Professor Charlotte Deane is a leading academic in structural bioinformatics, holding the position of Professor at the University of Oxford's Department of Statistics and Executive Chair of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). She leads the Oxford Protein Informatics Group (OPIG), focusing on protein structure prediction, immunoinformatics, and AI-driven drug discovery. Her research integrates computational methods with biological insights, developing tools widely used in academia and industry. Prior roles include Head of the Department of Statistics, Deputy Head of the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (MPLS) Division at Oxford, and Chief Scientist of Biologics AI at Exscientia. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she served on SAGE and as UKRI's COVID-19 Response Director. In 2022, she was awarded an MBE for her contributions to pandemic research. Her research group's work spans antibody design, T-cell receptor analysis, and small molecule discovery, with a focus on open-source software development. Current projects include advancing AI methods for protein structure prediction and therapeutic antibody engineering. Recent publications highlight innovations in computational drug design, antibody developability, and machine learning applications in structural biology.
Tyler Johnson, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Dominican University of California's School of Health and Natural Sciences. His expertise lies in Natural Products Chemistry , Bioorganic Chemistry , and Medicinal Chemistry , with a focus on biomedical applications. Johnson's research emphasizes discovering therapeutic lead compounds and molecular probes from marine and terrestrial natural products. His research team investigates chemotypes like mycothiazole , zampanolide , fijianolide , and latrunculin from Indo-Pacific marine sponges. These compounds exhibit potent cytotoxicity (IC50 1~5 nM) against cancer cell lines through mechanisms including microfilament disruption , mitochondrial complex I inhibition , and microtubule stabilization . Current work explores mycothiazole as a molecular probe for mitochondrial aging. Key publications span 2024-2002, covering topics from sponge-derived anticancer agents to inflammation modulation and environmental toxicology. Johnson's laboratory engages in large-scale natural product isolation, spectroscopic validation, and semi-synthetic medicinal chemistry to optimize therapeutic leads. His work integrates undergraduate and graduate students into interdisciplinary biomedical research.
Sarah Lummis is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Cambridge. Her research focuses on understanding the structure-function relationships of Cys-loop ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs), which are critical for neurotransmission and targets for pharmaceuticals. Her work addresses how structural features of these receptors influence their function and drug interactions. Research interests include ion channel biology, molecular pharmacology, and structural biology. Key publications investigate residues affecting receptor activity in 5-HT3 receptors, glycine receptors, and the prokaryotic channel ELIC. Her studies contribute to drug development for neurological disorders like epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease. Contact: sl120sec@bioc.cam.ac.uk | Group accepts interns, students, and researchers. Located at the Hopkins Building, Downing Site, Cambridge.
Fabian Pfrengle is a full Professor of Organic Chemistry at the Institute of Organic Chemistry , Department of Natural Sciences and Sustainable Resources , University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU). He previously led research groups at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (2013-2020) and worked at The Scripps Research Institute (2010-2013). Research Focus: His work bridges carbohydrate chemistry and plant biology , specializing in plant cell wall glycans and glycosyltransferases . He develops synthetic glycan arrays for enzyme characterization and investigates immune response triggering mechanisms in plants through oligosaccharide fragments . His projects include automated polysaccharide synthesis and liposome-based immune tolerance applications. Publication Trends: His 15 most recent articles emphasize chemical synthesis of sugar nucleotides , plant glycan arrays , and enzyme specificity analysis , reflecting his focus on carbohydrate engineering and plant immunity . Key subfields include UDP-sugar derivatization , Xylan structure-function relationships , and Glycosyltransferase profiling . Grants & Projects: Currently leads 5 major projects including Automated Algal Polysaccharide Synthesis (EU-funded, 2023-2028) and Synthetic Glycan Ligands for Plant Immune Receptors (FWF-funded, 2022-2026). His research also explores thrombocyte biology and Rhamnogalacturonan-II fragments with support from FWF and City of Vienna . Community Service: Serves on editorial boards ( Monatshefte für Chemie , 2021-present) and as reviewer for 12 journals including JACS Au , Nature Communications , and Angewandte Chemie . Member of professional societies: Gesellschaft Österreichischer Chemiker (2020), Deutscher Hochschulverband (2019), and Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker (2008).
Caitlin Mullarkey is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences at McMaster University's Faculty of Health Sciences. She teaches across multiple undergraduate programs including Biochemistry, Biomedicine, and Health Sciences, with courses ranging from Cellular and Molecular Biology to Immunological Principles in Practice and Principles of Virology. Dr. Mullarkey's research focuses on immunology and virology with particular emphasis on influenza virus immunity, antibody-mediated responses, and vaccine development. Her work explores intricate mechanisms of antibody function including Fc-mediated effector functions, neutrophil responses to viral infection, and the role of broadly neutralizing antibodies. She also investigates innovative approaches to biomedical education through virtual laboratory simulations and online course development. Analysis of her publication record reveals a strong focus on influenza immunology, with particular expertise in antibody structure-function relationships, hemagglutinin stalk-specific antibodies, and Fc-mediated immune responses. Her work bridges basic immunological mechanisms with practical vaccine development approaches, demonstrating consistent contributions to understanding host-pathogen interactions and immune protection mechanisms. Scientific Awards: Equality of Opportunity Award from the Government of Ontario (2024) for developing and leading McMaster's Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences Summer Scholars Program Dr. Mullarkey actively supervises undergraduate research through Senior Research Thesis and Senior Thesis courses, providing mentorship to students across multiple academic years. Her teaching portfolio demonstrates significant commitment to both foundational and advanced topics in biochemistry and immunology. Beyond formal teaching, she leads the Summer Scholars Program which provides full research scholarships to students who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or 2SLGBTQIA+, addressing barriers to participation in STEM research through comprehensive support for training, mentorship, and living expenses. As Chair of the Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences Summer Scholars Program, Dr. Mullarkey has graduated 17 diverse scholars in just two years, with many continuing research at McMaster and receiving competitive awards. The program, supported by McMaster's Global Nexus and Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, exemplifies her commitment to creating inclusive research opportunities in biomedical sciences.
Lars Nyberg is a Professor of Neuroscience at Umeå University's Medical Faculty and Director of the Umeå Centre for Functional Brain Imaging (UFBI) since 2001. He has held concurrent roles as Guest Professor in Bergen and Oslo, Norway, and led the Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine (WCMM) from 2019. His academic leadership includes directing major initiatives like the EU-funded Lifebrain project (2017–2022) and holding the Torsten & Ragnar Söderberg Research Professorship in Medicine (2012–2017). Education: PhD in Psychology (1993) and Docent (1996) from Umeå University, with postdoctoral training at the Rotman Research Institute, Toronto. His research focuses on neuroimaging techniques (MRI/PET), dopamine systems, working memory, aging, and episodic memory. Key contributions include linking dopamine receptor availability to cognitive decline and demonstrating brain maintenance mechanisms in aging. Research Interests: Neuroimaging of memory systems, dopamine's role in cognition, aging-related brain changes, and cognitive reserve. Grants: EU Horizon 2020 (Lifebrain, €10M), KA Wallenberg Scholarships (2009, 2016), Swedish Research Council funding for COBRA (2013–2017). His awards include Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences membership (2008), Mångbergs Prize in Neural Sciences (2008), and multiple Wallenberg grants. Nyberg has supervised 27 PhD students and 11 postdocs, advancing translational neuroscience and aging research through interdisciplinary teams at UFBI and WCMM.
Pia Vogel is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Southern Methodist University (SMU), where she leads research on nucleotide-binding proteins using Electron Spin Resonance spectroscopy and molecular modeling. Her work focuses on elucidating structural mechanisms in ATP synthase, multidrug resistance transporters, and calcium channels with biomedical applications in cancer therapy and neurodegenerative diseases. Education: Ph.D., University of Kaiserlautern Dr. Vogel's research program investigates three interconnected domains: the rotary mechanics of FoF1-ATP synthase (particularly the external stalk subunit b-dimer), the structural basis of multidrug resistance in P-glycoprotein and MRPs, and ATP-regulated calcium release via ryanodine receptors. Her laboratory employs site-specific spin labeling, ESR spectroscopy, and computational modeling to resolve protein dynamics and interactions at molecular resolution, contributing to understanding energy transduction in ATP synthase and mechanisms of drug resistance. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2020-2025) reveals a dominant focus on developing and characterizing P-glycoprotein and BCRP inhibitors to overcome chemotherapy resistance in cancer. These studies integrate computational screening, ATPase assays, and cell-based models to evaluate inhibitor efficacy, with emerging applications in Alzheimer's research through amyloid-β transport studies. The work demonstrates consistent methodological synergy between biophysical characterization and therapeutic development. Dr. Vogel maintains an active research group supported by sustained funding, evidenced by continuous publication output and laboratory infrastructure. Her team employs multidisciplinary approaches spanning biophysics, biochemistry, and computational biology to address fundamental questions in membrane protein function. Her laboratory facilities in DLSB 221 include specialized Electron Spin Resonance instrumentation and dual Linux computing clusters for molecular dynamics simulations. The research environment supports collaborative projects extending her work into cancer therapeutics and neurodegenerative disease mechanisms through partnerships with clinical and computational researchers.
Ueli Grossniklaus is an Ordinary Professor at the University of Zurich within the Faculty of Mathematical and Natural Sciences , affiliated with the Department of Plant and Microbiology . His work focuses on plant developmental biology, particularly epigenetic and genetic mechanisms governing reproduction and adaptation. Key Courses: Epigenetics, Plant Biology Workshop, Group Seminars on Current Research Laboratory Techniques: Advanced methods in plant cell mechanics, transcriptomics, and genome editing Research Interests span plant epigenetics, reproductive biology, and the interplay between environmental stress and genetic regulation. He investigates: Mechanistic control of gametogenesis and fertilization Epigenetic contributions to plant adaptation Evolutionary implications of asexual reproduction Biophysical forces in plant cell growth Publication Trends (2025–2018) reveal expertise in: Arabidopsis and fern model systems Epigenetic regulation (DNA methylation, histone dynamics) Apomixis and hybrid seed failure mechanisms Biomechanics of pollen tubes and carnivorous plants Genome editing tools (CRISPR) and long-read sequencing Scientific Collaborations include interdisciplinary projects on: Microfluidic devices for plant cell analysis Gene drive ecology and ethics 3D imaging of plant reproductive structures Advising and Grants focus on mentoring through research internships in developmental biology, genetics, and systems biology. His lab engages in: Epigenetic response to environmental stress Cell wall mechanics in reproduction Computational modeling of plant growth Laboratory Teams integrate plant biologists, bioengineers, and computational scientists to study: Mechanistic gene regulation Evolutionary developmental biology Microrobotics for cellular force measurement
Anne Berit C. Samuelsen serves as Associate Professor at the Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, where she also holds the position of Head of Education. Her academic foundation includes a Cand.pharm. degree and Dr.scient. doctorate, establishing her expertise in pharmaceutical sciences. Her research centers on polysaccharides from natural sources—particularly higher plants, cereals, and fungi (Basidiomycota)—with specialized focus on β-glucans. Key interests include carbohydrate chemistry, pharmacognosy, and the development of biopolymer-based pharmaceutical applications. Her work bridges fundamental structural characterization with practical drug delivery solutions, notably through liposome coating technologies and immunomodulatory compound development. Recent publications reveal a strong trajectory in fungal polysaccharide research, particularly with Pleurotus eryngii and Albatrellus ovinus species. Her team employs advanced techniques like diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy to analyze polysaccharide structures while investigating biological activities related to immune receptor binding (Dectin-1, Toll-like receptors) and therapeutic applications. This work demonstrates consistent output in high-impact journals including Carbohydrate Polymers and ACS Applied Bio Materials . She actively contributes to academic instruction through courses such as FARM1150 (Pharmaceutically Oriented Biochemistry), FARM3100 (Pharmacognosy), and FARM5200 (Use of Biopolymers in Pharmaceuticals). Her leadership extends to the Bioactive Natural Substances and Health Effects (BioNatH) research group and the Glyconor Consortium, where she investigates natural product applications for health improvement.
Bertrand Coste is a CNRS Researcher at the Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory (Aix-Marseille University/CNRS), specializing in mechanosensation and ion channel biology. He developed pioneering techniques to study mechanically activated ion channels, notably discovering the PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 channels with Prof. Ardem Patapoutian, which contributed to the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. His current work focuses on pain perception mechanisms and cardiovascular functions of PIEZO channels. Education: Completed his PhD at the Laboratoire de neurophysiologie cellulaire in Marseille, followed by postdoctoral research at the Scripps Research Institute, CA (2007–2012). Research Interests: Molecular basis of mechanosensation, mechanosensitive ion channels (PIEZO family), pain signaling, and cardiovascular physiology. His studies bridge molecular neurobiology with clinical applications in chronic pain management and genetic disorders linked to mechanosensory defects. Publications highlight advancements in PIEZO channel structure-function relationships, their roles in sensory perception, and contributions to pathologies like hereditary stomatocytosis and arthrogryposis. His work integrates genetics, cell biology, and biophysics to decode mechanical signaling pathways. Received the Brixham Foundation 2022 Award (Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale) for research on pain mechanisms. Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams at the CNRS and Aix-Marseille University, advancing translational neuroscience initiatives.
Miler T. Lee is an Associate Professor at the University of Pittsburgh , focusing on gene regulation during early embryonic development through high-throughput experimental and computational genomics. He earned his Ph.D. in Genomics and Computational Biology in 2009 from the University of Pennsylvania under Dr. Junhyong Kim, followed by postdoctoral work with Dr. Antonio Giraldez at Yale University. Joining the university in 2016, his research spans maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT), RNA stability, pluripotency networks, and evolutionary developmental biology, utilizing model organisms like zebrafish, Xenopus, and Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus. Key Research Themes: Maternally inherited RNA dynamics during embryogenesis Mechanisms of RNA degradation and transcriptome remodeling Evolution of pluripotency networks in hybrid species Role of zinc signaling in fertilization barriers Computational tools for RNA regulation and sensing Scientific Awards: Pan-American Society for Evolutionary Developmental Biology Junior Faculty Award (2024) Outstanding New Investigator – International Xenopus Board (2023) Basil O'Connor Scholar – March of Dimes (2017-2019) Recent publications highlight his work on enhancer classification, RNA degradation mechanisms, and cross-species MZT comparisons. His lab develops innovative methods like RESA for regulatory sequence analysis and studies evolutionary divergence in RNA localization patterns. While the articles span computational and experimental approaches, they consistently address RNA's role in cellular identity, developmental timing, and evolutionary adaptation. Applications include understanding pluripotency, designing RNA biosensors, and elucidating fertilization barriers. Prospective Ph.D. students are encouraged to contact him for opportunities in gene regulation, development, evo-devo, and computational genomics.
Brenda Schulman is a Professor and Director of the Molecular Machines and Signaling Pathways department at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried, Germany. She also holds an honorary professorship at the Technical University of Munich's Department of Chemistry and serves as Adjunct Faculty at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, USA. Her research focuses on understanding how ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteins regulate cellular processes through protein modification. Dr. Schulman's research interests center on structural biology of the ubiquitin-proteasome system and ubiquitin-like proteins. Her work has shown that hundreds of dynamic multiprotein complexes are transiently converted into different conformations by specialized regulatory factors that control ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteins, thereby monitoring virtually all processes in cell biology. She combines biochemical reconstitution, structural analysis, enzymology, protein design, cell biology, and genetics to understand how these molecular machines function. Her research has significant implications for understanding diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and viral infections where defects in ubiquitin pathways are implicated. Her extensive publication record demonstrates expertise in ubiquitin signaling, protein degradation mechanisms, structural biology of E3 ligases, and molecular machines. Her work spans from fundamental mechanisms of ubiquitin chain formation to therapeutic applications in targeted protein degradation. Among her numerous scientific accolades are the Feldberg Prize for Anglo-German Scientific Exchange (2025), ERC Advanced Grant (2023), Louis-Jeantet Prize for Medicine (2023), Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize (2019), and election to the National Academy of Sciences (2014). She has also received the Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Award from The Protein Society and has been an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Dr. Schulman leads an active research group that has produced numerous high-impact publications in top journals including Nature, Cell, and Nature Structural & Molecular Biology. Her team has made significant contributions to understanding the structural mechanisms of ubiquitin transfer, E3 ligase specificity, and the role of ubiquitin in cellular quality control pathways. Current research in her lab focuses on deciphering the ubiquitin code and developing novel approaches for targeted protein degradation.
Prof. Dr. Roderick Lim is an Associate Professor at the Biozentrum, University of Basel , where he leads a research group since 2014. His work bridges biophysics, nanotechnology, and molecular biology , focusing on the nuclear pore complex (NPC) and mechanobiology of cells . He develops biomimetic systems for selective molecular transport and ARTIDIS , a nanomechanical tissue diagnostic platform commercialized for breast cancer prognosis . Education : BSc (UNC Chapel Hill), PhD (NUS/IMRE Singapore), Postdoc (Swiss Nanoscience Institute) Positions : Argovia Professor (2014–present), Tenure Track Asst. Prof. (2009–2013), Postdoc (2004–2008) His research on NPC transport selectivity reveals how karyopherins modulate the FG Nup barrier via multivalent interactions, with implications for viral entry and Alzheimer’s disease . His ARTIDIS platform uses atomic force microscopy to detect cancer via tissue softness, linking hypoxia to metastasis . Recent 2025 publications explore bacterial nanoharpoon defense mechanisms and DNA origami-based NPC mimics . Scientific Awards : Pierre-Gilles de Gennes Prize (2008), A*STAR Fellowship (2004) Collaborations : NCCR Molecular Systems Engineering, NanoTera, KTI He mentors PhD students in institutions across Switzerland, Singapore, Sweden, and the UK , with alumni working on polymersome delivery, mechanotransduction, and pathogen transport . His lab pioneered high-speed atomic force microscopy for real-time NPC dynamics and plasmonic nanopores for synthetic biology applications.
Professor Daniel Catchpoole serves as Deputy Head of School (Research) at the School of Computer Science, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), holding dual appointments at UTS and The Children's Hospital at Westmead. With over 20 years of research experience, he bridges computational sciences and pediatric cancer research through the Biomedical Data Science Lab in the Australian Artificial Intelligence Institute. His work integrates data analytics, artificial intelligence, and software development with molecular cancer biology to transform pediatric cancer treatment pathways. PhD in Cancer Cell Biology, University of New South Wales (1991-1995) Founding Fellow, Royal College of Pathologists Australasia (2010-present) Head, Children's Hospital at Westmead Tumour Bank (2001-present) Professor Catchpoole's research focuses on translational applications of genomics in childhood cancers, particularly acute lymphoblastic leukemia and neuroblastoma. His work combines high-throughput genomic technologies with advanced computational analysis to develop systems biology approaches for cancer patient assessment. Recent projects explore virtual reality applications for complex genomic data visualization and copper chelation therapies to enhance neuroblastoma immunotherapy. His research has received significant funding from Cancer Institute NSW, Sony Foundation, ARC, and NHMRC. His publication record spans biomedical data science, cancer genomics, and virtual reality applications in oncology. Recent work demonstrates leadership in 3D latent diffusion models for tumor segmentation, biobank economics, and innovative immunotherapies. His research consistently addresses the critical need for actionable knowledge from complex multidimensional biomedical data. Editorial Board Member, Cancers (2023) Associate Editor, Innovations in Digital Health, Diagnostics and Biomarkers (2019) Founding member and first President, Australasian Biospecimens Network Association Professor Catchpoole has supervised 17 Honours students (including 6 First Class Honours), 3 MSc students, and 12 PhD candidates across multiple institutions, with 6 current PhD students. His collaborative research bridges UTS's Faculty of Engineering and IT with The Children's Cancer Research Unit at The Children's Hospital at Westmead. Significant research funding includes Cancer Institute NSW grants, Sony Foundation VR projects, and ARC Discovery Projects focused on genomic data analysis and clinical decision support systems. His leadership extends to building frameworks for translational research, managing biobanks and clinical data linkages, and navigating governance requirements for cancer research. The Tumour Bank at Kids Research, CCRU, represents his long-standing commitment to pediatric cancer infrastructure development.
Professor David E. Gloriam is a leading expert in G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) at the University of Copenhagen , Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology. Recognized as a top 1% Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher, he leads GPCRdb, a major database with >50,000 annual users, and develops computational tools like GPCRgraphs for drug discovery. His innovation roles include Senior Scientific Expert at Kvantify A/S and applications in pharmaceutical industry tools with patent citations. Education: Ph.D. in Medicine (Uppsala University, 2006), M.Sc. in Pharmaceutical Sciences (Uppsala University, 2003) Leadership: Head of GPCRdb (2014–), EU COST Actions member (2014–17), and institutional leadership roles in Pharmaceutical Data Science unit and Research Leadership Forum Research Interests: His work spans computational modeling of GPCR dynamics, virtual screening methods for inaccessible receptors, pharmacogenomics (PGxDB platform), and biased signaling for safer drugs. He integrates structural biology, data science, and bioinformatics to advance pharmaceutical discovery. Awards: Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (2022) IUPHAR Analytical Pharmacology Award (2023) Lars Arge Prize for Big Data (2021) UCPH Forward Talent Program (2019) ERC Starting Grant (2014) Teaching & Supervision: Teaches Molecular Pharmacology and AI in Drug Discovery , and supervises 3 current PhD students. He has mentored 13 PhDs and 14 Postdocs, with former members attaining tenured academic or industry roles.
