Sophie Sanchez is an Associate Professor at Uppsala University's Department of Organismal Biology, specializing in Evolution and Development. Her research focuses on vertebrate evolution, using advanced imaging techniques like synchrotron microtomography to study fossilized anatomy and developmental processes. She has contributed significantly to understanding sensory organ evolution in jawed vertebrates, early tetrapod development, and the structural adaptations of ancient fish. Key work includes studies on placoderms, osteostracans, and the molecular bases of evolutionary innovations. Her findings bridge paleontology with developmental biology, employing cutting-edge microscopy to reveal hidden biological details in fossils. Publications highlight her expertise in fossil musculature, bone histology, and genomic evolution, with high-impact contributions to journals like Nature and Science . Collaborative projects involve global teams analyzing Devonian and Permian vertebrates, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to evolutionary questions.
Grzegorz Niedzwiedzki is a Researcher at Uppsala University's Department of Organismal Biology, specializing in vertebrate palaeontology and early tetrapod evolution. He holds a PhD from the University of Warsaw (2013) and has conducted expeditions across Poland, Russia, Tunisia, Greenland, and Sweden. His research focuses on Triassic-Jurassic vertebrate ecosystems, coprolite analysis, and early dinosaur evolution. Education: PhD in Biology (2013), University of Warsaw Master's in Biology (2007), University of Warsaw Bachelor's in Biology (2004), University of Warsaw Research Interests: Grzegorz's work analyzes fossilized footprints, coprolites, and skeletal remains to reconstruct ancient ecosystems. He has pioneered studies on Early Triassic predator ecosystems via coprolites and contributed to understanding dinosaur dietary habits through coprolite microbiota analysis. His fieldwork has uncovered critical fossils like the archosaur Smok wawelski and Early Jurassic dinosaur tracks. Key Achievements: Recipient of multiple prestigious awards (National Geographic grants, Prime Minister's Special Award) Over 100 peer-reviewed publications in journals like Nature , Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology , and Acta Palaeontologica Polonica Co-discoverer of the oldest known mammaliaform fossil in Greenland Grants & Collaborations: Multiple international expeditions funded by Polish and Swedish institutions Collaborations with the American Museum of Natural History and Uppsala University Labs/Teams: Affiliated with Uppsala University's Evolution and Development research group and collaborates globally on fossil expeditions and synchrotron imaging projects.
Michael Coates is a Professor in the Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy at the University of Chicago, focusing on early vertebrate diversity and evolution. His research integrates paleontology, evolutionary developmental biology, and phylogenetics, with ongoing projects on tetrapod origins, shark-like fish evolution, and ray-finned fish radiation. He was elected a 2021 AAAS Fellow for his contributions to vertebrate paleontology. Education: B.Sc. (1982) and Ph.D. (1988) in Vertebrate Paleontology from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Research Interests: Coates explores evolutionary transitions such as the fin-to-limb transformation, early gnathostome phylogeny, and the role of fossils in developmental evolution. His work often combines large datasets, molecular data, and advanced imaging techniques like CT scanning. Article Trends: Recent publications emphasize vertebrate phylogeny, fossil record completeness, and developmental evolution. Subfields include tetrapod origins, shark morphology, fish brain evolution, and evo-devo mechanisms. Scientific Awards: 2021 AAAS Fellow Advising & Collaborations: Coates has mentored notable alumni including Dr. Lauren Sallan (OIST Marine Macroevolution Unit) and Dr. Tom Stewart (Penn State University). He collaborates extensively with labs like Prince and Ho, integrating fossils and molecular data in evolutionary studies. Labs & Teams: The Coates Lab promotes integrative research at the intersection of paleobiology, anatomy, and developmental biology, utilizing technologies like 3D printing and CT scanning to study vertebrate historical biodiversity.
Maja Adamska is an Associate Professor and ARC Future Fellow at the Australian National University (ANU) in the Research School of Biology. She serves as Associate Director of Education and Head of the Biology Teaching and Learning Centre. Her primary research affiliation is with the Division of Biomedical Science and Biochemistry, where she leads the Adamska Group focused on the genomic and evolutionary basis of animal development. She is based in Room 2.022, Level 2, Linnaeus Building at ANU. Dr. Adamska studied biology with a focus on embryology and evolutionary biology at Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. She completed her PhD in Germany working with Eva Bober and Thomas Braun on homeobox genes in inner ear development using vertebrate models from medaka fish to mice. Her postdoctoral work included research at the University of Michigan in Miriam Meisler's laboratory studying mouse mutants for limb patterning, followed by work at the University of Queensland with Bernie Degnan analyzing developmental signaling pathways in the sponge Amphimedon queenslandica. She was a group leader at the Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology in Bergen, Norway from 2007-2015 before joining ANU in 2015. Her research addresses fundamental biological questions about how complex animals develop from single cells and how the first multicellular animals evolved from single-cell ancestors. She uses calcareous sponges to investigate the evolutionary origins of key developmental processes including germ layer segregation and axial patterning. Her work spans multiple areas including evolutionary developmental biology, comparative genomics, and the study of major transitions in animal evolution such as the emergence of multicellularity and morphological complexity. Her research has revealed surprising similarities between sponge and higher animal embryonic development, challenging traditional views of animal evolution. Analysis of Dr. Adamska's recent publications shows a strong focus on sponge and coral biology, with increasing attention to conservation and sustainability issues related to marine ecosystems. Her work combines molecular, genomic, and evolutionary approaches to understand fundamental biological processes, with particular emphasis on gene regulatory networks, developmental signaling pathways, and the genomic basis of morphological complexity in early-branching animals. ARC Future Fellow (since 2017) h-index of 32 with 3,990 citations according to Scopus Multiple research grants including ARC Centre of Excellence for Integrated Coral Reef Studies (2014-2021) Dr. Adamska supervises research on multiple projects including coral regeneration, molecular mechanisms of developmental signaling pathways in sponges, identification of target genes for developmental transcription factors, skeleton formation in corals and sponges, and sponge and coral microbiomes. She also serves as Convenor for BIOL2174 and has developed innovative educational approaches including the Digital Marine platform for blended learning in marine biology. Her research group, the Adamska Group, focuses on the genomic and evolutionary basis of animal development, using calcareous sponges as model organisms to gain insights into the evolutionary origins of complex developmental processes. The group collaborates with international researchers across multiple institutions to advance understanding of early animal evolution and development.
Liza J. Shapiro is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Texas at Austin, affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts. Her research focuses on the functional morphology, ontogeny, and evolution of primate locomotion, employing quantitative comparative analysis of musculoskeletal systems in extant and extinct primates alongside biomechanical studies in both laboratory and field settings. Her work emphasizes the vertebral musculoskeletal system in primates and investigates quadrupedal locomotion mechanics. Recent publications explore lemur locomotor mechanics, wild primate limb kinematics, and the role of compliant substrates in augmenting leaping behavior. She has also contributed to debates on hominin locomotor evolution through fossil analysis. Shapiro teaches courses including Primate Anatomy , Biological Anthropology , and Primate Evolution , with active research programs involving collaborations with scholars like Andrew Barr and Brett Nachman. She contributes to the Academic Phylogeny of Biological Anthropology project and maintains field and laboratory research methodologies.
Gioele La Manno is an Assistant Professor (tenure track) at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), affiliated with the School of Life Sciences (SV) and the Department of Life Sciences Engineering. He leads the Unité du Prof. La Manno (UPLAMANNO) and holds roles in teaching and doctoral education within the SSV-ENS and Programme doctoral Biologie computationnelle et quantitative . His research focuses on single-cell genomics, cellular heterogeneity, and systems biology approaches to study developmental and neural systems. La Manno’s educational background includes a strong foundation in computational and quantitative biology, reflected in his teaching of courses like Biological data science I: statistical learning and Scientific literature analysis in neuroscience . His lab explores interdisciplinary methods combining genomics, epigenomics, and machine learning to dissect cell fate decisions and tissue organization. He actively contributes to doctoral programs, supervising over a dozen PhD students and advising theses on topics ranging from nervous system development to drug sensitivity profiling. His work bridges basic research with translational applications, such as clinically compliant cell cryopreservation for regenerative medicine. La Manno collaborates across EPFL’s Life Sciences Engineering ecosystem, leveraging state-of-the-art technologies like mass spectrometry imaging and single-cell RNA velocity modeling. His lab’s recent studies address lipidome dynamics, glial diversity in the CNS, and the molecular regulation of midbrain dopaminergic neurons.
Per Erik Ahlberg is a Professor of Evolutionary Organismal Biology at Uppsala University since 2003. His research spans vertebrate paleontology, evolutionary developmental biology, and the origins of key morphological innovations in jawed vertebrates and tetrapods. Academic Affiliations: Uppsala University (2003-present), The Natural History Museum, London (1994-2003), University of Oxford (1989-1994) Leadership Roles: Head of Subdepartment, Director of SciLifeLab Uppsala's Zebrafish Facility Research Focus: His work investigates the evolutionary transitions from fish to tetrapods, jaw development, and the integration of fossil evidence with developmental genetics. He employs synchrotron imaging and comparative anatomy to analyze ancient vertebrate structures. Grant History: Recipient of major grants including five awards from the Swedish Research Council (2003-2019), two ERC grants (2008 and 2021), and multiple Wallenberg Scholarships (2010-2020), totaling over €6 million in direct funding. Scientific Contributions: His publications in Nature and Science have redefined understanding of early vertebrate evolution, with notable discoveries about tetrapod trackways (2010), neural crest development (2005), and placoderm jaw anatomy. Honors: Elected to Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (2012), Linnaeus Gold Medal (2012), Wallenberg Scholarship (2010, renewed 2016)
Tim J. Gaudin is a UC Foundation Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. His research focuses on the systematics, morphological evolution, and biogeography of edentate mammals such as anteaters, sloths, and pangolins, along with Pleistocene vertebrate faunas in southeastern Tennessee. He has led NSF-funded projects, including a collaborative ATOL grant on mammalian phylogeny using genomic and morphological data (2006–2011). Gaudin teaches courses in Mammalogy, Paleobiology, and the History of Evolutionary Thought. He has authored/co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications, with recent work on giant sloth evolution, leprosy in armadillos, and cranial anatomy of extinct sloths. His fieldwork includes fossil recovery in Lookout Mountain, TN, and collaborations in Bolivia and Germany. He serves on editorial boards for journals like the Journal of Mammalian Evolution and Eastern Paleontologist , and has curated the UTC Natural History Museum. His grants include ongoing studies on edentate phylogeny and fossil morphology. Education : PhD in Organismal Biology & Anatomy from the University of Chicago (1993), BS in Zoology from the University of Georgia (1983). Research Interests : Paleontology of xenarthrans, morphological evolution of mammals, Pleistocene biogeography, and biodiversity surveys in Tennessee. Techniques include 3D imaging of fossils and CT-scanning of vertebrate remains. Grants/Projects : NSF ATOL grant (2006–2011), recent work on Eurotamandua morphology in Germany, and field studies in Bolivia. Active in collaborative projects with international institutions like the Senckenberg Research Institute and Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Labs/Teams : Leads UTC’s paleontology research group, focusing on fossil recovery and 3D modeling. Collaborates with the UTC Natural History Museum for specimen curation and public outreach.
Hugo Cardoso serves as Department Chair and Full Professor in the Department of Archaeology at Simon Fraser University. He joined SFU in May 2013 after holding a professorship at the University of Porto Medical School in Portugal and working as a researcher and curator at Lisbon's National Museum of Natural History. Cardoso earned his PhD in Anthropology from McMaster University in 2005, receiving the CAGS-UMI distinguished dissertation award the following year. He is the Co-Director of SFU's Centre for Forensic Research and heads the Juvenile Osteology (JUNO) group, which focuses on skeletal development in children. Cardoso's research centers on physical anthropology, particularly juvenile osteology, bioarchaeology, and forensic anthropology. His work explores age estimation methods, stature and weight estimation techniques, dental development, and the impact of socioeconomic factors on skeletal growth patterns. He has published extensively on these topics and maintains active research funded by NSERC and SSHRC grants. His research portfolio demonstrates a clear trend toward developing more inclusive and accurate methods for analyzing juvenile skeletal remains, with recent publications focusing on stature estimation formulas, growth patterns across different populations, and ethical considerations in skeletal collections. His work bridges forensic anthropology with historical and bioarchaeological investigations, examining how social, economic, and political changes affect skeletal development across time periods. CAGS-UMI distinguished dissertation award (2006) Member of the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists of the Royal Society of Canada (2018) Cardoso has supervised over 40 post-doctoral, graduate, and undergraduate students throughout his career. Currently, he supervises one post-doctoral fellow (Dr. Angela Silva Bessa), five PhD students (Marianna Cervantes, Elena Sierra, Tabasom Ilkhan, Cathy Tran, and Pegah Goodarzi), one MA student (Deanna Alvarez), and co-supervises a PhD student (Katherine Nichols) working on unmarked graves at Indian Residential Schools. His research is funded by NSERC and SSHRC, including a Partnership Development grant awarded in August 2020 to support the C.O.M. COLLECTION project. He leads the FROST Lab (Forensic Osteology Lab) and is actively involved in the C.O.M. COLLECTION project, which involves the transfer of unclaimed human remains from Portugal to SFU for research purposes. This controversial initiative has undergone extensive ethical review, receiving approvals from the Portuguese National Council of Ethics for the Life Sciences (CNECV) and the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences (INMLCF), as well as multiple approvals from the Municipality of Lisbon.
Dr. Xinshan Li is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sheffield , affiliated with the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering . Her work bridges computational modeling and biomedical applications, focusing on musculoskeletal mechanics across pediatric and adult populations. PhD in Bioengineering (2011), Auckland Bioengineering Institute Research interests: continuum modeling of musculoskeletal systems, pediatric bone mechanics, fracture risk prediction using finite element analysis, pelvic floor biomechanics in childbirth, and medical image-based computational models. Key collaborations: University of Sheffield’s Digital Patient initiatives, Procter & Gamble, Hospital for Special Surgery, and international biomedical research teams. Her recent publications highlight applications of finite element analysis and musculoskeletal modeling in osteoporosis screening , childbirth mechanics , and infant bone development , with methodological innovations in deep learning-based image segmentation . Dr. Li’s work has no listed awards but emphasizes translational research, including pFIRE (parallel image registration framework) and agent-based modeling of skin stem cells. She collaborates extensively on CT/MRI data integration for clinical applications. Contact: Room 1312, Sir Frederick Mappin Building , Mappin Street, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK. Email: xinshan.li@sheffield.ac.uk .
Associate Professor Amit Pujari is a biomedical engineer and neuroscientist at the University of Hertfordshire, leading the Neu(RAL)² Laboratory. He holds an honorary position at the University of Aberdeen and is a Royal Academy of Engineering Industrial Fellow. His work focuses on developing non-invasive neuromodulatory devices for stroke and spinal injury rehabilitation. Education: PhD in Biomedical Engineering, University of Aberdeen (2016) MSc in Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde (2007) BE in Instrumentation & Control Engineering, Pune University (2003) Research Interests: Optimizing neuromodulatory stimuli (vibrotactile/electrical) for rehabilitation, neurophysiological basis of vibration therapy, and assistive technologies. His lab is equipped with advanced tools like high-density EMG systems, TMSi devices, and custom vibration stimulators. Awards: Academy of Medical Sciences’ Top 25 Emerging Leaders (2023) British Science Association Award Lecture (2022) Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship (2017) Grants/Projects: VECTOR: Randomized controlled trial for Crohn’s disease rehabilitation (2024–2027) SPASMS: Wearable sensor technology for spasticity management (2023–2025) User-led design of neurotechnologies for stroke survivors (2023–2025) Labs: Neu(RAL)² Laboratory focuses on neural systems rehabilitation, housing state-of-the-art equipment for EMG/EEG, TMS, and custom devices.
Matthew F. Bonnan, Ph.D. is a vertebrate paleontologist, professor, author, science communicator, and singer/songwriter. Based in Hammonton, New Jersey, he has made significant contributions to dinosaur paleontology, particularly in sauropod evolution and locomotion biomechanics. He co-discovered three new Jurassic species and has published extensively on skeletal morphology and evolutionary biology. Dr. Bonnan's research interests span vertebrate paleontology, dinosaur evolution, locomotion biomechanics, skeletal morphology, and the evolution of hearing. His work often bridges the gap between scientific research and public understanding through innovative approaches. He has pioneered the use of music as a science communication tool, creating concept albums that explore evolutionary themes in an accessible way. His scholarly publications reveal a consistent focus on understanding dinosaur locomotion, particularly sauropod biomechanics, bone morphology across evolutionary time, and the evolutionary transitions that led to modern vertebrate anatomy. His work frequently employs advanced techniques like XROMM (X-ray Reconstruction of Moving Morphology) to analyze joint function in both extant and extinct species. A recurring theme is how skeletal structures evolved to support different locomotor strategies, especially in relation to gigantism in sauropods. Dr. Bonnan is notable for his unique interdisciplinary approach, combining rigorous paleontological research with creative science communication. His music projects, particularly 'Once Upon Deep Time' and 'An Ode to Everything,' translate complex evolutionary concepts into engaging musical narratives about hearing evolution, human-animal relationships, and our connection to deep time. These projects demonstrate his commitment to making science accessible and emotionally resonant for diverse audiences. His collaborative work extends to university settings, as evidenced by his collaboration with Stockton University's a cappella group on the 'Storytellers' track, which explores how scientific narratives connect us to our evolutionary past. Dr. Bonnan's approach exemplifies how scientific research can be integrated with artistic expression to enhance public understanding of evolutionary biology.
Professor John Long is Strategic Professor in Palaeontology at Flinders University, specializing in the early evolution of vertebrates. His research explores how anatomical structures like limbs, lungs, and sexual reproduction originated in Devonian fish fossils, particularly from the Gogo Formation in Western Australia and Antarctica. Education: Ph.D. (1984) and B.Sc. Hons (1981) from Monash University Research Interests: Focus on the transition from aquatic to terrestrial life, placoderm fish evolution, coelacanth brain development, and mass extinction events. Utilizes micro-CT, synchrotron, and neutron beam scanning for fossil analysis. Awards: 2020 Bettison and James Award ($50K) 2023 Whitely Medal 2016 Eureka Prize for Interdisciplinary Research Collaborations: Works with international scientists from Canada (Richard Cloutier), Sweden (Per Ahlberg), China (Zhu Min), UK (Hugo Dutel), and USA (Neil Shubin). Leads the Flinders Palaeontology Group, focusing on vertebrate evolution from fish to mammals. Media Engagement: Regular contributor to The Conversation , author of 30+ books, and recipient of the 2001 Eureka Prize for Public Promotion of Science. Serves on the Interagency Reference Group for the Naracoorte Caves World Heritage Site.
Dr. Rory Cooper is an Independent Research Fellow in the School of Biosciences at the University of Sheffield. His work bridges evolutionary developmental biology and biophysics , focusing on skin appendage morphogenesis across diverse vertebrates including sharks, chickens, and crocodiles. Formerly a 5-year postdoc in the LANE lab at University of Geneva, he earned his PhD at Sheffield under Dr. Gareth Fraser and Dr. Nicola Nadeau. Current position: Research Fellow (Sheffield) Alumni: Geneva postdoc (2020-2025), Sheffield PhD Expertise: EvoDevo, mechanochemical patterning, volumetric imaging His research investigates how molecular signals and mechanical forces interact to shape complex patterns in embryonic development. Key findings include: Discovery of compressive forces in crocodile scale sculpting Experimental induction of mechanical skin folding in chickens Identification of dual chemical/mechanical patterning in tortoise headscales Recent publications highlight mechanical forces as fundamental to pattern robustness across species. His 2024 Nature paper demonstrated physical sculpting of crocodile cranial scales, followed by 2025 Open Biology and Cell Reports iScience studies on avian/tortoise systems. Scientific recognitions include: Independent Research Fellowship Three major journal cover features (Nature, Open Biology, PLOS Biology) As a PhD advisor for Alex Liu at UC San Diego, he continues fostering next-generation EvoDevo researchers. Current work explores cross-species mechanosensitive development using advanced imaging and multiscale modeling.
Alexander Gann is a Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL), where he previously served as Dean from 2012 to 2022. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh (1989) and a B.Sc. in Microbiology and Genetics from University College London (1985). His research interests focus on gene regulation mechanisms and the history of molecular biology, with notable contributions to textbooks such as Molecular Biology of the Gene (co-authored with James Watson) and Genes and Signals (with Mark Ptashne). He has also edited historical collections like Life Illuminated and The Annotated and Illustrated Double Helix . Before joining CSHL, Gann conducted research on restriction enzymes (Edinburgh), gene regulation (Harvard), and newt limb regeneration (UCL). His transition to scientific publishing included roles at Nature and CSHL Press, where he developed lab manuals and monographs. His work bridges academic research, historical scholarship, and educational outreach, emphasizing the interplay between molecular mechanisms and their historical context. Publications highlight his expertise in biographical studies of key scientists (e.g., Sydney Brenner, Francis Crick) and foundational molecular biology concepts. His research has explored transcriptional regulation, developmental genetics, and regenerative biology, with collaborations spanning decades in both experimental and historical domains.
