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Alice Reznickova is an Associate Teaching Professor and Capstone Lead in the Masters of Environment (MENV) Program at the University of Colorado. She holds a PhD in Environment and Resources from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an MS in Chemistry from the same institution, and a BA in Chemistry from Smith College. Her work focuses on sustainability education, food systems, urban design, and policy, with a strong emphasis on equity and community engagement. Previously served as Director of Sustainable Urban Environments at NYU Tandon School of Engineering Worked as Campus Sustainability Director at Ripon College Interdisciplinary Scientist at Union of Concerned Scientists, focusing on sustainable food policy Reznickova pioneered NYC's first urban agriculture census and developed experiential learning programs such as the C40 Students Reinvent Cities competition and Ripon's Sustainability Fellowships. Her research addresses food justice, nutrition security, and inclusive sustainability practices.

• Sustainability Education
• Food Systems
• Urban Design
• +3 more

Mengliang Zhang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Ohio University, College of Arts and Sciences. He leads an interdisciplinary research group focused on mass spectrometry and chemometrics, with applications in forensic, food, agricultural, environmental, and material sciences. His lab develops innovative analytical strategies for detecting toxicants, characterizing nanomaterials, and profiling metabolites in botanicals and food systems. Ph.D., Chemistry, Ohio University, 2015 Dr. Zhang’s research integrates instrumentation, chemometrics, and computational tools to address complex analytical challenges. His group works on forensic fiber and ignitable liquid analysis, plant metabolomics, nanomaterial surface chemistry, and environmental toxicant monitoring. His work is highly interdisciplinary, bridging chemistry, data science, and real-world applications in forensics and public health. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend in advancing ambient ionization mass spectrometry (especially DART-MS), chemometric modeling, and metabolite profiling across diverse matrices—from fire debris to broccoli microgreens. His work increasingly emphasizes automation, quantitation, and database development for botanical phytochemicals. Scientific honors include the MTSU Distinguished Research Award (Early Career), and his students have received prestigious awards such as the Goldwater Scholarship and multiple URECA recognitions. He is actively supported by federal grants from NSF, USDA, DOE, DOJ (NIJ), and FEMA. Dr. Zhang mentors a vibrant research team of graduate and undergraduate students, guiding them in publishing high-impact research and presenting at national conferences like ASMS, Pittcon, and AAFS. He has organized sessions at SciX and served on editorial boards of Journal of Forensic Sciences and Journal of AOAC INTERNATIONAL . His lab recently relocated to Ohio University in August 2024, equipped with advanced instrumentation including UHPLC-QTOF-MS and DART-MS systems.

• Forensic Chemistry
• Food and Agricultural Chemistry
• Metabolomics
• +12 more

Amilcare Porporato is the Thomas J. Wu '94 Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Princeton University, with joint appointment at High Meadows Environmental Institute. His research integrates hydrology, ecology, and thermodynamics to study soil-water interactions and sustainable resource management. Education includes: Ph.D. Polytechnic of Milan (1996) M.S. Civil Engineering, Polytechnic of Milan (1992) Research explores nonlinear hydrologic systems, soil moisture dynamics, ecohydrology, and environmental complexity using theoretical and experimental approaches. His work advances understanding of water-biota interactions across scales from pore-level processes to landscape evolution. Honors and Awards: Hydrologic Sciences Award, AGU Borland Lecturer American Geophysical Union Fellow Inaugural Landolt Chair, EPFL Teaches courses on Environmental Thermodynamics (ENV 385/CEE 385) and Ecohydrology (CEE 587/ENV 587).

• Ecohydrology
• Soil-Atmosphere Interaction
• Hydrologic Time Series
• +2 more

Roles & Affiliations: Daniel J. Jacob is the Vasco McCoy Family Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry and Environmental Engineering at Harvard University. He leads the Atmospheric Chemistry Modeling Group at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, part of the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. He has held academic ranks including Gordon McKay Professor (1994-2004) and Associate/Assistant Professor (1991-1994), and was a postdoc at Harvard (1985-1987). Education: Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering Science from Caltech (1985), Ingenieur Chimiste from École Supérieure de Physique et Chimie Industrielles (1981), and earlier studies at Lycee du Parc (Lyon). Research Interests: Jacob's work focuses on atmospheric chemistry, climate modeling, and air quality. Key areas include methane emissions, tropospheric ozone, satellite remote sensing, and global biogeochemical cycles. His research integrates field campaigns (e.g., SEAC4RS, ARCTAS) and chemical transport models (GEOS-Chem) to address environmental challenges like pollution and climate change. Publications & Awards: Jacob has authored over 550 peer-reviewed publications, with an H-index of 145 (ISI) and 184 (Google Scholar). Notable awards include the Haagen-Smit Prize (2010), Macelwane Medal (1994), and recognition for teaching and climate science leadership. His work on methane emissions and air quality has been featured in Nature , Science , and AGU journals. Grants & Advising: Jacob advises numerous PhD students and postdocs, many of whom hold academic or research roles globally. He leads international initiatives like the Carbon Mapper project and chairs committees for NASA and the National Academies. His grants support studies on methane detection, aerosol chemistry, and climate policy. Labs & Collaborations: The Atmospheric Chemistry Modeling Group collaborates with NASA, NOAA, and institutions worldwide. Key projects include the GEOS-Chem model, TROPOMI satellite inversion analyses, and the Integrated Methane Inversion (IMI) tool for emissions monitoring.

• Atmospheric Chemistry
• Environmental Engineering
• Climate Modeling
• +5 more

Mary K. Firestone is Professor of the Graduate School in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management at UC Berkeley. Her research revolutionized understanding of soil microbial processes, particularly oak regeneration techniques and microbial mediation of carbon/nitrogen cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Firestone's work examines microbial responses to environmental change, including drought, rewetting, and warming scenarios. Her lab develops innovative methods like quantitative stable isotope probing (qSIP) to trace microbial activity in complex soil environments. Research spans grassland, rangeland, and agricultural ecosystems. Honors include election to the National Academy of Sciences (2017), Soil Ecology Society Career Achievement Award (2017), and American Geophysical Union Fellowship (2016). She holds the Betty and Isaac Barshad Chair in Soil Sciences. Current PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers in the Firestone Lab investigate viral-bacterial interactions in soil, mycorrhizal carbon transfer, and drought impacts on soil carbon persistence. Field studies at California's Hopland Research Center examine grassland responses to climate variability.

• Soil Microbial Ecology
• Carbon Cycling
• Nitrogen Cycling
• +2 more

Dr. V.M. (Bala) Balasubramaniam is a Professor in the Department of Food Science and Technology at The Ohio State University. He holds editorial roles in food engineering journals and is a Fellow of IFT and IUFoST. His research focuses on clean food manufacturing technologies, particularly high-pressure and nonthermal methods, emphasizing microbial inactivation and nutrient preservation. He teaches unit operations in food engineering and contributes to industry via short courses and pilot plant demonstrations. Education: B.S. (Tamil Nadu Agricultural University), M.S. (Asian Institute of Technology), Ph.D. (Ohio State University). Research Interests: Thermal/nonthermal processing, food safety/quality modeling, and innovative applications of high-pressure technologies. Recent work includes ultra-shear technology development and superheated steam sanitation. Over 100 scientific papers, 20 book chapters, and co-edited books on high-pressure processing. Awards include the 2021 IFT Research & Development Award and 2017 Calvert L. Willey Award. Advising: Supervises graduate students like Liz Astorga Oquendo and Shruthy Seshadrinathan. Industrial outreach includes a USDA consortium for ultra-shear commercialization. Labs/teams focus on pilot-scale equipment testing and microbial efficacy studies.

• Food Engineering
• Nonthermal Food Processing
• High Pressure Processing
• +4 more

George T.-C. Chiu is a Professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University, with courtesy appointments in Electrical and Computer Engineering and Psychological Sciences. He holds a 50% appointment as Assistant Dean for Global Engineering Programs and Partnerships. Previously, he served as a Program Director at the NSF, managing the Control Systems Program and National Robotics Initiative. His research focuses on mechatronics, dynamical systems, and control, with applications in printing, robotics, and human-machine interaction. Education: PhD (1994), University of California, Berkeley MS (1990), University of California, Berkeley BS (1985), National Taiwan University Research Interests: Functional printing technologies for biomedical and environmental sensors Robotics and human-robot interaction Control systems for manufacturing and dynamic systems Energy-efficient sensor design His work bridges mechanical engineering, materials science, and control theory, addressing challenges in precision manufacturing and sustainable technology. Awards: Fellow, ASME (2021) Fellow, Society for Imaging Science and Technology Grants & Projects: USDA-funded projects on food safety sensors and sustainable agriculture NSF initiatives in robotics and additive manufacturing Collaborative research with industry partners like HP and the Army Labs & Outreach: Founded the Purdue FIRST Programs, mentoring K-12 students in robotics. Co-developed experiential courses for student mentors, fostering leadership and project management skills.

• Mechatronics
• Dynamical Systems and Control
• Functional Printing
• +4 more

Nicolas Federico Martin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with additional appointments as Associate Professor in the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Center for Digital Agriculture, and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA). His interdisciplinary work bridges traditional agricultural science with cutting-edge computational approaches. Dr. Martin's research focuses on the intersection of agriculture and data science, with particular emphasis on: Precision agriculture and on-farm experimentation methodologies Machine learning applications for crop management and yield prediction Nitrogen and nutrient management optimization Soybean and corn breeding and production systems Remote sensing and UAV applications in agriculture Sustainable agricultural practices including cover crop management His publication record demonstrates a clear trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated integration of artificial intelligence with agricultural science. Recent work shows heavy emphasis on using machine learning algorithms (particularly reinforcement learning, convolutional neural networks, and generalized additive models) to solve practical farming challenges related to crop management decisions, yield prediction, and resource optimization. This research has significant implications for both scientific understanding of crop-environment interactions and practical farm management. Dr. Martin actively collaborates across disciplines and institutions, as evidenced by his extensive co-authorship network spanning agronomy, computer science, environmental science, and economics. His work has garnered attention from numerous news outlets and social media platforms, indicating its relevance to current agricultural challenges. He is a key contributor to the Data-Intensive Farm Management project, which aims to transform agronomic research through on-farm precision experimentation. His affiliation with NCSA provides access to high-performance computing resources essential for processing large agricultural datasets. Additionally, his work in Latin American agriculture (particularly in Mexico and Argentina) reflects his commitment to addressing global food security challenges.

• Precision Agriculture
• Crop Science
• Machine Learning Applications in Agriculture
• +7 more

Peter Huybers is a Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Environmental Science and Engineering at Harvard University , where he investigates the climate system and its societal implications, including interactions between volcanism and glaciation , extreme temperature predictability , and climate change impacts on food production . Research interests span climate change attribution , paleoclimate reconstruction , drought dynamics , crop yield modeling , and earth system feedbacks . His work often integrates art-historical analysis with climate science, as seen in studies of 19th-century air pollution through Turner and Monet paintings . Scientific awards include funding from Harvard Data Science Initiative (2023) for projects on climate change and food supply volatility Amazon Web Services (2023) grant His 20+ peer-reviewed articles since 2020 focus on climate proxies , hydrological modeling , solar forcing , and agricultural-climate interactions , with recent work in Nature , PNAS , and Science Advances . Advising : Mentored 10+ PhD students including Parker Liautaud , Duo Chan , and Marena Lin , while leading research teams with current members like Greta Berendes and Caro Park . Former staff include Jon Proctor and Lucas Vargas Zeppetello , the latter now at UC Berkeley (2024).

• Climate change
• Paleoclimatology
• Environmental science
• +8 more

Syed S.H. Rizvi is a Professor of Food Process Engineering at Cornell University's Department of Food Science, affiliated with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He holds the title of International Professor and advises over 65 graduate and 70 undergraduate students. His expertise spans food engineering, processing, and international development. Education: Ph.D., The Ohio State University (1976) MEng, Chemical Engineering, University of Toronto (1988) B.Tech., Panjab University (1968) Research Focus: Physical, chemical, and engineering aspects of food and biomaterials Supercritical fluid technology, liposome synthesis, and sustainable processing International value-chain developments and food security Articles Trends: Recent works emphasize supercritical fluid extrusion, liposome encapsulation, and novel food processing innovations. Key themes include material characterization, functional food development, and sustainable technologies. Awards: Distinguished Professor (2017), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science Excellence in Teaching Award (2014) Stanley Watson Award (2012) Advising & Grants: Mentor to numerous students globally. Collaborates internationally under sponsorships like FAO, UNIDO, and World Bank. Teaches courses on food engineering, international agriculture, and bioprocessing systems. Labs/Teams: Leads the Rizvi Lab, focusing on novel food processes and engineering. Active in developing sustainable technologies for bioactive delivery and food security.

• Food Engineering
• Food Processing
• International Food Science
• +3 more

Dr. Sajid Alavi is a Professor in the Department of Grain Science and Industry at Kansas State University. He joined the faculty in 2002 after earning his Ph.D. in Food Science/Food Engineering from Cornell University (2002), M.S. in Agricultural and Biological Engineering from Penn State (1997), and B.S. in Agricultural Engineering from IIT (1995). His research focuses on extrusion processing in food, pet food, and feed applications, with expertise in rheology, food microstructure imaging, and process sustainability. He leads global projects in Africa, Brazil, India, and beyond, emphasizing sustainable food technologies and AI-driven processing innovations. Dr. Alavi is a recipient of the 2010 Young Research Scientist Award from the Cereals & Grains Association. He teaches GRSC 620 (Intro to Extrusion Processing) and GRSC 820 (Advanced Extrusion Processing), and has trained over 1,000 industry leaders through his renowned 'Extrusion Processing: Technology and Commercialization' short course. His work bridges food science and engineering, addressing challenges in plant-based meat analogs, nutrient bioavailability, and food aid product development. Key facilities associated with his work include the BIVAP Feed Quality Assurance Lab and Hal Ross Flour Mill. His research spans sensory analysis of meat alternatives, fiber utilization in pet food, and sustainability assessments of novel crops like intermediate wheatgrass. Recent studies explore insect protein in pet food, AI-driven extrusion optimization, and iron bioavailability in fortified foods. Dr. Alavi’s contributions span academic, industrial, and global food security domains, reflecting a commitment to innovative, scalable food solutions.

• Food Engineering
• Extrusion Processing
• Pet Food and Feed Applications
• +4 more

Dr. Qing Jin is an Assistant Professor of Food Science at the School of Food and Agriculture, College of Natural Sciences, Forestry and Agriculture, University of Maine. Her research focuses on economically-viable and environmentally-friendly food system innovation, with emphasis on value-added utilization of food waste and by-products through advanced processing technologies. Education: Ph.D. (2020) from Virginia Tech She teaches courses on food engineering principles (FSN 485), food engineering lab (FSN 486), food preservation (FSN 502), and co-teaches an advanced graduate seminar (AVS 633/FSN 671). Supported by the Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station, her current Hatch project (ME022423) explores sustainable food industry solutions through biorefinery approaches. Her work spans food waste valorization, biofuels, bioproducts, and techno-economic analysis. Recent publications highlight her expertise in dietary fiber modification, fermentation optimization, biochar development, and polyphenol extraction from agricultural waste streams. She actively seeks undergraduate and graduate research assistants for her lab. Contact: qing.jin@maine.edu | Office: 109 Hitchner Hall | Phone: 207-581-1687

• Food Processing
• Bioproducts Development
• Food Waste Valorization
• +5 more

David Kanter is an Associate Professor of Environmental Studies at New York University and Chair of the International Nitrogen Initiative. His research focuses on nitrogen pollution, food security, sustainable development, and climate change, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches including Earth systems modeling, economic analysis, and legal frameworks. He holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry and Law from the University of Bristol (2009), and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy from Princeton University (2012 and 2014). Prior to NYU, he was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Columbia University’s Earth Institute. His work bridges science and policy, addressing global nutrient governance challenges and agri-food system transitions toward Sustainable Development Goals. He teaches courses on environment-society interactions, environmental policy, and regulatory frameworks. His publications span topics like nitrogen cycling, climate mitigation strategies, and policy design for sustainable agriculture. He actively engages in international initiatives like the International Nitrogen Management System to coordinate global nitrogen policies.

• Nitrogen pollution
• Food Security
• Sustainable Development
• +3 more

Rhett C. Smith is a Professor of Chemistry at Clemson University, leading a research group dedicated to sustainable materials innovation since 2006. His work focuses on transforming industrial waste streams into high-performance composites through green chemistry approaches. His academic background includes: B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Toledo Ph.D. in Chemistry from Case Western Reserve University NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship at MIT Professor Smith's research pioneers waste valorization using elemental sulfur and biomass derivatives. Key areas include: Upcycling mixed plastic and food waste into structural materials Developing sulfur-based polymers for sustainable construction Creating circular economy solutions for agricultural byproducts His group's work bridges fundamental chemistry with commercial applications in South Carolina's industrial sector. Recent publications reveal a strong trend toward atom-economical processes using waste sulfur and biomass. The research emphasizes scalable technologies for plastic recycling and sustainable cement alternatives, with increasing focus on food waste upcycling and flame-retardant composites. Major recognitions include: National Merit Scholar and NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship Two-time InnoVision Award Finalist (2024 Sustainability category) Fats and Proteins Research Foundation Innovate Award Fred Bisplingoff Research Innovation Award Professor Smith has mentored over a dozen Ph.D. students to successful careers in national labs and industry. His group secured seven major grants in Spring 2024 from NSF, USDA, and industry partners to advance sustainable materials for structural applications. Current projects focus on upcycling post-consumer waste streams and developing carbon-negative building materials. The Smith Research Group operates as a collaborative hub within Clemson's chemistry department, recently expanding to include four faculty co-leaders (Tennyson, Ashlyn Smith, and Sauceda). The team maintains strong industry partnerships while promoting academic accessibility through open educational resources.

• Sustainable Materials
• Polymer Chemistry
• Green Chemistry
• +3 more

Retsef Levi is the J. Spencer Standish (1945) Professor of Operations Management at the MIT Sloan School of Management, affiliated with the MIT Operations Research Center. He co-directs the Leaders for Global Operations (LGO) Program. His work focuses on data-driven decision models for healthcare systems, supply chain optimization, and risk management. Levi holds a PhD in Operations Research from Cornell University and has led industry collaborations with major hospitals and organizations like the FDA and Walmart Foundation. Education: PhD in Operations Research, Cornell University, 2005 Bachelor’s in Mathematics, Tel-Aviv University, 2001 Research Interests: Levi’s research addresses complex decision-making under uncertainty in healthcare, supply chains, and logistics. Key areas include food safety analytics, risk-based sampling, and predictive modeling for zoonotic diseases. He designs algorithms for inventory control, appointment scheduling, and healthcare resource allocation. Articles Overview: Recent work spans AI-driven epidemiological models, supply chain cybersecurity, and agricultural market interventions. His articles emphasize practical applications of operations research in healthcare and public health. Awards: NSF Career Grant INFORMS Optimization Prize (2008) Wagner Prize (2013) Harold W. Kuhn Award (2016) Advising & Grants: Advised 10 PhD students and 34 master’s students. Led multi-million-dollar projects like the Walmart Foundation initiative for China’s food safety. Active in hospital process optimization and FDA risk management contracts. Labs & Teams: Runs MIT’s Food Supply Chain Analytics and Sensing Initiative, collaborating with global partners on predictive risk tools and healthcare analytics.

• Food Supply Chain Analytics
• Supply Chain Optimization
• Health Systems
• +7 more