University of North Carolina at GreensboroUnited States
Plaxedes Chitiyo serves as Assistant Professor and Associate Director in the Department of Geography, Environment, and Sustainability at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He holds a Ph.D. in Environment Resources and Policy from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, an M.S. in Biology from Tennessee Technological University, and a B.S. in Agriculture and Natural Resources Management from Africa University. His research focuses on sustainable food systems, urban agriculture, environmental justice, and education for sustainable development. Chitiyo has published on topics ranging from community garden classifications in Allegheny County to NGO roles in organic agriculture in Zimbabwe. Courses taught include Introduction to Sustainability, Global Agriculture, and Equitable Food Systems. His work bridges environmental policy analysis with on-the-ground community initiatives, emphasizing food justice and culturally responsive sustainability strategies. Though no grants or awards are explicitly listed in the provided text, his publications demonstrate engagement with interdisciplinary research at local and global scales.
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUnited States
Anne Heinze Silvis is an academic professional affiliated with the University of Illinois, where she serves as Assistant Dean and Program Leader for Community and Economic Development at the University of Illinois Extension. She is also a Lecturer in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, teaching courses like Survey Design and Analysis and Introduction to Leadership Theory . Her work focuses on leadership development, community planning, and collaborative processes.
Dr. Alfonso A. Aranda is a Term Assistant Professor at the University of San Francisco, specializing in environmental justice and community engagement. His work bridges academic research with grassroots activism, particularly in agriculturally impacted and farmworker communities. He holds a PhD in Geography from UC Davis and has served as a Gerardo Marín Diversity Postdoctoral Fellow. His research emphasizes participatory methodologies, risk assessment, and policy advocacy. Education: PhD in Geography, UC Davis (2023) BA in History, UC Davis (2016) AA in History, Sacramento City College (2013) Research focuses on environmental health disparities, transdisciplinary approaches, and the intersection of social equity with environmental policy. Notable projects include the Knights Landing Environmental Health Project as Principal Investigator. His publications emphasize community-responsive activism, critical belonging frameworks, and policy-driven research. Awards: University of San Francisco Gerardo Marín Diversity Postdoctoral Fellowship (2022–2023) Advising and Grants: Mentored undergraduate and graduate students in environmental studies Principal Investigator for Knights Landing Environmental Health Project Labs/Teams: Collaborates with community-university partnerships in Northern California to advance environmental justice initiatives.
Robert Gilmore Pontius Jr. is a Professor at Clark University's Graduate School of Geography specializing in Geographic Information Science with expertise in Land Change Science , Simulation Modeling , and Statistical Analysis . He develops quantitative methods for spatial data analysis that are implemented in the TerrSet software suite. B.S. Mathematics & Economics , University of Pittsburgh (1984) M.S. Applied Statistics , Ohio State University (1989) Ph.D. Environmental Science , SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (1994) His research focuses on map comparison methodology and land change modeling , particularly addressing quantity disagreement and allocation disagreement in spatial data. He pioneered the Total Operating Characteristic (TOC) framework and advanced techniques for accuracy assessment in remote sensing . Recent publications analyze land category transitions , urban risk modeling , and multi-resolution map comparison . His work has received 19,000+ citations and been funded by NSF , NASA , and Edna Bailey Sussman Fund for research in Plum Island Ecosystems and Brazilian Cerrado Biome . Michael Breheny Prize (2005) Fulbright Scholar of Brazil Clark Labs research affiliate Scientific Advisory Board member, MapBiomas He teaches GIS & Land Change Models and GIS & Map Comparison , with student-created tutorials viewed internationally. He also performs as Doctor Stardust , a professional juggler who won the International Jugglers Association's People's Choice Award .
Dr. Bradley P. Marks, P.E., is a Professor of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at Michigan State University (MSU) with a dual appointment in Food Science and Human Nutrition. As Chairperson of the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering in the College of Engineering, he leads research in food safety engineering, focusing on microbial inactivation modeling and process validation for ready-to-eat foods. His work spans low-moisture foods, meat/poultry, and fresh produce, and has secured over $20M in federal and industry grants. Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering, Purdue University (1993) M.S. in Agricultural Engineering, Purdue University (1992) B.S. in Biosystems Engineering, Michigan State University (1989) Dr. Marks’ research encompasses: Thermal inactivation modeling for Salmonella and other pathogens Predictive microbiology uncertainty quantification Low-energy x-ray irradiation for food pasteurization Bacterial transfer/transport modeling in fresh-cut produce Thermal process validation for meat, poultry, and nut products Recent publications analyze Salmonella inactivation trends across food matrices and storage conditions. Awards include the MSU William J. Beal Outstanding Faculty Award (2017), multiple Withrow Teaching Awards (2002-2018), and the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (1989). He served as Biosystems Engineering Undergraduate Program Coordinator for 13 years, guiding ABET accreditation cycles. Scientific Awards: ASABE A.W. Farrall Young Educator Award (2006) CIC Academic Leadership Program Fellow (2013-2014) 20+ industry and academic partnership awards MSU Food Fellow
J. Terrence McCabe is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Colorado. With over 30 years of fieldwork experience, his research focuses on livelihood strategies, land use, and social-ecological dynamics among pastoral communities in Eastern Africa, particularly the Turkana of Kenya and Maasai of Tanzania. Education: PhD in Anthropology from SUNY Binghamton (1985) Current Projects: Principal Investigator on a multi-country study (Tanzania, Uganda, Namibia, Botswana) examining social, economic, and ecological impacts of conservation parks on adjacent communities Grants: Funded by the National Science Foundation and MacArthur Foundation His work bridges ecological anthropology, conservation studies, and development research, emphasizing: Drought resilience and climate adaptation Livelihood diversification through cultivation and migration Gender dynamics in technology adoption (e.g., mobile phones) Conflict and resource management in arid regions Recent publications highlight mobile technology's role in pastoral economies and the integration of agroforestry into traditional systems. His research demonstrates how: Pastoral communities navigate extreme climatic events Conservation policies affect human wellbeing Technological innovations reshape social networks Scientific Recognition: 2005 Julian Steward Award for Cattle Bring Us to Our Enemies , a seminal work on Turkana ecological systems As a scholar, he contributes to: Anthropological theory development Conservation policy evaluation Longitudinal studies of pastoralist transitions
Beth Gugino is a Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology at Pennsylvania State University's College of Agricultural Sciences. Her research focuses on the elucidation and management of plant diseases, particularly onion bacterial diseases and soil-borne pathogens, with an emphasis on sustainable practices such as cover cropping and organic soil amendments. She also leads efforts in computer-based disease forecasting for tomato and potato late blight. Her research interests span plant pathology , environmental microbiology , soil health , and sustainable agriculture . She investigates the impact of management practices on disease development and works to develop integrated strategies for disease control in specialty crops. Her work bridges laboratory research, field trials, and extension outreach to support growers. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in disease management , soil health improvement , and molecular characterization of plant pathogens . Her research spans bacterial and fungal diseases across crops including onion, potato, snap bean, hop, and cucurbits. She frequently collaborates on interdisciplinary teams and contributes to both applied and fundamental research in plant health. Beth Gugino holds leadership roles in academic administration, having been named Assistant Dean for Graduate Education in the College of Agricultural Sciences in 2022. She advises graduate students and is involved in shaping graduate education policy. While no specific grants are listed, her extensive publication record in high-impact journals suggests active research funding. She is affiliated with the Penn State Extension and contributes to outreach programs that deliver science-based information to agricultural producers. Her work supports the development of sustainable, economically viable, and environmentally sound crop production systems.
Kurt Teichert is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Environment and Society at Brown University. He teaches courses and advises students on sustainable design, environmental stewardship, urban infrastructure, and transportation technology and policy. Since 1992, he has managed Brown University's environmental education and advocacy initiative established in 1990, which connects student research to university operations to mitigate environmental impacts. Education M.A. (ad eundem) from Brown University M.Sc. in Agricultural and Resource Economics from Oregon State University B.A. from Franklin and Marshall College Research Focus Teichert’s work spans sustainable design in the built environment, environmental stewardship, and urban resilience. His expertise includes high-performance educational facilities, energy efficiency, and transportation policy, emphasizing systemic integration of sustainability into urban systems and infrastructure. Teaching ENVS 0070C - Transcending Transportation Impacts ENVS 1400 - Sustainable Design in the Built Environment ENVS 1580 - Environmental Stewardship and Resilience in Urban Systems Professional Affiliations Northeast Sustainable Energy Association RI Energy Efficiency & Resource Management Council Green Energy Consumers Alliance
Cristina Negri is the Director of the Environmental Science (EVS) Division at Argonne National Laboratory, overseeing environmental research conducted by approximately 160 staff and collaborators. Her work spans over 30 years, focusing on strategic programmatic direction for multidisciplinary projects in environmental remediation, stewardship, and sustainable technologies for urban and agricultural processes. Education: Dottore in Scienze Agrarie (Agricultural Sciences), University of Milan, 1981 Her research integrates bioenergy within working agricultural landscapes, addressing the food-energy-water-land nexus. She develops multifunctional landscape concepts designed to create ecosystem services through systems approaches rooted in industrial ecology and applied to water/land management and green infrastructure. Her publications reflect expertise in soil health, bioenergy crops, and environmental policy. Scientific Awards & Memberships: Fellow, CASE at University of Chicago Fellow, Northwestern University—Argonne Institute of Science and Engineering Soil Science Society of America AAAS Argonne Chief Research Officer Council member (2017-2019) Women in Science and Technology Program Initiator (2007-2010, Acting 2013) WIST Diversity Award (2014) Outstanding Postdoctoral Mentor Award Honorable Mention (2013) As a leader in environmental science, she has directed laboratory-to-field-scale projects, contributed to European environmental standards for agricultural commodities, and promoted diversity through Argonne's Women in Science and Technology Program.
John Clinton Stier serves as the Associate Dean for academic programs at the Herbert College of Agriculture, University of Tennessee. His responsibilities include leadership for advising, communications, employer relations, career development, enrollment, and student life and success, with oversight of undergraduate and graduate curriculum and assessments. He also maintains expertise in turfgrass science with a specialization in sports turf and environmental issues including pesticides, water quality, invasive species and carbon sequestration. Dr. Stier earned his Doctorate in Soil Science and Agronomy from Michigan State University in 1997, an MS in Plant Pathology from Ohio State University in 1991, and a BS in Agriculture from Ohio State University in 1988. His academic journey has led him from faculty positions at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he served as department chair, to his current administrative role at the University of Tennessee. An expert in turfgrass science, Dr. Stier's current research focuses on the FIFA World Cup 26 enclosed environments, LED lighting and player-to-surface interactions. His broader research examines environmental impacts and ecology of turfgrasses for lawns, roadsides, golf and sports turf, with areas of work including water use, carbon cycling, nutrient and pesticide movement, reduced maintenance, weed control, and invasiveness. His scholarly work shows a strong focus on sustainable turfgrass management, with recent publications addressing light optimization in indoor stadiums, economic analysis of turf maintenance, water conservation, carbon sequestration, and the environmental impacts of turf systems. Dr. Stier's administrative service includes chairing the Tenure, Promotion, and Performance Review Committee for the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, participating in SACS accreditation, space and classroom upgrades, and UTIA-UTK collaborations. Externally, he serves on the APLU Board for Agriculture Assembly, chairs the C-5 Crop Science Society division, and chairs the Environmental Quality Section of the American Society of Agronomy. He has also developed international MOUs and administered study abroad programs. As an educator, Dr. Stier teaches AGNR 480 'How to Feed the World,' PLSC 250 'World Food & Fiber Crops,' and co-teaches PLSC 456/556 'Turfgrass Weed Science' with Dr. Brosnan. His outreach efforts include Integrated Pest Management for K-12 schools, radio and mass media interviews, popular press and industry journals and webinars, and co-founding of the Wisconsin Sports Turf Managers Association.
Tom Daniels is the Crossways Professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Stuart Weitzman School of Design, where he directs the Land Use and Environmental Planning concentration and administers the Certificates in Land Preservation and Ecological Planning. A nationally recognized expert in farmland preservation, he frequently consults for governments and land trusts while serving on the Orton Family Foundation Board since 2005. His educational background includes: Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics, Oregon State University M.Sc. in Agricultural Economics, University of Newcastle (UK) B.A. in Economics, Harvard University Dr. Daniels' research centers on farmland preservation , growth management , and climate change adaptation , with pioneering work in Lancaster County's agricultural preservation program. His scholarship bridges policy and practice through case studies on land-water connections and sustainable development. His 2014-2023 publications reveal intensifying focus on climate-driven land use challenges, featuring innovative approaches like nature-based solutions and carbon offset systems. Key trends include urban-rural interface management, agricultural land retention strategies, and ecological planning integration across U.S. regions. Awards: Clarkson Chair (2010) As concentration director, he mentors students through certificate programs while leading research initiatives including Pennsylvania's Farmland Preservation Program analysis and Harford County land preservation studies. His grant-funded work spans climate adaptation frameworks and socio-ecological policy development. He directs Penn's Land Use and Environmental Planning concentration while advising the Orton Family Foundation, fostering practical applications of preservation strategies for small communities nationwide.
Arne Hallam is a Professor of Economics and Senior Associate Dean of Operations at Iowa State University's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, serving as Associate Dean for Finance and Operations since 2009. Previously, he chaired the Department of Economics from 2000 to 2009 and maintains dual affiliations with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. His administrative responsibilities span budget oversight, personnel management, promotion and tenure policies, international programs, and sustainability initiatives. Education: Ph.D. in Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California, Berkeley (1983) M.S. in Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California, Berkeley (1980) B.S. in Agricultural Economics, Brigham Young University (1977) Dr. Hallam's research integrates Agricultural Economics with Environmental and Resource Economics, emphasizing sustainability frameworks, risk analysis in agricultural systems, and ethical dimensions of resource allocation. His work bridges Industrial Organization theory with practical applications in energy markets and global food systems, while examining economies of scale in agricultural production and international educational models. Current projects focus on climate resilience economics and ethical justice frameworks in resource distribution. Honors and Awards: Valedictorian, College of Biological and Agricultural Sciences, Brigham Young University Outstanding Senior, Department of Agricultural Economics, Brigham Young University Willard D. Thompson Memorial Graduate Scholarship, University of California, Berkeley As a dedicated educator, Dr. Hallam has served as major professor for 26 graduate students and committee member for over 100 additional students while teaching 24 distinct courses spanning economic theory, mathematical economics, and agricultural ethics. His administrative leadership encompasses budget approvals, faculty hiring, international student programs, and sustainability initiatives including the Miller Lecture Series and campus green infrastructure projects. Research funding supports interdisciplinary collaborations through LASCASTLE (IT) proposals and international partnerships.
Seth M. Holmes is Chancellor's Professor of Medical Anthropology and Social Medicine at the University of California, Berkeley. He is a faculty member in the Graduate Program in Medical Anthropology and affiliated with the Department of Anthropology and the School of Public Health. Holmes co-directs the MD/PhD Track in Medical Anthropology (UCSF-UC Berkeley) and chairs the Berkeley Center for Social Medicine. Chancellor's Professor, UC Berkeley Co-Director, MD/PhD Track in Medical Anthropology Co-Chair, Berkeley Center for Social Medicine His research examines social hierarchies, health inequities, and their normalization through ethnography in transnational migration, agro-food systems, and healthcare. Key themes include racialization, gender and queer theory, structural vulnerability, and resistance to systemic oppression. His work bridges anthropology, public health, and social medicine, emphasizing structural competency in clinical training. Recent publications analyze pandemic responses, migration health, and structural violence. Articles span journals like BMJ Global Health , New England Journal of Medicine , and Global Public Health , addressing topics such as healthcare disparities, policy reform, and ethnographic methods. Scientific Awards: New Millennium Book Award Margaret Mead Award Textor Prize Holmes contributes to public discourse through media outlets like The Guardian , New York Times , and radio programs (NPR, PRI). He has co-authored case studies in social medicine and edited special issues on migration and health.
University of California, Los AngelesUnited States
Paola Giuliano is a Professor of Economics at the UCLA Anderson School of Management , holding the Chauncey J. Medberry Chair in Management . She was appointed Faculty Vice Chair of Academic Personnel in 2025 and maintains affiliations as a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research , Research Affiliate at the Centre for Economic Policy Research , and Research Fellow at the Institute for the Study of Labor . Ph.D. in Economics , 2003, UC Berkeley B.A. in Economics , summa cum laude, 1997, Bocconi University Her research focuses on Culture and Economics and Political Economy , examining how historical and cultural factors shape modern economic behavior, gender roles, and policy outcomes. Recent work explores the interplay of ancestral agricultural practices, trust dynamics, and educational equity. Her publications span top journals like the Quarterly Journal of Economics , Review of Economic Studies , and American Economic Review , with coverage in mainstream media outlets including the New York Times and The Economist . Scientific Awards : Young Economist Award (2004, EEA), IPUMS Research Award (2013) Giuliano’s lectures at global institutions (2025: CESifo Venice Summer Institute, 2024: Queen’s Business School Belfast) highlight her work on cultural persistence, migration impacts, and gender economics. She serves on editorial boards and collaborates with institutions like the Brookings Papers on Economic Activity .
John Qunjian Tian is a Professor of Government and International Relations at Connecticut College , where he has been a faculty member since 2000. His academic expertise spans Chinese political economy, East Asian political economy, and international political economy. Education: B.A./M.A. (Nanjing University), M.A./Ph.D. (Cornell University) Professor Tian’s research focuses on cross-Strait political economy, China’s regional development policies, and the societal impacts of China’s integration into the global economy. He has authored a book on interdependence and conflict across the Taiwan Strait and contributed to journals like Journal of Contemporary China and Canadian Journal of Development Studies . His recent work examines WTO-induced changes in Chinese agriculture and rural governance. Notable achievements include the 2016 John S. King Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching. He has also served on Connecticut College’s Education Planning Committee and previously taught at Nanjing University, Cornell University, and Sarah Lawrence College.
