Dr. Dominika Ignasiak is a Researcher affiliated with the Institute of Biomechanics at ETH Zürich. Her work focuses on spinal biomechanics, musculoskeletal modeling, and computational analysis of spinal pathologies. She contributes to understanding the biomechanical implications of surgical interventions, spinal deformities, and age-related changes in spinal alignment and loading. Her research integrates clinical data with advanced musculoskeletal modeling techniques, particularly in predicting postoperative outcomes and assessing spinal load distributions under dynamic conditions. Key areas include spinal stenosis, idiopathic scoliosis, and the biomechanics of spinal fusion surgery. Dr. Ignasiak collaborates on translational studies bridging computational simulations with clinical applications. Her publications emphasize the role of personalized models in optimizing surgical strategies and understanding degenerative spinal conditions. While no formal awards are listed, her contributions to spinal biomechanics research are evident through her active publication record in high-impact journals. Dr. Ignasiak is based at ETH Zürich’s Institute of Biomechanics, where she engages in cutting-edge research and contributes to both academic and clinical advancements in orthopedic biomechanics.
Bérénice Benayoun, PhD is an Associate Professor at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology , with secondary appointments in the Department of Molecular and Computational Biology (USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences) and the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center . Her research bridges aging biology , epigenetics , and sex differences using vertebrate models like the African turquoise killifish and machine learning . Education : École Normale Supérieure (BSc, MSc), Paris Diderot-Paris 7 University (PhD in Genetics and Cell Biology) Her lab investigates epigenome and transcriptome remodeling during aging , focusing on how biological sex influences these processes. Key themes include inflamm-aging , genomic instability , and immune senescence , with applications in neurodegeneration and reproductive longevity . Recent publications highlight sex-dimorphic gene regulation in neutrophils , macrophages , and brain aging , alongside novel insights into transposable elements and MOTS-c mitochondrial signaling . She pioneers the use of single-cell transcriptomics and multi-omics in aging research. Scientific awards include: 2024 Vincent Cristofalo Rising Star in Aging Research Award 2023 AGHE Rising Star Early Career Faculty Award 2023 USC Mentoring Award 2023 Rising Star in Reproductive Biology 2021 Nathan Shock New Investigator Award 2019 Rosalind Franklin Young Investigator Award Her editorial roles include Geroscience , Translational Medicine of Aging , and eLife . She mentors students across PhD programs in Biology of Aging , Neuroscience , and Molecular Medicine , as well as Master's and undergraduate trainees.
Denise Head is Professor of Psychological & Brain Sciences and Associate Chair at Washington University in St. Louis, with an additional appointment as Associate Professor in Radiology. Her research integrates cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging to study cognitive aging and Alzheimer's disease. PhD, University of Memphis MS, University of Memphis BS, University of New Orleans Her research focuses on age-related cognitive changes and their neural underpinnings. Key areas include spatial navigation deficits in aging, the role of lifestyle factors (exercise, sleep, stress) in brain aging, and interventions to support cognitive function in older adults. She uses virtual reality, mobile eye-tracking, and neuroimaging techniques such as fMRI and DTI. The recent publications highlight a consistent trajectory in cognitive neuroscience and aging research, with emphasis on neuroimaging biomarkers, structural brain changes, and cognitive performance in normal and pathological aging. Her work bridges psychology, neurology, and radiology, contributing to early detection and understanding of Alzheimer's disease. Scientific Awards: No awards listed in the provided text. Dr. Head advises graduate students and leads a research lab focused on cognitive aging, though specific student names are not listed. Her lab investigates mediators of brain aging and develops methods to support spatial navigation in older adults. While specific grants are not mentioned, her ongoing research and recent publications suggest active external funding. She leads a research team in the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, utilizing advanced neuroimaging and behavioral methods to study aging and dementia. The lab integrates real-world and virtual experimental designs to understand spatial cognition and brain health in older populations.
Karima Addetia serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine-Cardiology at the University of Chicago. Her academic career has been dedicated to advancing echocardiographic techniques and their clinical applications, particularly in the assessment of right heart function, cardiac amyloidosis, and tricuspid valve pathology. She has established herself as a leading researcher in cardiac imaging through extensive collaborations with the World Alliance of Societies of Echocardiography (WASE) and frequent co-authorship with Dr. Roberto M. Lang, a prominent figure in cardiovascular imaging. Dr. Addetia's research interests span multiple critical areas in cardiovascular medicine. She has pioneered work in right heart assessment, establishing normative values for right ventricular size and function through large-scale multicenter studies. Her investigations into cardiac amyloidosis have significantly advanced the understanding of echocardiographic patterns associated with this condition, particularly regarding apical sparing and strain patterns. She has also made substantial contributions to tricuspid valve assessment, examining both normal anatomy and pathological conditions including device-related complications. More recently, her work has incorporated artificial intelligence applications in echocardiography, exploring how machine learning can improve diagnostic accuracy and workflow efficiency. The trajectory of Dr. Addetia's research publications reveals a consistent focus on quantitative cardiac imaging with increasing sophistication over time. Her early work established foundational knowledge about right ventricular morphology and function, while more recent publications integrate advanced technologies like AI and focus on specific disease states like cardiac amyloidosis. A notable pattern is her participation in large, collaborative studies that establish normative values across diverse populations, addressing important gaps in understanding how cardiac measurements vary by age, sex, and ethnicity. Her work consistently bridges technical echocardiographic advancements with direct clinical applications. Dr. Addetia's collaborative approach is evident through her extensive involvement with the WASE study group and numerous multicenter investigations. Her research methodology typically combines rigorous quantitative analysis with clinical correlation, producing findings that directly impact diagnostic criteria and clinical practice guidelines. While specific grant information isn't detailed in the available publications, her leadership in major collaborative studies suggests significant research funding support for her work in cardiac imaging innovation.
Thomas Longden is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He leads a research group focused on neurovascular interactions in health and disease, with particular emphasis on understanding how blood flows through the brain under normal conditions and how this process is disrupted in diseases like Alzheimer's. Dr. Longden received his B.Sc (Hons) and Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Manchester in the UK (2006 and 2010), followed by postdoctoral training at the University of Vermont under Professor Mark Nelson (2011-2015). He was promoted to Assistant Professor at Vermont in 2015 before joining the University of Maryland in February 2019. His research focuses on the control of blood flow in the brain, particularly the mechanisms of neurovascular coupling where neuronal activity triggers changes in blood flow. His lab has made significant discoveries including identifying the brain's capillary network as a 'sensory web' that translates neural activity into vasodilatory electrical signals, and demonstrating how pericytes function as metabolic sentinels that control blood flow through KATP channel-dependent mechanisms. Analysis of Dr. Longden's recent publications reveals a strong focus on pericyte function in neurovascular coupling, electrical signaling in the capillary network, and how these mechanisms are disrupted in Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. His work increasingly incorporates advanced imaging techniques, computational approaches, and innovative tools to study vascular plasticity. 2023: Fellow of the American Physiological Society Cardiovascular Section 2020: NIH Director's New Innovator Award 2017: American Heart Association Scientist Development Grant Multiple travel awards and postdoctoral fellowships Dr. Longden currently mentors several graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in the Longden Lab, which is supported by multiple NIH grants including an NINDS New Innovator Award and an NIA R01 grant. His lab develops and employs advanced techniques including multiphoton microscopy, electrophysiology, optogenetics, and molecular biology to study vascular cells in the brain. The lab is particularly focused on understanding vascular signaling plasticity and how pericytes control brain blood flow in health and Alzheimer's disease.
Gregory Dick, PhD, is a Research Professor in the Department of Physiology & Anatomy at the University of North Texas Health Science Center's College of Biomedical and Translational Sciences. His research focuses on ion channel regulation in coronary arteries, particularly how potassium channels control vascular tone under normal and pathological conditions (e.g., obesity, diabetes). He has led multiple NIH-funded projects exploring coronary vascular dysfunction and metabolic signaling. Education: Bachelor of Science in Physiology, Oklahoma State University Doctor of Philosophy in Physiology, University of Missouri Research Interests: Electro-metabolic signaling in coronary vasodilation Role of K+ channels in coronary blood flow regulation Impact of metabolic syndrome and obesity on cardiovascular health Vascular smooth muscle plasticity in disease states Key Projects (2024–2026): Role of potassium as a coronary metabolic vasodilator (Principal Investigator) Disentangling the Mechanisms of Coronary Dysfunction (Co-Investigator) Grants & Funding: NIH R01 Grant: Mineralocorticoid Receptor-Dependent Coronary Vascular Dysfunction in Obesity Multiple collaborative grants with University of Michigan and University of Missouri Collaborations: Active partnerships with institutions studying coronary autoregulation, metabolic syndrome, and swine models of cardiovascular disease.
Cristian Tomasetti serves as Professor and Director of the Early Detection and Prevention Division at City of Hope's Beckman Research Institute, where he leads the Division of Mathematics for Cancer Evolution and Early Detection within the Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine. His work bridges mathematical modeling with cancer biology to develop novel approaches for cancer detection and prevention. Dr. Tomasetti's research focuses on the mathematical foundations of cancer etiology, evolution, and early detection. His laboratory has pioneered algorithms for early cancer detection using cell-free DNA sequencing and protein data, developing some of the first multi-analyte blood tests capable of identifying cancer at its earliest stages. His work on cancer evolution has produced the most comprehensive mathematical models of tumorigenesis currently available, providing critical insights into mutation rates, driver gene requirements, and fitness advantages in cancer development. His influential research on the relationship between stem cell divisions and cancer risk has reshaped understanding of cancer etiology. The analysis of Dr. Tomasetti's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on liquid biopsy technologies, particularly circulating tumor DNA analysis for early cancer detection and monitoring. His work spans multiple cancer types including colorectal, pancreatic, ovarian, and bladder cancers, with a strong emphasis on translating mathematical models into clinically applicable diagnostic tools. The research demonstrates an evolution from theoretical models of cancer development to practical applications in cancer screening, risk assessment, and treatment monitoring. Dr. Tomasetti has established himself as a leader in the field of mathematical oncology, with his laboratory at the forefront of developing computational approaches to cancer prevention and early detection. His work on cell-free DNA testing has significant potential to transform cancer screening paradigms, moving toward less invasive and more effective methods for detecting cancer before symptoms appear.
Jean Fan, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, affiliated with the Center for Computational Biology and Institute for Computational Medicine. Her research focuses on developing machine learning methods to analyze spatially resolved and single-cell omics data. Her team, the JEFworks Lab, creates open-source tools for analyzing high-dimensional biological data to understand cellular identity, tissue organization, and disease progression. Dr. Fan's work bridges computational biology with clinical applications, particularly in leukemia and pediatric brain cancers. Education: BS in Biomedical Engineering & Applied Math from Johns Hopkins (2013); PhD in Bioinformatics from Harvard Medical School (2018); Postdoc in Chemical Biology/Physics at Harvard (2018–2020) under Xiaowei Zhuang, focusing on spatial transcriptomics. Research emphasizes spatial genomics and computational tool development, with key contributions to spatial alignment algorithms (STalign), normalization techniques, and cell-type deconvolution methods. Her lab's work has advanced understanding of kidney ischemic injury, glioblastoma spatial dynamics, and CLL pathogenesis. Awards include Forbes 30 Under 30, NSF CAREER Award, and 2025 PECASE. She founded CuSTEMized, a nonprofit providing STEM storybooks for girls. Recent collaborative projects include HuBMAP 3D reference atlas construction and Discovery Award-funded interdisciplinary initiatives. Labs/Teams: JEFworks Lab (primary); active collaborations with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School. Current efforts focus on spatially resolved multi-omic integration and clinical translation of computational tools.
Liu Hongmei is a Researcher and Master's Supervisor at Southern University of Science and Technology's Department of Biomedical Engineering. Holding a Ph.D. from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, she specializes in micro-nano robotics and tissue engineering for tumor therapy, with over 66 publications and 12 patents. Her work bridges biomedical engineering and nanotechnology for precision cancer treatments. B.S., Biological Sciences, Harbin Normal University (2005) M.S., Botany, Northeast Agricultural University (2008) Ph.D., Biochemical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences (2015) Her research focuses on biomaterials engineering , nanoparticle drug delivery , and microenvironment-responsive hydrogels . Key areas include glioma therapy, traumatic brain injury recovery, and intervertebral disc degeneration treatments. Recent work explores pH/ROS/inflammation-triggered hydrogels and bioengineered bacteria for disease modulation. Article trends show a strong emphasis on nanoparticle design (2014-2025) for glioma, hydrogel development (2017-2025) for tissue repair, and biomimetic material synthesis (2023-2025) inspired by spider silk and meniscus structures. Sub-fields span pyroptosis inhibition, epigenetic reprogramming, and microbiome engineering. Jiangsu Science and Technology Award (2020) Jiangsu Medical Science and Technology Award (2020) Jiangsu Educational Science Research Award (2021) Chinese Medical Doctor Association's Outstanding Young Scientist (2018) Liu has supervised numerous projects including National Natural Science Foundation of China grants, Jiangsu Province Key R&D Program funding, and Shenzhen City General Projects. She holds 12 Chinese invention patents and collaborates with institutions like the UNESCO Centre for Higher Education Innovation.
Chantal Stern is Professor and Department Chair at Boston University's College of Arts and Sciences, where she directs the Cognitive Neuroimaging Laboratory and Cognitive Neuroimaging Center. Her research uses fMRI to study memory formation, spatial navigation, and neurodegenerative conditions. Research examines neural mechanisms underlying visual/spatial information processing, memory encoding/retrieval dynamics, and cognitive changes in normal aging and dementia pathologies. Current projects investigate navigation systems, attentional networks, and computational models of reasoning. Publications demonstrate consistent methodological innovation in neuroimaging, particularly in mapping temporal aspects of navigation and developing predictive models integrating perceptual and abstract reasoning systems.
Wendy P. Robinson is a Professor in the Department of Medical Genetics at the University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine , and a Senior Scientist at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute . She holds the CIHR Sex and Gender Science Chair . Research Interests: Genetics and epigenetics of early human development, placental function in pregnancy complications (fetal growth restriction, preterm birth), DNA methylation, non-coding RNA, sex differences, and polymorphisms. Her lab employs genomic and bioinformatic tools to study placental health and its impact on newborn outcomes. Recent Publications (2025-2024) focus on X-chromosome inactivation patterns in placenta, cell-type specific DNA methylation, maternal socioeconomic effects on placental epigenetics, and modeling placental development with organoids. Key themes include sex-specific epigenetic regulation , maternal-fetal interactions , and human placental methylome . Awards: UBC Faculty of Medicine Distinguished Achievement Award (2018), with trainees receiving the James Miller Memorial Prize and Mary-Jane Carroll Trainee Award. Students & Collaborations: Supervised PhD/MSc students include Li Qing Wang, Icíar Fernández Boyano, Giulia Del Gobbo, Victor Yuan, and Magda Price. Collaborators span the Alex Beristain Lab and University of Toronto institutions. Laboratory Activities: Regular team-building events like mountain hikes, climbing outings, and kayaking trips, alongside providing open access to epigenetic tools (e.g., Bisearch, SeqDoc) for the research community.
Montserrat Celdran Castro is an Associate Professor at the University of Barcelona's Faculty of Psychology, affiliated with the Department of Cognition, Development and Educational Psychology. She specializes in Psychogerontology, focusing on aging processes and societal roles of older adults. Her work integrates interdisciplinary approaches to study late-life development, intergenerational relationships, and elderly social inclusion. Education: Holds a Degree in Psychology (2002) and a Doctorate in Educational Psychology (2008) from the University of Barcelona. Research focuses on active aging, mental health in later life, LGBTQ+ elderly care, and technology use among seniors. She leads projects funded by the Catalan Government (AGAUR) and the Spanish Ministry of Science. Research projects include examining barriers faced by LGBTQ+ elderly in care settings, dementia caregiver experiences, and proactive participation through blogging. She co-authored books on adult development and aging, and has published in journals like Sexualities and International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health . Teaching roles include courses on Developmental Psychology (Undergraduate) and Master's programs on Normal/Pathological Cognitive Aging and Social Gerontology. She co-directs the GIDPsiDe educational innovation group focusing on developmental psychology teaching methods. Engaged in civic activities as patron of the Fundació Amics de la Gent Gran and member of EIMA, addressing elderly mistreatment and social exclusion. Her work bridges academic research with societal impact through policy advocacy and community engagement.
Dr. Thea Tlsty is a Professor at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine, Department of Pathology. With over 25 years of experience in cancer biology, she leads multidisciplinary research on epithelial-stromal interactions, chronic inflammation, and cellular plasticity in carcinogenesis. Her lab developed the first biomarkers for ductal carcinoma in situ risk stratification and discovered rare pluripotent cells in normal tissues with implications for metaplastic cancers. Education: BS in Zoology (University of South Florida, 1973) PhD in Molecular Biology (Washington University, 1980) Predoctoral Fellow (Washington University, 1976-1980) Postdoctoral Fellow & Senior Research Associate (Stanford University, 1981-1985) Dr. Tlsty's research focuses on: Stromal-epithelial stress response mechanisms Chronic inflammation's role in cancer CD36 repression in high mammographic density Pluripotent cell biology Multi-investigator grant projects Her 15 most recent publications highlight trends in proteomics, spatial transcriptomics, and multi-omics integration to study tumor microenvironment dynamics, particularly in breast, esophageal, and colorectal cancers. Scientific Awards: Cancer Research UK Grand Challenge Grant (£20M) NCI Outstanding Investigator Award Blaffer Distinguished Lectures (MD Anderson) Nakahara Award (Princess Takamatsu Foundation) KOMEN Scholar & AVON Scholar Elected AAAS Fellow NCI Knudson Award Dr. Tlsty has received continuous NIH funding since 1987, including ongoing R35 grant (R35CA197694) for studying stress-associated cellular plasticity. Her lab's translational insights bridge basic discoveries with clinical applications for cancer prevention and therapy.
Ryan Townley, MD is an Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of Kansas Medical Center's School of Medicine. He serves as Fellowship Program Director for the Neurology department and is the Medical Director of the Memory Clinic at The University of Kansas Health System. Dr. Townley actively advances Alzheimer's research as co-Principal Investigator of the Alzheimer's Clinical Trials Consortium and leads multiple clinical studies at the University of Kansas Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. Education: BS in Neurobiology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS MD, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS Neurology Residency, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Rochester, MN Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology Fellowship, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Rochester, MN Dr. Townley's research focuses on Alzheimer's disease variants including posterior cortical atrophy and dysexecutive Alzheimer's, dementia with Lewy bodies, normal pressure hydrocephalus, and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. His work combines clinical practice with cutting-edge research to improve diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative conditions. He is particularly interested in the intersection of behavioral neurology and neuropsychiatry, leveraging his dual certification in Psychiatry and Neurology to provide comprehensive patient care. Dr. Townley's published research demonstrates a strong focus on neuroimaging techniques for diagnosing and characterizing various dementia subtypes. His work spans from basic neuropathological studies of Alzheimer's disease to clinical trials evaluating new therapeutic approaches. A significant portion of his research examines the heterogeneity of dementia presentations and seeks to refine diagnostic criteria for various neurodegenerative conditions. Scientific Awards: Dewey K. Ziegler Award for Excellence in Neurology American Academy of Neurology's Outstanding Neurology Medical Student Award As Fellowship Program Director, Dr. Townley mentors the next generation of cognitive and behavioral neurologists. He has secured multiple research grants from the National Institute on Aging to investigate Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. His current projects include the AHEAD 3-45 Study, a study evaluating CT1812 for Dementia With Lewy Bodies, and the Alzheimer's Plasma Extension Study, all serving as Site Principal Investigator. Dr. Townley is actively involved with the University of Kansas Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, contributing to both clinical care and research initiatives. He serves on the Clinical Education Task Force of the Lewy Body Disease Association and is a member of the International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment, demonstrating his commitment to advancing knowledge and care for patients with neurodegenerative conditions.
Antonio SICA is a Full Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Eastern Piedmont 'Amedeo Avogadro'. With an extensive research career spanning over three decades, he has published 189 research outputs including articles, reviews, and conference contributions. His ORCID profile (0000-0002-8342-7442) documents his significant contributions to immunology and cancer research. Professor SICA's research primarily focuses on myeloid cells in cancer , particularly tumor-associated macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells . His work explores how these cells contribute to tumor progression, immunosuppression, and response to therapy. Key research areas include immunometabolism, epigenetic regulation of myeloid cells, and the intersection of inflammation with cancer development. Analysis of his recent publications (2021-2024) reveals a strong emphasis on myeloid cell heterogeneity in cancer, immunometabolic pathways , and the role of myeloid cells in age-related diseases . His 2023-2024 work has particularly examined connections between cancer immunology and infectious diseases like COVID-19, demonstrating how immunometabolic interference affects disease outcomes. Advancing the knowledge of human neutrophils displaying polymorphonucler myeloid-derived suppressor cell (PMN-MDSC) functions (2023-2025) BioTher19: Biological bases of immune response in fragile COVID-19 patients Deciphering the molecular and functional heterogeneity of myeloid cells in cancer (2019-2023) Deciphering the epigenetic basis of Myeloid-derived immunosuppression in cancer and therapy (2018-2023) Professor SICA has supervised 5 students throughout his career and maintains active research collaborations across multiple institutions. His work contributes significantly to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to good health and well-being, particularly through advancing cancer immunology and immunotherapy approaches.
