Alex Liu is a Researcher at the Department of Earth Sciences within the University of Cambridge. He specializes in palaeobiology , focusing on the origin and early evolution of animals, particularly the Ediacaran biota (~579–539 million years ago), and their co-evolution with Earth's environment. Research Focus: Refines understanding of animal body plan evolution, taphonomy, sedimentology, and macroevolutionary trends. Methodologies: Combines fieldwork, experimental studies, petrology, phylogenetics, and big-data analyses. Collaborations: Works with international museums and research teams on fossil sites in Namibia, Canada, and Brazil. Additional Interests: Explores meiofaunal evolution, paleogeography, paleoclimate, and conservation paleobiology. He supervises Cambridge NERC Doctoral Landscape Awards (DLA) projects and welcomes student contributions to taxonomic, paleoecological, and analytical studies.
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyUnited States
Taylor Perron is the Cecil and Ida Green Professor of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he also serves as the EAPS Undergraduate Officer. His research program at MIT spans multiple interdisciplinary areas within Earth and planetary sciences, with strong connections to the MIT-WHOI Joint Program in Oceanography/Applied Ocean Science and Engineering. Dr. Perron's academic background includes an AB in Earth and Planetary Sciences and Archaeology from Harvard University (1999) and a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley (2006), followed by postdoctoral work at Harvard. His leadership roles at MIT have included serving as chair of the Program in Geology, Geochemistry, and Geobiology, and as Associate Department Head for Education. His research focuses on three interconnected areas: Landscape Evolution, Planetary Surfaces, and the Human Landscape. Within Landscape Evolution, he investigates dynamic river networks, climate-landscape interactions, grain-scale sediment transport mechanics, and the connections between landscape evolution and biological diversification. His Planetary Surfaces research examines river systems on Mars and Titan, using spacecraft data to understand extraterrestrial hydrological processes. The Human Landscape component explores archaeological applications of geomorphology, particularly in the Amazon basin. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on comparative planetary hydrology, with significant work on Earth, Mars, and Titan. His research increasingly integrates field observations, mathematical modeling, and remote sensing to address questions about landscape evolution across different planetary environments and timescales, with growing attention to anthropogenic impacts on Earth's surface processes. Scientific Awards & Honors: MacArthur Fellowship (2021) James B. Macelwane Medal, American Geophysical Union (2014) Fellow, American Geophysical Union (2014) Editorial Committee Member, Annual Review of Earth & Planetary Sciences (2017-present) Dr. Perron has established a productive research group that collaborates across disciplines and institutions, including significant partnerships with WHOI, NASA missions, and archaeological teams. His work bridges fundamental questions about planetary evolution with practical implications for understanding climate change impacts on Earth's surface systems.
Cindy Lee Van Dover is a deep-sea biologist and the Harvey W Smith Distinguished Professor of Biological Oceanography at Duke University. She serves as Chair of Duke's Division of Marine Science and Conservation and Director of the Duke University Marine Laboratory in Beaufort, N.C. Her research focuses on chemosynthetic ecosystems, biodiversity, and deep-sea policy frameworks. Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography, MIT/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (1989) M.A. in Ecology, UCLA (1985) B.S. in Biological Oceanography, Rutgers University (1977) Van Dover's work spans deep-sea ecology, hydrothermal vent biodiversity, and environmental policy. She investigates gene flow in vent invertebrates, ecological impacts of deep-sea mining, and conservation strategies for chemosynthetic ecosystems. Her research integrates field programs using submersibles and telepresence technologies to study vent connectivity and microbial roles in extreme environments. Her scientific leadership includes 80+ peer-reviewed publications and roles as Chief Scientist in NSF- and NOAA-sponsored expeditions. She pioneered studies on geothermal light at vents and deep-sea symbiosis, with recent work on dual symbiotic relationships in vent snails and methane seep ecology. Virginia Outstanding Scientist (2006) Fulbright Scholar (France 2004) Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science Mines Medal for Leadership and Innovation NSF Career Awardee Van Dover's grants include NSF EAGER funding for deep-submergence science leadership and Pew Charitable Trusts' support for deep-sea mining impact assessments. She leads interdisciplinary initiatives like Science and Art at the Moment of Discovery , integrating artists into marine research expeditions. Her outreach includes authoring two books: Deep-Ocean Journeys for public audiences and The Ecology of Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vents as the first textbook in the field. Her work has been featured in Science News , Discover Magazine , and National Public Radio .
Dr. Cesare Andrea Papazzoni serves as Associate Professor at the Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. His expertise spans vertebrate paleontology , biostratigraphy , and paleoenvironmental reconstructions with a focus on foraminifera and carbonate systems . Teaching responsibilities include courses on Paleontology and Evolution of Vertebrates (Master's in Science Teaching and Communication) and Applied Biostratigraphy (Geosciences program), where students engage in fossil identification, gamma-ray stratigraphy, and paleoclimatic analysis. Research interests center on climate change impacts on marine calcifiers during Paleogene thermal events (EECO, MECO). His work examines resilient coral reef ecosystems , nummulitid foraminifera , and shallow-water carbonate factories through integrated biostratigraphic, isotopic, and sedimentological methods. Recent studies include iron ooid genesis in Eocene basins and taxonomic revisions of historical fossil collections. Publications (2021–2025) reveal expertise in benthic community dynamics during MECO , taphonomic analysis of vertebrate fossils , and biostratigraphic correlation between SBZ and CN zones . Collaborative work spans ichthyosaur morphology , coral diversification patterns , and microfacies analysis of Paleogene successions. Current projects integrate multidisciplinary approaches to sedimentary systems affected by tectonic-climatic coupling.
Dr Stuart Cameron is a Senior Research Fellow in the School of Engineering at the University of Aberdeen, where he has been contributing to research since 2007. His work is centered on environmental fluid mechanics, with a focus on open-channel flows, turbulence, sediment transport, and bio-inspired hydrodynamics. He is affiliated with a series of high-impact interdisciplinary research projects involving advanced experimental and theoretical fluid dynamics. His research interests include: Open-channel flow turbulence structure Sediment entrainment and transport mechanisms Flow-biota interactions in aquatic ecosystems Development and error analysis of Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) techniques Hydrodynamics of bioinspired surfaces and fish-shaped bodies The most recent publications highlight a strong trend in analyzing complex turbulent flows over rough beds, secondary currents, and bio-inspired surface morphologies. His work frequently involves high-resolution experimental techniques and theoretical modeling, often in collaboration with leading researchers such as V. Nikora. Articles span topics from drag forces on sediment particles to hydrokinetic turbine performance and field-based PIV studies in natural water bodies. Notable scientific contributions have been supported by major grants from EPSRC, NERC, and the European Commission. These include projects such as: "Secondary currents in turbulent flows over rough walls" (EPSRC, 2021–2024) "River flow regulation, fish behaviour and status – RIBES" (European Commission, 2020–2023) "Field stereoscopic PIV system for freshwater and marine ecosystems" (NERC, 2019–2020) "Bed friction in rough-bed free-surface flows" (EPSRC, 2014–2017) "HYTECH" (Marie Curie ITN, 2013–2016) "High-resolution numerical and experimental studies of turbulence-induced sediment erosion" (EPSRC & DFG, 2010–2014) Dr Cameron has not advised any named students in the available data, but he collaborates extensively within research teams focused on environmental hydraulics and experimental fluid mechanics. He is involved in the development of advanced measurement systems and theoretical frameworks for understanding complex flows in natural and engineered environments. He is actively engaged in laboratory and field-based research, contributing to both fundamental fluid mechanics and applied environmental engineering challenges. His work bridges engineering, ecology, and physics, particularly in the context of river systems and aquatic habitats.
Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape ResearchGermany
Masahiro Ryo is a Professor of Environmental Data Science at Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU) and leads the working group "Artificial Intelligence for Smart Agriculture" at the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF). His research integrates machine learning with ecological systems to address global sustainability challenges, focusing on biodiversity, soil health, and AI-driven agricultural solutions. His work spans environmental data science, ecosystem services, and smart agriculture. Key themes include explainable AI for biodiversity monitoring, soil organic carbon prediction, and machine learning applications in ecological modeling. Recent publications highlight trends in environmental AI, with applications in yield mapping, fungal taxonomy, and global change ecology. He emphasizes the integration of ecological theory with deep learning to tackle small-data problems and improve model transferability. Contact: masahiroryo@gmail.com | Personal Website
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.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityUnited States
Jonathan Czuba is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech's College of Engineering. His research program integrates ecological engineering with fluvial geomorphology to address riverine ecosystem dynamics under anthropogenic and climatic pressures. Key Themes: Stream restoration, river network connectivity, ecohydraulics, and plastic pollution mitigation Methods: Coupling field measurements with computational models (HEC-RAS, Landlab) Collaborations: USGS, Indiana University, University of Minnesota Research Focus: Advances understanding of how sediment and nutrient fluxes interact with vegetation, aquatic biota, and human interventions across diverse river systems. Notable work includes quantifying floodplain connectivity, modeling post-wildfire sediment cascades, and developing tools for ecohydraulic assessments. Awards: 2023 UCOW Early Career Award 2023-2024 Engineering Teaching Excellence 2024 CALS Impactful Researcher of the Month Mentorship: Actively advises graduate/undergraduate researchers in Watershed Engineering, emphasizing fieldwork, modeling, and remote sensing. Collaborates with Kyle Strom (Civil Engineering) and Doug Edmonds (Indiana University).
Mike Thiv is a Researcher and Head of the Botany Department at the State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart . His work focuses on plant systematics, biogeography , and floristic mapping , with a particular emphasis on the Eritrean-Arabian region, the Mediterranean, and Macaronesia. He has contributed to understanding evolutionary patterns in laurel forests, island endemism, and glacial refugia dynamics. His academic journey includes a Habilitation at Heidelberg University (2015), a PhD on Gentianaceae phylogeny (2000), and a Diploma in Biology (1995). He has led third-party funded projects with grants totaling ~€800,000 and served as an associate editor for journals like Plant Systematics and Evolution . Research projects span molecular phytogeography of the Socotra Archipelago, decline of clubmoss in Baden-Württemberg, and floristic dynamics under global change. His publications address adaptive radiation, vicariant speciation, and taxonomic revisions across diverse plant families. Notable collaborations include work with M. Koch on Macaronesian Gesnouinia and Mediterranean Soleirolia woodiness evolution (2019), and with R. Linder on molecular phytogeography of Socotra plants (2001–2003). He has mentored no explicit advisees but contributes to interdisciplinary teams. Key trends in his publications include integrating molecular and morphological data for taxonomy, exploring biogeographic disjunctions, and analyzing conservation genetics. His work bridges historical botany with modern phylogenetic methods, emphasizing biodiversity in Mediterranean and island ecosystems.
Mark Schmeeckle is a Professor at Arizona State University's School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, with an affiliation to the Water Institute. His research focuses on landscape mechanisms, particularly sediment transport and environmental fluid dynamics. He develops advanced numerical models for turbulence in environmental flows, including LES and RANS techniques, to simulate bedload transport and morphodynamics in rivers and aeolian systems. Educated at the University of Colorado-Boulder (Ph.D., 1998), University of Washington-Seattle (M.S. 1992; B.S. 1988), he has led major grants from NSF, USGS, and industry partners. His work integrates experimental and computational approaches to study fluvial processes, turbulence-structure interactions, and sediment dynamics. Courses taught include GIS programming and statistical methods for geography. Key research interests include aeolian and fluvial sediment transport, bedform evolution, and the effects of vegetation on sediment movement. His publications analyze turbulence-driven bedload, riverbank stability, and ancient organism-environment interactions. He has advised numerous projects on Grand Canyon sediment dynamics and coastal aquifer modeling. Recent projects include modeling thermal erosion of lava channels and statistical mechanics of bedload transport. His contributions span environmental engineering, geomorphology, and paleontology, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to Earth surface processes.
Irene Rocchi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, specializing in Geotechnics & Geology at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). Her research integrates experimental soil mechanics with innovative engineering solutions, focusing on ground characterization, soil behavior across scales, and sustainable geotechnical practices. She leads key projects such as SoIA (Soil is alive) and B-test, contributing to advancements in geotechnical instrumentation and interdisciplinary soil science. PhD, City University of Hong Kong (2010–2014) MSc in Civil Engineering, Politecnical School of Turin (2007–2009) Bachelor in Civil Engineering, University of Bologna (2004–2007) Her research interests center on experimental soil mechanics, with a strong focus on laboratory and field characterization, unsaturated soils, micro-scale analysis, and the influence of biological factors on soil behavior. She emphasizes innovation and the translation of research into practical engineering applications, particularly in flood protection, ground improvement, and sustainable infrastructure. The recent publications reflect a consistent trend in advanced geotechnical testing, probabilistic modeling, and interdisciplinary biogeotechnics. Her work spans from fundamental soil behavior studies to applied technologies like digital twins and energy storage in geomaterials, demonstrating a strong integration of mechanics, sustainability, and innovation. Semper Ardens Excellence Grant (Carlsberg Foundation) InnoExplorer Grant (B-test project) Irene Rocchi actively supervises PhD students and contributes to major research projects at DTU. She has been involved in industrial collaborations and has led funded projects focusing on sustainable underground construction, soil swelling, and infrastructure performance. Her work bridges academic research and real-world engineering challenges. She is involved in the SoIA research group and contributes to DTU’s Sustainable Geotechnics initiative, where she develops new sensing technologies and promotes interdisciplinary approaches to soil science. Her lab focuses on advanced soil testing, NMR-based homogeneity assessment, and biologically influenced soil mechanics.
Giovanni Leonelli is an Associate Professor at the University of Parma in the Department of Chemical, Life and Environmental Sustainability Sciences . His work integrates geomorphology , climatology , and stable isotope analysis to study climate reconstruction and environmental dynamics in alpine and glacial systems. Focuses on climate change impacts in mountainous regions like the Alps, Northern Apennines, and Chilean Andes Utilizes tree-ring isotopes and GIS analysis for reconstructing environmental shifts Teaches courses on Cartography and GIS , Applied Geomorphology , and Geomorphological Hazards His recent publications emphasize debris flow characterization , glacier retreat effects , and dendrochronological climate proxies . Scientific awards include recognition for his master’s thesis in Natural and Environmental Sciences by the Lombardy Institute (2003).
Kathrin Busch is a biological oceanographer conducting systems-oriented and interdisciplinary environmental research focused on cold and deep marine environments. Her work integrates ecological perspectives with advanced methodological approaches to study microbial communities within "deep-sea forests" formed by sponges and coral reefs. Research Interests: Ecosystem dynamics across spatial-temporal scales Matter fluxes and nutrient cycling Biodiversity assessments of marine microbiomes Abiotic-biotic interactions in extreme environments Biological networks and feedback mechanisms Connectivity in deep-sea ecosystems Methodological Expertise: In situ observational and experimental approaches Molecular ecology techniques Big data management and bioinformatics pipelines Integrative modeling frameworks Advanced data visualization "Digital ocean" technologies
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUnited States
Rafael O. Tinoco is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He holds a B.S. from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (2005), and M.S. and Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Cornell University (2008, 2011). His research focuses on ecohydraulics, environmental fluid mechanics, and sediment transport dynamics, with applications in rivers, estuaries, and coastal systems. He leads the Ecohydraulics and Ecomorphodynamics Laboratory, studying biophysical interactions in aquatic environments. Dr. Tinoco's work integrates experimental, numerical, and field approaches to address challenges like invasive species control, coastal protection, and climate change impacts. He has authored over 70 peer-reviewed articles and edited conference volumes. Notable awards include the NSF CAREER Award (2018) and the 2023 Campus Distinguished Promotion Award. His teaching excellence has been recognized through multiple student rankings as 'Excellent.' His research group investigates turbulence-driven processes affecting sediment transport, gas exchange across water-sediment interfaces, and the role of vegetation in modifying flow dynamics. Recent studies include porous obstacle hydrodynamics, bubble curtain technology for invasive species management, and the morphological evolution of wave-generated ripples.
Todd Alan Ehlers is a Professor at the University of Glasgow's School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, specializing in Earth surface processes and landscape evolution across geological timescales. His research integrates thermochronology, numerical modeling, and field observations to understand complex interactions between tectonics, climate, and surface processes. Dr. Ehlers' research spans diverse geographical settings including Antarctica, the Tibetan Plateau, the Alps, Patagonia, and the Himalayas. His work focuses on quantifying long-term glacial erosion, tectonic-climate interactions, paleotopography reconstruction, and denudation processes. He employs methodologies including thermochronometry, cosmogenic nuclides, and coupled Earth system modeling to address fundamental questions about landscape evolution across multiple spatial and temporal scales. His research program demonstrates significant funding success through the German Research Foundation (DFG), with projects spanning infrastructure priority programs, material grants, and priority programs. Notable research directions include Antarctic ice flow dynamics, Tibetan Plateau environmental change, Yakutat plate corner deformation, and Alpine foreland basin architecture. Quantifying Long-Term Glacial Erosion in Antarctica with Numerical Modeling and Thermochronology (Infrastructure Priority Programmes) Bridging Timescales of Tibetan Plateau Environmental Change (Priority programs) Quantification of deformation and erosion at the Yakutat plate corner (SE Alaska) Determination of paleodynamics and sediment transport of Antarctic ice flow Neogene paleotopography and climate dynamics of the Central Alps Dr. Ehlers has held significant leadership roles including speaker of SPP 1803: EarthShape: Earth Surface Shaping by Biota and participation in Graduate School GRK 1829: Integrated Hydrosystem Modeling. His current research includes collaboration on Quantifying ice-ocean interactions using geophysical measurements and modeling through the Emmy Noether Junior Research Groups program, demonstrating continued active contribution to Earth sciences research.
