Mohammad Peydayesh is a Lecturer and Senior Researcher at the Department of Health Sciences and Technology , ETH Zürich. He works in the Food and Soft Material Laboratory , focusing on sustainable materials derived from food waste and agri-food byproducts. PhD in Chemical Engineering (2018, Iran University of Science and Technology) Postdoctoral Fellow at ETH Zürich under Prof. Dr. Mezzenga Senior Assistant at ETH Zürich since 2021 His research spans soft matter , self-assembly phenomena , and amyloid fibril applications in: Environmental engineering (water purification, heavy metal removal) CO2 conversion and storage Smart packaging and bioplastics development Biorefinery concepts and circular economy Nanomaterials for waste valorization Recent publications highlight trends in amyloid-based hybrid materials for: Metal recovery from e-waste and contaminated water CO2 capture and conversion Bioplastic production from agricultural waste Antiviral and detoxification applications Water desalination and purification Photonic and catalytic materials He contributes to the Laboratory of Food & Soft Materials , advancing sustainable solutions through interdisciplinary material science.
David Serre is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, with an additional appointment at the Institute for Genome Sciences. His research focuses on developing genomic approaches to study eukaryotic pathogens, particularly Plasmodium vivax, the leading cause of malaria outside Africa. His laboratory investigates parasite responses to antimalarial drugs, host immune responses, and mosquito vector biology using genomic and transcriptomic techniques. Education 1997–2000: Engineering degree in Chemistry, École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie, Montpellier, France 2000–2004: PhD in Biology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany 2004–2007: Postdoctoral fellowship, McGill University and Genome Quebec Innovation Centre, Montreal, Canada Research Focus Dr. Serre’s work integrates genomics to study Plasmodium vivax’s drug resistance, relapse mechanisms, and interactions with hosts and vectors. Key areas include: Genomic assays to characterize parasite drug responses Transcriptomic analysis of host immune responses Genomic studies of Anopheles mosquitoes as malaria vectors Recent Trends in Publications Recent work highlights genomic and transcriptomic approaches to dissect Plasmodium vivax biology, including: Single-cell RNA sequencing to resolve transcript isoforms and stage-specific expression Analysis of relapse dynamics and drug resistance mechanisms Microbiome studies in mosquitoes and environmental contexts Grants & Advising No explicit grants or advisee names are listed in the provided text. Collaborators include institutions like the Max Planck Institute, McGill University, and the Institute for Genome Sciences. Labs & Teams His lab is affiliated with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the Institute for Genome Sciences, focusing on genomic and molecular approaches to infectious diseases.
Megan L. Matthews is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Arts & Sciences, where she leads an active research group focused on chemical biology and enzymology. Her lab develops innovative chemical proteomics technologies to uncover novel enzyme cofactors and regulatory post-translational modifications, particularly those involving reactive electrophiles, which cannot be predicted from genomic sequences. B.S. in Chemistry, Miami University (2005) Ph.D. in Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University (2011) Postdoctoral Fellow, The Scripps Research Institute (2012–2017) Her research centers on the concept of the 'electrophilome'—a largely unexplored half of the reactive proteome. By designing 'reverse-polarity' chemical probes, her group enables the discovery of functionally significant electrophilic modifications in proteins, especially those involved in cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. These discoveries open new avenues for therapeutic intervention through covalent targeting. The recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on enzyme mechanisms, cofactor discovery, and chemical probe development. Her work spans from fundamental enzymology (e.g., halogenases, ribonucleotide reductases) to applied chemical biology (e.g., hydrazine probes, chemoproteomic profiling). The keywords across her publications highlight emerging themes in metalloenzymes, radical chemistry, and covalent proteome mapping. Her scientific contributions have been recognized through prestigious fellowships, including the Merck Helen Hay Whitney Postdoctoral Fellowship. She has published in top-tier journals such as Nature , Nature Chemical Biology , and Journal of the American Chemical Society . Dr. Matthews advises graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in her lab, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment. Her lab emphasizes the importance of diverse perspectives in scientific discovery. She has secured research funding to support projects in probe development, target characterization, and disease mechanism studies, particularly in neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. The Matthews Lab is actively engaged in advancing reverse-polarity activity-based protein profiling (RP-ABPP) for in vivo applications and inhibitor screening. The group collaborates with experts in structural biology, spectroscopy, and disease modeling to translate basic discoveries into therapeutic insights.
James C. Gumbart is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Physics at Georgia Institute of Technology, with additional affiliation to the School of Chemistry and the Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience . His research leverages molecular dynamics simulations to decode the atomic-level mechanisms of bacterial proteins and cellular structures. B.S., Physics and Mathematics, Western Illinois University, 2003 Ph.D., Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, 2009 Dr. Gumbart's work bridges computational biophysics and biochemistry to understand: Mechanisms of bacterial membrane protein insertion and nutrient import Structural dynamics of cell wall mechanics SARS-CoV-2 spike protein interactions with ACE2 Free-energy calculations for protein-ligand binding Applications of machine learning in biomolecular simulations His publications reflect trends in membrane protein biophysics , viral dynamics , and computational drug design , with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary techniques. Awards include multiple fellowships and grants from NSF , DOE , and NIAID . He has mentored numerous PhD students, including Zijian Zhang , David Ryoo , and Andrew Pang , whose work has advanced understanding of bacterial systems and viral proteins. The Gumbart Lab integrates high-powered supercomputing and advanced software to model biomolecular processes, fostering collaborations with institutions like the National Institutes of Health and Argonne National Laboratory .
Jennifer Curtis is a Full Professor in the School of Physics at Georgia Institute of Technology and serves as an ADVANCE Professor for the College of Sciences. Her research focuses on the physics of cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions, particularly within glycobiology and immunobiology contexts. Dr. Curtis earned her Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Chicago (2002) and her B.A. in Physics from Columbia University (1997). Her research interests span biophysics at interfaces, quantitative modeling of collective cellular interactions, cell mechanics, motility, adhesion, and the role of bulky sugars in tissue organization. Her laboratory investigates collective and single cell migration, immunophage therapy (combining immune cells with phages to combat bacterial infections), and molecular biophysics of hyaluronan synthase. Recent work demonstrates applications in soft materials, biomaterials, tissue engineering, and advanced characterization techniques. Analysis of her publication record reveals consistent focus on glyco-biophysics and cellular mechanics, with increasing emphasis on microbial communities and therapeutic applications. Her work bridges physics, biology, and engineering through interdisciplinary approaches. Honors include the NSF CAREER Award (2010), Georgia Tech College of Sciences Faculty Mentor Award (2015), and Cullen Peck Award (2020). She serves on the Biophysical Journal editorial board. Dr. Curtis actively mentors students through the Georgia Tech Physics REU program (which she directs) and collaborates with biologists, chemists, and materials scientists. Her laboratory maintains strong partnerships with institutions including Emory University and international collaborators. The Curtis Lab operates the Cell Physics Laboratory in the Molecular Science & Engineering Building, utilizing advanced techniques including holographic optical tweezers, thermochemical nanolithography, and single-molecule imaging to study cellular mechanics and polymer physics at biological interfaces.
Jos Ruytinx is a faculty member in the Department of Bio-engineering Sciences at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Belgium. His research focuses on plant-fungal interactions, particularly ectomycorrhizal symbiosis and metal homeostasis mechanisms. He actively supervises graduate students and serves on PhD committees, contributing significantly to the academic community at VUB. Dr. Ruytinx's research interests span several interconnected fields: Mycorrhizal symbiosis between plants and fungi Zinc and heavy metal homeostasis in ectomycorrhizal systems Molecular mechanisms of fungal adaptation to metal stress Transport physiology in plant-fungal symbiotic relationships Evolutionary aspects of ectomycorrhizal fungi Responses to ionizing radiation in plant-microbe systems His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on understanding how ectomycorrhizal fungi like Laccaria bicolor and Suillus luteus interact with their plant hosts under metal stress conditions, particularly zinc. Through comparative transcriptomics and functional characterization of transporters, his work reveals genetic determinants of symbiotic compatibility and mechanisms of metal tolerance. This research has implications for phytoremediation and sustainable agriculture in contaminated soils. Dr. Ruytinx has received recognition for his work with an h-index of 17 and over 2151 citations. His research is supported by multiple grants including: FWOAL1080: Zinc homeostasis in ectomycorrhizal symbiosis: nutrition and beyond (2023-2026) FWOTM1079: Reactive oxygen species in ectomycorrhizal fungi: damage, signaling or both? (2021-2025) OZR4191: Bilateral cooperation for joint PhD VUB-UHasselt (2023-2027) HERC66: 3D-CELLMAP project (2024-2028) As an academic advisor, Dr. Ruytinx has supervised 7 students through their theses, including Master's and Doctoral candidates. His laboratory focuses on fungal genetics and plant-microbe interactions, with particular expertise in zinc transport mechanisms in ectomycorrhizal systems. He actively participates in public engagement activities, including field samplings and expert commentary on fungi as biofertilizers.
Andy Ball is a Distinguished Professor in the School of Science at RMIT University, specializing in environmental microbiology and biotechnology. He leads the ARC Training Centre for the Transformation of Australia’s Biosolids Resource and has held key roles at institutions including the University of Essex and Flinders University. His research focuses on bioremediation, organic waste treatment, and environmental pollution solutions, with over 300 peer-reviewed publications and significant industry collaboration. Andy's academic career spans 30 years, with roles such as Director of the Centre for Environment and Society at Essex and Director of Flinders Bioremediation. He has attracted >$22M in research grants, particularly in applied environmental microbiology. His awards include the Royal Society of Victoria Medal (2021) and RMIT Research Excellence Award (2018). Research interests emphasize sustainable remediation of contaminated environments, leveraging microbial ecology and biotechnology. His teaching spans environmental science and biotechnology programs at RMIT. Andy advises on projects addressing bioremediation, bioenergy, and pathogen survival, with active collaborations with industries like Shell and Melbourne Water.
Sharon Rozovsky is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Delaware's College of Arts & Sciences, where she leads research on oxidative stress response mechanisms and protein quality control pathways. Her work bridges biochemistry, chemical biology, and structural biology with direct implications for understanding neurodegenerative diseases and viral pathogenesis. Her academic foundation includes a B.S. from Tel Aviv University (1994) and a Ph.D. from Columbia University (2000), establishing her expertise in protein dynamics and redox biochemistry. These credentials underpin her innovative approaches to studying cellular stress responses. Rozovsky's research program centers on selenoproteins—proteins containing the rare amino acid selenocysteine—and their critical roles in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress resolution. She investigates how membrane-bound selenoproteins like Selenoprotein S and K regulate the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway, with recent work revealing their surprising autoproteolytic activity and involvement in SARS-CoV-2 replication. Her lab pioneers chemical tools including expressed protein ligation and advanced 77Se NMR spectroscopy to characterize these systems at molecular resolution. Analysis of her 2021-2025 publications shows dominant themes in selenoprotein structure-function relationships, ER stress mechanisms, and viral interactions, alongside methodological innovations in cryo-EM grid technology and NMR. This body of work demonstrates consistent focus on redox biochemistry with expanding applications in virology and structural biology. No major scientific awards or fellowships were explicitly documented in the available materials, though her research impact is evident through high-impact publications and methodological contributions. She directs the active Rozovsky Research Group, mentoring graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in biochemical and biophysical techniques. Her laboratory operations are supported by competitive funding including an NSF CAREER award (2011) focused on selenoprotein reactivity, reflecting sustained recognition of her innovative research program.
Ying Ge is a Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, jointly appointed in the Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology and the Department of Chemistry. Her research integrates chemistry, biology, and medicine, focusing on advanced mass spectrometry-based proteomic and metabolomic technologies to address cardiovascular diseases. Education: B.S., Peking University (1997) Ph.D., Cornell University (2002) Ying Ge's work centers on developing ultra high-resolution mass spectrometry platforms for top-down proteomics and metabolomics, applied to systems biology studies of heart failure and regenerative medicine. Key projects include myofilament protein modification mapping, stem cell therapy evaluation, and biomarker discovery for cardiac conditions. The 15 most recent articles highlight her lab's methodological innovations (e.g., photocleavable surfactants, native mass spectrometry) and biological discoveries in AMPK structural heterogeneity, RBM20-mediated cardiotoxicity, and sarcomere-metabolism cross-talk during regeneration. These publications span proteomics, metabolomics, structural biology, and clinical applications.
Georg Fantner is an Associate Professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) with dual appointments in the School of Engineering (STI) within the Institute of Bioengineering and the School of Life Sciences (SV) for teaching. He directs the Laboratory for Bio- and Nano-Instrumentation (LBNI) and holds leadership roles including President of the Open Science Strategic Committee and the Association des Professeurs de l'EPFL. Research Focus: Bioinstrumentation, Nanotechnology, Scanning Probe Microscopy, and Metrology Teaching: Structural Mechanics for Life Sciences, Metrology, and Metrology Practicals His research pioneers advanced instrumentation for nanoscale characterization, emphasizing data-driven approaches to enhance microscopy techniques. Recent work integrates deep learning with scanning probe microscopy for real-time biological imaging and develops novel MEMS devices for fluid-compatible nanoscale manipulation. Key innovations include hermetically sealed sample chambers for pathogen studies and deterministic nanotopography engineering. Professor Fantner actively mentors 7 current PhD students and has supervised 14 graduates. His laboratory fosters interdisciplinary collaboration across engineering, physics, and life sciences to advance nanoscale measurement technologies and instrumentation development.
Hector Aguilar-Carreno is a Professor of Virology in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine, where he also serves as Associate Vice Provost in the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation. His research focuses on high-mortality paramyxoviruses including Nipah virus (NiV) and Hendra virus (HeV), as well as coronaviruses and other enveloped viruses. Dr. Aguilar-Carreno received his BS in Biochemical Engineering from Instituto Tecnologico de Tepic, Mexico, followed by an MS in Biology from California State University, Los Angeles, and a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Southern California. He completed postdoctoral training in Virology at UCLA under Dr. Benhur Lee before becoming an Assistant Professor at Washington State University's Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health. His research spans four main areas: (1) Viral entry mechanisms, where his lab has identified novel domains in viral glycoproteins important for membrane fusion; (2) Viral egress, using multi-omics approaches to study viral assembly and budding; (3) Vaccine development using viral-like particles to generate neutralizing antibodies; and (4) Antiviral discovery targeting enveloped viruses. His lab employs innovative techniques including Flow Virometry and Raman Spectroscopy to study viral entry processes. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on paramyxoviruses (particularly Nipah and Hendra viruses), coronavirus research, and the development of broad-spectrum antivirals. His work spans fundamental virology to translational applications, with numerous publications in high-impact journals including Nature, Science, and Cell Reports. President Elect of the American Society of Virology Chair of the American Society of Virology Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee Chair of the Cornell CVM Diversity Committee Director of the Cornell Program for Achieving Career Excellence Chair of 16 PhD student thesis committees Dr. Aguilar-Carreno has served on numerous scientific committees including the American Society for Virology Education Committee, the American Society of Microbiology Committee for Minority Education, and as a Standing Member of the VIR-A NIH study section. His leadership extends to chairing the Cornell CVM Diversity Committee and serving on the Cornell presidential postdoctoral fellowship committee, demonstrating significant commitment to diversity and mentorship in science.
Tiffany M Jamann is an Associate Professor in Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois, where she holds the Monsanto Fellowship in Plant Breeding. Her research program focuses on understanding and improving disease resistance mechanisms in maize through integrated genetic, genomic, and phenotypic approaches. Dr. Jamann's work spans multiple disease systems with particular emphasis on foliar diseases such as Northern Leaf Blight and ear diseases like Gibberella ear rot. Her research interests include: Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping for disease resistance in maize Development of near-isogenic line populations for gene discovery Comparative studies of resistance mechanisms across different pathosystems Investigation of pattern-triggered immunity in maize Standardization of pathogen inoculation and disease rating methodologies Analysis of Dr. Jamann's recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strategic integration of traditional plant breeding with cutting-edge genomic approaches. Her work demonstrates increasing use of comparative genomics and transcriptomics to identify host-specificity genes in pathogens while maintaining strong focus on practical breeding applications. A notable trend is her development of standardized methodologies for pathogen inoculation across multiple disease systems, enabling more reliable resistance evaluation. Monsanto Fellow in Plant Breeding Multiple publications featured in news outlets and academic discussions Active research with significant social media engagement (46 X users mentioning her work) Dr. Jamann's research program likely involves extensive collaboration with other plant pathologists and breeders, as evidenced by her numerous co-authored publications. Her work on multi-environment trials suggests substantial field research across different geographical locations. The development of specialized maize germplasm, including near-isogenic lines, indicates long-term investment in genetic resources for disease resistance research. Her laboratory maintains sophisticated capabilities for pathogen characterization, high-throughput phenotyping using fluorescence microscopy, and genetic mapping approaches. The emphasis on both fundamental plant-pathogen interactions and applied crop improvement demonstrates a research program that bridges basic science with practical agricultural outcomes.
Dr. Xi Chen is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of California, Davis, where he has been a faculty member since 2003. His research spans carbohydrate chemistry, glycobiology, and cancer biology, with notable contributions to chemoenzymatic methods for glycoconjugate synthesis. Dr. Chen's work focuses on developing hybrid chemical-enzymatic approaches to synthesize complex carbohydrates and glycoconjugates, characterizing glycosyltransferase mechanisms, and designing enzyme mutants for improved catalysis. He also investigates carbohydrate-based diagnostics and therapeutics, particularly in cancer and inflammatory diseases. His recent publications highlight interdisciplinary studies linking carbohydrate metabolism to p53 tumor suppression pathways and RNA-binding protein regulation in cancer. Awards include AAAS Fellow (2015), ACS Isbell Award (2012), and NSF CAREER Award (2006). He earned his Ph.D. at Wayne State University (2000) and B.S. at Xiamen University (1994). Scientific Awards American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow (2015) Dean's Team Award for Excellence (2013) Carbohydrate Research Award for Creativity (2013) ACS CARB Horace S. Isbell Award (2012)
Dr. Audrey Lamb is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), within the College of Sciences. She joined UTSA in 2020 after rising to full professor at the University of Kansas, where she served as interim dean of graduate studies in 2019. Her leadership extends to professional organizations, including serving as an elected council member for the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Dr. Lamb received her B.S. in Chemistry from Furman University in 1993 and her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 1998. She completed postdoctoral studies in biochemistry at Northwestern University before beginning her academic career at the University of Kansas in 2003. Dr. Lamb's research focuses on understanding bacterial pathogenesis through mechanistic enzymology and structural biology. Her lab investigates how human pathogens biosynthesize metallophores for metal ion scavenging and riboflavin (Vitamin B2) biosynthesis pathways. These studies aim to identify targets for novel antibiotic development against multidrug-resistant pathogens. Her work spans bacterial enzymology, structural biology, and metabolic pathway analysis, with applications in antimicrobial drug design. Analysis of Dr. Lamb's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on enzyme mechanisms in bacterial metabolism, particularly in metallophore and riboflavin biosynthesis pathways. Her work combines structural biology with kinetic analysis to elucidate catalytic mechanisms. Many publications investigate enzymes from pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Trypanosoma cruzi, highlighting the translational potential of her basic science research for antimicrobial development. Dr. Lamb has received notable recognition including: Election as a 2022 Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Award-winning teaching and mentoring at undergraduate and graduate levels Dr. Lamb has mentored numerous students and postdoctoral fellows, with many alumni now in academic, industrial, and research positions. Her lab has received funding from prestigious sources including the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, American Lung Association, and W.M. Keck Foundation. She actively collaborates with researchers at Loyola University Chicago, Texas A&M University, University of Kansas Medical Center, and UTSA's Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology. The Lamb Lab maintains a comprehensive suite of equipment for protein biochemistry and structural studies, including multiple AKTA FPLCs, a stopped-flow spectrophotometer, crystallization robot, various spectrophotometers, and HPLCs. This infrastructure supports their research on enzyme mechanisms and structural biology of bacterial metabolic pathways.
Henry Liang, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC), with adjunct appointments in Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at Texas Tech University. His lab focuses on bridging biology with synthetic systems through membrane biophysics and bioengineering. Research Interests: Dr. Liang's work spans membrane protein reconstitution, nanodisc technology, antimicrobial nanoparticles, blood-brain barrier targeting, and immunotherapy platforms. Key areas include: Design of synthetic proteomembranes for protein function studies Development of environmentally responsive nanoantibiotics Nanoparticle-based theranostic systems for cancer Light-driven energy transduction in biohybrid materials Publication Trends: His 15 most recent articles (2011-2023) demonstrate consistent focus on nanotechnology solutions for biomedical challenges, with evolving emphasis on antimicrobial nanostructures (35%), membrane protein platforms (30%), cancer nanomedicine (20%), and sustainable nanomaterials (15%). Methodological strengths include polymer synthesis, X-ray scattering, and biomimetic system design. Training: The Liang Lab actively recruits graduate students and postdoctoral researchers for projects in membrane biophysics and bioengineering. Current research infrastructure includes capabilities for synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering, molecular dynamics simulations, and nanomaterial characterization.
