Katherine (Trina) McMahon is the Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor in the Department of Bacteriology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, affiliated with the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Her research focuses on microbial ecology, environmental genomics, and biogeochemical cycling in freshwater ecosystems. She leads the McMahon Lab (http://mcmahonlab.wisc.edu/), which investigates microbial community dynamics over long timescales, including viral interactions, nitrogen fixation, and mercury methylation. BS, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign MS, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champagne PhD, University of California at Berkeley McMahon's recent work explores evolutionary trade-offs in nitrogen fixation, sulfate-driven methylmercury formation, and viral ecology in lakes like Trout Bog and Mendota. Her lab employs metagenomics and time-series analysis to unravel microbial and viral adaptations to environmental stressors. Despite no explicit awards listed, her leadership in microbial observatories (e.g., Lake Mendota Microbial Observatory) underscores her impact.
Professor Fred Asiegbu is a distinguished researcher and educator in forest pathology at the University of Helsinki. He holds the position of Professor of Forest Pathology in the Department of Forest Sciences, with additional affiliations at the Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS) and Viikki Plant Science Centre (ViPS). Professor Asiegbu also serves as an invited Professor at Nanjing Forestry University in China and supervises doctoral students across three Doctoral Programmes: Integrative Life Science, Plant Sciences, and Sustainable Use of Renewable Natural Resources. Professor Asiegbu's educational foundation includes: PhD in Biotechnology (1988-1991, awarded 1992) MSc in Applied Microbiology & Plant Pathology (1984-1985, awarded 1986) BSc in Botany (1979-1983, awarded 1983) His research program addresses critical challenges in sustainable forest management through innovative biotechnology approaches. Professor Asiegbu leads investigations into molecular tree-microbe interactions, tree microbiomes, fungal genomics, and biological control of forest pathogens. His work focuses on understanding the molecular and biochemical pathways required by fungal pathogens to infect trees and the mechanisms by which forest trees resist infection. A central research question explores why certain fungi are pathogenic while others form beneficial associations like mycorrhizae. His team applies metabolomics and genomics approaches to screen conifer genotypes for resistance against pathogens like Heterobasidion spp., with the goal of developing novel disease control strategies and informing resistance breeding programs. Analysis of Professor Asiegbu's recent publications reveals a strong interdisciplinary focus spanning molecular biology, genomics, metabolomics, and ecological studies of tree-pathogen interactions. His work predominantly investigates the Heterobasidion pathosystem in coniferous trees, particularly Norway spruce, while also exploring the protective roles of beneficial microbes in enhancing tree resistance. The research integrates fundamental biological insights with practical applications for forest health management in the context of climate change threats to forest ecosystems. Professor Asiegbu has supervised multiple doctoral students on topics related to conifer resistance mechanisms, Heterobasidion pathogenesis, and co-infection dynamics. He leads significant research projects including 'Heterobasidion barrträd patosystem' (2024-2028), 'Bright' (2023-2025), and participates in the Viikki Plant Science Centre and NaPPI infrastructure initiatives, with funding primarily from the Academy of Finland. As director of the Forest Pathology Research Lab, Professor Asiegbu oversees a research program that applies modern biotechnology tools to understand tree-microbe interactions across natural forests, plantations, and urban environments. His work serves public and environmental interests by developing scientific approaches to prevent and control tree diseases, addressing both biotic factors (particularly fungal diseases) and abiotic factors (such as climate change impacts) affecting forest health.
Noam Auslander, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program at The Wistar Institute's Ellen and Ronald Caplan Cancer Center. She joined The Wistar Institute in 2021 after completing postdoctoral training at the National Center of Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Dr. Auslander holds a B.S. in computer science and biology from Tel Aviv University and earned her Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Maryland with a combined fellowship at the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Auslander's research focuses on developing advanced machine and deep learning methods to identify factors that drive cancer development and predict patient prognoses. Her work specifically targets the development of deep learning methods to identify new infectious agents in cancer and biologically interpretable machine learning strategies that improve outcome prediction. Her laboratory has several key research directions: Characterization of the Tumor Microbiome with Machine Learning, Quantification of Gut Microbial Genes and Development of Fecal Biomarkers, New Virus Characterization and Detection of Pathogenic Viral Sequences, and Biologically Informed Classifiers of Cancer Treatment Responses. Her publication record demonstrates a strong trajectory in computational cancer biology, with recent high-impact publications in Nature Communications, Nature Medicine, and other top-tier journals. Her work bridges the gap between complex computational methods and biological insights, with particular emphasis on making machine learning models biologically interpretable for clinical translation. V Foundation Grant for Cancer Research ($600,000) Women Scientists Innovation Award for Cancer Research Dr. Auslander leads a research team including a postdoctoral fellow (Abdurrahman Elbasir), graduate students (Anastasia Lucas, Andrew Patterson, Julia C Malnak), and research staff (McKenna Reale, Bryant Duong). Her lab received significant funding for a project aimed at improving immunotherapy responses in cancer patients by identifying reliable biomarkers that predict patient responses to immunotherapy treatments.
Professor Terry Burke is a Chair in Molecular Ecology at the School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield (1998–present). He has held leadership roles including Head of the NERC Biomolecular Analysis Facility–Sheffield (1998–present) and Director of the NERC Biomolecular Analysis Facility (UK-wide) (2008–present). BSc (1979), University of Wales, Bangor PhD (1984), University of Nottingham His research focuses on mating systems, sexual selection , and genetic diversity in wild populations , with expertise in avian genetics and conservation genetics . Recent work explores gut microbiome dynamics , telomere inheritance , and supergenes in color polymorphism . His publications span evolutionary biology, genetics , and ecology , with recurring themes in sexual selection , parental care , and genetic adaptation . Awards include NERC, Royal Society, and Leverhulme Trust fellowships. NERC Postdoctoral Research Fellow Leverhulme Trust Research Fellow Chair, Molecular Ecology Prize Committee Editorial roles in journals like Molecular Ecology and Nature Communications
Santiago Herrera serves as Associate Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences at Lehigh University, where he leads the Deep-Sea Molecular Ecology Lab. His interdisciplinary research bridges oceanography, molecular biology, and computational analysis to study deep-sea ecosystems. Affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), and the Argentine Deep-Sea Studies Group (GEMPA), he has participated in over 45 oceanographic expeditions spanning all major ocean basins. His research focuses on deep-sea molecular ecology , environmental DNA biodiversity , and evolutionary processes in extreme marine environments. Herrera's lab employs high-throughput omics techniques, oceanographic field work, and computational modeling to investigate how environmental variability shapes deep-sea biodiversity across temporal and spatial scales. Current projects emphasize eDNA applications, comparative genomics, and ecosystem responses to anthropogenic stressors. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on Developing molecular tools for coral biodiversity assessment Understanding connectivity in deep-sea populations through physical-biological modeling Characterizing symbiotic relationships in extreme environments Assessing impacts of climate change and pollution on deep-sea ecosystems Scientific recognition includes: Early-Career Research Fellowship from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Faculty Research Award from Lehigh's College of Arts and Sciences Frank Hook Professorship Herrera actively mentors graduate and undergraduate researchers, with former students pursuing advanced degrees at institutions including Johns Hopkins University, Harvard Medical School, and Texas A&M University. His lab collaborates extensively with physical oceanographers, geochemists, and resource managers to address conservation challenges in vulnerable marine ecosystems. Current fieldwork includes expeditions to the Juan de Fuca Ridge, Mar del Plata Canyon, and American Samoa using submersibles like HOV Alvin and ROV SuBastian.
John Paul Balmonte serves as Assistant Professor at Lehigh University, specializing in environmental science with focus on aquatic microbial ecology and carbon cycling processes in marine systems. His research bridges molecular biology and ecosystem dynamics through field expeditions and laboratory analyses. His academic foundation includes: Dual B.S. degrees in Environmental Systems - Ecology, Behavior Evolution and Molecular Biology from University of California San Diego (2007) M.S. in Marine Sciences from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2014) Ph.D. in Marine Sciences from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2018) Dr. Balmonte's research investigates how hydrostatic pressure, light regimes, and Arctic melt processes regulate microbial community structure and function. His work examines enzymatic activities in extreme environments—from coastal zones to deep-sea systems—and explores carbon cycling mechanisms through microbial organic matter processing. Key methodologies include single-cell enzyme assays, multi-omics approaches, and participation in international expeditions like MOSAiC. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals dominant themes: pressure effects on microbial degradation (40% of works), Arctic ecosystem dynamics linked to sea-ice melt (30%), and latitudinal/depth-related microbial community patterns (20%). His research consistently integrates biogeochemical measurements with microbial ecology to address climate change impacts on ocean carbon cycling. Professional engagement includes collaborative research initiatives and science communication efforts focused on societal applications of environmental research.
Søren Rosendahl is a Professor in Ecology and Evolution at the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen. He holds a PhD and has been recognized as a Knight (Ridder af Dannebrog) for his contributions to science. His academic career spans over three decades at the University of Copenhagen, where he served as Assistant Professor (1991), Associate Professor (1994), and Professor (2000) in the Department of Mycology, which later became part of the Department of Biology. From 2010-2019, he served as Deputy Head of the Department of Biology. Education: 1984: Master of Science (Cand.scient.) in biology, University of Copenhagen 1985: Practical and theoretical training as high school teacher in biology 1989: Ph.D. (Lic.scient) at Institut for Sporeplanter Professor Rosendahl specializes in molecular ecology, population genetics, and evolution of fungi, with particular emphasis on biotrophic symbionts and parasites. His research encompasses Fusarium, Penicillium, Oomycota (Peronosporamycota), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in Glomales, and fungi associated with insects. He employs advanced genomic techniques including rad-sequencing, microsatellites, SNPs, and DNA sequencing to study fungal diversity and distribution patterns. His BioMark project applies population genomics to predict emerging epidemics of Phytophthora infestans (Potato late blight). He also investigates molecular diversity of AMF fungi in agricultural and natural environments using evolutionary and demographic models based on coalescence and MCMC Bayesian statistics. Analysis of Professor Rosendahl's recent publications reveals a strong interdisciplinary focus spanning fungal ecology, medical microbiology, and agricultural science. His work demonstrates consistent application of molecular genetic approaches to understanding fungal community dynamics across diverse ecosystems - from soil microbial communities to human gut microbiomes. The trend shows increasing integration of computational approaches including hierarchical joint species modeling and co-occurrence networks for microbial community data analysis. His research bridges fundamental fungal biology with practical applications in agriculture, medicine, and environmental science. Scientific Recognition: Knight (Ridder af Dannebrog) Throughout his career, Professor Rosendahl has held numerous leadership and advisory positions. He served as Head of the Department of Mycology (1998-2001), Coordinator for the Bachelor degree in Industrial Science (2002-2005), and Head of the Study Board for Biology (2005-2007). He has represented Danish higher education on the Biology/Biotechnology board in the Ministry of Education since 2010 and has consulted for international organizations including the EC Commission, Norwegian Ministry for Education, and European Baccalaureate Unit. His external collaborations include significant work with Novozymes Biologicals and Thomsen BioScience A/S. Professor Rosendahl maintains active research collaborations through his membership in the European culture collection (BEG - Bank of European Glomales) and has served as Danish representative in multiple COST actions. His research group appears to focus on fungal population genetics with applications spanning agricultural systems, natural ecosystems, and medical contexts.
Rico Del Sesto is a Professor of Chemistry at Utah Tech University, where he has been a faculty member since 2012. He previously served as Department Chair of Physical Sciences (2017-2021) and Director of the Research Office (2014-2022). Currently, he directs the Center for Climate Resilience and Sustainability. His career includes significant research positions at Los Alamos National Laboratory (2004-2012) and a National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship at the US Air Force Academy (2002-2004). Dr. Del Sesto received his education from prestigious institutions: Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, University of Utah, 2002 B.A. in Chemistry, Colby College, Waterville, ME, 1997 His research interests span multiple interdisciplinary fields with a focus on materials chemistry. Dr. Del Sesto leads the Functional Materials Laboratory, which develops new materials with functional properties including optical, magnetic, electronic, and mechanical characteristics through strategic molecular design. His work bridges organic chemistry with applications in materials science, biology, inorganic chemistry, and physics. Current research projects address critical challenges in materials science, energy, national security, and climate resilience through collaborations with the Departments of Energy, Defense, Homeland Security, and the Intelligence Community. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent research trajectory focused on ionic liquids and their diverse applications. His work spans from fundamental chemical properties to practical implementations in biomedical, security, and energy contexts. A notable trend is the evolution from basic ionic liquid chemistry toward increasingly sophisticated applications in drug delivery, antimicrobial technologies, and advanced materials for energy storage. Dr. Del Sesto has received significant recognition for his work, including: National Academies of Science Postdoctoral Fellowship Multiple patents with practical applications Front cover features for several publications Highlighting in Nature and Scientific American for groundbreaking research 'top 25' most cited in Journal of Organometallic Chemistry As an educator and mentor, Dr. Del Sesto has secured over $8 million in research funding as Principal Investigator for more than 15 programs from DOE, DOD, and DHS. He teaches a comprehensive range of courses from introductory organic chemistry to advanced materials chemistry. Drawing from his own experience as a first-generation, underrepresented undergraduate student, he actively encourages diversity in STEM research participation. His educational philosophy emphasizes connecting chemistry to real-world applications and the broader context of students' lives. Dr. Del Sesto contributes to scientific community engagement through regional Science Café events and his leadership in the Center for Climate Resilience and Sustainability, demonstrating commitment to both fundamental research and practical societal impact.
André O. Hudson serves as Dean of the College of Science and is a Program Faculty member in the School of Chemistry and Materials Science at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). He joined RIT in 2008 after completing a post-doctoral fellowship at Rutgers University and was appointed Dean of the College of Science in April 2023, having served as interim dean since August 2022. Education: B.S. in Biology, Virginia Union University (2000) Ph.D. in Plant Biochemistry, Rutgers University (2006) Dr. Hudson is trained as a biochemist with research focused on amino acid metabolism, structural analyses of enzymes involved in amino acid and bacterial peptidoglycan metabolism, and the isolation, identification and genomic characterization of plant-associated bacteria. His laboratory specifically targets the problem of antibiotic resistance by identifying and characterizing novel antibiotic lead compounds using techniques from biochemistry, molecular biology, bioinformatics, genomics, and microbiology. Additional research areas include amino acid metabolism, microbial genomics, and plastic degradation. His publication record spans multiple disciplines within microbiology and biochemistry, with particular emphasis on bacterial genomics, enzyme structure-function relationships, and antibiotic development. The research shows a clear progression from fundamental biochemical studies toward applied microbiology and antibiotic discovery, with numerous publications on endophytic bacteria, genome sequencing, and metabolic pathways relevant to antibiotic development. Dr. Hudson has secured approximately $1.3 million in federally funded grants and contracts as PI or CoPI from the NIH, NSF, Bayer Corporation, Sweetwater Energy, and Natcore Technology. He has published 43 peer-reviewed articles and presented more than 28 conference presentations in addition to 29 invited talks. As an educator, he has mentored numerous students in research and has published with many of them. He has served on numerous School, College, and Institute Committees, including chairing the College of Science Faculty Evaluation and Development Committee since 2014 and the RIT Isaac L. Jordan Faculty Pluralism Award Selection Committee since 2013. The Hudson Lab trains and mentors the next generation of scientists to solve today's problems while preparing them to tackle emerging scientific challenges. The lab is dedicated to addressing antibiotic resistance through biochemical, genomic, and microbiological approaches.
David M. Althoff is Associate Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Biology at Syracuse University. He earned his Ph.D. in Zoology from Washington State University. His research examines evolutionary ecology through multi-trophic interactions between plants, insects, and their natural enemies. Althoff's laboratory focuses on: Evolutionary ecology of species interactions Mechanisms of speciation in specialized herbivores Molecular ecology and phylogenetics Yucca-yucca moth coevolution Community assembly processes His publications reveal how mutualisms evolve and persist across environmental gradients. Recent NSF-funded projects investigate ecological dynamics in multi-mutualist communities and coevolution in pollination systems. Althoff teaches courses in evolutionary biology, ecological medicine, and field biology. He serves as Greenhouse Coordinator and faculty advisor for TriBeta Honor Society. His work integrates field studies across southwestern US with genomic analyses and ecological modeling.
PD Dr. Jochen Klumpp is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Health Sciences and Technology (D-HEST) at ETH Zurich. His research focuses on bacteriophage biology, bacterial pathogenesis, and antimicrobial strategies. He leads studies on phage-host interactions, phage-based diagnostics, and phage therapy applications, particularly targeting pathogens like Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Key research areas include phage resistance mechanisms, genomic analysis of bacterial pathogens, and development of broad-spectrum phage cocktails. His work spans food safety, clinical microbiology, and evolutionary virology. Recent studies emphasize engineering phages for rapid pathogen detection in clinical samples and exploring phage diversity in environmental and clinical settings. Publications highlight innovations in phage taxonomy, CRISPR-Cas9 systems in bacteria, and structural biology of phage-tail components. Collaborations with global institutions, including Thailand and Kenya, underscore his commitment to addressing global health challenges through phage research. Awards: None explicitly listed. Advising/Grants: No student names or grant details provided. Research is supported through institutional and collaborative funding. Labs/Teams: Part of D-HEST's microbiology and biotechnology research groups, focusing on applied and fundamental phage research.
Gregory Fournier is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (EAPS) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he leads the Fournier Lab and participates in the MIT-WHOI Joint Program. His work bridges genomic analysis with Earth history to reconstruct planetary habitability through deep time. Education Ph.D. in Genetics and Genomics, University of Connecticut (2009) A.B. in Genetics, Dartmouth College (2001) Dr. Fournier's research integrates microbial genomics , phylogenetics , and geochemistry to investigate life-environment co-evolution. His lab specializes in reconstructing evolutionary histories of microbial metabolisms (photosynthesis, carbon fixation, sulfur cycling) using horizontal gene transfer analysis and molecular clocks. By reconciling genomic records with geological evidence, they test hypotheses about ancient Earth conditions and ecosystem development, contributing to astrobiology and the search for extraterrestrial life. Recent publications reveal critical transitions in Earth's history through phylogenomic analysis of carbon fixation pathways and oxygenic photosynthesis origins. His work consistently demonstrates how horizontal gene transfer shapes microbial diversity and drives biogeochemical cycles, with implications for understanding planetary habitability. Scientific Awards Fellow, Signatures of Life in the Universe Initiative, RSCA/Heising-Simons Foundation (2023) MIT John W. Jarve Seed Fund Award for Science Innovation (2022) Fellow, Signatures of Life in the Universe Initiative, RSCA/Heising-Simons Foundation (2021) Simons Foundation: Life Sciences-Simons Collaboration on the Origins of Life Investigator Award (2016) Dr. Fournier mentors PhD candidates Madeline Paoletti (rTCA carbon fixation), Fatima Husain (organic geochemistry), and Zicong Zhang (enzyme evolution), alongside postdoctoral researcher Erik Tamre. His lab has trained numerous graduate students now in academic and research careers. Funding comes from the Simons Foundation, Heising-Simons Foundation, NASA Astrobiology Institute, and MIT internal grants. The Fournier Lab operates within MIT's Green Building (54-1016), collaborating with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and integrating computational biology with geological fieldwork. The team combines phylogenomic modeling, molecular dating techniques, and geochemical analysis to decode Earth's earliest biological records.
Dr. Than Boves is a Professor of Ecology in the Molecular Biosciences program at Arkansas State University's Beck College of Sciences & Mathematics. His research focuses on avian biology, conservation, and symbiotic relationships, with an emphasis on warblers, raptors, and feather mites. PhD in Wildlife Ecology (University of Tennessee at Knoxville, 2011) MS in Raptor Biology (Boise State University, 2007) BS in Biology (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1998) His work spans disturbance ecology, population dynamics, animal behavior, and conservation physiology. The Boves Lab investigates topics such as forest management impacts on cerulean warblers, avian ectosymbiotic mites, and migratory connectivity through genomic and tracking methods. Key article trends include avian conservation challenges, host-symbiont coevolution, migration ecology, and the application of genomics to understand warbler populations. His research often integrates molecular tools with field observations. Ecological Society of America American Ornithologists' Union Society for Conservation Biologists Wilson Ornithological Society Cooper Ornithological Society The Wildlife Society National Association of Biology Teachers Contact: tboves@astate.edu | Office: Lab Science East Room 315 | Lab website: boveslab.weebly.com
Matthew Bakker is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Manitoba's Faculty of Science. He leads the Bakker Lab - Agricultural Microbial Ecology Research Group , focusing on microbial ecology and species interactions affecting agricultural sustainability. At the University of Manitoba, he teaches Microbes In Our Environment , Introductory Biogeochemistry , and contributes to graduate courses in Evolution of Fungal Pathogens . PhD in Plant Pathology, University of Minnesota Postdoctoral research, Colorado State University Staff scientist, U.S. Department of Agriculture His research spans multiple interconnected areas of agricultural microbiology: Ecological understanding of Fusarium graminearum pathogenesis Soil microbiome responses to agricultural practices Microbial detoxification of mycotoxins Malting process microbiology Microbial greenhouse gas fluxes in soil Biocontrol agent development The lab's recent publications focus on advanced diagnostics (MALDI-TOF spectrometry), pathogen-phytochemical interactions, microbiome engineering, and climate change impacts on microbial communities. Research is supported through the BENEFIT Project (Genome Canada) and collaboration with the Canadian Collection of Agricultural Soil Microbes (CCASM) . Students working under his supervision include: PhD candidates: M. Shimosh Kurera, Rebecca Pagès MSc students: Brian Harrison, Kelsey Wog, Hariniha Selvarajan Co-op students: Varisha Rehman, Robin Nelson Undergraduate researchers: Avery Hoeppner, Sara Mills International collaborators: Dr. Hina Shanakhat, Dr. Briana Whitaker The lab actively engages in: Soil microbial community analysis Endophyte-pathogen interaction studies Mycotoxin bioremediation research Plant microbiome engineering Agricultural sustainability initiatives Training through the EvoFunPath program
Marie Strader is an Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University, leading the Strader Lab. Her research focuses on ecological and evolutionary responses of marine invertebrates to environmental change, particularly through integrative approaches combining epigenetics, physiology, and genomics. She holds a B.Sc. in Biology from the University of Oregon (2010) and a Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior from the University of Texas at Austin (2017), followed by postdoctoral research at the University of California, Santa Barbara (2017–2019). Her research emphasizes three core themes: ecological evolutionary epigenetics, genetic basis of responses to multiple stressors, and phenotypic plasticity in global change contexts. She uses marine models like corals, sea urchins, and jellyfish to explore how organisms adapt to rapid environmental shifts. Key topics include DNA methylation’s role in transcriptomic plasticity, transgenerational effects of parental environments, and symbiotic relationships influencing resilience. Strader’s work has advanced understanding of coral reproductive behaviors via ROV observations, coral mucus composition post-bleaching, and CRISPR/Cas9 applications in coral genome editing. Her lab collaborates broadly, addressing critical questions in marine conservation and climate adaptation. Notable contributions include studies on transgenerational plasticity, coral heat tolerance through selective breeding, and the molecular mechanisms underlying symbiotic relationships. Her research bridges laboratory experiments with field observations, aiming to inform strategies for marine ecosystem resilience.
