Simon Moxon is an Associate Professor in Bioinformatics at the University of East Anglia (UEA), part of the School of Biological Sciences. His research focuses on applying next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies to study biological problems, particularly small RNA bioinformatics and mechanisms of gene regulation at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. He has developed tools like miRCat2 and the UEA sRNA Workbench for miRNA detection and analysis. Notable collaborations include projects funded by the British Heart Foundation, NIH, and the Natural Environment Research Council, exploring topics such as chromatin landscapes, microRNA biogenesis, and epigenetic reprogramming. His work spans plant genomics, developmental biology, and molecular mechanisms in diseases like cancer. Recent publications highlight advancements in understanding miRNA regulation in plants and animals, epigenetic marks during zygotic reprogramming, and antimicrobial resistance in Bacillus species. Moxon actively mentors PhD students and contributes to editorial roles in journals like Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences.
Thomas Fazzio is a Professor at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, affiliated with the T.H. Chan School of Medicine and multiple departments including Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, and Systems Biology. He holds additional roles in graduate programs at the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. His research focuses on chromatin regulation in stem cells, cancer biology, and developmental epigenetics. Education and Training: B.S. in Biology, University of Utah (1997) Ph.D. in Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of Washington and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (2004) Postdoctoral work at University of California, San Francisco (2004–2010) Research Interests: Thomas's lab investigates how chromatin structure influences gene expression and cell fate in embryonic and cancer stem cells. Key projects include studying the Tip60-p400 chromatin remodeling complex, chromatin dynamics during differentiation, and epigenetic mechanisms in cancer stem cells. Techniques used include molecular biology, genomics, and systems-level approaches. Publications: His recent work highlights novel insights into chromatin packaging in sperm (2023), EZH2 inhibition in pancreatic cancer (2023), and EXOC2's role in ALS/FTD (2024). Research trends emphasize multi-omics profiling and epigenetic regulation in disease contexts. Awards: Jane Coffin Childs Memorial Fund Fellowship (Postdoctoral) NIH Pathway to Independence Award Advising & Labs: Offers rotation projects on chromatin regulators, Tip60-p400 mechanisms, and cancer stem cells. Active postdoc positions are available. Collaborations include work with Oliver Rando and Lihua Zhu on chromatin profiling techniques. Labs/Teams: His lab integrates computational and experimental approaches to study dynamic chromatin landscapes, with a focus on translational applications in cancer and regenerative medicine.
Nessly Craig is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). His research focuses on the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of precursor ribosomal RNA processing in eukaryotic cells. He holds a B.A. from Reed College (1963), a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania (1967), and completed postdoctoral training at the Institute for Cancer Research (1970). His laboratory investigates nucleic acid sequences, RNA structural motifs, and enzymatic components involved in rRNA processing regulation. Key questions include cleavage site specificity, enzyme requirements, and regulatory links to ribosome production in intact cells. Courses taught include advanced molecular biology, cell biology, and honors thesis supervision. Publications highlight contributions to understanding rRNA maturation pathways, structural motifs, and comparative processing mechanisms across species. His work integrates molecular biology techniques to uncover foundational aspects of eukaryotic gene expression.
Marius Schmidt is a Professor of Physics at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), affiliated with the Biophysics Faculty. He holds a Dipl. in Biology from Johannes-Gutenberg-University, Mainz (1990), a Dr. rer. Nat. in Experimental Physics from Technische Universität München (1996), and habilitations in Experimental Physics (2004) and Theoretical, Physical, and Analytical Chemistry (2008). His research focuses on applying physical methods to study biological molecules, particularly using static and time-resolved macromolecular crystallography to investigate protein structure, dynamics, and kinetics. He also develops software for analyzing time-resolved X-ray data and employs spectroscopic methods to corroborate findings. From 1996–2007, Schmidt held positions at Technische Universität München and the University of Chicago before joining UWM in 2007. His work has led to groundbreaking studies on protein dynamics, including femtosecond observation of conical intersections and structural analysis of phytochrome photocycles. His research leverages cutting-edge technologies like X-ray free electron lasers (XFEL) to capture molecular processes at unprecedented speeds and resolutions. Key contributions include structural enzymology studies, membrane protein analysis at XFEL facilities, and the development of mix-and-inject serial crystallography techniques. Despite no explicitly listed awards, his publications reflect significant contributions to biophysics and structural biology. His advising and grants are not detailed in the text, though collaborations with institutions like the University of Chicago and international XFEL facilities suggest extensive network engagement. His affiliation with UWM’s Biophysics Faculty emphasizes interdisciplinary research bridging physics and biology.
Dan Fabris is the Harold S. Schwenk Sr. Distinguished Chair in Chemistry Education at the University of Connecticut's Department of Chemistry. He leads an active research laboratory focused on nucleic acids and their role in infectious diseases. His lab joined UConn in January 2020 and has been steadily growing with multiple new members joining through 2024. Dr. Fabris received his Ph.D. from the University of Padova (Italy) and completed postdoctoral training at the University of Maryland Baltimore County and at the National Research Council in Padova, Italy. His research program investigates structure-function relationships in nucleic acids and protein-nucleic acid complexes that play determinant roles in infectious diseases, with an overarching goal to identify therapeutic targets for HIV, hepatitis C, Zika, and other RNA viruses. His research interests span across nucleic acid biochemistry, virology, and drug discovery. Dr. Fabris employs a cross-disciplinary approach that combines biophysical, biochemical, computational, and omics techniques with novel mass spectrometry technologies developed in his laboratory. His work particularly focuses on regulatory mechanisms of viral processes involving RNA post-transcriptional modifications (PTMs) and their role in mediating the potentiating effects of drugs of abuse on HIV-1 replication. Analysis of Dr. Fabris's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on RNA structure and function, particularly in the context of HIV. His work leverages mass spectrometry techniques to investigate RNA-protein interactions, with special emphasis on TAR RNA and the HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein. His research spans from fundamental structural studies to applied drug discovery, with multiple publications on small molecule inhibitors targeting viral RNA elements. UConn Waring Award (awarded to Daniele Rollo, a student in his lab) UConn Masterton-Hurley Teaching Award (awarded to Sarah Mutchek, a teaching assistant in his lab) Patent awarded to Dan Fabris and lab alumni Rebecca Rose Dr. Fabris actively mentors numerous graduate students and researchers. His lab has welcomed multiple new members in recent years, including Rumbie Chitongo, Joshua Albarracin, Hein Htet, Sienna Brigance, Margrate Anyanwu, Sofia Pezzotti, Alexander Steinberg, Michael Addo, Derek Bobowick, Cole Angell, and Sabrina Daigle. Several of his former students have successfully defended their dissertations (Thomas Kenderdine, Limin Deng) and moved on to positions at Yale School of Medicine (Jyotsna Kumar, Swapna Naik) and Pfizer (Ghazaleh Yassaghi). The lab is equipped with advanced instrumentation including an FT-ICR mass spectrometer delivered in October 2020.
Tero Ahola is a Senior University Lecturer at the University of Helsinki, affiliated with the Department of Microbiology within the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry. His research focuses on RNA virus replication mechanisms, antiviral strategies, and host-pathogen interactions. He is actively involved in doctoral supervision and editorial roles in virology journals. Research Interests: Virology RNA Replication Factories Alphavirus Biology Host Cell Membrane Remodeling Antiviral Drug Development Host-Targeted Inhibition Advising & Grants: Supervised doctoral students including Aditya Thiruvaiyaru and Tania Quirin Leading projects such as 'Host cell factors as antiviral targets' (2024–2028) funded by the Academy of Finland Recipient of grants from private foundations and governmental bodies Labs/Teams: Member of the Helsinki One Health Research network, collaborating on interdisciplinary virology initiatives.
Trine Eker Christoffersen is the Acting Pro-Rector for Research and Director of Research at Østfold University College , holding strategic leadership roles from 2024 to 2025. She has a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Oslo and holds higher degrees from Imperial College London and the University of Leeds. Education PhD, Biochemistry, University of Oslo (2007) MSc, Biochemical Research, Imperial College London (1999) BSc (Hons), Biotechnology, University of Leeds (1997) BSc, Chemical Engineering, Østfold University College (1995) Her research focuses on cell biology, microbiology, and immunology , particularly on bacteria-host interactions, probiotics, and intracellular signaling . She has contributed to understanding how non-commensal bacteria affect intestinal immunity and the functional diversity of growth factors. While her recent articles trend toward probiotic mechanisms, intestinal health, and cellular interactions , she also explores educational innovation and medical biochemistry . Her work includes collaborations with institutions like the University of Sydney and the University of Oslo. She leads initiatives in institutional research strategy and serves on committees like the Central PhD Committee and the Research Ethics Advisory Board.
Rubén Santiago Montero is an Associate Professor at the Department of Computer Architecture and Systems Engineering, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM). He leads research in distributed systems, focusing on resource provisioning in Grid, Cloud, and edge computing environments. His work emphasizes virtual machine management, cloud federation, and utility computing models. Montero co-leads the OpenNebula project, a widely adopted cloud management platform, and contributed to the GridWay metascheduler. Research interests include distributed resource management, virtualization, and interoperability between cloud infrastructures. He participates in major EU projects such as RESERVOIR, BEACON, and PANACEA, advancing cloud and grid technologies. His contributions span over 200 peer-reviewed publications in top journals and conferences, addressing topics like workflow scheduling, elastic resource allocation, and edge-cloud architectures. Education: PhD in Computer Science (UCM). Grants & Projects: Principal investigator in EU-funded initiatives (e.g., RESERVOIR, BEACON) totaling €20M+. Labs/Teams: Distributed Systems Architecture Group at UCM, collaborating with NASA, IBM, and European research networks.
Julian J.-L. Chen is a Professor at Arizona State University's School of Molecular Sciences and a core faculty member at the Biodesign Center for Mechanisms of Evolution . His work bridges RNA biochemistry, telomere biology, and molecular evolution, with implications for cancer and aging. PhD in Molecular Biology/Biochemistry from Indiana University Postdoctoral training at Johns Hopkins University Faculty at ASU since 2004 Research focuses on telomerase ribonucleoprotein complexes , exploring their: Structural organization and functional domains Biogenesis pathways from protein-coding precursors Evolution across eukaryotes (insects, plants, fungi) Role in chromosome stability and disease Regulation in stem cells and tumors Molecular mechanisms of RNA-protein interactions Key publications cover telomerase RNA evolution (2025), structural studies (2023), and plant telomere biology (2022). Research is funded by NIH and NSF grants. Active projects include: Molecular Mechanism of Telomerase Action (NIH/NIGMS) Collaborative Research: Telomerase Structure in Photosynthetic Eukaryotes (NSF) Biogenesis of mRNA-Derived Telomerase lncRNA (NIH) He teaches Principles of Biochemistry (BCH 361) and mentors undergraduate/graduate research projects.
Professor Alexandra Lusser serves as Professor and Deputy Head in the Department of Molecular Biology at Innsbruck Medical University, where she leads the Chromatin and Epigenetics Laboratory. Her research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of chromatin assembly, remodeling, and epigenetic regulation at both DNA and RNA levels. Professor Lusser completed her PhD at the University of Innsbruck in 1998, followed by postdoctoral training at the University of California, San Diego (2001-2004) in the laboratory of Professor JT Kadonaga. She joined Innsbruck Medical University as Assistant Professor in 2004, achieved her Habilitation for Molecular Biology in 2008, was promoted to Associate Professor, and became a full Professor in 2019. Her research program investigates how eukaryotic DNA is organized in chromatin and how this organization affects DNA metabolism processes including transcription, replication, repair, and recombination. A significant portion of her work examines ATP-dependent chromatin assembly and remodeling mechanisms, variant histone assembly, and epigenetic mechanisms at the mRNA level, particularly mRNA base modifications such as 5-methylcytosine and their roles in mRNA metabolism and translation. Her publications reveal a strong focus on developing and applying innovative biochemical and genomic techniques to study RNA modifications and chromatin dynamics. Professor Lusser's extensive publication record spanning from 1996 to the present demonstrates consistent contributions to the fields of chromatin biology and RNA epigenetics. Her recent work shows particular emphasis on developing novel sequencing methods for RNA modification analysis, exploring the functional consequences of RNA modifications, and investigating the relationship between chromatin remodeling factors and neurological functions. HOECHST Award (1998) APART 3-year postdoctoral fellowship from the Austrian Academy of Sciences (2001) START Prize from the Ministry of Science and Research (2005) Member of the Young Curia of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (2008-2016) Research Award from the State Capital Innsbruck (2009) As Deputy Head of the Department of Molecular Biology, Professor Lusser contributes to departmental leadership while maintaining an active research program. Her laboratory has developed several important methodologies including TUC-Seq for measuring mRNA transcription and degradation rates, bisulfite sequencing for detecting 5-methylcytosine in RNA, and other innovative approaches for studying RNA modifications. Her work bridges molecular biology, biochemistry, and genomics, with implications for understanding fundamental biological processes and potential applications in disease research.
Joseph N Paulson is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at the Yale School of Medicine. He holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics, Statistics, and Scientific Computation from the University of Maryland, College Park (2015). His research focuses on integrating computational methods with clinical and microbial genomic studies to address complex medical challenges. Key areas of investigation include microbial pathogenesis (e.g., Paenibacillus infections in pediatric hydrocephalus), cancer genomics (e.g., lymphoma prognosis and treatment response), and the development of bioinformatics tools for microbiome and transcriptomic analysis. Dr. Paulson’s work bridges disciplines such as computational biology, infectious diseases, and oncology. He leads collaborative projects analyzing microbial communities in clinical settings, including vaginal microbiome dynamics and bacterial virulence mechanisms. His computational tools, like mbQTL and the Network Zoo package, enable advanced microbiome QTL analysis and gene regulatory network modeling. He also contributes to clinical trials evaluating targeted therapies in breast and blood cancers, leveraging genomic signatures for personalized treatment strategies. Notable contributions include identifying Paenibacillus as a novel pathogen in Ugandan infants with post-infectious hydrocephalus and developing prognostic models for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma using imaging and genomic data. His research emphasizes global health applications, particularly in pediatric neurosurgery and infectious disease epidemiology.
Konstantin Khrapko is a Professor at Northeastern University with joint appointments in the College of Science and Bouvé College of Health Sciences. His primary affiliation is the Biology department, focusing on mitochondrial genetics, aging, and human evolution. His research explores somatic mtDNA mutations’ roles in aging and disease, mitochondrial population dynamics, and the use of mtDNA pseudogenes to study human ancestry. Expertise includes mitochondrial biology, including mutation mechanisms, epigenetic regulation (e.g., mtDNA methylation), and the interplay between mitochondrial dysfunction and aging. His lab develops advanced molecular tools like high-efficiency single-molecule PCR and next-generation sequencing for analyzing individual mtDNA molecules. Key research themes include mitochondrial population genetics, the origins of somatic mutations, and evolutionary studies using nuclear mtDNA pseudogenes (NUMTs). Recent work addresses mitochondrial heterogeneity in embryos, the impact of maternal age on mitochondrial inheritance, and mechanisms preserving mitochondrial integrity across generations. Publications span over two decades, emphasizing mitochondrial mutation spectra in aging, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. His work bridges basic science and translational research, with implications for understanding aging-related diseases and evolutionary biology.
Bluma Lesch is an Associate Professor of Genetics and of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at Yale University. She earned her B.S. from Yale (2003), Ph.D. from Rockefeller University (2010), and M.D. from Weill Cornell (2011). Her postdoctoral training at the Whitehead Institute (2011–2017) focused on epigenetic mechanisms in germ cells. She joined Yale faculty in 2017, receiving notable awards like the Pew Biomedical Scholar (2021) and Searle Scholar (2019) recognitions. Lesch’s research integrates genetics, epigenetics, and evolutionary biology to study transcriptional regulation in germ cells and its implications for development and disease. Key areas include gene regulatory evolution, transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, and chromatin dynamics in spermatogenesis. Her work bridges molecular mechanisms with organismal and evolutionary scales, leveraging both experimental and computational approaches. Recent publications highlight studies on mastitis hub genes, cattle DGAT gene families, and myelin-microbe interactions in multiple sclerosis. She collaborates with researchers like Gunter Wagner and Stephanie Halene, advancing interdisciplinary projects in reproductive and developmental genomics. Lesch holds grants including the Burroughs Wellcome Career Award (2015) and leads the Whisk Cup Streamline Lab at Yale, focusing on epigenetic and chromatin regulation in germ cell biology. Her lab explores evolutionary innovations in germline biology and human-specific epigenomic states, contributing to our understanding of transgenerational inheritance and disease mechanisms.
Dr. David Pitt is an Associate Professor of Neurology at Yale School of Medicine, specializing in multiple sclerosis (MS) and neurodegeneration. He leads the Pitt Lab, focusing on astrocyte and oligodendrocyte biology, neuroimaging biomarkers (e.g., QSM), and exosome-based diagnostics. His research integrates advanced techniques like single-nucleus RNA sequencing and multiplexed imaging to map cellular interactions in MS lesions. Key affiliations include the Center for Brain & Mind Health and the Yale Stem Cell Center. Education: MD, Philipps University (Germany) Postdoctoral Fellowship, Albert Einstein College of Medicine Neurology Residency, Albert Einstein College of Medicine Neuroimmunology Fellowship, Washington University/Barnes-Jewish Hospital Research Interests: MS neurodegeneration mechanisms, imaging of chronic active lesions, astrocyte-exosome biomarkers, and translational therapies. His lab develops novel techniques such as multiplexed antibody imaging and CRISPR-edited iPSC models. Publications: Focus on QSM as an inflammatory biomarker, exosome-based diagnostics, and genetic risk variant effects on glial cells. Recent work emphasizes precision phenotyping and imaging consensus for MS lesion characterization. Awards: Includes Postdoctoral Research Fellowship from the National MS Society (2005) and German Research Council scholarships (1998). Grants & Teams: Collaborates with David Hafler and Erin Longbrake on MS immunology and clinical trials. Active in the Program for Neuroinflammation and translational imaging consortia. Labs/Teams: Pitt Lab at Yale, specializing in neuroinflammation, imaging, and stem cell technologies. Key innovations include spatial mapping of lesional cells and exosome isolation protocols.
Dr. Chun Peng is a Full Professor and Tier 1 York Research Chair in Women's Reproductive Health in the Department of Biology at York University. He leads the Peng Lab, focusing on female reproduction, ovarian cancer, and placental development. His research employs molecular biology, biochemistry, and bioinformatics to explore growth factors, hormones, and miRNAs in reproductive health disorders like preeclampsia and ovarian cancer. Education: PhD from the University of Alberta, M.Sc. and B.Sc. from Zhongshan University, China. Research Interests: Molecular mechanisms of ovarian cancer, miRNA regulation in reproduction, and novel therapies targeting β-catenin inhibitors. Current projects include placental signaling networks, circular RNAs in cancer, and zebrafish ovarian development. Funding: Supported by Canadian Institutes of Health Research, NSERC, Cancer Research Society, and York University. The lab has produced over 100 publications and trained numerous graduate students and postdocs. Awards: Tier 1 York Research Chair (2022). Lab members have received scholarships like NSERC, OGS, and York Graduate Scholarships. Lab Infrastructure: Bioinformatics tools for miRNA analysis, ImageJ plugins for cell counting, and collaborations in plasmonic nanoparticle biosensors.
