Joon Kim is an Associate Professor at the Ethnic Studies Department of the University of Colorado Boulder . Contact: joon.kim@colostate.edu . His research spans computational biology , developmental biology , and immunology , focusing on single-cell analysis , gene regulatory networks , and optogenetic tools . Key work includes predictive modeling of transcriptional repression, multi-omics characterization of autoimmune disorders, and synthetic developmental biology frameworks. Recent publications emphasize spatial transcriptomics , multi-omics integration , and dynamic gene expression mechanisms, with applications in oncology and neuroscience . No awards, students, or lab details are currently listed in available public data.
Elebeoba May is an Associate Professor of Medical Microbiology & Immunology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. As Director of the Multi-scale Immunobiology Design, Algorithms, and Simulation (MIDAS) Lab, she integrates computational and empirical approaches to develop predictive models of biological systems, focusing on chronic infections, biodefense, and biomanufacturing. Education : BS, MS, and PhD in Computer Engineering from North Carolina State University. Her research applies coding theory and information theory to biological processes such as gene expression and microbial communication, creating engineering solutions for challenges in tuberculosis modeling, cellular systems simulation, and immune response dynamics. She also investigates vitamin D3’s role in immunomodulation and designs computational tools for biosensors and granuloma analysis. The 15 most recent articles highlight her expertise in multiscale modeling, immunology, and computational systems biology. Key trends include vitamin D3’s impact on macrophage responses, biofilm formation in E. coli, and integration of in silico and in vitro methods for disease modeling. Scientific Awards : NIH/NHLBI K25 Quantitative Research Career Development Award NSF Directors Award for Superior Accomplishment Women of Color Research Sciences and Technology Award Her research has been supported by grants from the Department of Energy (DoE), Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and National Science Foundation (NSF). She is affiliated with Sandia National Laboratories, the University of Houston, and served as an NSF Program Director in Molecular and Cellular Biosciences.
Jeffrey R Morgan is a tenured Professor at Brown University , holding dual appointments in the School of Engineering and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine . He directs the Center for Alternatives to Animals in Testing and has pioneered the 3D PetriDish® technology for scaffold-free tissue engineering. Education : PhD (Harvard), BS (Syracuse) Key Collaborators : Kim Boekelheide, Eric Darling, Anubhav Tripathi Research Focus : 3D Tissue Engineering – Developing complex microtissue geometries (toroids, honeycombs) and studying tissue fusion for organ-scale fabrication. Cell-Cell Mechanics – Quantifying forces in multicellular aggregates to understand fibrosis and tissue remodeling. Drug Transport – Using spheroids to model drug uptake, efflux pumps, and multi-drug resistance in cancer. Article Trends : Recent work emphasizes 3D spheroid platforms for toxicity testing , collagen mechanics , and automated bio-manufacturing tools . Keywords span Biomedical Engineering , Tissue Morphogenesis , and Drug Discovery , with sub-fields including ECM alignment , microtissue hydrodynamics , and scaffold-free organoids . Scientific Recognition : 1996 La Roche-Posay Prize 2015 National Academy of Inventors Fellow 2016 American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering Fellow 2014-2025 Editorial roles and collaborative grants Labs and Teams : Leads a multidisciplinary lab at Brown collaborating with engineers, pathologists, and biomedical researchers. His team focuses on self-assembling microtissues , drug transport quantification , and toxicity modeling , with partnerships in the Center for Alternatives to Animals in Testing and School of Engineering .
Alessandro Savino is an Associate Professor at the Department of Control and Computer Engineering (DAUIN) of Politecnico di TORINO. He serves as an academic advisor for Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs in Computer Engineering (Ingegneria Informatica) and contributes to PhD programs in Artificial Intelligence and Computer Engineering. Research Interests: Approximate computing, Cybersecurity (including automotive systems), Dependability, Parallel computing, Reliability analysis, and Neuromorphic architectures. Key Projects: Leads RESCHIP4EU (2024-2028), NEUROPULS (2023-2027), and commercial contracts focused on real-time OS validation and avionics design. Publications: Recent work spans hardware security (e.g., VeriSide for leakage assessment), spiking neural networks (SpikeExplorer, SpikingJET), and automotive cybersecurity (CARACAS, CAN-MM). Teaching: Instructs courses on Parallel and Distributed Computing, Hardware & Wireless Security, and System Programming across Politecnico di TORINO and Scuola IMT Alti Studi - LUCCA. Research Group: Leads the SMILIES group, focusing on resilient computer architectures and life sciences.
Matt Scaglione serves as an Associate Professor of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology and Associate Professor in Cell Biology at Duke University School of Medicine. His laboratory focuses on understanding the regulation of protein homeostasis (proteostasis) in neurodegenerative diseases, employing diverse model systems including protein biochemistry, the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum, human cell culture, and mouse models to investigate cellular pathways dealing with misfolded proteins. Dr. Scaglione's research interests center on protein quality control mechanisms, particularly the ubiquitin-proteasome system and molecular chaperones in the context of neurodegenerative disorders. His work has significant implications for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and polyglutamine diseases such as spinocerebellar ataxias. His laboratory has made notable contributions to understanding the E3 ubiquitin ligase CHIP and novel chaperones like SRCP1 that suppress protein aggregation. Analysis of Dr. Scaglione's recent publications reveals a strong focus on protein aggregation mechanisms, ubiquitin signaling, and the development of model systems for studying neurodegenerative diseases. His work spans from basic molecular mechanisms to potential therapeutic applications, with particular emphasis on polyglutamine diseases and ALS. The research demonstrates interdisciplinary approaches combining biochemistry, cell biology, and genetics. Dr. Scaglione currently holds multiple research grants supporting his investigations into protein quality control pathways, novel chaperones for neurodegeneration, and therapeutic development for spinocerebellar ataxia type 48. These grants extend through 2027, indicating sustained research activity and funding support. He teaches several graduate-level courses at Duke including Foundations of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Topics in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, and various modules in the University Program in Genetics and Genomics and Cell & Molecular Biology programs, contributing to the training of the next generation of scientists.
Dr Helena Ćetković is Senior Scientific Advisor (equivalent to Research Professor) at the Ruđer Bošković Institute in Zagreb, Croatia, where she heads the Laboratory for Molecular Genetics within the Division of Molecular Biology. She is also a long-standing lecturer in the Biology Department of the University of Zagreb Faculty of Science. Her work integrates genomics, evolutionary biology and cancer research using sponges as model organisms. Education: 1993 – B.Sc. in Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb 1997 – M.Sc. in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb 2003 – Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb Research Focus: Helena Ćetković’s research centres on the molecular genetics and evolution of the simplest Metazoa – sponges (Porifera). Her laboratory decodes sponge genomes and transcriptomes to uncover the evolutionary origins of genes involved in human cancer, especially metastasis suppressors such as NME/NDPK family members and Ras-like GTPases. Comparative studies in freshwater and marine sponges, as well as closely related unicellular organisms like Capsaspora owczarzaki , reveal how gene families critical for multicellularity and tumour suppression first arose. Recent investigations include: Functional characterization of sponge homologues of human cancer-related proteins (DRG1, RRAS2, MYC). Development of sponge cell transfection systems enabling sub-cellular localisation and biochemical assays. Exploration of cave-dwelling sponges as models of phenotypic plasticity and adaptation to extreme environments. Scientific Awards: RBI Annual Publication Award (2012) RBI Annual Publication Award (2010) J. J. Strossmayer Prize for the best scientific book project (2008) Training & Mentoring: Dr Ćetković has supervised 15+ master’s and doctoral theses at the University of Zagreb, producing a cohort of early-career scientists now active in genomics, cancer biology and evolutionary developmental biology. Her laboratory is supported by national and international grants and maintains collaborative networks across Europe. Laboratory & Teams: She leads the Laboratory for Molecular Genetics at RBI, coordinating several research teams focused on sponge genome sequencing, protein biochemistry and bioinformatics. The group is part of the RBI Division of Molecular Biology and collaborates closely with the RBI Centre for Marine Research and the University of Zagreb Genomics Core.
Grant Bowman, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at the Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming. His research focuses on sub-cellular organization within bacteria, cell asymmetry, and synthetic biology applications. Contact: gbowman2@uwyo.edu Location: Science Initiative Building 2228, University of Wyoming Research Interests Sub-cellular Organization: Investigates macromolecular structures at cell poles in Caulobacter crescentus , exploring how bacteria establish polarity and compartmentalization without internal membranes. Cell Asymmetry: Studies mechanisms of asymmetric cell division and its role in generating multicellular-like differentiation in bacterial systems. Synthetic Biology: Aims to re-engineer polarized microenvironments in bacteria for novel functional applications. Labs & Teams Leads the Bowman Lab at the University of Wyoming, focusing on bacterial developmental biology and synthetic biology. Collaborates with researchers in molecular biology and microbiology fields.
Nicolas Krink is a post-doctoral researcher working on engineering the core metabolic pathways of Pseudomonas putida to produce novel long-chain fluorinated molecules. He has academic affiliations with institutions including the University of Freiburg (undergrad), Stanford University (B.Sc. thesis), CRI Paris (M.Sc.), and the Joint BioEnergy Institute (M.Sc. thesis). His career includes a Ph.D. at the Max-Planck-Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology (2019) and current work in Pablo's group since 2020. Research Focus: Building on his expertise in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering, Krink works on: Manipulating CoA ester pools Engineering multicellular networks in yeast/bacteria Developing novel biocatalytic systems for fluorinated compounds Achievements: iGEM Grand Prize winner (2013) Co-founder of the German Association for Synthetic Biology (GASB) NNF post-doctoral fellowship recipient
Ruslan Medzhitov is the Sterling Professor of Immunobiology at Yale School of Medicine and an Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He earned his PhD from Moscow State University in 1993. His laboratory investigates inflammation biology, host-pathogen interactions, macrophage functionality, and adaptive immune regulation, with cross-appointments in Dermatology and affiliations with Yale's Cancer Immunology and Systems Engineering Immunology centers. Research focuses include: Inflammation mechanisms : Links to metabolism, aging, and cancer. Host-pathogen dynamics : Balancing immune protection and immunopathology. Macrophage biology : Roles in homeostasis and tissue repair. Evolutionary medicine : Frameworks for understanding disease through evolutionary principles. Scientific awards: Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2022) American Association of Immunologists-BD Biosciences Investigator Award Leads the Medzhitov Laboratory, collaborating with institutions like the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Research emphasizes translational impact, with recent work on allergic sensitization, fibrosis, and immune responses to infections like COVID-19.
Prof. Dr. Dr. Heike Tost is a psychiatrist and psychologist serving as Head of the Research Group Systems Neuroscience Psychiatry (SNiP) at Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit (ZI) in Mannheim, Germany. Her work bridges psychiatric research with neuroscience, focusing on the interplay between social environments and brain function. Research Interests: Her research spans Schizophrenia and cognitive disorders Neuroscience of social contact and resilience Impact of urban environments on brain stress processing Genetic and neural correlates of psychiatric conditions Interdisciplinary approaches to mental health Publication Trends: Heike Tost's recent work emphasizes cancer neuroscience, neural correlates of social interaction, and genetic factors in psychiatric disorders. Her studies integrate neuroimaging, behavioral analysis, and clinical psychiatry. Leadership: She leads the RG Systems Neuroscience Psychiatry (SNiP) at ZI, contributing to translational research in mental health.
Michael Elowitz is a Professor of Biology, Bioengineering, and Applied Physics at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and an HHMI Investigator, appointed since 2003 after completing his academic training. His educational background includes a Ph.D. in Physics from Princeton University (1999) and postdoctoral research at the Rockefeller University. Dr. Elowitz's research pioneers the quantitative analysis of genetic circuit design principles in living cells. He founded synthetic biology through the Repressilator—a three-gene repressor circuit generating clock-like oscillations in bacteria—and systematically investigated how stochastic noise governs cellular decision-making, differentiation, and developmental evolution. Current work integrates synthetic biology with multicellular signaling, memory mechanisms, and pattern formation dynamics. His major recognitions include: Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering Searle Scholars Award MacArthur Fellowship ("Genius Grant") HFSP Nakasone Award for interdisciplinary life sciences As an HHMI Investigator, Dr. Elowitz directs substantial research funding toward innovative projects exploring fundamental biological principles. His laboratory at Caltech serves as a hub for quantitative systems biology, training researchers in experimental and theoretical approaches to genetic networks. The Elowitz Lab maintains active research programs in synthetic circuit engineering, noise quantification in gene expression, and developmental patterning mechanisms across bacterial and eukaryotic systems.
Dr. Tamara Mikeladze-Dvali is a Professor in the Faculty of Biology at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, specializing in Cell & Developmental Biology. She leads an active research laboratory (TDvaliLab) focused on understanding centrosome and centriole regulation during multicellular development. Her research employs genetic, cell biological, and imaging approaches using Caenorhabditis elegans and zebrafish as model organisms. Dr. Mikeladze-Dvali investigates how centrioles are regulated in a cell type-specific manner during development, with particular interest in their role in proliferating cells, differentiated tissues, and gametogenesis. Her work has significant implications for understanding human diseases including tumorigenesis, ciliopathies, and microcephaly, which have been linked to abnormalities in centriole biogenesis and dynamics. Current research projects include studying PCMD-1's role in PCM scaffold stabilization, centriole separation mechanisms, and the regulation of centriole dynamics during development. Dr. Mikeladze-Dvali actively participates in the European centrosome and cilia research community, contributing to initiatives like the European Shipping Hub for CGC strain distribution. Her laboratory maintains an active presence on scientific social media platforms, sharing research findings and engaging with the broader scientific community. Research on centrosome and centriole regulation during development Studies using C. elegans and zebrafish model systems Investigations into centriole fate in different cell types Research on centriole elimination in oocytes and contribution through sperm Analysis of centriole roles in cilia formation and function Her work bridges fundamental cell biological questions with implications for human disease mechanisms, particularly those involving centrosome and cilia dysfunction.
Bahareh Behkam , Associate Professor at Virginia Tech's College of Engineering, holds joint appointments in Mechanical Engineering and Health Sciences. She serves as a John R. Jones III Faculty Fellow, leading the NanoRobotics Laboratory, and is affiliated with the Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Macromolecules Innovation Institute, and School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences. Carnegie Mellon University, Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering (2008) Carnegie Mellon University, M.S. in Mechanical Engineering (2003) Sharif University of Technology, B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (1999) Her research focuses on micro/nanoscale systems engineering for biomedical applications, including: Biohybrid microrobotic systems for cancer therapy Interfacial mechanics of pathogen-biomaterial interactions Mechanobiology of microbial infections Mammalian cell migration in complex environments Recent publications highlight advancements in bacterial propulsion systems , autonomous drug delivery , and deep learning-based microrobot tracking . Her work spans biomedical imaging, tumor targeting, and mechanobiology. Scientific Awards 2023 Emerging Leaders in Biological Engineering 2021 Favorite Faculty Award (Virginia Tech) 2020 John R. Jones III Faculty Fellow 2015 NSF CAREER Award 2014 National Academies Keck Frontiers Initiative Dr. Behkam's lab develops biohybrid microrobots and nanoscale delivery systems (NanoBEADS) while exploring bacterial chemotaxis and mechanobiology. She actively mentors students in interdisciplinary research.
David Brückner is an Assistant Professor of Theoretical Biophysics at the Biozentrum of the University of Basel, Switzerland, where he leads a research group investigating the physics of living systems. Appointed in April 2025, he develops theoretical frameworks to understand how cellular interactions govern multicellular organization during development. His work bridges statistical physics, soft matter theory, and developmental biology to address fundamental questions about information processing in biological systems. Brückner's research focuses on stochastic dynamics in developmental systems , exploring how cells make reliable decisions despite biological noise. He investigates Mechanical and biochemical information transmission in tissues Cellular memory mechanisms in confined migration General physical principles across developmental systems Self-organization in multicellular structures His approach combines biophysical modeling with information theory and machine learning to connect theoretical predictions with experimental data. His recent publications reveal groundbreaking insights into cellular memory during migration, hyperdisordered biological packing, and information flow in developmental systems. Notable work published in Nature Physics (2025) demonstrates how the actin cortex serves as a mechanical memory enabling efficient navigation through confined spaces – crucial for understanding wound healing and cancer metastasis. Brückner's scientific achievements have been recognized through prestigious awards including an ERC Starting Grant (2025), the Gustav Hertz Prize (2022), and an EMBO Long-Term Fellowship (2022). His research is supported by international collaborations with experimental laboratories worldwide. As a newly established group leader, Brückner actively recruits PhD students and postdoctoral researchers for his ERC-funded "InfoFate" project, which investigates how cells integrate dynamical, neighborhood, and mechanical signals to make fate decisions. His laboratory employs interdisciplinary approaches combining theoretical physics with cutting-edge biological data.
Prof. Dr. Alex Schier is a Swiss/US scientist and Director of the Biozentrum, University of Basel , where he leads research on vertebrate development and sleep regulation . He previously served as the Leo Erikson Life Sciences Professor and Chair of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at Harvard University (2005–2019) and held academic roles at NYU School of Medicine (1996–2005). Research Focus: Embryonic development, sleep/wakefulness mechanisms, single-cell lineage tracing, and Nodal signaling in morphogenesis. Methods: Genetic, genomic, biophysical, and microscopic approaches in zebrafish and mice. Scientific Leadership: He is a member of EMBO, served on editorial boards (Science, Developmental Cell), and directed the Allan Discovery Center for Cell Lineage Tracing . Recent awards include an ERC Advanced Grant (2020–2024) and NIH MERIT/Pioneer Awards. Publications highlight advances in single-cell technologies , sleep-related neuropeptides , and evolutionary developmental biology . His lab collaborates on projects like brain-wide transcriptomics and optogenetic signaling control .
