Selma Masri is Associate Professor of Biological Chemistry at UC Irvine School of Medicine, investigating circadian regulation of metabolism and chromatin dynamics. Research explores sirtuin-mediated epigenetic control of metabolic pathways and circadian disruption in cancer. Key findings reveal partitioning of circadian transcription by SIRT6 and metabolic control mechanisms. Current studies examine DNA damage responses, tumor immunosuppression rhythms, and therapeutic modulation of circadian-metabolic interactions in disease.
Dr. Marlin Touma is an Associate Professor-in-Residence in the Department of Pediatrics at the David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). His research focuses on understanding the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying congenital heart defects and cardiac development, with particular emphasis on gene-environment interactions during perinatal heart maturation. Dr. Touma's research interests span multiple areas including congenital heart defects, cardiac development genetics, long noncoding RNA biology, and precision cardiovascular medicine. His work bridges basic science with clinical applications, investigating how genetic variants and environmental factors interact to influence cardiac chamber development and function. His laboratory employs cutting-edge genomic technologies including whole-exome sequencing, ChIRP-seq, and murine models to uncover molecular pathways critical for normal heart development and to identify pathogenic mechanisms in congenital heart disease. Analysis of Dr. Touma's recent publications reveals a strong focus on genetic causes of congenital heart defects, with particular attention to chamber-specific development and maturation. His work combines genomic approaches with functional validation to identify novel variants in genes like GATA5/6, FBN1/2, and LMOD2 that cause specific cardiac phenotypes. A significant portion of his research investigates the role of long noncoding RNAs, particularly Ppp1r1b-lncRNA, in regulating cardiac development through epigenetic mechanisms. His publications also demonstrate a growing interest in environmental influences on cardiac development, including air pollution exposure and hypoxemia during perinatal transition. Dr. Touma serves as Principal Investigator on NIH-funded research projects including 'Novel Gene-Environment Regulatory Circuit in Chamber-Specific Growth of Perinatal Heart' (R01HL153853, 2020-2024) and previously led the R56HL146738 project. His collaborative work involves multiple co-investigators across UCLA, particularly with the Congenital Heart Defects-BioCore Faculty, and extends to clinical applications in precision child health cardiovascular medicine.
Dr. Tatiana Soboleva is an Associate Professor in the Genome Sciences and Cancer Division at The Australian National University (ANU). She holds affiliations with the Shine-Dalgarno Centre for RNA Innovation and collaborates with the Chromatin and Translational Regulation group led by Prof. David Tremethick. Her research focuses on epigenetic mechanisms governing cell differentiation and cancer, particularly the role of histone variants like H2A.B in spermatogenesis and oncogenesis. Dr. Soboleva completed her undergraduate studies in biochemistry at Moscow State University, earned a PhD in Molecular Medicine from ANU’s John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR), and conducted postdoctoral research under Prof. Ian Young and Prof. David Tremethick. Her work revealed H2A.B’s dual role in chromatin regulation and RNA processing, with implications for male fertility and brain function. Key research interests include the interplay between epigenetic regulators, gene expression, and disease. Her lab investigates how H2A.B modulates ribosome biogenesis in cancers like Hodgkin lymphoma and its role in spermatogenesis-specific processes. Collaborations emphasize translational epigenetics and cross-disciplinary approaches. Her projects are supported by NHMRC grants and focus on developing therapies targeting H2A.B in cancer. She supervises research students and leads a team exploring histone-RNA interactions, chromatin dynamics, and epigenetic dysregulation in disease.
Dr. Rippei Hayashi is a Research Fellow and Group Leader at the John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR) at the Australian National University (ANU), leading the Hayashi Group focused on transposon defense and animal development. He holds a PhD from the University of Tokyo and has conducted postdoctoral research at Cancer Research UK and the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA) in Vienna. His research integrates Drosophila genetics with RNA biology to study gene expression control mechanisms, particularly host-transposon interactions and their roles in developmental processes. His research interests include transposon silencing, pre-mRNA splicing, organogenesis, and RNA modifications. He supervises multiple research projects, including the role of phase separation in transposon defense, Paf1 complex functions, and small RNA trimming mechanisms. He has mentored numerous students at undergraduate, Honours, Masters, and PhD levels. Dr. Hayashi’s lab is part of the Division of Genome Sciences and Cancer and the Shine-Dalgarno Centre for RNA Innovation. His work has contributed to understanding RNA surveillance, stem cell regulation, and the evolution of endogenous retroviruses. Current projects explore novel splicing rescue pathways and the interplay between transposon defense and gonadal development. Collaborative efforts include developing tools like R2Dtool for RNA feature analysis.
Dr. Joseph Stukey is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Hope College, where he has taught and conducted research since 2003, transitioning to full-time faculty in 2009. His primary roles include teaching and mentoring undergraduate students in research, particularly in bacteriophage studies. He holds a Ph.D. in microbiology from Rutgers University (1990) and a B.A. in microbiology from Rutgers College (1981). His research focuses on mycobacteriophages, investigating their infection mechanisms and genome evolution, as well as yeast lipid metabolism. He has co-authored numerous publications in journals like Elife , PLoS One , and Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications . His work often involves collaborative student research projects, including studies on phage cytotoxicity and genomic diversity. Dr. Stukey also has industry experience in bacteriology and has contributed to educational initiatives like the Phage Genomics Research Program for first-year students. He resides in Holland, Michigan, with his family.
Michael G. Schmidt is a tenured Professor in the Department of Pharmacology & Immunology at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). He holds academic affiliations with the Colleges of Dentistry, Graduate Studies, and Medicine at MUSC. His primary research focuses on controlling hospital-acquired infections through antimicrobial copper surfaces, pandemic preparedness, and bacterial pathogenesis. He earned his Ph.D. in Microbiology from Indiana University, Bloomington. Schmidt leads interdisciplinary teams investigating microbial transmission in clinical environments, notably demonstrating that copper alloys reduce healthcare-associated infections by 58% through sustained microbial burden reduction. His professional roles include serving as immediate past Chair of the Council for Microbial Sciences (2019-2020), contributing to global summits on SARS-CoV-2, and co-chairing ASM public engagement initiatives. Notably, his work with copper surfaces has been featured in Smithsonian Magazine and Vice , alongside a TEDxCharleston talk. He actively participates in educational missions, reviews scientific literature, and co-hosts the This Week in Microbiology podcast. Research interests extend to phage therapy, mineralization of vapor solvents, and disaster preparedness. His work has been funded by NIH, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Justice. Key achievements include patents on copper-iodide dental materials and antimicrobial adhesives, as well as collaborations with architects and engineers to design infection-resistant clinical environments. Major awards include Fellowships in the American Academy of Microbiology and the American College of Dentists. His interdisciplinary approach bridges microbiology, public health, and clinical practice, addressing critical challenges in infection control and global health emergencies.
Evan Merkhofer is the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Biology at Mount Saint Mary College. He joined the faculty in 2014 and previously served as Chairperson of the Division of Natural Sciences (2021-2023). His research focuses on gene expression regulation using model organisms like budding yeast, particularly pre-mRNA splicing and its role in disease. He also develops inquiry-based laboratory projects for students. Education: Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Gettysburg College (2002) PhD in Genetics and Molecular Biology from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2010) Research interests include molecular mechanisms of gene expression, cancer biology, and innovative educational practices. His publications emphasize course-based undergraduate research experiences (CURE), genomics education, and phage diversity studies. Collaborative efforts include the Genomics Education Partnership (GEP) and Science Education Alliance-PHAGES (SEA-PHAGES), fostering inclusive research communities. He teaches Genetics and laboratory courses at the Mount. Dr. Merkhofer’s work bridges molecular biology research with pedagogical innovation, advancing both scientific discovery and student engagement.
Nikolaus Loening is a Professor of Chemistry at Lewis & Clark College, where he teaches courses in general, physical, analytical, and biochemistry. His research focuses on developing new methods for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and applying them to chemical and biological problems, including protein structure determination and drug target screening. He holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge (2001) and postdoctoral experience at MIT and Cambridge. Professional Experience: Before joining Lewis & Clark, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher under Bob Griffin at MIT and James Keeler at the University of Cambridge. He has conducted research sabbaticals at the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology (UK), Leibniz Institute (Germany), and Oregon State University. He established the college's Overseas Program to Berlin and led programs in Australia and Berlin multiple times. Research Interests: His lab develops NMR pulse sequences and techniques for faster data acquisition, structural analysis, and metabolic profiling. Key areas include protein dynamics, drug discovery, and improving NMR sensitivity through methodological innovations. Publications: His recent work includes advancements in TEV protease variants, conotoxin structural analysis, and dynein regulation studies. He has contributed to NMR instrumentation development, including a 400 MHz NMR spectrometer acquisition for undergraduate research. Advising & Grants: He has advised numerous undergraduate researchers listed in his group members. His grant work includes NSF RUI funding for structural biology research and infrastructure projects like the NMR spectrometer acquisition.
Lawrence D’Antonio is a Professor of Mathematics at Ramapo College of New Jersey, affiliated with the School of Theoretical and Applied Science (TAS). He joined the college in 1992 and teaches courses such as Calculus, Discrete Structures, Numerical Analysis, and History of Mathematics. His research focuses on historical mathematics (particularly Euler and Islamic mathematics), bioinformatics applications in algorithms, and elliptic curves. He has contributed to computational tools for genetic sequencing analysis, including GRSDB and QGRS Mapper databases. Education: B.A. from Utica College, M.S. and Ph.D. from Syracuse University. His teaching interests span analysis, geometry, algorithms, and object-oriented programming. Recent publications highlight interdisciplinary work in historical mathematics and bioinformatics, with a focus on G-quadruplex structures and Safavid Persian mathematics. Professor D’Antonio’s work bridges historical mathematical methods with modern computational challenges, emphasizing the application of classic techniques to contemporary problems in genetics and algorithm design.
Dr. Cathy Savage-Dunn is a Professor at Queens College, City University of New York (CUNY), specializing in cell signaling mechanisms using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans . Her laboratory focuses on TGFβ-related pathways, particularly the DBL-1 signaling pathway, investigating its roles in body size regulation, fat storage, and developmental processes. She leads the CSwormlab, active on Twitter and Instagram (@CSwormlab). Education: Ph.D., Columbia University. Her research integrates genetic, molecular, and imaging techniques to study how TGFβ signaling influences developmental outcomes and disease-relevant processes. She has mentored numerous doctoral and undergraduate students, many of whom have pursued academic and industry careers. Key research interests include: Cell-cell signaling in development and disease. Body size control via epidermal signaling and cuticle collagen regulation. Feedback mechanisms between TGFβ pathways and extracellular matrix components. Genetic screens identifying novel TGFβ signaling components, including sma-9 and adt-2 . Advising: Current students include PhD candidates Emma Ciccarelli and Kat Yamamoto, and undergraduates Moshe Bendelstein and Hannah Reich. Alumni have transitioned into academic, medical, and industry roles. Lab alumni include researchers at institutions like Columbia University and Thomas Jefferson University. Labs/Teams: The lab is located in NSB D-349, Queens College, with active collaborations in developmental biology and C. elegans genetics.
María de la Cruz Muñoz Centeno is a Full Professor in the Department of Genetics at the University of Seville. She leads research on gene expression mechanisms, particularly focusing on transcription elongation, RNA polymerase dynamics, and ribosome biogenesis. Her work integrates molecular genetics, cell biology, and systems biology approaches in yeast models to study processes like proliferative heterogeneity, cellular aging, and the role of the prefoldin complex in transcription. She has coordinated several national and international research projects, including studies on RNA homeostasis, ribosome assembly feedback loops, and the impact of transcriptional stress on cellular processes. Research Projects: Global control mechanisms of genome expression (PID2023-148037NB-C21) RNA homeostasis in eukaryotic cells (PID2020-112853GB-C32) Contribution of Prefoldin to Gene Expression in Human Cells (US-1256285) Key Themes: Transcription elongation regulation Prefoldin complex functions Cell cycle and ribosome biogenesis coordination Recent Work: Human prefoldin’s role in RNA splicing Proliferative heterogeneity in yeast Impact of cellular volume on gene expression Her lab collaborates extensively with national and international groups, publishing in high-impact journals like Nucleic Acids Research and eLife . She has mentored multiple PhD students and contributed to over 50 peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.
Dr. Mauricio Rocha-Martins is a Researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine in Münster, Germany, leading the Rocha Lab focused on Embryo Self-Correction . His work investigates how embryos overcome genetic and environmental stressors to develop functional organs, emphasizing developmental robustness, cellular plasticity, and nervous system development. Affiliations: Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine Role: Lab Head (Rocha Lab) and Supervisor in the CiM-IMPRS Graduate Programme Methodologies: Live imaging of in vivo systems, organoids, CRISPR genetics, light-sheet microscopy, and deep-learning image restoration Research Interests: His lab explores mechanisms enabling embryos to recover from developmental defects using advanced imaging and molecular profiling. Key areas include: Cellular cooperation under stress Regeneration of tissue organization Biophysical and molecular dynamics in repair processes Scientific Contributions: Publications span retinal development, neuronal migration, and imaging innovations. Recent work (2023-2025) highlights novel insights into progenitor cell behavior, neurogenic signaling, and stress adaptation in embryonic systems. Lab & Team: The Rocha Lab combines experimental and computational approaches, collaborating with the Cells in Motion initiative. Their work bridges basic research with potential applications in regenerative medicine and developmental disorder modeling.
Marco Mariotti is a Research Professor at the University of Barcelona's Faculty of Biology, affiliated with the Department of Genetics, Microbiology, and Statistics. He leads the Molecular Evolutionary Genetics research group, focusing on comparative genomics of selenocysteine, stop codon readthrough mechanisms, and computational methods for evolutionary analysis. His lab, established in 2021, combines bioinformatics and molecular biology to study translational recoding processes and their evolutionary implications. Mariotti holds a Ramon y Cajal Investigator Fellowship (2019) and has secured grants from agencies like the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación and AGAUR. His work includes developing tools like SECISearch3 and Seblastian for selenoprotein annotation. Key research themes include selenoproteome evolution, genetic code variations, and aging-related molecular mechanisms. He collaborates internationally, particularly on projects involving selenium metabolism and translational recoding in diverse organisms. Education: Bachelor's in Biotechnologies (University of Bologna, 2006), PhD in Biomedicine (Centre de Regulació Genòmica, 2013), and Master in Bioinformatics (University of Bologna, 2008). Research grants span studies on stop codon readthrough therapies, selenoprotein annotation, and aging biology. His team explores applications in biotechnology and genetic medicine, including strategies to treat nonsense mutations in diseases like Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Beatriz M.A. Fontoura is a Professor in the Department of Cell Biology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Her research focuses on viral-host interactions, particularly how RNA viruses like influenza and SARS-CoV-2 exploit nuclear processes for replication. She has held academic positions since 2005, including roles at the University of Miami School of Medicine and postdoctoral training at the Rockefeller University. **Education**: PhD in Pathology (NYU School of Medicine, 1996), MS in Biochemistry (Paulista School of Medicine, 1988), and prior research experience at Cornell University Medical College and the University of São Paulo. **Research Interests**: Her lab investigates nuclear transport mechanisms, viral mRNA export, and host immune responses. Recent work includes studying SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis, influenza virus replication strategies, and the role of nuclear pore complexes in antiviral defense. **Notable Trends in Articles**: Focus on antiviral drug development (e.g., aryl sulfonamide inhibitors), mechanisms of viral mRNA export inhibition, and host-pathogen interactions involving nuclear transport proteins like Nup98 and TAO2 kinase. **Lab & Collaborations**: Leads the Fontoura Laboratory, collaborating on projects involving viral immune evasion, mRNA processing, and drug discovery. Active in interdisciplinary research, bridging virology, cell biology, and biochemistry.
Dr. Yunsun Nam is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. She holds the Southwestern Medical Foundation Scholar in Biomedical Research title and is affiliated with the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her research focuses on RNA structure-function relationships, particularly in non-protein coding RNAs and their interactions with proteins, using structural biology, biochemistry, and cell biology approaches. Key projects include elucidating microRNA processing mechanisms and the roles of RNA modifications in disease. Education: B.A. in Biochemical Sciences from Harvard College; Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology from Harvard Medical School. Postdoctoral work at Harvard Medical School and later as an independent investigator at UTSW. Research Interests: RNA folding, RNA-protein interactions, microRNA processing machinery (e.g., Drosha/DGCR8), RNA modifications (e.g., m6A), and their implications in cancer and therapeutic development. The Nam Lab employs cryo-EM, biochemical assays, and cellular models to study these processes. Awards include the Pew Biomedical Scholarship, Packard Fellowship, and Kavli Fellowship. Her work has advanced understanding of RNA regulatory pathways and their roles in diseases like cancer. Lab: Nam Lab Website provides details on ongoing projects, including studies on RNA chaperones, heme-dependent regulation, and small RNA processing. Collaborations span structural biology, biochemistry, and clinical research.
