Find Academic Supervisors

Rasmus KjøllerView profile

Associate Professor

• Mycorrhizal Fungi
• Soil Ecology
• Sustainable Agriculture
• +3 more

Rasmus Kjøller is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology (Section of Terrestrial Ecology) at the University of Copenhagen 's Faculty of Science, where he has been employed since 2006. He holds leadership roles as Head of Studies for the Biology program (2020-2025) and serves on the editorial board of Mycorrhiza journal. His research focuses on fungal ecology and sustainable agriculture , with emphasis on: Mycorrhizal fungal communities and their functional roles in ecosystems Soil aggregation processes and microbiome interactions Plant-microbe relationships for crop resilience (particularly wheat) Environmental DNA applications in biodiversity assessment Current projects include MATRIX (microbiome-assisted wheat resilience) and AGGREGATE (soil health and pesticide impacts). Recent publications (2025) demonstrate strong focus on: Fungal community dynamics across ecosystems Microbiome applications in agriculture Soil biodiversity and nutrient cycling processes He leads multiple grants including Novo Nordisk Foundation projects (AGGREGATE: DKK 3M; MATRIX: DKK 3.1M share) and a DFF-funded study on forest fungal traits (DKK 2.39M). Supervises PhD/master's students and organizes advanced courses in microbial analysis. Active in international networks including 4EU+ Environmental Transitions flagship, Mycology Denmark, and TRIAD land-use initiative. Collaborates with DTU, NIOO (Netherlands), and North Carolina State University.

Osman Atilla ArikanView profile

Professor

• Anaerobic Digestion
• Waste Management
• Organic Waste Treatment
• +7 more

Osman Atilla Arikan is a Professor of Environmental Engineering at Istanbul Technical University (ITU), where he has held academic positions since 2000. He leads research in anaerobic digestion, waste management, and sustainable environmental technologies. His work focuses on organic waste valorization, biogas production optimization, and zero-waste strategies for institutions. He has extensive experience in full-scale anaerobic digestion plants, composting technologies, and antibiotic fate studies in agricultural waste. Education: PhD in Environmental Engineering (ITU, 2004), Master's (ITU, 1996), and Bachelor's (ITU, 1994). Research interests include: anaerobic digestion systems, municipal solid waste management, circular economy models, antibiotic degradation in waste streams, and sustainable campus practices. He has authored over 47 publications and led 15 projects, including initiatives on earthquake waste management, sustainable university campuses, and biorefinery approaches. Grants/Projects: Includes BAP-funded research on urban solid waste utilization and the Istanbul Drinking Water Master Plan. He advises students on topics like food waste management and bioenergy systems. Labs/Teams: Leads projects at ITU’s Environmental Engineering Department, collaborating on anaerobic digestion, composting, and lifecycle assessment frameworks.

Eugene MoharebView profile

Associate Professor

• Urban Sustainability
• Life Cycle Assessment
• Greenhouse Gas Mitigation
• +4 more

Dr. Eugene Mohareb is an Associate Professor in Sustainable Urban Systems at the University of Reading, where he leads the Sustainable & Equitable Resource Consumption (SERC) group. His research focuses on quantitative sustainability assessments of urban systems, specializing in life cycle analysis of energy and food systems, greenhouse gas mitigation strategies, and adoption of low-carbon technologies. He directs multiple courses including Statistical Analysis, Sustainable Built Environments, and Carbon Management. Dr. Mohareb holds a PhD in Civil (Environmental) Engineering from the University of Toronto, an MSc in Biological (Food) Engineering from the University of Guelph, and a BSc in Biological (Food) Engineering from the same institution. He is affiliated with the International Society for Industrial Ecology. His research examines urban sustainability through three primary lenses: life cycle sustainability assessment of built environments, domestic retrofit adoption patterns, and sustainability metrics for food systems. Key projects include FoodSEqual, HiFi Bread, and BBSRC-funded assessments of biobased food system transitions. His work with Toast Brewing exemplifies industry collaborations to quantify carbon benefits of circular economy approaches. Mohareb's publications demonstrate strong thematic coherence around urban decarbonization, with recent expansions into social dimensions of sustainability in developing contexts. His 15 most recent articles (2022-2025) cluster around six domains: waste management innovations, energy retrofit behavior, urban metabolism modeling, climate adaptation strategies, food-energy systems, and renewable technology adoption in rural areas. This reflects an evolution from foundational urban GHG accounting toward applied socio-technical transitions. He leads the SERC research group, collaborating with academic and industry partners to develop evidence for low-carbon societies. Current projects investigate decentralized waste systems, solar adoption impacts on rural livelihoods, and urban heat resilience frameworks.

Sina AdlView profile

Professor

• Soil Biology
• Protist Diversity and Systematics
• Microbial Ecology
• +3 more

Sina Adl is a Professor in the Department of Soil Science at the University of Saskatchewan, affiliated with the College of Agriculture and Bioresources. His research spans soil biology, protist diversity, microbial ecology, and sustainable agriculture. He leads projects on global soil biodiversity, eukaryote systematics, and ecosystem remediation. Notable grants include $4M for pulse crop innovation in Ethiopia and $35.5M for crop development through the Global Institute for Food Security. Research interests include protist ecology, soil food webs, and nutrient cycling. He has pioneered studies on eukaryote classification and functional assignments, with contributions to the Phylocode and Phylonyms. His work spans field studies in Canada, Asia, and Central America. Key projects address no-tillage agriculture, organic farming impacts, and mine tailings remediation. Publications emphasize soil biodiversity, microbial interactions, and agricultural sustainability. Collaborations with international teams focus on soil protistology and food web dynamics. His lab integrates molecular biology, stable isotope analysis, and field ecology to address global challenges in soil health and biodiversity.

• Polymer Science
• Polymer Technology
• Rheology
• +7 more

Francesco Paolo La Mantia is a Full Professor of Polymer Technology at the University of Palermo , specializing in polymer processing, recycling, and nanocomposites. He has served as Dean of the Faculty of Engineering (2004-2010) and currently holds the role of Pro-Rector for Strategic Planning and Recruitment Policies. Research Focus: Rheology, mechanical properties, and environmental degradation of polymeric materials Leadership: Director of the Environmental Chemical Engineering Laboratory (INCA Consortium), Coordinator of national/international research projects His scientific activity spans polymer blends, biodegradable systems, compatibilization techniques, and sustainable material design. He has contributed to over 290 ISI publications and 6 patents, with a h-index of 32 (Google Scholar 2013). The article trends (2025-2021) demonstrate sustained innovation in biodegradable polymer systems, recycling of heterogeneous waste, compatibilization strategies, and nanocomposite applications. His work addresses critical challenges in microplastics generation, agricultural polymer durability, and circular economy frameworks. Professional Roles: President of AIMAT Former President and current Treasurer of MoDeSt International Society Editorial Board Member: Polymer Degradation and Stability , Polimery , Progress in Rubber, Plastics and Recycling Technology Referee for national (MIUR, CNR) and international research agencies

Susan De LongView profile

Associate Professor

• Environmental Engineering
• Biotechnology
• Biodegradation of Contaminants
• +5 more

Susan De Long is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Colorado State University, with joint appointments in Chemical and Biological Engineering and the School of Biomedical Engineering. She holds B.A. degrees in Environmental Science and Molecular and Cell Biology from UC Berkeley, and M.S. and Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Texas, Austin. Her research focuses on sustainable biotechnologies, including bioenergy generation from waste, bioremediation of contaminants, and molecular biology tools for microbiome analysis. Her work is funded by the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy, and industry partners. Notable awards include the 2022 Oliver P. Pennock Distinguished Service Award and multiple service excellence awards. Her teaching includes courses like Biomolecular Tools for Engineers and Water Quality Analysis. Research emphasizes leveraging microbiome data to improve treatment processes and discover novel enzymes for pollutant degradation. Current projects explore low-water co-digestion processes, anaerobic digestion optimization, and wastewater surveillance for pathogens. Her lab has pioneered metatranscriptomic approaches to identify biomarkers in mixed microbial communities. Grants: US DOE BETO, ARPA-E, NSF, Environmental Research and Education Foundation Lab Activities: Scott Bioengineering Building, focusing on anaerobic digestion, microbial community analysis, and bioremediation Collaborations: Industry partnerships and interdisciplinary teams across engineering and biomedical fields

• Wild Bees Conservation
• Composting Technology
• Functional Ecology
• +3 more

Sebastien Moreau is a Lecturer in the Department of Animal Biology and Genetics at Université François-Rabelais. He is affiliated with the UMR CNRS 7261 - Research Institute on Insect Biology (IRBI) and the Faculty of Sciences and Techniques. His research focuses on four main areas: non-lethal identification methods for wild bees, innovative composting technologies, functional ecology of agricultural landscapes, and molecular mechanisms governing host-parasitoid interactions in hymenoptera. His work combines field studies with molecular biology techniques, bioinformatics, and biochemical analysis. Key projects include EXAPICO (2025-2028) for wild bee conservation and development of the Compostou shared composting system. He has collaborated extensively with regional stakeholders including Zéro Déchet Touraine, CETU Innophyt, and participated in national initiatives like Trame Verte et Bleue. Dr. Moreau has authored/co-authored over 35 peer-reviewed publications since 1997, with recent work emphasizing genomic studies of parasitic wasps and venom protein characterization. His applied ecology research addresses both environmental sustainability (composting systems) and fundamental biological questions (parasitoid-host molecular dialog). Teaching responsibilities include courses in Applied Ecology, Waste Prevention, Animal Biology, Histology, Cell Biology, and Entomology. He has developed innovative pedagogical projects like the 'Effet Papillon' initiative linking student action to climate change mitigation. Professional service includes jury participation for national flower meadow competitions and advisory roles in regional ecological planning. His work exemplifies interdisciplinary research spanning molecular biology to community-based environmental solutions.

• Analytical Chemistry
• Green Analytical Chemistry
• Environmental Analysis
• +6 more

Salvador Garrigues Mateo is a Professor at the University of Valencia in the Faculty of Chemistry and Department of Analytical Chemistry . He leads the research group SOLINQUIANA (Solutions & Innovation in Analytical Chemistry) , focusing on green analytical chemistry and innovative spectroscopic methods. Education: PhD in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Valencia (1993) with a thesis on Quantitative analysis by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry . Research Interests: Green Analytical Chemistry, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS), environmental and biomedical analysis, sample preparation techniques, and forensic chemistry. His recent publications highlight trends in environmental analysis (wastewater drug monitoring, bioaerosol assessment), forensic chemistry (illicit drug detection, synthetic cannabinoids), and green sample preparation (natural sorbents, microextraction techniques). He also contributes to food analysis (oil degradation, essential oil authentication) and biomedical applications (urinalysis for drug exposure, serum diagnostics). His work emphasizes green chemistry principles , focusing on reducing solvent consumption, developing non-invasive testing protocols, and applying chemometrics for improved analytical accuracy. He has published extensively on spectroscopic methods for both environmental and clinical applications, often combining FTIR with ion mobility spectrometry for enhanced detection capabilities. Contact: salvador.garrigues@uv.es

• Environmental Toxicology
• Bioremediation
• Soil Health
• +4 more

Dr Anithadevi Kenday Sivaram is a Researcher at the University of Newcastle , affiliated with the School of Environmental and Life Sciences . Her research focuses on environmental toxicology, bioremediation, and soil health, particularly addressing the impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Contact: anitha.kendaysivaram@newcastle.edu.au Location: Callaghan campus, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia Research Interests : Dr Anithadevi explores the ecotoxicity of PFAS and firefighting foams, particularly their effects on aquatic organisms and plants. She investigates bioremediation strategies using plants and microbes to degrade pollutants like PAHs, with a focus on rhizosphere interactions and organic amendments. Her work also examines the fate of PFAS during thermal treatments and microbial viability in sustainable agriculture. Recent Publications Trends : Her studies span PFAS contamination in commercial composts, pyrolysis-based remediation of biosolids, and transgenerational toxicity in nematodes. Key themes include pollutant fate, plant-microbe interactions, and innovative methods for environmental cleanup.

Graham HepworthView profile

Associate Professor

• Experimental Design
• Survey Sampling
• Group Testing
• +4 more

Graham Hepworth is an Associate Professor of Statistics in the School of Mathematics and Statistics at The University of Melbourne, with over 40 years of experience as a consulting statistician at the Statistical Consulting Centre since 2000. His expertise spans experimental design, survey sampling, and statistical analysis across diverse fields including medicine, dentistry, plant/animal sciences, ecology, and public health. He earned his Bachelor of Science (Honours), Master of Science, and PhD in mathematical statistics from the University of Melbourne. His methodological research focuses on group testing (pooled testing) for proportion estimation, adopted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Collaborative work extends to animal reproduction, lung diseases, plant pathology, cardiac electrophysiology, nursing, water use, compost science, entomology, veterinary science, and neurology. His scientific recognition includes: Accredited Statistician (AStat) of the Statistical Society of Australia Past President of the Australasian Region of the International Biometric Society As a chief investigator on four major NHMRC/MRFF projects—including ambulatory oxygen for lung disease, AI in breast cancer screening, and pulmonary rehabilitation—he bridges academic research with real-world applications. He develops and teaches university courses on experimental design, mixed models, and survey analysis while leading the Statistical Consulting Centre’s outreach through free public resources. The Centre serves as his primary operational hub, providing statistical consulting to government agencies, businesses, and researchers through structured short courses and direct project collaboration.

• Soil Ecology
• Environmental Pollution
• Microplastics
• +3 more

Melanie Braun is a full Professor at the Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES) , University of Bonn, Germany, specializing in Soil Science and Soil Ecology . Her research focuses on understanding the fate of pollutants in soil ecosystems, including plastics, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and nanoparticles, with emphasis on climate and land-use impacts. She has received significant funding through the Annemarie Schimmel Scholarship (2016-2017) DBU Scholarship for her dissertation on inland navigation emissions (2011-2016) Her recent publications (2021-2025) address critical issues in soil contamination, including microplastic dynamics in composting, antibiotic dissipation in flooded soils, and climate effects on phosphorus availability in sub-Saharan Africa. These studies span environmental science, analytical chemistry, and agricultural sustainability. Selected scientific awards include: Annemarie Schimmel Scholarship DBU Scholarship Melanie teaches courses on Soil and Water Protection , Nature Conservation , and Soil Ecology . She leads projects like PAPILLONS and SOPLAS , focusing on microplastic pollution and sustainable soil management.

• Microbial Food Safety
• Biosecurity
• Foodborne Pathogen Detection
• +4 more

Dr. Maria Ma is a Professor in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Oklahoma State University (OSU), affiliated with the Institute of Biosecurity & Microbial Forensics. She holds an 80% research and 20% teaching appointment. Dr. Ma specializes in microbial food safety and biosecurity, focusing on foodborne pathogen detection, contamination route analysis, and decontamination technologies. Educated at Purdue University (Ph.D. in Food Microbiology) and Dalian Polytechnic University (B.S. in Fermentation Engineering), she has over 15 years of academic experience, including postdoctoral research at the University of Georgia and guest work at the CDC. Her research spans novel detection methods (e.g., LAMP assays, PCR), cold plasma decontamination systems, and biosecurity strategies. She teaches advanced courses like Microbial Forensics and Career Skills for Scientists. Dr. Ma has secured funding from agencies like USDA NIFA for projects addressing pecan orchard food safety, pathogen controls, and biosecurity training. Her lab mentors Ph.D. and M.S. students in applied microbiology and food safety innovation.

Irnayuli SitepuView profile

Researcher

• Microbiology
• Biotechnology
• Biofuel Production
• +3 more

Irnayuli Sitepu is a Project Scientist and lab manager at the Phaff Yeast Culture Collection, part of the University of California, Davis Department of Food Science and Technology. She specializes in yeast strain screening for industrial applications, particularly in biofuel production, lipid synthesis, and brewing science. Her work emphasizes high-throughput methods for identifying yeasts with desirable traits like proline uptake, ionic liquid tolerance, and polyol lipid secretion. Dr. Sitepu holds a Ph.D. in Applied Bioscience/Forest Microbiology from Hokkaido University (Japan, 2007), an M.S. in Plant-Microbe Interaction from the University of Adelaide (Australia, 2001), and a B.Sc. in Plant Pest and Disease from Brawijaya University (Indonesia, 1994). Her research interests focus on microbial genetics, bioremediation, and sustainable resource utilization. Key areas include optimizing yeast strains for lipid and protein production, leveraging microbial interactions in tropical ecosystems, and developing biocatalysts for industrial processes. She has pioneered lab protocols for screening oleaginous yeasts and contributed to understanding yeast tolerance to harsh environments (e.g., ionic liquids). Her recent publications highlight advancements in yeast-based production systems for biofuels, glycolipids, and high-protein biomass, with a growing emphasis on industrial scalability and novel applications in brewing. Patents from 2024 underscore her team's innovations in polyol lipid synthesis technologies. Dr. Sitepu currently supervises junior specialists, postdocs, visiting scientists, and students in her lab. She collaborates closely with the Boundy-Mills research group and has contributed to the USCCN microbial genomics initiative. Her work bridges fundamental microbiology with applied biotechnology, addressing both environmental and industrial challenges. Her lab manages the Phaff Yeast Collection, a global resource for yeast strains, and explores applications in biorehabilitation of degraded lands through rhizobacteria and mycorrhizal fungi. This includes studies on Aquilaria spp. for agarwood production and tropical peatland restoration.

• Soil Science
• Environmental Toxicology
• Biogeochemistry
• +4 more

Tom Sizmur is a Professor at the University of Reading, specializing in soil science, environmental toxicology, and biogeochemical processes. His research focuses on soil microbial dynamics, biochar applications for contaminant remediation, mercury cycling, and the ecological impacts of earthworms on heavy metal mobility. Key Research Areas: Biochar for soil recovery, nitrogen and carbon cycling, earthworm-plant-soil interactions, and floodplain/marine ecosystem health. Recent Publications (2022–2025): Sizmur's work examines how biochar and organic amendments immobilize heavy metals in contaminated soils, the role of soil microbial biomass in nitrogen retention from anaerobic digestate, and the influence of climate factors like temperature oscillations on soil respiration and microbial activity. He investigates microplastic fibers as mercury vectors and evaluates sustainable farming practices such as Zero Budget Natural Farming in India. Collaborative Efforts: Sizmur collaborates with international researchers on topics spanning cocoa agroecosystems, heathland restoration, and pollutant source diagnostics in marine sediments. His studies often integrate multidisciplinary approaches to address soil fertility, contaminant management, and ecosystem sustainability.

Mari KoppanenView profile

Research Fellow

• Material Science
• Sustainable Design
• Biotechnology
• +3 more

Mari Koppanen is a Research Fellow at Oslo National Academy of the Arts, specializing in fungal-based biomaterials and sustainable design practices. She holds a PhD and has developed innovative applications for natural materials like amadou, bacterial cellulose, and pea pod peels through interdisciplinary projects. Key collaborators: Estelle Bourdet (textile design), Romanian artisans Supported by: Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike), Asko Foundation, CHEMARTS at Aalto University Her research intersects traditional craftsmanship with modern material science, focusing on: Biodegradable composites Fungal material systems Waste valorization Cultural preservation through design Eco-functional product design Recent publications demonstrate expertise in: Amadou material processing (2025) Fungal composite lighting design (2024) Lichen-dyed bacterial cellulose fashion (2023) Polypore-inspired furniture (2021) Historical material documentation (2023) Notable awards include Best Master’s Thesis Project of 2019 at Oslo National Academy of the Arts and Designers’ Saturday Best Talents 2019 First Prize.