Jennifer Chen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at York University's Faculty of Science. She leads a research group focused on designing nanomaterials for optical sensing, biomedical diagnostics, and solar energy conversion , with an emphasis on plasmonic nanostructures and hybrid materials. Research spans analytical, inorganic, and physical chemistry Eligible supervisor for Physics and Astronomy graduate students Key funding: CFI, NSERC, Ontario Research Fund Her work bridges fundamental studies of materials interfaces with applications in healthcare and sustainability. Recent publications explore charge transfer mechanisms and DNA-nanoparticle interactions for biosensing. 2022: J. Mater. Chem. A on Mn-doped quantum dots 2020: Analyst and ACS Appl. Nano Mater. on DNA-based sensing 2018: JPCC on interfacial charge dynamics 2013: JACS on plasmonic microRNA detection Major awards include the Canadian Society for Chemistry Fred Beamish Award (2019), Nano Ontario Early-Career Award (2018), and Top 40 Under 40 Analytical Scientist (2018). Her group has trained 15+ graduate students, including PhD graduates Brian and Anthony.
Stephen Levene is a Professor of Bioengineering at The University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas), affiliated with the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science. His research focuses on the physical and functional genomics of DNA structure, protein-DNA interactions, and DNA topology in biological systems. He holds a PhD from Yale University (1985) and an AB from Columbia University (1979). Levene’s laboratory investigates genome organization, chromatin dynamics, and the role of circular DNA (eccDNA) in health and disease. His work employs advanced biophysical techniques, including hydroxyl radical probing, gel electrophoresis, and single-molecule analysis. Key areas include DNA supercoiling, topoisomerase function, and the interplay between DNA structure and cellular processes. His research has led to innovations in DNA topology simplification, Cre recombination kinetics, and methodologies for analyzing circular DNA populations in organisms like C. elegans and humans. Levene’s lab also develops tools for genomic studies, such as shallow-learning models for DNA fragmentation analysis and unmasking hidden topological activities in recombination systems. Levene’s contributions span over 40 years, with publications addressing DNA looping, knotting, and the thermodynamics of nucleoprotein assemblies. His work bridges biophysics, molecular biology, and engineering, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to genomic challenges.
James Manley is the Julian Clarence Levi Professor of the Life Sciences at Columbia University, with extensive research in gene expression regulation. His work spans transcription, RNA splicing, and polyadenylation mechanisms in human cells, connecting these processes to neurodegenerative diseases (ALS/FTD) and cancers. Affiliation: Columbia University, Department of Biological Sciences Contact: jlm2@columbia.edu Research Interests: Dr. Manley's laboratory investigates nuclear processes including: Transcriptional control via RNA polymerase II CTD modifications Alternative splicing regulation by hnRNP and SR proteins Polyadenylation dynamics in cell cycle and differentiation Disease mechanisms in spliceosome mutations (SF3B1, SRSF2) RNA-protein interactions in stress responses Publication Trends: Recent work focuses on disease-associated mutations affecting RNA processing, non-canonical RNA functions, and immune regulation via polyadenylation. Articles span molecular oncology, neurodegeneration, and RNA surveillance mechanisms. Scientific Recognition: Member, American Academy of Arts & Sciences Member, National Academy of Sciences Key Collaborations: Studies involve interdisciplinary work with neurology, cancer biology, and immunology teams. His lab employs biochemical assays, structural analysis, and genetic models to dissect RNA processing pathways.
Dr. Shelley Wickham is an Associate Professor and ARC DECRA Fellow at the University of Sydney, holding joint appointments in the Schools of Chemistry and Physics. She serves as a Westpac Research Fellow and leads the DNA Nanotechnology Group at the Sydney Nano Institute. Dr. Wickham is also co-Champion of the Sydney Nano Institute Grand Challenge project in Molecular Nanorobotics for Health, co-lead of the School of Physics Grand Challenge on Nanoscale brain navigation for targeted drug delivery, and faculty mentor of the University of Sydney BIOMOD team. Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Physics from University of Sydney PhD in Condensed Matter Physics from University of Oxford Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Wyss Institute Dr. Wickham's research focuses on self-assembling nanotechnology and molecular robotics, particularly in the design and assembly of programmable nanostructures out of DNA. Her work spans applications in cell biology, materials science, and nanomedicine. Current research projects include design and synthesis of self-assembling DNA nanostructures, proto-cells made of DNA gels that move under flow, new plasma fabrication methods for biomolecule micropatterning, and DNA computation circuits for navigating the brain using machine learning. Her research aligns with the Faculty of Science Research Strengths in Molecules to Materials, Preventing and Treating Disease & Disorder, and Next Generation Materials. Analysis of Dr. Wickham's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on DNA nanotechnology with increasing sophistication in structural complexity and biological applications. Her work has evolved from fundamental DNA origami structures to increasingly complex multi-component systems with practical applications in nanomedicine and biomimetic engineering. Recent publications show strong interdisciplinary collaboration across chemistry, physics, biology, and engineering disciplines, with emphasis on real-world applications including drug delivery systems and biomolecular sensors. ARC DECRA Fellow Westpac Research Fellow BIOMOD World Champions (2019) Dr. Wickham actively mentors PhD students and postdoctoral researchers in her DNA nanotechnology group. She has secured significant research funding including ARC Discovery Projects, Westpac Scholarships, and NSW Health grants. Her current grants support projects such as '3D Bio-Nanomaterial Displays with Designer Architectures and Functions' and 'RNA aptamer sensing devices for rapid detection of blood clotting.' Dr. Wickham encourages applications from diverse backgrounds and maintains active collaborations with researchers at Harvard, Oxford, and other international institutions. Dr. Wickham leads the DNA Nanotechnology Group at the University of Sydney, which is part of the Sydney Nano Institute. Her lab focuses on building tools from DNA origami - including tweezers, spanners, wrenches and springs - to better understand biological processes at the nanoscale. The group has achieved notable success with the BIOMOD team winning world championships in 2019, and continues to develop innovative approaches to molecular robotics for healthcare applications.
Zhandong Liu is an Associate Professor at Baylor College of Medicine with joint appointments in the Department of Pediatrics and Department of Neurology . He serves as Chief of Computational Sciences at Texas Children's Hospital and co-directs the Quantitative & Computational Biosciences Graduate Program at Baylor. Education: B.S. in Computer Science, Nankai University (2001) M.S. in Computer Science, Wayne State University (2003) Ph.D. in Genomics and Computational Biology, University of Pennsylvania (2010) Dr. Liu's research integrates genomics , machine learning , and bioinformatics to advance understanding of neurological diseases. His work focuses on: Multi-omics data integration for disease mechanism discovery Development of cloud-based CRISPR analysis tools like CRISPRcloud Augmented reality platforms for biomedical data visualization Identification of disease genes through computational models Alternative splicing analysis in cancer and neurodegeneration Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics algorithms His recent publications emphasize Alzheimer's disease , MECP2 syndromes , and computational therapy prediction across multiple domains. Scientific awards include the 2018 Outstanding Service Award from the International Association for Intelligent Biology and Medicine. He has secured major grants from NIH, CPRIT, and NSF for projects including: NSF grant #199977 (2018-2020): Augmented reality therapy platforms CPRIT grant #RP170387 (2016-2019): Network-guided cancer analysis NIH #1R01AG057339 (2017-2022): Alzheimer's disease networks As head of the Liu Lab , he leads teams developing tools like: MARRVEL : Human-model organism gene variant integration CRISPRcloud : Secure CRISPR screen analysis platform CrypSplice : Cryptic splicing detection algorithm
David J. Pine is a Silver Professor of Physics and Chair of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering. He holds joint appointments in Physics and Mathematics within the College of Arts and Science. His research focuses on soft condensed matter, including colloidal self-assembly, complex fluids, and photonics. Pine has pioneered techniques like diffusing-wave spectroscopy to study dynamic systems. Education: Ph.D. in Physics (Cornell University, 1982), M.S. in Physics (Cornell, 1979), B.S. in Physics and Mathematics (Wheaton College, 1975). Research Interests: Pine’s work spans colloids, emulsions, and DNA-functionalized particles. He explores self-assembly mechanisms, rheology, and light-scattering techniques. Notable projects include colloidal diamond lattices and programmable patchy particles. Publications: Over 200 papers, including influential work on lock-and-key colloids (2010), colloidal crystallization (2015), and light-activated swimmers (2013). Recent studies focus on structural colored biomaterials (2025) and entropy-driven assembly (2023). Awards: Guggenheim Fellow, APS Fellow, AAAS Fellow, and Michelin Chair (ESPCI ParisTech). Lab: Pine Research Group at NYU, specializing in soft matter and nanotechnology. Collaborations span materials science, biophysics, and engineering.
Michael Schulz is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). His research focuses on designing functional polymers to address challenges in medicine, environment, and energy. Key areas include antiviral materials, toxin capture, and rare-earth element chelation. He leads the Schulz Group , which emphasizes polymer synthesis and methodology development. Education: B.S. in Chemistry (University of Iowa, 2010), M.S. and Ph.D. in Chemistry (University of Florida, 2014). Postdoctoral training included work with Prof. Klaus Mullen (Max Planck Institute) and Prof. Robert Grubbs (Caltech). Research Interests: Functional polymer design for biomedical applications (e.g., drug sequestration), environmental remediation (e.g., metal binding), and advanced materials. His group explores structure-property relationships in polymers, leveraging tools like isothermal titration calorimetry and advanced polymerization techniques. Publications: Over 50 peer-reviewed articles, including work on polymer-based drug capture, rare-earth element extraction, and antiviral materials. Recent trends focus on block copolymers , enzyme-responsive systems , and nanocomposites for biomedical and environmental applications. Awards: Fulbright Research Grant (2014), NSF East Asia-Pacific Fellowship (2013), Butler Polymer Research Award (2013). Labs: Active in polymer synthesis, materials characterization, and collaborative projects with industry partners. His lab develops architected materials via 3D printing and advanced lithography for targeted drug delivery and environmental sensing.
Matthew Libera is a Professor of Material Science and Engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology, affiliated with the Charles V. Schaefer, Jr. School of Engineering and Science. He leads the Laboratory for Multiscale Imaging (LMSI), a shared facility for advanced imaging and analysis. His work focuses on biomaterials, hydrogels, infection-resistant surfaces, and electron microscopy techniques. Libera has held roles including Associate Dean of Engineering and Science (2013–2018) and has been a visiting professor at institutions like the University of Rhode Island (2021–2022). He chairs the Stevens Conference on Bacteria-Material Interactions and has authored numerous publications on antimicrobial surfaces and material characterization. His research interests span biomaterials-associated infections, directed self-assembly of polymers, and cryo-electron microscopy applications. He pioneered microgel-based antimicrobial coatings and developed molecular beacon technologies for diagnostics. Libera’s awards include the Morton Professorship for Teaching Excellence (2010–2011) and the Jess N. Davis Award for Research (1998). His work integrates nanotechnology, material science, and biomedicine to address challenges in infection prevention and biomaterial design. Libera’s publications highlight advancements in microgel functionality, surface patterning via electron-beam lithography, and antimicrobial delivery systems. His lab’s capabilities in multiscale imaging enable detailed studies of biomaterial-bacteria interactions. Ongoing efforts aim to optimize self-defensive materials for medical implants and diagnostic tools.
Prof. Dr. Jörg Stülke is a full Professor of Microbiology and Head of the Department of General Microbiology at the Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen. He has held this position since 2003 and leads an active research group focused on bacterial metabolism and gene regulation. His research spans two major model systems: the pathogenic bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae and the well-studied Bacillus subtilis . His group employs systems-level approaches including transcriptomics, metabolomics, and bioinformatics to understand metabolic regulation and gene expression. Key interests include protein phosphorylation, RNA-mediated regulation, mRNA processing, and the role of second messengers such as cyclic di-AMP in bacterial physiology and pathogenicity. The recent publications reveal a strong trend in molecular microbiology, functional genomics, and systems biology. His work often integrates experimental and computational methods, particularly evident in the development and maintenance of the SubtiWiki database for B. subtilis . The research bridges fundamental mechanisms of life with applications in understanding bacterial virulence and cellular homeostasis. He is affiliated with several graduate programs under the Göttingen Graduate Center for Neurosciences, Biophysics, and Molecular Biosciences (GGNB), including: Molecular Biology (IMPRS) Biomolecules: Structure - Function - Dynamics (GZMB) Molecular Biology of Cells (GZMB) Microbiology and Biochemistry Genome Science (IMPRS) While no individual students are listed, he clearly supervises doctoral candidates through these programs. His group has secured significant research output, including publications in Science , Nucleic Acids Research , and PLOS Pathogens , indicating successful grant funding and collaborative research. The lab maintains a dedicated website at http://genmibio.uni-goettingen.de/ , which serves as a hub for research activities and resources like SubtiWiki.
Professor Tracy Bryan is a Professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney and serves as Unit Head of the Cell Biology Unit at the Children's Medical Research Institute (CMRI). She holds a Bachelor of Science from Macquarie University and a PhD from the CMRI, where her groundbreaking research identified the ALT (Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres) mechanism in cancer cells. After postdoctoral work with Nobel Laureate Tom Cech at the University of Colorado, she returned to Australia in 2001 to establish her research group at CMRI. Her research focuses on telomerase biology, particularly its role in cancer progression and bone marrow failure syndromes. Key themes include understanding telomerase mechanisms, developing inhibitors for cancer therapy, and investigating telomere biology disorders. Her work integrates biochemical and cell-based approaches, supported by grants from NHMRC, Viertel Foundation, and Cancer Council NSW. Recent publications highlight advancements in telomerase-substrate interactions, i-motif DNA structures, and the interplay between telomere maintenance and DNA damage responses. Major grants include NHMRC Ideas Grants targeting telomere-related bone marrow failure and ARC Discovery Projects exploring DNA replication-telomere links. Bryan’s research group collaborates internationally, contributing to translational studies in oncology and regenerative medicine. Her lab’s work is detailed at CMRI’s Cell Biology Team page, with ongoing projects focused on telomerase inhibition strategies and molecular mechanisms of telomere dysfunction.
Daniela Rhodes is Professor at the School of Biological Sciences at Nanyang Technological University (since 2011) and Professor at the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (since 2012), where she also serves as Director of the Nanyang Institute of Structural Biology (since 2014). Previously, she spent her entire scientific career at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, UK, rising from Group Leader (1983) to Tenure (1987) to Full Professor (1994), and serving as Director of Studies (2003-2006). Her research focuses on the structure and function of chromatin, nucleic acids, and chromosome biology. Rhodes' work has significantly advanced our understanding of chromatin fiber organization, histone modifications, and telomere structure. Her laboratory has pioneered structural approaches to studying nucleosome organization and its implications for gene regulation and DNA packaging. Her scientific contributions have been recognized through election to prestigious academies and fellowships, including Member of Academia Europaea (2011), Fellow of the Royal Society (2007), EMBO Member (1996), and Official Fellow of Clare Hall, Cambridge (1992). Her publications primarily focus on chromatin structure, histone modifications, and nucleosome organization, with significant contributions to understanding how chromatin architecture influences gene expression and DNA function. Elected member of Academia Europaea (2011) Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) (2007) Elected member of EMBO (1996) Official Fellow of Clare Hall, Cambridge Rhodes has extensive experience evaluating research grants for major international funding bodies including the UK Royal Society, US National Institutes of Health, European Research Council, Human Frontiers of Science Programme, and EMBO, which she has chaired since 2009. She has also served as Visiting Professor at La Sapienza University in Rome and Rockefeller University in New York. As Director of the Nanyang Institute of Structural Biology, she leads a research team focused on advancing structural approaches to understanding biomolecular complexes, particularly in the areas of chromatin organization and nucleic acid-protein interactions. Her work bridges traditional biochemistry with cutting-edge structural methodologies to address fundamental questions in molecular biology.
Dr. Huang Changjin is an Assistant Professor at the School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. He leads the C.J. Huang Research Group, focusing on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of mechanics, materials, and biology. His work emphasizes the mechanics and manufacturing of soft and living systems, with applications in bio-inspired engineering, biomechanics, and advanced materials. Dr. Huang holds a B.Eng. from the University of Science and Technology of China (2008), a Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University (2014), and completed postdoctoral fellowships at Northwestern University (2014–2015) and Carnegie Mellon University (2016–2018) before joining NTU. His research explores cell mechanics, biofabrication, lipid membrane dynamics, and soft material manufacturing, with recent advancements in 3D printing, shape-morphing composites, and drug delivery systems. His group collaborates widely, addressing challenges in tissue engineering, nanomedicine, and plant immunity. Key research themes include membrane mechanics, bio-interface transport, and the development of in vitro systems for medical and engineering applications. Dr. Huang has mentored numerous students and postdocs, many of whom have transitioned to academic and industrial roles globally. He actively engages in academic activities, including invited talks at international conferences and editorial roles in journals. His lab facilities include advanced biological and mechanical testing equipment, enabling cutting-edge interdisciplinary research.
Marc Diamond, M.D. , is a Professor of Neurology and Neuroscience at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He previously served as the David Clayson Professor of Neurology at Washington University in St. Louis (2009-2014) and held faculty positions at UCSF (2002-2009). As founding director of the Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases (CAND), he leads a multidisciplinary team investigating protein aggregation mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases. Education: M.D. from UCSF (1993), history degree from Princeton Key Contributions: Discovered cell-to-cell propagation of tau protein aggregates, linking Alzheimer's to prion biology His research focuses on tauopathies , prion-like protein propagation , and translational therapeutics . He has developed methods for detecting proteopathic seeding activity now used globally, holds multiple patents, and invented a monoclonal antibody in clinical trials for Alzheimer's therapy. His work has profoundly impacted understanding of neurodegenerative disease progression and therapeutic strategies. Laboratory: The Diamond Lab trains postdocs, graduate students, and staff in multidisciplinary approaches to neurodegeneration, emphasizing cellular models and molecular mechanisms of protein aggregation.
Chongli Yuan is the Charles Davidson Professor of Chemical Engineering at the Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University. She joined Purdue in 2009 after completing a postdoctoral fellowship at ETH Zurich (2007–2009), following her PhD in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University (2007) and a B.S. from East China University of Science and Technology (2002). Her research focuses on epigenetic mechanisms, environmental chemical exposure impacts, cancer drug resistance, and point-of-care diagnostic tools. Key awards include the Edna O. and William C. Hooey Prize (2006) and Dow Scholarship (2001). Research Interests: Developing single-cell tools to track epigenetic changes in disease and normal development Investigating epigenetic memory from environmental chemical exposure (e.g., lead, pesticides) Uncovering epigenetic contributions to cancer drug resistance Creating low-cost, point-of-care devices for disease detection using smartphone-integrated technologies Lab & Team: Current students: Agnes Mendonca, Nathan Nurse, Oscar Sanchez Medina, and others Alumni include industry professionals (e.g., Sanofi, Intel) and academic researchers Facilities: The lab hosts advanced equipment like high-content microscopes, quantitative PCR systems, and nano-drop spectrometers.
Nancy C. Horton is a Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Arizona, with joint faculty appointments in Biochemistry. Her research focuses on understanding the structures and mechanisms of proteins involved in DNA and RNA processing, particularly enzymes that modulate their activity through filament formation. She leads the Horton Lab, which employs structural techniques like X-ray crystallography, NMR, and cryo-electron microscopy alongside biochemical and high-throughput methods. Dr. Horton received her B.S. in Chemistry from Southern Illinois University (1986) and Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania (1994). She completed postdoctoral training at The Upjohn Company and the University of California, Santa Barbara, before establishing her independent lab at the University of Arizona in 2001. Her work has contributed significantly to understanding enzyme filamentation in cellular defense mechanisms and host-virus interactions, particularly with Human Parvovirus B19. Research interests include structural biology, biophysics, and the functional implications of protein filaments. Her lab has elucidated the structural basis of enzyme activation via filamentation and its role in DNA cleavage specificity. She also engages in education initiatives, teaching courses on the molecular basis of life and professional development for graduate students. Key contributions include the discovery of enzyme filamentation as a regulatory mechanism and structural studies of SgrAI and NS1 proteins. The lab collaborates broadly, leveraging multi-scale modeling and experimental approaches to study macromolecular complexes. Dr. Horton’s work bridges basic science and translational research, with implications for antiviral drug development and understanding fundamental biological processes.
