Dr. Nicholas Broskey is an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at the College of Health and Human Performance, East Carolina University. His research bridges translational science and clinical practice, focusing on skeletal muscle physiology and mitochondrial biology to address metabolic diseases through exercise interventions. Dr. Broskey's work explores how maternal health during pregnancy programs infants' metabolic health outcomes, utilizing mesenchymal stem cell models to study developmental programming of obesity and diabetes. He combines clinical expertise in exercise prescription and metabolic assessment (e.g., hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, indirect calorimetry) with basic science techniques to evaluate mitochondrial content and function. His recent publications highlight maternal exercise effects on offspring metabolism, mitochondrial heterogeneity in racial health disparities, and bioenergetic adaptations in cancer cells. Grants from NIH, Brody Brothers' Foundation, and Duke University support his research on maternal-fetal metabolic programming and exercise transducers. Scientific Awards Outstanding Researcher or Creative Activity Award 2023-2024 Early Career Grant Challenge 2018 Endowed Postdoctoral Fellowship 2015 Best Poster 2012 Dr. Broskey actively serves on editorial boards for Clinical Experimental Obstetrics and Gynecology (2023) and International Journal of Sports Medicine (2022).
João F. Mano is a Full Professor at the Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, and Director of the Doctoral Program on Biotechnology. He leads the COMPASS Research Group and serves as Vice-Director at CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials. His academic appointments include Invited Professor at University of Lorraine (France), Visiting Professor at KAIST (South Korea), and Adjunct Professor at Ajou University (South Korea). Education: PhD in Chemistry (1996, Technical University of Lisbon); D.Sc. in Tissue Engineering, Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cells (2012, University of Minho) Research Interests focus on Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine , integrating Nanotechnology , Microtechnology , and Biofabrication . His group develops Bioinspired Materials using polymer chemistry, Decellularized Extracellular Matrix , and 3D Bioprinting to engineer Cell Microenvironments for therapeutic applications. Recent Publications highlight advancements in Human-Derived Hydrogels , Photopolymerizable Scaffolds , Magneto-Responsive Biomaterials , and Programmable Bioinks . Trends show emphasis on Organ-on-a-Chip integration, Smart Living Materials , and Green Bioprinting methodologies. Scientific Awards include: European Research Council Advanced Grants (2015, 2020) Fellow at IUPAC, European Academy of Sciences, and American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering ERC Proof of Concept Grants Doctor Honoris Causa from University of Lorraine and Utrecht UNESCO Chair on Biomaterials George Winter Award (European Society for Biomaterials) Supervisions & Collaborations encompass 74+ MSc, 26+ PhD students, and 40+ postdocs. He co-founded METATISSUE and CELLULARIS Biomodels , and serves as Editor-in-Chief of Materials Today Bio .
Dr. Andrew Best is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA), specializing in biological anthropology with a focus on human physiological evolution. His primary research examines the role of sweating in human evolution, contemporary human sweat characteristics, and the metabolic limits of endurance performance. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts (2021), an M.A. from the University of Massachusetts (2016), an M.A. from Quinnipiac University (2006), and a B.A. from Saint Michael’s College (2004). Dr. Best teaches courses including BIOL 101: Biology Seminar for Majors , BIOL 342/343: Anatomy and Physiology , BIOL 440: Exercise Physiology , and BIOL 484: Biomechanics . His research integrates evolutionary biology, thermal physiology, and exercise science to explore how human metabolic and thermoregulatory systems have evolved to support extreme endurance activities. Key projects include studying sweat gland density variation across populations and the physiological constraints of ultra-endurance events. His publications span topics such as ultramarathon energy expenditure, strength training’s impact on endurance, and primate sweat gland evolution. He actively participates in academic conferences and collaborates with researchers globally. No scientific awards are explicitly noted in the provided materials. Dr. Best’s work reflects interdisciplinary approaches to understanding human biological adaptation, with ongoing projects likely extending into nutritional strategies for endurance athletes and comparative analyses of primate thermoregulation systems.
Mary J. Sandage is a Professor and Dean's Distinguished Research Fellow in the Department of Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences within the College of Liberal Arts at Auburn University. She serves as Graduate Program Officer and maintains an active research program focused on voice physiology and upper airway disorders. Her educational background includes: PhD in Exercise Science from Auburn University MA in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Iowa BA in English with a minor in Linguistics from Iowa State University Internationally recognized for expertise in laryngeal physiology and clinical voice rehabilitation, Dr. Sandage specializes in singing voice rehabilitation, chronic cough, inducible laryngeal obstruction, and exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction. Her research examines muscle bioenergetics, performance physiology, hormonal influences, and fatigue aspects of voice function, along with thermoregulation for upper airway disorders and healthcare disparities in speech pathology services. Analysis of her recent publications (2022-2025) reveals a strong interdisciplinary approach bridging exercise science with voice pathology. Her work consistently explores biomarkers of vocal function (particularly blood lactate), develops novel assessment tools like the Fluid Interval Test for Voice, and addresses critical gaps in differential diagnosis for upper airway disorders. She has made significant contributions to understanding vocal physiology through the lens of sports science, with applications for both clinical populations and professional voice users. Her scientific recognition includes: Fellow of the American Speech Language Hearing Association Pan American Vocology Association Recognized Vocologist Dean's Distinguished Research Fellow at Auburn University As Graduate Program Officer, Dr. Sandage oversees graduate education in Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences. Her research program includes numerous collaborative projects examining healthcare disparities, particularly in rural Alabama, and has resulted in the development of the Voice & Upper Airway Clinic within the Auburn University Speech & Hearing Clinic. She directs the Voice Physiology Lab, where she investigates applied muscle physiology, voice acoustics and aerodynamics, laryngeal imaging, and laryngeal thermophysiology. Her work frequently involves interdisciplinary collaborations with exercise scientists, otolaryngologists, and sports medicine specialists to advance understanding of voice function across diverse populations.
Kuo-Fen Lee, PhD is a Professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, holding the prestigious Helen McLoraine Chair of Molecular Neurobiology. He leads the Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology, where his research focuses on nerve regeneration, spinal cord injury, and molecular mechanisms underlying neural development and neurodegenerative diseases. His work bridges basic neuroscience with potential therapeutic applications for conditions like ALS, paralysis, and Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Lee received his educational training from multiple prestigious institutions: a degree in Plant Pathology from National Taiwan University; an MS in Cancer Enzymology and Cell Differentiation from National Yang-Ming Medical College, Taiwan; a PhD in Endocrinology from Baylor College of Medicine, Houston; and completed his postdoctoral training at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research. His primary research interests center on understanding why humans cannot regenerate damaged nerves while many other animals can. Dr. Lee has made significant discoveries regarding the p45 protein, which promotes nerve regrowth in mice but is absent in humans (who instead have p75, which inhibits nerve growth). His laboratory also studies neuregulin signaling, neuromuscular synapse formation, and the role of various proteins like nestin in neural development and maintenance. His work often employs mouse models to investigate spinal cord injury, pain pathways, and neurodegenerative conditions. Analysis of Dr. Lee's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on molecular neurobiology with particular emphasis on neural signaling pathways, synaptic maintenance, and nerve regeneration mechanisms. His research spans from basic molecular mechanisms to potential therapeutic applications, with increasing attention to pain pathways, Alzheimer's disease models, and the intersection of neuroscience with immunology and metabolism in recent years. As holder of the Helen McLoraine Chair of Molecular Neurobiology, Dr. Lee has received significant institutional recognition for his contributions to neuroscience. While specific awards aren't detailed in the provided text, his sustained funding and leadership position indicate substantial peer recognition in his field. Dr. Lee's research program involves extensive collaboration with other neuroscience laboratories, as evidenced by his numerous co-authored publications across various neuroscience subdisciplines. His work has been consistently funded, allowing for the maintenance of an active research laboratory focused on nerve regeneration and molecular neurobiology. The Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology serves as the primary research environment for Dr. Lee's team, where they investigate molecular mechanisms of nerve development, regeneration, and degeneration using advanced genetic, molecular, and cellular approaches. The laboratory maintains active research programs in multiple areas of neural signaling and development.
Amjad Javed is a Professor and Associate Dean at the University of Alabama at Birmingham , with primary appointments in the School of Dentistry - Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and joint affiliations in Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology , Otolaryngology , and Biomedical Engineering . His research spans bone biology, cartilage development, and myeloma bone disease. PhD in Physiology (University of the Punjab, 2003) MS in Zoology/Animal Biology (University of the Punjab, 1992) Research Interests focus on transcriptional regulation via RUNX2 and Sp7 in skeletogenesis, vascular calcification mechanisms, epigenetic control of bone formation, and tumor-bone microenvironment interactions in multiple myeloma. Key subfields include endochondral ossification, osteoclast differentiation, and nanomatrix-based tissue engineering. Scientific Contributions include discoveries about RUNX2's role in postnatal bone resorption, λ5 protein's impact on skeletal aging, and heparanase's promotion of myeloma metastasis. His work demonstrates RUNX2's dual function in chondrocyte apoptosis and cartilage degradation. Teaching & Mentorship involves graduate committee service for over 15 students and instruction in courses like Connective Tissue and Bone , Oral & Skeletal Biology , and Journal Clubs . Collaborations span Comprehensive Arthritis, Musculoskeletal, Bone and Autoimmunity Center , Integrative Center for Aging Research , and Biomatrix Eng Regen Med Center .
Andrés J. García is the Executive Director of the Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering & Bioscience and a Regents’ Professor in the George Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. His research focuses on engineered biomaterials for regenerative medicine, including tissue repair, inflammation modulation, and cell adhesion mechanisms. He co-founded three startups (CellectCell, CorAmi Therapeutics, iTolerance) and holds multiple patents in biomaterials and drug delivery systems. Education: Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, 1996 M.S.E., University of Pennsylvania, 1992 B.S., Cornell University, 1991 Research Interests: García’s work integrates engineering, materials science, and cell biology to develop biomaterials that direct cellular responses. Key areas include: Biomaterial platforms for bone repair and vascularization Immunomodulatory hydrogels for islet transplantation Antibacterial hydrogels for implant infection control Organoid generation using synthetic hydrogels Mechanisms of cell adhesion and mechanotransduction Publications: Over 30+ peer-reviewed articles in Nature Communications , Science Advances , Biomaterials , and others, highlighting innovations in hydrogel design, stem cell therapies, and biomaterial-driven tissue repair. Awards: Member of both the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine (2021), Clemson Award for Basic Research (2012), and Fellowships with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and AAAS. Labs/Teams: Leads the García Laboratory, collaborating across disciplines to translate biomaterials research into clinical applications. Active in startup partnerships and federal grants (e.g., NSF, NIH).
Shushu Huang is an Associate Research Scientist in the Department of Genetics at Yale School of Medicine. They hold a PhD from Nanjing Medical University (2023) and an MD from the same institution (2013). Their research focuses on genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic disorders, muscular dystrophies, and cardiovascular diseases. Key areas include CRISPR-based therapeutic discovery, high-throughput functional genomics, and gene therapy safety. Huang has collaborated with researchers like Monkol Lek and Carlos Fernandez-Hernando on projects involving LXR signaling, DUX4 toxicity, and MC4R variant analysis. Publications span studies on vascular biology, gene therapy outcomes, and obesity genetics. Notable work includes investigating hypercholesterolemia’s role in vascular remodeling and analyzing MC4R variants in morbid obesity. Their lab is located in the Anlyan Center, New Haven.
Dijin Xu is an Associate Research Scientist in the Department of Microbial Pathogenesis at Yale School of Medicine, Yale University. His research focuses on lipid metabolism, immunology, and molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic disorders and host-pathogen interactions. He holds a PhD from Tsinghua University (2016). Education: PhD in Microbiology, Tsinghua University, 2016 Research Interests: Dr. Xu’s work spans immunology (e.g., B cell biology and somatic hypermutation), lipid metabolism (lipid droplet dynamics and adipose tissue homeostasis), and virology (antiviral defense mechanisms against SARS-CoV-2). His studies integrate cellular biology, molecular genetics, and biochemical approaches to understand disease processes. Publications Overview: His recent work explores mechanisms of lipid droplet regulation, metabolic disorder prevention, and immune system function. Notable contributions include studies on Rab GTPases in lipid storage and ELOF1’s role in antibody diversification. Labs & Affiliations: He is affiliated with the West Campus Integrative Science & Technology Center at Yale University, focusing on interdisciplinary research in cellular and molecular biology.
Professor Suguru Torii is a distinguished faculty member at Waseda University's School of Sport Sciences, specializing in Sports Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. With a PhD in Sports Science, he serves as Director of the Waseda Institute of Human Growth and Development (2021-2026) and maintains affiliations with the Global Education Center. His research interests focus on the intricate relationship between growth, development, and sports injuries in children and adolescents. Torii has made significant contributions to understanding musculoskeletal development patterns , bone health in young athletes , and biomechanical factors contributing to sports injuries. His work bridges clinical practice with scientific research, emphasizing evidence-based approaches to injury prevention and treatment in pediatric populations. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on growth-related changes in musculoskeletal tissues , with particular attention to the timing of peak velocity in height, lean mass, and bone mass. His research employs advanced methodologies including DXA, ultrasound, and 3D motion analysis to investigate biomechanical and physiological adaptations during growth and sports participation. Japanese Orthopaedic Society of Sports Medicine Best Paper Award 2006 (awarded June 2007) 4th Japanese Society of Clinical Sports Medicine Award (awarded November 2005) Torii has led numerous significant research projects including The effectiveness of eating an appropriate breakfast in building the body of athletes (2019-2022) and Development of the appropriate evaluation of energy availability for Japanese female athletes (2016-2019). His work on energy availability, bone health in young athletes, and injury prevention has received funding from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. He serves on the professional boards of multiple societies including the Japanese Society of Sports Psychiatry, Running Society, Japan Growth Society, and Japanese Orthopaedic Society of Sports Medicine. Professor Torii directs the Waseda Institute of Human Growth and Development, where his team conducts cutting-edge research on growth patterns, musculoskeletal development, and sports-related injuries in children and adolescents. The institute collaborates with clinical and research partners to translate scientific findings into practical applications for coaches, athletic trainers, and healthcare providers working with young athletes.
Prof. Alessandra Moretti is a Professor of Regenerative Medicine of Cardiovascular Diseases at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), School of Medicine and Health. She leads research in stem cell biology and cardiovascular development, with a focus on regenerative therapeutic approaches for heart diseases. Her educational background includes a degree in Chemistry and Pharmacy from the University of Padua, Italy, where she earned her doctorate in 1997. She completed four years of postdoctoral research at the University of California, San Diego, and Harvard Medical School's Massachusetts General Hospital. Prof. Moretti's research centers on cardiovascular progenitor cells, cellular plasticity, and human induced pluripotent stem cells for modeling cardiovascular diseases. Her work bridges fundamental developmental biology and clinical applications, targeting cardiac cell specification mechanisms and novel treatments for heart failure and muscular dystrophies through regenerative approaches. Her publication trajectory shows progression from foundational discoveries in cardiac progenitor cells (e.g., Isl1+ lineage studies) to translational applications like gene editing for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The research consistently integrates molecular mechanisms of cardiomyocyte identity with disease modeling using patient-specific stem cells. She has received several prestigious awards, including: ERC Advanced Grant (2018) German University Medicine Innovation Award (2013) Biology Prize of the Göttingen Academy of Sciences (2012) Principal Investigator of the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) (since 2011) Astra-Zeneca Prize for Cardiovascular Research (2006) Prof. Moretti leads a research group at Klinikum rechts der Isar focusing on stem cell-based cardiovascular regeneration. Her laboratory investigates molecular pathways in heart development and disease using advanced stem cell models, supported by major grants including the ERC Advanced Grant and DZHK funding. She continues to advance therapeutic strategies for cardiac repair through gene editing and stem cell engineering.
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.
Kreg Gruben is a Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, affiliated with the School of Education. He leads the Neuromuscular Coordination Laboratory, focusing on biomechanics, motor control, and rehabilitation engineering. His research explores human movement mechanics, postural stability, and neuromuscular adaptation in clinical populations like post-stroke patients. Gruben holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University (1993). Key Research Areas: Biomechanics of standing/walking, haptic interfaces, neuromuscular coordination, and force-direction control. Laboratory: Neuromuscular Coordination Laboratory (website linked). His publications span haptic technology, postural control dynamics, and clinical biomechanics applications. Recent work includes studies on hybrid actuators for human-robot interaction and postural stability in autism spectrum disorder. Gruben’s research bridges engineering and clinical science, with implications for rehabilitation therapies and ergonomic design. Advising and Grants: While specific student names or grant details are not listed, his extensive publication record indicates active mentorship in biomedical engineering and kinesiology. Research focuses on translating biomechanical insights into practical rehabilitation solutions.
Megan Laura McCain is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Southern California (USC), with a secondary appointment in the Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine. She leads the McCain Lab, focused on developing microphysiological systems, particularly heart- and muscle-on-a-chip models, to study disease mechanisms and therapeutic responses. McCain holds affiliations with the Biomedical Engineering Society, American Society for Cell Biology, and American Heart Association. Her education includes a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis (2006), a Ph.D. in Engineering and Applied Sciences from Harvard University (2012), and postdoctoral research at Harvard’s Wyss Institute. Notable awards include the American Heart Association Pre-doctoral Fellowship and Harvard’s Derek Bok Certificate of Distinction in Teaching. McCain’s research integrates tissue engineering, stem cell biology, and microfluidics to model complex biological systems. Her work emphasizes understanding how microenvironments influence cellular behavior in diseases like cardiovascular disorders and muscular dystrophy. Recent studies explore paracrine interactions in engineered tissues, sex-based proteomic differences in vascular cells, and hypoxia-induced signaling in cardiac fibroblasts. Her scientific contributions include advancements in 3D bioprinting, microfluidic platforms for disease modeling, and synthetic biology tools for cellular control. McCain’s lab collaborates widely to translate findings into clinical applications, such as personalized medicine and regenerative therapies.
James Turner is an Associate Professor in Exercise Physiology and Immunology at the University of Birmingham's School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences. Previously, he held roles at the University of Bath as a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) from 2013 to 2018 and promoted to Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in 2018 before moving to Birmingham in 2022. His research focuses on lifestyle impacts on ageing and chronic disease, particularly adipose tissue immunology and cancer immunology (e.g., breast cancer). He leads projects examining obesity, immune system ageing, and factors influencing cancer treatment outcomes. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being. Education: BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science (University of Bath, 2006); PhD in Exercise Biochemistry and Immunology (University of Birmingham, 2011). Post-doctoral training in cancer immunology followed. He has mentored 9 PhD/MSc students as lead or co-supervisor and contributed to grants from bodies like Cancer Research UK and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. Current research includes projects on adipose tissue inflammation and muscle mass regulation in older adults. Labs/Teams: Active in collaborative projects with institutions globally, focusing on exercise immunology and cancer treatment efficacy. Editor for journals like Frontiers in Physiology and International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism .
