Daniel Hawiger is a Professor at the School of Medicine , Saint Louis University , specializing in the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology . With a career spanning both clinical and basic science research, he has made seminal contributions to immunology through his work on dendritic cells, T cells, and immunomodulation strategies.
Dr. Harold A. Singer is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. His research focuses on calcium signaling mechanisms in vascular smooth muscle cells, particularly the role of CaMKII isoforms in regulating gene transcription and vascular remodeling. Research spans vascular biology , signal transduction , and cardiovascular pathophysiology Key interests include CREB phosphorylation , CaMKIIδ function , and vessel injury responses His recent work examines CaMKII-endothelium interactions in re-endothelialization and angiogenesis . Grants from the NIH (R01 HL049426, R01 HL092510) support his investigations into vascular remodeling and disease mechanisms .
James Barrett, PhD , is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine . His research focuses on neuroinflammation, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and immune responses in neurological disorders. Education : BA in Natural Science (Physiology) from Trinity College Dublin (2010); PhD in Neuroscience from Trinity College Dublin (2014). Training : Research Fellow (2014–2017) and Postdoctoral Fellow (2017–2019) at the Shock, Trauma, and Anesthesiology Research Center. Dr. Barrett’s research explores how aging, metabolic factors, and immune mechanisms influence neuroinflammatory responses post-TBI. He investigates: Type I interferon signaling in chronic neuroinflammation Epigenetic regulation via miRNAs in irradiation-induced neurodegeneration Microglial/macrophage polarization dynamics Exercise interventions and molecular pathways in TBI recovery His recent work highlights the role of systemic inflammation in exacerbating TBI outcomes and the therapeutic potential of HDAC inhibitors like romidepsin. Collaborations with institutions such as Trinity College Dublin and the University of Maryland underscore his interdisciplinary focus. Dr. Barrett’s lab also examines bidirectional brain-systemic interactions, leveraging single-nucleus transcriptomics and epigenomics to identify age-related vulnerabilities in TBI models.
Professor Luke A.J. O'Neill is Chair of Biochemistry at Trinity College Dublin , Ireland. He leads research at the intersection of immunology and metabolism , focusing on molecular mechanisms of inflammation and innate immune signaling . His work has pioneered understanding of TLR signaling , pro-inflammatory cytokines , and immunometabolism in immune cells. B.A. (Mod.) in Natural Sciences (Biochemistry), Trinity College Dublin (1985) PhD in Pharmacology, University of London (1988) Key research themes include: Metabolic Reprogramming in immune cells during infection TLR signaling and inflammatory pathways NLRP3 inflammasome in diseases like COPD and autoimmune conditions Itaconate and its derivatives as immunomodulatory metabolites Signal Transduction mechanisms in innate immunity Immunothrombosis and coagulation regulation Recent publications highlight his leadership in immunometabolism , with articles on: Targeting mitochondrial metabolites for inflammation Role of Krebs cycle intermediates in immune activation Therapeutic potential of itaconate family in asthma and viral infections Metabolic checkpoints in macrophage polarization Awards include: Boyle Medal for Scientific Excellence (2009) Science Foundation Ireland Researcher of the Year (2009) Gold Medal for Life Sciences, Royal Irish Academy (2012) Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS, 2016) He has held leadership roles including: Founder Director, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (2011) Chair, European Research Council Infection and Immunity Panel (2008-2011) President, International Cytokine Society (2011)
Professor John Bjarne Hansen is a prominent researcher in the field of venous thromboembolism (VTE) at the Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway. He serves as Research Group Leader of Thrombosis Research (TREC) and Head of Unit at the Thrombosis Research Center (TREC), Medical Clinic, University Hospital of Northern Norway. Education: Cand.med (MD), Universitetet i Tromsø (1989) Dr. med (PhD in Cardiovascular Medicine), Universitetet i Tromsø (1997) Hansen's research focuses on clinical epidemiology and risk factors for venous thromboembolism, diagnostic and predictive biomarkers for VTE, and the pathophysiology of thrombotic events. His work spans multiple projects including PREVENT, Mission-VTE, Genetics and VTE, Biomarkers of VTE risk, and Cancer-associated VTE. He has contributed significantly to understanding the complex interplay between genetic factors, lifestyle, and comorbidities in VTE development. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on biomarkers for VTE prediction, with numerous 2024-2025 articles examining genetic, molecular, and clinical risk factors. His research utilizes large population studies like the HUNT and Tromsø studies to identify novel predictors and understand gender differences in VTE risk. Hansen has made substantial contributions to thrombosis research through his leadership of the Thrombosis Research Center (TREC) and through active participation in international collaborations. His work bridges basic science and clinical application, with emphasis on translating research findings into improved risk prediction and prevention strategies for venous thromboembolism. Mentorship and Academic Leadership: Primary supervisor for 35 completed PhD theses Co-supervisor for 5 completed PhD theses Currently supervising 7 PhD students as primary supervisor and 6 as co-supervisor Mentored 13 postdoctoral researchers (10 former, 3 current) He has held various academic positions since 1991, progressing from doctoral student to full professor, with a visiting professorship at The Scripps Research Institute (2008-2009). From 2007-2008, he served as Pro-Dean for Research at the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Ryan M. Pearson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, where he also serves as Director of the Bio- and Nano-Technology Center. He holds an adjunct appointment in the Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. PhD in Biopharmaceutical Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago Postdoctoral Research, Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan Dr. Pearson's research lies at the intersection of nanotechnology and immune engineering, focusing on developing nanoparticle-based strategies to treat dysregulated immune responses in conditions such as sepsis, cancer, autoimmunity, and allergy. His lab investigates three primary areas: (1) metabolite-based polymers and nanoparticles for inflammation modulation, (2) protein- and mRNA-delivery systems for antigen-specific immunomodulation, and (3) the role of disease-specific biomolecular coronas in immune responses. His recent publications reveal a strong trend in designing tunable nanoparticles that precisely control immune cell behavior—particularly macrophages, dendritic cells, and B cells—using physicochemical properties and corona engineering. These innovations aim to shift immune responses from pro-inflammatory to tolerogenic states, offering promising translational pathways for chronic inflammatory diseases. American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy New Investigator Award National Institute for Pharmaceutical Technology and Education Rising Star Award Shock Society Faculty Research Award NIGMS Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (R35 MIRA) Dr. Pearson actively mentors PhD, MS, and postdoctoral researchers and has secured major NIH funding, including an R01 from NIAID for sepsis immunotherapy. He serves on the editorial boards of Pharmaceutical Research and Drug Delivery & Translational Research , and has advised student chapters of AAPS. His lab, the Pearson Lab for Immunomodulatory Biomaterials, fosters a multidisciplinary team integrating immunology, polymer chemistry, and nanobioengineering.
Dr. Saurabh Chatterjee is a Professor of Environmental & Occupational Health and Medicine at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) School of Medicine. He is also a research health scientist with the Department of Veterans Affairs at the Long Beach VA Medical Center. Education: Ph.D. in Life Sciences (Inflammation Biology, 2006) from Bhabha Atomic Research Center/University of Mumbai, M.Sc. in Physiology (Immunology, 1997) and B.Sc. (Honors) in Human Physiology (1995) from University of Calcutta, India. Dr. Chatterjee specializes in human physiology and immunology, focusing on host-microbiome interactions with redox biology, neuroimmune pathology, and gut-brain axis dynamics in pro-inflammatory diseases. His work spans Gulf War illness, chronic multisymptom illnesses, liver-brain axis pathologies, and climate change impacts on environmental toxin effects. Recent research trends include climate change stressors like harmful algal blooms, microbiome alterations in neurological diseases, and oxidative stress-epigenomic signaling in inflammatory liver conditions. His lab explores pattern recognition receptors (TLRs, NALP3), Damage-Associated Molecular Patterns, and therapeutic compounds targeting these pathways. Scientific Recognition: Society of Toxicology SIG "Outstanding Early Career Toxicologist" Award (2022) AAAS Invited Panelist on Climate Change and Health (2022) Invited Speaker at Gulf War Illness Research Advisory Council (2021) ASPH Delegation Speaker, Nanjing Medical University (2019) Dr. Chatterjee leads the Chatterjee Lab at UCI, with ongoing projects funded by NIH, DOD, and VA Merit grants. His work integrates environmental toxicology with clinical translation, emphasizing gut-liver-brain axis mechanisms in disease.
Dr. Che Colpitts is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences at Queen's University, affiliated with the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Translational Institute of Medicine (TIME). She holds a PhD in Virology from the University of Alberta (2014), and completed postdoctoral training at the University of Strasbourg and University College London. Her research focuses on understanding how positive-sense RNA viruses, including hepatitis C virus (HCV), dengue virus, and coronaviruses, manipulate host cell biology to replicate and evade immune responses. Key research areas include: (1) roles of cyclophilin A in HCV immune evasion, (2) membrane rearrangements during viral replication, (3) TLR4 activation by viral glycoproteins, and (4) antiviral strategies targeting viral entry mechanisms. Current teaching includes MICR 451/BMED 851. The Colpitts Lab actively collaborates on projects involving ER stress responses, glycobiology, and broad-spectrum antiviral development. Notable recent publications explore SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis, cyclophilin-mediated viral cloaking, and pan-coronavirus inhibitors. Her work bridges basic virology with translational medicine, aiming to identify novel antiviral approaches against emerging and untreatable viral threats.
Thorsten Schinke is a full-time faculty member and Professor at the Department of Osteology and Biomechanics , University of Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE). His research focuses on molecular mechanisms of bone remodeling, Wnt/Notch signaling, osteoimmunology, and genetic factors in skeletal disorders. Key Research Themes: Wnt Signaling, Osteoporosis, Osteoimmunology, Skeletal Metastasis, Genetic Bone Diseases, Osteal Macrophages Scientific Contributions: Schinke has led 8 DFG-funded projects (2010-2021) exploring interactions between bone remodeling and disease states. His work includes identifying novel roles for Rsk2, PLS3, and Notch2 in osteosarcoma progression, X-linked osteoporosis, and Hajdu-Cheney syndrome. Using genetically engineered mouse models, he established connections between cytokine signaling (e.g., IL17, S1P), lysosomal dysfunction, and skeletal pathology. Recent Trends: Analysis of 15 recent publications (2017-2021) reveals expertise in in vivo bone modeling, histomorphometry, and cross-disciplinary approaches combining immunology and bone biology. Key subfields include tumor-bone interactions, Wnt-stimulated anabolism, and metabolic regulation of osteoblast/osteoclast balance. Scientific Awards: DFG Project 401122336 (2018-2021) DFG Project 385501541 (2017-2021) DFG Project 278045702 (2015-2019) DFG Project 235869912 (2013-2017) DFG Project 27463524 (2010-2014) Contact: Research conducted at Campus Lehre N55, Martinistrasse 52, Hamburg. Email: fis@uke.de
Dr Helena Qin is a Senior Research Fellow at Monash University's Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Science (Drug Discovery Biology Theme) and holds adjunct roles at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute and the University of Melbourne. She leads the National Heart Foundation Future Fellow laboratory, focusing on developing novel therapies for cardiovascular diseases through translational pharmacology and GPCR biology. Educated at the University of Melbourne, she earned a B.Biomed, PhD in Pharmacology, and First Class Honours in Medicinal Chemistry. Her research emphasizes formyl peptide receptors (FPRs) and their role in inflammation resolution, with nearly 40 publications in top journals. Key achievements include identifying FPRs' therapeutic potential against cardiovascular diseases and pioneering biased agonist drug design. Awarded prestigious fellowships (National Heart Foundation, JDRF, Baker Institute), her work addresses UN SDG 3 (Good Health) and 9 (Industry/Innovation). Major grants include NHMRC, National Heart Foundation, and Diabetes Australia funding. She actively mentors students and leads projects on GPCR-targeted therapeutics and pro-resolving medicines for cardiovascular and diabetic vascular conditions.
Dr. Mhaned Oubounyt is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Hamburg, affiliated with the Computational Systems Biology (CoSy.Bio) group within the Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences. His work focuses on developing computational methods for analyzing single-cell and spatial transcriptomics data, particularly in the context of disease mechanisms and drug repurposing. He is actively involved in the NetMap project, advancing dimensionality reduction techniques using differential regulatory networks. Research interests include gene co-expression networks, spatial single-cell analysis, and systems medicine applications. His methodologies bridge computational biology with clinical and agricultural challenges, such as vaccine responses in pregnancy, plant disease resistance, and cardiovascular pathophysiology. Key contributions include the SCANet and Drugst platforms for drug candidate identification and network-based analysis. Publications highlight a strong focus on network biology applications across domains: from immune system modeling to plant stress responses, leveraging single-cell multi-omics integration. His work emphasizes translational research, with implications for personalized medicine and crop improvement. Collaborations span academic and clinical institutions, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach. Current projects aim to enhance predictive modeling of disease progression and therapeutic interventions through systems-level insights.
Prof. Dr. Philipp Sasse is a Professor at the Institute of Physiology I at the University of Bonn. His research focuses on understanding the mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmias and developing optogenetic tools for their study and treatment. The Sasse group pioneered optogenetic control of heart muscle in vivo and has contributed key advancements in cardiac optogenetics, including manipulating signaling cascades, fibroblast-cardiomyocyte coupling, and optogenetic defibrillation. Research interests include: Cardiac arrhythmia mechanisms and termination strategies Optogenetic tool development for in vivo applications Drug screening for pro/anti-arrhythmic effects Light-cell interactions in cardiac tissue Key achievements include demonstrating optogenetic pacing in mouse hearts (2015), optogenetic defibrillation (2016), and foundational work on Gs-signaling manipulation (2019). The lab's work bridges molecular mechanisms with translational therapeutic concepts. Collaborations include computational modeling (e.g., with Trayanova NA) and interdisciplinary approaches combining genetics, optics, and electrophysiology. Current efforts focus on red-shifted optogenetic systems and novel therapies for arrhythmia termination.
Svetlana N. Radyuk serves as a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences within Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences at Southern Methodist University. Her laboratory (DLSB 317) focuses on the molecular mechanisms linking redox regulation, innate immunity, and aging processes using Drosophila melanogaster as a primary model system. Her research centers on redox regulation of innate immunity during aging , specifically investigating how peroxiredoxins modulate immune responses and longevity. Key areas include: Role of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) as dual-function molecules causing tissue damage while serving as immune signaling messengers Conserved functions of peroxiredoxins across biological kingdoms in regulating redox homeostasis Age-related immune decline including reduced pathogen resistance, impaired T/B cell function, and chronic inflammation Interactions between circadian clocks, redox balance, and aging processes Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a consistent focus on peroxiredoxin-mediated redox signaling in Drosophila models, with recent expansion into hydrogen gas therapeutics for oxidative stress-related conditions. Her work demonstrates how precise ROS/RNS regulation balances immune protection against tissue damage, with significant implications for age-related diseases. Dr. Radyuk currently holds two major NIH/NIA-funded research grants: R01 AG032342 (Principal Investigator): Peroxiredoxins, immune signaling and aging (2011-2016) R01 AG045830 (Co-PI): Circadian clocks and aging (2013-2018) Her teaching portfolio includes advanced courses in Immunobiology (BIOL 4319), Molecular Genetics Laboratory (BIOL 3222), and graduate-level research/thesis supervision (BIOL 6270, 8398). Her laboratory employs comprehensive molecular biology and genetics techniques to investigate redox-immunity interactions, with particular emphasis on developing interventions that maintain optimal immune function during aging.
James Godwin is an Assistant Professor with affiliations at the University of Maine's Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Jackson Laboratory (JAX), and the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (MDIBL). His research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying scar-free regeneration in salamanders, particularly the roles of nerve and immune cells in tissue repair. Godwin's work bridges comparative biology and immunomodulation to develop strategies for enhancing human regenerative potential. Education: Postdoctoral Fellow, Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (Monash University, Australia) Postdoctoral Fellow, University College London (UK) Ph.D., Immunology Research Center, Melbourne University (Australia) Research interests include immunology/inflammation, stem cell biology, regeneration of heart/spinal cord tissues, and comparative regeneration studies across species. His lab investigates how natural regenerative processes in salamanders can inform therapies for mammals, focusing on macrophage signaling, nerve-dependent repair, and inflammation control. Current projects explore pro-regenerative macrophage recruitment, TLR signaling in tissue damage responses, and cross-species immune system comparison. Collaborations with JAX and MDIBL enable multi-model organism studies (salamanders/mice). Future work aims to translate salamander regeneration insights into clinical applications for scar-free healing in humans.
Sofia de Oliveira is Assistant Professor in the Departments of Developmental & Molecular Biology and Medicine (Hepatology) at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Her research investigates neutrophil biology in disease contexts, particularly how metainflammation and inflammaging alter neutrophil responses in liver disease, polytrauma, and aging. The lab employs zebrafish models for live imaging of immune processes. Research examines neutrophil roles in NAFLD-associated liver cancer progression, age-related immune decline, and posttraumatic inflammation. Projects integrate immunology, metabolism, and disease modeling to identify therapeutic targets. Publications establish zebrafish as key model for visualizing neutrophil dynamics and demonstrate metformin's immunomodulatory effects in liver disease. Current work explores neutrophil heterogeneity in aging and metabolic syndrome contexts.