Arti Singh is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agronomy at Iowa State University. Her research focuses on plant breeding, soybean diseases, genomics, and phenomics, with a strong emphasis on integrating artificial intelligence and high-throughput technologies into agricultural systems. She leads projects involving AI-driven disease identification, precision agriculture, and crop improvement strategies. Her expertise includes developing machine learning models for real-time weed and insect classification (e.g., WeedNet and InsectNet), deploying drones and ground robots for crop phenotyping, and leveraging genomic data to map traits like flowering time and disease resistance in legumes. Singh collaborates on initiatives like the AIIRA Institute for Resilient Agriculture and the BioTrove biodiversity dataset. Singh’s work spans plant stress phenotyping, digital twin technologies for plant sciences, and multi-sensor phenotyping for early disease detection. Her research bridges computational methods with traditional agronomy, aiming to enhance crop resilience and sustainability in the face of environmental challenges. Her recent projects include optimizing robotic navigation for precision agriculture, improving soybean yield estimation via video analysis, and dissecting genetic architectures of traits in mungbean and soybean using GWAS and genomic tools. She actively contributes to conferences and publishes in high-impact journals, advancing both foundational and applied aspects of agricultural science.
Jennifer S. Thaler is a Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Cornell University, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis (1999) and a B.A. from Wellesley College (1993). Her research focuses on tri-trophic interactions between plants, herbivores, and predators, with an emphasis on chemical ecology, plant defense mechanisms, and pest control strategies. She teaches courses such as Chemical Ecology and Insect Ecology, and her work bridges fundamental ecological theory with applied agricultural challenges. Dr. Thaler’s research investigates how plant traits, predator presence, and nutritional states influence herbivore behavior and population dynamics. Notable projects include studying non-consumptive predator effects, plant genotypic diversity’s impact on herbivores, and the evolutionary potential of antipredator plasticity. Her publications span journals like Ecology , Oecologia , and Proceedings of the Royal Society B . Her scientific contributions include winning the 2nd place Elton Prize (2015) for research on predator effects on aphids. She actively engages in departmental initiatives, including the Graduate Program and the Plant-Insect Interactions Seminar. Affiliated with the Cornell Stable Isotope Laboratory, she contributes to interdisciplinary efforts in ecological research and education.
Mark Lewis is the Kennedy Chair in Mathematical Biology at the University of Victoria, holding joint appointments in the Departments of Mathematics and Statistics and Biology. His research focuses on spatial ecology and mathematical modeling, addressing ecological challenges such as animal movement, invasive species, and disease dynamics. Lewis earned his D.Phil. in Mathematical Biology from the University of Oxford and has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society UK. His work integrates mathematical analysis, field studies, and interdisciplinary approaches to solve ecological problems. Current projects include modeling polar bear populations, cyanobacteria dynamics, and the impact of climate change on wildlife. Lewis supervises students across both UVic and his former University of Alberta lab. Education: D.Phil. in Mathematics (Mathematical Biology), University of Oxford Awards: Royal Society Fellowship, CRM-Fields-PIMS Prize, and Okubo Prize Key Research Areas: Animal movement modeling, aquatic ecology, wildlife disease, and invasive species management Publications highlight his contributions to understanding disease spread, parasite dynamics, and ecological responses to environmental changes. Lewis collaborates widely, applying mathematical tools to real-world conservation and health challenges.
Nicolas Mathevon is a Professor at the University of Saint-Etienne, with a focus on Animal Behavior and Bioacoustics . He currently serves as Director of Studies at Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes and leads the ENES Team . His research explores acoustic communication across diverse species, including crocodiles, seals, penguins, and humans, with particular emphasis on vocal recognition, signal evolution, and neurobiological underpinnings. Major collaborations include Dr. T. Aubin (CNRS), Dr. I. Charrier (marine mammals), Dr. N. Grimault (crocodilian bioacoustics), and Prof. D. Reby (human communication). He also co-edits a new book, The Voices of Nature , published by Princeton University Press. His recent work spans ecoacoustic monitoring for conservation, multi-modal communication in crocodiles, and cross-species analysis of distress signals in bonobos, chimps, and humans. Neurobiological studies include brain activation patterns in response to vocalizations and sound localization mechanisms in reptiles. Scientific Awards include senior membership in the Institut universitaire de France .
Dr. Gary Brewer is a Professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with a 60% research and 40% teaching appointment. He has served as department head at NDSU (1997-2006) and UNL (2006-2018). His research focuses on field crops entomology, IPM of pasture cattle flies, salt creek tiger beetle conservation, and pollinator health. He has pioneered a push-pull strategy using coconut oil-derived repellents and led curriculum design for Rwanda’s Conservation Agriculture program. Education: B.S. in Zoology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (1974) M.S. in Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (1978) Ph.D. in Entomology, Kansas State University (1984) Research Interests: Brewer’s work spans insect ecology, pest management, and conservation. Key areas include stable fly and horn fly control, pollinator protection, and endangered species recovery (e.g., Salt Creek tiger beetle). His lab develops natural product-based pest repellents and evaluates biopesticides for sustainable agriculture. Grants & Contributions: $362,150 USDA grant for undergraduate research in beneficial insect protection (2018) $325,000 USDA grant for multi-tactic stable fly control (2017) NE Game and Parks funded salt creek tiger beetle reintroduction programs Labs & Teams: Brewer’s team collaborates with industry (e.g., Vestergaard Frandsen) and international partners to advance IPM strategies. His work bridges field research with applied solutions for farmers and conservationists.
Dr. Matthew Brookhouse is a Senior Lecturer at the Fenner School of Environment & Society, part of the Australian National University's Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions. With a PhD in Dendroclimatology from ANU, he specializes in using forest structural complexity and tree-ring analysis to understand climate interactions and ecological responses in Australian subalpine environments. Research Focus: Sub-alpine ecology, Dendrochronology, CO2 responsiveness in eucalypt species Teaching: First-year research methods with emphasis on statistical application, advanced modeling and field botany Projects: Leading collaborative snow-gum dieback research and dendrochronological monitoring initiatives His publications span 2006-2025 with recent emphasis on machine learning applications for forest monitoring, tropical tree-ring chronologies for climate change, and climate sensitivity in Australian alpine ecosystems. Key collaborations include institutions like Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation and University of Canberra researchers. Current projects focus on snow-gum woodland dieback mechanisms, high-resolution dendrometric monitoring, and integrating dendrochronology with environmental policy frameworks. He maintains active supervision of research students and contributes to both undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum development.
Dr. Jonathan Lenoir is a CNRS Researcher at the Ecology and Dynamics of Anthropized Systems (EDYSAN) laboratory, University of Picardie Jules Verne , France. His work bridges Ecology and Biostatistics , focusing on ecological dynamics under spatial and temporal global changes, particularly biotic responses to climate change. His research spans broad-scale biodiversity patterns, species distribution modeling, and microclimate ecology, with special attention to forest systems. Dr. Lenoir leads and contributes to multiple research projects including MaCCMic (Impact of forest Management and Climate Change on understory Microclimate) and IMPRINT (Impacts of Microclimatic Processes on forest Biodiversity redistribution under macroclimaTe warming). These projects utilize advanced technologies like LiDAR and microclimate sensors to model understory temperature dynamics and predict biodiversity responses to climate change. His recent publications analyze microclimate buffering in forests ( 2024 ), species thermophilization ( 2024 ), and the application of deep learning to habitat identification ( 2024 ). His work also explores interdisciplinary connections like eco-oncology , comparing invasion dynamics in ecology and medicine. Dr. Lenoir actively mentors researchers and supervises fieldwork campaigns, emphasizing rigorous data collection ( 180 monitoring plots across French forests ) and advanced statistical analyses in R . He collaborates with European institutions and participates in large-scale initiatives like ReSurveyEurope , a database of resurveyed vegetation plots.
Michael Z. Levy is a Professor of Epidemiology in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. He co-directs the University of Pennsylvania/Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia Zoonotic Disease Research Laboratory in Arequipa, Peru, and holds secondary affiliations with the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Center for Public Health Initiatives, History and Sociology of Science, and Latin American and Latinx Studies. His research spans interdisciplinary domains including vector-borne diseases, computational biology, urban ecology, and social justice. Education: B.A. in Philosophy and Biology from Amherst College (1998), PhD in Population Biology, Ecology, and Evolution from Emory University (2007). Levy's work focuses on urban zoonotic diseases , particularly Chagas disease and canine rabies , integrating ecology, epidemiology, and computational methods. He investigates how insect vectors interact with social systems, housing policies, and climate change, extending to pandemic modeling during the Covid-19 crisis. His research group (28 members) collaborates with Peruvian Ministry of Health to control Chagas and rabies outbreaks in Arequipa. Notable contributions include novel geospatial surveillance models , behavioral economics applications for vector control, and bed bug epidemiology linking infestations to public health challenges. Recent publications highlight 2025-2024 trends in Chagas vector dynamics , zoonotic rabies control , vaccine strategies , and genomic outbreak analysis , emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to urban disease ecology. He has participated in cluster randomized trials and behavioral design studies to improve community engagement in vector control campaigns in Peru, focusing on incentive mechanisms and surveillance equity . The Zoonotic Disease Research Lab in Arequipa employs interdisciplinary methods combining biological research , social science , and computational modeling to address urban disease transmission.
Brian Leung is an Associate Professor at McGill University, jointly affiliated with the Department of Biology and the Bieler School of the Environment . He holds the prestigious UNESCO Chair for Dialogues on Sustainability and serves as Director of the McGill Neotropical Environment Option (NEO) , a collaborative program with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. His work bridges ecological theory, computational modeling, and environmental policy. Dr. Leung earned his PhD in Biology from Carleton University and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Cambridge and the University of Notre Dame. His academic journey at McGill began in 2004 as an Assistant Professor, advancing to Associate Professor in 2010. His research centers on predictive ecology , particularly modeling biological invasions and sustainability challenges . He develops and applies mathematical, statistical, and computational models to understand invasion dynamics across terrestrial, aquatic, and marine systems. His recent work includes the Panama Research and Integrated Sustainability Model (PRISM) , a spatially explicit framework for sustainability science in the Global South. His research spans scales from local to global and integrates ecological, economic, and social factors. His recent publications show a strong focus on invasion risk assessment , species distribution modeling , economic costs of invasions , and ecological forecasting . He frequently publishes in top journals such as Nature , Ecology Letters , and Global Ecology and Biogeography , emphasizing data-driven decision-making and policy relevance. Dr. Leung has received significant recognition through invitations to contribute to major reports and has co-edited influential works on invasive species economics. While specific named awards are not listed, his leadership roles and publication record reflect high scientific esteem. He actively mentors a dynamic research group, supervising multiple Ph.D. and M.Sc. students on projects related to invasion modeling, mangrove conservation, forest pest dynamics, and urban ecology. His lab emphasizes quantitative skills and interdisciplinary collaboration. He has secured research funding to support these projects, though specific grants are not detailed in the text. He leads the Leung Lab , which focuses on predictive modeling in ecology and sustainability. The lab collaborates with institutions such as the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and environmental firms like Habitat. Current projects include multi-species connectivity modeling, mangrove ecosystem services, and forecasting forest pest outbreaks.
Jenny Kao-Kniffin is a Professor in the Horticulture Section of the School of Integrative Plant Science at Cornell University. Her research focuses on the belowground ecology of horticultural landscapes, particularly the ecology and management of invasive plants and weeds in horticultural landscapes, wetlands, and urban ecosystems. She applies concepts from microbial ecology to understand how soil microorganisms impact plant populations both beneficially (aiding in plant growth and fitness) and negatively (keeping populations in check). Dr. Kao-Kniffin's research interests include: Weed science and ecological management of weeds Urban ecology and urban agriculture Rhizosphere biology and plant-microbe interactions Soil microbiome selection and manipulation Ecological approaches to sustainable agriculture Her work centers on three main research areas: selection of rhizosphere microbiomes that modulate plant traits, identifying functional roles of microbiomes that mediate plant growth, and assembly of plant-microbial communities that enhance ecosystem services. She has demonstrated that microbiomes can be manipulated to alter flowering time in plants and has developed ecological approaches for weed management through soil carbon amendments. Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on urban soil microbiomes, nitrogen cycling in agroecosystems, and the application of microbial ecology to sustainable agriculture. The research spans from fundamental plant-microbe interaction studies to practical applications in urban agriculture and weed management, with particular emphasis on how soil amendments and microbial communities can be leveraged for ecological management of plant systems. Notable scientific achievements include: The White House Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), 2019 Weihenstephan Science Award, International Collaboration for Early Career Scientists 2017 Cornell University CALS Award for Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Students in Independent Research 2013 Dr. Kao-Kniffin actively mentors graduate students and has developed extension programs focused on assisting public and private audiences with methods to manage weedy and invasive plants in horticultural landscapes. Her lab has developed a web-based software program that allows users to select weed management methods based on conventional or organic preferences. She teaches PLSCI 4900: Reflection on Plant Sciences Experiential Learning and maintains an active research program with several ongoing projects in urban agriculture, particularly working with New York City farmers to construct clean soil from local materials.
Nick Haddad is a Professor of Integrative Biology at Michigan State University and serves as the Director of the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) site at Kellogg Biological Station. His research focuses on ecological experimentation, particularly examining how habitat loss and fragmentation impact biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. He specializes in reversing these negative effects through landscape connectivity strategies and diversified working landscapes, with a strong emphasis on insect conservation, including critically endangered butterfly species. Role: Professor, Integrative Biology Directorship: KBS LTER Site Location: 322 Kellogg Biological Station Email: haddadn3@msu.edu Haddad's research spans habitat fragmentation, biodiversity conservation, climate change impacts, and agricultural sustainability. His lab conducts large-scale experiments like the Corridor Project and studies rare butterflies (e.g., St. Francis’ satyr, Miami blue) to understand extinction risks and recovery strategies. Recent work explores pesticide effects, prairie restoration, and long-term ecological trends. The 15 most recent publications highlight habitat fragmentation's ecological impacts, climate-driven phenological shifts, and innovative conservation approaches. Key themes include biodiversity monitoring, pesticide-driven declines, prairie restoration for pollinators, and climate adaptation strategies. His work leverages long-term datasets (e.g., 40-year LTER) and integrates theory with applied conservation. Lab activities include mentoring undergraduate and graduate students at KBS, leading the Haddad Lab, and collaborating on projects like the KBS-LTER and SRS Corridor initiatives. Research spans both terrestrial and agroecosystems, emphasizing actionable solutions for conservation and sustainable land use.
Andrew Gersick is a Lecturer in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Princeton University. His research focuses on animal behavior, particularly in large social species such as spotted hyenas, zebras, and cowbirds. He explores topics including collective behavior, social dynamics, communication systems, and ecological adaptations. His work integrates field studies with technological tools like accelerometers to analyze activity patterns and signaling mechanisms. Notably, he investigates how zebra stripes repel biting flies and how hyenas use vocalizations for individual recognition. Gersick also contributes to conservation efforts, such as the Great Grevy’s Rally in Kenya, and studies social learning in avian species like cowbirds. His recent articles highlight interdisciplinary approaches, combining ecology, physiology, and technology to understand animal behavior in natural and social contexts. While no awards are explicitly listed, his contributions to understanding collective behavior and conservation biology are significant. Advising and grants: No formal advisees or grant details are provided in the text. His work appears to focus on collaborative research and field-based methodologies. Labs/Teams: No specific laboratory or team affiliations are mentioned beyond his departmental role at Princeton.
Bryan Brown is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the School of Integrative Plant Science , Horticulture Section , and an Integrated Weed Management Specialist with Cornell Integrated Pest Management . His work focuses on minimizing agricultural and environmental risks through innovative weed control strategies. Ph.D., University of Maine, 2017 B.A., Colby College, 2009 Dr. Brown’s research emphasizes integrated weed management informed by weed species biology, including weed seedbank dynamics and culturally appropriate extension . His projects explore ecologically-based solutions like stacked cultivation, electrical weed control, and cover cropping to address herbicide resistance and labor shortages. He also investigates the interplay between weed management and soil health or economic viability in organic and conventional systems. Dr. Brown’s extension efforts prioritize farmer collaboration through on-farm demonstrations , educational media , and slow-motion analysis of cultivation tools. His outreach includes addressing glyphosate-resistant waterhemp in New York State and clarifying public health risks through the Into the Weeds podcast.
Philippe Christe is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Lausanne (UNIL), Faculty of Biology and Medicine. His research centers on host-parasite interactions, with a focus on bats, birds, and their ectoparasites, integrating behavioral, physiological, and genetic approaches. He leads the Christe Group, which investigates evolutionary and ecological dynamics in host-parasite systems, particularly avian malaria and bat-mite relationships. He is actively involved in conservation initiatives, including the Jorat Peri-Urban Nature Park, and collaborates with KORA on human-wildlife interactions. Bachelor's degree in biology, UNIL (1989) PhD in Zoology and Animal Ecology, UNIL (1994) Philippe Christe’s research interests lie at the intersection of parasitology, evolutionary ecology, and conservation biology. He investigates how host defenses evolve in response to parasitic pressures, examining trade-offs between immunity and life history traits such as reproduction and survival. His work often integrates field studies with experimental and molecular techniques. Key model systems include Parus major (great tit) and Culex pipiens in avian malaria, and bat species with their ectoparasitic mites. He also explores broader ecological interactions, including predator-prey dynamics and wildlife conservation in human-modified landscapes. His recent publications reflect a strong emphasis on disease ecology, wildlife conservation, and molecular methods. Articles span topics such as avian malaria transmission, lynx population dynamics, snow leopard behavior, and habitat fragmentation effects on insects. These works employ advanced techniques like DNA metabarcoding, spatial modeling, and long-term monitoring, demonstrating a trend toward interdisciplinary, data-driven ecological research with direct conservation applications. Dubois Foundation Prize for an educational CD-Rom on bats (2004) Communication Award from the Faculty of Biology and Medicine of UNIL (2017) Philippe Christe has supervised numerous PhD and Master’s students, contributing significantly to training the next generation of ecologists and evolutionary biologists. His group collaborates widely with institutions such as the Museum of Zoology in Lausanne and KORA, and participates in large-scale conservation projects involving snow leopards, lynx, and bats. He has been involved in research grants related to host-parasite coevolution, wildlife monitoring, and conservation strategies. His leadership in establishing the Jorat Peri-Urban Nature Park and involvement in the UNIL Interdisciplinary Center for Mountain Research highlight his commitment to applied science and environmental stewardship. He leads the Christe Group, which conducts research on host-parasite coevolution, with a focus on bats and their ectoparasites, and birds affected by avian malaria. The group combines fieldwork, laboratory experiments, and molecular analyses, and includes post-docs, PhD students, and technical staff. Collaborations extend to researchers in Bern, Paris, and Spain, fostering an international and interdisciplinary research environment.
Ana Maria Velez is an Associate Professor at the Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her research focuses on insect responses to chemical stressors, particularly RNA interference (RNAi) and Bt toxins for pest management. With a 80% research and 20% teaching appointment, she leads the Insect Toxicology Lab and teaches courses like 'Toxins in the Environment' and 'Insecticide Toxicology.' Education: Ph.D. in Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2013 M.S. in Entomology, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, 2009 B.S. in Biology, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Colombia, 2006 Her research spans molecular, organismal, and population levels to evaluate transgenic crops and RNAi technologies. Key areas include resistance mechanisms, non-target effects, and risk assessment frameworks. She has extensive publications on western corn rootworm and fall armyworm, emphasizing sustainable pest control. Her work also addresses sublethal impacts on non-target species like monarch butterflies and honeybees. Recent articles highlight RNAi delivery optimization, Bt resistance dynamics, and ecological impacts of insecticides. Her lab collaborates on patents for RNAi-based pest suppression methods targeting chromatin remodeling and developmental genes. Scientific Awards Distinguished Multicultural Alumni (2019) DuPont Young Professor Award (2016) International Congress of Entomology Travel Awards (2016) Widaman Trust Distinguished Graduate Assistant (2011) Milton E. Mohr Teaching Fellowship (2012) The Vélez Arango Lab investigates durability and safety of insect control technologies, with emphasis on RNAi and Bt crops. Their work informs integrated pest management (IPM) systems and regulatory frameworks.
