George Perry is a Professor of Anthropology at Pennsylvania State University, with research intersections in Biology, Evolutionary Medicine, and Genomics. He is affiliated with the Huck Institutes' Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Ecology, Molecular Cellular and Integrative Biosciences, and Bioinformatics and Genomics programs. Perry directs the Anthropological Genomics Lab , focusing on paleogenomics and evolutionary adaptation. Research areas: anthropological genomics, parasite evolution, human body size transitions, and evolutionary medicine Key collaborations: international teams in Madagascar, Europe, and Africa Leadership: Bioinformatics and Genomics Chair (2019–2023) His 2025–2022 publications span evolutionary responses to invasive species, human migration health impacts, chemosensory gene adaptation, and primate genomic diversity. Notable methodological contributions include ancient DNA recovery and comparative paleogenomics. Perry advises graduate students like Vanessa Garcia and Annette Mercedes, with grants including NIH support for Cuban health disparity studies. Scientific leadership includes tenure-line promotions (2023) and NASA Space Grant collaborations.
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUnited States
Ripan S. Malhi is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with additional affiliations in Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior; American Indian Studies Program; and the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. His research integrates molecular anthropology and genomics to study human and animal evolutionary history. Primary Affiliation : Department of Anthropology, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Collaborative Roles : Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, American Indian Studies Program Malhi's work focuses on ancient DNA analysis, mutualistic human-animal relationships, and Indigenous population genomics. Recent studies include genomic investigations of historic lion populations, Pleistocene human-canid interactions in Alaska, and genetic continuity in the Blackfoot Confederacy. His lab employs interdisciplinary approaches combining archaeology, biology, and Indigenous community partnerships. Recent publications highlight collaborations with colleagues in genomics, ecology, and archaeology. Key themes include biomarker analysis, colonial-era biodiversity impacts, and prehistoric human migration patterns. The Malhi Molecular Anthropology Laboratory serves as a hub for these investigations. Contact: Department of Anthropology, 607 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801 | Phone: 217-265-0721 | Email: malhi@illinois.edu
George M. Church is a Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School and affiliated with MIT, where he directs PersonalGenomes.org, providing open-access genomic, environmental and trait data. His laboratory focuses on transformative technologies for reading and writing 3D/4D biological structures with attention to ethics, safety, and equitable access. Church has co-initiated major scientific initiatives including the BRAIN Initiative (2011) and multiple Genome Projects (GP-Read-1984, GP-Write-2016, PGP-2005). Church's research spans multiple cutting-edge domains including genome engineering, synthetic biology, aging reversal, and space genetics. His lab pioneered foundational methods for direct genome sequencing, molecular multiplexing and barcoding in 1984, leading to the first genome sequence in 1994. His innovations contributed to nearly all next-generation DNA sequencing methods and companies. Current research directions include machine learning for protein engineering, tissue reprogramming, organoids, gene therapy, and in situ 3D DNA/RNA/protein imaging. His work bridges fundamental biology with therapeutic applications across diverse fields from Alzheimer's disease to de-extinction biology. Church's recent publications reveal a remarkable breadth of scientific inquiry, spanning from fundamental genome editing techniques to applications in aging research, neuroscience, and space biology. His work increasingly integrates artificial intelligence with biological systems, as seen in papers on machine-guided cell-fate engineering and automation of systematic reviews with large language models. His research maintains a strong translational focus, with numerous papers addressing therapeutic applications in cancer immunotherapy, gene therapy, and diagnostics. The consistent theme across his diverse publications is the development and application of transformative technologies to address fundamental biological questions and medical challenges. National Academy of Sciences (NAS) membership National Academy of Engineering (NAE) membership Franklin Bower Laureate for Achievement in Science Co-initiator of the BRAIN Initiative (2011) Director of multiple NIH Centers for Excellence in Genomic Science (2004-2020) Church directs numerous research centers including the NIH-CEGS, Personal Genome Project (PGP), Lipper Center for Computational Genetics, and Wyss Institute Synthetic Biology center. His laboratory has trained PhD students across multiple Harvard and MIT programs including Biophysics, BBS, Biomedical Informatics, ChemBio, Chemistry, SSQB, MCO, Virology, HST, EE/CS, Physics and Applied Math. His commercial impact is extensive through companies spanning medical diagnostics (Knome/PierianDx, Alacris, Nebula, Veritas) and synthetic biology/therapeutics (AbVitro/Juno, Gen9/enEvolv/Zymergen/Warpdrive/Gingko, Editas, Egenesis). Church also pioneered new privacy, biosafety, ELSI, environmental and biosecurity policies. The Church Lab operates across multiple research domains including molecular multiplexing, next-generation sequencing, nanopore technology, and genome engineering. The lab maintains strong connections with the Personal Genome Project, Wyss Institute, and multiple commercial ventures. Current research directions include the Spatial Atlas of Human Anatomy (SAHA), human skin rejuvenation via mRNA, and space genetics research through the Consortium for Space Genetics and BioAstra. The lab's mission focuses on transformative technologies for reading and writing 3D/4D structures at any scale, inspired by but not limited by biology.
Addie Thompson is an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University's College of Agriculture & Natural Resources , affiliated with the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences , Plant Resilience Institute , and Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology Program . Her expertise spans maize genetics, genomics, and phenomics, with a focus on genotype-environment interactions. B.S. from Iowa State University Ph.D. from University of Minnesota Postdoctoral work at University of Minnesota & Purdue University Research focuses on drought stress adaptation , high-throughput phenotyping , and quantitative genetics in maize and sorghum systems. Current projects include computational modeling of crop traits, field phenotyping technologies, and cross-species stress response analysis. She leads maize genetics research while participating in national initiatives like the Genomes-to-Fields Initiative , with recent publications on phenotypic plasticity, hyperspectral imaging applications, and climate-resilient breeding strategies. Her work connects molecular genetics to agricultural productivity through advanced data modeling and field experimentation. Thompson directs the Thompson Maize Lab which focuses on: Maize and sorghum genotype-environment interactions Phenomics technologies for trait analysis Development of computational breeding tools Climate resilience trait discovery Historical genetic diversity patterns Agricultural workforce development
Rebecca Kimball is a Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Florida , focusing on evolutionary biology through molecular techniques and field research. Her work spans three primary areas: phylogenetics for comparative studies, microevolutionary processes like mating systems and sexual selection, and linking genomic changes to organismal evolution. Education : Ph.D. (University of New Mexico, 1995) Research Themes : Phylogenetic reconstruction, genome-phenome mapping, sensory system evolution, and avian diversification. Her lab, the Braun-Kimball Lab , trains students in phylogenetics, computational biology, and population genetics. Current projects include galliform evolution, chemosensory systems in vultures, and hybridization studies in paradise flycatchers. She collaborates on NSF-funded phylogenomic initiatives and emphasizes rigorous lab practices, including long-term commitments for researchers and interdisciplinary training. Scientific Awards : No explicit awards listed, but her lab receives external grants (e.g., NSF, University Scholars Program). Advising & Grants : Mentors numerous graduate and undergraduate researchers. Lab members often co-author publications and pursue independent projects. Grants focus on phylogenomic tools and avian evolutionary questions. Labs & Teams : Leads the Braun-Kimball Lab, which engages in global collaborations (e.g., Field Museum, New York State Museum) and interdisciplinary work in genomics and ecology.
Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyUnited States
Jinchuan Xing is a Professor at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, where he leads the Xing Lab of Genomics. His research focuses on human genomic variation, mobile DNA elements, evolutionary and population genetics, and their implications for human disease. He integrates computational and experimental methods to study genome-wide variation, with applications in disease gene identification and genomic technology development. His research interests include: Mobile DNA element biology Human demographic history and population diversity Disease gene identification using whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing High-altitude adaptation genetics Transposable element regulation and expression piRNA and small RNA pathways His recent publications highlight a strong trend in reproductive genomics, particularly in identifying genetic risk factors for embryo aneuploidy in IVF patients, using advanced sequencing technologies. Other work spans evolutionary genomics in diverse species (bats, moths, Drosophila), structural variation in neurodevelopmental disorders, and proteogenomic discovery. His lab actively develops and applies bioinformatic tools for variant analysis and gene prioritization. Scientific awards and honors are not explicitly mentioned in the provided text. Jinchuan Xing advises several graduate students, including Nan Wang, Siqi, Ellie Lu, and Tongji Xing. His lab has received significant funding, including an R01 grant from NICHD on aneuploidy risk, a grant from the Center for Human Evolutionary Studies, and a Life Sciences Alliance Pilot Seed Funding grant in collaboration with the Department of Statistics. These grants support research in fertility genomics, disease gene discovery, and genomic tool development. The Xing Lab of Genomics is an active research group conducting interdisciplinary studies combining genomics, bioinformatics, and molecular biology. The lab welcomes new members regularly, including master’s and PhD students, and collaborates across departments. Current projects include understanding the genetic basis of meiosis, fertility, and high-altitude adaptation, as well as developing Markovian gene networks for disease gene discovery.
Dr. Justin Silverman is an Assistant Professor of Information Science & Technology, Statistics, and Medicine at Pennsylvania State University, with affiliations in the Department of Statistics and the Institute for Computational and Data Science. He holds an MD from Duke University School of Medicine (2020), a PhD in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics from Duke (2019), and a BS in Physics and Biophysics from Johns Hopkins University (2011). His research integrates Bayesian statistics, machine learning, and genomics to address impactful biomedical questions. Key focuses include microbiome analysis, gene expression studies, and scale-reliant inference methodologies. His work emphasizes methodological rigor and clinical relevance, with applications in personalized medicine, agriculture, and epidemiology. The Silverman Lab develops cutting-edge tools like the fido and philr packages for compositional data analysis. Collaborations span academia and industry, addressing challenges in livestock health, viral surveillance, and precision medicine. He also leads Anarres Analytics LLC, translating statistical methods into practical solutions for clients. His advising includes PhD and MS students working on topics like scalable Bayesian models, microbial co-occurrence networks, and topological data analysis in oncology. Notable projects include studies on ancient microbiomes, dairy cow treatments, and pandemic modeling. Labs and teams: Silverman Lab (PSU), Anarres Analytics. Current positions: PI, startup founder, and collaborator in multi-institutional projects.
Evon Hekkala is a Professor and Chair of Biological Sciences at Fordham University, leading the Hekkala Lab. Her research focuses on conservation genetics, paleogenomics, and integrating indigenous knowledge into biodiversity studies. She specializes in crocodilian evolution, museum collections analysis, and ecological conservation. Her work includes NSF-funded projects such as the STS grant examining ancestral taxonomies and the RAPID grant to recover fossils in Madagascar. She collaborates with institutions like the American Museum of Natural History and the Wildlife Conservation Society. Notable achievements include discovering cryptic crocodile species and developing methods using leech-derived DNA for biodiversity surveys. She advises numerous graduate and undergraduate students, mentoring them in fieldwork, lab techniques, and interdisciplinary research. Her lab emphasizes DEI initiatives and ethical science practices.
Graciela S. Cabana serves as Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Anthropology within the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She directs the Molecular Anthropology Laboratories (MAL-UTK), a specialized research facility dedicated to DNA analyses of humans with expertise in degraded DNA, ancient DNA, and archaeogenetics. Education: Ph.D. in Anthropology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor M.A. in Anthropology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor B.A. in Political Science, University of California, Berkeley As an anthropologist, Dr. Cabana studies the human genome within a biosocial context, drawing insights from history, archaeology, philosophy of science, science and technology studies, and human evolutionary studies. Her research focuses on human movements and their consequences for genome evolution and identity formation. She incorporates tools from ancient and modern DNA analysis, ethnography, and historical analysis in her work on paleogenomics, bioarchaeology, and science & technology studies. Her extensive publication record reveals consistent scholarly contributions in population genetics, migration studies, and interdisciplinary approaches to anthropological questions, with particular emphasis on ancient DNA analysis of historical populations in the Americas, community-engaged research with descendant communities, and the social dimensions of genetic research. Dr. Cabana actively mentors numerous graduate students across various research projects related to paleogenomics, bioarchaeology, and science & technology studies. She teaches courses including Theory in Biological Anthropology, Anthropology & the Genome, DNA Methods, and What is Science? Additionally, she serves as Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Yearbook of Biological Anthropology and Associate Editor for Human Biology and Bioarchaeology International. The Molecular Anthropology Laboratories (MAL-UTK), which she directs, consists of both Main Lab facilities for modern DNA studies and Clean Room Labs specifically designed for ancient/paleogenomic DNA studies of degraded samples. The laboratory complex is USDA certified to receive foreign soils and includes specialized facilities for DNA extraction, amplification, and library preparation.
University of California, Los AngelesUnited States
Professor Sriram Sankararaman is a computational scientist with triple appointments at the University of California, Los Angeles in the Computer Science Department , Department of Human Genetics , and Department of Computational Medicine . His interdisciplinary research bridges computer science, statistics, and biomedicine. PhD in Computer Science from UC Berkeley Postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School Research focuses on statistical and computational methods for understanding genomic datasets, including: Population genetic inference and archaic admixture analysis Genetic architecture of complex traits Machine learning for clinical data integration Privacy-preserving genomic analysis Recent publications address scalable algorithms for biobank-scale data, evolutionary insights from archaic DNA, and interpretable machine learning models. His lab develops tools like SCOPE and RHE-mc for population structure and variance components analysis. Scientific Honors NSF Career Award (2020) Microsoft Investigator Fellow (2019) Northrop Grumman Excellence in Teaching (2019) Okawa Foundation grant (2017) Alfred P. Sloan Fellow (2017) NIH Pathway to Independence Award (2014) Visvesvaraya Medal (2004) As director of the Machine Learning and Genomics Lab , he leads research on evolutionary genomics, medical genetics, and scalable algorithms for integrating multi-modal biomedical datasets.
Dr. William Taylor serves as Assistant Professor and Curator of Archaeology at the University of Colorado, where he directs the Archaeozoology Laboratory at the CU Museum of Natural History and leads the Max Planck Society's Horses and Human Societies Project. His interdisciplinary work bridges archaeozoology, glacial archaeology, and emerging technologies to investigate human-animal relationships across continents. Taylor's research focuses on horse domestication and its global impacts, with field projects spanning the Great Plains , American Southwest , Mongolian Altai , and Central Asian steppes . His methodological innovations integrate 3D imaging of skeletal remains Stable isotope analysis Glacial archaeology from melting ice patches Collaborative frameworks with Indigenous communities to reconstruct ancient pastoral economies and equestrian technologies. His publication trends reveal three dominant research trajectories: Equine domestication chronology - Reassessing Botai culture evidence and identifying early dental modifications High-altitude adaptation - Documenting horse use in Mongolian ice patches and Pamir Mountains Ethical curation - Developing frameworks for culturally informed stewardship of animal remains These intersect with broader themes of climate change impacts on archaeological preservation and decolonizing museum practices. Taylor actively recruits graduate students for projects involving Plains/Southwest historical archaeology Asian and Australian archaeozoology 3D technologies in museum studies while establishing a ZooMS laboratory for biomolecular analysis of ancient proteins. His forthcoming book Hoof Beats: How Horses Shaped Human History has received acclaim in The New York Times and National Geographic for making complex archaeological science accessible to broad audiences.
The University of Tennessee at ChattanoogaUnited States
Tim J. Gaudin is a UC Foundation Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. His research focuses on the systematics, morphological evolution, and biogeography of edentate mammals such as anteaters, sloths, and pangolins, along with Pleistocene vertebrate faunas in southeastern Tennessee. He has led NSF-funded projects, including a collaborative ATOL grant on mammalian phylogeny using genomic and morphological data (2006–2011). Gaudin teaches courses in Mammalogy, Paleobiology, and the History of Evolutionary Thought. He has authored/co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications, with recent work on giant sloth evolution, leprosy in armadillos, and cranial anatomy of extinct sloths. His fieldwork includes fossil recovery in Lookout Mountain, TN, and collaborations in Bolivia and Germany. He serves on editorial boards for journals like the Journal of Mammalian Evolution and Eastern Paleontologist , and has curated the UTC Natural History Museum. His grants include ongoing studies on edentate phylogeny and fossil morphology. Education : PhD in Organismal Biology & Anatomy from the University of Chicago (1993), BS in Zoology from the University of Georgia (1983). Research Interests : Paleontology of xenarthrans, morphological evolution of mammals, Pleistocene biogeography, and biodiversity surveys in Tennessee. Techniques include 3D imaging of fossils and CT-scanning of vertebrate remains. Grants/Projects : NSF ATOL grant (2006–2011), recent work on Eurotamandua morphology in Germany, and field studies in Bolivia. Active in collaborative projects with international institutions like the Senckenberg Research Institute and Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Labs/Teams : Leads UTC’s paleontology research group, focusing on fossil recovery and 3D modeling. Collaborates with the UTC Natural History Museum for specimen curation and public outreach.
Max Planck Florida Institute for NeuroscienceUnited States
Jay Shendure is an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), Professor of Genome Sciences at the University of Washington, Lead Scientific Director of the Allen Discovery Center for Cell Lineage Tracing, and Scientific Director of the Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine. He also serves as Lead Scientific Director of the Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology, a collaborative initiative launched in December 2023 by the Allen Institute, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and the University of Washington. Dr. Shendure received his M.D. and Ph.D. from Harvard Medical School in 2007. His doctoral thesis with George Church (2005) pioneered next-generation DNA sequencing. His research group has developed transformative technologies including exome sequencing for Mendelian disorders and autism, cell-free DNA diagnostics for cancer/reproductive medicine, massively parallel reporter assays, saturation genome editing, whole-organism lineage tracing, and single-cell molecular profiling. Current work focuses on synthetic biology applications for cellular recording in disease contexts. Recent publications (2022-2025) demonstrate intense focus on single-cell genomic technologies, structural variant analysis, CRISPR-based screening, and novel imaging/recording systems. These works bridge cancer genomics, developmental biology, and neuroscience through advanced molecular tools. Dr. Shendure has received major honors including: Curt Stern Award from the American Society of Human Genetics (2012) Richard Lounsbery Award from the National Academy of Sciences (2019) Mendel Award from the European Society of Human Genetics (2022) Election to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Fellowship in the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) He advises the NIH Director, US Precision Medicine Initiative, National Human Genome Research Institute, Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative, and Allen Institutes. His leadership in the Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology drives development of cellular recording technologies to decode disease mechanisms over time. His research group maintains strong industry and institutional partnerships supporting large-scale genomic innovation.
Scott V. Edwards is a Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology and Alexander Agassiz Professor of Zoology at Harvard University, holding dual affiliations with the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology and the Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ). He serves as Chair of the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology and leads the Edwards Lab, which integrates fieldwork, museum specimens, and genomic approaches to study avian diversity, evolution, and behavior. His research emphasizes population genetics, systematics, and natural history, focusing on speciation, genome evolution, and ecological adaptation. Education: Not explicitly listed in provided texts. Research interests include avian genomics, convergent evolution, conservation genetics, and the evolutionary basis of morphological and behavioral traits. Edwards advocates for natural history collections as critical resources for modern science and conservation. His lab explores topics like flightlessness in birds, plastic pollution impacts, and genomic underpinnings of adaptation. He teaches courses such as Molecular Ecology and Evolution and Biology and Diversity of Birds. Edwards collaborates globally on projects like the Avian Phylogenomics Project and contributes to initiatives like the Earth BioGenome Project. His work bridges evolutionary theory with applied conservation, emphasizing the synergy between genomic data and ecological insights.
Joshua Akey is a Professor at Princeton University's Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, specializing in the biology and evolution of genomes. His interdisciplinary research spans yeast, dogs, and humans, integrating experimental, computational, and theoretical methods to address complex genetic questions. Research Focus: Human population genomics, yeast functional genomics, and canine adverse drug response genetics. Collaborations: Katrina Mealey (Washington State University), Evan Eichler (University of Washington). Key Themes: Archaic introgression, adaptive evolution, and the genetic architecture of phenotypic variation. The Akey Lab leverages large-scale datasets and statistical approaches to explore genome-wide selection patterns, copy number variation, and evolutionary mechanisms. Recent publications emphasize comparative genomics, longevity in companion dogs, and Neanderthal ancestry in African populations. Scientific Recognition: Recognized as a Best Scientific Figure of 2012 by Wired. Students: Ruby Redlich, Susie Song, Caroline (Cara) Weisman, Winnie Xu, Kaiqian Zhang.
