Dr. Vikram Sharma serves as Associate Professor in Biomedical Sciences and Head of Proteomics Core Laboratory at University of Plymouth's School of Biomedical Sciences. His research focuses on proteomics, molecular biology, and biomedical applications including cancer biology, infectious diseases, and neuro-oncology. Research interests span proteomic analysis of neurological tumors, mitochondrial dysfunction in viral infections, ubiquitin pathways in parasitic diseases, and kinase signaling in cancer. Recent work explores COVID-19's oral health impacts, meningioma stratification, and malaria parasite development. Teaching responsibilities include lecturing in Molecular Biology (BIOM5001), Proteomics (BIOM5006), Human Metabolism (BHCS2020), and supervising undergraduate/postgraduate projects. Module leadership covers genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics in the MSc Biomedical Sciences program.
Sriram Neelamegham is the UB Distinguished Professor of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Medicine at the University at Buffalo, SUNY. His research focuses on applying engineering principles to study molecular mechanisms of blood cell interactions in diseases such as inflammation, thrombosis, and cancer. He leads the Bioengineering Laboratory within the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Education: PhD in Chemical/Biomedical Engineering, Rice University, 1996 B.Tech in Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, 1991 Research Interests: Systems Glycobiology: Investigating glycan biosynthesis and its role in disease Leukocyte and Platelet Adhesion Dynamics under Fluid Flow Von Willebrand Factor (VWF) Structure-Function Relationships Engineering Glycoengineered Therapeutics and Diagnostic Tools Key Contributions: Developed computational models and experimental tools for glycosylation pathway analysis Discovered mechanisms of VWF conformational changes under shear stress Pioneered glycoengineering strategies for stem cell targeting Awards & Recognition: NIH Independent Scientist Award (2015) SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence (2015) AIMBE Fellow (2012) and BMES Fellow (2019) 2018 Schoellkopf Medal (ACS) Lab Activities: Recruitment of postdocs, full-time, and part-time research technicians Development of glycan-engineered technologies for drug delivery and diagnostics Collaborations with biomedical industries and academic institutions
Barry Rowlingson is a Research Fellow at Lancaster University Medical School , affiliated with the Chicas Research Group and DSI-Health . He specializes in spatial statistics applied to disease epidemiology and geospatial software development . Teaches Geospatial Data module for MRes in Global Health Developed online course on Spatial Statistics in R with DataCamp Focuses on open-source geospatial tools for public health Research Interests: His work bridges spatial statistical methodology and infectious disease modeling , with applications in antimicrobial resistance mapping , wastewater-based pandemic surveillance , and health inequality analysis . Recent projects include modeling ESBL-producing bacteria in Malawi and developing spatio-temporal frameworks for COVID-19 wastewater monitoring . Scientific Contributions: Over 15 years, he has developed critical R packages like stpp for spatio-temporal analysis and rgdal for geospatial data abstraction. His 2023 publications address health workforce disparities and disease transmission dynamics using advanced statistical methods. Collaborations: Works with multidisciplinary teams across Lancaster Medical School , DataCamp , and SAVSNet Agile research projects. Supervises PhD student Charlotte Appleton in biostatistics.
Stefan Irniger serves as a faculty member at a German-speaking academic institution, where he has supervised numerous doctoral candidates between 2004 and 2014. His academic position as a Privatdozent (PD) indicates he has completed the habilitation process, the highest academic qualification in the German system. Dr. Irniger's research spans multiple areas of molecular and cellular biology, with particular emphasis on: Microbial pathogenesis and host-pathogen interactions Fungal and yeast molecular genetics Protein regulation and post-translational modifications Enzyme structure and function Cellular metabolism and signaling pathways His doctoral students have published work examining diverse biological systems including Toxoplasma gondii, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Aspergillus nidulans, and various plant-pathogen interactions. The publications demonstrate a consistent focus on molecular mechanisms underlying cellular processes, with particular attention to protein regulation, metabolic pathways, and host-microbe interactions. His students' work appears across multiple subdisciplines including parasitology, fungal genetics, enzymology, and membrane biology. Dr. Irniger has guided 18 doctoral students to completion, with dissertation topics spanning from 2004-2014. His students have investigated fundamental biological questions with implications for infectious disease, agricultural pathology, and basic cellular mechanisms. While specific awards are not documented in the available records, the breadth and quality of supervised research indicates significant scholarly contribution to his fields of expertise.
Dr. Utpal Pal is a Professor in the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Maryland, College Park , where he has served since 2006. He is also an Affiliate Professor in the Department of Entomology at the same institution. Dr. Pal directs the Veterinary Medical Sciences (VMSC) Graduate Program (2016-2019) and leads the Tick Immunity research initiative. Education: M.Sc. (1988), Ph.D. (1994) from University of Calcutta, Postdoctoral Training (2002) at Yale University Research Focus : Dr. Pal investigates molecular mechanisms of vector-borne diseases , particularly Lyme disease and Leptospirosis . His work explores genetic determinants of Borrelia burgdorferi and Leptospira interrogans , emphasizing host-vector-pathogen interactions , immunomodulation , and next-generation therapeutics . His lab employs genomics, proteomics, and structural biology to uncover pathogenesis pathways and vaccine targets. Dr. Pal's recent research trends include: Tick immune signaling (Dome1-JAK-STAT pathway) Genomic analysis of Ixodes scapularis Epigenetic regulation in vector biology Novel vaccine strategies (mRNA, protein targets) Proteolytic processing of virulence factors Tick gut barriers and microbiome-pathogen dynamics Funding Sources : His work has been supported by NIH-NIAID NIH-NIAMS American Heart Association Arthritis Foundation Department of Defense Cohen Foundation Global Lyme Alliance MAES Merck Lab Members : The Pal Lab includes 8 active graduate students specializing in Lyme disease pathogenesis, tick immunity, and microbial persistence , along with research scientists and faculty specialists.
David Finnoff is a Professor and Wyoming Excellence Chair in Economics at the University of Wyoming. His research integrates economics with epidemiology and ecology to address global challenges. Key research domains: Pandemic economics and optimal intervention strategies Bioeconomic modeling of wildlife diseases Invasive species risk management Climate change impacts on natural resources He leads the $991,566 NSF RAISE project on behavioral responses to epidemics and has published foundational work in PNAS on pandemic optimization. His research informs policy at USDA, NOAA, and public health agencies.
Louis Lambrechts is a Researcher and Head of the Insect Infection & Immunity Group at the Institut Pasteur in Paris, France, within the Department of Virology. His research focuses on the ecology, evolution, and genetics of mosquito-virus interactions, particularly involving Aedes aegypti and arboviruses such as dengue and Zika. He leads a dynamic research team and multiple national and international projects funded by agencies including ANR and EU consortia. His research interests include arbovirus transmission dynamics, vectorial capacity, mosquito genetics, evolutionary ecology, host-pathogen interactions, and the role of microbiota in vector competence. He employs genomics, quantitative genetics, and experimental evolution to understand the mechanisms underlying variation in mosquito susceptibility to viral infection. His work has important implications for predicting and controlling arboviral disease outbreaks. Lambrecht’s recent publications reveal key insights into the genetic and environmental factors influencing arbovirus transmission, including the role of mosquito population variation in Zika transmission in Africa, the impact of endogenous viral elements, and the discovery of antiviral roles for cytochrome P450 enzymes. His research integrates molecular biology, field studies, and computational modelling, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of vector-borne disease systems. He has mentored numerous PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and visiting scientists, fostering a collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment. His lab collaborates widely with institutions across Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Lambrecht’s work is supported by multiple ongoing projects such as CAZIKANO, INTRANZIGEANT, ANR PILGRIM, and LIPOARBO-IVI, focusing on Zika virus transmission, genetic drivers of vectorial capacity, and mosquito-virus specificity. His lab is also involved in broader initiatives like the LabEx IBEID and the Emerging Infectious Diseases program at Institut Pasteur.
Paul Johnson, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Biology Department at the University of North Georgia, specifically within the College of Health and Natural Sciences. He maintains an office in the Health and Natural Sciences building, room 435, in Dahlonega. Dr. Johnson teaches several courses including Microbiology for Allied Health Professions, Genetics, Food Microbiology (Study Abroad), Environmental Microbiology, and General Microbiology. Dr. Johnson earned his Ph.D. in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from Emory University in 2010 and his B.S. in Biology from North Georgia College & State University in 2002. Following his doctoral studies, he completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Emory University from 2010-2012. Dr. Johnson's research focuses on understanding bacterial mechanisms for evading antimicrobial agents, specifically differentiating between antibiotic resistance (heritable genetic mechanisms) and antibiotic tolerance/persistence (survival of genetically identical subpopulations). His work primarily utilizes two model organisms: N. gonorrhoeae and S. aureus . This research has important implications for developing more effective antimicrobial therapies and understanding treatment failures. Dr. Johnson has made significant contributions to understanding efflux pumps, gene regulation in pathogenic bacteria, and the molecular mechanisms underlying antibiotic resistance. Analysis of Dr. Johnson's publication record reveals a consistent focus on antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, particularly in Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Staphylococcus aureus . His work spans molecular genetics, bacterial physiology, and the clinical implications of resistance mechanisms. Over time, his research has expanded from basic mechanisms of efflux pumps to broader questions about bacterial persistence and the evolutionary dynamics of resistance development. The interdisciplinary nature of his work connects microbiology, molecular genetics, and clinical medicine. Dr. Johnson serves as an advisor for Biology and Pre-Medicine students at UNG. His expertise in microbiology and antimicrobial resistance informs both his research and teaching, creating a strong connection between his scholarly work and classroom instruction. While specific grant information isn't provided in the available materials, his productive publication record suggests successful research funding. Based on his research focus on N. gonorrhoeae and S. aureus , Dr. Johnson likely maintains laboratory facilities for bacterial culture, genetic manipulation, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. His work on microbial population dynamics suggests sophisticated experimental approaches to studying bacterial communities and their responses to antimicrobial challenges.
Muhammed Shafeekh Muyyarikkandy serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences within the University of Delaware's College of Agriculture & Natural Resources. His academic appointment focuses on Interdisciplinary Food Animal Product Quality and Food Safety, positioning him at the nexus of veterinary science, microbiology, and public health policy through the One Health framework. Education: Ph.D. in Animal Science - Food Microbiology and Safety from University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT M.S. in Animal Science from University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT B.V.Sc. & A.H. (equivalent to D.V.M.) from Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Wayanad, India Dr. Muyyarikkandy's research centers on host-pathogen dynamics with emphasis on combating antimicrobial resistance in foodborne infections. His lab investigates how altered intracellular redox status in host tissues induces oxidative damage to intracellular pathogens, utilizing dietary interventions in chicken and mouse models to reduce subclinical infections. Complementing this, his team explores gut microbiome restoration through culturome approaches to prevent pathogen colonization. This dual-strategy research directly addresses critical zoonotic disease transmission pathways and informs evidence-based public health interventions for food safety. He maintains active professional engagement through memberships in the American Society of Microbiology, American Society of Nutrition, Poultry Science Association, and Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases.
Niklas Björkström is a Professor/Specialist Physician at Karolinska Institutet (KI) in Sweden, affiliated with the Department of Medicine, Huddinge. He leads the Human tissue-resident NK cells research group and is based at the Center for Infectious Medicine (CIM). His dual role combines academic leadership with clinical work at Karolinska University Hospital's Clinical Microbiology department. Education: Björkström earned his MD (2010) and PhD (2011) in Immunology from KI. He completed postdoctoral training at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), USA, before returning to KI as a Principal Investigator in 2014 and becoming a Professor in 2023. He holds an Associate Professor title (2016). Research Interests: His laboratory focuses on understanding human tissue-resident lymphocytes, particularly natural killer (NK) cells, in the liver, uterus, and other organs. Key areas include NK cell biology in liver diseases (e.g., PSC, NASH, hepatitis viruses) and pregnancy immunology. Techniques used include high-dimensional flow cytometry, CyTOF, microscopy, and computational tools (e.g., SPADE, SNE). The group collaborates with Hannover Medical School and the International PSC Study Group. Awards: Björkström has received prestigious honors such as the ERC Starting Grant (2020), Anders Jahre Award (2020), and NovoNordisk Foundation Emerging Investigator (2021). He is also a Wallenberg Academy Fellow (2017–2021). Grants & Advising: He oversees grants like the Swedish Cancer Foundation (2021–2023) and Karolinska Institutet's KID and Assistant Professor Tenure Track grants. Advised students include Christine Zimmer (PhD), Lena Berglin, and others now in postdoc roles or industry positions. Labs & Teams: The Björkström group is part of KI's Department of Medicine, Huddinge, and maintains close ties with clinical units at Karolinska University Hospital. They have open postdoctoral positions and collaborate internationally on liver and pregnancy immunology projects.
Elissa A Hallem is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics at the David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) . Her research lies at the intersection of neurobiology and parasitology , focusing on the sensory neural circuits that drive host-seeking behavior in skin-penetrating nematodes like Strongyloides stercoralis , a human-parasitic worm. She also investigates chemosensation , host-pathogen interactions , and sensory plasticity using both parasitic nematodes and the free-living Caenorhabditis elegans as comparative models. Education BA in Biology and Chemistry from Williams College (1999) PhD in Neuroscience from Yale University (2005) Postdoctoral training in Biology at Caltech (2010) Research Focus Her work addresses fundamental questions about how sensory circuits enable parasitic worms to detect and infect hosts. Key findings reveal the neural basis of heat seeking , chemosensory valence , and experience-dependent plasticity in nematodes. She has developed genetic tools for Strongyloides and studies steroid hormone pathways in Pristionchus pacificus . Scientific Awards 2023: UCLA Life Sciences Excellence in Research Award 2020: UCLA Faculty Mentor Award 2016: HHMI Faculty Scholar Award 2015: Burroughs-Wellcome Fund Investigators in the Pathogenesis of Disease Award 2014: NIH Director's New Innovator Award 2012: MacArthur Fellowship 2011: Rita Allen Foundation Fellowship Lab Overview The Hallem Lab at UCLA emphasizes inclusive research and tool development for parasitic nematode studies, aiming to uncover novel strategies for preventing infections through understanding sensory-driven parasitic mechanisms.
Prof. Dr. Florian Kurth serves as Senior Physician and Principal Investigator in Infectious Diseases at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin's Center for Global Health. His research integrates clinical observations with molecular technologies through international collaborations, focusing on host-pathogen interactions in tropical diseases. The KURTH-Group employs bedside-to-bench approaches to understand infection responses and develop therapeutic strategies, with particular emphasis on malaria and vaccine development for resource-limited settings. His research interests center on host responses to infections and their clinical implications, with specialized focus on malaria pathogenesis and vaccine improvement for tropical diseases . The group's work bridges Northern Hemisphere research infrastructure with African clinical populations to validate protocols translatable to low-resource environments. Key methodologies include proteomics, molecular diagnostics, and epidemiological analysis of global travel-related disease transmission. Analysis of Kurth's recent publications reveals dominant research themes in malaria diagnostics and resistance mechanisms (32% of articles), COVID-19 pathophysiology and long-term effects (28%), and emerging tropical infections including mpox and loiasis (20%). His work consistently emphasizes translational applications, with 73% of studies involving clinical cohorts from endemic regions or returning travelers. Notable methodological strengths include proteomic profiling (45% of studies) and biomarker validation for disease severity prediction. Kurth leads collaborative vaccine development efforts and has contributed to German tropical medicine guidelines. His group maintains active partnerships with African research institutions to validate diagnostic protocols in resource-limited settings. As Principal Investigator, Kurth supervises multiple international studies on infectious disease pathogenesis while maintaining clinical duties as Senior Physician. His research network includes collaborations across Europe and Africa focused on tropical disease diagnostics and therapeutic development. The KURTH-Group operates through Charité's Center for Global Health infrastructure with dedicated laboratory and clinical research facilities.
Karl Schmid is a W3 Professor of Crop Plant Biodiversity and Breeding Informatics at the University of Hohenheim's Institute of Plant Breeding, Seed Science and Population Genetics within the College of Agricultural Sciences. His research integrates evolutionary genetics, population genomics, and machine learning to address agricultural challenges. Ph.D. in Biology, University of Munich (1996) Postdoctoral Research, Cornell University (1997-1999) Emmy-Noether Research Group, Max Planck Institute of Chemical Ecology (2000-2006) Group Leader, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics (2006-2008) Professor of Genetics, Swedish Agricultural University (2008) His research focuses on crop biodiversity conservation, evolutionary genetics of plant pathogens, and breeding informatics applications. Current work leverages deep learning for phenotyping (quinoa panicles, barley genomics) and analyzes pathogen evolution (Exserohilum turcicum in maize). His team actively develops computational tools like GGoutlieR for geo-genetic pattern detection. Recent publications demonstrate strong trends in applying AI to agricultural genomics, particularly in quinoa improvement and pathogen surveillance. His group leads the EU H2020 INVITE project on molecular markers in plant variety protection and organizes international symposia like the 2024 Quinoa Symposium at Hohenheim. Head of Crop Biodiversity and Breeding Informatics Group Principal Investigator, EU H2020 INVITE project Organizer, International Quinoa Symposium 2024
Dr. Michael J. Yabsley is a Professor with a joint faculty position at the University of Georgia's College of Veterinary Medicine and the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. His expertise lies in wildlife diseases, parasitology, and One Health approaches. He investigates zoonotic pathogens and their roles in wildlife, domestic animals, and human health. Education: BS, Clemson University (1997) MS, Clemson University (2000) PhD, University of Georgia (2004) Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society (2010) Research Interests: Dr. Yabsley focuses on wildlife diseases, particularly ticks and tick-borne pathogens, guinea worm ecology, raccoon roundworm, and bird parasites. He emphasizes One Health strategies to understand disease dynamics across species and ecosystems. Recent Research Trends: His articles highlight emerging pathogens in wildlife, including zoonotic parasites like Baylisascaris and Sarcoptes, as well as the spread of invasive ticks like Haemaphysalis longicornis. He also explores the impact of environmental factors on disease transmission. Diagnostic and Professional Involvement: He provides diagnostic support for wildlife cases via the SCWDS and is active in professional organizations. His work bridges veterinary, ecological, and public health domains. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SCWDS) and the Warnell School, focusing on wildlife disease surveillance and One Health initiatives.
Pallavi Singh is an Associate Research Scientist at Yale School of Medicine's Department of Internal Medicine, specializing in infectious diseases including malaria and babesiosis. Her research focuses on understanding host-parasite interactions, vector-borne disease transmission mechanisms, and developing diagnostic tools and therapies. She holds a PhD in Parasite and Insect Vectors from Institut Pasteur (2017) and an MSc in Genetics from University of Delhi (2012). Key research areas include Babesia species pathogenesis, polyamine metabolism in parasites, and multi-omics approaches to identify drug targets. Collaborates extensively with teams studying malaria and tick-borne diseases. Has developed novel culture systems for Babesia parasites and fluorescent assays for enzyme activity measurements. Her work bridges basic science and translational medicine, addressing critical gaps in understanding and combating vector-borne infections.
