Find Academic Supervisors

Reto NyffelerView profile

Associate Professor

• Plant systematics
• Biogeography
• Phylogenetics
• +7 more

Reto Nyffeler , PD Dr., has been Lecturer and Curator of Phanerogams at the University of Zurich since 2002. He leads the Institute of Systematic Botany’s herbarium activities and heads the Nyffeler research group, collaborating closely with the Sukkulenten-Sammlung Zürich. Education & Career Diploma in Systematic Botany, University of Zurich (1988-1991) Ph.D., Institute of Systematic Botany, University of Zurich (1994-1997) Post-doctoral researcher & Mercer Fellow, Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University (1997-2000) Post-doctoral researcher, Stanford University (2000-2001) Lecturer and Herbarium Curator, University of Zurich (2002-present) Research Focus Nyffeler’s work integrates plant systematics, biogeography, and phylogenetic methodology. Empirically, he concentrates on the diversification of succulent plants—especially Cactaceae—using molecular phylogenetics to untangle taxonomy, growth-form evolution, and biogeographic history. Parallel interests include the floristics of alpine regions and the systematics of Campanulaceae, Asteraceae, and Ranunculaceae. Across dozens of peer-reviewed papers (2010-2025) he has advanced family-wide phylogenies for Cactaceae and Caryophyllales, documented repeated succulent radiations, and created online taxonomic backbones such as Caryophyllales.org . His current projects combine next-generation sequencing with classical morphology to revise genera like Parodia and to understand adaptation in high-altitude Callianthemum . Students & Mentoring PhD advisee: Anita Lendel (systematics of Trichocereeae) Master advisees: 16 students (2006-2018) working on alpine ecology, cactus morphology, and floristic change Research Group & Collaborations The Nyffeler group comprises a scientific assistant (Dr. Heike Hofmann), technical and IT staff, and rotating Master students. The team maintains close collaborations with the Sukkulenten-Sammlung Zürich, Harvard’s Arnold Arboretum (Mercer Fellowship network), and multiple international cactus specialists.

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.

Derek J. TaylorView profile

Professor

• Evolutionary Biology
• Molecular Evolution
• Genetics
• +4 more

Derek J. Taylor is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University at Buffalo (College of Arts and Sciences), specializing in evolutionary biology and molecular evolution. His research focuses on the evolutionary genetics of aquatic invertebrates, particularly cladocerans (e.g., Daphnia species), and integrates molecular, genomic, and phylogenetic approaches to study speciation, hybridization, species introductions, and paleovirology. He leads the Taylor Lab, which explores topics such as viral evolution in insects and microbats, and the evolutionary history of freshwater crustaceans. Education: PhD in Biology from the University of Guelph, followed by postdoctoral research at the University of Michigan. Research Interests: Molecular evolution of species complexes, host-virus coevolution, phylogeography, and the evolutionary maintenance of viral genes in host genomes. His work bridges genetics, ecology, and systematics to address questions in evolutionary biology. Key contributions include studies on filovirus evolution in bats, the phylogenetics of Daphnia species, and the origins of biodiversity in Holarctic freshwater ecosystems. His lab’s findings have been published in journals like Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , Virus Evolution , and Ecography . Contact: Hochstetter Hall H530, Buffalo, NY | Office Hours: Thursdays 2:00–4:00 PM.

• Evolutionary Biology
• Plant Biology
• Genetics
• +3 more

Professor Vincent Savolainen is a Professor of Organismic Biology at Imperial College London's Department of Life Sciences (Silwood Park Campus), part of the Faculty of Natural Sciences. He serves as Director of the Georgina Mace Centre for the Living Planet, focusing on interdisciplinary environmental challenges. Previously, he was Deputy Head of the Department of Life Sciences (2013–2016) and Deputy Head of Molecular Systematics at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (2007–2016). His research integrates field ecology, molecular phylogenetics, and population genomics to address biodiversity preservation, evolutionary biology, and societal challenges like pandemic monitoring. Key areas include ecological speciation in palms, same-sex behavior in animals, and zoonotic disease surveillance in bats. He has pioneered environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques for biodiversity assessment and led studies on the genetic basis of traits like sexual orientation in primates. Professor Savolainen holds prestigious awards, including the Linnean Society’s Bicentenary Medal (2006), European Research Council Advanced Grant (2008), and Coincy Medal for Botany (2014). He sits on UK Natural Environment Research Council panels and Royal Society committees. His group includes researchers like Dr Marco Balducci and Dr Louis Bell-Roberts, and collaborates with institutions like the Zoological Society of London and Royal Society of Biology. Current projects explore plant-insect coevolution, conservation genetics of deer species, and the evolution of endothermy in fish.

• 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.

• Palaeobiology
• Palaeoecology
• Vertebrate Palaeontology
• +3 more

Grzegorz Niedzwiedzki is a Researcher at Uppsala University's Department of Organismal Biology, specializing in vertebrate palaeontology and early tetrapod evolution. He holds a PhD from the University of Warsaw (2013) and has conducted expeditions across Poland, Russia, Tunisia, Greenland, and Sweden. His research focuses on Triassic-Jurassic vertebrate ecosystems, coprolite analysis, and early dinosaur evolution. Education: PhD in Biology (2013), University of Warsaw Master's in Biology (2007), University of Warsaw Bachelor's in Biology (2004), University of Warsaw Research Interests: Grzegorz's work analyzes fossilized footprints, coprolites, and skeletal remains to reconstruct ancient ecosystems. He has pioneered studies on Early Triassic predator ecosystems via coprolites and contributed to understanding dinosaur dietary habits through coprolite microbiota analysis. His fieldwork has uncovered critical fossils like the archosaur Smok wawelski and Early Jurassic dinosaur tracks. Key Achievements: Recipient of multiple prestigious awards (National Geographic grants, Prime Minister's Special Award) Over 100 peer-reviewed publications in journals like Nature , Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology , and Acta Palaeontologica Polonica Co-discoverer of the oldest known mammaliaform fossil in Greenland Grants & Collaborations: Multiple international expeditions funded by Polish and Swedish institutions Collaborations with the American Museum of Natural History and Uppsala University Labs/Teams: Affiliated with Uppsala University's Evolution and Development research group and collaborates globally on fossil expeditions and synchrotron imaging projects.

Kei ItoView profile

Professor

• Neuroscience
• Drosophila Brain Architecture
• Glial Cell Biology
• +4 more

Prof. Dr. Kei Ito is a leading neuroscientist at the University of Cologne , specializing in Drosophila melanogaster brain architecture. His research focuses on mapping " terra incognita " regions of the brain, analyzing glial cell functions across development, and establishing standardized insect brain nomenclature through international collaboration. As AXA Chairholder and former HHMI Senior Fellow , he combines molecular genetics with 3D virtual reality visualization to unravel neuronal network organization . Academic Affiliation : University of Cologne (2016–present) Prior Positions : The University of Tokyo (2002–2017), National Institute for Basic Biology (1998–2002) Research Interests span multiple domains: "Terra Incognita" Analysis : Systematic mapping of previously uncharacterized brain regions (70% of brain volume) Glial Cell Biology : Classification and functional analysis from embryo to adult Connectome Research : Integration of electron microscopy data with genetic tools Neuronal Lineage Studies : 3D reconstruction of neuroblast progeny patterns Scientific Contributions include: Creation of 4,500 NP Gal4 driver lines (Japan consortium, 1998) Pioneering Split-Gal4 systems for precise neuron labeling Establishment of 6 distinct neuron naming schemes for EM data Leadership in Insect Brain Name Working Group (2007–2014) Advising Legacy features direct mentorship of 6 doctoral students and collaborative analysis of 3,777 neuron types in EM datasets. His lab maintains 1,000+ specific Split-Gal4 lines for terra incognita research.

Ellen CurranoView profile

Professor

• Paleobotany
• Paleoecology
• Paleoclimatology
• +2 more

Ellen Currano is Professor of Paleobotany in the Department of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Wyoming. Her research integrates fossil plants, insect herbivory, and paleoenvironmental proxies to understand how ancient forest ecosystems responded to climate perturbations, with field projects spanning Wyoming’s Paleogene strata and East Africa’s Miocene basins. She teaches courses in paleobotany, paleoecology, and paleoclimatology and is co-founder of The Bearded Lady Project , a science-outreach documentary initiative. Education Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University, 2008 B.S., University of Chicago, 2003 Research Interests Currano’s work centers on reconstructing ancient forest ecosystems using fossil plants and their insect-mediated damage. She investigates how taxonomic diversity, ecosystem structure, plant–insect interactions, and biogeographic patterns shifted during past global warming events. Her current projects include: Biotic responses to Paleogene hothouse climates across the Western US, especially Wyoming. Evolution of East African terrestrial ecosystems over the last 30 million years. Fossil-plant proxies for paleoclimate and paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Scientific Awards Paleontological Society Medal, 2021 Teaching & Mentoring Currano emphasizes active, process-based learning and critical thinking in her courses on paleobotany, paleoecology, and paleoclimatology. Leveraging Wyoming’s world-class fossil exposures, she mentors both undergraduate and graduate students in independent research. Outreach & Leadership She co-founded The Bearded Lady Project: Challenging the Face of Science , a documentary film and photography campaign that confronts stereotypes surrounding women in field sciences.

Michael L. MadiganView profile

Professor

• Human Factors Engineering
• Ergonomics
• Occupational Biomechanics
• +6 more

Michael L. Madigan is a Professor in the Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech. His research focuses on human factors engineering, biomechanics, and ergonomics, particularly addressing issues related to slips, trips, falls, and musculoskeletal disorders. He leads the Madigan Biomechanics Group, which investigates the biomechanics of human motion and neuromuscular control to enhance occupational safety and elderly health. Education: Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2001 M.S., Bioengineering, Texas A&M University, 1996 B.S., Bioengineering, Texas A&M University, 1994 Research Interests: Obesity’s impact on mobility, aging-related biomechanics, workplace ergonomics, and biomechanical interventions for fall prevention. His work combines experimental and computational methods to develop preventive measures like exercise interventions and ergonomic designs. Professional Roles: Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Applied Biomechanics (2017–present) Formerly Editor, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise (2013–2017) Secretary, American Society of Biomechanics (2009–2012) Awards: Kevin P. Granata Faculty Fellow (2013–2014) Virginia Tech College of Engineering Certificate of Teaching Excellence (2014) Finalist for International Society of Biomechanics Clinical Award (2005) Advising & Grants: Advised over 20 doctoral and undergraduate students since 2007. His grants support studies on obesity-related falls, exoskeleton design, and biomechanical modeling. Collaborates with the Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences. Labs/Teams: Director of the Madigan Biomechanics Group and core member of the Occupational Ergonomics and Biomechanics Laboratories. Active in developing smart prosthetics and wearable technologies for injury prevention.

Niklas WahlbergView profile

Professor

• Lepidoptera Evolution
• Molecular Systematics
• Biogeography
• +5 more

Niklas Wahlberg is a Professor in Biological Systematics at Lund University, Sweden. He holds roles including Museum Director of the Biological Museum and Principal Investigator in the BECC biodiversity initiative. His primary affiliation is with the Department of Biology, focusing on evolutionary biology and systematics of Lepidoptera. Education & Career: PhD in Evolutionary Biology from University of Helsinki (2000) Postdoc at Stockholm University (2000–2002) Academy Research Fellowship at University of Turku (2006–2011) Professor in Genetics at Turku (2014) before moving to Lund in 2015 Research Interests: His work centers on the evolutionary history of Lepidoptera, particularly diversification patterns linked to angiosperm evolution and mass extinction events. He employs molecular systematic methods, next-gen sequencing, and museum specimens to study clade origins and biogeography. Key topics include Cretaceous diversification, post-mass extinction radiation, and genomic discordance in butterflies. Awards & Recognition: Web of Science Highly Cited Researcher (2017, 2018) Elected to Kungliga Fysiografiska Sällskapet (2016) Grants & Projects: Swedish Research Council: Testing gene-trait associations in genome modifications (2025–2029) Infrastructure leader for museum collections and holistic specimen projects Labs & Collaborations: Head of the Systematic Biology Group at Lund, managing the Biological Museum’s collections. Active in global entomology networks and co-organizes major conferences like the International Congress of Entomology.

• Evolutionary Biology
• Entomology
• Beetle Systematics
• +4 more

Stylianos Chatzimanolis is a Professor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC), holding the Lewis and Robert Collins Professorship. He specializes in evolutionary biology and entomology, focusing on the systematics and biodiversity of rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae). His research includes species discovery, phylogenetic studies, and the evolution of myrmecophily in beetles. He actively contributes to the documentation of beetle fauna in the Tennessee Valley region. Dr. Chatzimanolis teaches courses in Entomology, Evolution, Invertebrate Zoology, Parasitology, and Systematics. He serves as an Associate Editor for the Biodiversity Data Journal and The Coleopterists Bulletin , and holds roles in UTC's Honor Court and Student Conduct Board. His work bridges systematics, molecular biology, and morphological analysis, addressing both taxonomic and broader evolutionary questions. Education: PhD in Entomology from the University of Kansas (2004), BS in Biology from the University of Crete (1999). Research emphasizes hyperdiverse beetle groups, fossil insects, and conservation of understudied taxa. He leads projects on Xanthopygina subtribe revisions and Tennessee Valley biodiversity surveys.

Pasi SihvonenView profile

Adjunct Professor

• Systematics
• Biodiversity
• Taxonomy
• +7 more

Dr. Pasi Sihvonen serves as Docent in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Helsinki, where he also holds the position of Director of the Zoology Unit at the Finnish Museum of Natural History. He supervises doctoral students in the Wildlife Biology Doctoral Programme and has directed numerous international research projects focused on geometrid moth systematics. His work combines molecular and morphological approaches to study one of the most diverse insect groups globally. Dr. Sihvonen's research focuses on the systematics and biodiversity of geometrid moths (Geometridae), a megadiverse insect radiation comprising approximately 24,000 species worldwide. His work emphasizes large-scale international collaborations that integrate molecular data with morphological analysis to understand evolutionary patterns. He is particularly known for his contributions to the landmark monograph series "Geometrid Moths of Europe" and advocates for digitization of natural history collections to provide open access to biodiversity data. His recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on geometrid moth taxonomy, phylogenetics, and biogeography, with increasing incorporation of advanced technologies like micro-CT scanning for integrative taxonomy. His research spans diverse geographical regions including Europe, Africa, and South America, revealing patterns of diversification and adaptation across this globally distributed moth family. Dr. Sihvonen has received several prestigious awards recognizing his contributions to lepidopterology and taxonomy: Publication of the Year from the Lepidopterists' Society of Africa (2014) Lepidopterist of the Year in Finland from the Lepidopterological Society of Finland (2004, 2015) Risto Tuomikoski Prize for Taxonomist of the Year in Finland (2007) As a supervisor in the Doctoral Programme in Wildlife Biology, Dr. Sihvonen guides the next generation of taxonomists and evolutionary biologists. His grant portfolio includes significant international projects such as SYNTHESYS+ (2019-2023), BioMonitor4CAP (2022-2026), and BGE Europe (2024-2025), demonstrating his leadership in biodiversity research and monitoring initiatives across Europe. Dr. Sihvonen leads research teams at the Finnish Museum of Natural History's Zoology Unit, which maintains extensive insect collections that serve as critical resources for biodiversity research. His current projects focus on advanced biodiversity monitoring, pollinator conservation, and developing genomic resources for Finnish arthropods, positioning his work at the intersection of traditional taxonomy and modern conservation science.

Ruan ElliottView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Nutritional Metabolism
• DNA Damage and Repair
• Nutrigenomics
• +4 more

Dr Ruan Elliott is Dean of the Doctoral College and Senior Lecturer in Nutrition at the University of Surrey's School of Biosciences. He holds a PhD in Nutritional Metabolism (2017) and BA in Natural Sciences from Cambridge (1988). His research focuses on nutritional modulation of DNA repair mechanisms, functional genomics in nutrigenomics, and micronutrient homeostasis of iron, copper, selenium, and zinc. He has led studies on vitamin D efficacy, food bioavailability, and oxidative stress biomarkers. Education: PhD (University of Surrey, 1992), BA (University of Cambridge, 1988) Previous Roles: Senior Scientist (Institute of Food Research, 1994-2009), Postdoctoral Fellow (University of British Columbia, 1992-1994) His research integrates molecular biology and nutrition to address health impacts of dietary components. Recent work explores oat-based milk alternatives' sensory profiles, vitamin D supplementation efficacy, and DNA repair pathways in cardiovascular disease. He collaborates internationally on projects like the D2-D3 Study and NuGO initiatives. Publications emphasize translational research, including systematic reviews on insect protein efficacy and meta-analyses of vitamin D supplementation. His work bridges lab-based models (e.g., Caco-2 cells for iron studies) and clinical applications. No scientific awards were explicitly listed in the provided texts. He advises on doctoral training programs and has contributed to grant-funded projects like the University of Surrey's food and infection biosciences initiative (2024). Collaborations include studies on probiotics' immune effects and transcriptomic analysis of metabolic conditions.

Kathie Therese HodgeView profile

Associate Professor

• Fungal Systematics
• Fungal Pathogens of Plants and Insects
• Fungal Biodiversity
• +3 more

Kathie Therese Hodge is an Associate Professor at Cornell University's School of Integrative Plant Science, specializing in fungal systematics and plant/insect pathogens. She leads the Cornell Plant Pathology Herbarium (CUP), a globally significant biodiversity repository with 300,000+ specimens. Her research focuses on fungal biodiversity, mycotoxin production in food systems, and evolutionary relationships among fungi. She also serves as Associate Director of Teaching for the School. Education: Ph.D. (1998), M.S. (1993) from Cornell University; B.Sc. (1990) from University of Toronto. Teaching includes courses like 'Magical Mushrooms, Mischievous Molds' and field-based 'Mushrooms of Field and Forest,' reaching over 300 undergraduates annually. Research Interests: Fungal classification and evolution Pathogens impacting global food systems Biohybrid robotics using fungal networks Public outreach on mycology Notable Achievements: 2024 Donald C. Burgett Distinguished Advisor Award Recipient of NSF-funded herbarium digitization projects Pioneered Paecilomyces niveus research linking fungal spoilage to patulin contamination Outreach: Leads New York State 'Peck' mushroom foray, maintains the Cornell Mushroom Blog and @cornellfungi Instagram, and advises on mushroom poisoning emergencies.

• Sustainable Agriculture
• Agroforestry Systems
• Non-Timber Forest Products
• +6 more

Professor Dietrich Darr is a faculty member at Hochschule Weihenstephan-Triesdorf (HSWT), specifically within the Department of Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition. His academic journey includes previous professorship at Hochschule Rhein-Waal (2012-2024) and visiting positions at Universidade de Brasília (2023-2024), Vietnam National University of Forestry (2020), and ICRAF Central Asia office (2018). Dr. Darr's research focuses on sustainable and resilient farming and food systems with particular expertise in agribusiness, corporate management, and sustainable resource utilization. His work prominently features baobab tree applications in African and European food industries, agroforestry systems, non-timber forest products, and sustainable land management. His international research projects span Sub-Saharan Africa, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. His recent publications reveal strong trends in sustainable value chain development, climate-smart agriculture, and innovative approaches to rural livelihood improvement. The articles demonstrate consistent focus on practical applications of agroforestry systems, analysis of non-timber forest products commercialization, and sustainable land management solutions for smallholder farmers in developing regions. Dr. Darr leads numerous research projects including SUFACHAIN (2022-2025) on sustainable agroforestry value chains in Central Asia, CONFARMED (2024) on edible insects for circular food economy in Uganda, and previously led BAOQUALITY (2019-2022) on baobab quality improvement for food security in Africa. His projects are primarily funded by German institutions including BMBF, BMEL, and DFG. As an active member of professional organizations including ATSAF, EFARD, IUFRO, DeFAF, and EURAF, Dr. Darr contributes to international agricultural research communities with focus on tropical and subtropical agriculture, agroforestry, and forest research.