Find Academic Supervisors

Christopher E. HollowayView profile

Professor

• Atmospheric convection
• Tropical weather
• Tropical climate
• +7 more

Christopher E. Holloway is a Professor in the Department of Meteorology at the University of Reading, where he serves as MSc Programme Director for Postgraduate Taught Programmes. His work focuses on atmospheric convection, tropical weather, and climate dynamics, with particular emphasis on the interactions between convection and larger-scale atmospheric fields. Holloway's research interests center on the organization of convection, including convective self-aggregation and its role in observed organized convection phenomena. He investigates interactions involving the vertical structure of temperature and moisture at various spatial scales, with applications to the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) and tropical cyclones. His work spans both theoretical and applied meteorology, with strong connections to climate modeling and prediction. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on tropical meteorology, cloud physics, and climate dynamics. The research demonstrates consistent themes in understanding convective organization, cloud-radiation interactions, and the representation of convection in models. There's a clear progression from fundamental cloud processes to regional climate impacts, with increasing emphasis on high-impact weather events and their predictability. Holloway leads multiple significant research projects including UPFLO (a 5-year AFESP project), serves as Co-I on FORWARDS (a WCSSP SE Asia project), and is Reading PI on CIRCULATES (a NERC project within the CloudSense programme). He also serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences. His research group includes several postdoctoral researchers and PhD students working on diverse aspects of convection, tropical meteorology, and climate modeling. Current projects examine convective updrafts, anvil clouds, high-resolution forecasts of high-impact weather in Southeast Asia, and cloud feedbacks on climate sensitivity.

Thorwald SteinView profile

Associate Professor

• Meteorology
• Atmospheric Science
• Climate Modeling
• +7 more

Dr. Thorwald Stein is an Associate Professor in Clouds at the Department of Meteorology, University of Reading. He specializes in analyzing microphysical and dynamical processes in clouds and convection to improve weather and climate models. His research focuses on cloud life cycles, precipitation dynamics, and remote sensing techniques using satellite and radar data. Stein leads projects like UNICon (2025–present), UPFLO (2024–present), and CLOUDY TIME (2023–present), addressing convective-scale processes and turbulence interactions. He also directs the WesCon-WOEST field campaign and contributes to international initiatives such as GCRF African SWIFT. Education: PhD in Mathematics from the University of Warwick (2009). His work bridges statistical physics and fluid dynamics, with expertise in particle coagulation and rain formation mechanisms. Stein supervises multiple PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers, advancing understanding of cloud dynamics and model validation techniques. Research highlights include developing radar-based methods for tracking convective storms, evaluating model representations of cloud structures, and validating precipitation estimates in tropical regions. His contributions to convection-permitting ensemble forecasts and satellite applications enhance weather prediction capabilities in Africa and Southeast Asia. Key grants and collaborations involve UKRI funding, international partnerships, and leadership in large-scale meteorological projects. Stein’s research integrates observational strategies with advanced modeling to address challenges in climate science and operational meteorology.

• Structural Engineering
• Timber Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• +3 more

Gerhard Fink serves as a Lecturer at the Institute of Structural Engineering (IBK) within the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering at ETH Zurich. His research focuses on timber structural systems, with a particular emphasis on glued laminated timber (GLT) beams and connections. Key areas include material variability, failure behavior analysis, and probabilistic design methodologies. Expertise: Structural reliability, timber mechanics, failure analysis, and engineering design. Key Projects: Large-scale bending tests on GLT beams, quasi-brittle fracture studies, and safety format assessments for timber connections. Publications emphasize experimental validation of structural models and probabilistic approaches to enhance timber engineering standards. Collaborates closely with institutions like Aalto University and the International Network on Timber Engineering Research (INTER).

David KammerView profile

Assistant Professor

• Mechanical Failure Prediction
• Material Damage Mechanics
• Fracture Mechanics
• +7 more

Prof. David Kammer is an Assistant Professor (Tenure-Track) at ETH Zurich's Institute for Building Materials (IfB), part of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering (DBAUG). His research focuses on understanding mechanical failure across scales, integrating computational models, experiments, and theoretical frameworks. Key areas include material fracture, earthquake mechanics, 3D-printed materials, and biological systems. Education: B.Sc. (2008) and M.Sc. (2010) in Civil Engineering from EPFL, PhD (2014) in Mechanics from EPFL. Postdoctoral roles at Bern University of Applied Sciences and Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Joined Cornell University (2016) before moving to ETH Zurich (2019). Awarded SNSF Starting Grant (2022) for meta-interfaces research. Research interests span nano-to-macro mechanical failure, including fracture mechanics of soft/3D-printed materials, earthquake nucleation dynamics, and architected material optimization. His work bridges material behavior with catastrophic system-level failure. Awards and grants include the SNSF Starting Grant. Active in teaching with courses on computational material mechanics and civil engineering materials. Labs/Teams: Leads research groups in computational mechanics and interdisciplinary failure analysis at ETH Zurich.

Sarah BroughView profile

Professor

• Galaxy Evolution
• Observational Astronomy
• Low Surface Brightness Structures
• +2 more

Professor Sarah Brough serves as Head of the School of Physics at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), where she joined in January 2017 as a SHARP hire. She has held significant leadership roles including Research Director (2018-2020 and 2024-2025) and Associate Dean of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in UNSW's Faculty of Science (2020). Internationally, she represents Australia on the European Southern Observatory Council and previously served as the Australian Science Lead for the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) from 2018-2024. Professor Brough is an observational astronomer whose research focuses on galaxy evolution, particularly examining how galaxies change over time and how this evolution depends on their environment. Her work centers on optical observations of nearby galaxies with special interest in the most massive galaxies in the Universe. She has pioneered research into low surface brightness structures such as intracluster light and tidal features, which provide critical insights into galaxy formation histories. Professor Brough led Australia's participation in securing ARC LIEF funding for 235 Australian astronomers to access the Vera C. Rubin Observatory's Legacy Survey of Space and Time, which will revolutionize the study of galaxy evolution when it commences in 2025. Her extensive publication record includes over 293 journal articles examining galaxy evolution, with recent work increasingly focused on preparatory studies for the LSST survey using Hyper-Suprime Cam observations from the Subaru Telescope. The Vera C. Rubin Observatory's LSST will achieve unprecedented depths across the southern sky, revealing low surface brightness features that have previously remained largely unexplored due to their extreme faintness. Professor Brough's significant contributions to astronomy have been recognized with several prestigious awards: Australian Research Council Future Fellowship (2015-2020) 2019 Dean of Science's Staff Excellence Award for Collaboration and Partnership 2019 ARC UNSW Outstanding Research Supervisor Award As a dedicated mentor and research leader, Professor Brough has supervised numerous students and secured substantial grant funding for astronomical research. She has been a key member of three major Australian-led galaxy surveys and currently leads a research group tackling outstanding questions in galaxy evolution. Her leadership extends to advocacy for diversity in science, having chaired the Astronomical Society of Australia's Inclusion Diversity and Equity in Astronomy Chapter.

• Neuroimaging Standards
• Functional MRI
• Schizophrenia Research
• +3 more

Christopher Markiewicz is a Senior Research Scholar in the Department of Psychology at Stanford University. His work focuses on neuroimaging standards, particularly the Brain Imaging Data Structure (BIDS), and advancing reproducible research practices in neuroscience. He contributes to large-scale initiatives like the Accelerating Medicines Partnership for Schizophrenia (AMP SCZ), developing neuroimaging protocols and multi-site data standards. His research integrates computational methods, open science frameworks, and collaborative projects to improve the reliability and interoperability of neuroimaging data. Position: Sr Research Scholar, Department of Psychology, Stanford University Key Projects: BIDS extensions (NIRS-BIDS, Motion-BIDS), fMRIPrep, AMP SCZ neuroimaging protocols Research interests include: Standardization of neuroimaging data (BIDS) fMRI preprocessing pipelines (fMRIPrep) Schizophrenia neuroimaging and clinical high-risk cohorts Open science practices and reproducible workflows Publications highlight contributions to neuroimaging protocols, data standardization, and computational tools for reproducibility. His work bridges technical innovations with clinical applications in mental health research.

Bahamin BazooyarView profile

Lecturer

• Combustion Science
• Renewable Energy Systems
• Carbon Capture Technologies
• +7 more

Bahamin Bazooyar is a part-time lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at Staffordshire University's School of Digital, Tech, Innovation & Business. He holds a Ph.D. from a dual program between Iran University of Science and Technology and Petroleum University of Technology (2017). His research focuses on combustion science, renewable energy systems, and carbon capture technologies. He has led industry-collaborative projects including FEED studies for decarbonizing sugar refineries and oxyfuel combustion systems. Notable awards include Iran’s Best Researcher of the Year (2016) and Best Reviewer accolades from APPLIED ENERGY (2020) and ACS (2023). He teaches modules like Power Plants and Clean Technology, Turbulent Flows, and Low-Carbon Energy Systems. His recent work includes hydrogen combustion design and membrane-based CO₂ separation technologies. Education: Master of Science (Petroleum University of Technology, 2012), Ph.D. (Dual Program, 2017). Postdoctoral fellowships at Staffordshire/Cranfield Universities (2017–2019) and Cranfield/Origen Power (2021–2022). Professional memberships include The Combustion Institute and American Society of Mechanical Engineering. Research Interests: Combustion modeling, renewable fuels (hydrogen, ammonia), fluid mechanics, and process simulation. Over 40 peer-reviewed publications and 100+ article reviews. Collaborations with industries like Bladon Microturine, Addfield Environmental Systems, and sugar refineries. Active in grant writing and consultancy for reactor design, fluid-solid interaction analysis, and low-carbon technology feasibility studies. Grants and Projects: Innovate UK-funded microturbine combustor project (2017–2019), sugar refinery decarbonization FEED study (2021–2022), and syngas processing design for Powerhouse PLC. Consultancies include pyrolysis reactor feasibility and reciprocating pump optimization.

Peter PooleView profile

Professor

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Supercooled Liquids
• Glass Transition
• +6 more

Peter Poole is a Professor in the Department of Physics at St. Francis Xavier University. His research focuses on the physics of supercooled liquids, crystallization, and the glass transition, utilizing molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations to explore phase transitions in water, amorphous ice, and molten silica. He is actively involved in high-performance computing (HPC) through collaborations with Canadian consortia SHARCNET and ACEnet. Poole's work emphasizes the thermodynamics and relaxation behavior of deeply supercooled water and amorphous ice, as well as polyamorphism in silica and Lennard-Jones systems. His simulations leverage advanced computational resources to test theories of crystal and glass formation, addressing longstanding gaps in predictive capabilities of condensed matter physics. His research trends include exploring liquid-liquid phase transitions in supercooled water nanodroplets, the role of surface tension and Laplace pressure in nanoscale systems, and the interplay between thermodynamic anomalies and phase stability. Collaborations with HPC networks have enabled large-scale ensemble simulations, such as 'swarm relaxation' techniques to equilibrate complex systems. Poole has contributed to foundational studies on the liquid-liquid critical point hypothesis, nucleation mechanisms, and the dynamic crossover in supercooled liquids. His recent work includes experimental observations of liquid-liquid transitions under high pressure and theoretical advancements in free energy landscapes of two-step nucleation processes. Notable contributions also include tributes to pioneers like C. Austen Angell, underscoring his role in advancing the field of amorphous solids and glass transition physics. His research bridges computational simulations with experimental insights, driving advancements in understanding fundamental condensed matter phenomena.

• Glaciology
• Ice core research
• Deformation mechanisms in ice
• +3 more

Prof. Ilka Weikusat is a Professor of Glaciology at the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research in Bremerhaven, Germany. She serves as Deputy Section Head for Glaciology and chairs the PoF IV Subtopic 2.4. Her research focuses on glaciological processes, ice core analysis, deformation mechanisms in polar ice, and multi-scale flow structures in ice sheets. She leads projects such as the Beyond EPICA and EastGRIP initiatives, investigating ice stream dynamics, crystallographic preferred orientations, and paleoclimatic records through ice cores. Her work bridges microstructural analysis with large-scale glacial processes, contributing to understanding polar ice sheet stability and climate change. Research Interests: Glaciology and ice core drilling techniques Deformation mechanisms and microstructures in ice Cryosphere dynamics and ice sheet stability Climate history reconstruction via ice cores Recent Articles: Focus on ice stream formation, deformation anisotropy, and ice core microstructure (e.g., EastGRIP and Beyond EPICA projects) Analysis of air clathrates, shear margins, and crystallographic fabrics in polar ice Awards: None explicitly listed in provided materials. Advising & Grants: No student advisees listed, but her research involves collaborative projects funded by polar research programs. Labs/Teams: Active in the Glaciology Section at AWI, contributing to international ice core collaborations (e.g., EastGRIP, Beyond EPICA).

Robert R. CaldwellView profile

Professor

• Cosmology
• Gravitation
• Dark Energy
• +4 more

Robert R. Caldwell is a Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Dartmouth College, where he has been on faculty since 2000. His research focuses on cosmology, gravitation, and dark energy, addressing fundamental questions about the universe's structure, composition, and evolution. He holds fellowships from prestigious organizations including the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Physical Society. Education: A.B. in Physics from Washington University in St. Louis (1984), M.Sc. from University of Wisconsin-Madison (1986), and Ph.D. in Physics from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (1992). Prior to Dartmouth, he held research positions at Fermilab, Cambridge University, and Princeton University. Research Interests: His work explores dark energy, dark matter, gravitational waves, cosmic microwave background radiation, and the universe's fate. He collaborates on projects like the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) and contributes to understanding inflationary cosmology and fundamental physics. Key Contributions: Notable publications include studies on cosmology with LISA, dark energy models, and gravitational wave memory effects. His Erdős number is 4, and Bacon number is 3, showcasing interdisciplinary reach. Grants & Awards: Recognized for contributions to theoretical physics and cosmology, including fellowships highlighting his impact on advancing cosmological research.

Vanessa MossView profile

Adjunct Professor

• Radio Astronomy
• Astrophysics
• High-Energy Astrophysics
• +3 more

Dr. Vanessa Moss is an Adjunct Professor at the School of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, University of Queensland. Her research focuses on radio astronomy, astrophysics, and collaborative science practices. She is actively involved in large observational projects like ASKAP and Apertif, contributing to surveys of galactic structures, transient phenomena, and HI absorption studies. Key research interests include radio surveys (e.g., RACS), fast radio bursts (FRBs), and advancing accessible conference formats. Her work bridges observational astronomy with data analysis, emphasizing sustainability and inclusivity in global scientific collaboration. Publications highlight her contributions to radio galaxy studies, interstellar medium dynamics, and technological advancements in radio telescopes. She has co-authored over 80 peer-reviewed articles, focusing on cosmological surveys, HI absorption in AGN, and multi-wavelength astronomy. Dr. Moss has pioneered efforts to digitize conferences, such as the virtual ICWIP 2021, and contributed to initiatives like Astronomers for Planet Earth to reduce the carbon footprint of astronomy. She collaborates internationally with institutions like the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT) and the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP).

Sven BuderView profile

Research Fellow

• Galactic Archaeology
• Stellar Spectroscopy
• Milky Way Evolution
• +3 more

Dr Sven Buder is a Research Fellow at the Research School of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Australian National University (ANU). He holds a PhD in Astrophysics from the University of Heidelberg. His expertise spans Galactic Archaeology and Stellar Spectroscopy, focusing on understanding the formation and evolution of the Milky Way through chemical abundance analysis and stellar dynamics. His research leverages large-scale surveys like GALAH (GALactic Archaeology with HERMES) to study stellar populations, accretion events, and the chemical evolution of the Galaxy. Key projects include tracing the Milky Way’s history via RR Lyrae stars and investigating neutron-capture elements’ roles in galactic disc evolution. Buder’s work has produced over 90 peer-reviewed publications, with notable contributions to understanding lithium abundance patterns, stellar companions of exoplanet hosts, and the impact of mergers like Gaia-Sausage-Enceladus on the Milky Way’s structure. He advises two PhD students and collaborates on instrumental projects through the Australian National University’s Astronomy and Astrophysics facilities. His research integrates observational data with advanced simulations, contributing to interdisciplinary efforts in galactic dynamics and stellar astrophysics.

Karl KadlerView profile

Professor

• Extracellular Matrix Biology
• Collagen Fibrillogenesis
• Circadian Rhythms
• +7 more

Karl Kadler is a Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Manchester in the UK, serving as Director of both the Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research and the Cellular & Developmental Systems Domain within the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health. He holds a PhD in Medical Biophysics from the University of Manchester (1984) and a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry from the University of Salford (1980). His research focuses on collagen fibril assembly mechanisms, extracellular matrix biology, and the role of circadian rhythms in tissue maintenance. Kadler pioneered the use of serial block face-scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) in the UK and discovered fibripositors—actin-based plasma membrane structures critical for collagen fibril formation and mechanosensing. His work bridges molecular biology, biochemistry, and advanced imaging to study diseases like osteogenesis imperfecta and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Research interests include circadian regulation of collagen homeostasis, extracellular matrix turnover dynamics, and the interplay between mechanical forces and cellular processes. Recent studies highlight circadian-driven protective mechanisms for collagen and macrophage-fibroblast interactions in fibrosis. Kadler’s expertise aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and innovation. He has received the prestigious 2016 Fell-Muir Prize for contributions to extracellular matrix research and manages large-scale interdisciplinary projects including the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre and the Centre for Biological Timing. His work has produced over 124 publications and 3 notable datasets, demonstrating methodological innovations in collagen imaging and circadian biology.

Cong WeiView profile

Assistant Professor

• Robotics
• Control Systems
• Autonomous Systems
• +4 more

Cong Wei is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at Old Dominion University (ODU). He holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Delaware (2021) and conducted postdoctoral research at the Maryland Robotics Center (2021–2023). His expertise includes control algorithms for multi-agent systems, nonlinear systems, robotic navigation, and adaptive sampling using autonomous systems, with a focus on marine applications and environments influenced by ambient conditions. Education: Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, 2021 M.S., Ocean Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, 2014 B.S., Marine Engineering, Ningbo University, 2012 Research Interests: Design and control of autonomous underwater vehicles Multi-agent coordination in dynamic environments Nonlinear control strategies for marine robotics Adaptive sampling techniques using autonomous systems Large-scale ocean monitoring via robotic networks His work emphasizes practical applications in marine robotics, leveraging geophysical flow dynamics and cooperative systems. Lab and Collaborations: Director of the Multi-Agent Control Lab at ODU, focusing on robotics and autonomous systems research.

Samantha PennyView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Galaxy Evolution
• Low Mass Galaxy Formation
• Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN)
• +3 more

Dr. Samantha Penny is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Technology at the University of Portsmouth, affiliated with the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation. Her research focuses on observational astrophysics, particularly galaxy evolution, low-mass galaxy formation, and the role of active galactic nuclei (AGN) in shaping galactic environments. She holds an MPhys from Cardiff University and a PhD from the University of Nottingham, followed by postdoctoral fellowships in Australia. Her teaching responsibilities include modules in mathematical physics and observational astronomy. Key research interests include analyzing dwarf galaxies' evolution using spectroscopy, exploring AGN feedback mechanisms, and investigating isolated galaxy dynamics. Her work often leverages large-scale surveys like SDSS-IV MaNGA and APOGEE. Recent publications emphasize cosmological simulations (e.g., IllustrisTNG), AGN-environment interactions, and morphological studies of barred galaxies. She collaborates extensively on data releases from major sky surveys, contributing to the understanding of galaxy populations and stellar properties. Dr. Penny supervises undergraduate research projects and contributes to academic teams focused on galactic structure and formation processes.