Dr. Sophie Dumont's lab at UCSF studies how chromosomes are accurately segregated during cell division, a crucial process for cell health. They explore the physical and molecular mechanisms behind this process, particularly focusing on the spindle and kinetochore structures that help move chromosomes. Through innovative techniques like microneedle manipulation and live cell imaging, the lab aims to understand the fundamental principles of chromosome segregation, which has important implications for understanding cancer and congenital abnormalities.

Dr. Nicholas Lukacs's lab at the University of Michigan focuses on understanding how the immune system reacts to viruses and allergens in chronic lung diseases like severe asthma. The research aims to uncover the mechanisms behind changes in lung function and structure, which can lead to better therapies. The lab studies the roles of different immune cells and molecules, particularly during early disease stages, and how they might influence long-term health outcomes.

Dr. Hiutung Chu's lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding how the gut microbiota, particularly commensal bacteria like Bacteroides fragilis, adapt in response to inflammation caused by conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The research aims to uncover how these bacterial adaptations influence immune responses, which could lead to new therapies for IBD. By exploring the genetic and metabolic changes in these bacteria, the lab seeks to develop strategies for detecting and treating IBD in its early stages to prevent chronic disease progression.

The Hehnly lab at Syracuse University focuses on understanding how the Left-Right Organizer (LRO) develops in vertebrates, particularly through the role of cilia. They use zebrafish as a model to study how different types of cilia contribute to the left-right axis formation in developing organisms. Their research aims to uncover the mechanisms that guide cilia formation and function, which is important for proper heart development and other ciliated tissues.

Dr. Karl F. Lechtreck's lab focuses on understanding how the tiny hair-like structures on cells, called cilia, are assembled and how they transport proteins critical for their function. Cilia play important roles in cell movement and signaling, and problems with cilia can lead to health issues like blindness or infertility. By exploring the mechanisms of protein transport in cilia using a simple model organism, the lab aims to shed light on these vital cellular processes which have wider implications for human health.

Dr. Erik Herzog's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding how our body's internal clock, known as the circadian clock, adjusts to environmental changes, like the length of day and night. Through a blend of experimental techniques and computer modeling, the research aims to uncover how specific brain cells communicate and alter their connections to maintain daily rhythms in behavior and physiology. This work is crucial for revealing how the brain functions as a network and adapts to seasonal variations.

Dr. Daniel Cavanaugh's lab focuses on understanding how our internal body clock controls behaviors and physiological processes. Using fruit flies as a model, his research investigates the communication pathways between different types of neurons that form the circadian system. This work aims to uncover how disruptions to our circadian rhythms can lead to health issues and how these mechanisms can be studied at the molecular level.

Dr. Deborah Bell-Pedersen's lab at Texas A&M University focuses on understanding how the circadian clock affects the production of proteins within cells. They study the complex mechanisms that control when and how proteins are made, particularly through a model organism called Neurospora crassa. Their research aims to reveal how these daily rhythms in protein synthesis impact health, metabolism, and drug effectiveness, potentially leading to better treatments for various diseases.

Dr. Diana M. Cittelly's research focuses on understanding how hormone therapies and radiation can work together to treat aggressive breast cancers, particularly in young women who are at a higher risk of developing brain metastases. Her team studies the role of the hormone estradiol in promoting tumors and how treatments targeting this hormone might improve patient outcomes. By exploring how these therapies affect immune responses in the brain, her lab aims to develop more effective cancer treatments that could be translated from the lab to clinical practice.

Perry Hystad's research lab focuses on understanding and adapting to the impacts of climate change on human health, particularly in low and middle-income countries. By leveraging data from the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study, the lab investigates both acute and chronic climate-driven health risks and aims to develop strategies to enhance community resilience against climate hazards. The goal is to provide crucial insights into how climate change affects health and to create frameworks to mitigate these effects in vulnerable populations.

Dr. J. Mark Cline's lab focuses on investigating the long-term effects of radiation exposure using a unique cohort of nonhuman primates. They explore how radiation affects health over time, looking at diseases like diabetes and heart conditions that develop after exposure. The lab collaborates with other researchers to share findings and improve our understanding of radiation injury, which is crucial for developing better emergency responses and treatments.

Dr. Christopher Lopez's lab studies the gut microbiota, specifically focusing on how different strains of bacteria, particularly Clostridia, play a role in human health and disease. By investigating how these bacteria metabolize substances like sorbitol and evolve, the lab aims to uncover important genetic factors that influence microbiota behavior and health outcomes. Their research could lead to better understanding of how gut bacteria interact with each other and how these interactions affect disease progression.

Dr. Karen Shapiro's lab at UC Davis focuses on understanding how environmental conditions impact the spread of diseases in coastal ecosystems, particularly among marine mammals like sea otters. By studying pathogens that transition from land to sea, the lab aims to reveal how different habitats affect these parasites' transmission and survival. This research is essential for developing strategies to protect wildlife and manage public health threats posed by these infectious diseases.

Dr. Lark Coffey's lab at UC Davis focuses on understanding and controlling mosquito-borne viruses, particularly Chikungunya and St. Louis Encephalitis viruses. They investigate how vaccines can protect against these viruses and how viruses interact with their mosquito and bird hosts. By exploring these dynamics, their research aims to inform public health strategies and improve vaccine efficacy in different populations.

Dr. Maria Medalla's lab at Boston University investigates how the brain integrates emotional and cognitive information, focusing on the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). By studying the synaptic and circuit-level properties of neurons within the ACC, particularly in relation to emotional regulation and cognitive processes, the lab aims to uncover fundamental mechanisms that can inform treatments for mood disorders and other affective conditions.

Dr. Oliver Bracko's lab at the University of Miami focuses on understanding how blood flow reductions in the brain relate to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease. By studying immune cells called neutrophils, this lab investigates how these cells interact with blood vessels and contribute to cognitive decline. The ultimate goal is to discover new biological markers that can help predict or modify the progression of diseases like Alzheimer's and vascular dementia.

Dr. Carla Rothlin's lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on understanding how to combat cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's Disease (AD). By studying specific molecules in immune cells of the brain called microglia, the lab aims to develop new therapeutic strategies that can enhance microglial function and potentially preserve cognitive health in mice models of AD. The research includes detailed examinations of genetic factors and molecular pathways that influence memory and learning in the context of the disease, with the hope of translating these findings into meaningful treatments for human patients.

Dr. Gulcin Pekkurnaz's lab at UC San Diego studies how the brain's energy metabolism supports cognitive functions like memory and perception. The team focuses on specific brain cells called fast-spiking inhibitory interneurons, which require a lot of energy to help maintain brain rhythms crucial for cognitive tasks. By understanding how these neurons produce and regulate energy, they hope to uncover links between nutrition, brain function, and disorders like Alzheimer's disease.

Dr. Ifat Levy's lab at Yale University focuses on understanding how the brain processes learning, decision-making, and memory, particularly in relation to anxiety and stress-related disorders. Through a combination of behavioral studies and advanced imaging techniques, the team aims to uncover the neural mechanisms behind these cognitive functions and how they vary among individuals. The ultimate goal is to inform tailored interventions that can better address mental health challenges.

Dr. Thippeswamy's lab focuses on developing new treatments to help people recover from nerve agent poisoning, which can cause severe, long-lasting neurotoxic effects. The research aims to explore the effectiveness of two novel drugs in preventing and reversing brain damage and cognitive impairments caused by exposure to chemical warfare nerve agents. By testing these therapies in animal models, the lab aims to improve medical countermeasures for victims exposed to these harmful agents.