Associate Professor Maja Adamska is a Group Leader and Associate Professor in the Research School of Biology at the Australian National University (ANU). She leads Program 3 in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and has held previous roles as a Group Leader at the Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology in Norway. Her research focuses on the evolutionary origins of developmental processes in animals, particularly using calcareous sponges as model systems. Adamska's work bridges developmental biology, genomics, and evolutionary biology, investigating topics such as germ layer segregation, axial patterning, and major transitions in animal evolution like the emergence of multicellularity. Education & Career: Bachelor's/Master's in Biology at Jagiellonian University (Kraków, Poland) PhD in Developmental Biology at the University of Cologne (Germany) Postdoctoral research at the University of Michigan and University of Queensland ARC Future Fellow at ANU since 2017 Research Interests: Genomic basis of morphological complexity Evolutionary origins of developmental processes Sponge and coral genomics Regeneration mechanisms in marine organisms Key Contributions: Discovered conserved developmental pathways in sponges Advanced understanding of sponge-metazoan divergence Contributed to the Amphimedon queenslandica genome project Awards: ARC Future Fellowship (2017–present) Lab & Collaborations: Adamska Group (Genomic and Evolutionary Basis of Animal Development) Collaborations with global marine biology networks
Verena Carvalho is a Lecturer in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. With a Ph.D. in Marine Microbiology from the University of Bremen, Germany (2011), her research focuses on large sulfur bacteria, microbial ecology, and biogeochemical processes in marine and extreme environments. Department: Microbiology Email: vcarvalho@umass.edu Location: 306 Morrill Science Center IVN Her work explores the physiology, genome plasticity, and ecological roles of giant sulfur bacteria like Achromatium oxaliferum and Beggiatoaceae. This includes studies of calcium carbonate dynamics, sulfur cycling, and adaptation mechanisms in hydrocarbon seeps, Arctic sediments, and salt marshes. She employs single-cell sequencing and field experiments to investigate microbial community interactions and their environmental impacts. Key article trends highlight her expertise in microbial biogeochemistry, sulfur cycling, and extremophile adaptation. Publications span topics such as intracellular calcite formation, denitrification processes, and evolutionary complexity in giant bacteria.
Nikos Kavallaris is an Associate Professor at Karlstad University, specializing in Applied Mathematical Analysis. His research focuses on deterministic and stochastic modeling of biological, ecological, and industrial systems, including chemotaxis, tumor growth, MEMS technology, and uncertainty quantification. He collaborates with institutions like Osaka University and Brown University. He teaches modules such as Optimization and Applied Mathematics for Engineers. Kavallaris holds a PhD from the National Technical University of Athens (2000) and has held academic positions at Aegean University and the University of Chester. He co-organizes the 2024 Equadiff conference’s minisymposium on Nonlocal PDEs. His work bridges theoretical mathematics with applications in biology, engineering, and environmental science. Education: PhD in Applied Mathematics, National Technical University of Athens (2000) Postdoctoral Research: University of Wrocław (EU HYKE project), Osaka University (COE program) Collaborations: Osaka University, Heriot-Watt University, Sorbonne Paris Nord, Brown University Research Interests: Nonlinear PDEs, stochastic modeling in biology/ecology, MEMS device dynamics, and topological data analysis. His work addresses phenomena like tumor growth, DNA methylation, and industrial processes such as ohmic heating and metal welding. He explores quenching dynamics, blow-up solutions, and bifurcation theory in nonlocal models. Publications: Over 50 articles on topics ranging from stochastic MEMS models to cancer immunology, emphasizing nonlinear dynamics and uncertainty quantification. Recent work examines flood exposure in Sweden and immune infiltration patterns in breast cancer. Grants/Awards: Involved in EU Marie-Curie projects and collaborative research initiatives. His contributions span theoretical analysis and application-driven research in interdisciplinary fields. Labs/Teams: Active in international research networks, leading projects on nonlocal PDE applications and mathematical biology.
David G. Drubin is the Ernette Comby Chair in Microbiology and a Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology at the University of California, Berkeley. He is also an affiliate of the Division of Genetics, Genomics and Development, with his lab focusing on molecular mechanisms of actin assembly and membrane trafficking in human stem cells, organoids, zebrafish, and budding yeast. Affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, UC Berkeley Research Focus: Actin-mediated membrane trafficking, clathrin-mediated endocytosis, cytoskeletal dynamics, genome editing, stem cell differentiation, and yeast genetics His lab employs real-time imaging, genome editing, mathematical modeling, and biochemical reconstitution to study endocytic mechanisms. Key findings include the role of membrane curvature in endocytosis and the translation of yeast discoveries to mammalian systems. Google Scholar publications up to 2025 highlight his work on myosin-I, actin networks, and membrane biophysics. Lab members include students and researchers like Sun Hae Hong, Yansong Miao, and Nate Krefman. The lab has produced educational videos (e.g., DNA gel training) and maintains active research directions in actin force generation and organelle inheritance pathways.
Paul Rainey is a Professor and Director of the Department of Microbial Population Biology at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology in Plön, Germany. He also serves as Professor at ESPCI Paris and holds an adjunct position at the New Zealand Institute for Advanced Study (NZIAS). His research spans microbial evolution, ecological scaffolding, and biophysics, supported by the Max Planck Society and collaborations across institutions. University of Canterbury – BSc, MSc, PhD Paul's research focuses on experimental evolution, ecological complexity, and the emergence of individuality in microbial systems. Recent work explores evolutionary rescue, biophysical mechanisms of surface colonization, and the interplay between ecological and genetic factors in adaptation. His publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches, merging microbial ecology with theoretical frameworks for evolutionary transitions. Key themes include stochastic phenotype switching, genome streamlining, and the role of environmental structure in shaping evolutionary trajectories. Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand Member of EMBO Paul leads the Laboratory for Evolutionary Genetics at ESPCI Paris and collaborates with institutions like Kiel University and the CRC 1182. His work addresses microbial community dynamics, evolutionary medicine, and the broader implications of eco-evolutionary feedback in biological systems.
Dr. Luiz E. Bertassoni is Professor at the Division of Oncological Sciences at Oregon Health & Science University's Knight Cancer Institute, where he serves as founding director of the Knight Cancer Precision Biofabrication Hub and co-section head for Discovery and Translational Oncology. He holds joint appointments in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research (CEDAR) center, and OHSU School of Dentistry. Education D.D.S. (2007) Ph.D. in Biomaterials, University of Sydney (2012) Postdoctoral training: Harvard Medical School (2012-2013) Brigham and Women's Hospital (2012-2013) University of California, San Francisco (2007-2009) Research Focus Dr. Bertassoni leads multidisciplinary research in biofabrication technologies including 3D bioprinting, organs-on-chips, and regenerative medicine. His laboratory develops innovative approaches for creating vascularized tissue constructs, cancer models, and biomimetic materials with applications in precision oncology and tissue regeneration. Publication Trends Recent work demonstrates strong focus on vascularization techniques, advanced bioprinting methodologies, and microphysiological systems for bone and vascular tissue engineering. Publications consistently integrate nanotechnology, biomimetic design principles, and translational applications in cancer research. Honors Medical Research Foundation New Investigator Award Silver Family Faculty Innovation Award Recipient of over 30 national/international research awards Leadership Founded the Knight Cancer Precision Biofabrication Hub and co-founded two biotechnology companies. Leads multidisciplinary team developing biofabrication platforms for cancer research and regenerative applications. Editorial board member for 10 journals and reviewer for 60+ peer-reviewed publications.
Dr. Srikanthan Ramesh serves as an Assistant Professor in the School of Industrial Engineering and Management within Oklahoma State University's College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology. Since establishing the Advanced Materials and Additive Manufacturing Laboratory in August 2022, he has led interdisciplinary research at the intersection of materials science, physical phenomena, and advanced manufacturing technologies, with applications spanning healthcare, aerospace, and electronics sectors. His educational foundation includes a Ph.D. in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology (2022) and an M.S. in Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering from Iowa State University (2017). This academic background enables his innovative approach to manufacturing science. Dr. Ramesh's research program focuses on biological and micro-scale additive manufacturing (bio-AM), specializing in biomaterial development for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. His work integrates computational fluid dynamics, machine learning, and real-time process monitoring to achieve precise control over mechanical, biological, and electrical properties of manufactured structures. He develops experimental tools and process frameworks for droplet-based and extrusion-based AM systems, with particular emphasis on wound healing applications and space-compatible microelectronics. Analysis of his 14 publications from 2020-2025 reveals a strong trajectory toward AI-driven manufacturing solutions, with increasing emphasis on multi-objective Bayesian optimization for bioink design, aerosol jet printing process refinement, and bioprinted tissue construct development. His recent work demonstrates sophisticated integration of machine learning with physical manufacturing processes to solve complex biomedical challenges. His scientific recognition includes: Doctoral Dissertation Pitch Competition (Runner-up), IISE, 2021 Best Oral Presentation, Graduate Showcase, Rochester Institute of Technology, 2019 Gilbreth Memorial Fellowship, IISE, 2018-2019 Wakonse College Teaching Fellowship, Iowa State University, 2018-2019 Graduate Research Excellence Award, Iowa State University, 2017 Best Overall Oral Presentation, Nano@IAstate, Iowa State University, 2017 Dr. Ramesh currently leads significant research initiatives including as Principal Investigator for an NSF REU Site on Additive Manufacturing and Cybersecurity ($464,606, 2025-2028) and a NASA EPSCoR Travel Grant for aerosol jet printing in space missions (2024-2025). As Co-PI on an NSF grant for Privacy-aware Collaborative Design in additive biofabrication ($599,981, 2025-2028), he develops frameworks for mass personalization in medical applications while addressing data security challenges. These projects support his lab's mission to advance manufacturing science through rigorous experimentation and computational innovation. The Advanced Materials and Additive Manufacturing Laboratory operates as a collaborative hub where Dr. Ramesh directs research teams in developing novel biomaterials, optimizing printing processes, and creating functional prototypes for wound dressings, liver tissue models, and space-rated microelectronics. The lab's interdisciplinary approach combines expertise in materials characterization, computational modeling, and machine learning to push the boundaries of what's possible in additive manufacturing for critical applications.
Prof. Dr. Susanne Gebhard is a Full Professor of Molecular Biotechnology at the Institute for Molecular Physiology , Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU) Mainz, Germany, since 2023. Her career spans international institutions, including postdoctoral work in New Zealand and the UK, and a permanent research and teaching position at the University of Bath. She focuses on bacterial physiology, particularly antibiotic resistance mechanisms and microbially induced calcite precipitation for sustainable biotechnology applications. Education: Abitur (1996), University Degree (2003), PhD in Microbiology (2006, University of Otago, New Zealand), Habilitation (2014) Research Interests: Her work bridges two major themes: Antibiotic Resistance : Investigating how bacteria detect antibiotics and regulate resistance pathways, with implications for novel therapeutic strategies. Microbial Biomineralization : Exploring bacterial mineralization processes to reduce cement usage in construction, addressing CO 2 emissions through Solibacillus silvestris and related species. Publications & Collaborations highlight her expertise in Bacillus subtilis , Pseudomonas , and Neisseria systems, alongside contributions to journals like Nature Communications , Cell Reports , and Environmental Microbiology . She frequently collaborates with labs in Oxford, Cologne, and Australia. Scientific Engagement includes: Senior Editor for the Microbiology journal Deputy Spokesperson for the 'Regulation' specialist group of the Association for General and Applied Microbiology Active participation in international conferences and EMBO workshops Lab & Leadership : She leads the Gebhard Lab at JGU Mainz, mentoring students and postdocs while emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration. Her hobbies include horseback riding, gardening, and exploring the intersection of science and sustainability.
Dr. Agathe Chaigne is a Researcher at the Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics , Faculty of Science, Utrecht University , Netherlands. Her lab investigates the role of cell division dynamics and cytoplasmic bridges in developmental biology and evolutionary multicellularity . Education : PhD in Cell Biology (2014, Université Paris Diderot), MSc (2011, same), BSc equivalent (2010, same). Research Focus : Cell Division Mechanics, Abscission Regulation in Stem Cells, Cytoplasmic Bridge Evolution, and Cortical Tension in Development. Scientific Awards : NWO-VIDI Grant (2022) EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowship Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellowship Lab Members : Postdoc: Dr. My Anh Truong PhD Students: Snježana Kodba, Amber Öztop, Nils Dormanns Technician: Erika Timmers Contact : Email a.e.d.chaigne@uu.nl or follow @agathe.chaigne.bsky.social .
Pavol Federl is an Assistant Professor (Teaching) in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Science. His research focuses on computational modeling in biological systems, particularly plant growth, fracture mechanics, and interdisciplinary applications of L-systems. He holds a PhD (2002), MSc (1997), and BSc (1995) in Computer Science from the University of Calgary. Research Interests Biological modeling using L-systems Fracture formation in growing materials Computer graphics and interactive simulation environments Plant growth dynamics and pattern formation His work integrates mathematical modeling with computational techniques to study natural phenomena, such as leaf venation patterns and tree bark fracture. Recent research highlights include: Developmental models of multicellular structures Finite element analysis of fracture dynamics Interactive design tools for bonsai tree modeling Grants and Advising No specific grants or advisees are listed in the provided text. His teaching includes courses such as CPSC 457: Principles of Operating Systems. Professional Contributions He has contributed to software development in virtual laboratories and license plate recognition systems, demonstrating expertise in both theoretical and applied computing.
Prof. Dr. Susann Müller is Senior Scientist and Group Leader of the Flow Cytometry Working Group at the Department of Applied Microbial Ecology, Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research (UFZ) in Leipzig, Germany. Since 2011, she has held an Associate Professor position for Microbiology at Leipzig University’s Faculty of Life Sciences, bridging fundamental microbial ecology with environmental biotechnology applications through single-cell analytics. Education: 1985: Diploma in Biochemistry, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg 1992: PhD, University of Halle-Wittenberg (Population dynamics of S. cerevisiae) 2003: Habilitation, Technical University Dresden (Multiparametric Cytometry) Her research pioneers microbial community flow cytometry to extract single-cell high-dimensional data, applying macroecological concepts to quantify stability metrics (resistance, resilience, displacement speed, elasticity) in engineered systems. Current focus includes bio-based circular economy initiatives: developing the carboxylate platform for sustainable chemical production and biological phosphate recovery from wastewater streams for resource valorization. Recent publications (2021-2025) reveal consistent innovation in flow cytometry applications, with emphasis on stability assessment in bioreactors, predator-prey dynamics in complex communities, and real-time monitoring of wastewater systems. She integrates ecological theory with multi-omics and data science to decode microbial assembly principles across environmental, agricultural, and industrial contexts. Professional roles: President, German Society of Cytometry (DGfZ, 2008-2010) Associate Editor, Microbiology for Cytometry Part A ISAC Educational Committee (2011-2012) and Scholars Program Committee (2013-2015) Current grants: PHOM project (SMWK InfraProNet 2024-2027): €449,160 for wastewater phosphorus recovery Z-PROJECT (DFG 2022-2025): €556,550 for bacterial biofilm analysis PROMICON (EU H2020 2021-2025): €200,000 for industrial microbiome consortia Moore Foundation (2020-2024): $23,000 for archaeal evolutionary tools Chinese Scholarship Council (2022-2026): Artificial community construction The Flow Cytometry Working Group under her leadership at UFZ develops standardized mock communities (Nature Protocols 2020), automated analysis tools (flowEMMi), and cytometric barcoding methods. It collaborates with Leipzig University, Technical University Dresden, and international partners including UC Santa Barbara, driving innovations in real-time environmental monitoring and wastewater treatment optimization.
Cole A. DeForest is a Weyerhaeuser Endowed Professor and Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Washington, where he also serves as Associate Chair for Graduate Studies. Additionally, he holds appointments as Associate Professor in Bioengineering and Adjunct Associate Professor in Chemistry, and is the Director of Education at the Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute and a Core Faculty member at the Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine. Dr. DeForest earned his Ph.D. in Chemical and Biological Engineering from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 2011 and completed postdoctoral training at Caltech before joining the UW faculty in 2014. His research focuses on developing user-programmable hydrogels with tunable biochemical and biophysical properties, utilizing cytocompatible bioorthogonal chemistries, particularly those initiated with light. His work spans several key areas including User-Programmable Biomaterials for Directing Dynamic Stem Cell Fate, Biomolecular and Tissue Engineering, Controlled Delivery of Therapeutics to Treat Disease, and Tool Development for Enhanced Proteomic Studies. His publication record demonstrates consistent high-impact contributions to biomaterials science, with numerous papers in Nature family journals, JACS, and Advanced Materials. His research approach integrates principles of rational design with fundamental concepts from material science, synthetic chemistry, and stem cell biology to create next-generation materials addressing health-related problems. UW College of Engineering Junior Faculty Award (2020) Society for Biomaterials Young Investigator Award (2020) Society for Biomaterials Mid-Career Award (2025) NSF CAREER Award (2017) UW Presidential Distinguished Teaching Award (2016) 35 Under 35 Award, AIChE Bioengineering Category (2017) Dr. DeForest has mentored numerous graduate students, postdocs, and undergraduates, many of whom have received prestigious fellowships including NSF GRFP, NIH F30, and HHMI Gilliam Fellowships. His lab has secured significant funding including collaborative grants from the Institute for Translational Health Sciences, the Institute for Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine, and the Allen Institute for Brain Science. His educational leadership extends to directing the MolES Education program and teaching courses including Biological Frameworks for Engineers and Biomaterials Seminar.
Silvia De Monte is a Researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology in Plön, Germany, and holds affiliations with the Institute of Biology at École Normale Supérieure in Paris, France. She leads the 'Dynamics of Microbial Collectives' group, focusing on the ecological and evolutionary processes underlying collective behaviors in microbial systems. Her work integrates mathematical modeling with empirical observations to explore how selection pressures shape collective functions in heterogeneous cellular assemblies. De Monte's research spans multiple areas, including the eco-evolutionary dynamics of aggregative multicellularity, the role of phenotypic heterogeneity in bacterial populations, and the mathematical modeling of species abundance distributions in planktonic communities. She has collaborated with institutions such as the CNRS, ENS Paris, and the University of Vienna, contributing to interdisciplinary projects at the interface of biology, physics, and economics. Her educational background includes a PhD from the Technical University of Denmark (2004) and postdoctoral training at the University of Vienna and the Max Planck Institute. She has held roles as a Researcher at CNRS (since 2007) and an Attached Lecturer at École Normale Supérieure (2014–2018). Key research projects include investigating the emergence of Darwinian properties in collective systems, the evolutionary stability of microbial symbioses, and the application of game theory to microbial social dynamics. Her work emphasizes the interplay between microscale cellular interactions and macroscale ecological patterns.
Michael Hochberg is a Distinguished Research Director at the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) in France, with affiliations including External Professor at the Santa Fe Institute and Section Head at the Faculty of 1000. His career spans over 100 publications and significant contributions to evolutionary biology and ecology. Key roles: External Professor (Santa Fe Institute), Founding Editor of Ecology Letters , Associate Editor at Science Advances Research focuses on cancer evolution, phage therapy, social evolution, and host-parasite coevolution. Received the CNRS Silver Medal (1997) and grants from ANR, INCA, and the McDonnell Foundation. Trained over 50 Masters and PhD students and supervised 10 postdoctoral researchers. Recent work includes ecological modeling of cancer therapy resistance and phage-bacteria networks.
Judith Korb is a Professor at the University of Freiburg, working within the Institute of Biology I in the department of Evolutionary Biology and Animal Ecology. She leads the Korb Lab, which focuses on social insects, particularly termites, examining their evolution, ecology, and sociobiology. Her research spans multiple areas of evolutionary biology and social insect behavior, with a particular emphasis on termite societies. Dr. Korb has made significant contributions to understanding social evolution, caste differentiation, reproductive division of labor, and the molecular mechanisms underlying social behavior in termites. Her work explores the exceptional longevity of social insect queens, termite mound architecture, chemical communication in social insects, and the genomic basis of eusociality. Dr. Korb's research combines field studies in Africa with molecular and genomic approaches to unravel the complexities of social insect biology. Dr. Korb's publication record demonstrates consistent scientific productivity, with numerous high-impact papers in leading journals across evolutionary biology, ecology, and genomics. Recent work has focused on the genomic basis of social evolution, aging in social insects, and termite ecology, revealing important insights into how sociality reshapes fundamental biological processes like aging and development. Over 200 publications including high-impact papers in Nature Ecology and Evolution, PNAS, and Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Contributor to authoritative references including the Encyclopedia of Social Insects Extensive international collaborations across Europe, Africa, and North America Dr. Korb has supervised numerous students and collaborated extensively with researchers worldwide, contributing significantly to our understanding of social evolution in termites and other insects. Her laboratory employs a range of methodological approaches, including behavioral observations, molecular techniques, genomic analyses, and field ecology to investigate the evolution and maintenance of sociality in insects.
