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Negar Elhami-KhorasaniView profile

Associate Professor

• Fire engineering
• Wildfire engineering
• Earthquake engineering
• +7 more

Negar Elhami-Khorasani is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering at the University at Buffalo's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Her research focuses on multi-hazard resilience with particular expertise in fire engineering, wildfire engineering, and earthquake engineering. She directs research on performance-based design, structural fire testing, and community resilience against compound disasters. Her educational background includes: PhD in Civil Engineering and Structural Engineering, Princeton University, 2015 MASc in Civil Engineering, University of Toronto, Canada, 2010 BASc in Civil Engineering, University of Toronto, Canada, 2008 Professor Elhami-Khorasani's research spans six primary areas: wildfire impact in wildland-urban interfaces, performance-based fire engineering, probabilistic approaches in structural fire engineering, structural fire testing methodologies, tunnel fire resilience, and fire following earthquake analysis. Her work integrates experimental testing with computational modeling to develop practical solutions for enhancing the resilience of built environments against fire-related disasters. She has pioneered methods for introducing active boundary conditions during structural fire testing and developed frameworks for community-level fire following earthquake management. Her research group maintains active collaborations with industry partners and government agencies, securing funding for projects related to wildfire resilience, tunnel fire safety, and multi-hazard community planning. She advises numerous graduate students working on cutting-edge research in structural fire engineering and wildfire risk assessment. Her laboratory utilizes the Structural Engineering and Earthquake Simulation Laboratory (SEESL) for experimental validation of fire-damaged structures.

• Cybersecurity
• Software Defined Networks
• Digital Forensics
• +4 more

Dr. Suleman Khan is an Associate Professor at the University of Bradford's School of Computer Science, AI & Electronics. He holds a PhD (Distinction) in Cybersecurity from Universiti Malaya (2017) and previously worked as a Senior Network Officer at Pakistan International Airlines. His academic career includes roles at Monash University, Northumbria University, and the University of Central Lancashire. He leads the Innovate UK-funded CyberASAP project as PI and has published over 90 high-impact articles. His research focuses on cybersecurity, software-defined networks, digital forensics, IoT, and AI. Education: PhD in Cybersecurity, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia (2017) Research Interests: Network forensics, privacy preservation, trust management, SDN security, IoT security, AI-driven defense mechanisms. His work emphasizes innovative solutions for cyber threats in modern networks and intelligent systems. Awards: Fellow Member of the HEA IEEE Member Grants & Projects: Innovate UK - CyberASAP (Cyber Security Academic Startup Accelerator Programme) Teaching Areas: Cybersecurity, Networking, and Information Systems.

Andy BreckenridgeView profile

Professor

• Sedimentology
• Stratigraphy
• Glacial Geology
• +5 more

Dr. Andy Breckenridge is a Professor in the Natural Sciences Department at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. His research focuses on sedimentology, stratigraphy, glacial geology, and climate change, with a particular emphasis on reconstructing past environmental changes through lake sediments. He holds a Ph.D. (2006) from the University of Minnesota, preceded by an M.S. (1999) and B.S. (1994) from Purdue University. Education: Ph.D. in Geology, University of Minnesota (2006) M.S. in Geology, University of Minnesota (1999) B.S. in Geology, Purdue University (1994) Research Interests: Glacial Lake Agassiz and its impact on climate Lake Superior’s sedimentary history Landslide dynamics and geomorphic responses to extreme events Reconstructing caribou populations via lake sediments Maya lowlands environmental history His articles highlight studies on glacial lake drainage, landslide susceptibility, and paleoclimate reconstruction. Current projects include NSF-funded research on ice-sheet response to climate change and sediment analysis in the St. Louis River Estuary. Dr. Breckenridge collaborates widely, integrating fieldwork, geochronology, and remote sensing to address interdisciplinary questions in Earth sciences. Labs/Teams: Active in the University of Wisconsin-Superior Geology Program, collaborating with institutions like the University of Minnesota and ResearchGate.

• IoT
• Machine Learning
• Wireless Sensor Networks
• +3 more

Qi Ang is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Economics, focusing on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of IoT, machine learning, and cybersecurity. Their work emphasizes practical applications such as smart irrigation, flood prediction systems, and secure wireless communication protocols. Key contributions include enhancing IoT device authentication, developing AI-driven environmental monitoring frameworks, and advancing physical layer security techniques. Research interests span IoT infrastructure, machine learning for environmental data analysis, wireless sensor networks, and cybersecurity solutions for constrained environments. Recent efforts include designing lightweight security protocols for IoT devices and integrating local sensor data with third-party forecasts for precision agriculture and disaster management. Publications highlight trends in sensor network modeling, anomaly detection, and energy-efficient routing. Notable projects include a smart sewage management system and a flooding alert system for municipal use. Qi Ang has also contributed to educational methodologies, as seen in their work on thesis quality assurance in academic settings.

Kim CohenView profile

Assistant Professor

• Geomorphology
• Sedimentology
• Sea Level Change
• +7 more

Dr. Kim Cohen is an Assistant Professor in Physical Geography at Utrecht University's Faculty of Geosciences. Their research focuses on paleogeography, delta dynamics, and Quaternary geology, with expertise in GIS applications, sedimentology, and sea level change. Cohen co-leads projects on Dutch delta evolution, North Sea paleolandscapes, and Holocene subsidence. They collaborate with Deltares and TNO, advising on geological and archaeological applications. Cohen has co-supervised over 15 PhD students and contributed to key publications on sea-level reconstructions and flood history. Their teaching spans Quaternary climate, sedimentology, and fieldwork in the Netherlands and Italy. Research highlights include the HOLSEA-NL dataset on Holocene sea level indicators and contributions to the ICS chronostratigraphic chart. Cohen's work bridges geoscience with societal challenges like land subsidence and coastal resilience. They lead the RM Delta dataset initiative, integrating open science for delta management.

Karl LangView profile

Assistant Professor

• Solid Earth Sciences
• Surface Processes
• Geochronology
• +4 more

Dr. Karl Lang is an Assistant Professor in the School of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences at Georgia Institute of Technology. His research focuses on Solid Earth Sciences, Surface Processes, and Geochronology, with emphasis on understanding interactions between climate, tectonics, and landscape evolution. He holds a PhD from the University of Washington (2014) and a BS from the College of William and Mary (2008). Key research areas include megaflood dynamics, exfoliation mechanisms, and sediment provenance. He has received notable awards such as the Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellowship (2015) and Vetenskapsrådet Postdoctoral Fellowship (2017). His work integrates field observations with cutting-edge analytical techniques like detrital thermochronology and machine learning for geologic mapping. Recent studies explore the geomorphic legacy of megafloods in mountain rivers, leveraging SWOT satellite data and seismic monitoring. Collaborative projects with international teams address Himalayan tectonics and landslide impacts in Puerto Rico. His lab investigates rock fracturing processes and long-term landscape evolution feedbacks.

Nancy NicholsView profile

Professor

• Data Assimilation
• Numerical Linear Algebra
• Optimal Control Theory
• +5 more

Professor Nancy Nichols is a faculty member in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Reading, part of the School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences. Her academic focus spans numerical analysis, data assimilation, optimal control theory, and environmental systems modeling. She leads research in boundary value problems, robust control systems, and applications of differential equations. Her research interests include advanced numerical methods for differential equations, robust control system design, and the integration of observational data into predictive models for weather, climate, and flood forecasting. Key contributions involve variational data assimilation techniques, error covariance analysis, and computational methods for environmental systems. Professor Nichols collaborates with interdisciplinary teams through the Data Assimilation Research Centre (DARC), exploring topics like coupled atmosphere-ocean models and satellite-derived flood monitoring. Her work emphasizes improving forecast accuracy and reducing uncertainties in high-resolution numerical models. Recent research trends highlight innovations in hybrid variational methods, tempered particle filters for flood prediction, and optimization strategies for aviation emissions reduction. She has also addressed challenges in representing error correlations in high-resolution weather prediction systems. Her expertise bridges theoretical mathematics, computational science, and applied environmental modeling, with applications to climate science, aerospace engineering, and disaster management.

Alexander AbuabaraView profile

Academic

• Urban Planning
• Risk Assessment
• Bayesian Statistics
• +3 more

Alexander Abuabara is an Instructional Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University's Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, transitioning to the Industrial & Systems Engineering Department in Fall 2025. His roles include serving as an Interim Faculty Senator in the College of Architecture. With a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Science from Texas A&M (2022), he also holds degrees from the University of São Paulo (B.S. Civil Engineering, 2001) and Federal University of São Carlos (M.S. Production Engineering, 2006). Research focuses on applying Bayesian networks, GIS analysis, and decision-making frameworks to urban planning and disaster resilience. Notable projects include the Hurricane Evacuation Studies (Texas Coastal Bend, Valley), Risk-Based Community Resilience Planning (NIST-funded), and preservation of historic cemeteries. He teaches courses in analytical methods, GIS, and planning techniques. His work emphasizes probabilistic reasoning, open-source tools, and collaboration with federal agencies like the US Army Corps of Engineers. Current affiliations include the Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center and Texas A&M's College of Architecture. Education: Ph.D., Urban and Regional Science, Texas A&M (2022) M.S., Production Engineering, Federal University of São Carlos (2006) B.S., Civil Engineering, University of São Paulo (2001) Grants: NIST-funded Risk-Based Community Resilience Planning (2022-2024) USACE Hurricane Evacuation Studies (multiple phases) Labs/Teams: Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center, Texas A&M Coastal Bend Hurricane Study Team

• Hydrogeophysics
• Vadose Zone Hydrology
• Data-Model Integration
• +3 more

Dr. Paul A. Ferre is a Distinguished Professor of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Arizona, holding a PhD in Earth Sciences (University of Waterloo, 1998) and a B.S. in Geophysical Engineering (Colorado School of Mines, 1988). He has been at the University of Arizona since 1999, contributing to research in hydrogeophysics and vadose zone hydrology, with a focus on integrating data and models for decision-making. His awards include the 2016 NGWA Darcy Lecturer and 2019 Distinguished Professor recognition. Ferre emphasizes 'learning by doing' pedagogy, employing flipped classrooms and Socratic methods in courses like hydrogeophysical methods and field hydrology. Research Interests: Dr. Ferre explores hydrogeophysical techniques, vadose zone dynamics, and model-data fusion. Recent work includes soil salinity modeling under drip irrigation, groundwater recharge estimation, and karst system simulations. His research often bridges field experiments (e.g., Landscape Evolution Observatory at Biosphere 2) with advanced modeling (e.g., PFLOTRAN). Publications: Over 150 peer-reviewed articles, including high-impact studies on soil evaporation dynamics, machine learning in hydrology, and groundwater monitoring. Recent trends focus on sustainable water management, climate-driven hydrological extremes, and agricultural hydrology. Awards & Honors: Distinguished Professor, University of Arizona (2019) NGWA Darcy Lecturer (2016) Research Fellow, Verschulen Centre (2013) Advising & Labs: Leads the Hydrology & Water Resources program at UA, mentoring students in field methods and numerical modeling. Active in the Landscape Evolution Observatory (LEO) project, studying coupled hydrological and biogeochemical processes in engineered landscapes.

Bernhard LehnerView profile

Associate Professor

• Global hydrology
• Hydrography
• Conservation hydrology
• +6 more

Bernhard Lehner is an Associate Professor at McGill University based in Burnside Hall, specializing in large-scale hydrology and hydrography. His research analyzes terrestrial water cycles across river basins, continents, and the globe to investigate climate and environmental change impacts on water resources, floods, and droughts. He integrates hydrological science with freshwater biodiversity conservation through environmental flow assessments, river habitat classifications, and dam impact evaluations. His educational background includes: PhD in Geosciences from the University of Frankfurt, Germany (2005) MSc in Hydrology from the University of Freiburg, Germany (1999) BSc in Geography & Physics from the University of Freiburg, Germany (1999) Lehner's research spans global hydrology, hydrography of rivers/lakes/wetlands, conservation hydrology, and freshwater biodiversity. He develops foundational datasets (HydroSHEDS, HydroLAKES) using GIS and remote sensing to model river flows, assess dam impacts, and evaluate aquatic ecosystem services. His work bridges hydrological modeling with practical conservation applications for sustainable water management. His recent publications (2013-2023) demonstrate a cohesive focus on creating global hydrographic baselines, mapping free-flowing rivers, and quantifying wetland/lake dynamics. These studies, frequently published in Nature, employ geospatial analytics to address critical water challenges under environmental change, emphasizing conservation applications and policy relevance. Lehner actively contributes to international initiatives including HydroSHEDS, GRanD, BioFresh, and the Canadian Network for Aquatic Ecosystem Services, advancing global freshwater conservation through collaborative science and dataset development.

Iwan RudiartoView profile

Professor

• Disaster Management
• Urban and Rural Resilience
• Land Management
• +5 more

Prof. Iwan Rudiarto is a Professor at the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Diponegoro University. He holds a PhD from the University of Hohenheim (2010) and has extensive experience in academic roles, including Lecturer, Researcher, and Head of the Master’s Program in Urban and Regional Planning. His research focuses on disaster management, urban-rural resilience, land management, and rural development. Educations: Bachelor’s in Urban and Regional Planning (Diponegoro University, 1998) MSc in Land Management and Land Tenure (Technical University Munich, 2005) PhD in Rural Development (University of Hohenheim, 2010) Research interests include climate-related disasters, rural-urban migration dynamics, spatial planning, and community resilience. He leads the Centre of Participatory Planning and is part of global initiatives like the German Excellence Center GCSMUS. Notable awards include DAAD scholarships (2003–2005 and 2007–2010). He has authored over 20 peer-reviewed articles on topics such as flood vulnerability, rural livelihoods, and urban expansion. Current research is funded by the Indonesian Ministry of Research and Diponegoro University. Grants and projects include studies on coastal resilience, urban mobility, and rural transformation. He chairs the World Planning Schools Congress 2026 and is a GPEAN council member. Community services include disaster preparedness projects and GIS training programs. Labs/Teams: Geomatics and Planning Laboratory, Global Center of Spatial Methods for Urban Sustainability (GCSMUS).

• Distributed communication networks
• Infrastructure-independent networks
• Aerial communication systems
• +5 more

Dr. Julian Zobel is a postdoc researcher at the Adaptive Communication Systems research group within the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at the Technical University of Darmstadt. He completed his computer science studies at TU Darmstadt and worked as a research assistant from 2018-2022 before finishing his PhD in 2023 with a thesis focused on autonomous applications of aerial communication networks in disaster situations. His research interests include: Distributed and infrastructure-independent communication networks Aerial communication support and network monitoring Satellite networks Disaster response communication systems Wireless sensor networks for emergency scenarios Dr. Zobel's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on improving communication resilience in disaster scenarios through innovative approaches involving UAVs, satellite communication, and network monitoring systems. His work bridges theoretical networking concepts with practical implementations for emergency response situations, with particular emphasis on infrastructure-independent solutions that can operate when traditional communication systems fail. His research spans multiple technical domains including protocol design, network resilience, and field testing of communication systems in realistic environments. He has supervised over 25 Master's and Bachelor's theses on topics related to his research. Notable students include Jakob Karg (KOM Award for Best Master's Thesis 2019) and Lukas Wehrstein (KOM Award for Best Bachelor's Thesis 2022). His advisees have worked on projects ranging from UAV-based network topology monitoring to low-power communication protocols for emergency crisis communication. Dr. Zobel maintains an active research profile with publications spanning conferences like ISCRAM, IEEE LCN, WONS, and journals like Global Change Biology. His collaborative work includes frequent partnerships with researchers such as Ralf Steinmetz, Björn Scheuermann, and Ralf Kundel. He is currently focused on advancing research in distributed communication networks that can operate independently of traditional infrastructure, with particular attention to satellite communication, UAV-based systems, and network monitoring approaches that can be deployed rapidly in emergency situations.

• Hydraulic Engineering
• River Restoration
• Sediment Transport
• +3 more

Mario Klösch is a Researcher at the Institute of Hydraulic Engineering, Hydraulics and River Research within the Department of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna . His work focuses on hydraulic engineering, river restoration, and sediment transport dynamics in alpine and transboundary river systems. Research Interests: Hydromorphology, sediment management, ecosystem services in river corridors, gravel transport mechanics, floodplain rehabilitation, and vegetation-hydrology interactions. Recent Publication Trends: His 2024-2023 articles emphasize full-scale vegetation deformation modeling, tracer velocity analysis, cross-border river restoration monitoring, and sediment balance studies in the Rhine and Danube basins. Key methodologies include field measurements, numerical simulations, and hydromorphological frameworks. Scientific Awards: Recipient of the 2011 Marshall Plan Scholarship at the University of Mississippi. Community Services: Active as reviewer for journals like Journal of Hydrology and Earth Surface Processes and Landforms . He contributes to EU projects (Interreg, HyMoCARES) and national initiatives addressing river management.

Ferdinand RauchView profile

Professor

• Labor Economics
• Urban Economics
• International Trade
• +3 more

Ferdinand Rauch is a Professor of Economics at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, affiliated with the Swiss Institute for International Economics and Applied Economic Research (SIAW-HSG). His research focuses on labor markets, urban economics, and international trade, investigating productivity drivers, spatial economic organization, and urbanization-trade interconnections through empirical analysis of historical and contemporary data. Professor Rauch's work spans urban economics, international trade, and economic geography with emphasis on structural transformation and spatial dynamics. He examines how trade networks shape economic development, analyzes infrastructure impacts on urban growth (e.g., London Underground, Panama Canal), and explores long-term effects of historical events like the Iron Curtain's fall. His methodology combines theoretical modeling with large-scale empirical studies across diverse contexts including Africa, South Africa, and Tanzania. Rauch's publication record (2014-2025) reveals consistent thematic focus on spatial economic phenomena. Recent work investigates identity in trade through Hanseatic League legacies, urban responses to flooding, and market access paradoxes where trade gains don't spur growth. He frequently employs historical case studies and natural experiments to uncover causal mechanisms in economic geography, with publications in top journals like the Quarterly Journal of Economics and Journal of Political Economy. Professor Rauch leads a research chair at the University of St. Gallen, directing a collaborative team focused on applied economic questions. The chair engages in international projects analyzing trade networks, urban development, and historical economic shocks, contributing policy-relevant insights through rigorous empirical analysis of spatial economic patterns.

Onur ALİŞANView profile

Assistant Professor

• Urban transportation
• Accessibility to services
• Spatial optimization
• +1 more

Onur ALİŞAN is an Assistant Professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning at Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara, Turkey. His office is located in Room 312, and he can be contacted via phone (+90 312 210 62 02), fax (+90 312 210 79 65), or email (alisan@metu.edu.tr). His academic profile is available on METU's Avesis platform . Education: Dr. ALİŞAN holds multiple degrees from Middle East Technical University: PhD in City and Regional Planning (2021) BSc in City and Regional Planning (2014) MSc in Industrial Engineering (2008) BSc in Business Administration (2004) Research Focus: His work centers on urban systems resilience, with specific expertise in: Spatial optimization for disaster shelters and evacuation planning Accessibility analysis of critical services during crises GIS-based modeling of natural hazards (hurricanes, floods, pandemics) Transportation safety and infrastructure interactions His research consistently addresses equity considerations in disaster management. Academic Output: Dr. ALİŞAN maintains an active publication record focused on disaster resilience and spatial analysis. His recent work (2022-2025) demonstrates: Strong emphasis on hurricane preparedness modeling using real-time data Integration of pandemic constraints into evacuation planning Methodological innovations in GIS and combinatorial optimization Collaborations with multidisciplinary teams across institutions