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Professor Max Deeg is a leading scholar in Buddhist Studies at Cardiff University , holding a personal chair since 2009. With a career spanning institutions in Germany, Austria, and the UK, his research focuses on transcultural Buddhist history from India to East Asia, Chinese Buddhist travelogues , and interreligious encounters in medieval China. He has held visiting positions at universities in Japan, Nepal, the US, and Germany, and currently directs the Centre for the History of Religion in Asia (CHRA) . PhD from University of Würzburg (1990) Dr. phil. habil. in Religious Studies (1998) Full Professor at University of Vienna (2002-2006) His research explores Buddhist narratives as tools for constructing religious identity, foundation myths in trans-Himalayan contexts, and terminology evolution in Chinese Buddhist translations. Recent publications analyze Indian Buddhist monasticism through Chinese sources and religious concepts like xin (trust) across Buddhist, Manichaean, and Christian traditions. Awarded the KHK Visiting Research Fellowship (2016) and a DAAD Scholarship (1986-87) , Prof Deeg contributes to editorial boards of major journals. He supervises PhD students and teaches Buddhist Studies , Life of the Buddha , and Chinese Buddhist Texts .

• Transcultural Buddhist History
• Spread of Buddhism in Asia
• Buddhist Narratives
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Dr. Arun Babu Suja is a Research Scientist at the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS) in Leipzig, Germany, affiliated with the Department of Atmospheric Microphysics . His research focuses on aerosol-climate interactions in extreme environments including the Arctic, Himalayas, and oceanic regions. Education: Ph.D. in Physics, University of Kerala, India (2018-2022) M.Phil. in Physics, University of Kerala (2014-2015) M.Sc. in Physics, University of Kerala (2011-2013) B.Sc. in Physics and Computer Application, University of Kerala (2008-2011) Research Experience: 2022-Present: Research Scientist at TROPOS, Germany 2016-2022: Research Scholar at ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre 2015-2016: Research Fellow at Indian Institute of Science Research Interests: Specializes in aerosol mixing state, aerosol-cryosphere interactions, radiative forcing, and ice nucleating particles. Current projects include studies of Arctic aerosol transport (APAICA) and Bay of Bengal aerosol characteristics (BIOCAT-IIOE2). Publications: His 10 publications (2019-2024) focus on aerosol properties in Himalayan/Arctic regions, with emphasis on carbonaceous aerosols, black carbon distribution, and radiative effects. Research methodologies combine field measurements and chemical analysis. Awards: ISRO Junior Research Fellowship (2016)

• Atmospheric Aerosols
• Aerosol-Cryosphere Interaction
• Aerosol Radiative Forcing
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Prof. Dr. Frederik Tilmann is a leading seismologist at the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences (Section 2.4 Seismology) and a professor at the Freie Universität Berlin . His work focuses on seismic waveform analysis to understand geodynamic processes in subduction zones and continental collisions. Current affiliations: Head of Seismology Section, GFZ Potsdam University Professor, Freie Universität Berlin Research interests include: Earthquake source characterization Seismic tomography methods Mantle dynamics and lithospheric deformation Machine learning applications in seismic data analysis Volcano-seismic monitoring Ocean bottom seismology techniques Recent publications highlight advancements in: Full waveform inversion for mantle dynamics Machine learning for seismic phase picking Anisotropy studies in Alpine and Himalayan regions Subduction zone microseismicity analysis Volcano-induced landslide detection Scientific awards include: Feodor-Lynen Fellowship (Humboldt Foundation) Trinity Hall College Staff Fellowship Multiple citations in high-impact journals Collaborative work spans global seismic infrastructure projects like SMART cables, the Collaborative Seismic Earth Model, and the AlpArray network. His methodology innovations in shear wave splitting and depth phase picking have become standards in computational seismology.

• Seismology
• Geophysics
• Earthquake Analysis
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Karin Polit is a full professor and head of the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology at the Asia-Orient-Institut, Faculty of Humanities, University of Tübingen. She has been in this position since April 2018 and is actively involved in research, teaching, and academic supervision. Her work is deeply rooted in ethnographic fieldwork in South Asia, particularly India. Education: B.A. in Anthropology, James Cook University, Australia (1998) Magister Artium in Anthropology (2001) Promotion (Ph.D.), University of Heidelberg (2006), topic: 'Ethnographic Reflections on Practices of Gender and Agency among Dalit Women in the Central Himalayas' Habilitation and Venia Legendi in Anthropology, University of Heidelberg (2015) Her research focuses on ritual, performance, gender, caste, medical anthropology, youth culture, and cultural heritage . She explores how global and local inequalities shape education, art, and resistance, with special attention to mental health, reproductive loss, and media in New Delhi and the Himalayas. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates ethnography, film, and sensory studies. The recent publications reflect a strong trend in ritual dynamics, embodiment, heritage politics, and youth agency in South Asia. Her work often examines how tradition and modernity intersect in religious festivals, political contexts, and personal identity. She frequently collaborates with scholars such as Prof. Gabriele Alex and Christiane Brosius. Scientific Awards and Recognitions: Venia Legendi Award, University of Heidelberg (2015) Margarete von Wrangell Fellow, South Asia Institute (2014–2018) Fellow, Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Advanced Study, JNU, New Delhi (2012–2013) Baden-Württemberg Certificate for University Didactics (since 2012) Prof. Polit has supervised numerous Master’s and PhD students, including Pallabi Roy and Gaurav Lamichhane, and has led research projects funded by the DFG and international networks like AROGYAM. She has also contributed to academic service through editorial roles and guest professorships at institutions in Germany, India, and the Netherlands. Her audiovisual work, including ethnographic films, enhances public engagement with anthropological knowledge. She leads the department's research on South Asian societies and continues to expand collaborative networks across Europe and South Asia.

• Social and Cultural Anthropology
• Medical Anthropology
• Ritual and Performance
• +12 more

Michael Nothnagel is a Professor at the University of Cologne, where he leads the Department of Statistical Genetics and Bioinformatics within the Cologne Center for Genomics (CCG). His work spans statistical genetics, genetic epidemiology, and forensic genetics, focusing on methodological development and large-scale genomic data analysis. His research interests encompass theoretical and applied statistical genetics, with emphasis on human genetic diversity, disease etiology, and forensic applications. Key areas include Y-chromosomal phylogeography, genome-wide association studies for complex diseases, development of statistical methods for variant interpretation, and forensic marker optimization. His group leverages next-generation sequencing data and specialized forensic markers to address questions in population history, disease mechanisms, and identification systems. Recent publications reveal a strong focus on computational approaches to genetic analysis, including spatial frequency interpolation for haplogroup mapping, polygenic risk score applications for behavioral traits, and advanced methods for variant classification. His work demonstrates consistent integration of statistical theory with practical applications in medical and forensic genetics, often through international collaborations like the VISAGE Consortium. Nothnagel maintains active involvement in the Cologne Center for Genomics, contributing to seminars and collaborative projects including the upcoming 34th International Genetic Epidemiology Society meeting. His research group operates at the intersection of computational biology and medicine, with particular strengths in handling complex genomic datasets and developing novel analytical frameworks for genetic epidemiology.

• Statistical Genetics
• Genetic Epidemiology
• Population Genetics
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Prof. Sean Gallen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geosciences at Colorado State University (CSU), USA. He holds a Senior Humboldt Research Fellowship at the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, where he collaborates with Prof. Jean Braun's team in the Earth Surface Process Modeling section. His research integrates fieldwork, numerical modeling, geochronology, and GIS to study landscape evolution, tectonics, and natural hazards. Gallen earned his Master's (2008) from Western Washington University and PhD (2013) from North Carolina State University, followed by a Turner Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Michigan. Research Focus: His work examines climate-landscape interactions, subduction zone dynamics, and extreme event impacts on erosion. Notable projects include studying Colorado Front Range topography using cosmogenic nuclides and modeling climate effects on volcanic island landscapes. His interdisciplinary approach addresses topics like tectonic uplift quantification, silicate weathering feedbacks, and landscape-fish coevolution. Awards: Recipient of the NSF CAREER Award (2021) and Senior Humboldt Fellowship (2024). His research has been supported by NSF grants focusing on critical zone dynamics and subduction zone hazards. Current Projects: Investigating climatic controls on river incision in hotspot volcanoes and quantifying glacial erosion impacts on fault slip in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Collaborates internationally, including with Tribhuvan University (Nepal) on coseismic landslide studies.

• Landscape Evolution
• Tectonics
• Natural Hazards
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Prof. Dr. Joanna Pfaff-Czarnecka is a Full Professor of Social Anthropology at the Faculty of Sociology, Bielefeld University , holding this position since 2001. She has served in multiple leadership roles including Dean of the Faculty of Sociology (2018-2019), Scientific Member of the DFG Senate (2011-present), and Director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Research (ZIF) (2011-2019). Her work spans Arbeitsbereich 6 - Sociology of Transnationalization and Social Anthropology , the Institute for World Society , and the Center for InterAmerican Studies . Research Interests: Pfaff-Czarnecka specializes in globalization processes , political anthropology (ethnicity and democratization), legal anthropology (human/minority rights), and the anthropology of home and belonging . Her work explores ethnic boundary-making , religious diversity , and transnational identity politics , particularly in Nepal and Switzerland. She investigates how vernacularization of global norms (e.g., indigenous rights) interacts with local practices. Scientific Awards & Collaborations: Multiple Visiting Fellowships at the University of Oxford (2007, 1997-1998, 1992) Visiting Professor at Tokyo University (1999) Professional Staff at ICIMOD, Kathmandu (1990-1991) Cross-Cutting Themes: She connects Swiss minority rights with Nepalese democratization , analyzing ritual communication , cultural boundary dynamics , and transnational kinship across South Asia and Europe.

• Globalization Processes
• Political Anthropology
• Legal Anthropology
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Prof. Heiner Igel is a Professor at the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München. His research focuses on seismology, planetary geophysics, and structural health monitoring, leveraging advanced numerical methods and sensor technologies. He leads projects involving multi-component seismic measurements, seismic wave modeling, and planetary exploration instruments. Key research areas include rotational ground motion analysis, nonlinear seismic wave propagation, and subsurface imaging for Earth and planetary bodies. His work integrates cutting-edge numerical techniques like discontinuous Galerkin methods and Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampling for earthquake dynamics and material parameter inversion. Prof. Igel’s contributions include the NEPOS project for planetary seismic networks and collaborations with instruments like ROMY (Ring Laser Gyroscope). His studies span bridge monitoring, lunar subsurface exploration, and environmental seismology, emphasizing interdisciplinary applications of geophysical data.

• Seismology
• Geophysics
• Planetary Science
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Dr. Juliane Dame is a Professor and Postdoctoral Fellow at the Department of Geography, University of Bonn, with an affiliation at Heidelberg University's South Asia Institute. She holds a PhD in Geography from Heidelberg University (2012), awarded the Wilhelm-Lauer Prize (2013) for her thesis on food security in high mountain regions. Her research focuses on society-environment interactions, emphasizing food security, water governance, and climate change adaptation in South Asia, Chile, and Germany. Education: PhD in Geography (2012), Heidelberg University; Diploma in Geography (2005), University of Bonn. Positions: Junior Research Group Leader (2013–2021), Substitute Professor at Heidelberg University (2019–2020), and Lecturer in Public Health and Risk Governance. Her research explores socio-hydrological systems, artificial glaciers, and climate adaptation in arid regions. Notable projects include evaluations of 'Bonn4Future' and studies on ice stupas in the Andes. Awards include the Dr. Hohmann Award (2022) for innovative climate adaptation research. Teaching: Courses on sustainable urban food systems, mixed methods in geography, and environmental governance. Grants/Projects: Led interdisciplinary research on environment and health, and contributed to projects like 'Open Bookcases in Bonn.' Dr. Dame's work bridges environmental science, social sciences, and policy, addressing global challenges through field-based and interdisciplinary approaches.

• Food Security
• Water Governance
• Climate Change Adaptation
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Prof. Dr. Silke Werth is a Professor at the University of Munich , affiliated with the Faculty of Biology and the Systematics and Ecology of Fungi and Algae department. She holds a PhD from the University of Berne and a Diploma from the University of Tromsø, Norway. Current research bridges genomic data with traditional ecological datasets , focusing on population genetics and ecological genomics of lichens and higher plants. Key projects investigate how gene expression and genetic polymorphism influence fitness along climatic gradients , with a focus on environmental stress responses . Teaching includes botany , mycology , and courses on terrestrial ecosystems . Recent publications highlight her work on lichen symbiosis genetics , biogeography , and environmental adaptation across diverse ecosystems from the Himalayas to urban settings. She has received the Marie Curie IEF Advanced Post-doctoral Fellowship and serves as Associate Editor for the American Journal of Botany and Herzogia .

• Population Genetics
• Ecological Genomics
• Environmental Stress Responses
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Motagh M. is a Researcher at the Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum (GFZ) in Potsdam, Germany. With expertise in Remote Sensing and Geodesy , their work focuses on geohazard assessment through satellite-based interferometric techniques. Current research explores land subsidence in Afghanistan and Iran using Sentinel-1 data Developing hybrid machine learning models for landslide susceptibility assessment Pioneering quantum machine learning applications in deformation detection Investigating mining-induced subsidence in Germany's Hambach region Contributing to multi-sensor InSAR integration for complex geological analysis Publications since 2011 demonstrate sustained contributions to: Earthquake source modeling (e.g., Christchurch 2011, Maule Chile 2010) Volcanic deformation studies in Iceland Environmental geoscience applications across three continents Collaborations span institutions in: New Zealand (University of Canterbury, GNS Science) Iran (University of Tehran, K. N. Toosi University) Germany (GFZ Potsdam, Technical University Munich) USA (University of Miami)

• Remote Sensing
• Geodesy
• Seismology
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Prof. Harunaga Isaacson is a leading scholar of Classical Indology and Professor at the University of Hamburg's Asia-Africa Institute. His primary affiliation is with the Department of Culture and History of India and Tibet within the Faculty of Humanities. He holds leadership roles in major research initiatives including the Cluster of Excellence 'Understanding Written Artefacts' (UWA) and the SFB 950 'Manuscript Cultures in Asia, Africa, and Europe'. Isaacson has held academic positions globally, including at the University of Pennsylvania and Oxford University. His research focuses on Vajrayāna Buddhism, classical Sanskrit literature, and manuscript studies. Notable projects include editing critical editions of Sanskrit texts like the Skandapurāṇa and the Vanaratna Codex . He has supervised over two dozen PhD students, many of whom now hold prominent academic positions. Isaacson's academic accolades include membership in the Hamburg Academy of Sciences and ERC Synergy Grant funding for the 'Intellexus' project. He is editor of key journals like Tantric Studies and has published extensively on tantric traditions, ritual syntax, and textual transmission across Asia.

• Tantric traditions
• Vajrayāna Buddhism
• Classical Sanskrit poetry
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Anne Bernhardt is a Professor of Sedimentary Systems at the Department of Earth Sciences, Freie Universität Berlin . She leads research at the Tectonics and Sedimentary Systems group, focusing on sedimentary architecture, climate-tectonic interactions, and submarine canyon dynamics. Education: PhD in Geological and Environmental Sciences, Stanford University (2011); Diplom in Geology/Paleontology, Freie Universität Berlin (2005–2011) Her research interests include: Climate-driven sediment fluxes during sea-level changes Tectonic controls on turbidite systems and canyon morphology Applications of cosmogenic nuclides (e.g., 10Be/9Be) in marine diagenesis Source-to-sink sediment dynamics 3D lithospheric modeling via gravity gradients Recent publications emphasize global submarine canyon patterns, paleoseismic records in turbidites, and isotopic tracers for weathering processes. Key collaborations span marine geology projects in Chile, the Mediterranean, and Himalayan regions. She contributes to teaching through courses on sedimentology, stratigraphy, and source-to-sink systems, with fieldwork in the Pyrenees and Himalayas. Her group engages in MB-4D and TIPSY projects under the priority program Mountain Building Processes in Four Dimensions .

• Sedimentary Systems
• Tectonics
• Climate Change Impact on Sediment Transport
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Catharina Clewing is a researcher at the Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany. Since 2016, she has been a postdoctoral researcher focusing on evolutionary and biogeographical dynamics of freshwater molluscs, particularly in the Tibetan Plateau and surrounding regions. Her work combines molecular phylogenetics, population dynamics analysis, and biogeographic modeling to understand biodiversity patterns. Education: Bachelor’s/Master’s (Diploma in Biology) from Justus Liebig University (2007-2011) Ph.D. in Animal Ecology and Systematics (2011-2016), with a thesis on evolutionary drivers of Tibetan Plateau biodiversity Research Interests: Her studies center on freshwater molluscs, including their evolution, population dynamics, and biogeography. Key topics include glacial refugia effects, cryptic species discovery, and host-parasite interactions. She employs cutting-edge techniques like microsatellite analyses and next-generation sequencing. Publications & Awards: With over 20 peer-reviewed articles, Clewing has contributed to understanding mollusc distributions in lakes like Tanganyika, Malawi, and Baikal. Her work has earned notable awards, including the J. Frances Allen Institute’s Outstanding Publication Award (2013). Teaching & Mentorship: Supervises undergraduate and graduate courses at Justus Liebig University, fostering student research in aquatic biodiversity and molecular ecology. Labs & Collaborations: Part of the Systematics & Biodiversity Lab, collaborating with groups led by Prof. Thomas Wilke and apl. Prof. Christian Albrecht. Engaged in projects like the EU-funded PRIDE initiative on Pontocaspian biodiversity.

• Evolutionary Biology
• Biogeography
• Freshwater Biodiversity
• +3 more

Qiang Wang is a Researcher at the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, with expertise in plant taxonomy, systematics, and phylogenetics. His work focuses on the classification and evolutionary relationships of Lamiaceae and Campanulaceae families, employing molecular, morphological, and cytological approaches. He holds a PhD in Science and has held visiting scholar positions, including at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (2016–2017). Research interests include: Phylogenomics of plant families using plastome and chloroplast data Taxonomic revisions of genera like Pseudocodon and Codonopsis Species delimitation in Lamiaceae and Campanulaceae Application of DNA barcoding and cytotaxonomy His publications emphasize integrative approaches combining genomic, morphological, and ecological data to resolve taxonomic uncertainties and uncover evolutionary patterns. Notable contributions include descriptions of new species (e.g., Codonopsis atriplicifolia) and reclassification of plant groups based on molecular evidence.

• Taxonomy
• Evolution
• Phylogenetics
• +7 more