Danielle Spitzer is an Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh, specializing in cell and developmental biology. Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms governing tissue morphogenesis, including cell adhesion, spindle orientation, and epithelial growth regulation. Her work spans diverse model organisms like Drosophila and mammals, addressing fundamental questions in tissue survival, overgrowth, and craniofacial development. Key themes include the role of Echinoid, AGS3-LGN interactions, and nectin-afadin complexes. She has published extensively in top journals, with a focus on developmental genetics, epithelial morphogenesis, and molecular signaling pathways. Contact: danielle.spitzer@pitt.edu
Regin Rønn serves as a Guest Researcher in the Department of Biology at the University of Copenhagen, specializing in Terrestrial Ecology within the university's Faculty of Science. Affiliated with the Terrestrial Ecology research group, Rønn maintains an active research profile with 85 documented research outputs. Rønn's research focuses on soil microbial ecosystems , particularly examining the ecological role of soil microfauna and interactions between bacteria and protozoa. Key research themes include: Effects of protozoan grazing on bacterial community structure in soil Bacterial diversity dynamics under environmental stressors Microbial responses to metal pollution and wood ash amendments Legacy effects of copper contamination on soil microbial communities Vertical stratification of microbial communities in forest soils Recent publications (2021-2024) reveal a consistent focus on soil pollution remediation and microbial community resilience , with significant contributions to understanding how wood ash amendments alter soil chemistry and microbial composition. Rønn's collaborative work spans international research teams across Europe and Asia, with particular emphasis on environmental risk assessment in forest ecosystems. Rønn maintains active scientific collaborations as evidenced by extensive co-authorship networks, though specific grant funding or formal advising roles are not documented in available sources. The research demonstrates practical applications for sustainable forest management and pollution mitigation strategies.
Matthew Heintzelman serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at Bucknell University, holding a Ph.D. from Yale University and an A.B. from Dartmouth College. His academic career centers on unconventional cellular motility mechanisms across diverse microorganisms. His educational background includes: Ph.D. from Yale University A.B. from Dartmouth College Dr. Heintzelman's research focuses on gliding locomotion —a unique movement mechanism where cells traverse surfaces without visible locomotory organelles or shape changes. His lab investigates this phenomenon in apicomplexan parasites (including Toxoplasma and Plasmodium , the malaria parasite) and diatoms , with particular emphasis on the actin-myosin cytoskeleton as the molecular engine. Employing advanced molecular and morphological techniques, his work unravels the cytoskeletal architecture enabling this enigmatic motility. His publication record reveals a consistent trajectory exploring gliding mechanisms across biological kingdoms—from parasitic protists to photosynthetic microalgae. Key themes include comparative ultrastructure of marine gregarines, molecular phylogeny of niche-specialized parasites, and myosin diversity in diatoms, collectively advancing fundamental understanding of cell motility in eukaryotic evolution. No scientific awards were mentioned in the provided text. No student advisement details or grant information were specified in the source material, though his laboratory conducts active research on cytoskeletal mechanisms. Dr. Heintzelman's laboratory at Bucknell University maintains a specialized focus on diatom gliding motility, utilizing interdisciplinary approaches to dissect the macromolecular assemblies powering this phenomenon. The lab bridges cell biology, parasitology, and phycology through comparative studies of cytoskeletal function across evolutionarily divergent organisms.
Kacper Maciszewski is a researcher at the Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, specializing in the evolution of eukaryotic microorganisms, particularly focusing on plastid and mitochondrial genomes. His work emphasizes endosymbiosis, horizontal gene transfer, and genome structure dynamics in algae and protists. He leads projects funded by the National Science Centre (NCN), including a PLN 210,000 grant on inverted repeats in Euglenophyta plastid genomes (2019–2022), and has conducted research at the University of Alberta through the Iwanowska Programme. Key research interests include the evolutionary mechanisms behind plastid genome conservation/variability, the role of inverted repeats in mutation repair, and the genomic adaptations of non-photosynthetic lineages. He has published on topics such as reduced plastid genomes in Prototheca, maturase gene complexity in euglenophytes, and spatio-temporal microbial community dynamics in lakes. Grants: NCN Preludium 16 (2019–2022), Faculty of Biology UW grants (2018–2020), NAWA internship (2021–2022) Awards: Holz-Conner Travel Grant (2019) Publications: Over 15 peer-reviewed articles in journals like Molecular Biology and Evolution , BMC Biology , and Frontiers in Plant Science Maciszewski is an active member of the International Society of Protistologists (ISOP) and has presented at conferences such as the European Congress of Protistology and the Jirovec’s Protozoological Days. His work bridges genomics, evolutionary biology, and microbial ecology, contributing to understanding plastid genome evolution across diverse eukaryotic lineages.
Karin Rengefors is a Professor in Aquatic Ecology and Functional Ecology at Lund University, affiliated with the BECC (Biodiversity and Ecosystem services in a Changing Climate) research program. She serves as Deputy Dean at the Faculty of Science and leads multiple research initiatives focused on phytoplankton ecology and evolution. Her research interests include phytoplankton biogeography , algal blooms , genetic diversity , and population genomics . She investigates invasive species such as Gonyostomum semen and cyanobacteria like Microcystis botrys , particularly in the context of climate change and extreme weather events. Her approach combines population genomics, trait analysis, and experimental studies. The recent publications highlight trends in phytoplankton resilience , genomic adaptation , and environmental drivers of algal blooms , with a strong emphasis on freshwater and marine systems under climate stress. Her work spans disciplines including ecology, genomics, and environmental science. Scientific Awards: Marine Biological Laboratory Whitman Summer Investigator Grant Award (2015) Lunds universitets pedagogiska pris (2012) Ledamot Kungliga Fysiografiska Sällskapet i Lund (2011) Manton Prize for best student oral contribution (1998) Linneaus Prize for outstanding PhD thesis (1998) Advising and Grants: She is Principal Investigator (PI) on multiple active grants, including projects funded by the Swedish Research Council and FORMAS. She supervises PhD students and collaborates on dissertation projects. Her leadership extends to public engagement, where she frequently participates in media as an expert on algal blooms and water quality. Labs and Teams: She leads a research group focused on phytoplankton ecology and collaborates extensively within Lund University and internationally. Her team works on projects related to aquatic ecosystem monitoring, cyanobacterial toxicity, and eukaryotic evolution.
Dr. Gustavo Espinoza-Vergara is an ARC DECRA Fellow at the Australian Institute for Microbiology & Infection (AIMI) within the Faculty of Science at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). His research focuses on understanding bacterial survival mechanisms under environmental stresses, particularly interactions with higher organisms and protozoan predation. Key areas include pathogen persistence in ecosystems, virulence evolution, and antibiotic resistance. Education: Bachelor in Pharmacy and Chemistry (Universidad de Valparaíso, Chile, 2006-2011) PhD in Biotechnology (University of New South Wales, Australia, 2015-2019) Research Interests: His lab explores how bacterial pathogens adapt to predation by protozoa, leading to enhanced virulence and antibiotic resistance. Studies include Vibrio cholerae’s survival in food vacuoles, biofilm dynamics, and environmental reservoirs of pathogens. Techniques used span microbiology, genomics, and ecological modeling. Key Contributions: Published work reveals protozoan predation drives genetic diversification in bacteria, enhancing their pathogenicity. Recent findings highlight SOS response-mediated DNA integration in V. cholerae and metabolic adaptations in V. vulnificus. These studies underscore environmental niches as critical for pathogen evolution. Awards: Eureka Prize for Scientific Research (2021) Becas Chile PhD Scholarship (2013) Teaching: Teaches Biotechnology Solutions to Infectious Diseases (2020), integrating research insights into curriculum. Labs/Teams: Active in AIMI, collaborating on projects linking environmental microbiology to public health outcomes. Current focus includes developing predictive models for pathogen reservoirs and antibiotic resistance spread.
Anouk Willemsen is Assistant Professor of Microbial Ecology at the University of Vienna, leading research on the evolutionary genetics of giant viruses (Nucleocytoviricota) through ERC Starting Grant support. Her group investigates viral adaptation mechanisms, codon usage evolution, and host-virus coevolution using genomics, experimental approaches, and fluorescence in situ hybridization techniques. Key publications describe defensive symbioses protecting amoebae from viral infection, the discovery of Naegleria-infecting giant viruses, and widespread codon usage mismatches between viruses and hosts. Current projects explore viral gene transfer dynamics and the role of mobile genetic elements in viral ecology. Willemsen holds editorial roles in virology journals and coordinates research partnerships with Japanese and European laboratories studying viral diversity. She received the Humboldt Research Fellowship and Berlin Prize for her work on viral evolution and serves on advisory boards for academic book series in microbiology.
Debora Iglesias-Rodriguez is a Professor of Biological Oceanography at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), affiliated with the Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology (EEMB) department. She holds a B.Sc. in Biology & Biochemistry from the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain) and a Ph.D. from Swansea University (UK). Her research focuses on mechanisms controlling phytoplankton diversity and function under environmental changes like ocean acidification and warming. Key projects include studying coccolithophore resilience, ocean alkalinity enhancement, and impacts of wildfires and oil spills on marine ecosystems. Her work integrates molecular, biogeochemical, and optical approaches, with field and lab experiments. She has secured funding from NSF, NASA, NOAA, and Climateworks Foundation. Notable recognitions include a Thomson Reuters 'Fast Breaking Paper' (2008) and contributions to IPCC workshops. The Iglesias-Rodriguez Lab manages cutting-edge facilities like the BD Influx flow cytometer for phytoplankton analysis. Education: B.Sc., Biology & Biochemistry, University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain) Ph.D., Swansea University, UK (1996) Awards: NERC Fellowship (UK) NASA Fellowship Top 0.01 cited Geoscience paper (2008) Her lab advises over 20 graduate and undergraduate students, focusing on climate-driven marine processes. Current research spans OAE efficacy, urchin resilience, and post-fire debris flow impacts. Collaborations include NOAA and UCSB’s SBC-LTER program.
Jeremy Wideman is an Assistant Professor at Arizona State University's School of Life Sciences. His research focuses on evolutionary biology, mitochondrial evolution, protistology, and comparative genomics. He investigates fundamental questions about eukaryotic evolution, including mitochondrial genome diversity, organelle biogenesis, and the evolutionary relationships among protists. Professor Wideman's research explores cellular evolution through advanced genomic and proteomic approaches. His work spans mitochondrial dynamics, endosymbiotic theory validation, and the development of computational tools for phylogenetic analysis. Recent investigations focus on cristae architecture formation and the evolutionary trajectories of mitochondrial protein complexes across diverse eukaryotic lineages. His publications consistently demonstrate a strong emphasis on developing genomic databases (EukProt), advancing single-cell analysis techniques for protists, and reconstructing ancestral cellular states. The research integrates experimental biology with bioinformatic approaches to understand organelle evolution and cellular complexity.
Sandra Baldauf is a Professor at the Department of Organismal Biology; Systematic Biology at Uppsala University. Her research focuses on evolutionary biology, genomics, and phylogenetics, particularly in understanding eukaryotic origins, microbial diversity, and molecular evolution. She has contributed significantly to studies of slime molds (Dictyostelids), mitochondrial genetics, and the reconstruction of the eukaryote tree of life. Her work bridges genomic analysis with organismal biology, using molecular tools to explore evolutionary relationships and genetic mechanisms across diverse taxa. Key areas include the study of horizontal gene transfer, phylogenetic methodology, and the role of natural products in parasitology. Recent publications highlight her contributions to resolving the eukaryote root, analyzing acaricidal plant oils, and discovering new species of social amoebae. Her research emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches combining fieldwork, genomic sequencing, and computational biology. Awards and grants are not explicitly mentioned in the provided text, though her high citation count and international collaborations suggest significant recognition. She advises students through her research activities, though specific names are not listed here.
Seyed Saeed Asadzadeh is a Researcher in the Department of Fluid Mechanics, Coastal and Maritime Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), affiliated with the DTU Microbes Initiative. His work bridges mechanical engineering and microbial ecology through advanced fluid dynamics research. His research focuses on the biomechanics of microorganisms, particularly examining flagellar propulsion systems in planktonic protists. Key interests include: Hydrodynamic mechanisms of flagellate foraging and escape behaviors Evolutionary adaptations in microbial locomotion Fluid-structure interactions in choanoflagellates and other protists Trade-offs between propulsion efficiency, feeding, and stealth in aquatic microenvironments His recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on experimental and computational fluid dynamics applied to microbial ecology, with significant contributions to understanding early eukaryote functional ecology through excavate flagellate studies. The work demonstrates interdisciplinary connections between physics, biology, and evolutionary science. As a supervisor, he has guided PhD research on flagellate foraging dynamics (2021-2024) and previously completed his own PhD on computational fluid dynamics of choanoflagellates (2016-2019). His collaborative network includes prominent researchers like Thomas Kiørboe and Jens H. Walther.
Elias Gerrick is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Chicago, where he leads research on commensal protists in the gut microbiota and their influence on host immunity and health. His work examines how these microorganisms remodel the intestinal environment through host-microbe and microbe-microbe interactions. Education Postdoctoral Fellowship: Stanford University, Microbiology and Immunology (until 07/2024) Ph.D. in Microbiology: Harvard University (awarded 06/2018) B.S. in Microbiology and Immunology: University of California, Irvine (awarded 05/2013) Research Focus Dr. Gerrick investigates the ecological dynamics of gut microbiota, specializing in protist biology and its impact on intestinal immunity. His lab explores: Metabolic interactions between protists, bacteria, and host cells Evolutionary adaptations of commensal protists across vertebrate hosts Diet-mediated changes in microbial communities Trans-kingdom competition in the gut ecosystem Publication Trends His 11 most recent articles (2012-2025) demonstrate a progression from foundational bacterial genetics ( Mycobacterium tuberculosis studies) to specialized gut microbiome research. Recent works focus on protist genomics, metabolic regulation of immunity, and host-adaptation mechanisms, utilizing genomic, transcriptomic, and ecological approaches. Laboratory The Gerrick Lab employs molecular microbiology and systems biology techniques to study protist functions in gut ecosystems, aiming to develop microbiome-based therapeutic strategies.
Dr. Izabela Zawiska is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization of the Polish Academy of Sciences, specializing in paleolimnology with expertise in lake and peat bog ecosystems. Her research focuses on analyzing subfossil Cladocera to understand environmental changes recorded in biogenic sediments, with fieldwork spanning Poland, Scandinavia, and the Bolivian and Peruvian Altiplano. 1996-2003: Master's studies at University of Warsaw, Faculty of Geography and Regional Studies (Thesis: "The state of the soil cover of Uroczysko Orłów - Krugłe Bagno and the expected consequences of flooding - Poleski National Park") 2005-2006: Postgraduate studies in Project Management at Warsaw School of Economics 2006-2011: Doctoral studies at Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PhD: "Changes in the natural environment in the late glacial and Holocene periods in the vicinity of Lake Łukie (Lublin Polesie)") Dr. Zawiska's research centers on paleolimnological reconstruction using biological indicators, particularly Cladocera. She has conducted extensive studies on dystrophic lakes in northeastern Poland, examining their long-term ecological development. Her work integrates multiple proxies to reconstruct past environmental conditions and understand how freshwater ecosystems respond to both natural climate variability and human activities. She has made significant contributions to understanding the relationship between lake morphology, productivity, and biological communities through detailed analysis of sediment records. Her recent publications (2020-2025) reveal a sophisticated research trajectory focused on quantitative reconstruction methods for lake trophic states, anthropogenic impacts on freshwater ecosystems, and interdisciplinary approaches combining traditional paleolimnology with machine learning techniques. She has developed training sets for reconstructing past lake conditions using subfossil Cladocera and diatoms, and has examined how urbanization, water management practices, and climate variability affect lake ecosystems across different geographical regions. No specific scientific awards were mentioned in the available information. Dr. Zawiska has been actively involved in numerous research projects, particularly those related to ecosystem services, lake dynamics, and paleoenvironmental reconstruction. She has collaborated extensively with researchers from the Polish Academy of Sciences and international institutions across Europe and the Americas. Her project portfolio includes research on riparian forests along the Vistula River, lake ecosystem responses to climate change, and the development of methods for reconstructing past environmental conditions using biological indicators. She works within the Department of Dynamics of Past Landscapes at the Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization, participating in several international research networks including INQUA (International Union for Quaternary Research) and collaborating with researchers studying the INTIMATE (Integration of ice-core, marine and terrestrial records for understanding climate change) project. Her interdisciplinary approach combines expertise in geology, biology, chemistry, and data science to address complex questions about past and present environmental changes.
Lillian Fritz-Laylin is a Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where her research program investigates the evolution and diversification of cellular motility mechanisms across eukaryotic lineages. Her work bridges cell biology, evolutionary genomics, and biophysics to understand fundamental questions about cytoskeletal evolution. Her educational background includes: B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley (2003) Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley (2010) Postdoctoral training at the University of California, San Francisco (2010-2017) Dr. Fritz-Laylin's research centers on Quantitative Evolutionary Cell Biology, specifically examining how cell crawling mechanisms evolved through comparative studies of diverse organisms including Naegleria gruberi, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, human neutrophils, and insect cells. Her lab integrates comparative genomics, phylogenetics, and advanced microscopy to dissect the molecular basis of cytoskeletal networks, with particular focus on actin and microtubule dynamics. This approach reveals both conserved core mechanisms and lineage-specific innovations in cellular motility. Analysis of her publication record shows consistent emphasis on protist genomics and cytoskeletal evolution, with frequent use of Naegleria as a model system. Her work demonstrates how molecular adaptations in cytoskeletal regulators drive phenotypic diversity across eukaryotes, while maintaining core cellular functions. The research spans evolutionary cell biology, quantitative imaging, and the application of genomic tools to non-traditional model organisms. Scientific awards: No awards were documented in the provided materials. Regarding advising and grants, the available documentation does not specify current advisees or active grant funding, though her extensive publication record suggests ongoing research support. The Fritz-Laylin Lab operates at the intersection of multiple disciplines, utilizing a unique combination of free-living protists, fungal pathogens, and human cells to investigate evolutionary principles of cellular organization. The lab's collaborative approach connects molecular cell biology with broad evolutionary questions, maintaining active partnerships across microbiology, genomics, and biophysics research communities.
Dr. Maja Łukomska-Kowalczyk is a researcher at the University of Warsaw, specializing in the molecular and phylogenetic analysis of autotrophic euglenids. Her work focuses on DNA metabarcoding, biodiversity assessment, and taxonomic classification of these microorganisms. She has contributed to the discovery of new species such as Euglena mazurica and Euglenaria clepsydroides , advancing understanding of euglenid evolution and ecology. Her research projects include environmental sequencing initiatives to map autotrophic euglenid diversity and developing protocols for DNA isolation using chelating resins. She has published extensively in journals like Protist , Journal of Phycology , and TAXON , addressing topics ranging from species delimitation to molecular diagnostics of toxic species like Euglena sanguinea . Łukomska-Kowalczyk's work intersects microbiology, ecology, and evolutionary biology, with applications in environmental protection and biodiversity conservation. She collaborates on projects involving cyanobacteria fossilization and lake ecosystem studies, demonstrating interdisciplinary research expertise.
