Metabolic Reprogramming in Cardiomyocytes Professors and Supervisors

Melissa Skalaمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

University of Wisconsin-MadisonUnited States

Melissa Skala, Ph.D., is the Carol Skornicka Chair of Biomedical Imaging at the Morgridge Institute for Research and a full Professor of Biomedical Engineering & Medical Physics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Her laboratory pioneers label-free optical imaging technologies—most notably fluorescence-lifetime microscopy and optical coherence tomography—to quantify metabolic heterogeneity in cancer, immune cells and engineered tissues, with direct translation to cell-therapy manufacturing and personalized cancer medicine. Education Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering, 2007, Duke University M.S. Biomedical Engineering, 2004, University of Wisconsin–Madison B.S. Physics, 2002, Washington State University Research Focus The Skala lab develops and applies cutting-edge photonics platforms—including autofluorescence lifetime imaging, optical redox ratio mapping, second-harmonic generation, and light-sheet microscopy—to interrogate metabolic states of single cells and organoids in vitro and in vivo . Major thrusts include: Cancer metabolism and immunotherapy response Immune cell activation and exhaustion Stem-cell and CAR-T manufacturing quality control Micro-physiological disease models Machine-learning–driven image analysis Publication Trends Across >250 peer-reviewed papers since 2004, she has progressed from foundational studies on NAD(P)H/FAD redox imaging in epithelial tissues to recent landmark reports defining metabolic biomarkers for T-cell activation, immune-cell subtyping, and patient-derived cancer organoid drug response. A 2025–2024 cluster emphasizes label-free metabolic monitoring of stem-cell-derived cardiomyocytes, neutrophil functional states, and collagen remodeling during immunotherapy. Scientific Honors Fellow, OSA, SPIE, AIMBE (2019) Carol Skornicka Chair, Morgridge Institute (2022) Daniel M. Albert Chair, Retina Research Foundation (2021) Stand Up To Cancer – Sharp Collaboration Award (2017) NSF CAREER Award (2016) NIH/NCI Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) (2010) Grants & Team Mentorship Dr. Skala directs multiple active NIH grants (R01, R35, P30) totaling several million dollars, focusing on metabolic imaging for cancer immunotherapy, stem-cell manufacturing, and infectious disease models. The Skala Laboratory actively recruits and mentors graduate students and post-doctoral researchers, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations across engineering, oncology and immunology. Laboratory & Infrastructure The Skala Lab is equipped with custom-built multimodal optical systems, high-throughput microfluidic platforms, and dedicated animal-imaging suites. Core capabilities include time-correlated single-photon counting, hyperspectral imaging, and AI-driven single-cell analytics.

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Vaibhav Patelمشاهده پروفایل

دانشیار

University of CalgaryCanada

Dr. Vaibhav Patel is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, and a researcher at the Libin Cardiovascular Institute. His work focuses on intercellular communication mechanisms in cardiovascular disease, particularly the role of perivascular adipocyte-secreted exosomes and mitochondrial dynamics in vascular pathology. B.Pharm, M.Pharm, and Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (2005-2011) Postdoctoral fellowship at University of Alberta's Department of Medicine Dr. Patel's research explores how extracellular vesicles modulate renin-angiotensin system components in vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells to influence disease progression. His work bridges molecular signaling in diabetes-related cardiovascular complications with therapeutic strategies targeting ACE2/Ang 1-7 axis and mitochondrial homeostasis. His publications analyze: Mitochondrial dynamics in vascular cell death Exosomal miRNA regulation of cardiac fibrosis RAS component interactions in diabetic cardiomyopathy Pharmacological inhibition of Drp1 in aortic aneurysms Metabolic switching in vascular smooth muscle and fibroblasts Scientific awards include: Todd Anderson Cardiovascular Research Award (2023) New Investigator Award, Heart and Stroke Foundation (2022) Young Investigator Award, Canadian Cardiovascular Society (2022) CCS/HSRLCE/BI-Lilly Cardiometabolic Research Award (2021) His academic career spans postdoctoral research on ACE2 therapeutic potential, national fellowships, and extensive publications (60+ peer-reviewed articles). He investigates cytoskeletal remodeling in heart failure and develops exosome-based interventions for myocardial repair.

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John Hwaمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

Yale UniversityUnited States

Dr. John Hwa is a Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) at Yale School of Medicine and Co-Director of the Yale Cooperative Center of Excellence in Hematology. He holds primary appointments in the Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and has affiliations with the Cancer Immunology, Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale Cancer Center, Yale Cardiovascular Research Center (YCVRC), Yale Ventures, and the Yale Cooperative Center of Excellence in Hematology (YCCEH). Dr. Hwa received his medical degree with First Class Honors from the University of Sydney, Australia. He completed his Residency in Internal Medicine and Fellowship in Cardiology at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, Australia. He pursued graduate studies at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and earned his PhD through Case Western Reserve University. He was awarded a Howard Hughes Physician Postdoctoral Fellowship to continue research at MIT in the laboratory of Nobel Laureate H. Gobind Khorana. Dr. Hwa joined the faculty at Dartmouth in 2000 and moved to Yale in 2009. Dr. Hwa's research focuses on platelet metabolic reprogramming under stress conditions (such as hyperglycemia and oxidative stress) and how these processes lead to thrombosis and critical intercellular communication with endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and T-cells. His laboratory investigates how blood stressors are transduced into complex intraplatelet signaling, leading to communication with other platelets and cells in orchestrating a coordinated response. Dr. Hwa's work has important implications for understanding vascular pathology including thromboinflammation, intimal hyperplasia, aneurysm formation, and immune dysregulation. His current research is broadly divided into three major areas: 1) Platelet metabolic reprogramming in response to stress and aging, 2) Platelet communication to other cells in health and disease, and 3) The Yale cardiovascular tissue repository collaborative effort. Analysis of Dr. Hwa's recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on platelet biology and its intersection with cardiovascular disease, immunology, and cancer. His work spans basic science investigations of platelet function and metabolism to clinical applications in conditions like Kawasaki disease, congenital heart disease, and cardio-oncology. There is a notable emphasis on technological innovation, including mass cytometry, vascular organoid models, and AI applications in diagnostics. His research increasingly explores the role of platelets in immune regulation and their interactions with other cell types in various disease states. Dr. Hwa has received numerous honors including: Plenary Lecture at Vascular Discovery 2022 (American Heart Association) Master of Arts (Privatim) Yale University Award (2018) Elected Member of the Interurban Clinical Club (2017) Recognition Award for Cardiovascular Research from the American Heart Association (2009) American Heart Association Established Investigator Award (2007) Dr. Hwa leads the Hwa Lab at the Cardiovascular Research Center, where he mentors numerous researchers and collaborates extensively with colleagues including Sean Gu, Tarun Tyagi, Kanika Jain, Kathleen Martin, and Jing Du. His lab utilizes advanced techniques including confocal microscopy, electron microscopy, and mass cytometry to study platelet function. Dr. Hwa is also involved in clinical trials, including research on platelet function in sick children (HIC ID 2000039293), with a primary completion date of March 31, 2030. The Hwa Lab maintains strong connections with various Yale research initiatives, including the Yale Cardiovascular Research Center and the Yale Cooperative Center of Excellence in Hematology. The lab is actively engaged in translational research that bridges basic science discoveries with clinical applications in cardiovascular medicine.

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Erik Biessenمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

RWTH Aachen UniversityGermany

Professor Erik Biessen is a cardiovascular research scientist affiliated with the Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR). His work focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying atherosclerosis, macrophage biology, lipid metabolism, and inflammation. He leads studies on proteoglycan signaling, chemokine networks, and metabolic reprogramming in cardiovascular pathologies. Key Research Areas Atherosclerosis mechanisms and plaque vulnerability Macrophage heterogeneity in cardiovascular disease Lipidomics and uremic toxin interactions Role of microRNAs and metabolic networks Recent Article Trends Studies on cathepsin D inhibition in liver lipidomics (2025) MicroRNA-26b's protective role in MASH (2025) Investigations into glutamine metabolism's impact on plaque inflammation (2024) Chemokine CCL18's role in T-cell infiltration (2024)

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Jan Wilhelm Kornfeldمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

University of Southern DenmarkDenmark

Epigenetics
Metabolism
Non-coding RNA
+۳ مورد دیگر

Jan Wilhelm Kornfeld is a Professor at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, leading a research group focused on epigenetic regulation of energy metabolism in cardiometabolic diseases. After obtaining his PhD in Cell Biology from the Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research (2008), he conducted postdoctoral research with Jens Brüning in Germany (2013), where he pioneered studies on obesity-associated microRNAs and hepatic insulin resistance. His independent research at CECAD (2013) and Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research (2014) has been supported by prestigious grants including the Emmy-Noether Grant (2014) and ERC Starting Grant (2015). Education: PhD in Cell Biology, Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Austria (2008) Postdoctoral Training, Jens Brüning Lab, Germany (2013) The Kornfeld Lab investigates epigenetic regulatory processes such as non-coding microRNAs (miRNA) and chromatin modifications that impact organismal, tissue, and cellular energy balance. Their research integrates molecular genomics , transgenic animal models , and inter-organ crosstalk to uncover disease-associated molecular signatures in obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Key projects include miRNA perturbation in vivo, nutritional intervention strategies, and development of adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy tools . Recent publications highlight work on dietary sulfur amino acid restriction , mitochondrial dysfunction in brown adipocytes, and miR-let-7 in intergenerational metabolic decline. His research spans transcriptional regulation , metabolomics , and non-coding RNA mechanisms in metabolic diseases. Scientific Awards: Emmy-Noether Grant (2014) ERC Starting Grant (2015) The lab actively trains Bachelor, Master, and ISA students in hypothesis-driven research, focusing on RNA-mediated gene regulation , chromatin dynamics , and (patho)physiological analysis . Collaborations with global experts and industrial partners enhance translational impact.

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Ronghu Wuمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

Georgia Institute of TechnologyUnited States

Mass spectrometry-based proteomics
Protein post-translational modifications
Glycoproteomics
+۴ مورد دیگر

Ronghu Wu is a Professor in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the Georgia Institute of Technology , where he leads the Wu Lab focused on cutting-edge mass spectrometry-based proteomics. His research integrates analytical chemistry, chemical biology, and biomedical sciences to understand protein post-translational modifications (PTMs), cell signaling, and cancer metabolism. Education M.S. and Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard Medical School (2009–2012) Research Interests Professor Wu’s group develops and applies novel liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) strategies to investigate protein PTMs—especially glycosylation—protein dynamics, and their roles in disease. A major focus is on quantitative glycoproteomics to map the cell-surface glycoproteome (surfaceome) and to elucidate how aberrant glycosylation drives cancer metastasis and metabolic reprogramming. Complementary projects explore how protein modifications regulate cell signaling, stress responses, and therapeutic drug effects, with the ultimate goal of identifying new biomarkers and drug targets for personalized medicine. Scientific Awards ASMS Research Award (2016) NSF CAREER Award (2015) Blanchard Assistant Professorship (2014) Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship (2002–2004) Grants & Funding His research has been continuously supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF CAREER) and other competitive grants, enabling the development of innovative chemoproteomic tools and their application to clinically relevant problems. Laboratory & Team Professor Wu directs the Wu Lab located in the Engineering Biosystems Building (EBB 4011) at Georgia Tech. The multidisciplinary team comprises graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and collaborators across chemistry, biology, and biomedical engineering departments.

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Sarah Konzeمشاهده پروفایل

پژوهشگر

Hannover Medical SchoolGermany

Dr. Sarah Konze is a researcher at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Physiology at Hannover Medical School (MHH), where she leads her own research group (AG Konze) since December 2021. Her academic journey began with a biochemistry degree from Leibniz University Hannover (2004-2010), followed by doctoral studies in the 'Regenerative Medicine' program of the REBIRTH excellence cluster, culminating in her PhD on the proteome of human pluripotent stem cells. Prior to her current position, she completed a DFG-funded postdoctoral fellowship at Radboud UMC in the Netherlands. Dr. Konze's research focuses on modeling hypertrophic cardiomyopathy using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes carrying mutations in cardiac myosin-binding protein C. Her work investigates how contractile imbalances among neighboring cardiomyocytes might contribute to the development of heart tissue abnormalities in HCM patients. Her publication record demonstrates significant contributions across multiple disciplines including stem cell biology, proteomics, and cardiovascular disease modeling. The most recent publications focus on glycomics and proteomic analysis of stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes, reflecting her lab's interdisciplinary approach combining molecular biology, biochemistry, and advanced imaging techniques. Notable recognitions include: Travel Award from the Biophysical Society (2019) Young Investigator Award, 1st place at European Muscle Conference (2017) Travel grant from the German Physiology Society (2015) Dr. Konze actively supervises students at various levels, currently mentoring medical student Henrietta Scholz and Master's student Fiona Söhngen, following successful supervision of Sven Schwebe (Bachelor, 2024) and Luqman Eljurnazi (Master, 2024). Her research is supported by ongoing DFG funding and conducted in collaboration with other research groups at MHH, particularly PD Dr. Robert Zweigerdt's laboratory for stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte generation. Her laboratory team consists of multiple researchers and technical staff, creating a collaborative environment focused on advancing our understanding of cardiac disease mechanisms through innovative stem cell approaches.

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Elisa Villalobosمشاهده پروفایل

پژوهشگر ارشد

University of EdinburghUnited Kingdom

Elisa Villalobos is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, with prior research experience at UT Southwestern Medical Center and the University of Chile. Her work bridges cardiovascular biology and metabolic disease research, focusing on molecular mechanisms of cardiac fibrosis and inflammation in obesity. Her research interests center on primary cilia as cardiac mechanosensors and calcium signaling pathways in adipose tissue. Key investigations include polycystin-dependent regulation of fibroblast activity in heart failure, cGAS-mediated inflammatory responses in myocardial injury, and calcium sensing receptor modulation of adipocyte inflammation. This work reveals fundamental connections between cellular structures, signaling pathways, and disease pathogenesis. Analysis of her 14 publications shows consistent progression from metabolic inflammation research (2011-2014) toward cardiovascular mechanisms (2015-2019), with increasing emphasis on translational aspects of heart failure. Her recent work in Nature and Circulation demonstrates significant contributions to understanding nitrosative stress in diastolic dysfunction and primary cilia in cardiac fibrosis. Dr. Villalobos actively contributes to the academic community through editorial roles at Frontiers in Physiology and peer review for major cardiology journals. While not independently supervising students, she mentors junior researchers within collaborative projects funded by British Heart Foundation grants at the Centre for Cardiovascular Science, which provides state-of-the-art facilities for cardiovascular research including advanced imaging and molecular phenotyping platforms.

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Marion Emilie Genevieve Brunckمشاهده پروفایل

پژوهشگر

Monterrey Institute of TechnologyMexico

Marion Emilie Genevieve Brunck serves as a Researcher at Tecnológico de Monterrey's School of Engineering within the Department of Biotechnology, where she leads the Biotechnology Center-FEMSA. Her laboratory focuses on immune cell function mechanisms with applications in immunomodulation and therapeutic development. Bachelor of Science, The University of Queensland Brisbane Doctor of Philosophy in Immunology and Systems Biology, The University of Queensland Brisbane (2015) Dr. Brunck's research integrates immunology, systems biology, and biotechnology to investigate endogenous/exogenous triggers modifying immune cell phenotypes. Her work spans neutrophil biology, obesity-related immunomodulation, maternal-fetal immunity, and therapeutic cell platform development. The laboratory employs OMICS methodologies, flow cytometry (including BD FACSCelesta), and synthetic biology approaches to study immune cell progenitors and their applications. Her 15 most recent publications demonstrate strong focus on immunometabolism, maternal-child immunology, and translational immunotherapies. Key trends include investigating leukocyte dynamics in breastmilk, macrophage metabolism in cardiometabolic disease, and neutrophil engineering for therapeutic applications. Research spans basic immunology through clinical applications with emphasis on Latin American health contexts. Competitive Research Scholarship from Stem Cells Australia Mexican Researcher Certification - Level 2 Dr. Brunck actively mentors through TEC's School of Engineering postgraduate society (Rho Factor) and SACBE STEM, promoting women in science. She supervises 4 MSc and 2 PhD students in the Brunck Lab, which maintains comprehensive immunology research infrastructure. Her collaborative work includes partnerships with the Mexican Society of Immunology and Mexican Society for Biotechnology and Bioengineering. The Brunck Lab operates within the Biotechnology Center-FEMSA at Campus Monterrey, equipped with BD FACSCelesta flow cytometer, biosafety hoods, incubators, and molecular biology equipment. Her team investigates immune cell phenotypic modifications for therapeutic applications while contributing to public science education through the American Association of Blood Banks and STEM outreach initiatives.

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