Find Academic Supervisors

Maarten van AalstView profile

Professor

• Climate Change
• Disaster Resilience
• Climate Risk Management
• +7 more

Maarten van Aalst is Full Professor of Climate and Disaster Resilience at the University of Twente's Faculty of Geo-information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), Department of Applied Earth Sciences. He also serves as Director General and Chief Science Officer of the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) and is the Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), ECMWF, and EUMETSAT. His research focuses on climate risk, disaster resilience, and adaptation, particularly in vulnerable and developing contexts. He integrates atmospheric science with social systems to improve climate-informed decision-making. His work spans climate modeling, risk perception, and policy integration, especially in urban and conflict-affected areas. The recent publications highlight trends in climate adaptation, social protection, urban heat risk, and extreme event attribution. These works emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, combining climate science with public health, social policy, and humanitarian action. Key themes include climate justice, limits to adaptation, and the integration of climate risks into development frameworks. Coordinating Lead Author, IPCC (AR6, AR5, SREX) Member, European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change Trustee, International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) Prof. van Aalst has advised multiple PhD students and collaborated with institutions such as the World Bank, UNDP, OECD, and Columbia University. He has led major climate risk initiatives with Red Cross Red Crescent and contributed to UN frameworks. His advisory roles extend to UNFCCC, UNDRR, and the UN Secretary-General’s climate team. He leads research teams at KNMI and ITC, integrating climate modeling, remote sensing, and social science. His labs and projects focus on real-time climate risk monitoring, early warning systems, and community-based adaptation, particularly in Africa and South Asia.

Gabriel ParodiView profile

Lecturer

• Hydrology
• Remote Sensing
• Water Resources Management
• +5 more

Gabriel Parodi is a Lecturer in the Department of Water Resources at the University of Twente’s Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC). He holds a Civil Engineering degree from the University of Buenos Aires, an MSc in Water Resource Management and Earth Observation from ITC, and postgraduate diplomas in Structural Engineering. His career includes over a decade at Argentina’s National Institute for Agricultural Technology (INTA), where he specialized in agroecology and remote sensing applications for water management. Currently, he coordinates remote sensing education at ITC and lectures internationally on water resources management, catchment modeling, and operational EO products. His research focuses on hydrological remote sensing, agro-hydrological systems, and the integration of GIS technologies with environmental monitoring. Contributions highlight the symbiosis between plants, soils, and water in flatland ecosystems, with emphasis on sustainable development goals. His work bridges technical innovations with policy frameworks addressing water scarcity and environmental governance.

Magnus JohanssonView profile

Associate Professor

• Disaster Risk Management
• Climate Change Adaptation
• Lessons Learning from Disasters
• +3 more

Magnus Johansson is an Associate Professor in Risk- & Environmental Studies at Karlstad University, where he leads research and teaching in disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, and lessons learning from past events. He is affiliated with the Centre for Societal Risk Research (CSR) and the national research school at the Swedish Centre for Natural hazards and Disaster Science (CNDS). His work emphasizes multi-disciplinary approaches, stakeholder collaboration, and integrating local perspectives into risk management frameworks. Dr. Johansson previously served as an analyst and project leader at the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), where he co-developed the Swedish Natural Hazards Information System (ndb.msb.se) with the European Joint Research Centre. His research focuses on capturing data from extreme weather events and evaluating the effectiveness of preventive measures in Sweden and Scandinavia. He teaches master-level courses in societal risk management and contributes to the IntECR educational model, which combines academic training with practical social learning and stakeholder engagement. His publications explore topics like flood vulnerability, landslide management, and the societal impacts of climate change. Key contributions include analyzing disaster resilience in Lake Vänern/Göta älv River systems and investigating barriers to knowledge sharing in disaster contexts. Johansson’s work bridges academic research with policy applications, aiming to enhance community preparedness and adaptive capacity.

• Seismic Engineering
• Masonry Structures
• Retrofitting Techniques
• +3 more

Dr. Jaroslav Vaculik is a Grant-Funded Researcher (A) in the School of Architecture and Civil Engineering at the University of Adelaide , affiliated with the Civil Engineering department. His research focuses on seismic response of unreinforced masonry buildings, particularly heritage structures, aiming to enhance their earthquake resilience through innovative techniques like FRP retrofitting. He combines practical consulting experience with academic research to address challenges in structural design standards. Research Interests: Seismic behavior of heritage masonry (clay brick/concrete block) FRP strengthening methodologies and durability Out-of-plane collapse mechanisms in unreinforced masonry Development of practical design tools for engineers Key Contributions: Advanced understanding of masonry joint properties and anchorage systems Pioneered field testing protocols for vintage masonry Authored over 30 peer-reviewed publications on structural retrofitting and masonry behavior Advising & Grants: Currently supervising technical projects on masonry retrofitting and seismic risk mitigation, with funding from university grants and industry collaborations.

• Structural Engineering
• Structural Mechanics
• Progressive Collapse
• +16 more

Valerio De Biagi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Structural, Geotechnical and Building Engineering (DISEG) at the Polytechnic University of Turin, Italy. He is a member of the Interdepartmental Center SISCON (Safety of Infrastructures and Constructions) and serves as Vice Coordinator of the PhD program in Civil and Environmental Engineering. He also acts as the Partnership Agreement Coordinator with STRADA DEI PARCHI, reflecting his strong engagement with industry and infrastructure safety. Research Interests: Structural robustness and progressive collapse Natural hazards (rockfalls, avalanches, debris flows) Structural health monitoring and damage modeling Reliability and risk assessment of civil infrastructure Mechanics of granular materials (snow) His recent research output shows a strong trend toward probabilistic risk assessment, experimental and numerical modeling of impact events, and the development of resilient structural systems. He frequently applies advanced computational methods, including finite element analysis and generative AI, to simulate extreme loading scenarios and infrastructure response. Scientific Roles: Effective Member, SISCO - Italian Society of Building Science (2019–present) Guest Editor, Applied Sciences (2020–present) Evaluator for Swiss National Science Foundation (MINT 2023, COST 2022) Advising and Grants: He actively supervises multiple PhD students across several cycles and leads numerous funded research projects, including competitive national grants (PRIN), PNRR initiatives, and commercial research contracts with public infrastructure agencies. His projects focus on structural safety assessment, development of monitoring protocols, and risk mitigation strategies for bridges, tunnels, and rockfall-prone areas. Labs and Teams: He leads research teams focused on structural complexity, natural hazard interaction, and granular material mechanics. His work involves experimental campaigns, field surveys, and back-analyses of real-world structural failures.

• Big data
• Data science
• Data analytics
• +12 more

Paolo Garza is an Associate Professor in the Department of Control and Computer Science (DAUIN) at the Polytechnic University of Turin, where he also serves as Coordinator of the College of Computer, Film and Mechatronics Engineering. He is a member of the DBDM research group and the SmartData@PoliTO laboratory, and actively contributes to academic governance through roles in teaching coordination and PhD program committees. Education: Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering, Polytechnic University of Turin (2001) PhD in Computer and Systems Engineering, Polytechnic University of Turin (2005) His research centers on data science, big data analytics, data mining, and machine learning , with applications in emergency management, real-time communications, Earth observation, and cybersecurity. He has led and participated in numerous national and commercial research projects, including AI4CTI and NODES (PNRR), and has collaborated with industry partners like Cisco Systems. His work bridges theoretical algorithm development and practical deployment in critical systems. The recent publications reflect a strong trend toward multimodal AI, crisis informatics, and intelligent networking . Articles span computer vision for environmental monitoring (e.g., burned area detection, canopy estimation), ML for real-time communication quality, multimodal document understanding, and crisis response systems. His team leverages deep learning, transformers, and vision-language models across diverse domains. Scientific Service: Associate Editor, Knowledge and Information Systems (2024–) Associate Editor, Expert Systems with Applications (2022–) General Co-Chair, IEEE AICT Conferences (2022, 2023) He mentors several PhD students and leads funded research initiatives focused on AI for sustainable industry and cyber threat intelligence. His teaching includes graduate courses on big data processing, distributed architectures, and data science lab methods. He has also directed commercial training programs and research contracts in machine learning and cybersecurity. Research Labs & Teams: DBDM - Database and Data Mining Group (DAUIN) SmartData@PoliTO - Big Data and Data Science Laboratory LAB 5 - Research Laboratory (DAUIN)

Pavel KabatView profile

Professor

• Earth System Science
• Global Change
• Climate Hydrology
• +7 more

Pavel Kabat is Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), a leading global science and science-to-policy institute with 22 member countries and a vast international research network. He is also a Full Professor of Earth System Science at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, where he contributes to research and academic leadership in environmental sciences. His research focuses on Earth system science , climate hydrology , land-atmosphere interactions , and global change . He has made significant contributions to understanding the water cycle, climate feedbacks, and sustainable development pathways. His work bridges science and policy, particularly through his role in the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network and the High Level Alpbach–Laxenburg Group. The analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on integrated environmental assessment, climate resilience, and science-based policy support. His work spans Earth system modeling , water security , sustainable transitions , and science-policy interfaces , reflecting a systems-oriented approach to global challenges. Notable scientific awards include: Nobel Peace Prize (2007, as part of the IPCC) Zayed International Prize for the Environment (2005) Order of the Netherlands Lion (2013) Multiple honorary degrees and distinguished fellowships Pavel Kabat has led major international scientific initiatives, advised global policy frameworks, and contributed to high-impact assessments. He has served as a lead author and review editor for the IPCC, edited numerous journal special issues, and authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications. His leadership in institutions like IIASA and the Wadden Academy underscores his role in advancing collaborative, transdisciplinary research for sustainability. He is a founding chair of the Wadden Academy, a member of the Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences and Arts, and actively engaged in global networks that connect science, policy, and society. His work continues to shape the future of Earth system science and sustainable development globally.

James A BayView profile

Associate Professor

• Geotechnical Engineering
• Earthquake Engineering
• Soil Dynamics
• +3 more

James A Bay is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Utah State University , with a focus on Geotechnical Engineering , Earthquake Engineering , and MSE Retaining Structures . He has taught courses such as Engineering Soil Mechanics , Geotechnical Principles , and Mechanics of Materials since the 1980s. PhD in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering (1997), The University of Texas MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering (1987), Utah State University BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering (1986), Utah State University His research centers on Engineering Geophysics , Soil Dynamics , and Soil Mechanics , particularly in applications such as resonant column testing , LIDAR visualization of earthquake damage , and nondestructive pavement evaluation . He has published extensively on topics including dynamic soil properties , seismic wave propagation , and MSE wall performance . James A Bay has mentored over 25 graduate students, including Yoon-Shin Bae , Fernando Ventura Tejeda , and Potikul Vivithkeyoonvong . He has also received multiple awards, including the Outstanding Teacher (2015) and the C.A. Hogentogler Award (2012).

• Microplastics
• Plastic Pollution
• Environmental Policy
• +3 more

Amila Abeynayaka is a Postdoctoral Fellow at DTU SUSTAIN, Technical University of Denmark, affiliated with the Department of Environmental and Resource Technology. Their research focuses on microplastics pollution, plastic waste management, water quality assessment, and science-policy integration for global environmental governance. Recent work highlights include Investigations into microplastic distribution along Sri Lankan coastlines Development of science-based recommendations for global plastic treaties Material flow analysis of plastic waste in ASEAN countries Amila’s expertise spans life cycle assessment of water technologies, disaster response systems, and environmental data accessibility. They collaborate on regional and international projects addressing plastic pollution and sustainable resource management.

Adrián García GutiérrezView profile

Professor

• Aerospace Engineering
• Uncertainty Quantification
• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• +3 more

Adrián García Gutiérrez is a Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of León's College of Engineering. His research focuses on aerospace systems, uncertainty quantification in CFD, atmospheric boundary layer modeling, and airship technology. Recent publications highlight his work in parallel orbital propagation algorithms, stochastic optimization of high-altitude platforms, and neural network applications for wind profiling. Key trends include aerodynamic modeling under uncertainty and interdisciplinary approaches combining turbulence analysis with LiDAR measurements. He contributes to educational innovation in aerospace engineering through simulation-based learning tools and leads the GITA Tecnología Aeroespacial research group.

Ramazan Cihad YILMAZView profile

Lecturer

• Physiotherapy
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Oncological Rehabilitation
• +5 more

Ramazan Cihad YILMAZ is a Lecturer in the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation at Igdir University's Faculty of Health Sciences. His academic background includes a Doctorate from Hasan Kalyoncu University (2019), a Master's in Public Health from Inonu University (2016–2019), and a Bachelor's in Physiotherapy from Halic University (2010–2014). His research focuses on telerehabilitation, oncological rehabilitation, disaster-related rehabilitation, caregiver burden analysis, and exercise interventions in chronic conditions. Notable projects include studies on vagus nerve stimulation (2024), post-earthquake hybrid education models (2024), and breast cancer survivorship care (2023). He has published extensively on topics such as telerehabilitation efficacy, pediatric cranial deformities, and refugee health. His work integrates clinical practice with technological advancements, emphasizing evidence-based practices in healthcare delivery. Teaching responsibilities include courses on therapeutic exercises, oncological physiotherapy, and geriatric rehabilitation. Despite no listed awards, his contributions to disaster medicine and remote rehabilitation reflect significant scholarly impact.

John Derek MorganView profile

Associate Professor

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Urban Environmental Geography
• Participatory Mapping
• +12 more

John Derek Morgan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of West Florida, within the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering. He serves as the primary faculty for the online Master of Science in GIS Administration program, contributing significantly to geospatial education and research. His work bridges urban environmental geography, GIS, cartography, and public policy. PhD in Geography, Florida State University MS in Management Information Systems, University of Central Florida BA in Economics (with Computer Science minor), University of Central Florida Dr. Morgan's research centers on the application of advanced geospatial methodologies to urban and environmental challenges. His work spans participatory mapping, crime mapping using time-geographic models, hazard modeling, land use planning, and cartographic visualization. He emphasizes user-centered design in Web GIS and explores how spatial tools can promote safer communities and equitable decision-making. His projects often integrate satellite imagery, social vulnerability indices, and community input to inform resilience and policy. The recent publications reflect a strong trend in applying GIS to social and environmental issues, including disaster response, urban park safety, illegal logging detection using GeoAI, and wildfire monitoring. His work combines technical innovation in geovisualization with real-world applications in public safety, environmental justice, and urban sustainability. Scientific Awards: NSF Doctoral Dissertation Research Grant #0927850 Dr. Morgan advises graduate students in the MS GIS program and has been involved in significant research grants, including the Florida Sea Grant 2024 project focused on training GIS graduates for coastal resilience. His collaborations span interdisciplinary teams, including environmental scientists, urban planners, and computer scientists. He has also contributed foundational content to the UCGIS Geographic Information Science & Technology Body of Knowledge. He leads research initiatives involving Web GIS development, hazard modeling post-hurricanes, and participatory mapping for community engagement. His lab work includes the use of satellite imagery, Bayesian networks for infrastructure failure, and deep learning for environmental monitoring. Future work continues to focus on transboundary viewshed changes, GeoAI applications, and improving spatial tools for public decision-making.

Robert W. AmlerView profile

Professor

• Academic Administration
• Disease Control and Prevention
• Health Policy and Management
• +5 more

Robert W. Amler, M.D., M.M.S., M.B.A., FAAP, FACPM, is Dean of the School of Health Sciences and Practice and Professor of Public Health and Pediatrics at New York Medical College. He previously served as Chief Medical Officer at the CDC's Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, where he coordinated anthrax response teams, launched children's health protection programs, and standardized environmental biomarkers. Education: A.B., Dartmouth College M.B.A., New York University M.M.S. and M.D., Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Residencies: NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service His research focuses on children's environmental health , toxicology , and public health policy . He has pioneered work in environmental biomarkers , emergency medicine , and vaccine advocacy . His publications over the past two decades reveal trends in pediatric environmental health , cancer research policy , and epidemiology of childhood disorders . Key topics include uranium exposure , ADHD treatment , and in utero chemical effects . Scientific Awards: William Cullen Bryant Award Outstanding Achievement Award in Epidemiologic Information Application Meritorious Service Medal City & State Reports’ Responsible 100 Award He has advised numerous public health initiatives and held leadership roles including Regional Council Chair for the State Commission on Health Care Facilities in the 21st Century. His work spans pediatric environmental health networks , disaster medicine , and health policy reform .

Robert DarstView profile

Associate Professor

• International relations
• Environmental politics
• Human rights
• +3 more

Robert Darst is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, specializing in international relations, environmental politics, and human rights. He holds a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley (1994) and teaches undergraduate courses including PSC 385: Politics of Global Climate Change and PSC 477: Seminar in International Relations. His research focuses on the intersection of environmental concerns and international politics, with particular emphasis on climate change diplomacy, environmental human rights, and the political dimensions of global environmental challenges. Professor Darst examines topics ranging from international climate negotiations to the relationship between environmental change and conflict, as well as policies for climate adaptation and mitigation across governance levels. Professor Darst is the author of the influential book Smokestack Diplomacy: Cooperation and Conflict in East-West Environmental Politics (MIT Press, 2001) and has published numerous articles in leading academic journals including Environment , Journal of Human Rights , Environmental Politics , Journal of Refugee Studies , and Global Environmental Politics . His scholarly work demonstrates consistent engagement with critical questions at the nexus of environmental policy and international relations, contributing significantly to understanding how political systems respond to global environmental challenges and how international cooperation can be fostered in addressing transnational environmental problems.

Mitchell HarleyView profile

Associate Professor

• Coastal Engineering
• Coastal Erosion
• Remote Sensing
• +5 more

Associate Professor Mitchell Harley is a leading expert in coastal erosion and hazards at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) , specifically within the Faculty of Engineering and School of Civil and Environmental Engineering . His work combines innovative technologies like CoastSnap (a global citizen science initiative) and CoastSat (satellite imagery analysis) to advance coastal monitoring and forecasting. Education: BEng (Environmental) and BSc (Oceanography/Meteorology) from UNSW (2004), PhD in Civil Engineering (2009) Supervision: Currently mentoring 7 PhD/MPhil students in areas like AI for rip current detection and satellite shoreline modeling Research Focus: Coastal erosion mechanisms, real-time hazard forecasting, and climate change impacts on shorelines. Key technologies include smartphone-based monitoring , satellite remote sensing , and machine learning . Recent Publications (2022-2025) demonstrate expertise in: Multi-decadal shoreline prediction Wave climate downscaling Citizen science applications AI for coastal safety ENSO-driven erosion patterns High-resolution satellite monitoring Scientific Recognition: CoastSnap: UN Ocean Decade Action Scientia Associate Professorship Collaborations: Leads initiatives like the Narrabeen-Collaroy Beach Survey Program (50-year dataset) and Coastal Imaging Research Network . Advises on national Coastal Storm Hazard Warning Systems .