Find Academic Supervisors

Matthew HurtgenView profile

Professor

• Earth Systems Science
• Global Carbon Cycle
• Climate Evolution
• +5 more

Matthew Hurtgen is a Professor in the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences at Northwestern University’s Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. in Geosciences from Pennsylvania State University (2003), alongside degrees from the University of Missouri, SUNY, and the University of Rochester in Political Science. His research focuses on understanding Earth’s coupled systems, particularly the interplay between the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and solid Earth in regulating ocean-atmosphere chemistry over the past billion years. Key interests include the global carbon cycle, climate evolution, and oxygen level fluctuations. Research emphasizes field and lab studies of modern/ancient sedimentary systems, integrating stable isotopes (e.g., Ca, Sr, S) with geochemical models. Current projects explore drivers of Oceanic Anoxic Events, mass extinctions, and the role of sulfur in regulating marine geochemical cycles. He is funded by the NSF, NASA, and the Agouron Institute. Teaching includes courses on climate catastrophes, Earth systems history, stable isotope geochemistry, and paleoceanography. His lab group actively recruits graduate students and collaborates on projects combining fieldwork, geochemical analysis, and computational modeling. Publications span over two decades, with recent work addressing Pleistocene-Holocene sedimentary records, Cretaceous ocean chemistry, and Neoproterozoic chemostratigraphy. Research facilities include state-of-the-art geochemical labs and fieldwork capabilities in locations like Scotland and Namibia.

Victoria HerridgeView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Evolutionary Biology
• Paleontology
• Quaternary Science
• +3 more

Dr. Victoria Herridge is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sheffield's School of Biosciences, specializing in evolutionary biology and paleontology. Her research focuses on Ice Age mammals, particularly elephants, and explores evolutionary and environmental changes through fossil records. She co-founded TrowelBlazers, advocating for gender equity in STEM, and co-edits the Open Quaternary journal. Herridge is also a prominent science communicator, appearing in BBC, National Geographic, and Channel 4 documentaries. Her work includes field expeditions to Siberia and the Mediterranean, studying dwarf elephants and mammoths, and she investigates climate impacts on ecosystems. She holds a Daphne Jackson Research Fellowship and has collaborated with institutions like the Natural History Museum and the University of Cyprus. Teaching roles include directing the MSc Science Communication program and coordinating courses on science communication skills. Professional Activities: Co-founder of TrowelBlazers; Editor-in-Chief of Open Quaternary; TV/podcast appearances on BBC Radio 4, National Geographic, and Channel 4 (e.g., Walking Through Time , Bone Detectives ). Research Interests: Evolutionary mechanisms of dwarfism in island elephants, Quaternary paleoclimatology, and the interplay between climate change and biodiversity. Fieldwork includes sites in Scotland (Torridonian Sandstones), Siberia (permafrost fauna), and Mediterranean islands (dwarf elephant fossils). Grants & Awards: Daphne Jackson Research Fellowship (2014–2016), Leverhulme Trust funding, NERC grants. Collaborations span institutions in the UK, Greece, Italy, and Cyprus. Labs/Teams: Leads interdisciplinary projects on mammoth-steppe ecosystems and insular dwarfism. Engages with public archaeology through CITiZAN and SCHARP initiatives.

• Paleontology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Vertebrate Evolution
• +3 more

Per Ahlberg is a Professor at Uppsala University's Department of Organismal Biology, specializing in vertebrate evolution and paleontology. His research focuses on early vertebrates, particularly Devonian tetrapods, placoderms, and the transition from fish to land vertebrates. He employs advanced imaging techniques like synchrotron tomography to study fossil anatomy and preservation. Key areas of study include the evolution of jaws, teeth, and skeletal structures in early vertebrates, as well as the ecological and environmental contexts of major evolutionary transitions. His work integrates anatomical, paleontological, and developmental approaches, collaborating on projects such as the analysis of the Gogo Lagerstätte fossils and the study of tetrapod trackways. Ahlberg's publications highlight contributions to understanding vertebrate origins, such as discoveries related to Romundina stellina and Ventastega curonica, which bridge gaps between fish and tetrapods. He has also addressed broader topics like fossil nomenclature stability and post-extinction ecosystem recovery.

Jean Philippe GibertView profile

Associate Professor

• Ecology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Microbial Ecology
• +4 more

Jean Philippe Gibert is the Joanne W. Markman and A. Morris Williams, Jr. Associate Professor of Biology at Duke University's Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. His research bridges ecological and evolutionary dynamics, focusing on microbial food webs and climate change impacts. Education: Ph.D. from University of Nebraska, Lincoln (2016) Research Interests: He investigates how phenotypic traits and their evolution determine predator-prey interactions and food web structure, particularly in microbial systems. Key areas include thermal performance curves, eco-phenotypic feedbacks, and spatially mediated ecological processes. Grants: Recipient of NSF CAREER funding (2024-2029), NSF Collaborative Research (2022-2026), Simons Foundation, and Department of Energy grants. His work spans climate change effects on microbial communities, organic matter decomposition, and nutrient cycling. Teaching: Offers courses in ecology, food web theory, and independent research. Maintains the Gibert Lab, emphasizing quantitative microbial food-web ecology in a changing world.

Tobias AndermannView profile

Assistant Professor

• Biodiversity Informatics
• Computational Biology
• Machine Learning Applications in Ecology
• +5 more

Tobias Andermann serves as an Assistant Professor at Uppsala University's Department of Organismal Biology, specializing in Systematic Biology. He leads the Biodiversity Data Lab, an interdisciplinary research group combining ecology, molecular biology, geomatics, and machine learning to address the biodiversity crisis through innovative computational approaches. His research focuses on quantifying biodiversity loss using AI-driven analysis of environmental DNA, remote sensing data, and fossil records. Key interests include modeling extinction rates across geological timescales, developing standardized biodiversity assessment methods, and predicting species distribution changes under anthropogenic pressures. His work demonstrates current extinction rates are 2000-10,000 times higher than natural background levels, comparable to historical mass extinction events. Methodologically, Andermann integrates machine learning with large-scale environmental DNA datasets and high-resolution remote sensing to develop predictive models of biodiversity distribution. His lab pioneers field sampling protocols for environmental DNA collection and AI frameworks that translate remote sensing data into biodiversity metrics for unsurveyed sites. The Biodiversity Data Lab maintains a dynamic, non-hierarchical research environment focused on high-impact solutions to the biodiversity crisis. Current projects include developing environmental DNA protocols for fungi and insects, analyzing land-use impacts on species communities, and creating neural network models for cross-scale biodiversity forecasting. The lab emphasizes practical applications for conservation policy, notably supporting the UN's 30% protected area target established at COP15.

Gheorghe CraciunView profile

Professor

• Mathematical Biology
• Chemical Reaction Networks
• Dynamical Systems
• +4 more

Gheorghe Craciun is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Department of Biomolecular Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research focuses on mathematical and computational methods in biology and medicine, particularly chemical reaction networks, dynamical systems, and their applications to biochemical processes. He has organized and participated in workshops such as the Madison Workshop on Mathematics of Reaction Networks and the AIM-style Workshop on Mathematics of Reaction Networks, fostering collaborations and advancing the field. His work bridges theoretical mathematics with practical biological modeling, including studies on neurofilament transport, gene regulatory networks, and acoustic wave turbulence. Craciun's research spans diverse areas such as mass-action kinetics, graph-theoretic stability analysis, and algebraic approaches to reaction networks. He has published extensively in journals like SIAM Journal on Applied Mathematics, Bulletin of Mathematical Biology, and Journal of Mathematical Biology, often collaborating with interdisciplinary researchers. His teaching includes courses like Math 703 and involvement in the Madison Math Circle and Putnam Club.

Peter BraunsteinsView profile

Lecturer

• Probability Theory
• Stochastic Processes
• Branching Processes
• +3 more

Dr Peter Braunsteins serves as a Lecturer in Statistics within the School of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), operating under the Faculty of Science. His academic appointment focuses on advancing theoretical and applied probability through rigorous mathematical research. He completed his PhD at the University of Melbourne in 2018, followed by postdoctoral positions at the University of Amsterdam and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) before joining UNSW. His scholarly background bridges European and Middle Eastern research institutions with Australian academia. Braunsteins' research centers on stochastic processes , with pioneering contributions in three interconnected domains: branching processes (modeling population dynamics and extinction events), random graphs (analyzing network evolution and structural properties), and spatial extremes (studying rare events in geographical contexts). His work combines deep theoretical insights with applications in epidemiology, insurance risk modeling, and network science, often employing large deviation principles and parameter estimation techniques for complex systems. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a sustained focus on branching process theory, particularly population-size-dependent models and extinction probabilities, while simultaneously developing novel frameworks for dynamic random graphs. His research demonstrates increasing interdisciplinary reach, connecting probability theory with actuarial science through adaptations of the Cramér-Lundberg model and with network science through graphon analysis. No scientific awards or major honors are documented in the available materials. His collaborative network includes prominent researchers such as Sophie Hautphenne, Frank den Hollander, and Michel Mandjes across multiple continents. Professional activities include manuscript review for leading probability journals and participation in academic seminars at UNSW, though specific advising roles or grant funding details remain undisclosed in the source material. His office is located in Room 2056 of the Anita B. Lawrence Centre at UNSW Sydney.

Daniel P. SchragView profile

Professor

• Geochemical oceanography
• Stable isotope geochemistry
• Paleoclimatology
• +5 more

Daniel P. Schrag is the Sturgis Hooper Professor of Geology, Professor of Environmental Science and Engineering, and Professor of Public Policy at Harvard University. His primary affiliation is with the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, with additional roles in the John A. Paulson School of Engineering & Applied Sciences and the Harvard Kennedy School, where he co-directs the Program on Science, Technology, and Public Policy at the Belfer Center. Harvard University Center for the Environment Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences John A. Paulson School of Engineering & Applied Sciences Harvard Kennedy School (Belfer Center) His research spans Geochemical Oceanography , Stable Isotope Geochemistry , and Paleoclimatology , with a focus on understanding historical climate patterns, carbon cycle dynamics, and ocean temperature reconstructions. His work also addresses modern challenges like Climate Change , Carbon Sequestration , and Energy Technology , integrating scientific and policy-oriented approaches. Recent publications highlight his interdisciplinary work, including Border Carbon Adjustments for climate finance, Direct Air Capture Technologies , and analyses of Millennial-Scale Sea Level Changes . He explores Geoengineering , Climate Policy Economics , and Isotopic Records of Earth's history. Daniel P. Schrag's work bridges Earth Science and Policy Design , emphasizing actionable solutions to energy and climate challenges. He leads initiatives connecting academia to global policy frameworks, ensuring scientific rigor informs practical mitigation strategies.

Erik SperlingView profile

Associate Professor

• Geobiology
• Paleontology
• Marine Geochemistry
• +7 more

Erik Sperling is an Associate Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Stanford University, affiliated with the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment and holds a courtesy appointment as Associate Professor in the Department of Oceans. His research focuses on Earth’s environmental and biological evolution, particularly the interplay between atmospheric oxygen levels, marine redox conditions, and the emergence of complex life during the Neoproterozoic and Paleozoic eras. Research interests include paleoceanography, geochemical analysis of sedimentary records, early animal evolution, and the biogeochemical drivers of mass extinctions. He integrates fieldwork, laboratory geochemistry, and computational modeling to explore topics such as Ediacaran-Cambrian transitions, the role of oxygenation in metazoan diversification, and modern organismal responses to environmental stressors. His work spans geological time scales, from studying Precambrian shales and stromatolites to analyzing the physiological limits of marine organisms under deoxygenation scenarios. Recent studies emphasize the long-term oxygenation history of oceans, the ecological consequences of hypoxia-temperature interactions, and the application of novel geochemical proxies to reconstruct ancient environments. Laboratory activities include the Sperling Lab, which develops innovative methods for trace element analysis and integrates multi-proxy datasets to address questions in Earth’s history. Collaborations with institutions worldwide focus on global sedimentary geochemical databases and field projects in regions like the Yukon, Brazil, and Australia.

Diana BoyerView profile

Professor

• Paleontology
• Marine Geology
• Mass Extinctions
• +3 more

Dr. Diana Boyer is a Professor of Geology at Winthrop University's College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Geology from the University of California, Riverside, and a B.S. in Geology from the University of Delaware. Her research focuses on reconstructing ancient marine communities and understanding mass extinctions, particularly the End Devonian Hangenberg Crisis. She employs geochemical, sedimentological, and paleontological proxies to investigate environmental drivers of biodiversity loss, with recent attention to parallels between ancient extinctions and modern ocean changes. Dr. Boyer has secured external funding from the National Science Foundation and the Petroleum Research Fund, producing extensive publications in professional journals. She collaborates closely with students on microplastic research in coastal environments and teaches courses including Historical Geology, Oceanography, and Dinosaurs!. Her fieldwork includes studies in the Bahamas and the Great Basin region of the U.S. Education: Ph.D., Geology, University of California, Riverside M.S., Geology, University of California, Riverside B.S., Geology, University of Delaware Research Interests: Dr. Boyer’s work integrates multiple disciplines to understand how marine ecosystems respond to environmental stressors. Her studies of Devonian black shales reveal dynamic paleoenvironments and the interplay between anoxia, trace fossils, and biotic crises. She explores mechanisms behind mass extinctions using innovative proxy combinations, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary approaches. Current projects include microplastic distribution patterns in beach sands and refining stratigraphic models for late Paleozoic events. Teaching & Advising: In addition to graduate supervision, Dr. Boyer advises undergraduate research projects, particularly in microplastic analysis. She teaches field courses in the Bahamas and lab-intensive modules on geochemistry and paleontology. Labs & Collaborations: Collaborations span institutions for multi-proxy studies of ancient oceans. Her lab focuses on trace fossil analysis, isotopic geochemistry, and sedimentological modeling.

• Coral Reef Ecology
• Biogeography
• Climate Change Impacts
• +3 more

Mike McWilliam is a Researcher at James Cook University, affiliated with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies (2005–2022). His work focuses on coral reef ecosystems, biogeography, and the impacts of human activities on reef resilience. He holds a PhD from James Cook University under Prof. Terry Hughes and Dr. Mia Hoogenboom, following a degree in biological sciences from the University of Oxford, where he specialized in deep-sea coral biogeography. His research interests include coral diversity, reef ecosystem functions, and responses to climate change. He explores multi-scale reef dynamics—from population-level processes to macroevolutionary patterns—and investigates how historical climate shifts inform current reef management strategies. His work bridges ecological, evolutionary, and applied conservation science. Publications highlight coral bleaching mechanisms, reef recovery trajectories, and biodiversity monitoring. His research emphasizes functional trait diversity and how it mediates reef resilience to disturbances like ocean warming and acidification. He collaborates with institutions globally to advance coral reef conservation strategies. While no scientific awards are explicitly mentioned, his contributions to understanding climate-driven reef transformations are notable. His role in the ARC Centre involved managing large-scale ecological datasets and advancing field methodologies for reef monitoring. He has advised on coral restoration strategies and participated in interdisciplinary projects linking marine biology with climate science.

Henrik Jeldtoft JensenView profile

Professor

• Complexity Science
• Statistical Mechanics
• Mathematical Physics
• +7 more

Henrik Jeldtoft Jensen is a Professor of Mathematical Physics and leads the Centre for Complexity Science at Imperial College London. His work spans multiple disciplines, focusing on the statistical mechanics of complex systems, with applications in physics, biology, neuroscience, and finance. Professor, Mathematical Physics Leader, Centre for Complexity Science Institution: Imperial College London His research interests lie at the intersection of theoretical physics and complex systems. He is best known for developing the Tangled Nature Model of evolving ecosystems, which has been extended into financial modeling through the Tangled Finance approach. His work in brain dynamics involves analyzing fMRI and EEG data using tools from statistical physics. He has made significant contributions to self-organized criticality and stochastic dynamics of complex systems, particularly in condensed matter and evolutionary contexts. The recent publications reflect a strong trend toward interdisciplinary complexity science, integrating concepts from physics, biology, economics, and neuroscience. Keywords across these works include complexity, statistical mechanics, dynamical systems, and network theory, with subfields ranging from neural avalanches to financial instability and biodiversity modeling. Henrik Jensen is the author of two influential books: Self-Organized Criticality and Stochastic Dynamics of Complex Systems (with Paolo Sibani), which have been widely cited across disciplines. He has supervised numerous PhD and postdoctoral researchers through the Centre for Complexity Science, though specific names are not listed. His research has been supported by grants from UK research councils and international collaborations, particularly in interdisciplinary complexity projects. He is affiliated with the Centre for Complexity Science, a multidisciplinary research hub at Imperial College London that brings together physicists, mathematicians, biologists, and social scientists to study complex adaptive systems.

Stephen EikenberryView profile

Professor

• Astrophysics
• Gravitational Waves
• Black Holes
• +7 more

Stephen Eikenberry is a Professor of Optics & Photonics Physics at CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics, University of Central Florida. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Astronomy from Harvard University (1997), a Sherman Fairchild Postdoctoral Prize Fellowship at Caltech, and prior tenured roles at Cornell University and the University of Florida. His research focuses on black holes, neutron stars, gravitational waves, and astronomical instrumentation, with applications in biomedical imaging and spectroscopy. Key professional milestones include the 2016 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics (as part of the LIGO Science Consortium), the NSF CAREER Award (2000), and multiple University of Florida Research Foundation Professorships. He has designed advanced optical instruments and contributed to LIGO's gravitational wave discoveries. Eikenberry's research group explores astrophotonics, dark energy, and extrasolar planets. His recent work includes analyzing gravitational wave data from LIGO/Virgo and developing lunar occultation missions. He advises multiple graduate students and collaborates on international projects like the PolyOculus Array (OPA!). Education: Ph.D. in Astronomy, Harvard University (1997) Postdoctoral Fellowship at Caltech (Sherman Fairchild Prize) Awards: Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics (2016) Gruber Prize for Cosmology (2016) UK Royal Astronomical Society Team Achievement Award (2016) His publications emphasize gravitational wave astronomy, cosmology, and instrument design. He has pioneered methods to constrain cosmic expansion using gravitational wave 'standard sirens' and studies correlations between fast radio bursts and gravitational wave events.

Vikram RaviView profile

Assistant Professor

• Neutron Stars
• Black Holes
• Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs)
• +5 more

Vikram Ravi is an Assistant Professor of Astronomy at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), affiliated with the Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy. He leads the astronomy department's research on relativistic astrophysical phenomena and instrumental development. His academic journey includes a B.S. from the Australian National University (2009) and a Ph.D. from the University of Melbourne (2014), followed by postdoctoral roles at Caltech and Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. His research focuses on neutron stars, black holes, fast radio bursts (FRBs), and tidal disruption events (TDEs). He pioneered the DSA-2000 radio telescope project, aiming to revolutionize transient astronomy. Key contributions include gravitational wave predictions from supermassive black hole binaries and FRB-based studies of galaxy halos and dark matter. Ravi's honors include the Charlene Heisler Prize and Stefano Braccini Prize for his Ph.D. work on pulsar-timing constraints on gravitational waves. He actively mentors students and postdocs in instrumentation, computational astrophysics, and observational campaigns. His groups at Caltech and Owens Valley Radio Observatory develop cutting-edge tools like the Deep Synoptic Array (DSA) telescopes, enabling breakthroughs in FRB localization, TDE surveys, and cosmic baryon mapping. Future projects include the DSA-2000's fast-time-domain surveys and dark matter searches.

Ayesha TullochView profile

Research Fellow

• Biodiversity Conservation
• Conservation Decision Science
• Socio-ecological Systems
• +3 more

Dr Ayesha Tulloch is an ARC Future Fellow in the School of Biology & Environmental Science at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Her research focuses on conservation decision science, integrating ecology and socio-ecological systems to address biodiversity loss while maintaining human well-being in human-modified landscapes. She leads projects on agri-food supply chains that co-benefit biodiversity and people, addressing climate change impacts and extreme events. Education: PhD in Ecology (University of Queensland). Professional roles include Vice President (Policy and Outreach) of the Ecological Society of Australia and Chair of Queers in Science Queensland Chapter. She co-founded the IUCN Decision Science Working Group and contributes to initiatives like the Australian Threatened Species Index, a national tool tracking species recovery. Awards: NSW Tall Poppy of the Year (2021), RZSNSW Fellowship Key Collaborations: Wildlife Conservation Society, Bush Heritage Australia, BirdLife Australia Research Themes: Conservation prioritization, fire ecology, food systems sustainability Her work emphasizes policy influence and transdisciplinary approaches, with global projects in Africa, New Zealand, and Europe. She trains non-academic audiences in decision science tools and advocates for diversity in STEMM.