Kamal Sarabandi is the Rufus S. Teesdale and Fawwaz T. Ulaby Distinguished University Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan. He leads the Radiation Laboratory, renowned for research in applied electromagnetics, radar remote sensing, and antenna technology. His academic rank is Professor, and he holds affiliations with the College of Engineering. His research spans radar systems for environmental monitoring (e.g., soil moisture, snowpack), automotive radar for autonomous vehicles, metamaterials for antenna miniaturization, and security applications like concealed weapons detection. He has advised over 60 PhD students, many of whom hold academic or industry leadership roles globally. Awards and Recognition: National Academy of Engineering member, IEEE Picard Medal, Humboldt Award, Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and Stephen S. Attwood Award. His work bridges fundamental science with practical innovations, including NASA collaborations and military/defense applications. Labs and Teams: Directs the Radiation Laboratory, a hub for applied electromagnetics and radar innovation. Collaborates with industry (e.g., Qualcomm, SAIC) and government agencies (NASA, Army Research Lab) on projects like the COMBAT center for autonomous systems. Education: Earned his PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan (1989). Alumni of his lab include professors at UW-Madison, Purdue, and international institutions.
Prof. Dr. Michael Schloter serves as Director of the Research Unit for Comparative Microbiome Analysis at Helmholtz Munich since 2011 and holds a Professorship in Microbiology at the Technical University of Munich since 2010. He concurrently acts as Principal Investigator at both the German Center for Lung Diseases (DZL) and the Central for Food and Nutrition (ZIEL) at TU Munich, driving interdisciplinary research at the intersection of environmental and human health through the "Planetary Health" framework. His educational foundation was built through diploma studies at Ludwig Maximilian University Munich and doctoral research at the University of Bayreuth, followed by formative work in Brazil and the United States where he pioneered bioinocula development for stress-resilient agriculture. At Helmholtz Munich (formerly GSF), he evolved from group leader in soil microbial ecology (2001) to Research Unit Director, expanding his focus from agricultural systems to human microbiome-health connections. Dr. Schloter's research program centers on microbiome-host crosstalk across ecological scales, investigating how environmental microbiota interact with human and plant microbiomes to influence health outcomes. His work integrates ecological theory with microbiome analysis to decode host-microbe co-evolution patterns, with applications spanning sustainable agriculture, allergy prevention, and infection control. Key thematic pillars include holobiont theory, probiotic development, and microbiome-mediated disease prevention through environmental quality improvement. Analysis of his 2025 publications reveals a strategic research portfolio bridging fundamental and applied microbiome science. Agricultural studies dominate (maize, potato, apple systems), examining microbial inoculants and soil management, while human health investigations explore preterm birth complications and Antarctic mammal microbiomes. Computational approaches for antimicrobial resistance assessment and ecosystem-scale projects like JenaTron demonstrate methodological breadth, all converging on translating microbiome functionality into real-world sustainability solutions. Major recognitions include: Election to the Bavarian Academy of Science (2021) Consistent placement among the top 1% of highly cited global researchers (2019-2021) Heinrich Baur Research Award (2011) for agricultural microbiology contributions As Research Unit Director, Schloter leads large-scale collaborative initiatives including the DZL and ZIEL consortia, securing major funding for microbiome standardization projects and international research networks. His leadership extends to developing analytical frameworks for cross-ecosystem microbiome comparisons and establishing protocols for translating microbial ecology principles into clinical and agricultural applications. The Comparative Microbiome Analysis unit operates as a nexus for multi-host microbiome research, employing comparative genomics, field-scale agricultural trials, and clinical cohort studies to investigate microbiome dynamics across environmental, plant, and human systems. Current infrastructure includes advanced sequencing facilities and experimental platforms for plant-microbe and host-microbe interaction studies under controlled and natural conditions.
Sharon Rozovsky is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Delaware's College of Arts & Sciences, where she leads research on oxidative stress response mechanisms and protein quality control pathways. Her work bridges biochemistry, chemical biology, and structural biology with direct implications for understanding neurodegenerative diseases and viral pathogenesis. Her academic foundation includes a B.S. from Tel Aviv University (1994) and a Ph.D. from Columbia University (2000), establishing her expertise in protein dynamics and redox biochemistry. These credentials underpin her innovative approaches to studying cellular stress responses. Rozovsky's research program centers on selenoproteins—proteins containing the rare amino acid selenocysteine—and their critical roles in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress resolution. She investigates how membrane-bound selenoproteins like Selenoprotein S and K regulate the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway, with recent work revealing their surprising autoproteolytic activity and involvement in SARS-CoV-2 replication. Her lab pioneers chemical tools including expressed protein ligation and advanced 77Se NMR spectroscopy to characterize these systems at molecular resolution. Analysis of her 2021-2025 publications shows dominant themes in selenoprotein structure-function relationships, ER stress mechanisms, and viral interactions, alongside methodological innovations in cryo-EM grid technology and NMR. This body of work demonstrates consistent focus on redox biochemistry with expanding applications in virology and structural biology. No major scientific awards or fellowships were explicitly documented in the available materials, though her research impact is evident through high-impact publications and methodological contributions. She directs the active Rozovsky Research Group, mentoring graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in biochemical and biophysical techniques. Her laboratory operations are supported by competitive funding including an NSF CAREER award (2011) focused on selenoprotein reactivity, reflecting sustained recognition of her innovative research program.
Dr. Erica Garcia is a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Science at Charles Darwin University’s Faculty of Science and Technology, specializing in aquatic ecology. She leads research on river, wetland, and groundwater ecosystems, focusing on food web dynamics and biodiversity in changing environments. Her current projects include citizen science initiatives for groundwater security and wetland condition assessments. Dr. Garcia holds a PhD from Michigan State University (2006) and a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley (1999). She teaches courses in ecology and resource management and collaborates on interdisciplinary projects addressing water sustainability in Northern Australia. Her research spans observational, experimental, and molecular methods to understand ecosystem processes. Education: PhD in Zoology/Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior, Michigan State University (2000–2006) Bachelor of Science in Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley (1995–1999) Research Interests: Dr. Garcia’s work emphasizes freshwater ecosystems, including food web interactions, groundwater ecology, and the impacts of human activities on riverine systems. She employs eDNA, isotopic analysis, and remote sensing to assess ecosystem health and biodiversity. Current projects investigate groundwater resources and citizen science approaches to environmental monitoring. Grants & Projects: Co-lead on the Northern Australian Community Groundwater Security Project (citizen science) Principal Investigator for the Adelaide River Aquatic Ecosystem Mapping project (2023–2024) Collaborator on the Water Security for Northern Australia Program (2023–2026) Labs/Teams: She is affiliated with the Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods at CDU and collaborates with international networks on global river ecology and climate change impacts.
Dr. Andre Kahles is a Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at ETH Zürich, specializing in biomedical informatics. His research focuses on computational methods for analyzing large-scale genomic and transcriptomic data, with applications in cancer genomics, metagenomics, and precision medicine. He has contributed to the development of tools such as SplAdder for alternative splicing analysis, MetaGraph for petascale genomic data exploration, and SECEDO for subclone detection in cancer genomes. His work bridges algorithmic innovation with biological insights, addressing challenges in single-cell analysis, genome graph alignment, and multi-omics integration. Key research themes include: Developing scalable algorithms for processing nanopore sequencing and metagenomic data Characterizing somatic mutations and non-coding drivers in cancer genomes Advancing genome graph-based alignment and annotation methods Integrating multi-omics data for clinical decision-making and tumor profiling His publications span topics like RNA-seq analysis, chromothripsis in cancers, and global urban microbiome tracking through the MetaSUB consortium. Kahles has collaborated on landmark projects including the Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes (PCAWG) and the Tumor Profiler Study.
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.
Dr. David Burton is a Professor in the Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences at Dalhousie University's Faculty of Agriculture. He serves as Director of the Centre for Sustainable Soil Management and leads initiatives in soil health, greenhouse gas emissions, and sustainable agricultural practices. His teaching spans undergraduate and graduate courses in soil science, nutrient management, and climate change. Research focuses on microbial metabolism in soil, nitrogen cycling, and the environmental impacts of agricultural practices. He co-founded the Atlantic Soil Health Lab and manages the Greenhouse Gas Analysis Lab. Key affiliations include the Canadian Society of Soil Science (Fellow), Soil Conservation Council of Canada, and Fertilizer Canada's 4R Research Network. Recent work emphasizes soil's role in climate resilience, including presentations on regenerative farming and soil carbon sequestration. He collaborates with government and industry to develop climate-smart soil management policies and tools for nitrogen management optimization. Awards: Fellow of the Canadian Society of Soil Science Labs: Centre for Sustainable Soil Management, Greenhouse Gas Analysis Lab, Atlantic Soil Health Lab Grants: NSERC CREATE Climate Smart Soils
Anya L. Brown is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Evolution and Ecology at the University of California, Davis, based at the Bodega Marine Lab. Her research focuses on the community ecology of marine systems, particularly coral reefs, investigating how host-associated microbes and trait variation influence species resilience to stress, ecological interactions, and adaptive plasticity. Education: B.S. (Brown University, 2009), M.S. in Biology (California State University, Northridge, 2012), Ph.D. in Ecology (University of Georgia, 2018). Postdoctoral Experience: Ewel Postdoctoral Fellow in Tropical Ecology (University of Florida, 2018-2020); Postdoctoral Scholar in Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 2020-2022). Her recent publications highlight microbial dynamics in coral reefs, antibiotic effects on reef microbiomes, and trait-mediated interactions. She emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, combining molecular tools with observational and experimental studies. The Brown Lab actively engages students in cross-system marine research, prioritizing inclusivity in scientific communities. Key trends in her work include understanding microbial responses to environmental stressors, coral disease mechanisms, and the role of extended phenotypes in reef ecology. These studies span tropical and temperate marine ecosystems, with implications for conservation and restoration. Scientific Awards: Hellman Fellowship 2024-25 Ewel Postdoctoral Fellowship in Tropical Ecology Dr. Brown's lab fosters research across coral reefs and local coastal systems, integrating ecological and microbial perspectives. She advocates for inclusive teaching and research practices while advancing microbial ecology frameworks in marine conservation.
Christopher Lawson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry at the University of Toronto, affiliated with the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. He serves as Principal Investigator of the Microbiome Engineering Lab and is part of BioZone – the Centre for Applied Bioscience and Bioengineering. His research focuses on engineering anaerobic microbiomes for resource recovery from waste streams using systems biology, synthetic biology, and machine learning approaches. B.A.Sc., M.A.Sc. (University of British Columbia) Ph.D. (University of Wisconsin-Madison) Postdoctoral Training (Berkeley Lab) Lawson's work addresses the challenge of controlling complex microbial interactions in engineered systems to enable scalable biotechnologies for renewable energy, chemicals, and materials. His lab develops high-throughput methods integrating automation and computational tools to optimize microbiome assembly and metabolic fluxes. Recent publications highlight advancements in metabolic modeling , isotope tracing , and systems-level analysis of anaerobic microbiomes, with applications in wastewater treatment , anammox granules , and bioenergy production . His research bridges fundamental microbiology with industrial-scale bioprocess engineering. Scientific Awards ISME/IWA BioCluster Rising Star Award (2022) Jacobs Engineering Group/AEESP Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award (2020) Wesley Eckenfelder Graduate Research Award (2019) WEF Canham Graduate Studies Scholarship (2018) NSERC Post-Graduate Scholarship – Doctoral (2014) Lawson actively mentors students and postdocs, emphasizing technical rigor, communication skills, and independence. His lab collaborates within BioZone and with industry partners to advance "team science" principles. Current projects focus on creating engineered microbiomes for commercial-scale waste valorization.
Hans Christopher Bernstein is a Professor at the Norwegian Fisheries College, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, and affiliated with the Arctic Centre for Sustainable Energy (ARC). His research focuses on biotechnology, microbial ecology, synthetic biology, and microalgal carbon capture and utilization. University: UiT The Arctic University of Norway School: Norwegian Fisheries College Research Group: Microalgae & Microbiomes Research Centers: Arctic Centre for Sustainable Energy (ARC) Bernstein’s work explores the intersection of biotechnology and microbial ecology, particularly in synthetic biology applications for carbon capture. His research includes modeling microbial processes, studying lipidome plasticity in Arctic diatoms, and developing engineered genetic circuits for microbial consortia. Key trends in his publications involve marine microbiome dynamics, cold seep ecosystems, and daylight-driven carbon exchange in structured microbial communities. Recent articles highlight advancements in microalgal biotechnology for industrial carbon capture, synthetic genetic circuits, and spatiotemporal metabolic network models. His work spans both theoretical modeling (e.g., neighbor-dependent interaction inference) and applied biotechnological solutions (e.g., EcoFABS fabricated ecosystems).
Regina Ragan is a Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Samueli School of Engineering, University of California, Irvine. Her research focuses on nanomaterials, self-assembly, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for applications in optical communication, energy systems, and biomedical diagnostics. Education: Ph.D. in Applied Physics, California Institute of Technology, 2002 M.S. in Applied Physics, California Institute of Technology, 1998 B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, 1996 Her work integrates scanning probe microscopy and first-principles calculations to study thermodynamic driving forces in self-assembly and structure-function relationships. Recent publications highlight applications in antimicrobial susceptibility testing, environmental monitoring, and plasmonic device fabrication. The Ragan group develops low-cost diagnostic tools using SERS for telemedicine applications. Current lab members include graduate students and postdoctoral researchers working on nanoscale systems from atomic to mesoscale. Scientific Awards: NSF CAREER Award for fundamental studies of biological/inorganic interfaces Research Trends: Recent articles show a focus on SERS-based diagnostics, plasmonic nanoantennas, machine learning-assisted spectral analysis, and scalable synthesis of 3D graphene architectures. Subfields span quantum plasmonics, stress-activated materials, and biofilm monitoring.
Nathan Yee is a Professor at Rutgers University, where he has held academic appointments since 2004. He earned his B.Sc. from McGill University (1997) and Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame (2001), followed by postdoctoral research at the University of Leeds (2001-2003). His career progression includes positions as Assistant Professor (2004-2010), Associate Professor (2010-2016), and full Professor since 2016. Research Focus Yee's research integrates geochemistry and geomicrobiology to study: mineral transformation processes, interactions between metal ions and mineral surfaces, microbial influences on inorganic element cycling, and contaminant behavior in environmental systems. His work combines experimental approaches with modeling to investigate biogeochemical processes relevant to early Earth evolution, microbial metabolism, and environmental remediation. Key themes include biologically catalyzed redox reactions, metal isotope fractionation, and geomicrobial controls on contaminant transport. Publication Trends Yee's recent publications (2021-2025) demonstrate strong emphasis on microbial-metal interactions, isotope geochemistry, and planetary science. Dominant themes include: isotopic tracing of metal cycling (Ni, Cu, Hg), microbial redox transformations of contaminants (Se, Te, U), photochemical processes in early Earth systems, and astrobiological investigations of planetary bodies like Mars and Enceladus. Methodologies frequently combine laboratory experiments with geochemical modeling.
Professor Stuart James Khan is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Civil & Environmental Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). He previously served as Director of the Australian Graduate School of Engineering (AGSE). His research focuses on sustainable urban water management, water treatment processes, and chemical contaminant analysis. Khan holds a PhD in Environmental Engineering from UNSW (2003) and a BSc (Hons 1 in Organic Chemistry) from the University of Sydney (1995). His research interests include water recycling, desalination, disinfection byproduct formation, and the safe management of chemical contaminants. He has advised over 15 PhD students on topics ranging from advanced treatment technologies to risk assessment frameworks. Khan has published extensively, with over 200 journal articles and 18 book chapters, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to water quality challenges. Key contributions include advancing membrane bioreactor performance, optimizing water recycling systems, and assessing risks associated with emerging contaminants. His work bridges fundamental science and practical engineering solutions, addressing global water security challenges. Current projects explore wastewater-based epidemiology, PFAS remediation, and climate-resilient water infrastructure. Khan collaborates internationally on water reuse strategies and has contributed to policy frameworks for safe water management. His teaching spans courses like Water & Wastewater Treatment and Environmental Risk Analysis, reflecting his commitment to educating future engineers in sustainable practices.
Ferran Garcia-Pichel is a Regents Professor and Center Director at Arizona State University’s School of Life Sciences, affiliated with the Biodesign Center for Fundamental & Applied Microbiomics, Center for Biodiversity Outcomes, Water Institute, and Global Drylands Center. He holds a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Oregon (1999) and has been a faculty member at ASU since 1999. His research focuses on microbial adaptations in arid environments, including biogeochemical cycling, soil crust formation, and sustainable land restoration. Key interests include cyanobacterial sunscreen compounds (scytonemin), carbonate dissolution mechanisms, and hydrogen production. Teaching responsibilities include advanced microbiology, microbial ecology, and geomicrobiology courses such as MBB 495 Undergraduate Research and BIO 493 Honors Thesis. Awards span from the 2021 Regents Professor distinction to the 2023 Sperry Award for restoration science. His lab explores interdisciplinary approaches to study microbial communities in desert soils, marine intertidals, and atmospheric dust, with applications in climate resilience and biomedicine. Research highlights include biocrust restoration strategies, microbial nitrogen fixation networks, and the role of GABA/Glu signaling in spatial organization. Collaborations address global challenges like fugitive dust mitigation and carbon sequestration. The lab is based at the Biodesign Building B on ASU’s Tempe campus.
Shahid Siddique is an Associate Professor in the Department of Entomology and Nematology at the University of California, Davis. His research focuses on understanding molecular and applied aspects of plant-parasitic nematode interactions with host plants. He aims to develop sustainable strategies to mitigate nematode-induced crop losses through genetic, biochemical, and biotechnological approaches. His lab is particularly interested in host resistance mechanisms, nematode effector proteins, and biocontrol solutions. Education: MSc, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan PhD, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria Habilitation, University of Bonn, Germany Research Interests: Siddique’s work bridges basic and applied research, including cell surface signaling in plant-parasitic nematode interactions, functional characterization of secretory proteins, molecular diagnostics for nematodes, and biocontrol strategies. Current projects explore recombination hotspots in nematode genomes, CRISPR-based resistance engineering, and redox signaling mechanisms. Teaching: General Plant Nematology (NEM100) in Spring 2020 Labs/Teams: The Siddique Lab focuses on translating molecular discoveries into practical pest management solutions. Collaborations involve genomic analysis, proteomics, and field trials to address global agricultural challenges.
