Vinod AVULU is a Research Fellow at the School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University. His work focuses on advanced photonics and materials science, particularly in the design and application of organic crystal-based optical waveguides. His research explores mechanophotonics, flexible optoelectronics, and neuromorphic optical systems. Key interests include integrating micro-LEDs for visible light communication, developing programmable hybrid circuits, and studying energy transfer phenomena in TADF/RTP materials. Recent projects emphasize geometric reconfigurability in photonic circuits, spiral waveguide architectures, and sustainable energy applications. His contributions bridge materials engineering with photonics, addressing challenges in signal routing, multi-color light management, and energy-efficient optoelectronic systems. No awards or grants are explicitly mentioned in the provided texts.
Ruslan Gunko is a researcher and lecturer at the Faculty of Bioeconomy, Novia University of Applied Sciences. He holds a PhD in Environmental Science from the University of Turku and previously worked as a post-doctoral researcher at Åbo Akademi University. His research employs interdisciplinary approaches to examine climate-society interactions. Research focuses on: Environmental quality-life quality relationships Land use change impacts Climate change adaptation Environmental democracy Citizen science methodologies Publications emphasize coastal ecosystems, climate adaptation, and socio-environmental systems, with recent work examining war impacts on Ukrainian environments. Current project LES 2.0 investigates environmental democracy through data linkage of ecological surveys and GIS datasets.
Professor Ann Lawrie is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Science at RMIT University, Australia. Her work focuses on plant-microorganism interactions, particularly fungal pathogens, mycorrhizal associations, and plant pathology. She specializes in applying molecular biology techniques to study disease diagnosis and control, with a strong emphasis on endangered plant conservation and biological control of invasive species. Her research integrates microbiology, environmental science, and biotechnology to address challenges in sustainable agriculture and ecological restoration. Research interests span crop and pasture production, plant biology, and environmental biotechnology, with a focus on fungal symbiosis, microbial remediation of textile waste, and mycology. Notable projects include studies on orchid conservation through optimized germination protocols and understanding the role of endophytic fungi in plant resilience. Her publications reflect contributions to fungal genomics, antimicrobial material development, and ecological impacts of prescribed burning. She is open to supervising PhD and Master's students in these areas.
Lynette R. Strickland is an Assistant Professor in Biological Sciences Education at Boston University's College of Arts & Sciences. Her research focuses on evolutionary and ecological genetics, particularly in tropical beetles, using genomic approaches to understand population variation and resilience. She earned her PhD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her work combines field-based ecological experiments (e.g., predator trials, hydrocarbon studies) with advanced genomic techniques like RAD-sequencing and transcriptomics, centered on the Isthmus of Panama's biodiversity. She investigates how genomic architecture influences phenotypic traits and population adaptability. Strickland is a prominent advocate for equity in science, addressing systemic barriers faced by Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) in STEM through inclusive research practices and institutional reforms. Her 2020 Nature Ecology & Evolution paper co-authored this critical discourse. Her lab's publications bridge ecological and genetic mechanisms, with recent focus on color polymorphism in tortoise beetles. While no explicit grants or lab facilities are listed, her work exemplifies interdisciplinary approaches to both biological and sociological dimensions of scientific practice.
Thomas Kocher is a Professor at the University of Maryland, Department of Biology, leading the Kocher Lab. His research focuses on the evolutionary genetics of cichlid fishes, particularly speciation mechanisms, genomic architecture of adaptive traits, and sex determination. He teaches courses including BSCI 222 (Principles of Genetics) and BIOL338K (Genetic Research on Cichlid Fishes). His work integrates genomic, developmental, and ecological approaches to understand rapid diversification in African Great Lakes cichlids. Education: B.A., Yale University (1981); Ph.D., University of Colorado (1986). His lab studies genes influencing phenotypic traits like jaw morphology, color patterns, and sex determination, aiming to identify alleles driving speciation. Recent work includes discoveries of chromosome inversions creating supergenes for sex and coloration in Lake Malawi cichlids. Key research themes include sex chromosome evolution, polygenic sex determination, and the genomic basis of adaptive radiation. His lab has generated chromosome-level genome assemblies for multiple cichlid species, revealing structural variations critical to biodiversity. Collaborations with institutions worldwide enhance studies on global cichlid diversity.
Pauline Narvaez is a PhD candidate at James Cook University, researching cleaner organisms and ectoparasites in marine ecosystems. Her work focuses on understanding symbiotic relationships between cleaner fish, their fish hosts, and ectoparasites, with an emphasis on coral reef resilience and climate change impacts. Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Ecology (Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France) Master’s Degree in Marine Ecology (Lisbon, Portugal) Research Interests: Her studies span cleaner fish behavior, ectoparasite dynamics, and the effects of environmental changes on marine symbiosis. She has conducted fieldwork in the Azores, Great Barrier Reef (Lizard Island Research Station), and Brazil, collaborating with institutions like the University of Queensland and Arkansas State University. Key Contributions: Pauline’s research bridges behavioral ecology and parasitology, exploring how habitat degradation and climate change influence parasite-host dynamics. Her work highlights the role of cleaner fish in disease transmission and ecosystem health. Labs/Teams: She volunteers in the Marine Parasitology Laboratory at James Cook University and collaborates with Dr. Jennifer Donelson and Dr. Kate Hutson as her PhD supervisors.
Madeleine van Oppen holds a halftime position as a Professor at the University of Melbourne (School of BioSciences) and a halftime role as Senior Principal Research Scientist at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). Her research focuses on microbial symbiosis in corals, climate change adaptation, and coral reef connectivity, with a growing emphasis on 'assisted evolution' to enhance coral resilience. She earned her PhD from the University of Groningen (Netherlands) and has been a member of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Integrated Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University (2006–2021). She contributes to initiatives like the Great Barrier Reef Foundation’s Solutions and Adaptations working group (2009–2011) and the ReFuGe2020 consortium (2012–present). As a Subject Editor for Molecular Ecology since 2010, she bridges research and publication in marine genomics. Her academic career spans roles such as Adjunct Professorial Research Fellow and leadership in the 'A Healthy and Resilient GBR' program at AIMS. Her work integrates ecological, genetic, and evolutionary approaches to address climate challenges, emphasizing practical solutions for coral reef survival. Key collaborations include partnerships with the ARC Centre and international consortia focused on coral resilience. Publications highlight her contributions to understanding coral symbiosis, heat tolerance mechanisms, and the socio-ecological impacts of climate change. Her research underscores the urgency of adaptive strategies in marine conservation, blending fundamental science with applied solutions.
Will Edwards is a Professor of quantitative ecology at James Cook University, specializing in tropical biodiversity and conservation. His work spans multiple countries, including Colombia, India, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, and Australia, focusing on ecological processes, species diversity, and large-scale monitoring programs. He leads a collaborative team across industry, government, and academia to develop Australia's National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) biodiversity monitoring frameworks and contributes to TERN's environmental protocols for the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment. His research emphasizes understanding fundamental biological processes across taxonomic groups and spatial scales, from local ecological dynamics to broad-scale species distribution patterns. His research interests include the impacts of invasive species on native wildlife, particularly through acoustic interference, and the effects of land-use changes such as logging and oil palm agriculture on biodiversity. He also investigates long-term forest recovery and the role of lianas in tropical ecosystems. Edwards has pioneered methodologies for ecological monitoring, advocating for multi-scaled approaches to address climate change and habitat fragmentation challenges. Notable contributions include advancing standardized environmental monitoring protocols and evaluating the effectiveness of land management strategies in conserving tropical biodiversity. His work frequently integrates international collaborations, such as projects in Colombia addressing oil palm agriculture's ecological consequences, and in the Solomon Islands assessing logged forest recovery. Edwards' expertise bridges academic research with applied conservation solutions, emphasizing practical applications for ecosystem management and policy.
Robert Glen Moyle Robert Glen Moyle is a Professor and Curator in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Kansas. His primary research focuses on understanding avian diversification patterns and processes, particularly in pantropical groups and insular regions like Melanesia and the Philippines. He combines genetic data, museum collections, and field surveys to study speciation mechanisms, biogeographic history, and life history evolution. Key research interests include ornithology systematics, phylogeny reconstruction, and the drivers of biodiversity in tropical ecosystems. Moyle’s work emphasizes field expeditions for specimen collection and life history data, with a focus on understudied avian groups in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. His grants include studies on hybridization in biodiversity hotspots and post-typhoon biodiversity recovery in the Philippines. Notable contributions involve genomic analyses of avian radiations, such as the white-eyes (Zosterops) and kingfishers, and resolving taxonomic ambiguities through phylogenomic approaches. His research bridges evolutionary biology with conservation, highlighting the importance of museum specimens and genetic tools in understanding biodiversity dynamics.
Aimee Dunlap is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Missouri-Saint Louis, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. Her research explores the intersection of evolutionary biology and cognitive ecology, focusing on how environmental variability shapes animal cognition and decision-making mechanisms. Ph.D., University of Minnesota M.S., Northern Arizona University B.S./B.A., University of Memphis The Dunlap Cognitive Ecology Lab , affiliated with the Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center and Center for Neurodynamics, investigates: Evolutionary origins of cognitive traits Adaptive foraging strategies in bees Social information vs. personal experience Effects of urbanization on pollinator behavior Integrating molecular mechanisms with natural history Her recent publications analyze trends in urban bee ecology , decision theory , and experimental evolution . She received the UMSL Research Award and teaches courses including Behavioral Ecology and Evolution of Cognition. Lab members have defended theses on topics like cicada behavior and sensory ecology.
Sara Miller is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Missouri - St. Louis, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. She leads the Social Insect Diversity Lab, focusing on the interplay between genomics, behavior, and ecology in shaping biological diversity. Her research primarily investigates primitively eusocial Polistes paper wasps, examining speciation drivers, social behavior's impact on diversification rates, and biodiversity comparisons between social and solitary insects. Methodologies include genome assembly, population genetics, museum collections, and behavioral experiments. 2025: Evolution of cognition in social insects 2025: Genomic architecture and phylogeny 2023: Cooperation and recognition mechanisms 2023: Sex-linked genetic variation 2022: Polistes genome assemblies 2021: Environmental genomics and behavior 2020: Population structure and coevolution The Social Insect Diversity Lab serves as a hub for exploring social insect evolution through modern genomic and ecological approaches. Dr. Miller's work bridges molecular biology with macroevolutionary questions, emphasizing interdisciplinary research across biological scales.
Zachariah Gompert is a Professor and Associate Department Head in the Department of Biology at Utah State University, focusing on evolutionary genetics, population genomics, and speciation. His research explores genetic architecture of ecologically important traits, species boundaries, and impacts of climate change on insect populations. He develops computational tools like bgc and introgress for hybrid zone analysis. Education: PhD in Ecology (University of Wyoming, 2012), MS in Population and Conservation Biology (Texas State University, 2006), BS in Biology (Texas State University, 2004) Research Interests: Gompert's work spans hybridization, gene flow, and speciation in natural populations, particularly through genomic time-series data and hierarchical Bayesian models. Key themes include: Genomic clines and introgression patterns Adaptive trade-offs in host shifts Climate change effects on montane insects Epigenetic mechanisms in ecotype divergence Experimental evolution in seed beetles Conservation implications of genetic diversity His recent publications analyze butterfly hybrid zones, Timema stick insect color morphs, and climate-driven insect declines. Articles emphasize complex structural variation, ecological forecasting, and species boundary dynamics. Scientific Awards: NSF LTREB Award for long-term butterfly population studies Teaching & Advising: Courses include Bayesian Analysis of Biological Data, Evolutionary Biology, and Computational Approaches to Biology. He has mentored graduates such as Alia Donley, Anthony Reis, and Bhagya Amarasinghe. Laboratory: The Gompert Lab investigates evolutionary responses to climate stressors, using NSF-funded LTREB projects on Sierra Nevada butterflies and experimental evolution in Callosobruchus seed beetles.
Joseph Wilson is a Professor in the Department of Biology at Utah State University , specializing in evolutionary ecology of insects. His research focuses on diversification drivers, particularly the evolution of aposematism and color mimicry in velvet ants and other Hymenoptera. PhD in Biology from Utah State University (2010) Author of 4 books/chapters and 65+ peer-reviewed articles Recipient of Researcher of the Year (2014) and Professor of the Year (2014) awards at Utah State University Wilson's recent publications analyze pollination biology in desert flora (2025), genomic conservation of specialist bees (2024), and evolutionary mechanisms of mimicry rings (2017). He has mentored graduate students including Sarit Chanprame and Jesse Tabor , and teaches foundational biology courses like BIOL 1610.
Professor Bart Kempenaers serves as Director of the Department of Ornithology at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence in Seewiesen, Germany. Formerly known as the Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics (renamed in July 2023), this department conducts cutting-edge research in avian behavioural ecology. Kempenaers also holds the position of Honorary Professor in Behavioural Ecology at Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich, a title he has held since 2004. His leadership guides a highly international research team focused on understanding how sexual selection drives biodiversity in bird species worldwide. Professor Kempenaers' academic foundation was established in Belgium where he was born in 1967. His formal education includes: Biology studies at the Universities of Limburg and Antwerp (completed 1989) PhD at the University of Antwerp (completed 1994) As a leading behavioural ecologist and ornithologist, Kempenaers' research centers on sexual selection and the evolution of avian mating behavior. His work investigates mate selection mechanisms, divorce patterns in bird pairs, and the prevalence and implications of extra-pair copulations. He coordinates field studies on arctic-breeding shorebirds with diverse mating systems, employing technology-assisted behavioral observations on large populations of free-living birds. His department maintains a comprehensive database linking life-history traits of approximately 10,000 bird species with environmental and ecological data, enabling large-scale comparative analyses of evolutionary patterns. Their research combines field observations, captive studies, and advanced statistical methods to understand how sexual selection shapes behavioral and life-history traits. Analysis of Kempenaers' recent publications reveals a strong interdisciplinary focus spanning behavioural ecology, evolutionary biology, and conservation science. His research consistently examines breeding site fidelity, sexual selection mechanisms, extra-pair paternity, and the ecological factors influencing avian coloration and behavior. Methodologically, his work incorporates innovative approaches including accelerometry, machine learning, and comparative analyses across diverse bird species. A significant portion of his research investigates shorebirds, particularly species with alternative reproductive tactics, while other studies explore urban adaptation, vocal communication, and host-microbiome interactions. Professor Kempenaers leads a highly international department that investigates how sexual selection acts as a driver of biodiversity. The department's work is characterized by technology-assisted behavioral observations on large numbers of individuals in free-living populations, complemented by captive studies and advanced statistical approaches. They maintain an extensive database linking life-history traits of the world's bird species with environmental data, enabling large-scale comparative analyses of evolutionary patterns. The department's research spans multiple continents, with field studies conducted in Europe, North America, and other regions where their study species breed.
Lilian Cabon is a doctoral researcher at the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) , affiliated with the Faculty of Biological Sciences at Friedrich Schiller University Jena . Her research focuses on understanding the long-term maintenance of color polymorphisms in grasshoppers, particularly green-brown polymorphism and melanisation variations. Educational Background: Bachelor Degree in Biology of Organisms and Populations, University of Lille 1, France Master Degree in Behavioural and Functional Ecology, University of Rennes 1, France Research Focus : Investigating the evolutionary and ecological mechanisms behind color polymorphisms in grasshoppers using niche chooser and niche conformer species. Her work aims to uncover the processes that maintain these polymorphisms over time, integrating ecological, genetic, and behavioral approaches. Contact : Based at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena, Germany.
