Find Academic Supervisors

• Systematics
• Entomology
• Biodiversity Conservation
• +5 more

Scott E. Miller is Senior Biodiversity Advisor, Senior Research Entomologist, and Curator of Lepidoptera at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. He has held numerous leadership positions including Deputy Under Secretary for Collections and Interdisciplinary Support, Deputy Under Secretary for Science, Associate Director for Science at the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park, and Interim Director of Smithsonian Libraries and Archives. Prior to the Smithsonian, he held leadership roles at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology in Nairobi, Kenya, and the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, Hawaii. Miller earned his BS from the University of California at Santa Barbara and his PhD from Harvard University. His academic journey has been marked by significant contributions to entomology and biodiversity research. Dr. Miller's research focuses on the integration of systematics, ecology, biogeography and conservation of insects and plants. His current work uses museum-based taxonomy and systematics to mobilize biodiversity information to empower ecology, conservation, and agriculture. Major research themes include moth systematics, biogeography and phylogenomics (particularly Dalceridae, Geometridae, and other families), insect food web and ecology projects in Papua New Guinea, Kenya and elsewhere, and building DNA reference libraries from museum vouchers for ecological applications. He has been instrumental in developing DNA-based identification tools through initiatives like the Consortium for the Barcode of Life. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on biodiversity informatics, DNA barcoding, and the application of museum collections to contemporary ecological questions. Miller's work spans tropical ecology, systematics, and the development of new methodologies for biodiversity assessment, with significant fieldwork conducted in Papua New Guinea, Kenya, and other biodiversity hotspots. Dr. Miller has contributed significantly to scientific infrastructure development, including co-chairing the US Government's Interagency Working Group on Scientific Collections and helping establish the Consortium for the Barcode of Life. His leadership extends to international scientific collaboration and the development of research centers like Mpala Research Centre in Kenya. As Senior Biodiversity Advisor, he oversees major initiatives that connect museum collections with contemporary biodiversity challenges. His laboratory and team focus on leveraging the extensive moth collections at NMNH for phylogenomic studies and ecological applications, working closely with international collaborators on projects spanning multiple continents.

Charles C. DavisView profile

Professor

• Plant Systematics
• Phylogenomics
• Biodiversity Conservation
• +8 more

Charles C. Davis is a Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University and Curator of Vascular Plants in the Harvard University Herbaria. He leads the Davis Lab, focusing on plant diversity through integrative research in systematics, paleobiology, ecology, and molecular biology. His work emphasizes phylogenetic theory, biogeography, and the application of herbarium collections to address global change challenges. Davis is particularly noted for leveraging herbarium specimens to study plant responses to climate change, phenology, and biodiversity patterns. Research interests include plant-insect interactions, genome architecture evolution in parasitic plants, and the ethical use of herbarium specimens. His lab has pioneered high-throughput phylogenomic pipelines (e.g., PhyloHerb) and explored the future of herbaria in the digital age. Collaborations span global institutions, emphasizing digitization, spectral imaging, and AI-driven analysis of biodiversity data. Recent work highlights the impact of anthropogenic change on plant communities, the role of phenology in species survival, and strategies to mitigate collecting biases in herbaria. Davis teaches courses on plant systematics and evolution, and his lab actively participates in public engagement through exhibits like the HMNH’s *In Search of Thoreau’s Flowers*. His research has been featured in *Trends in Ecology & Evolution*, *Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution*, and *Current Biology*, with a focus on advancing methodologies for biodiversity science while addressing ethical challenges in specimen sampling.

• Insecta Homoptera Auchenorrhyncha
• Insecta Diptera Phlebotominae
• Insect Systematics
• +6 more

Vera D'Urso is an Associate Professor of Zoology at the Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, where she has been employed since 1994. Her academic career began with a CNR scholarship from 1977-1980, followed by work as a Confirmed Researcher at the Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, University of Catania from 1980-1994. She has received DAAD scholarships for research at the University of Marburg in Germany in 1984 and 1987. Dr. D'Urso earned her Degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Catania with a grade of 110 cum laude. She furthered her expertise with postgraduate courses in "Quantitative Methods in Ecology" at the International Center of Theoric Physics in Miramare, Trieste in 1980. Dr. D'Urso is a leading expert in several entomological fields, with primary research interests in: Insecta Homoptera Auchenorrhyncha (leafhoppers and related insects) Insecta Diptera Phlebotominae (sand flies) Systematics and biodiversity of Mediterranean insects Insect vectors of phytoplasmas affecting economically important plants Alien species and their ecological impact Tardigrades and their taxonomy Her extensive publication record spanning over 95 scientific papers demonstrates her expertise in insect systematics, morphology, and ecology. Recent research has focused on Mediterranean biodiversity, particularly examining alien species like Balclutha brevis and their impact on local ecosystems. She has also made significant contributions to understanding phytoplasma transmission in grapevines, sandfly vectors of leishmaniasis in Sicily, and tardigrade taxonomy in extreme environments including Antarctica. Dr. D'Urso has served on numerous scientific committees including the editorial board of Biodiversity Journal, and has been a referee for multiple prestigious journals. She has participated in research projects including "Morphology, Systematics, Biology and Biogeography of Rhynchota Insects" (1994-99) and studies on sandflies in areas with high canine leishmaniasis endemicity (2004-06). Her academic service includes membership on doctoral committees at the University of Catania, participation in national evaluation committees for associate professor positions in Zoology, and serving on the Department Board of the Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (2018-2020). She has also conducted numerous entomological collection missions in Italy and abroad including Greece, Bulgaria, Macedonia, former Yugoslavia, Germany, Tunisia, Libya, and Malta.

• Entomology
• Dung Beetle Ecology
• Biodiversity Conservation
• +4 more

Claudia Palestrini is a Professor at the Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology , University of Turin. Her work focuses on dung beetles , ground beetles , and Alpine biodiversity conservation , with a strong emphasis on geometric morphometrics , zoogeography , and entomology . Her research integrates ecology , systematics , and phylogeny to study insect communities in Alpine and Mediterranean environments. Key themes include habitat use , species differentiation , and sustainable land management . She has contributed to over 400 publications, with recent work analyzing equine feeding devices and insect acoustic signals . Her teaching includes courses on Entomology for Cultural Heritage , Biological Sciences , and Environmental Education . She serves on academic committees like the Department Council and Interdisciplinary Sport Sciences program. Her work bridges entomology and sustainable sports practices , highlighting the importance of biodiversity in human-impacted ecosystems.

Elemir SimkoView profile

Professor

• Honey bee health
• Agricultural sustainability
• Comparative pathology
• +3 more

Dr. Elemir Simko is a Professor in the Department of Veterinary Pathology at the University of Saskatchewan, affiliated with Prairie Diagnostic Services. He holds a DVM from the University of Belgrade (Yugoslavia) and a DVSc from the University of Guelph, and is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists. Since 1998, he has coordinated core anatomic pathology courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels. His research focuses on honey bee health, agricultural sustainability, comparative pathology, and innate immunity. Recent work includes studies on honey bee pathogen dynamics, pesticide impacts, and equine septic arthritis diagnostics using biomarkers. He collaborates extensively with researchers on investigative pathology and contributes to diagnostic services. Education: DVM (University of Belgrade), DVSc (University of Guelph), ACVP Diplomate Key Research Themes: Honey bee health, infectious disease pathogenesis, antimicrobial resistance, and diagnostic pathology Collaborations: Prairie Diagnostic Services, multiple veterinary and agricultural researchers Dr. Simko’s publications span veterinary pathology, honey bee health, and equine medicine. His recent articles highlight advancements in diagnostic techniques for septic arthritis in horses and interventions to mitigate honey bee colony threats. He has no listed awards but maintains active roles in teaching and applied research.

Niels DingemanseView profile

Professor

• Behavioural Ecology
• Evolutionary Ecology
• Animal Personality
• +4 more

Niels Dingemanse is a tenured Professor of Behavioural Ecology at Ludwig Maximilians University (LMU) in Munich, Germany, and leads the Evolutionary Ecology of Variation research group at the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology. His academic journey includes roles as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Groningen and the University of Wales, Bangor. He holds a PhD in natural sciences from Utrecht University (2003) and an M.Sc. in Ecology from the University of Groningen (1997). His research focuses on evolutionary and behavioural ecology, particularly the ecological and evolutionary significance of individual variation in behaviour, physiology, and life-history traits. Key themes include personality evolution, indirect genetic effects, and the integration of genomic approaches with ecological field studies. Dingemanse has contributed to projects like the Great Tit HapMap initiative, exploring genomic variation across continental scales. Publications emphasize interdisciplinary methods, combining field experiments with genomic and statistical tools. His work addresses topics such as mate choice evolution, the role of environmental fluctuations in shaping social plasticity, and the genetic basis of vocal rhythms in birds. Grants and fellowships include the Veni Innovational Research Incentives Scheme (Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research) and ALW open competition grants. He has advised numerous postdoctoral researchers and leads collaborative projects across Europe.

ANDRES BASELGA FRAGAView profile

Professor

• Biodiversity Conservation
• Biogeography
• Community Ecology
• +7 more

Andrés Baselga Fraga is a Professor at the University of Santiago de Compostela, affiliated with the Department of Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology within the Faculty of Biology. He leads the BiBiCI research group (Biodiversity, Biogeography and Integrative Conservation) and is associated with the Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Environmental Technologies (CRETUS). His doctoral work (2002) focused on Chrysomelidae beetles in Galicia, supervised by Dr. Francisco Novoa Docet. Education: PhD in Biology, University of Santiago de Compostela (2002) Thesis: 'Study of the Chrysomelidae (Coleoptera) of Galicia' Research Interests: His work centers on biodiversity patterns, biogeographical processes, and community ecology, with a focus on spatial scaling of phylogenetic diversity, climate change impacts, and dispersal limitation effects. He explores these through macroecological approaches, integrating genetic, taxonomic, and environmental data. His studies often address beetle communities, particularly Chrysomelidae, and their responses to environmental changes. Article Trends: Recent publications analyze biodiversity value through phylogenetic uniqueness, climate stability's role in species abundance-genetic diversity congruence, and dispersal mechanisms shaping community turnover. He also examines spatial and temporal shifts in montane ecosystems and develops novel statistical methods for assessing distance-decay relationships. Awards: No specific academic awards noted in the provided texts. Grants & Advising: No grant details or student advisees explicitly listed. His research has been supported through institutional affiliations like CRETUS. Labs/Teams: Leads the BiBiCI group and collaborates with CRETUS, focusing on interdisciplinary environmental research.

Douglas YuView profile

Professor

• Metabarcoding
• Rapid Biodiversity Assessment
• Environmental DNA (eDNA)
• +12 more

Douglas Yu is a Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of East Anglia (UEA), where he also serves as Principal Investigator and Director of the Ecology, Conservation, and Environment Center (ECEC), a joint venture with the Kunming Institute of Zoology. He is a member of the Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation and the Organisms and the Environment research group. His research focuses on cooperation in ecological systems, particularly mutualisms between species and conservation as cooperation between humans and nature. Key methodologies include environmental DNA (eDNA), metabarcoding, and game theory. He co-founded NatureMetrics to commercialize biodiversity monitoring tools. His work spans tropical ecology, conservation genetics, and human-wildlife conflict resolution, notably in the Amazon. His recent research outputs highlight trends in molecular biodiversity assessment, landscape-scale eDNA analysis, and integrating remote sensing with ecological data. He leads multiple NERC-funded projects and industry collaborations focused on pollination services, cocoa sustainability, and statistical frameworks for eDNA. He is actively involved in scientific governance, serving on the NERC Biomolecular Analysis Facility Steering Committee and UKRI grant panels. He also contributes to public discourse through media appearances on topics like leech-based disease surveillance and bee conservation. He teaches courses in evolutionary biology, conservation genetics, and statistical modeling using R. He welcomes PhD and postdoctoral researchers, especially those interested in fieldwork in East Asia.

Catherine E. CostelloView profile

Professor

• Biopolymer Structural Studies
• Mass Spectrometry Method Development
• Glycobiology
• +3 more

Catherine E. Costello is the William Fairfield Warren Distinguished Professor and Director of the Center for Biomedical Mass Spectrometry Education at Boston University School of Medicine. She holds a PhD and MS from Georgetown University. Her research focuses on biopolymer structural studies and mass spectrometry method development, particularly in glycobiology. Her lab is an NIH-funded Resource Center advancing glycan characterization and structural analysis. Key research interests include carbohydrate conjugate analysis, glycoproteomics, and applications in disease mechanisms like cancer, infection, and immune response. Collaborations span institutions globally, addressing complex biomolecules and their roles in health and disease. Recent publications highlight advancements in glycoproteomic characterization, ion mobility spectrometry, and glycan identification. Awards include the distinguished professor title. Lab members include postdoctoral associates, research staff, and visiting scientists from institutions like MGH and Nutricia Research.

• Plant Biochemistry
• Specialized Metabolism
• Solanaceae Family
• +4 more

Cornelius Barry is an Associate Professor in the Department of Horticulture at Michigan State University, with affiliations to the Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology program, AgBioResearch, and the Molecular Plant Sciences Graduate Program. He joined MSU in July 2007 with a 75% research and 25% teaching appointment. Education: PhD and BSc from the University of Nottingham and University College of Wales Current roles: Director of NSF REU Site: Plant Genomics @ MSU His research focuses on the evolution of biochemical diversity within the Solanaceae family , particularly specialized metabolites like terpenoids, flavonoids, and alkaloids. He investigates their roles in plant defense, pollinator attraction, and human applications through genomics, metabolite profiling, and synthetic biology. Recent publications show expertise in alkaloid biosynthesis , trichome chemistry , and metabolic pathway engineering . Key collaborations include teams at Boyce Thompson Institute, Texas A&M, and University of Nottingham. He advises graduate students in Genetics , Biochemistry & Molecular Biology , and Molecular Plant Sciences programs.

Imraan FaruqueView profile

Associate Professor

• Biologically-Inspired Flight Control
• Engineered Aerial Autonomy
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
• +2 more

Imraan Faruque is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Oklahoma State University (OSU), part of the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology (CEAT). His research focuses on biologically-inspired flight control systems, engineered autonomy for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and the integration of sensory feedback mechanisms in autonomous systems. Education: Faruque holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland (2011 and 2010) and a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Virginia Tech (2006). Research Interests: His work emphasizes bio-inspired solutions for aerial autonomy, including swarm coordination, gust-aware flight control, and human-autonomy interaction. Key areas include unmanned systems design, visual feedback algorithms, and adaptive control strategies derived from insect flight dynamics. Awards: He has received notable accolades such as the ONR Young Investigator Award (2019), AIAA Hal Andrews Young Engineer/Scientist Award (2017), and multiple 'Best in Session' recognitions at major conferences. His team also secured 1st Place in the International Aerial Robotics Championship (2005). Publications: Faruque’s research spans topics like orbital debris management, swarm intelligence, and tornado sensing with UAVs. His work bridges biological principles and engineering, with applications in aerospace, robotics, and environmental monitoring.

Elizabeth ClareView profile

Associate Professor

• Environmental DNA
• Biodiversity Monitoring
• Response of Species to Habitat Change
• +4 more

Elizabeth Clare is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at York University, affiliated with the Faculty of Science. Her research focuses on developing novel technologies to monitor biodiversity and assess ecosystem responses to environmental change, particularly using environmental DNA (eDNA). She pioneered airborne DNA sampling to study terrestrial biodiversity at continental scales and has contributed to BIOSCAN, a global biodiversity program. Research Themes: Biodiversity monitoring, species interactions, environmental change resilience, bat biology, tropical ecosystems. Technological Innovations: Airborne eDNA, iDNA from leeches, and mobile lab sequencing in remote locations. Her work has been featured in Science , Nature , and media outlets like Wired and NPR . She teaches courses in evolution, ecology, and conservation biology, emphasizing critical thinking and applied research. Recent grants include NSERC and Genome Canada funding for airborne DNA projects. Clare collaborates globally, with fieldwork in Belize, South America, and Southeast Asia. Her lab's 'airDNA' technology has revolutionized biodiversity surveys, leveraging existing air-quality networks for ecological insights. She advises students on projects like urban bat ecology and BIOSCAN applications. Awards include election to the Royal Society of Canada (2023) and recognition for teaching innovations like the BioAudio podcast. Her lab also develops open-access tools, such as 3D-printable eDNA filters.

• Zoology
• Tardigrade Biology
• Anhydrobiosis
• +4 more

Lorena REBECCHI is a Full Professor in the Department of Life Sciences at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. Her research focuses on tardigrade biology, particularly their survival mechanisms under extreme conditions such as desiccation, temperature extremes, and radiation. She explores phylogenetic relationships, symbiotic microbiota, and evolutionary adaptations of these organisms. REBECCHI's work integrates morphological, molecular, and physiological approaches, contributing to understanding anhydrobiosis, stress responses, and tardigrade ecology. Key research areas include tardigrade phylogeny (e.g., resolving their position within Panarthropoda), environmental adaptations (e.g., thermal tolerance and acid resistance), and astrobiology applications (e.g., space flight experiments). She has described multiple new species and revised taxonomic classifications within Tardigrada. REBECCHI collaborates internationally, evidenced by conferences like the 2024 IADCI meeting hosted at her institution. Publications emphasize comparative transcriptomics, symbiont evolution, and the structural basis of tardigrade feeding mechanisms. Her lab's work on Antarctic tardigrades highlights climate change impacts and genetic diversity. REBECCHI's research has practical applications in biotechnology (e.g., space food systems) and environmental monitoring.

• Evolutionary Biology
• Genetics
• Zoology
• +9 more

Alfried Vogler is a Professor of Molecular Systematics with a joint appointment at Imperial College London's Department of Life Sciences (Silwood Park) and the Natural History Museum, London. His research focuses on the evolutionary and genetic mechanisms underlying insect biodiversity, particularly in beetles (Coleoptera), using advanced genomic techniques like metagenomics and environmental DNA (eDNA). He has held academic positions since 1995, becoming a Full Professor in 2006. Vogler is affiliated with the Georgina Mace Centre for the Living Planet, the Grantham Institute, and the Microbiome Network, contributing to interdisciplinary projects in ecology and conservation. Education: PhD in Bacterial Genetics (1988), University of Osnabrück, Germany MSc in Taxonomy and Biodiversity Biology degree (1984), University of Regensburg, Germany Research Interests: Vogler combines phylogenetics, population genomics, and bioinformatics to study species diversity across hierarchical levels (populations to insect orders). He explores community dynamics in complex environments, including tropical rainforests and soil ecosystems, using cutting-edge methods like metabarcoding and qPCR. His work emphasizes understanding trait evolution, dispersal constraints, and ecological interactions in biodiversity hotspots. Recent projects investigate the role of mitochondrial metagenomics in reconstructing evolutionary histories and predicting climate change impacts on communities. Academic Leadership: Since 1996, Vogler has directed the MSc in Taxonomy and Biodiversity and the MRes in Biosystematics programs, overseeing academic content and student research supervision. He also contributes to the Biodiversity, Evolution and Conservation MRes (UCL/NHM) and has been a module organizer for courses like Tree-of-Life and molecular systematics. Labs & Collaborations: Vogler leads the Molecular Systematics research group at the Natural History Museum, collaborating with Imperial College's Silwood Park campus. His work integrates with the SITE-100 project, aiming to build a global genomic framework for biodiversity synthesis. He also participates in DNAqua-Net, advancing genetic tools for aquatic ecosystem assessment.

• Food Safety
• Mycotoxin Contamination
• Circular Economy
• +3 more

Ine van der Fels-Klerx is an Associate Professor in Business Economics at Wageningen University & Research, with a focus on food safety and risk management. She is also a Programme and Account Management lead, overseeing interdisciplinary projects. Her work integrates economic analysis with food safety challenges, particularly addressing mycotoxin contamination, climate change impacts, and circular economy solutions. Key collaborations include projects on early warning systems for mycotoxins and cost-effective monitoring strategies for contaminants in food supply chains. Her research spans topics such as alternative protein sources, insect-based feed production, and resilient supply chain designs. Notable projects include developing decision support tools for risk-based monitoring and assessing the economic feasibility of food safety interventions. She has advised multiple PhD candidates, including those studying mycotoxin management in maize and climate change effects on aflatoxins. Media contributions highlight her expertise in food safety, including interviews on predicting grain contamination and smart monitoring techniques. She actively participates in workshops and conferences, discussing digitalization in food systems and the role of artificial intelligence in food safety prevention.