Professor Nicholas King is a leading academic in viral immunopathology at the University of Sydney, specifically within the Pathology Department of the School of Medical Sciences. His research focuses on neurotropic flaviviruses, particularly West Nile virus, exploring how immune responses contribute to neurological damage during infections. Key areas include viral encephalitis pathogenesis, early immune responses in specialized organs, and immune modulation strategies. Research Interests: King's work bridges virology, immunology, and neurosciences. He investigates immune mechanisms in viral infections of the nervous system, aiming to identify therapeutic targets to mitigate pathogenic immune responses while enhancing viral clearance. Collaborations include the University of Muenster for diagnostic imaging in viral encephalitis. Recent Articles: His 2024 studies highlight vaccine development against SARS-CoV-2 variants, novel T-cell subsets in cord blood, and metabolic influences on immune function in viral encephalitis. Earlier work explores microglial roles in CNS infections and dietary impacts on autoimmunity. Awards/Grants: Noted for grants like 'Development of novel strategies for reducing cardiac damage post-MI' and 'Maternal gut microbiota's role in fetal immunity.' Labs/Teams: Leads projects on immune-modifying nanoparticles and high-dimensional cytometry analysis, collaborating widely in武汉大学 (Wuhan University) and other institutions.
Magdalena Herudzińska is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Fundamental and Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University (NCU). Her primary affiliation is the Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences. She specializes in veterinary sciences with a focus on cattle reproduction, endocrine regulation, and molecular biology. Her research integrates clinical diagnostics, genetic analysis, and reproductive physiology. She contributes to the NCU Emerging Field 'One Health – antimicrobial stewardship in human and veterinary medicine' as a team member. Her research interests span cattle reproduction efficiency, prostaglandin applications, embryo transfer protocols, and genetic polymorphisms in livestock. She also explores educational methodologies in veterinary clinical skills, such as rectal palpation training. Her work includes transcriptomic studies of liver and pituitary gland differences across cattle breeds, highlighting metabolic and hormonal mechanisms. Her publications (38+ articles) emphasize clinical, genetic, and molecular aspects of livestock health. She actively engages in interdisciplinary collaborations, particularly in One Health initiatives addressing antimicrobial usage. No awards are explicitly listed, but her prolific publication record indicates impactful contributions to veterinary science. Her advising and grants are not detailed in the provided texts, but her involvement in large-animal reproductive research suggests potential grant-funded projects. She is part of a team advancing integrative approaches to livestock health and reproduction.
Matthew K. Iyer, MD, PhD, is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery and Pathology at the University of Michigan Medical School. He cares for patients at the University of Michigan Hospital and the Ann Arbor VA Healthcare System. His research focuses on computational biology, bioinformatics, and data science to improve cancer care, particularly using high-throughput molecular data like RNA sequencing. He is affiliated with the Rogel Cancer Center and the Center for Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics. Education: BS Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder (2003) BA Music, University of Colorado Boulder (2003) MS Electrical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder (2006) PhD, University of Michigan–Ann Arbor (2016) MD, University of Michigan Medical School (2016) Residency in General Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine (2021) Fellowships in Complex General Surgical Oncology and HPB Surgery, Duke University Health System (2023) His research emphasizes developing biofluid tests for cancer detection, investigating tumor biology via spatial transcriptomics and single-cell RNA-Seq, and curating large RNA-Seq datasets for cancer research. Recent work includes spatial analysis of pancreatic neoplasms and microbiome studies in pancreatic disease. Publications span spatial transcriptomics of pancreatic tumors, mouse models for liposarcoma, and microbiome assessments. His work bridges clinical care and computational methods to advance oncology.
Jun Hee H. Lee is a Professor of Molecular and Integrative Physiology and Research Professor at the Institute of Gerontology within the University of Michigan's Medical School. He serves as Associate Director of Academic Programs in Molecular and Integrative Physiology. His research focuses on stress, aging, and metabolism, particularly exploring stress adaptation mechanisms that enhance cellular resilience and longevity. Lee's work integrates molecular biology, genomics, and technology development to understand age-related diseases and metabolic disorders. Research affiliations include the Center for Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, Caswell Diabetes Institute, Rogel Cancer Center, and others. Key areas of investigation include Sestrin signaling, autophagy dysfunction in diseases like NAFLD, and single-cell spatial transcriptomics. Recent breakthroughs include the Seq-Scope technology for spatial gene expression visualization, which earned him the 2024 Hanseong Science Award in Life Sciences. Key Technologies: Spatial transcriptomics, single-cell analysis Clinical Focus: Metabolic disorders, cancer, cardiovascular health Interdisciplinary Collaborations: Bioinformatics, computational medicine, systems biology Lee's lab actively develops tools to study cellular stress responses at unprecedented resolution, with applications in drug discovery and precision medicine. His mentorship supports students and researchers in translating molecular insights into clinical solutions.
Ralph E. Kleiner is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Princeton University, leading the Kleiner Lab. His research focuses on understanding RNA function and regulation through chemical biology approaches, specifically investigating RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), RNA modifications, and developing chemical tools for studying RNA synthesis, turnover, and structure. Key areas include post-transcriptional regulation, epitranscriptomics, and therapeutic targeting of RBP interactions. Education and affiliations are not explicitly detailed in the provided text, but his lab is located in the Frick Laboratory. Research highlights include developing tools like metabolic labeling and RNA editing platforms to study RNA-protein interactions, as well as characterizing RNA-modifying enzymes. Research Interests: The lab explores the role of RBPs in RNA lifecycle processes, the functional significance of RNA modifications (e.g., 5-formylcytosine, m6A), and the development of chemical methods for RNA imaging and structural probing. Recent advancements include SNIPER-seq for RNA structure analysis and methods for studying ribonucleoprotein granules. Awards and Honors: 2023: ICBS Young Chemical Biologist Award 2023: Kavli Fellow 2019: NSF CAREER Award 2019: Sloan Research Fellowship 2017: Sidney Kimmel Foundation Scholar Award Lab and Collaborations: The Kleiner Lab collaborates across disciplines, integrating chemistry and biology to address fundamental and translational questions. Recent projects include preprints on DUS enzymes and RNA structure probing, and mentoring graduate students such as Tyler Schwarz and Crystal (PhD graduates). The lab also emphasizes outreach and training through its website and educational initiatives.
Dr Sean Burnard is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Newcastle's School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, based at the Hunter Medical Research Institute. He holds dual appointments in the School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy and the School of Medicine and Public Health. His research focuses on leveraging bioinformatics and multi-omic data to study epigenetic changes in cancer and immune-related diseases, particularly exploring transposable elements' roles in treatment resistance. He completed his PhD in Medical Genetics at the University of Newcastle (2021), analyzing NK cell genetics in Multiple Sclerosis using machine learning. Education: BSc in Biochemistry, Cardiff University, UK PhD in Medical Genetics, University of Newcastle, Australia (2021) Research Interests: Single-cell epigenomics, cancer treatment resistance, transposable elements in disease, bioinformatics pipelines for multi-omic data, and MS immunogenetics. His work emphasizes translating epigenetic insights into therapeutic strategies. Grants: $6,500 Mike and Karin Calford Travel Fellowship (2023) Advising: Co-supervising 2 current students: a Master's candidate studying DNA methylation in AML and a PhD candidate on epigenetic heterogeneity in AML. No completed students listed. Labs/Teams: Cancer Epigenetics group led by Dr Heather Lee, collaborating nationally on hypomethylating agent therapies and transposable element analysis.
Marie E Gaine, PhD is an Assistant Professor in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics at the University of Iowa's College of Pharmacy. She holds secondary faculty appointment in Psychiatry and is affiliated with the Iowa Neuroscience Institute and Environmental Health Sciences Research Center. Her lab focuses on genetics/epigenetics in psychiatric disorders, particularly bipolar disorder and suicide risk, using DNA methylation, extracellular vesicles, and animal models. Education: B.Sc. (Hons.) in Forensic Science and Biological Anthropology, John Moores University, Liverpool, UK Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland Research Interests: Epigenetic mechanisms in psychiatric disorders Non-invasive biomarkers for precision medicine Sex-specific neurodevelopmental differences Environmental toxin exposure effects Lithium therapy epigenetic impacts Her work integrates in vitro , in vivo , and human population studies to bridge basic science and clinical applications. Key Achievements: Developed novel epigenetic biomarkers for suicide risk prediction Identified PRKAR1B gene mutations linked to neurodegeneration Recipient of NARSAD Young Investigator Award Established collaborative networks across psychiatry, neuroscience, and toxicology Grants & Teams: - Leads the Gaine Lab with 8+ researchers - Co-directs the Iowa Neuroscience Institute's Mood Disorders Program - Holds Career Enhancement Award from Environmental Health Sciences Center - Collaborates with global institutions on epigenetic research consortia Labs/Teams: Gaine Lab, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Environmental Health Sciences Research Center
Judith Olejnik is a Senior Research Scientist in the Muhlberger Lab at Boston University, affiliated with Boston University CAMED and BUMC Cores. Her work focuses on virology, immunology, and microbiology, particularly investigating viral pathogenesis, host responses, and antiviral strategies against pathogens like Ebola, SARS-CoV-2, and RSV. Her research emphasizes understanding mechanisms of viral infection, immune evasion, and age-related susceptibilities. Key interests include STAT3 signaling in respiratory infections, ACE2 regulation during SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the development of robust viral inactivation protocols for genomic analysis. She has contributed to studies on filovirus replication, host-pathogen interactions, and the role of minor introns in viral infections. Notably, she received the 2025 Corwin Award for her contributions. Her work integrates cutting-edge genomics (e.g., ViBE-Seq for filovirus RNA analysis) and interdisciplinary approaches to tackle emerging pathogens. She collaborates with the Muhlberger Lab to advance infectious disease research and translational antiviral strategies.
Aaron M. Rashotte is a Professor and Graduate Program Officer in the Department of Biological Sciences at Auburn University, where he leads research and teaching in plant biology, hormone signaling, and stress physiology. His work bridges molecular genetics and plant development with a strong focus on cytokinin and its role in senescence and stress responses. Education: Postdoctoral Researcher, University of North Carolina (2001–2007) Postdoctoral Researcher, Wake Forest University (1998–2001) Ph.D. in Plant Sciences, University of Arizona (1999) B.S. in Biological Sciences, Florida State University (1992) His research centers on Cytokinin Response Factors (CRFs), transcription factors regulated by cytokinin and stress, using genetic, molecular, and physiological approaches in Arabidopsis and tomato. His lab investigates the role of cytokinin in plant development, particularly senescence, and how modified forms like N-glucosides may act as active hormones. His teaching includes Plant Biology (BIOL3100) , Advanced Plant Physiology (BIOL5130/6130) , and Developmental Genetics (BIOL5330/6330) . The publication record through 2025 shows consistent focus on cytokinin signaling, stress responses (salt, cold, oxidative), and transcriptional regulation via CRFs. Articles highlight cytokinin’s role in senescence delay, stress adaptation, and nutrient transport, using model and crop species. Research trends emphasize hormone conjugates, gene regulatory networks, and environmental integration. Scientific Awards: No awards listed in the provided text. Rashotte advises graduate students as Graduate Program Officer and likely oversees research grants supporting his lab’s work on cytokinin and stress biology, though specific grants and students are not named. His lab employs molecular, genetic, and physiological techniques to dissect hormone pathways in development and stress. Lab and Research Team: Research is conducted in the Rouse Life Sciences Building, utilizing molecular, genetic, and physiological approaches. The lab focuses on CRFs and N-conjugated cytokinins in Arabidopsis and tomato, exploring their roles in development and abiotic stress. The team investigates both canonical and novel cytokinin functions, contributing to fundamental plant science and potential crop improvement.
Michael Held is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Ohio University's College of Arts and Sciences, where he leads an active research program focused on plant cell wall biochemistry. His work integrates molecular, biochemical, and biophysical approaches to understand the regulation and assembly of plant cell walls, with a particular emphasis on extensin glycoproteins and post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms. His educational background includes a Ph.D. and B.S. from Ohio University, followed by postdoctoral training at Michigan State University and Purdue University, establishing a strong foundation in plant molecular biology and biochemistry. Held's research centers on two major areas: (1) the self-assembly of plant cell wall polymers, particularly the role of extensins as structural scaffolds, and (2) the post-transcriptional regulation of cell wall biosynthesis via small RNAs derived from cellulose synthase antisense transcripts. His lab employs advanced techniques such as small RNA next-generation sequencing (sRNA-NGS), bioinformatics, and biophysical assays to uncover novel regulatory networks in plant development. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in plant glycobiology, with a focus on arabinogalactan-proteins, glycosyltransferases, and gene co-expression networks. His development of PlantNexus, a database for barley and sorghum, reflects his commitment to open science and interdisciplinary collaboration in plant genomics. Specific protein interactions between rice members of the GT43 and GT47 families to form various central cores of putative xylan synthase complexes (2024) Knockout of eight hydroxyproline-O-galactosyltransferases cause multiple vegetative and reproductive growth defects (2023) PlantNexus: A Gene Co-expression Network Database and Visualization Tool for Barley and Sorghum (2022) Functional characterization of hydroxyproline-galactosyltransferases for Arabidopsis arabinogalactan-proteins synthesis (2021) Extensins: Self-assembly, crosslinking, and the role of peroxidases (2021) Dr. Held actively mentors students and collaborates with researchers across institutions, contributing to projects involving CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, mass spectrometry for glycan detection, and the functional characterization of glycosyltransferases. His lab has received support for research in plant wall biosynthesis, though specific grants are not detailed in the text. He is a key contributor to the PlantNexus initiative, which provides valuable tools for plant biologists studying barley and sorghum. The Held Lab is located at the Biochemistry Research Facility, 350 W. State St., Athens Campus, and maintains a research focus on uncovering the molecular mechanisms governing plant cell wall integrity, development, and function. The lab combines classical biochemical methods with modern genomics and bioinformatics to address fundamental questions in plant biology.
Dr. Andrew Angel is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Natural and Computing Sciences at the University of Aberdeen, where he conducts interdisciplinary research at the interface of physics, mathematics, and molecular biology. He is actively involved in teaching and research, currently accepting PhD students in Physics. His primary research interests include: Mathematical and stochastic modeling of biological systems Gene expression and transcription dynamics Chromatin and nucleosome organization Epigenetic regulation, particularly in vernalization Metabolic cycling and its impact on transcription Quantitative analysis of ChIP-seq data Dr. Angel applies techniques from statistical physics and computational modeling to understand complex biological phenomena. His work spans from fundamental physical models to detailed molecular mechanisms in gene regulation. The recent publications highlight a strong focus on transcriptional regulation, chromatin dynamics, and epigenetic memory. The research combines experimental collaborations with sophisticated modeling approaches, particularly in understanding how RNA polymerase navigates nucleosomal barriers, how chromatin signatures regulate transcription, and how metabolic states influence gene expression. Several studies involve yeast and human systems, employing cutting-edge techniques like 4sU sequencing for transcriptome mapping. Dr. Angel has collaborated extensively with leading researchers including Professor Jane Mellor (University of Oxford), Professor Francois Robert (IRCM Montreal), and Dr. Michael Tellier (University of Leicester), reflecting his integrated approach to biological questions. His scientific contributions are evident through publications in high-impact journals such as Nature , Molecular Cell , Cell Reports , and PNAS . While no specific awards are listed, the quality and impact of his publications indicate significant recognition in the fields of epigenetics, transcription, and biophysical modeling. Dr. Angel advises students in Physics and related interdisciplinary areas, contributing to the training of next-generation scientists in quantitative biology. His research is supported by collaborative networks and institutional resources at the University of Aberdeen. He is affiliated with the following research groups and collaborations: Transcription, Chromatin and the Yeast Metabolic Cycle (with Prof. Jane Mellor) Transcription through nucleosomes (with Prof. Francois Robert) Analysis of ChIP-seq data (with Dr. Michael Tellier)
Carlo Colantuoni is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is based at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD, and leads a research lab focused on functional genomics and computational neuroscience. His work is affiliated with the Neuroscience Training Program and centers on understanding human brain development and disease through multi-omic data analysis. His research interests include Developmental Neuroscience , Systems and Computational Neuroscience , Neurobiology of Disease , and Functional Genomics . He develops and applies advanced computational methods such as Structured Joint Decomposition (SJD) and projectR to analyze large-scale transcriptomic datasets. Colantuoni's recent publications focus on neocortical development , stem cell variation , neuroinflammation , and host immune responses . His work integrates data from in vivo mammalian development and in vitro cerebral organoid models to identify conserved molecular dynamics and human-specific features. He has contributed to public resources like NeMO Analytics , enabling broad access to curated datasets and analytical tools. He collaborates with leading researchers such as Gabriel Santpere, Nenad Sestan, Pasko Rakic, Flora Vaccarino, and Dimitri Avramopoulos on projects involving neurodevelopmental risk genes and neuronal identity. His lab also works with applied mathematicians Don Geman and Laurent Younes on cell type marker identification using the CellCover method.
Christian Tschudi is the John Rodman Paul Professor of Epidemiology at the Yale School of Public Health, within the Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases. He is also affiliated with the Yale Institute for Global Health, the Center for RNA Science and Medicine, and the Yale Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS). His research is centered on the biology of trypanosomes, the causative agents of African sleeping sickness and nagana, with a focus on understanding the molecular basis of pathogen infectivity. Dr. Tschudi’s research interests span genomics, parasitic diseases, RNA interference, tropical medicine, and trypanosomiasis . His laboratory employs advanced bioinformatics and genetic techniques to dissect parasite-specific functions, particularly in RNA metabolism and gene regulation. A major focus is on the transcriptome of Trypanosoma brucei , where his team has developed high-throughput RNA-Seq protocols and generated comprehensive transcript maps at single-nucleotide resolution. This work has uncovered novel genes, regulatory RNAs, and mechanisms involved in developmental transitions and host adaptation. The recent articles highlight a strong trend in RNA biology, gene regulation, and developmental mechanisms in trypanosomes. His team investigates long non-coding RNAs, RNA modifications, RNA-binding proteins, and nuclear organization in the context of infectivity. These studies are crucial for identifying potential drug targets and understanding the basic biology of these neglected pathogens. Elected member, Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (2020) John Rodman Paul Professorship, Yale University (2016) Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology (2014) Honorary Master of Arts Degree, Yale University (2013) Burroughs Wellcome Fund New Investigator Award in Molecular Parasitology (2000) Research Project Award in Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, MacArthur Foundation (1984) James Hudson Brown-Alexander B. Coxe Fellowship, Yale School of Medicine (1982) Pre-doctoral Fellowship, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (1981) Pre-doctoral Fellowship, Swiss National Science Foundation (1978) Dr. Tschudi has been actively involved in mentoring and scientific service. He co-directs an NIH-sponsored Global Infectious Disease Training Program (D43) in translational research on leishmaniasis and emerging infectious diseases. He has served on numerous NIH study sections, including as a member of the NIAID Board of Scientific Counselors (2011–2017), and as an ad-hoc member in 2019 and 2020. He also serves on editorial boards of journals such as mBio , PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases , and Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology . His laboratory is part of the Center for RNA Science and Medicine at Yale, reflecting his deep engagement with RNA-centric research. He collaborates extensively with experts in the field, including Dr. Serap Aksoy (Yale) on tsetse fly vector biology and Dr. Shulamit Michaeli (Bar Ilan University) on RNA modification. His work is supported by NIH grants and aims to identify candidate molecules for chemotherapy against trypanosomatid diseases.
Zev Gartner is a Professor at the University of California San Francisco, leading a multidisciplinary research lab focused on cellular self-organization in tissue development and cancer progression. His work integrates chemistry, biology, and engineering to uncover how tissue structure regulates information flow between cells, with applications in regenerative medicine and cancer therapy. Education: University of California, Berkeley (B.S. in Chemistry, 1994-1999) Harvard University (M.S. and Ph.D. in Chemical Biology, 1999-2004) University of California, Berkeley (Postdoctoral in Chemical Biology, 2005-2008) His research spans tissue engineering, single-cell analysis, and mechanobiology, with particular emphasis on intestinal morphogenesis and breast cancer mechanics. Recent work includes 4D bioprinting technologies and computational modeling of gene regulatory networks. Scientific Awards: National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (2000) Bristol-Myers Squibb Fellowship (2003) NIH New Innovator Award (2017) Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Investigator (2020)
Greg Carter is an Associate Professor affiliated with the Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering at the University of Maine and the Jackson Laboratory. His research focuses on computational and systems biology approaches to model complex genetic interactions in diseases such as Alzheimer’s and cancer. His research interests lie at the intersection of genomics, systems genetics, and bioinformatics, where he develops and applies computational models to understand epistasis, pleiotropy, and gene network organization. He studies how genetic and environmental factors interact to influence biological outcomes, with applications in neurodegenerative diseases and cancer subtypes. His lab integrates multi-omics data—including genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic data—to build predictive models of disease mechanisms. The recent publications highlight a strong focus on Alzheimer’s disease, cancer genomics, and meiosis regulation. His work frequently involves mouse models and large-scale datasets such as those from the Alzheimer’s Disease Sequencing Project and The Cancer Genome Atlas. A recurring theme is the development of computational tools like CAPE to dissect genetic complexity. Greg Carter has received recognition through numerous peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals such as Nature Neuroscience , PLoS Genetics , and Cell Reports . His collaborative research spans multiple institutions and laboratories, including the Howell, Paigen, and Handel labs. He advises students and researchers in computational biology and systems genetics, and his lab is involved in grants related to Alzheimer’s disease modeling, cancer genomics, and genetic network analysis. He has developed software tools like CAPE for public use in genetic analysis. His team works closely with experimental biologists to validate computational predictions.
