Olli Dahl is a Professor at Aalto University's Department of Forest Products Technology, specializing in Clean Technologies and Environmental Management. His work focuses on waste valorization, biorefinery processes, and sustainable resource utilization. Key areas include microplastic dynamics in composting systems, biochar applications for heavy metal decontamination, and optimization of mineral processing with recycled water. Research highlights include an international award for biorefinery innovation and groundbreaking studies on nickel recovery in flotation processes. He leads interdisciplinary projects addressing water quality impacts on ore processing and thermochemical conversion of agricultural residues into bioenergy. Dahl's recent work emphasizes closing material loops through circular bioeconomy strategies and advancing sustainable industrial practices. Awards: 2015 International Biorefinery Competition 2nd Place (Ministry of Employment & Economy, Finland) Key Themes: Waste-to-resource systems, industrial water management, bio-based materials, and metallurgical sustainability
Professor Bing-Jie (Bruce) Ni is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) within the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and a full Professor at UNSW Sydney. He is an internationally recognised leader in environmental engineering, wastewater treatment, greenhouse-gas mitigation, microplastics fate, electrocatalysis and sustainable energy systems. Education PhD in Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei (2005–2009) Research Interests Professor Ni’s research integrates process engineering, microbial biotechnology, materials science and mathematical modelling to develop sustainable technologies for high-efficiency pollutant removal, minimal carbon footprint and maximal energy recovery from wastewater. He is a global pioneer in: Modelling and control of nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄) emissions from wastewater systems, Micro- and nano-plastics ecotoxicity and mitigation in anaerobic digestion, Transforming sewage sludge into high-value liquid bio-energy (medium-chain fatty acids and long-chain alcohols), Designing cost-effective electrocatalysts from natural minerals for green hydrogen production and wastewater electrolysis. Research Output & Impact Over the last decade he has published 2 research books, 30 book chapters and >400 refereed journal papers , including 35 in Environmental Science & Technology and 85 in Water Research . His work has influenced global policy: the IPCC adopted his nitrous-oxide-emission model in 2019 to revise national greenhouse-gas inventories for the first time in 13 years. Awards & Recognition ARC Future Fellowship & ARC DECRA Fellowship Clarivate Analytics Highly Cited Researcher (Web of Science) Royal Society of Chemistry Highly Cited Researcher (2020–present) Mendeley Data Top 2 % Cited Researchers worldwide Listed among “Australia’s Most Innovative Engineers” (Engineers Australia, 2018) 50+ additional awards including Scopus Young Researcher Award, South Australian Water Awards, UQ Research Excellence Awards, and Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Awards. Research Funding & Leadership He has secured ≈ AUD $10 million in competitive funding (six major ARC grants plus >20 government, university and industry projects). He serves as: Lead Guest Editor, Water Research Editorial Advisory Board, Environmental Science & Technology Associate Editor for Journal of Cleaner Production , Environmental Chemistry Letters , Environmental Research , Journal of Environmental Management Editorial Board member for five additional high-impact journals. Teaching & Supervision At UTS he teaches Renewable Energy Technologies , Environmental and Sanitation Engineering , Process Dynamics and Control , and Water and Wastewater Treatment . He is available to supervise Masters and PhD students in environmental biotechnology, process modelling and sustainable energy systems. Laboratory & Commercial Translation He heads active research teams at both UNSW and UTS and is the inventor of >10 granted patents , some of which are currently being commercialised to deliver real-world impacts in greenhouse-gas-neutral wastewater treatment and renewable energy production.
Virginia Davis is the Dr. Daniel F. and Josephine Breeden Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Auburn University's College of Engineering. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Rice University, and M.S. and B.S. degrees in Chemical Engineering from Tulane University. Research Focus: Self-assembly of nanomaterials, rheology, lyotropic liquid crystals, additive manufacturing, polymers, nanocomposites, and biosensors Key Projects: USDA-funded agricultural outreach, NSF grant for MXene dispersion studies, Alabama STEM Council member Her recent publications explore cellulose nanocrystals, MXene 3D printing, and sustainable polymer recycling. Davis has received multiple honors including the Breeden Professorship, AIChE Fellowship, and Auburn University Faculty Awards for research and mentorship. Research Trends: Dominated by bio-based nanomaterials (cellulose nanocrystals, MXenes), with applications in additive manufacturing, environmental remediation (PFAS adsorption), biosensors (carbofuran detection, cancer biomarkers), and agricultural delivery systems. Scientific Awards Auburn University Faculty Awards (2023, 2025) AIChE Fellow (2023) Dr. Daniel F. and Josephine Breeden Professorship Davis leads outreach initiatives like the Tomorrow’s Community Innovators camp and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on plastic recycling innovations. Her work emphasizes both fundamental material science and practical applications addressing environmental and agricultural challenges.
Jeffrey Guasto , Associate Professor at Tufts University, holds joint appointments in the School of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) and School of Arts and Sciences (Physics & Astronomy). His work bridges engineering, physics, and biology to study transport properties in complex systems. Ph.D., Engineering (2009), Brown University Sc.M., Engineering (2004), Brown University Dual B.S. in Physics and Mechanical Engineering (2003), Lehigh University Research Interests focus on: Biophysics : Flagellar mechanics, chemotaxis, cell-fluid interactions Soft Matter : Active suspensions, colloids, viscoelastic materials Microfluidics : Device design for cell motility studies and gradient generation Environmental Transport : Microbial ecology in porous systems Scientific Trends from his 77+ publications show emphasis on microscale fluid dynamics, bacterial transport mechanisms, and viscoelastic flow instabilities. His 2024 Nature Microbiology work reveals phage-infected bacteria driving marine chemotaxis, while 2023 PNAS research explores stress topology in viscoelastic flows. Scientific Awards : NSF CAREER Award (2016) for cell dispersal mechanisms Collaborative NSF grants (2015-2023) Advising includes mentoring 15+ students and postdocs. His grants portfolio features 9+ awards, notably NSF grants for viral-microbe interactions (2018) and flagellar mechanics (2020). Labs & Teams : Leads the Guasto Laboratory at Tufts, integrating microfluidics and high-speed imaging for studying microbial transport, while collaborating with MIT, Harvard, and international institutions.
Muhammad Muddasar is a Researcher at the University of Limerick's School of Engineering, affiliated with the Bernal Institute. His primary research focuses on developing sustainable materials derived from lignin for energy harvesting and storage applications. Under the supervision of Professor Maurice Collins, he investigates advanced materials such as hydrogels, ionic conducting membranes, and carbon nanomaterials to enhance renewable energy systems. His work emphasizes reducing environmental impact through innovative synthesis techniques and lifecycle analysis. Key research areas include thermoelectric materials, bioenergy production, microbial electrolysis cells, and lignin valorization. Collaborations span topics like low-grade thermal energy recovery, supercapacitor optimization, and carbon fiber production improvements. Despite no explicit awards listed, his contributions include over 17 peer-reviewed publications between 2021-2025, showcasing impactful work in Materials Today Sustainability, Advanced Functional Materials, and ACS Applied Polymer Materials. His articles highlight trends in lignin-derived materials for energy applications, sustainable manufacturing, and nanomaterial-driven bioenergy systems. Active in international networks, his research bridges material science and renewable energy engineering, addressing global sustainability challenges.
Dr. Sanandam Bordoloi is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Civil Engineering, Aalto University's School of Engineering, specializing in Geotechnical and Geo-environmental Engineering. He earned his PhD from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati and has held postdoctoral positions at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). Expertise in unsaturated soil mechanics Specializing in biochar applications for geotechnical systems Focus on carbon capture and waste valorization Developed novel techniques for soft clay remediation Recipient of Telford Premium Prize His recent publications highlight trends in biochar-amended composites , CO2 mineralization , landfill restoration , and soil-hydrological interactions . Key subfields include contaminant transport mechanisms, cementitious material innovation, and root-soil feedback systems. Scientific Awards: Telford Premium Prize for exceptional civil engineering research
Prof. Ellen Kandeler is a leading academic in soil biology and microbial ecology at the University of Hohenheim , heading the Department of Soil Biology within the Institute of Soil Science and Site Science. Her work focuses on microbial interactions, soil organic matter dynamics, and the impacts of land use and climate change on soil systems. She actively contributes to interdisciplinary projects funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), including studies on mineral-organic matter associations, pesticide degradation, and agroecosystem resilience. Research interests include rhizosphere dynamics, biogeochemical cycles, and the ecological functions of soil microorganisms, with applications in sustainable agriculture and environmental protection. She is also involved in institutional roles as a Deputy Ombudsperson for Scientific Integrity and member of committees overseeing large-scale research infrastructure. Her recent publications emphasize climate-soil feedbacks, microbial community assembly, and the biodegradation of agrochemicals. Projects like the DFG-FOR 1695 on agricultural landscapes under climate change highlight her commitment to addressing global environmental challenges through soil science. Prof. Kandeler’s work bridges fundamental and applied research, with a focus on translating soil microbial processes into strategies for sustainable land management and mitigating anthropogenic impacts on soil health.
Iris Yu is an Assistant Professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering department at the National University of Singapore (NUS) . Her research focuses on green chemistry and biomass conversion , particularly utilizing microwave-assisted processing and green solvents to transform food and biomass waste into sustainable chemicals and materials. She actively contributes to teaching courses like Green Catalysis and Circular Economy , while leading a team of researchers in biorefinery and waste valorization projects. Her scientific awards include the L'Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Singapore Award 2024 MIT Technology Review Innovator Under 35 (TR35) Asia Pacific 2023 Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2023–Present) Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (Cross-Field) 2022–2023 World's Top 2% Scientist by Stanford University 2023 Yu’s research interests span biomass upcycling microwave technology bioresource utilization catalysis fundamentals green and sustainable chemistry platform chemical production . Her publications frequently address microwave-assisted biorefineries , catalytic hydrogenation mechanisms , and sustainable solvent impacts on biomass conversion. She serves on editorial boards for journals like Science of the Total Environment and ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering , and mentors students in the IRIS@NUS internship program. Her lab’s work has been recognized in awards such as the Best Student Poster at SIWW2024, highlighting innovative approaches like microalgae-based food waste valorization .
Dr. Lin Wei is a Professor and Graduate Coordinator in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at South Dakota State University (SDSU). He holds a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering from China Agricultural University, M.S. in Mechanical Engineering (Guangxi University), and M.S./Ph.D. in Biological Engineering (Mississippi State University). His research focuses on biomass conversion, bioenergy production, smart agriculture, and food safety. He leads projects on biochar-based fertilizers, cold plasma food safety technologies, and AI-driven precision farming. Dr. Wei has authored over 80 peer-reviewed papers and secured $7M+ in grants. He chairs multiple professional committees (ASABE Renewable Energy, USDA-S1075, ISO-WG6) and serves as editor for journals like Agricultural Engineering and Transactions of the ASABE. Recent grants include biochar soil health studies ($583K USDA) and nanobubble dairy waste management ($22K SD WRI). His team develops smart sensors for crop monitoring and biopolymer nanocomposites for food packaging. Notable awards include 2024 Outstanding Researcher (College of Agriculture) and 2022 Excellence in Editing (ASABE). Ongoing work integrates thermochemical processes with AI to enhance biofuel production efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Dr. Sharon O'Rourke is an Assistant Professor and Ad Astra Fellow at the University College Dublin (UCD) School of Biosystems and Food Engineering since 2019. Previously, she held roles at the University of Sydney and UCD's School of Agriculture and Food Science, focusing on soil science and environmental protection. She holds a BAgrSc from UCD and a PhD in Soil Nutrient Management from Queen's University Belfast. Research Interests: Her work centers on sustainable soil management, soil carbon sequestration, and environmental protection. She employs spectral techniques (e.g., mid-infrared, hyperspectral imaging) and modeling to study soil geochemistry, carbon dynamics, and climate change mitigation. Current projects include ClimateCropping (EU-wide soil carbon management), PRISM (in-field soil sensors), and CFunction (carbon-nutrient stoichiometry). Grants & Projects: Key grants include funding from Teagasc, the Department of Agriculture, and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Notable projects include proximal soil sensing for carbon monitoring and bio-based product development via pyrolysis. Teaching: She coordinates modules such as 'Carbon & Sustainability,' 'Soil Technology,' and 'Research Skills,' emphasizing agricultural systems and climate-smart practices. Awards: Recognized as an Ad Astra Fellow, highlighting her contributions to innovative soil science research.
Professor Enda Cummins is a faculty member at University College Dublin (UCD), serving as Professor and Deputy Head of the School of Biosystems and Food Engineering. He also holds roles as Head of Teaching and Learning and Visiting Professor at KU Leuven, Belgium. His research focuses on risk assessment, predictive modeling, food safety, and environmental contamination, with an emphasis on chemicals (e.g., acrylamide, nanoparticles) and pathogens (E. coli, Salmonella). He leads a multidisciplinary team and coordinates the EU-funded H2020 ITN project PROTECT, addressing climate change impacts on food safety. Education: BAgrSc, MEngSc, PhD from UCD. Teaching emphasizes problem-based learning and integrates research innovations. He developed the EU-funded Erasmus+ Predictive Modelling and Risk Assessment program and coordinates the MEngSc in Food Engineering. Grants include projects on antimicrobial resistance, nanoparticle toxicity, and urease inhibitor efficacy. Over 100 peer-reviewed publications and 123 conference papers highlight his work on risk assessment, food safety, and environmental modeling.
Professor Tiina Roose is a leading academic in biological and environmental modeling at the University of Southampton. She holds a faculty position as Professor in the Bioengineering Group and is affiliated with interdisciplinary research groups including the Nature-Based Ocean Solutions and Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute. Her work integrates engineering principles with environmental and agricultural sciences to address challenges in soil science, plant-microbe interactions, and sustainable agriculture. Research focuses on rhizosphere dynamics, soil mechanics, and biofilm modeling. Active in collaborative projects with industry and international partners, funded by BBSRC, EPSRC, and EU Horizon programs. Develops advanced imaging techniques like synchrotron X-ray CT and microdialysis for in situ soil analysis. Her research interests emphasize agricultural sustainability, environmental adaptation, and precision agriculture technologies. Recent work includes studies on Xylella fastidiosa plant pathogens, nutrient dynamics in soil, and digital twins for fertilizer management. She has led projects such as 'Rhizosphere by Design' and 'fertilAIser', contributing to innovative solutions for food security and soil health. Key collaborations span biomaterials engineering, environmental microbiology, and computational modeling, with outputs published in journals like Plant and Soil , Soil Biology and Biochemistry , and New Phytologist .
Dr. Manuel Garcia-Pérez is a Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering at Washington State University (WSU), affiliated with the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS). His research focuses on thermochemical conversion of biomass to produce biofuels, bio-oils, and biochars, addressing global energy and environmental challenges. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Université Laval and has held postdoctoral positions at Monash University, the University of Georgia, and other institutions. His work emphasizes sustainable aviation fuels, biochar applications in soil fertility, and environmental impact mitigation. Dr. Garcia-Pérez leads the Bioproducts Science and Engineering Laboratory (BSEL) at WSU Tri-Cities, advancing bio-refinery concepts and reactor design. He collaborates internationally, including projects in Haiti and the Dominican Republic to develop sustainable biomass industries. His research spans analytical chemistry, reactor engineering, and interdisciplinary partnerships in forestry, soil science, and sociology. He has authored nearly 130 peer-reviewed publications and serves on the Biomass Research Development Initiative Technical Advisory Committee. Key achievements include developing pyrolysis oil characterization methods, optimizing biochar for carbon sequestration, and advancing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production. His grants and industry partnerships support innovative technologies for waste-to-energy conversion and environmental remediation. Future work targets integrating biomass resources with aviation fuel supply chains and enhancing biochar's role in climate resilience.
Professor Daniel Cha holds a faculty position in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Delaware. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, followed by a Master's from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor's from McGill University. His academic and industrial career spans over three decades with expertise in environmental biological processes, microbial community dynamics, and sustainable waste management solutions. Dr. Cha has worked as a consulting engineer and held roles at the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. His research focuses on microbial-driven systems, including energy/fertilizer recovery from food waste, biocomposite material synthesis from wastewater microorganisms, and genomic analysis of mixed culture microbial communities. Key areas also include zerovalent iron-based water treatment technologies, sulfate reduction for acid mine drainage mitigation, and innovative fecal sludge management systems in urban contexts. Notable projects include field demonstrations of breathable membrane toilets in India and pilot-scale bioretention systems integrating biochar. His work bridges environmental chemistry with engineering solutions, addressing contaminants like perchlorate, energetic compounds, and heavy metals in industrial wastewater. Publications span advanced oxidation processes, microbial ecology, and novel membrane technologies. While no formal awards are listed, his extensive patent portfolio includes systems for treating energetic compound wastewaters and biodegradation enhancement methods. His lab collaborates on projects involving both academic and industrial partners, emphasizing scalable environmental engineering solutions.
Dr. Stephanie Lansing is a Professor in the Department of Environmental Science & Technology at the University of Maryland's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. She directs the Bioenergy and Biotechnology Lab, focusing on renewable energy systems, waste treatment, and the Food-Energy-Water Nexus. Her work spans ecological engineering, antimicrobial resistance mitigation, and sustainable bioplastic production from organic waste. College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Environmental Science & Technology Bioenergy and Biotechnology Lab Her research integrates anaerobic digestion , microbial fuel cells , and nutrient recovery to address global sustainability challenges. Recent projects examine bioplastic formation from food waste and AMR dynamics in manure systems , with fieldwork in the US, Africa, and Latin America. She co-developed the NourishNet platform combining real-time surplus food distribution ( FoodLoops ) with spoilage detection ( Quantum Nose ). Active grants exceed $6 million, including two major DOE awards for biofuel and bioplastic production from food waste. Her lab collaborates with institutions like Virginia Tech, Idaho National Laboratory, and international partners. Current team members include PhD candidates Maureen Nabulime and Adanyro Atilago, MS student Rafian Aziz, and undergrad researchers exploring waste-to-energy systems.
