Find Academic Supervisors

Renato PajarolaView profile

Professor

• Computer Graphics
• Scientific Visualization
• 3D Modeling
• +5 more

Prof. Dr. Renato Pajarola is the Head of the Visualization and MultiMedia Lab at the Department of Informatics, University of Zurich. His research focuses on computer graphics, scientific visualization, and geometric processing, with applications in 3D scanning, point cloud analysis, and real-time rendering. He leads a team developing advanced visualization techniques for high-dimensional data, parallel rendering frameworks, and interactive systems for complex datasets. Key research areas include: 3D reconstruction of indoor environments Tensor approximation for volume visualization Interactive ray tracing and point cloud processing Parallel rendering frameworks (e.g., Equalizer) Scientific computing and sensitivity analysis His recent publications emphasize: High-dimensional data exploration using tensor methods Efficient rendering techniques for large-scale point clouds Integration of citizen-reported weather data for environmental analysis Prof. Pajarola’s lab collaborates on projects like VIAN (visual annotation tool for film analysis) and Terrender (web-based terrain visualization). His Erdős number is 3, reflecting interdisciplinary research connections in mathematics and computer science.

• Mycorrhizal Ecology
• Forest Ecology
• Ecological Restoration
• +5 more

Justine Karst is an Associate Professor in the Department of Renewable Resources at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences. Her research focuses on mycorrhizal ecology, forest ecology, and ecological restoration, particularly in the context of disturbance and recovery processes. She teaches courses such as REN R 110 - Natural Resource Measurement , which introduces students to data visualization and management, and REN R 366/761 - Restoration Ecology , which explores ecological theory applied to post-disturbance forest restoration. She also supervises REN R 906A/B - Research Project for graduate students. Her research examines the role of ectomycorrhizal fungal networks in forest recovery from natural and anthropogenic disturbances, including bark beetle infestations, nitrogen deposition, and deadwood dynamics. Key themes include: Soil-fungal-plant interactions Restoration techniques in disturbed boreal forests Impacts of climate change on fungal community assembly Biogeochemical cycles in dual-mycorrhizal tree species

Daniel E. KelleyView profile

Professor

• Physical Oceanography
• Climate Science
• Marine Biology
• +5 more

Prof. Daniel E. Kelley is a Professor in the Department of Oceanography at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. He serves as Graduate Coordinator and teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses. His research focuses on physical oceanography, particularly ocean mixing caused by internal waves and double-diffusive convection. He holds academic affiliations including roles as university Senator and former executive member of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society. Education: BSc from Mount Allison University PhD from Dalhousie University Research Interests: His work addresses small-scale mixing processes in ocean dynamics, parameterization of convection, internal waves, and frontal instabilities. He collaborates on topics ranging from under-ice algal blooms to whale-ship collision mechanics. His methodologies emphasize open-source tools like R and the 'oce' package, as highlighted in his book Oceanographic Analysis with R . Notable Contributions: Developed the 'oce' R package for oceanographic data analysis Recipient of Rosemary Gill Award and NSERC fellowships Author of over 50 peer-reviewed publications Awards & Honors: Rosemary Gill Award for outstanding service to students NSERC University Research Fellowship Outstanding PhD Thesis (CMOS) Labs/Teams: Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on oceanographic software development and environmental data analysis initiatives.

Chris BoneView profile

Associate Professor

• Geospatial technologies
• Spatial simulation modelling
• Human-environment interactions
• +5 more

Dr. Chris Bone is an **Associate Professor in Geography** at the **University of Victoria**, affiliated with the **Faculty of Social Sciences**. His research focuses on geospatial technologies, spatial simulation modeling, and human-environment interactions, particularly in relation to climate change and forest policy. He holds a PhD from Simon Fraser University and teaches advanced spatial analysis and geostatistics (GEOG 418/518). **Research Interests**: Dr. Bone’s work integrates computational methods like agent-based modeling and network modeling to study climate-driven natural disturbances (e.g., mountain pine beetle outbreaks), wildfire management, and human-wildlife interactions. He emphasizes geovisualization tools for environmental decision-making and has collaborated with Indigenous communities on biocultural stewardship projects. **Publications**: His recent work explores topics such as wildfire-beetle interactions, grizzly bear translocation success, and the role of federal air quality standards in prescribed fire practices. Over 50 peer-reviewed articles span environmental science, GIS applications, and policy analysis. **Awards**: No specific scientific awards listed in the provided texts. **Grants & Labs**: Active in interdisciplinary projects funded by organizations like the National Science Foundation (NSF CNH). Leads research on geospatial tools for managing invasive species and optimizing forest governance networks.

Michael BuserView profile

Professor

• Agricultural Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Sustainable Agriculture
• +3 more

Michael Buser holds the Endowed Chair in Cotton Engineering, Ginning, and Mechanization at Texas A&M University. His work focuses on advancing sustainable agricultural practices, environmental mitigation strategies, and agricultural data systems. Key research areas include emissions modeling for agricultural operations, precision agriculture technologies, and bioenergy logistics. His expertise spans cotton processing systems, air quality management (e.g., particulate matter and ammonia emissions), and livestock environmental impact. He has developed tools like the PATHMAP smartphone application for disease tracking in tree fruits. Buser also contributes to interdisciplinary projects addressing global agricultural challenges through scalable knowledge management and data integration. His articles highlight innovations in agricultural systems modeling, pollution mitigation using vegetative buffers, and the application of geospatial techniques for sustainable disease control. While no formal awards are listed, his extensive publication record reflects significant contributions to agricultural engineering and environmental science.

Alan MurrayView profile

Professor

• Geographic Information Science
• Spatial Optimization
• Emergency Response Planning
• +5 more

Alan Murray is a **Professor and Vice Chair for Academic Personnel** in the Department of Geography at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), where he also holds the Yardi Chair in Geography. He previously held professorial roles at Ohio State University, Arizona State University, and Drexel University before returning to UCSB in 2015. Murray earned his BS in Mathematics, Master’s in Statistics and Applied Probability, and PhD in Geography, all from UCSB. His research focuses on **geographic information science (GIScience)**, **spatial optimization**, **emergency response**, **health informatics**, **urban development**, and **infrastructure systems**. He has pioneered methodologies for integrating multi-objective spatial optimization with GIS to address urban planning challenges, such as smart mobility and wildfire risk mitigation. His work emphasizes practical applications in disaster response, public health, and sustainable land use planning. Murray has advised numerous graduate students and contributed to cross-disciplinary initiatives in GIScience education and technology integration. His research has been disseminated through high-impact publications in journals like *Geographical Analysis* and *International Journal of Geographical Information Science*. He has also directed centers such as the Center for Urban and Regional Analysis. Key areas of current research include: GIScience education reform Spatial optimization for emergency response systems Wildfire risk assessment and community resilience Equitable urban planning frameworks His work bridges theoretical advancements with real-world applications, addressing pressing issues like climate adaptation, infrastructure resilience, and smart city design.

Yehuda BockView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Geodesy
• Lithospheric Deformation
• Seismology
• +4 more

Yehuda Bock is a Senior Lecturer and Research Geodesist at the University of California San Diego (UCSD), affiliated with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and its Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics (IGPP). He directs the Scripps Orbit and Permanent Array Center (SOPAC), a key facility for geodetic data management and analysis. His roles include advancing seismogeodetic techniques for natural hazard mitigation and improving observational networks. Education: B.A. from New York University, B.S. from Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, M.S. and PhD from Ohio State University. Research focuses on crustal deformation, geodetic instrumentation, and integrating GNSS with seismic data for earthquake and tsunami warning systems. He explores applications of GNSS in meteorology, structural health monitoring, and climate studies. Recent work emphasizes real-time data fusion, machine learning for geophysical analysis, and understanding tectonic processes in regions like the San Andreas Fault and Cascadia Subduction Zone. His publications highlight advancements in deformation modeling, early warning systems, and interdisciplinary approaches to geoscience data.

Sara OmraniView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Energy Efficiency
• Natural Ventilation
• Building Physics
• +3 more

Dr. Sara Omrani is a Senior Lecturer in Virtual Design & Construction at the School of Architecture & Built Environment, Queensland University of Technology (QUT). She holds a PhD from QUT and specializes in energy efficiency, natural ventilation, building physics, BIM, thermal comfort, and passive design. Her research focuses on optimizing building design for sustainability, particularly in high-rise and residential structures, and integrates technologies like BIM and machine learning for improved construction practices. Dr. Omrani has contributed to numerous peer-reviewed publications and led projects addressing climate change impacts on buildings and sustainable construction decision-making. She actively supervises PhD students on topics ranging from BIM frameworks to apartment sustainability and solar energy potential. Her work bridges environmental science, engineering, and architectural design, promoting interdisciplinary solutions for resilient built environments. Education: PhD (Queensland University of Technology) Research Projects: Includes an Australian Competitive Grant-funded initiative on inter-generational living campuses and sustainability information provision for residential sectors. Research Interests: Thermal comfort, natural ventilation optimization, BIM integration, and sustainable construction materials. Recent work explores photovoltaic systems, precast concrete feasibility, and climate change adaptation in building design. Awards: Member of the ISO 41000 Sustainable Development Task Group (2020). Teaching: Courses include UXB100 Design Thinking for the Built Environment and DEH701 Research Methods.

• Aging and the Life Course
• Disaster Impact and Recovery
• Housing Stability
• +4 more

Dr. Alexis Merdjanoff serves as Assistant Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Director of the Environmental Public Health Program at New York University's School of Global Public Health. Her research bridges sociology and public health, focusing on long-term disaster impacts on vulnerable populations, particularly examining how social inequalities shape health outcomes following natural hazards including hurricanes, floods, extreme heat, and wildfires. Her educational background includes a BS in Sociology (Magna Cum Laude) from New York University, followed by an MA and PhD in Sociology from Rutgers University. This strong sociological foundation informs her holistic approach to understanding disaster exposure, recovery processes, and resilience mechanisms. Dr. Merdjanoff's research interests span aging and the life course, disaster impact and recovery, housing stability, mental health, and social determinants of health. She employs mixed-methods research approaches, including semi-structured in-depth interviewing, focus groups, and survey analysis, to examine how environmental stressors create prolonged economic, emotional, and health burdens long after disaster events have passed. Her recent work explores the post-disaster resilience of older adults in high-risk coastal areas. Analysis of her recent publications reveals consistent themes across disaster types and populations, with particular emphasis on vulnerable groups including children, older adults, and racial/ethnic minorities. Her work increasingly addresses climate change impacts, cumulative disaster exposures, and the intersection of environmental hazards with social inequalities. Innovator Program Fellow, National Center for Atmospheric Research (2019) Butler-Williams Scholar, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health (2019) Aging and Rural Health Research Award, American Public Health Association (2017) Best Dissertation in Mental Health, American Sociological Association (2016) Anne Foner Dissertation Prize, Rutgers University (2016) As Director of Research for the Population Impact, Recovery and and Resilience (PiR2) research program, Dr. Merdjanoff leads several major longitudinal studies including the Katrina@10 Program, Sandy Child and Family Health Study, and SCALE-UP East Boston project. She has secured funding from multiple sources including the National Institute on Aging and National Center for Atmospheric Research. Dr. Merdjanoff teaches courses including 'Qualitative & Field Methods in Global Public Health' and 'Global Issues in Social & Behavioral Health,' mentoring the next generation of public health researchers. Her work spans multiple research teams focused on environmental public health, with particular emphasis on the Gulf Coast Population Impact study examining Deepwater Horizon effects, and the Sandy Child and Family Health study analyzing Hurricane Sandy impacts. These teams employ interdisciplinary approaches combining sociology, epidemiology, environmental science, and public health practice.

Barth F. SmetsView profile

Professor

• Environmental Engineering
• Bioprocess Engineering
• Microbial Ecology
• +5 more

Barth F. Smets is a Professor in the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering at Aarhus University, specializing in the intersection of Environmental Engineering and Life Sciences. His work focuses on bioprocess development for water and environmental applications, with a particular emphasis on microbial ecology and antimicrobial resistance management. He has led multidisciplinary research groups across Europe, the USA, and Asia, coordinating large-scale projects in sustainable biotechnology and environmental engineering. Education: Trained at the interface of Engineering (Environmental & Biochemical) and Life Sciences (Microbiology & Agronomic Sciences). Experience: Over 20 years of managing multi-institutional R&D projects and leading international research teams. Skills: Expertise in project management, innovation facilitation, and translational research. His research interests center on solving environmental challenges through mission-oriented R&D, including wastewater treatment optimization, microbial biotechnology for sustainability, and understanding resistance gene transfer dynamics in engineered systems. He actively promotes collaborative, purpose-driven research environments. Key research trends in his publications include antimicrobial resistance in wastewater systems, nitrogen cycle dynamics in engineered environments, and novel methods for quantifying gene transfer mechanisms. He emphasizes practical applications of fundamental science to achieve planetary and human benefits. Awards: No explicit awards listed, but his work has been recognized through peer-reviewed publications in top journals like Environmental Science & Technology and ACS ES&T Engineering . He advises on staff development and project management strategies, fostering professional growth aligned with organizational goals. His current focus includes advancing sustainable bioprocess technologies and improving emission monitoring in wastewater treatment plants. He is affiliated with AU Engineering at Aarhus University and has contributed to initiatives at the intersection of environmental engineering and microbial systems biology.

Carlos Tirado CortesView profile

Lecturer

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Virtual Reality
• Mixed Reality Technologies
• +6 more

Carlos Tirado Cortes is a Lecturer in Interaction Design at the Discipline of Design Lab , Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning, University of Sydney. As a virtual environments researcher, he focuses on Human-Computer Interaction and data visualization in immersive systems. Ph.D in Human-Computer Interaction (University of Technology Sydney, 2021) M.S. in Computer Game Engineering (Newcastle University, UK, 2015) B.S. in Engineering and Information Technology (Monterrey Institute of Technology, Mexico, 2012) His research explores immersive visualization for wildfire training (iFire project), VR sickness analysis, and brain-body dynamics during virtual navigation. Recent publications examine: AI-powered wildfire visualization systems Metaverse safety for children Postural instability in VR environments Fire-atmosphere interaction modeling Balance recovery techniques in immersive spaces

Sangmi Lee PallickaraView profile

Professor

• Big Data
• Data Science
• Data Engineering
• +13 more

Sangmi Lee Pallickara is a Professor of Computer Science and the Clare Booth Luce Professor at Colorado State University. She is affiliated with the Department of Computer Science in the College of Natural Sciences. Her research is supported by major agencies including the National Science Foundation, Department of Homeland Security, ARPA-E, and NIFA, with ongoing projects in AI Institutes, Cyberinfrastructure, and CyberPhysical Systems. Research Interests: Her work focuses on Big Data systems for scientific applications, including scalable storage, retrieval, metadata management, predictive analytics, and interactive visualization. She applies these to domains such as agriculture, atmospheric science, environmental monitoring, and epidemiology. Her research integrates data science, distributed systems, and deep learning to enable scalable knowledge extraction from high-velocity, voluminous datasets. Publication Trends: Her recent publications emphasize scalable solutions for geospatial and spatiotemporal data, including efficient storage (e.g., ATLAS), visualization (e.g., Glance, Iris), and deep learning (e.g., Argus, CloudNet). There is a strong focus on real-world applications such as wildfire prediction, satellite data imputation, and precision agriculture, leveraging generative models, embeddings, and ensemble methods. Scientific Awards: NSF CAREER Award IEEE TCSC Award for Excellence in Scalable Computing Best Paper Award at IEEE/ACM UCC 2019 Best Paper Award at IEEE CLUSTER 2019 Best Paper Award at IEEE/ACM UCC 2014 Finalist for Best Paper Award at IEEE BDCloud 2018 Advising and Grants: She advises numerous Ph.D. and Master’s students, many of whom have gone on to careers in industry and academia. Her research is funded by the NSF (AI Institutes, CPS), DHS, ARPA-E, NIFA, and the Environmental Defense Fund. She also leads the SWiFT outreach program for K–12 STEM education. Labs and Teams: She leads a vibrant research group focused on Big Data systems, with students working on distributed storage, deep learning for satellite imagery, spatiotemporal analytics, and interactive visualization. The team collaborates with domain scientists in agriculture, climate, and public health.

Jay AlderView profile

Academic

• Climate Modeling
• Hydrology
• Climate Change
• +7 more

Jay Alder is a Research Associate at the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences (CEOAS) at Oregon State University, holding a courtesy appointment. He is also a Research Physical Scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in Corvallis, Oregon, where he has been employed since 2012. His work bridges academic and federal research, focusing on climate and hydrological modeling. Education: PhD in Geography, Oregon State University (2011) MS in Geography, Oregon State University (2009) BS in Environmental Science, University of California, Riverside (2004) BS in Computer Science, University of California, Riverside (2004) Jay Alder specializes in climate modeling across temporal scales—past, present, and future—utilizing General Circulation Models (GCMs) and Regional Climate Models (RCMs). His research emphasizes dynamical downscaling , hydroclimate analysis , and the visualization and dissemination of climate data . He is particularly interested in making climate projections usable for interdisciplinary applications, including ecosystem and water resource management. His expertise also includes data communication, mathematical modeling, and software development for scientific applications. The available articles highlight a focus on hydrological impacts of climate change in western U.S. watersheds and paleoclimatic studies of North Pacific warming. These works reflect a consistent theme of applying climate models to real-world environmental planning and adaptation challenges, particularly for Indigenous communities and ecosystem resilience. Scientific Contributions: Lead contributor to streamflow projection studies for the Tongue River, supporting Northern Cheyenne water management. Team member on the POP3 project, using geological records of past warming to inform future climate predictions. Jay has been actively contributing to climate science since at least 2009. His grants and collaborative projects are primarily conducted through the USGS and involve partnerships with climate adaptation centers and water science programs. Though no formal advisees are listed, his role supports interdisciplinary science translation. He leads efforts in climate data usability, interactive mapping, and model visualization, contributing to broader scientific accessibility. Labs and Teams: He is affiliated with the Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center at USGS and collaborates with the Climate Adaptation Science Centers and Water Resources Mission Area. At Oregon State, he works through CEOAS, particularly in climate modeling and data dissemination initiatives.

Christina GrozingerView profile

Professor

• Entomology
• Genomics of Social Behavior
• Chemical Communication in Insects
• +7 more

Christina Grozinger is a Professor in the Department of Entomology at Pennsylvania State University and serves as the Director of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences. Her research integrates genomics, molecular biology, and ecology to understand social behavior, chemical communication, and health in honey bees and other pollinators. She leads a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary research program focused on improving pollinator conservation and management. Her research interests include: Genomic and molecular basis of social behavior in insects Chemical communication and pheromone signaling in honey bees Host-parasite interactions and immune responses in pollinators Landscape genomics and environmental stress responses Pollinator conservation and sustainable beekeeping practices The recent articles (2024–2025) reflect a strong focus on applying cutting-edge molecular tools—such as transcriptomics, DNA metabarcoding, and machine learning—to address urgent conservation challenges. Themes include climate change impacts on bee fertility, viral infections in insect hosts, landscape-level pathogen dynamics, and the use of citizen science for monitoring firefly populations. Her work bridges fundamental biology with applied solutions for pollinator decline. Scientific awards and recognitions include: Distinguished Professor at Pennsylvania State University Publius Vergilius Maro Professor of Entomology Appointment to the National Academies Committee on Insect Declines Dr. Grozinger leads major research initiatives, including Scialog grants on environmental impacts on animal behavior, and advises numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. She has secured significant funding for interdisciplinary projects, such as those combining ecological modeling with decision support systems for land managers. Her leadership extends to directing the Huck Institutes, where she fosters innovation across life sciences. She is actively involved in science communication and education, including courses on pollinator conservation that assess cognitive impacts on students. She leads research teams focusing on: The Grozinger Lab at Penn State, which studies molecular mechanisms of social behavior Interdisciplinary collaborations in landscape ecology, genomics, and conservation Citizen science and machine learning applications in pollinator monitoring Development of spatial decision support tools for ecological management

Christopher PalView profile

Associate Professor

• Artificial Intelligence
• Computer Vision
• Pattern Recognition
• +6 more

Christopher Pal is a Full Professor in the Department of Computer Engineering and Software Engineering at Polytechnique Montréal. With a Ph.D. from the University of Waterloo, he has held academic positions at the University of Rochester and the University of Toronto, and industry roles at Interval Research and Microsoft Research's Interactive Visual Media Group. Fields of Expertise: Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision, Pattern Recognition, Machine Learning, and Natural Language Processing Affiliations: CIFAR Chair in Artificial Intelligence, Institute for Data Valorization (IVADO) Member His research focuses on deep learning applications in visual question answering , medical image segmentation , and generative models . Recent work involves multimodal data analysis for climate modeling and vision-language systems for code generation. Key projects include CarbonSense for climate flux modeling and GeoCoder for geometry problem-solving AI. His 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) span topics from diffusion models to multi-agent systems , with emphasis on video generation , 3D animation , and environmental applications . Scientific recognition includes: CIFAR Chair in Artificial Intelligence IVADO Institute Membership Top-2% cited researcher (2021) He has supervised 22 Ph.D. and Master's students, with recent graduates working on generative AI , reinforcement learning , and medical imaging . Current research grants include MITACS-funded projects in software engineering agents and drone imagery analysis for tropical forest conservation.