Find Academic Supervisors

• Animal physiological chemistry
• Physiology
• Behavioral biology
• +5 more

Toshiyuki Okano is a Professor at Waseda University's Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Advanced Science and Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. in Science from Kyoto University and maintains an active research program focused on circadian biology, photobiology, and magnetoreception. His work bridges molecular biology, physiology, and behavioral studies across diverse animal models including zebrafish, medaka, and other teleost species. Dr. Okano received his education at Kyoto University, completing his undergraduate studies from 1984-1988 and his graduate studies from 1988-1993. His academic journey includes positions at The University of Tokyo (1993-2011), Japan Science and Technology Agency (2001-2010), and Waseda University (2007-present). His research interests span multiple interconnected fields of chronobiology and photobiology. Dr. Okano investigates how animals detect and respond to environmental light cues through specialized photoreceptive molecules like cryptochromes. His work explores circadian rhythms, lunar-synchronized behaviors, magnetoreception mechanisms, and the molecular basis of photoperiodic time measurement. He has made significant contributions to understanding how cryptochrome proteins function as potential magnetoreceptors in birds and as circadian clock components across diverse species. Dr. Okano's publication record demonstrates consistent productivity with 74 papers and 3,592 citations as of 2025, reflecting an h-index of 34. His research has evolved from foundational studies on pineal photoreception in birds to more recent work examining lunar rhythms, magnetoreception, and innovative biotechnological applications like the THETA protein purification system. His interdisciplinary approach combines molecular biology, biochemistry, and behavioral analysis across multiple animal models. Among his notable scientific achievements are: New Investigator Award from the American Society for Photobiology (2002) Yoshida Encouragement Award from the Japanese Society for Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry (1995) Dr. Okano serves in leadership roles within several professional societies, including as Councilor for the Quantum Life Science Society and Secretary for the Japanese Society of Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry. His laboratory maintains active collaborations with researchers at The University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, and other institutions, focusing on the molecular mechanisms of biological timing systems. Current research directions include exploring the relationship between circadian and circalunar timing mechanisms, developing novel biotechnological tools based on light-sensitive proteins, and investigating the evolutionary adaptations of visual systems in deep-sea organisms.

Tuija PulkkinenView profile

Professor

• Space Physics
• Solar-Terrestrial Interactions
• Space Weather Modeling
• +2 more

Tuija Pulkkinen is the George R. Carignan Collegiate Professor of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering at the University of Michigan. She leads the Pulkkinen Research Group, focusing on Sun-Earth interactions, space weather modeling, and auroral physics using advanced simulations and observational data. Her work bridges solar phenomena, magnetospheric dynamics, and technological impacts of space weather. Research interests span: Space Weather Modeling : Developing predictive frameworks for geomagnetic storms and solar wind impacts on Earth's magnetosphere. Auroral Physics : Investigating mechanisms behind transpolar arcs (e.g., Theta Aurora) and omega bands. Magnetospheric Energetics : Quantifying energy transfer via global simulations (e.g., SWMF) for real-time forecasting with NOAA. Her publications (2022–2025) reveal trends in magnetospheric substorms, solar wind coupling, and space weather uncertainty quantification. Recent articles emphasize simulation-driven insights into storm-time dynamics, auroral sources, and model validation against satellite data. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned in the source text. She mentors PhD students and postdocs (e.g., Austin Brenner, Shannon Hill, Tim Keebler) and collaborates on NASA/NSF grants, including projects with NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. Her group also contributes to missions like SWIFT for heliospheric structure analysis. The Pulkkinen Research Group operates within the University of Michigan's Climate and Space department, utilizing the Space Weather Modeling Framework (SWMF) for geospace simulations. Collaborations extend to Aalto University, NASA Goddard, and international consortia studying ICMEs and magnetospheric eruptions.

Jay JohnsonView profile

Professor

• Plasma Physics
• Space Physics
• Magnetospheric Physics
• +5 more

Dr. Jay Johnson is a Professor in the Department of Engineering & Computer Science at Andrews University's School of Engineering, where he has served since Fall 2016. His research focuses on computational plasma physics with expertise in magnetospheric and ionospheric wave phenomena. Prior to Andrews, he led the space physics group at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (2005-2016) and held research positions at MIT and the University of Alaska's Geophysical Institute. Education: Ph.D. in Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1992 B.A. in Physics (with distinction) and Mathematics, University of Colorado Boulder, 1987 Dr. Johnson's research centers on kinetic wave processes in space plasmas, employing advanced computational methods to study Alfvén waves, substorms, and radiation belt dynamics. His work combines kinetic fluid modeling with hybrid simulations to investigate wave generation, propagation, and dissipation across scales—from electron dynamics in auroral beads to global magnetospheric responses. Current projects examine ionospheric irregularities' impact on communications and EMIC wave propagation in compressed magnetospheres. His 2025 publications reveal concentrated focus on computational space plasma physics, particularly full-wave simulations of ionospheric disturbances and EMIC wave behavior. These works demonstrate methodological consistency in applying multi-scale modeling to space weather prediction challenges, with emphasis on wave-particle interactions and cross-scale coupling phenomena. Research Funding: Principal Investigator for NASA HSR program grant 'Magnetosphere-Ionosphere coupling of small scale structures' (2022-2025) NSF grant 'Collaborative Research: GEM: Investigation of Radiation Belt Losses' (2021-2025) Multiple NASA subawards including projects with Johns Hopkins University and Boston University Continued leadership of NSF-GEM program initiatives studying substorm wave dynamics Dr. Johnson maintains an active research group building on his success at PPPL where he expanded the space physics team through strategic grant acquisition. His current work continues to develop computational frameworks that bridge kinetic-scale physics with global magnetospheric models, supported by sustained NASA and NSF funding. The group emphasizes practical applications for space weather forecasting while advancing fundamental understanding of plasma wave processes.

Detlef GronenbornView profile

Adjunct Professor

• Neolithic Archaeology
• Neolithic Europe
• Neolithic Transition
• +8 more

Professor Detlef Gronenborn is a distinguished archaeologist specializing in Neolithic Europe and African prehistory. He serves as Deputy Head of the Competence Area "Prehistory" at the Leibniz Centre for Archaeology in Mainz, Germany, and holds an Adjunct Professor position at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. His career spans over three decades, with significant contributions to understanding the Neolithization process across Eurasia and the development of complex societies in the African Sahel region. His educational background includes studies at the Albertus Magnus University of Cologne and Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt (1982-1989), a Master's degree (1990), doctorate (1993), and dual habilitations (2001 in Frankfurt, 2003 in Mainz). His early career included research positions at Goethe University Frankfurt, the University of Florida, and the Roman-Germanic Central Museum Mainz, followed by his current long-term affiliation with the Leibniz Centre for Archaeology. Professor Gronenborn's research focuses on several interconnected areas: the Neolithization of Europe, particularly the spread of farming across Western Eurasia; social archaeology examining the emergence of complexity in early agrarian societies; climate-society interactions in prehistory; and Iron Age to historical periods in Africa, especially the Chad Basin region. He is renowned for his "Map: Expansion of Farming in Western Eurasia," which has become a standard reference in the field, with the most recent version published in 2025. His recent publications (2020-2024) reveal an increasing focus on computational approaches to understanding societal dynamics, particularly through agent-based modeling of population fluctuations and conflict. The "Landscape of Fear" model presented in his 2024 work offers new perspectives on how indirect effects of conflict can drive population declines in prehistoric societies. His analysis of the Schöneck-Kilianstädten massacre site (2015) provided crucial evidence about collective violence among Europe's first farming communities. Notable scientific contributions include: Development of the "adaptive cycles" framework for understanding Early Neolithic societal dynamics Groundbreaking research on Neolithic violence and massacre sites Extensive fieldwork in the Chad Basin region examining Iron Age political complexity Pioneering integration of climate data with archaeological evidence to understand societal change Influential theoretical work on social diversity and identity in Neolithic societies Challenging conventional evolutionary models of societal development in his edited volume "Surplus without the State" Professor Gronenborn maintains active international collaborations, particularly with institutions in Africa and across Europe. His genomic work with Rivollat et al. (2020) demonstrates engagement with cutting-edge scientific methods. His theoretical contributions bridge European and African archaeological traditions, offering comparative perspectives on societal development. His recent research trajectory shows increasing integration of computational methods with traditional archaeological analysis to address fundamental questions about societal dynamics across different cultural contexts and time periods. As Deputy Head of the Prehistory Competence Area at the Leibniz Centre for Archaeology, Gronenborn leads research initiatives examining long-term societal transformations, climate interactions, and the spread of agricultural practices. His position at the intersection of museum-based research, university teaching, and international collaboration makes him a significant figure in contemporary archaeological research.

Keyhan SheshyekaniView profile

Professor

• Smart grids
• Electromagnetic compatibility
• Electric vehicle systems
• +6 more

Keyhan Sheshyekani is a Full Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Polytechnique Montréal. He holds membership in the NSERC/Hydro-Québec/RTE/EDF/OPAL-RT Industrial Research Chair, specializing in multi time-frame simulation of transients for large-scale power systems. His work bridges industry and academia through partnerships with major energy stakeholders. Research interests span: Smart grids : Cybersecurity, EV-grid integration, and demand response Electromagnetic systems : Grounding design, field modeling, and compatibility Energy control : Optimization algorithms for microgrids and converter systems Recent publications (2021-2025) show strong focus on: Machine learning applications in energy dispatch Cybersecurity frameworks for grid IT/OT convergence Real-time simulation of power electronics Advanced control strategies for EV charging infrastructure He actively mentors graduate students, with 10+ advised in the past five years working on projects like: EV aggregator controls for grid ancillary services FPGA-based real-time simulation Cybersecurity for synchrophasor networks

Sabri Bülent TankView profile

Professor

• Geomagnetism
• Electromagnetic Methods in Geophysics
• Magnetotellurics
• +5 more

Sabri Bülent Tank is a Professor of Geophysics at the Department of Geophysics, Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute, Boğaziçi University in Istanbul, Turkey. With expertise in geomagnetism and electromagnetic methods in geophysics, he has made significant contributions to understanding Earth's electrical structure, particularly related to fault zones, volcanic systems, and earthquake processes. His research utilizes magnetotelluric methods to investigate crustal and upper mantle properties, with applications to seismic hazard assessment and geothermal energy exploration in Turkey and internationally. Education: Ph.D. in Geophysics, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2004 M.Sc. in Geophysics Engineering, Boğaziçi University, Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute, 1998 B.Sc. in Geophysics Engineering, Istanbul University, Faculty of Engineering, 1995 Professor Tank specializes in three main areas of geomagnetism and electromagnetic studies. First, he investigates internal (main) geomagnetic field phenomena, particularly the westward drift of the non-dipole field. Second, he studies external geomagnetic field variations, including solar eclipse effects on the ionosphere and solar/lunar geomagnetic variations. Third, and most prominently, his work focuses on electromagnetic induction in the crust and upper mantle, applying magnetotelluric methods to study active and passive faults, volcanoes, geothermal systems, and ocean bottom electromagnetic phenomena. His research has significant implications for understanding earthquake generation processes and volcanic unrest mechanisms. Professor Tank's publication record demonstrates consistent expertise in applying electromagnetic methods to geophysical problems, particularly related to Turkey's tectonically active regions. His recent work shows increasing focus on three-dimensional magnetotelluric modeling of fault zones (particularly the North Anatolian Fault system), volcanic systems (including Mt. Fuji and Kusatsu-Shirane volcano in Japan), and earthquake rupture zones. His research often involves international collaborations with Japanese institutions. The publications reveal a progression from fundamental geomagnetic studies to applied electromagnetic imaging of specific geological structures with direct relevance to seismic and volcanic hazard assessment. While specific awards aren't listed in the provided text, Professor Tank has accumulated 734 citations (Google Scholar) and 517 citations (Web of Science) as of March 6, 2024, with an h-index of 12 (Google Scholar) and 11 (Web of Science). His work has been published in high-impact journals including Nature Communications, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, and Journal of Geophysical Research. He serves as a reviewer for numerous prestigious geophysics journals. Professor Tank currently supervises PhD candidate Ruken Yazıcı and has graduated eight Master's students since 2007. His research is supported by multiple competitive grants, including ongoing projects funded by JST/TÜBİTAK (2023-2024) studying the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, and TÜBİTAK (2021-2024) investigating the Ganos Fault's electrical properties. Previous significant funding includes a U.S. National Science Foundation grant (2011-2019) for Continental Dynamics/Central Anatolian Tectonics and multiple Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) postdoctoral projects (2007-2010). Professor Tank collaborates extensively with the Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute's geophysical monitoring networks. His work involves international collaborations, particularly with Kyoto University, Tokyo Institute of Technology, and various Japanese research institutions. He participates in the MTNet (Magnetotelluric Network) webinars and has been involved in the 25th and 26th Electromagnetic Induction Workshops, demonstrating his active role in the global geophysics research community.

• Ionospheric Physics
• Space Weather
• Earthquake-Ionosphere Interactions
• +3 more

Murat Canyılmaz serves as an Associate Professor in the Physics Department at Firat University, Turkey, a position held since March 2016. His academic foundation includes doctoral studies in Physics at the same institution since 2008. His research centers on ionospheric physics and space weather phenomena , with particular expertise in very low frequency (VLF) signal analysis , solar-terrestrial interactions , and earthquake-ionosphere coupling . Key methodologies include wavelet-based denoising techniques, correlation analysis of Schumann resonances with geomagnetic indices, and investigation of chemical reaction dynamics in ionospheric regions. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals dominant trends in seismo-ionospheric precursors (TEC anomalies preceding earthquakes), solar flare impacts on VLF propagation , and fundamental ionospheric chemistry (O+ reactions). His work bridges atmospheric physics, space science, and geophysical hazard prediction through rigorous observational and modeling approaches. Collaborative research dominates his publication record, with frequent co-authorship with Esat Guzel, Mehmet Yasar, and Emrah Yalcin across multiple institutions. His experimental work leverages SuperSID monitoring systems, ionosonde data, and international reference models like IRI. While no formal awards or students are documented in available records, his sustained publication output since 2004 demonstrates active research engagement. Current investigations focus on machine learning applications for earthquake precursor detection and high-resolution analysis of ionospheric disturbances during celestial events like solar eclipses.

Aleksey SmirnovView profile

Professor

• Geomagnetism
• Paleomagnetism
• Rock Magnetism
• +7 more

Dr. Aleksey Smirnov is a Professor of Geophysics and Department Chair in the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences at Michigan Technological University's College of Engineering. He also holds an appointment as Affiliated Professor of Physics. As a Fellow of the Geological Society of America, Dr. Smirnov leads the Earth and Environmental Magnetism Laboratory (EEML), a world-class facility for paleomagnetic and rock magnetic research. Dr. Smirnov's research focuses on the long-term evolution of Earth's magnetic field, geodynamics and plate tectonics, magnetism of geological materials, and development of new paleomagnetic techniques. His work combines field studies, laboratory analysis using advanced instrumentation, and theoretical modeling to understand Earth's deep interior processes and their geological implications. Recent research has explored the geodynamo's history, including evidence for renewal events and connections to inner core formation. Analysis of Dr. Smirnov's recent publications reveals a strong focus on paleomagnetism across geological time, from the Hadean to the Ediacaran periods. His work frequently addresses fundamental questions about Earth's magnetic field history, plate motion velocities, and the connection between geomagnetic field behavior and major geological events. Collaborative research with international teams appears to be a hallmark of his scientific approach. Fellow of the Geological Society of America Associate Editor for the Journal of Geophysical Research (2005-2021) Extensive publication record in top journals including Nature Communications, Science Advances, and PNAS Regular presenter at major conferences including AGU Fall Meetings Dr. Smirnov actively mentors graduate and undergraduate students, with numerous advisees contributing to publications and conference presentations. His Earth and Environmental Magnetism Laboratory provides students with access to state-of-the-art equipment for magnetic measurements and analysis. The lab has conducted field work in diverse locations including Iceland, Brazil, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, offering students valuable field experience alongside laboratory training. The EEML maintains a comprehensive suite of equipment including multiple SQUID magnetometers, thermal demagnetizers, and specialized instruments for measuring magnetic properties across temperature ranges from -196°C to 700°C. This facility supports research on diverse materials from terrestrial rocks to meteorites, enabling investigations into both Earth's history and planetary formation processes.

Hynek BurdaView profile

Professor

• Zoology
• Animal Magnetoreception
• Behavioral Ecology
• +3 more

Hynek Burda is a Professor at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, affiliated with the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology's Department of Hunting and Forestry Zoology. His research focuses on animal sensory systems and behavioral ecology, particularly magnetoreception across diverse species including canids, rodents, and ungulates. Research interests center on: Magnetic field perception in mammals and birds Adaptive behaviors in subterranean species Evolution of sensory systems Wildlife navigation mechanisms Comparative zoology of African rodents Recent publications (2020-2024) demonstrate consistent focus on magnetoreception, with 67% of articles addressing geomagnetic navigation in species ranging from hunting dogs to mole-rats. Key patterns include sensory biology (73% of works), navigation studies (60%), and mammalian behavior (87%). Grant support includes projects on: Magnetosenzitivita psů a jiných zvířat (2016-2017) Magnetická orientace savců (2011-2013)

Sushil KumarView profile

Professor

• Ionospheric Physics
• Lightning
• Geomagnetic Storms
• +4 more

Professor Sushil Kumar is a distinguished researcher at the University of the South Pacific, where he serves in the School of Information Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Physics in Suva, Fiji. With over 30 years of research experience evidenced by his publication record spanning from the 1990s to 2025, he has established himself as a leading expert in ionospheric physics, focusing on the Earth's upper atmosphere and its interactions with space weather phenomena. His research primarily centers on Ionospheric Physics , with particular emphasis on: Using Very Low Frequency (VLF) signals to probe the D-region ionosphere Studying ionospheric responses to solar eclipses, geomagnetic storms, and solar flares Investigating connections between tropospheric weather (lightning, tropical cyclones) and ionospheric phenomena Exploring earthquake precursors through ionospheric monitoring Analyzing traveling ionospheric disturbances in the Australian and South Pacific regions Professor Kumar's recent work has examined unusual VLF anomalies associated with the January 2022 Tonga volcanic eruption, VLF perturbations related to lightning activity in the South Pacific, and large-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances during geomagnetic storms. His research demonstrates a consistent pattern of investigating how various geophysical events affect the Earth's ionosphere, with particular attention to the unique conditions of the low-latitude South Pacific region. Professor Kumar has received significant recognition for his work, with his publications accumulating over 16,000 reads and 1,275 citations on ResearchGate alone. His research has practical applications for understanding space weather effects on communication systems and potentially developing methods for natural hazard monitoring. As a supervisor, Professor Kumar offers opportunities to work on cutting-edge ionospheric research using VLF techniques, with potential for field work in the South Pacific and collaborations with international research teams. His extensive publication record and active research program suggest a dynamic and productive research environment for graduate students.