Dr. Piali Sengupta's lab at Brandeis University studies how sensory neurons in the nematode C. elegans detect internal signals related to digestive processes. The research focuses on the mechanisms of sensory neuron function and how these neurons adapt their structure and activity based on environmental experiences. By using a simple model organism, the lab aims to uncover fundamental principles that could also apply to more complex organisms, including humans.

Dr. Michael L. Wallace's lab at Boston University Medical Campus focuses on understanding how serotonin influences brain circuitry, especially within the lateral habenula, a region involved in evaluating emotional outcomes. Their research aims to identify specific neuron types affected by serotonin and how these interactions may contribute to conditions like depression, particularly after chronic stress. By exploring these neuron-type specific responses, the lab seeks to uncover insights that could lead to improved treatments for depression and related disorders.

Dr. Zeba B. Wunderlich's lab at Boston University studies how certain regulatory elements in DNA, called shadow enhancers, help ensure consistent gene expression during development. By exploring how these enhancers function and evolve, the lab hopes to uncover insights into developmental disorders such as autism and diabetes that arise from genetic and environmental factors. This research aims to connect the organization of these enhancers to their role in robust developmental processes.

Dr. Aaron Matthew Lebeau's lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison focuses on developing innovative treatments for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a particularly aggressive form of the disease. The lab specifically explores the use of shark-derived proteins to create targeted therapies that can deliver radiation directly to cancer cells, aiming to improve treatment outcomes for patients. This research is significant due to the lack of effective therapies currently available for TNBC.

Dr. Mark Sheffield's research lab focuses on understanding the brain mechanisms behind fear memories, particularly in the context of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). His team investigates how specific brain regions communicate to suppress fearful memories and aid in the extinction process, helping to provide insights that could lead to better treatments for PTSD. Utilizing advanced techniques like virtual reality and two-photon microscopy, they explore the interactions between the thalamus and hippocampus, key areas involved in memory processing.

Dr. Hang Shi's lab at Georgia State University focuses on understanding how an enzyme called HDAC1 affects liver health and diseases, specifically non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is linked to obesity and diabetes. The research investigates how HDAC1 contributes to fat buildup and inflammation in the liver, potentially leading to severe liver complications. By exploring the relationship between diet and epigenetic changes in the liver, the lab aims to identify new therapeutic strategies for treating NAFLD.

Dr. Meiqing Shi's lab at the University of Maryland focuses on understanding how the immune system responds to infections caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, particularly in HIV/AIDS patients. They study a severe condition known as immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) that can develop when patients undergo antiretroviral therapy. By using animal models, the lab aims to identify specific immune cell types and cytokines involved in this dangerous inflammatory response, which could lead to new treatments for affected patients.

Cammie Lesser's lab at Tufts University focuses on understanding how the bacterium Shigella survives and replicates inside human intestinal cells. By studying how Shigella manipulates the immune system, particularly through inflammatory cell death processes, the lab aims to uncover new strategies for preventing and treating severe infections caused by this pathogen. This research is vital, especially in light of rising antibiotic resistance.

Dr. Sarah M Short's lab at Ohio State University studies how bacteria affect the life traits and mating success of male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which are important for controlling mosquito populations and preventing diseases. The lab investigates how different bacterial communities can influence mosquito characteristics like longevity and mating success, as well as the role of vitamins in these interactions. This research aims to improve methods for mass rearing sterile males used in population control strategies.

Dr. Vipul Shukla's lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding how specialized immune responses are regulated in germinal centers, where B cells evolve to produce effective antibodies. The research investigates the roles of specific protein complexes that remodel DNA to influence B cell behavior and maintain a balanced immune response. Ultimately, the work aims to uncover the mechanisms important for generating robust immunity and how inflammation might disrupt these processes.

Dr. Cheryl Louise Stucky's lab focuses on understanding the complex pain mechanisms associated with sickle cell disease. The research aims to identify how certain molecules, like free heme and the cytokine TNF, contribute to both acute and chronic pain in sickle cell patients. By investigating these pain pathways, the lab hopes to develop better pain management strategies that could help reduce reliance on opioids, leading to safer treatments.

Christina Sigurdson's lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding how prion diseases affect brain function and contribute to neurodegeneration. The research emphasizes the role of the ESCRT pathway in maintaining synaptic health and explores how prion proteins disrupt this process, leading to synaptic dysfunction and neuronal loss. By using advanced techniques like electrophysiology and microscopy, the lab aims to find new treatment strategies for fatal neurodegenerative disorders.

Dr. Matthew J. Sikora's lab focuses on understanding the biology behind certain types of cancers, specifically gynecologic cancers like ovarian cancer and specific breast cancer subtypes such as invasive lobular carcinoma. The lab investigates how genetic variations and molecular factors drive tumor growth, therapy resistance, and health disparities among different populations. Their research aims to reveal the underlying mechanisms of cancer progression and treatment responses, potentially leading to more effective therapies tailored to patient genetics.

Gustavo M Silva's lab at Duke University focuses on understanding how cells regulate the production of proteins during times of stress. By studying the role of ubiquitin, a small protein that marks others for degradation, the lab aims to unravel mechanisms that lead to diseases like neurodegeneration and cancer. Their research could help develop new strategies to improve health and combat stress-related conditions.

Dr. Pallavi Singh's research lab at Northern Illinois University explores how long-term stress affects gut health by studying prairie voles. They focus on the Gut-Brain-Microbiota Axis, which is the link between the gut microbiome and health outcomes like Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The lab investigates how stress alters microbial communities in the intestines and influences behavior, potentially leading to diseases. The work aims to discover valuable insights that could help improve health interventions for individuals dealing with IBD and related conditions.

Dr. Aatur Dilip Singhi's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on understanding non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NF-PanNETs), which are complex and varied tumors that can behave aggressively. The research aims to identify new biomarkers that can help predict how these tumors grow and spread. By studying the genetic and epigenetic changes that occur in these tumors, the lab hopes to improve patient outcomes through better prognostic tools and understanding of tumor behavior.

David Benner Lombard's lab at the University of Miami focuses on researching Ewing sarcoma, a serious childhood cancer. The lab investigates a molecule called SIRT5 to see if it can be targeted to improve treatments, especially for patients who have the most aggressive forms of the disease. The aim is to create new drugs that can effectively kill Ewing sarcoma cells while minimizing side effects for patients.

Dr. Cheng-Ming Chuong's lab at the University of Southern California focuses on understanding how skin develops and regenerates, particularly emphasizing the different characteristics of skin in various body regions. By studying chickens, which have distinct skin features, the lab aims to uncover the biological mechanisms that could lead to improved skin substitutes for patients with severe injuries. The research combines traditional techniques with advanced genomic technologies to explore how skin's structure and function are determined at both the genetic and epigenetic levels.

The lab led by Dr. Phillip Scott at the University of Pennsylvania focuses on the relationship between the skin microbiome and cutaneous leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease that results in severe skin lesions. They investigate how specific bacteria, like Staphylococcus aureus, contribute to disease severity, aiming to develop new therapies that target host immune responses. Additionally, the lab studies resident memory T cells in the skin to better understand how to enhance immunity against leishmaniasis and other diseases transmitted by vectors.

Dr. Taku Kambayashi's lab at the University of Pennsylvania studies how the skin microbiome interacts with immune cells to regulate the secretion of sebum, an oily substance that helps maintain skin barrier functions. The lab investigates the immune-sebum axis, focusing on communication between immune cells and skin microorganisms. They aim to understand how these interactions influence skin health and protect against infections.