Richard M. Murray is the Thomas E. and Doris Everhart Professor of Control and Dynamical Systems and Bioengineering at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). He holds a B.S. from Caltech (1985), M.S. from UC Berkeley (1988), and Ph.D. from UC Berkeley (1990). He has served in academic roles from Assistant Professor (1991–1997) to his current endowed professorship. He chaired the Engineering and Applied Science division (2000–2005) and Biology and Biological Engineering (2020–2024). His research focuses on feedback control in biological and autonomous systems, synthetic cells, and networked control systems. Collaborators include experts in robotics, synthetic biology, and systems biology. Key awards include the IEEE Control Systems Award and election to the National Academy of Engineering. His educational contributions span courses on control systems, robotics, and bioengineering. Current research projects include the Developer Cell initiative (Sloan Foundation), layered testing for autonomous systems (AFOSR), and microbiome-based environmental solutions (CHARMME, ARO). He advises numerous graduate students and postdocs, with notable alumni in academia and industry. Labs include facilities in Keck and Steele laboratories at Caltech. His work bridges control theory, synthetic biology, and autonomous systems to address societal challenges like environmental monitoring and safe autonomy.
Michael McAlpine is a Professor in the Mechanical Engineering department at the University of Minnesota . He also holds affiliations with the Biomedical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering departments. His research focuses on 3D printing functional materials & devices , Nanoscale inks , Biomedical devices , Bioelectronics , and Flexible Microsystems . Research Interests : 3D Printing, Biomedical Engineering, Nanotechnology, Flexible Electronics, Microfluidics Labs : ME 361/363 Contact : mcalpine@umn.edu , (612) 626-3303, ME 117 Recent Research Trends include 3D Printed Biomedical Devices , Flexible Electronics , and Bioprinting Applications . His work spans from Spinal Organoid Formation to Programmable Drug Release Capsules . Scientific Award : Circulation Research 2020 Best Manuscript Award
Prof. Knut Drescher is an Associate Professor at the Biozentrum, University of Basel , leading a research group focused on bacterial biofilms , swarming , and microbial multicellularity . Previously, he served as a Professor of Biophysics and Max Planck Research Group Leader at Philipps-Universität Marburg (2015-2021) and conducted postdoctoral research at Princeton University. Research Interests: Physical and biological mechanisms of biofilm formation Cell-cell interactions in microbial communities Antibiotic resistance in biofilms Hydrodynamics of bacterial swarms Evolution of cooperation in multispecies biofilms Development of bioimaging software (BiofilmQ, BacStalk) Scientific Awards: 2023: SNSF Consolidator Grant 2019: Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prize (DFG), VAAM Research Prize, IUPAP Young Scientist Prize 2016: ERC Starting Grant Advising & Grants: Advises PhD and Master's students in microbiology, biophysics, and bioinformatics Secured major grants from ERC , HFSP , and DFG
Jennifer Smith is a faculty researcher at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, where she leads the Smith Lab within the Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation. Her work focuses on coral reef ecosystems, integrating ecology with conservation, restoration, and sustainability. Her research explores how human activities such as nutrient pollution, invasive species, and climate change affect benthic marine communities. She has pioneered the use of large-area imaging and structure-from-motion technology to monitor long-term changes in Maui's coral reefs, including responses to sequential bleaching events and wildfire impacts. Her lab investigates microbial interactions with corals and the role of algae in reef degradation and resilience. Dr. Smith’s publication record reveals a strong focus on coral-algal interactions, nutrient dynamics, invasive seaweeds, and ecosystem-scale analyses. Her work spans tropical regions including Hawaii and the Great Barrier Reef, contributing to global understanding of reef resilience. She mentors graduate students and collaborates widely across marine science disciplines. Scientific Awards: No awards mentioned in the provided text. Advising and Grants: Dr. Smith advises graduate students such as Orion McCarthy and Morgan Winston. Her lab conducts long-term monitoring supported by institutional and likely federal funding, though specific grants are not listed. She leads field campaigns in Hawaii and publishes in high-impact journals. Labs and Teams: The Smith Lab is actively engaged in coral reef research, focusing on resilience, restoration, and human impacts. The team includes researchers and volunteers who conduct field surveys, analyze imagery, and produce outreach materials such as the 'Underwater Gardens' film.
Lucas Janson is an Associate Professor of Statistics and Affiliate in Computer Science at Harvard University. He leads the Harvard Statistical Consulting Service, supervising PhD students advising hundreds of researchers annually. His research focuses on high-dimensional inference, statistical machine learning, and applications in genetics, political science, and climatology. He teaches courses such as Statistical Inference I, Reinforcement Learning, and Statistical Machine Learning. His work bridges theoretical advancements with practical applications, including contributions to robotics motion planning and microbiome data analysis. Key research areas include variable importance inference, safe reinforcement learning, compositional data analysis, and robust paleoclimate reconstructions. His methodologies are implemented in software packages like Floodgate, EigenPrism, and Fast Marching Tree (FMT*). He advises a dynamic group of PhD students and has mentored alumni now in academia and industry roles. Notable contributions include the development of model-X knockoffs for controlled variable selection, conditional randomization tests, and optimization algorithms for adaptive control systems. His work emphasizes statistical rigor while addressing real-world challenges in healthcare, environmental science, and robotics.
Jeffrey Guasto , Associate Professor at Tufts University, holds joint appointments in the School of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) and School of Arts and Sciences (Physics & Astronomy). His work bridges engineering, physics, and biology to study transport properties in complex systems. Ph.D., Engineering (2009), Brown University Sc.M., Engineering (2004), Brown University Dual B.S. in Physics and Mechanical Engineering (2003), Lehigh University Research Interests focus on: Biophysics : Flagellar mechanics, chemotaxis, cell-fluid interactions Soft Matter : Active suspensions, colloids, viscoelastic materials Microfluidics : Device design for cell motility studies and gradient generation Environmental Transport : Microbial ecology in porous systems Scientific Trends from his 77+ publications show emphasis on microscale fluid dynamics, bacterial transport mechanisms, and viscoelastic flow instabilities. His 2024 Nature Microbiology work reveals phage-infected bacteria driving marine chemotaxis, while 2023 PNAS research explores stress topology in viscoelastic flows. Scientific Awards : NSF CAREER Award (2016) for cell dispersal mechanisms Collaborative NSF grants (2015-2023) Advising includes mentoring 15+ students and postdocs. His grants portfolio features 9+ awards, notably NSF grants for viral-microbe interactions (2018) and flagellar mechanics (2020). Labs & Teams : Leads the Guasto Laboratory at Tufts, integrating microfluidics and high-speed imaging for studying microbial transport, while collaborating with MIT, Harvard, and international institutions.
Privatdozent Dr. Andreas Faust is a leading researcher at the European Institute for Molecular Imaging (EIMI) at the University of Münster, where he heads the Chemical Targeting Lab. His work focuses on developing innovative imaging agents for medical diagnostics, particularly in radiopharmaceutical chemistry and molecular imaging. He maintains strong affiliations with the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the University Hospital Münster and participates in the "Cells in Motion" excellence cluster, contributing to cutting-edge research at the intersection of chemistry, medicine, and imaging technology. Dr. Faust completed his chemistry studies at the University of Münster, earning his Diploma in 1999, followed by his doctoral degree (Dr. rer. nat.) in 2003 with research on artificial caffeine receptors. His academic journey continued with positions at the Department of Organic Chemistry and the Department of Nuclear Medicine before becoming head of the chemistry group at EIMI in 2011. Dr. Faust's research centers on organic and medicinal chemistry with specialization in radiopharmaceutical chemistry . His team develops novel tracers for diagnostic molecular imaging using positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), optical imaging, and photoacoustic imaging. A significant portion of his work focuses on creating specific ligands for the alarmins S100A8/S100A9 and bacteria-specific tracers based on complex carbohydrates or siderophores. His research has important applications in inflammation imaging, infection diagnostics, and cancer theranostics, with emphasis on improving metabolic stability and target specificity of imaging agents. His publication record demonstrates consistent contributions to molecular imaging, with recent work emphasizing bacteria-specific PET tracers, inflammation imaging targeting S100 proteins, and novel optical imaging probes. The research shows a clear trajectory toward developing clinically applicable imaging agents with improved specificity and metabolic stability, particularly in the areas of infection diagnostics and inflammation monitoring. 2017: Best Poster Award at Symposium "Molecular Imaging Agents in Medicine," Groningen 2009: Young Investigator Award at Deutscher Röntgenkongress, Berlin 2005: Best Scientific Poster Award at 4th Annual Meeting of the Society of Molecular Imaging, Köln Dr. Faust leads multiple significant research projects, including as Coordinator of a project on immune cell distribution imaging (2019-2024) and as Principal Investigator for CRC-project A03 "Targeting of S100A8/A9 for imaging of inflammatory disorders" and research on vascular graft infections (both 2021-2024). His Chemical Targeting Lab comprises a multidisciplinary team working at the intersection of chemistry, microbiology, and medical imaging, securing substantial funding from the Innovative Medicines Initiative and DFG Collaborative Research Centre. The Chemical Targeting Lab maintains state-of-the-art facilities for chemical synthesis, radiochemistry, and biological testing. The lab collaborates extensively with microbiologists, clinicians, and imaging specialists to translate basic research into clinical applications. Current research directions include optimizing bacterial imaging probes for clinical diagnostics and developing new inflammation-specific tracers for early disease detection, with particular focus on S100A9-targeted imaging and siderophore-based bacterial detection systems.
Paulo E. Arratia is a Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics. His research spans soft matter physics, complex fluids, and biomechanics, with a focus on non-Newtonian fluid dynamics, bacterial suspensions, and microfluidics. He serves as the Faculty Director of Undergraduate Research and leads a research group based in Towne M60, exploring phenomena such as viscoelastic flow instabilities and the physics of baseball mud. Departments: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics Honors: Eduardo D. Glandt Distinguished Scholar, Fellow of the Society of Rheology (2025), APS DFD Fellow (2022) His recent work highlights the interplay between biological systems and fluid mechanics, including studies on bacterial rheotaxis, sedimentation dynamics, and the rheology of human blood plasma. Collaborations with Dr. Jerolmack on mudslide physics and contributions to understanding elastic turbulence and chaotic transport further underscore his interdisciplinary approach. Scientific awards include: Fellow, Society of Rheology (2025) APS DFD Fellow (2022) for experimental discoveries in complex and biological fluid mechanics He has advised PhD students Bryan Torres Maldonado, Ranjiangshang Ran, and Larry Galloway, all of whom successfully defended their theses. His lab’s recent publications analyze soft matter mechanics, granular creep, and viscoelastic swimmers, reflecting ongoing trends in active matter and material failure.
Dr. Andreas Zöttl is a physicist affiliated with the University of Vienna , currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Computational and Soft Matter Physics department. His research focuses on computational modeling of active matter, microswimmers, and polymer dynamics, with applications in biophysics and soft materials. He teaches courses such as Computational Statistical Mechanics and Biological Physics , emphasizing theoretical and computational methods. His recent work explores reinforcement learning in microswimmer locomotion, chiral particle dynamics, and polymer behavior under shear flow. Research keywords include Machine Learning , Fluid Dynamics , and Soft Matter Physics . Themes span hydrodynamic interactions , active colloids , mesoscale simulations , and non-equilibrium systems . Contact: andreas.zoettl@univie.ac.at
Liza M. Roger is an Assistant Professor in the School of Molecular Sciences at Arizona State University (ASU) and a Senior Global Futures Scientist at the Global Futures Scientists and Scholars Program. She is affiliated with the School of Ocean Futures and works at the Walton Center for Planetary Health. Education: Ph.D. in Marine Biology and Geochemistry (University of Western Australia, 2017) B.Sc. Hon. in Marine Biology and Natural Resources Management (University of Western Australia, 2011) Associate’s Degree (Université du Littoral Côte d’Opale, France, 2006) Her research explores how environmental change affects marine organisms in symbiotic relationships with microscopic algae, such as corals, mollusks, anemones, and jellyfish. She pioneers coral in vitro methodologies to advance understanding of symbiosis, biomineralization, and stress adaptation. Recent publications highlight her work on nanotechnology for coral reef conservation, thermal stress mitigation using engineered nanoceria, and interdisciplinary collaborations merging art with coral research. Her studies also address trace metal roles in coral nutrition, insulin signaling pathways, and innovative imaging techniques to monitor coral health. Scientific Awards: NSF’s 2021 Coral Bleaching Research Coordination Network Early Career Training Program Award VCU’s 2021 Postdoctoral Independent Research Award Liza’s multidisciplinary approach integrates expertise from oceanography, biochemistry, nanoscience, and sustainability. She previously worked at the Australian Institute of Marine Science and has field experience as a cetacean naturalist in Iceland and a scuba diving instructor in the Mediterranean Sea and Southeast Asia.
Dr Mahdi Davoodianidalik is a researcher in the Department of Nuclear Physics & Accelerator Applications at the Australian National University (ANU). He is affiliated with the Space plasma power and propulsion group and the Physics of fluids group, focusing on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of plasma physics, fluid dynamics, and space propulsion technologies. His research interests include Turbulence and wave-driven flows Plasma thrusters and electrothermal propulsion Fluctuation-induced forces and interactions Fluid-structure dynamics Thermal engineering of micro-thrusters Nonlinear phenomena in fluids Recent publications highlight his work on analogs of the Casimir effect in turbulent flows, passive propulsion mechanisms, and advanced propulsion systems using solid hydrocarbon propellants. He has contributed to understanding turbulence in both fundamental and applied contexts, with a focus on energy transfer and chaotic flow phenomena. His collaborations span ANU colleagues including Nicolas Francois and Michael Shats, with a strong emphasis on experimental and computational fluid dynamics.
Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Martin A. Kriegel serves as full Professor and Department Head of the Department of Translational Rheumatology and Immunology at the Institute of Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Münster, while maintaining an active laboratory at Yale School of Medicine. He leads the Section for Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology (SRKI) at Medical Clinic D, where his team integrates clinical care with cutting-edge microbiome research. His department operates from Röntgenstraße 21 and Von-Esmarch-Str. 54 in Münster, Germany, with extensive collaborations including the "Cells in Motion" research initiative and the CiM-IMPRS graduate program. Dr. Kriegel's research program focuses on the critical interface between host immunity and microbiota, particularly investigating how gut commensals translocate to host tissues and trigger autoimmune responses. His laboratory pioneered the discovery that specific pathobionts like Enterococcus gallinarum and certain Lactobacillus strains can translocate from the gut to mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, and other sites, driving autoimmune responses through molecular mimicry of human autoantigens. His work has established fundamental mechanisms by which microbiota influence rheumatic diseases, cutaneous autoimmunity, and cancer immunology, with particular emphasis on Ro60 autoantigen mimicry, TLR7-dependent pathways, and diet-microbiome interactions. The laboratory employs advanced techniques including gnotobiotic mouse models, humanized systems, and detailed molecular characterization of host-pathobiont interactions. Analysis of Dr. Kriegel's publication record reveals a consistent trajectory of high-impact research connecting microbiome dynamics to autoimmune pathogenesis. His most recent work (2023-2025) demonstrates increasingly sophisticated understanding of how specific bacterial strains influence disease phenotypes across multiple autoimmune conditions, with notable advances in identifying shared microbiome signatures across lupus and inflammatory bowel disease. The publications show progressive refinement from initial observations of microbial translocation to detailed mechanistic insights into tryptophan catabolism pathways, structural basis of molecular mimicry, and diet-sensitive microbial triggers. Dr. Kriegel's scientific recognition includes US Patent No. 11,058,756 B2 for compositions treating autoimmune diseases by reducing enterococcus, reflecting the translational potential of his research. His laboratory receives substantial funding, most notably a $3 million award from the Lupus Research Alliance for the TransLuMi project investigating gut pathobiont translocation in systemic lupus erythematosus. As an educator and mentor, Dr. Kriegel directs a substantial research team including multiple postdocs (Drs. Marcia Pereira, Nathalie Becker), PhD candidates (Anna Brinkhege, Carina Brune, Helen Fuhrmann), and laboratory specialists. He participates in the CiM-IMPRS graduate program and supervises medical students through the MedK program. His laboratory currently manages multiple significant research projects including: (A) intestinal wall permeability and pathobiont translocation in autoimmunity; (B) diet-environment-microbiome interactions; (C) microbiota disruption of immunological tolerance; and (D) microbiome roles in lymphoma development. The Kriegel laboratory maintains state-of-the-art facilities at both Münster and Yale, with specialized capabilities in gnotobiotic research, microbiome analysis, and immune profiling. His team collaborates with international partners including Dr. Eran Elinav at Weizmann Institute, Dr. Nissan Yissachar at Bar-Ilan University, Prof. George Tsokos at Harvard, and Prof. Ilana Brito at Cornell University. The laboratory's website (https://www.medizin.uni-muenster.de/mikrobiom/startseite/) details ongoing projects and research opportunities.
Prof. Florian Zaussinger is a faculty member at the Faculty of Applied Computer and Life Sciences at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences. His research focuses on thermal convection, fluid dynamics, and numerical simulations in both geophysical and astrophysical contexts. He has contributed extensively to studies on microgravity experiments, including the GeoFlow and AtmoFlow projects conducted on the International Space Station (ISS). University: Mittweida University of Applied Sciences Faculty: Applied Computer and Life Sciences Department: Mathematics Contact: +49 3727 58-1381 | florian.zaussinger@hs-mittweida.de | Building 6, Room 6-131 His research involves advanced numerical modeling of complex fluid systems, including spherical convection, dielectric heating, and double-diffusive processes. He has developed and applied computational tools like the ANTARES code to simulate convection in DA white dwarfs, planetary atmospheres, and Earth's mantle. His work bridges theoretical fluid mechanics with experimental validation in space-based microgravity environments. Recent publications highlight his expertise in thermo-electrohydrodynamic convection, planetary fluid flow analysis, and microgravity-induced instabilities. While the scraped data does not list scientific awards or students directly, his academic profile emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration with engineering and life sciences, particularly in applied mathematics for fluid dynamics and experimental data processing.
Andrea Rocco is an Associate Professor in Physics and Mathematical Biology and Head of the Quantum Sciences Research Group at the University of Surrey. He holds affiliations with the School of Mathematics and Physics and the Centre for Mathematical and Computational Biology. Rocco earned his PhD in Physics from the University of North Texas (1998) and held postdoctoral positions at the University of Barcelona, University of Rome La Sapienza, CWI (Netherlands), and the University of Oxford. His research bridges theoretical physics (quantum mechanics, open systems, decoherence) and biological physics (stochastic dynamics in living systems, gene networks). Educations: BSc in Physics, University of Pisa (1994) PhD in Physics, University of North Texas (1998) Research Interests: His work explores quantum-classical transitions, quantum thermodynamics, and noise-induced phenomena in biological systems. Recent grants include a US$3M award for studying time and life. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology and the Higher Education Academy. Awards: Member of the Institute of Physics (MInstP) Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (FRSB) Advising & Grants: Rocco leads the Quantum Sciences Group and has supervised postdoctoral researchers like Thomas Guff. His grants include major funding for interdisciplinary quantum-biological research. Labs/Teams: Head of the Quantum Sciences Research Group at Surrey, integrating theoretical physics and computational biology.
Cornelius Faber is a University Professor in the Department of Radiology at the University of Münster, Germany, where he leads the Experimental Nuclear Magnetic Resonance research group. His work focuses on developing and implementing novel MRI techniques that extend the boundaries of magnetic resonance imaging in terms of spatial and temporal resolution, sensitivity, and specificity for physiological, structural, and molecular changes. He actively participates in the "Cells in Motion" interdisciplinary research initiative at the university. Professor Faber's research spans multiple critical areas in medical imaging and biomedical science. His primary expertise lies in MRI cell tracking , enabling visualization of cellular dynamics in vivo. He has made significant contributions to infection imaging , developing methods to detect and characterize microbial infections using MRI. His work on MR methodology development has advanced quantitative imaging techniques, while his research on multimodal integration in MR and MRI contrast mechanisms has provided deeper insights into molecular and cellular processes. His research bridges physics, engineering, and biomedical applications, with particular relevance to inflammation, cancer, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular disease. Analysis of Professor Faber's extensive publication record reveals a clear evolution from fundamental MRI technique development toward increasingly sophisticated applications in disease models. His recent work demonstrates a strong trend toward multimodal imaging approaches that combine MRI with complementary techniques such as mass spectrometry, optical imaging, and PET. This integration creates comprehensive diagnostic platforms that provide both anatomical and molecular information. A notable pattern is the focus on cellular dynamics, particularly immune cell behavior in inflammatory conditions and tumor microenvironments, with applications spanning neuroscience, oncology, and cardiology. Professor Faber leads a multidisciplinary research team of approximately 15 members, including scientists, doctoral students, technicians, and medical students. His laboratory is deeply integrated with the University of Münster's research infrastructure, particularly the Multiscale Imaging Centre. The group's work contributes significantly to advancing preclinical MRI methodologies while maintaining strong clinical relevance, with numerous publications in high-impact journals across medical imaging, neuroscience, and biomedical engineering disciplines.
