Sriram Subramaniam is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and holds the Gobind Khorana Canada Excellence Research Chair in Precision Cancer Drug Design. His research leverages cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to advance structural biology and drug design, focusing on protein dynamics and therapeutic target identification. Education: PhD in Physical Chemistry (1987) from Stanford University; MSc in Chemistry (1981) from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur. Subramaniam's interdisciplinary work combines cryo-EM with computational tools and molecular biology to study protein structures at atomic resolution. His lab has pioneered cryo-EM applications in precision medicine, including mapping small molecule drugs on patient-specific cancer mutants. Recent publications (2024-2022) highlight his contributions to understanding SARS-CoV-2 immune evasion, structural mechanisms of ATPases, and AI integration in structural biology. His research spans viral entry mechanisms, CRISPR systems, and neurodegenerative disease pathways. Scientific Awards: Gobind Khorana Canada Excellence Research Chair NIH Director’s Award for Scientific Excellence Fellow of the Biophysical Society Breakthrough Prize nomination Based at the Djavad Mowafaghian Center for Brain Health, Subramaniam leads the Program in Cryo-EM Guided Drug Design, contributing to over 177 peer-reviewed publications with a career h-index of 58 and citations exceeding 12,340.
Alexis Battle is an Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins University with appointments in Biomedical Engineering , Computer Science , and Genetic Medicine (secondary). She directs the Malone Center for Engineering in Healthcare and serves as Deputy Director of the Data Science and AI Institute . Educated at Stanford University (PhD in Computer Science, 2013), Battle transitioned to academia after leadership roles at Google. Research Focus: Battle’s work bridges genomics and machine learning , emphasizing the impact of genetic variation on human health. Her lab develops tools like Watershed to predict functional effects of rare variants, aiming to enhance rare disease diagnosis. Key themes include non-coding DNA analysis , personalized genomics , and systems biology , with applications in cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative disorders . Publications & Awards: Over 60 peer-reviewed articles in journals like Nature , Science , and Genome Biology , with recent emphasis on single-cell transcriptomics , multiomics integration , and telomere biology . Recipient of the President’s Frontier Award (2022), Microsoft Investigator Fellowship (2019), and Searle Scholar (2016). Scientific Awards: 2022 President’s Frontier Award 2019 Microsoft Investigator Fellowship 2019 Johns Hopkins Discovery Award 2017 Johns Hopkins Catalyst Award 2016 Searle Scholar Advising & Funding: Mentors 11 PhD students, 3 undergraduates, and postdoctoral fellows. Her research is funded by NIH, Searle Scholars, and institutional grants. The Battle Lab collaborates on projects like the GTEx Consortium , focusing on gene regulation and clinical genomics .
John P. O'Doherty serves as the Fletcher Jones Professor of Decision Neuroscience within Caltech's Division of Humanities and Social Sciences, holding continuous faculty appointments since 2004 (Assistant Professor 2004-07, Associate Professor 2007-09, Professor 2009-present, Fletcher Jones Professor 2021-present). He previously directed the Caltech Brain Imaging Center (2013-17) and maintains affiliations with the T&C Chen Center for Social and Decision Neuroscience. His educational background includes a B.A. from University of Dublin, Trinity College (1996) and D.Phil. from University of Oxford (2000). His research focuses on computational and neural mechanisms of reward-based learning and decision-making , employing fMRI, intracranial recordings, and mathematical modeling to investigate how the brain solves complex decision problems through evolutionarily conserved algorithms. Key areas include Reinforcement learning systems (model-based/model-free arbitration) Observational and social learning mechanisms Neural representation of value, risk, and uncertainty Computational phenotyping of mental disorders Temporal dynamics of goal persistence Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals dominant trends in computational psychiatry (problem gambling, autism traits), hierarchical decision-making, and neuroeconomic modeling of social behavior. His work consistently integrates cross-species computational frameworks with human neuroimaging to identify transdiagnostic mechanisms. While specific awards beyond his endowed professorship aren't detailed, his leadership as Brain Imaging Center Director and prolific high-impact publications demonstrate significant recognition. Current advising includes graduate researcher Sneha Aenugu on goal-persistence projects, with administrative support from Mary A. Martin (mmartin@caltech.edu). His active research program continues to pioneer computational approaches to understanding decision pathologies.
Kelly Arnold is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan. Her research integrates systems engineering principles with immunology to investigate variability in immune responses across infection, vaccination, and injury, with a focus on computational modeling and clinical translation. Research Focus Systems-level immune response modeling Vaccination and antibody functionality Vaginal microbiome-host interactions Chronic lung disease progression Computational serology and proteomics Recent Work Her 2025 studies examine SARS-CoV-2 vaccination responses in cancer patients and computational frameworks for vaginal probiotics. Earlier works (2024-2007) span COPD progression, lupus fibrosis, HIV susceptibility, and tissue engineering for fertility preservation. Methodologies include proteomic profiling, network modeling, and microfluidic systems.
Manuel R. Amieva is a Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine , holding joint appointments in Pediatrics - Infectious Diseases and Microbiology & Immunology . He is also a member of the Maternal & Child Health Research Institute (MCHRI) . His clinical practice at Stanford Medicine Children's Health focuses on pediatric infectious diseases. Education: Medical Education: Stanford University School of Medicine (1997) Fellowship: Stanford University Pediatric Infectious Disease Fellowship (2004) Internship & Residency: Stanford Health Care at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital (1998-1999) Dr. Amieva's research investigates host-pathogen interactions at epithelial barriers, with specific expertise in Helicobacter pylori , Listeria monocytogenes , Salmonella enterica , and Staphylococcus aureus . His lab develops innovative organoid culture systems with controlled polarity to study microbial colonization and oncogenic mechanisms. Key discoveries include: H. pylori's manipulation of epithelial junctions via the CagA protein Listeria's exploitation of cell extrusion sites for invasion Staphylococcus toxin interactions with adherens junctions Gastric stem cell activation by pathogens Recent publication trends show continued leadership in infectious disease mechanisms (2020-2025), with a focus on: Pathogen-specific epithelial breach strategies Organoid modeling of viral/bacterial interactions Redox-dependent host factor regulation Single-cell spatial transcriptomic analyses Multi-institutional educational frameworks His scientific collaborations span disciplines including: Gastric cancer genomics initiatives COVID-19 lung infection models Stem cell-microbe interactions Medical education reform projects Dr. Amieva maintains active clinical research while mentoring students in both the Microbiology & Immunology and Pediatrics programs. His lab at Stanford employs advanced 3D confocal microscopy and organ-on-a-chip technologies to visualize epithelial colonization dynamics.
Prof. Waldemar Kolanus leads the Molecular Immunology and Cell Biology department at the University of Bonn's Life & Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES) . His research bridges immunoregulation , stem cell dynamics , and metabolic stress responses in immune cells. Unit 2 member at LIMES Principal investigator in SFB 704 and ImmunoSensation Cluster Leads a multidisciplinary lab with postdocs, PhD students, and technical staff His work focuses on intracellular signaling pathways connecting immune activation to tissue homeostasis, particularly through: Cytohesin proteins in integrin-mediated adhesion and migration TRIM71 in stem cell regulation and congenital hydrocephalus High-salt environments affecting macrophage function Publication trends show expertise in immune cell migration , genetic models , and chemical inhibition , with frequent use of mice and zebrafish for in vivo studies. Key articles explore: TRIM71's dual role in auditory development and germ cell maintenance Cytohesin family's Golgi regulation and insulin signaling Ruxolitinib's off-target migration inhibition of dendritic cells Contact details: Address: LIMES Institute, Carl-Troll-Straße 31, Bonn Email: kolanus.sekretariat@uni-bonn.de Phone: +49 228 73-62788
Dr. John A. Copland III is a Professor of Cancer Biology and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. He leads the Cancer Biology and Translational Research Laboratory, focusing on molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis, tumor progression, and development of targeted cancer therapies. Education: PhD in Physiology & Endocrinology (Medical College of Georgia), MS in Endocrinology (Medical College of Georgia), BS in Chemistry (Columbus College), with postdoctoral training at University of Texas Medical Branch. Research interests center on: Identifying tumor suppressor genes (e.g., RhoB, TBR3, GATA3) and oncogenes (e.g., FOXO3a, SCD1, NPTX2). Developing patient-derived xenografts and live cell models for personalized medicine. Designing SCD1 inhibitors via in silico modeling for clinical trials. Recent publications highlight his work on SCD1 inhibition in leukemia and thyroid cancer ImmunoPET imaging of thyroid tumors CRISPR-identified drug synergies in cholangiocarcinoma Patient-specific combination therapies using xenograft models
Wei-Jen Tang is a Professor at the University of Chicago, affiliated with the Ben May Department of Cancer Research. His work integrates structural biology and biochemistry to study protein interactions critical to human health, particularly in Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and bacterial pathogenesis. Education: B.S. in Zoology, National Taiwan University; Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, University of Texas, Austin; Postdoctoral training in Virology and Pharmacology at University of Texas Southwestern. His research focuses on: Amyloid Peptide-Degrading Proteases: IDE and PreP for Alzheimer's and diabetes. Chemokines: CCL5 and CCL3 in inflammation and HIV. Bacterial Toxins: Edema factor in anthrax and bio-defense. Recent publications highlight structural insights into IDE, PreP, and anthrax toxins, with keywords spanning Structural Biology , Biochemistry , and Therapeutics . Funding includes NIH and American Heart Association grants. Awards include AHA Established Investigator and Cancer Research Foundation Young Investigator. Lab updates note new members and a 2025 publication on PreP.
Ying Ge is a Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, jointly appointed in the Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology and the Department of Chemistry. Her research integrates chemistry, biology, and medicine, focusing on advanced mass spectrometry-based proteomic and metabolomic technologies to address cardiovascular diseases. Education: B.S., Peking University (1997) Ph.D., Cornell University (2002) Ying Ge's work centers on developing ultra high-resolution mass spectrometry platforms for top-down proteomics and metabolomics, applied to systems biology studies of heart failure and regenerative medicine. Key projects include myofilament protein modification mapping, stem cell therapy evaluation, and biomarker discovery for cardiac conditions. The 15 most recent articles highlight her lab's methodological innovations (e.g., photocleavable surfactants, native mass spectrometry) and biological discoveries in AMPK structural heterogeneity, RBM20-mediated cardiotoxicity, and sarcomere-metabolism cross-talk during regeneration. These publications span proteomics, metabolomics, structural biology, and clinical applications.
James Shorter is a Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. He is affiliated with multiple prestigious institutes, including the Institute on Aging (IOA), the Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics (ITMAT), the Penn Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), the Chemistry-Biology Interface (CBI), and the Penn Institute for RNA Innovation. He mentors several training programs such as the Penn Summer Undergraduate Internship Program (SUIP), PennPREP, and the Translational Research Immersion Program (TRIP), and serves as a Primary Trainer at the Center for Neurodegenerative Research (CNDR). Ph.D. in Cell Biology, University of London, 2000 M.A. in Biology, University of Oxford, 1995 Dr. Shorter’s research focuses on protein homeostasis, particularly the mechanisms of protein disaggregation and the role of prion-like domains in neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. His lab investigates the Hsp104 disaggregase from yeast and has engineered variants to combat human proteinopathies. They also identified the mammalian disaggregase system (Hsp110/Hsp70/Hsp40) and explore how small molecules and nuclear import receptors can reverse pathological phase transitions of RNA-binding proteins like TDP-43 and FUS. His work bridges structural biology, genetics, and translational neuroscience. His recent publications highlight trends in targeting TDP-43 and FUS proteinopathies, engineering Hsp104 for selective detoxification, understanding mitochondrial disaggregases like Skd3, and modulating phase transitions with nuclear import receptors. His research spans from fundamental mechanisms of protein folding to therapeutic development for neurodegenerative diseases. Faculty Member, Institute on Aging (IOA) Faculty Member, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics (ITMAT) Mentor, Penn Summer Undergraduate Internship Program (SUIP) Primary Trainer, Center for Neurodegenerative Research (CNDR) Faculty Member, Penn Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) Member, Penn Institute for RNA Innovation Mentor, Translational Research Immersion Program (TRIP) Dr. Shorter advises numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers through the Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Pharmacology, Neuroscience, and Cell and Molecular Biology graduate groups. His lab receives funding from NIH and other sources to support research on protein disaggregation, phase separation, and neurodegenerative disease mechanisms. He has trained many scientists now active in academia and biotech. His lab, located in Stellar-Chance Laboratories, operates at the intersection of biochemistry, cell biology, and translational medicine, with active projects on Hsp104 engineering, mitochondrial proteostasis, and the role of RNA-binding proteins in disease. The lab collaborates widely across Penn and with international partners to advance understanding and treatment of protein misfolding disorders.
Dr. Xi Chen is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of California, Davis, where he has been a faculty member since 2003. His research spans carbohydrate chemistry, glycobiology, and cancer biology, with notable contributions to chemoenzymatic methods for glycoconjugate synthesis. Dr. Chen's work focuses on developing hybrid chemical-enzymatic approaches to synthesize complex carbohydrates and glycoconjugates, characterizing glycosyltransferase mechanisms, and designing enzyme mutants for improved catalysis. He also investigates carbohydrate-based diagnostics and therapeutics, particularly in cancer and inflammatory diseases. His recent publications highlight interdisciplinary studies linking carbohydrate metabolism to p53 tumor suppression pathways and RNA-binding protein regulation in cancer. Awards include AAAS Fellow (2015), ACS Isbell Award (2012), and NSF CAREER Award (2006). He earned his Ph.D. at Wayne State University (2000) and B.S. at Xiamen University (1994). Scientific Awards American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow (2015) Dean's Team Award for Excellence (2013) Carbohydrate Research Award for Creativity (2013) ACS CARB Horace S. Isbell Award (2012)
Nicolas Thomä is a Full Professor and head of the Thomä Lab at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), where he holds the Paternot Chair in Cancer Research. He is affiliated with the School of Life Sciences (SV) and the Institute of Chemical and Biological Technology (ISREC), leading the UPTHOMAE research unit. His work bridges structural biology, chemical biology, and cancer research, with a focus on transcriptional regulation and targeted protein degradation. His research interests center on chromatin biology and the molecular mechanisms by which transcription factors access gene promoters within chromatin. He investigates how multi-protein complexes regulate gene expression, particularly focusing on the role of E3 ubiquitin ligases and molecular glues in targeted protein degradation. His lab combines structural techniques (including cryo-EM), biochemical assays, and functional genomics to unravel how small molecules can rewire protein interactions and induce degradation of disease-relevant proteins, especially transcription factors involved in cancer. The recent publications of his lab demonstrate a strong trajectory in understanding the structural basis of transcription factor binding to nucleosomes (e.g., OCT4-SOX2, MYC-MAX, CLOCK-BMAL1) and the mechanism of action of molecular glues like thalidomide. These studies highlight a shift toward therapeutic innovation through chemical biology, aiming to develop novel strategies for targeting 'undruggable' proteins in human diseases. Scientific Awards No specific awards listed in the provided text. Advising and Grants Thomä actively supervises a team of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, including David Domjan, Laurin Tim Kanis, Alessandro Minafra, and Pierre Alexander Miranda Herrera. His lab is supported by institutional funding from EPFL and likely external grants related to cancer research, structural biology, and chemical biology, though specific grants are not mentioned. The lab’s interdisciplinary approach suggests collaboration with pharmaceutical and biotech partners. Labs and Teams The Thomä Lab, based at EPFL’s SV building, includes a multidisciplinary team of scientists, technical specialists, and administrative support. Key members include Fiona Bello (Technical Specialist), Regina Baur, Alexandra Bendel, Manuel Carminati, and others. The lab is structured around two main research pillars: Transcription Factors in Chromatin Biology and Ubiquitin Biology and Molecular Glues, reflecting its dual focus on fundamental mechanisms and therapeutic applications.
Roshan Gunasekara serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at Yale School of Medicine, where he leads the Gunasekara Lab and collaborates with the Grutzendler Lab. His academic journey includes a PhD in Organic Chemistry from Iowa State University (2016) and undergraduate studies in Chemistry at the University of Peradeniya (2010). Dr. Gunasekara's research focuses on molecular recognition in aqueous environments, with particular expertise in designing synthetic receptors for carbohydrates, peptides, and lipids. His work bridges organic chemistry, nanotechnology, and neuroscience applications, developing innovative tools for molecular sensing and isolation. Key research areas include water-soluble fluorescent foldamers, cooperatively enhanced receptors, and nanoparticle-based systems for biomolecular recognition. His publication record demonstrates consistent high-impact contributions to the fields of supramolecular chemistry and molecular recognition, with numerous articles in prestigious journals including Journal of the American Chemical Society and Chemical Communications. His research shows a clear progression from fundamental molecular recognition principles to applications in extracellular vesicle isolation and neuroscientific contexts. Yale Center for Clinical Investigation Award (2019) The Alpha Chi Sigma Research Award (2016) Graduate Research Symposium Award (2015) Frank J. Moore and Thoreen Beth Moore Fellowship Award (2015) Dr. Gunasekara maintains active research collaborations with prominent scientists including Frederic Pincet, Sathish Ramakrishnan, and Themis Kyriakides. His work has significant implications for diagnostic tools, drug delivery systems, and fundamental understanding of molecular interactions in biological systems.
Professor Alexander J. Hartemink holds dual appointments in the Department of Computer Science and Department of Biology at Duke University, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. He is also a Bass Fellow in Computer Science. His research focuses on computational biology, machine learning, and systems biology, with applications to genomics, epigenomics, and transcriptional regulation. Hartemink leads the Duke Office of University Scholars and Fellows and has directed the Computational Biology and Bioinformatics graduate program. He earned a PhD from MIT (2001), MPhil from the University of Oxford (1996), and BS from Duke (1994). Research Interests His work integrates computational methods to study chromatin dynamics, transcriptional networks, and epigenetic mechanisms. Key areas include modeling chromatin accessibility, predicting transcription factor binding, and understanding cell-cycle regulation. Techniques employed include Bayesian networks, dynamic systems modeling, and machine learning algorithms. Publications & Trends Recent work emphasizes single-cell multi-omics integration, chromatin occupancy modeling (RoboCOP framework), and transcriptional regulation in response to genetic perturbations. Themes include epigenetic plasticity, disease-associated enhancers, and systems-level analysis of gene expression. Awards & Grants Hartemink has received the Sloan Research Fellowship (2005) and NSF CAREER Award (2004). Active grants include NIH funding for chromatin-transcription interplay studies and NSF support for regulatory genome research. He collaborates on projects like the Data+ initiative, promoting interdisciplinary data science. Affiliations & Labs Associated with Duke’s Center for Genomic and Computational Biology and Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies. His lab develops computational tools for genomic analysis, including software for chromatin modeling and epigenetic data integration.
Prof. Oliver Seitz leads the Bioorganic Synthesis research group at the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Humboldt University of Berlin. His lab focuses on cutting-edge chemical biology approaches for protein/nucleic acid interrogation, with recent work advancing DNA/RNA-programmed assemblies for cellular imaging and therapeutic applications. Research spans chemical protein synthesis, glycoprotein/phosphoprotein engineering, and nucleic acid-templated reactions. Key innovations include Forced Intercalation (FIT) probes for wash-free RNA imaging, loss-of-affinity principles for catalytic efficiency, and peptide-PNA conjugates for targeted cellular delivery. The group actively develops tools for live-cell protein labeling and biomolecular spatial screening. Recent publications (2021-2024) emphasize fluorescence-based detection systems, catalytic templated reactions, and therapeutic peptide synthesis. Trends show increasing sophistication in multi-dye probes, glycan engineering, and RNA-triggered pro-drug activation. Scientific awards include: Max Bergmann Award (2019) Prof. Seitz actively advises doctoral students, with recent graduates Marvin Björn Stutz (2023, magna cum laude ), Dino Gluhacevic von Krüchten (2023, summa cum laude ), and Sophie Schöllkopf (2023, magna cum laude ). Current PhD candidates include Ekaterina Kazakova (glycoprotein synthesis), Alina Herfort (phosphoproteins), and Lina-Marie Beck (peptide-nucleic acid conjugates), with postdocs like Dr. Mandana Oloub (viscosity sensors). The Bioorganic Synthesis lab operates within Berlin's vibrant chemical research ecosystem, utilizing specialized techniques for chemical protein synthesis and nucleic acid detection. Recent team growth reflects ongoing projects in RNA imaging, catalytic templated reactions, and therapeutic conjugate development, supported by open positions for new researchers.
