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Renata RetkuteView profile

Research Fellow

• Mathematical Modelling
• Epidemiology
• Bayesian Parameter Estimation
• +4 more

Dr. Renata Retkute is a Research Fellow in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Cambridge, affiliated with the Epidemiology and Modelling research group. Her work focuses on developing mathematical and statistical models to understand biological systems at multiple spatial and temporal scales, with applications to pest and disease dynamics. Education: PhD in Mathematics, Glasgow Caledonian University MSc in System Analysis, Klaipeda University BSc (Hons) in Mathematics, Klaipeda University Research Interests: Dr. Retkute specializes in mathematical epidemiology, Bayesian parameter estimation, and machine learning applied to ecological and agricultural systems. She develops models for forecasting invasive pest dispersal (e.g., desert locusts) and plant virus spread, integrating remote sensing data with transmission dynamics. Her work also includes statistical methodologies for linking geospatial maps with disease models. Grants & Collaborations: Her research has involved collaborations with international organizations like the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), focusing on pest risk assessment and sustainable agriculture. She contributed to frameworks modeling migratory pest dynamics using environmental and meteorological data. Labs/Teams: Active member of the Theoretical and Computational Epidemiology group, leading projects on locust swarm migration prediction and plant disease spread modeling.

Isabel Nicholson ThomasView profile

Lecturer

• Environmental Science
• Geomatic Engineering
• GIS Applications
• +3 more

Isabel Nicholson Thomas is a Lecturer at the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering at ETH Zürich. Her research focuses on landscape planning, environmental systems, and sustainable decision-making, particularly through the SELINA project. She holds an MSc in Environmental Sciences from the University of Geneva and a BSc in Geography from University College London. Professional experience includes roles as a Doctoral Researcher at PLUS (ETH Zürich), Quantitative Analyst Intern at the UN Environment Programme, and Spatial Data Analyst at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology. Her teaching includes GIS exercises for the course 'Landscape Planning and Environmental Systems.' Her research interests emphasize evidence-based approaches to natural capital management, leveraging geospatial technologies and interdisciplinary methods. Recent work explores AI applications in ecosystem analysis and Swiss land cover dynamics using statistical methodologies.

Albert Van DijkView profile

Professor

• Water Science
• Environmental Science
• Hydrology
• +3 more

Albert Van Dijk is a Professor at the Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University (ANU), where he established and leads the Centre for Water and Landscape Dynamics. He holds an MSc and PhD in Environmental Sciences from VU University Amsterdam. His career includes significant contributions at CSIRO Land and Water (2003-2012), where he received awards for leadership in the Murray-Darling Sustainable Yields project and development of the Australian Water Resources Assessment system. His research focuses on interactions between vegetation and the hydrological cycle, addressing soil erosion, nutrient cycling, surface energy balance, carbon cycling, fire risk, and biodiversity. He integrates satellite remote sensing, IT, statistics, and modeling to study natural hazards, water resources, and agricultural production. Professor Van Dijk chairs the Hydrology and Quantitative Water Management Group at Wageningen University and the Australian Energy and Water Exchange Initiative (OzEWEX). He has authored over 200 publications and leads projects like the TERN Australia's Environment Report Production and Spatial Distributions of Tree Canopies in Arid Ecosystems. His work emphasizes practical applications in environmental monitoring and forecasting.

• Historical Demography
• Mortality Patterns
• Fertility Transition
• +3 more

Dr Hannaliis Jaadla is a Senior Research Associate in the Department of Geography at the University of Cambridge and concurrently holds a Research Associate position at the Estonian Institute for Population Studies, Tallinn University. Her work focuses on the determinants and spatial patterns of long-term mortality and fertility changes in Europe, with particular emphasis on Great Britain and Estonia. She employs historical 'big data' and spatial analysis to explore demographic transitions and diffusion mechanisms. Education: PhD in Demography (2017, Estonian Institute for Population Studies), European Master in Demography (2013, Autonomous University of Barcelona), MA and BA in History (University of Tartu). Professional experience includes roles at the University of Oxford and Tallinn University. Research projects include the An Atlas of Fertility Decline in England and Wales and studies on Britain’s first demographic transition. Her work integrates historical data with geospatial techniques, addressing topics such as famine impacts, urban-rural disparities, and socioeconomic factors influencing health outcomes. Publications span 20+ peer-reviewed articles in journals like Economics and Human Biology and Social Science History , focusing on fertility transitions, mortality patterns, and historical demography. Collaborations include Prof Alice Reid and the Vital Geographies research group at Cambridge. Her contributions bridge demographic history and modern analytical methods, offering insights into how past demographic behaviors shape contemporary understanding of health and societal change.

Vladan BabovicView profile

Professor

• Hydroinformatics
• Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning
• +5 more

Professor Vladan Babovic is a leading academic and scientist in hydroinformatics at the National University of Singapore's Department of Civil Engineering. His career spans over three decades, focusing on data-driven research, computational hydraulics, and decision-making under climate uncertainties. He holds adjunct roles at the University of Idaho and University of Iowa. Babovic pioneered research institutes like the Singapore Delft Water Alliance (SDWA) and NUSDeltares, recognized with the Albert Winsemius Award in 2014. Education includes a Double Ph.D. from Delft University of Technology, M.Sc. in Hydroinformatics, and a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from the University of Sarajevo. His expertise spans artificial intelligence, machine learning, hydrological modeling, and real options analysis for infrastructure resilience. Key contributions include genetic programming applications in hydrology and AI-driven climate adaptation strategies. Research interests emphasize integrating AI with environmental systems, including deep learning for flood mechanisms, physics-informed rainfall-runoff models, and data assimilation techniques. He has advised multiple institutions and served on councils like the International Association for Hydro-Environmental Research and the Singapore Coastal Climate Adaptation Panel. Notable awards include the IWA Fellowship (2012), Arthur Thomas Ippen Award (1999), and recognition as a Chartered Engineer. His work bridges academia and industry, addressing global water challenges through innovative methodologies and adaptive infrastructure design.

Zhiyuan YaoView profile

Assistant Professor

• Urban Transportation
• Geocomputing
• Accessibility Analysis
• +4 more

Dr. Zhiyuan (Jean) Yao is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography and Planning at Appalachian State University, part of the College of Arts and Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. in Geographical Information Sciences from the University of Cincinnati (2020), an M.S. in Geography & GIS from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (2014), and a B.S. in GIS from Shandong Normal University (2011). His research focuses on urban transport systems, accessibility, and geocomputing applications to improve urban mobility equity, particularly addressing gender disparities and child care travel challenges. He also explores jobs-housing balance and pandemic impacts on food access. Publications highlight his work in Transport Findings , Journal of Transport Geography , and Applied Geography , among others. Yao’s research integrates spatial analysis and policy-oriented frameworks to enhance urban livability and equitable service provision. His office is located in Rankin Science West 351.

Adam LoyView profile

Associate Professor

• Statistical Education
• Data Visualization
• Computational Statistics
• +3 more

Adam Loy is an Associate Professor of Statistics in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Carleton College. He teaches statistics courses at all levels and focuses on integrating modern computational methods and visualization into education. His research emphasizes visual inference, statistical software development (e.g., R packages like lmeresampler and qqplotr), and improving statistical education through innovative pedagogical tools. Education: B.A. in Mathematics/Statistics from Luther College (2007) M.S. in Statistics from Iowa State University (2009) Ph.D. in Statistics from Iowa State University (2013) Research Interests: Professor Loy’s work combines statistical methodology with computational and educational applications. He develops R packages for statistical diagnostics and visualization, explores non-traditional grading systems in statistics education, and applies statistical models to complex social and environmental datasets. Recent Teaching: Fall 2024: STAT 270 (Statistical Learning), STAT 294 (Directed Research) Winter 2025: MATH 240 (Probability), STAT 250, STAT 294 Spring 2025: STAT 294 Future courses include STAT 220 (Data Science) and STAT 230 (Applied Regression Analysis). Publications: Recent work focuses on classroom innovations (non-traditional grading), computational methods (bootstrap approaches for clustered data), and diagnostic tools for mixed-effects models. His articles highlight interdisciplinary applications in urban studies and environmental science. Labs/Teams: Active in R package development communities, contributing to open-source tools for statistical education and analysis.

• Geospatial Science
• Remote Sensing
• Spatial Data Uncertainty
• +3 more

Suzanne P. Wechsler is a Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Geography at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). She also directs the Masters of Science in Geographic Information Science (MSGISci) program. Her expertise lies in geospatial science, environmental sciences, and the application of remote sensing technologies such as UAVs. She holds a PhD from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (2000), an MS from the same institution (1995), and a BA from Tufts University (1989). Her research focuses on geospatial data uncertainty, remote sensing applications, and environmental spatial analysis. Notable projects include quantifying spatial data uncertainty, analyzing fire regimes in West African savannas, and using UAVs for archaeological documentation. She has collaborated on NSF-funded projects, including studies on fire emissions in Mali and geospatial research on Easter Island. Dr. Wechsler teaches courses such as Introduction to Geospatial Techniques, GIS for Natural Sciences, and GIS Professionalism. She has advised numerous graduate students on topics ranging from UAV platform development to trail degradation assessment. Her work emphasizes bridging geospatial technology with practical environmental and archaeological applications. Her contributions to education include rethinking graduate GIS curricula and promoting open-source tools. She has published widely on geospatial methodologies and their interdisciplinary applications.

Matthew KupilikView profile

Associate Professor

• Control Systems
• Renewable Energy
• Signal Processing
• +3 more

Matthew Kupilik is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), within the College of Engineering. He holds a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines. His research spans control systems, environmental modeling, and educational technology, with recent focus on Gaussian process regression for climate change studies and Arctic coastal erosion forecasting. He has taught multiple engineering courses at UAA including MATLAB for Electrical Engineers, Power Systems, and Control Systems. Educations: B.S. in Engineering Systems (Electrical Specialty), Colorado School of Mines, 2001 M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 2008 Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 2012 Professional Service: Chair of Curriculum Committee, UAA College of Engineering (2015–present) NSF GK-12 Fellow (2008–2010) Reviewer for Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, IEEE Conferences, and others His research trends show a progression from early work on fuel cell control systems to current interdisciplinary applications in environmental science and education. Collaborations include acoustic tracking of salmon migrations and development of pedagogical strategies for engineering education. Teaching and service contributions include developing energy curriculum for summer academies and leading instructional technology initiatives in eLearning at UAA.

• Econometrics
• Spatial Statistics
• Statistical Learning
• +6 more

Diego Giuliani is a Full Professor in the Department of Economics and Management at the University of Trento. His expertise spans econometrics, spatial statistics, and statistical learning, with a focus on demography and quantitative methods. He teaches courses in geospatial analysis, market research, and predictive analytics for business and data science programs. Research Interests : Statistical learning, spatial econometrics, survey methodology, and georeferenced microdata analysis. Teaching : Courses include Geospatial Analysis for Data Science, Laboratory of Customer and Business Analytics, and Statistics for Market Research. These focus on applying statistical tools to business and market challenges using open-source platforms like Python, QGIS, and R. Awards : No awards explicitly listed in the provided text. Advising/Grants : No student advisement or grant details provided. The text emphasizes teaching and lab coordination. Labs/Teams : Coordinates labs such as the Geospatial Analysis Lab (with the Department of Sociology and Social Research) and Data for Market Analysis (Department of Economics and Management).

Andrew J. ParkView profile

Professor

• Interactive Data Analytics
• Visual Analytics
• Computational Criminology
• +5 more

Andrew J. Park is a faculty member in the Computing Science department at Trinity Western University’s Faculty of Natural & Applied Sciences. His research integrates interactive data analytics, visualization, and agent-based modeling to address complex social issues in criminology, cybersecurity, and public safety. Education : PhD in Interactive Arts and Technology (Simon Fraser University, 2008), MSc in Computer Science (Loyola University Chicago, 1998), BSc in Mathematics and Physics (Sogang University, 1993 and 1991). Dr. Park specializes in 3D virtual environments for simulating criminal and crowd behaviors, leveraging AI, machine learning, and social network analysis on big data (crime statistics, Darkweb forums, AIS streams). His work informs counter-terrorism, fire egress planning, and urban security strategies. Recent publications focus on agent-based simulations for crowd control (2021) and social network analysis of illegal fishing (2020), alongside awards such as the MITACS-Accelerate Stipend (2010-2011) and multiple internal research grants (2011-2019). He teaches courses in programming, data structures, and virtual reality. Scientific Awards : Research Training Recognition Fund (2019, 2018), TRU World Internal Fund (2015), Research Enhancement Fund (2011-2012), MITACS-Accelerate Stipend (2010-2011), President’s PhD Research Stipend (2006), and Graduate Fellowships (2004, 2005).

Alan SmithView profile

Lecturer

• Quantitative Human Geography
• Geospatial Data Analysis and GIS
• Spatiotemporal Population Modelling
• +3 more

Dr Alan Smith is a Lecturer in Environmental Management at the University of Plymouth, affiliated with the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences. He holds leadership roles including Chair of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) South West Region and Principal Investigator of the ESRC-funded project 'WatPop: understanding seasonal population change'. His research focuses on geospatial data analysis, population dynamics, and natural hazard risk assessment, particularly leveraging GIS and big data for flood risk mitigation. Education: PhD Geography, University of Southampton (2011-2014) MRes Science of Natural Hazards, University of Bristol (2010/11) BSc (Hons) Geography, University of Wales, Aberystwyth (2007-2010) PGCAP in Academic Practice, University of Southampton (2016) Research Interests: Quantitative human geography GIS and spatiotemporal population modelling Population vulnerability and flood exposure Big data applications in environmental management Grants: £300,000 ESRC SDAI project (2019) World University Network Research Mobility Partnership grant (2016) Advising: Supervised Dr Kate Rawlings (PhD, 2020) and current student Kezz Millard (PhD, 2023–present). Teaching includes modules on GIS, big data analytics, and fieldwork in Western Australia. Labs/Teams: Developed the SurfaceBuilder247 population modelling tool and leads the WatPop initiative to estimate seasonal populations using water meter data.

• Active Travel Infrastructure
• Stakeholders’ Theory in Urban Transport
• Ground Improvement
• +5 more

Shervin Motamedi is an Assistant Professor at the CEES School of The Environment, specializing in transport and geotechnics. With nearly two decades of industry and academic experience, his expertise includes construction on soft soil grounds, ground improvement, and coastal environment restoration. He teaches undergraduate and postgraduate modules in soil mechanics, geotechnical engineering, transportation geotechnics, highway design, traffic engineering, and solid mechanics. His research interests focus on Active Travel Infrastructure, Stakeholders’ Theory in Urban Transport, Ground Improvement, Geotechnical Aspects of Pavements, and Data Analytics in Transport. He has contributed to UN Sustainable Development Goals through projects addressing sustainable urban transport and environmental remediation. Research Highlights: Includes studies on peat stabilization, bearing capacity prediction using machine learning, and scour analysis at bridge structures. Peer Review Activities: Regularly reviews for journals like Transportation Geotechnics , Geomechanics and Engineering , and Ingenieria e Investigacion . Recipient of the CEng Submission of the Year 2022 from the Institute of Highway Engineers, his work bridges theoretical research with practical engineering solutions, emphasizing sustainable development and innovative geotechnical practices.

• Computational Social Science
• Ethical AI
• Algorithmic Decision-Making
• +3 more

Maria Rodriguez is a Principal Research Scientist in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University at Buffalo's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Her research explores systems of care across technology and human services, focusing on algorithmic decision-making and ethical AI. She investigates how technology impacts marginalized groups and reorients systems toward outlier cases using computational social science approaches. Education includes: PhD, Social Welfare, University of Washington (2016) MSW, Macro Social Work Practice, University of Pennsylvania (2010) BA, Clinical Counseling and Child Psychology, Alfred University (2005) Her research interests span computational social science, ethical AI, and social policy, with publications exploring digital transformation in social services, structural topic modeling, and technology's role in social justice. Recent work examines generative AI in education, neighborhood change prediction, and online discourse analysis. Awards include the Anthem Award for Human and Civil Rights (2024), EAAMO Best Reviewer (2021), and UW Presidential Dissertation Fellowship (2016).

Antonio MARCOMINIView profile

Professor

• Environmental Chemistry
• Climate Change
• Environmental Risk Assessment
• +3 more

Antonio MARCOMINI is a Full Professor at the Ca' Foscari University of Venice , specializing in Environmental Chemistry and Cultural Heritage Conservation . He holds roles as Deputy-Rector for Territorial Relations, President of the Senatorial Commission for Non-European Relations, and heads the Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics. His research focuses on environmental risk assessment, climate change impacts, and sustainable nanotechnology. Key projects include Horizon 2020 initiatives like SUNRISE and SUNSHINE. He has authored over 300 publications and received awards such as the 2022 Meadows&Feller Medal. Education: Graduated from the University of Padua, with postdoctoral research at the University of Toronto and ETH Zurich. Research Interests: Climate change adaptation, marine pollution, nanomaterials safety, and ecosystem resilience. His work bridges environmental science with policy, emphasizing risk governance and sustainable technologies. Recent Articles: Focus on shipping emissions' environmental impact, pharmaceutical residues, and nanotechnology risk assessment. Collaborations span global institutions, addressing challenges in coastal zones and cultural heritage preservation. Labs/Teams: Leads the Research Institute for Complexity Sicurezza and coordinates interdisciplinary projects involving international partners.