The Bench to Body Symposium

Iain M. Cheeseman, PhD
Herman and Margaret Sokol Professor of Biology, MIT
Member, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
Associate Head, Department of Biology, MIT

Iain Cheeseman studies the molecular mechanisms that direct chromosome segregation and cell division. His lab investigates the kinetochore, a protein structure that mediates interactions between chromosomes and microtubules to ensure accurate cell division and genome stability.

Leonard Guarente, PhD
Novartis Professor of Biology, MIT
Director, Glenn Laboratory for the Science of Aging

Dr. Guarente combines comprehensive bioinformatics analyses with functional analyses of pathways and genes to study aging in humans and mice. He applies these approaches to identify the major pathways and genes involved in the aging of certain brain regions. He also studies muscular dystrophy and muscle loss with aging. Ultimately, his findings may guide studies in other organs and lead to a systemic understanding of mammalian aging.

Anders Sejr Hansen, PhD
Associate Professor of Biological Engineering, MIT
Class of 1943 Career Development Professor

Anders Sejr Hansen develops novel methods to resolve 3D genome structure at high spatiotemporal resolution. His research focuses on how DNA looping and chromatin folding regulate gene expression in health and disease, with an emphasis on genome organization and molecular dynamics.

Cullen R. Buie, PhD
Esther and Harold E. Edgerton Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, MIT

Cullen Buie’s research investigates flow physics at the microscale for applications in materials science, microbiology, and energy systems. His group develops novel microfluidic technologies with applications ranging from biofuel production and anti-biofouling surfaces to energy storage and bacterial pathogenesis.

Linda G. Griffith, PhD
Professor of Biological and Mechanical Engineering, MIT
School of Engineering Teaching Innovation Chair, MIT

Linda Griffith directs the Center for Gynepathology Research. Her lab develops 3D biomaterials, organ-on-a-chip platforms, and tissue-engineered systems that model human physiology and disease to advance translational medicine.

Kelly A. Metcalf Pate, DVM, PhD, DACLAM
Assistant Professor of Biological Engineering, MIT
Director, Division of Comparative Medicine (DCM), MIT

Kelly Metcalf Pate’s research explores how platelet binding to monocytes and endothelial cells during acute infection contributes to the pathogenesis of lentiviral infection. As Director of DCM, she leads initiatives to advance animal research welfare and translational infectious disease models.

Steven Wasserman, MS
Senior Lecturer in Biological Engineering, MIT

Steven Wasserman teaches hands-on courses in bioinstrumentation and develops custom tools for academic and industrial research. His work focuses on optical and electronic instrumentation for applications in the life sciences and biological engineering education.

Qun Cao, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher in Mechanical Engineering, MIT

Qun Cao’s research bridges electrochemistry, analytical chemistry, and microfluidics. She develops microscale sampling and sensing systems to enable high-precision measurements for biological and chemical analysis.