Debbie Marks is a computational biologist leading the interdisciplinary Marks lab, which focuses on developing rigorous computational methods to address critical challenges in biomedical research. Her work centers on interpreting genetic variation and its implications for biological principles, disease mechanisms, and therapeutic discovery. Key research areas include evolutionary couplings in protein sequences, genome-wide mutation analysis, and synthetic protein design. The lab pioneered algorithmic approaches from statistical physics and graphical modeling to predict protein 3D structures from sequences alone, including transmembrane proteins previously resistant to experimental validation. Current projects involve analyzing protein conformational plasticity, pharmacological consequences of genetic mutations, and integrating multi-omics data to study drug effects in cancer contexts.
Chao Cheng, Ph.D., serves as Professor at Baylor College of Medicine with triple appointments in the Department of Medicine (Epidemiology and Population Science division), Institute of Clinical and Translational Research, and Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center. His research integrates computational methods with cancer biology to decode disease mechanisms through multi-omics data analysis. Education Postdoctoral Training at Yale University (2012) PhD from University of Southern California (2007) MS from Fudan University (2002) BS from East China University of Science and Technology (1999) Research Focus Dr. Cheng's work centers on cancer systems biology and precision medicine , developing computational frameworks for: Regulatory Networks : Integrating ChIP-seq/RNA-seq data to model transcriptional dysregulation in tumors Epigenomic Profiling : Deciphering DNA methylation/histone modification roles in oncogenesis Clinical Translation : Predicting immune infiltration, drug responses, and patient outcomes via multi-modal biomarkers His lab pioneers methods for tumor subtyping and prognostic modeling through combinatorial analysis of genomic, epigenetic, and transcriptomic datasets. Research Infrastructure The Cheng Lab operates at the intersection of computational biology and clinical oncology, leveraging Baylor's translational research ecosystem. Key initiatives include cross-species analysis of transcription factor networks, epigenetic drivers of tumor progression, and AI-driven clinical outcome prediction systems integrating somatic mutations with molecular phenotypes.
Lin Xu is an Assistant Professor at the Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center, with a joint affiliation at the Harold C. Simmons Cancer Center. Their research focuses on developing bioinformatics algorithms and deep learning models to identify disease genes and therapeutic targets, particularly in single-cell and spatial multi-omics studies. Key research areas include: Machine learning for high-dimensional genomics/transcriptomics data Algorithm development for next-generation sequencing Biomarker discovery for cancer and non-cancer diseases Integrated data management systems Since 2019, their lab has published in top-tier journals such as Nature , Science , and Cancer Cell , covering topics like disease gene identification, therapeutic targeting, and computational biology. They have secured grants from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), and multiple foundations including the Hyundai Foundation and Children’s Cancer Fund. Notable projects include: Development of DIGREM for multi-drug combination detection Bayesian modeling of cancer disease genes Studies on tumor microenvironment and neoantigenicity CRISPR-based therapeutic interventions Single-cell RNA sequencing applications
Johan Staaf is an Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer at Lund University, affiliated with the Lund University Cancer Centre (LUCC) and the Division of Translational Cancer Research . As a principal investigator and project manager, he leads research initiatives in lung cancer and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) , focusing on molecular characterization, biomarker discovery, and translation to clinical diagnostics. Expertise: Genomics, Epigenetics, Bioinformatics, Precision Cancer Medicine Projects: 8 active and 6 finished grants, including genomic markers for chemotherapy response in TNBC and DNA repair deficiency analysis in ER+ breast cancer. His work emphasizes multi-omics integration and machine-learning to redefine molecular taxonomies, identify prognostic biomarkers , and develop blood-based assays for early cancer detection and relapse monitoring. He supervises PhD students and collaborates internationally. Scientific Awards: Senior Investigator Award - Swedish Cancer Society (2019) Key Contributions: Landmark studies on BRCA1 mutations vs. hypermethylation in TNBC, circulating tumor DNA applications, and immune landscape characterization via image analysis. He also contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals in cancer research and global health equity.
Mads Thomassen is a Professor in Genomic Medicine at the Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, and affiliated with the Research Unit of Clinical Genetics (Odense). His work spans molecular pathology, hereditary cancer genetics, and precision oncology. Institution: University of Southern Denmark Key Affiliations: KI, OUH, Research Unit of Clinical Genetics Academic Rank: Professor Contact: mads.thomassen@rsyd.dk Research Interests: BRCA1/BRCA2 genetic variants and breast cancer predisposition Multi-omics analysis of hematological malignancies Long-read sequencing for splicing variant characterization Liquid biopsy applications in lymphoma mutation detection Germline BRCA testing implementation and epidemiology JAK2 mutation analysis in cardiovascular and hematological comorbidities Recent Publications demonstrate expertise in integrating genomic data with clinical outcomes, particularly in hereditary cancer diagnostics and hematological disease monitoring. He leads the Molecular Tumor Profiling and MESTAR projects. Network includes collaborations with institutions like SDU, OUH, and international researchers in genomic medicine and oncology.
Emily Graham is a quantitative ecosystem ecologist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and an Adjunct Professor at the School of Biological Sciences , Washington State University. Her work integrates molecular biology with ecosystem ecology to study responses to disturbances like drought, wildfire, and urbanization. PhD in Biogeoscience, University of Colorado at Boulder (2015) MS in Biogeoscience, University of Colorado at Boulder (2012) BS in Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2009) Graham’s research explores microbial and biogeochemical mechanisms driving ecosystem resilience. Key projects include the Molecular Observation Network (MONet) at EMSL and global crowdsourced disturbance ecology frameworks. Her recent publications focus on soil viromes, microbial assembly processes, and hydrological-biogeochemical linkages. Her work spans interdisciplinary domains, including soil microbiomes , hyporheic zone biogeochemistry , and climate change impacts . She collaborates on the WHONDRS project and contributes to biogeochemical modeling and metabolomics integration.
Dr. Magdalena Grce is a prominent researcher at the Ruđer Bošković Institute in Zagreb, Croatia, where she serves as President of the Expert Scientific Council for Biomedicine within the Division of Molecular Medicine. Her extensive career has focused on virology, particularly human papillomavirus (HPV) research, and its connections to various cancers, with special emphasis on cervical and head and neck cancers. Dr. Grce's research interests span virology in oncology, molecular diagnostics of viral infections, epigenetics in cancer development, and public health approaches to cervical cancer prevention. Her work has significantly contributed to understanding HPV's role in carcinogenesis, particularly examining viral integration, methylation patterns, and molecular biomarkers in HPV-associated cancers. She has been instrumental in developing cervical cancer screening programs in Croatia and has conducted extensive research on HPV prevalence in the Croatian population. Her publication record shows a clear progression from fundamental HPV detection methods to sophisticated molecular analyses of HPV integration, methylation patterns, and miRNA profiling in cancer development. Recent work focuses on epigenetic changes in head and neck cancers, particularly distinguishing HPV-positive from HPV-negative tumors through methylome and miRNome analysis. Her research has increasingly incorporated multi-omics approaches to identify biomarkers for early detection and prognosis. Dr. Grce has been actively involved in national and international collaborations, contributing to cervical cancer prevention strategies across Europe. She has participated in numerous workshops and consensus meetings to develop guidelines for HPV testing and cervical cancer screening. Her work extends beyond basic research into public health implementation, with significant contributions to establishing organized cervical cancer screening programs in Croatia. She maintains strong collaborative ties with researchers across Europe, particularly in the field of HPV-related cancers and molecular diagnostics. Her laboratory at the Ruđer Bošković Institute serves as a reference center for HPV testing and molecular analysis in Croatia, supporting both clinical diagnostics and research initiatives in the region.
Anne Brunet holds the Michele and Timothy Barakett Endowed Professorship in the Department of Genetics at Stanford University School of Medicine. She is a leading researcher in the field of aging and longevity with extensive affiliations across multiple Stanford institutes including the Bio-X Program, Cardiovascular Institute, Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance, Stanford Cancer Institute, and Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute. Dr. Brunet's research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of aging and longevity, with special emphasis on the nervous system. Her lab investigates pathways involved in delaying aging in response to external stimuli such as nutrient availability and mates, mechanisms influencing the rejuvenation of old stem cells, and has pioneered the use of the naturally short-lived African killifish as a model to explore aging regulation and age-related diseases. She has a long-standing interest in the insulin-FOXO transcription factor pathway, which regulates lifespan from worms to humans, and studies how longevity genes maintain adult neural stem cells and cognitive function during aging. Analysis of her recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on spatial transcriptomics of brain aging, CRISPR-Cas9 screening for aging regulators in neural stem cells, protein aggregation in aging vertebrates, and the development of the African killifish as a model organism. Her work integrates cutting-edge technologies including single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, high-throughput genetic screening, and multi-omics approaches to study aging across tissues. Scientific Awards: Transformative Research Award, NIH Directors' Fund (2018) Pioneer Award, NIH Director's Fund (2012) Senior Scholar Award, Ellison Medical Foundation (2009) Alfred P. Sloan Fellow, Sloan Foundation (2006) Multiple awards for mentoring and aging research Dr. Brunet actively mentors numerous graduate students and postdocs, serving as Doctoral Dissertation Advisor, Co-Advisor, and Reader for over 15 students, and sponsoring 7 postdoctoral fellows. She teaches courses including Current Issues in Aging and multiple directed reading/research courses in Genetics, Neurosciences, and Stem Cell Biology. Her lab, the Brunet Lab, is part of the Paul F. Glenn Laboratories for the Biology of Aging and focuses on understanding the genetic mechanisms of aging through multiple complementary approaches including mammalian models, C. elegans, and the African killifish.
Dr. Emily Stephenson is a researcher at Newcastle University specializing in immunology, single-cell genomics, and inflammatory disease mechanisms. Her work spans multi-omics analysis of severe diseases, developmental biology, and computational modeling of cellular interactions. Collaborates with leading experts like Professor Muzlifah Haniffa and Professor Christopher Stewart Focuses on T cell dynamics, myeloid interactions, and immune dysfunction in conditions like severe COVID-19 Key contributor to single-cell mapping of human immunity across organs and developmental stages Research Trends: Her recent publications highlight cross-disciplinary studies of immune system behavior in viral infections, inflammatory diseases, and developmental contexts. Sub-fields include spatial cellular mapping, metaplasia mechanisms, and computational modeling of immune-microenvironment interactions. Key Collaborations: Active in large-scale consortia projects like RECOVERY and single-cell atlas initiatives, often integrating multi-omics approaches to study disease pathogenesis and development.
Aldert Zomer is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine , Utrecht University, specializing in Infectious Diseases & Immunology . He is affiliated with the WHO Collaborating Centre for Campylobacter and Antimicrobial Resistance and serves as a Bioinformatics Consultant for Janssen Pharmaceuticals . His research focuses on bacterial (meta)genomic analysis for comparative genomics , molecular epidemiology , and genotype-phenotype associations in pathogens like Salmonella , Escherichia coli , and Campylobacter . PhD in Molecular Genetics from University of Groningen (2007) Postdoctoral work at University College Cork and Radboud University Medical Centre His research integrates bioinformatics , microbiome analysis , and machine learning to study antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, host-pathogen dynamics, and microbial ecology in veterinary and public health contexts. Current projects include Visiting Scientist at Quadram Institute (Norwich, UK) Leadership in Utrecht University's Research IT Committee He has developed open-source tools like RFPlasmid and Kaptive for genomic analysis and is actively involved in WHO's One Health AMR initiatives OIE Reference Laboratory for Campylobacter Teaching microbial genomics courses at Utrecht University
Dr. Sabine Kleinsteuber is a Senior Scientist and Head of the MicAS Group (Microbiology of Anaerobic Systems) at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ in Leipzig, Germany. With over 25 years of continuous service at UFZ since 1999, she leads research in microbial ecology of anaerobic environments, focusing on engineered systems such as anaerobic digesters and wastewater treatment plants for sustainable bioprocess development. Education: 1990: Diploma in Biology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg 1994: Dr. rer. nat., Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Faculty of Natural Sciences Dr. Kleinsteuber's research program centers on optimizing biotechnological processes based on complex microbial communities and harnessing the metabolic potential of anaerobic microbes within the circular economy framework. Her group combines anaerobic cultivation, lab-scale bioreactor operation, and molecular methods for community profiling with multi-omics approaches to explore metabolic functions in natural and engineered microbial consortia. This integrated methodology has positioned her as a leader in understanding microbial community dynamics in waste-to-value conversion processes. Analysis of her recent publications (2020-2025) reveals three dominant research trajectories: microbial chain elongation for medium-chain carboxylate production, syngas fermentation for carbon-efficient waste upcycling, and biodegradation of persistent micropollutants like acesulfame. These research areas demonstrate her commitment to developing sustainable biotechnological solutions that bridge environmental remediation with resource recovery, particularly through the lens of microbial community ecology and function. Dr. Kleinsteuber serves as Specialty Chief Editor for Frontiers in Microbiology (Section Microbial Physiology and Metabolism) and Associate Editor for Frontiers in Microbiology (Section Microbiotechnology). She also contributes to the Advisory Board of Energy, Sustainability and Society, reflecting her interdisciplinary impact across environmental science and engineering domains. As head of the MicAS Group, Dr. Kleinsteuber oversees a dynamic research program investigating the microbiology of anaerobic systems, with particular expertise in microbial community dynamics, metabolic interactions, and process optimization. Her leadership extends to collaborative projects across UFZ departments and international research networks, fostering innovation in sustainable bioprocess engineering and environmental biotechnology.
Dr. David Adams is a Senior Group Leader at the Wellcome Sanger Institute where he leads the Experimental Cancer Genetics Laboratory within the Cancer, Ageing and Somatic Mutation Programme. He also serves as Co-lead of Cell & Molecular Biology at the Cambridge Cancer Centre. As a Fellow of both the Academy of Medical Sciences and the Royal College of Pathologists, Dr. Adams has established himself as a leading researcher in cancer genetics and genomics. Dr. Adams' research focuses on understanding how genetic alterations contribute to cancer development through high-throughput functional genetic screens in human cells and mice. His laboratory investigates several key areas including the Atlas of Variant Effects using saturation genome editing, the Genomic Atlas of Dermatopathology, combinatorial CRISPR screening for synthetic lethal targets, and host regulation of tumor growth. His work combines cutting-edge genomic technologies with computational biology to uncover fundamental insights into cancer biology. Analysis of Dr. Adams' recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong emphasis on cancer genomics, melanoma research, and functional validation of genetic variants. His work spans multiple cancer types with particular focus on skin cancers, while also exploring broader applications in ocular diseases, immunology, and therapeutic development. The research demonstrates increasing integration of multi-omics approaches, cross-species comparisons, and translational applications of basic genomic discoveries. Among Dr. Adams' notable scientific achievements are his Fellowship in the Academy of Medical Sciences, the Goudie Medal from the Pathological Society, and an ERC Synergy Grant. He is also a founding member of the Atlas of Variant Effects Alliance and co-chairs Genomel (The Genetics of Melanoma Consortium). Dr. Adams has graduated more than a dozen PhD students and mentored over 50 students and postdocs who now lead research groups worldwide or work in industry and the NHS. His laboratory has received significant funding from Cancer Research UK, the Medical Research Council, and the Royal Society, supporting his advocacy efforts for cancer genetic studies in low- and middle-income countries. The Experimental Cancer Genetics Laboratory utilizes large-scale genomic studies and genome editing technologies to identify cancer genes and explore their function. Dr. Adams co-heads the Sanger Excellence Programme for Black British scientists and is actively involved in promoting diversity and inclusion in scientific research.
Paul Salama is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University, Indianapolis. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University (1999), an M.S. from the same institution (1993), and a B.S. from the University of Khartoum (1991). His research focuses on Medical Image Analysis, Statistical Signal Processing, Machine Learning, and Biomedical Data, with a particular emphasis on applications in neuroscience, neurodegenerative diseases, and medical diagnostics. Key research interests include imaging security, sensor fusion, and pattern recognition, with cross-disciplinary work in communications and networking. Recent publications highlight advancements in Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis, generative models for medical imaging, and distributed image analysis systems. Salama’s work often integrates multi-omic data and deep learning techniques to address complex biomedical challenges. His contributions span algorithm development for image segmentation, 3D microscopy analysis, and systems biology, with applications in precision medicine and disease biomarker discovery.
Lucas Schirmer is the Heisenberg Professor of Translational Neurobiology and Division Chief of Neuroimmunology at the Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University. His research focuses on neuroinflammatory diseases, particularly multiple sclerosis (MS) and myositis, with expertise in single-cell genomics, multi-omics approaches, and translational neuroscience. The Schirmer Lab integrates experimental models and human tissue analysis to understand cellular and molecular mechanisms in neuroinflammation. Key research themes include glial cell diversity, neuro-glial interactions, and developing precision therapies. He leads major grants such as the DFG-funded NeuroFlame project (2024–2028) and the EU ERC Starting Grant DecOmPress (2021–2025). His work spans projects on iron homeostasis in neuroinflammation, liquor signatures in long-COVID, and gut microbiota-CNS interactions in MS. Collaborations include institutions like the Mannheim Institute for Innate Immunoscience (MI3) and teams across immunology and neurology. Research highlights include identifying neuron vulnerability in MS, mapping cell-type specific responses in lesions, and discovering astrocyte reactivity induced by microglia. The lab advocates translational approaches to support repair pathways and maintain cellular resilience in inflamed tissues.
Savas Tay is a Professor of Molecular Engineering and Director of the Biological and Immuno Engineering Research Theme at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering. His research focuses on immune signaling, single-cell analysis, microfluidics, infectious diseases, and microbiome dynamics. He directs the Tay Lab and is affiliated with the Institute for Genomics and Systems Biology. He holds a PhD in Optical Sciences from the University of Arizona and conducted postdoctoral research at Stanford University. His research integrates experimental and computational approaches to study cellular communication networks, developing innovative technologies like microfluidic devices and proximity sequencing for high-throughput biological analysis. Key projects include studying herpesvirus replication mechanisms, SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis, and drug repurposing strategies for viral infections. Education: PhD in Optical Sciences, University of Arizona Postdoctoral Research, Stanford University Bioengineering Prof. Tay has secured major grants including the ERC Starting Grant (2013) and Paul G. Allen Distinguished Investigator Award (2019). His work has been featured in Nature , Science , Cell , and media outlets like BBC and National Geographic. Awards: ERC Starting Grant (2013) Paul G. Allen Distinguished Investigator Award (2019) Labs/Teams: Tay Lab at UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering His recent work emphasizes high-throughput systems for analyzing cell signaling dynamics, including microfluidic platforms for studying metastasis and viral replication. Collaborations span engineering, immunology, and computational biology to address complex biological questions.
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