Scott K. Johnson is a Research Professional at the University of Georgia's Center for Vaccine and Immunology within the College of Veterinary Medicine. He holds a B.Sc. (1984) and M.Sc. (1987) in Animal Science from the University of Georgia and Utah State University, respectively. His career spans academic research and industry experience, including roles at Merial, Ltd., and the Animal Health Research Center. Johnson specializes in influenza virus research, focusing on vaccine development, in-vitro/in-vivo studies at BSL-2/BSL-3 levels, and animal model applications. His work includes antiviral drug discovery and evaluating vaccine efficacy through innovative methodologies. Research interests emphasize influenza pathogenesis, antiviral strategies, and translational veterinary science. Notable contributions include studies on Verdinexor's efficacy in influenza models and kinase inhibitor repurposing. Johnson collaborates with Dr. Ted Ross and others, contributing to interdisciplinary teams advancing infectious disease countermeasures. His publications span 1983–2016, reflecting expertise in virology, immunology, and veterinary medicine. While no awards or students are explicitly listed, his work demonstrates significant impact in vaccine and antiviral research.
Marco Fragai is an Associate Professor affiliated with the Department of Chemistry and the Magnetic Resonance Center at the University of Florence, Italy. His research focuses on structural biology, NMR spectroscopy, and biomolecular interactions, with applications in vaccine design, drug development, and enzymology. Key areas include glycobiology (e.g., bacterial pathogen recognition), protein-ligand interactions (e.g., SARS-CoV-2 glycan receptors), and the structural characterization of biologics. His work integrates computational methods (e.g., machine learning) and advanced biophysical techniques to study protein dynamics and functional mechanisms. His research also explores prebiotic chemistry, metallopeptides, and the development of novel therapeutics targeting cancer and infectious diseases. He has contributed to the design of antiviral agents, cancer immunotherapies, and biomaterials such as hyaluronic acid-based systems for ocular diseases. Notably, his group employs paramagnetic NMR to study enzyme catalysis and paramagnetic tagging of proteins for structural analysis. Publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches, including collaborations on vaccine candidates, enzyme inhibitors, and the structural biology of RNA-binding proteins. His work bridges fundamental research and translational applications, emphasizing the Quality by Design paradigm for biopharmaceutical development.
Linda Cerofolini is a Research Fellow at the University of Florence, affiliated with the Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM) and the Department of Chemistry. Her work focuses on structural biology and NMR spectroscopy, particularly in drug development, enzyme characterization, and biomaterial interactions. Education: B.Sc./M.Sc. in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology (2009), University of Florence Ph.D. in Mechanistic and Structural Systems Biology (2013), University of Florence Research Interests: Solution/solid-state NMR for protein-ligand interactions Paramagnetic restraints for structural characterization PEGylated proteins and vaccine formulations Biopharmaceuticals and biomaterial interfaces Awards: 2014: Second Best Poster Award at GIDRM Congress 2016: Oral Presentation at FEBS/IUBMB Workshop 2018: Best Poster Award at HDDC Conference Grants & Projects: Interuniversity Consortium for Magnetic Resonance of Metalloproteins (CIRMMP) Structural biology initiatives at CERM Labs/Teams: Active in CERM and CIRMMP labs, collaborating with groups on NMR methodologies and biomaterial characterization.
Bruce Randall Donald is the James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of Computer Science and Biochemistry at Duke University, with additional professorships in Chemistry and Mathematics. He is a member of the Duke Cancer Institute and Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, as well as a Bass Fellow. Donald received his B.A. from Yale University and Ph.D. from the MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, and has held academic positions at Cornell University, Interval Research Corporation, and Duke University since 2006. Education B.A., Yale University Ph.D., MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory Donald's research spans Computational Biology , Structural Biology , NMR , MEMS , Robotics , and Physical Geometric Algorithms . His work focuses on algorithmic solutions for structural proteomics, protein design, and rational drug development, integrating computational methods with experimental validation. Recent publications emphasize AI-driven drug discovery and predicting cancer resistance mutations , with key articles in Cell , PLoS Computational Biology , and Nature Communications Biology . His lab employs ensemble-based modeling and non-proteinogenic amino acid design to tackle challenges in infectious diseases and oncology. Scientific honors include the Presidential Young Investigator Award , Guggenheim Fellowship , and fellowships from the ACM , AAAS , and IEEE . Donald's lab is supported by the NIH Outstanding Investigator Grant and a $3M MIRA award . Advising highlights: Over 30 PhD and Master’s students trained, with alumni leading roles at institutions like MIT, Stanford, and companies such as Genentech, NVIDIA, and Ten63 Therapeutics. His lab maintains state-of-the-art dry and wet facilities at Duke's Levine Science Research Center and French Family Science Center.
Daniel Stones is a Senior Lecturer in Biosciences at the University of Gloucestershire, where he teaches across the Animal Biology and Biology Undergraduate programs. His academic credentials include a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Immunology and Oncology from the University of Birmingham (2013), an MRes in the same field from Birmingham (2008), an MSc in Cancer Immunotherapy from the University of Nottingham (2007), and a BSc in Medical Microbiology from the University of Leeds (2005). He is a member of the British Association for Cancer Research. Dr. Stones' research spans two primary domains with significant molecular biology focus: Tumor-immune system interactions and novel tumor-specific targets for immunotherapy Host-pathogen interactions with emphasis on bacterial adhesion mechanisms Effects of diet on gut health in both tumor-immune and pathogen contexts His publication record demonstrates consistent contributions to understanding how protein modifications affect immune recognition and how bacterial adhesins facilitate colonization. Recent work shows particular expertise in MHC phosphopeptide recognition, bacterial adhesion inhibitors, and molecular mechanisms of pathogen transmission. His research has translational applications for developing new cancer immunotherapies and antimicrobial strategies. Dr. Stones teaches across multiple bioscience disciplines: Biochemistry Cellular Pathology Microbiology Biotechnology Neuroscience Pharmacology His teaching integrates current research perspectives, particularly in molecular mechanisms of disease and therapeutic intervention strategies. Dr. Stones' work bridges fundamental molecular biology with practical applications for improving human health through better understanding of both cancer and infectious disease processes.
Chiara Di Meo serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology at Sapienza University of Rome, where she teaches Polymers of Pharmaceutical Interest and Cosmetic Chemistry courses for the 2024/2025 academic year with mandatory attendance for Pharmacy students. She maintains regular office hours on Thursdays at 4 pm in room 261 CU019 by appointment. Her institutional role extends to serving as a member of the faculty council for the International Doctorate in Molecular Design and Characterization for the Promotion of Health and Well-being: from Drug to Food. Dr. Di Meo specializes in the synthesis, characterization, and formulation of innovative polymeric matrices for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food applications, with particular expertise in polysaccharides. Her research focuses on developing hyaluronan-based nanogels, polymer-drug conjugates, and interpenetrating polymer networks for targeted drug delivery systems. She has coordinated multiple research projects funded by the university and private companies, demonstrating strong industry-academia collaboration in pharmaceutical technology development. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a consistent research trajectory centered on nanohydrogels and biopolymeric nanoparticles, particularly those based on hyaluronic acid and cholesterol derivatives. Her work spans multiple therapeutic areas including dermatology, oncology, ophthalmology, and hepatology, with significant emphasis on overcoming biological barriers like mucus, skin, cornea, and the blood-brain barrier. The 2023-2025 publications show increasing sophistication in materials engineering, with recent work exploring 3D printing of polymer systems, mussel-inspired chemistry for mechanical property tuning, and molecular targeting of specific cancer pathways. As a member of the PolyRome Center affiliated with the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Dr. Di Meo contributes to providing services for the development and physico-chemical characterization of polymeric systems. Her research group has produced 66 publications with an h-index of 27 (Scopus), reflecting substantial impact in the fields of drug delivery and polymer-based pharmaceutical formulations. Current research directions include self-assembling nanogels based on synthetic and mixed polymers, with applications spanning from drug delivery to food science.
Prof. Dr. Michael Schirner serves as a Guest Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the Free University of Berlin, working within the Haag Research Group led by Prof. Rainer Haag. His role focuses on advancing research in polymer-based nanomaterials and biointerfaces. His research interests encompass Polymer Chemistry, Nanomaterials, Biointerfaces, Antiviral Materials, Biomedical Engineering, and Drug Delivery Systems. He investigates dynamic hydrogels, polymeric nanosystems, and functional biointerfaces for applications including viral inhibition, bacterial capture, and tissue regeneration. Recent publications highlight his contributions to antiviral materials, particularly nanoparticle inhibitors for influenza and SARS-CoV-2, and graphene-based systems for bacterial capture. His work demonstrates a strong trend in leveraging multivalency and electrostatic interactions to develop biomedical solutions.
David C. Williams, Jr. is a Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, where he holds a dual MD/PhD appointment. He is a member of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, focusing his research on structural and biophysical mechanisms of epigenetic regulation. His laboratory investigates protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions central to macromolecular complexes involved in gene expression control, with particular emphasis on the NuRD complex and MBD2 protein. Williams' research program centers on understanding how epigenetic signals, particularly DNA methylation, regulate gene expression through structural mechanisms. His laboratory employs nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy , isothermal titration calorimetry , circular dichroism , and surface plasmon resonance to characterize the structure and dynamics of protein complexes. A major focus has been the methyl-cytosine binding domain protein 2 (MBD2) and its role in recruiting the NuRD complex to methylated DNA, leading to gene silencing. His work has revealed critical structural details of how MBD2 binds DNA, interacts with other NuRD components through coiled-coil domains, and how these interactions can be targeted therapeutically. Analysis of Williams' recent publications reveals a consistent trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated structural characterization of epigenetic regulatory complexes. His work spans from fundamental biophysical characterization of protein-DNA interactions to translational applications in cancer therapy, particularly in understanding how epigenetic silencing contributes to tumor suppressor gene inactivation. The research demonstrates growing integration of single-molecule techniques, nanofluidic analysis, and cross-species evolutionary perspectives to understand conserved epigenetic mechanisms. PRAT Fellowship, National Institute of General Medical Sciences (2001-2004) Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Virginia (1990-1998) Keystone Award for Outstanding Scientific Contribution, Keystone Symposium (1996) Alpha Omega Alpha national medical honor society (1992) Graduated with Highest Honors, College of William and Mary (1990) Williams leads an active research program investigating the structural basis of epigenetic regulation, with implications for developing inhibitors of methylation-dependent gene silencing. His laboratory has established critical structure-function relationships for MBD2-NuRD interactions, demonstrating that disrupting specific protein-protein interfaces can block tumor cell growth. The research has potential applications in reactivating silenced tumor suppressor genes in cancer therapy. Williams collaborates extensively with researchers across multiple institutions, evidenced by co-authorship on numerous interdisciplinary studies spanning structural biology, cancer research, and hematology. The Williams Laboratory maintains a strong focus on the structural and dynamic properties of epigenetic regulatory complexes, particularly examining how MBD2 recognizes methylated DNA and recruits the NuRD complex. Current research directions include developing peptide inhibitors targeting critical protein-protein interfaces within the NuRD complex, studying the distribution of MBD proteins on methylated DNA, and investigating the role of intrinsically disordered regions in complex assembly. The lab's work bridges fundamental structural biology with potential therapeutic applications in cancer and other diseases involving epigenetic dysregulation.
Liling Wan is an Assistant Professor of Cancer Biology at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, and an Assistant Investigator at the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute. Her lab investigates the intersection of cancer biology and epigenetics, focusing on chromatin regulation in cellular fate transitions and cancer progression. Affiliated with Penn Epigenetics Institute Member of Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute Part of Institute for Regenerative Medicine Graduate group affiliations in Biochemistry, Pharmacology, and Cell/Molecular Biology Wan's research explores chromatin's role in cancer through mechanisms involving histone modifications, transcriptional condensates, and cell fate plasticity. Her work on ENL mutations in leukemia and MTDH-SND1 interactions in breast cancer has significant implications for cancer therapy development. Recent publications highlight her focus on transcriptional condensates in cancer pathogenesis, with 2024 studies examining ENL mutation effects in kidney development and AML progression. Her therapeutic work includes developing YEATS domain inhibitors and demonstrating RNA's role in oncogenic condensates. 2025 Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize recipient 2025 Tony Hunter Junior Investigator Award winner Co-inventor of cancer treatment peptides (US Patent 10,357,539 B2) Her lab employs multidisciplinary approaches including mouse models, genome-wide sequencing, advanced imaging, and biochemistry. Current research directions include decoding chromatin-associated condensate regulation and characterizing novel epigenetic cancer therapies.
Professor Mason Tomson is a faculty member at Rice University's Civil and Environmental Engineering department, specializing in chemical fate/transport mechanisms and mineral scale inhibition. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry (1972) and a B.S. in Chemistry and Mathematics (1967). His research focuses on environmental chemical processes, nanoparticle impacts, and sustainable energy solutions. With an h-index of 64 and 17,000+ citations, he has authored over 500 articles and secured $40M+ in research funding. Professor Tomson has advised over 50 graduate students and contributed to university governance through roles on committees like Student Health, Safety, and Undergraduate Admissions. His innovations include pioneering studies on molecular carriers for chemical transport and nanotechnology applications recognized by Forbes and The New York Times. Collaborations include joint initiatives with Nankai University (China) and Macao University to advance sustainable environmental practices. His research encompasses mineral scale formation kinetics, CO2 corrosion effects, and PFAS mineralization via flash Joule heating. Key contributions include developing inhibition strategies for calcite, barite, and sulfide scales, extending oil well lifetimes through novel scale inhibitors, and reducing hydraulic fracturing water usage. His work bridges fundamental chemical principles with applied engineering solutions for energy and environmental challenges.
Dr. Brendan Wilkinson serves as Senior Lecturer in Organic Chemistry within the School of Science and Technology at the University of New England (UNE), where he was appointed lecturer in 2016 and promoted to senior lecturer in 2019. His research bridges chemistry, biology, and physics to develop innovative bioactive materials with applications in cryopreservation, drug delivery, and antimicrobial therapy. His academic foundation includes: BSc (Hons) from Griffith University (2003) PhD from Griffith University (2007) under Dr. Todd Houston and Prof. Sally-Ann Poulsen Wilkinson's research program critically examines carbohydrate biomaterials through three interconnected pillars: (1) developing carbohydrate-based cryoprotectants and ice growth inhibitors, (2) engineering glycopeptide-polymer conjugates for cancer vaccines, and (3) creating photoswitchable glycoconjugates for controlled drug release. His work uniquely combines dynamic combinatorial chemistry , supramolecular self-assembly , and carbohydrate surfactant design to address challenges in biopreservation and targeted therapeutics, with recent focus on sustainable materials from Australian biomass. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals consistent emphasis on ice recrystallization inhibition mechanisms (appearing in 7 papers), photoswitchable carbohydrate systems (6 papers), and glycopeptide-based biomaterials (5 papers), demonstrating strategic progression from fundamental molecular design toward biomedical applications. His scientific recognition includes: ARC Discovery Early Career Research Award (2013) RACI Athel Beckwith lectureship (2017) Wilkinson actively supervises three PhD students and secures competitive funding through: Current Grants: ARC Discovery Project DP190101010: 'Rational development of carbohydrate-based cryoprotectants' ARC Linkage Project LP180100752: 'Sustainable Surfactants from Australian oilseeds' Past Funding: ARC DECRA DE130101673: 'Synthesis of biomimetic carbohydrate receptors' He maintains significant industry engagement through Axieo Australia collaborations on renewable surfactants and supervises industry-sponsored PhD research. His research group operates through strategic international partnerships with Prof. Robert Ben (Ottawa), Prof. Gary Bryant (RMIT), Prof. Charl Faul (Bristol), and Prof. Vipul Bansal (RMIT), focusing on translating carbohydrate chemistry into functional biomaterials with commercial potential.
Janarthanan Jayawickramarajah is Professor and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Tulane University's School of Science & Engineering. Affiliated with multiple research centers including the Tulane Cancer Center and Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases Research Center. Research explores: Chemistry of host-DNA conjugates for responsive nanomachines Bright non-aggregating porphyrin arrays for photonics DNA-small molecule chimeras as protein inhibitors Publications demonstrate consistent focus on supramolecular chemistry approaches to biological problems. Awards: None reported
Yuefan Song is an Assistant Professor at the College of Food Science and Engineering, Dalian Ocean University, China. She holds visiting scholar positions at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in the U.S. and Flinders University in Australia. Her research focuses on polysaccharide structural analysis, bioactive mechanisms of glycans in anti-tumor, anti-aging, and immunomodulation contexts, and marine-derived antiviral agents. She has expertise in glycobiology, antiviral drug discovery, and functional food development. Education: B.S., 1999-2003: College of Oceanography and Environment, Xiamen University, China. Ph.D., 2003-2011: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China. Research Interests: Song’s work emphasizes marine glycans’ roles in antiviral activity, particularly against SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. She investigates glycosaminoglycan interactions with viral proteins and explores functional food applications of polysaccharides. Her studies also address structural glycobiology, including heparan sulfate dynamics and ECM modulation in neural development. Labs & Collaborations: Associated with the Linhardt Research Labs at RPI’s Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies. Collaborates internationally on marine biotechnology, glycans, and drug development.
Dr. Anisha Gupta is an Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Saint Joseph (USJ), where she joined in 2021. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Carnegie Mellon University and completed postdoctoral training at Yale School of Medicine. Her research focuses on nucleic acid chemistry and drug delivery, particularly targeting cancer therapeutics and precision medicine. She collaborates extensively with Raman Bahal (University of Connecticut) on precision-based therapeutics using peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) to combat diseases like cancer and cystic fibrosis. Education: B.Pharm., Punjabi University M.Pharm. in Pharmaceutics, Punjabi University Ph.D. in Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University Postdoctoral Fellowship, Yale University Research Interests: Dr. Gupta’s work centers on developing nucleic acid-based molecules for antisense therapy, gene editing, and targeting oncogenic microRNAs (oncomiRs). She explores nanotechnology-driven delivery systems for hepatocytes and cancer cells, emphasizing in vivo efficacy and clinical translation. Her lab investigates PNA modifications to enhance RNA inhibition and correct genetic mutations (e.g., CFTR in cystic fibrosis). Awards: 2022 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy New Investigator Award Advising & Grants: While no specific student names are listed, her research projects involve collaborative efforts with colleagues and preclinical models. She actively pursues funding for PNA-based therapies and nanotechnology innovations. Labs & Teams: Her work is closely tied to the Center for Nucleic Acid Science and Technology (CNAST) at Carnegie Mellon and collaborations with biomedical engineering teams at Yale and UConn.
Saumya Saurabh is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at New York University, with an affiliate appointment in Physics. His research focuses on the physical and chemical basis of microbial adaptation, leveraging super-resolution microscopy and biomolecular condensates. He holds a Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University and postdoctoral training at Stanford University in Developmental Biology and Chemistry. Education: Integrated M.S. in Chemistry (IIT Bombay), Ph.D. in Chemistry (Carnegie Mellon University) Postdoctoral Training: Stanford University (Developmental Biology and Chemistry) Research interests include molecular self-assembly, super-resolution microscopy, and the role of biomolecular condensates in stress sensing and bacterial signaling. Key projects involve developing photostable fluoromodules for live-cell imaging and studying condensate dynamics under environmental stress. Notable publications include work on ATP-responsive condensates, PEPCy fluoromodules, and bacterial signaling mechanisms. Awards include the Astrid and Bruce McWilliams Fellowship and the Burroughs Wellcome Career Award. Advising over 15 students, Saurabh leads a lab exploring microbial systems at the interface of chemistry, physics, and biology. Current projects include CRMP2-Ubc9 inhibitors for pain management and multivalency-driven condensate behavior.
