Meet the Candidates!

Filippo Del Bene, PhD
Institut de la Vision/INSERM
Paris, France


Candidate Materials:

I feel honored to be nominated for the role of IZFS President and I would consider it a privilege to contribute to the growth of our society. Since my PhD I have been actively participating to the international zebrafish meetings where I could witness the tremendous scientific and technological developments that have characterized our community in the last two decades. My main scientific interest is the study of the development and function of neural circuits in the visual system and my laboratory has also recently contributed to the development of novel tools that have helped to expand the possibility of genetic manipulation in zebrafish and make our favorite model system even more attractive. 
I am currently serving as board member for the European Society for Fish Models in Biology and Medicine and I actively promote the use of zebrafish as model organism in basic biology and translational research by organizing meeting, participating to review panels and performing editorial responsibilities. 
If elected I will try to promote the following points:

•    First and foremost, I will uphold the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion that have defined our community since its beginning. I am fully aware of the current political challenges we face, and I recognize that this will not be an easy task. However, I firmly believe that, as IZFS, we must explore every possible avenue to continue thriving without compromising these fundamental values.
•    I will also work to continue to strengthen the communication and collaboration among IZFS, EZS, and ZDMS by promoting more coordinated efforts and, whenever possible, organizing joint meetings.

Finally, I am deeply indebted to our community for its collegial and supportive spirit that has allowed me to develop as a scientist, and to maintain these characteristics of our field will be my top priority. 

Karuna Sampath, PhD
University of Warwick,
Coventry, United Kingdom

Candidate Materials:

My research interests focus on the fundamental mechanisms underlying embryonic, extra-embryonic and germline development, and I am a strong advocate for discovery science. I have worked with Zebrafish since I was a doctoral student in 1989 (PhD Supervisor: Gary W Stuart). I have seen the community grow and flourish to the force it is today. I have worked in three continents at various stages of my career – as a graduate student and postdoctoral fellow in the USA, as a career development fellow and principal investigator in Singapore, and now as an established group leader in the United Kingdom. Throughout my career, I have benefitted immensely from the friendship, collegiality and collaborative spirit of the Zebrafish community across the world. I have especially enjoyed interacting with early career researchers and seeing them blossom into active members of the Zebrafish community.

I see serving as President of the IZFS as an opportunity to give back to the community that has supported me over the years. Building on the work by pioneers of the Zebrafish community, I will work to bring together and support existing researchers as well as emerging, blossoming communities throughout the world.

I will contribute towards the splendid work done by the IZFS by

• fostering interactions between Zebrafish researchers across continents & disciplines
• advocating knowledge generation
• being a “voice” for the community
• building bridges to other societies
• training the next generation of Zebrafish researchers
• building and maintaining shared resources
• ensuring fair and sustainable activities
• reducing legislative barriers for working with fish, and
• garnering support from funding agencies.

Candidate Biography:

Karuna Sampath is a Professor at Warwick Medical School, UK and Director of the Warwick-A*STAR Singapore doctoral programme. Her group focusses on the fundamental mechanisms that control embryonic, extra-embryonic and germline development using the Zebrafish as a model organism and through a variety of approaches including genetics, genome engineering, imaging, computational modelling, biochemistry, and novel chemistries. Karuna received her undergraduate degree from the University of Delhi, India. Following her master’s degree (MS University, Vadodara, India), she trained as a doctoral student at Indiana State University, USA with Dr. Gary W Stuart. This was her induction into Zebrafish, now a lifelong passion. As a postdoctoral fellow, she made a brief foray into Xenopus development in the laboratory of Christopher Wright (Vanderbilt University) and continued with Zebrafish embryonic development in the laboratory of Vladimir Korzh in Singapore. She started her independent group at the Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory Singapore and held adjunct appointments with the National University of Singapore and the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore until 2014, when her group relocated to the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom, where her group continues to focus on regulation of early development. Karuna has collaborated with numerous Zebrafish groups across the world (e.g., Marnie Halpern, Lila Solnica-Krezel, Shawn Burgess, Christoph Winkler, Masahiko Hibi, Koichi Kawakami etc.). She has trained many students and postdoctoral fellows, many of whom have continued to work with zebrafish, and others have transitioned to industry or higher education. Karuna currently serves as a member of the IZFS newsletter committee, where she mentors early career researchers in writing “Science spotlight” articles featuring a recent method or technological advance of interest to the Zebrafish research community.

 Service:

• I served as a Board member of the International Zebrafish Society (IZFS) as a European representative from 2019 – 2022.
• I have served on the IZFS News splash committee since 2020, where I mentor early career researcher in writing “Science spotlight- technical advance” articles.
• I have co-organised and taught in Zebrafish & Medaka Practical Workshops in Singapore and Japan.
• My laboratory has generated and deposited >200 transposon insertion lines to the European Zebrafish Resource Centre.
• I have served on the organizing committees for the International, Asia-Oceania and European Zebrafish Conferences.
• I served as a member of the European Zebrafish Society (EZS) board from 2019 – 2022.
• I am a Vice-Chair of the EZS board (2023 - present).

Patrick Amoateng, PhD
University of Ghana
Ghana

Candidate Materials:

Candidate Statement:

Professor Patrick Amoateng is a pioneering figure in the field of zebrafish research in Africa, with a focus on drug discovery for epilepsy and neurological diseases. Their journey began with winning a seed grant in 2017 and a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Oxford, specializing in zebrafish models. This was followed by a groundbreaking Grand Challenge Grant in collaboration with the University of Sheffield, where they explored anticonvulsant molecules from medicinal plants using zebrafish as model organisms.

In 2023, Professor Amoateng utilized Erasmus Plus Mobility funding to train technicians at the University of Sheffield in advanced zebrafish husbandry techniques. He subsequently initiated the establishment of a state-of-the-art zebrafish facility at the University of Ghana, supported by a donation from the Max Perutz Lab in Vienna. Upon completion, this facility will be the largest of its kind in West Africa, if not the entire continent.

Professor Amoateng has been instrumental in promoting zebrafish research in Africa, organizing workshops funded by the International Brain Research Organisation and delivering keynote addresses at the European Zebrafish Husbandry Association conferences. He is a founding executive member of the Zebrafish African Network (ZeFAN), dedicated to advancing zebrafish research across the continent.

With his extensive international collaborations and leadership in establishing cutting-edge facilities, Professor Amoateng aims to serve as a key liaison for African efforts within the International Zebrafish Society, driving innovation and collaboration in zebrafish research.

Candidate Biography:

Professor Patrick Amoateng is an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology at the School of Pharmacy, University of Ghana. A licensed and practicing pharmacist, he has been a member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana since 2007. He holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree and a PhD in Pharmacology, with a specialization in neuropharmacology.

In April 2007, he received the Pharmacy and Ethics Awards in recognition of his outstanding performance in the Pharmacy Council’s Professional Qualifying Examinations (December 2006). He joined the University of Ghana as a Lecturer in 2011 and quickly rose through the academic ranks, becoming a Senior Lecturer in 2013 and an Associate Professor in 2020.

Professor Amoateng has secured multiple research grants from both local and international funding bodies. He has also been awarded several prestigious postdoctoral fellowships, including the CV Raman Postdoctoral Fellowship for African Scientists (India, 2013), the International Brain Research Organisation Fellowship (University of Warwick, UK, 2017), and the Building Africa’s Next Generation of Academics (BANGA) fellowship supported by the Carnegie Corporation (University of Oxford, UK, 2018).

He currently serves as President of the Ghana Neuroscience Society and is a former President of the Society for Neuroscientists of Africa (SONA). He also holds the position of Executive Secretary (President) of the Western Africa Network of Natural Product Research Scientists (WANNPRES), becoming the second Ghanaian, after the late Professor Marian Ewurama Addy, to lead the 20-year-old organization.

Professor Amoateng is the lead investigator of a pioneering zebrafish research project aimed at transforming drug discovery efforts in Africa. He has authored over 60 peer-reviewed journal articles and two books and serves as an Associate Editor of BMC Complementary Medicines and Therapies.

Carola Niesler, PhD
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)

Candidate Materials: 

I am honoured to be nominated as the Africa Director for the IZFS Board of Directors. I am an academic in the Discipline of Biochemistry at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), South Africa.  I am relatively new to zebrafish research as my primary focus has traditionally been stem cells and cellular products in regeneration and disease. However, in 2019, I was part of a small team that established a Zebrafish Research Facility (ZRF) at UKZN. The ZRF is now fully functional and successfully serves as a platform for a range of research activities, contributing to postgraduate student training and research publications, while also providing a service to scientists beyond UKZN. 

I have been part of the IZFS Committee for Broadening Scientific Engagement (previously the DEI Committee) since 2021 and recently stepped in as Chair of this committee. My vision is that, though entities such as the IZFS, I can assist in establishing the necessary links and networks which can then benefit younger zebrafish researchers across Africa. I am passionate about promoting skills development and building diverse human capital through the establishment of collaborative networks in South Africa, Africa and beyond. To this end, I am currently involved in organizing a Genome Editing and Transgenics workshop (which would be based at our ZRF), with the assistance of colleagues from within the IZFS and TREND in Africa. 

If elected, I hope to utilize the opportunity to further promote the development of a critical mass of zebrafish researchers and associated expertise on the African continent.

Candidate Biography:

Carola is an Associate Professor of Biochemistry in the College of Agriculture, Science and Engineering, at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), South Africa. She completed her PhD at the University of Cambridge, UK. She has a particular interest in the role of disease environments in modifying the ability of stem and somatic cells to communicate effectively during bouts of regeneration. As one of the five PI’s of the Afrocentric Precision Approach to Control Health Epidemics (APACHE) UKZN Research Flagship, she was central to the establishment of the UKZN Zebrafish Research Facility and is utilising models of diabetes in zebrafish to understand the link between anti-retroviral therapy and this non-communicable disease. She is currently the chair of the IZFS’s Committee for Broadening Scientific Engagement, and co-founded the Zebrafish African Network (ZeFAN).

Sudipto Roy, PhD
Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology

Candidate Materials: 

I studied for a Ph.D. with K. VijayRaghavan at the National Centre for Biological Sciences in India, working on the genetics of muscle and neuronal development with Drosophila (1993-1998). The large scale forward genetic screens with the zebrafish were completed towards the end of my Ph.D. studies (1996), and I realized that the zebrafish is an organism where Drosophila-like genetics could be used to unravel important issues pertaining to vertebrate development and physiology. With this in mind I joined Phil Ingham at Sheffield University, UK, in 1998, supported by an international post-doctoral fellowship from the Wellcome Trust. Here, in collaboration with excellent colleagues like Christian Wolff, Sarah Baxendale, Yoshihiro Nakano and Kate Lewis, we analysed and positionally cloned three mutants that were discovered in the Tuebingen screens – iguana, chameleon and u-boot. We found that iguana encodes a novel protein in the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway, while chameleon encodes Dispatched1 required for release of Hh from secreting cells and u-boot encodes Blimp1, a SET domain transcription factor that specifies slow muscle fate.

After my post-doctoral studies, I moved to the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Singapore in 2002, and continued to work on Hedgehog signalling and muscle development with the zebrafish fish. Over the years, we have made several contributions to these areas that include the cloning and characterisation of Kif7, a ciliary kinesin in the Hh pathway, establishing the Iguana/Dzip1 protein as a ciliary basal body component and the cell biological and genetic analysis of myocyte fusion. Our current research interest focuses on cilia and ciliary disorders. We have uncovered the master regulatory roles of Foxj1, Gmnc and Mcidas proteins in the ciliary transcriptional program and used the zebrafish to model a variety of ciliopathies ranging from heterotaxy syndromes to polycystic kidney disease. In sum, my involvement with the zebrafish for more than 25 years has allowed me to witness and utilize the full breadth of research capabilities with this organism – from forward genetic screens and positional cloning in the early days, to morpholinos that were in vogue few years ago and now precise genome editing with the CRISPR/Cas9 technology. I have trained several students and post-docs some of who are now leading their own research groups. This includes Dr. YU Xianwen and Xianmen University in China and Dr. Caroline Wee at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Singapore.

Furthermore, during all of this time, I have participated in and promoted activities of benefit to the zebrafish community, particularly the Asia-Oceania region. This includes regular attendance of the Asia-Oceania zebrafish meetings that are held in different countries in the region, as well as organization of one such meeting in Singapore, which was a great success. In addition, I have strong connections with India, where zebrafish research is gradually developing. I advised the setting up of a zebrafish facility at a new human genetics institute, the National Institute of Biomedical Genomics, in Kalyani and I am currently involved in establishing another one at the Centre for High Impact Neuroscience and Translational Applications.

Given all of these engagements with the Asian zebrafish researchers, it will be a privilege for me to represent the community at the IZFS to bring across issues faced by researchers in the region.

Service:

a)   In-charge of one of the largest AAALAC (Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International) certified zebrafish facilities in Asia with 5000 tanks at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Singapore (2012-2025)
b)   Co-organizer of the 7th Asia-Oceania zebrafish meeting, Singapore (October 1-4, 2016)
c)    Co-organizer of the 13th International Zebrafish Research Conference, Madison (June 20-24, 2018)
d)   Co-editor of book entitled “Live imaging techniques in the zebrafish” (World Scientific Press, 2010)
e)   Co-organizer of the Singapore Zebrafish Meeting (September 28, 2019)
f)    Co-organizer of the 11th Strategic Conference of Zebrafish Investigators, Singapore (January 14-17, 2026)
g)    Ad hoc reviewer of papers involving zebrafish research from journals such as Development, Developmental Dynamics, Journal of Cell Biology, PLoS One, PLoS Biology, BMC Developmental Biology, Developmental Biology, Differentiation, Nature, PNAS, Nature Genetics, Nature Cell Biology, EMBO Reports, eLife, PLoS Genetics, Scientific Reports, Journal of Clinical Investigation, BMC Evolutionary Biology and Current Biology.
h)   Reviewer of grant proposals involving zebrafish research from international and local funding agencies like the Wellcome Trust (UK), Ministry of Education (Singapore) and the French National Research Agency (France).
i)     Regular participant in the Singapore Science Festival to showcase zebrafish research to public
j)     Member, IZFS
k)    Member of the awards committee of IZFS

Dhoolappa Melinamani, MVSc, PhD, INSA Visiting Fellow, Swachata Sarathi Fellow, DST
Veterinary College Kvafsu


Candidate Materials:

Candidate Statement:

As a passionate advocate for zebrafish research and science communication, I am honored to stand for election as Regional Director - Central & South Asia for the International Zebrafish Society (IZFS). With over a decade of experience in BioInnovations, zebrafish models, and animal morphology, I am committed to promoting the advancement of zebrafish research and its applications.

As a member of the IZFS Board, I aim to:

• Foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing among zebrafish researchers in Central & South Asia
• Promote the use of zebrafish models in biomedical research and education
• Support the development of early-career researchers and scientists in the region
• Enhance the visibility and impact of IZFS in the global zebrafish community

With my expertise, passion, and dedication, I am confident that I can make a meaningful contribution to the IZFS Board and serve the interests of the zebrafish community in Central & South Asia. I look forward to the opportunity to serve and support the IZFS membership.

Biography:

As a seasoned BioInnovator and researcher, I specialize in BioInnovations, focusing on zebrafish models and animal morphology. My research has yielded 40 publications in esteemed journals.

Education:

• PhD in Veterinary Anatomy & Histology, KVAFSU, Bidar
• MVSc in Veterinary Anatomy & Histology, UAS, Dharwad
• BVSc & AH, UAS, Bangalore

Experience:

• Assistant Professor, Veterinary College, Shivamogga KVAFSU (2012-present)
• Veterinary Surgeon, Dept of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, GOK (2006-2012)

Expertise:

I am an innovator with a strong passion for science communication and public engagement. With over a decade of experience in BioInnovations, I have developed expertise in zebrafish models, animal morphology, and science communication.

Mahendra Sonawane, PhD
Department of Biological Sciences
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research

Candidate Materials:

I am honoured to be nominated as a candidate for the IZFS Board, representing the Central and South Asia region.

My journey with zebrafish research began 25 years ago, during my postdoctoral work in the laboratory of Prof. Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard in 2000. Since then, I have dedicated my scientific career to studying epithelial architecture, using the zebrafish epidermis as a model system. Over the past 18 years, my group at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in Mumbai has made significant contributions to understanding the mechanisms underlying the establishment and maintenance of epithelial tissues.

Since returning to India in 2008, I have played an active role in building the zebrafish research community across the country. My lab has supported several emerging laboratories by sharing reagents, zebrafish strains, and training in zebrafish-specific methodologies. The community has grown from 2-3 fish groups in 2008 to about 30 groups that work in areas of basic research. In addition, there are many more groups that use zebrafish in fisheries research, pharmacy colleges and environmental research institutes. In 2014, I co-organized the first Indian Zebrafish Meeting, which has since become a biennial event, even featuring participation from both European and Asian researchers. More recently, we launched an annual training workshop at TIFR focused on zebrafish husbandry and genetics. This program has trained around 50 researchers from fisheries institutes, state and central universities, pharmacy colleges, research organizations, and veterinary institutions.

As a member of the IZFS Board, I intend to extend these initiatives beyond India and engage the broader Central and South Asian region. I will make active efforts in inviting researchers from these areas to participate in Indian zebrafish meetings. In addition, we will reserve a few places for the researchers in the central and south Asia region for the annual training workshop that we conduct at the institutes. I am also a co-founder of a new platform named Advanced Research Unit on Metabolism Ageing and Development, which brings the basic biologists and clinicians together to address the impact of malnutrition in the country. Through this initiative, we are promoting zebrafish as a valuable model for nutritional and intestinal research and have already initiated relevant studies. This platform also offers opportunities to connect with clinicians and researchers across Asia, enabling broader outreach and collaborations on zebrafish research. Being part of the IZFS Board will strengthen these efforts and IZFS will serve as an ideal platform to coordinate regional initiatives. Importantly, it will also help Indian and international zebrafish researchers to work toward bringing one of the international zebrafish meetings to India within the next 3–4 years—an important step for the community’s growth and visibility in this region.

Hiromi Hirata, Ph.D.
Professor, Aoyama Gakuin University, Japan


Candidate Materials:

Candidate Statement:

I am Hiromi Hirata, a Professor at Aoyama Gakuin University in Japan. I am honored to submit my candidacy for the position of East Asia Regional Representative on the Board of the International Zebrafish Society (IZFS). With over two decades of experience in zebrafish research, my work has focused on elucidating the mechanisms underlying motor development, Mauthner cell plasticity, and neurological disorders. Throughout my career, I have remained deeply committed to fostering international collaboration and mentoring the next generation of scientists—values that align closely with the IZFS’s mission to advance zebrafish research worldwide while promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Details on my academic background and publications can be found at the following site: https://researchmap.jp/hihirata?lang=en

Academic and Professional Background:

My academic journey began with a Ph.D. in Science from Kyoto University in 2000, where I studied collagens in cultured mammalian cells. I then completed a three-year postdoctoral fellowship in Japan, focusing on mouse somitogenesis. I subsequently transitioned to the zebrafish model during my postdoctoral work at the University of Michigan, where I investigated motor mutants. I later served as an Assistant Professor at Nagoya University and as an Associate Professor at the National Institute of Genetics, where I explored motor circuit development with a focus on the plasticity and dysfunction of glycinergic synapses in zebrafish. I generated multiple transgenic zebrafish lines and successfully visualized the activity-dependent clustering of glycine receptors in Mauthner cells as a crucial mechanism behind escape plasticity. Currently, I am a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biological Science and serve as Director of the Institute for Gerontology at Aoyama Gakuin University. My lab focuses on the functional genomics of neural development, neurodevelopmental disorders, and developmental toxicology using zebrafish. Additionally, I have contributed to the establishment and genetic characterization of zebrafish strains, including the healthy inbred line M-AB and the wild-type closed colony RW.

Leadership and Service:

I have played active roles in organizing international conferences to promote zebrafish research. Notably, I served on the Organizing Committee for the 2024 International Zebrafish Conference (IZFC) in Kyoto, Japan, and the 2022 IZFC in Montreal, Canada. I also participated as a member of the Organizing Committee for the Strategic Conference of Zebrafish Investigators (SCZI) held at Asilomar in 2015 and 2017.

Mentorship and Education:

One of my core commitments is the education and mentorship of early-career researchers. Over the years, I have mentored more than 100 undergraduate and graduate students, many of whom have pursued successful careers in academia and industry. I have also actively promoted gender equity and diversity in STEM fields through institutional and personal initiatives. I believe that East Asia has a pivotal role to play in expanding global engagement in zebrafish community.

Final Statement:

I bring to this role a strong commitment to zebrafish research, a robust background in interdisciplinary science, and a collaborative mindset grounded in academic excellence and community engagement. I look forward to partnering with colleagues around the world to further enrich, diversify, and strengthen our global zebrafish community.

Carmen Feijoo, PhD
Universidad Andres Bello

Candidate Materials:

I am deeply honored to be nominated as a candidate to represent Latin America and the Caribbean on the IZFS Board. My introduction to zebrafish came during my PhD training in developmental biology, and since then, it has remained central to my research. Since 2010, I have been an independent researcher at Andrés Bello University in Santiago, Chile, where we focus on mucosal immune responses.

If elected, I will actively support the mission of IZFS by promoting zebrafish as a powerful system not only for answering fundamental biological questions related to human health but also for advancing applied research in biomedicine, toxicology, veterinary sciences, and aquaculture. I will also advocate for increased visibility of the unique challenges faced by zebrafish researchers in Latin America and the Caribbean, challenges that extend beyond limited funding and access to advanced equipment. Geographic isolation from major research hubs also creates barriers to attending international meetings and establishing collaborations. Addressing these disparities is essential to fostering inclusion and boosting research productivity in our region.

Beyond research, I am passionate about science outreach and education. I believe that zebrafish offer an exceptional opportunity to make biology more tangible and inspiring for schoolchildren and the general public.

I would be honored to contribute to the zebrafish community by serving on the IZFS Board, working collaboratively to promote diversity, equity, access, and scientific innovation across all regions.

Flavio R. Zolessi, PhD
Universidad de la República

Candidate Materials:

I am deeply honored to be a nominee for the IZFS Board in representation of Latin America and the Caribbean, as a Regional Director.

Since the moment I discovered zebrafish as an early graduate student during an international training course in Chile, 26 years ago, I have been in love with the possibilities this species gives researchers in all areas of biology. At that time, even if already a very well established experimental species, it was something really new in this part of the world. Eventually, I was lucky enough to get a postdoctoral position in the UK to work on retinal differentiation in zebrafish, and it became my goal to introduce the species for research in Uruguay upon my return to the country, which I managed to timidly start doing around 2008. Two things happened a couple of years later that completely sealed my fate: 1- the need of other colleagues in the country to start doing some experiments in the fish, leading to the eventual raise of enough funds to install a small fish facility; 2- the opening of a call for funding the initial meeting for a regional network, that took me to contact the very few colleagues I knew worked on zebrafish in Argentina, Brazil and Chile. We decided to apply to this call and to launch a regional network we called LAZEN (the Latin American Zebrafish Network). To our amazement, we managed to join around 20 research groups, whose PIs and a few students came to the meeting, from these four countries alone. The eventual contact with researchers in other countries led to a network integrated by more than 50 research groups, that successfully managed to organize biennial training courses and scientific meetings until 2018. A traumatic failed attempt to organize the 10-year celebration course and meeting in Perú in March 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemics, sadly lead to the current state of network dismemberment. However, the need for regional students training and opportunities for all researchers to meet regionally is still not only evident, but even more pressing than before.

I expect that this long introduction serves as my presentation as a person who is profoundly aware of the importance of networking and collaboration for progress to take place. This is particularly relevant in regions like Latin America and the Caribe for many reasons. First, research funding is in general scarce in our countries, with inequalities that are absolutely outrageous in some cases. Second, there is a tremendous geographic distance handicap, in two aspects: 1- most of the region is too far away from the larger research and production centers in the northern hemisphere, making all interactions and purchases extremely costly in money and time; 2- the large size of the region itself makes distance a big challenge when trying to interact (there are more than 10.700 km in straight line from Tijuana to Ushuaia), and regional plane travels are more expensive here than in more densely-populated areas of the world. Most of you have probably seen very few of us at the International Zebrafish Conferences, which is not due to little interest or too few researchers, but mainly to these challenging conditions. It is very difficult to solve these issues from the IZFS, but I believe that some alternative measures could aid to the development of zebrafish research in Latin America and the Caribe, like fostering the re-establishment of some sort of network or association like LAZEN (if not LAZEN itself). These alternatives should include ways for regional researchers and students to feel part of the IZFS even when many of them will not be able to afford the annual membership or, even less, the high cost for the travel and registration to attend the IZFC. Knowing that my recent predecessors have attempted to achieve this, the least I can do is to commit myself to continue working towards the goal of integrating our region to the Society. Finally, also knowing the difficulties and the probably long waiting list, in case of being elected I will promote the organization of an IZFC in Latin America, ideally in one of the Southern countries, as I am convinced that the best way of integrating these remote areas is to bring the great world-wide zebrafish science to them.

Biography:

Flavio R. Zolessi obtained his degree (1995), Master’s (1998) and PhD (2003) in Biology at Universidad de la República, in Montevideo, Uruguay, and had his postdoctoral training at Bill Harris’ lab in Cambridge, UK, between 2003 and 2006. He is currently Associate Professor of Cell Biology, at Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, as well as Investigator Grade 4 at PEDECIBA and Investigator Level II of the National Investigators System, all in Uruguay. He leads a small group, mainly integrated by graduate students, whose research is focused on the relationship between cell polarity and neural differentiation in vertebrates, concentrating on polarity transition processes, such as those found during neurulation and in neuronal differentiation, largely using the zebrafish as an experimental system.

In addition, he is currently President of the Uruguayan Society for Neuroscience (SNU), part of the Latin American Regional Committee of IBRO (IBRO-LARC) and board member of the Latin American Society of Developmental Biology (LASDB). He has previously been head and member of the board of the Latin American Zebrafish Network (LAZEN) and President of the Uruguayan Society of Biosciences (SUB). In this context, he has been part of the organizing committees of several national and regional courses and meetings. Of remark, he was part of the organizing committee for the 17th International Zebrafish Conference (IZFC) in Montreal, Canada (2022).

Alexa Burger, PhD
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Candidate Materials:

Candidate Statement:

I am truly honored to be considered for the position as Regional Representative for the United States and Canada of the International Zebrafish Society (IZFS). I have been part of the zebrafish research community and IZFS since my postdoctoral training, gaining over fifteen years of experience in disease modeling, developmental biology, and translational research. I am deeply committed to our community by contributing tools, providing service and offering mentorship.

I began using zebrafish for my research in 2008, and using this powerful model organism has significantly shaped my academic career. I am actively involved in supporting our community by establishing next-generation genetic tools for the zebrafish community, including collaborative efforts that expanded the tol2 kit and generated novel safe-harbor landing sites, and by generating a web-based zebrafish toxicology atlas. In addition, I organize workshops and symposiums for national and international meetings, such as the International Zebrafish Conference, the Strategic Conference of Zebrafish Investigators, the Zebrafish Disease Models Meeting, and the Society of Developmental Biology. I also serve on my university’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) to help researchers who use zebrafish for their experiments to streamline their protocol applications. Through these efforts, I demonstrate my dedication to fostering collaborative efforts, sharing knowledge, and standardizing practices, which all aid in increasing the visibility and impact of our field. 

At the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, I chair the Human Medical Genetics and Genomics PhD program curriculum committee. I am also training faculty for two PhD programs and participate as a mentor in the Women in STEM program. Additionally, I am an advisor of the Early Career Leadership Program at the Genetics Society of America. In total, I have mentored over 50 trainees, including postdocs, graduate students, technical staff, and undergraduates, highlighting my commitment to career development and education, which I hope will result in an accomplished and skilled next generation of zebrafish researchers.

If chosen as Regional Representative, I will actively support our US and Canadian communities on a national and international level. I aim to advocate strongly for career development, equity, and collaboration, and will represent our regional strengths within the larger IZFS mission. I intend to bring a proactive, considerate approach to my work, based on scientific rigor, transparency, and a passion for collaboration and mentorship.

I hope you will consider my candidacy and support my campaign to become the Regional Representative for the United States and Canada of the International Zebrafish Society (IZFS).

Biography:

I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Orthopedics, School of Medicine, at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. I am interested in studying the molecular mechanisms of development and disease, with key focus on mesodermal lineages, skeletal anomalies, and disease variant discovery. I also heavily invest into advancing genetic tools for zebrafish research that aid in studying mechanisms of vertebrate development and human disease.

I started my scientific career by earning a Master’s degree in biology in my hometown, Karlsruhe, Germany, just around the time the first zebrafish researchers arrived at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) where I was attending my classes. I then continued my career by pursuing a PhD at the University of Zurich and Children’s Hospital Zurich, Switzerland, where I studied the molecular basis of pediatric kidney tumors, in particular Wilms tumor, using mice as a model. I then continued working on Wilms tumor during my postdoc in Boston at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center. But after a while, being in this scientifically stimulating environment where seemingly everybody was using zebrafish for their research, I diverged out and started to use zebrafish for my research as well. And since then, I am hooked on this unbelievably amazing model organism!    

Over the years, I feel my research was, and still is constantly developing and incorporating new ideas, with a focus on three approaches: 1) defining cis-regulatory elements of tissue-specific genes to identify their involvement in vertebrate development, in particular the notochord and intervertebral discs, as well as associated diseases, such as intervertebral disc disease, 2) using genome editing to generate disease-associated alleles to inform about future disease outcome and secondary effects, and 3) assessing the genotype-phenotype association of mutations involved in disease. As an example, we recently identified three Brachyury-bound, notochord-specific shadow enhancers that are conserved among vertebrates and could pose as important fate-sensors for nucleus pulposus-like cells, notochord organoids and IVD tissue.

Overall, I am grateful for my scientific path and the choices I made (good or bad!), even though I never knew when I moved to a new place, how it would be, who I would meet, or what would come out of it - but they certainly got me to where I am today! And so, I continue to generate novel insights and genetic tools towards a better understanding of developmental mechanisms and how they are redeployed during disease.

Ruben Marin Juez, PhD
University of Montreal

Candidate Materials:

Candidate Statement:

It is an honor to be nominated for a position on the IZFS Board as United States & Canada representative. The IZFS plays a central role in connecting and supporting a vibrant global community of zebrafish researchers, and I am excited at the opportunity to contribute to this mission.

Over 15 years ago, when I was first introduced to the zebrafish model, I quickly recognized its extraordinary power to transform our understanding of biology.

For over a decade, I have used the zebrafish model to study how the heart responds to injury and how it can regenerate. My lab’s work seeks to understand how cells communicate and coordinate to rebuild damaged tissue through collaborative and interdisciplinary research.

Since I moved to Canada, I have been committed to promoting the zebrafish model and building a stronger, more connected research community. Recognizing the need for greater visibility and collaboration among zebrafish researchers, I co-organized the first two Canadian Zebrafish Meetings, which provided a platform for knowledge exchange and networking. I also helped establish the Canadian Zebrafish Research Community under the umbrella of the IZFS, for which I have served as president. Through this role, we have led multiple initiatives aimed at increasing the visibility of zebrafish research, facilitating technology and reagent sharing, and fostering collaborative opportunities. These efforts reflect my dedication to creating an inclusive and dynamic hub for zebrafish science in Canada and beyond. Also, I actively contribute to the International Society for Regenerative Biology as a member of the Webinar Committee, where I work to highlight emerging voices in the field and give visibility to cutting-edge zebrafish research. I am strongly committed to supporting young scientists, creating opportunities for them to present their work and connect with the community. In addition, I have helped organize a number of international conferences and specialized workshops, all with the goal of fostering scientific exchange, building collaborative networks, and accelerating discovery in the field of regeneration.

If elected to the IZFS Board, I will work to:

• Expand opportunities for young scientists to engage in leadership, collaboration, and career development.
• Promote international partnerships and raise the profile of zebrafish research in broader scientific and medical communities.
• Support open science initiatives and knowledge-sharing platforms to accelerate discovery and innovation.
• Strengthen our community’s commitment to inclusivity, sustainability, and public engagement.
• The zebrafish community has long been known for its openness, creativity, and spirit of collaboration. I would be proud to help carry that legacy forward through service on the IZFS Board.