Find Academic Supervisors

Allan RasmussonView profile

Professor

• Plant Biology
• Molecular Biosciences
• Plant-Trichoderma Interactions
• +12 more

Allan Rasmusson is a Professor in the Department of Biology at Lund University, Faculty of Science, specializing in Plant Biology and Molecular Biosciences. His research spans plant-fungal interactions, mitochondrial function, redox biology, and paleophysiology. He leads multiple active research projects and supervises graduate students, while also managing shared infrastructure such as the departmental greenhouses. Research Interests: Allan Rasmusson's research is highly interdisciplinary, focusing on: Plant-Trichoderma interactions for biocontrol and biostimulation in crops like sugar beet, quinoa, and cañahua. Mitochondrial function, including electron transport chain assembly and retrograde signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana and maize. Redox biology and plant metabolism under different nitrogen sources. Paleophysiology, investigating how ancient plant lineages survived mass extinctions through studies of fossil pollen and plant physiology under paleomimetic conditions. Recent Research Trends: His recent publications (2022–2024) reflect a strong focus on both molecular plant biology and paleobotany. Key themes include mitochondrial translation initiation, cytochrome c oxidase assembly, plant defense against pathogens like Peronospora , and the role of abnormal pollen in end-Triassic extinction events. These works appear in high-impact journals such as Science , Plant Physiology , and Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology . Scientific Awards and Funding: Funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation for research on ancient and modern plant comparisons. Advising and Grants: Allan Rasmusson actively supervises doctoral students and serves as Principal Investigator (PI) on multiple research projects. He is currently supervising V. D. Palma Encinas and co-supervising H. C. Tran. His projects include biocontrol using Trichoderma , mitochondrial retrograde signaling, and paleophysiogenomics. He also contributes to educational grants through textbook development and curriculum design. Labs and Teams: He is a co-manager of the Department of Biology’s greenhouse infrastructure at Lund University, supporting experimental plant growth. He collaborates with researchers from SLU, DLF Research AB, UMSA-La Paz (Bolivia), Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet, Linnaeus University, Copenhagen University, CSU-San Marcos, and Warsaw University.

• Paleontology
• Marine Ecology
• Mass Extinctions
• +7 more

Kate Ritterbush is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geology & Geophysics at the University of Utah, where she has been a faculty member since July 2015. She was promoted to Associate Professor in July 2022 after serving as an Assistant Professor from 2015-2022. Her research focuses on marine ecological transitions across geological time scales, with particular emphasis on the fossil record of mass extinctions and animal-environment interactions. Dr. Ritterbush earned her BS in Environmental Science from California Lutheran University in 2006, followed by a PhD in Earth Sciences from the University of Southern California (2008-2013) under the supervision of David Bottjer. She completed a NASA postdoctoral research position at the University of Chicago working with Michael Foote and Arnie Miller before joining the University of Utah faculty. Her research interests span multiple areas of paleontology and earth sciences: Marine ecological transitions over large spatial and temporal scales Role of marine invertebrates in habitat development and marine chemistry Sedimentary and fossil record of mass extinctions Critical transitions in biogeography Small scale animal-environment interactions Dr. Ritterbush's recent publications demonstrate expertise in cephalopod paleobiology, particularly ammonoids, with applications to understanding hydrodynamics, buoyancy control, and evolutionary responses to mass extinction events. Her work often combines computational modeling with traditional paleontological analysis to reconstruct the life habits of extinct organisms. She has received significant research funding, including an ongoing NSF grant titled "Fossil Ammonoids Reveal Open Ocean Ecology in Deep Time" (2020-2026) and a previous American Chemical Society grant on "Permian Spiculites" (2016-2019). Her scientific contributions have been recognized through numerous publications in high-impact journals such as Nature Communications, Scientific Reports, Paleobiology, and Palaeontology. Dr. Ritterbush is actively involved in mentoring students and has led numerous field programs. She teaches courses including "Evolving Earth" and "Wasatch in the Field," and has organized research experiences for undergraduates focused on ammonite motility modeling.

Jessica ConroyView profile

Professor

• Paleoclimatology
• Stable Isotope Geochemistry
• Paleolimnology
• +3 more

Jessica Conroy is a Professor in the School of Integrative Biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with additional appointments in Earth Science and Environmental Change and Plant Biology. Her research program investigates climate variability across timescales using stable isotope geochemistry, paleolimnology, and climate modeling approaches. Education: Ph.D. (2011) and M.S. (2006) from the University of Arizona, B.A. (2003) from the College of Wooster. Research Focus: Conroy's lab specializes in reconstructing past climate dynamics through stable isotope analysis of geological archives. Key interests include: paleoclimate variability (interannual to millennial scales), isotope hydrology, atmospheric circulation patterns, ocean-atmosphere interactions in the tropical Pacific, loess-paleosol records, and climate responses to external forcings. Current projects examine isotopic signatures in precipitation, seawater, and vapor; paleowind reconstructions; and modern wind trend analysis. Publication Trends: Her recent articles (2022-2025) demonstrate a strong focus on isotopic proxies for climate reconstruction, with emphasis on tropical Pacific dynamics, Laurentide Ice Sheet influences, loess chronology, and methodological innovations including machine learning applications. Studies frequently utilize multi-proxy approaches across diverse archives like lacustrine sediments, marine carbonates, and aeolian deposits. Awards and Honors: NSF CAREER Award (2019) Kavli Frontiers of Science Fellow, National Academy of Sciences (2017) List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent (2015, 2017, 2018) Arnold O. Beckman Award, UIUC Campus Research Board (2013) DISCCRS VIII Participant (2013) Lab Leadership: Conroy directs an active research group (Conroy Lab) investigating past, present, and future climate variability using proxy records, observational data, and model simulations. The lab maintains field programs in the Galápagos, Palau, and midcontinental North America.

Kyle DawsonView profile

Professor

• Cosmology
• Observational Astronomy
• Dark Energy
• +5 more

Kyle Dawson is a Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Utah, where he has been employed since 2009. He currently serves as both a full Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, having progressed from Assistant Professor (2008-2015) to Associate Professor (2015-2019) before achieving his current position in 2019. His institutional affiliation places him within the College of Science at the University of Utah, a major research university in the western United States. Dawson earned his BA in Physics from Cornell University in 1998, followed by a PhD in Physics from the University of California, Berkeley in 2004. After completing his doctoral studies, he served as a postdoctoral researcher at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory before joining the University of Utah faculty. His educational background in physics provided the foundation for his transition into observational cosmology, where he has made significant contributions through large-scale spectroscopic surveys. Professor Dawson's research focuses on observational cosmology through large spectroscopic surveys designed to measure the fundamental properties of the universe. He is currently the co-Spokesperson for the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), a major cosmological survey that has produced numerous high-impact publications in 2024-2025. Previously, he served as Principal Investigator for the Extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS), which concluded in 2020 with final cosmological measurements. His work centers on measuring baryon acoustic oscillations to constrain cosmic expansion history, dark energy properties, neutrino masses, and to test General Relativity. His research group employs techniques including galaxy clustering analysis, quasar astrophysics, and large-scale structure mapping to address fundamental questions in cosmology. The analysis of Dawson's recent publications reveals a strong focus on extracting cosmological constraints from the DESI survey data. His work spans multiple aspects of cosmological analysis, including baryon acoustic oscillation measurements, full-shape power spectrum analysis, imaging systematics mitigation, and cross-correlation studies with cosmic microwave background data. The publications demonstrate collaborative work with large international teams and contribute to increasingly precise measurements of cosmological parameters, with particular attention to dark energy equation of state, neutrino masses, and potential deviations from General Relativity. Professor Dawson has secured significant research funding throughout his career, including multiple grants from the Department of Energy (DOE), NASA, and the National Science Foundation. His grant portfolio includes leadership roles in major cosmological surveys like DESI and eBOSS, as well as support for postdoctoral researchers and graduate students. His research group has mentored numerous students who have gone on to successful careers in academia, industry, and data science fields. Dawson leads a vibrant research group at the University of Utah focused on cosmological data analysis from large spectroscopic surveys. His current team includes two postdoctoral researchers (Angela Berti and Sarah Eftekharzadeh) and a graduate student (Allyson Brodzeller). The group specializes in galaxy clustering analysis, quasar astrophysics, and machine learning applications to spectroscopic data. The research environment fosters collaboration with international teams working on DESI and related cosmological surveys, providing students with opportunities to engage with cutting-edge cosmological research and large-scale data analysis techniques.

• Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics
• Star Formation
• Protostellar Disks
• +7 more

Chris Matzner is a Professor and Associate Graduate Chair at the University of Toronto's Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, affiliated with the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics. He earned his Ph.D. from UC Berkeley in 1999. His research focuses on astrophysical fluid dynamics, particularly star formation processes (protostellar disks, molecular clouds, energy feedback) and stellar explosions (supernovae, gamma-ray bursts), employing analytical, numerical, and observational approaches. His research encompasses: Dynamics of protostellar outflows and molecular cloud interactions Models for supernova shocks and gamma-ray burst mechanisms Fragmentation in star and planet formation Massive black hole accretion processes Evolution of giant molecular clouds Stellar feedback in galactic environments Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals strong emphasis on supernova dynamics (particularly Type Ia explosions), star formation mechanisms in clusters and molecular clouds, shock wave physics in astrophysical contexts, and the development of astronomical instrumentation. The works demonstrate consistent focus on explosive transients, fluid dynamics in cosmic environments, and observational constraints on theoretical models. As Associate Graduate Chair, he oversees academic programs and student development. His laboratory affiliations include the Dunlap Institute's computational astrophysics and instrumentation groups. Current work involves modeling star cluster-galaxy interactions, tidal disruption events, and developing next-generation UV/IR detectors.

• Social Movements
• Political Participation
• Class Inequalities
• +7 more

Tiago Carvalho is an Invited Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Economy at Iscte – University Institute of Lisbon and an Integrated Researcher at CIES-Iscte. He is also affiliated with the School of Applied Digital Technologies and the Center on Social Movement Studies at Scuola Normale Superiore. He earned his PhD in Sociology from the University of Cambridge in 2019. His academic qualifications include: PhD in Sociology, University of Cambridge (2019) Master's in Sociology, ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon (2009–2011) Bachelor's in Sociology, ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon (2006–2009) Carvalho’s research centers on social movements, political participation, class inequalities, and urban struggles, with a regional focus on Southern Europe—particularly Portugal. He investigates the dynamics of anti-austerity protests, the transnational spread of Extinction Rebellion, and housing mobilizations in post-austerity Lisbon. His methodological approach combines qualitative analysis with systematic event studies. His recent publications reveal a strong thematic focus on climate activism and social inequality. Articles such as 'Spreading Rebellion?' and 'Confronting the Climate Crisis in Africa' examine the global diffusion of environmental movements, while 'Marginal Gentrifiers' and 'Alliance Building' explore urban contention and protest coalitions in Southern Europe. His work appears in leading journals including Social Movement Studies , Environmental Sociology , and European Societies . His scientific honors include: Portuguese Political Science Association’s Best Dissertation Award (2022) João Ferreira de Almeida Prize for his book Contesting Austerity Carvalho actively advises students and leads research initiatives. He currently supervises one PhD candidate and multiple Master’s students at Iscte, with theses covering topics such as caregiver mobilization, political communication on TikTok, and housing policy. He co-coordinates the Council for European Studies’ Social Movement Research Network and the Monthly Seminar on Social Movements and Political Action. His current research projects focus on Extinction Rebellion’s transnational diffusion and class-based inequalities in collective action. He has held visiting positions at Brown University (FLAD Visiting Professor, 2023), Carlos III University, and the University of York, reflecting his active international engagement.

Meghan BalkView profile

Research Fellow

• Ecological and Evolutionary Biology
• Paleobiology
• Functional Morphology
• +7 more

Meghan Balk is a Postdoctoral Fellow with the Evolution and Paleobiology Group at the Natural History Museum, University of Oslo. Her work combines museum collections and trait databases to investigate how inter- and intra-specific traits change across time and space. She is passionate about digitizing museum data and enabling FAIR data principles for continued exploration of data-driven science across evolutionary biology and ecology. Balk received her Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico in 2017 with a concentration in Interdisciplinary Science through the Department of Biology. She earned her B.S. from the University of California, Davis in 2010 in the Department of Evolution, Ecology, & Biodiversity, with a minor in Paleobiology through the Department of Geology. Her academic journey reflects a strong foundation in both biological sciences and geological perspectives on evolutionary processes. Her research employs both micro- and macroscopic approaches to understand abiotic and biotic drivers of phenotypic evolution. She investigates within and among lineage phenotypic evolution using fossil and modern records of organisms like bryozoans. Her work on abiotic drivers examines body size changes in species like the bushy-tailed woodrat across geological time, while her research on biotic drivers explores predator-prey relationships in the fossil record, particularly focusing on species like Otodus megalodon. She utilizes machine learning and computational approaches to extract morphological trait data from specimen images. Balk's publication record demonstrates expertise across evolutionary biology, paleontology, ecology, and computational approaches. Her recent work focuses on developing FAIR and modular workflows for image-based knowledge discovery in the emerging field of imageomics. She has made significant contributions to understanding body size evolution across geological time, predator-prey relationships in the fossil record, and promoting open science principles for trait-based research. Her work bridges traditional paleontological methods with cutting-edge computational techniques. Balk is actively involved in several research projects including ROCKS PARADOX (Dissecting the paradox of stasis in evolutionary biology) and Machine-readable Nature (MaNa). She collaborates with researchers across institutions to create ontologies and workflows for trait data, such as the Functional Trait Resource for Environmental Studies (FuTRES) project and the Biology-Guided Neural Networks project. She teaches courses including Foundational Open Science Skills workshop, Git for Mere Mortals webinar, and R Basics Crash course, emphasizing the importance of reproducible research practices.

Nusha KeyghobadiView profile

Professor

• Population Genetics
• Conservation Biology
• Landscape Ecology
• +6 more

Dr. Nusha Keyghobadi is a Professor in the Department of Biology at Western University, specializing in population genetics, conservation biology, and landscape ecology. Her research examines how landscape modification and climate change impact genetic diversity and spatial structure of populations, with a focus on butterflies and other insects. She leads a lab investigating alpine ecosystems, endangered species reintroduction (e.g., mottled duskywing), and the genetic resilience of populations under extreme weather conditions. Dr. Keyghobadi teaches courses in molecular ecology and environmental biology, and collaborates globally on conservation genetics projects. Her lab includes current students Aaya Aboulnaga, Laura Bax, and Evan Bennett, among others. Education details are not explicitly stated, but her extensive research history indicates advanced training in ecology. Her work integrates field studies, molecular techniques, and spatial analysis to address applied conservation challenges. She has supervised over 30 students, many of whom have advanced to postdoctoral positions or professional roles in conservation, medicine, and policy. Her lab's current projects include: 1) studying Rocky Mountain Apollo butterflies to assess climate impacts on alpine populations; 2) monitoring genetic diversity in reintroduced mottled duskywing populations; and 3) exploring edge effects and dispersal in fragmented landscapes. Collaborations span institutions like the Carolinian Canada Coalition and the Queensland Institute of Medical Research. Lab alumni have pursued diverse careers, including conservation biology, medical research, and policy roles. Dr. Keyghobadi emphasizes interdisciplinary training and ethical scientific practice.

Alexandra ProtopopovaView profile

Associate Professor

• Animal Welfare
• Companion Animal Behavior
• Animal Shelter Practices
• +3 more

Alexandra Protopopova is an Associate Professor in the Applied Biology department at the Faculty of Land and Food Systems , University of British Columbia. She holds the NSERC/BC SPCA Industrial Research Chair in Animal Welfare and focuses on improving animal shelter practices and companion animal welfare. PhD in Behavior Analysis, University of Florida MS in Behavior Analysis, University of Florida BS in Pre-Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst BS in Neuroscience, University of Massachusetts Amherst Her research explores companion animal behavior , shelter interventions , and human-animal relationships , with recent work on pet owner behavior during climate change, shelter stressors, and animal adoption strategies. Her publications span journals like Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science and Behavioral Processes . Her awards include the NSERC/BC SPCA Industrial Research Chair . She supervises graduate student Lexis Ly (PhD in Applied Animal Biology) and collaborates on interdisciplinary research projects involving undergraduate students.

Amy AngertView profile

Professor

• Evolutionary Ecology
• Species Geographic Distributions
• Climate Change Ecology
• +5 more

Amy Angert is a Professor in the Department of Botany at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Science. She holds a Canada Research Chair Tier 2 and is recognized as an Academy Member in Evolution and Ecology (2025). Dr. Angert joined UBC in 2012 after serving as an assistant professor at Colorado State University and completing postdoctoral research at the University of Arizona. Her academic journey includes a B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis (1998) and a Ph.D. from Michigan State University (2005). Dr. Angert's research focuses on the evolutionary ecology of species' geographic distributions, investigating what limits adaptation at the edges of species' ranges, why closely related species vary dramatically in range size, and how ranges are likely to shift in response to climatic changes. Her lab combines experimental manipulations in the field and laboratory with observations of natural populations, utilizing tools from quantitative genetics and physiological ecology. Much of her work centers on species within the genus Mimulus (monkeyflowers) due to their ecological diversity, genomic resources, and ease of propagation. Her recent publications reveal strong patterns of climate-driven range shifts, evolutionary rescue during extreme drought events, and the role of biotic interactions in determining range dynamics. Dr. Angert's scientific contributions have been recognized through prestigious awards including election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Her work has significant implications for predicting species responses to climate change and informing conservation strategies. She leads an active research group with numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, fostering the next generation of evolutionary ecologists. Her lab maintains strong collaborative networks across institutions and has received consistent funding to support their innovative research on the mechanisms constraining species' distributions in a changing climate. Dr. Angert's work bridges theoretical and empirical approaches to understand the eco-evolutionary dynamics of range expansion and the consequences of divergence in niche properties for patterns of distribution and abundance.

• Marine Ecosystems
• Paleontology
• Ocean Deoxygenation
• +4 more

Dr. Bryony Caswell is a Senior Lecturer in Marine Science at the University of Hull's School of Environmental Sciences (Faculty of Science and Engineering). She specializes in paleontology, marine ecosystem functioning, and the impacts of climate change and deoxygenation on marine environments. Her research integrates historical and modern data to address contemporary environmental challenges, including plastic pollution and offshore wind energy impacts. Research Interests: Historical marine ecosystems and functional connectivity Benthic community responses to anoxic events and climate change Impacts of ocean deoxygenation on marine biodiversity Plastic pollution in marine food webs Ecological resilience and recovery post-extinction events Key Projects: BEcoWIND: Sustainable offshore wind expansion balancing biodiversity preservation Q-MARE: Disentangling climate vs. human impacts on marine ecosystems NERC Discipline Hopping: Integrating paleontological and modern data for marine evidence Her publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches, linking geological records with modern ecological challenges. She co-supervises graduate students exploring microplastics in Antarctic fish and benthic ecosystem dynamics. Caswell collaborates with international groups like the ICES Working Group on Fish and Fisheries History.

Stephen J. BurnsView profile

Professor

• Paleoclimatology
• Speleothems
• Stable Isotopes
• +7 more

Stephen J. Burns is a Professor in the Department of Geosciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, within the College of Natural Sciences. His research centers on paleoclimatology using speleothems as high-resolution archives of continental climate change. He investigates stable isotopes and trace elements to reconstruct past precipitation and monsoon dynamics, with a focus on tropical and subtropical regions such as Mexico, Madagascar, South America, and Southeast Asia. Education: Ph.D., Duke University, 1987 (Dolomite Geochemistry) M.S., University of North Carolina (Carbonate Sedimentology) B.A., Rice University Post-11 years at University of Bern, Switzerland His research focuses on understanding climate variability on orbital to decadal timescales, especially in continental regions where data are sparse. He uses speleothems—cave deposits like stalagmites—as 'underground ice cores' to extract paleoclimate signals from oxygen and carbon isotopes. His work explores climate-culture interactions, including links between climate shifts and the decline of the Mayan civilization and Madagascar's megafauna. He has led major projects in the Yucatan, Peruvian Andes, Oman, Yemen, Brazil, and Vietnam, often in collaboration with anthropologists and international climate scientists. The recent publications reflect a strong trend in tropical paleoclimatology, with emphasis on monsoon systems, interhemispheric climate dynamics, and human-environment interactions during the Holocene and Late Pleistocene. His work frequently appears in top-tier journals such as Science , PNAS , and Geophysical Research Letters , demonstrating both methodological rigor and broad scientific impact. Scientific Awards: No awards explicitly mentioned in the text. Stephen J. Burns actively mentors students and leads interdisciplinary research teams. He has secured sustained funding for field expeditions and laboratory analyses, though specific grants are not listed. His collaborations span departments (e.g., Anthropology at UMass) and institutions (e.g., MIT, Duke, international universities). He is currently engaged in three major speleothem-based projects: (1) climate variability in the Yucatan and its link to Mayan cultural evolution, (2) environmental history of Madagascar and megafaunal extinction, and (3) climate change in Vietnam with David McGee (MIT). These efforts are supported by advanced geochemical facilities and fieldwork logistics. Labs and Research Teams: Geochemistry and Paleoclimate Laboratory at UMass Amherst (implied through research activity) Collaborative network with stable isotope labs (e.g., Cheng/Edwards lab for U-Th dating) Field teams in tropical cave systems across multiple continents Interdisciplinary group including anthropologists and climate modelers

Sarah K. CarmichaelView profile

Professor

• Fluid-rock reactions
• Paleoenvironmental reconstruction
• Manganese geomicrobiology
• +2 more

Dr. Sarah K. Carmichael is a Professor in the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at Appalachian State University , where she also serves in the Appalachian Studies Faculty . Her interdisciplinary research focuses on fluid-rock reactions , manganese geomicrobiology , and paleoenvironmental reconstruction of mass extinction events through Devonian period studies . B.A. from Smith College M.A. and Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University Her research combines geochemistry of mass extinctions , microbe-mineral interactions in caves , and Appalachian manganese ore formation through fieldwork from Mongolian mountains to Vietnamese basins . She leads the DAGGER (Devonian Anoxia, Geochemistry, Geochronology, and Extinction Research) Team and collaborates with Dr. Suzanna Bräuer on cave geomicrobiology projects. Recent publications focus on Devonian-Mississippian stratigraphy in Mongolia , mercury isotope evidence for Late Devonian ocean anoxia , and human impact assessment in Appalachian caves . Her work has been recognized with National Geographic Explorer status, inclusion in the Explorers Club 50 , and the UNC Board of Governors Teaching Award . Scientific awards include National Geographic Explorer (2018, 2022) Explorers Club 50 (2022) Board of Governors Teaching Award (2020) Academy of Outstanding Teachers induction (2022) KWI Distinguished Service Award (2020) William C. Strickland Outstanding Junior Faculty Award (2014) She mentors numerous student researchers and has secured over $1.2 million in external funding from organizations like the National Science Foundation and National Geographic Society . Her laboratory work utilizes advanced techniques such as electron microscopy and isotope analysis to decode micron-scale mineral textures that reveal Earth's ancient environmental changes.

Gregory RyskinView profile

Associate Professor

• Cosmology
• Fluid Dynamics
• Geophysics
• +2 more

Dr. Gregory Ryskin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Northwestern University. His research spans cosmology, geophysics, fluid dynamics, and theoretical physics, with a recent focus on cosmological models addressing dark energy and vacuum energy. He holds dual PhDs in Chemical Engineering (Caltech) and Theoretical Physics (St. Petersburg Polytechnic Institute). Research interests include cosmic expansion mechanisms, Earth's magnetic field generation, catastrophic geological events, and fundamental physics problems like Hawking radiation. His interdisciplinary work connects astrophysics with geophysical phenomena through fluid dynamical principles. Publications include theoretical studies of vanishing vacuum energy (2020), cosmic repulsion (2015), and Hawking radiation (2014), alongside earlier contributions to fluid dynamics of polymers and liquid crystals. His 2010 paper on abrupt Earth events received recognition from paleontologist David Raup. Dr. Ryskin's current work develops physics-based explanations for cosmological observations, providing alternatives to standard dark energy models through modified gravitational theories.

Isabel FendleyView profile

Academic

• Volcanology
• Paleoclimatology
• Environmental Geoscience
• +4 more

Isabel Fendley is an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Geosciences at Pennsylvania State University's College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. Her research focuses on volcano/climate interactions, paleoclimate reconstruction, and environmental changes linked to mass extinctions. Affiliation: Department of Geosciences, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, Pennsylvania State University Research Themes: Large igneous province (LIP) eruptions, geochemical proxy development (mercury/sulfur isotopes), paleoenvironmental responses to volcanic gas emissions, and modern volcanic-climate interactions She investigates both ancient geological events associated with mass extinctions and contemporary volcanic systems, analyzing sedimentary and igneous rock records to quantify volcanic gas emissions (CO2, sulfur, mercury) and their climatic/environmental impacts across timescales. Her work connects Earth history with present-day challenges, examining hydrothermal systems and biogeochemical mercury cycling in modern environments.