Prof. Benedetta Bottari is an Associate Professor at the Department of Food and Drug Science, University of Parma. She specializes in food microbiology, focusing on lactic acid bacteria, fermented foods, and microbial dynamics in dairy products like Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Her research employs molecular techniques like PCR analysis and fluorescence microscopy to study microbial viability and biodiversity. Educational Background: PhD in Food Science and Technology (2006–2009), University of Parma MSc in Food Science and Technology (2004), University of Parma BSc in Agricultural Studies, Diploma from G. Marconi High School (1994–1999) Research Interests: Prof. Bottari’s work centers on microbial ecology in food systems, probiotic development, food safety, and the application of advanced molecular methods to study cheese microbiota. She has contributed to projects on prebiotic effects, UV treatment for microbial abatement, and the role of microbial communities in food quality. Grants & Projects: Co-led projects on Parmigiano Reggiano microbiota and probiotic strain selection Scientific coordination of EU-funded dairy science education initiatives Collaborations with industries like Tetra Pak and CIPACK for food safety solutions Teaching: She teaches courses in Food Microbiology, Probiotics, and Functional Foods across undergraduate and graduate programs in Food Engineering, Gastronomy, and Nutrition. Labs & Teams: Her research group focuses on food microbiology, collaborating with institutions like SIMTREA and the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium to advance food technology and safety.
Solange I. Mussatto is a Professor and Group Leader in the Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), specializing in Biorefineries, Biomass Conversion, and Bioprocess Technology. She leads the Biomass Conversion and Bioprocess Technology (BCBT) research group and is affiliated with the DTU Microbes Initiative. Her work focuses on sustainable bioprocesses, biomass valorization, and the development of bio-based products from agro-industrial residues and lignocellulosic materials. Mussatto's research emphasizes detoxification of biomass hydrolysates, microbial adaptation to inhibitory environments, and the optimization of fermentation processes for high-value products like xylitol and biofuels. Her contributions include pioneering studies on Brewer’s spent grain utilization, lignocellulosic biomass conversion, and the design of innovative bioreactors (e.g., vertical ball mill systems). She has explored the application of solid-state fermentation for bioactive compound production and has authored over 277 publications in peer-reviewed journals. Mussatto’s work bridges fundamental research and industrial applications, addressing challenges in biorefinery economics, process intensification, and circular bioeconomy strategies. Her research portfolio spans microbial adaptation studies (e.g., Bacillus subtilis , Rhodosporidium toruloides ), enzymatic hydrolysis optimization, and the valorization of agricultural wastes (orange residues, spent coffee grounds, rice straw). She has contributed to understanding the technical and economic feasibility of biorefinery systems, emphasizing product diversification and sustainable waste management solutions. Mussatto’s lab (BCBT Group) collaborates internationally, advancing technologies for bio-based chemicals and renewable energy.
Maria Luisa Savo Sardaro is a Researcher at Northwestern University, holding a PhD in Genetics from Tuscia University (Italy). She also serves as an Assistant Professor in Food Microbiology at San Raffaele University in Rome and completed a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at Parma University. Her research focuses on the impact of fermented and non-fermented foods on gut microbiota composition, particularly linking microbiota evolution to human health outcomes. She specializes in molecular biology and microbiological techniques for pathogen and fermentative bacteria identification, with an emphasis on probiotic and prebiotic applications in food systems. Education: PhD in Genetics, Tuscia University (Italy) Postdoctoral Fellowship, Parma University Research Interests: Maria Luisa investigates microbial dynamics in fermented foods, gut microbiota interactions, and their implications for health. Her work integrates molecular diagnostics, metagenomics, and food science to advance understanding of probiotic efficacy and fermentation processes. Current projects include studying microbiome diversity in animal populations and developing rapid screening methods for beneficial bacterial strains. Publications: Over 13 peer-reviewed articles since 2016, covering topics like microbial community analysis, fermentation optimization, and prebiotic effects. Her work bridges fundamental microbiology with applied food science, addressing both ecological and clinical questions. Grants and Advising: No specific grants or advising roles listed in the provided text. She collaborates with institutions globally on microbiology and food safety initiatives. Labs/Teams: Affiliated with Northwestern’s Anthropology department research groups, though her primary lab work occurs at Parma University and San Raffaele University. Active member of interdisciplinary teams studying food microbiology and human health intersections.
Laura Tipton is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics & Statistics at James Madison University (JMU), affiliated with the College of Science and Mathematics. Her research focuses on microbiome dynamics across diverse habitats such as human lungs, aerobiota, invertebrate guts, and fermented foods, emphasizing bacterial-fungal interactions and robust statistical methodologies. She integrates techniques from ecology, machine learning, and graph theory, with side projects in digital humanities, data visualization, and data feminism. Education: PhD in Computational Biology (2016), University of Pittsburgh/Carnegie Mellon University MS in Statistics (2011), George Washington University BA in Biostatistics (2007), University of Virginia Her research interests span microbiome analysis, microbial interactions, and interdisciplinary data science. Recent work includes studies on airborne fungal DNA dynamics, fungal contributions to neonatal lung diseases, and psychobiotic field developments. She emphasizes methodological innovation in microbiome studies and advocates for inclusive data practices. While no formal awards or grants are listed, her work reflects significant contributions to collaborative projects like the Global Spore Sampling Project and Pacific Innovations, Knowledge, and Opportunities (PIKO) Program. Laura’s advising focuses on mentoring students in interdisciplinary projects at the intersection of mathematics, biology, and computational science.
Eugene Hone is a Post Doctoral Research Fellow in Neuroscience at the School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University (ECU). He holds a Doctor of Philosophy from The University of Western Australia (2010). His research focuses on neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's Disease (AD), with a focus on biomarker discovery, lipid metabolism, and neuroprotective strategies. He has contributed to studies on the role of sorghum polyphenols, mitochondrial dysfunction modulation, and plasma biomarkers like neurofilament light chain. Key research interests include the development of non-invasive diagnostic methods (e.g., hyperspectral retinal imaging), lipid-related pathways in AD, and the therapeutic potential of nutraceuticals. He has led projects funded by organizations such as the National Foundation for Medical Research and Innovation and the Australian Alzheimer's Research Foundation, totaling over $3 million in grants. Current projects explore biomarkers for AD, Parkinson's, and childhood dementia. Dr. Hone has supervised multiple PhD students, including research on sorghum's effects on AD pathology and neurofilament biomarkers. His work bridges clinical research and translational science, aiming to identify early-stage diagnostics and novel treatments for neurodegenerative disorders.
Alexander Margaret is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health. She leads an independent research laboratory focused on understanding how diet, gut microbiota, and immune responses interact to influence autoimmune diseases. Her lab employs advanced techniques including gnotobiotic mouse models, anaerobic microbiology, sequencing, and metabolic assays to uncover mechanistic insights into host-microbe interactions. Dr. Alexander earned her PhD in Biology from the University of Utah, where she studied immune cell communication under Dr. Ryan O’Connell. She completed her postdoctoral training at the University of California, San Francisco, with Dr. Peter Turnbaugh, investigating how autoimmune-related microbiota members modulate immune responses. She launched her independent research program at UW–Madison in January 2024. Her research focuses on two major themes: (1) microbiota-dependent mechanisms by which diets modulate immune responses in autoimmunity, and (2) targeting dietary interventions by understanding how disease-associated microbes influence immunity. These efforts are supported by grants from the NIH NIAID (R00), the Shaw Early Career Research Award (Greater Milwaukee Foundation), and internal funding from the University of Wisconsin–Madison (OVCRGE, SMPH, MMI). The articles published by Dr. Alexander and her collaborators reveal a strong trend in immunometabolism and microbiome-immune crosstalk. Her work consistently explores how host and microbial metabolites—shaped by diet or drugs—regulate immune cell function, particularly Th17 cells, in inflammatory and autoimmune contexts. The research spans basic microbial physiology to translational applications in precision medicine. NIH NIAID R00 Shaw Early Career Research Award (Greater Milwaukee Foundation) Dr. Alexander mentors a dynamic team of graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and undergraduate researchers. Lab members include Wenxuan Dong (Biophysics PhD), Gillian Hughes (MDTP PhD), Bethany Korwin-Mihavics (Postdoc), and Chi (Felix) Yan (Postdoc). She emphasizes structured mentorship through weekly 1:1 meetings, annual Individual Development Plan (IDP) discussions, and a collaborative lab culture that values creativity, curiosity, and open communication. While she does not currently have grants listing named trainees, her lab is actively involved in training the next generation of scientists in interdisciplinary approaches to immunology and microbiome research. The Alexander Lab is based in the Microbial Sciences Building at UW–Madison and fosters a vibrant, collaborative environment. The lab team investigates complex systems using diverse methodologies and encourages interdisciplinary collaboration. Though newly established, the lab has already initiated traditions such as lab picnics, art days, and social gatherings to build camaraderie. The lab culture emphasizes celebrating well-designed experiments regardless of outcome, learning from mistakes, and maintaining a supportive atmosphere for scientific growth.
Dr. Martina Preiner serves as a Max Planck Research Group Leader at the Microcosm Earth Center (MEC) within the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology in Marburg, Germany. She leads an interdisciplinary research team investigating the chemical origins of life, focusing on the critical interface between geochemistry and biochemistry. Her laboratory employs various imaging techniques alongside chemical, biochemical, and geochemical methods to examine how life might have emerged from non-living matter. Dr. Preiner's research centers on fundamental questions about life's emergence: How did life originate from non-life? How did cellular structures develop from geochemical environments? Her primary interests include Origin of Life studies , Prebiotic Chemistry , Geochemical-Biochemical Transitions , and Mineral Catalysis . A significant focus examines how mineral surfaces function as protoenzymes ('geozymes') in primordial metabolism, particularly investigating specific abiotic hydride transfer to biological redox cofactors like NAD+. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on hydrothermal vent systems, mineral-catalyzed reactions, and the chemical properties of biological cofactors in prebiotic contexts. Her work consistently explores how mineral surfaces facilitate specific biochemical reactions essential to life, with particular attention to energy transfer mechanisms and carbon fixation pathways. This research bridges geochemistry, biochemistry, and systems chemistry to develop testable models for life's emergence. Major Research Themes: Geochemical protoenzymes (geozymes) in primordial metabolism NAD+ reduction on mineral surfaces Hydrothermal vent chemistry and life's origins Serpentinization processes and early metabolism Autotrophic core metabolic networks Dr. Preiner leads a dynamic research group comprising postdoctoral researcher Delfina Patricia Henriques Pereira, doctoral researchers Manavika Khanna, Oskari Lehtinen, and Giuseppe Peyroche, along with master's students Rafael Pollinger and Zinab Yadallah. Her laboratory at the Microcosm Earth Center features specialized equipment for creating experimental setups that simulate early Earth conditions, enabling direct testing of hypotheses about life's chemical origins.
Ligia Rodrigues is a researcher affiliated with the Universidade do Minho, focusing on synthetic biology, microbial biotechnology, and bioprospecting of biosurfactants. Her work spans applications in pharmaceuticals, food science, and environmental sustainability. Universidade do Minho - College of Biological Engineering Partex Oil and Gas Holdings Corp (2019-2024) Research Interests : • Biosurfactant production and medical applications • Synthetic biology for prebiotic and bioactive compound synthesis • Metagenomic analysis of saline/oily environments Recent Publications highlight her expertise in engineering microbial systems (E. coli, S. cerevisiae) for flavonoid and chondroitin production, alongside innovations in nanocarrier design for cancer therapy and aptamer-based diagnostics. Key Grants include: Bi3S - Biodiversity and Bioprospecting of Biosurfactants in Saline Environments (2021-2024) Laboratório Associado em Biotecnologia, Bioengenharia e Sistemas microELetromecânicos (2021-2025) Her work intersects metabolic engineering , nanotechnology , and microbial adhesion studies , with collaborations spanning Portugal, Poland, Brazil, and Spain.
Thomas Carell is a Professor of Organic Chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany, a position he has held since 2003. He has established himself as a leading researcher in the fields of epigenetics, DNA repair mechanisms, and prebiotic chemistry. His work bridges chemistry and biology, with significant contributions to understanding epigenetic modifications and the origins of life. Dr. Carell's educational background includes chemistry studies at Münster and Heidelberg Universities, where he completed his PhD under Professor Staab. He then pursued postdoctoral research at MIT with Professor J. Rebek, focusing on chemical compound libraries and projects bridging chemistry and biomedicine. Professor Carell's research interests center on the chemical analysis of epigenetic modifications and processes, particularly focusing on DNA/RNA lesion processes using nucleotide analogues, tracers, and high-end mass spectrometry. His laboratory has made groundbreaking contributions to understanding prebiotic chemistry and the origins of life, developing innovative technologies for non-canonical nucleoside and nucleotide synthesis. A significant portion of his work explores the organic chemistry of modified nucleosides and nucleotides, with implications for understanding fundamental biological processes and potential therapeutic applications. His research has evolved from early work on nucleic acid chemistry at ETH Zurich to pioneering studies on photolyase reactions and DNA repair at Marburg, culminating in his current work on epigenetic control mechanisms and prebiotic chemistry at LMU Munich. His extensive publication record demonstrates a consistent trajectory of high-impact research, with articles appearing in top-tier journals including Nature, Science, and Cell. The research themes span from fundamental organic chemistry to biological applications, with a particular emphasis on epigenetic mechanisms and prebiotic chemistry. His most recent work suggests an early RNA-peptide world, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of life's origins, building on his earlier discoveries regarding DNA lesion-induced mutations, DNA repair mechanisms, and epigenetic control via oxidative DNA methylation. Professor Carell's scientific achievements have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards: Supervisory Board member of BASF SE (2019) Alexander Todd-Hans Krebs Lectureship, Royal Society of Chemistry (2017) Windaus Memorial Lecture, Göttingen (2017) Inhoffen-Medal for Excellence in Natural Product Research of the Helmholtz Society (2016) Gait-Lecture Award, Royal Society of Chemistry (2014) Werdelmann Lecture, University-Essen Duisburg (2013) Melvin Calvin Lecture in Organic Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley (2011) Šorm Award of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (2011) Order of Merit from the Federal Republic of Germany (2010) Van 't Hoff Lecture, Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences (2009) Ferdinand Lecture, University of Sheffield (2008) Otto Bayer Award, Bayer Schering Foundation (2008) Philip Morris Research Award (2006) Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Award of the DFG (2004) Lady Davis Award, Technion, Israel (2004) Pasteur Medal of the JCO, Ecole Polytechnique (2001) Professor Carell leads an active research group (the Carell Group) at LMU Munich, supervising numerous PhD and Master's students working at the intersection of chemistry and biology. His laboratory has secured significant research funding to support their innovative work on epigenetic modifications, DNA repair mechanisms, and prebiotic chemistry. The group maintains strong international collaborations, as evidenced by Professor Carell's numerous visiting professorships at institutions worldwide, including University Descartes in Paris, Australian National University, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche in Bologna, and Technion Israel Institute of Technology. The Carell laboratory operates state-of-the-art facilities for organic synthesis, mass spectrometry, and molecular biology, enabling their interdisciplinary research approach. The group consists of chemists, biochemists, and molecular biologists working collaboratively to address fundamental questions in chemical biology. Professor Carell's election to the Supervisory Board of BASF SE in 2019 highlights the translational impact of his research and his standing in both academic and industrial chemistry communities.
ERCAN YATMAZ is an Assistant Professor at Akdeniz University's Göynük Cuisine Arts Vocational School, Department of Hotel, Restaurant and Catering, where he has served since 2015. He currently holds the position of Head of Department (2019-Present) and previously served as Assistant Director of the Vocational School (2017-2020). His educational background includes a Doctorate (2012-2016), Postgraduate (2010-2012), and Undergraduate (2005-2010) degrees, all in Food Engineering from Akdeniz University. His doctoral dissertation focused on "Mannan Production and Purification Techniques". Dr. Yatmaz's research spans multiple disciplines including Food Engineering , Food Science , Food Microbiology , and Food Biotechnology . His work demonstrates particular expertise in enzyme production (especially mannanase and inulinase), fermentation optimization, and utilization of alternative substrates like carob. He has developed innovative approaches using 3D printing for bioreactor design and microparticle technology for controlling fungal morphology during fermentation processes. His publication record shows consistent output with 76 Web of Science publications and an h-index of 8. Recent work (2021-2025) reveals a strong focus on mathematical modeling of bioprocesses, xylitol production, kombucha tea characterization, and enzyme applications in food processing. Dr. Yatmaz has secured multiple competitive grants including several TUBITAK projects focusing on xylitol production from alternative sources, biotechnological production of protein substitutes, and inulinase production from Stevia Rebaudiana. He also teaches courses including Molecular Gastronomy, Quality Management Systems, Entrepreneurship, and World Kitchen Cultures.
Björn Schröder is an Associate Professor at Umeå University, affiliated with the Department of Molecular Biology and the Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). His research examines how diet, gut microbiota, and mucosal barrier function interact to influence intestinal health, with a focus on Western-style diets, antimicrobial peptides, and protection against infections and inflammation. Current projects include analyzing dietary fiber's role in mucus integrity and linking specific bacteria to barrier function. Primary Affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University Secondary Affiliation: MIMS (Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden) Research interests span gut microbiota, mucosal immunity, antimicrobial peptides, and diet-related pathologies like inflammatory bowel disease and metabolic syndromes. His work combines microbiome analysis with physiological studies in murine models to dissect mechanisms of barrier protection. Recent publications highlight the impact of dietary fiber and probiotics on mucus health, antibiotic effects on barrier integrity, and microbial networks in diseases like colorectal cancer. Themes include diet-microbiota crosstalk, redox regulation of antimicrobial peptides, and microbiota-independent versus dependent mechanisms of mucus damage. Scientific recognition: Fernström Research Prize (2025) Grants: Persson Millions for intestinal research His lab maintains a website at www.mucubacter.org and collaborates with international teams on topics ranging from enteric pathogens to metabolic disease models.
Andrea Haqq is a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences, at the University of Alberta. She practices as a Pediatric Endocrinologist at the Stollery Children's Hospital with a clinical and research focus on childhood obesity and Prader-Willi Syndrome. Her educational background includes: MD from the University of Calgary Residency in Pediatrics at BC Children’s Hospital Residency in Pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Fellowship in Pediatric Endocrinology at Oregon Health and Science University Dr. Haqq's research program investigates the pathogenesis of Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS), including neuroendocrine abnormalities such as hyperghrelinemia, and the metabolic profile of PWS compared to non-syndromic obesity. She has conducted pivotal clinical trials for growth hormone therapy in PWS and is currently exploring the role of gut microbiota and prebiotic fiber interventions. Her work also extends to understanding "healthy obesity" and developing novel anti-obesity pharmacotherapies, with ongoing industry-sponsored trials. She leads an active research laboratory and collaborates with national and international researchers, including at Duke University, and has received support from industry partners such as Rhythm Pharmaceuticals and Levo Therapeutics.
Sheila Jacobi is an Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University, specializing in animal nutrition and gut health. Her research focuses on the effects of dietary components like polyunsaturated fatty acids, prebiotics, and probiotics on intestinal barrier function, myopathies in poultry, and immune responses in livestock. She investigates nutritional strategies to mitigate diseases such as wooden breast myopathy in broilers and neonatal gut dysfunction in pigs. Her work spans topics including maternal nutrition's impact on fetal development, the role of fatty acids in inflammation moderation, and the microbiome's response to dietary interventions. Key research themes include enteric disease models, PPARγ regulation pathways, and probiotic efficacy in nursery pigs. Publications highlight contributions to understanding dietary arachidonate's effects on piglet macrophages, vitamin E's role in poultry muscle health, and omega-3 fatty acids' influence on intestinal morphology. Her studies often employ in vitro and in vivo models to bridge nutritional science and clinical outcomes in agricultural systems. Dr. Jacobi collaborates on projects addressing translational nutrition in animal agriculture, with a focus on sustainable practices and animal welfare. Her lab explores novel nutritional solutions for common production challenges in swine and poultry industries.
Assoc. Prof. Filipa L. Sousa leads the Genome Evolution and Ecology Group at the University of Vienna’s Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology. Her research bridges microbial evolution, bioenergetics, and geobiological processes. Key projects include: Pan-Metabolic Profiling of Archaea (WWTF, 2016–2025), developing genomic tools for metabolic classification. Evolution of Physiology: The Link between Earth and Life (ERC Starting Grant, 2019–2025), exploring energy metabolism evolution in archaea. Her work focuses on archaeal physiology , sulfur metabolism , and metagenomic data analysis , with recent publications in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B and Nature Microbiology . Notable awards include the Vienna Research Groups for Young Investigators (VRG) – Gender Mainstreaming (2017) . She supervises PhD students like Jessica Gomes da Silva and collaborates with institutions such as the Institute of Molecular Evolution at HHU Düsseldorf . Media outlets like BBC Earth and Nature have highlighted her contributions to understanding extremophilic archaea and early life evolution.
Professor Vanni Bucci is a faculty member at the UMass Chan Medical School in the Department of Microbiology, with an adjunct appointment at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. His research focuses on host-microbiome interactions through computational biology, synthetic biology, and systems biology approaches. He received education at the University of Florence (BS Environmental Engineering) and Northeastern University (MS/PhD Civil Engineering), followed by postdoctoral work at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Current research spans microbiome engineering , immune modulation , and antimicrobial discovery , with recent publications on microcins, gut-brain axis dynamics, and tuberculosis microbiome interactions. Host-microbiome interactions Synthetic biology applications Computational modeling of microbiomes Antimicrobial peptide engineering His lab develops bioinformatic tools like MDITRE for microbiome prediction, while recent articles demonstrate expertise in Clostridioides difficile colonization resistance, Enterobacteriaceae inhibition, and Alzheimer's disease microbiome connections. Collaborations span institutions including Weill Cornell, NIH, and Gates Foundation. Scientific Awards & Funding NIH U01 grant ($2.9M) for intestinal barrier-targeted therapeutics Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation grant for microbiome intervention methods Department of Defense funding for ESBL-PE eradication
