Vignesh Ram Somnath is a Professor in the Biosciences of Sports at the University of Hildesheim since 2018. Previously, he served as an Acting Professor (2016-2018) and Research Associate (2010-2016) at the Institute of Sports Science, German Sports School Cologne. His work bridges molecular biology with sports science, focusing on skeletal muscle adaptation. Current: University Professor W2, University of Hildesheim 2016-2018: Acting Professor, University of Hildesheim 2010-2016: Research Associate, German Sports School Cologne 2005-2007: Research Assistant, German Sports School Cologne Research Interests: Regulation of molecular signaling pathways in skeletal muscle Mechanoprotective mechanisms during exercise Protein degradation dynamics Optimization of training and nutrition in competitive sports Integration of molecular biology with traditional sports science Key Publications (2020-2017) demonstrate expertise in: Metabolomics of muscle hypertrophy AMPK signaling in training Mitochondrial adaptations Extracellular vesicle analysis Calcium signaling pathways
Joshua J. Coon is a Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with appointments in the Department of Biomolecular Chemistry and the Department of Chemistry. He leads the Coon Group, focusing on advancing mass spectrometry technologies for proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics. His research addresses fundamental questions in cell biology, including stem cell differentiation, epigenetic regulation, and cancer biomarker discovery. Affiliations : Director of the NIGMS National Center for Quantitative Biology of Complex Systems. Research Emphasis : Instrumentation development, data analysis software, ion chemistry, and biological applications of proteomics. Laboratory : Located in the Genome Center of Wisconsin with a dozen hybrid mass spectrometers, including Orbitrap systems. Collaborations : Long-term partnership with Thermo Fisher Scientific and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) for technology commercialization. Training : Mentored 27 Ph.D. students since 2009, emphasizing interdisciplinary research and professional development.
Jeff S Abramson is a Professor of Physiology in the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). His research focuses on the structural and functional characterization of membrane transport proteins, particularly sugar transporters and mitochondrial channels. He maintains an active laboratory investigating the molecular mechanisms of cellular transport processes. Dr. Abramson's primary research interests center on membrane transport proteins, with particular emphasis on sugar symporters and voltage-dependent anion channels (VDACs). His work combines structural biology, biophysics, and biochemistry to understand the molecular mechanisms of transport, including conformational changes during transport cycles, substrate recognition, and regulation by membrane potential. His research has significant implications for understanding metabolic disorders, mitochondrial function, and potential therapeutic targets. Analysis of Dr. Abramson's publication record reveals a consistent focus on membrane protein structure-function relationships over the past two decades. His work demonstrates expertise in X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, and functional assays to characterize transport proteins. Recent publications show increasing emphasis on mitochondrial biology, particularly VDAC structure and function, while maintaining his longstanding interest in sugar transport mechanisms. His research bridges fundamental biophysical principles with potential biomedical applications in metabolic diseases. Dr. Abramson has been awarded multiple NIH grants supporting his research, including the R35GM135175 grant titled 'Deciphering molecular details of cellular sugar transport and their roles in disease' (2020-2024), R01GM124783 'Functional and structural studies of unique pathogenic transporters involved in glycobiology' (2017-2021), and R01GM078844 'Structural and functional characterization of sugar transporters in health and disease' (2006-2020). As Principal Investigator, Dr. Abramson has mentored numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. His laboratory has made significant contributions to understanding the structure-function relationships of membrane transport proteins through collaborations with researchers across multiple disciplines. The lab utilizes advanced techniques including X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, electrophysiology, and computational modeling to address fundamental questions about membrane protein mechanisms. Dr. Abramson's laboratory is part of UCLA's broader research ecosystem focused on structural biology and membrane protein research. His work intersects with several research centers at UCLA including those focused on metabolic diseases and structural biology. The lab maintains active collaborations with researchers specializing in biophysics, computational modeling, and disease mechanisms to translate basic findings into potential biomedical applications.
Wen Xue is a Professor at UMass Chan Medical School, affiliated with the RNA Therapeutics Institute within the T.H. Chan School of Medicine. She holds multiple additional roles across departments such as the Program in Molecular Medicine, Cancer Biology, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology at the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Her research focuses on developing genetic models for liver and lung cancer using CRISPR/Cas9 and RNAi tools. Key areas include CRISPR-mediated genome editing for cancer gene discovery, KRAS inhibition mechanisms, and miRNA networks in lung cancer. She has secured grants from NIH, American Cancer Society, and others. Awards include the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award and Lung Cancer Research Foundation grants. Her lab actively recruits postdoctoral researchers and offers rotation projects in CRISPR technology and cancer biology. Education: B.S. and M.S. in Biochemistry from Nanjing University; Ph.D. in Biochemistry from State University of New York, Stony Brook. Research Interests: Wen Xue’s lab employs CRISPR tools to accelerate cancer gene validation and therapeutic target identification. Projects include: CRISPR-based liver cancer gene correction and oncogene deletion studies. Investigating KRAS inhibition resistance via RNAi and CRISPR in lung cancer models. Characterizing miRNA networks using TCGA data to identify therapeutic miRNA candidates. Her work bridges functional genomics with precision medicine, emphasizing in vivo and in vitro platforms. Publications: Over 100 peer-reviewed articles, including high-impact studies on CRISPR applications in gene therapy and cancer modeling. Recent work explores prime editing, base editing, and viral/non-viral delivery systems for lung diseases. Grants & Awards: NIH grants (P01HL131471, DP2HL137167), American Cancer Society (RSG-16-093), and industry partnerships like the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Collaborations include projects on CFTR mutation repair and AAV vector development. Labs/Teams: Xue Lab focuses on cancer genetics and gene editing, with interdisciplinary collaborations in molecular medicine and bioengineering. Ongoing projects aim to translate CRISPR-based therapies into clinical applications.
Joe Stock is an Assistant Professor in Kinesiology at East Carolina University's College of Health and Human Performance. He operates the Human Performance Lab, focusing on cardiovascular wellness in aging and at-risk populations. B.S. in Exercise Science, Slippery Rock University M.S. in Health, Physical Activity and Chronic Disease, University of Pittsburgh Ph.D. in Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, University of Delaware His research examines aortic hemodynamics, vascular function, and lifestyle interventions through echocardiography, blood vessel ultrasound, and non-invasive blood pressure analysis. He explores sex differences in neurocardiovascular responses and salt sensitivity mechanisms. Recent publications demonstrate expertise in chronic kidney disease adaptations, exercise-induced vascular changes, and central sodium sensing. Collaborations span cardiovascular physiology, nephrology, and autonomic neuroscience. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute grant (2021-2023) University of Delaware Dissertation Fellowship (2019) University of Delaware Summer Doctoral Fellowship (2018) Professional service includes American Heart Association membership, ACSM regional committee work, and development of clinical exercise programs for renal patients. His work integrates applied physiology with translational medicine.
Dr. Su Ryon Shin is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Engineering in Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) in Cambridge, MA. She leads an active research laboratory focused on bioengineering, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine, with particular expertise in 3D bioprinting, biomaterials, and organ-on-a-chip technology. Her research interests span biohybrid robotics, decellularized extracellular matrix, stem cell-based tissue engineering, and volumetric muscle regeneration . Dr. Shin's work integrates advanced biomaterials with cellular systems to create innovative solutions for tissue regeneration and disease modeling. She has pioneered approaches using human stem cell-derived materials for volumetric tissue regeneration and developed biohybrid neuromuscular robots powered by living cardiac muscle cells. Her publication record demonstrates consistent productivity with over 180 publications, including numerous first/senior author papers in high-impact journals like Science Robotics, Advanced Materials, and Nature Reviews Bioengineering . Her work shows a clear progression from fundamental biomaterials development to increasingly complex tissue engineering applications and translational research. Dr. Shin has received significant recognition including being named a 2025 BWH Health & Technology Innovation Awardee , Highly Cited Researcher 2024 by Web of Science, and multiple Stepping Strong Innovator Awards (2015, 2018, 2020). Her research has been featured in Nature Reviews Bioengineering for breakthrough work on biohybrid robots. She actively mentors students and postdocs, with former lab members accepted to prestigious programs like MIT's PhD program in Chemical Engineering. Her collaborative approach is evident through numerous interdisciplinary projects with researchers across Harvard Medical School, BWH, and international institutions.
Professor Trevor Lithgow is a Research Professor in Microbiology at Monash University, affiliated with the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute. He holds a PhD from La Trobe University (1992) and has held fellowships including the ARC Federation Fellowship (2008) and ARC Laureate Fellowship (2014). His research focuses on bacterial cell biology, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and phage therapies, leveraging nanoscale imaging techniques like cryo-EM and super-resolution microscopy. He leads the Monash Centre to Impact AMR, an interdisciplinary initiative addressing global AMR challenges through collaborations across engineering, social sciences, and clinical medicine. Key achievements include the HFSP Tenth Anniversary Award (1999), Lemberg Medal (2020), and Royal Society of Victoria Medal (2017). His work on bacterial outer membrane assembly, phage-bacteria interactions, and structural analysis of the mitochondrial TOM complex has advanced understanding of pathogen resilience and novel antimicrobial strategies. Current projects include developing phage therapies and cross-sectoral AMR surveillance frameworks. Education: PhD in Biochemistry (La Trobe University, 1992) Research Interests: Bacterial cell surface visualization, nanoscale imaging, phage biology, AMR mechanisms Leadership: Director of Monash Centre to Impact AMR since 2020 Awards: 10+ national/international honors, including ARC Fellowships Publications span over 250 articles on bacterial membrane biology, AMR dynamics, and phage applications, with recent focus on polymyxin dependence in Acinetobacter and phage-driven resistance resensitization.
Dr. Nicholas Broskey is an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at the College of Health and Human Performance, East Carolina University. His research bridges translational science and clinical practice, focusing on skeletal muscle physiology and mitochondrial biology to address metabolic diseases through exercise interventions. Dr. Broskey's work explores how maternal health during pregnancy programs infants' metabolic health outcomes, utilizing mesenchymal stem cell models to study developmental programming of obesity and diabetes. He combines clinical expertise in exercise prescription and metabolic assessment (e.g., hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, indirect calorimetry) with basic science techniques to evaluate mitochondrial content and function. His recent publications highlight maternal exercise effects on offspring metabolism, mitochondrial heterogeneity in racial health disparities, and bioenergetic adaptations in cancer cells. Grants from NIH, Brody Brothers' Foundation, and Duke University support his research on maternal-fetal metabolic programming and exercise transducers. Scientific Awards Outstanding Researcher or Creative Activity Award 2023-2024 Early Career Grant Challenge 2018 Endowed Postdoctoral Fellowship 2015 Best Poster 2012 Dr. Broskey actively serves on editorial boards for Clinical Experimental Obstetrics and Gynecology (2023) and International Journal of Sports Medicine (2022).
Michael J. Ragusa is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at the Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Dartmouth College , specializing in molecular mechanisms of selective autophagy . His research integrates structural biology , biochemical reconstitution , and cell biology to understand how cells degrade toxic components like damaged organelles. Education: B.S. in Chemistry from Siena College, Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Brown University His work focuses on autophagy , particularly the role of Atg proteins in membrane tethering and cargo selection. His lab has published extensively on mitophagy , ALFY , and Atg11 , linking defects in these pathways to cancer , neurodegeneration , and infectious diseases . Recent studies highlight mechanisms of vesicle clustering and dimerization-dependent membrane interactions . Dr. Ragusa teaches courses such as CHEM 5: General Chemistry , CHEM 42: Biological Chemistry II , and CHEM 95.05: Protein Crystallography . His lab employs techniques like X-ray crystallography , NMR spectroscopy , and membrane reconstitution to dissect protein-lipid interactions.
Dr. Nika Danial is an Associate Professor of Cell Biology at Harvard Medical School and the Department of Cancer Biology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. She leads the Danial Lab, investigating metabolic mechanisms that regulate cellular adaptation to stress, with a focus on fuel utilization in health and disease. Dr. Danial holds additional roles as Co-Director of the NCI-funded T32 Training Program in Cancer Chemical Biology and Metabolism. Her research integrates biochemistry, mouse models, and metabolomics to study metabolic contributions to cancer, diabetes, and neurological disorders. Education: PhD from Columbia University (1999), postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber under Dr. Stanley Korsmeyer. Key research areas include mitochondrial dynamics, glucose metabolism pathways, and the interplay between inflammation and metabolic signaling. The lab has pioneered studies on how metabolic flexibility impacts disease progression in pancreatic islets, lymphoma subtypes, and neuronal excitability. Publications highlight discoveries in mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation regulation, urea cycle anti-inflammatory mechanisms, and metabolic signatures in cancer subtypes. Her work has implications for developing therapies targeting metabolic vulnerabilities in diseases like diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and type 1 diabetes. The Danial Lab emphasizes rigorous training for the next generation of scientists through mentorship programs and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Markus Babst is a Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Utah, where he leads research at the Center of Cell and Genome Science. His work focuses on protein trafficking mechanisms in eukaryotic cells using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a primary model system. His educational background includes: Diploma from Federal Institute of Technology, Switzerland Ph.D. from Federal Institute of Technology, Switzerland Dr. Babst's research centers on post-translational regulation of plasma membrane proteins through endocytosis and endosomal sorting. Key investigations include ESCRT-mediated protein sorting into multivesicular bodies for lysosomal degradation and eisosome-regulated storage of nutrient transporters. His work demonstrates how calcium signaling and proton gradients control eisosome disassembly and transporter endocytosis, revealing fundamental mechanisms of cellular stress adaptation. This research bridges membrane biophysics, metabolic regulation, and organelle dynamics. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications shows persistent thematic focus on membrane tension regulation, ESCRT complex dynamics, and nutrient transporter control. His work increasingly integrates mitochondrial metabolism with plasma membrane organization while maintaining yeast genetics as the core methodology. Recurring subfields include membrane contact sites, lipid domain organization, and stress-induced protein trafficking changes. Dr. Babst's scientific contributions are evidenced by his extensive publication record in high-impact journals, though specific awards are not documented in available sources. While student mentorship details are unavailable in the provided materials, his laboratory employs biochemical, genetic, and cell biological approaches to investigate membrane protein regulation. Grant funding specifics are not mentioned in the source text. His laboratory operates within the University of Utah's biological research ecosystem, utilizing S. cerevisiae to dissect conserved eukaryotic mechanisms. Current work emphasizes plasma membrane tension dynamics, ER-plasma membrane contact sites, and metabolic regulation of membrane protein trafficking, with implications for understanding cellular adaptation in changing environments.
Yeonhwa Park is a Professor and holder of the Francis Chair in the Department of Food Science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her research focuses on functional foods, bioactive components, and environmental contaminants' effects on obesity and aging. She investigates food bioactives like conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and environmental pollutants like PFAS to understand their roles in metabolic disorders and aging mechanisms. Her work spans multiple models, including C. elegans, zebrafish, and rodent studies, emphasizing translational applications for human health. Teaching responsibilities include courses such as 'Science of Food' (FS150), 'Biology of Food in Human Health' (FS270), and 'Bioactive Food Components' (FS750). Awards include Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (2017–2018), Faculty Convocation Award (2015), and the Timothy Mounts Award (2015). Her research has been published in over 150 peer-reviewed articles, with recent emphasis on environmental contaminants' impact on obesity and type 2 diabetes, and the use of C. elegans for screening bioactives. Key findings include CLA's role in fat reduction, PFAS-induced metabolic disruption, and the application of alternative models (e.g., C. elegans) to reduce animal testing. Her lab integrates molecular biology, toxicology, and food science to address global health challenges like the obesity epidemic and environmental toxin exposure.
Sai Zhang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Florida (UF), holding affiliations with the College of Public Health & Health Professions and College of Medicine. He is also an Affiliate Faculty in the J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering at the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering. Previously, he was an Instructor at Stanford University School of Medicine and a Research Associate at the VA Palo Alto Epidemiology Research and Information Center (ERIC). Dr. Zhang completed his Ph.D. in Computer Science and Technology at Tsinghua University, followed by postdoctoral training in Dr. Michael Snyder’s lab at Stanford Genetics. His research integrates machine learning, genomics, and precision medicine to uncover genomic bases of complex diseases. Key focuses include developing algorithms for multiomic data analysis, modeling genotype-phenotype relationships, and leveraging deep learning for biological sequence analysis. His work emphasizes cell-type-specific mechanisms in diseases like ALS, coronary artery disease, and neurodegenerative disorders. Notable contributions include frameworks for polygenic risk scoring (e.g., PRS-Net), biomarker discovery for ALS, and tools for time-to-event prediction in neurological diseases. He leads the Zhang Laboratory, advancing computational systems for precision health applications.
Dr. Alison Holloway is a Professor at McMaster University's Faculty of Health Sciences, specializing in environmental toxicology and reproductive health. Her research focuses on the effects of environmental contaminants (e.g., oil sands pollutants, pesticides, endocrine disruptors) on maternal and child health, metabolic disorders, and developmental outcomes. She has conducted studies on naphthenic acids, synthetic food additives, and maternal exposure to pharmaceuticals like fluoxetine. Key research areas include: Environmental contaminants' impact on reproductive systems and placental function Metabolic disturbances caused by chemical exposures during critical developmental windows Neurobehavioral and gastrointestinal effects of prenatal drug exposure Assessment of urban air pollution on in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates Her recent work highlights the role of the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway as a biomarker of environmental stress and the obesogenic effects of bisphenol analogs and food additives. Collaborations involve interdisciplinary teams addressing environmental health, with studies published in high-impact toxicology and public health journals. Dr. Holloway's research has informed policies on chemical safety and maternal health, emphasizing cross-species markers for organismal health and risk assessment of emerging contaminants like cannabis derivatives.
Owen Skinner is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Northeastern University, affiliated with the Barnett Institute of Chemical and Biological Analysis. He leads the Skinner Lab, which specializes in high-resolution mass spectrometry to study protein-metabolite interactions in health and disease. Skinner earned his Ph.D. from Northwestern University and conducted postdoctoral research at Massachusetts General Hospital. His research focuses on thiol redox regulation, vitamin cofactor metabolism, and oxidative phosphorylation dynamics. Education: Ph.D. in Chemistry (Northwestern University), Postdoctoral Fellowship in Analytical Chemistry (Massachusetts General Hospital). Research interests include proteomics, metabolomics, mitochondrial dysfunction, and metabolic signaling. The lab actively recruits graduate students, undergraduates, and postdoctoral researchers across Northeastern's scientific community. Affiliations: Barnett Institute, College of Science Lab Members: PhD students Yifan Liu, Michael Xiao, Angela Rojas-Merchan; Undergraduates Helena Rittenhouse, Ridha Shah; High School collaborator Helen Loango Techniques: Native mass spectrometry, proteomics, metabolomics, redox biology Publications span mitochondrial metabolism, metabolic biomarkers in septic shock, and enzyme engineering. The lab emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and supports students through Northeastern's experiential learning programs.
