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2024 western region candidates 

Candidates are listed alphabetically by surname.

Debadeep Bhattacharyya

Vice President, Covaris, USA

Having been a student of proteomics and LC-MS for almost a decade, when I started my professional career as a scientist with a well known, large LC-MS manufacturer - my first and only goal was to promote the use of this technology (LC-MS) in the world of Proteomics, rather, protein analysis. I always felt the need to highlight that from top-down to bottom-up, while global proteomics bore tremendous importance, targeted protein analysis (clinical to biopharma) also had its own importance and relevance.

As I evolved and matured in the corporate world of biotechnology, what appealed to me the most was the ability of this world (biotech) to merge both sides of proteomics that ultimately resulted in meaningful data - a biomarker that could save lives, a biotherapeutic that could put a smile back on the face of a family, a deep understanding of a disease that can help a physician optimize the therapeutic regime for a patient. In the last three and half years, I dedicated my time in a company that is known for its capability in the world of Genomics to exploit its technology to develop sample preparation workflows that can enable every proteomics laboratory to achieve high quality, confident data. I have always felt that this is an area that has gone unnoticed, if not ignored. While we bask in the glory of merging ion mobility with time of flight mass spectrometry, achieving higher than 1.6 million resolution with an Orbitrap mass spectrometer, detecting 5000 proteins with antibody chips - ensuring the quality of samples that are to be analyzed remained unexplored, unattended.

My enthusiastic approach in the field of sample preparation for Proteomics has resulted in a flourishing business for comprehensive sample preparation workflow solutions from Covaris that are used extensively across several laboratories around the world - from academic institutions to clinical research laboratories to biopharma organizations.

If selected to the coveted HUPO organizing committee, I would like to focus on growing the sample preparation awareness amongst the members of the HUPO and beyond. Ultimately ensuring better quality data that can offer a confident result to everyone - from a researcher to a physician.

Yu Gao

Associate Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA

My name is Yu (Tom) Gao, and I currently serve as an Associate Professor at the University of Illinois Chicago, where my lab focuses in the research and development of single-cell proteomics and bioinformatics. Our focus is on enhancing the understanding of protein interactions, while strongly advocating for inclusion and open science.

Since establishing my lab in 2018, we have actively participated in the Human Proteome Organization's (HUPO) activities. The HUPO community has proven to be an invaluable network for fostering scientific collaboration, and it is my desire to further contribute to this vibrant community's growth. In addition to my research endeavors, I have actively engaged in the organization of significant scientific events. Since 2023, I have served on the organizing committee for the international Single Cell Mass Spectrometry (iSCMS) conferences, overseeing website development and gaining pertinent experience in conference organization. In addition, my experience as a session chair at both ACS and ASMS meetings has deepened my understanding of our mission to promote scientific advancement and support for our emerging scientists. I am committed to fostering an environment that nurtures young talent, especially from underrepresented groups. My lab is a testament to this commitment, embodying diversity with team members of varied genders, races, ethnic backgrounds, and abilities. This diversity enriches our work and our contributions to science.

As a candidate for the HUPO Council, I am dedicated to leveraging my experience and passion for advancing HUPO's mission, promoting diversity, and supporting the next generation of scientists

Alexander Ivanov

Associate Professor, Northeastern University, USA

I am an Associate Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, a Faculty Member of the Barnett Institute of Chemical and Biological Analysis, and the Faculty Director of the Mass Spectrometry Facility at Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA. My team and I develop novel separation- and mass spectrometry-based technologies to answer challenging biomedical questions related to the origin of disease and the function of the cell and to enable new applications in clinical, fundamental, and industrial research. We develop advanced approaches to reach previously unachievable sensitivity levels in qualitative and quantitative analysis and enable molecular profiling and structural characterization of various biological molecules. Our current research focuses on studies of proteins, proteoforms, protein interactions, protein complexes, post translational modifications, glycans, new modalities of biotherapeutics, and extracellular microvesicles at ultra-high sensitivity. Also, we develop new omic approaches for molecular profiling of limited cell populations and single cells. Recently, my laboratory pioneered mass spectrometry-based molecular profiling techniques to enable top-down proteomic and N-glycomic analysis of single cells and minute amounts of biomedical samples. Our research aims to develop new diagnostic and prognostic tools and novel therapies, enable new personalized medicine and biological applications, and generate new knowledge related to the origin of disease and the function of the cell.

In the past, among other awards and honors, I was fortunate to be recognized with an American Society for Mass Spectrometry Research Award, a Human Proteome Organization Outstanding Young Scientist Award, and an NIH R35 Outstanding Investigator (MIRA) Award. I have been involved in US HUPO and HUPO conferences and research initiatives for ~20 years, starting as a young investigator, and I truly enjoyed this involvement. I will be honored to represent proteomics researchers in the HUPO Council and help the field of proteomics research progress, the HUPO community thrive, and the new diverse cadre of young scientists find their passion in this fast-paced science landscape.

Ryan Kelly

Professor, Brigham Young University, USA

A central theme of my research is to develop solutions for improved biochemical analyses, including LC-MS-based proteomics. My recent efforts have focused on overcoming the losses and inefficiencies associated with sample isolation and processing of biological samples for MS-based proteomic analyses. To this end, my team developed nanoPOTS (Nanodroplet Processing in One pot for Trace Samples), a microfluidic platform based on robotic nanopipetting and microfabricated well plates, which greatly reduces sample losses and enhances reaction kinetics. This was the first platform capable of label-free, in-depth proteome profiling from single mammalian cells. I have also invented ultrasensitive electrospray ionization sources based on chemical etching techniques that enable improved stability in the nano and picoflow regimes, multiplexed electrospray sources to extend nanoelectrospray performance to higher flow separations, advanced ion optics for increased ion transmission to the mass analyzer, and ultrasensitive biochemical separations based on liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis. I am a named inventor on 15 issued and pending patents, and my work has been recognized with two R&D 100 awards, a Federal Laboratory Consortium Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer, and the 2019 Georges Guiochon Faculty Fellowship from the HPLC Symposium, among others. Several of my patents have been licensed and commercialized by, e.g., Bruker, Cellenion and my own startup MicrOmics Technologies.

T. Mamie Lih

Research Associate, Johns Hopkins University, USA

I have been dedicated to the proteomics field since 2012, with my main research focusing on developing tools and applying bioinformatics and biostatistics to analyze global proteomics and protein post-translational modifications in complex biological samples. I have led and participated in several proteogenomic projects to characterize various cancers, including kidney, pancreatic, and prostate cancers. I am keeping collaboration with national and international multidisciplinary teams of researchers. Additionally, I have been working extensively on discovering, developing, and translating multiple glycoproteomic markers for prostate and pancreatic cancer.

Although I am an early-stage investigator, my extensive experience in developing and applying proteomics technologies and my proven track record of successful collaboration with diverse teams across various projects position me to contribute significantly to the proteomics field. I am eager to serve as a council member of HUPO in order to provide support, promote proteomics, and help advance the field to broader research communities.

Parag Mallick

Associate Professor, Stanford University, USA

Since my earliest days in the proteomics field, I've been proud to support HUPO's efforts to bring proteomics to the world.

I presently hold two distinct roles, both of which include a significant focus on proteomics. At Stanford University, I am an Associate Professor where I lead a lab with the Canary Center for Cancer Early Detection. Our focus is on developing novel approaches to accelerate the discovery of diagnostic and prognostic protein biomarkers. In addition, I am Co-founder and Chief Scientist at Nautilus Biotechnology, a company developing a next-generation proteomics platform.

I have more than 100 publications, and hold patents in the fields of artificial intelligence, proteomics technology, biomarker development, and nanotechnology - all with the goal of democratizing access to the proteome. My specific focus has always been both advance and apply proteomics approaches to ask and answer key biological questions.

Throughout my career, I have used, and contributed-to a wide variety of proteomics methodologies. My earliest focus was on 2D-gels followed up by mass spectrometry. More recently, I have been actively driving efforts in both spatial proteomics and single-molecule proteomics. Perhaps the most notable impact my lab has had to date has been through the ProteoWizard project. This project represents the reference implementation of the HUPO-PSI standards, and is used throughout the world to reduce the barrier to proteomics software development and data analysis. ProteoWizard has dramatically improved the ease of sharing proteomics data and became a critical resource for major repositories.

My core priorities as a member of Council would be:

  • Establish leading voices for the proteomics community, expanding its influence, reach, throughout biology
  • Foster initiatives identifying and addressing the most difficult challenges in proteomics today
  • Grow international collaboration between leading laboratories in the academic and industry settings
  • Promote ongoing integration of technological innovations such as AI, machine learning, and computational proteomics tools for advances throughout the proteomics ecosystems
  • Promote standardization and reproducibility throughout the field.

Khatereh Motamedchaboki

Senior Global Product Marketing Manager-Translational Research, Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA

I am a protein chemist with over 20 years of research experience in the field of proteomics and multi-omics. I currently serves as the Sr. Global Product Marketing, Translational Research at Thermo Fisher Scientific. Prior to this role, I held the position of Director of NCI-designated Proteomics Core at Sanford Burnham Preby's from 2006 to 2016 and has also worked in senior product and technical marketing roles at Seer, Sciex, and Thermo Fisher Scientific. Over the past 8 years, I have played a significant role in the successful launch of various proteomics and metabolomics products and workflows. Notably, the launch of Seer's Proteograph Product Suite, which received the prestigious Human Proteome Organization (HUPO) Science and Technology Award in 2022, Orbitrap Exploris 480 and 240 MS, FAIMS Pro Interface and Orbitrap Eclipse Tribrid MS. I have been serving as chair of the 2023 HUPO Industry Advisory Board and Technological Advancement Session. I am passionate about shaping the future of proteomics, alongside academic and industry leaders, toward improving human health.

Benjamin Orsburn

Principal Investigator, Formerly The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA

I'm one of the many people who has felt - in my case, for decades - that I'm on the outside of the development of proteomics, as a field. My B.S. is in education and my PhD is in Biology. I didn't go to UVA or Wisconsin and I've still never met Matthias Mann. I'm a clinical chemist and biologist who has looked on as proteomics has grown and I've marveled at what it could do. I've probably trained over 300 people personally 0 in how to do proteomics and I have a proteomics worship blog called News In Proteomics Research. I also have a very weird friend who makes me do podcasts for something I insist on calling "THE proteomics show". Finally, I basically single handledly designed the most successful webinar in the history of US HUPO for a "Battle Royale" pitting different proteomics techniques against each other. Maybe I can help boost the profile of (big) HUPO using similar, somewhat unorthodox, approaches. I am currently unemployed after requiring that the Johns Hopkins University provide me with air conditioned space for my mass spectrometers, which was received very poorly. I was verbally offered a role as Associate Professor this morning at a US medical school that has a higher ranking a few hours ago. They have air conditioning.

Chris Overall

Distinguished University Scholar Canada Research Chair Tier 1 Laureate in Protease Proteomics and Systems Biology Yonsei Distinguished Scholar of Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea Honorary Professor, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Canada

Chris Overall has been active in HUPO for more than a decade and since 2014 was elected to HUPO Council. I sat on the HUPO Executive Committee as Treasurer, and since 2019 I was elected Chair of the C-HPP after serving as Co-Chair from 2015. I have been leading the NeXt-50 Missing Protein Challenge, and am Editor of the 3rd to 8th Journal of Proteome Research Special Issues on the HPP. I am an Associate Editor of JPR since 2015 and was also an Editor of mSystems 2015-1019. Dr Overall was appointed a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Protease Proteomics and Systems Biology (2001) and a Senior Fellow of the Freiburg Institute of Advanced Studies, Universität Freiburg, Germany (2010-2013), where he is an Honorary Professor (2014-). I was inducted as a fellow into the Royal Society of Canada in 2018. I published my first proteomics paper in 2004 in PNAS on the application of ICAT for membrane protein shedding by proteases leading to substrate discovery, thus initiating the field of degradomics. My lab has continued to pioneer innovative quantitative proteomic techniques and polymers-for-proteomics to enrich and identify proteolysis products in vivo, enabling the identification of protein natural N and C termini, proteolytic cleaved neo-N- and neo-C-termini, proteolytic proteoforms, and thereby understanding of the roles of proteases in vivo. Presently, my entire lab is using our degradomics platform to discover new substrates and pathobiological roles for the SARS CoV-2 3CLpro and PLpro proteases in COVID-19 with >350 host cell substrates identified and validated, with his recent determination of the nsp5/3CLpro Mpro interactome leading to new insight into the pathobiology of COVID-19.

He is an influential scientist (h-index of 110 in proteomics with >40,600 citations from 310 papers, including 30 high-impact Nature (1), Science (2), Cell and daughter journal (27) papers. He has trained 40 PDFs and graduated 14 Ph.D. and 5 M.Sc. students, with 9 now Full Professors, 5 Associate Professors, and 6 Assistant Professors.

Birgit Schilling

Professor and Director of the Mass Spectrometry Core, Buck Institute for Research on Aging, USA

I would very much like to become a member of the HUPO Council. I am very engaged with HUPO and have been over many years - even going back to 2008 when I attended HUPO in Amsterdam at the time. My role in the HUPO Council could engage in various different activities. I am very interested in mentoring young scientists (as I have been as US HUPO President from 2022-2023) and I review US NIH grants for young scientists on their path to independence (called K99 grants in the US), and I have already worked with Stuart Cordwell (Australia) to get international collaborations and scientific exchange initiated. I am also interested in promoting women scientists and scientists of ethnical minorities or from socioeconomically underprivileged countries. In my own lab we have a very diverse wonderful group of scientists. I grew up in Europe and I have been working in the US (San Francisco Bay Area) since 1998, so I have a very open global view for science and collaborations. With my potential role in the Council I would very much support our HUPO President Dr Van Eyk in all activities to promote global science exchange, collaborations, visiting scientist activities, and equal opportunities for all (including women and minorities of any kind).

I am also interested in moving scientific special interest topics forward, such as high throughput proteomics, clinical applications and analytical challenges and opportunities.

Olga Vitek 

Raymond Bradford Bradstreet Professor/Director-Barnett Institute for Chemical and Biological Analysis, Khoury College of Computer Sciences/Northeastern University, USA

As a HUPO member, I am committed to research and education at the intersection of computational sciences and proteomics. I would like to promote interdisciplinary research and educational opportunities that increase statistical and computational expertise of experimental scientists, and the understanding of the problems and of the data by computational scientists. This can be done by initiating interdisciplinary sessions at the main HUPO conference, as well as organizing dedicated events and short courses, and I have a lot of experience with these. I would also like to continue close interactions with scientists from under-represented origins and backgrounds, in particular with FeMS, and would like to support the activities of the ECR committee.



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