Dr. Arvydas Ruseckas is a Research Fellow at the School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews. His research focuses on organic photovoltaics, semiconductor materials, and optoelectronic systems. Key areas include exciton dynamics in solar cells, perovskite photovoltaics, and X-ray detector technologies. He collaborates extensively on interdisciplinary projects, bridging material science with marine biology and quantum optics. Research interests span organic solar cells, energy harvesting, and semiconductor physics, with contributions to understanding charge transfer mechanisms and material optimization. He has published widely on topics such as exciton diffusion, light-harvesting in red algae, and polariton condensates in organic semiconductors. His work often involves experimental studies of thin films, photoluminescence, and device performance, with a focus on advancing sustainable energy technologies and novel optoelectronic applications.
Dr James Herbert-Read is an Associate Professor and Whitten Lecturer in Marine Biology at the Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge. He serves as Deputy Head of Department (Postgraduate Education) and leads the Marine Behavioural Ecology Group. His research focuses on understanding how animals, particularly marine organisms, collect and process information from their environments to make behavioral decisions, with emphasis on social interactions, adaptation mechanisms, and ecological constraints. His group employs theoretical frameworks, controlled experiments, and quantitative field studies to investigate behavioral diversity in marine species. Key themes include collective behavior, predator-prey dynamics, camouflage strategies, and the impacts of environmental stressors on animal decision-making. Recent publications highlight work on lionfish vocalization mechanisms, cuttlefish camouflage, citizen science applications in marine research, and behavioral responses to visual and acoustic noise. Scientific awards and affiliations include: Whitten Lecturer in Marine Biology Associate Professor, University of Cambridge He has supervised research projects on topics such as: Social attraction in invasive fish species Evolution of coordinated movement Neurophysiological basis for leadership in shoals Maternal effects on offspring exploration
Professor Lindsay Turnbull is a Professor of Plant Ecology at the University of Oxford's Department of Biology. Her research focuses on understanding the evolutionary and ecological basis of plant trait diversity and its consequences for ecosystems. Key interests include seed size variation, plant-soil interactions, and the impact of organic farming on biodiversity. She leads a research group exploring topics such as mutualism stability, species coexistence, and island conservation genetics. Turnbull's work integrates experimental, observational, and computational approaches to address fundamental questions in ecology. Her lab, based at the Department of Biology (Mansfield Road and South Parks Road campuses), has contributed to global understanding of biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships and plant-microbe symbioses. Notable projects include studies on Aldabra giant tortoises and coral reef connectivity in the Seychelles, highlighting her commitment to applied conservation science. Her research spans multiple scales—from molecular interactions in legume-rhizobia systems to large-scale biodiversity patterns in grasslands and tropical ecosystems. Recent work emphasizes the role of trait-based approaches in predicting ecological responses to environmental changes such as eutrophication and climate variability. Her publications frequently bridge theoretical and applied ecology, offering insights into both natural and human-managed ecosystems.
Professor Jason Hall-Spencer is a globally recognized marine biologist at the University of Plymouth and a full professor at the University of Tsukuba (Japan), with an adjunct role at Xiamen University. His research focuses on ocean acidification, invasive species (e.g., lionfish), and climate change impacts on marine ecosystems. He pioneered the use of underwater CO2 seeps as natural analogues for climate change studies, a methodology now adopted globally. His work has influenced policies to protect deep-water corals and Arctic reefs, and he leads projects like RELIONMED to combat lionfish invasions in the Mediterranean. Education: Studied Applied Marine Biology at Heriot-Watt University, completed a PhD on coralline algae at Millport Marine Station, and conducted fieldwork across Europe, Asia, and the Pacific. His career includes discovering UK deep-water coral reefs and Arctic reefs, leading to their legal protection. Research Interests: Ocean acidification effects on marine organisms, invasive species management, CO2 seep dynamics, coral reef ecology, and marine conservation. His work combines field experiments, policy advocacy, and community engagement to address global marine challenges. Grants and Collaborations: Secured €1.7M from the EU Life Programme for lionfish control and a $400K grant on plankton dynamics. Collaborates with organizations like the Marine Biological Association and international researchers on projects such as the Ocean Organ to visualize CO2 impacts. Labs/Teams: Leads the Marine Conservation Research Group at Plymouth, coordinating initiatives like RELIONMED and influencing global marine policies through partnerships with governments and NGOs.
Professor Yadvinder Malhi is a leading ecosystem scientist at the University of Oxford , holding the Professor of Ecosystem Science chair at the Environmental Change Institute (ECI) within the School of Geography and the Environment. He also serves as Jackson Senior Research Fellow at Oriel College , Director of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery , and President of the British Ecological Society . Active researcher in tropical and temperate forest dynamics Advises UK and Scottish governments on nature restoration Global research across Amazon, Andes, Africa, and UK Research Focus: Malhi investigates how terrestrial ecosystems respond to global atmospheric changes, with emphasis on tropical forests , climate change adaptation , and nature-based solutions . His work integrates field physiology, remote sensing, and ecosystem modeling, notably through the GEM and RAINFOR networks. Recent Trends: Recent publications highlight cross-disciplinary approaches combining terrestrial laser scanning , trait-based ecology , and social-ecological analysis . Research spans from Arctic tundra to tropical coral reefs , with growing emphasis on UK nature recovery and global carbon cycling . Scientific Recognition: 2025: Ramon Margalef Prize in Ecology 2023: Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) 2022: British Ecological Society President-Elect Academic Leadership: As Programme Leader of the Ecosystems & Biodiversity Research group and member of the ECI , Malhi mentors 24 graduate students while directing large-scale initiatives like the Wytham Woods monitoring station. His lab develops innovative tools for ecosystem assessment through projects like GEM Field Manual and TLS2trees algorithms.
Professor Steve Simpson is a leading marine biologist and fish ecologist at the University of Exeter's Biosciences department. He serves as Professor of Marine Biology & Global Change and leads a dynamic research group focused on understanding marine ecosystems, particularly in the context of climate change and human impacts. His work has been prominently featured in Blue Planet II and he actively engages with industry, policy makers, and the public through media appearances and outreach activities. Education PhD, University of York, UK (2000-2004) MRes Marine & Coastal Ecology & Environmental Management, University of York, UK (1998-1999) BSc Marine Biology (Hons), University of Liverpool, UK (1995-1998) Professor Simpson's research centers on the behavior of coral reef fishes, bioacoustics, and the effects of climate change on marine ecosystems. His approach uniquely combines fieldwork in remote environments with laboratory experiments, data-mining, and computer modeling. He has pioneered new methods for listening to ocean soundscapes and understanding fish communication, revealing how anthropogenic noise disrupts natural behaviors and ecological processes. His work on climate change impacts examines shifting fish distributions and their implications for fisheries management and conservation. Analysis of Simpson's recent publications reveals two dominant research themes: the impacts of anthropogenic noise on marine life and climate change effects on fisheries. His work demonstrates how underwater noise from boats and industrial activities impairs fish hearing, disrupts predator-prey relationships, and affects reproductive success. Simultaneously, his climate change research tracks how warming seas are altering fish distributions, creating 'mackerel wars' and requiring fisheries adaptation. These research strands converge in his innovative work on developing solutions like bubble curtains to mitigate noise impacts. Scientific Awards FSBI Medal (2016) NERC Knowledge Exchange Fellowship (2011-2014) NERC Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (2004-2007) Royal Society International Fellow (2007-2008) EPHE Postdoctoral Fellow (2007-2008) Professor Simpson leads a thriving research group of approximately 10 postdocs, PhD, and Masters students. His grant portfolio includes major NERC funding for projects on marine noise impacts and climate change effects on fisheries. He has developed strong industry partnerships through a Knowledge Exchange Fellowship, working with Cefas, the Met Office, Sustainable Marine Energy Ltd, and HR Wallingford Ltd. His research has directly informed policy through contributions to Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership reports and presentations to European Parliament. Simpson has also created innovative knowledge exchange initiatives including the 'Vision of Sustainable Fisheries in 2050' thinktank. Simpson has developed specialized research infrastructure including a mobile lab with Ecocean in Montpellier for assessing marine noise impacts, and has conducted large-scale acoustic experiments in dry docks. His work on underwater acoustics was prominently featured in Blue Planet II, and he maintains active engagement with media through TEDx talks, BBC appearances, and public lectures to schools and community groups. He serves on the International Quiet Ocean Experiment Science Committee, helping shape global research on ocean noise.
Prof Andrea Manica is a Professor of Evolutionary Ecology and Deputy Head of Department (Research) at the University of Cambridge, Department of Zoology. Her research spans ecological and evolutionary time scales, integrating climate reconstructions, paleontological data, ecological datasets, and genetic information to understand species' responses to environmental change. Research Areas: Population Genetics, Species Distribution Models, Paleoclimate Reconstructions, Human Evolutionary Ecology Key Tools: Development of open-source R packages like tidypopgen and tidygenclust for population genetics and data analysis Focus Taxa: Seabirds (albatrosses, petrels), sharks, turtles, bears, and Homo sapiens Her work addresses questions such as: How do animals adapt movement strategies to changing environments using tracking data? What drives range changes and genetic differentiation in species like leopards and giraffes? How did climatic shifts influence human evolution, migration, and cultural innovations? What computational tools can interrogate large datasets across space and time? Her interdisciplinary approach combines computational models, fieldwork, and collaborations with institutions like the British Antarctic Survey.
Tom Spencer is an Emeritus Professor of Coastal Dynamics and Director of the Cambridge Coastal Research Unit at the University of Cambridge's Department of Geography. He holds the title of Professorial Fellow at Magdalene College, where he previously served as Dean and Tutor for Graduate Students. His academic career spans over four decades, including roles as Senior Lecturer, Reader, and full Professor at Cambridge since 2016. Affiliations: Department of Geography, Cambridge Coastal Research Unit, Magdalene College Research Groups: Biogeography and Biogeomorphology, Geographies of Knowledge Spencer's research focuses on coastal dynamics, integrating geomorphology, ecology, and environmental science. Key areas include coral reef ecosystems, mangroves, sediment dynamics, and climate change impacts. His work emphasizes coastal resilience to rising sea levels and extreme events like storm surges. His career includes supervising MPhil students but has ceased taking new PhD candidates. Notable contributions include the Atlas of the Amirantes and collaborations on global coastal wetland models (DIVA). Publications span over 40 years, addressing topics like salt marsh stability, tidal dynamics, and energy-climate scenarios for India. His work bridges field observations, modeling, and policy implications for coastal management.
Professor Vincent Savolainen is a Professor of Organismic Biology at Imperial College London's Department of Life Sciences (Silwood Park Campus), part of the Faculty of Natural Sciences. He serves as Director of the Georgina Mace Centre for the Living Planet, focusing on interdisciplinary environmental challenges. Previously, he was Deputy Head of the Department of Life Sciences (2013–2016) and Deputy Head of Molecular Systematics at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (2007–2016). His research integrates field ecology, molecular phylogenetics, and population genomics to address biodiversity preservation, evolutionary biology, and societal challenges like pandemic monitoring. Key areas include ecological speciation in palms, same-sex behavior in animals, and zoonotic disease surveillance in bats. He has pioneered environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques for biodiversity assessment and led studies on the genetic basis of traits like sexual orientation in primates. Professor Savolainen holds prestigious awards, including the Linnean Society’s Bicentenary Medal (2006), European Research Council Advanced Grant (2008), and Coincy Medal for Botany (2014). He sits on UK Natural Environment Research Council panels and Royal Society committees. His group includes researchers like Dr Marco Balducci and Dr Louis Bell-Roberts, and collaborates with institutions like the Zoological Society of London and Royal Society of Biology. Current projects explore plant-insect coevolution, conservation genetics of deer species, and the evolution of endothermy in fish.
Professor Gerd Masselink is a leading authority on coastal geomorphology at the University of Plymouth, specifically in the School of Biological and Marine Sciences. He heads the Coastal Processes Research Group (CPRG), the largest such group in the UK, specializing in extreme storm impacts, climate change adaptation, and coastal management. His work spans global research, including coral reef islands, sediment dynamics, and beach hazard mitigation. He holds a PhD from Sydney University and has over 25 years of field and numerical modeling expertise, with 150+ publications (h-index 68). Current projects include the EA-funded 'Making Space for Sand' and UKRI's ARISE project on atoll resilience. He co-founded CMAR consultancy and authored textbooks like Introduction to Coastal Processes and Geomorphology . Research focuses on extreme storms' coastal effects, including erosion, flooding, and dune dynamics. He supervises 25+ PhD students and collaborates internationally on rip current forecasting, sediment budgets, and climate adaptation strategies. His work informs coastal policy and safety, such as RNLI beach hazard research and UK National Marine Park initiatives.
Dr. Cecilia D'Angelo is an Associate Professor at the University of Southampton, affiliated with the Institute for Life Sciences, Marine Biology and Ecology, and the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute. Her research explores coral reef ecology, focusing on environmental stress responses, biomineralisation, and artificial light impacts. She investigates nutrient stress in reef corals, coral-symbiont interactions, and the effects of ocean warming. Her work bridges molecular biology and geochemical analysis, with a particular interest in nature-based solutions for reef conservation. Recent studies highlight her contributions to understanding coral bleaching mechanisms, symbiotic mutualism, and light pollution mitigation. Collaborations include Professor Joerg Wiedenmann and Professor Gavin Foster. Dean’s Prize for Outstanding Contributions in Research (2015) FNES Faculty Teaching Award (2018) She supervises PhD students George Clarke and Finley Spencer Chadwick, focusing on ocean and earth science topics. Her active projects span coral adaptation to warming, biomineralisation insights, and 3D-printed artificial reefs. Completed initiatives include ALAN impacts and nutritional bottlenecks in coral growth.
Dr. Jaan Pu is an Associate Professor at the University of Bradford, UK, affiliated with the School of BEACI within the Faculty of Engineering & Digital Technologies. He holds visiting scientist roles at Tsinghua University and Nanyang Technological University. His research focuses on numerical and experimental approaches to water engineering challenges, including sediment transport, turbulence modeling, and flood dynamics. Dr. Pu serves as Associate Editor for Frontiers in Environmental Science and Frontiers in Built Environment , and editorial roles in other journals. His work integrates computational tools (e.g., Delft3D, MATLAB) with experimental techniques (ADV, PIV) to study flows in rivers, coastal areas, and urban environments. Research interests include turbulence structures around bridge piers, scour reduction mechanisms, and environmental hydraulics. Teaching areas cover Water Engineering, Fluid Dynamics, and Mechanics. His publications span 73 works addressing topics from coral reef protection to sedimentation in rainwater systems. Professional activities include editorial board memberships, conference organizing, and peer review for high-impact journals.
Professor David J Beerling is a renowned academic at the University of Sheffield, holding a Personal Chair in the School of Biosciences. He serves as Director of the Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation (LC3M), a £10 million international research hub focusing on CO2 removal through enhanced rock weathering. His work emphasizes agricultural land improvement and climate mitigation, with field trials across three continents. Beerling also leads the UK’s Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) Greenhouse Gas Removal Demonstrator. He earned a PhD in Botany from the University of Wales, College of Cardiff (1990), and a Bachelor’s in Botany (1987). His awards include Royal Society Fellowship (1994–2002), Philip Leverhulme Prize (2001–2003), and election to the Royal Society (2014) and the Learned Society of Wales (2022). He holds an Honorary Doctorate from Cardiff University (2022). Research interests span climate change mitigation, carbon sequestration via rock weathering, and ecosystem co-benefits. His publications highlight CO2 removal potential in croplands, albedo feedbacks in reforestation, and methane budgets. Beerling chairs the Royal Society’s Earth and Environment committee and edits Biology Letters . He has advised BBC documentaries and sits on global climate science panels.
Helen Johnson is a Professor of Ocean and Climate Science at the University of Oxford's Department of Earth Sciences and a member of St Cross College. She serves as the Academic Convenor of the Oxford Climate Research Network (OCRN). Her research focuses on ocean circulation's role in the climate system, particularly in the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, using fluid dynamics, numerical models, and observations. She teaches courses on climate processes, climate change, and oceanography at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Education and Career: BSc in Physics and Meteorology from the University of Reading; PhD in Physical Oceanography from the same institution; postdoctoral work at the University of Victoria, Canada; Royal Society University Research Fellow (2005–2013); Associate Professor at the University of Oxford (prior to 2020); and Adjunct Professor at the University of Bergen, Norway (2014–2017). Research Interests: Johnson’s work combines theoretical approaches, numerical modeling, and field observations to study ocean dynamics. Her group explores processes like dense water formation, meridional overturning circulation, and Arctic/Atlantic interactions. They also investigate coral reef connectivity in the Indian Ocean and the impacts of climate change on oceanic systems. Publications Highlight Trends: Recent work emphasizes Arctic and North Atlantic circulation variability, climate model improvements, and coral reef connectivity. Key themes include subpolar gyre dynamics, wind-driven circulation changes, and the role of surface factors in ocean stratification. Awards: Recognized as a Royal Society University Research Fellow (2005–2013). Her research group actively engages in fieldwork, including oceanographic expeditions and ice studies. Advising and Labs: Leads a research group focusing on ocean-climate interactions. Collaborates with institutions globally, including the University of Bergen. Engages in interdisciplinary projects, such as climate communication through theater and STEM education initiatives. Labs/Teams: Active in the OCRN and collaborates with international groups on Arctic and Atlantic oceanography projects.
Dr Matthew Struebig is a Reader in Conservation Science at the University of Kent, leading the Leverhulme Trust Tropical Defaunation Hub. He specializes in tropical biodiversity conservation, focusing on human-modified habitats in Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia and Malaysia. His interdisciplinary research addresses socio-ecological drivers of wildlife decline, conservation policy, and sustainable land-use practices. He has held roles including Leverhulme Trust Research Fellow and now leads a major interdisciplinary initiative studying defaunation impacts. His research integrates ecology with social sciences, examining trade-offs between conservation and human needs. Current projects include assessing deforestation impacts, designing riparian reserves in oil palm landscapes, and evaluating community forest management. He collaborates with institutions like the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) and contributes to global conservation efforts through roles like Associate Editor of Journal of Applied Ecology . Recent work highlights include studies on orangutan population dynamics, peatland restoration, and biodiversity monitoring via robotics and DNA technologies. His team addresses pressing issues like nickel mining impacts and coral reef conservation, emphasizing practical solutions for biodiversity and human well-being. Dr Struebig has supervised numerous PhD students and researchers, fostering the next generation of conservation scientists. His grants include major funding from the Leverhulme Trust and UKRI, supporting projects like spatial prioritization in Indonesia and ecosystem restoration licenses. He actively engages with conservation organizations and policy initiatives to bridge science and real-world applications.
