Ning Zhang is an Assistant Professor in the Biology Department at James Madison University (JMU), joining in 2024. Her research focuses on enhancing crop resilience through molecular and biochemical studies of plant defense mechanisms against bacterial pathogens, alongside developing genome editing technologies for trait improvement. She holds a PhD in Horticulture and Crop Science from The Ohio State University (2016), an MS in Silviculture from Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University (2011), and a BS in Landscape Architecture from Shandong Agricultural University (2008). Research Interests: Dr. Zhang's lab investigates plant immunity pathways, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing applications, and engineering crops for disease resistance. Her work integrates molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry to tackle challenges posed by climate change and biotic/abiotic stresses. Recent Trends in Publications: Her articles concentrate on MAPK signaling pathways, NLR protein interactions, PP2C phosphatase regulation, and bacterial effector mechanisms in tomato and other crops. Key themes include immune system activation, pathogen recognition diversity, and transgenic plant development. Lab Information: The Zhang Lab at JMU is part of the Department of Biology, focusing on plant biotechnology solutions for agricultural sustainability. They collaborate on projects involving CRISPR-based gene editing and stress tolerance research.
Britt Adamson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology and the Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics at Princeton University, where she serves as Director of the Undergraduate Program in Quantitative and Computational Biology. Her lab investigates molecular networks in human cells with focus on stress response mechanisms and genome editing technologies. She received her B.S. in Biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2005) and Ph.D. in Genetics and Genomics from Harvard University (2012), followed by postdoctoral training at UCSF under Jonathan Weissman supported by a Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation Fellowship. Adamson's research centers on how cells organize stress response networks during DNA damage and endoplasmic reticulum stress, developing CRISPR-based functional genomics and single-cell sequencing tools to map molecular behaviors. Her work bridges fundamental cell biology with therapeutic applications in genome editing. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals dominant themes in precision genome editing (prime/base editing optimization) and systematic dissection of DNA repair pathways through combinatorial CRISPR screening. Her lab consistently integrates computational approaches with high-resolution experimental techniques to uncover context-dependent cellular behaviors. Her scientific recognitions include: Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship Princeton IP Accelerator Award (2025) STAT Who to Know: 10 Scientists leading a new generation of gene editors (2024) Adamson actively mentors eight graduate students (including alumni Ann Cirincione and Jun Hussmann) and two postdocs, with research funded through institutional awards and collaborative grants. Her lab's technological developments have enabled projects spanning virology, immunology, and developmental biology. The Adamson Lab operates within Princeton's Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, fostering an interdisciplinary environment that merges cell biology, genomics, and computational science. Current projects focus on improving prime editing efficiency and understanding stress response adaptation in disease contexts.
Elaine J. Francis is a Professor of English and Linguistics at Purdue University, where she also serves as the Associate Head of the Department of English. She holds affiliate appointments in the Department of Linguistics and the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. At Purdue, she directs the Experimental Linguistics Lab and teaches linguistics courses at both graduate and undergraduate levels. Francis completed her B.A. in Linguistics at the College of William and Mary in 1993, followed by her M.A. (1995) and Ph.D. (1999) in Linguistics at the University of Chicago under the direction of Salikoko Mufwene. Her dissertation examined variation among members of the same lexical category in English using Sadock's Autolexical Grammar framework. Prior to joining Purdue in 2003, she served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Hong Kong from 1999 to 2002, where she collaborated with Stephen Matthews on research concerning syntactic categories and relative clauses in Cantonese. Her research focuses on syntax and its interfaces with semantics, discourse information structure, and language processing in production and comprehension. Francis employs experimental methods to investigate syntactic, semantic, discourse-pragmatic, and cognitive factors underlying the grammar and usage of complex sentence structures. Her specific interests include word order alternations, filler-gap dependencies, resumptive pronouns, relative clauses, grammatical categories, and syntactic alternations. She has published extensively in top linguistics journals including Language and Cognition, Glossa Psycholinguistics, Linguistics, Lingua, Cognitive Linguistics, and the Journal of Psycholinguistic Research. Analyzing her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on experimental approaches to syntactic phenomena. Her work demonstrates a strong interest in gradient acceptability, syntactic priming, cross-linguistic comparison (particularly involving English and Cantonese), and the relationship between grammatical theory and language processing. Her 2022 book Gradient Acceptability and Linguistic Theory represents a major contribution that synthesizes experimental findings with theoretical linguistics frameworks. Francis plays an active role in the broader linguistics community. She regularly teaches short courses at the Linguistic Society of America Linguistic Institutes, serves on the LSA Ethics Committee, and is on the editorial board of Glossa Psycholinguistics. She has also edited several books and special journal issues, including Mismatch: Form-Function Incongruity and the Architecture of Grammar (2003) and Polymorphous Linguistics: Jim McCawley's Legacy (2005). As an educator and administrator, Francis has supervised numerous graduate students and currently serves as Associate Head of the Department of English at Purdue. Her Experimental Linguistics Lab provides research opportunities for students interested in the intersection of theoretical syntax and experimental methodology. While she recently announced she will not be accepting new graduate students for the 2025-2026 cycle, her established mentorship record demonstrates her commitment to training the next generation of linguists. The Experimental Linguistics Lab, which she directs, serves as a hub for research combining theoretical linguistics with experimental methods. Her collaborative work extends across disciplines, including collaborations with researchers in speech-language pathology, cognitive science, and computational linguistics, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of modern linguistic research.
Prof. Waldemar Kolanus leads the Molecular Immunology and Cell Biology department at the University of Bonn's Life & Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES) . His research bridges immunoregulation , stem cell dynamics , and metabolic stress responses in immune cells. Unit 2 member at LIMES Principal investigator in SFB 704 and ImmunoSensation Cluster Leads a multidisciplinary lab with postdocs, PhD students, and technical staff His work focuses on intracellular signaling pathways connecting immune activation to tissue homeostasis, particularly through: Cytohesin proteins in integrin-mediated adhesion and migration TRIM71 in stem cell regulation and congenital hydrocephalus High-salt environments affecting macrophage function Publication trends show expertise in immune cell migration , genetic models , and chemical inhibition , with frequent use of mice and zebrafish for in vivo studies. Key articles explore: TRIM71's dual role in auditory development and germ cell maintenance Cytohesin family's Golgi regulation and insulin signaling Ruxolitinib's off-target migration inhibition of dendritic cells Contact details: Address: LIMES Institute, Carl-Troll-Straße 31, Bonn Email: kolanus.sekretariat@uni-bonn.de Phone: +49 228 73-62788
Mona Singh is a Professor of Computer Science at Princeton University, with affiliations to the Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics and the Department of Molecular Biology. She has been a faculty member since 1999. Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1995 A.B. and S.M. degrees in Computer Science from Harvard University Her research focuses on computational molecular biology, integrating machine learning and algorithms to analyze biological networks, protein interactions, and mutational impacts. Key areas include DNA/RNA binding prediction, protein structure analysis, and network-based disease gene discovery. Her recent work highlights trends in protein language models, kinase-substrate prediction, and equitable MHC binding algorithms. These span sub-fields like structural bioinformatics, network biology, and functional genomics. Scientific Awards: Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) Rheinstein Junior Faculty Award ACM Fellow (2019) ISCB Fellow (2018) She has taught an introductory computational biology course with Professor Coleen Murphy, covering sequence analysis, phylogenetics, and network reconstruction. Her group has developed tools like dPUC , nCOP , and DiffMut . Her lab collaborates with institutions including Carnegie Mellon, Duke University, and the Broad Institute, advancing applications in cancer genomics, metabolic disease, and precision medicine.
Christopher E. Nelson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Arkansas, College of Engineering. His lab focuses on developing biologically inspired strategies for controlled drug and gene delivery, particularly in the context of gene therapy and regenerative medicine. He is actively supported by the NIH, DoD, and Arkansas Bioscience Institute. Education: Postdoctoral Fellow – Duke University Ph.D. – Vanderbilt University B.S. – University of Arkansas Research Focus: Dr. Nelson’s lab integrates genome editing technologies with targeted delivery systems to address challenges in treating genetic diseases and promoting tissue regeneration. Major themes include CRISPR/Cas9 delivery , gene regulation in wound healing , and safe-harbor genome integration in skeletal muscle. His work spans viral and non-viral delivery vehicles , including lipid nanoparticles and AAV vectors, with a strong emphasis on preclinical validation in models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and inflammatory disease. Scientific Awards: Controlled Release Society Postdoctoral Fellowship The Hartwell Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) Funding & Support: The Nelson Lab is currently funded by: NIH NIGMS R35 DoD CDMRP DMD IDEA Award Arkansas Bioscience Institute University of Arkansas Engineering & Honors Colleges Lab & Team: The Nelson Lab is a dynamic, interdisciplinary team working at the intersection of gene editing, biomaterials, and regenerative medicine. They regularly present at national conferences such as ASGCT and NCUR, and mentor undergraduate researchers through SURF and Honors College grants.
Dr. Stefan Bernritter is an Associate Professor of Marketing at King’s Business School, University of London, and Director of the MSc in Digital Marketing. He holds a PhD in Marketing Communication from the University of Amsterdam. His research focuses on digital technologies, consumer-brand interactions, and advertising in evolving media landscapes. Key areas include mobile marketing, social media, gaming, and AI-driven advertising strategies. Previously, he served as Senior Lecturer at Goldsmiths, University of London, and Assistant Professor at the Amsterdam School of Communication Research. His work has been published in top journals like Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science and Journal of Interactive Marketing . He is an Associate Editor at the Journal of Interactive Marketing and holds editorial roles at leading advertising journals. Research interests emphasize consumer behavior in digital environments, including brand safety in multiplayer games, machine learning applications in marketing, and the impact of social media endorsements on self-evaluation. Awards include recognition from the European Advertising Academy and the International Communication Association. Bernritter actively contributes to academic discourse through editorial roles and guest editing. He currently supervises PhD students and teaches strategic marketing courses. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to responsible consumption and economic growth.
Donald Rio holds the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Distinguished Chair in the Biological Sciences and is a Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology. He is affiliated with the Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Center for Integrative Genetics. His lab focuses on nucleic acid transactions, including transposable element mobilization (P elements) and RNA binding protein mechanisms controlling alternative splicing. Research highlights include studies on THAP9 proteins in humans/zebrafish, cryo-EM structural analysis of transposase-DNA complexes, and splicing regulation in neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and Parkinson’s. His work combines biochemical, genetic, and computational approaches, including the development of the Junction Usage Model (JUM) for splicing analysis. Research interests span transposition mechanisms linked to HIV integration, immune system recombination, and evolutionary genome dynamics. His team investigates how RNA binding proteins like hnRNPA1 influence splicing in disease contexts, with projects involving CRISPR-based models and patient RNA-seq data analysis. Collaborations include studies on splicing accuracy across tissues and age, and the impact of splicing defects in neurodegenerative disorders. Key awards include the Goldman Chair. His lab’s contributions bridge fundamental molecular mechanisms with translational applications in genetic disease modeling and drug discovery. Recent work focuses on isogenic stem cell models (iSCORE-PD) for Parkinson’s research and structural biology insights into transposase function. Grants and projects involve NIH funding for ALS splicing studies and collaborations with institutions like the Buck Institute. His lab actively publishes in top journals such as Genome Research , PNAS , and Nature , with a strong emphasis on cryo-EM and bioinformatic methods.
Wojciech Czakon is a Full Professor and chair of the Strategic Management Department at Jagiellonian University in Poland. He has held leadership roles as Head of the Management Theory Department (University of Economics in Katowice) and Professor at the Higher Schools of Banking in Poznan. His academic career spans multiple institutions, including visiting positions at Universita delli Studi di Roma 2 Tor Vergata. Education: PhD in Management (2002) Habilitation in Management (2007) Professor title in Economics (2013) His research focuses on organizational behavior, strategic management, coopetition, family business dynamics, and qualitative research methodologies. Recent work explores digital transformation, strategic myopia, and the behavioral antecedents of coopetition. Publication Trends: His 2014-2022 papers on coopetition strategies—covering trust, behavioral factors, and performance metrics—have received significant citations. Recent projects analyze innovation ecosystems and entrepreneurial failure. Scientific Awards: 2022 Best book award (Organization and Management Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences) 2021 Outstanding research achievement award (Prime Minister of Poland) Honoris causa doctor (Wroclaw University of Business and Economics) Top 5 global scholar in coopetition research Community Service: He has served as Vice-president of the European Academy of Management, co-chair of EURAM doctoral colloquium, and organizer for conferences like EURAM, EIASM, and IFERA. He also co-edits anthologies and special issues in journals such as Long Range Planning and Industrial Marketing Management.
Pablo Perez-Pinera is an Associate Professor in Biomedical and Translational Sciences at the Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois. He leads the Genome Engineering and Transcriptional Regulation Laboratory, focusing on developing gene editing technologies for treating neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases. His research integrates cutting-edge genome engineering tools with innovative delivery systems to address previously incurable conditions. Dr. Perez-Pinera's research interests center on developing CRISPR-based genome editing technologies for therapeutic applications. His laboratory specializes in base editing approaches for exon skipping, particularly targeting diseases like Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and ALS. His team develops novel delivery systems using AAV vectors to enable precise in vivo genome editing, with a particular focus on neurological and muscular disorders. The lab's work bridges fundamental molecular biology with translational applications, aiming to move promising technologies from bench to bedside. His laboratory has made significant contributions to the field of therapeutic genome editing, particularly in developing the SPLICER platform for efficient exon skipping through simultaneous splice site editing. His publications demonstrate expertise in base editing for neurodegenerative diseases, with multiple first-author and corresponding author papers in high-impact journals. His research has been supported by several NIH grants including R01 GM131272, UL1 TR001422, R01 GM141296, among others. Dr. Perez-Pinera actively mentors a diverse team of researchers including postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduates. His laboratory includes researchers such as Devyani Swami (Postdoctoral Fellow), Michael Gapinske, Jackson Winter, Shraddha Shirguppe, Angelo Miskalis, and others who contribute to various aspects of genome engineering research. His grant funding supports both basic research on genome editing mechanisms and translational work toward therapeutic applications. The Genome Engineering and Transcriptional Regulation Laboratory maintains state-of-the-art facilities for molecular biology, cell culture, and in vivo studies. The team collaborates extensively with clinicians and researchers across the University of Illinois campus to translate genome editing discoveries into potential therapies for patients suffering from neurodegenerative and neuromuscular conditions.
Thomas Grenier is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at INSA Lyon and a member of the CREATIS laboratory (CNRS UMR 5220, INSERM U1294). He obtained his HDR (Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches) in 2023 and his Ph.D. in Image Processing from INSA Lyon in 2005. His research focuses on medical image segmentation, clustering, and filtering using feature space, scale-space, and deep learning approaches. Doctoral School: EEA (Electronics, Energy, and Automatics) Research Affiliation: CREATIS Lab (CNRS/INSERM/INSA Lyon/Université Lyon 1/Université Jean Monnet Saint-Etienne) He has contributed to 20 papers and co-supervised 5 PhD students, including Léo Dumortier and Florent Guépin. Grenier leads the annual Deep Learning for Medical Imaging (DLMI) school, which he co-founded, and has organized five editions across Lyon and Montreal since 2019. The school emphasizes practical deep learning applications in medical imaging for participants of all expertise levels. His work spans interdisciplinary domains such as medical imaging , deep learning , and image processing , with recent publications on generative AI for MRI synthesis, explainable networks, and segmentation of neurological pathologies in preclinical models. He manages pedagogical platforms, coordinates LabEx PRIMES project activities, and oversees lab room infrastructure for 200 hours/year across 10 training programs. Grenier also leads the MUSIC transversal project on Multiple Sclerosis since 2019.
Shahid Siddique is an Associate Professor in the Department of Entomology and Nematology at the University of California, Davis. His research focuses on understanding molecular and applied aspects of plant-parasitic nematode interactions with host plants. He aims to develop sustainable strategies to mitigate nematode-induced crop losses through genetic, biochemical, and biotechnological approaches. His lab is particularly interested in host resistance mechanisms, nematode effector proteins, and biocontrol solutions. Education: MSc, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan PhD, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria Habilitation, University of Bonn, Germany Research Interests: Siddique’s work bridges basic and applied research, including cell surface signaling in plant-parasitic nematode interactions, functional characterization of secretory proteins, molecular diagnostics for nematodes, and biocontrol strategies. Current projects explore recombination hotspots in nematode genomes, CRISPR-based resistance engineering, and redox signaling mechanisms. Teaching: General Plant Nematology (NEM100) in Spring 2020 Labs/Teams: The Siddique Lab focuses on translating molecular discoveries into practical pest management solutions. Collaborations involve genomic analysis, proteomics, and field trials to address global agricultural challenges.
Wen Xue is a Professor at UMass Chan Medical School, affiliated with the RNA Therapeutics Institute within the T.H. Chan School of Medicine. She holds multiple additional roles across departments such as the Program in Molecular Medicine, Cancer Biology, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology at the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Her research focuses on developing genetic models for liver and lung cancer using CRISPR/Cas9 and RNAi tools. Key areas include CRISPR-mediated genome editing for cancer gene discovery, KRAS inhibition mechanisms, and miRNA networks in lung cancer. She has secured grants from NIH, American Cancer Society, and others. Awards include the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award and Lung Cancer Research Foundation grants. Her lab actively recruits postdoctoral researchers and offers rotation projects in CRISPR technology and cancer biology. Education: B.S. and M.S. in Biochemistry from Nanjing University; Ph.D. in Biochemistry from State University of New York, Stony Brook. Research Interests: Wen Xue’s lab employs CRISPR tools to accelerate cancer gene validation and therapeutic target identification. Projects include: CRISPR-based liver cancer gene correction and oncogene deletion studies. Investigating KRAS inhibition resistance via RNAi and CRISPR in lung cancer models. Characterizing miRNA networks using TCGA data to identify therapeutic miRNA candidates. Her work bridges functional genomics with precision medicine, emphasizing in vivo and in vitro platforms. Publications: Over 100 peer-reviewed articles, including high-impact studies on CRISPR applications in gene therapy and cancer modeling. Recent work explores prime editing, base editing, and viral/non-viral delivery systems for lung diseases. Grants & Awards: NIH grants (P01HL131471, DP2HL137167), American Cancer Society (RSG-16-093), and industry partnerships like the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Collaborations include projects on CFTR mutation repair and AAV vector development. Labs/Teams: Xue Lab focuses on cancer genetics and gene editing, with interdisciplinary collaborations in molecular medicine and bioengineering. Ongoing projects aim to translate CRISPR-based therapies into clinical applications.
Dr. Joanne M Leach is a Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham's Department of Civil Engineering within the School of Engineering. Her work focuses on urban liveability, sustainability, and resilience, emphasizing transdisciplinary collaboration and the science of team science. She holds a PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Birmingham (2020) and earlier degrees in Design Management (MSc, Salford) and International Business (BSc, Trinity University). Dr. Leach has extensive experience in EPSRC-funded projects, including the Liveable Cities Programme Grant (£6M) and the UK Collaboratorium for Research on Infrastructure and Cities (UKCRIC). Her research integrates infrastructure, urban planning, and wellbeing, with notable contributions to policy consultations, media engagements, and international collaborations. Key projects include the Healthy Low-Carbon Transport Hub (2025–present) and the Road to Net Zero initiative (2024–present). Education: PhD in Civil Engineering, University of Birmingham (2020) MSc (Distinction) in Design Management, University of Salford (2010) BSc (Hons) International Business with Mathematics, Trinity University (1995) Research Interests: Dr. Leach's work bridges urban sustainability, infrastructure resilience, and transdisciplinary methodologies. She develops diagnostic tools to assess urban challenges and communicates findings to policymakers. Her recent focus includes low-carbon transport, net-zero urban systems, and the role of infrastructure in wellbeing. She has contributed to high-impact publications and won awards for her work on urban design creativity and sustainable solutions. Awards: 2015 Reed Mallik Prize for Best Paper in Proceedings of the ICE 2020 Richard Trevithick Fund Prize Advising & Grants: Dr. Leach has led or contributed to over £20M in EPSRC-funded projects, including Liveable Cities (£6M) and Designing Resilient Cities (£3M). She advises on policy commissions, such as Future Urban Living (House of Lords) and National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) projects. Her collaborative networks span over 20 UK universities and 200+ industry/government bodies. Labs & Teams: She is integral to UKCRIC and the Centre for Urban Wellbeing at Birmingham, fostering innovation in urban systems through labs like PLEXUS (UKCRIC Pump-Priming Project) and the Urban Living Birmingham pilot.
Ulrich Lächelt is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Faculty of Life Sciences. His research focuses on nanoparticle technology, drug delivery systems, and gene therapy, with a particular emphasis on CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing and RNA-based therapeutics. He leads a project on nanoformulations of prime editing ribonucleoproteins (2025–2029), aiming to advance precision medicine. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in health and innovation. Research Interests: Nanoparticle design and material science CRISPR/Cas9 delivery systems siRNA and mRNA therapeutic formulations Cancer-targeted drug delivery Biomedical engineering applications Publications (2025–2023): Highlighted studies include dual pH-responsive CRISPR delivery systems and accelerated endosomal escape mechanisms. His work spans 40+ peer-reviewed articles, with recent trends focusing on xenopeptide carriers and tumor-targeted therapies. Grants & Projects: Current research funding includes a nanoformulations project (2025–2029). He actively collaborates on international initiatives, with recent presentations at global conferences on CRISPR delivery and gene editing strategies. Labs/Teams: Involved in interdisciplinary teams developing novel drug delivery platforms and screening tools for prime editor RNPs.
