Andrea De Martino is a physicist and researcher at Politecnico di Torino and the Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine. His work bridges statistical mechanics, biological systems, and information processing, offering fresh insights into complex networks and emergent behavior. With a rich teaching background and involvement in international research initiatives like SIMBAD, Andrea brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to the conference, blending physics, biology, and data science to decode life’s fundamental processes.
Daniele De Martino is a theoretical biophysicist and Ikerbasque Research Associate Professor at the Biofisika Institute. With a PhD in Statistical Physics from SISSA and a research background spanning top institutions across Europe, he specializes in the statistical mechanics of cell metabolism. His interdisciplinary expertise—blending physics, biology, and data science—offers a unique perspective on how living systems process information and energy, making his insights invaluable to the conference.
David S. Tourigny is a Birmingham Fellow in the School of Mathematics at the University of Birmingham and an Affiliate Faculty member at Columbia University's Irving Institute for Cancer Dynamics. His research focuses on understanding the collective behavior of cellular populations, employing both experimental and theoretical approaches across contexts like microbial systems and neuronal networks. Recently, he has been exploring how stochasticity and heterogeneity at the single-cell level contribute to cancer development. David also develops scientific software, including the Python/C++ package 'dfba' for dynamic flux-balance analysis simulations, which is part of the openCOBRA codebase.
Sheng Zhong is a Professor of Bioengineering at UC San Diego, renowned for pioneering single-cell and spatial multiomics technologies. As director of both the UCSD Center for Liquid Biopsy Research and the organizational hub of the NIH-funded 4D Nucleome Program, his research delves into chromatin interactions and gene regulation. Recipient of the NIH Director's Pioneer Award and an NIDDK Catalyst Award, Sheng's interdisciplinary approach offers transformative insights into brain aging and tumor treatment, making his contributions invaluable to the conference.
Dr. Ronan Fleming is Associate Professor at the Digital Metabolic Twin Center in Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Galway, and also Assistant Professor at Leiden University's Academic Centre for Drug Research. Leading the Systems Biochemistry Group, his interdisciplinary team integrates mathematical, computational, and experimental biology to enhance predictive models of biomolecular networks. Dr. Fleming's research focuses on neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson's, employing advanced techniques like microfluidic cell cultures of dopaminergic neurons derived from stem cells. His innovative approach offers valuable insights into disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies, enriching the conference with cutting-edge perspectives.
Dr. Felipe Scott Contador is an Associate Professor at the Universidad de los Andes, specializing in biochemical engineering. He earned both his PhD in Engineering Sciences with a focus on Biochemical Engineering and his degree in Biochemical Civil Engineering from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso. At Universidad de los Andes, he teaches courses such as Balance de Materia y Energía and Métodos Numéricos. His research encompasses areas like the characterization of cold-active enzymes and the development of bioreactor configurations for efficient CO₂ conversion. Dr. Scott Contador's interdisciplinary expertise in biochemical processes and environmental sustainability brings valuable insights to the conference.
Dr. Raúl Conejeros Risco is a distinguished academic specializing in biochemical engineering. He holds an Ingeniero Civil Bioquímico degree and a Magíster en Ciencias de la Ingeniería with a focus on Ingeniería Bioquímica, both from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV), Chile. He further advanced his studies by earning a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cambridge, England.
Currently, Dr. Conejeros serves as a faculty member at PUCV, where he contributes to the field of biochemical engineering through both teaching and research. His academic journey, bridging Chile and the United Kingdom, equips him with a unique perspective on integrating biochemical processes with engineering principles. Dr. Conejeros' expertise enhances the conference by offering insights into innovative approaches within biochemical engineering.
Dr. Marcelo Rivas-Astroza is an Assistant Professor in the Biotechnology Department at Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana (UTEM) in Chile. Leading the Program of Computational Biology, his research focuses on the interplay between metabolic and genetic regulatory mechanisms that drive cellular adaptations. His work provides valuable insights into cellular reprogramming, enhancing our understanding of how cells repurpose their biochemical machinery. Dr. Rivas-Astroza's expertise in computational modeling and systems biology offers a unique perspective on cellular behavior, enriching the conference with cutting-edge approaches to understanding complex biological systems.