Dr. Richard Y. Zhao is a tenured Professor in the Department of Pathology and Microbiology-Immunology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. His research combines molecular biology, fission yeast genetics, mammalian biology, and virology to study virus-host interactions, particularly for HIV and Zika virus. He previously held academic positions at Northwestern University and Columbia University and has contributed to over 120 peer-reviewed articles. B.S., China Oceanography University (1981) M.S., Oregon State University (1995) Ph.D., Oregon State University (1991) Postdoctoral Training, Columbia University (1991-1992) Dr. Zhao's research focuses on: Virus-host interactions and pathogenicity High-throughput drug screening for antivirals Role of viral proteins in neuroinflammation and cancer Translational genomics in precision medicine His recent publications highlight SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a, Zika envelope proteins, and HIV protease inhibitors, emphasizing host-pathogen mechanisms across species. He has served on NIH panels and editorial boards for journals like Cell Research and Retrovirology . Scientific awards include: Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology (2019) Bernard L Mirkin Endowed Chair (2001-2004) Honorary Director, Shandong Gallo Institute (2009) Distinguished Service from SCBA (2015) Outstanding Service from CBA-USA (2016) Dr. Zhao also contributes to clinical diagnostics and personalized medicine through molecular testing and pharmacogenetics programs.
Dr. Jonathan Cale is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Forest Ecology and Management at the University of Northern British Columbia, affiliated with the NRES Graduate Program. His research program merges basic and applied approaches to investigate fungal ecology and forest pathology, focusing on how fungus-tree interactions influence forest health challenges. Specializes in forest fungi roles across disturbance stages: development, impact, and recovery Key interests: emerging forest diseases, climate change impacts on fungi, bark beetle-fungus interactions, chemical defense mechanisms Supervises graduate students in Biology and Forestry (MSc NRES) and serves as a media-contactable expert in Forest Pathology His recent publications address topics such as fungal community dynamics in disturbed forests, chemical defense responses in pines, and bark beetle-fungus coevolutionary mechanisms. No scientific awards are mentioned in the provided text.
Matti Sällberg is a Professor in Biomedical Analysis at Karolinska Institutet's Department of Laboratory Medicine, leading the VIVAC research group focused on vaccines and immunotherapies against viruses and cancer. He earned his DDS and PhD from Karolinska Institutet (1988-1992), followed by postdoctoral research at The Scripps Research Institute (1994-1996). As a leader in infectious disease and hepatology, his research addresses chronic viral hepatitis, cancer prevention, and gene/cell-based therapies (GTMPs/ATMPs). He has directed the Department of Laboratory Medicine (2011-2022) and actively teaches in biomedical laboratory science, dentistry, medicine, and nursing programs. Key research areas include SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development (OPENCORONA consortium), hepatitis B/D/C therapies, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever vaccines. His work combines basic science with translational efforts at Karolinska's ANA Futura facility. Notable projects include a phase I clinical trial for a broad-acting SARS-CoV vaccine and preclinical testing of hepatitis therapies. Collaborations span academia and industry, with funding from the Swedish Cancer Society, EU, and VINNOVA. He oversees advanced techniques like viral propagation, flow cytometry, and adoptive cell therapy manufacturing. Grants include a 2024 Swedish Cancer Society award for hepatitis-related cancer therapies and a 2022 Swedish Research Council grant for the Doctoral Program in Advanced Therapies. His team maintains an active lab with researchers like Lars Frelin and Gustaf Ahlén. Future work emphasizes expanding vaccine platforms against emerging pathogens and optimizing immuno-therapies for solid tumors.
Professor Guy Woodward is a Professor of Ecology at Imperial College London's Department of Life Sciences (Silwood Park), part of the Faculty of Natural Sciences. He leads the NERC ERCITE Programme and holds affiliations with the Freshwater Biological Association, serving on its Board of Directors. His research focuses on the impacts of stressors like chemical pollution, climate change, and habitat alteration on aquatic ecosystems, particularly food web dynamics and metabolic theory. Woodward has secured over £13M in grants, including a £2.5M ERCITE grant, and collaborates with international experts such as Dr. Jose Montoya and Prof. Owen Petchey. His work emphasizes individual-based approaches to ecological networks and the application of allometric scaling laws. Key contributions include studying geothermally heated streams in Iceland and experimentally warming mesocosms to understand climate impacts. Woodward has supervised numerous PhD students, including Dr. Gabriel Yvon-Durocher, Dr. Julia Reiss, and Dr. Eoin O'Gorman. Education: PhD in Ecology from the University of London and BSc (Hons) in Ecology & Environmental Management from Cardiff University. His research spans over 20 years, with notable grants from NERC, the European Science Foundation, and AXA Insurance. He co-authored the Next Generation Biomonitoring series and serves as Series Editor for Advances in Ecological Research (Elsevier). Current affiliations include the Georgina Mace Centre for the Living Planet and the Grantham Institute. Research highlights include quantifying climate-warming effects on food webs, developing metabolic theory applications, and investigating synergistic stressor impacts. His team explores ecological resilience, with projects like 'Restoration of Chalk Rivers' and 'Climate Change Impacts on Freshwater Food Webs'. Woodward's work bridges theoretical and applied ecology, aiming to inform conservation and ecosystem restoration strategies.
Dr. Lorenzo Pellis is a Research Fellow at the University of Manchester, holding the Sir Henry Dale Fellowship, and a Visiting Fellow at the University of Warwick's Mathematics Institute and Zeeman Institute. He is also an Honorary Research Associate at the Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Outbreak Analysis and Modelling, within the Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at Imperial College London. His research bridges applied mathematics and epidemiology, focusing on developing models that inform public health decisions. He earned his Doctoral degree in Mathematical Biology from Imperial College London in 2009, with a dissertation titled Mathematical models for emerging infections in socially structured populations: the presence of households and other social structures II: Comparisons and implications for vaccination . Pellis's research interests include the development of novel deterministic and stochastic methods to model infection spread dynamics, particularly in human populations with complex social structures. He focuses on directly transmitted infections and the impact of co-infections on epidemiological and evolutionary outcomes. His work emphasizes multi-scale models integrating within-host and between-host processes, with applications to antimicrobial resistance, HIV-TB co-infections, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) transmission in Kenya. He also explores model comparison techniques to assess the utility of simple models in public health decision-making. His recent articles collectively explore mathematical modeling in infectious disease dynamics, with a focus on network-based approaches, multi-strain infections, and the integration of within-host and between-host processes. They highlight challenges in metapopulation and network models, as well as the evolutionary dynamics of HIV and TB co-infections. Sir Henry Dale Fellow , funded by the Wellcome Trust and Royal Society His grants include support for his Sir Henry Dale Fellowship, which funds research on co-infections and multi-scale models. He collaborates with Prof. Matt Keeling and Dr. Thomas House at Warwick and Prof. James Nokes on RSV studies in Kenya. His work also involves improving epidemic dynamics approximation methods on networks. He is affiliated with the applied Mathematics group at Manchester's School of Mathematics, the Zeeman Institute at Warwick, and the MRC Centre at Imperial College. His interdisciplinary collaborations span institutions and disciplines, including applied mathematics, epidemiology, and public health.
Pilar Pérez Romero is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Notre Dame, where she leads research on human cytomegalovirus (CMV) and host immune interactions. She has previously held academic positions at the National Centre for Microbiology in Madrid and the Biomedical Institute of Seville, Spain. Her research interests include: Virology and molecular mechanisms of CMV infection Virus-host interactions and immune evasion CMV-specific T-cell and neutralizing antibody responses Immunotherapy and vaccine design for CMV Applications in solid organ transplant recipients and congenital infection Her recent publications show a strong focus on CMV immunopathogenesis, with increasing emphasis on translational applications such as monoclonal antibody therapies, adoptive T-cell transfer, and vaccine development. She frequently employs transcriptomic and proteomic methods and collaborates on clinical studies involving transplant patients. Her scientific contributions include: Characterization of CMV antigens inducing protective immunity Identification of novel viral gene products involved in immune regulation Development of methods for CMV gene deletion and functional studies Contributions to clinical guidelines for CMV management in transplantation Dr. Pérez Romero advises research students and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams, including immunologists, virologists, and clinicians. Her work is supported by institutional and collaborative research funding, with potential applications in antiviral therapies and vaccinology. She leads a research laboratory focused on viral immunology and pathogenesis at Notre Dame.
Thierry Badard is an Associate Professor at the Department of Geomatics Sciences , Université Laval, where he also serves as Director of the Center for Research in Geospatial Data and Intelligence (CRDIG) . With over 28 years of experience in geospatial science, he leads research initiatives at the intersection of GeoAI , LiDAR processing , and smart city technologies . Director, CRDIG (2016-2022) Steering Committee Member, Big Data Research Centre (CRDM) Researcher, Institute for Intelligence and Data (IID) Research Expertise spans geospatial big data, GeoNLP, and IoT applications for digital twins. His work addresses flood risk modeling , 3D urban analytics , and environmental monitoring through AI-driven solutions. Recent publications focus on contrastive learning for LiDAR segmentation and geospatial ontologies for early warning systems. Grant Leadership includes collaborative projects on smart insurance analytics (2018-2025), Arctic bioaerosol research (2019-2025), and Quebec-Morocco digital twin partnerships (2022-2023). He has advised 15+ graduate students in geomatics and related fields.
Dr. Kiran T. Thakur serves as the Herbert Irving Associate Professor of Neurology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and practices as an inpatient neurologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/CUIMC. Her clinical expertise spans neuroinfectious diseases, neuroimmunology, emergency neurology, and global health, with active clinical and research engagements across eight countries in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean. She holds leadership roles including Neurology Clerkship Director at Perdana University Graduate School of Medicine (Malaysia) and serves as a neurology consultant for the World Health Organization. Her educational background includes an MD from Tufts University School of Medicine (2008), internship at Johns Hopkins Hospital's Osler Medical Service, neurology residency at Harvard's Brigham & Women's Hospital (where she served as chief resident), and fellowship in neuroinfectious disease/neuroimmunology at Johns Hopkins Hospital. She is additionally pursuing a Master of Science in clinical trials at the London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Dr. Thakur's research program focuses on improving detection and management of neuroinfectious diseases in hospital settings, with particular emphasis on vulnerable populations including HIV-positive individuals and immigrants. Her work integrates clinical, translational, and implementation science approaches to address cerebral malaria, tuberculous meningitis, Zika-related complications, and SARS-CoV-2 neurological outcomes. Current projects investigate novel diagnostics for infectious meningoencephalitis, risk factors for neuroinvasive infections, and therapeutic strategies for viral encephalitis. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals consistent focus on neuroinfectious disease epidemiology (particularly in resource-limited settings), diagnostic challenges in immunocompromised patients, and global health implementation strategies. Her work prominently features Zika virus complications, tuberculous meningitis management, and CNS infections in travelers, reflecting her dual expertise in tropical medicine and neuroimmunology. Scientific recognition includes: Lewis P. Rowland Teaching Award (Columbia University, 2016) CDC Nakona Citation Award (2014) Dr. Thakur directs the NIH NINDS K23-funded study on pathogen identification in neurological infections (2018-2023) and leads Columbia's post-doctoral neuroinfectious disease fellowship for physician-scientists from low/middle-income countries. Her research program receives support from the NIH, World Federation of Neurology, and American Academy of Neurology, with implementation studies conducted in collaboration with WHO, PAHO, and CDC. The Thakur Laboratory at Columbia's Neurological Institute coordinates international research networks across Malawi, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Uganda, and the Dominican Republic. Her team conducts clinical trials on antimicrobial dosing, develops diagnostic algorithms for resource-limited settings, and implements training programs to build neuroinfectious disease capacity in underserved regions, with current emphasis on SARS-CoV-2 neurological sequelae and tropical disease management.
Cynthia C. Lord is an Associate Professor specializing in population modeling at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), specifically at the Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory (FMEL) in Vero Beach, Florida. Her academic appointment is within the Entomology and Nematology Department, where she contributes to research on vector-borne diseases and pathogen transmission dynamics. Dr. Lord's research focuses on medical entomology with particular expertise in vector-borne diseases transmitted by ticks and mosquitoes. Her work encompasses population modeling of disease vectors, analysis of transmission dynamics for pathogens including Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and Zika virus, and investigation of vector-pathogen-host relationships. Her research has significant implications for public health interventions and vector control strategies. Her recent publications demonstrate expertise in analyzing the epidemiology and transmission patterns of vector-borne diseases. Her work on Rickettsia pathogens provides comprehensive information on disease-causing species in the United States, while her research on Zika virus examines the emergence and spread of this mosquito-borne pathogen in the Americas. Her publications serve as valuable resources for vector control agencies, public health officials, and medical professionals. Dr. Lord's research has contributed to understanding the distribution and transmission of vector-borne diseases in Florida and throughout the United States, with particular attention to the ecological and epidemiological factors that influence disease emergence and spread.
Dr. Paul Westerhoff is a Regents' Professor and Fulton Chair of Environmental Engineering at Arizona State University's School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment. He leads major NSF-funded research centers, including the Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Water Treatment (NEWT) and the Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS) Center. With over 400 journal publications (H-index >100), his work focuses on emerging contaminants, water treatment technologies, and nanomaterial fate. Awards include the 2023 National Academy of Engineering membership, 2020 A.P. Black Award, and 2019 NWRI Clarke Prize. Education: Ph.D., University of Colorado-Boulder (1995); M.S., University of Massachusetts-Amherst (1991); B.S., Lehigh University (1989). Research emphasizes water quality, sustainable engineering, and nanotechnology applications. Key areas include PFAS remediation, biofilm control via UV light, and atmospheric water harvesting. He serves as Associate Editor for Environmental Science & Technology . Recent projects include lithium monitoring in drinking water, semiconductor water use, and space-based UV disinfection systems. Over 80 students have graduated under his mentorship, recognized with ASU's 2015 Outstanding Doctoral Mentor Award. Awards span innovation (Water Research Foundation, 2024), teaching (Daniel Jankowski Legacy Award, 2021), and technical excellence (EPA STAA, 2019).
Bo Lu is a Professor of Biostatistics and Statistics at The Ohio State University. His research focuses on advancing early detection technologies for forest pathogens and pests using spectroscopy, machine learning, and metabolomics. He specializes in understanding plant defense mechanisms against invasive species and climate-driven disease dynamics. Key research areas include: Non-invasive disease diagnostics via FT-IR/Raman spectroscopy Machine learning applications in plant health monitoring Molecular basis of plant-pathogen interactions Environmental risk modeling for emerging forest diseases Notable projects include developing early detection systems for ash dieback, beech leaf disease, and soybean cyst nematode infestations. His work integrates statistical modeling with biochemical analysis to improve forest biosecurity strategies globally. He advocates for international collaboration in addressing the global forest health crisis through improved diagnostic frameworks and resistance breeding programs.
Professor Sharon Peacock is a leading academic in medical microbiology and public health at the University of Cambridge. She holds the position of Executive Director & Chair of the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium (COG-UK) since 2020. Previously, she served as Professor of Clinical Microbiology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and University College London (2015-2019), and at the University of Cambridge Department of Medicine (2009-2015). Her research focuses on bacterial pathogens, antimicrobial resistance, and genomic surveillance of infectious diseases. Education and professional roles include non-executive directorships at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Public Health England (seconded roles). She has been recognized with significant honors including Commander of the British Empire (CBE), MRC Millennium Medal, and Unilever Colworth Prize. Her work bridges laboratory research and public health policy, particularly in genomic epidemiology of pathogens like SARS-CoV-2 and MRSA. Key contributions include defining transmission patterns of nosocomial pathogens through genomic studies, developing strategies for antimicrobial resistance, and leading international responses to infectious disease outbreaks. Her research integrates clinical microbiology with advanced genomic technologies to inform global health strategies.
Hakan Fidan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Protection at Akdeniz University's Faculty of Agriculture in Antalya, Turkey. With over two decades of experience in plant virology and molecular plant pathology, Dr. Fidan leads research focused on viral diseases affecting vegetable crops, particularly tomatoes, peppers, cucurbits, and cereals. He serves as Director of the Seed and Agricultural Biotechnology Research and Application Center at Akdeniz University and has previously directed the Serik Gulsun-Suleyman Sural Vocational School. Dr. Fidan's academic journey includes: Doctorate (2004-2010): Cukurova University, Faculty of Agriculture, Plant Protection Department Postgraduate (2000-2004): Cukurova University, Faculty of Agriculture, Phytopathology/Virology Undergraduate (1992-1996): Cukurova University, Faculty of Agriculture, Plant Protection Department Dr. Fidan's research spans several interconnected areas in plant pathology and virology. His primary focus is on plant viruses affecting economically important crops in the Mediterranean region, with particular emphasis on molecular characterization of viral pathogens, development of resistance mechanisms, and implementation of sustainable disease management strategies. His work integrates molecular biology techniques with traditional plant pathology approaches to address real-world agricultural challenges. His specific research interests include: Plant Virology and Molecular Plant Pathology Development of molecular markers for disease resistance Complete genome molecular biology of plant viruses Plant resistance mechanisms against viral pathogens CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing for developing virus-resistant crops Host-pathogen interactions in vegetable crops Analysis of Dr. Fidan's recent publications reveals a strong focus on emerging viral threats to Turkish agriculture, particularly tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), and zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV). His research demonstrates a strategic progression from basic viral characterization to developing practical solutions through molecular diagnostics, resistance breeding, and genome editing approaches. A notable trend is the increasing application of CRISPR/Cas9 technology in his recent work, reflecting a shift toward genetic solutions for viral disease management. Dr. Fidan has supervised 10 graduate theses across master's and doctoral levels, focusing on viral diseases of economically important crops. His students' research has addressed critical issues including ToBRFV management, TSWV resistance breaking, ZYMV resistance in cucurbits, and molecular characterization of emerging viral pathogens. His research program is supported by multiple projects (14 listed in the metrics), indicating successful grant acquisition for molecular virology research and crop protection initiatives. As Director of the Seed and Agricultural Biotechnology Research and Application Center at Akdeniz University, Dr. Fidan leads a multidisciplinary team focused on agricultural biotechnology and seed science. His research group specializes in plant virology, with expertise spanning molecular diagnostics, host-pathogen interactions, and genetic approaches to disease management. The team maintains strong connections with national and international research institutions, as evidenced by collaborative publications, and works closely with agricultural extension services to translate research findings into practical solutions for Turkish farmers.
Ahmed Abdelhamid is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Michigan State University since August 2024. Previously, he served as a Senior Research Associate and Postdoctoral Researcher at The Ohio State University (2018-2024), and was a Principal Research Investigator and Lecturer at Benha University, Egypt (2016-2018). PhD (2015) : Joint supervision in Microbiology, University of Guelph & Benha University MSc (2011) & BSc (2008) : Microbiology, Benha University His research spans three interconnected domains: Microbial Omics for food safety (metagenomic analysis of food microbiomes), Pathogen Adaptation (Salmonella virulence dynamics), and Biofilm Reprogramming (metabolomics-driven antibiofilm strategies). Recent work explores stress responses in foodborne pathogens and omics-based approaches to microbiome engineering. Scientific contributions include key publications in Frontiers , Applied and Environmental Microbiology , and Antibiotics . Recognized for his joint supervision scholarship during doctoral studies, his research integrates food safety, microbial physiology, and metabolomics innovation.
Marius Gilbert is a Full Professor at Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) since 2023, with dual administrative roles as Vice-rector of Research and Valorization (since 2020) and Vice-rector of Culture and Scientific Mediation (current mandate). He obtained his PhD in spatial epidemiology from ULB in 2001 after studying Agricultural Sciences (1995) and conducting visiting research at Oxford's Department of Zoology. Key Research Areas: Spatial epidemiology of animal diseases and invasive species Impact of agricultural and ecosystem changes on pathogen emergence Specialization in avian influenza and emerging infectious diseases Development of livestock distribution models and antimicrobial resistance tracking Scientific Contributions: His 15 most recent publications (2025-2021) focus on viral phylogeography , livestock-environment interactions , antimicrobial use forecasting , and pandemic response modeling . Notable work includes COVID-19 spatio-temporal analysis and global antibiotic resistance trends in food animals. Public Engagement: Played a central role in French-speaking media during the pandemic , authored the book "Juste un Passage au JT" , and maintains a Le Soir column on science-society intersections. Co-founded the Spatial Epidemiology Lab (SpELL) in 2016, now led by Simon Dellicour.
