key publications from 2016–2024 highlight discoveries in APC gene mutations linked to gastric cancer, microbiome profiles in bowel polyps, and proteogenomic analysis of liver metastases. His 2019 grant explored molecular stratification of premalignant bowel lesions. Dr. Li collaborates widely, appearing as senior/middle author in high-impact journals like Journal of Proteome Research and Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. His work bridges basic science and clinical applications in oncology.
Dr. Emma Henderson is a Teaching Professor in the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Strathclyde . Her research interests span biomedical engineering, medical device design, and engineering education. She leads projects such as the ANSYS-funded curriculum development in Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and collaborative initiatives like the Learning Station Model for student-stakeholder co-creation. Her work emphasizes improving student resilience and employability in engineering curricula. Dr. Henderson has received awards including the Best in Faculty Shortlist (2020) and FHEA (2011). Research Highlights: Focus areas include tissue mechanics, medical imaging techniques (e.g., EBUS-TBNA), and curriculum innovation. Recent projects include phantom material development for medical device testing and pedagogical models enhancing student engagement. She collaborates with industry (e.g., ANSYS) and international partners (e.g., Turkey). Grants/Projects : ANSYS-funded curriculum development (2023-2024) Co-learning environments for sustainable partnerships (2022-2024) Needle design for EBUS-TBNA (2021-2024)
Dr inż. Anna Gołąbiewska is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Gdańsk, affiliated with the Faculty of Chemistry and the Department of Environmental Technology. She specializes in photocatalysis, nanotechnology, and sustainable materials research. University: University of Gdańsk School: Faculty of Chemistry Department: Department of Environmental Technology Academic Rank: Adjunct Professor Her research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of advanced photocatalytic materials for hydrogen production and CO2 conversion, including Janus nanoparticles, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and geopolymer composites. She also explores applications of nanomotors in biomedical contexts and the environmental impact of sustainable construction materials. Key trends in her recent publications include visible-light-driven photocatalysis, nanomaterials engineering, and waste-to-resource strategies. She collaborates on projects related to TiO2-based composites, bimetallic nanoparticles, and hybrid perovskite-MOF systems. Her work is conducted within the Laboratory of Photocatalysis, contributing to environmental remediation and renewable energy technologies. No specific awards or student advising details are publicly documented.
Gabriele Bergers is a Professor of Oncology at KU Leuven and Group Leader at the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology since 2016. She previously served as a Full Professor at the University of California, San Francisco for 19 years, where she was also a PI in the Brain Tumor Research Center at the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her laboratory focuses on comprehensive investigations defining dialogues between heterogeneous tumor cell subtypes, vasculature, and immune cells within distinct tumor vascular niches during progression and targeted therapies. Dr. Bergers' research centers on tumor microenvironment dynamics, particularly the interactions between tumor cells, vasculature, and inflammatory cells in regulating neovascularization and invasion in brain, breast, and pancreatic cancer models. Her work has revealed critical intrinsic and evasive resistance mechanisms to antiangiogenic therapy. Key research areas include high endothelial venules in cancer, tumor vasculature biology, immunotherapy response mechanisms, and therapeutic resistance pathways. Her laboratory investigates how tumor vascular niches influence immune cell recruitment and function, with implications for enhancing cancer immunotherapies. Her recent publications demonstrate consistent leadership in cancer vascular biology, with emphasis on high endothelial venules as critical determinants of immunotherapy response. The research spans multiple cancer types including glioblastoma, melanoma, and breast cancer, integrating advanced techniques such as multi-omics, spatial mapping, and single-cell analysis to characterize tumor microenvironment heterogeneity and identify novel therapeutic targets. Sidney Kimmel award Sandler Opportunity award UCSF Breakthrough Biomedical Research award Judah Folkman award Editorial Board of Science Dr. Bergers serves on multiple grant review panels including CPRIT, ERC, AIRC, and CRUK, and has been an External Advisory Board member for various universities and pharmaceutical companies. Her laboratory receives substantial funding through numerous projects including 'Hemorrhage-induced HO-1 macrophages infer resistance to antiangiogenic immunotherapies in cancer' (2025-2028) and 'Targeting the Treg – macrophage axis to promote immune stimulation and tertiary lymphoid structure formation in IDHwt GBM TME subtypes' (2023-2027). The Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Therapeutic Resistance operates within the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology, collaborating closely with the LKI - KU Leuven Cancer Institute.
Theodoros Foukakis serves as Associate Professor and Senior Physician at Karolinska Institutet's Department of Oncology-Pathology in Stockholm, Sweden. He leads the Translational Breast Cancer Research Group, a multidisciplinary team comprising clinicians, bioinformaticians, epidemiologists, biostatisticians, AI engineers, and molecular biologists. His research focuses on understanding treatment resistance mechanisms in breast cancer through molecular analyses of tumor tissue and blood samples, with the goal of developing new predictive biomarkers for treatment response. Foukakis' research interests center on translational breast cancer research, particularly in the areas of neoadjuvant therapy, treatment resistance mechanisms, and biomarker development. His work spans both HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancer subtypes, with significant contributions to clinical trials investigating novel treatment approaches including immunotherapy combinations and antibody-drug conjugates. He has pioneered research in applying machine learning and AI techniques to analyze tumor microenvironment characteristics and optimize treatment selection based on molecular profiles. His work bridges clinical practice with cutting-edge genomic and computational approaches to personalize breast cancer treatment. Analysis of his recent publications (2024-2025) reveals a strong focus on precision oncology approaches, with particular emphasis on biomarker development, treatment response prediction, and optimizing therapeutic strategies through AI applications. His work spans clinical trials (PANTHER, KEYNOTE, ARIADNE), biomarker discovery (SAMHD1, immune microenvironment characterization), and implementation of machine learning models for treatment optimization. A significant portion of his research addresses the critical challenge of balancing treatment efficacy with minimizing toxicity through tailored approaches. Foukakis actively mentors doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers in his translational breast cancer research group. His grant portfolio includes leadership of the ARIADNE trial, a randomized phase IIB study investigating trastuzumab deruxtecan and biology-driven selection of neoadjuvant treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer. His research has been supported by multiple national and international funding sources focused on advancing precision medicine in breast cancer care. The Translational Breast Cancer Research Group led by Foukakis operates as a comprehensive research ecosystem that integrates clinical data with molecular and computational analyses. The group collaborates extensively with other research teams at Karolinska Institutet and participates in numerous international clinical trials. Their work on the ARIADNE study represents a novel approach to treatment selection based on intrinsic molecular subtypes as determined by Prosigna® analysis, potentially enabling both treatment de-escalation for some patients and escalation for others based on molecular characteristics.
Dr. Jun Wang is a Full Professor in the Department of Pathology and Human Anatomy at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and serves as Chief of the Hematopathology Section at Loma Linda University Medical Center. He is also a Consultant Hematopathologist for the California Tumor Tissue Registry (CTTR), contributing to national cancer surveillance and diagnostic standards. MD, Wannan Medical College (1982) MS in Immunology, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences/Bangbu Medical College (1985) Pathology Residency, UCLA-Harbor Medical Center (1995–1999) Fellowships in Surgical & Hematopathology, City of Hope National Medical Center (2000–2001) Mini-Fellowship in Coagulation, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School Board Certified: Anatomic & Clinical Pathology, Hematology/Hematopathology (American Board of Pathology) Dr. Wang’s research focuses on hematopathology, particularly lymphoma classification, molecular diagnostics, and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD). His groundbreaking work redefined the classification of HL-like PTLD, leading the WHO to reclassify it as a monomorphic B-cell PTLD, significantly impacting clinical treatment. He has led numerous NIH- and institutionally-funded projects and published over 100 peer-reviewed articles. His research integrates immunohistochemistry, molecular genetics, and clinical outcomes to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient management. His recent publications (2019–2023) emphasize rare hematologic malignancies, pediatric PTLD, EBV-associated disorders, and molecular profiling of lymphomas. Key themes include diagnostic challenges, immunophenotypic characterization, and clinical correlations in transplant and immunocompromised populations. Scientific Awards: Achievement and Leadership Award, Chinese American Pathologists Association (2007) Ambassador, United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (2005–2015) Best Teacher Award, LLU Pathology Residency (2005, 2011) Excellent Graduate Student Award, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences (1985) Dr. Wang has served as a manuscript reviewer for journals such as Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine , Leukemia & Lymphoma , and Frontiers in Oncology , and is an editorial board member of Hematopathology . He has authored nine book chapters, including contributions to Silverberg’s Principles and Practice of Surgical Pathology . He mentors trainees and residents, though no specific students are listed. He leads a research team focused on molecular misreading in disease, vaccine development (e.g., M. tuberculosis), and lymphoma genomics. He is actively involved in professional development, regularly presenting at major conferences including USCAP, IAP, and SH/EHA workshops. His ongoing research includes a current study on post-transplant proliferation disorders (approved 2024–2025), demonstrating sustained academic and clinical engagement.
Tajie H. Harris is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, where he leads the Harris Lab and is a key member of the Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG). His research focuses on visualizing and understanding immune responses in the central nervous system, particularly during infections such as Toxoplasma gondii . His work lies at the intersection of immunology, neuroscience, and advanced imaging. He employs multiphoton and confocal microscopy to study the behavior of immune cells—such as CD8+ T cells, regulatory T cells, and microglia—within the brain. His lab investigates how these cells migrate, interact, and function in immune-privileged environments, with a special emphasis on chemokine signaling and the role of meningeal lymphatic vessels in neuroinflammation and immune surveillance. The most recent publications from Dr. Harris show a strong trend in neuroimmunology, particularly in understanding immune cell dynamics during chronic infection and CNS injury. His work spans molecular immunology, cellular imaging, and computational analysis of cell migration, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach. He has made seminal contributions to the discovery and functional characterization of meningeal lymphatic vessels and their role in brain immunity. NIH R01 AI069986 NIH R21 EY021259 NIH K22 AI099070 Dr. Harris has mentored and collaborated with numerous researchers and is actively contributing to the field through high-impact publications in journals like Nature , Nature Neuroscience , and Immunity . He continues to lead a dynamic research program that bridges immunology and neuroscience. His lab develops and applies cutting-edge imaging technologies to visualize immune responses in real time. The Harris Lab is part of the BIG Center, a collaborative hub for neuroimmunology research at UVA, fostering interdisciplinary projects aimed at understanding the brain's interaction with the immune system.
