Professor Patrick Steel is a faculty member at Durham University in the Department of Chemistry . His work spans Synthetic Organic Chemistry , Organosilicon Chemistry , and Chemical Biology , with applications in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and parasitic disease treatment. Research Highlights: Developing C-H borylation methods for pharmaceutical intermediates Exploring silene cycloadditions for alkene functionalization Designing small molecule probes for plant and parasite biology Collaborating with Todd Marder (Würzburg) and others in synthetic biology Key Collaborations: Partnerships with pharmaceutical companies (GSK, Pfizer) and academic teams focus on novel antileishmanial compounds and herbicide resistance mechanisms . His group's organosilicon work intersects with collaborations on stereoselective synthesis and natural product analogs . Recent Publications (2025-2021) demonstrate expertise in transition metal catalysis , chemical probe development , and neglected disease research . The 2023 Leishmania proteomics and 2022 miltefosine studies show translational impact.
Lara A. Souza is an Associate Professor and Associate Director of the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Oklahoma. Her research focuses on global change impacts on plant communities and ecosystem processes, including climatic change, biological invasions, and resource gradients. She investigates how biodiversity mediates ecosystem properties like productivity and carbon dynamics across spatial and temporal scales, working in temperate prairies, tropical savannas, and montane meadows. Education: PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (University of Tennessee), MS in Biology (Appalachian State University). Her work integrates field experiments, remote sensing, and data modeling to address global change challenges. She holds no explicit scientific awards listed here but has an extensive publication record. Research emphasizes functional diversity and ecosystem responses to global stressors. Recent studies explore fire exclusion effects, drought impacts, and warming interactions with plant communities. She collaborates on projects involving environmental DNA for endangered species detection and satellite-based ecosystem modeling. No advising or grant details are provided in the text. Lara’s lab focuses on climate-ecosystem interactions, with ongoing projects in Oklahoma and tropical regions. Her work highlights the need for adaptive management strategies in the face of climate shifts and invasive species pressures.
Brian D. Gregory is a Professor of Biology at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Arts & Sciences. His research focuses on RNA modifications, computational biology, and plant genetics, particularly studying how RNA modifications regulate gene expression in plants and animals. He holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University (2005) and a B.S.A. from the University of Arizona (2000). Research Interests: RNA epitranscriptomics (e.g., m6A, NAD+ caps) RNA secondary structure and protein interactions Genomic approaches to study plant stress responses Development of high-throughput sequencing tools like PIP-seq Recent Work Highlights: Recent studies include analyzing pathogen-induced RNA modifications' role in plant immunity (Plant Cell 2023), global RNA structure/protein interaction mapping, and epitranscriptomic dynamics in drought tolerance. His lab's work bridges computational methods with molecular genetics to uncover post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms. Lab & Collaborations: The Gregory Lab uses Arabidopsis thaliana as a primary model organism but also explores animal systems. They collaborate with institutions like Cornell University and have developed protocols published in Current Protocols in Molecular Biology. Teaching: BIOL 4231: Genome Sciences and Genomic Medicine BIOL 6010: Communication for Biologists
Joonhyuk Suh is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Food Science & Technology at the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences. His research focuses on applying analytical chemistry and metabolomics/flavoromics to enhance food flavor, quality, and safety. Research Interests : Multidisciplinary food chemistry analysis Metabolite and flavor profiling Nut and fruit quality evaluation Dairy product flavor chemistry Food safety biomarkers Recent Publication Trends (2025-2022) show expertise in: Metabolomic evaluation of agricultural products Flavor chemistry in tropical fruits and nuts Food processing safety and contaminant analysis Plant-based food characterization Microbiome and nutritional interventions
William Balch, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at Scripps Research. His research focuses on linking genetic variation in human populations to protein function using machine learning tools like Gaussian Process (GP) modeling. He pioneered concepts in proteostasis and spatial covariance, exploring how genetic and environmental factors influence protein folding and disease. Education: Ph.D. in Microbiology from University of Illinois (1979) Research interests include inherited diseases (e.g., CFTR, AATD, NPC1), aging-related proteostasis collapse, and host-pathogen interactions in SARS-CoV-2. His lab develops computational platforms to model protein design and discover therapeutic interventions. Key projects involve GP-based analysis of genetic diversity, small molecule therapeutics targeting chaperone systems, and understanding viral evolution via spatial covariance. His work bridges genomics and phenomics to address disease mechanisms at atomic resolution. Grants and collaborations focus on protein-folding correction, with applications in precision medicine and climate change mitigation through RuBisCo optimization in plants.
Anssi Laurila is a Professor in the Department of Ecology and Genetics, specializing in Animal Ecology at Uppsala University, Sweden. His research integrates evolutionary biology and ecology to explore the mechanisms underlying phenotypic and genetic variation in natural populations, particularly amphibians. His primary research interests include phenotypic plasticity , local adaptation , maternal effects , life-history evolution , and genomic responses to environmental gradients such as latitude, temperature, acidity, and predation. He investigates how populations adapt to heterogeneous environments through both plastic and genetic mechanisms, often using comparative studies across latitudinal clines and contrasting habitats. His work frequently focuses on amphibians like Rana temporaria , Rana arvalis , and Bufo bufo , as well as other ectotherms including freshwater snails and fish. The trends in his recent publications (2020–2025) show a strong emphasis on genomic and transcriptomic analyses of adaptation, host-pathogen interactions (especially with Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis ), immunogenetics (MHC diversity), conservation genetics of edge populations, and acclimation physiology . His studies often combine field observations with controlled experiments and molecular techniques, contributing to understanding evolutionary responses to climate change and anthropogenic stressors. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned in the provided text. Dr. Laurila actively collaborates with researchers across Europe and supervises or co-supervises numerous studies, as evidenced by his consistent presence as a senior or corresponding author. While specific grant details are not listed, his extensive publication record in high-impact journals suggests sustained funding for research in evolutionary ecology and conservation. His work has implications for biodiversity conservation, particularly in the context of climate change and emerging infectious diseases. He is involved in research on amphibian microbiomes, thermal adaptation in geothermal systems, and the genetic basis of adaptive traits. His team explores how environmental stressors shape phenotypic and genetic variation, with a focus on understanding the limits and costs of plasticity and adaptation.
Steven Sinkins is Professor in Microbiology and Tropical Medicine at the University of Glasgow, affiliated with the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research. His research focuses on controlling mosquito-borne diseases through innovative biological approaches. He directs the ANTI-VeC international research network and leads a team investigating microbial solutions to vector-borne pathogens. Research interests center on: Wolbachia symbionts for arbovirus control Microsporidian malaria-blocking symbionts in Anopheles mosquitoes Field implementation of biocontrol strategies against dengue and Zika viruses Molecular mechanisms of pathogen blocking in mosquito vectors Publication analysis reveals consistent focus on: Wolbachia-mediated viral inhibition mechanisms Field trials of novel vector control methods Genetic and symbiotic approaches to disease prevention Mosquito-symbiont-pathogen tripartite interactions Scientific recognition includes: Wellcome Trust Senior Research Fellowship (2006-2021) Leads multiple research grants: Wellcome Trust: Optimal implementation of Wolbachia programmes (2022-2027) Open Philanthropy: Microsporidia symbionts for malaria control (2020-2023) BBSRC: Genetic and symbiotic disease control strategies (2017-2020) Directs the Sinkins Group at the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, collaborating internationally with partners in Malaysia, Kenya, Burkina Faso, and Australia to develop and implement novel vector control solutions.
Julian Knight is a Professor of Genomic Medicine at the University of Oxford, with affiliations including the Centre for Human Genetics , Merton College , and leadership roles in the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre and Central and South NHS Genomic Medicine Service . His work bridges clinical practice and research, focusing on translational genomics. Principal Investigator Deputy Director, Centre for Human Genetics Honorary Consultant Physician Tutor and Fellow, Merton College Director, Medical Sciences Division Graduate School Genomic Medicine Theme Lead, NIHR Oxford BRC Research interests include mechanisms of dysregulated immune responses in sepsis , autoimmune disease , and infection . Key contributions involve RNA signature stratification for sepsis outcomes and HLA allele associations in COVID-19 immunogenicity. Current work explores genetic/epigenetic modulators of innate immunity and causal relationships in multi-omic datasets. Recent publications highlight diverse applications of his group’s work: from pleural infection endotyping (2025) to TLR7 variants in severe COVID-19 (2024), with methodological advancements in single-cell demultiplexing (2024) and pathway analysis (2025). Keywords span genomic medicine , immunology , and multi-omic integration . Knight’s leadership extends to clinical implementation of genomics, education (DPhil/MSc programs), and public engagement. Collaborations span institutions including Imperial College , Wellcome Sanger Institute , and Queen Mary University of London .
Raina Plowright serves as the Rudolf J. and Katharine L. Steffen Professor of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine, where she leads the Department of Public & Ecosystem Health. She is also a Cornell Atkinson Scholar at the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability. Previously, she was a Professor of Epidemiology at Montana State University (2022-present), Associate Professor (2020-2022), and Assistant Professor (2014-2020) in the same department. Plowright earned her B.V.Sc. Hons I (DVM equivalent) from the University of Sydney in 1997, followed by an M.S. in Epidemiology (2005) and Ph.D. in Ecology (2007) from the University of California, Davis. She completed postdoctoral training as a David H. Smith Fellow in Conservation Research at Pennsylvania State University's Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics (2009-2014). Her research program integrates evolutionary biology, ecology, environmental science, immunology, virology, and social sciences to understand and prevent zoonotic spillover—the critical first step in pandemic emergence. She leads transdisciplinary collaborations focused on WHO-priority pathogens originating in bats, with work spanning from sub-cellular to landscape scales. Her team investigates how land-use change, climate variation, and social vulnerability drive pathogen emergence, identifying practical strategies for prevention. Her Plowright Lab and Bat One Health Research Group conduct field studies, laboratory experiments, and predictive modeling to generate actionable insights for public health strategies. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on understanding the ecological and physiological mechanisms driving viral spillover from bats to other species. Her work increasingly emphasizes practical interventions and policy recommendations for pandemic prevention, moving beyond simply understanding spillover mechanisms to implementing ecological countermeasures. Recent research has particularly examined the role of bat nutrition and metabolism in viral shedding dynamics, the spatial and temporal patterns of viral excretion in reservoir hosts, and the development of comprehensive frameworks for primary pandemic prevention. Elected to the National Academy of Medicine (2023) Elected as Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2022) Charles and Nora Wiley Award for Meritorious Research (2022) Rudolph J. and Katharine L. Steffen Professorship (2023) DARPA Young Faculty Award (2016) David H. Smith Fellowship in Conservation Research (2009) Plowright co-chairs the Lancet Commission on Prevention of Viral Spillover and serves on the NSF Advisory Committee for Environmental Research and Education. Her research has received significant funding from organizations including DARPA, NSF, and the Morris Animal Foundation. She leads the Plowright Lab and Bat One Health Research Group, which conduct interdisciplinary research spanning field studies, laboratory experiments, and modeling approaches to understand and prevent zoonotic disease emergence. Her laboratory maintains active collaborations with researchers across multiple institutions and countries, working closely with wildlife managers, public health officials, and communities to develop practical strategies for pandemic prevention. The lab's approach emphasizes the integration of ecological knowledge with public health practice through the One Health framework.
Romdhane Rekaya serves as a Professor in the Department of Animal and Dairy Science within the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences at the University of Georgia. He also holds courtesy faculty positions in the Department of Statistics and is an associate faculty member with the Institute of Bioinformatics at UGA. His research program focuses on developing statistical and computational tools for analyzing large genetic and genomic datasets with applications in livestock, poultry, and human health. Dr. Rekaya's educational background includes: Agriculture Engineer from the High Institute of Agriculture, Tunisia Master of Science from the International Center for Advanced Studies in Mediterranean Agriculture of Zaragoza, Spain Ph.D. from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Spain Dr. Rekaya's research interests span quantitative genetics, genomics, biostatistics, and bioinformatics. His work centers on developing statistical and computational methodologies for analyzing big genetic and genomic data sets with practical applications in livestock, poultry, and human health. His research has been particularly focused on addressing critical challenges in animal agriculture including horn fly resistance in beef cattle, water utilization efficiency in poultry, and greenhouse gas emissions in dairy production. His methodological approaches often integrate machine learning, Bayesian statistics, and genomic technologies to solve complex biological problems. Dr. Rekaya's publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on statistical methodology development for genetic analysis, with recent work increasingly emphasizing practical applications of genomic technologies in animal agriculture. His research spans both theoretical statistical development and practical implementation in livestock improvement programs, with particular emphasis on innovative approaches to traditional breeding challenges. Among his professional recognitions: Student Career Success Influencer Award 2024 Mini-Sabbatical Award Student Career Success Influencer Award 2022 Carnegie fellowship Carnegie African Diaspora Fellow Faculty with significant positive impact of at least one graduate student Gamma Sigma Delta outstanding Research Achievements Award Dr. Rekaya has successfully mentored numerous graduate students including PhD candidates Amanda Warner, Mahsa Zare, Koushik Das, and Evan Hartono, along with undergraduate researchers. His research has been consistently supported by major funding agencies including USDA NIFA, USDA ARS, Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Beef, National Academy of Sciences, and industry partners including Tyson Foods and Cobb-Vantress. Current projects include developing genetic solutions to the horn fly problem in beef cattle, improving water utilization efficiency in poultry, and examining associations between greenhouse gas emissions and feed efficiency in dairy cattle. Dr. Rekaya leads an active research laboratory that collaborates with multiple departments and institutions. His lab focuses on applying advanced statistical and computational methods to solve pressing problems in animal agriculture, with particular emphasis on integrating genomic information into practical breeding programs. The lab maintains strong industry connections and international collaborations, particularly with researchers in Africa through the African Animal Breeding Network.
Marc Habash is an Associate Professor at the School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph. His work focuses on microbial interactions in environmental systems, particularly pathogen detection, microbial biofilms, and water quality. He holds a BSc in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Toronto, an MSc in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Western Ontario, and a PhD in Environmental Biology from the University of Guelph. Research interests include molecular and culture-based detection of waterborne pathogens, microbial source tracking using Bacteroidales spp., and biofilm formation studies involving probiotics. Collaborative efforts examine proteomic analysis via mass spectrometry techniques. His lab is located in the Edmund C. Bovey Building (Room 3238). Publications emphasize environmental microbiology applications: from yeast tolerance mechanisms to advanced PCR methods for microbial viability quantification. Recent work explores bacterial surface dynamics, insect pest diapause induction, and enzymatic dehalogenation processes. Research consistently bridges fundamental microbiology with practical environmental monitoring solutions. No scientific awards are listed. Advising and grants sections remain unpopulated in available records. His interdisciplinary approach connects environmental engineering, molecular biology, and ecological systems analysis.
Marcia R. Lee is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology at Miami University, where she also serves as Director of Medical Laboratory Science. She is based in Pearson Hall and holds a D.V.M. from the University of Minnesota (1980). Her academic work bridges microbiology, medical laboratory science, and entomological applications of microbial physiology. Research Interests: Dr. Lee's research focuses on the use of ice-nucleating active (INA) bacteria and fungi to manipulate insect cold tolerance, particularly in freeze-intolerant pests like the Colorado potato beetle. She investigates how INA microbes reduce supercooling capacity, thereby decreasing insect survival in cold environments. Additionally, her lab studies the differential effects of antifungal agents on pathogenic fungi such as Aspergillus fumigatus , Fusarium oxysporum , and Candida albicans , with an emphasis on inhibiting hyphal growth and conidial germination using microtiter assays, flow cytometry, and fluorescent microscopy. Publication Trends: Her recent work demonstrates a consistent focus on microbial ecology, fungal biology, and biological pest control. The publications reflect interdisciplinary research combining microbiology, entomology, and environmental physiology, with applications in agriculture and clinical microbiology. Scientific Contributions: Published in journals such as Current Microbiology , Biological Control , CryoLetters , and Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata . Presented at the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC). Advising and Grants: While specific students or grant funding are not listed in the text, her research program implies involvement in mentoring undergraduate and graduate researchers through laboratory projects and collaborative studies. Her work likely involves external or institutional support given the technical nature of the methodologies employed. Laboratory and Research Team: Dr. Lee leads a research laboratory focused on microbial applications in biological control and antifungal testing. Her team has collaborated with researchers such as R.E. Lee, L.A. Castrillo, and J.A. Wyman, indicating an active, collaborative research environment centered on microbial-entomological interactions.
Jacob Malone is an Honorary Professor and Group Leader in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of East Anglia (UEA), jointly affiliated with the John Innes Centre (JIC), UK. He serves as a Synergy Lecturer in Plant and Microbial Science and leads a research group focused on bacterial signal transduction and plant-microbe interactions. MBiochem, St Catherine's College, Oxford University (1997–2001) DPhil, Department of Plant Sciences, Oxford University (2001–2005) Postdoctoral Researcher, Biozentrum, University of Basel (2005–2011) Dr. Malone's research centers on molecular mechanisms of bacterial signal transduction, particularly the role of cyclic-di-GMP in regulating rhizosphere colonization by Pseudomonas fluorescens . His lab investigates how environmental signals influence bacterial behavior, including biofilm formation, motility, and plant colonization. Using genetics, molecular microbiology, and systems biology, the group studies both beneficial and pathogenic Pseudomonas species to develop sustainable agricultural solutions. Their work has implications for biocontrol, antibiotic tolerance, and microbial ecology. Recent publications highlight trends in plasmid-mediated host manipulation, ribosomal modification, tropolone biosynthesis, and c-di-GMP signaling. These studies reveal novel regulatory mechanisms in bacterial adaptation, with applications in combating plant pathogens and persistent infections. CEPAMS Newton Fund: Sino-UK excellence with impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (BBSRC) Automated detection and treatment of bacterial blight in food crops (Innovate UK) Plasmid manipulation of bacterial gene networks (BBSRC) Identifying natural biocontrol products for PsaV (Zespri Kiwifruit) CRISPR-guided vector technology to disrupt biofilms (Innovate UK) The Malone lab actively mentors postgraduate researchers and postdoctoral scientists, including Supakan Panturat, Catriona Thompson, and Harshanie Dasanayaka. Dr. Malone teaches the BIO-1A03 practical course and welcomes PhD and fellowship applicants. He leads a multidisciplinary team that includes Dr. Ainelen Piazza and Dr. Catriona Thompson, and collaborates widely across institutions and countries. The lab is part of the Molecular Microbiology department and contributes to initiatives such as Microbes in Norwich and PfBIO.
Claudia Gunsch is the Muriel Theodorsen Williams E'46 Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Duke University, with secondary appointments in the Nicholas School of the Environment and Department of Biomedical Engineering. She directs the NSF Engineering Research Center for Precision Microbiome Engineering (PreMiEr) and serves as Associate Director for the Duke Microbiome Center. PhD (2004): University of Texas at Austin MS (2000): Clemson University BS (1998): Purdue University Her research focuses on environmental molecular biotechnology , particularly: investigating ecological impacts of emerging contaminants on microbiomes; developing microbiome engineering approaches for bioremediation; studying microbial evolution from contaminant exposure; and creating innovative water treatment technologies. Current projects apply advanced molecular methods to probe environmental microbial processes in bioremediation, contaminant impact assessment, and environmental microbiome modeling. She has been recognized with numerous awards including: NSF Faculty Early Career Development Award (2009), ASCE Huber Prize (2016), and NAE Frontiers of Engineering Fellowship (2011). Her lab has mentored 28 graduate students, 34 undergraduates, and 8 postdoctoral associates. She leads research initiatives funded by NSF, EPA, NIEHS, and industry partners. Editor-in-Chief, Biodegradation journal Member, npj Clean Water and Industrial Biotechnology editorial boards Active in AEESP and ASCE leadership roles
Dr. Byeonghwa Jeon is an Associate Professor in the Division of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Minnesota. His research focuses on antibiotic resistance mechanisms, stress tolerance in foodborne pathogens, and development of antimicrobial alternatives such as bacteriophages and antioxidant-based therapies. Education: PhD in Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Japan MSc in Food Science and Biotechnology, Lund University, Sweden BSc in Food Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Korea Postdoctorate in Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Iowa State University Dr. Jeon's research employs molecular biology, genomics, and microbial ecology to study Campylobacter jejuni, a leading enteric pathogen, with emphasis on stress responses, biofilm formation, and antibiotic resistance. His work aims to develop interventions to disrupt bacterial survival pathways and reduce public health impacts. Recent publications highlight his exploration of antioxidant-mediated antimicrobial synergy, cold tolerance mechanisms, and phage-based control of multidrug-resistant bacteria. Key collaborations include researchers from South Korea, Canada, and the U.S. Areas of investigation include: Stress tolerance in foodborne pathogens Molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance Bacteriophage applications for STEC and Salmonella Oxidative stress and biofilm regulation Wall teichoic acid roles in Listeria Adjuvant strategies for bacitracin against MRSA
