Barbara Mellone is a Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology / Genetics and Genomics at the University of Connecticut. She leads the Mellone Lab, which focuses on understanding how genetic information is accurately passed from one cell generation to the next through the study of centromeres. Her research interests include: Centromere biology and function Chromosome segregation mechanisms Genetic and epigenetic regulation of centromeres Evolution of centromeres across species Using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system for chromosome studies Connections between chromosome segregation errors and human diseases like cancer Professor Mellone's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on centromere structure and function, particularly examining CENP-A chromatin, centromere assembly factors like CAL1, and the evolutionary aspects of centromere biology. Her work combines genetic, molecular, and evolutionary approaches to unravel the fundamental mechanisms of chromosome inheritance. Her laboratory has made significant contributions to understanding how centromeres are built, maintained, and evolve, with implications for human diseases associated with chromosome segregation errors.
Dr. Jane Park is a Senior Lecturer in Gender and Cultural Studies at The University of Sydney, specializing in race, diaspora, and media representation. Her work examines globalization's impact on East Asian and diasporic communities through film, education, and policy frameworks. She actively contributes to the Sydney Southeast Asia Centre and teaches undergraduate/postgraduate units including GCST1601 Introduction to Cultural Studies and INGS4002 Identity, Politics, Globalisation. BA, Brown University MA, University of California, Irvine PhD, University of Texas Her research centers on decolonial pedagogies, race/ethnicity studies, and transnational media, evolving from early analyses of Hollywood's Orientalism ( Yellow Future: Oriental Style in Hollywood Cinema , 2010) toward contemporary anti-racism policy. Current projects include an ARC-funded study on Australian anti-racism ideologies (2022–present) and a memoir on teaching and healing. Her 2025–2014 publications reveal a trajectory from cinematic representation to embodied pedagogy, with increasing focus on Australian racial discourse and student affective experiences. Jane supervises PhD candidates researching digital design bias (Diana CHAMMA) and Chinese Danmei fandom (Lynn ZHENG). Her 2022 ARC Discovery Project examines Australian anti-racism policies since the 1990s, while earlier grants include Korean cosmetic surgery media analysis (2011). As a core member of the Sydney Southeast Asia Centre, she bridges academic research with community engagement through interdisciplinary teams exploring diasporic identities and transnational cultural flows.
Fabio Luciani is a Professor in Systems Immunology and Machine Learning at the School of Medical Sciences at UNSW Sydney, with visiting fellow positions at the Garvan Institute for Medical Research and Weill Cornell College of Medicine NY, USA. His interdisciplinary research program integrates immunology, genomics, and computational approaches to develop novel immunotherapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. With a background spanning physics, theoretical biology, and biophysics, Luciani leads an interdisciplinary team with expertise in immunology, mathematical modeling, statistics, and bioinformatics. His research focuses on T cell responses using single-cell genomic technologies to understand immune responses in viral infections, autoimmunity, and CAR T cell therapies. He has developed landmark bioinformatic methods for combining single-cell transcriptome data with antigen receptor sequences and computational models for haplotype reconstruction. Luciani's work demonstrates a strong emphasis on translating molecular and genomic discoveries into clinical interventions, particularly in predicting side effects and identifying solutions for unmet clinical needs in immunotherapy. His research spans multiple collaborative projects including single-cell multi-omics analysis in coeliac disease with Prof Chris Goodnow's team at the Garvan Institute, and CAR T cell therapy response studies with clinicians at Westmead Hospital and Weill Cornell. His scientific contributions include over 140 peer-reviewed publications and successful acquisition of more than $20 million in research funding from organizations including ARC, NHMRC, JDRF, NIH, and private industry partners. He serves as Principal Investigator of the UNSW Future Institute of Cellular Genomics, which has secured $4.5 million over seven years for single-cell technologies in cellular genomics. As an academic supervisor, Luciani currently mentors 3 PhD students, 2 honours students, and 2 postdoctoral researchers, welcoming applications from students interested in bioinformatics, statistics, data science, immunology, and genomics. His work bridges theoretical approaches with experimental immunology to advance precision medicine and transform current immunotherapies into more precise and accessible solutions.
Timothy D. O'Connor is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, serving as Co-Director for the Program in Health Equity and Population Health (HEPH). His research focuses on the evolutionary and population genetic influences on disease and phenotypic diversity, integrating evolutionary theory with large genomic datasets. He leads the O’Connor Evolutionary Genomics Group, emphasizing collaboration and multi-omics approaches. Education: B.S. Bioinformatics, Brigham Young University (2001-2007) Ph.D. Evolutionary Genetics, University of Cambridge (2007-2011), supported by the Gates Cambridge Scholarship Senior Research Fellow, University of Washington (2010-2013) Research Interests: Dr. O’Connor’s work spans human evolutionary genetics, computational biology, and genetic epidemiology. His lab develops novel algorithms to analyze large genomic datasets, with a focus on New World populations, including studies of Peruvian genomic dynamics, malaria parasite migration, and the evolutionary origins of phenotypic diversity. He emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and the application of evolutionary principles to modern biomedical challenges. Grants & Awards: NIH/NIAID R01 (2020-2025): $499,998 for malaria genomic migration studies in Cambodia/Thailand NIH/NIGMS R35 (2019-2024): $299,713 for evolutionary multi-omics research 2021 Faculty Mentoring Award 2019 Teacher of the Year Award Labs & Collaborations: His lab is part of the TOPMed Program, co-leading the Population Genetics Working Group. He also collaborates on projects like the Peruvian Genome Project and the Gynecological Cancer Center of Excellence. His work bridges academia and clinical practice, addressing disparities in genomic medicine through initiatives like the PENGUIN model for patient engagement.
Karen Lee Ashcraft is a tenured Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Colorado Boulder , where she has held appointments since earning her Ph.D. in 1998. Her research interrogates how gender, race, and sexuality shape organizational life across diverse contexts including commercial aviation, academic labor, and social services. Ph.D., University of Colorado Boulder (1998) B.A., California State University-Hayward (1993) As a leading scholar in critical organizational communication , Ashcraft develops theories that bridge feminist critique, affect studies, and new materialism to analyze workplace identity, power dynamics, and alternative organizing forms. Her work has redefined concepts like the 'glass slipper' – a framework explaining how bodily associations create professional privilege. Award-winning author of 23 publications over the past decade, Ashcraft’s research spans books like Wronged and Dangerous: Viral Masculinity and the Populist Pandemic (2022) and The Work of Communication (2017) to 15+ peer-reviewed articles. Her scholarship appears in top journals including Academy of Management Review , Communication Theory , and Organization Studies . 2020 ICA Fellow 2020 Fredric M. Jablin Award 2014 AMR Best Paper Award 2021/2006/2004 National Communication Association Awards Currently teaching courses on Gender and Communication (undergraduate to doctoral levels), Ashcraft mentors students in critical theory and qualitative research while contributing to international academic discourse through engagements in Australia, Europe, and Asia. Her recent work examines affective forces in digital organizing and far-right populism.
Dr. Henry H.Q. Heng is a tenured Professor of Molecular Medicine and Genetics and Pathology at Wayne State University , affiliated with the Karmanos Cancer Institute . His research spans genomics, evolutionary biology, and cancer systems theory. Education: PhD from University of Toronto (1994) Key research areas: Genomics, Evolutionary Biology, Cancer Research, Precision Medicine Dr. Heng's groundbreaking Genome Architecture Theory challenges traditional neo-Darwinism by emphasizing genomic topology and system inheritance over gene-level mechanisms. His team introduced the two-phased cancer evolution model (punctuated macroevolution followed by microevolution), explaining rapid cancer adaptation through genome chaos and non-clonal chromosome aberrations. Recent publications focus on karyotype coding , therapy-induced genome chaos, and the limitations of precision medicine approaches that ignore genomic heterogeneity. His work reveals how stress-induced genomic instability drives cancer evolution and drug resistance. 2020 PROSE Award Finalist for 'Genome Chaos: Rethinking Genetics, Evolution, and Molecular Medicine' Dr. Heng's lab develops innovative genomic techniques like high-resolution Fiber-FISH and investigates Gulf War Illness through genomic instability lens. He actively debates foundational issues in cancer research through books like 'Debating Cancer: The Paradox in Cancer Research' (2015) and 'Genome Chaos' (2019).
Matthew Ronshaugen is a Senior Lecturer in the Division of Developmental Biology & Medicine (L5) at the Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester. He has held academic positions since 2007 as a Manchester Fellow, followed by Lecturer (2012-2017), and Senior Lecturer since 2017. 1991-1995: Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Linguistics, University of Nevada, Las Vegas 1995-1997: Master of Science in Systematics, University of Nevada, Las Vegas 1997-2002: Doctor of Philosophy in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego 2003-2007: Ruth L. Kirschstein NIH Postdoctoral Fellow at University of California, Berkeley His research focuses on non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), particularly their roles in gene expression and developmental differentiation. His lab investigates how ncRNA evolution contributes to metazoan body plan diversification, centering on the Hox complex—a conserved genomic region rich in ncRNAs. He uses tiling microarrays and fluorescent in situ hybridization to analyze ncRNA dynamics in Drosophila, Tribolium, and Parhyale. Recent publications highlight his work on miRNA functions in embryonic development, aging-related changes in myeloid cells, and comparative transcriptomics across arthropods. His team employs genetics tools to dissect ncRNA roles in transcriptional regulation, epigenetic control, and silencing mechanisms. Scientific Awards: Ruth L. Kirschstein NIH Postdoctoral Fellow Manchester Fellow He supervises research on developmental transcriptomes and contributes to datasets on piRNA expression and Hox complex analysis. Collaborations span immunology, genomics, and evolutionary development, with outputs cited in fields like RNA interference, transgenics, and wound healing.
Dr. Emilia Lim is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Medicine , with an investigator role at the Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Aging . She specializes in computational analysis of environmental exposures, particularly pollution, in age-related diseases like cancer. Education: BSc from University of Alberta (2009) PhD from University of British Columbia (2016) Postdoctoral training at Francis Crick Research Institute, University College London (2023) Her research integrates multi-omic approaches (genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics) to investigate how environmental pollutants drive disease states in samples like cancer patients. Recent work focuses on lung cancer evolution , immune evasion , and epigenetic aging under pollution exposure, with applications in precision oncology and healthy aging initiatives across Canada. Publications highlight her expertise in cancer genomics , environmental toxicology , and computational biology , with key contributions to understanding air pollution-induced carcinogenesis (2023) and subclonal tumor dynamics (2020, 2023). Her lab develops tools like SPRINTER for single-cell cancer evolution analysis and explores haplotype-specific copy number in tumor heterogeneity ( Refphase , 2023).
Dr. Karol Nowicki-Osuch is a Group Leader at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) , leading a research group focused on tumorigenesis and molecular cancer prevention. His work emphasizes understanding early stages of gastrointestinal tumor development using multimodal techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing, organoid models, and spatial transcriptomics. Key research areas include the molecular mechanisms underlying Barrett's esophagus, gastric intestinal metaplasia, and the transition to adenocarcinoma. Collaborations span institutions in Germany, Poland, the UK, and the US. His team investigates how normal epithelial cells lose molecular identity and progress to precancerous states. Notable achievements include demonstrating that esophageal adenocarcinoma originates from gastric tissue and identifying novel mutational signatures using the mutREAD method. Current projects aim to develop early cancer detection strategies and in vivo models of tumor progression. Dr. Nowicki-Osuch supervises PhD students and employs cutting-edge technologies such as spatial transcriptomics and organoid platforms. His lab integrates computational biology with experimental approaches to address gaps in understanding clonal evolution and somatic mutations in gastroesophageal cancers.
Avraam Tapinos is a Researcher at the University of Manchester's Division of Cancer Sciences (L5), part of the Manchester Cancer Research Centre. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and innovation. Research focuses include cancer genomics, metagenomics, and bioinformatics methodologies. Affiliations: Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Digital Futures Research Beacon Key expertise: Cancer genomics, germline analysis, metagenomic binning Recent research explores genomic landscapes of testicular germ cell tumors, breast cancer evolution in diverse populations, and respiratory virome dynamics in asthma. His computational methods advance alignment-free genomic analysis. Publications span high-impact journals like Nature Communications and American Journal of Human Genetics, with interdisciplinary collaborations in oncology, microbiology, and bioinformatics.
Dr. Kevin Langergraber is an Associate Professor at Arizona State University's School of Human Evolution and Social Change. His research focuses on primate behavior, conservation biology, and evolutionary anthropology, particularly through his leadership in the Ngogo Chimpanzee Project in Uganda's Kibale National Park. This long-term study examines chimpanzee social structures, health dynamics, and ecological interactions, with a strong emphasis on conservation strategies against poaching and disease transmission. Key research interests include genetic adaptation in primates, the impact of human activities on wildlife communities, and behavioral ecology across varying environmental conditions. He has pioneered methods combining genomic analysis, field observations, and machine learning to study ape behavior and biodiversity monitoring. His work integrates socioecological data with physiological measurements to understand aging patterns, reproductive strategies, and disease epidemiology in wild populations. Recent publications highlight advancements in wildlife conservation protocols, primate menopause studies, and innovative datasets for behavior recognition. Collaborations span global institutions to address challenges in primate conservation and evolutionary biology. Dr. Langergraber also engages in public outreach through documentaries and crowdfunding initiatives to fund anti-poaching patrols and support chimpanzee research.
Louis Lambrechts is a Researcher and Head of the Insect Infection & Immunity Group at the Institut Pasteur in Paris, France, within the Department of Virology. His research focuses on the ecology, evolution, and genetics of mosquito-virus interactions, particularly involving Aedes aegypti and arboviruses such as dengue and Zika. He leads a dynamic research team and multiple national and international projects funded by agencies including ANR and EU consortia. His research interests include arbovirus transmission dynamics, vectorial capacity, mosquito genetics, evolutionary ecology, host-pathogen interactions, and the role of microbiota in vector competence. He employs genomics, quantitative genetics, and experimental evolution to understand the mechanisms underlying variation in mosquito susceptibility to viral infection. His work has important implications for predicting and controlling arboviral disease outbreaks. Lambrecht’s recent publications reveal key insights into the genetic and environmental factors influencing arbovirus transmission, including the role of mosquito population variation in Zika transmission in Africa, the impact of endogenous viral elements, and the discovery of antiviral roles for cytochrome P450 enzymes. His research integrates molecular biology, field studies, and computational modelling, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of vector-borne disease systems. He has mentored numerous PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and visiting scientists, fostering a collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment. His lab collaborates widely with institutions across Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Lambrecht’s work is supported by multiple ongoing projects such as CAZIKANO, INTRANZIGEANT, ANR PILGRIM, and LIPOARBO-IVI, focusing on Zika virus transmission, genetic drivers of vectorial capacity, and mosquito-virus specificity. His lab is also involved in broader initiatives like the LabEx IBEID and the Emerging Infectious Diseases program at Institut Pasteur.
Julie Ahringer is Professor of Genetics and Genomics at the University of Cambridge and Director of the Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute. She leads a research group investigating chromatin structure and gene regulation using C. elegans as a model system. Her work integrates genomics, super-resolution microscopy, and computational approaches to understand epigenetic controls in development and disease. She holds fellowships from the Royal Society (FRS) and Academy of Medical Sciences (FMedSci). Research Focus: Her laboratory studies chromatin regulation mechanisms including heterochromatin formation, Polycomb domain function, genome architecture, and enhancer/promoter interactions. Key approaches include single-cell multiomics, high-throughput genomics, and super-resolution microscopy to analyze developmental trajectories. Research areas span: H3K27me3 domain formation and Polycomb repression Constitutive heterochromatin organization Regulatory element characterization 3D genome architecture via ARC-C technology Single-cell resolution developmental mapping Awards & Honors: Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (FMedSci) Wellcome Senior Research Fellowship Academic Leadership: She mentors PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, with funding from Wellcome, MRC, and CRUK. Her lab develops open-source bioinformatics tools (VplotR, periodicDNA) and maintains the genome-wide C. elegans RNAi feeding library. Lab & Collaborations: The Ahringer Lab is based at the Gurdon Institute and collaborates widely on chromatin dynamics, nuclear organization, and developmental genomics projects across model organisms.
Eylul Ceren Demir serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Adiyaman University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, where she also holds the position of Vice Chair of Department since November 2023. She concurrently serves as a Visiting Professor at Middle East Technical University (METU) teaching Qualitative Research in Clinical Psychology (Fall 2023-Spring 2025) and taught Psychological Assessment at Ufuk University in Fall 2023. Her educational background includes an Integrated Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Middle East Technical University (2018-2023) with a dissertation titled 'When the boundaries exceed: Thematic Analysis of Anorexia Nervosa in Lacanian Psychoanalysis,' a Master's degree in Psychology from Dokuz Eylul University (2016-2018), and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Çankaya University with 3.91/4.00 CGPA (2013-2016). Dr. Demir's research focuses primarily on Lacanian psychoanalysis, clinical psychology, and psychopathology, with particular expertise in eating disorders, trauma, suicide prevention, and qualitative research methods. Her work bridges theoretical psychoanalytic concepts with clinical applications, especially in understanding anorexia nervosa, post-disaster psychological trauma, and the therapeutic process. She has developed specialized knowledge in analyzing cinematic characters through psychoanalytic frameworks and examining cultural aspects of mourning and loss. Her publication record demonstrates a clear trajectory from foundational psychoanalytic concepts (2020-2021) toward increasingly specialized clinical applications (2022-2025), with recent work focusing on earthquake trauma, anorexia nervosa from Lacanian perspectives, and therapist development. Her articles consistently integrate psychoanalytic theory with empirical clinical observations, creating a distinctive methodological approach that combines qualitative analysis with Lacanian conceptual frameworks. As an academic leader, Dr. Demir serves as Editor for AYNA Clinical Psychology Journal (since 2022) and Field Editor for Adiyaman Social Sciences Journal (since 2024). She has supervised numerous graduate theses at METU and currently co-advises multiple doctoral students working on topics including neurodivergence in creative industries, OCD experiences, non-suicidal self-injury, and martyr letter analysis. Her clinical work through the AYNA Clinical Psychology Support Unit at METU (2020-2023) involved providing psychotherapy supervision to graduate students and coordinating clinical training processes. She has conducted nearly 1000 hours of therapy sessions with children, adolescents, and adults using psychoanalytic approaches. Dr. Demir remains active in the Freud-Lacan Psychoanalytic Association (since 2018) and serves on Turkey's Science Academy Psychology Terminology Working Group (since 2023).
Alexander Gitlin, MD, PhD , is an Assistant Member in the Immunology Program of the Sloan Kettering Institute at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , and an Adjunct Assistant Professor (by joint appointment) at the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences . He directs the Gitlin Lab, which investigates how inflammatory cell signaling controls the magnitude and quality of innate immune responses in health and disease. Education & Training AB, Chemistry & Physics – Harvard University, 2009 PhD, Immunology – The Rockefeller University, 2016 (mentor: Michel Nussenzweig) MD – Weill Cornell Medicine, 2017 Residency, Clinical Pathology – Stanford University, 2017-2019 Post-doctoral training – Genentech, Inc. (Vishva Dixit laboratory), 2019-2022 Research Focus The Gitlin Lab combines genome-editing , proteomics , advanced imaging , and in-vivo models to dissect molecular circuits that balance cell survival and death during innate immune activation. By studying genes mutated in inherited autoinflammatory diseases, the group aims to uncover new therapeutic targets for immunodeficiency, auto-inflammation and cancer. Representative Publications Trend Across 25 peer-reviewed articles (2011-2025), Gitlin’s work moves from foundational studies on germinal-center B cell selection to recent high-impact papers that mechanistically link ubiquitin signaling, caspase activity and Toll-like receptor pathways. These studies collectively illuminate how post-translational modifications tune inflammatory intensity. Scientific Awards & Honors Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize – 2025 NIH Director’s DP5 Early Independence Award – 2022-2027 Josie Robertson Investigator – 2022-2027 Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award for Medical Scientists – 2022 NIAID K08 Mentored Clinical Scientist Award – 2021 Harold M. Weintraub Graduate Student Award – 2016 Training & Mentorship Gitlin currently mentors four PhD students (Kanno, Londoner, Morrison, Pacini) drawn from the Tri-Institutional and Gerstner Sloan Kettering programs. The lab hosts research fellows, technicians, and rotating students, and maintains active recruitment for fully-funded post-doctoral positions. Lab & Institutional Affiliations The Gitlin Lab is physically housed within the Immunology Program at the Sloan Kettering Institute, with access to core facilities for CRISPR editing, single-cell genomics, high-resolution imaging and mouse models. The group is additionally affiliated with the Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and the Weill Cornell Immunology & Microbial Pathogenesis PhD program .
