Yoosik Kim serves as Associate Professor at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), leading the RNA Engineering & Application Lab (also known as Bio Network Analysis Lab). His research centers on double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) as a critical regulator of innate immune responses beyond viral contexts, investigating endogenous dsRNA production in mammalian cells and its roles in cell cycle regulation, protein translation, and gene expression. His lab employs integrated methodologies including molecular biology, high-throughput sequencing, quantitative imaging, and computational modeling to decode RNA networks. Key disease connections include cancer, dementia, and arthritis where dsRNA-protein interactions drive pathological immune activation. Research aims to develop novel therapeutic strategies by targeting dsRNA and RNA-binding proteins for disease intervention. Dr. Kim actively recruits graduate students for M.S. and Ph.D. positions across experimental and computational projects, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration between biologists and engineers. His work bridges chemical engineering principles with biological systems analysis, originating from his Ph.D. training in Chemical Engineering at Princeton University.
Associate Professor Timothy Bredy is a leading figure in cognitive neuroepigenetics at the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) , focusing on how epigenetic modifications and RNA dynamics regulate fear-related memory and psychiatric disorders like PTSD. His research explores the interplay between environmental experiences and genomic activity, particularly through non-coding RNA and DNA methylation. University: University of Queensland School: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences Role: Professorial Research Fellow and Group Leader Research Interests span epigenetic mechanisms in memory formation, RNA modifications in synaptic plasticity, and therapeutic applications for anxiety disorders. He pioneered discoveries linking dynamic DNA structures (e.g., G-quadruplexes) and RNA methylation to memory stability. Recent Work includes studies on RNA-based therapeutics, stress-induced epigenetic inheritance, and synaptic long noncoding RNA activity. His scientific awards encompass NHMRC and ARC grants for neuroepigenetics research. Key Collaborators: Paul Marshall, Esmi Zajaczkowski Labs: Bredy Laboratory at QBI
Taekjip Ha is a Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) in the Department of Physics, part of the Grainger College of Engineering. He also serves as a Bloomberg Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His research focuses on single-molecule biophysical techniques to study molecular biology processes, including DNA dynamics, enzymology, and protein-DNA interactions. Ha has pioneered methods such as single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and combined force-fluorescence spectroscopy. Ha earned his Ph.D. in Physics from UC Berkeley (1996) and held postdoctoral positions at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and Stanford University. He is an Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (2005) and co-director of UIUC’s Center for the Physics of Living Cells (2008–present). His honors include the American Physical Society Fellowship and election to the National Academy of Sciences. Research Interests: Developing novel single-molecule detection methods (super-resolution imaging, vesicular encapsulation) Studying DNA helicases, Holliday junctions, ribozymes, and chromatin remodeling Exploring mechanical perturbations of biomolecules in vitro and in vivo His lab actively engages undergraduates, with over 12 students proceeding to graduate programs, and collaborates on projects like helicase mutants and super-resolution imaging algorithms. The Center for the Physics of Living Cells, co-directed by Ha, trains the next generation of biophysical scientists. Awards: Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator (2005) Fellow, American Physical Society (2005) Michael and Kate Bárány Award (2007) NSF Award for Center for the Physics of Living Cells (2008) Labs/Teams: Leads the Single Molecule Nanometry Group (Ha Group) at Johns Hopkins and co-directs the Center for the Physics of Living Cells at UIUC.
Tian Hong is an Associate Professor at the Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas , with a joint appointment as Research Associate Professor at the Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville . His research focuses on systems biology, bioinformatics, cancer biology, and mathematical biology , particularly the plasticity and heterogeneity of epithelial and immune cells during development and cancer progression . He develops computational and mathematical models for gene regulatory networks, pattern formation, and dynamical systems. Education : PhD in Genetics, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology from Virginia Tech; MS in Bioinformatics from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; BS in Biological Sciences from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Previous Appointments : Associate Professor (2023–2024) and Assistant Professor (2017–2023) at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His recent publications explore noncoding RNA-driven oscillations , Turing pattern formation without feedback , and epithelial-mesenchymal transitions using single-cell transcriptomics and mathematical modeling . He has received the Professional Promise in Research and Creative Achievement Award (2024) and the Transdisciplinary Team Science Fellow (2009). His work is funded by NIH grants including R35GM149531 (PI) and R01GM140462 (completed PI). Dr. Hong advises PhD and Master’s students and collaborates with researchers at the Center for Systems Biology, UT Dallas . His lab ( link ) actively seeks undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers interested in interdisciplinary computational biology .
Professor Marcel Dinger is a prominent academic and researcher currently serving as Professor and Head of School for Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences at UNSW Sydney. With over 20 years of experience in genomics, he has established himself as a leading figure in both academic and entrepreneurial spheres within the field. He has published 153 papers with over 24,000 citations and maintains an h-index of 61 on Google Scholar. His leadership extends beyond academia as he serves as President of the Australasian Genomics Technologies Association (AGTA) and holds director positions at Pryzm Health and the National Centre for Indigenous Genomics (NCIG). Professor Dinger's research laboratory focuses on establishing new links between phenotype and genotype, particularly examining rare and complex diseases in relation to underexplored regions of the genome including pseudogenes, repetitive elements, non-canonical DNA structures, and noncoding RNAs. His work harnesses population-scale genomic datasets and sophisticated data science methods to bring an objective perspective to understanding how the genome stores information and how it is transacted in biology. His research interests span genomics, non-coding RNA biology, clinical applications of genomic medicine, and the development of computational approaches for analyzing complex genomic data. Analysis of Professor Dinger's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on non-coding RNA research, particularly long noncoding RNAs and their roles in disease mechanisms. His work spans cancer genomics, neurological disorders, and fundamental genomic mechanisms including DNA secondary structures like i-motifs and G-quadruplexes. His research combines experimental approaches with advanced bioinformatics to address fundamental questions in genomic medicine and has significant translational implications for disease diagnosis and treatment. Highly Cited Researcher in Cross-Field category (2019, 2020, 2021) Fellow of the Faculty of Science (Research), Royal Society of Pathologists of Australasia (2016) NHMRC Career Development Award (2010) Queensland Government Smart Futures Fellowship (2009) Foundation of Research, Science and Technology New Zealand Postdoctoral Fellowship (2005) Professor Dinger has been instrumental in establishing and leading several significant research initiatives including Genome.One, one of the first companies globally to provide clinical whole genome sequencing services, and the Kinghorn Centre for Clinical Genomics at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. His entrepreneurial experience includes founding four biotechnology and IT startups. He serves on multiple governance boards including the National Centre for Indigenous Genomics, focusing on using genomics to improve health outcomes for Australia's First Peoples. His laboratory at UNSW continues to advance our understanding of genomic regulation and its implications for human health and disease.
Renu Kowluru is a Professor and Director of Translational Research at the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual & Anatomical Sciences , Wayne State University. Her research focuses on the role of mitochondrial dysfunction and epigenetic modifications in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy , including the phenomenon of metabolic memory where retinal damage persists even after glycemic control. Dr. Kowluru’s work has been recognized by her induction into Wayne State University’s Academy of Scholars (2011), designation as a World Expert by Expertscape (2021), and inclusion in Research.com’s list of the World’s Best Scientists (2025). She has served on high-impact committees such as the National Eye Institute’s Strategic Planning Committee (2020) and the National Eye Advisory Council (2020–2024). Her research has identified mitochondrial DNA damage as a critical driver of oxidative stress in diabetic retinopathy and pioneered the study of mitochondrial epigenetics in this context. She has secured continuous NIH funding (R01 EY014370, EY017313, EY022230, EY033516). The trends in her recent publications highlight long noncoding RNAs , ferroptosis , and mitochondrial DNA repair as central themes. Scientific Awards Wayne State University Academy of Scholars (2011) Expertscape World Expert in Diabetes Complications (2021) Research.com World’s Best Scientists (2025) Dr. Kowluru’s grants and committee roles reflect her leadership in advancing diabetic retinopathy research , including contributions to the Foundation for Vision Research and the Mary Tyler Moore Vision Collaborative Community. Her collaborations span institutions like the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the American Diabetes Association.
Kahlilia Morris-Blanco, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine and a Core Member of the Penn Epigenetics Institute. Her research program focuses on understanding epigenetic mechanisms involved in stroke pathophysiology with the goal of developing novel therapeutic approaches for stroke patients. Dr. Morris-Blanco's laboratory investigates the interplay between spatial and temporal epigenetic dynamics, transcriptional regulation, and mitochondrial function in the post-stroke brain. Using both in vitro and in vivo experimental stroke models, her team employs gene-specific and genome-wide assessments of epigenomic organization, single-cell omics, metabolomics, and functional assessments of mitochondria and neuroprotection. Her research has identified key epigenetic mechanisms that regulate neuroprotective genes following stroke, with particular focus on DNA hydroxymethylation, N6-methyladenosine modifications, and noncoding RNA pathways. Her publication record shows consistent productivity in high-impact journals including Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism, Stroke, and Translational Stroke Research. The research trends indicate a clear progression from basic mechanistic studies toward translational applications, with increasing focus on therapeutic interventions such as high-dose Vitamin C and epigenetic modulators. Dr. Morris-Blanco has received competitive funding including: Young Investigator Grant from the NARSAD Brain & Behavior Research Foundation At-Large Pilot Grant from the Penn Epigenetics Institute She actively mentors a diverse research team comprising graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and undergraduate researchers. Her laboratory is part of the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and the Epigenetics Institute at the University of Pennsylvania, working toward the translation of scientific discoveries into clinical applications for stroke treatment.
Jian Zhou is an Assistant Professor in the Lyda Hill Department of Bioinformatics at UT Southwestern Medical Center . He holds scholarly positions as a Lupe Murchison Foundation Scholar in Medical Research and CPRIT Scholar . Previously, he was a Flatiron Research Fellow at the Flatiron Institute. Current: Assistant Professor at UTSW Education: B.S. in Biological Sciences (Peking University), Ph.D. in Quantitative and Computational Biology (Princeton University) The Zhou Lab focuses on: Machine learning methods for genomic regulation Deep learning for disease risk prediction Evolutionary analysis of regulatory circuits Single-cell genomic data interpretation Development of biomedical AI tools His research spans genomics , computational biology , and artificial intelligence , with recent articles emphasizing: 3D genome architecture modeling Noncoding variant analysis in disease Single-cell data frameworks Evolutionary regulatory genomics Awards include: Lupe Murchison Foundation Scholar CPRIT Scholar Lab positions available for graduate students , postdoctoral fellows (including remote), data scientists , and undergraduates . The lab provides access to GPU computing clusters at UTSW's South Campus.
Dr. Juli Feigon is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UCLA's College of Letters and Science, where she has been a faculty member since 1985. Her research focuses on the structure and function of nucleic acids using multidimensional NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and cryo-EM to study telomerase, riboswitches, and RNA-protein complexes. As a member of the National Academy of Sciences and recipient of numerous prestigious awards, she has established herself as a leader in structural biology of nucleic acids. Dr. Feigon received her B.A. from Occidental College and her M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of California, San Diego where she studied with Dr. David Kearns. Her postdoctoral work was completed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a Damon Runyon-Walter Winchell Cancer Fund Postdoctoral Fellow with Dr. Alex Rich. Dr. Feigon's laboratory studies nucleic acid structure and function with emphasis on telomerase structure and mechanism, H/ACA RNPs biogenesis, and riboswitch dynamics. Her group uses NMR spectroscopy as a primary tool, complemented by X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, and biochemical methods to understand how RNA and RNA-protein complexes function in the cell and how mutations can lead to disease. Current research focuses on structure, function, dynamics, assembly, and folding of human telomerase, Tetrahymena telomerase, riboswitches, H/ACA RNPs, and other noncoding RNAs. Analysis of Dr. Feigon's recent publications reveals a progression from fundamental RNA structure studies to increasingly complex biological systems. Her work has evolved from isolated RNA domains to full complexes and holoenzymes, with growing integration of multiple structural biology techniques. While maintaining her core focus on telomerase structure, her research has expanded to include connections to human diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative conditions, demonstrating the broad applicability of her structural insights. Member, National Academy of Sciences (2009) Glenn T. Seaborg Medal (2024) Herbert Newby McCoy Award (2022) Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Award from Protein Society (2017) Founders Award from the Biophysical Society (2019) Presidential Young Investigator, National Science Foundation (1989-1994) Camille and Henry Dreyfus Teacher/Scholar Award (1990) Dr. Feigon has mentored numerous postdoctoral fellows and graduate students who have gone on to independent positions at institutions worldwide. Her laboratory has been exceptionally successful in securing postdoctoral fellowships for its members, including American Heart Association, NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein, and Life Sciences Research Foundation awards. She established the 'Juli Feigon Helping Hands Award' to support postdoctoral fellows, research staff, and graduate students who are primary caregivers for dependent children or other family members, with matching funds from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The Feigon Laboratory maintains state-of-the-art NMR facilities including an 800MHz Bruker Avance with TCI cryoprobe, 600MHz with TXI cryoprobe, and two 500MHz spectrometers. The lab collaborates extensively with UCLA's DOE shared facilities for crystallization, protein expression, and X-ray/EM structure determination, as well as the EICN EM facility featuring Titan Krios and other advanced electron microscopy equipment. Her research group continues to investigate the structure, function, dynamics, assembly, and folding of telomerase and other non-coding RNA complexes.
Kwaku Dayie is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Maryland. His research focuses on RNA structural biology, NMR spectroscopy, and biophysical methods to study RNA dynamics and function. He leads a lab developing advanced NMR techniques for large RNA molecules and has contributed to understanding RNA's role in catalysis, gene regulation, and viral processes. Education: B.A., Physics with Honors, 1990, Hamilton College Ph.D., Biophysics, 1996, Harvard University Postdoctoral, MIT (1998), Scripps Research Institute (2000) Research Interests: The structural basis of RNA signaling in pathogenic bacteria, RNA viruses (HIV, HBV), and long noncoding RNAs. His lab develops isotopic labeling methods and NMR tools to study RNA dynamics and function, aiming to guide RNA-based drug design. Awards: Henry C. Welcome Fellowship (2008) National Technical Association Nsoroma Technology Award (2007) Jane Coffin Childs Memorial Fund Postdoctoral Fellowship (1998) Grants & Service: NIH review panelist (2012-2018), NSF reviewer (2005-2006), and judge for Intel ISEF (2003). Serves on editorial boards for Molecules and NPG Scientific Reports (2018). Labs & Teams: Directs an interdisciplinary lab focused on RNA structural biology, collaborating on NMR method development and RNA-drug interaction studies.
Dr. Laura Leighton is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the mRNA Sciences group at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland. Her research focuses on RNA biology, particularly the functional characterization of RNA molecules and their roles in cancer therapy and neurological processes. She leads the development of mRNA-based therapeutics for liver cancer, leveraging lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery systems to target intracellular cancer proteins. Dr. Leighton holds a PhD from the Queensland Brain Institute (2021), where her work, supported by the Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship, explored small noncoding RNAs in fear-related learning and memory. She completed her postdoctoral training under Dr. Seth Cheetham at AIBN in 2023. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Science (Honours) from The University of Queensland. Her research interests integrate molecular biology, neuroscience, and translational medicine, with a focus on RNA modifications (e.g., m6A), long noncoding RNAs, and the epigenetic regulation of memory processes. Key themes in her work include fear extinction mechanisms, synaptic plasticity, and the application of mRNA therapeutics in cancer treatment. Dr. Leighton’s articles consistently explore RNA-driven mechanisms in memory and disease. Recent work highlights the role of DNA G-quadruplex structures in memory regulation, the interplay between stress hormones and sperm RNA dysregulation, and the synthesis of novel long noncoding RNAs (e.g., ADRAM) that drive fear extinction. Her findings bridge basic neuroscience and clinical applications, emphasizing RNA’s dynamic role in health and disease. Awards: Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship (2017) Grants: TdC Mid Career Grant (Targeting liver cancer with mRNA therapies), Prader Willi Syndrome Research Grant (2022–2024) She is actively involved in supervising research students and contributes to the development of advanced drug delivery systems targeting liver cancers. Her lab is part of AIBN’s mRNA Sciences team, collaborating on projects that translate RNA-based discoveries into clinical solutions.
Elizabeth Videlock, M.D., Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine , University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) . Her laboratory is housed within the UCLA Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases and she leads the Videlock Laboratory . She is a physician-scientist with dual training in internal medicine and gastroenterology, and a Ph.D. in translational research focused on the gut-brain axis. Education and Training: B.S., Chemistry – Yale University M.D. – David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Internal Medicine Residency – Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston Gastroenterology Fellowship – UCLA STAR Program Ph.D. – UCLA, under mentorship of Dr. Charalabos Pothoulakis and Dr. Lin Chang Research Focus: Dr. Videlock’s research centers on the gut-brain axis , with a particular emphasis on Parkinson’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) . Her lab uses clinical samples, animal models, and cell-based systems to investigate how gastrointestinal dysfunction contributes to neurological disease. Key areas include mitochondrial dysfunction in the gut epithelium, alpha-synuclein pathology, and the role of genes like PINK1 and PRKN in intestinal health. Scientific Awards and Honors: NIH-NIDDK K08 Grant Award (2024) UCLA CTSI KL2 Translational Science Award (2023) Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Neurodegeneration Challenge Grant American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) FORWARD Scholar Funding and Grants: NIH-NIDDK K08: “Intestinal Mitochondrial Dysfunction and the Gut-Brain-Immune Axis in Models of Parkinson’s Disease” UCLA CTSI KL2: “Parkinson's Disease May Begin in the Gastrointestinal Tract” Chan Zuckerberg Initiative: “The Role of Pink1/Parkin in the Intestinal Epithelium” CURE Pilot and Feasibility Grant UCLA Claude Pepper Rapid Pilot Award Laboratory and Affiliations: Dr. Videlock leads the Videlock Laboratory within the UCLA Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases . She is also affiliated with the UCLA G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience and the UCLA Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases .
Professor Pip Beard is Head of the School of Life Sciences and Professor of Viral Pathology at Keele University. Her research focuses on poxviruses affecting livestock, including lumpy skin disease virus, sheeppox, and goatpox virus. With a veterinary background from the University of Sydney and PhD from the University of Edinburgh, she investigates viral pathogenesis and transmission dynamics. Her research program examines molecular virus-host interactions, insect-borne transmission, and pathological responses to poxvirus infections. Beard has developed improved disease management strategies including resistant crop varieties and pheromone-based monitoring systems. Publications demonstrate consistent focus on viral pathogenesis, disease control strategies, and host immune responses to poxvirus infections. Recent articles emphasize disease surveillance, transmission risks, and therapeutic interventions. Recognition includes Wellcome Trust Fellowship (2004), Speciality Research Medal (2014), and Journal of Comparative Pathology Medal (2018). She leads the DEFEND research consortium and mentors veterinary students through summer research programs.
Annette Brandt is a researcher affiliated with the Department of Nutritional Sciences within the Faculty of Life Sciences . Her work focuses on metabolic and liver diseases, with a particular emphasis on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and the role of intestinal barrier dysfunction in disease progression. She investigates mechanisms involving microbiota modulation, inflammatory pathways (e.g., TNFα, JNK), and dietary interventions (e.g., choline, beta-glucan, phosphatidylcholine) to mitigate liver damage. Her research also explores the interplay between aging, inflammation ('inflammaging'), and intestinal permeability. Brandt has contributed to over 38 peer-reviewed publications and 47 academic activities, including presentations at conferences. Her studies utilize mouse models to explore therapeutic strategies for liver diseases and metabolic disorders. Key collaborations involve investigating the effects of dietary components (e.g., fructose, soybean oil) and pharmacological agents (e.g., honokiol, 4-methylpyrazole) on liver health. She has also examined the role of toll-like receptors (TLR2/TLR4) in aging-related pathologies and cognitive decline. Her research aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to good health and well-being (SDG 3) and sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), emphasizing translational approaches to improve public health through dietary and pharmacological interventions.
Fiachra Emanuel Humphries , PhD, is an Assistant Professor at UMass Chan Medical School within the T.H. Chan School of Medicine and the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences . His primary affiliations include the Division of Innate Immunity and cross-appointment in multiple graduate programs. BS in Biotechnology, National University of Ireland, Maynooth PhD in Immunology, National University of Ireland, Maynooth Research Focus : Innate immune signaling pathways, particularly cGAS-STING axis , inflammasome regulation , and RNA-protein condensates in viral and inflammatory diseases. His work bridges molecular mechanisms with therapeutic development for COVID-19 and autoinflammatory syndromes . Recent Publications highlight discoveries in: Gasdermin D inactivation mechanisms STING oligomerization inhibitors Intestinal immune homeostasis regulation SARS-CoV-2 restriction strategies Networks include collaborations with Katherine Fitzgerald, Paul Thompson, and Scott Shaffer. Key research concepts span Inflammasomes , Interferon Type I , and Phosphate-Binding Proteins .
