Find Academic Supervisors

Laura BurrusView profile

Professor

• Developmental biology
• Cancer biology
• Climate change
• +4 more

Laura (Kai) Burrus is a Professor in the Department of Biology within the College of Science and Engineering at San Francisco State University, where she has been a faculty member since 1997. Her research has evolved from studying Wnt signaling in developmental biology to addressing climate change resilience through microbial ecology. Education: BS in Chemistry - College of William and Mary (1986) PhD in Biochemistry - University of Wisconsin-Madison (1991) Post-doc in Developmental Biology - Harvard University (1996) Dr. Burrus' research has historically focused on the biochemical and cellular mechanisms underlying Wnt gradient formation in chick embryos, with relevance to birth defects and cancer. Her work has been funded by NIH, NSF, CSUPERB, and MDA over the last 20 years. She is currently transitioning her research to analyze the role of microbes in climate change resilience, motivated by her recognition that 'climate change is inherently racist.' She is actively involved with Lifting Black Voices in STEM and is leading an effort to launch an interdisciplinary Certificate in Climate Change Causes, Impacts, and Solutions. As one of five LGBTQIA biology faculty at SFSU, she brings unique perspectives to her work on inclusive classroom practices. Her publication record spans from 1994 to 2021, with recent work focusing on Wnt signaling mechanisms, educational approaches in STEM, and the transition to climate change research. Her research shows a clear evolution from fundamental developmental biology to applied environmental science, while maintaining a strong foundation in molecular and cellular mechanisms. Scientific Contributions: Pioneering work on Wnt protein trafficking and modification Research connecting Wnt signaling to cancer biology Leadership in developing inclusive STEM education practices Transition to climate change resilience research with focus on microbial ecology Dr. Burrus has mentored numerous undergraduate and graduate students throughout her career, with many alumni going on to pursue advanced degrees and careers in science. She has been actively involved in pedagogical innovation and is pioneering new approaches to effectively communicate research to both scientific and lay communities. Her lab has received funding from multiple sources including NIH, NSF, CSUPERB, and MDA. She is currently involved in oyster reef restoration research in the San Francisco Bay, investigating microbial communities as indicators of climate resilience. This work represents an aspirational shift from her previous focus, leveraging molecular expertise to address pressing climate challenges while mentoring students from diverse backgrounds.

• Parallel and Distributed Computing
• High-Performance Computing (HPC)
• AI Hardware Acceleration
• +4 more

Xiaodong Yu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Stevens Institute of Technology (since 2023), leading the Advanced Parallel and distributEd Computing and Systems (APECS) lab. Previously, he served as an Assistant Computer Scientist at Argonne National Laboratory (2019–2023) and a Scientist-at-Large at the University of Chicago’s Consortium for Advanced Science and Engineering (2022–2023). He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Virginia Tech (2019). His research focuses on parallel/distributed computing systems, next-generation AI hardware, high-performance MLSys for large language models (LLMs), and federated learning communication/privacy. Over 50 peer-reviewed publications appear in top-tier venues like HPDC, ICS, and SC. He leads NSF and DOE-funded projects, including an NSF CRII award (2024–2026) and Argonne LDRD initiatives. Technical leadership roles include serving on conference committees (ICS, SC, IPDPS) and review boards (IEEE TPDS). Key contributions include compressor frameworks for AI accelerators (e.g., DCT-based), MPI collective communication optimizations, and GPU-based ptychographic reconstruction. His work bridges hardware-software co-design for HPC and AI systems. Current advising includes five Ph.D. students at Stevens and prior mentorship of over 10 researchers at Argonne. Professional activities include institutional service (Stevens CS faculty search committee) and roles as finance chair (ISPASS), technical program committee member (DRBSD, IWBDR), and reviewer for journals like Future Generation Computer Systems.

• Freshwater Ecology
• Ecotoxicology
• Salinity Effects
• +5 more

Ben KEFFORD is an Associate Professor at the University of Canberra, affiliated with the Centre for Applied Water Science and Systems Ecology. His research focuses on the ecological effects of contaminants and environmental stressors in freshwater systems. He leads projects addressing salinization, pesticide impacts, climate change, and alpine stream ecology. Key areas of expertise include macroinvertebrate community dynamics, toxicology, and ecosystem function assessment. He is actively involved in 15+ research projects, including studies on firefighting chemical effects, alpine ecosystem resilience to climate change, and ecological impacts of mange treatment in wombats. His work emphasizes bridging laboratory experiments and field observations to inform conservation and management strategies. KEFFORD's research outputs (107+ publications) highlight innovative methods for assessing environmental risks, such as improved toxicity testing and trait-based biomonitoring. He collaborates globally, with recent contributions to initiatives like GLOBSALT analyzing freshwater salinization impacts. His projects often integrate mesocosm experiments with large-scale ecological data to address pressing environmental challenges. While no formal awards are listed, his extensive grant history and project leadership reflect his recognition in freshwater ecology. He advises PhD students exploring chemical stressors in streams, ecological realism in risk assessment, and trait-based approaches to biomonitoring. KEFFORD's work extends to policy-relevant areas like algal bloom management in Lake Burley Griffin and the effects of road de-icing salts in alpine regions. His interdisciplinary approach combines field studies, experimental work, and trait databases to advance freshwater conservation science.

Christian LiebscherView profile

Professor

• Advanced Transmission Electron Microscopy
• Materials Science
• Energy-Related Materials
• +6 more

Prof. Christian Liebscher is a Professor of Advanced Transmission Electron Microscopy at the Ruhr University Bochum , affiliated with the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy and the Research Center Future Energy Materials and Systems (RC FEMS). His work focuses on developing cutting-edge TEM techniques to understand energy-related materials' atomic-scale structure-functionality relationships. He combines aberration-corrected scanning TEM (STEM), 4D-STEM, and in-situ microscopy with machine learning to analyze complex material datasets. Education and Career: 2000–2006: Study of Materials Science at the University of Bayreuth. 2006–2010: PhD at the University of Bayreuth (summa cum laude) with a thesis on phase and dislocation analysis in superalloys. 2011–2014: Postdoc at the University of California, Berkeley, and the National Center for Electron Microscopy (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory). 2014–2015: Staff scientist at the University of Duisburg-Essen. 2015–2024: Group leader at the Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials in Düsseldorf. Research Interests: Prof. Liebscher’s research bridges microscopy innovation and materials understanding. He emphasizes atomic-scale characterization of interfaces, defects, and grain boundaries in metals and alloys using advanced STEM and 4D-STEM. His work addresses how structural features—like segregation, strain, and phase transitions—impact material properties. He also pioneers machine learning tools to automate data analysis from microscopy and tomography, advancing materials dataspaces. Key topics include energy materials (e.g., PEM fuel cells), high-entropy alloys, and nanomaterials for applications like semiconductors and electromagnetic absorption. Scientific Contributions: His publications highlight trends in grain boundary phase transitions, microstructure-property correlations, and integration of AI into microscopy. For example, recent work explores how grain boundary complexions affect mechanical strength in alloys and how in-situ TEM reveals deformation mechanisms under realistic conditions. He has contributed significantly to methodologies like scanning precession electron diffraction tomography and unsupervised machine learning for atomic-resolution datasets. Labs and Collaborations: Prof. Liebscher leads the Advanced Transmission Electron Microscopy group at RUB, building on his previous leadership at the Max Planck Institute. His lab collaborates with institutions like the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and integrates interdisciplinary approaches combining experimental microscopy with computational modeling.

İpek İmamoğluView profile

Professor

• Environmental Chemistry
• Organic Compound Fate
• Microplastic-Organic Interactions
• +5 more

Prof. İpek İmamoğlu is a Professor of Environmental Engineering at Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara, Turkey, specializing in environmental chemistry and pollutant fate. She holds leadership roles, including former Vice Dean of the Faculty of Engineering (2012-2015) and Vice Chair of the Environmental Engineering Department (2009-2012). Her research focuses on organic compound fate, microplastic interactions, contaminated site management, and receptor modeling for pollutants like PCBs and PBDEs. Education: PhD from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (2001), M.S. from University of Newcastle upon Tyne (1996), and B.S. from METU (1995). Awards include the METU Ph.D. Dissertation Supervision Award (2017, 2010) and the British Chevening Scholarship (1995/96). She has supervised over 20 PhD and MS students in environmental chemistry and engineering. Research spans contaminated sediment remediation, PCB/PBDE degradation pathways, and policy impacts of microplastics. Her projects include TUBITAK-funded studies on microplastic-organic interactions and POPs management. She advises on national policies, including Turkey’s implementation of the Stockholm Convention on POPs. Key Projects: Molecular Level Microplastic-Organic Interactions (TUBITAK 2021), PCB Fate in Aquatic Sediments (TUBITAK 2015), and Zeolite-Wastewater Treatment (METU Funded 2002). Awards: UWM Dissertator Fellowship, NATO Travel Grant, and ISO 17025 Auditor Certification. Her publications (over 80) cover environmental forensics, receptor modeling, and bioremediation. She actively participates in international conferences and serves as a consultant for UNDP and EU-funded initiatives.

Douglas NychkaView profile

Professor

• Spatial Statistics
• Nonparametric Regression
• Computational Statistics
• +5 more

Douglas Nychka is a Professor in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics at Colorado School of Mines since 2018. He holds an emeritus position at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), where he previously directed the Institute for Mathematics Applied to Geosciences (IMAGe) from 2004 to 2017. Nychka earned his PhD in Statistics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a BA in Mathematics (with Physics emphasis) from Duke University. His research focuses on spatial statistics, nonparametric regression, and computational methods for large datasets, particularly applied to environmental and geophysical problems. He has developed influential R packages like fields and LatticeKrig , which are widely used for spatial data analysis. Nychka received prestigious awards including the Jerry Sacks Award for Multidisciplinary Research (2004) and recognition as a Fellow of both the American Statistical Association and the Institute of Mathematical Statistics. His work bridges statistical theory, computational innovation, and real-world applications in climate science and renewable energy. His academic career includes 14 years as a faculty member at North Carolina State University and roles at the National Institute of Statistical Sciences. Nychka's research emphasizes spatial statistics for climate data, statistical downscaling, and uncertainty quantification, with contributions to solar radiation modeling and extreme event analysis. He actively engages in interdisciplinary projects, collaborating with experts in climatology, environmental science, and data science. Professional service includes roles on committees for the National Research Council and leadership in statistical societies. His teaching focuses on modernizing curricula to integrate data science with applied statistics. Nychka’s work is characterized by a commitment to open-source software and reproducible research, exemplified by his R package contributions.

Lucy BastinView profile

Professor

• Biodiversity Informatics
• Remote Sensing
• GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
• +7 more

Lucy Bastin is a Professor in the School of Computer Science and Digital Technologies at Aston University, part of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. She holds academic roles since 2003, including leadership in the Digital Observatory for Protected Areas (DOPA) project at the European Commission. Her research focuses on biodiversity informatics, remote sensing, and citizen science, with applications in conservation planning and sustainable development. She advises PhD students on topics like GIS, remote sensing, and citizen observatories. Education: BSc Zoology (University of Nottingham), MSc GIS (University of Leicester), PhD in Spatial Population Ecology (University of Birmingham). She also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. Research Interests: Essential Biodiversity Variables, metadata standards for citizen science, uncertainty in conservation models, disease mapping (e.g., MRSA), and environmental policy support. She developed the DOPA toolkit for protected area monitoring and co-authored the Bari Manifesto for biodiversity variables. Key Projects: DOPA Explorer 2.0, FLIERS EU project, EuroGEOSS initiatives Recent Awards: Midlands Women in Tech Finalist (2021), Best Paper Award (2018) Teaching: Software Engineering, Professional Ethics in Computing, GIS modules Labs/Teams: Part of the Computer Science Research Group and Aston Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research and Application. Collaborates with global partners on initiatives like BIOPAMA and the Green Deal Data Space.

Paul CohenView profile

Professor

• Artificial Intelligence
• Data Analysis
• Education Informatics
• +4 more

Paul Cohen is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Computing and Information (SCI), where he also directs the Modeling and Managing Complicated Systems Institute (MOMACS). Previously, he served as the founding Dean of SCI from 2017 to 2020. Before joining Pitt, he was a Program Manager at DARPA (2013–2017), leading initiatives like Big Mechanism and Communicating with Computers. Earlier roles include founding director of the University of Arizona’s School of Information: Science, Technology and Arts (SISTA), and professor at the University of Southern California’s Information Sciences Institute and the University of Massachusetts. Education: PhD in Computer Science and Psychology (Stanford University), MS in Psychology (UCLA), BS in Psychology (UC San Diego). Research Interests: Focuses on artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, and modeling complex systems like cell signaling pathways and socio-environmental interactions. His work emphasizes explainable AI, human-computer communication, and interdisciplinary problem-solving. Key Contributions: Authored Empirical Methods for Artificial Intelligence and over 200 peer-reviewed articles. His research spans robotics, education technology (e.g., the AnimalWatch tutoring system), and collaborative analysis tools like COLAB. He has won a Telly Award for his video on systemic challenges and a Best Paper award for spatial language learning frameworks. Awards & Recognition: Elected Fellow of the AAAI, recipient of the Telly Award, and winner of the Best Paper Award at the IEEE Conference on Development and Learning. Leadership & Outreach: Advocates for polymathy in education to address global challenges. His work includes developing curricula for complex systems thinking and promoting diversity in STEM through initiatives like AnimalWatch.

Dean McFarlinView profile

Professor

• Cross-Cultural Management
• Organizational Justice
• Leadership
• +3 more

Dean McFarlin serves as Dean and Professor of Management at the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business, Duquesne University. He has led the School since 2013, overseeing major initiatives including the renovation of Rockwell Hall, strategic planning, alumni engagement, and fundraising. His leadership includes launching the Duquesne New Venture Challenge and establishing eight centers of excellence for applied research and education. Education: Ph.D., Social/Organizational Psychology (SUNY-Buffalo); B.A., Psychology (Marquette University). Prior roles include Chair of Management and Marketing at the University of Dayton and professorships at Marquette University. Research focuses on cross-cultural management, organizational justice, leadership, and executive influence. Over 100 publications and conference presentations highlight contributions to global leadership, entrepreneurship, and intercultural dynamics. Key works include International Organizational Behavior and International Management: Strategic Opportunities and Cultural Challenges . Leadership initiatives include the Executive-in-Residence Program and diverse faculty recruitment. His work emphasizes bridging theory and practice, with centers supporting innovation in investment strategy, professional selling, and applied research.

Melissa RogersView profile

Professor

• Comparative Politics
• Political Economy
• Economic Inequality
• +6 more

Melissa Rogers is a Professor of Political Science and Co-Director of the Inequality and Policy Research Center at Claremont Graduate University (CGU). She holds academic leadership roles, including former Associate Dean of the School of Social Science, Policy, and Evaluation (2019–2022). Rogers earned her PhD and MA from the University of California, San Diego, and a BA from Brown University. Her research focuses on the political economy of inequality, Native American voting rights, and spatial disparities. Key areas include territorial inequality's impact on policymaking, fiscal capacity, and voting access barriers for Native Americans. She co-authored Geography, Capacity, and Inequality I & II (Cambridge, 2022/2025) and has published in top journals like Journal of Politics and Political Analysis . Rogers’ recent work addresses voting rights, structural racism, and postal service inequities affecting Native American communities. She has secured grants totaling over $200,000, including funding from the Haynes Foundation and Fletcher Jones Foundation. Her advising spans academic, public-sector, and private-sector placements. Notable students include faculty at Pitzer College, Cairo University, and Towson University. Rogers also chairs CGU’s Faculty Research Committee and serves on the American Political Science Association (APSA) Council. Leadership roles include directing CGU’s Inequality Lab and co-chairing the APSA Political Economy Best Book Award. Her interdisciplinary work bridges comparative politics, methodology, and policy analysis.

• Evolutionary ecology
• Quantitative ecology
• Meta-analysis
• +5 more

Shinichi Nakagawa is a Professor of Evolutionary Ecology and Synthesis at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Science, Biological Sciences Department. He holds the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Open Science and Synthesis in Ecology and Evolution. His research focuses on quantifying biological variation through meta-analysis and synthesis, with a strong emphasis on open science practices. He leads a lab that explores topics in ecology, evolutionary biology, and environmental sciences, while also advancing meta-science to improve research transparency and reproducibility. Dr. Nakagawa earned his BSc(Hons) at the University of Waikato and PhD at the University of Sheffield. He previously held positions at the University of Otago (2008–2015) and the University of New South Wales (2015–2024). He is the founder of EcoEvoRxiv, a preprint server for ecology and evolution, and actively promotes open science through initiatives like the Society for Open, Reliable, Transparent Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (SORTEE). His research interests include quantitative ecology, statistical methodology for meta-analysis, and understanding biological variability. Key areas of focus include thermal physiology in ectotherms, sexual selection, and the impacts of climate change on biodiversity. He has authored influential papers on meta-analytic techniques, including location-scale models and variance-based analyses. Notable contributions include the development of the 'orchard plot' visualization tool for meta-analyses and advocacy for preregistration and open data practices. His work bridges ecological theory with data synthesis, emphasizing reproducibility and methodological rigor. Awards include the Canada Excellence Research Chair, recognizing his leadership in advancing open science and ecological synthesis.

Raja JurdakView profile

Professor

• Distributed Systems
• Blockchain Technology
• Network Modeling
• +7 more

Professor Raja Jurdak is a leading academic in distributed systems and applied data sciences at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), where he directs the Trusted Networks Lab. He holds dual roles as Professor of Distributed Systems and Chair in Applied Data Sciences, alongside leadership in the Centre for Data Science. His research focuses on dynamic network modeling, blockchain-based trust frameworks, and IoT applications, with particular emphasis on cybersecurity, energy efficiency, and mobility-driven diffusion processes. Jurdak formerly led CSIRO's Distributed Sensing Systems Group and maintains a visiting scientist role there. Education: PhD in Information and Computer Science, University of California, Irvine MS in Computer Networks and Distributed Computing, University of California, Irvine BE in Computer and Communications Engineering, American University of Beirut Research Interests: Network science, blockchain technology, IoT security, sustainable energy systems, and data-driven decision-making. His work bridges theoretical advancements with practical applications in smart grids, health surveillance, and urban mobility. Awards: Finalist for the 2019 Eureka Prize, multiple CSIRO accolades, and IEEE Senior Member status. His research has received industry recognition for interdisciplinary innovation, including the DiNeMo project's real-time disease surveillance system. Advisory & Grants: Leads high-impact projects funded by government and industry partnerships. Supervises PhD candidates in areas like decentralized data processing and privacy-preserving AI. Holds editorial roles at journals such as Ad Hoc Networks and PLoS ONE . Labs & Teams: Directs the Trusted Networks Lab at QUT, fostering collaborations with institutions like Oxford University and MIT. His work emphasizes cross-disciplinary teams to address global challenges in cybersecurity and sustainable systems.

• Marketing
• Sustainability
• Technology in Business
• +3 more

Carolina Luis Bassa is a Research Professor at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra Barcelona School of Management (UPF-BSM), serving as Academic Director and leading the Department of Business and Strategic Management. She directs multiple master’s programs and heads the Mercadona UPF-BSM Chair of Circular Economy. Her expertise spans Marketing, Sustainability, and Technology applied to business strategy, with a focus on digital transformation and circular economy practices in industries like agri-food distribution. Her academic journey includes roles as Vice-Dean of Teaching Staff and Academic Director, reflecting her commitment to educational innovation. Research interests emphasize sustainable consumer behavior, data-driven business models, and the integration of technology in CRM and customer experience management. Over 35 years, she has advised students and professionals on strategic applications of marketing and technology. Research Trends: Recent publications highlight circular economy adoption in agriculture, transparency in sharing economies, and data-driven strategies in customer-centric models. She bridges academic insights with industry challenges, particularly in leveraging technology for sustainable business practices. Awards & Grants: No specific awards are listed, but her leadership roles and chair position indicate significant institutional recognition. Grants and partnerships likely stem from her involvement with initiatives like the Mercadona Chair. Labs & Teams: Leads the Mercadona UPF-BSM Chair, focusing on circular economy research and collaboration with industry partners.

Kan WuView profile

Associate Professor

• Data interpretation and forward modeling of distributed fiber optic strain sensing
• Hydraulic fracture modeling, monitoring, and optimization
• Subsurface monitoring of carbon storage and enhanced geothermal systems
• +2 more

Kan Wu is an Associate Professor in the Harold Vance Department of Petroleum Engineering at Texas A&M University, part of the College of Engineering. He holds the Class of ’75 DVG Associate Professorship and is a Chancellor EDGES Fellow. His research focuses on advanced modeling techniques for subsurface systems, including data interpretation of fiber optic sensing, hydraulic fracture optimization, and carbon storage monitoring. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin and degrees from China University of Petroleum (East). Education : Ph.D., Petroleum Engineering, University of Texas at Austin M.S., Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East) B.S., Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East) Research Highlights : Dr. Wu’s work bridges physics-based and data-driven approaches, addressing challenges in fracture propagation, subsurface monitoring, and multi-scale modeling. His team develops real-time data interpretation tools for distributed fiber optic measurements and investigates fracture interactions in unconventional reservoirs. Key Awards : 2024: Completions Optimization and Technology Award (SPE Gulf Coast) 2023: Best of Paper Award (URTEC) 2023: Karen E. Olson & Louis H. Turner Research Award Grants & Leadership : He leads the Advanced Geomechanics Fracture & Reservoir Application Consortium (AGFRAC), focusing on subsurface engineering systems. His Chevron Corporation Faculty Fellowship (2017–2022) supported collaborative industry research. Office: RICH 501Q.

Wenwen LiView profile

Professor

• Geographic Information Science
• Cyberinfrastructure
• Big Data
• +8 more

Wenwen Li is a Professor at Arizona State University (ASU), holding roles as Director of the CyberInfrastructure and Computation Intelligence (CICI) Lab and Research Director at the Spatial Analysis Research Center (SPARC). She specializes in geographic information science, cyberinfrastructure, and geospatial big data. Her work focuses on developing intelligent cyberinfrastructure for environmental and urban studies, leveraging AI and semantic technologies. Li's research has been supported by NSF, USGS, and Google.org, among others. Education: Ph.D. in Earth System and Geoinformation Science (George Mason University, 2010), M.S. in Signal and Information Processing (Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2007), and B.S. in Computer Science (Beijing Normal University, 2004). Research Interests : Cyberinfrastructure, spatial-temporal data mining, semantic interoperability, GeoAI applications in climate science, and urban studies. Her lab, CICI, pioneers projects like the Arctic Permafrost Thaw analysis and disaster response systems. Awards : 2023 AAG and UCGIS Fellowships, 2021 NSF Mid-Career Award, 2015 NSF CAREER Award, and the 2024 Greg Leptoukh Lecture Award (AGU). She chairs AAG's Cyberinfrastructure Specialty Group and serves on editorial boards of key journals. Grants & Service : Leads NSF-funded projects on GeoAI, climate modeling, and Arctic science. Active in AAG leadership roles and global initiatives like the Polar Cyberinfrastructure Portal. Recruits Ph.D. students in Geography and Computer Science. Labs & Teams : Directs the CICI Lab, advancing interdisciplinary GeoAI research and training. Collaborates with global partners on environmental and computational geography projects.