Dr. Hayley Morris is an Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer at the School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow , affiliated with the Department of Pathology at University Hospital Crosshouse. Her research bridges clinical pathology and molecular oncology, with a focus on cancer progression and medical education. Academic Rank: Senior Lecturer Key Affiliations: University of Glasgow, University Hospital Crosshouse, School of Cancer Sciences Her research interests span cancer pathobiology (pancreatic and intestinal cancers), cytoskeletal dynamics , epithelial-mesenchymal transition , and medical education reform . She investigates molecular drivers of tumor progression and evaluates educational interventions to improve healthcare professionals' empathy toward chronic pain patients. Recent publications highlight her work on pancreatic cancer biomarkers (FSCN1, Slug), actin cytoskeleton regulation in intestinal tumors (N-WASP), and interdisciplinary education to address stigmatization of chronic pain. Her studies combine molecular analysis, clinical diagnostics, and behavioral science. Collaborations include researchers from the University of Glasgow, Mayo Clinic, and international institutions, with a focus on translational oncology and healthcare education innovation.
Julia Cordero is Professor of Systemic Signaling Biology at the University of Glasgow's Institute of Cancer Sciences and serves as an Honorary Group Leader at the CRUK Beatson Institute. Her laboratory, based at the Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, investigates the local and systemic functions of the adult intestine in health and disease, with a particular focus on how intestinal stem cells adapt to environmental changes and how intestinal dysfunction affects whole-body physiology. Dr. Cordero was born and raised in Argentina where she completed her undergraduate biology studies at Universidad Nacional de San Luis. She moved to the USA for her PhD studies in the laboratory of Ross Cagan at Washington University in St Louis, where she researched developmental tissue patterning in Drosophila . In 2009, she relocated to Glasgow to conduct postdoctoral work in Owen Sansom's group at the CRUK Beatson Institute, funded by prestigious Marie-Curie and EMBO fellowships, investigating intestinal regeneration and cancer using both flies and mice. Her research focuses on three main areas: (1) tissue intrinsic mechanisms regulating stem cell proliferation in the adult intestine, using cell-specific transcriptomics of fly intestinal stem/progenitor cells followed by genetic studies; (2) systemic mechanisms regulating stem cell proliferation, investigating novel interorgan communication programs driving intestinal regeneration; and (3) whole-body functions of the intestine in health and disease, exploring the mechanistic basis of systemic manifestations of intestinal disorders including gut-brain axis disruptions. Her laboratory combines Drosophila melanogaster and mouse model systems, leveraging the genetic power of flies for multi-organ in vivo studies while validating findings in mammalian models. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on intestinal stem cell regulation, organ communication, and disease mechanisms, with increasing emphasis on systemic effects of intestinal dysfunction, particularly the gut-brain axis. Her work spans from fundamental molecular mechanisms to translational applications, with several papers highlighting potential therapeutic targets for intestinal regeneration and cancer treatment. Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship from the Royal Society (2013-2018) Sir Henry Dale Fellowship from the Wellcome Trust and Royal Society Wellcome Trust Senior Research Fellowship Marie-Curie Fellowship EMBO long-term Fellowship Professor Cordero's laboratory currently includes multiple postdoctoral researchers and PhD students investigating various aspects of intestinal biology and disease. Her research is supported by significant grants including a Wellcome Trust award (2022-2027) for studying local and systemic intestinal functions, a Cancer Research UK grant (2019-2021) on cancer-driven behavioral changes, and a Royal Society grant (2024-2026) on gut-driven control of sleep and circadian behaviors. Her laboratory combines advanced genetic approaches in Drosophila with mammalian models to create a comprehensive understanding of intestinal function and its systemic implications.
Erik Dissen is a Professor in the Department of Anatomy at the University of Oslo, affiliated with the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences (IMB). He leads the Natural Killer Cell Group and holds positions including Chairman of the Department of Anatomy and former President of the Norwegian Society for Immunology. His research focuses on NK cell receptors, cancer immunity, and infectious disease pathogenesis. Education: MD (Cand. Med.), 1991 PhD (Dr. med.), 1997 Clinical authorization, 1995 Research Interests: Dr. Dissen's work explores NK cell biology, particularly receptor-ligand interactions in cancer recognition and viral infections. He investigates how innate immune responses are modulated by environmental factors like stress and microbiota. Key topics include: Role of Mincle and DCAR1 receptors in pathogen detection Mechanisms of NK cell-mediated tumor cytotoxicity Impact of social stress on inflammatory pathways Awards: Recipient of the King’s Gold Medal for Best Medical Thesis (1998) and the Medical Students’ Association Lecturer of the Year Award (2004). Teaching: He teaches courses in Cell Biology, Immunology, Anatomy, and Histology at the University of Oslo. His academic leadership includes roles on faculty boards and national cancer society committees.
Elena Choleris is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Guelph, within the College of Social & Applied Human Sciences. She specializes in Neuroscience & Applied Cognitive Science, focusing on the neuroendocrinology of social behavior in rodents. Her research examines the hormonal and neurotransmitter bases of social cognition, including social learning, recognition, and stress responses. She advises undergraduate students in Neuroscience and accepts graduate and experiential learning students. Choleris holds a Ph.D. in Animal Biology – Ethology from the University of Parma, Italy, and a Laurea in Biological Sciences from the same institution. Her work integrates ethological, pharmacological, molecular, and genetic approaches to study social behaviors, with collaborations at institutions like The Rockefeller University and King's College London. Her research emphasizes the rapid effects of estrogens, oxytocin, and dopamine on social cognition and memory. Key projects include understanding how hormones regulate social recognition, pathogen avoidance, and mate choice. She has mentored numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, contributing to over 200 publications in journals like Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews . Choleris is actively involved in promoting diversity in STEM and has edited books on oxytocin and social behavior. Her lab's work bridges basic science with translational insights into psychiatric disorders like autism spectrum disorder, leveraging rodent models to explore neural mechanisms underlying social behavior.
Laurel Seemiller is a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Crowley Lab at the Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University. She is affiliated with the Eberly College of Science and specializes in neurobiological mechanisms underlying addiction, alcohol-related neuroadaptations, and stress responses. Her research focuses on sex-specific and strain-dependent behavioral and molecular changes in rodents exposed to alcohol, nicotine, and stress across developmental stages. Her research interests include: Neurobiology of alcohol and substance use Developmental neuroplasticity Genetic influences on addiction-related behaviors Interactions between fear conditioning and pharmacological agents Recent work highlights novel findings on somatostatin signaling disruptions in alcohol-exposed mice, strain-specific vulnerability to fear learning deficits, and cross-sensitization effects of adolescent alcohol and nicotine exposure. Her studies often utilize inbred mouse models (e.g., C57BL/6J, DBA/2J) to investigate neurobiological and genetic factors influencing addiction and cognitive outcomes. Laurel collaborates with the Crowley Lab to explore long-term neurobehavioral consequences of adolescent substance exposure, with particular attention to sex differences and translational implications for human addiction research.
Professor Lawrence Wilkinson is a leading academic at Cardiff University, holding a joint professorship in the Schools of Medicine and Psychology. He is Co-Director of the Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute and a key member of the Behavioural Genetics Group (BGG) and the MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics. His work bridges molecular genetics, neuroscience, and psychiatric research. His research focuses on the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying brain function and behavior, with particular emphasis on psychiatric and neurological disorders. He investigates how risk genes for schizophrenia, autism, and dementia affect neural circuits and behavior using preclinical models. His work also explores sex chromosome effects, genomic imprinting, and epigenetic regulation in mental health. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in psychiatric genetics, neurodevelopmental disorders, and synaptic function. His team frequently employs rodent models to dissect the behavioral and molecular consequences of genetic variations such as those in Cacna1c , Cyfip1 , DLG2 , and SETD1A . Key themes include cognitive inflexibility, emotional behavior, synaptic plasticity, and the role of neuroimmune mechanisms like the complement system in brain development and psychiatric risk. While no specific awards are listed in the provided text, his sustained publication record in high-impact journals and leadership roles indicate significant recognition in the field. Professor Wilkinson collaborates widely across disciplines and institutions, contributing to major research initiatives in neuropsychiatric genetics. He has not indicated any part-time status and is actively publishing, confirming his full-time, current faculty role. He is involved in major research units including the Behavioural Genetics Group and the MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, where his team conducts cutting-edge research using advanced genetic and behavioral methodologies.
James Cole is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at the School of Medicine, West Virginia University (WVU), where he joined the faculty in summer 2023. He holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of Virginia Medical School, earned in 2023, with research conducted under Dr. Xiaorong Liu focusing on aniridia and retinal development. Research Interests: His research centers on developmental and sensory neuroscience, particularly using small-eye mouse models to investigate Pax6-related aniridia, glaucomatous damage, and retinal layer disruption. He also explores the history of neuroscience and its intersections with the humanities, with a special focus on neuroaesthetics, symbolism, language, and the biological underpinnings of poetics. The recent publications in his profile highlight work in ophthalmic neuroscience and developmental disorders, indicating a strong trajectory in both experimental and theoretical neuroscience. His scholarly output reflects a blend of molecular and systems-level approaches to understanding neural development and function. Teaching Responsibilities: He teaches core courses including Introduction to the Neural Sciences (NRSC 101) , Biological Foundations of Behavior and Laboratory (NRSC 201) , and a First-Year Seminar (NRSC 191), contributing to undergraduate neuroscience education at WVU. Scientific Awards: No awards mentioned in the provided text. Advising and Grants: There is no mention of advised students or funded grants in the current profile. However, his active research agenda suggests potential for future mentorship and grant-supported projects. Labs and Research Teams: During his doctoral training, James worked in the laboratory of Dr. Xiaorong Liu at the University of Virginia Medical School. At WVU, he is expected to contribute to or establish collaborative research efforts in sensory and developmental neuroscience.
Jean Philippe Thivierge is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Social Sciences. His research integrates experimental and computational approaches to study the dynamics of neuronal networks underlying memory and cognition. Research Interests: Dr. Thivierge's work centers on neural dynamics , neurosciences , and systems biology . He investigates how large-scale neuronal populations encode and maintain memories by combining multielectrode recordings with biologically realistic simulations. His lab explores principles of network organization across spatial and temporal scales, focusing on phenomena like neuronal avalanches, attractor dynamics, and functional connectivity. The analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on computational modeling , statistical analysis of neural data , and network-level neuroscience . His work bridges experimental findings with theoretical frameworks, particularly in understanding scale-free dynamics, criticality, and information processing in cortical and hippocampal circuits. Scientific Contributions: While specific awards are not listed, his publication record in high-impact journals such as Neuron , PLoS Computational Biology , and Journal of Neurophysiology reflects significant contributions to computational and systems neuroscience. Advising and Research: Dr. Thivierge mentors several trainees, including graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, many of whom are co-authors on his publications. His lab employs multielectrode array technology and large-scale neural simulations to probe the mechanisms of memory formation and network stability. Although grant details are not provided, his sustained research output suggests active funding support. Laboratory Focus: The Thivierge Lab operates at the intersection of experimental neurophysiology and computational modeling, utilizing both in vitro recordings and in silico simulations to test hypotheses about brain network function. The lab's approach enables rigorous testing of biophysical mechanisms linking synaptic properties to emergent network behaviors.
Catherine C Kaczorowski is the Elinor Levine Professor of Dementia Research and Professor of Neurology at the University of Michigan Medical School. She leads a laboratory focused on genetic and cellular mechanisms promoting resilience to Alzheimer's disease and cognitive aging. Her work integrates genomic, anatomic, and behavioral approaches across species, leveraging genetically diverse mouse models to advance personalized medicine strategies. Education: PhD in Neuroscience, Northwestern University Institute for Neuroscience (2006) BA from University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (2000) Additional training: Kern Innovation Fellow at Medical College of Wisconsin (2012) Research interests center on identifying molecular pathways that confer protection against neurodegenerative diseases, with emphasis on systems biology approaches and cross-species validation. Recent work highlights discoveries in lysosomal enzymes (PLD3), genetic modifiers of disease progression, and sex-specific resilience mechanisms. Key affiliations include the Center for Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics and Precision Health Initiative. Her lab's publications span drug efficacy testing, transcriptome analysis, and novel mouse model development, emphasizing genetic diversity's role in disease outcomes. Grants and mentorship activities are extensive but not explicitly detailed here. Collaborations focus on translational research bridging basic science and clinical applications in dementia therapy development.
Dr. Michael Denker is a Team Leader in the Computational and Systems Neuroscience department at the Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS-6) , Forschungszentrum Jülich. His research focuses on data analytics for electrophysiology and optophysiology in behavioral neuroscience, emphasizing reproducible science practices and collaborative workflows. He leads the Data Science of Electro- and Optophysiology in Behavioural Neuroscience team, developing tools like Elephant , Neo , and Cobrawap to standardize data analysis across neuroscience experiments. His work addresses challenges in metadata management, provenance tracking, and interoperability between experimental and simulation datasets. Key contributions include the Neuroelectrophysiology Analysis Ontology (NEAO) for structured data sharing and frameworks for validating neural network simulations. Denker actively promotes open science through initiatives like the German National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI-Neuro) and collaborates with the Human Brain Project (HBP) on EBRAINS services. His research integrates multi-scale data from electrophysiological recordings and computational models to study cortical waves and spike patterns, particularly in rodent and primate systems.
David Friel, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neurosciences at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. His research focuses on calcium homeostasis mechanisms in neurons, ion channel function, and mitochondrial regulation of calcium signals. He has authored over 28 publications in neuroscience and cell biology, with notable work on P/Q-type calcium channel mutations in cerebellar ataxia models and computational modeling of calcium regulatory networks. His research combines experimental and theoretical approaches to understand how cells process information through calcium signaling pathways. Key research areas include: calcium-induced calcium release mechanisms, mitochondrial-calcium interactions, and the role of calcium channels in synaptic transmission. His recent work (2021) explores innovative medical education strategies for teaching diagnostic reasoning to students. He holds an office at Robbins Building 740D and can be reached at David.Friel@case.edu. Publications span topics from cerebellar Purkinje cell physiology (2007-2010) to mitochondrial calcium dynamics in sympathetic neurons (2000). His work has implications for understanding neurological disorders linked to calcium regulatory dysfunction. No awards are explicitly listed, but his extensive publication record indicates sustained academic contribution.
Corinne Nielsen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences within the College of Arts and Sciences at Ohio University. She leads the Nielsen Lab, where her research focuses on the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying neurovascular development and disease, particularly brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Her work integrates mouse genetics, molecular biology, and advanced imaging to explore endothelial-pericyte interactions, Notch signaling, and vascular remodeling. Education: Ph.D., Harvard University Her research interests lie at the intersection of developmental biology, neuroscience, and vascular biology. She investigates how the nervous and vascular systems co-develop and influence each other, with a focus on pathological conditions such as AVMs, where abnormal connections between arteries and veins disrupt brain function. Her lab studies cellular and molecular dysregulation in these diseases using genetically engineered mouse models. The recent publications highlight a strong trajectory in understanding Rbpj and Notch signaling in cerebrovascular development and disease. The work spans from basic developmental mechanisms to pathological remodeling in AVMs, with increasing focus on immune cell involvement and metabolic aspects. Emerging themes include endothelial-pericyte communication, macropinocytosis in tumor metabolism, and cross-organ vascular regulation. Scientific Awards: No awards listed in the provided text. Dr. Nielsen actively mentors graduate students and researchers in her lab, contributing to training the next generation of scientists in molecular and cellular neuroscience. While specific grants are not mentioned, her sustained publication record in high-impact journals suggests active external funding. Her collaborative work with institutions beyond Ohio University indicates a strong national research network. Labs and Research Teams: She directs the Nielsen Lab, based in Irvine Hall (rooms 303/316) on the Athens Campus. The lab employs a multidisciplinary approach combining genetics, cell biology, and imaging to study neurovascular biology. Current projects involve Rbpj-deficient models, pericyte dynamics, and endothelial signaling in both developmental and pathological contexts.
Matthew Brendon Might, Ph.D. , is a Senior Lecturer on Biomedical Informatics (Part-time) at Harvard Medical School in the Department of Biomedical Informatics within the Faculty of Medicine . He also holds full-time positions at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), where he is the Director of the Hugh Kaul Precision Medicine Institute, the Hugh Kaul Endowed Chair of Personalized Medicine, and a Professor of Internal Medicine and Computer Science. His work spans computational biomedicine, AI in healthcare, and rare disease research. Senior Lecturer on Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School (Part-time) Director, Hugh Kaul Precision Medicine Institute, UAB Hugh Kaul Endowed Chair of Personalized Medicine, UAB Professor of Internal Medicine and Computer Science, UAB Former Strategist, Executive Office of the President (White House), 2016–2018 Matthew Might’s research is centered on precision medicine , particularly for rare diseases , cancer, and chronic conditions. He leverages computer science , data science , and AI to improve diagnosis, prevention, and therapeutics. His personal motivation stems from his son’s diagnosis with NGLY1 deficiency, driving his work in rare disease discovery and personalized treatment strategies. He is deeply involved in developing AI tools like mediKanren to uncover hidden knowledge in biomedical data. His recent publications reflect a strong trajectory in rare disease modeling (e.g., NGLY1 organoids), AI-driven diagnostics , long COVID , and population genomics . Articles frequently involve patient-derived stem cells, computational phenotyping, and data integration across large networks such as the Undiagnosed Disease Network. Themes include the intersection of AI and clinical care, health disparities, and the scalability of precision medicine. Might has been a Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator on multiple NIH-funded projects, including: Diagnosing the Unknown for Care and Advancing Science (DUCAS) (NIH U2CNS132415) UAB Pilot Center for Precision Animal Modeling (C-PAM) (NIH U54OD030167) Doc Sherlock: An Autonomous Relay Agent (NIH OT2TR003435) Biomedical Data Translator (NIH OT2TR002517, as PI) Undiagnosed Disease Network Phase II (NIH U01HG007530) He is the co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of NGLY1.org and a Scientific Advisor to Pairnomix (acquired by Q State Biosciences). His leadership in national policy, including the White House Precision Medicine Initiative , underscores his impact beyond academia. He mentors students and researchers through collaborative projects and has contributed significantly to the advancement of data-driven rare disease therapeutics. Might leads research initiatives through the Hugh Kaul Precision Medicine Institute at UAB and collaborates extensively with the Department of Biomedical Informatics at Harvard Medical School. His work is highly interdisciplinary, involving teams in bioinformatics, clinical genetics, AI, and translational science, often in partnership with the NIH and other precision medicine consortia.
Xinyu Zhao is a Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with primary affiliation in Biomedical Engineering and additional affiliation in Neuroscience . She investigates molecular mechanisms regulating brain development and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Teresa A. Milner is a Professor of Neuroscience at Weill Cornell Medicine's Graduate School of Medical Sciences and a member of the Feil Family Brain & Mind Research Institute. She has been a dedicated faculty member since joining as a postdoctoral research fellow in 1982, rising through the ranks to become a full Professor in 2003. Her work bridges neuroscience, endocrinology, and cardiovascular research, with a particular focus on sex differences in brain function across the lifespan. Dr. Milner received her B.S. from the University of California, Irvine and her Ph.D. from the University of California, San Diego. She completed her postdoctoral training at Weill Cornell Medicine, where she has remained throughout her distinguished career. Dr. Milner's research program centers on understanding estrogen influences on brain function over the life cycle, with particular emphasis on two main systems: 1) cardiovascular circuitry in the hypothalamus, and 2) the learning and memory networks modulated by the hippocampus and its connections. Her laboratory employs multidisciplinary anatomical, molecular, and physiological approaches, including the technically sophisticated method of electron microscopic immunocytochemistry. Key areas of investigation include: Neural mechanisms of hypertension susceptibility in a mouse model of menopause Sex differences in the hippocampal opioid system and their implications for addiction Characterization of a novel "accelerated ovarian failure" mouse model of menopause Estrogen receptor distribution and function in various brain regions Neurobiological substrates underlying sex differences in hypertension during peri- and post-menopausal periods Analysis of Dr. Milner's recent publications (2022-2025) reveals a continued focus on the intersection of menopause, neuroinflammation, and neurodegenerative processes. Her work increasingly incorporates advanced genomic and single-cell techniques to examine how estrogen signaling affects brain function at the molecular level. There's a clear trajectory toward understanding the mechanisms linking hormonal changes during menopause to increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and hypertension, with particular attention to sex-specific neuroinflammatory responses in the hippocampus and hypothalamus. Dr. Milner has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing her excellence in mentoring and teaching: Excellence in Mentoring Award, Weill Cornell Medical College Postdoctoral Association (2008) Award for Teaching Excellence, Weill Cornell Medical College Medical School (for Brain and Mind) (2010) Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring Award, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences (2012) Dean's Award for Excellence in Mentorship, Weill Cornell Medicine (2021) Forty Years of Service, Weill Cornell Medicine (2022) Throughout her career, Dr. Milner has mentored more than 160 individuals, ranging from high school students to senior faculty members. Her laboratory has been consistently supported by NIH grants and collaborative funding, with recent projects focusing on the effects of chronic opioid exposure in single-cell RNA expression in the non-human primate hippocampus following HIV, in collaboration with Drs. Tilgner and Ndhlovu. Her work bridges basic neuroscience with clinical implications, particularly regarding women's health issues related to menopause and addiction. The Milner Laboratory, housed within the Feil Family Brain & Mind Research Institute, maintains state-of-the-art facilities for electron microscopy, molecular biology, and physiological studies. Current lab members include graduate student Tracey Van Kempen and postdoctoral researcher Jose Da Silva Marques Lopes. The lab collaborates extensively with other researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine and beyond, including scientists at The Rockefeller University, where Dr. Milner holds an adjunct professorship.
