Sara Gallini is an Assistant Professor at EPFL, leading the Gallini Lab within the ISREC Department of the School of Engineering (SV). Her research focuses on understanding how healthy and oncogenic cells compete in skin epithelium, aiming to identify therapeutic targets for skin cancer prevention. She holds a Tenure Track position and teaches in the Life Sciences Engineering program. Her lab employs advanced in vivo imaging and single-cell analysis techniques. Education details are not explicitly provided, but her career includes a postdoctoral fellowship with the HFSP. Her research integrates molecular, cellular, and systems-level approaches to study cancer initiation and tissue homeostasis, particularly in injury-driven dynamics. Lab Members: Includes PhD student Mustafa Öztürk and technical staff Mélanie Sipion. Key Research Themes: Oncogenic cell competition, epidermal regeneration, EGFR/ERK signaling, and therapeutic target discovery. Her lab collaborates with clinical teams and uses models like mouse skin to study tumor suppression mechanisms. Future work aims to leverage healthy cell dynamics for cancer treatment strategies. Contact: SV 2527 office, +41216936764, sara.gallini@epfl.ch .
Professor Guy Williams is a leading academic at the University of Cambridge with a focus on imaging science and clinical neurosciences, affiliated with Downing College and the Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre . Holding a PhD in Physics from his initial Natural Sciences degree, he specializes in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and MRI techniques for brain imaging. Education: BA, PhD in Physics His research centers on non-invasive imaging of brain structure and function, particularly in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and dementia. His work involves developing novel MRI pulse sequences and advanced data analysis algorithms, including AI-based diagnostic tools. He leads studies on white matter integrity post-trauma, longitudinal dementia assessment, and applications of MRI in disorders of consciousness and addiction. Recent publications highlight collaborations in traumatic brain injury outcomes, AI-guided dementia prediction, and neuroimaging of post-COVID cognitive deficits. His team's work on ultra-high field laminar fMRI and distortion correction methods has advanced clinical neuroscience applications. Key techniques include diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), 7 Tesla MRI, and positron emission tomography (PET/MR). His research spans from basic NMR physics to clinical translation, with a strong emphasis on multi-site studies and real-world diagnostic implementation.
Jethro Johnson is an Innovation Track Principal Investigator at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology and Deputy Director of the Oxford Centre for Microbiome Studies (OCMS) at the University of Oxford. His work integrates computational genomics and microbiome research to explore host-microbiome interactions in health and disease. PhD in Nutritional Ecology (University of Auckland, 2012) MRC Career Development Fellowship Former postdoctoral researcher at Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine Research focuses on: Mechanistic understanding of gut microbiome impacts on metabolic diseases Multi-omic data integration for host-microbiome studies Computational approaches to microbiome analysis Methodological developments in 16S rRNA gene profiling Publications emphasize microbiome-disease associations, methodological innovations, and computational genomics applications across human and mouse models. Key themes include metabolic dysfunction, immune interactions, and microbial diversity analysis. Scientific recognition includes: MRC Career Development Fellowship in Computational Genomics As OCMS Deputy Director, he contributes to advancing microbiome research infrastructure and collaborative projects while leading his own computational genomics group at the Kennedy Institute.
Kristina Schoonjans is an Associate Professor at EPFL’s School of Life Sciences, where she leads the Laboratory of Metabolic Signaling (UPSCHOONJANS). Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of bile acid signaling, nutrient sensing, and intermediary metabolism, particularly in the context of metabolic disorders such as obesity, fatty liver disease, and cancer. She investigates how the liver-gut-brain axis integrates metabolic signals through nuclear receptors and mitochondrial dynamics. Her research interests include: Bile acid signaling and its role as a hormonal regulator Nutrient and metabolite sensing in energy homeostasis Intermediary metabolism and metabolic disorders Role of nuclear receptors (e.g., TGR5, LRH-1) in liver, gut, and adipose tissue Mitochondrial dynamics and fission in metabolic regulation Organoid models for studying liver and intestinal metabolism Systems genetics using BXD mouse populations The most recent articles highlight a strong focus on bile acid signaling, particularly through TGR5 and LRH-1, in regulating metabolic health. Themes include the conversion of white fat to beige fat (beiging), hepatic tumorigenesis, mitochondrial fission, and the use of organoid and genetically engineered mouse models. There is a consistent emphasis on translational applications for obesity, fatty liver disease, and cancer. Scientific honors include: Windaus Prize from the Dr. Falk Foundation (2010, shared with Johan Auwerx) for the discovery of the signaling/endocrine function of bile acids Prof. Schoonjans actively supervises PhD students and has advised numerous doctoral candidates who have since completed their theses. Her lab is supported by multiple grants from Swiss and international funding agencies, including the Swiss National Science Foundation, EPFL, CONACYT, and the Foundation for Health and Education. She teaches in several doctoral programs at EPFL, including Life Sciences Engineering, and contributes to education through the SSV and EDBB/EDCB/EDMS-ENS programs. The Schoonjans Lab brings together scientists, doctoral assistants, and technicians working on projects related to metabolic signaling. The team uses advanced techniques such as genetically modified mouse models, organoid cultures, and multi-omics (metabolomics, proteomics, transcriptomics) to study the liver-gut and brain-liver axes. The lab has a strong track record of high-impact publications and collaborations with institutions worldwide.
Xenophon Papademetris is a Professor of Biomedical Informatics & Data Science and Radiology & Biomedical Imaging at Yale School of Medicine. He serves as Associate Director of Biomedical Imaging Data Sciences at Yale Biomedical Imaging Institute and directs the Medical Software and Medical Artificial Intelligence Certificate Program. PhD in Electrical and Information Sciences from Yale University (2000) BA from Cambridge University (1994) Postdoctoral Fellowship at Yale University (2002) His research focuses on medical image analysis, machine learning, and biomedical software development. He has developed tools like BioImage Suite Web and contributed to standards committees at the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). His work spans modalities including MRI, CT, PET, and optical imaging. Recent publications emphasize neuroimaging analysis, explainable AI in healthcare, and multimodal data integration across species. He leads NIH-funded research under the BRAIN Initiative (R24 MH114805) and has authored a textbook on Medical Software published by Cambridge University Press. IEEE Senior Member Yale Brown-Coxe Postdoctoral Fellowship Harding Bliss Prize for Excellence in Engineering He directs the BioImage Suite Project, creating web-based image analysis tools using JavaScript and WebAssembly. His teaching includes both academic courses and a Coursera program on Medical Software with over 14,000 enrollments.
Professor Fernando Calamante is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering at The University of Sydney and Director of Sydney Imaging Core Research Facility. He leads the National Imaging Facility node and focuses on advanced MRI methodologies, particularly Diffusion and Perfusion MRI, to study brain connectivity and neurological disorders. His work includes developing the MRtrix software, widely used in diffusion MRI analysis. He holds extensive funding (~$50M) and has been recognized with awards like ISMRM Fellowship and NHMRC grants. His research spans super-resolution imaging, brain connectomics, and clinical applications in stroke and tumors. Education: BSc (Physics, Argentina), PhD (Magnetic Resonance Imaging, University College London). Career highlights include leadership roles at The Florey Institute and ISMRM presidency (2021-2022). Research interests include: Novel MRI methods for brain connectivity and super-resolution imaging Applications of Diffusion and Perfusion MRI in neurology Integration of structural and functional connectomics Key achievements: Over 200 publications, software innovations, and leadership in global MRI societies.
Joel Zylberberg is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), affiliated with the Department of Ophthalmology within the School of Medicine . His research bridges Computational Neuroscience , Neural Networks , and Machine Learning , focusing on how neural activity and biological mechanisms inform artificial intelligence and visual cortex dynamics . Joel's work explores retinal computation , population coding , and neural adaptation , often analyzing mouse visual cortex and neurophysiological data . His recent publications highlight trends in dynamic retinal processes , stimulus-driven network topology , and brain-inspired machine learning , emphasizing the interplay between biophysics and computational modeling . Collaborators include Greg Field (UCLA), Richard Born (Harvard), and Michael DeWeese (UC Berkeley), with affiliations spanning institutions like University of Washington and University of California, San Diego (UCSD). His work appears in journals such as Nature Neuroscience , Neuron , and PLOS Computational Biology .
Dr. Timothy H. Murphy is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Medicine. He is also an Associate Member of the School for Biomedical Engineering and a Member of the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health. Dr. Murphy leads the Dynamic Brain Circuits in Health and Disease initiative and the Division of Neuroscience and Translational Psychiatry at UBC. Dr. Murphy received his Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University in 1989 and his B.Sc. from Saint Mary's College Maryland in 1984. His research focuses on understanding brain circuit structure-function relationships in relation to stroke recovery, psychiatric disorders, and neurological diseases. He specializes in mesoscale imaging techniques to study cortical activity patterns and develop automated approaches for brain imaging and stimulation. His laboratory develops innovative tools including open-source hardware for automated mouse brain imaging, synthetic data generation for behavioral analysis, and chronic recording systems that enable simultaneous mesoscale cortical imaging with subcortical or peripheral nerve activity monitoring. Research from the Murphy Lab has significantly advanced our understanding of how brain circuits reorganize after stroke and in models of psychiatric disorders. Dr. Murphy's recent publications reveal trends in mesoscale cortical imaging, development of synthetic data for behavioral analysis, and exploration of circuit-level changes in neurological and psychiatric disease models. His work bridges basic neuroscience with potential clinical applications for stroke recovery and mental health treatments. Dr. Murphy has mentored numerous students and postdoctoral fellows who have gone on to successful careers in neuroscience and related fields. His laboratory has received funding to support innovative approaches to understanding brain circuit function and recovery mechanisms. The Murphy Lab maintains strong collaborative ties across UBC and develops open-source tools that are widely adopted by the neuroscience community. Their work on automated home-cage imaging systems, synthetic behavioral data generation, and chronic recording technologies represents significant methodological advances in the field.
Antonia Krefeld-Schwalb is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Marketing Management, Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University. With a background in cognitive science and management, her research bridges computational modeling, eye-tracking, and consumer decision-making to address sustainability challenges. Current Affiliation: Assistant Professor, Rotterdam School of Management Research Focus: Sustainable consumer behavior, decision-making processes, and methodological improvements Key Collaborations: Columbia University, University of Geneva, Erasmus Sustainability Program Her cognitive science training informs methodological approaches like mouse/eye tracking and computational modeling applied to marketing problems. She investigates structural parameter interdependencies, external validity threats in surveys, and climate risk communication effectiveness. Recent research trends include climate adaptation strategies, sustainable behavior interventions, and meta-scientific analyses of statistical practices in consumer research. She advocates for heterogeneous population sampling and preregistration to enhance validity. Scientific Honors: Veni Grant (NWO) She develops targeted sustainability interventions through collaborations like the Erasmus Sustainability Program. Her work appears in journals such as PNAS, Journal of Marketing Research, and Psychological Review.
Albert M. Berghuis is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at McGill University's Faculty of Medicine. His research focuses on structural mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and fungal pathogenesis using advanced techniques including X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy, and computational chemistry. His primary research interests include: Structural basis of antibiotic resistance mechanisms, particularly against aminoglycosides Development of novel antimicrobials through structure-based drug design Structural studies of fungal-specific metabolic pathways for antifungal drug discovery Enzyme mechanisms involving protein-small molecule interactions Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on structural elucidation of resistance mechanisms, with particular emphasis on aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes and fungal targets. His work bridges structural biology with therapeutic development, showing strong translational potential in combating antimicrobial resistance. Professor Berghuis maintains the Berghuis Lab with facilities in both the McIntyre Medical Sciences Building and the Francesco Bellini Life Sciences Building. His laboratory employs integrated structural biology approaches to tackle pressing problems in infectious disease treatment.
Trond Vidar Hansen is a Professor at the Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo , and leads the LIPCHEM research group . He collaborates with institutions including the University of Bergen and Vestlandets Innovasjonsselskap through the VITADEL project, which recently received NOK 5,000,000 in verification support from the Research Council of Norway. His research focuses on the synthesis and biological evaluation of specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators derived from omega-3 fatty acids, with applications in inflammation resolution, neuroinflammation, and drug development. University : University of Oslo Department : Department of Pharmacy Research Group : LIPCHEM Collaborations : University of Bergen, Vestlandets Innovasjonsselskap Research Interests : H Hansen's work centers on the organic synthesis of bioactive lipid derivatives, particularly pro-resolving mediators from omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. His team investigates their roles in inflammatory disease models , neuroinflammation , and PPAR receptor activation , aiming to develop therapeutic agents for conditions like chronic pain, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. The research integrates stereoselective chemistry , biochemical profiling , and pharmacological evaluation to validate these mediators' clinical potential. Recent Awards : 2025: NOK 2,000,000 verification support from Research Council of Norway 2025: Co-leader of NOK 5,000,000 VITADEL project Publications : His articles (2015–2024) reveal a focus on stereoselective synthesis of resolvins, protectins, and maresins, with applications in anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective therapies . Key subfields include omega-3 metabolite profiling , PPAR agonist design , and biosynthetic pathway elucidation , often utilizing human cell models and mouse disease models . Collaborative projects emphasize commercialization of academic research and translational medicine .
Jessica Glazier is an Assistant Professor in the Frances L. Hiatt School of Psychology at Clark University, Worcester, MA. She completed her Ph.D. and M.S. in Psychological Science at the University of Washington (2022 and 2019, respectively) and a B.A. in Psychology & Music from Albion College (2015). Her research focuses on challenging societal norms about social categories like gender, race, and sexual orientation, emphasizing inclusivity for marginalized groups such as transgender, multiracial, and asexual individuals. She employs methods from social, developmental, cognitive psychology, and interdisciplinary approaches like feminist and LGBT studies. Research Interests Exploring how social categorization affects perceptions and experiences of individuals who defy traditional norms Examining consequences of gender/racial essentialism on prejudice and discrimination Investigating gender development in youth, including transgender and cisgender children Addressing statistical methodology limitations in psychological science Recent Research Trends Her 2024 work highlights challenges in LGBTIQ+ research inclusivity and examines gender attitudes across diverse children. Recent projects (2023–2024) emphasize statistical frameworks for meaningful inference, intersectionality in harassment perceptions, and the role of adult beliefs in shaping children’s identity autonomy. Earlier studies (2019–2022) established foundational insights into gender categorization mechanisms and transgender children’s developmental similarities to cisgender peers. Teaching & Mentoring Teaches Advanced Social Psychology (PHD) and Statistics (undergraduate), prioritizing student learning through dedicated skill-building sessions. Mentored research assistants (e.g., Liza Moore, Martina Khurana) and supervised Elizabeth Abel’s honors project on race and gender essentialism. Actively supports early-career researchers via peer mentoring programs. Labs & Collaborations Conducts research within Clark University’s Frances L. Hiatt School of Psychology lab environments, collaborating with institutions like Northeastern University and international teams on child development and social categorization projects.
Brandon Weissbourd is an Assistant Professor in the Biology department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and holds a joint appointment as an Investigator at the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory. He joined MIT in 2023 after completing a postdoctoral fellowship in the lab of David Anderson at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). Prior to that, he earned his PhD in Biology from Stanford University in 2016 under the mentorship of Liqun Luo, and a BA in Human Evolutionary Biology from Harvard University in 2009. His research interests encompass systems neuroscience, evolutionary biology, and molecular biology. He uses jellyfish models, such as Clytia hemisphaerica, to study the evolution and functional mechanisms of nervous systems. His work combines computational techniques like single-cell RNA-seq and advanced microscopy with traditional genetic and anatomical approaches to dissect neural circuits and their roles in behaviors like feeding and social interaction. Additionally, he has explored serotonin and noradrenaline systems in mammals, focusing on their heterogeneity and functional connectivity. Recent publications emphasize the utility of non-traditional model organisms for evolutionary studies and underscore his expertise in computational methods for neurobiological analysis. Earlier work includes groundbreaking studies on the dorsal raphe serotonin system and basal forebrain circuits governing sleep-wake cycles. No scientific awards or honors have been explicitly mentioned in the provided text. Weissbourd’s academic trajectory reflects a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research, merging evolutionary, molecular, and systems-level perspectives to understand neural systems across species. His advising record is not detailed here, though he has been affiliated with prestigious research labs during his training. Current affiliations include the MIT Biology department and the Picower Institute, where he likely contributes to collaborative projects in systems and evolutionary neuroscience. Weissbourd’s work is grounded in experimental models such as Clytia medusa and mouse brain studies, enabling him to investigate both ancient nervous system architectures and modern mammalian neural pathways. His lab’s focus on functional genomics and circuit mapping positions him at the forefront of studies on neural diversity and evolutionary innovation.
Dr. Juan Pablo Lopez is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet (Sweden) , leading research on stress-related psychiatric disorders. He earned undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Biology (Florida International University), a PhD in Psychiatry (McGill University), and postdoctoral training at the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry in Munich. His work combines single-cell transcriptomics behavioral mouse models automated behavioral tracking viral-mediated gene manipulations to study stress susceptibility, resilience, and antidepressant mechanisms. Research interests include: Neurobiology of stress and trauma Molecular mechanisms in psychiatric disorders Developmental neuroendocrinology Sex differences in stress response Neural circuits of depression His recent work analyzes how stress exposure during development influences lifelong mental health and treatment outcomes. Scientific accolades include 2023 ECNP Rising Star Award ERC Starting Grant (2023) Swedish Research Council Starting Grant (VR, MH-12) StratNeuro Startup Funding He leads the Lopez Lab, which collaborates with international groups through the NeSTED network (Neuropharmacology and Stress/Trauma Exposure during Development).
Professor Anita Chong is a distinguished immunologist at the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Medicine, Department of Surgery-Transplant, where she leads groundbreaking research in transplantation immunology and tolerance mechanisms. Her laboratory has established herself as a leading authority in understanding the complex interplay between the immune system and organ transplantation. Dr. Chong's educational background includes a BS (Hons) from the University of Malaya, Malaysia, a PhD from Australian National University, Australia, and postdoctoral training at Tufts University, Boston, MA, followed by research associate work at the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. Her research program focuses on immunological tolerance and humoral immunity following allogeneic transplantation, with particular emphasis on understanding how infections prevent the induction of transplantation tolerance or destabilize established tolerance. Dr. Chong has developed innovative approaches to track defined populations of endogenous allospecific T cells (including CD4+ effectors, CD4+ Tregs, and CD8 effectors) and B cells, examining their behavior under conditions of rejection, memory/sensitization, and tolerance. She actively investigates memory alloreactive B cells in transplantation settings and has expanded her research into vaccination strategies to prevent infections as a means of stabilizing tolerance. Analysis of Dr. Chong's recent publications reveals a strong focus on cellular mechanisms of transplant tolerance and rejection, with particular emphasis on B cell biology, T regulatory cells, and the impact of infections on transplant outcomes. Her work increasingly incorporates multi-omics approaches and examines sex and gender differences in transplant outcomes, reflecting evolving trends in precision medicine within transplantation. Dr. Chong serves as Principal Investigator on multiple significant NIH-funded research projects, including R01AI182097 (Mechanistic studies on pregnancy-induced humoral sensitization in organ transplantation), R01AI148705 (Intrarenal B cells in acute kidney allograft rejection), and R01AI142747 (Deconstructing B cell transplantation tolerance). She has also served as Co-Principal Investigator on numerous collaborative grants. Her laboratory maintains extensive collaborations with Dr. Marisa Alegre studying infections and transplantation tolerance, Dr. Roger Sciammas at UC Davis, clinical transplant faculty at the University of Chicago and Ohio State University, Dr. Chris Montgomery on vaccination research, and Dr. Joel Collier at Duke University developing nanoparticulate adjuvant-free vaccines. These collaborative efforts have positioned her laboratory at the forefront of translational transplantation research with significant implications for clinical practice.
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