Martin Panigaj is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. His laboratory focuses on developing nucleic acid-based nanoparticles (NANPs) for therapeutic applications including targeted drug delivery and immunomodulation. Panigaj engineers conditional activation systems for nanoparticles that respond to biological triggers and designs aptamer-guided delivery platforms. His research bridges nanotechnology, immunology, and molecular biology to create programmable therapeutic agents. Recent work develops electrochemical biosensors for cancer biomarker detection and RNA-based nanocomputing systems for cellular applications. Panigaj's publications demonstrate innovative approaches to controlling biological pathways through rationally designed nanostructures with potential clinical applications in neurotrauma and oncology.
Joyce Wilson is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology & Immunology at the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine. Her research program investigates viral pathogenesis mechanisms, focusing on SARS-CoV-2 host interactions and miRNA-mediated regulation in hepatitis C virus (HCV) and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). Research Focus: Current projects include CRISPR-based identification of SARS-CoV-2 host dependency factors, development of reporter viruses and subgenomic replicons for antiviral screening, and analysis of viral variant pathogenesis. Her laboratory also studies Ago2-mediated restriction of SARS-CoV-2 and miRNA-independent HCV replication mechanisms. Virology Tools: Dr. Wilson's team has developed reverse genetics systems, human lung cell lines with high SARS-CoV-2 cytopathology, and novel reporter viruses for high-throughput antiviral screening.
Clifford Woolf, MB, BCh, PhD, is Director of the F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center at Boston Children's Hospital and Professor in Neurobiology at Harvard Medical School. His research focuses on neuronal plasticity mechanisms underlying pain, regeneration, neurodegenerative disorders, and developmental neurobiology using multidisciplinary approaches including genetics, electrophysiology, and stem cell technology. Research interests include neuro-immune interactions, transcriptional control of neuronal function, and targeted therapies for chronic pain and neural injuries. His lab uses bioinformatics and human stem cell models to identify novel analgesic targets. Awards include the Javits Neuroscience Investigator Award, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pain Research Award, and election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2020). Recent work explores tetrahydrobiopterin pathways in pain, genetic pain phenotyping, and optogenetic modulation of inflammation.
Sudhir Agrawal is a Professor at UMass Chan Medical School, Department of Medicine, affiliated with the T.H. Chan School of Medicine. He specializes in RNA therapeutics, focusing on antisense technology, Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) agonism/antagonism, and drug discovery. His work has led to three drug-discovery platforms, with several clinical trials and approved therapies derived from his research. Agrawal holds a DPhil from the University of Cambridge and completed postdoctoral training at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. His research interests include developing nucleic acid-based therapies, understanding TLR signaling pathways, and their applications in oncology, infectious diseases, and autoimmune conditions. Key contributions include the design of TLR9 agonists for cancer immunotherapy and antisense oligonucleotides targeting XIAP for cancer treatment. Publications highlight his work on TLR modulation, RNA chemistry, and translational medicine. Notable achievements include the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Oligonucleotide Therapeutic Society, recognizing his pioneering role in RNA therapeutics. Collaborations with institutions like the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology and co-authors such as E.R. Kandimalla underscore his impactful research network. His work spans preclinical and clinical stages, emphasizing immune modulation and drug development. Future directions include advancing TLR-based therapies and exploring allele-specific antisense oligonucleotides for genetic disorders.
Mark Belmonte is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Manitoba. His laboratory investigates cellular and molecular mechanisms of plant development and pathogenesis, with emphasis on developing sustainable technologies to protect major Canadian crops including canola. Research employs cutting-edge RNA interference (RNAi) technologies and molecular profiling techniques. Current projects focus on combating fungal pathogens like Sclerotinia sclerotiorum through RNAi-based fungicides and genetic modifications. The lab utilizes laser microdissection and transcriptomics to characterize plant-pathogen interactions at cellular resolution. Field applications of RNAi technologies are being developed for practical crop protection. Dr. Belmonte teaches plant biotechnology and mentors graduate students in molecular plant pathology. His research has been recognized with the CD Nelson Award from the Canadian Society of Plant Biologists. Laboratory members include doctoral candidate Catrione Lee and master's students working on RNAi delivery optimization.
Douglas Brusich is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. His research focuses on using Drosophila melanogaster to study the genetics and molecular mechanisms underlying traumatic brain injury (TBI), epilepsy, and seizure disorders. He holds a B.S. from Saint Ambrose University and a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa, followed by a Research Fellowship in the FUTURE Program at Iowa. Brusich’s lab investigates TBI’s synergistic effects on mortality, particularly repetitive mild TBI (rmTBI), and explores the LINC complex’s role in post-traumatic seizures. Current projects include identifying genes responsible for seizures in fruit fly mutants, studying dietary and microbiome influences on seizure behavior, and analyzing alternative splicing in seizure-suppressing mutants. His publications span topics like TBI models, genetic mutations in Drosophila , and synaptic plasticity. He actively mentors undergraduate and Master’s students, with availability for Spring 2025 (undergrads) and Fall 2025 (Master’s). Courses taught include General Biology and Human Anatomy and Physiology.
Eric Luth is Associate Professor of Biology and Neuroscience Coordinator at Simmons University, leading research on neuronal development, Parkinson's disease mechanisms, and neurotoxicology using C. elegans models. His laboratory employs molecular genetics, optogenetics, and behavioral analysis to investigate synapse formation and environmental impacts on neural function. Research examines cellular mechanisms of neurological diseases, particularly Parkinson's-related dopaminergic degeneration, and the neurotoxic effects of PFAS chemicals. Current projects include CRISPR-based investigation of spastin's neuroprotective functions and PFAS impacts on glutamate signaling. Pedagogical contributions include developing innovative course-based undergraduate research experiences integrating optogenetics and RNAi techniques. His teaching prioritizes student empowerment and scientific identity development. Awards recognize teaching innovations during pandemic disruptions and research excellence in neurobiology.
Jonathan D. Hommel, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) and serves as Associate Director of the Center for Addiction Sciences & Therapeutics. He holds a PhD in Integrative Biology (University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 2005) and a BS in Genetics (Texas A&M University, 2000). Dr. Hommel’s research focuses on neuropharmacological mechanisms underlying obesity, eating disorders, and addiction, particularly the role of neuromedin U (NMU) in regulating food addiction, reward pathways, and metabolic processes. His work employs techniques such as viral-mediated gene knockdown, immunohistochemistry, and animal models to study CNS circuits and develop pharmaceutical interventions. Key research interests include: (1) Neuromedin U’s modulation of neuronal activity in obesity-related behaviors and addiction; (2) Neurocircuitry linking hypothalamic metabolic centers to limbic reward systems; (3) Development of small-molecule therapeutics targeting NMU receptors and addiction pathways. He has secured NIH grants (e.g., R01DA053472, R01DK106229) and industry partnerships (e.g., Ridgeline Therapeutics) to advance translational research. His recent publications address cocaine’s impact on prefrontal cortex networks, opioid prescription adherence, and hypothalamic contributions to bone remodeling. Dr. Hommel leads projects on addiction neurocircuits, alcohol dependence, and obesity-linked diabetes therapies. He collaborates with teams in pharmacology, neuroscience, and translational medicine, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to address public health challenges in addiction and metabolic disorders. Dr. Hommel’s lab integrates basic science with clinical relevance, aiming to translate discoveries into treatments for eating disorders, substance use disorders, and related comorbidities. Ongoing work explores novel therapeutic targets in neuromedin U pathways and the neurobiological underpinnings of compulsive behaviors.
Alejandro Castellanos, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), part of the Division of Infectious Disease. His research focuses on molecular parasitology, particularly developing novel vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics for intestinal infections such as Cryptosporidium. He holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the National Autonomous University of Mexico and completed postdoctoral training at Baylor College of Medicine and UTMB. His work includes pioneering gene silencing techniques in Cryptosporidium and establishing in vitro models for drug testing. He collaborates with institutions like the University of Washington and Yale University on antiparasitic drug development. His grants include NIH and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funding. Education: B.S. Biology (2000, National Autonomous University of Mexico), M.S. Tropical Infectious Diseases (2002, University of Valencia, Spain), Ph.D. Biomedical Sciences (2005, National Autonomous University of Mexico), Postdoctoral training at Baylor College of Medicine (2007) and UTMB (2009). Research Interests: Gene silencing in parasites, multiplex diagnostics, intestinal stem cell models for Cryptosporidium infection, and antiparasitic drug discovery. His lab aims to identify druggable targets and improve point-of-care diagnostics for intestinal pathogens. Grants and Collaborations: NIH-funded projects on Cryptosporidium gene silencing, Gates Foundation grants. Collaborations include Wes Van Voorhis (University of Washington) and Karen Anderson (Yale University). Labs/Teams: Molecular Parasitology lab at UTMB, focusing on drug development and diagnostics for neglected tropical diseases.
Dr. James J. Collins is a Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where he leads the Collins Lab focused on schistosome biology and parasitology research. His work addresses fundamental biological questions about parasitic flatworms that cause schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease affecting over 200 million people worldwide. Dr. Collins received his BS in Biology from Southeast Missouri State University (2003) and PhD from Washington University in St. Louis (2008), followed by postdoctoral work with Phillip Newmark at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research program bridges basic science and translational applications, seeking to develop new therapeutic approaches against schistosomiasis. His research interests center on schistosome stem cells , parasite reproductive biology , and functional genomics approaches to identify novel therapeutic targets. Dr. Collins investigates how schistosomes maintain themselves in human hosts for decades, with particular focus on the tegument (surface structure), stem cell populations, and molecular mechanisms controlling sexual development. His lab employs cutting-edge techniques including single-cell RNA sequencing, CRISPR-based approaches, and large-scale RNAi screening to uncover vulnerabilities in these parasites. Analysis of Dr. Collins' publication record reveals a consistent focus on schistosome biology with increasing methodological sophistication over time. His recent work has pioneered single-cell transcriptomics of schistosomes, discovered novel pheromone signaling systems controlling parasite development, and identified potential new drug targets through large-scale functional genomics. Dr. Collins mentors a diverse team of researchers including postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and research technicians. His lab collaborates extensively with other researchers working on neglected tropical diseases and maintains connections with the Schistosomiasis Resource Center to advance research in this field. The Collins Lab is actively working to understand the relationship between schistosome stem cells and the tegument, discover novel molecules that could serve as vaccine candidates, and explore pheromone-based control of schistosome sexual development as a potential therapeutic strategy. Their research has significant implications for developing new treatments against a disease that currently relies on a single drug (praziquantel) with concerns about emerging resistance.
Dr. Rueyling Lin is a Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. She earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry under Drs. C. David Allis and Stephen Elledge at Baylor College of Medicine, followed by postdoctoral training with Dr. Jim Priess at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Research Interests: Her work focuses on the molecular mechanisms governing the oocyte-to-embryo transition and early cell fate specification in Caenorhabditis elegans , with emphasis on Wnt signaling, RNA-binding proteins, and transcriptional repression. She has contributed to understanding how maternal factors regulate embryonic development through translational control and protein interactions. Key Publications: 15 seminal studies spanning 2001–2017 on topics like maternal mRNA translation, TFEB pathway agonists, and Wnt/Notch signaling dynamics. Leadership Roles: After 16 years as a faculty member, she joined the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) in 2019 as a Scientific Officer. In 2023, she returned to UT Southwestern as Associate Dean for Biomedical Research Recruitment & Advancement, leading recruitment for programs like CPRIT and STARS while coordinating award nominations and external funding.
Kenichi W. Okamoto is Assistant Professor of Biology and Data Analytics at University of St. Thomas's College of Arts and Sciences. His research integrates theoretical modeling and empirical data to investigate eco-evolutionary dynamics, with specific focus on evolutionary epidemiology and interspecific interference competition. Published works appear in journals including PLoS Computational Biology, Evolution, and Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. Dr. Okamoto teaches Foundations of Microbiology/Health and Evolution, incorporating laboratory components that develop practical skills in microbiological analysis and evolutionary theory. His pedagogical approach connects fundamental biological concepts with applications in health professions and advanced evolutionary studies.
Douglas Chalker is a Professor of Biology and Director of Undergraduate Studies at Washington University in St. Louis. His research focuses on the epigenetic mechanisms governing genome reorganization in Tetrahymena thermophila , a ciliated protozoan with a unique developmental process involving the elimination of ~15 megabases of germline DNA during nuclear differentiation. Research Interests: The Chalker Lab investigates how RNA interference (RNAi)-related pathways regulate chromatin modifications and DNA excision events in Tetrahymena . Key areas include RNA-mediated communication between parental and developing genomes, heterochromatin formation, and the selective recognition of DNA segments for elimination. These studies provide insights into fundamental mechanisms of chromosome structure and genetic stability in eukaryotes. Recent Publications highlight the lab's work on scan RNAs, chromatin domain proteins, and nuclear transport systems, spanning fields like Epigenetics , Genetics , and RNA Biology . The lab employs genetic, molecular, and cellular approaches to dissect the coordination of DNA rearrangements during somatic nucleus development. Education Initiatives: Professor Chalker has spearheaded programs to expand hands-on science education in K-12 classrooms using Tetrahymena as a teaching tool, emphasizing experimental design and genomic research methods. Contact: Email dchalker@wustl.edu or visit his lab at Washington University in St. Louis.
Dr. John Brubacher is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Canadian Mennonite University (CMU), where he has worked since 2008. His research focuses on the regenerative capabilities of planarians, a type of flatworm, to study cell behavior during development and healing. He also teaches courses like The Genetic Revolution , emphasizing historical experiments in genetics. Research Interests: Dr. Brubacher's work explores how planarians regenerate entire organisms from fragments, including collaborations with the Morgridge Institute for Research. His studies aim to understand cellular migration, differentiation, and organization in normal and injured worms, contributing to broader insights in regenerative biology. Scientific Awards: None explicitly mentioned in the text.
Roles & Affiliations Associate Professor Karyn Johnson is affiliated with the School of the Environment at the University of Queensland. Her academic rank is Associate Professor, focusing on invertebrate virology and host-pathogen interactions. Education While formal education details are not explicitly provided, her extensive publication history and academic rank suggest a PhD in Virology or Molecular Biology, likely from a top-tier institution. Research Interests Dr. Johnson’s work centers on understanding virus-insect interactions, particularly the role of Wolbachia bacteria in mediating antiviral protection. Her research employs Drosophila as a model to study host immune responses, viral pathogenesis, and symbiont-mediated immunity. Key themes include: Wolbachia’s role in blocking viral infections RNA silencing mechanisms in insects Evolutionary arms race between viruses and hosts Developmental resistance to viral infections Research Trends Recent publications highlight advancements in Wolbachia’s antiviral mechanisms, including cell-autonomous protection and temperature preference changes in infected insects. Studies also explore viral barriers in larval midguts and miRNA regulation of viral replication. Collaborations span virology, microbiology, and evolutionary biology. Grants & Advising No explicit grant details are provided, but her prolific publications suggest sustained research funding. Mentoring records are unspecified, though her collaborative work implies supervision of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Labs & Teams She leads a research group focused on insect virology and symbiont interactions. Collaborations include institutions like the University of Queensland’s School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and international partners in microbiology and entomology.
