Celia Byrne is an Associate Professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS). She holds a dual appointment in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Her academic background includes a Bachelor's in Biology from Earlham College and a PhD/Master's in Epidemiology from UCLA. Her research focuses on environmental exposures, breast cancer epidemiology, and public health disparities. Key projects include investigating polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and breast cancer risk, environmental metal impacts on breast density, and the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on long-term health outcomes in military populations. She has led federally funded studies, such as the US Army-funded PAHs and Breast Cancer Risk project and a National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences study on metal/metalloid exposures. Byrne’s work bridges epidemiology and biostatistics, emphasizing methodological rigor in analyzing population-level health data. Her recent studies address post-COVID-19 sequelae, vaccination impacts, and racial disparities in endocrine-disrupting chemical exposure. Collaborations include multidisciplinary teams across military and civilian institutions. Her publications span environmental health, infectious disease epidemiology, and breast cancer research. Notable contributions include analyses of long-COVID symptoms, hybrid immunity mechanisms, and the role of acculturation in breast density among immigrant populations.
Rachel Ruderman is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology-Generalists at the University of Chicago. Her research focuses on maternal health, postpartum care, and reproductive medicine, particularly addressing disparities in low-income populations and clinical outcomes in pregnancy-related interventions. Her recent work includes validation of patient-reported outcome measures for medication adherence in pregnant patients (2024) and analyses of postpartum care barriers in underserved communities (2023). She has contributed to studies on COVID-19 vaccination safety during pregnancy (2022), paternal genetic influences on embryonic aneuploidy (2022), and mental health impacts of recurrent pregnancy loss (2020). Her research spans Maternal Health Reproductive Medicine Public Health Equity Clinical Diagnostics Behavioral Sciences . Her collaborative publications highlight partnerships with researchers such as Premkumar, Ashish and McQueen, DB, addressing challenges in obstetric care delivery and translational genetics. Current projects explore patient navigation systems and equitable access to postpartum services.
James Lacefield is a Professor in both the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Department of Medical Biophysics at Western University. He serves as Director of the School of Biomedical Engineering and maintains his research laboratory in the Amit Chakma Engineering Building. His academic appointments span multiple disciplines, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of his work in biomedical ultrasound imaging. Dr. Lacefield earned his Ph.D. and B.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University. His educational background established the foundation for his current research program that bridges engineering principles with medical applications. His research focuses on the physical acoustics and signal processing aspects of ultrasound imaging, with particular emphasis on quantitative vascular imaging applications. Dr. Lacefield's laboratory develops novel methods for color Doppler, power Doppler, and contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging, with primary applications in cancer research. Current projects include optimization of high-resolution ultrasound systems for tumor vascular characterization and development of methods to quantify spatial blood flow distribution in tumors. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on quantitative ultrasound techniques for cancer applications, with particular attention to tumor perfusion assessment using contrast-enhanced ultrasound. His work demonstrates increasing sophistication in speckle analysis methods to improve the reliability of perfusion measurements in preclinical tumor models. Associate Editor, IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control Member, Council of Chairs of Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering Member, College of Reviewers, Canadian Institutes of Health Research Dr. Lacefield maintains active collaborations with multiple research groups including the Imaging Research Laboratories at Robarts Research Institute. His professional activities include editorial work for major ultrasound journals and participation in national review panels for biomedical research funding.
Professor Udo Oppermann serves as Professor of Molecular Biology and Director of Laboratory Sciences at the Institute of Musculoskeletal Sciences, Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford. He is also Deputy Director of the Oxford Centre of Translational Myeloma Research and a fellow at St Catherine's College. His educational background includes a Diploma in Human Biology (1990) and PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology (1994), both earned with distinctions from Philipps University Marburg. Prior academic appointments include Associate Professor at Karolinska Institutet (until 2004) and sabbatical work at Yale University. Research focuses on epigenetic mechanisms in disease through drug and target discovery using systems biology and single-cell approaches . Key disease targets include metabolic disorders, inflammatory conditions, and malignant diseases—particularly multiple myeloma and secondary bone cancers. His group pioneers chemical biology applications in primary tumor microenvironments. Current funding sources include Cancer Research UK, Innovate UK, EPSRC, Royal Society-Newton Fund, Bristol Myers Squibb, Bayer Healthcare, GlaxoSmithKline, Blood Cancer UK, and Leducq Foundation. Notable research trends show increasing emphasis on epigenetic regulation in immune cells (2020-2024), single-cell technologies for myeloma (2022-2024), and translational applications of chromatin modifiers (2016-2019). Recent work integrates metabolomics with epigenetic mechanisms in gynecological and hematological disorders. He supervises doctoral research including Singh K.'s 2024 thesis on sonodynamic therapy mechanisms. Leadership roles encompass directing Oxford's Molecular Laboratory Sciences division and co-leading translational myeloma research initiatives.
Amanda Fallin-Bennett, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at the University of Kentucky College of Nursing , with affiliations in the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program and the Markey Cancer Center. Her work focuses on substance use , harm reduction , and health equity , particularly for vulnerable populations. Education: Doctor of Philosophy (2011), University of Kentucky Master of Science in Nursing (2009), University of Kentucky Bachelor of Science in Nursing (2007), University of Kentucky Her research explores polysubstance use , recovery frameworks , and public health policy , with recent articles addressing fentanyl test strip utilization , recovery capital in justice-involved women , and reproductive health access for recovery communities. She emphasizes health equity in tobacco control and social justice in substance use prevention. Scientific Awards: Nursing Grant Scholars (2016) Research Protégé of the Year (2019) Vernon Johnson Recovery Advocate of the Year (2019) Scholar Award (2017) Research Award (2019) She actively leads grants like the UK Harm Reduction Hub and Smoke-Free Policy and Behavioral Health initiatives, collaborating with Vital Strategies and KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Her work spans opioid use disorder , tobacco cessation , and policy implementation in rural Southern states.
Brendan A. Harley is the Robert W. Schaefer Professor in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), with a joint appointment in the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. His research focuses on developing biomaterials to replicate complex tissue microenvironments, enabling insights into cell behavior during development, disease, and regeneration. He holds leadership roles in academic and professional organizations, including editorial positions for Science Advances and Tissue Engineering . Harley earned his SB from Harvard University (2000), SM/ScD from MIT (2002, 2006), and completed postdoctoral studies at Boston Children’s Hospital. **Education**: Sc.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2006 S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2002 S.B., Harvard University, 2000 **Research Interests**: Engineering dynamic, spatially-patterned biomaterials to mimic extracellular matrices Regenerative repair of musculoskeletal tissues Biomaterial models of cancer microenvironments (e.g., glioblastoma) Artificial bone marrow systems for hematopoietic stem cell studies Harley’s work has produced over 100 peer-reviewed articles and co-authored a textbook Cellular Materials in Nature and Medicine . His lab develops materials for clinical applications, including osteochondral defect repair and craniofacial bone regeneration. Notable honors include the NSF CAREER Award (2013), AAAS Fellowship (2014), and AIMBE Fellowship (2019). **Awards/Recognition**: Fellow, AAAS (2014) Young Investigator Award, Society for Biomaterials (2014) Campus Distinguished Promotion Award, UIUC (2018) His research group emphasizes translational outcomes, with projects spanning biomaterial design, cancer modeling, and stem cell engineering. Collaborations include industry partners like Orthomimetics (acquired by TiGenix) and foundational studies on tumor microenvironments.
Joanna N. Erdman is an Assistant Professor and MacBain Chair in Health Law and Policy at Dalhousie University's Schulich School of Law. Her work focuses on reproductive rights, health equity, and human rights within legal frameworks. She has extensively researched abortion law, global health policies, and gender equality in healthcare access. Erdman's scholarship addresses intersections between law, public health, and human rights, particularly in contexts like abortion accessibility, HPV vaccine equity, and prenatal care ethics. Her research interests emphasize harm reduction strategies, evidence-based lawmaking, and transnational legal perspectives. Erdman has contributed to influential discussions on constitutionalizing abortion rights in Canada, WHO guidelines on safe abortion practices, and the implementation of CEDAW in healthcare systems. Her work often critiques legal barriers to healthcare access and advocates for policy reforms grounded in human rights principles. Erdman has collaborated with leading scholars like Rebecca J. Cook and Bernard Dickens on publications analyzing abortion law and medical ethics. Her articles frequently appear in interdisciplinary journals such as the International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics and Emory Law Journal . While no formal grants or awards are cited here, her extensive citation count (over 5,000 downloads on SSRN) underscores her impact in health law research. Erdman’s recent work includes updating global abortion policy analyses and exploring gender equality in health systems through CEDAW frameworks. She maintains an active research agenda on transnational healthcare law and its implications for marginalized communities.
Sarah C. Hull, MD, MBE is an Associate Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) at Yale School of Medicine, where she serves as Associate Director of the Program for Biomedical Ethics and Cardiology Course Director. She is affiliated with the Department of Internal Medicine, Cardio-Oncology Program, Cardiovascular Imaging Program, and Yale Cancer Center. Education: AB, Biochemical Sciences, Harvard University (2003) MD, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (2008) MBE, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (2008) Residency, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (2011) Fellowship, Yale University School of Medicine (2014) Her research and scholarly work focus on bioethics in cardiology and public health, with key interests in end-of-life care, LVAD deactivation, shared decision-making in cardio-oncology, nutrition ethics, vaccine ethics, and reproductive health ethics. She advocates for integrating ethical frameworks into clinical cardiology practice and medical education. Her work often addresses moral uncertainty, physician-patient communication, and systemic inequities in healthcare access. Recent publications highlight trends in cardioethics , exploring AI's role in moral agency, ethical boundaries in medicine, and curriculum development for ethics training in cardiology. She also contributes to cardio-oncology research, particularly in predicting cardiovascular outcomes in cancer survivors using advanced imaging. Scientific Awards: Bohmfalk Prize for Teaching in Basic Sciences (2021) Sarah C. Hull is actively involved in medical education and ethics leadership. She advises on clinical ethics policy and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams across Yale. She has no listed advisees or grants in the provided text, but her role as Associate Director suggests mentorship and program leadership. She is part of research teams in cardio-oncology and ethics, contributing to collaborative publications. Labs and Teams: She collaborates with researchers in the Cardio-Oncology Program and the Program for Biomedical Ethics, and is a frequent co-author with experts in cardiology, neurology, and oncology at Yale.
Dr. Alessandro D. Santin is a Professor at the Yale School of Medicine within the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences . He serves as Clinical Research Team Leader for Gynecologic Oncology at the Yale Cancer Center and co-chief of the Section of Gynecologic Oncology. Graduated magna cum laude from the University of Brescia, Italy Completed fellowships at the University of California, Irvine and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Dr. Santin's research bridges tumor immunology and translational oncology, focusing on: Immunotherapy for chemotherapy-resistant gynecologic cancers Therapeutic HPV vaccines for genital tumors Monoclonal antibody development Angiogenesis and radiation biology His recent publications highlight advancements in: VEGF/VEGFR2 system targeting for ovarian cancer Personalized medicine approaches with biomarkers Microsatellite instability in endometrial cancer immunotherapy Antibody-drug conjugates for uterine serous carcinoma NAC supplementation in post-COVID gynecologic patients Scientific Awards: American Association young investigator award Italian Society of Gynecologic Oncologists award for translational science Dr. Santin's lab (Laboratory for Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology) at Yale collaborates extensively, with 50+ postdoctoral fellows mentored. Current grants include NIH funding for Clostridium Perfringens Enterotoxin as a novel ovarian cancer therapy and leadership in multiple Gynecologic Oncology Group trials.
Tania Fernández Villa is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of León. Her primary academic affiliation centers on preventive medicine and public health research within the GIIGAS (Interactions Gene-Environment-Health) research group. Her research spans nutritional epidemiology, gender studies in food systems, substance use disorders, and chronic disease prevention. Key focus areas include alcohol consumption patterns among university students (via the UniHcos cohort), sarcopenia in metabolic syndrome, breast cancer risk factors, and pandemic impacts on health behaviors. Her work integrates longitudinal cohort analysis, systematic reviews, and psychometric validation studies. Recent publications demonstrate strong trends in gender-disaggregated health research, pandemic-related behavioral shifts, and methodological innovations in dietary assessment. Her 2024-2025 output shows increasing emphasis on environmental sustainability of diets and multi-cancer risk prediction models. She serves on the editorial board of the Spanish Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, contributing to strategic planning (2020-2026) and open science initiatives. Her PhD from Universidad de Granada focused on ICT usage patterns among university students. Current projects include the UniHcos longitudinal study tracking health behaviors in Spanish university students, with particular attention to alcohol use, sleep patterns, and nutritional status. Her research group actively investigates gene-environment interactions in public health contexts.
Shayesteh Jahanfar is a Professor in the Department of Public Health and Community Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine, with a secondary appointment in Community Health at the Tufts School of Arts and Sciences. As a reproductive epidemiologist with expertise in public health and biostatistics, she directs the Cochrane Affiliate at Tufts and co-directs the Pregnancy and Childbirth US Satellite with Cochrane. Her global research spans reproductive health, maternal-child health, and genetic versus environmental studies across Australia, Malaysia, Canada, and the USA. Education: Doctor of Philosophy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (2016) Doctor of Philosophy, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia (1995) Master of Science in Community Health, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Seri Kembangan, Malaysia (2009) Postdoc Epidemiology and Public Health, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Seri Kembangan, Malaysia (2008) Dr. Jahanfar's research program focuses on reproductive health, maternal-child health, global health, HIV/AIDS, opioid use, and twin studies. She leads WHO-funded projects related to reasons for Cesarean sections, family planning, and assisted vaginal birth, and collaborates with WHO's Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research. Her work with twin studies spans multiple international settings, examining genetic versus environmental influences on health outcomes. She actively develops training materials for Cochrane trainers and promotes evidence-based healthcare practices globally. Her recent publications (2025) demonstrate a strong focus on women's health issues, particularly reproductive health, maternal outcomes, and interventions during pregnancy and childbirth. Her research combines epidemiological methods with clinical trials and systematic reviews, often with a global health perspective. She frequently collaborates on research in Iran and other international settings, addressing both clinical and social determinants of health. Her work spans from molecular diagnostics in cancer to behavioral interventions in maternal health, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach to public health research. Scientific Awards: Equity & Inclusion Fellow (2023) Most Stimulating Paper (2019) President and Provost's Research Award Nomination (2019) With over 35 years of teaching experience, Dr. Jahanfar has trained more than 800 clinicians and scientists through over 80 Cochrane workshops worldwide. Her grant portfolio includes multiple WHO-funded projects on family planning, Cesarean sections, and assisted vaginal birth. Under her leadership, Tufts University established a memorandum of understanding with the University of Malaya, facilitating student research projects in Malaysia during Summers 2022-2024. She actively seeks students and researchers to collaborate on Cochrane's work, twin studies, and reproductive health research projects. Dr. Jahanfar directs the Cochrane Affiliate at Tufts and co-directs the Pregnancy and Childbirth US Satellite. She collaborates with WHO's Maternal and Perinatal Health department, Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, and serves as a consultant for WHO and EMRO. Her global health research initiatives span Australia, Malaysia, Egypt, Iran, Europe, and the Middle East, reflecting her commitment to advancing global health education and research through international partnerships.
Margaret Karagas, PhD is the inaugural Department Chair and James W. Squires Professor of Epidemiology at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, with a secondary appointment as Professor of Community and Family Medicine. She also serves as Director of both the Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center and the Center for Molecular Epidemiology at Dartmouth. Her leadership extends to the NIH-funded Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program, which encompasses over 90,000 participants across the United States. Dr. Karagas earned her PhD from the University of Washington in 1990 and has established herself as a leading researcher in environmental epidemiology. She collaboratively developed an innovative cross-disciplinary postdoctoral and graduate program in Quantitative Biomedical Sciences (QBS) that integrates epidemiology, bioinformatics, and bistatistics. Her research focuses on interdisciplinary studies investigating environmental exposures, host factors, and biological mechanisms affecting health from infancy through adulthood, with particular emphasis on under-studied rural populations. Dr. Karagas employs high-dimensional analytic tools along with biomarkers and sensors to study the exposome, genetic susceptibility, and biological response. Her work has uncovered adverse cardiometabolic, neurodevelopmental, and immune-related health outcomes associated with drinking water contaminants, food-borne toxicants (including in infant first foods), and exposures from woodstoves. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on environmental health impacts across the lifespan, with significant contributions to understanding how environmental exposures affect child development, chronic disease risk, and health disparities. Her work frequently employs advanced molecular and analytical techniques to assess environmental exposures and their biological consequences. Dr. Karagas serves on numerous prestigious international consensus panels and committees, including those for the United Nations, World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer, European Food Safety Authority, US National Institutes of Health, and National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine. As an academic leader, she has mentored diverse investigators at all career stages and established innovative training programs. Her research has directly contributed to practice and policy changes regarding environmental health threats. She maintains active collaborations across multiple centers at Dartmouth including the Dartmouth Toxic Metals Superfund Research Program and Dartmouth SYNERGY.
Dr. Paul Reynolds is a Lecturer in the Cellular Medicine Division within the School of Medicine at the University of St Andrews. He is affiliated with the Sir James Mackenzie Institute for Early Diagnosis, Centre for Biophotonics, and Biomedical Sciences Research Complex. His research focuses on systems pathology and cancer, with particular emphasis on molecular changes driving disease processes. Dr. Reynolds' research interests span two primary areas: stromal factors in cancer resistance and factors in placental invasion. His work explores how the tumor microenvironment influences cancer progression and therapy resistance, with specific focus on a novel type I membrane protein expressed on stromal fibroblasts. He also investigates similar invasion mechanisms in placental development, examining how trophoblast cells interact with maternal immune cells during pregnancy. His research employs biochemistry, molecular biology, and cell biology approaches to understand disease mechanisms. His publication record shows strong focus on kidney disease mechanisms, particularly podocyte function in health and disease, as well as cancer resistance mechanisms in renal cell carcinoma. Recent work has utilized CRISPR/Cas9 screening approaches to identify factors modulating drug sensitivity. His research demonstrates interdisciplinary connections between cancer biology and reproductive biology through shared invasion mechanisms. Dr. Reynolds actively supervises postgraduate research students, with several thesis projects completed under his supervision. He serves as an external examiner for PhD students at the University of Dundee and holds editorial positions with journals including Frontiers in Physiology and Cancers. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and wellbeing, particularly through research on cancer diagnostics and treatment resistance. Dr. Reynolds maintains active research collaborations as evidenced by his extensive publication record and research projects funded by organizations including the Wellcome Trust.
Tracey-Lea Laba is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation (CHERE) within the Faculty of Health at the University of Technology Sydney. As an NHMRC Early Career (Sidney Sax) Fellow and registered pharmacist, she brings extensive clinical experience to her academic work. Her research portfolio spans health economics, pharmacoepidemiology, medication utilization, and health policy with a focus on improving health outcomes for disadvantaged populations through better use of high-value medicines for non-communicable diseases. Dr. Laba received her PhD from The University of Sydney in 2014 and was a University Medallist for her Bachelor of Pharmacy (2004). Prior to joining UTS, she held positions as a senior research fellow at The George Institute for Global Health and the Menzies Centre for Health Policy, and completed an honorary postdoctoral fellowship at The University of British Columbia. Her clinical background includes hospital and community pharmacy practice as well as pharmaceutical industry experience. Her research interests focus on health economics, drug utilization and policy, clinical trial translation, and improving medication access for non-communicable diseases. Dr. Laba has secured significant funding for projects including the Centre of Research Excellence in Medicines Intelligence (2020-2025), the ORIENT study on rural access to reproductive health services (2020-2026), and research on medication utilization patterns in cancer care and cardiovascular disease management. An analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on practical healthcare implementation challenges, with particular attention to medication access, quality improvement in primary care, and health system strengthening. Her work spans both Australian healthcare contexts and global health applications, particularly in low-resource settings in South Asia. Among her notable professional recognitions, Dr. Laba is the first health economist elected to Asthma Australia's Professional Advisory Council and the first person outside the PBAC chair to serve on both the drug utilization and economics subcommittees of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee. Dr. Laba actively supervises Masters and PhD students and has received funding through the NHMRC Early Career Fellowship program. Her research has been supported by multiple grants from the Medical Research Future Fund and NHMRC totaling millions of dollars across various projects focused on medicines intelligence, rural healthcare access, and global health interventions.
Jessica A. Mong, PhD , is a Professor in the Department of Pharmacology & Physiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine , where she also serves as Assistant Dean for Graduate & Post-Doctoral Studies and Director of Graduate Education for the Program in Neuroscience. Her research focuses on the neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying sex differences in sleep circuitry and the estrogenic modulation of sleep-wake cycles. Primary Appointment: Pharmacology & Physiology Administrative Title: Assistant Dean for Graduate & Post-Doctoral Studies Laboratory Director: Program in Neuroscience Research Interests: Dr. Mong's work investigates how ovarian steroids influence sleep-wake behavior through sexually differentiated neuroanatomical substrates. Key areas include: Mechanisms of estrogenic modulation in the median preoptic nucleus (MnPN) Developmental programming of sex differences in sleep sensitivity Translational studies using rodent and nonhuman primate models of menopause Functional significance of hormonal influences on sleep quality and recovery Scientific Trends: Her recent publications (2023-2025) emphasize: Role of KCNMA1 channelopathy in sleep regulation Adenosinergic signaling in MnPN Translational menopause models Estrogen's protective effects against noise-induced hearing loss Sex-dependent responses to kynurenine pathway challenges Awards & Appointments: NIH BIRCWH Scholar (Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health) Co-Chair, Society for Women’s Health Research Interdisciplinary Research Network on Sex-Differences in Sleep Health NIH/NHLBI R01 HL129138 grant recipient Education & Training: B.S., Biology, Gettysburg College (1987-1991) Ph.D., Neuropharmacology, University of Maryland Baltimore (1994-2000) NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship in Endocrinology, Rockefeller University (2000-2003)
