Ross Waller is a researcher at the Department of Biochemistry , University of Cambridge, focusing on the molecular evolution and cell biology of protists, particularly within the Alveolata infrakingdom. His work spans apicomplexan parasites (Plasmodium, Toxoplasma), dinoflagellate symbionts, and ciliates, investigating their subcellular organization, endosymbiotic partnerships, and genomic adaptations. His research provides critical insights into eukaryotic evolution and parasitism. Key research areas include: Adaptations in apicomplexan parasites for host exploitation Molecular processes of endosymbiont establishment Chromatin management in dinoflagellates without histones Cell biological innovations in coral-associated dinoflagellates Recent publications highlight advancements in understanding plastid evolution, secretory organelle dynamics, and metabolic adaptations across parasitic and symbiotic protists. The Waller Group is actively recruiting interns and researchers interested in experimental cell biology of marine protists.
David Todem is a Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Michigan State University. His work focuses on statistical methodology for longitudinal and clustered data, particularly in applications to cancer research and public health. He holds a Ph.D. in Statistics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an M.S. in Biostatistics from Hasselt University (Belgium), and an M.S. in Population Health from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Todem's research interests include joint models for time-to-event and longitudinal outcomes, non-identifiable models with informative nonresponse, and testing heterogeneity in mixture models. His applied work addresses critical questions in cancer treatment efficacy, maternal-child health, and chronic disease surveillance. He has developed innovative methods for analyzing quality-of-life outcomes in cancer patients and spatial epidemiology of co-infections. Key contributions include the Validation of geospatial health indices Advancements in zero-inflated model testing Development of nonparametric scanning techniques Statistical frameworks for pediatric intervention evaluation He received a prestigious National Cancer Institute K01 award and has collaborated on federally-funded programs improving cardiovascular care in underserved populations. His work spans multiple domains including maternal-fetal medicine, environmental health, and global health equity. Methodological strengths include: Handling non-random missing data High-dimensional feature selection Weakly identifiable model sensitivity analysis Current research emphasizes translating statistical innovations into clinical practice through partnerships with healthcare systems and public health agencies.
Thomas Amon is a Professor at the Free University of Berlin and Head of the Department of Sensor Technology and Modeling at the Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy Potsdam (ATB) . He leads research in livestock-environment interactions , with a focus on reducing greenhouse gases, managing antimicrobial resistance, and optimizing dairy and pig production systems. Current Roles: Department Head (ATB), Professor (Free University Berlin) Research Pillars: Animal husbandry emissions, biogas systems, antibiotic resistance dynamics, climate-resilient farming His research interests span agricultural biotechnology, environmental microbiology, and sustainable systems engineering. Key projects include: LeibnizLabPP - Pandemic preparedness in animal-environment systems SMP4 - Antibiotic use modeling in livestock EmiMod - Emission quantification methods Using process-based models like Dutch Tier 3 and ManureDNDC, he quantifies whole-farm carbon and nitrogen cycles across confinement and pasture-based dairy systems. His work reveals: 63% of GHG emissions from confinement systems come from enteric methane Pasture systems show 18-69% soil organic carbon sequestration 19.9 tCO 2 -eq per cow in confinement vs 2.7-4.0 tCO 2 -eq in pasture systems His scientific contributions include: First mechanistic model linking diet composition to antibiotic resistance gene persistence Novel framework for dairy GHG accounting across barn-manure-soil interfaces Optimized ventilation models for pig housing with outdoor access
María Ángeles Ayllón is an Associate Professor at the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM), leading the Virus-Fungus-Plant Interaction group. Her research focuses on understanding mycovirus-fungal host interactions and their application in biocontrol. She collaborates with the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) on viral family classifications, such as Botourmiaviridae and Hypoviridae . Her work addresses fungal pathogen control via viral agents to reduce pesticide use, aligning with EU’s Green Deal goals. Ayllón oversees a multidisciplinary team including PhD students and postdocs, such as Javier Pardo Medina and Julio L. Rodríguez-Romero. Her research spans three main areas: mycovirus diversity and evolution, molecular mechanisms of viral-fungal interactions, and development of synthetic mycoviruses as biocontrol tools. Key projects include analyzing the mycovirome of Botrytis cinerea isolates and constructing infectious viral clones for reverse genetics. She has secured grants like Molecular Mechanisms in Botrytis-Plant Interaction (PID2020-120106RB-I00) and the H2020-funded ViroPlant initiative, fostering international collaboration. Ayllón’s team explores novel mycoviruses and their impact on fungal virulence, aiming to develop eco-friendly alternatives to chemical fungicides. Her contributions include discovering new viral families and elucidating RNA silencing pathways in fungi. Ongoing efforts focus on synthetic biology approaches to enhance mycovirus efficacy in agricultural settings.
Joseph Strauss is a Full Professor at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), leading the Institute of Microbial Genetics. With a career spanning over three decades, he has focused on fungal genetics, epigenetics, and bioactive metabolite discovery, particularly in filamentous fungi and pathogens. His work bridges fundamental research with applications in agriculture, medicine, and environmental biotechnology. Research Focus: Epigenetic regulation of fungal secondary metabolism, chromatin dynamics, bioactive compounds, nitrate signaling, and microbial interactions. Projects: Leads multiple grants from Austrian Science Fund (FWF), European Commission, and industry partners, including studies on chromatin engineering, fungal biotechnology, and toxin biosynthesis. His recent publications highlight advancements in chromatin proteomics, fungal pathogenicity, and novel bioactive molecules like luteapyrone and rasfonin. Articles emphasize broad disciplines such as Fungal Genetics, Epigenetics, and Natural Product Discovery, with subfields including secondary metabolite clusters, histone modifications, and stress response mechanisms. Scientific Awards: 2021 - Keratinophyton straussii fungal species named after him 1999 - START Preis 1995 - EMBO Stipendium 1994 - OTTO LOEWI Stipendium He has supervised over 69 theses and contributed to 186 publications, reflecting his leadership in fungal genomics and its applications. Projects like 'Bioaktive Mikrobielle Metaboliten' and 'TASSMATA' underscore his commitment to translating research into sustainable solutions.
Ayşe ÇANDAR serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture at Ahi Evran University, Turkey. She holds a PhD in Phytopathology from Ege University, which she completed in 2020. Her academic career includes multiple teaching and research positions at Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, where she currently teaches undergraduate courses in Plant Protection, Plant Bacteriology, Plant Virus and Viroid Diseases, and General Microbiology. Dr. ÇANDAR earned her BSc (2011), MSc (2014), and PhD (2020) in Plant Protection from Ege University, with her doctoral research focusing on race determination and characterization of Potato Virus Y (PVY) in Solanaceae family crops. Her foreign language proficiency includes English (YÖKDİL 58, 2021; ÜDS 65, 2011). Her research specializes in phytopathology and virology, particularly examining viral and viroid diseases in agricultural crops. She investigates molecular detection methods, seed-borne pathogens, and disease management strategies. Recent work explores the application of chitosan in mitigating salt stress effects on seed germination and the impact of artificial lighting on plant diseases. Her research connects plant pathology with sustainable agricultural practices, focusing on biocontrol methods and greenhouse cultivation systems. Analysis of her publication trends shows increasing scholarly output since 2020, with a concentration on practical applications of plant pathology research. Her work spans molecular diagnostics of plant pathogens, seed pathology, greenhouse disease management, and sustainable agricultural approaches. She frequently collaborates with researchers from Ege University and other Turkish institutions, demonstrating strong interdisciplinary connections within the agricultural sciences community. Dr. ÇANDAR actively contributes to academic service through editorial roles for journals including Turkish Journal of Agriculture-Food Science and Technology, Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection, and several university publications. She serves on quality assurance committees at Ahi Evran University, including as a Quality Coordinator for the Geothermal Advanced Greenhouse Technologies and Production Techniques Application and Research Center. She has participated in numerous research projects, including studies on virus diseases in vegetables grown in Kırşehir, development of tomato rootstock lines resistant to soil-borne diseases using MAS techniques, and the Geothermal Cluster Project in Greenhouses. Her laboratory work focuses on molecular diagnostics of plant pathogens, particularly viroids and viruses affecting grapevines, potatoes, and vegetable crops.
Dr. Ahmed Hamid serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Auburn University . A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University (Ph.D., 2012) and Alexandria University (B.Sc., 2004), his career spans academia and industry, including senior roles at MOBILion Systems and postdoctoral work at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Purdue University. Ph.D. Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University B.Sc. Chemistry, Alexandria University, Egypt Research focuses on ion mobility mass spectrometry for clinical diagnostics (infectious diseases, Alzheimer’s biomarkers) and environmental analysis (pesticide detection). His group develops portable devices for non-expert users like nurses and farmers, aiming to reduce antibiotic resistance and foodborne illness through rapid pathogen identification. Key publications highlight isomer separation , pathogen discrimination , and multidimensional spectrometry (LC-IM-MS/MS). Recent patents cover ion mobility-mass spectrometer coupling and waveform control for structural analysis. Awards include 2024 Emerging Investigator , NIH MIRA , and multiple R&D 100 recognitions. 5+ granted patents 41 peer-reviewed publications 2025 Brian Wilson Award Teaching includes CHEM 7560: Mass Spectrometry and CHEM 3050: Analytical Chemistry . The Hamid Lab operates in Labs 273, 276, 279 of the Chemistry Building, mentoring postdocs, Ph.D. candidates, and undergraduates in advanced analytical techniques.
Julia L. Finkelstein, MS, MPH, ScD, is Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition in the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University’s College of Human Ecology and concurrently Associate Professor of Epidemiology in the Division of Epidemiology, Department of Population Health Sciences at Weill Cornell Medical College. She is the Follett Sesquicentennial Faculty Fellow , Director of the Maternal and Child Nutrition Program , and co-Director of the Joan Klein Jacobs Center for Precision Nutrition and Health , the Cochrane Center , and the WHO Collaborating Centre at Cornell. She also holds an adjunct Associate Professor appointment at St. John’s Research Institute, Bengaluru, India . Education Bachelor of Science – McGill University, Montréal, Canada Master of Public Health – Brown University, USA Master of Science – Harvard University (Epidemiology and Nutrition) Doctor of Science – Harvard University (Epidemiology and Nutrition) Research Focus Dr. Finkelstein is an epidemiologist whose laboratory centers on one-carbon metabolism and its role in women’s health across the lifespan—from preconception through pregnancy and postpartum. She designs and conducts large-scale randomized clinical trials, cohort studies, and surveillance programs in resource-limited settings in India, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the United States . Her work integrates precision nutrition, mobile point-of-care diagnostics, and AI-driven analytics to improve maternal, neonatal, and child health outcomes. Scientific Awards & Honors NIH Technology Accelerator Challenge Prize – Innovative Global Health Diagnostics SUNY Chancellor Award for Scholarship & Creative Activities International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) Award – Leadership in Nutrition Chair, Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) One-Carbon Metabolism Research Interest Group (recently elected) Grants & Leadership Roles Dr. Finkelstein is Program Director of an NIH-funded training program on maternal and child nutrition and leads the Clinical Core of the NIH-funded PORTENT Center (Point-of-Care Diagnostics for Nutrition, Infection, and Cancer) within the NIH POCTRN network. She is a Global Public Voices Fellow (2021–22) through Cornell’s Einaudi Center, advocating for social and health equity in vulnerable populations. Laboratory & Teams The Finkelstein Laboratory at Cornell focuses on mechanistic and translational research in one-carbon metabolism, leveraging state-of-the-art biomarker assays, body-composition analyses, and microbiome profiling to develop and test precision nutrition interventions for women and children globally.
Anne McIntosh is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean at the Augustana Campus of the University of Alberta, with an adjunct appointment in the Department of Renewable Resources at the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences. Her research spans forest ecology, disturbance dynamics, and ecological reclamation, focusing on post-disturbance recovery of biodiversity and ecosystem services. PhD in Biology MSc in Ecology BSc (Honours) in Environmental Science Her research explores: Ecological recovery after natural and anthropogenic disturbances (mountain pine beetle, oil sands, reclamation) Microbial and plant community interactions Functional trait variability in forest ecosystems Conservation in mixed-use landscapes Teaching innovations in ecology and biology Her recent publications emphasize trait-based forest restoration, invasive species impacts, and monitoring reclaimed ecosystems globally. She leads the Ecological Recovery Lab and collaborates on cross-continental studies in Canada, Sweden, and Costa Rica. She teaches advanced courses in: AUBIO 315 - Advanced Biological Analysis (statistical methods) AUBIO 323 - Plant Biology AUBIO 253 - Ecological Interactions AUBIO 411 - Capstone Biology Perspectives AUSTA 215 - Statistical Methods for Natural Sciences Her lab focuses on long-term ecological monitoring, using field surveys and UAV technology to assess recovery trajectories in forest and grassland ecosystems.
Julia Kam serves as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Macquarie University with dual affiliations in the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences and the Motor Neuron Disease Research Centre. Holding a Doctor of Philosophy, she maintains an active research profile evidenced by an h-index of 43 and significant citation impact. Her research integrates neuroscience and infectious disease disciplines through two primary pathways: neurodegenerative mechanisms involving Ataxin-3 protein aggregation in Machado-Joseph disease, and host immune responses to Mycobacterium abscessus infections. She employs translational models including mouse systems for neurodegeneration studies and zebrafish for infection dynamics, with particular focus on gut-brain axis interactions and granulomatous inflammation. Publication trends reveal growing interdisciplinary convergence between neurogastroenterology and infection immunology, demonstrating methodological innovation through cross-model validation. Her 2022 Nature Communications paper on bacterial variant control received notable scientific attention with 43 Scopus citations and media coverage. No scientific awards were documented in the source material. Administrative leadership in research strategy forms her primary professional focus, with no student advising or grant management details provided. She directs research initiatives through the Motor Neuron Disease Research Centre and Deputy Vice-Chancellor's Office, coordinating collaborative networks spanning neurodegeneration and infectious disease modeling with demonstrated external engagement through Scopus metrics and media pickup.
Dr. Volodymyr V. Tarabara is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Michigan State University (MSU) and Director of the Center for European and Eurasian Studies. He holds a PhD and MS in Environmental Engineering from Rice University (2004, 2001) and a Doctor honoris causa from the Agricultural University of Georgia (2019). His research focuses on separation processes, particularly membrane filtration technologies and virus removal mechanisms, with applications in water treatment, industrial pollution control, and biosafety monitoring. PhD, Environmental Engineering, Rice University (2004) MS, Environmental Engineering, Rice University (2001) Diploma, Solid State Physics, National Research Nuclear University, MEPhI, Moscow (1997) His work intersects colloid and interface science with separation science , emphasizing: Membrane fouling and regeneration strategies Virus adhesion and transport across porous media Photocatalytic membrane development for pathogen inactivation Oil-water emulsion separation mechanisms Low-cost water treatment with natural coagulants With over 100 publications and editorial roles as Chief Editor of the Journal of Environmental Engineering (ASCE) and Editor of Separation and Purification Technology (Elsevier), his research spans international collaborations through NSF PIRE, Fulbright, and EU projects. Recent articles highlight advancements in: Mesoscale membrane morphology optimization using CFD Hydrophobic interaction studies in virus removal Photocatalytic membrane fouling mitigation Quantitative analysis of fomite-mediated viral transmission Industrial applications of oil-water separation Environmental fate of emerging contaminants Scientific honors include: Fulbright Global Scholar (2021/22) ASCE Fellow (2023) Doctor honoris causa (2019) Paul L. Busch award (2011) He directs international research projects and serves as advisor to multiple research groups, including NSF REU and IRES programs.
Prof. Dr. Karl-Josef Dietz holds a Professorial Chair (C4) in Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants at the Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University since 1997. He is Head of the working group 'Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants' at the Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec). His academic career spans prestigious institutions including Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (where he completed his PhD and Habilitation), Harvard University (postdoc position), and numerous international research stays in France, Japan, and the USA. Prof. Dietz's research focuses on plant stress responses, redox regulation, and photosynthesis. His work explores how plants acclimate to multiple environmental stresses through molecular signal integration, with particular emphasis on reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling, thiol peroxidases, and oxylipin pathways. His laboratory investigates the mechanisms of redox regulation in chloroplasts and mitochondria, stress sensing, and plant defense responses against pathogens and abiotic challenges. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on redox biology, stress acclimatization mechanisms, and the role of peroxiredoxins in plant stress responses. His work spans both fundamental biochemical investigations and applied research in plant protection and stress tolerance. Scientific Awards and Recognition: Science Prize of the University Foundation Würzburg (1985) Gay-Lussac-Humboldt Prize (2012) Prof. Dietz has served in numerous leadership roles including Dean of the Faculty of Biology (2004-2006), President of the German Botanical Society (2012), and as a member of the Science Board of the German Research Foundation (DFG). He serves on the editorial boards of several prestigious journals including Journal of Experimental Botany, Physiologia Plantarum, and Plant Physiology. His professional activities demonstrate extensive involvement in national and international scientific communities, including the German Society of Botany, the American Society of Plant Biologists, and the Federation of European Societies of Plant Biology.
Michael Johansson serves as a Research Professor at Northeastern University's Roux Institute, maintaining offices in London, UK and Portland, ME. His work bridges public health research and operational response through advanced statistical and mathematical modeling of infectious diseases, with primary focus on vector-borne pathogens including dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and West Nile virus. Previously with the CDC in Puerto Rico for over a decade, he co-founded the Epidemic Prediction Initiative and led modeling efforts during Zika, COVID-19, and dengue emergencies. His research integrates biological, ecological, climatic, socioeconomic, and behavioral factors to understand disease emergence and transmission dynamics. Key methodologies include network-based forecasting models, climate-disease interaction analysis, and development of early warning systems. Current work emphasizes improving surveillance, burden estimation, and control strategy evaluation for arboviral diseases through quantitative tools. Recent publications demonstrate expertise in dengue synchronization across the Americas, West Nile virus forecasting, and addressing biases in mobility data for outbreak modeling. His work spans from molecular-level antibody response analysis to global risk mapping, consistently emphasizing operational implementation of research findings. Johansson actively contributes to public health practice through conference presentations including the 2025 American Mosquito Control Association Annual Meeting. His modeling frameworks have directly informed CDC emergency responses and the development of collaborative forecasting initiatives that pioneer open, transparent disease prediction.
Dr. Saikat Jana is a Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at the School of Engineering, Ulster University, Belfast. He holds a PhD in Engineering Mechanics from Virginia Tech (2013), an MSc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida (2008), and a Bachelors in Technology from National Institute of Technology Durgapur (2007). His academic career includes postdoctoral roles at the University of Glasgow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Skoltech Initiative), Newcastle University, and the University of Leeds. PhD: Engineering Mechanics, Virginia Tech (2013) MSc: Mechanical Engineering, University of Florida (2008) BSc: Technology, National Institute of Technology Durgapur (2007) His research focuses on soft-active matter, particularly microbial behavior in bacterial biofilms, using advanced techniques such as microscopy, microfluidics, and rheology. He investigates length-scale transitions from single cells to biofilm collectives, aiming to control microbial interactions for human health and environmental solutions. Current projects include Pathogen Transport and Distribution (Royal Society, 2025-2027), Nanoparticle Transport in Cystic Fibrosis Biofilms (Department for the Economy, 2024), and Ultrafast Bacteria Detection with Acoustics (2023-2024). Key publication trends highlight his expertise in Biofilm Rheology , Marine Biofouling Prevention , and Microswimmer Dynamics . His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in health and environmental sustainability. Projects and grants include: Pathogen Transport and Distribution (Royal Society, 2025-2027) Transport of nanoparticles and nano swimmers in cystic fibrosis biofilms (Department for the Economy, 2024) Ultrafast detection of foodborne bacteria with acoustics (2023-2024)
Kristen W. Lynch, PhD, is the Benjamin Rush Professor of Biochemistry and Chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. She leads research at the Lynch Lab and co-directs the Institute for RNA Innovation , focusing on RNA processing mechanisms in human immune responses. Education: Harvard University (B.A. 1990, Ph.D. 1996) Postdoctoral Training: University of California, San Francisco (1997-2001) Her work bridges RNA splicing , alternative polyadenylation , and gene regulation in immune cells and cancer. She discovered kinase pathways controlling RNA-binding protein (RBP) activity and demonstrated how antigen stimulation and viral infections reprogram splicing networks to modulate immunity. Collaborative studies with oncologists revealed splicing defects phenocopying genetic mutations in leukemias and identified therapeutic vulnerabilities in RNA processing . Her recent publications highlight TREX-2 complex in mRNA export, hnRNP L repressing cryptic exons, and DDX39B structural analysis . Collaborations span RNA-Seq , splicing codes , and epithelial cell post-transcriptional programs . She explores spliceosomal assembly mechanisms and signal-responsive RBPs in T cells and influenza pathogenesis.
