Find Academic Supervisors

Olga TsyuskoView profile

Associate Professor

• Environmental Toxicology
• Nanotoxicology
• Molecular Genetics
• +3 more

Olga Tsyusko is an Associate Professor in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment at the University of Kentucky. Her research focuses on the environmental toxicology of nanomaterials, particularly their interactions with soil organisms like Caenorhabditis elegans and earthworms. She teaches courses in biotechnology, including Writing and Presentations in the Life Sciences (ABT 301) and Molecular Genetics (ABT 460). Environmental Toxicology Nanotoxicology Molecular Genetics Soil Ecology Agricultural Biotechnology Ecotoxicology Recent publications examine nanoparticle behavior in agricultural systems, including controlled nitrogen release via nanomaterials, metal-organic framework applications for sustainable agrotechnologies, and epigenetic impacts of silver/zinc oxide nanoparticles on model organisms. Collaborative work investigates 2D nanomaterials for PFAS degradation and biosensor-related environmental risks.

Paul HurtadoView profile

Associate Professor

• Population Ecology
• Disease Dynamics
• Stochastic Processes
• +3 more

Paul Hurtado is Associate Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, with joint appointments in Mathematics and Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology. Research integrates: Dynamical systems for ecological processes Stochastic modeling of disease transmission Host-pathogen-immune interactions High-dimensional phase space analysis Publications span viral ecology in insects, amphibian disease dynamics, and mathematical methods for incorporating complex dwell times in ODE models. Current work investigates viral hotspots in caterpillar populations and feedlot bloat prediction in cattle. He maintains extensive educational resources for R programming and LaTeX scientific publishing.

• Ecology
• Terrestrial ecology
• Freshwater ecology
• +3 more

Natalie Jones is a Lecturer in Ecology at Griffith University's School of Environment and Science - Environment and Marine. She conducts research on community ecology, focusing on how environmental conditions and species interactions structure biodiversity. Her work spans terrestrial, freshwater, and marine systems, utilizing field experiments, modeling, and theoretical frameworks. Jones is a member of the Australian Rivers Institute and actively contributes to Sustainable Development Goals 13 (Climate Action), 14 (Life Below Water), and 15 (Life on Land). Education: PhD in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Canada (advisor: Prof. Ben Gilbert) Postdoctoral Fellowship at University of Queensland with Prof. Margie Mayfield Research at University of California San Diego with Prof. Jonathan Shurin Research Interests: Her research explores species persistence, colonization dynamics, global change impacts, and ecological theory testing through interdisciplinary approaches. Key themes include dormancy mechanisms, trophic interactions, and climate-driven community shifts. Grants & Awards: Hermon Slade Foundation Grant (2024-2027) for dormancy research 2020 Elton Prize (Best Early Career Paper in Journal of Animal Ecology) Griffith University Internal Grant (2022-2024) for floodplain biodiversity studies Labs/Teams: Affiliated with the Australian Rivers Institute, focusing on freshwater and marine systems. Active in Griffith Sciences interdisciplinary collaborations.

Lara HerreroView profile

Associate Professor

• Vector-Borne Diseases
• Glycobiology
• Alphavirus Pathogenesis
• +3 more

Dr. Lara Herrero is an Associate Professor at Griffith University's Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics and NHMRC Research Fellow, specializing in glycobiology of vector-borne diseases. Medically and scientifically trained, her research focuses on alphavirus-induced arthritis and immunomodulatory therapies, including the repurposing of pentosan polysulfate for viral arthritis treatment. Research examines: Carbohydrate-virus-cell interactions in pathogenesis Mouse models of alphaviral disease Glycotherapeutic strategies for musculoskeletal infections TRIF-dependent antiviral responses Long COVID immune dysregulation Notably developed the first treatment for alphaviral arthritis through drug repurposing, now in clinical use via Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals. Awarded the 2023 Prime Minister's Prize for Science (New Innovators) and named Griffith University's top contributor to The Conversation with 5.4M+ article reads. Leads projects on ME/CFS/Long COVID immunology funded by Stafford Fox Foundation ($6.4M) and NHMRC synergy grants. Mentors doctoral candidates in virology and immunology.

Katrin KellnerView profile

Associate Professor

• Evolutionary Biology
• Microbial Ecology
• Behavioral Genetics
• +4 more

Katrin Kellner is an Associate Professor of Biology at the University of Texas at Tyler. Her research focuses on evolutionary biology of ant societies, microbial ecology, and symbiotic relationships. She investigates how ants adapt to environmental challenges through symbioses with bacteria and fungi, particularly in cold climates and conservation contexts. Education: Postdoc, The University of Texas at Austin (2010–2013): Evolution of Host-Symbiont Relationships & Microbial Ecology Postdoc, University of Regensburg, Germany (2009–2010): Infectious Diseases & Chemical Ecology Doctor of Natural Sciences (Ph.D. equivalent), University of Regensburg (2005–2009): Evolution, Genetics & Behavior Diploma in Biology (Master's equivalent), University of Regensburg (2001–2005): Zoology, Genetics, Botany Vordiplom (Bachelor equivalent), University of Regensburg (1999–2005): Biology, Chemistry, Physics Research Interests: Dr. Kellner studies the evolutionary genetics of ant-fungus symbioses, microbial ecology, and conservation genetics. Her work explores how ants adapt to colder climates, symbiotic bacteria in seed deposits, and endangered species detection via eDNA and ddPCR. She collaborates on projects involving freshwater mussels, crayfish, and environmental DNA analysis. Funding & Grants: Her research is supported by the National Science Foundation, Texas Army National Guard, and Texas Ecolabs. Labs & Collaborations: She maintains a lab focused on ant symbiosis and hosts a research page at antsymbiosis.com . Collaborations include conservation genetics projects and eDNA analysis for rare species detection.

Kirsten PriorView profile

Associate Professor

• Community Ecology
• Species Interactions
• Invasion Ecology
• +3 more

Kirsten Prior is an Associate Professor in the Biological Sciences Department at Binghamton University, College of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on community ecology, species interactions, and invasion ecology, exploring how species interactions shape ecosystems and influence conservation strategies. She investigates invasive species impacts, climate change effects, and restoration approaches in diverse ecosystems such as North American forests, Pacific Northwest oak savannas, and East African savannas. Dr. Prior earned her PhD from the University of Notre Dame and a BSc from Western University. Her lab, the Prior Ecology Lab, emphasizes collaborative projects addressing anthropogenic impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Current initiatives include an NSF-funded study on oak gall wasp-parasitoid interactions and community science efforts like EcoBlitz events. Research interests span Ecological and evolutionary dynamics of species interactions Invasion biology and biotic resistance mechanisms Climate change effects on species ranges Restoration of disturbed ecosystems Her lab actively recruits students for projects combining field experiments with genomic tools, including a recent PhD position on gall wasp-parasite interactions. Recent grants include an NSF collaborative award examining parasite diversification strategies. Outreach activities highlight biodiversity awareness, particularly through insect-focused initiatives like BUgs! events and educational graphic novels on seed dispersal. Her work bridges ecological research with practical conservation solutions.

Peter KarusoView profile

Professor

• Natural Products Chemistry
• Biological Systems Analysis
• Chemical Ecology
• +3 more

Prof. Peter Karuso is a Professor and Honorary Professor in Applied BioSciences at Macquarie University. He has over 30 years of experience in leadership roles, including Head of Department and Program Director, and has co-founded two companies: Fluorotechnics (as CSO) and Hyperdrive Science (as CEO). His research focuses on applying small molecules to biological systems, with a strong emphasis on natural products, chemical ecology of insects, and marine natural products. He has published over 200 outputs and holds several patents and awards, including Fellowships from the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and the Royal Society of NSW. Research interests include translational research on natural products for applications like cattle tick control and methane emissions reduction in livestock. Collaborations span Australia and involve projects like the Zero Net Emissions from Agriculture CRC. His work bridges chemistry, biology, and technology, with contributions to protein staining, fluorescent dyes, and antibiotic mechanisms. Awards include the Macquarie University Innovation Award for commercialization. External roles include CEO of Hyperdrive Science (2018–2021) and CSO of Fluorotechnics (2004–2008). Key projects address biosecurity, agricultural sustainability, and natural product commercialization.

Gene E RobinsonView profile

Professor

• Entomology
• Genomics
• Social Behavior
• +6 more

Gene E. Robinson is the Maybelle Leland Swanlund Endowed Chair and Professor of Entomology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He leads the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology (IGB) and holds affiliate appointments in multiple departments, including the Center for Advanced Study, Neuroscience Program, and Beckman Institute. His work integrates genomics, neuroscience, and behavioral ecology to study social insect behavior, primarily using honey bees as a model. Robinson earned his Ph.D. in Entomology from Cornell University (1986) and joined UIUC in 1989. His research focuses on the genetic and neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying social behavior, division of labor, aggression, and communication in honey bees. Key projects include studying nutritional regulation of brain gene expression, gene regulatory networks in social evolution, and automated behavioral monitoring using RFID and AI. He has authored over 350 publications, secured $70M+ in research funding, and trained ~60 early-career scientists. His honors include the Wolf Prize in Agriculture, Guggenheim Fellowship, and memberships in the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Medicine. Robinson’s interdisciplinary approach bridges molecular biology, ecology, and computational methods to address societal challenges in agriculture and health. Affiliations: Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Department of Entomology, Center for Advanced Study Leadership: Director of IGB (2001–present), former Neuroscience Program co-director Research Themes: Social evolution, genomics, neurogenomics, and bee health

Sam HeadsView profile

Researcher

• Paleontology
• Systematics of Terrestrial Arthropods
• Evolutionary Biology
• +3 more

Sam Heads is an Associate Research Scientist in Paleontology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, affiliated with the Illinois Natural History Survey and the Lemann Center for Brazilian Studies. He holds Affiliate Professor roles in the Departments of Entomology, Geology, and the Lemann Center. His primary research focuses on the paleontology, systematics, and evolutionary history of terrestrial arthropods, particularly insects like Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets). Education: PhD in Palaeontology (University of Portsmouth, UK, 2009); BSc (Hons) in Palaeobiology & Evolution (University of Portsmouth, UK, 2004). Research Interests: Heads explores the evolution of terrestrial arthropods, emphasizing fossil insects from the Cretaceous to the Miocene. His work includes studying preservation mechanisms in amber and sedimentary deposits, with a focus on Orthoptera, lacewings, and other insect groups. His research bridges paleontology, entomology, and evolutionary biology, contributing to understanding ancient ecosystems and biodiversity. Publications & Trends: His recent articles highlight discoveries of new fossil insect species (e.g., pygmy grasshoppers in Baltic amber, katydids with preserved internal organs), advancing knowledge of insect evolution and preservation. His work often integrates field studies, taxonomic revisions, and molecular phylogenetics. Awards: Fellow of the Linnean Society of London (FLS). Advising & Grants: Heads co-leads the Prairie Research Institute Committee on Collections and chairs the Illinois Natural History Survey Biological Collections Committee. He has secured grants for collaborative research on Brazilian biota and global paleontological projects. Labs/Teams: Director & Curator-in-Charge of the Illinois Center for Paleontology, fostering interdisciplinary research in paleontology and biodiversity conservation.

Tamas SzekelyView profile

Professor

• Behavioral Ecology
• Parental Care
• Sexual Selection
• +3 more

Professor Tamas Szekely leads research in behavioral ecology and conservation biology at University of Bath's Milner Centre for Evolution. His work investigates mating systems, parental care conflicts, and conservation strategies for wetland birds. Szekely uses field studies and mathematical modeling to understand how sexual conflict influences family dynamics in bird species including plovers and penduline tits. His research group conducts fieldwork across global biodiversity hotspots to study declining waterbird populations. Szekely employs phylogenetic analyses to examine evolutionary patterns in shorebird breeding systems. Current projects investigate genetic bases of parental care decisions and conservation strategies for endangered waterbirds. He has organized international conferences featuring Nobel laureates and leads several Royal Society-funded projects on sex role evolution and social organization in avian species.

Cristina TuniView profile

Researcher

• Reproductive Biology
• Sexual Selection
• Mating System Evolution
• +3 more

Dr. Cristina Tuni is a Researcher at Ludwig Maximilians University (LMU) in the Department of Biologie II, Faculty of Biology. Her research focuses on reproductive biology, sexual selection, and mating system evolution in arthropods, particularly spiders and crickets. She investigates adaptive significance of female polyandry, male mating strategies, and the interplay between pre- and post-mating sexual selection using molecular methods, experimental evolution, and field studies. Tuni leads a lab team including PhD students Magdalena Matzke and Michelle Beyer. She has held a position at LMU since 2014, following postdoctoral research at Aarhus University (2011–2013). Education: PhD in Bioscience from Aarhus University (2011), M.Sc. in Biology from University of Rome Tor Vergata (2007). Teaching includes courses on behavioral ecology, evolutionary ecology, and scientific writing. Her work spans topics like nuptial gift behavior in spiders, temperature effects on insect behavior, and inbreeding in social spiders. Key research trends include understanding how ecological factors influence mating strategies and sperm competition dynamics. Recent publications address silk-mediated chemical communication, light pollution effects on spider behavior, and cricket behavioral stability under temperature changes. No explicit scientific awards are listed. Grants and advising activities are central to her role, with a focus on experimental and field-based methodologies. Her lab (TuniLab) explores reproductive ecology across diverse arthropod systems.

Basile FinandView profile

Researcher

• Ecology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Urban Ecology
• +3 more

Basile Finand is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Helsinki , affiliated with the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences and associated with the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science and Helsinki Institute of Urban and Regional Studies . His research focuses on Ecology and Evolutionary Biology , particularly examining ant species responses to habitat fragmentation and urbanization. Education PhD in Ecology and Evolution, Sorbonne University (2023) MSc in Biodiversity Ecology and Evolution, Claude Bernard University Lyon 1 (2019) BSc in Biodiversity Sciences, Claude Bernard University Lyon 1 (2017) Dr. Finand's research explores how urbanization drives evolutionary changes in ant dispersal strategies, social structures, and thermophilic adaptations. His work reveals that habitat fragmentation selects for reduced dispersal abilities and altered colony foundation mechanisms in ants, with implications for understanding metapopulation dynamics in human-modified landscapes. Recent publications analyze thermophilic species dominance in urban areas, colony fission mechanisms, and genetic differentiation in ant complexes. His 2025 paper on urbanization's impact on ant communities highlights the intersection of ecological and evolutionary responses to anthropogenic changes. As a supervisor, he contributes to thesis guidance including Rita Hakola's MSc research (2025). His affiliations include the Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme and Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science.

Bregje WertheimView profile

Professor

• Evolutionary Biology
• Ecological Genomics
• Host-Parasite Interactions
• +2 more

Bregje Wertheim is a Professor in evolutionary biology of ecological interactions at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Science and Engineering, where she also serves as Programme Director for the MSc Ecology and Evolution. Her research focuses on understanding how genomic variation shapes organisms' adaptive responses to environmental changes, using Drosophila as a model system to investigate molecular mechanisms of evolutionary innovation. Her interdisciplinary work spans: Ecological and evolutionary genomics of host-parasite interactions Innate immunity in insects Climate change adaptation mechanisms Applied entomology for sustainable agriculture Recent research explores the microbiome's role in insect adaptation and the development of bioinsecticides. Publications demonstrate strong themes in genomic adaptation to environmental stressors, with frequent investigations into: Temperature-responsive gene networks Host-parasite coevolution Microbiome-mediated fitness Behavioral plasticity Notable scientific honors include AcademiaNet membership (2012), NWO Vidi Research Fellowship (2009), and Rosalind Franklin Fellowship (2008). She leads multiple research consortia including INSECTFEED, investigating insects as sustainable livestock feed, and mentors PhD candidates in evolutionary genomics and ecological interactions. Her laboratory focuses on functional diversification of gene regulatory networks and maintains collaborations with industrial partners in biological control and insect farming technologies.

• Developmental Biology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Entomology
• +3 more

Christine Kiesmüller is a researcher at the University of Warsaw's Faculty of Biology, working in the Institute of Evolutionary Biology (PARADIVE group). She completed her PhD at the University of Greifswald, focusing on predator-prey interactions in arthropods. Her research integrates paleontology, functional morphology, and developmental biology to understand evolutionary adaptations. Key areas include fossil insect behavior, raptorial appendages, and anti-predator strategies preserved in amber. Education: Bachelor's: Studied fossil insects and cockroach wing development Master's: Explored camel spider tagmatisation, cockroach wing mechanisms, and marine slug morphology PhD: Investigated predator-prey interactions in fossil arthropods Research Interests: Functional morphology of arthropods, evolutionary adaptations in predator-prey dynamics, and fossil preservation of behavioral evidence. Her work emphasizes 'frozen behavior' in amber fossils and phylogenetic inference of ecological roles. Awards: DAAD postdoctoral fellowship Landesgraduiertenförderung PhD fellowship Grants/Advising: No explicit grants listed, but her scholarships indicate sustained research funding. No documented advisees. Labs/Teams: Member of the PARADIVE group at the University of Warsaw, collaborating with researchers like Haug and Hörnig on amber fossils and evolutionary morphology.

Peter CurrieView profile

Research Professor

• Developmental Biology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Stem Cell Biology
• +5 more

Professor Peter Currie is a world-renowned developmental and evolutionary biologist at Monash University's Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI), where he serves as Director of Research. His work focuses on skeletal muscle stem cells, regeneration, and evolutionary mechanisms using zebrafish and shark models. Currie has pioneered zebrafish as a model for human muscle diseases and contributed to understanding vertebrate body plan evolution through shark embryology. Research Interests: Genetic basis of muscle stem cell action Evolutionary origins of vertebrate body structures Regeneration mechanisms in muscle injury Zebrafish and shark developmental biology Recent Projects: Genetic basis of skeletal muscle formation (2023–2027) Macrophage-based tissue regeneration (2023–2026) Evolution of vertebrate limb structures (2024–2027) Key Awards: European Molecular Biology Organization Young Investigator Award Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science Grants & Collaborations: Australian Research Council (ARC) funding for stem cell research International collaborations on muscle disease models and regeneration Labs & Teams: Leads the Currie Lab , a multidisciplinary team investigating developmental and regenerative biology using cutting-edge imaging and genetic tools.