Jingxuan He is an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Pennsylvania State University. His research focuses on protein-protein interactions, metabolic channeling, and the structural biology of purinosome complexes. His work integrates biochemical assays, genetic engineering, and advanced proteomic techniques to explore enzyme co-localization and pathway regulation in metabolic networks. Key research themes include: Purinosome formation mechanisms Metabolic channeling dynamics in de novo purine biosynthesis Unnatural amino acid incorporation in Streptomyces venezuelae for protein engineering Recent publications reveal interdisciplinary efforts in: Photocrosslinking-based protein interaction mapping Post-translational modification impacts on enzyme activity Genomic analysis of antibiotic-producing actinomycetes Affiliated with the Benkovic Research Group, his work bridges fundamental biochemistry with applications in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering.
Brian Bailey is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of California, Davis. His research focuses on developing advanced 3D computational models and tools to understand plant structure-function interactions, radiative transfer, and environmental impacts on plant physiology. He holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Utah (2011–2015). His work integrates novel experimental and modeling approaches, emphasizing high-performance computing and data-driven techniques. Key projects include the Helios 3D biophysical modeling framework and PhoTorch, a Python package for photosynthesis model fitting. Research spans plant-water relationships, canopy energy balance, LiDAR-based canopy reconstruction, and wildfire modeling. Recent studies explore generative AI for soil reflectance simulation, fruit detection algorithms, and thermal imaging improvements for agriculture. His lab collaborates on applications such as vineyard temperature control and almond irrigation efficiency. Bailey’s work bridges disciplines like computer vision, mechanical engineering, and environmental science to advance sustainable agricultural practices.
Jacquelyn Gervay-Hague is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of California, Davis. Her research focuses on the chemical synthesis of natural products and glycolipid standards to advance techniques like mass spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography, and nuclear magnetic resonance for studying microbial biomarkers in plant-animal symbiosis. Her work spans chemical biology, organic synthesis, and immunology, with particular emphasis on glycolipid interactions in Helicobacter pylori infections and iNKT cell regulation. She has developed innovative methodologies such as Regioselective Silyl Exchange Technology (ReSET) and Corey–Seebach Umpolung reactions for efficient glycoconjugate synthesis. Recent publications highlight her contributions to sterol-lipid phase separation, tea production chemistry, and immunomodulatory glycolipids. Her lab's research integrates synthetic chemistry with biological applications to address questions in microbiology, immunology, and cancer biology.
Caner Kazanci, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at the University of Georgia with a joint appointment in the College of Engineering and the Department of Mathematics within the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on modeling biological and ecological systems, integrating principles from systems engineering, ecology, and applied mathematics. He specializes in ecological network analysis, nitrogen cycling dynamics, epidemiological modeling, and the application of computational methods to understand complex ecological interactions. Dr. Kazanci’s work emphasizes system-wide approaches to quantify ecosystem processes, such as material flow analysis, throughflow contributions, and indirect effects in ecological networks. His methodologies include tools like Network Particle Tracking (NPT) and the LINX framework for ranking flow measurements in compartmental systems. He also explores the impact of human behavior on viral strain evolution and disease control strategies, bridging epidemiology with social sciences. His publications span topics from agroecosystem nitrogen cycling to the thermodynamic foundations of ecological systems. Notable contributions include developing computational tools like the EcoNet software for ecological modeling and advancing theoretical frameworks such as ecological utility theory. Despite his prolific output, no scientific awards or grants are explicitly listed in the provided texts. Dr. Kazanci’s interdisciplinary approach bridges engineering, mathematics, and ecology, reflected in his dual appointments and collaborative research spanning environmental science, biotechnology, and public health.
Ke Li is an Associate Professor at the University of Georgia, specializing in the resilience of water systems and ecological-evolutionary dynamics. His work focuses on symbiotic relationships between insects and microbes, particularly defensive mechanisms against parasitoids and pathogens. He is affiliated with the School of Environmental, Civil, Agricultural & Mechanical Engineering, and his research combines field studies with lab experiments to understand how symbiotic interactions influence host survival under environmental stressors like climate change. Research Interests: Host-parasitoid coevolutionary dynamics Symbiont-mediated defense mechanisms Climate change impacts on mutualistic systems Metabolic interactions within symbiotic communities Phage roles in symbiont functionality His recent articles highlight innovative approaches integrating metabolomics and transcriptomics to study stress responses, as well as exploring how symbionts modulate host resistance to pathogens and environmental shifts. Despite no listed awards, his prolific publication record reflects significant contributions to understanding symbiotic systems' ecological roles.
Lea Marie Alford is an Associate Professor of Biology at Oglethorpe University, located in Atlanta, Georgia. She holds a B.A. from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. from Boston College. Her research focuses on ciliary biology using the model organism Chlamydomonas reinhardtii , emphasizing radial spoke assembly and ciliary structure-function relationships. She teaches courses at all levels in the Biology Program, including Biological Inquiry, Biostatistics, Genetics, and advanced electives in cell/molecular biology, as well as the Core Program’s Science and Human Nature. Dr. Alford has received notable awards, including the 2022 Lu Thomasson Garrett ’52 Award for Meritorious Teaching and the 2009 NIH/NIGMS IRACDA Fellowship. Her publications span molecular mechanisms of ciliary assembly, intraflagellar transport, and genetic studies of ciliary defects. Her lab’s research integrates biochemical, genetic, and ultrastructural approaches to unravel ciliary architecture. Advising undergraduate co-authors, she bridges education and research. Additional details about her work are available on her lab’s website.
Alexander M. Dizhoor is a Professor and holds the Hafter Chair in Pharmacology at Drexel University's Pennsylvania College of Optometry. His research focuses on retinal signal transduction, molecular mechanisms of retinal degeneration, and gene therapy approaches to restore vision. He completed his PhD in Molecular Biology at Moscow University in 1985. His research has led to significant contributions in understanding photoreceptor physiology, including studies on guanylyl cyclase activating proteins (GCAPs), calcium/magnesium signaling in retinal cells, and mechanisms underlying inherited retinal diseases like Leber congenital amaurosis. His work integrates molecular genetics, biochemical analysis, and transgenic animal models to explore therapeutic interventions. Dr. Dizhoor has been continuously funded by NIH R01 grants since 1996 and holds awards such as the Research Excellence Award (2001) and the Hafter Chair (2002). His collaborations include studies with institutions like Wayne State University and the National Eye Institute, with notable contributions to rod photoreceptor rescue mechanisms and GCAP protein function. He serves on NIH study sections (CSR/BDPE, CSR/ZRG1 CB-G) and is affiliated with ARVO and the Society for Neuroscience.
Betsy Arnold is a Professor in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Arizona. She specializes in microbial ecology and plant-microbe interactions, with a focus on fungal endophytes and their roles in plant health, biodiversity, and environmental adaptation. Her research spans topics including seed-associated fungi, endophyte community dynamics, and symbiotic relationships between plants and microbes. Arnold has taught courses such as Microbial Diversity and Plant Production Systems, emphasizing hands-on research training. Her educational background includes a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Arizona and a B.S. in Biology from Duke University. She has received numerous awards, including recognition from the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Mycological Society of America for her contributions to science education and research. Arnold's work integrates field studies, molecular biology, and bioinformatics to address ecological and evolutionary questions. She has published extensively on fungal endophytes' roles in plant defense, seed persistence, and response to environmental stressors like hurricanes. Her lab collaborates globally, contributing to understanding biodiversity patterns and functional traits of endophytic communities.
Anthony G. Moss is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Auburn University, where he also serves as the Marine Program Coordinator. He is affiliated with the College of Sciences and Mathematics and leads an active research laboratory focused on marine invertebrates, particularly ctenophores and marine microbes. Department: Department of Biological Sciences Role: Associate Professor and Marine Program Coordinator Institution: Auburn University Education: Ph.D. from Boston University Marine Program, B.A. from Johns Hopkins University Dr. Moss's research interests span cell and molecular biology, marine microbial biology, wound healing, and the biology of gelatinous planktonic animals. His lab investigates the physiology, behavior, and microbial associations of ctenophores, with a focus on species like Mnemiopsis leidyi and Mnemiopsis mccradyi . Research includes studies on ciliary comb plates, neurophysiology, parasitic protists, and marine microbial ecology. His recent publications highlight work on oil spill impacts on microbial food webs, bacterial associates of corals, ctenophore genomics, and ciliary function. These studies reflect a strong interdisciplinary approach combining molecular biology, ecology, and physiology in marine systems. NSF GK-12 Fellowship (awarded to student Erin Dodson) Graduate School Research Fellowship (awarded to student Matt Dodson) Fund for Excellence Fellowship (awarded to student Kinley Beck) Senior MBL Summer Fellowship Dr. Moss mentors graduate students such as Shilpa Waduwawara and Jeff Daniel, and has been involved in numerous conferences and workshops, including those funded by the National Science Foundation. He teaches courses in Introductory Biology, Cell Biology, and Advanced Cell Biology, and is active in the CMB (Cell and Molecular Biosciences) program. His lab also engages in public outreach, including science cafes on topics like microbes, jellies, and global warming. The Moss Lab maintains active research in field and laboratory settings, with protocols for collecting ctenophores, studying marine microbes, and analyzing ciliary structures. Collaborations include researchers such as Andrew Rogerson and Rebecca Gast, and the lab has participated in international meetings and research initiatives.
Paul Boudreau is an Assistant Professor of Pharmacognosy and Research Assistant Professor at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy's Department of BioMolecular Sciences. He leads the Boudreau Lab, focusing on bacterial natural products and microbiome interactions. His research explores how bacteria utilize natural products to survive in complex environments, with projects on siderophores, cyanobacterial microbiomes, and bacterial lipids. Education: Boudreau earned a Ph.D. in Marine Biology from the University of California-San Diego (2015), following undergraduate studies at MIT in organic chemistry. Postdoctoral work included studies on the gut microbiome under Prof. Emily Balskus. He joined the University of Mississippi faculty in Oxford. Research Interests: The lab's interdisciplinary approach combines genomics, metabolomics, and analytical chemistry to study bacterial natural products. Current projects include metal stress responses, cyanobacterial metabolites, and antibiotic discovery. Labs & Teams: The Boudreau Lab is actively recruiting and emphasizes collaborative, community-oriented science. They employ techniques like whole-genome sequencing and LC-MS metabolomics. The lab also oversees the BioMolecular Sciences seminar series.
Shady Amin is an Associate Professor of Biology and Global Network Associate Professor at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), where he also serves as Associate Program Head for Undergraduate Studies in Biology. He is affiliated with the Division of Science and leads the Marine Microbiomics Lab, focusing on the chemical and ecological dynamics of marine microbiomes. Education: BSc in Biochemistry (UC Santa Barbara), MA in Chemistry (San Diego State University), PhD in Inorganic Chemistry (UC San Diego / San Diego State University Joint Program) Postdoctoral Training: University of Washington, studying diatom-bacteria signaling and archaeal adaptation His research lies at the intersection of chemical ecology, biological oceanography, and marine microbiology , exploring how metabolite exchanges between marine eukaryotes (microalgae, corals, cetaceans) and their microbiomes influence host physiology, adaptation, and ecosystem function. His lab employs genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and fieldwork to unravel symbiotic and pathogenic microbial interactions, including those driving harmful algal blooms. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in microbial communication in marine systems , particularly the chemical signaling between phytoplankton and bacteria. Studies focus on the phycosphere, microbial mutualism via iron cycling, inhibition of diatom growth by bacteria, and the ecological roles of archaea in nitrogen cycling. These works span disciplines including microbial ecology, biogeochemistry, and environmental microbiology, reflecting a systems-level approach to marine microbial networks. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Grant (USD 4,999,505) for Harmful Algal Bloom Research National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant for Marine Microbiome Research Grant from NYU Abu Dhabi to Study Symbiosis Between Phytoplankton and Bacteria Shady Amin actively mentors undergraduate researchers through the Biology Capstone program and teaches courses such as Research Seminar in Biology , Conservation Biology , Microbiology , and interdisciplinary core courses like Communication: from bacteria to humans and An Ocean Voyage . He is involved in a multi-institutional consortium developing an environmental monitoring system along the Abu Dhabi coast to predict algal blooms. His lab, the Marine Microbiomics Lab , integrates molecular biology, field sampling, and biochemical analysis to investigate how microbiomes shape marine life and ecosystem resilience in the face of climate change.
Leighton Pritchard is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Strathclyde's Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences. His research focuses on computational biology and bioinformatics applied to microbial genomics, with particular emphasis on taxonomy, genome evolution, and host-microbe interactions. He leads projects on understanding links between genomic data and phenotypic traits such as antibiotic production, pathogen virulence, and host responses to infection. Education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics (Open University), a Bachelor of Science in Forensic and Analytical Chemistry (University of Strathclyde), and a PhD in Evolutionary analysis of protein sequence-structure-function relationships (University of Strathclyde). His work spans diverse areas including bacterial taxonomy, plant pathogen genomics, and bioinformatics tool development. Notable projects include the genomeRxiv database for microbial whole-genome data and the THAPBI PICT metabarcoding pipeline. He has received the 2020 Metabolomics Publication Award and serves as Senior Editor at the American Society for Microbiology. Research outputs (97 articles) address topics like Phytophthora prevalence, bacterial effector proteins, and genomic classification methods. Collaborations include international initiatives on microbial taxonomy and plant disease mitigation. His lab actively engages in open data science and educational outreach, emphasizing practical applications of computational methods in biology. Grants include leadership of projects funded by BBSRC-NSF and Innovate UK, focusing on microbial classification tools and seed potato industry improvements. Supervised 2 PhD students and contributed to over 60 academic activities including peer reviews and conference presentations.
Viacheslav Fofanov is an Associate Professor and Director at the Pathogen & Microbiome Institute (PMI) within the School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems at Northern Arizona University. His interdisciplinary work bridges computational biology, genomics, and infectious disease research. Affiliation: Northern Arizona University School: School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems Institute: Pathogen & Microbiome Institute (PMI) Role: Director and Associate Professor Dr. Fofanov's research focuses on bioinformatics, genome analysis, and next-generation sequencing technologies. His work spans microbial genomics, protein function prediction, and environmental DNA applications such as dietary metabarcoding in wildlife. He develops computational tools for high-resolution pathogen detection and transmission tracking. The recent publications indicate a strong trend in applying genomic sequencing to public health and ecological challenges. His team uses targeted amplicon screening and multiplex assays to achieve strain-level resolution of pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli . Other studies explore zoonotic transmission dynamics and historical impacts of megafauna extinction on disease spread. These works reflect a blend of computational innovation and biological insight. Dr. Fofanov leads the FofanovLab, which has released bioinformatics software such as mtsv_tools for sequence analysis. His datasets are publicly archived on Zenodo and DRYAD, supporting open science. Collaborations span institutions and disciplines, including ecology, epidemiology, and computational biology. He has contributed to significant research outputs, including tools and datasets that have been referenced in media and academic platforms. While no formal awards are listed, his work has been cited in Scopus and picked up by numerous news outlets and social media platforms, indicating broad scientific and public impact.
Nikolaus Falb is a researcher at the Institute of Biochemistry , University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). His work focuses on structural and functional analysis of enzymes in microbial systems, particularly in actinobacterial ChdC and heme biosynthesis pathways. Primary Affiliation: Institute of Biochemistry, BOKU Email: nikolaus.falb@boku.ac.at Research Interests Falb investigates biochemical mechanisms in microbial enzymes, including pH-dependent reactivity in chlorite dismutase Structural dynamics of catalytic arginine residues Heme biosynthesis in Gram-positive bacteria Computational modeling of protein interactions Publications His recent work explores enzyme structure-function relationships in Actinobacteria , with two 2023 publications focusing on Chlorite dismutase catalytic mechanisms Structural insights into prokaryotic heme biosynthesis enzymes Projects Actively contributes to In-depth studies of actinobacterial ChdC (FWF-funded, 2021-2025), a project analyzing enzyme dynamics in dimeric systems.
Bernard Paul Henrissat is a Professor at the Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine , Technical University of Denmark. He is affiliated with the Section for Protein Chemistry and Enzyme Technology and works on enzyme discovery. His ORCID is 0000-0002-3434-8588, and he can be reached at behen@dtu.dk. Research Interests: Henrissat's work focuses on enzyme biochemistry, polysaccharide structure and function, glycan analysis, glycoside hydrolases, comparative genomics, and carbohydrate active enzymes (CAZy). He investigates fungal and bacterial enzyme systems involved in polysaccharide degradation, with applications in marine biotechnology, biomass conversion, and microbiome research. Projects: He supervises multiple PhD projects including Bioinformatics of the Glycosylation Machinery of Archaea , Dissecting Dietary Glycan Recognition Across the Microbiome , and Novel Functionalities of Carbohydrate Processing Enzymes . These projects span from 2021 to 2027 with international collaborations. Publications: Henrissat has published extensively on enzyme discovery, including recent 2025 papers on Sordariomycetes fungi biotechnology, metagenomic cellulose conversion, bacterial polysaccharide lyases, CAZy database tools, and Aspergillus nidulans comparative genomics.
