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Elizabeth WebbView profile

Associate Professor

• Stable-isotope biogeochemistry
• Paleoclimate modeling
• Carbon sequestration
• +4 more

Dr. Elizabeth Webb is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at Western University, specializing in stable-isotope biogeochemistry. She holds a Ph.D. from Western University (2000) and leads the Laboratory for Stable Isotope Science (LSIS). Her primary affiliations include the Faculty of Science and involvement with the Richard W. Hutchinson Geoscience Collaborative Suite. She teaches undergraduate courses such as Earth Sciences 1086, 2240, and 3341, and graduate seminars (Geology/Geophysics 9580/9680). Dr. Webb's research focuses on understanding climate-vegetation interactions through isotopic analysis of plant materials, soil systems, and paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Key themes include: soil-plant-atmosphere continuum dynamics, paleoclimate modeling using ancient plant remains, carbon sequestration mechanisms, water resource availability in changing ecosystems, and fire history reconstruction in North American prairies. Her lab (BGS 0159, WSC 54) supports projects like developing multi-proxy paleoclimate models through calcite/calcium oxalate/silica biomineralization studies, Si-isotope indicators of weathering rates, and botanical magnetite-based aridity proxies. Recent work explores thermoregulating plant biomineralization processes and fire frequency-climate links. Dr. Webb collaborates with institutions globally, including fieldwork in Maya archaeological sites (Belize/Guatemala) and Canadian prairie ecosystems. She advises students on topics ranging from phytolith isotope analysis to geochemical cycle modeling. Research facilities include access to the Hutchinson Suite's mineral collections and advanced geochemical labs.

Hazem U. AbdelhadyView profile

Research Fellow

• Coastal Processes
• Hydrodynamic Modeling
• Remote Sensing
• +4 more

Hazem U. Abdelhady is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Michigan's School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS), jointly appointed with the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research (CIGLR). He will join Texas A&M University's Department of Geography as an Assistant Professor in Fall 2025. His research focuses on coastal and hydrodynamic processes, leveraging machine learning, remote sensing, and physics-based modeling to address climate-driven challenges in lakes and coastal systems. Dr. Abdelhady holds a PhD from Purdue University in Hydraulics and Hydrology Engineering and Computational Engineering (2024), an MS in Irrigation and Hydraulics Engineering from Cairo University (2020), and a BS in Civil Engineering (2018). His postgraduate certificate in Geospatial Information Sciences underscores his expertise in spatial data analysis. His research interests include coastal hydrodynamics, physical limnology, and AI-driven environmental modeling. Key projects involve understanding shoreline changes in Lake Michigan, predicting ice cover dynamics, and developing tools for climate adaptation. The Aggie CIS Lab , launching at Texas A&M in Fall 2025, will further advance these efforts, bridging disciplines to enhance coastal resilience. Recent work highlights include studies on climate impacts on lake temperatures, machine learning applications for wave modeling, and automated shoreline detection algorithms. He actively recruits PhD students for Fall/Spring 2026 to investigate Great Lakes dynamics and resilience strategies. Collaborations span academic and governmental institutions, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to environmental challenges. His publications span high-impact journals and conferences, reflecting contributions to both theoretical and applied aspects of water resources engineering.

Colin GarrowayView profile

Associate Professor

• Biodiversity
• Evolutionary Biology
• Genetics
• +5 more

Dr. Colin Garroway is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Science. His research focuses on understanding how population-level processes influence biodiversity at genetic, population, and species levels. He employs interdisciplinary approaches, including genomics, ecological modeling, and data synthesis, to address challenges in conservation and climate change impacts. His work often targets systems undergoing significant environmental changes, such as urbanized areas and Arctic ecosystems. Dr. Garroway teaches advanced courses in Evolutionary Genetics and Evolutionary Biology. His research emphasizes the interplay between human-driven environmental changes—such as urbanization and climate warming—and their effects on genetic diversity, species distribution, and adaptation. He leads the Garroway Lab, which collaborates on global projects like biodiversity assessments in protected areas and epigenetic studies in wildlife. Key research themes include: biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation genetics, urban evolution, and the genetic consequences of human activities. His work integrates field studies, genomic analyses, and computational models to provide actionable insights for conservation strategies.

Caitlyn HallView profile

Assistant Professor

• Environmental Justice
• Natural Hazard Resilience
• Science Policy
• +5 more

Caitlyn Hall is a Joint Assistant Professor of Practice in Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences, Assistant Professor of Practice in Biosystems Engineering, and Director of the Future Earth Resilience minor program at the W.A. Franke Honors College. She founded the Arizona Science Policy Network and advises decision-makers on equitable legislation. Her roles span multiple departments at the University of Arizona, integrating environmental science with policy and community engagement. Educations: PhD in Environmental Engineering, Arizona State University BS and MS in unspecified fields from the University of Arizona Research Interests: Hall focuses on environmental justice, natural hazard resilience, and science policy, particularly in water governance, sustainability, and soil/water remediation. Her work emphasizes community-driven solutions and equitable policy development, leveraging transdisciplinary approaches to address climate adaptation and disaster recovery. She has pioneered efforts in open science and inclusive geoscience education. Articles Trends: Her recent publications emphasize integrating earth observation technologies with policy, advancing microbial-based ground stabilization techniques, and promoting equity in post-disaster recovery. Key themes include climate action frameworks, cross-cultural sustainability solutions, and open hydrology practices. Awards: No specific awards listed. Advising & Grants: Leads the Future Earth Resilience minor program and advises policymakers on legislative frameworks. Active in curriculum development for interdisciplinary environmental studies and community-driven research initiatives. Labs/Teams: Founder of the Arizona Science Policy Network, collaborates with global hydrology platforms like eWaterCycle, and engages in initiatives addressing US-Mexico border sustainability challenges.

Yong ChenView profile

Professor

• Fisheries Ecology
• Stock Assessment
• Population and Ecosystem Dynamics
• +3 more

Yong Chen is a Professor at the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS), Stony Brook University. He specializes in fisheries ecology, stock assessment, and climate change impacts on marine ecosystems. His research focuses on optimizing monitoring programs, evaluating fisheries management strategies, and understanding ecosystem dynamics under climate change. Education: Ph.D. from the University of Toronto (1995) Research Interests: Dr. Chen’s work addresses critical challenges in fisheries management, including stock assessment methodologies, climate-driven shifts in species distribution, and the integration of ecological and socio-economic factors into conservation strategies. His studies often involve advanced modeling techniques such as Ecopath with Ecosim and habitat suitability analysis. Key Themes in Publications: Recent articles highlight his focus on hybrid management strategies for mixed fisheries, climate impacts on species phenology and connectivity, and the efficacy of marine protected areas. He emphasizes data integration challenges and the development of decision support tools for sustainable fisheries. Grants and Advising: No specific grants or advisees are listed here. However, his research has likely involved collaborations with international fisheries organizations and government agencies. Labs/Teams: A lab site is referenced in his profile, though the specific team structure or ongoing projects are not detailed in the provided text.

David WanikView profile

Assistant Professor

• Data Science
• Natural Hazards
• Remote Sensing
• +3 more

David Wanik is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Operations and Information Management and Associated Faculty in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Connecticut. He serves as Academic Director for Business Data Analytics at the Stamford campus and conducts research in the Eversource Energy Center, focusing on data science, natural hazards, remote sensing, and IoT applications in utility systems. PhD, MS, and BS in Environmental Engineering from University of Connecticut His research bridges natural hazard prediction, power grid resilience, and environmental data science. Key themes include: Machine learning for power outage prediction Climate change impact on energy demand Remote sensing for population and environmental monitoring IoT-enabled infrastructure hardening Recent publications emphasize deep learning for nighttime light imagery analysis, hybrid physics-data-driven models for grid resilience, and climate-integrated demand forecasting. His work integrates satellite data, LiDAR, and utility infrastructure records for predictive analytics. Teaching includes courses in business analytics, Python-based data science, and deep learning for the MS Business Analytics and Project Management program.

Zoe LiView profile

Associate Professor

• Uncertainty Analysis
• Risk Management
• Stochastic Modelling
• +7 more

Dr. Zoe Li is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at McMaster University, with an additional role as an Associate Member in the Department of Computing and Software. She specializes in developing modeling and decision-support tools to address challenges in water resources management, environmental systems analysis, and climate change impacts. Her research focuses on hydrological modeling, probabilistic forecasting, risk analysis, and environmental systems optimization. She holds a B.Eng. from China and M.A.Sc./Ph.D. degrees from the University of Regina. Her work spans interdisciplinary collaborations, including studies on dam safety under climate change, wastewater treatment plant optimization, and AI-driven environmental monitoring. She has been actively involved in projects such as CityDNA, a digital tool to model urban environments for decision-making during crises like the pandemic. Dr. Li teaches courses in environmental systems engineering and principles of environmental engineering, emphasizing uncertainty quantification and sustainable practices. Her research publications (15+ recent articles) address topics like machine learning applications in environmental systems, climate change impacts on water resources, and infrastructure resilience. She advises graduate students in environmental engineering and systems optimization. Notable grants include funding from Roche Canada for pandemic-related urban modeling. Her work is frequently published in high-impact journals like Journal of Environmental Management and Water Resources Research .

Saleh TaghvaeianView profile

Associate Professor

• Irrigation Engineering
• Water Resources Management
• Precision Agriculture
• +4 more

Saleh Taghvaeian is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Faculty Fellow at the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute. His research focuses on precision irrigation systems, water resource management, and climate-resilient agricultural practices. He holds a Ph.D. in Irrigation Engineering from Utah State University and academic degrees from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. Education: Ph.D., Irrigation Engineering, Utah State University M.S., Irrigation Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran B.S., Irrigation Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran Research Interests: His work integrates remote sensing, hydrological modeling, and machine learning to address challenges in irrigation efficiency, drought response, and sustainable water use. Key areas include soil moisture dynamics, crop water productivity, and the application of big data in agricultural systems. Publications Trends: Recent articles emphasize GRACE data downscaled analysis for water storage monitoring, AquaCrop modeling for crop performance under water stress, and machine learning applications in precision agriculture. His work spans transboundary water basins (Indus), U.S. High Plains, and Oklahoma Panhandle regions. Awards: 2021 Oklahoma State University Distinguished Early Career Faculty Award 2019 ASABE Larry W. Turner Young Extension Professional Award 2018 Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service Honor Award Grants and Advising: Leads research projects on irrigation energy conservation, soil salinity mitigation, and agricultural drought resilience. Collaborates with institutions like USDA, UCOWR, and international partners on transboundary water management. Labs/Teams: Active in Nebraska's Water for Food Institute, leading interdisciplinary teams developing decision-support tools for irrigators and policymakers. Engaged in extension programs promoting smart irrigation technologies and water policy advocacy.

Donna HarrisView profile

Assistant Professor

• Plant Breeding
• Genetics
• Crop Science
• +3 more

Dr. Donna Harris is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Wyoming, based at the Sheridan Research & Extension Center. Her academic career includes roles as Senior Scientist at BASF Vegetable Seeds (2015–2020), Research Professional III at the University of Georgia (2007–2015), and prior industry experience with Monsanto and Pioneer Hi-Bred International. She holds a PhD (2014) and MS (2001) in Crop Science from the University of Georgia, alongside a BS (1998) in the same field. Her research focuses on plant breeding and genetics, addressing crop needs for Wyoming producers and consumers. Key areas include soybean rust resistance, quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis, and germplasm evaluation for disease resistance. She has contributed significantly to soybean breeding programs, identifying novel resistance genes and developing resistant cultivars. Dr. Harris has published extensively on soybean pathology and genetics, with work appearing in Theoretical and Applied Genetics , Molecular Breeding , and Crop Science . Her publications emphasize molecular mapping of resistance genes, germplasm screening, and disease management strategies. While no awards are explicitly listed, her impactful research has shaped soybean improvement efforts in the U.S. and globally. Her professional experience spans academic and industrial settings, with expertise in both theoretical genetics and applied breeding. Current research integrates field-based evaluations with genomic approaches to enhance crop resilience against biotic stresses.

Yijing LiView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Urban Crime Analysis
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Counter-Terrorism Strategies
• +3 more

Dr. Yijing Li is a Senior Lecturer in Urban Informatics at King’s College London, Department of Informatics. She joined King’s in 2018 and previously held roles at the University of Warwick and China Executive Leadership Academy Pudong. Her research focuses on spatial analysis of urban crime, counter-terrorism strategies, climate change impacts on crime, and risk management using big data. She holds a PhD in Geography of Crime from the University of Cambridge and an MSc in Urban Ecology from Peking University. Her work integrates theories from sociology, criminology, and economics with quantitative and qualitative methods. Key research areas include crime patterns during pandemic lockdowns, One Belt One Road security strategies, and environmental sustainability assessments. She has authored over 30 publications, including studies on London’s crime dynamics, spatial disparities in crime data, and vegetation change modeling using remote sensing. Dr. Li is affiliated with the Centre for Urban Science and Progress (CUSP) London and the Computing Education Research Centre (CERC). She has supervised interdisciplinary projects on employability in data science programs and collaborated with organizations like Transport for London and Westminster City Council. Her recent work examines health resilience in European countries post-pandemic and employs Bayesian models to analyze crime patterns during lockdowns.

• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
• Immigrant Transnationalism
• Housing and Homelessness
• +5 more

Dr. David Firang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work at Trent University, where he also holds appointments in the M.A. Sustainability Studies (MASS) and PhD IDSR programs. He previously served as Assistant Professor (Ltd) at the University of Windsor’s School of Social Work, focusing on curriculum leadership in advanced social policy and community practice. With over 13 years in child welfare at Toronto’s Children’s Aid Society and experience in community advocacy, Dr. Firang bridges academic and practical social work expertise. His research emphasizes Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), immigrant transnationalism, environmental sustainability, and Afro-Canadian issues. He has led projects funded by SSHRC, Theall Research Grant, and the Symons Foundation, contributing to over a dozen peer-reviewed articles since 2018. Education: PhD and MSW, University of Toronto M.A., University of Saskatchewan Post-Diploma, British Columbia Institute of Technology B.A., University of Ghana Research Focus: Dr. Firang’s work explores transnational immigrant practices, housing inequities, and the intersection of race and environmental justice. Recent studies analyze Ghanaian diasporic housing strategies, pandemic impacts on international students, and anti-Black racism in policing. His advocacy spans Black communities, international students, and African diasporas in Toronto. Grants & Awards: SSHRC Research Grant Theall Research Grant Symons Research Foundation Grant SSHRC Insight Development Grant (IDG) Leadership & Community Engagement: Dr. Firang has led equity initiatives for marginalized communities, including grants management for Toronto’s Access & Equity Division. His roles in the Ghanaian Methodist diaspora and African community advocacy reflect his commitment to social justice.

Yulia GelView profile

Professor

• Uncertainty Quantification
• Artificial Intelligence
• Topological Data Analysis
• +6 more

Yulia Gel is a Professor in the Department of Statistics at Virginia Tech and serves as a Part-Time Program Director-Expert at the National Science Foundation (NSF). She holds a MSc (summa cum laude) and PhD in Mathematics from Saint Petersburg State University (Russia) and completed a postdoc in Statistics at the University of Washington. Her research focuses on uncertainty quantification in AI, statistical foundations of data science, spatio-temporal processes, and applications in climate science, healthcare, and blockchain analytics. She has received prestigious awards including the NSF Director’s Award (2023), ASA Distinguished Achievement Medal (2018), and TIES Abdel El-Shaarawi Award (2014). Gel has led grants on wildfire prediction, climate informatics, and blockchain data science. She serves on editorial boards of Statistica Sinica, Electronic Journal of Statistics, and Technometrics, and organizes workshops on AI for climate sustainability and fragile Earth systems. Her research group develops topological and geometric methods for graph neural networks, with applications to digital twins, environmental justice, and public health. Education: MSc (1997), PhD (2000) in Mathematics from Saint Petersburg State University; Postdoc in Statistics at University of Washington (2001–2003). Past roles include Professor at University of Texas at Dallas (2015–2024) and Associate Professor at University of Waterloo (2004–2014). Selected visiting positions include NASA Jet Propulsion Lab (2016–2017) and Isaac Newton Institute (2016–2017). She has pioneered statistical software packages like snowboot and funtimes for network inference and time-series analysis. Awards highlight her contributions to environmetrics and statistical methodologies. Current projects include NSF-funded research on AI-driven wildfire prediction and blockchain analytics for climate resilience. Her lab’s recent work emphasizes topological methods (e.g., zigzag persistence) for graph-based forecasting and adversarial robustness.

• Epigenetics
• MicroRNA Regulation
• Plant Stress Tolerance
• +5 more

Dr. Ramanjulu Sunkar is a Regents Professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at Oklahoma State University. He leads research on epigenetic and small RNA mechanisms in plant stress responses, focusing on gene regulation under drought, heat, and abiotic stresses. His work integrates genomic tools like ChIP, RNA sequencing, and CRISPR/Cas9 to study stress tolerance in crops. Education: B.Sc. (Sri Venkateswara University), M.Sc. and Ph.D. (Sri Krishnadevaraya University, India), followed by postdoctoral research at the Weizmann Institute (Israel), University of Bonn (Germany), and UC Riverside (USA). He joined Oklahoma State University in 2006, becoming Professor in 2016 and Regents Professor in 2024. Research Interests: Epigenetic modifications (DNA methylation, histone changes), microRNA-guided gene regulation, plant stress memory, and translational control mechanisms. His lab uses model systems like Arabidopsis, rice, and sorghum to study adaptive responses to environmental challenges. Grants: Over 15 grants, including USDA-funded projects on microRNA roles in photosynthesis, epigenetic control of drought tolerance, and systems genetics in rice. NSF-EPSCoR support for bioenergy research. Teaching: Courses include 'Plant Biochemistry,' 'Epigenetics,' and graduate supervision through research credits. Developed new courses on plant stress biology and molecular techniques. Labs/Teams: Leads a research group focused on epigenomics and RNA regulation in plants. Collaborates internationally on projects like the Arabidopsis transcriptome and stress memory mechanisms.

• Sustainable Construction
• Environmental Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• +3 more

Alan Duggan is a Research Fellow in the Department of Building & Civil Engineering at the University of Galway, affiliated with the Engineering Research Group (ERG). His work focuses on sustainable construction practices, environmental engineering, and the environmental impact of infrastructure projects, particularly in peatland regions. He specializes in carbon footprint analysis, geotechnical challenges in peatland construction, and the development of low-carbon materials and techniques. Principal Investigator in ERG Focus areas: Peatland rehabilitation, carbon sequestration in construction materials, and sustainable transportation infrastructure His research integrates geotechnical engineering with environmental science, addressing challenges in ground improvement, drainage systems, and carbonation processes. Key contributions include studies on stabilized peat as a carbon sink and embodied carbon analysis in motorway construction. His publications span environmental sustainability, material science, and infrastructure planning, emphasizing practical solutions for reducing environmental impact in construction projects.

Helle RydströmView profile

Professor

• Gender Studies
• Anthropology of Asia
• Crisis and Resilience
• +5 more

Helle Rydström is a Professor at Lund University's Department of Gender Studies, specializing in the anthropology of gender in Asia with a focus on Vietnam. She holds a MA in International Development Studies from Roskilde University and a Ph.D. from Linköping University. Her research explores crisis, precariousness, and resilience through a gendered lens, particularly in contexts of climate disasters, colonialism, and conflict. Affiliations: Lund University: Department of Gender Studies LU Profile Area: Human Rights Visiting Research Fellow at Social Anthropology departments globally Research Interests: Rydström’s work examines gender hierarchies, power dynamics, and violence in Asia. Her studies include: Gendered impacts of climate disasters in Vietnam, Pakistan, and the Philippines Colonial violence legacies in Vietnam LGBTQ+ activism and resistance in urban Vietnam Resilience strategies in crisis-affected communities Awards: Riksbankens Jubileumsfond Research Award Nominated for the Harry J. Benda Prize (AAS) Research Prize in Memoriam of Tamara K. Hareven Grants & Projects: Swedish Research Council-funded studies on precarious labor in Asia Pufendorf Institute CRISIS Theme (2019) Sida-funded rural family studies in Vietnam (8-year project) Teaching: Courses include Gender & Global Development, Feminist Theory, and Crisis Studies.