Dr. Sabbir Ahmed is a Researcher at the Faculty of Science , Utrecht University , specializing in Pharmacology . His research focuses on kidney disease biomarkers, uremic toxins, and cross-disciplinary applications in autism spectrum disorder. BSc in Pharmacy from East West University MSc in Toxicology from Karolinska Institute Research expertise includes: Kidney disease biomarker development High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) Pathological analysis of animal models Molecular biology of uremic toxins Drug-induced toxicity testing His publications span Life Sciences , Pharmacology , and Toxicology , with recent work on gut microbiota interactions in kidney disease and autism. Contact: s.ahmed@uu.nl .
Bartosz Grzybowski serves as Distinguished Affiliate Professor at the Institute of Organic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences (PAS), leading the Laboratory of Computer-Assisted Synthesis. His work bridges artificial intelligence and experimental organic chemistry to transform synthesis from trial-and-error into algorithmic science. His research focuses on AI-driven synthesis planning , reaction network analysis , and computational prediction of chemical properties . Key contributions include pioneering algorithms for multistep organic synthesis of complex targets, discovery of novel organic reactions through AI, and design of temporally/spatially synchronized reaction networks. His group develops methods for sustainable chemistry, drug analog design, and enzymatic process optimization. Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals dominant trends in retrosynthetic AI (87% of articles), sustainable chemistry applications (63%), and integration of mechanistic understanding with machine learning. Work frequently appears in Nature , Science , and JACS , emphasizing experimental validation of computational predictions. Prof. Grzybowski currently advises three PhD students and collaborates with a multidisciplinary team: Core team : Assoc. Prof. Michał Michalak (Adjunct), Dr. Anna Żądło-Dobrowolska, Dr. Aleksei Koshevarnikov Active grant : NCN SONATA 2020/39/D/ST4/01890 on hazardous chemical degradation (PI: Żądło-Dobrowolska) The Laboratory of Computer-Assisted Synthesis operates as an integrated computational-experimental unit at IBS-IOC PAS. Current projects include blockchain-orchestrated reaction networks, AI-guided catalyst selection, and metabolic-cycle emulation. The group maintains strong industry/academic partnerships for validating algorithms in drug discovery and green chemistry applications.
Joana Rodrigues is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Biological Engineering (DEB) at University of Minho (UM), Portugal. She has been actively involved in academia since 2014, progressing from Teaching Assistant and Invited Assistant Professor positions to her current faculty role since January 2024. She is also the Executive Director of the Molecular and Synthetic Biology Platform Laboratory (PBMS) from 2017-2025 and the Sustainable Bioprocesses and Bioproducts Laboratory (LBBS) since 2025. Dr. Rodrigues completed her Integrated Master in Biological Engineering in 2010 and her PhD in Bioengineering Systems in 2014 at University of Minho in collaboration with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA). Her postdoctoral work was conducted at the Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB) at UM from 2015-2018, followed by a Junior Researcher position from 2019-2023. Her research focuses on synthetic biology approaches for the production of valuable compounds, particularly in microbial cell factory development for natural products biosynthesis. Her work spans Metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Production of polyphenols, flavonoids, and prebiotics Development of microbial cell factories for chondroitin and curcumin production Synthetic biology applications in bioprocess engineering Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on combinatorial biosynthesis approaches for producing high-value compounds like prenylated flavonoids, curcumin, and chondroitin. Her work demonstrates expertise in both bacterial (E. coli, Zymomonas mobilis) and yeast (S. cerevisiae) platforms, with applications ranging from food ingredients to biopharmaceuticals. Her scientific recognition includes: 4 travel grants to prestigious synthetic biology conferences Diplomas of recognition for scientific publications (2021, 2022) Selection for IMFAHE's Platform of Talent 2023-2024 BBF Scholar Travel Award and AOARD Travel Grant for SB7.0 conference Dr. Rodrigues has supervised or co-supervised 1 post-doc, 3 PhD students, 11 master students, and numerous bachelor students and research grantees. She has been involved in 10 projects funded by FCT and European Commission, including FoSynBio, LIGNOZYMES, and VIBRANT. She serves on the Steering Committee of EUSynBioS (European Synthetic Biology Society) and is a co-founder of SynBioLinkPT, the Portuguese Synthetic Biology Association. She leads the Molecular and Synthetic Biology Platform Laboratory and Sustainable Bioprocesses and Bioproducts Laboratory at CEB, where her team focuses on developing microbial cell factories for producing valuable compounds through synthetic biology approaches.
David Dallas is an Associate Professor at Oregon State University, affiliated with the School of Nutrition and Public Health and the Department of Food Science and Technology. He leads the Dallas Lab, focusing on milk bioactives in human and animal milk to improve infant and adult health. His work emphasizes protein digestion, peptide release, and processing impacts on bioactivity. He holds the Endowed Director position of the Moore Family Center for Whole Grain Foods, Nutrition and Preventive Health. Dallas has collaborated with institutions like Oregon Health & Sciences University and industry partners such as Bobbie Labs. His research spans preterm infant nutrition, adult digestive health, and milk processing techniques like high-pressure pasteurization. Key achievements include developing peptidomics methods to identify bioactive peptides and guiding industry on preserving milk components. Awards include the Gerber Foundation Award (2025) and OSLER Fellowship (2024). His lab offers analytical services in proteomics, digestion modeling, and functional assays. Dallas mentors over 20 students, including PhD candidates like Md Atikur Rahman and Jillien Zukaitis. Current projects include optimizing donor milk processing for preterm infants and studying whey proteins' effects on adult microbiomes. He has published extensively in journals like LWT and Journal of Functional Foods, with a focus on protein survival, bioactivity, and digestion dynamics.
Nadia Everaert is an associate professor at KU Leuven’s Department of Biosystems, affiliated with the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering and the Leuven One Health Institute. She leads the Nutrition and Animal-Microbiota EcoSystems (NAMES) Lab, focusing on microbiota-host interactions and gut health in poultry and pigs. Her research aims to improve animal resilience through nutritional manipulations. Education: BSc/MSc in Bioscience Engineering from KU Leuven (1999–2004), PhD in Avian Embryonic Development (2008). Postdoctoral work included molecular biology studies in France. She was a faculty member at Liège University (2013–2021) before returning to KU Leuven. Research Interests: Microbiota colonization, gut health, pre/probiotics, in vitro fermentation models, maternal programming, and sustainable livestock practices. The NAMES Lab investigates host-microbiota interactions to enhance animal performance and health via nutritional strategies. Recent projects include studies on earthworms in broiler diets, probiotics in piglets, and the impact of hatching methods on broiler gut health. Her work addresses antibiotic reduction and sustainable feed alternatives. Teaching: Courses on nutrition, animal welfare, poultry/pig farming, and functional biochemistry. Supervises PhD students and postdocs in her lab. Service: Member of the Animal Ethics Commission at KU Leuven and HUB-KAHO, Board Member of the Belgian WPSA, and expert for ANSES (France) on animal nutrition. Labs/Teams: NAMES Lab personnel include postdocs, PhD students, and lab technicians. Collaborations span institutions like INRAE (France) and Shandong Agricultural University (China).
Annette Brandt is a researcher affiliated with the Department of Nutritional Sciences within the Faculty of Life Sciences . Her work focuses on metabolic and liver diseases, with a particular emphasis on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and the role of intestinal barrier dysfunction in disease progression. She investigates mechanisms involving microbiota modulation, inflammatory pathways (e.g., TNFα, JNK), and dietary interventions (e.g., choline, beta-glucan, phosphatidylcholine) to mitigate liver damage. Her research also explores the interplay between aging, inflammation ('inflammaging'), and intestinal permeability. Brandt has contributed to over 38 peer-reviewed publications and 47 academic activities, including presentations at conferences. Her studies utilize mouse models to explore therapeutic strategies for liver diseases and metabolic disorders. Key collaborations involve investigating the effects of dietary components (e.g., fructose, soybean oil) and pharmacological agents (e.g., honokiol, 4-methylpyrazole) on liver health. She has also examined the role of toll-like receptors (TLR2/TLR4) in aging-related pathologies and cognitive decline. Her research aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to good health and well-being (SDG 3) and sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), emphasizing translational approaches to improve public health through dietary and pharmacological interventions.
João Miguel Rocha is an academic with diverse roles in Food Science and Engineering. He holds a PhD from the University of Lisbon (2011) and a B.Sc. in Biological Engineering from the University of Minho (1991-1996). His career includes positions such as Assistant Professor at the University of Minho (2017-2018), Lecturer at the Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto (2023-2024), and Researcher roles at institutions like the University of Helsinki (2000) and Universidade Nova de Lisboa (2011). Currently, he serves as a Technology Valorization Technician at INESC TEC (2024-2025). His research focuses on food microbiology, fermentation processes, and sustainable food systems, with emphasis on sourdough biotechnology, functional foods, and valorization of industry by-products. He has led and contributed to projects such as SOURDOMICS (COST Action CA18101) and NUTRALLERPHEN , exploring dietary polyphenols and microbial metabolites. His work bridges academia and industry, addressing food safety, nutrition, and environmental sustainability. Key collaborations include studies on colostrum, probiotics, and plant extracts for health applications. Education PhD in Food Science and Engineering, University of Lisbon (2011) B.Sc. (5-year) in Biological Engineering, University of Minho (1991–1996) Research Interests Dr. Rocha’s work spans food microbiology , fermentation technology , and nutraceutical development . He investigates microbial communities in sourdough, biopreservation strategies, and the application of food by-products for functional ingredients. His studies on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) formation in legumes and phytochemicals in plants highlight his focus on health-promoting compounds. He also explores life cycle assessment (LCA) for sustainable food systems. Grants & Projects EU-funded SOURDOMICS (2019–2023): Network for sourdough biotechnology innovation NUTRALLERPHEN (2019–present): Dietary polyphenols as allergy prophylactics SAVAGE : Wild fruit nutritional characterization in Morocco Labs & Teams He leads the Food Polyphenol Lab , focusing on extraction and application of bioactive compounds from agri-food by-products. Collaborates with institutions like the University of Helsinki , INESC TEC , and the International Society for Microbial Ecology (ISME) .
Alinda Berends is a Researcher and Teacher at the Pharmacology department within the Faculty of Science at Utrecht University . Her work bridges virology, immunology, and glycobiology.
Kyongbum Lee is the Karol Family Professor and Dean of Engineering at Tufts University School of Engineering, where he also serves as Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. His research integrates metabolic engineering, tissue engineering, and systems biology to study cellular metabolism and develop technologies for biomedical applications. Dr. Lee directs a laboratory focused on host-microbe interactions, cell-based bioprocesses, and metabolic regulation in diseases like obesity. Education Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2002 B.S., Stanford University, 1995 Research Focus Dr. Lee's group employs systems approaches combining experimental and computational methods to investigate how metabolites regulate cellular communication. Current projects examine gut microbiome interactions, metabolic flux in engineered tissues, and development of therapeutic strategies targeting metabolic disorders. The lab specializes in bioreactor systems, metabolomic profiling, and mechanistic studies of metabolite signaling pathways. Publication Trends Recent publications emphasize gut microbiota metabolism, microbial metabolite therapeutics, and engineered tissue models. Work consistently demonstrates translational focus—from computational prediction of metabolic pathways (e.g., flavonoid biotransformation algorithms) to preclinical validation of microbial metabolites in disease models (e.g., steatosis reduction via indole derivatives). Recurring themes include nuclear receptor modulation, HDAC/IFN-γ pathway regulation, and high-throughput screening platforms. Awards Karol Family Professorship (endowed position recognizing scholarly excellence) Research Operations The laboratory actively recruits postdoctoral researchers and graduate students through Tufts' Chemical and Biological Engineering program. Current projects are supported by specialized infrastructure for metabolomics, bioreactor systems, and 3D tissue culture. The team emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly at the interface of engineering, microbiology, and translational medicine.
Dr. Mark Rawling is a Research Fellow in the School of Biological and Marine Sciences at the University of Plymouth, within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. He is part of the Fish Nutrition and Health Research Team, focusing on aquatic animal health and welfare, particularly in fish nutrition and probiotic applications. His work contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water) and Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), emphasizing sustainable aquaculture practices. Mark's research interests include the application of probiotics and prebiotics in aquaculture, optimizing fish nutrition through alternative protein sources, and understanding the modulation of intestinal health and immune responses in fish species such as tilapia, rainbow trout, and Atlantic salmon. He explores how dietary supplements like yeast extracts and β-glucans influence gut microbiota, mucosal barriers, and overall fish health, with a focus on enhancing growth performance and disease resistance in aquaculture settings. His research outputs highlight a focus on dietary interventions to improve aquatic animal health, with studies examining probiotic efficacy, the structural impact of yeast cell wall components, and the role of β-glucans in modulating immune responses. Recent work emphasizes sustainable protein sources for tilapia and the application of postbiotics in zebrafish models. Mark actively contributes to doctoral supervision, currently serving as a second supervisor for two ongoing Ph.D. projects and having supported three completed Ph.D. studentships. His research has been applied in both academic and industry contexts, though specific grant details are not provided in the available text. He is affiliated with the Fish Nutrition and Health Research Team at the University of Plymouth, collaborating on projects related to aquatic animal health and sustainable aquaculture practices.
András Perczel is a Professor at the Department of Organic Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), Faculty of Science, and a Full Member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. He holds additional roles as a lecturer in the Institute of Chemistry and has been awarded the honorary title Doctor et Professor Honoris Causa. His research focuses on peptide synthesis, protein structure and dynamics, amyloid formation mechanisms, and drug discovery, with particular emphasis on KRAS inhibitors and biotechnological applications. Key research interests include the development of sustainable peptide synthesis methods using flow chemistry and machine learning, structural studies of amyloid polymorphism, and the design of functional proteomimetics. He has contributed to understanding the molecular basis of protein aggregation in diseases and advancing analytical techniques for peptide characterization. His publications highlight advancements in amyloid core interfaces, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and the application of chiral spectroscopy in protein stability analysis. Scientific awards include membership in the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and an honorary doctoral title. Dr. Perczel collaborates on projects involving KRAS-G12C inhibitors, SARS-CoV-2 nanobody design, and the synthesis of small protein domains via automated flow chemistry. His work bridges organic chemistry, biochemistry, and biotechnology, with a focus on translational research in healthcare and sustainability.
Aedin Cassidy is a Professor at the Institute for Global Food Security within the School of Biological Sciences at Queen's University Belfast. She has been active in dietary polyphenol research since 1988, focusing on flavonoids' impact on cardiometabolic health , gut microbiome , and anthocyanin efficacy . Her work spans from mechanistic studies to large-scale population research, with 212 total research outputs and 1 supervised work documented. Current member, REF2021 sub-panel 3 Fellow of the American Heart Association (2017) Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award (2013) Collaborations with EU/North America institutions including Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health Her research highlights include flavonoid-disease risk associations (chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular conditions), microbiome metabolism studies , and planetary health diet analysis . Key methodologies involve cohort studies , intervention trials , and biochemical nomenclature standardization . Scientific awards include: Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award (2013) Fellow of the American Heart Association (2017) Fellow of Society for Biology Fellow of Royal Society of Chemistry She has published extensively on flavonoid health impacts, with recent 2025 studies covering chronic kidney disease prevention , planetary diet outcomes , and anthocyanin metabolism . Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to zero hunger and good health .
Dr. Ines Krohn is a Research Group Leader at the University of Hamburg's Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, specifically within the Department of Microbiology & Biotechnology. She leads the "Algae-Bacteria Interactions" research group, focusing on marine and environmental microbiology with biotechnological applications. University of Hamburg (2010-2013): Diploma in Biology University of Hamburg (2013): Dr. rer. nat. in Biology Her research spans two primary areas: 1) Utilizing aquatic and marine resources for biotechnology, particularly through metagenomic analysis of microalgal-bacterial communities to discover novel biomolecules and 2) investigating molecular mechanisms in microalgae-bacteria interactions, including biofilm formation and cell-cell communication. Current projects include MarBioTech (marine biodiversity exploration), AimM (biofilm monitoring), AquaHealth (aquaculture disease prevention), and SuReMetS (marine nutraceuticals for metabolic syndrome). Her publication record demonstrates expertise in metagenomics , biofilm inhibition , microalgal biotechnology , marine enzyme discovery , and antimicrobial applications . Notable collaborations include work with Prof. Wolfgang R. Streit and teams at Hagenbeck Zoo. She actively supervises bachelor's and master's candidates and offers thesis opportunities in metagenomics and biofilm research. Her laboratory explores both fundamental microbial interactions and applied biotechnologies , including biofilm disruption strategies for medical and industrial applications. Specific techniques include RNAseq, functional screening, and enzyme characterization from marine sources.
Catherine Paul is an Associate Professor at Lund University's Faculty of Engineering, affiliated with the Division of Water Resources Engineering and Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology. She serves as Director of the AquaClim Water Research School and Acting Leader of the LTH Water Profile Area. Her work intersects biotechnology and environmental science, focusing on microbial ecosystem services. PhD in Bacteriology (2005), Queen’s University, Canada Postdoctoral Researcher, Health Canada/National Research Council of Canada Docent, Lund University, Sweden Her research centers on bacterial metabolism and biofilm dynamics in environmental settings. By manipulating microbial growth conditions, she explores strategies to enhance water treatment, degrade contaminants, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This prebiotic approach targets sustainable solutions for drinking water safety, soil remediation, and urban environmental management. Across her 47 research outputs, Catherine investigates microbial communities in water treatment systems, biodegradation mechanisms, and organic matter dynamics. Recent work includes fungal diversity in slow sand filters, cyanide wastewater remediation, and biofilm behavior in engineered systems. Scientific Recognition: Elected to Fysiographen (2024), a learned society. Catherine supervises PhD students and participates in peer review, workshops, and invited lectures. She leads the AquaClim project (2023-2027), funded by FORMAS, and contributes to initiatives like FIB-GHG and LU Water.
Robert Hutkins serves as the Khem Shahani Professor in Food Science and Technology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he is affiliated with the Department of Food Science and Technology. His research program centers on the microbiological aspects of food systems with direct implications for human health, particularly through probiotic and prebiotic interventions. Hutkins' research spans food microbiology, gut microbiome dynamics, and fermented food ecosystems. He investigates how dietary components—especially live microbes and prebiotic fibers—modulate gut microbial communities and influence health outcomes. Key projects include clinical trials on probiotics for lactose intolerance, development of antimicrobial food packaging using essential oils, and classification frameworks for prebiotic compounds. His work bridges fundamental microbial ecology with practical applications in functional food development. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2022-2025) reveals three dominant trends: 1) Clinical validation of probiotic strains for digestive health conditions, 2) Mechanistic studies on prebiotic-microbe interactions using in vitro and genomic approaches, and 3) Population-level assessments of live microbe consumption through NHANES data. His leadership in ISAPP consensus statements on prebiotics and synbiotics demonstrates his role in shaping scientific standards for the field. Current work increasingly focuses on personalized nutrition strategies based on individual microbiome responses to dietary interventions.
