Pascal Frossard is a Full Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering in the School of Engineering (STI) at EPFL, with a courtesy appointment in the School of Computer and Communication Sciences. He founded and directs the LTS4 laboratory since 2003, co-leads the EPFL AI Center and Swiss Data Science Center, and serves as Associate Dean for Research at STI. Research Focus: Machine Learning, Graph Signal Processing, AI Applications in Healthcare, Computer Vision Academic Leadership: IEEE Fellow, ELLIS Fellow, Conference Chair roles Key Projects: Digital Pathology for Oncology, Cardiac Digital Twins, Robust Machine Learning Research Interests: His work bridges signal processing, machine learning, and applied mathematics, emphasizing biomedical applications. Recent research includes adversarial robustness in classifiers, network representation learning, and 360-degree video analysis. Scientific Awards: IEEE Fellow ELLIS Fellow Leadership in IEEE technical committees Advising & Grants: Supervised 20+ PhD students and postdocs. Secured major grants from PHRT, Hasler Foundation, FNS-Sinergia, Armasuisse, Google, and Cisco.
Daniel Finley is a Professor of Cell Biology at Harvard Medical School (HMS), leading the Finley Lab focused on the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and related regulatory mechanisms. He holds academic appointments within the Department of Cell Biology and sits on the Scientific Advisory Boards of Proteostasis and X-Chem Pharmaceuticals. His research investigates proteasome function, ubiquitin-like proteins, and proteostasis roles in diseases like Alzheimer’s and ALS. Dr. Finley earned his undergraduate degree in biochemistry from Harvard University and a Ph.D. in molecular biology from MIT. After postdoctoral training at MIT, he joined HMS in 1988. His lab explores topics including erythroid proteome remodeling, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neurodegenerative disease mechanisms. Key research areas include: (1) Ubiquitin-proteasome pathway regulation, (2) Proteasome structure/function, (3) Nonproteolytic roles of ubiquitination, and (4) Pathophysiological roles of proteostasis defects in diseases. His work bridges basic cell biology with translational medicine, particularly in neurodegeneration and anemia. Finley has secured NIH funding for projects like 'Regulation of Proteasome Activity' (R35GM145246) and 'Erythrocyte maturation through global proteome remodeling' (R01HL153970). Collaborations with industry and academic partners extend his impact in drug discovery and proteasome-targeted therapies. His lab’s contributions include defining ubiquitin chain editing mechanisms, identifying USP14’s role in mitophagy, and elucidating proteostasis defects in Alzheimer's models. Research tools developed include advanced cryo-EM analyses of proteasomal structures and functional assays for ubiquitin system enzymes.
Rotem Karni, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Genetics at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. He leads a research lab focused on understanding how alternative RNA splicing contributes to cancer and genetic diseases, with a strong emphasis on translating these findings into RNA-based therapies. Karni's lab develops decoy oligonucleotides, small molecules, and splice-switching technologies to modulate splicing factors and enhance immunotherapy. Education BSc in Biological Chemistry from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1997) PhD in Biological Chemistry from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel (2002) Postdoctoral Fellowship at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, NY (2002-2007) Karni's research explores the deregulation of alternative splicing in oncogenesis, particularly how splicing factors like RBFOX2 and S6K1 influence metastasis, DNA repair, and immune checkpoint modulation. His team investigates m6A RNA modifications for stabilizing mutant genes, with applications in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and pancreatic cancer. The lab's work is commercialized through biotech companies: SKIP Therapeutics, Andlit Therapeutics, and RNAble. Selected Research Trends RNA mis-splicing and neoantigen generation (2025) Splicing factor inhibition for tumor suppression (2023) Metastatic splicing signatures in pancreatic cancer (2023) Immune checkpoint splicing in cancer immunotherapy (2021) m6A modulation for mRNA stabilization (2023) Advising & Collaborations Karni has mentored numerous PhD and postdoctoral researchers, many of whom now hold leadership roles in academia, biotech, and medical institutions globally. His lab collaborates extensively on projects involving RNA innovation, including partnerships with the Institute for RNA Innovation. Contact Department of Genetics & Institute for RNA Innovation, One uCity Square, Room 4018, Philadelphia, PA 19104 Phone: 215-898-5072 Email: Rotem.Karni@Upenn.edu
Jessica Williams, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurosciences at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute (LRI) with additional faculty appointments at Case Western Reserve University, Kent State University, and Cleveland State University. She serves as the Cleveland Clinic liaison for Kent State University and represents the Clinic on the Executive Council for the Brain Health Institute and the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program Executive Committee. Education: Postdoctoral Fellowship in Neuroimmunology, Washington University School of Medicine (2017) Ph.D. in Immunology, The Ohio State University (2011) M.S. in Physiology, Purdue University (2006) B.S. in Biology/Chemistry, Lindenwood University (2004) Dr. Williams' research focuses on neuroimmune interactions during multiple sclerosis, particularly examining regional responses of CNS glia to immune stimuli and astrocyte-immune crosstalk. Her lab employs murine MS models, primary human and murine cell analyses, and MS patient lesion assessment to investigate cytokine-mediated neuroprotection and CNS repair mechanisms. Recent work highlights protective astrocyte functions mediated by traditionally deleterious cytokines. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals consistent focus on neuroimmune crosstalk in MS, with increasing emphasis on astrocyte heterogeneity, cytokine signaling (particularly IFNγ), and novel therapeutic targets like immunoproteasomes. Key themes include regional CNS differences in immune responses, glial cell repair mechanisms, and translating basic findings into potential MS therapies. Scientific Awards: Lerner Research Institute Excellence in Education Award (2022) Mentor of the Year Award (2023) Dr. Williams actively mentors the next generation of scientists as evidenced by her CIMER Trained Mentor certification and the graduation of PhD student Brandon Smith. Her research is supported by significant funding from the NIH, National MS Society, W.M. Keck Foundation, Brain Health Research Institute, and Neurological and Vision Impact Area. She regularly serves on study sections for the NIH, National MS Society, and Department of Defense. The Williams Laboratory investigates the interplay between immune and central nervous systems during MS, with current projects examining cytokine-mediated neuroimmune crosstalk for CNS repair and regionally distinct glial responses to inflammation. The lab employs advanced techniques including murine MS models and primary human cell analyses to identify novel therapeutic pathways for MS patients.
Jennifer L. Clarke is a Professor in the Department of Statistics at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and Director of the Quantitative Life Science Initiative. She holds leadership roles in enabling big data integration across the University of Nebraska system through collaborative research programs. Her affiliations include the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Dr. Clarke's research focuses on statistical methodology for high-dimensional data, computational biology, bioinformatics, and bacterial genomics. Her work bridges statistical innovation with applications in oncology, microbiome analysis, and agricultural phenomics. Key areas include predictive modeling, machine learning, and genomic/metagenomic data integration. Her recent publications span cancer biomarker discovery, plant phenotyping methodologies, and microbial community analysis, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach. Articles emphasize translational applications like therapeutic target identification and precision agriculture. Dr. Clarke leads initiatives fostering collaboration between statisticians and domain scientists, including the Quantitative Life Science Initiative and contributions to the Agricultural Genome-to-Phenome Initiative (AG2PI). Her work advances data-driven solutions for healthcare and food security challenges. Notable projects include developing statistical tools for microbiome studies, analyzing root architecture via 3D imaging, and investigating cranberry-derived compounds' cancer-inhibitory mechanisms. Her methodological contributions include hybrid clustering techniques and predictive model validation frameworks.
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.
Dr. Gabriele Schweikert is a Senior Lecturer and Principal Investigator with a joint appointment between the Division of Computational Biology in the School of Life Sciences at University of Dundee and Cyber Valley in Tuebingen. Her research focuses on applying machine learning techniques to understand epigenetic mechanisms and molecular processes in living cells. Dr. Schweikert completed her PhD at the Max Planck Institute Tuebingen working with Schoelkopf, Weigel, and Raetsch labs on machine learning for computational gene finding. She subsequently joined Adrian Bird's lab at the Wellcome Trust Center for Cell Biology in Edinburgh, a pioneer in epigenomic research. Prior to her current position, she held prestigious Marie Curie and EMBO Fellowships at the School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh. Her research interests center on using machine learning to decode epigenetic mechanisms that determine cellular identity and function. She investigates how cells with identical DNA can differentiate into specialized cell types through epigenetic regulation, with particular focus on applications in understanding tumorigenesis where epigenetic machinery malfunctions. Her work combines high-throughput epigenomic data with advanced computational approaches to address complex biological questions. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on epigenomic data analysis, machine learning applications in biology, and computational approaches to understanding gene regulation. Her work spans from fundamental epigenetic mechanisms to practical applications in disease research, with growing emphasis on individual-specific epigenomic analysis and explainable AI in biomedical contexts. UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship (2020, £1.6 million) Marie Curie Fellowship EMBO Fellowship Dr. Schweikert actively supervises PhD students and has received significant research funding for projects including 'Machine Learning Methods to Re-Annotate Histone Modifications,' 'Unlocking The Alternative Splicing Code,' and 'GPU-Based Machine Learning System For Fundamental Biological Research.' She is involved in multiple interdisciplinary collaborations and frequently presents her work at major conferences including ELLIS Health program retreat, Epigenetics Meetings, and RECOMB workshops. She maintains active research laboratories in both Dundee and Tuebingen, fostering international collaboration between computational biologists, machine learning experts, and experimental biologists to advance our understanding of epigenetic regulation in health and disease.
Hong Han is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Biomedical Sciences within McMaster University's Faculty of Health Sciences and a member of the Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research (CDCR). She holds a Canada Research Chair and leads the Han Lab, which focuses on cancer biology, RNA regulation, and innovative high-throughput technologies for therapeutic discovery. Dr. Han earned her Ph.D. from the University of Toronto (2010-2016) and has established herself as a leading researcher in glioblastoma and alternative splicing regulation. Her interdisciplinary research integrates cancer biology, RNA science, and multilayer gene regulation to uncover mechanisms underlying cancer progression and treatment resistance. Her laboratory pioneers integrated technological platforms for large-scale genetic/drug screening and ultra-high-throughput single-cell profiling. The research focuses on three main areas: alternative splicing regulation in cancer (particularly glioblastoma and prostate cancer), multilayer mechanisms of glioblastoma heterogeneity and microenvironment evolution, and multiplexed screening approaches for therapeutic discovery in treatment-resistant cancers. Analysis of Dr. Han's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on single-cell technologies to characterize glioblastoma heterogeneity, minimal residual disease states, and tumor-immune interactions. Her work increasingly bridges basic RNA biology with translational applications, particularly in developing novel therapeutic strategies targeting splicing networks and immune evasion mechanisms. Canada Research Chair Dr. Han teaches Advanced Techniques in the Biomedical Sciences (BIOCHEM 734). Her research program is supported by multiple funding sources, as evidenced by her extensive publication record in high-impact journals including Nature, Cell, Molecular Cell, and Nature Communications. She employs a comprehensive approach combining in vitro, in vivo, and patient cohort studies with cutting-edge genomic technologies. The Han Lab has developed innovative multiplexed screening platforms that enable simultaneous interrogation of thousands of conditions, ranging from CAR-T cells to small molecule therapeutics. This approach accelerates the discovery of novel cancer targets and therapeutic strategies for treatment-resistant cancers.
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.
Ramesh Shanmughom Pillai is a Full Professor at the Department of Molecular Biology, University of Geneva, Switzerland. He holds additional roles as a Visiting Professor at the University of Kumamoto, Japan, and has been a Group Leader at EMBL Grenoble and a postdoctoral fellow at the Friedrich Miescher Institute. His research focuses on RNA modifications, epigenetics, and piRNA pathways in germline biology. Pillai has received prestigious awards including the ERC Consolidator Grant and The RNA Society Scaringe Award. Education: BSc Botany (University of Kerala, India) MSc Biotechnology (IIT Roorkee, India) PhD in Cell Biology (University of Bern, Switzerland) Research Interests: Pillai’s work centers on RNA biology, particularly the role of RNA modifications (e.g., m6A, m6Am) in development and fertility. He investigates piRNA biogenesis, transposon silencing, and the molecular mechanisms of RNA-protein interactions. His studies bridge biochemistry, genetics, and structural biology to elucidate how RNA molecules regulate critical biological processes. Teaching & Service: At the University of Geneva, he teaches Molecular Biology courses (BSc/MSc levels) and advises 5 PhD students and 4 postdocs. He chairs the ERC Consolidator Grant Review Panel and organizes major conferences like the PIWI/piRNAs Meeting and Swiss RNA Workshop. Pillai also serves on editorial boards for Nucleic Acids Research and RNA . Awards: ERC Consolidator Grant (2015) Best PhD Thesis Award (2003) RNA Society Scaringe Award (2005) Grants & Labs: Funded by ERC Starting and Consolidator Grants, his lab explores RNA modification networks in germ cells. Former trainees include Professors Simon Conn (Flinders University) and Hao Wu (CAS, China).
Dr. Andre Kahles is a Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at ETH Zürich, specializing in biomedical informatics. His research focuses on computational methods for analyzing large-scale genomic and transcriptomic data, with applications in cancer genomics, metagenomics, and precision medicine. He has contributed to the development of tools such as SplAdder for alternative splicing analysis, MetaGraph for petascale genomic data exploration, and SECEDO for subclone detection in cancer genomes. His work bridges algorithmic innovation with biological insights, addressing challenges in single-cell analysis, genome graph alignment, and multi-omics integration. Key research themes include: Developing scalable algorithms for processing nanopore sequencing and metagenomic data Characterizing somatic mutations and non-coding drivers in cancer genomes Advancing genome graph-based alignment and annotation methods Integrating multi-omics data for clinical decision-making and tumor profiling His publications span topics like RNA-seq analysis, chromothripsis in cancers, and global urban microbiome tracking through the MetaSUB consortium. Kahles has collaborated on landmark projects including the Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes (PCAWG) and the Tumor Profiler Study.
Nicolas Thomä is a Full Professor and head of the Thomä Lab at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), where he holds the Paternot Chair in Cancer Research. He is affiliated with the School of Life Sciences (SV) and the Institute of Chemical and Biological Technology (ISREC), leading the UPTHOMAE research unit. His work bridges structural biology, chemical biology, and cancer research, with a focus on transcriptional regulation and targeted protein degradation. His research interests center on chromatin biology and the molecular mechanisms by which transcription factors access gene promoters within chromatin. He investigates how multi-protein complexes regulate gene expression, particularly focusing on the role of E3 ubiquitin ligases and molecular glues in targeted protein degradation. His lab combines structural techniques (including cryo-EM), biochemical assays, and functional genomics to unravel how small molecules can rewire protein interactions and induce degradation of disease-relevant proteins, especially transcription factors involved in cancer. The recent publications of his lab demonstrate a strong trajectory in understanding the structural basis of transcription factor binding to nucleosomes (e.g., OCT4-SOX2, MYC-MAX, CLOCK-BMAL1) and the mechanism of action of molecular glues like thalidomide. These studies highlight a shift toward therapeutic innovation through chemical biology, aiming to develop novel strategies for targeting 'undruggable' proteins in human diseases. Scientific Awards No specific awards listed in the provided text. Advising and Grants Thomä actively supervises a team of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, including David Domjan, Laurin Tim Kanis, Alessandro Minafra, and Pierre Alexander Miranda Herrera. His lab is supported by institutional funding from EPFL and likely external grants related to cancer research, structural biology, and chemical biology, though specific grants are not mentioned. The lab’s interdisciplinary approach suggests collaboration with pharmaceutical and biotech partners. Labs and Teams The Thomä Lab, based at EPFL’s SV building, includes a multidisciplinary team of scientists, technical specialists, and administrative support. Key members include Fiona Bello (Technical Specialist), Regina Baur, Alexandra Bendel, Manuel Carminati, and others. The lab is structured around two main research pillars: Transcription Factors in Chromatin Biology and Ubiquitin Biology and Molecular Glues, reflecting its dual focus on fundamental mechanisms and therapeutic applications.
Dr. Philippe Campeau is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal. He is affiliated with CHU Sainte-Justine, a major pediatric hospital in Montreal, Quebec, where he works in the Medical Genetics Service. His clinical and research work focuses on genetic disorders affecting children, particularly in the areas of skeletal development and neurogenetics. Dr. Campeau obtained his Doctorate in Medicine from Laval University in Quebec (1998-2003) followed by specialty training in medical genetics at McGill University (2003-2008). He completed postdoctoral training at Baylor College of Medicine (2008-2013), which further developed his expertise in genetic research methodologies. His primary research interests include bone dysplasias , skeletal dysplasias , epilepsy , and epigenetic diseases . Dr. Campeau's laboratory identifies disease-causing genes, deciphers disease pathophysiology, and works to improve the management of children affected by these conditions. His work encompasses exome analysis , functional studies with cell lines and mouse models , and investigations into urea cycle abnormalities . He has made significant contributions to understanding genetic causes of conditions such as Genitopatellar syndrome (KAT6B), osteopetrosis, dysosteosclerosis (SLC29A3), osteogenesis imperfecta, early-onset osteoporosis (WNT1), Yunis-Varón syndrome (FIG4), and DOORS syndrome (TBC1D24). Dr. Campeau's publication record demonstrates a strong trajectory in medical genetics research, with numerous high-impact publications spanning from fundamental genetic discovery to translational research. His work spans skeletal disorders, neurodevelopmental conditions, and epigenetic mechanisms. Recent publications indicate an expanding focus on chromatin modifiers, DNA methylation patterns, and spliceosome function in neurodevelopmental conditions, reflecting the evolution of his research interests toward more complex molecular mechanisms. Dr. Campeau has received several research grants in recent years (6 starting in 2014) from organizations including the Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and Fondation Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie. While specific students are not mentioned in the available information, as a clinical professor, he mentors medical students, residents, and research trainees in the Department of Pediatrics. His research is conducted as part of the 'Musculoskeletal Diseases and Rehabilitation' axis at CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, where he collaborates with international research teams to identify disease-causing genes and develop better management strategies for children with genetic disorders.
Oded Regev is a Silver Professor at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University. He has previously held positions at Tel Aviv University and École Normale Supérieure, Paris (CNRS). His research spans theoretical computer science, cryptography, quantum computation, and machine learning applications in biological discovery. Education: PhD in Computer Science, Tel Aviv University (2001) Regev is renowned for his work in lattice-based cryptography, including the introduction of the Learning With Errors (LWE) problem and Gaussian measures. He also leads research using interpretable machine learning to decode RNA splicing logic and nuclear speckle dynamics, with implications in disease and therapeutics. His recent articles focus on quantum factoring, RNA localization, and geometric lattice bounds. Scientific Awards: European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant (2008) 2018 Gödel Prize 2019 Simons Investigator Award Best Paper Awards: STOC 2003, Eurocrypt 2006 Regev mentors students and postdocs in both theoretical computer science and computational biology. His lab has secured funding from NSF, NIH, and Additional Ventures. He co-founded the TCS+ online seminar series and serves as Associate Editor-in-Chief for Theory of Computing .
Jacob Gardner is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer & Information Science at the School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania. His research bridges machine learning and scientific discovery with emphasis on computational biology and molecular design. His primary research interests include: Machine Learning Bayesian Optimization Computational Biology Molecular Design Artificial Intelligence Gaussian Processes Analysis of his 2024-2025 publications reveals a dominant focus on Bayesian optimization techniques integrated with large language models for biological applications. Key trends include therapeutic design using knowledge distillation from scientific literature, RNA splicing prediction, antibiotic development, and scalable Gaussian process methods. His work consistently addresses dimensionality challenges in molecular modeling while improving computational efficiency for high-dimensional biological data. No scientific awards were mentioned in the provided text. No information regarding student advising or research grants was provided in the source material. His research appears supported by institutional initiatives including Penn AI, Innovation in Data Engineering and Science (IDEAS), and the Data Driven Discovery Initiative (DDDI).
