Steven Erickson is a Research Fellow at Yale University, affiliated with the Yale School of Medicine. His research focuses on immunology, particularly the role of immunoglobulins in viral and bacterial interactions within the gut, B cell development, and antibody responses to emerging pathogens like SARS-CoV-2. His work spans mechanisms of immune homeostasis, IgA regulation, and the interplay between gut microbiota and viral pathogenesis. Research interests include viral immunity, B cell receptor editing, and genetic factors shaping immunoglobulin diversity. His studies on SARS-CoV-2 variants have advanced understanding of antibody neutralization and vaccine design. Erickson's contributions bridge molecular immunology, virology, and microbiology to address infectious disease challenges. Recent publications highlight antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 variants, IgE induction by glucocorticoids, and gut microbiota's role in retroviral pathogenesis. His work has implications for developing therapies targeting viral infections and autoimmune conditions. No scientific awards or grants are explicitly mentioned in the provided text. No advised students are listed.
Rui Guo is an Assistant Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine, affiliated with the Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology. Their research focuses on Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) pathogenesis, particularly its role in cancers like Burkitt lymphoma and mechanisms for developing targeted therapies. Doctor of Philosophy (2018), Kansas State University Master of Science (2013) and Bachelor of Science (2010), Yangzhou University Research interests include EBV-driven metabolic vulnerabilities in B-cells, with a focus on methyl group metabolism, mitochondrial remodeling, and lipid dynamics. Their work aims to improve cancer treatments by targeting viral dependencies. Recent publications highlight discoveries in EBV's manipulation of cardiolipin synthesis , methionine metabolism , and lysosomal iron reduction in Burkitt lymphoma. Techniques include transcriptomics , metabolomics , and CRISPR/Cas9 screening . Scientific recognition includes: National Institutes of Health Grant (2022-2026) for Epstein-Barr Virus epigenetic research
Dr. Sharon Kessler is a Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Stirling's Faculty of Natural Sciences. She holds a PhD from Arizona State University (2014) and completed postdoctoral fellowships in computational modeling (McGill University), virology (Leibniz Institute), and disease signaling (Durham University). Her research integrates disease ecology and animal cognition, emphasizing the One Health framework to study how animal health perceptions influence disease transmission dynamics. Key interests include the evolution of human healthcare networks, behavioral defenses against pathogens, and conservation biology. Education: PhD, Arizona State University, 2014 Postdoctoral Fellowships: McGill University (Canada), Leibniz Institute (Germany), Durham University (UK) Research Interests: Role of cognition in disease avoidance behaviors Evolution of human care-giving strategies Parasite-microbiome interactions in lemurs Zoonotic disease surveillance Social structures and health signaling in primates Collaborations: Royal Zoological Society of Scotland Behavior and Evolution Research Group Cognition in Complex Environments Initiative Advising: Open to mentoring students on topics like healthcare networks, primate behavior, or conservation genetics. Contact via email for project discussions.
Adam Gregory Dolezal is an Associate Professor in Entomology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and an affiliate at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. His research focuses on understanding how environmental stressors—such as nutrition, pesticides, pathogens, and landscape composition—affect honey bees and wild bees in agroecosystems. He employs interdisciplinary approaches including genomics, landscape ecology, and physiology to study pollinator health and decline drivers. Education: PhD (2012, Arizona State University) and B.S. (2006, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign). Honors include the Insects Young Investigator Award (2022) and recognition as an excellent instructor (2019). Research interests emphasize viral infections, pesticide impacts, and dietary influences on bee health. His work highlights interactions between multiple stressors and their cumulative effects. Recent studies explore solutions like agrivoltaic systems and native vegetation integration to mitigate agricultural pressures. Awards include the Insects Young Investigator Award and teaching excellence. His lab focuses on applied research to improve pollinator resilience, with collaborations in conservation biology and sustainable agriculture.
Ricardo Gazzinelli is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, affiliated with the T.H. Chan School of Medicine and the Department of Medicine. He holds dual roles at UMass Chan and Fiocruz-Minas in Brazil. His research focuses on immunological mechanisms against parasitic diseases, including malaria, leishmaniasis, and Chagas disease. Key projects involve innate immunity, vaccine development, and host-pathogen interactions. Education: DSc in Biochemistry & Immunology and DVM from the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil, followed by postdoctoral training at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Research Interests: Investigates the role of innate immunity, TLRs, inflammasomes, and cytokines in host resistance to parasites. Develops recombinant vaccines (e.g., A2 and ASP2/TS for visceral leishmaniasis) and studies circadian rhythms' impact on Plasmodium infections. Collaborates on projects like the role of IRAKs in Toxoplasma gondii resistance. Publications highlight advancements in vaccine design, immunodiagnostic tools, and understanding parasite-host interactions. His work is supported by CNPq, FAPEMIG, and NIH grants. Supervises a team of researchers across Fiocruz-Minas and UMass Chan labs.
Dr. G R Letchuman Ramanathan is a Professor of Medicine at the Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia since May 2021. Previously, he served as Senior Consultant Physician and Endocrinologist at Hospital Ipoh and National Head of the Ministry of Health Internal Medicine Services. He specializes in diabetes therapeutics, endemic goitre, health system research, and patient safety. His academic journey includes a MBBS from the University of Malaya (1981–1986) and a Master of Medicine from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (1990–1994). His research focuses on diabetes epidemiology, patient safety, and health system improvements. Notable contributions include studies on allopurinol-induced drug reactions and barriers to research in government hospitals. He has led projects such as the 'Health effects of heat in Southeast Asia' and clinical trials for chronic kidney disease treatments. Dr. Ramanathan is also the President of the College of Physicians, Malaysia. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being (SDG 3) and quality education (SDG 4). Key Awards: Fellow of Academy of Medicine, Malaysia Grants/Projects: Health effects of heat in Southeast Asia (2023–2027) Randomized trial on BI 690517 efficacy in kidney disease (2022–2023)
Romain Libbrecht is a CNRS Research Fellow at the University of Tours, France, affiliated with the Research Institute on Insect Biology (IRBI) under the UFR of Sciences and Techniques. Previously, he held positions as an Assistant Professor at the University of Mainz and conducted postdoctoral research internationally. His research focuses on understanding phenotypic plasticity and division of labor in social insects, particularly ants, integrating evolutionary biology, behavioral ecology, molecular biology, and epigenetics. Education highlights include a PhD from the University of Lausanne (2012), a Master’s from the University of Rennes (2007), and research internships at the University of Reading (2005-2006). His work explores how environmental and social factors influence ant behavior, physiology, and gene expression through multi-disciplinary approaches. Research interests emphasize the molecular mechanisms underlying caste differentiation, task specialization, and social organization. Key findings include the role of transcriptional activity in response to queen loss, the impact of worker diversity on colony productivity, and sensory-driven division of labor via odorant receptors. His articles consistently investigate insect social systems, with recent work focusing on invasive ant species and the interplay between parasite load and host physiology. No notable awards are listed, but his contributions to ant genomics and epigenetics have advanced understanding of social evolution. Lab affiliations include the IRBI, where he collaborates on projects bridging ecology and molecular biology. No specific grants or advising roles are detailed, but his transcontinental academic journey reflects a commitment to global scientific collaboration.
Massimo Delledonne is a Full Professor in the Department of Biotechnology at the University of Verona. His research focuses on clinical genomics, functional genomics, structural genomics, and metagenomics. He teaches modules such as Genetics and Human Genomics across undergraduate and graduate programs, including Molecular and Medical Biotechnology and Medical Bioinformatics. Affiliations: Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona Committees: Faculty Board of PhD in Biotechnology, Biotechnology Teaching Committee Spin-offs: EDIVITE s.r.l., Microbion S.r.l., Enerzyme s.r.l. (among others) His research interests include genome assembly, single nucleotide variant analysis, and applications of next-generation sequencing technologies. Projects span plant and human genomics, with a focus on crop improvement, disease diagnostics, and microbial interactions. Recent work includes studies on lupin diversity, common bean evolution, and grapevine genetics. Key projects include IBEARAD (Bioinformatics for Agricultural Resilience) and SYMPHONY (Phaseolus vulgaris genome analysis). He leads interdisciplinary efforts in genomic medicine, plant genomics, and environmental genomics.
Dr. Kyle Koch serves as an Associate Extension Educator in the Department of Entomology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. His 100% Extension appointment focuses on field crops entomology, with expertise in insect ecology, pest management, and plant-insect interactions. Dr. Koch plays a key role in Nebraska Extension's statewide issue teams, developing educational programs and resources for agricultural stakeholders across the state. Dr. Koch's educational background includes: B.S. in Biology from Creighton University, Omaha, NE (2009) M.S. in Entomology from University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2013) Ph.D. in Entomology from University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2017) Dr. Koch's research centers on insect-plant interactions, particularly focusing on aphid pests in agricultural systems. His work examines the molecular, biochemical, and behavioral aspects of how insects interact with host plants, with special emphasis on switchgrass, sorghum, and soybean systems. He investigates plant defense mechanisms against aphids, including constitutive and inducible resistance, as well as plant tolerance strategies. His research integrates molecular biology, biochemistry, and behavioral ecology to develop sustainable pest management approaches for agricultural systems. Analysis of Dr. Koch's publication record reveals a strong focus on aphid-plant interactions across multiple crop systems, with particular expertise in electrical penetration graph (EPG) technology for studying insect feeding behavior. His work spans molecular mechanisms of plant defense, behavioral ecology of insect pests, and applied pest management strategies. A significant portion of his research involves switchgrass as a bioenergy crop and its interactions with cereal aphids, reflecting both fundamental and applied research interests. Dr. Koch has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career: North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Graduate Student Teaching Award of Merit (2016) Dean's Fellowship, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2015) Milton E. Mohr Research Fellowship, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Center for Biotechnology (2014) Milton E. Mohr Teaching Fellowship, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Center for Biotechnology (2014) Milton E. Mohr Teaching Fellowship, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Center for Biotechnology (2012) North Central Branch Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Student Competition, Oral 10-minute paper (1st Place) (2012) President's Prize Student Competition at the Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America (2011) As an Extension Educator, Dr. Koch leads and innovates Nebraska's identification, surveillance, and mapping of invasive and threatening arthropod species, particularly those of economic importance. He trains extension personnel, UNL students, faculty, and staff in new insect diagnostic technologies and engages Nebraskans in citizen science projects focused on invasive species. His professional responsibilities include developing rapid and innovative insect diagnostics and providing state-wide leadership in entomology extension programming. Dr. Koch is an active member of the Entomological Society of America (ESA) and collaborates with researchers across multiple institutions on projects related to insect-plant interactions and pest management. His work often involves interdisciplinary teams combining expertise in entomology, plant science, molecular biology, and agricultural extension.
Jeremy Brownlie is an Associate Professor of Genetics and Evolution at Griffith University's School of Environment and Science, specializing in symbiotic bacteria like Wolbachia and their impact on insect biology. He leads research initiatives addressing insect-borne disease control, agricultural pest management, and human evolution through genomic studies of ancient Australasian populations. His roles include Director of the Griffith Sciences Partnerships Office and Deputy Head of his school, emphasizing external collaborations and policy advocacy. Brownlie holds a PhD from ANU and has secured significant grants, including ARC Discovery Projects, focusing on Wolbachia's antiviral mechanisms and biosecurity applications. His work bridges molecular biology, applied entomology, and human evolutionary studies, with active involvement in science policy through the National Science and Technology Council. Educations: PhD in Genetics, Australian National University (2003) BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences, Australian National University (1996) Research Interests: Symbiont biology, pest control strategies, Wolbachia-mediated antiviral protection, and genomic analysis of human migration in Southeast Asia/Australia. Key Collaborations: Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution, Environmental Futures Research Institute, and international agricultural agencies. Grants: Over $1.5M in funding from ARC, Griffith University, and industry partners for projects on Wolbachia, biofilm diagnostics, and pest control technologies. Professional Roles: President of Science & Technology Australia (2019–2021), Board Member of the National Science Council, and leader in STEM policy advocacy. Advisory Work: Supervised over 20 PhD/MSc students on topics ranging from Wolbachia genetics to antimicrobial resistance and bioinformatics. His laboratories focus on innovative solutions for global challenges in food security, disease control, and sustainable biotechnology, with interdisciplinary approaches combining genomics, entomology, and clinical microbiology.
Professor Denise Doolan is an Affiliate Professor in The University of Queensland's School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and Deputy Director (Research) at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB). She previously served as Deputy Director of the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine and Director of the JCU Centre for Molecular Therapeutics. Her research focuses on molecular immunology, vaccine development, and omics-based approaches to combat infectious and chronic diseases, particularly malaria and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related malignancies. She leads cross-disciplinary programs in antigen discovery, host-pathogen immunity, and biomarker development, leveraging genome-based technologies and human disease models. Academic Positions: Affiliate Professor, Deputy Director (IMB), Affiliate of Centre for Superbug Solutions Executive Roles: President of International Society for Vaccines (2021–2023), Member of Australian Medical Research Advisory Board Her research interests include vaccine engineering, systems immunology, and therapeutic development. Key projects involve identifying EBV protein signatures linked to Multiple Sclerosis and malaria immunity profiling using controlled human infection models. She is renowned for her work in malaria immunology and omics-based diagnostics, recognized with Fellowships from the International Society for Vaccines and Australian Society of Parasitology. Recent publications highlight her work on EBV antibody responses in lymphomas, malaria vaccine candidates, and molecular diagnostics for vascular diseases. She actively supervises PhD students in areas like EBV-MS links and malaria systems immunology, supported by grants from NIH, MS Research Australia, and ARC. Scientific Awards: ISV Fellowship (2017), ASP Fellowship (2019) Grants: NIH-funded malaria vaccine projects, EBV-MS diagnostics (MS Research Australia) Her lab collaborates on developing point-of-care tests and next-generation vaccines, emphasizing translational research to address global health challenges.
Nidia Alvarez-Rueda is an Associate Professor at the University of Nantes, affiliated with the Department of Parasitology and Medical Mycology within the UFR of Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences. She holds a dual role as a teacher-researcher at the Institute of Health Research 2 (IICiMed), specializing in infectious diseases and immunity. Her research focuses on understanding fungal persistence mechanisms in Candida infections, particularly investigating the interplay between fungal resistance and host immune responses. Key areas include antifungal resistance dynamics, microbiota interactions influencing infection outcomes, and emerging pathogens like Candida auris. She has pioneered in vitro granuloma models to study host-fungal interactions and contributed to elucidating molecular mechanisms of azole resistance in Candida species. Alvarez-Rueda teaches courses in parasitology, medical mycology, and animal biodiversity at the undergraduate level. Her work is supported by ANR-funded projects exploring 'One Health' approaches to infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance. She collaborates with multidisciplinary teams at IICiMed targeting therapeutic innovations against persistent infections. Her publications span 2003-2020, consistently addressing fungal pathogenesis and immunity. The experimental models she developed have become foundational tools for studying persistent fungal infections. Despite no specific awards listed, her contributions to medical mycology are recognized through sustained research output and academic service.
Prof. Dr. Ir. Benoit STIJLEMANS is a Research Professor at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, where he leads research within the Myeloid Cell Immunology Team. His work focuses on the intricate interactions between host immune responses and parasitic infections, particularly African trypanosomiasis, while also exploring applications in cancer immunology. His educational background includes a Bio-engineering degree in Cell- and Gene biotechnology (1989-1995) followed by a PhD in Applied Biological Sciences (1995-2006) focusing on inflammation-associated anaemia in African trypanosomiasis. He progressed from Post-doctoral assistant (2006-2013) to Senior post-doctoral researcher (2014-2020) before becoming a Research Professor in 2020. Dr. STIJLEMANS' research spans immunology, particularly myeloid cell biology, with emphasis on macrophage function in both infectious disease and cancer contexts. His work bridges fundamental immunological mechanisms with translational applications, especially in nanobody technology development. He has made significant contributions to understanding how parasites like Trypanosoma manipulate host immune responses, particularly through the MIF cytokine family, and how these insights can inform cancer immunotherapy approaches. His research integrates molecular, cellular, and systems-level approaches to dissect complex host-pathogen and tumor-immune interactions. His publication record demonstrates consistent productivity with research spanning from 2002 to the present, with recent work focusing on macrophage plasticity, nanobody applications, and the immunological interface between parasitic infections and cancer biology. Development cooperation prize – edition 2006 Dr. STIJLEMANS has established himself as a leading researcher in myeloid cell immunology, with particular expertise in macrophage biology during parasitic infections and cancer. His work on nanobody technology represents an innovative approach to both diagnostics and therapeutics. The Myeloid Cell Immunology Team he is associated with serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research connecting immunology, parasitology, and cancer biology, fostering collaborations that address fundamental questions while seeking practical applications for disease intervention.
Ayush Kumar, PhD, FRSB is a Professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at the University of Manitoba and serves as the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Lead for the Faculty of Science. He holds a primary appointment as Associate Dean, Strategic Initiatives in the Faculty of Science. His research focuses on antibiotic resistance mechanisms in bacteria like Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa , environmental antibiotic resistance, and microbiological water quality in First Nations communities. Education: PhD in Microbiology, University of Manitoba (2004) MSc in Microbiology, Dr. R.M.L. Awadh University, India (1999) BSc in Microbiology and Biochemistry, Dr. R.M.L. Awadh University, India (1997) Research Interests: Mechanisms of multidrug resistance and virulence in Acinetobacter baumannii Environmental and clinical prevalence of antibiotic resistance Molecular pathways of RND efflux pumps in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Microbiological quality of drinking water in Manitoba First Nations Awards: 2024 – Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology 2022 & 2019 – Professor of the Year (3000-level courses), Science Students’ Association 2017 – Mid-Career Researcher Award, Faculty of Science Outstanding Teacher Award, University of Manitoba Nominated for the Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Campbell Outreach Award Labs and Teams: Head of the Kumar Lab, focusing on antibiotic resistance research with collaborations in environmental microbiology and clinical diagnostics.
Prof. Federico Martinón-Torres is a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Santiago de Compostela, where he also holds the Royal Academy of Medicine of Galicia chair. He leads the Pediatrics Service at Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago and directs the Clinical, Infectious, and Translational Pediatrics unit. His career includes over 400 scientific articles, 26M€ in competitive grants, and global recognition in vaccine research. Key roles include WHO Technical Advisory Committee member for Europe and director of Spain’s sole WHO Collaborating Center on Vaccine Safety. He has supervised 16 doctoral theses and pioneered the GENVIP research group, ranked among the world’s top vaccine research teams. Education: PhD from USC in 2005 (thesis on Heliox and bronchiolitis), with all academic awards including Royal National Academy of Medicine honors. Teaching: 90+ master’s theses supervised, emphasizing translational pediatrics and vaccinology. Research focuses on pediatric infections, vaccines, and genomic diagnostics. Notable projects include RSV vaccine development, meningococcal epidemiology, and transcriptomic signatures for infectious disease diagnosis. His work impacts global health policy, including Gavi strategies and pandemic preparedness. Awards: Over 20 national prizes, including Spain’s Best Pediatrician (2023/2024), Reputational Leadership (2024), and Stanford’s Top 2% Global Scientist (2023). Research output includes 400+ peer-reviewed articles, 700+ publications, and an H-index of 59. Leadership: Founded Spain’s RECLIP pediatric clinical trials network and co-led European projects like 4CMenB vaccine development. His lab integrates genomic, transcriptomic, and clinical data to address pediatric health challenges, including antimicrobial resistance and vaccine equity. Labs/Teams: Santiago Institute of Health Research (IDIS), GENVIP Group (www.genvip.eu), WHO Collaborating Center for Vaccine Safety (since 2018).
