Michael McAlpine is a Professor in the Mechanical Engineering department at the University of Minnesota . He also holds affiliations with the Biomedical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering departments. His research focuses on 3D printing functional materials & devices , Nanoscale inks , Biomedical devices , Bioelectronics , and Flexible Microsystems . Research Interests : 3D Printing, Biomedical Engineering, Nanotechnology, Flexible Electronics, Microfluidics Labs : ME 361/363 Contact : mcalpine@umn.edu , (612) 626-3303, ME 117 Recent Research Trends include 3D Printed Biomedical Devices , Flexible Electronics , and Bioprinting Applications . His work spans from Spinal Organoid Formation to Programmable Drug Release Capsules . Scientific Award : Circulation Research 2020 Best Manuscript Award
Andrew Spakowitz is a Professor of Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and by courtesy, Applied Physics and Chemistry at Stanford University. He currently serves as the Senior Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Affairs and holds the Tang Family Foundation Chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering. His academic career at Stanford spans from Assistant Professor (2006-2014) to Associate Professor (2014-2020) and now Professor since 2020. Dr. Spakowitz earned his PhD in 2004, MS in 2001 from the California Institute of Technology, and his BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1999. He completed postdoctoral training in Molecular and Cell Biology and Biophysics at UC Berkeley from 2004-2006. His research focuses on theoretical and computational approaches to understanding biological processes and complex materials. The Spakowitz lab addresses fundamental chemical and physical phenomena through four main research themes: chromosomal organization and dynamics, protein self-assembly, polymer membranes, and charge transport in conducting polymers. His group employs diverse theoretical and computational methods including analytical theory of semiflexible polymers, polymer field theory, continuum elastic mechanics, Brownian dynamics simulation, equilibrium and dynamic Monte Carlo simulations, and reaction-diffusion modeling. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on epigenetics and chromatin dynamics, with significant work on DNA methylation patterns, nucleosome clustering, and chromosome organization. His research also extends to polymer physics applications in biological systems, particularly in respiratory diseases, water purification membranes, and bacterial phage interactions with human mucus. Tang Family Foundation Chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering Professor Spakowitz mentors several graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in the Chemical Engineering and Materials Science departments. His lab members work on diverse projects spanning from chromatin dynamics to polymer membranes for water purification. He teaches multiple courses including CHEMENG 120B (Energy and Mass Transport), CHEMENG 340 (Molecular Thermodynamics), CHEMENG 466 (Polymer Physics), and CHEMENG 467 (Physics of Biomacromolecules). The Spakowitz lab operates from Clark S295 at Stanford University, conducting theoretical and computational research that bridges chemistry, physics, biology, and engineering disciplines to address complex problems across multiple length and time scales.
Yao Yang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Cornell University's College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on developing multimodal operando electron microscopy and synchrotron X-ray methods to probe electrochemical dynamics at solid-liquid interfaces for energy materials. PhD, Cornell University (2021) Miller Postdoctoral Fellow, UC Berkeley (2021-2024) Research interests span fundamental electrochemistry and energy material interfaces, particularly CO2 reduction, clean H2 production, and rechargeable batteries. The Yang group specializes in operando electrochemical liquid-cell scanning transmission electron microscopy (EC-STEM) and correlative synchrotron X-ray methods at Cornell Center for Materials Research (CCMR) and Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS). Recent publications highlight atomic-scale imaging of catalyst dynamics, Tafel slope analysis, and epitaxial growth techniques for enhanced electrocatalysts. Articles demonstrate interdisciplinary approaches combining electrochemistry, nanoscience, and advanced characterization. Scientific Awards: 2025 ACS Materials and Interfaces Outstanding Presentations by Young Investigators Award 2024 Journal of Materials Research Distinguished Invited Speaker Miller Postdoctoral Fellowship (2021-2024) 2023 Best Early Career Presentation at MRS Spring 2022 ACS AC/DC Rising Stars in Analytical Chemistry Contact: yaoyang@cornell.edu
Thomas Perlmann is a Professor in Molecular Developmental Biology at the Karolinska Institutet , leading research at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and serving as Director of the Stockholm Branch of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research. He also holds the position of Secretary General of the Nobel Assembly and Nobel Committee for Physiology or Medicine since 2016. Ph.D. , Karolinska Institutet, 1991 M.Sc. , Stockholm University, 1987 Research Interests : The Perlmann lab investigates the specification and maintenance of dopamine neurons in the central nervous system, with a focus on transcriptional regulation , signaling pathways , and regenerative medicine applications for Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. His work bridges developmental biology and neuroscience , emphasizing the role of transcription factors in neuronal identity and function. Recent Research Trends : Perlmann’s recent publications highlight the use of single-cell RNA sequencing to dissect dopamine neuron heterogeneity , epigenetic regulation during development, and transcriptomic changes in Parkinson’s disease models. His studies increasingly leverage multiomics and bioinformatics to map neuronal lineage trajectories and gene expression dynamics. Scientific Awards : Royal Medal by HM the King (2025) Nicholson Lecturer, Rockefeller University (2011) Göran Gustafsson Prize in Molecular Biology (1999) Eric K. Fernström Young Investigator Prize (1997) Advising & Collaborations : While no student names are explicitly listed, Perlmann collaborates extensively with researchers such as Malin Parmar , Agnete Kirkeby , and Per Svenningsson on projects related to neuronal development and cell therapy . His lab receives funding from institutions like the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research . Labs & Teams : The Perlmann Lab at Karolinska Institutet includes researchers like Linda Gillberg , Laura Lahti , and Behzad Yaghmaeian Salmani , who work on mouse models , single-cell transcriptomics , and bioinformatics to study dopamine neuron biology.
Dr. Yogambha Ramaswamy is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Biomedical Engineering at The University of Sydney and a member of the Sydney Nano Institute. She holds a Master’s in Biotechnology from the University of Queensland and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Sydney (2009). Her postdoctoral career began as a Vice-Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of New South Wales, followed by a Peter Doherty Early Career Fellowship in 2013 before joining the University of Sydney in 2015. Dr. Ramaswamy’s research focuses on biomaterials, tissue engineering, and mechanobiology, with a particular emphasis on developing calcium silicate-based ceramics and biopolymers for orthopedic and regenerative applications. Her recent work explores the role of physical cues in modulating stem and cancer cell behavior. She teaches courses such as AMME1961 (Introduction to Biomedical Engineering B) and AMME5962 (Introduction to Mechanobiology). Her research has been supported by grants including the NHMRC Early Career Fellowship and collaborations with institutions like the CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology and the University of Otago. Her publications span biomaterials, nanotechnology, and mechanobiology, with recent work addressing atherosclerosis, hydrogel design, and nanomedicine. She currently supervises PhD students Frank (biomaterials) and Alexander (atherosclerosis research).
Dr. Ahmet Acar is an Associate Professor at the Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara, Turkey. He leads the Cancer Precision Medicine and Drug Resistance Laboratory, focusing on understanding mechanisms of drug resistance in cancer. His research integrates experimental models, next-generation sequencing, and deep learning to address clinical challenges in cancer therapy. Dr. Acar holds a B.Sc. from METU's Biological Sciences department and a Ph.D. from the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute. He completed postdoctoral training at the Institute of Cancer Research, London, and the University of Manchester. Research Interests: Drug resistance mechanisms, precision oncology, tumor microenvironment modeling, patient-derived organoids, computational pathology, and evolutionary cancer biology. His lab develops 2D/3D co-culture systems, PDO biobanks, and AI-driven histopathology tools to improve treatment strategies. Recent Work Trends: Recent publications emphasize tumor evolution modeling, matrix mechanics in drug resistance, and AI applications in histopathology. Collaborations with hospitals in Turkey and Europe support PDO biobank initiatives. His team explores evolutionary steering strategies to exploit collateral drug sensitivities. Labs/Teams: Precision Medicine and Drug Resistance Lab at METU focuses on interdisciplinary approaches combining wet-lab experiments with computational methods. Current projects include ex vivo tumor modeling and AI-driven diagnostic tools for oncology.
Rotem Karni, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Genetics at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. He leads a research lab focused on understanding how alternative RNA splicing contributes to cancer and genetic diseases, with a strong emphasis on translating these findings into RNA-based therapies. Karni's lab develops decoy oligonucleotides, small molecules, and splice-switching technologies to modulate splicing factors and enhance immunotherapy. Education BSc in Biological Chemistry from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1997) PhD in Biological Chemistry from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel (2002) Postdoctoral Fellowship at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, NY (2002-2007) Karni's research explores the deregulation of alternative splicing in oncogenesis, particularly how splicing factors like RBFOX2 and S6K1 influence metastasis, DNA repair, and immune checkpoint modulation. His team investigates m6A RNA modifications for stabilizing mutant genes, with applications in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and pancreatic cancer. The lab's work is commercialized through biotech companies: SKIP Therapeutics, Andlit Therapeutics, and RNAble. Selected Research Trends RNA mis-splicing and neoantigen generation (2025) Splicing factor inhibition for tumor suppression (2023) Metastatic splicing signatures in pancreatic cancer (2023) Immune checkpoint splicing in cancer immunotherapy (2021) m6A modulation for mRNA stabilization (2023) Advising & Collaborations Karni has mentored numerous PhD and postdoctoral researchers, many of whom now hold leadership roles in academia, biotech, and medical institutions globally. His lab collaborates extensively on projects involving RNA innovation, including partnerships with the Institute for RNA Innovation. Contact Department of Genetics & Institute for RNA Innovation, One uCity Square, Room 4018, Philadelphia, PA 19104 Phone: 215-898-5072 Email: Rotem.Karni@Upenn.edu
Kelly Arnold is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan. Her research integrates systems engineering principles with immunology to investigate variability in immune responses across infection, vaccination, and injury, with a focus on computational modeling and clinical translation. Research Focus Systems-level immune response modeling Vaccination and antibody functionality Vaginal microbiome-host interactions Chronic lung disease progression Computational serology and proteomics Recent Work Her 2025 studies examine SARS-CoV-2 vaccination responses in cancer patients and computational frameworks for vaginal probiotics. Earlier works (2024-2007) span COPD progression, lupus fibrosis, HIV susceptibility, and tissue engineering for fertility preservation. Methodologies include proteomic profiling, network modeling, and microfluidic systems.
Sushmita Roy is a Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, affiliated with the Department of Computer Sciences and the College of Letters and Science. Her research focuses on developing computational methods in statistical machine learning to understand gene regulatory networks in living cells, particularly under environmental, developmental, disease, and evolutionary contexts. She explores bulk and single-cell genomic data integration to study processes like cell fate specification, host-microbe interactions, and diseases such as cancer and neurodevelopmental disorders. Her work emphasizes three key areas: inference of genome-scale transcriptional networks, evolutionary analysis of regulatory networks, and 3D genome organization dynamics. Roy’s lab collaborates across disciplines, leveraging genomic data from plant and mammalian systems. She has contributed to methodologies for analyzing chromatin accessibility, single-cell profiling, and network-based models of pathogen systems. Her affiliations include Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, and she is a leader in computational biology and systems genomics research.
Professor Carlo Pappone is a Full Professor of Cardiology at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (since 2019) and Director of the Arrhythmology Department at IRCCS Policlinico San Donato Hospital (since 2015). He has held previous academic/clinical leadership roles at IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital (2000-2010), Villa Maria Cecilia Hospital (2010-2015), and University of Naples Federico II (1990-2000). With 212 publications in top journals like NEJM, JAMA, and Circulation, he has made significant contributions to cardiac arrhythmia research. Current Positions Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (2019-present): Full Professor of Cardiology IRCCS Policlinico San Donato Hospital (2015-present): Director of Arrhythmology Department Previous Roles University of Naples Federico II (1990-2000) University of Michigan Ann Harbor (1990-2000) IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital (2000-2010) Villa Maria Cecilia Hospital (2010-2015) Research Focus: Specializing in cardiovascular diseases, his work spans atrial fibrillation ablation techniques, Brugada syndrome pathogenesis, heart failure device therapy, and ion channel disorders. His H-index of 53 and 18,407 citations reflect his substantial academic impact. Notable Scientific Contributions Author of 44 patents Principal Investigator in 14 clinical trials (clinicaltrials.gov) Developed circumferential pulmonary vein ablation technique Innovator in biventricular pacing systems for heart failure Pioneered research on non-excitatory current for cardiac contractility Scientific Recognition Awarded as Elite Reviewer of JACC (2005) Editorial Board Member of 6 leading journals Reviewer for NEJM, JAMA, Lancet, and Nature Medicine Education Medical Doctorate: University of Naples Federico II
Prof. Dr. Helmuth Gehart is a faculty member at the Institute of Molecular Health Sciences , ETH Zurich . He leads the Tumor and Stem Cell Dynamics research group, focusing on dynamic cell identity in regeneration and cancer. Research Interests : Stem cell-environment interactions, organoid technology, single-cell sequencing, and mechanisms of tissue repair/tumorigenesis. Publications : 10+ articles (2015-2024) on organoid models, stem cell dynamics, and cancer biology.
David S. Eisenberg is a Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Biological Chemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he also serves as Director of the UCLA-DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics and as an HHMI Investigator. His research focuses on protein interactions, particularly the structural basis for conversion of normal proteins to the amyloid state and conversion of prions to the infectious state. Dr. Eisenberg earned his undergraduate degree in biochemical sciences from Harvard College and his D.Phil. degree in theoretical chemistry from Oxford University on a Rhodes Scholarship. His postdoctoral research was on ice and water with Walter Kauzmann at Princeton and in protein crystallography with Richard Dickerson. He joined the UCLA faculty after his postdoctoral studies. Dr. Eisenberg and his research group focus on protein interactions in amyloid and prion diseases. These diseases involve protein aggregation where normal functional proteins convert to abnormal aggregated forms. Systemic amyloid diseases like dialysis-related amyloidosis result from fiber accumulation until organ failure, while neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, and prion conditions appear to be caused by smaller oligomers. In 2005, his team determined the atomic-level structure for the amyloid fiber spine, revealing a 'steric zipper' of two parallel beta sheets packed across a dry interface. Since then, they've determined approximately 90 amyloid spines from 15 disease-related proteins. In 2010, they identified the structure of a toxic amyloid-related oligomer consisting of six anti-parallel beta strands forming a cylindrical barrel. His recent publications demonstrate continued innovation in amyloid research, with focus areas including structural prediction of amyloid formation, mechanisms of tau fibril disassembly in Alzheimer's disease, cryo-EM analysis of amyloid polymorphism, and structure-based design of inhibitors for amyloid toxicity. His work integrates computational, structural, and biochemical approaches to understand protein aggregation across multiple disease contexts. Dr. Eisenberg has received numerous prestigious awards and honors: National Academy of Sciences Member American Philosophical Society Member Institute of Medicine Member Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator Biophysical Society Emily M. Gray Award Harvard Westheimer Medal UCLA Seaborg Medal Technion - Israel Institute of Technology Harvey Prize in Human Health As Director of the UCLA-DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics and an HHMI Investigator, Dr. Eisenberg leads significant research initiatives in protein structure and aggregation. His laboratory combines X-ray crystallography, bioinformatics, and biochemical techniques to investigate protein interactions, with particular emphasis on amyloid-forming proteins and their role in disease. The Eisenberg Lab, located in Boyer Hall at UCLA, maintains an active research program investigating the structural basis of protein aggregation. The lab continues to build on its landmark discoveries of amyloid structures while exploring new frontiers in understanding protein misfolding diseases and developing potential therapeutic interventions.
Manuel R. Amieva is a Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine , holding joint appointments in Pediatrics - Infectious Diseases and Microbiology & Immunology . He is also a member of the Maternal & Child Health Research Institute (MCHRI) . His clinical practice at Stanford Medicine Children's Health focuses on pediatric infectious diseases. Education: Medical Education: Stanford University School of Medicine (1997) Fellowship: Stanford University Pediatric Infectious Disease Fellowship (2004) Internship & Residency: Stanford Health Care at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital (1998-1999) Dr. Amieva's research investigates host-pathogen interactions at epithelial barriers, with specific expertise in Helicobacter pylori , Listeria monocytogenes , Salmonella enterica , and Staphylococcus aureus . His lab develops innovative organoid culture systems with controlled polarity to study microbial colonization and oncogenic mechanisms. Key discoveries include: H. pylori's manipulation of epithelial junctions via the CagA protein Listeria's exploitation of cell extrusion sites for invasion Staphylococcus toxin interactions with adherens junctions Gastric stem cell activation by pathogens Recent publication trends show continued leadership in infectious disease mechanisms (2020-2025), with a focus on: Pathogen-specific epithelial breach strategies Organoid modeling of viral/bacterial interactions Redox-dependent host factor regulation Single-cell spatial transcriptomic analyses Multi-institutional educational frameworks His scientific collaborations span disciplines including: Gastric cancer genomics initiatives COVID-19 lung infection models Stem cell-microbe interactions Medical education reform projects Dr. Amieva maintains active clinical research while mentoring students in both the Microbiology & Immunology and Pediatrics programs. His lab at Stanford employs advanced 3D confocal microscopy and organ-on-a-chip technologies to visualize epithelial colonization dynamics.
Weiqiang Chen is a Professor of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering at New York University's Tandon School of Engineering and Director of Research and PhD Programs. He holds a joint appointment at NYU Langone's Perlmutter Cancer Center as a Faculty Member of the Tumor Immunology Research Program. B.S. in Physics (Nanjing University, 2005) M.S. in Electrical Engineering (Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 2008) M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering (Purdue University, 2009) Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering (University of Michigan, 2014) His research focuses on Lab-on-a-Chip , Organ-on-Chip systems, Biomaterials , and Mechanobiology , with applications in cancer biology, stem cell engineering, and immune monitoring. He pioneers microfabrication technologies for real-time observation of cellular interactions, including CAR T-cell immunotherapy efficacy and tumor microenvironment dynamics. Recent grants include NSF funding for leukemia bone marrow niche modeling, NIH Trailblazer Awards for glioblastoma immunotherapy research, and collaborations with the Arthritis Foundation for synovium-on-chip rheumatoid arthritis studies. His work has been supported by over $2M in federal and institutional research funding. National Science Foundation (NSF) grants for leukemia-on-chip and glioblastoma modeling National Institutes of Health (NIH) awards for immunotherapy research American Heart Association fellowships and institutional training programs Chen's scientific awards include the American Heart Association Fellow distinction, multiple Young Investigator Awards from Lab on a Chip and Biomedical Engineering Society, and recognition for his dissertation on nanotopography in stem cell differentiation. He leads the Applied Micro-Bioengineering Laboratory (AMBL) , which develops microphysiological systems for drug testing and personalized medicine. His team has created the first immunocompetent leukemia-on-a-chip for CAR T-cell therapy screening and glioblastoma models that enable patient-specific immunotherapy validation.
Changhuei Yang is the Thomas G. Myers Professor of Electrical Engineering, Bioengineering, and Medical Engineering at California Institute of Technology, serving as Executive Officer for Electrical Engineering and Investigator at Heritage Medical Research Institute. He holds a Ph.D. and three master's degrees from MIT, with appointments at Caltech since 2003. Research focuses on: Advanced microscopy techniques including Fourier Ptychography Wavefront shaping for biological tissue imaging Optical phase conjugation for deep-tissue applications Compact medical devices for cerebral monitoring Publications demonstrate leadership in computational imaging, with recent advances in stain-free embryo analysis, portable cerebral blood flow monitors, and high-resolution volumetric imaging techniques using neural representations. Honored as National Academy of Inventors member. Research applications span deep-tissue biochemical imaging, incisionless surgery, and optogenetic activation systems.
