Find Academic Supervisors

• Pathogen Ecology
• Microbial Evolution
• Antibiotic Resistance
• +4 more

Prof. Dr. Alex Hall is an Associate Professor at the Department of Environmental Systems Science and Head of the Institute of Integrative Biology at ETH Zürich , Switzerland. He holds a PhD from the University of Edinburgh (2008), followed by postdoctoral work at the University of Oxford and ETH Zürich, including prestigious SNSF Ambizione and Marie Curie Intra-European fellowships. Research Focus: The Hall lab investigates Microbial interactions in human microbiomes Antibiotic resistance evolution Horizontal gene transfer dynamics Computational and in vitro modeling of microbial communities Evolutionary medicine applications Scientific Contributions: His recent studies analyze probiotic treatments for Staphylococcus aureus decolonization, strain-specific ecological success in gut microbiomes, and CRISPR-Cas system roles in plasmid conflicts. The lab employs computational frameworks combined with experimental validations. Scientific Awards: SNSF Ambizione fellowship Marie Curie Intra-European fellowship He also serves on the SNSF PRIMA fellowship evaluation panel and the ETH Zürich Coordination Council Medicine .

Nathan G. SwensonView profile

Professor

• Ecology and Environmental Biology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Genetics and Genomics
• +10 more

Nathan G. Swenson is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Notre Dame and serves as the Gillen Director of the Environmental Research Center (UNDERC). He has held prior academic positions at the University of Maryland and Michigan State University, advancing from Assistant to full Professor. His research integrates genomics, ecology, and evolutionary biology to understand forest biodiversity and dynamics. Research Interests: Ecology and Environmental Biology Evolutionary Biology Genetics and Genomics Global Change Biology Forest Ecology Functional and Phylogenetic Ecology Tree Physiology and Demography His research focuses on leveraging intra- and interspecific variation in tree performance to predict forest biodiversity patterns. He employs integrative approaches from genomes to forest canopies and utilizes large-scale global datasets. Recent publications emphasize intraspecific trait variation, transcriptomic responses to drought, ecological forecasting, and functional group dynamics in tropical and temperate forests. Scientific Awards: Winner of 2017 British Ecological Society John Harper Prize (awarded to J. Zambrano; Swenson was senior author) Advising and Grants: Dr. Swenson has mentored numerous researchers, including M.N. Umana, S.J. Worthy, and J. Yang, who frequently co-author high-impact papers. His lab receives substantial research funding, evident from large collaborative projects and participation in global networks like ForestGEO and the TRY plant trait database. He has secured support for long-term ecological research, genomic studies, and international fieldwork. Labs and Teams: He leads the Swenson Lab, which conducts research on woody plant ecology in dynamic environments. The lab emphasizes community transcriptomics, functional trait analysis, and large-scale ecological modeling. It collaborates widely across institutions and is involved in major initiatives such as ForestGEO and NEON.

• Venom Research
• Toxinology
• Biomedical Research
• +3 more

Dr. Holger Scheib is an Honorary Associate Professor in the School of the Environment at The University of Queensland. His research focuses on venom evolution, toxinology, and biomedical applications, particularly in reptiles, cnidarians, and other venomous organisms. He collaborates extensively with international researchers on projects involving venom structure-function relationships, evolutionary biology, and clinical implications of venom variation. Research interests span venom evolution, toxin structure and function, and their applications in biomedical contexts. He investigates venom diversity across species, including reptiles, sea anemones, and cnidarians, focusing on how these toxins interact with biological systems. His work also explores the intersection of venom components with allergens and their structural similarities, contributing to a deeper understanding of venom’s ecological and medical significance. His recent publications highlight advancements in understanding venom evolution, toxin structures, and clinical implications. Studies include comparisons of venom proteins with allergens, analyses of venom variation in rattlesnakes, and investigations into the molecular mechanisms of bacterial secretion systems. These works contribute to both basic biological research and potential applications in medicine and biodiscovery. No scientific awards or grants are explicitly mentioned in the provided text. Dr. Scheib’s research is primarily conducted through collaborations within the School of the Environment and international academic networks. No specific lab or team affiliations are detailed.

Alejandro Sánchez GraciaView profile

Associate Professor

• Molecular Evolutionary Genetics
• Population Genomics
• Comparative Genomics
• +3 more

Alejandro Sánchez Gracia is an Associate Professor at the Universitat de Barcelona's Faculty of Biology, affiliated with the Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics. He leads the Molecular Evolutionary Genetics research group and directs the advanced course in 'Phylogenomics and Population Genomics: Inference and Applications.' Education: Llicenciat in Biology (Universitat de Barcelona, 1998), PhD in Biology (Universitat de Barcelona, 2006) Research Focus: Molecular mechanisms of chemosensory gene evolution in arthropods, development of bioinformatics tools for evolutionary and population genomics, and population genomics of adaptation in Drosophila. His work bridges computational methods with evolutionary biology, emphasizing genomic approaches to study adaptation. Key projects include analysis of chemoreceptor gene families across Panarthropoda, genomic studies of Canary Island endemic species, and development of tools like BITACORA for gene family annotation. He has contributed to major genomic resources such as DnaSP 6 and participated in initiatives like the Earth BioGenome Project. Active in collaborative networks like the European Drosophila Population Genomics Consortium and AdaptNET (Adaptive Genomics Network). Grants and Projects: 2021-2024: PID2020-113168GB-I00 (Ministry of Science, Spain) - Poligenic adaptation in Drosophila 2020-2021: Catalan blind scorpion genome project (Institut d'Estudis Catalans) Labs/Teams: Heads the Molecular Evolutionary Genetics group, collaborating on projects involving spider genomics, chemosensory evolution, and population-level adaptation studies.

Darrell RossView profile

Professor

• Forest entomology
• Ecology and management of forest insect pests
• Bark beetle ecology
• +7 more

Darrell Ross is a Professor in Entomology at the School of Natural Resource Sciences , North Dakota State University . Previously, he held professorial roles at Oregon State University in the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society and served as Director of the Richardson Hall Quarantine Facility from 2006–2019. His academic journey began with a PhD in Entomology from the University of Georgia (1990), an MS in Forest Ecology from Oregon State University (1985), and a BS in Forest Science from Pennsylvania State University (1981). PhD , Entomology, University of Georgia, 1990 MS , Forest Ecology, Oregon State University, 1985 BS , Forest Science, Pennsylvania State University, 1981 Dr. Ross specializes in forest entomology, focusing on bark beetle ecology, pheromone-based management strategies, and biological control of invasive species like the hemlock woolly adelgid. His work integrates chemical ecology with forest health assessment and ecological restoration. His research emphasizes pheromone applications (e.g., MCH) for bark beetle control, predator-prey dynamics in biological control of adelgids, and habitat manipulation for pest management. Recent studies address biodegradable pheromone formulations, predator phenology for invasive species control, and post-outbreak ecological impacts on pollinators. At Oregon State University, he directed the Richardson Hall Quarantine Facility, contributing to large-scale forest protection strategies. Current work at NDSU continues his legacy in integrating chemical signaling with forest ecosystem management.

• Wildlife Ecology
• Large Mammal Conservation
• Human-Wildlife Conflict
• +5 more

Martin Mayer serves as Associate Professor at the University of Inland Norway within the Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology and the Department of Forestry and Outback Studies. Based at the Evenstad study location, his research focuses on large mammal ecology in human-dominated landscapes across Scandinavia and Europe. His primary research interests center on Wildlife Ecology and Large Mammal Conservation , with particular emphasis on human-wildlife conflict resolution, road ecology, and carnivore management. Mayer investigates how species like moose, deer, and beavers adapt to anthropogenic landscapes through habitat selection, movement patterns, and population dynamics. His work integrates cutting-edge methodologies including GPS telemetry, drone surveillance, and citizen science data to address conservation challenges in agricultural and urban settings. Analysis of Mayer's recent publications reveals strong trends in using roadkill data for population monitoring, examining spatial constraints on wildlife movement, and developing mitigation strategies for human-wildlife conflicts. His research increasingly incorporates cross-border European perspectives on wildlife management while maintaining a strong foundation in Scandinavian field ecology. Mayer actively contributes to the LARGE research group (ecology of large animals), which conducts field studies on ungulate behavior, predator-prey dynamics, and landscape-scale conservation planning in Norway's boreal ecosystems.

• Animal Communication
• Social Cognition
• Anthropogenic Impacts on Animal Behavior
• +3 more

Çağlar Akçay is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Life Sciences at Anglia Ruskin University, part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering. He holds a PhD in Animal Behavior from the University of Washington, alongside an MA in Cognition and Perception and a BS in Biology and Psychology from Middle East Technical University. His research focuses on behavioral ecology, particularly the evolution of animal communication and social cognition in songbirds. He investigates how animals adapt to anthropogenic environments, including effects of urbanization on signaling and aggression. Key research areas include animal communication systems, social interactions mediated by vocal signals, and the impact of environmental changes on behavior. He leads the Bird Lab, studying the interplay between communication and social behavior in birds, with projects on Darwin’s finches and song sparrow territorial dynamics. His work emphasizes field studies combined with experimental approaches, such as acoustic manipulations and observational tracking. Member of the Behavioral Ecology Research Group Recipient of Turkish Science Academy Early Career Fellowship (2019-2021) Teaching responsibilities include BSc programs in Animal Behaviour and Zoology, and an MSc in Animal Behaviour Applications for Conservation Recent publications highlight topics like survival processing effects in memory, avian behavioral plasticity in urban settings, and the role of acoustic signals in territorial disputes. His interdisciplinary work bridges ecology, cognition, and conservation, with a focus on translating findings into wildlife management strategies.

Howard RundleView profile

Professor

• Evolutionary ecology
• Evolutionary genetics
• Sexual selection
• +7 more

Howard Rundle is a Full Professor in the Department of Biology within the Faculty of Science at the University of Ottawa. His research laboratory focuses on empirical studies in evolutionary ecology and evolutionary genetics, utilizing both laboratory and field approaches with model systems including various Drosophila species and the antler fly ( Protopiophila litigata ). His work is conducted both in controlled laboratory settings and in natural environments, particularly in Algonquin Park's Wildlife Research Station. Dr. Rundle's primary research interests span evolutionary ecology and evolutionary genetics, with particular emphasis on: The role of sexual selection in adaptation and purging of deleterious mutations Sexual conflict and its ecological context The evolutionary divergence of mate preferences and its contribution to speciation Quantitative genetics of sexual displays, particularly cuticular hydrocarbons in insects The impact of ecological complexity on evolutionary processes His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on how mating environments influence the dynamics of sexual conflict, adaptation, and speciation. Much of his work examines whether sexual selection helps or hinders adaptation, with growing emphasis on genomic approaches to understand the genetic basis of evolutionary responses. His research program demonstrates how ecological context fundamentally shapes evolutionary outcomes, particularly in the interface between natural and sexual selection. Dr. Rundle collaborates extensively with researchers at other institutions including Aneil Agrawal (University of Toronto), Russell Bonduriansky (University of New South Wales), Vincent Careau (University of Ottawa), Kelly Dyer (University of Georgia), Amanda Moehring (Western University), and Locke Rowe (University of Toronto). These collaborations enhance the scope of his research across multiple dimensions of evolutionary biology. The Rundle Lab maintains a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, explicitly welcoming and supporting members from all racial, religious, and cultural backgrounds, as well as those from the LGBTQ+ community, operating under the University of Ottawa's principles in these areas.

• Biotic Interactions
• Acarology
• Forest Ecology
• +3 more

Dr. Katja Wehner is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Faculty of Biology at the Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany, specializing in soil arthropod ecology with a focus on oribatid mite communities across forest microhabitats including litter, soil, dead wood, and tree bark. Her work examines their role in forest food webs and responses to environmental stressors. Education: PhD in Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt (2009). Dissertation: 'Parthenogenesis and Sexuality in Oribatid Mites' Diploma in Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt (2004). Thesis: 'Variability at the hsp82-locus of the parthenogenetic oribatid mite Platynothrus peltifer' Research Focus: Dr. Wehner investigates biotic interactions and acarological dynamics in Central European forests, emphasizing how land-use intensity, drought, and structural factors shape oribatid mite biodiversity. Her work integrates community ecology, soil science, and microhabitat specialization to understand ecosystem resilience and food-web interactions, with particular attention to parthenogenetic versus sexual reproduction strategies in microarthropods. Publication Trends: Recent publications (2018-2022) reveal a strong emphasis on anthropogenic impacts, including land-use change effects on aboveground-belowground linkages, drought/storm damage consequences for soil communities, and microhabitat-driven variations in mite sex ratios and seasonal dynamics. Her collaborative work in journals like Nature Communications and Global Ecology and Conservation demonstrates methodological integration of field surveys, controlled experiments, and multi-taxon analyses. Collaborative Networks: Dr. Wehner actively participates in large-scale ecological initiatives including the Biodiversity Exploratories project, collaborating with researchers from institutions like the Technical University of Munich and University of Würzburg on cross-taxa biodiversity studies. Her co-authorship on multi-investigator papers indicates strong engagement with Germany's ecological research infrastructure.

Greg GossView profile

Professor

• Environmental Physiology
• Environmental Toxicology
• Watershed Science
• +3 more

Greg Goss is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Science. His research focuses on three interconnected areas: environmental physiology of fishes, environmental toxicology, and watershed science. He investigates physiological adaptations of aquatic organisms to environmental stresses, evaluates the toxicity of industrial and agricultural pollutants, and models Alberta's water resources under climate change scenarios. Collaborations include work with EnCana, Vive Crop Protection, and Dr. Monireh Faramarzi on water management. His lab, Goss Lab, hosts research on nanotoxicology, hydraulic fracturing fluid impacts, and stormwater system improvements. Contact: ggoss@ualberta.ca. Research interests include ion and solute transport mechanisms in fish, toxicity of nanoparticles and pesticides, and watershed modeling for sustainable water use. He employs molecular biology, cell physiology, and field studies across freshwater and marine ecosystems. Industrial partnerships aim to balance environmental protection with economic needs. Notable projects include assessing hydraulic fracturing fluid toxicity on aquatic species, developing predictive water supply models, and improving stormwater management through polymer and wetland technologies. His work contributes to OECD nanomaterial testing standards and regulatory policy.

Liza J. ShapiroView profile

Professor

• Primate Evolution
• Functional Morphology
• Primate Locomotion
• +5 more

Liza J. Shapiro is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Texas at Austin, affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts. Her research focuses on the functional morphology, ontogeny, and evolution of primate locomotion, employing quantitative comparative analysis of musculoskeletal systems in extant and extinct primates alongside biomechanical studies in both laboratory and field settings. Her work emphasizes the vertebral musculoskeletal system in primates and investigates quadrupedal locomotion mechanics. Recent publications explore lemur locomotor mechanics, wild primate limb kinematics, and the role of compliant substrates in augmenting leaping behavior. She has also contributed to debates on hominin locomotor evolution through fossil analysis. Shapiro teaches courses including Primate Anatomy , Biological Anthropology , and Primate Evolution , with active research programs involving collaborations with scholars like Andrew Barr and Brett Nachman. She contributes to the Academic Phylogeny of Biological Anthropology project and maintains field and laboratory research methodologies.

Sassan SaatchiView profile

Adjunct Professor

• Remote Sensing
• Environmental Science
• Biodiversity Conservation
• +5 more

Sassan Saatchi serves as a Senior Scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), California Institute of Technology, and holds an Adjunct Professor appointment at the Center for Tropical Research within UCLA's Institute of the Environment and Sustainability (IoES). His dual roles bridge advanced spaceborne sensor development with critical environmental conservation applications globally. Education: Ph.D. in Electrophysics and Applied Mathematics from George Washington University (1988) Research Interests: Dr. Saatchi's work centers on remote sensing technologies for environmental monitoring, specializing in tropical and boreal forest ecosystems. His core expertise includes land cover classification, biomass estimation, soil moisture analysis, carbon stock assessment, and conservation applications. He maintains active research in wave propagation theory and electromagnetic scattering in natural media, connecting fundamental physics with practical environmental solutions. Publication Trends: His 2000-2014 publications reveal a consistent trajectory applying satellite remote sensing to biodiversity conservation and climate challenges. Key patterns include spatial conservation planning in critical biomes (Atlantic Forest, Congo Basin), disease ecology mapping (monkeypox, avian malaria), and cross-disciplinary integration of ecological genetics with satellite data. His work consistently emphasizes African and South American rainforest-savanna ecotones as conservation priorities. Professional Leadership: Dr. Saatchi develops and teaches specialized courses on remote sensing for environmental problem-solving. His research receives significant funding from organizations like the National Geographic Society, as evidenced by recent projects indexing tropical rainforest vulnerability and creating high-resolution maps for the Democratic Republic of Congo's conservation efforts. Research Infrastructure: He operates within JPL's Earth Science Division and UCLA's Center for Tropical Research, leading teams that translate satellite data into actionable conservation strategies. Current initiatives focus on high-tech rainforest mapping to simultaneously address climate change mitigation and biodiversity protection.

Alexandra SchuhView profile

Research Fellow

• Facial Evolution
• Ontogeny
• Neanderthals
• +4 more

Alexandra Schuh is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Human Origins at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, where she has worked since July 2023. Her research integrates evolutionary anthropology with developmental biology to investigate facial bone growth patterns across hominids. Her academic training includes a Ph.D. in Human Evolution from the Max Planck Institute (2016-2020), a Master's in Biological Anthropology and Prehistory from the University of Bordeaux (2012-2014), and a Bachelor's in Cellular Biology and Physiology from the University of Strasbourg and University of Montreal (2009-2012). She also completed a Fyssen postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Bordeaux (2022-2023). Dr. Schuh's research focuses on facial evolution , ontogeny , Neanderthal anatomy , and the cellular and genetic mechanisms of bone modelling . She employs advanced 3D imaging, geometric morphometrics, and bone histology to analyze developmental processes in human and primate facial skeletons, with particular emphasis on comparative studies between modern humans, Neanderthals, and chimpanzees. Her publication record reveals a consistent trajectory in hominid facial development research, combining microscopic bone analysis with evolutionary morphology. Key themes include the evolutionary roots of human facial gracilization, midfacial growth patterns, and the developmental integration of facial structures across ontogeny and phylogeny. Her scientific recognition includes: Fyssen Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship (2021) Poster prize at the 1841st Annual meetings of the Anthropological Society of Paris (2016) Dr. Schuh has secured significant research funding including the FACCTS program award ($25,000, 2023) for skull evolution studies and the Grand Projet de Recherche HUMAN PAST (€5,755, 2022). She collaborates with leading researchers like Philipp Gunz and Shara Freidline on projects examining primate skull development and facial gracilization through the DevCel initiative. As an active member of the Department of Human Origins, she contributes to interdisciplinary efforts integrating developmental biology into paleoanthropological frameworks, advancing methodological approaches in fossil hominin analysis through cutting-edge imaging and morphometric techniques.

Allen J. MooreView profile

Professor

• Evolutionary Ecology
• Behavioral Genetics
• Parental Care Evolution
• +5 more

Allen J. Moore is a Distinguished Research Professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences. His work bridges evolutionary biology, genetics, and behavioral ecology with a focus on understanding the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying complex social behaviors in insects. Moore's research program centers on the evolution of parental care and social behavior, primarily using burying beetles (Nicrophorus species) as model organisms. His work integrates quantitative genetics, molecular biology, and behavioral ecology to investigate how indirect genetic effects shape coevolutionary dynamics between interacting individuals. A significant portion of his recent research examines the role of DNA methylation, particularly Dnmt1, in reproductive processes and behavioral plasticity across insect species. His approach combines field observations with molecular techniques to address fundamental questions about how genes and environment interact to produce adaptive behaviors. Analysis of Moore's recent publications reveals a strong trajectory toward understanding the epigenetic regulation of social behavior. His work demonstrates how molecular mechanisms like DNA methylation interact with environmental factors to influence parenting strategies, reproductive timing, and kin recognition. The research spans multiple insect systems including burying beetles, crickets, and whiteflies, providing comparative insights into the evolution of social behavior across diverse taxa. Moore maintains active collaborations within the University of Georgia, particularly with Patricia Moore in the Entomology department, as evidenced by their joint research on DNA methylation in insects. His lab appears to train graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, contributing to the next generation of evolutionary biologists while advancing our understanding of how complex social behaviors evolve and are maintained in natural populations.

Meghan BalkView profile

Research Fellow

• Ecological and Evolutionary Biology
• Paleobiology
• Functional Morphology
• +7 more

Meghan Balk is a Postdoctoral Fellow with the Evolution and Paleobiology Group at the Natural History Museum, University of Oslo. Her work combines museum collections and trait databases to investigate how inter- and intra-specific traits change across time and space. She is passionate about digitizing museum data and enabling FAIR data principles for continued exploration of data-driven science across evolutionary biology and ecology. Balk received her Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico in 2017 with a concentration in Interdisciplinary Science through the Department of Biology. She earned her B.S. from the University of California, Davis in 2010 in the Department of Evolution, Ecology, & Biodiversity, with a minor in Paleobiology through the Department of Geology. Her academic journey reflects a strong foundation in both biological sciences and geological perspectives on evolutionary processes. Her research employs both micro- and macroscopic approaches to understand abiotic and biotic drivers of phenotypic evolution. She investigates within and among lineage phenotypic evolution using fossil and modern records of organisms like bryozoans. Her work on abiotic drivers examines body size changes in species like the bushy-tailed woodrat across geological time, while her research on biotic drivers explores predator-prey relationships in the fossil record, particularly focusing on species like Otodus megalodon. She utilizes machine learning and computational approaches to extract morphological trait data from specimen images. Balk's publication record demonstrates expertise across evolutionary biology, paleontology, ecology, and computational approaches. Her recent work focuses on developing FAIR and modular workflows for image-based knowledge discovery in the emerging field of imageomics. She has made significant contributions to understanding body size evolution across geological time, predator-prey relationships in the fossil record, and promoting open science principles for trait-based research. Her work bridges traditional paleontological methods with cutting-edge computational techniques. Balk is actively involved in several research projects including ROCKS PARADOX (Dissecting the paradox of stasis in evolutionary biology) and Machine-readable Nature (MaNa). She collaborates with researchers across institutions to create ontologies and workflows for trait data, such as the Functional Trait Resource for Environmental Studies (FuTRES) project and the Biology-Guided Neural Networks project. She teaches courses including Foundational Open Science Skills workshop, Git for Mere Mortals webinar, and R Basics Crash course, emphasizing the importance of reproducible research practices.