Find Academic Supervisors

Sebastian HeilpernView profile

Assistant Professor

• Biodiversity Conservation
• Aquatic Ecosystems
• Sustainability Science
• +5 more

Sebastian Heilpern serves as Acting Assistant Professor in Stanford University's Department of Earth System Science, transitioning to Assistant Professor in January 2026. An ecologist and sustainability scientist, he investigates biodiversity change in aquatic ecosystems—particularly the Amazon basin—and its implications for human well-being through food systems, renewable energy, and public health lenses. His research integrates fieldwork, data science, and synthesis across local to global scales. His educational background includes: PhD in Ecology, Evolution & Environmental Biology from Columbia University (2020) MS in Ecology & Evolution from the University of Chicago (2015) BS in Biological Sciences from Cornell University (2011) Heilpern's research centers on identifying synergies between biodiversity conservation and societal objectives. His work examines how aquatic biodiversity sustains nutritional security through fisheries, assesses hydropower's socio-ecological tradeoffs, and develops climate-smart planning frameworks. By connecting ecological processes to human outcomes, he advances sustainability science through interdisciplinary approaches that bridge environmental and social domains. His 2023-2025 publications reveal dominant themes in Amazonian freshwater systems, fisheries nutrition, and renewable energy planning. Key trends include quantifying biodiversity's role in dietary resilience, optimizing hydropower development to minimize ecological harm, and establishing mercury-nutrition linkages in fish consumption. His work consistently emphasizes win-win solutions that align conservation with food/energy security. Award highlights: Eric & Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship at Cornell University As principal investigator of Stanford's Biodiversity Lab, Heilpern leads research reconciling conservation with food, energy, and water security. His team prioritizes equity in science practice while addressing historical inequities. Current projects focus on Amazonian freshwater systems, sustainable aquaculture siting, and climate-resilient energy planning, supported by interdisciplinary collaborations across ecology, data science, and policy domains. The Biodiversity Lab actively recruits researchers through structured opportunities emphasizing diversity and justice in sustainability science. Laboratory values explicitly center on correcting science's inequitable legacy while advancing stronger ecological understanding through inclusive practices.

Mark JaccardView profile

Professor

• Climate policy
• Energy economics
• Energy-economy-emissions modeling
• +2 more

Mark Jaccard is a Professor at Simon Fraser University's School of Resource & Environmental Management (REM). He has served as REM's Director and developed the Energy and Materials Research Group (EMRG), Canada's leading applied academic team in energy-economy-emissions (EEE) modeling. His work focuses on assessing climate policies through EEE models like CIMS-Urban, gTech, and CIMS. Developed EEE modeling frameworks for national and provincial climate policy analysis Advises political leaders globally on climate strategy Active media commentator and public speaker on climate economics Research Highlights Specializes in energy system decarbonization pathways Advocates for flexible regulations over carbon pricing Focuses on federal-provincial policy alignment Develops strategies for grid interconnection and energy storage Examines social license for large hydro and nuclear expansion Integrates political feasibility with economic modeling Scientific Contributions Co-developed gTech model with former students Authored The Citizen's Guide to Climate Success (2019) Recipient of Royal Society of Canada fellowship Advises international bodies like IPCC and CCICED

Steven J. CookeView profile

Professor

• Conservation Science
• Aquatic Ecology
• Fish Migration
• +7 more

Steven J. Cooke is a Professor in the Department of Biology at Carleton University and a former Canada Research Chair. He holds a B.ES. from the University of Waterloo, an M.Sc. from Waterloo, and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. His research focuses on integrative biology, conservation science, and natural resource management, with a particular emphasis on fish migration, aquatic habitat restoration, and the development of solutions for conservation challenges. He is a founding director of the Canadian Centre for Evidence-Based Conservation and actively involved in the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence, promoting evidence synthesis in conservation. Dr. Cooke’s work bridges natural and social sciences, emphasizing collaboration with practitioners, policymakers, and stakeholders to create actionable knowledge. He has authored over 700 peer-reviewed papers and pioneered the discipline of conservation physiology. His awards include Fellowship in the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and Secretary of the College of the Royal Society of Canada. His lab’s research spans topics like fish-hydropower interactions, winter biology, and the ecology of stress in wild fish. He advocates for sustainable recreational fisheries and habitat restoration, with recent projects addressing shoreline development impacts and AI applications in conservation. Dr. Cooke’s academic contributions extend to education and policy, with a focus on bridging research and practice. His work emphasizes the importance of cities in species conservation and the urgent need for global freshwater biodiversity strategies. He collaborates internationally on projects such as assessing cumulative effects of renewable energy and advancing black bass management.

Caner SayanView profile

Lecturer

• Environmental Politics
• Water Security
• Environmental Justice
• +6 more

Dr. Caner Sayan is a Lecturer in Policy Analysis at Swansea University's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, within the Department of Politics, Philosophy, and International Relations. He previously held roles as a Research Fellow in Water and Resilience at Cranfield University, Postdoctoral Fellow in Water Security at UNU-INWEH, and Research Associate at the University of Dundee. His research focuses on environmental politics, water security, and transboundary water governance, with a regional emphasis on the Middle East, Turkey, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Key themes include environmental justice, political ecology, and the intersection of water infrastructure and regional policy. Recipient of the 2015 Dundee University Students' Association Teaching Award, Dr. Sayan is dedicated to innovative pedagogy and has contributed to modules on global development, environmental justice, and water politics. He actively supervises PhD and MA/MSc theses, emphasizing fieldwork design and participatory methods. His publications span journals such as International Affairs , Water Alternatives , and Energy Research & Social Science , addressing topics like energy transitions, NGO capacity, and peacebuilding through water security frameworks. Engagements include opinion pieces on African water projects and invited lectures on transboundary water governance.

• Policy and Administration
• Applied Economics
• Mechanical Engineering
• +3 more

Professor Mark Howells is a Principal Research Fellow at the Centre for Environmental Policy within Imperial College London's Faculty of Natural Sciences. His work focuses on energy systems modelling and policy analysis for sustainable development in low and middle-income countries, with a particular emphasis on open-source frameworks and context-specific transition pathways. His research spans energy transition modelling, environmental policy, and sustainable development, utilizing tools like OSeMOSYS and CLEWs to address energy trilemma challenges across Africa, Asia, and South America. Key interests include integrating qualitative factors into quantitative models, green hydrogen planning, power sector reliability, and resource nexus management, with significant contributions to country-specific energy planning in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, and Indonesia. Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals a strong focus on open-source energy modelling applications for decarbonization, with recurring themes of data kit development, grid flexibility solutions, and water-energy-land nexus assessments. His work consistently bridges technical modelling with policy implementation needs, particularly in contexts of infrastructure constraints and climate vulnerability. No scientific awards were mentioned in the source materials. Professor Howells operates within Imperial College London's Centre for Environmental Policy, an interdisciplinary hub conducting research on global environmental challenges through integrated systems approaches that connect technical, economic, and policy dimensions of sustainability transitions.

• Sustainable Energy
• Climate Resilience
• Transportation Engineering
• +7 more

Costa Samaras is the Trustee Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Director of the Scott Institute for Energy Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University . He is also affiliated with the Department of Engineering and Public Policy and Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy . From 2021–2024, he served in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy as Chief Advisor for the Clean Energy Transition. Education: Joint Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering and Engineering and Public Policy (Carnegie Mellon University), MPA (New York University), BS (Bucknell University) His research bridges engineering, systems analysis, and public policy to address climate change mitigation, electric and automated transportation, energy system decarbonization, and national security . He focuses on climate-resilient infrastructure, AI ethics, and policy frameworks for equitable energy transitions. Recent work with his students explores drone delivery systems, hydropower in Africa, and grid emissions tracking . The 15 most recent articles span decarbonization of transportation , climate-resilient infrastructure , AI applications in adaptation , home electrification equity , and power sector emissions . These appear in journals like Nature , Nature Climate Change , Environmental Research Letters , and Patterns . Scientific leadership includes founding the Center for Engineering and Resilience for Climate Adaptation and the Power Sector Carbon Index . His team has been recognized with dissertation awards at Carnegie Mellon University. He regularly advises federal agencies, utilities, automotive companies, and technology firms , and has been featured in The New York Times , NPR , PBS , and WIRED .

Richard BarichelloView profile

Professor

• Agricultural Economics
• Trade Policy
• Agricultural Policy
• +5 more

Richard Barichello is a Professor in the Department of Food and Resource Economics at the Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia (UBC), where he serves as Graduate Advisor for Agricultural Economics. His academic career spans over four decades with significant contributions to agricultural policy analysis and international trade economics, particularly focused on Southeast Asia. His educational background includes a PhD in Economics (1979) and MA in Economics (1972) from the University of Chicago, and a BA in Agricultural Economics (1969) from UBC. This foundation supports his expertise in complex policy analysis and economic modeling. Dr. Barichello's research centers on agricultural policy instruments, quota systems, trade reform, and development economics with special emphasis on Indonesia and Southeast Asia. His work examines capitalization of government program benefits, raw material export bans, and the intersection of agricultural policy with poverty reduction. Current research increasingly addresses pandemic impacts on food systems and sustainable resource management. Analysis of his recent publications (2015-2024) reveals persistent focus on agricultural trade dynamics, policy risk assessment, and Southeast Asian economic development. Key thematic threads include dairy industry economics, food price inflation mechanisms, and the complex relationship between globalization, poverty, and food security - often using Indonesia as a critical case study. No scientific awards are explicitly documented in the provided materials. As Graduate Advisor for Agricultural Economics, Dr. Barichello mentors students in the Master of Food and Resource Economics program. His extensive policy engagement includes advising Vietnam's Prime Minister (1995-97), Harvard Institute for International Development collaborations in Indonesia (1986-88), and leadership as Department Head (1988-1994), indicating substantial grant-funded research and international policy influence. His international project work includes the Customs and Economic Management Project with Indonesia's Department of Finance and co-presenting agricultural policy training for Indonesia's Ministry of Agriculture (1994-97), demonstrating sustained engagement with Southeast Asian economic institutions through interdisciplinary policy teams.

Matthias GadererView profile

Professor

• Renewable Energy Systems
• Thermochemical Processes
• Decentralized Energy Systems
• +5 more

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Matthias Gaderer is a Professor of Renewable Energy Systems at the TUM Campus Straubing, Technical University of Munich. His research focuses on energy systems for heat, electricity, and fuels, with a particular emphasis on biomass, solar, and geothermal energy applications. He leads projects in combustion technologies, low-emission systems, and decentralized energy systems. Gaderer holds a doctorate from TUM and has extensive industry experience in process engineering. His work includes establishing applied biomass research at the Bavarian Center for Applied Energy Research and leading the research group 'Thermal Use of Biomass in High-Temperature Processes.' He is actively involved in committees such as the Scientific Committee of CEBC and Bavarian Science Forums. His teaching includes courses on energy systems and biomass utilization. Key projects include Reverion GmbH, FlexBioNeuro, and H2 real-world laboratory initiatives. Education: Process Engineering from TU Graz and KTH Stockholm. Research interests span thermochemical gasification, combustion technologies, and energy economics. His publications emphasize biomass gasification, hydrogen production, and sustainable energy systems. He collaborates on EU-funded projects like E2Fuels and leads teams in developing innovative energy solutions.

Henriette JagerView profile

Adjunct Associate Professor

• Theoretical Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Climate Change Impacts
• +4 more

Henriette Jager is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Department at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, following her retirement from the Environmental Sciences Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in July 2024. Her research focuses on integrating ecosystem services and trade-offs between renewable energy, water quality, and biodiversity. She leads studies on climate change impacts on freshwater biodiversity, particularly in the Southeastern U.S., and hydropower sustainability. Research Interests: Theoretical Ecology, Conservation Biology, Climate Change, Hydropower Sustainability, and Renewable Energy Alternatives. Her work bridges ecological modeling with policy-relevant solutions for energy and environmental systems. Key Contributions: Jager’s research includes evaluating climate-resilient biomass plantings, quantifying carbon emissions from hydropower reservoirs, and designing hydropower flows that balance energy needs and environmental protection. She has published extensively on biodiversity impacts of energy infrastructure and land-use changes. Future Work: Transitioning to academia, Jager aims to expand her research on freshwater ecosystems under climate change, focusing on synergies between energy systems and conservation.

• Hydraulic Energy
• Hydroelectric Power
• CFD Simulation
• +6 more

Cécile Münch-Alligné is a Professor in Hydraulic Energy at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO) in Sion, where she serves as the Head of the Hydroelectricity Research Group and the Renewable Energy Program. She leads the Hydro Alps Lab, which conducts applied research in hydropower combining experimental and numerical approaches. Her work focuses on enhancing the flexibility of both small and large hydropower plants, with particular emphasis on adapting these systems to the evolving energy landscape and integration of renewable energy sources. Her educational background includes a BSc in Energy and Environmental Techniques, an MSc in Engineering, and a BSc in Industrial Systems, all from HES-SO Valais-Wallis. Her research spans multiple domains within hydraulic engineering and renewable energy systems, with particular expertise in CFD simulation, numerical methods, and hydraulic machine design. Münch-Alligné's research interests primarily center around improving hydropower flexibility through innovative approaches such as hydraulic short-circuit operating modes, variable speed operation, and energy recovery systems in water networks. She investigates both large-scale pumped storage power plants and micro-hydropower systems for urban water networks, with a strong focus on practical implementation and commercialization of research findings. Her work bridges theoretical modeling with experimental validation to address real-world challenges in the energy transition. Her research has been published extensively in leading journals, covering topics from Pelton turbine dynamics and Francis turbine vortex analysis to micro-turbine implementations in drinking water networks. The publications reveal a clear trend toward enhancing operational flexibility of hydropower systems to better integrate with intermittent renewable energy sources, with increasing emphasis on practical demonstration projects and commercial applications. As Principal Investigator, she has led multiple significant research projects including the SCCER 4 WP 3.2.0 2017-2020 (Supply of Electricity), Hydrolienne pour canaux artificiels Centrale de Lavey, and SOLUTION DE TRANSFERT D'ENERGIE PAR POMPAGE-TURBINAGE A PETITE ECHELLE. These projects, totaling over 2 million CHF in funding from sources including CTI, OFEN, and industrial partners, demonstrate her ability to secure substantial research funding and collaborate effectively with both academic and industry partners. Münch-Alligné leads the Hydro Alps Lab research team, which includes numerous researchers such as Steiner Amandus, Walpen Olivier, Vaccari Aldo, and others. Her collaborative approach extends to partnerships with institutions like Stahleinbau GmbH and The Ark Energy, facilitating the transfer of knowledge from research to industry application. The lab's work spans from fundamental fluid dynamics research to full-scale demonstration projects, creating a comprehensive pipeline from theory to practical implementation.

• Environmental Engineering
• Soil Science
• Climate Change Impact
• +3 more

Jorge Alberto Guzman Jaimes is a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois, affiliated with the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering and the Lemann Center for Brazilian Studies. His work focuses on environmental and agricultural engineering, with a strong emphasis on hydrological modeling, climate change impacts, and sustainable land management. Key research areas include: Climate-driven changes in soil erosion and water resources Evapotranspiration modeling and land cover dynamics Groundwater storage trends and headwater basin analysis Nitrogen transport in grassed watersheds under grazing and climate pressures Land use strategies to mitigate hydrological droughts in tropical regions Recent contributions include the DyLEMa evapotranspiration model and studies on the Washita River Experimental Watersheds. His interdisciplinary work bridges environmental science, computational methods, and agricultural practices, addressing pressing global challenges in sustainability and resource management. Publications span over 59 peer-reviewed articles, with recent highlights focusing on Brazil’s Minas Gerais groundwater trends and climate adaptation strategies in South America. He collaborates internationally on hydrological modeling frameworks and risk assessment for agroecosystems.

Géraldine PfliegerView profile

Professor

• Water Resource Governance
• International Climate and Environmental Policies
• Urban Policy
• +4 more

Géraldine Pflieger is a Full Professor of Urban and Environmental Policies at the University of Geneva, affiliated with the Department of Political Science and International Relations within the Faculty of Social Sciences. Since 2017, she has directed the Institute of Environmental Sciences and co-directed the UNESCO Chair in Hydropolitics since 2015 with Christian Bréthaut. She serves as a science representative in Swiss climate negotiations at COP since 2020. Research Interests include climate policies, water governance, urban governance under environmental challenges, and infrastructure sustainability. Her work bridges international climate frameworks with localized implementation, focusing on transboundary water management and the socio-political dimensions of urban policy. Article Trends reveal a sustained focus on water governance (8/15), climate policy (7/15), and urban systems (6/15). Key methodologies include comparative case studies, historical institutional analysis, and stakeholder engagement frameworks across semi-arid regions, European cities, and transboundary basins. Awards : Water International Best Paper 2022 Award Doctoral Mentorship encompasses current advisees like Gaélane Wolff (2024) and Laura Turley (2023), plus former students including Kari de Pryck (2018), Emilie Dupuits (2017), and Sébastien Lambelet (2019). She leads research projects GOUVRHÔNE (Rhône transboundary governance), InfraGouv (urban water infrastructure), and POWURB (power dynamics in Swiss cities).

Ana DyresonView profile

Assistant Professor

• Renewable Energy Systems
• Climate Change Mitigation in Energy Systems
• Electric Power Systems
• +5 more

Ana Dyreson is an Assistant Professor in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Michigan Technological University and Associate Research Director at the Center for Innovation in Sustainability & Resilience (CISR). She leads the Great Lakes Energy Group, focusing on climate change impacts on electric power systems , energy transitions in cold climates , and thermal power plant modeling . Her work bridges solar photovoltaic design , electricity grid operational modeling , and the energy-water nexus . Education : PhD in Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison (2018) MS in Mechanical Engineering, Northern Arizona University (2014) BS in Engineering Mechanics, University of Wisconsin–Madison (2011) Research emphasizes climate-resilient energy systems , particularly solar energy in cold climates and grid-scale modeling . Her 2025-2022 publications investigate snow mitigation on PV panels , heat pump adoption , floating solar-hydropower hybrids , and climate stressor impacts on thermoelectric plants . She develops inclusive teaching methods and advises on renewable energy deployment through initiatives like the Tech Forward Initiative on Sustainability and Resilience . Her team collaborates on multisector dynamics and energy-water-climate research in the Great Lakes region.

Tamara StegerView profile

Associate Professor

• Environmental Justice
• Social Justice
• Climate Change Litigation
• +4 more

Tamara Steger is an Associate Professor and Director of the Culture, Politics and Society BA Program at Central European University (CEU). She holds a Ph.D. from Syracuse University and has extensive experience in environmental and social justice research. Her affiliations include the CEU Democracy Institute, Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS), and European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR). She has supervised numerous master's and doctoral theses, focusing on environmental movements and social justice issues. Education: Ph.D. (with distinction), Syracuse University, 2004 Master of Marine Studies, University of Washington, 1995 Bachelor of Science (cum laude), State University of New York, 1992 Research Interests: Environmental and social justice, climate litigation, urban sustainability, and marginalized communities' environmental exclusion. Her work explores movements addressing colonialism, segregation, and exploitation, with projects like the Horizon 2020 UrbanA initiative. Key Contributions: Her research on the Vjosa River protection campaign in Albania and Roma communities' environmental exclusion in Slovakia highlights strategic activism in flawed democracies. She received the CEU Distinguished Teaching Award (2018). Affiliations & Activities: Member of CEU's Ethical Research Committee and GenderHUB. Active in grants and projects, including de- and re-democratization studies. Regularly collaborates with international networks like the ECPR. Labs & Teams: Leads research groups on environment and democracy at CEU's Democracy Institute, focusing on transboundary environmental governance and policy advocacy.

Wei SunView profile

Assistant Professor

• Energy Systems Integration
• Renewable Energy
• Data Science
• +3 more

Dr. Wei Sun is a Chancellor's Fellow (equivalent to Assistant Professor) in Energy Systems Integration at the University of Edinburgh's School of Engineering. His research specializes in low-carbon energy systems with high renewable penetration, utilizing data science and optimization techniques. He contributes to major initiatives like the National Centre for Energy Systems Integration (CESI) and Hydrogen’s Value in Energy Systems (HYVE). Research encompasses network integration of distributed energy resources, climate impacts on renewables, and multi-vector energy systems. Recent publications focus on hybrid energy storage, hydrogen integration, and machine learning applications for system optimization. He holds professional credentials as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) with memberships in IET and IEEE. Teaching includes Hydropower Design Projects and Renewable Energy Fundamentals. Visiting research affiliations include University College London, enhancing collaborative networks in energy systems research.