Find Academic Supervisors

Tariq ButtView profile

Professor

• Biological Control
• Natural Products
• Entomopathogenic Fungi
• +3 more

Professor Tariq Butt of Swansea University's Faculty of Science and Engineering leads the Biocontrol and Natural Products (BANP) group , focusing on entomopathogenic fungi and natural product-based biopesticides for managing pests impacting food security , human health , and agriculture . He co-directs the Natural Products BioHub and Health Technology Solutions Research Institute . His cross-disciplinary research includes collaborations with Dr Joel Loveridge (Chemistry) for chemical ecology, Professor Chedly Tizoui (Engineering) for plant-based molluscicides, and Professor Dan Eastwood (Biosciences) for fungal biocontrol. Externally, he works with experts in Greece, Brazil, Turkey, Saudi Arabia , and companies like Certis Belchim and Lallemand . Recent publications highlight his work on fungal volatile organic compounds for pest control, mosquito repellents , and microbial consortia to reduce chemical dependencies. He has supervised over 35 PhD/MSc students and contributed to 174+ peer-reviewed articles and 14 book chapters .

• Physiological Ecology
• Endocrinology of Hibernation
• Biological Rhythms
• +3 more

Brian M. Barnes is a Professor of Zoophysiology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), affiliated with the Institute of Arctic Biology and the Department of Biology and Wildlife. He has held roles including INBRE Director, Toolik Field Station Co-PI, and Interim Director of the Institute of Arctic Biology. His research focuses on physiological ecology, endocrinology of hibernation, and biological rhythms in Arctic animals. Education: BS in Biology (UC Riverside, 1977); PhD in Zoology (University of Washington, 1983). Postdoctoral training at UC Berkeley and international collaborations in Norway and the Netherlands. Awards include NSF grants and leadership in Arctic research networks. Research Interests: Hibernation physiology and mechanisms Circadian rhythms in polar vertebrates Overwintering strategies of Arctic mammals and insects Climate change impacts on animal phenology Notable Contributions: Discovered freeze-avoidance mechanisms in Arctic ground squirrels Pioneered studies on hibernation energy conservation and metabolic suppression Co-developed tools for field studies at the Toolik Field Station Lab/Teams: Leads research groups studying Arctic hibernators, including collaborations on black bear hibernation genomics and insect antifreeze proteins. Advises students in physiology, ecology, and comparative biology.

Jonathan CaleView profile

Assistant Professor

• Forest Ecology
• Fungal Ecology
• Forest Pathology
• +4 more

Dr. Jonathan Cale is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Forest Ecology and Management at the University of Northern British Columbia, affiliated with the NRES Graduate Program. His research program merges basic and applied approaches to investigate fungal ecology and forest pathology, focusing on how fungus-tree interactions influence forest health challenges. Specializes in forest fungi roles across disturbance stages: development, impact, and recovery Key interests: emerging forest diseases, climate change impacts on fungi, bark beetle-fungus interactions, chemical defense mechanisms Supervises graduate students in Biology and Forestry (MSc NRES) and serves as a media-contactable expert in Forest Pathology His recent publications address topics such as fungal community dynamics in disturbed forests, chemical defense responses in pines, and bark beetle-fungus coevolutionary mechanisms. No scientific awards are mentioned in the provided text.

• Aerodynamics
• Animal Flight Mechanics
• Bio-inspired Robotics
• +3 more

Florian Muijres is an Associate Professor and Chairholder at the Experimental Zoology Group, Wageningen University & Research, where he leads the Animal Flight Lab. His research focuses on the biomechanics, aerodynamics, and flight control of natural flyers such as insects, birds, and bats, with applications in bio-inspired robotics and ecological solutions like mosquito traps and flapping-wing drones. He holds a PhD from Lund University (Sweden) and conducted postdoctoral research at the Dickinson Lab, University of Washington (USA). Research Interests: Merging experimental and computational methods, his work explores primary research on flight mechanics (e.g., mosquito evasion, butterfly gliding) and applied studies (e.g., drone design, pollinator behavior in greenhouses). His lab uses advanced videography and robotic models to study flight dynamics under real-world conditions. Labs & Teams: The Animal Flight Lab collaborates with biologists, physicists, and engineers to investigate flight adaptations in mosquitoes, bumblebees, and pied flycatchers. Projects include developing high-efficiency traps and analyzing flight performance in complex environments.

Tristan A.F. LongView profile

Associate Professor

• Evolutionary genetics
• Behavioral ecology
• Experimental evolution
• +3 more

Dr. Tristan A.F. Long is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at Wilfrid Laurier University's Faculty of Science in Waterloo, Ontario. A behavioral ecologist and evolutionary geneticist, he focuses on sexual selection and the role of female mate preference variation in evolutionary change. With teaching responsibilities for large introductory biology courses like BI111 and BI393, he has developed innovative active learning techniques using playing cards, iClickers, and role-playing games to teach population genetics and ecological principles. University of Western Ontario - BSc in Honours Ecology and Evolution (1999) University of Guelph - MSc in Zoology (2001) Queen’s University - PhD in Biology (2005) University of California Santa Barbara - Postdoctoral Fellow (2005-2009) University of Toronto - Postdoctoral Fellow (2009-2010) His research examines how female Drosophila melanogaster vary in their mating preferences and how these differences shape evolutionary trajectories. He has published extensively on reproductive plasticity, sexual conflict, and environmental interaction effects. His laboratory combines experimental evolution with computational modeling to explore genetic trade-offs and behavioral adaptations. Scientific awards include the Laurier Teaching Award for Sustained Excellence (2017). He has developed innovative classroom techniques like the Battle of the Beaks exercise for teaching adaptive evolution and an iClicker-based population genetics simulation using playing cards. His 2024 BI393 biostatistics course policy strongly discourages generative AI use due to concerns about educational integrity and environmental impact.

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.

Francine BattagliaView profile

Professor

• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Building Energy Utilization
• Renewable Energy
• +5 more

Francine Battaglia is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University at Buffalo, part of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. She directs the Advanced Simulations for Computing ENergy Transport (ASCENT) Laboratory. Her research focuses on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) applications in building energy systems, renewable energy, turbulent multiphase flows, and combustion. She holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University (1997), and MS/BS degrees from SUNY Buffalo (1992, 1991). Research interests include CFD modeling for HVAC optimization, natural ventilation design, pathogen dispersion mitigation, and biomimetic aerodynamics inspired by insect flight. Her work bridges engineering, biology, and environmental science, addressing challenges in energy efficiency, public health, and sustainable architecture. Key contributions include developing predictive models for hydroplaning safety, solar chimney systems, and microbial fuel cells. She has received accolades such as the ASME Fellow distinction (2009), MAC Academic Leadership Fellowship (2019-2020), and Virginia Tech’s Teaching Excellence Award (2016). Her articles span CFD advancements in fluidization, combustion, and ventilation strategies, emphasizing practical applications in energy systems and public health. The ASCENT Lab collaborates on adaptive HVAC technologies and eco-friendly building designs, reflecting her dedication to interdisciplinary innovation. Awards: MAC Leadership Fellow, ASTFE Fellow, ASME Dedicated Service Award Education: PhD (Penn State), MS/BS (SUNY Buffalo) Labs: ASCENT Lab (focusing on CFD and energy transport)

Anne StaplesView profile

Associate Professor

• Bio-Inspired Engineering
• Fluid Dynamics
• Medical Devices
• +6 more

Anne Staples is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech, leading the Laboratory for Fluid Dynamics in Nature (FINLAB). Her research focuses on fluid mechanics in biological systems, medical fluid dynamics, and bioinspired engineering, leveraging computational modeling and microfluidic technologies to innovate in healthcare and engineering. Education: B.S. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University (2000) M.Eng. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University (2001) Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University (2006) Postdoctoral Researcher at the Naval Research Laboratory (2006–2008) Research Interests: Her work spans bioinspired microfluidics, medical device design, and fluid dynamics in biological systems. Notable projects include developing pulse-driven micropumps for drug delivery and studying insect respiratory systems to inform engineering solutions. Publications: Over 50 peer-reviewed articles, focusing on topics like microfluidic systems, insect-inspired flow control, and hemodialyzer modeling. Recent work emphasizes wearable drug delivery and biomechanical innovations. Awards & Service: NIH Trailblazer Award (2024) Virginia Tech Dean’s Fellow (2023–present) Editorial Board Member, PLOS ONE and Scientific Reports (2021–present) Fulbright Scholar (2016) Grants & Collaborations: Leads a NIH-funded project to develop lightweight drug delivery devices. Collaborates with statisticians and biomedical engineers to simulate and optimize prototypes. Active in interdisciplinary teams at Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech. Labs & Teams: Directs the FINLAB, which integrates computational modeling, experimental microfluidics, and biological principles to address challenges in healthcare and environmental engineering.

• Spatial epidemiology
• Epidemiology of avian influenza
• Emerging infectious diseases
• +3 more

Marius Gilbert is a Full Professor at Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) since 2023, with dual administrative roles as Vice-rector of Research and Valorization (since 2020) and Vice-rector of Culture and Scientific Mediation (current mandate). He obtained his PhD in spatial epidemiology from ULB in 2001 after studying Agricultural Sciences (1995) and conducting visiting research at Oxford's Department of Zoology. Key Research Areas: Spatial epidemiology of animal diseases and invasive species Impact of agricultural and ecosystem changes on pathogen emergence Specialization in avian influenza and emerging infectious diseases Development of livestock distribution models and antimicrobial resistance tracking Scientific Contributions: His 15 most recent publications (2025-2021) focus on viral phylogeography , livestock-environment interactions , antimicrobial use forecasting , and pandemic response modeling . Notable work includes COVID-19 spatio-temporal analysis and global antibiotic resistance trends in food animals. Public Engagement: Played a central role in French-speaking media during the pandemic , authored the book "Juste un Passage au JT" , and maintains a Le Soir column on science-society intersections. Co-founded the Spatial Epidemiology Lab (SpELL) in 2016, now led by Simon Dellicour.

Nilo Merino RecaldeView profile

Researcher

• Animal Behavior
• Ecology
• Machine Learning
• +3 more

Dr. Nilo Merino Recalde is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Edward Grey Institute, University of Oxford. His research focuses on animal culture, acoustic monitoring of biodiversity, and applied machine learning. He employs interdisciplinary approaches spanning visual arts, anthropology, and biology to study animal behavior and ecology. His current work emphasizes large-scale acoustic data collection and analysis, with a particular interest in bird song and cultural evolution. Research interests include: Animal culture and its transmission mechanisms Acoustic ecology and biodiversity assessment using sound Machine learning applications in ecological research Data visualization and open science practices His publications highlight advancements in phylogenomic analysis, acoustic datasets for wild bird populations, and software tools like pykanto for bioacoustic research. He actively develops open-source tools to democratize data analysis in ecology. No scientific awards or grants are listed. He currently advises no students but collaborates widely in multidisciplinary teams. His primary affiliation is the Edward Grey Institute's Sheldon Group, where he integrates fieldwork and computational methods to understand animal behavior at ecological and evolutionary scales.

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.

Ben SheldonView profile

Professor

• Evolution
• Ecology
• Animal Behavior
• +3 more

Professor Ben Sheldon FRS holds the Luc Hoffmann Chair of Ornithology and directs the Edward Grey Institute within the University of Oxford's Department of Biology. His research focuses on evolutionary ecology, particularly individual variation, environmental adaptation, and long-term ecological studies like the Wytham Woods great tit project. Current themes include spatial scaling of ecological interactions, life-history evolution, and social dynamics in bird populations. He has secured major grants from ERC, UKRI, NERC, and BBSRC, and hosted postdocs via Marie Curie Fellowships. Research interests integrate field studies, genetics, and quantitative analysis to explore how environmental and social factors shape animal behavior and adaptation. Recent work examines phenological mismatches, climate impacts, and social network effects on reproduction and survival. Awards include Fellowship of the Royal Society. Advising includes 7-8 graduate students and postdocs, with a focus on PhD and postdoc project supervision. Administrative roles include past Head of the Department of Zoology (2016–2021) and Senior User Representative for the Life and Mind Building (2019–2022). The Edward Grey Institute serves as a key research hub for avian ecology and ornithology.

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.

Gary W. FeltonView profile

Professor

• Chemical Ecology
• Insect-Plant Interactions
• Induced Plant Defenses
• +5 more

Gary W. Felton is a Professor and Department Head of Entomology at the Pennsylvania State University's College of Agricultural Sciences. His research focuses on chemical ecology, insect-plant interactions, and induced plant defenses against herbivores. Key Affiliations: Pennsylvania State University, College of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Entomology Research Interests: Dr. Felton investigates how plants perceive and respond to herbivore attacks, with particular emphasis on biochemical mechanisms like flavonoid-mediated defenses, microbial interactions in Lepidoptera, and stomatal regulation of volatile signaling. His work bridges agricultural sustainability and ecological theory. Recent Publications: His 2025 studies explore salinity stress impacts on tomato defenses, microbiome roles in herbivore digestion, and volatile-mediated host plant specialization. Earlier works (2023-2024) examine water stress effects, flavonoid toxicity, and microbial influences on plant-herbivore dynamics. Scientific Awards: Huck Chair of Chemical Ecology (2022) Laboratory Focus: The Felton Lab studies herbivore-induced plant defenses, microbial symbiosis in pest species, and integrated pest management strategies across crops like maize, tomatoes, and sorghum.

Janie McClurkin MooreView profile

Assistant Professor

• Post-harvest treatment technologies
• Bioprocess engineering
• Biomass valorization
• +8 more

Dr. Janie McClurkin Moore is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at Texas A&M University, part of the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences. Her research focuses on post-harvest technologies, food safety, and innovative engineering education strategies. She holds a PhD in Agricultural and Biological Engineering from Purdue University and has extensive expertise in applying cold plasma technology to agricultural challenges. Education: B.S., Bio-Environmental Engineering, North Carolina A&T State University (2006) M.S.A.B.E., Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University (2009) Ph.D., Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University (2015) Research interests span post-harvest treatment innovations, biomass valorization, and educational methodologies. Her work emphasizes non-thermal plasma applications for food safety, mycotoxin mitigation, and sustainable agriculture practices. Publications reveal a strong focus on plasma technology for pest control, food preservation, and hydroponic systems. Her engineering education research explores inclusive pedagogy and curriculum development in diverse educational settings. Advising and grants include contributions to the NSF Convergence Accelerator project addressing food security in extreme environments. She is affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife Research, advancing applied agricultural solutions through interdisciplinary collaboration.