Dr. Mark Williams is a Senior Lecturer and Director of the ISMB BiophysX Centre at Birkbeck, University of London's School of Natural Sciences. His research focuses on biomolecular structure and thermodynamics, protein interactions, and bacterial cell division. He leads the MOSBRI initiative, a European infrastructure for molecular-scale biophysics, emphasizing method development and standardization. Awards include a Fellowship with the Higher Education Academy. Research: Integrates biophysical experiments, structural bioinformatics, and molecular simulations to study biomolecular complexes, including chromosome separation mechanisms and RubisCO evolution. Teaching: Programme Director for the MRes in Bioinformatics and teaches modules like 'Molecular Basis of Life.' Recent work includes collaborations on RubisCO's evolutionary constraints, enthalpy-entropy compensation, and protein destruction receptors in cancer research. He supervises Rachel Alcraft's PhD on super-resolution imaging techniques.
David Gerard is an Associate Professor of Statistics at American University (2024–present) and previously served as an Assistant Professor there from 2018 to 2024. He holds a PhD in Statistics from the University of Washington (2015), an MS in Statistics from The Ohio State University (2012), and dual BS degrees in Mathematics and Molecular Genetics from The Ohio State University (2010). His research focuses on statistical methods for polyploid genetics, including segregation distortion analysis, equilibrium testing, and Bayesian approaches for random mating. He has contributed to genotyping methods for polyploids and RNA-seq data analysis, with specific attention to addressing genotype uncertainty and batch effects. His work emphasizes reproducibility, linking code with data via Makefile-driven pipelines. Gerard has developed multiple R packages such as segtest , ldsep , and updog , and maintains an active GitHub presence.
DeMond Grant is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Oklahoma State University, specializing in cognitive functioning related to anxiety disorders. He holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University at Buffalo, SUNY. His research utilizes event-related potentials (ERP), psychophysiological measures, and advanced statistics to study social anxiety and generalized anxiety disorder. Grant leads the LEAP Lab, focusing on understanding neural mechanisms underlying anxiety. Recent grants include studies on chronic worry (2016-2025) and e-cigarette effects (2016). He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed articles, with notable work on ERP correlates of attentional control and heart rate evoked potentials in social anxiety. His work bridges clinical and cognitive neuroscience to advance interventions for anxiety-related disorders. Education: PhD in Clinical Psychology, University at Buffalo, SUNY (2008). Research Interests: Cognitive processes in anxiety disorders, ERP methodologies, psychophysiology, and translational neuroscience. Funding: Multiple grants from NIH and other agencies, including the HEALthy Brain & Child Development Consortium (2021-2025) and Neural Mechanisms of Chronic Worry series (2016-2019). Labs/Teams: Director of the LEAP Lab at Oklahoma State University, investigating anxiety disorder etiology and treatment.
David Luckett is a researcher at Charles Sturt University, affiliated with the Aspro Gulbali Research Institute. He is actively involved in agricultural research with a strong focus on crop phenology, soil water dynamics, and climate stress management in grain legumes and cereals. He serves as a registered supervisor for higher degree research students. Research Interests: His work centers on improving agricultural resilience through modeling crop development under environmental stress. Key areas include frost and heat stress mitigation in lentils and chickpeas, irrigation and water policy impacts in the Murray-Darling Basin, and statistical modeling of wheat yield across genotypes. His research integrates agronomic, environmental, and economic factors to support sustainable farming systems. Recent Research Trends: Over the past five years, his publications have increasingly focused on data-driven approaches to crop modeling, combining field experimentation with advanced statistical techniques like LASSO regression. His work bridges plant physiology, environmental science, and agricultural economics, aiming to enhance decision-making under uncertainty in dryland and irrigated systems. Scientific Awards: Advising and Grants: David Luckett has co-supervised multiple HDR students, including Ray Cowley (PhD) and Cina Vipin (Master’s), in collaborative supervision teams. While specific grants are not listed, his research on water policy, cotton systems, and legume phenology suggests involvement in nationally significant agricultural projects, likely funded by Australian research councils or industry partnerships. Labs and Teams: He is an integral member of the Aspro Gulbali Research Institute, a leading center for agricultural innovation at Charles Sturt University. His collaborative network includes researchers from diverse disciplines, working on complex challenges in sustainable agriculture and climate adaptation.
Abba B. Gumel is a Distinguished University Professor and The Michael and Eugenia Brin Endowed E-Nnovate Chair in Mathematics at the University of Maryland, College Park. His research focuses on using mathematical approaches to study the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases, including their control through non-pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical interventions. He has contributed to understanding the impact of climate change, environmental factors, and vector biology on diseases such as malaria, dengue, and SARS-CoV-2. His work integrates mathematical modeling, statistical analysis, and computational methods to inform public health policy. Key areas of research include: Mathematical biology with emphasis on epidemiology and ecology Climate and land-use changes' effects on vector-borne diseases Genomic-epidemiology frameworks for malaria transmission Assessment of interventions like vaccination, masks, and antiviral treatments Awards and honors include Fellowships from TWAS, AAAS, AMS, and SIAM, as well as the 2021 Bellman Prize. He has led interdisciplinary teams at institutions like Arizona State University, focusing on pandemic modeling and public health strategies during the COVID-19 crisis. His team includes researchers and students addressing global health challenges, with recent work on Omicron/Delta variant dynamics and malaria eradication strategies. Publications span over two decades, emphasizing practical solutions to real-world disease challenges.
Professor Nora Shields is a leading research physiotherapist and Research Director at the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, La Trobe University. Her work focuses on enhancing physical activity and community participation for people with disabilities, particularly youth with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and autism. She is the founder of the evidence-based FitSkills program, which pairs young people with disabilities with student mentors in community gyms. PhD, Trinity College Dublin BSc(Hons) Physiotherapy, Trinity College Dublin Graduate Diploma in Statistics, Trinity College Dublin Graduate Certificate in Higher Education, La Trobe University Her research interests center on disability-inclusive physical activity, rehabilitation science, and implementation of community-based exercise programs. She employs both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to evaluate intervention effectiveness, accessibility, and participant experience. Her work bridges clinical practice, public health, and health policy, with strong emphasis on co-design and lived experience. The 15 most recent publications reflect a consistent focus on physical activity across diverse disability populations—autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and Prader-Willi syndrome. The studies employ scoping reviews, qualitative interviews, feasibility trials, and mixed methods to assess barriers, facilitators, and outcomes of participation. Key themes include gym accessibility, motivational strategies, telerehabilitation, and intersectoral collaboration. Her scientific awards include: 2021 VicHealth Leading Health Promotion Research Award 2020 Victorian Sports Awards – Active Recreation Initiative of the Year La Trobe University Excellence in Graduate Research Supervision Award (2021) Nora Shields has secured substantial research funding from NHMRC, MRFF, and philanthropic bodies to support projects like FitSkills and interventions for Prader-Willi syndrome. She actively supervises higher degree research students and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams across universities, healthcare, and community organizations. Her advisory roles include committee membership on the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health. She leads research teams focused on evaluating and scaling community-university partnerships, developing assessment tools for physical function, and improving health equity through inclusive physical activity. Her work is highly collaborative, involving people with lived experience, clinicians, and policymakers.
Todd E. Scheetz is a Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Iowa, where he also holds the Roy J. Carver, Jr. Chair in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. His interdisciplinary work bridges engineering, genetics, and vision science. Education: BS in Electrical Engineering, University of Iowa MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Iowa PhD in Genetics, University of Iowa Dr. Scheetz's research focuses on bioinformatics and computational systems for analyzing genotype-phenotype relationships. His lab uses next-generation sequencing and large-scale image datasets (up to tens of terabytes) to discover novel endophenotypes in ocular diseases. Key areas include drusen phenotypes, optic nerve morphology, gene expression patterns, mutation detection, and regulatory genomics. He applies machine learning and algorithmic analysis to advance precision ophthalmology. His recent publications highlight trends in polygenic risk scoring for glaucoma, machine learning-based prediction of disease onset, CRISPR gene therapy in glaucoma models, and functional genomics of LOXL1 in exfoliation syndrome. These works reflect a strong integration of genetics, computational biology, and clinical ophthalmology. Scientific Awards: The Roy J. Carver, Jr. Chair in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Dr. Scheetz is actively involved in research mentorship and grant-funded projects, though specific students and grants are not listed. He is affiliated with major research institutes including the Institute for Vision Research, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the Iowa Institute of Human Genetics. His work is instrumental in advancing genetic diagnostics and computational tools for eye disease. Research Affiliations: Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center Institute for Vision Research Iowa Institute for Biomedical Imaging Iowa Institute of Human Genetics John and Marcia Carver Nonprofit Genetic Testing Laboratory Genetics Graduate Program Neuroscience Center
Daniel L. Hartl is the Higgins Professor of Biology and Professor in the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases at Harvard University. His research focuses on the intersection of evolutionary biology and genomics, particularly studying organismal evolution, systems dynamics, and speciation. He employs model organisms like fruit flies, nematodes, yeast, and bacteria, alongside public health-relevant parasites such as the malaria parasite. His lab utilizes advanced molecular, statistical, and computational methods for genetic analysis. Affiliations: Harvard University, Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Organismic and Evolutionary Biology (OEB). Key Projects: Malaria parasite genomics, drug resistance mechanisms, and evolutionary dynamics in microbial systems. Research interests emphasize genetic surveillance of malaria in Senegal, parasite transmission patterns, and the genetic basis of drug resistance. His work bridges basic science and public health, contributing to malaria elimination strategies globally. Hartl has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the 2019 Thomas Hunt Morgan Medal for his contributions to genetics. Lab Members: Includes researchers like Tulika Deb and Bridget Power, focusing on computational genomics and epidemiological modeling. His lab actively collaborates with institutions worldwide, publishing on topics ranging from transposable element evolution to the historical contributions of Mendel and Lewontin. Hartl also contributes to educational materials such as textbooks like Biology: How Life Works and Essential Genetics and Genomics .
Mercedes Becerra is the Jeffrey Cheah Professor of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Faculty Dean of Adams House at Harvard College. Her work focuses on improving treatment strategies for drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB), with a particular emphasis on pediatric cases and household transmission dynamics. She holds a Sc.D. in Epidemiology from the Harvard School of Public Health and has conducted research globally through collaborations with organizations like Partners In Health and IRD Global. Education: AB in History, Harvard College (1991) MSc in Population and International Health, Harvard School of Public Health (1993) Sc.D. in Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health (1999) Her research explores TB transmission patterns, treatment efficacy for multidrug-resistant (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR-TB) cases, and interventions to reduce TB rates in high-risk communities. Co-founder of the Sentinel Project on Pediatric Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis and the Zero TB Initiative, she advocates for global health equity and access to effective treatments. Key contributions include studies on household TB transmission, pediatric MDR-TB outcomes, and the impact of aggressive treatment regimens on recurrence rates. Her work emphasizes programmatic approaches in resource-limited settings and addresses systemic barriers to care.
Marcy K. Uyenoyama is a Professor of Biology at Duke University, affiliated with the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. Her research focuses on mechanisms of evolutionary change at molecular and population levels, including the development of statistical methods for inferring evolutionary processes. She holds a PhD (1978) and BS (1974) from Stanford University. Research Interests: Dr. Uyenoyama studies evolutionary genetics, population structure, and the application of Bayesian and maximum-likelihood methods to analyze genetic variation. Her work addresses topics like genetic diversity in mating systems, coalescent theory, and FST statistics. Grants & Awards: Notable grants include NIH support for Mathematical Population Genetics (1986–2014) and a Fogarty International Center grant (1996). Awards include the Karlin Prize (1991) and Sloan Foundation Sabbatical Award (1992). Teaching & Service: Teaches courses like BIOLOGY 460 (Population Genetics) and BIOLOGY 660 (Evolution from a Coalescence Perspective). She has held leadership roles such as Director of Graduate Studies (1997–1999) and chairs committees like the Biology Computing Committee (2005–2007). Active in editorial roles for journals like Theoretical Population Biology and Molecular Biology and Evolution . Labs & Teams: Directs the Marcy Lab ( marcylab.duke.edu ), focusing on theoretical and computational approaches to population genetics.
Dr. Ruth Bell is an Honorary Principal Research Fellow at University College London's Department of Epidemiology & Public Health. Her work focuses on cognitive and clinical research involving deaf populations, sign language processing, and neurodevelopmental conditions. She holds a PhD from the University of Nottingham (1978) and has contributed to over 50 academic publications. Her research integrates neuroscience, linguistics, and education, particularly examining how deaf children with autism process facial and emotional cues in British Sign Language. Key areas include cross-modal plasticity, motion perception in autism, and literacy development in pre-lingually deaf individuals. She has pioneered studies on facial expression recognition, cochlear implant outcomes, and the cognitive impacts of sign language acquisition. Bell's interdisciplinary approach bridges clinical practice and theoretical linguistics. She has collaborated on neuroimaging projects investigating brain activation patterns during speechreading and sign language processing. Her recent work explores developmental trajectories of social cognition in genetic syndromes like Williams syndrome. Her research has informed educational strategies for deaf children and advanced understanding of atypical neurodevelopment. Current projects include longitudinal studies on dyslexia across orthographic systems and the psychosocial aspects of hearing impairment interventions.
Dr. Mark Gormley is a Consultant Senior Lecturer and Programme Director in Oral Surgery at the Bristol Dental School, University of Bristol. He specializes in dental education and clinical research focusing on head and neck cancer, particularly through genetic epidemiology approaches. His academic credentials include a BDS (Hons), MMEd, MSt, PhD, MOral Surg, and he is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (FDS(OS) RCSEd). His research interests span genetic epidemiology , head and neck cancer , dental education , and population health . He actively contributes to multidisciplinary national guidelines on head and neck cancer care and has pioneered risk prediction models for the disease. His work also addresses public health challenges like the impact of smoking, alcohol, and metabolic traits on cancer risk through advanced methods like Mendelian randomization. In education, Dr. Gormley emphasizes professionalism in dental training and has developed innovative curricula. His recent publications (2023–2025) highlight contributions to understanding HPV-related cancers, metabolic disorder influences, and surgical referral patterns. He collaborates internationally via initiatives like the VOYAGER consortium and maintains clinical relevance through studies on dental procedural safety and outcomes.
Polly Yu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). She holds additional campus affiliations within the Mathematics department and is associated with the Differential Equations and Applied Mathematics (DEAM) research group. Her work focuses on uncovering general principles in biology through the lens of network structure-dynamics relationships, particularly in biochemical and ecological systems modeled via interaction networks. Dr. Yu completed her PhD in Mathematics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison under Gheorghe Craciun, followed by an NSF-Simons QBio postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University. Her educational background includes a BSc in Combined Honours Chemistry and Mathematics from the University of British Columbia and an MMath in Pure Mathematics from the University of Waterloo. Her research emphasizes graph-theoretic analysis of reaction networks, exploring how network topology influences system behaviors such as stability, oscillations, and steady states. Key areas include weak reversibility, deficiency zero realizations, and complex-balanced systems. She collaborates on interdisciplinary projects linking algebraic methods (e.g., toric geometry) with dynamical systems theory, with applications in systems biology and synthetic biology. Dr. Yu’s teaching includes courses like Math 416 (Abstract Linear Algebra). She actively organizes seminars such as the Formal Kinetics Seminar and UIUC Math Biology Seminar. Her work has been published in top journals including SIAM Journal on Applied Mathematics and Mathematical Biosciences, with recent contributions focusing on nonmonotonic dose-response modeling, algorithmic network realizations, and intermolecular interaction analysis via microscopy data.
Yeying Zhu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science at the University of Waterloo. Her research focuses on causal inference, machine learning applications in networks, and statistical methodologies for handling missing data and confounding variables. She holds a Ph.D. in Statistics from The Pennsylvania State University (2013), an M.S. in Statistics & Applied Probability from the National University of Singapore (2008), and a B.S. in Statistics with a minor in International Economics & Trade from East China Normal University (2006). Her work bridges theoretical statistics with practical challenges in causal analysis, including mediation analysis, propensity score modeling, and network treatment effects. Recent research explores UAV-enabled integrated networks using reinforcement learning and anomaly detection in satellite systems through ensemble learning techniques. She has contributed to advancements in high-dimensional causal mediation analysis and semi-parametric estimation techniques. Notable areas of contribution include: Causal inference frameworks for non-ignorable missing data Machine learning-driven solutions for UAV trajectory optimization and satellite anomaly detection Development of robust statistical methods in longitudinal data and instrumental variable models Her articles reflect interdisciplinary collaborations spanning statistics, computer science, and engineering, emphasizing methodological innovation and real-world applicability.
Dr. Justin Silverman is an Assistant Professor of Information Science & Technology, Statistics, and Medicine at Pennsylvania State University, with affiliations in the Department of Statistics and the Institute for Computational and Data Science. He holds an MD from Duke University School of Medicine (2020), a PhD in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics from Duke (2019), and a BS in Physics and Biophysics from Johns Hopkins University (2011). His research integrates Bayesian statistics, machine learning, and genomics to address impactful biomedical questions. Key focuses include microbiome analysis, gene expression studies, and scale-reliant inference methodologies. His work emphasizes methodological rigor and clinical relevance, with applications in personalized medicine, agriculture, and epidemiology. The Silverman Lab develops cutting-edge tools like the fido and philr packages for compositional data analysis. Collaborations span academia and industry, addressing challenges in livestock health, viral surveillance, and precision medicine. He also leads Anarres Analytics LLC, translating statistical methods into practical solutions for clients. His advising includes PhD and MS students working on topics like scalable Bayesian models, microbial co-occurrence networks, and topological data analysis in oncology. Notable projects include studies on ancient microbiomes, dairy cow treatments, and pandemic modeling. Labs and teams: Silverman Lab (PSU), Anarres Analytics. Current positions: PI, startup founder, and collaborator in multi-institutional projects.
