Joshua Trachtenberg is a Professor in the Department of Neurobiology at the School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) . His research focuses on understanding how early sensory experiences shape synaptic and network connectivity in cortical circuits, particularly in the visual system. Key Research Areas: Mechanisms of experience-dependent cortical plasticity Role of vision in neural circuit development Molecular pathways in autism-related models Inhibitory interneuron dynamics Long-term in vivo imaging of dendritic spines Recent Publications highlight studies on dendritic spine clustering, critical period plasticity, and retinal cell type evolution, with methodologies spanning multi-photon imaging and single-cell transcriptomics. Funding Highlights: NIH R01EY027407 (Disinhibition & Visual Plasticity) NIH R01EY023871 (Inhibitory Circuit Regulation) NIH R01MH082935 (PTEN-Associated Autism Models) Labs & Collaborations include work with the Silva, Golshani, and Geschwind groups, focusing on synaptic stability, cortical dysfunction, and autism-related protein studies.
Judith West-Mays is a Professor in the Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine at McMaster University . Her research focuses on: Molecular mechanisms of eye development and disease Role of transcription factors (AP-2β, AP-2α) in ocular morphogenesis Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGF-β) signaling in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) in vision disorders Biomaterials for intraocular pressure management Key scientific contributions include: Elucidating AP-2β's role in trabecular meshwork formation and glaucoma Characterizing MMP-9's impact on aqueous humor drainage Developing conditional knockout mouse models for vision research Investigating YAP signaling in lens fibrosis Creating mucoadhesive micelles for glaucoma therapy Scientific awards : Brockhouse Canada Prize (2025) for interdisciplinary vision health research Teaching : Biomedical Engineering II (2018) at McMaster University. Collaborators include Taiyab, Sheardown, and Ball. Research hubs involve McMaster's interdisciplinary vision science team.
Anders Nykjær is a Professor at the Department of Biomedicine , Aarhus University , and Director of the DANDRITE - Nykjær Group . His research focuses on the role of VPS10p-domain receptors, particularly sortilin and SorCS2 , in neuronal viability, neurotrophic signaling, and neurodegenerative diseases. University: Aarhus University Department: Department of Biomedicine Lab: DANDRITE - Nykjær Group Nykjær's work spans neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, Huntington's), neurotrophic factors (BDNF, NGF), and receptor biology . His studies investigate how receptors like sortilin modulate amyloid-beta catabolism, dopaminergic neuron development, and neurovascular coupling. Recent articles highlight SorCS2 in motor neuron development and progranulin interactions. Article trends include neurovascular signaling (SorCS2 in astrocytic function), neurotrophic receptor dynamics (TrkB/GluN2B/SorCS2 complexes), and cardiovascular-neurological cross-talk (sortilin in atherosclerosis and diabetic retinal degeneration). His methods involve in vivo models, proteomics, and receptor-ligand interaction studies. Scientific contributions emphasize receptor biology in Neurodegenerative disease mechanisms Lipoprotein and neurotrophin receptor trafficking Neurovascular and synaptic signaling pathways
Yali Jia, PhD is Professor of Ophthalmology and Biomedical Engineering and Jennie P. Weeks Professor of Ophthalmology at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). She serves as associate director of the Center for Ophthalmic Optics & Lasers and co-founded the International Ocular Circulation Society. Recognized as a world-leading expert in advanced ophthalmic imaging, Dr. Jia pioneered functional optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) technologies with over 180 peer-reviewed publications, 13,000+ citations (h-index=48), and six co-edited books. Her research centers on Optical Coherence Tomography, OCT angiography, retinal imaging, and artificial intelligence applications for ophthalmic diagnostics. Dr. Jia's revolutionary SSADA technique enabled clinical deployment of OCTA across 1,000+ international centers. Current work integrates AI with multimodal imaging for automated pathology detection, widefield pediatric applications, and quantitative perfusion analysis. Recent breakthroughs include OCT oximetry (PNAS, 2020) and deep learning models for diabetic retinopathy classification (PRER, 2021). Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) reveals dominant trends in AI-enhanced OCT/OCTA systems, with 80% incorporating machine learning for vascular segmentation and pathology detection. Research spans pediatric applications (Retinopathy of Prematurity), neuro-ophthalmology (MS/glaucoma differentiation), and widefield imaging, demonstrating consistent focus on clinical translation of imaging biomarkers. Dr. Jia's scientific honors include: Special Scholar Award from Research to Prevent Blindness Carl Camras Translation Research Award from ARVO Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors As principal investigator on federal, foundation, and industry-sponsored grants, she has secured funding for clinical translation of OCTA with over 10 licensed patents. Her NIH-funded projects focus on AI-driven diagnostic systems and handheld pediatric OCT devices, emphasizing real-world clinical implementation. Leading the imaging research arm of OHSU's Center for Ophthalmic Optics & Lasers, Dr. Jia directs a multidisciplinary team developing next-generation OCT systems. Her lab specializes in projection-resolved angiography, oximetry, and multimodal platforms for neuronal-vascular imaging, with active collaborations across neurology, pediatrics, and biomedical engineering departments.
Professor Damian Smedley is a Professor of Computational Genomics at Queen Mary University of London, affiliated with the William Harvey Research Institute's Clinical Pharmacology and Precision Medicine department. His research focuses on integrating clinical and model organism phenotype data to elucidate human disease mechanisms, particularly through initiatives like the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium (IMPC) and the MorPhic project. He leads the development of the Exomiser software, a critical tool for prioritizing genetic variants in rare disease diagnostics, widely used in global projects such as the UK's 100,000 Genomes Project and NHS Genomic Medicine Service. His work bridges computational biology, genetics, and clinical translation, with collaborations spanning academia and industry. Key research areas include genotype-phenotype associations, precision medicine, and federated machine learning applied to multiomics data. Funded by NIH, MRC, Horizon Europe, and Barts Charity, his team collaborates with institutions like the Berlin Institute of Health and the University of Colorado. Notable contributions include advancing diagnostic pipelines for rare diseases and understanding the role of missense variants in genetic disorders. His group's work has been featured in high-impact studies, such as identifying novel disease genes through cross-species phenotype comparisons and optimizing variant prioritization algorithms. External collaborations include Prof. Peter Robinson (Berlin) and Dr. Chris Mungall (Lawrence Berkeley Lab), reflecting his global impact in computational genomics.
Shannon Jay Odelberg is a Research Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, and an investigator in the Molecular Medicine Program at the University of Utah School of Medicine. He also holds an adjunct position in the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy. Dr. Odelberg’s research focuses on signaling pathways driving tumor growth and metastasis, vascular biology in inflammatory diseases, and mechanisms of regeneration. His work on ARF6 pathways in melanoma and vascular leak has implications for cancer and inflammatory disease therapies. His publications (2023–2010) span cancer biology, signal transduction, and regenerative mechanisms, with a recurring emphasis on ARF6, GNAQ mutations, and extracellular matrix dynamics. Recent studies highlight therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways. Dr. Odelberg earned his PhD in molecular genetics and pathology at Virginia Commonwealth University (formerly Medical College of Virginia) and completed postdoctoral work at the University of Utah. He has contributed extensively to journals including Oncogene , Neuron , and Developmental Biology .
Dr. Wolfgang Hübner is a Researcher at the Faculty of Physics at University of Bielefeld, Germany, affiliated with the Biomolecular Photonics Group. His work focuses on advanced optical imaging techniques applied to cellular and molecular structures. He maintains an active research program as evidenced by numerous publications from 2023-2025. His research interests center on photonics, biophotonics, optical microscopy, super-resolution imaging techniques, cellular biophysics, and molecular imaging. Dr. Hübner's work bridges physics and biology, developing and applying cutting-edge microscopy methods to address biological questions at the nanoscale level. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on super-resolution microscopy techniques, particularly structured illumination microscopy, fluorescence lifetime imaging, and correlative imaging approaches. His research investigates cellular structures like liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, dystroglycan mutants, and mitochondrial dynamics, revealing how advanced optical methods can visualize biological processes at unprecedented resolution. Dr. Hübner's research shows consistent development in both methodological advances in optical imaging and biological applications. His work spans from fundamental optical engineering to biomedical applications, demonstrating interdisciplinary expertise across physics, engineering, and cell biology.
Lon S. Schneider, MD, MS is Professor of Psychiatry & the Behavioral Sciences at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, where he holds the Della Martin Chair in Psychiatry and Neuroscience. He directs the USC California Alzheimer's Disease Center (funded by the California Department of Health Services), the Geriatric Studies Center, and co-directs the clinical core of the USC NIA Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. Dr. Schneider's research focuses on treatment development with novel metabolic and neuroregenerative compounds, outcomes assessment, and approaches to modeling, clinical trials methods and simulations, and in silico screening of medications for slowing Alzheimer's disease. His work spans Alzheimer's disease therapeutics, clinical trial methodology, neuropsychopharmacology, dementia prevention, and neurodegenerative biomarkers. His recent publications demonstrate expertise in amyloid and tau biomarkers, clinical trial design, agitation management in dementia, and cross-cultural studies of cognitive decline. Dr. Schneider serves as an associate editor or editorial board member for several publications and is a member of The Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention, and care. His research has significantly influenced clinical practice and trial design in Alzheimer's disease. Woodward/White, Inc.: The Best Doctors in America, 1992-2009 Fellow of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association Dr. Schneider has mentored numerous researchers and clinicians in the field of geriatric psychiatry and Alzheimer's disease research. His work on the CitAD trial examining citalopram for agitation in Alzheimer's dementia represents one of the largest studies of its kind. He has contributed significantly to understanding the relationship between neuropsychiatric symptoms and functional decline in dementia, as well as developing novel measures for Alzheimer's disease prevention trials. His laboratory and clinical research programs focus on identifying biomarkers of disease progression, developing novel therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer's disease, and improving clinical trial methodology for neurodegenerative disorders. Dr. Schneider collaborates extensively with researchers across USC and internationally on multi-center clinical trials and observational studies of dementia.
Zhong-Lin Lu is a Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Social and Behavioral Science at The Ohio State University, holding concurrent appointments in Optometry and the Translational Data Analytics Institute. He directs the Center for Cognitive and Brain Sciences and the Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Brain Imaging. Previously, he held the William M. Keck Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Southern California. He earned his Ph.D. in Physics from New York University (1992), following an M.S. (1991) and B.S. in Theoretical Physics from the University of Science and Technology of China (1989). His research bridges computational neuroscience, vision science, and cognitive psychology, focusing on visual perception, attention, perceptual learning, and functional brain imaging. Key methods include fMRI, EEG, and hierarchical Bayesian modeling. His work addresses clinical applications in amblyopia, myopia, and glaucoma, alongside foundational studies on decision-making and neural plasticity. He has developed novel techniques like the quantitative Contrast Sensitivity Function (qCSF) and quasiconformal mapping for retinotopic brain mapping. His labs emphasize translational research linking computational models to real-world applications. Awards: APS Fellow (2007), Society of Experimental Psychologists Early Investigator Award (2003) Leadership: Directed USC's Dornsife Cognitive Neuroscience Imaging Center (2004–2011) Interdisciplinary roles: Co-Director of OSU's Humanities/Cognitive Sciences Summer Institute Current research explores visual processing across lifespan, neural mechanisms of perceptual learning, and optimizing fMRI data through advanced computational methods. His work integrates basic science with clinical and applied domains, influencing driver safety, vision correction, and neurotechnology development.
Professor Robert Taylor is a leading academic in mitochondrial disease research at Newcastle University. His work focuses on genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying mitochondrial disorders, with contributions to understanding complex I and IV deficiencies, neurodevelopmental syndromes, and clinical-genetic correlations. He collaborates widely, publishing on topics like proteomics-based diagnostics, cerebellar degeneration mechanisms, and novel genetic variants. His research integrates clinical, biochemical, and genomic data to advance diagnostic guidelines and treatment strategies. Education/Training: Not explicitly stated in provided text. Affiliations: Newcastle University, multiple international collaborations. Research Interests: Professor Taylor’s work spans mitochondrial genetics, metabolic disorders, and translational research. Key areas include mitochondrial tRNA mutations, complex assembly defects, and applications of proteomics in variant prioritization. He investigates clinical manifestations of genetic variants, such as in RYR1, PTPMT1, and NDUFA13, and their impacts on neurological and metabolic systems. Articles Trends: Recent work emphasizes proteomic approaches for rapid variant identification, cerebellar degeneration mechanisms, and multi-omics analysis of mitochondrial dysfunction. Studies highlight clinical heterogeneity in cohorts like pediatric Egyptian patients and African populations with King-Denborough syndrome. Advising/Grants: Leads multidisciplinary teams and participates in large-scale studies like the UK National Registry of Rare Kidney Diseases. Co-authors include prominent researchers in mitochondrial medicine, indicating collaborative grant activities. Labs/Teams: Likely part of Newcastle’s Mitochondrial Research Group, contributing to diagnostic guideline development (e.g., UK Best Practice Guidelines).
Ragnheidur Bragadottir is a Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Oslo, affiliated with Oslo University Hospital (OUS Ullevål). Her primary affiliation is within the Faculty of Medicine. She specializes in retinal diseases, vitreoretinal surgery, and inherited retinal disorders, with a focus on clinical electrophysiology and gene therapy applications. Her research addresses genetic syndromes like Bardet-Biedl syndrome, ABCA4-related dystrophies, and Stargardt disease, emphasizing translational medicine and patient-centered care. Her work spans clinical trials evaluating anti-VEGF therapies, surgical innovations (e.g., intraoperative OCT for macular holes), and long-term outcomes of treatments like phacovitrectomy. She collaborates extensively on consensus statements (e.g., MHOST for macular hole management) and investigates the burden of chronic retinal diseases on patients and healthcare systems. Bragadottir’s contributions also include foundational studies on gene therapy in RPE65-deficient models and optical imaging advancements for retinal biomarker analysis. Publications highlight her expertise in retinal degeneration mechanisms, surgical techniques, and drug efficacy comparisons (e.g., aflibercept vs. bevacizumab). She is actively involved in the Clinical Retinal Research group and the Center for Eye Research, driving both basic science and clinical ophthalmology advancements.
Robin Lemmens is a Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, and leads the Laboratory of Neurobiology (VIB-KU Leuven). He serves as head of Academic Consultants Training in Specialist Medicine and Program Director of the POC Medical Specialist in Training. His affiliations include the LBI - KU Leuven Brain Institute and membership in multiple institutional committees including the Metaforum Steering Committee and Faculty Council of Medicine. Dr. Lemmens' research focuses on stroke neurology with particular expertise in neuroimaging, cerebrovascular diseases, and endovascular therapy. His work spans ischemic stroke management, anticoagulation therapy, intracerebral hemorrhage, and advanced imaging techniques for stroke diagnosis and treatment planning. Current research explores AI applications in stroke imaging, optimal timing of anticoagulation after stroke, and endovascular therapy in extended time windows. Analysis of recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on translational stroke research with significant contributions to clinical trial methodology. Key themes include validation of imaging biomarkers, optimization of thrombolytic and anticoagulant therapies, and development of AI tools for stroke lesion segmentation. His work frequently appears in high-impact journals including Stroke , Neurology , and The Lancet . Dr. Lemmens supervises research projects and students, with recent supervision including Oosterbos, C. on peroneal nerve entrapment research. His grant portfolio includes multiple active projects totaling millions in funding, with recent grants focusing on secondary stroke prevention, comprehensive stroke management systems, and AI for stroke outcome prediction. He leads the Laboratory of Neurobiology at VIB-KU Leuven, which collaborates extensively with international stroke research networks. Current research directions include developing patient-centered stroke care pathways, advanced imaging techniques for early ischemic changes, and personalized stroke diagnostics and treatment protocols.
Pascal Gagneux is an Associate Director at the Center of Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA) and a joint faculty member in the Anthropology and Pathology Departments at the University of California San Diego. His research bridges evolutionary biology, glycobiology, and reproductive medicine, focusing on glycan roles in human-chimpanzee divergence and disease susceptibility. Education: PhD in Zoology (1998), MS in Population Biology (Basel University, Switzerland) Faculty: Cellular and Molecular Medicine (2007-present), CARTA (2008-present) As a molecular primatologist, he investigates glycan-mediated cellular recognition in reproduction and infection. His lab discovered sperm-associated neuraminidases critical for fertilization and demonstrated how influenza A viruses exploit sialic acid pathways. Current work explores human-specific glycan evolution through comparative anthropogeny frameworks. His publications span 2025-2020 , emphasizing: Glycan dynamics in age-related macular degeneration Human susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease Microbial-glycan interactions in infectious disease Evolution of postreproductive cognitive protection Sialome evolution in host-pathogen systems Transdisciplinary anthropogeny research While no specific awards are mentioned, his work integrates UCSD’s biological anthropology labs with sociocultural implications of glycan biology. He also directs a graduate specialization in anthropogeny across eight PhD programs. The Gagneux Lab operates at the intersection of glycobiology, reproduction, and evolutionary medicine, using primate models to decode molecular mechanisms distinguishing humans from other apes.
Mehdi Mirzaei is an Honorary Associate Professor at Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University. His research focuses on neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's and glaucoma, with emphasis on proteomics and neuroprotective mechanisms. He has been actively involved in projects such as 'Modified Serpin as a Dual Function Therapeutic Agent in Glaucoma' (2023–2027) and 'Retinoid X Receptors and Rexinoids: Harnessing Neuroprotective Effects in Glaucoma' (2020–2023). His work integrates molecular biology, protein folding studies, and translational medicine to address retinal and brain pathologies. Research Interests: Proteomics, neurodegeneration, glaucoma pathophysiology, retinal ganglion cell protection, amyloid and tau protein dynamics, and neuroinflammation. His recent studies explore therapeutic targets like RXR agonists and neuroserpin gene therapy to mitigate neurodegenerative processes. Publications: Over 180 research outputs since 2009, with recent focus on retinal Alzheimer’s biomarkers, tau modulation in glaucoma, and protein folding mechanisms in neurodegeneration. Key themes include neuroprotective signaling pathways (e.g., PI3K/Akt, BDNF), immunomodulation, and extracellular vesicle-based therapies. Grants & Projects: Leads or collaborates on 14 projects, including biomolecular discovery initiatives and clinical trials targeting glaucoma and Alzheimer’s. Active in international collaborations, such as the Biomolecular Discovery and Design Research Centre (2017–present). Labs & Teams: Engaged in interdisciplinary teams at Macquarie Medical School, focusing on translational proteomics and neurodegenerative disease modeling. Collaborates with institutions globally on retinal and brain pathology studies.
Ana Maria Cuervo, M.D., Ph.D., is a Distinguished Professor in the Departments of Developmental & Molecular Biology and Medicine (Hepatology) at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She holds the Robert and Renée Belfer Chair for the Study of Neurodegenerative Diseases and serves as co-director of the Einstein Institute for Aging Research. She is affiliated with the Einstein Liver Research Center and Cancer Center. Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of autophagy dysfunction in aging and its role in neurodegeneration, metabolic disorders, and cancer. Dr. Cuervo’s work has demonstrated how restoring autophagy can prevent protein accumulation in aging and revealed links between autophagy and metabolism. She has received numerous honors, including membership in the National Academy of Sciences (2019), American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2018), and Royal Academies of Medicine. Her research has been presented in prestigious lectures and she chairs international scientific committees. Dr. Cuervo’s lab pioneered studies on autophagy’s role in diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, and she advocates for translational applications of autophagy research in clinical settings. Her contributions include over 200 publications, with key work on chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) mechanisms, the role of CMA in tumor growth, and its regulation by metabolic pathways. She has organized major conferences and serves on editorial boards, including as co-editor-in-chief of Aging Cell .
