Find Academic Supervisors

Kyle DavisView profile

Associate Professor

• Food systems
• Sustainability
• Global environmental change
• +4 more

Kyle Davis is an Associate Professor and Graduate Director in the Department of Geography and Spatial Sciences at the University of Delaware's College of Earth, Ocean & Environment. He also holds appointments in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences (CANR), Data Science Institute, and Delaware Environmental Institute (DENIN). His education includes a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences from the University of Virginia (2016) and a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Delaware (2010). His research focuses on food systems sustainability, global environmental change, geospatial data science, and the interplay between nutrition and land use. Notable initiatives include the HarvestStat open data project for sub-Saharan Africa and studies on crop diversification in India and China. He leads the Davis Lab, which develops science-based solutions for global environmental challenges. Recent collaborations include work on transnational land acquisitions' ecological impacts, water scarcity in agricultural breadbasket regions, and climate-driven crop failure risks. His lab's projects emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, combining remote sensing, machine learning, and socioeconomic analysis. Current students include PhD candidates Aarti Arora and Endalkachew Kebede, with alumni like Dongyang Wei contributing to rice diversification studies in India. Publications highlight topics like irrigation expansion in water-stressed regions, crop-switching strategies for resilience, and global food supply chain vulnerability. Davis appears in the Water Resources Podcast and actively engages in international initiatives like the Rio Grande restoration project.

• Plant Nematology
• Biofumigation
• Sustainable Crop Protection
• +3 more

Dr. Matthew Back is a Professor of Nematology at Harper Adams University, affiliated with the Crop and Environment Research Centre (CERC) and the Department of Agriculture and Environment. His research focuses on plant-parasitic nematodes, biofumigation strategies, and sustainable crop protection methods. He holds roles as an Editor for the Annals of Applied Biology and active memberships in the European Society of Nematologists and British Society of Plant Pathology. Dr. Back’s academic qualifications include BSc, MSc, PhD, and Fellowship of the Association of Applied Biologists. His teaching spans undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including Crop Protection Technology, Advanced Agronomy, and Plant Pathology modules. He supervises PhD students (listed above) and contributes to professional development courses like BASIS and Plant Protection Award programs. His research interests emphasize disease complexes involving nematodes and soil pathogens, with a focus on Globodera , Pratylenchus , and Rhizoctonia solani . He pioneers non-chemical pest management strategies, including biofumigation using brassica-derived isothiocyanates and trap crops. His work bridges laboratory studies (e.g., in vitro nematicidal efficacy) with field applications (e.g., no-till systems and crop rotation). Dr. Back collaborates with interdisciplinary groups such as the Centre for Evidence-Based Agriculture (CEBA) and the Agroecology for Sustainable Food Systems initiative. His recent publications span nematode population dynamics, PCR diagnostic tools, and AI-driven nematode quantification. He is based at CERC Office 2, reachable via ORCID and @DrMattBack on X.

• Precision Agriculture
• Remote Sensing
• Machine Learning
• +4 more

Joseph Mhango is a Senior Lecturer in Applied Data Science at Harper Adams University's Department of Agriculture and Environment. His research focuses on leveraging big data from satellite imagery, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and proximal soil sensors to develop predictive models for agricultural decision support. He specializes in high-throughput plant phenotyping, deep learning for precision agriculture, and automation of agricultural perception tasks. His research is conducted through the Centre for Agricultural Data Science. He actively engages with the scientific community via Twitter/X (@josemhango), sharing insights on potato research, precision agriculture, and machine learning applications in agriculture. Mhango's work bridges computer science and agriculture, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to solve crop productivity challenges. His publications span crop management, remote sensing, and machine learning-driven agricultural analytics.

• Miscanthus Genetics
• Biomass Crop Improvement
• Genomic Prediction
• +3 more

Erik J. Sacks is a Professor in the Department of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). His research focuses on advancing plant breeding and genomics methodologies for bioenergy and agronomic crops. He specializes in Miscanthus genetics, genomic prediction, and leveraging machine learning for crop improvement through aerial imagery analysis. Notable research contributions include developing genomic tools for genotype-environment interaction modeling, improving genetic mapping precision in outcrossing species, and creating high-performance cotton germplasm lines. His work integrates remote sensing and AI to enhance crop phenotyping efficiency. Sacks collaborates internationally on multi-location trials and has contributed datasets publicly available through UIUC repositories. His research bridges traditional plant breeding with modern computational approaches, aiming to optimize biomass production under varying environmental conditions. Key collaborations include work with institutions in Japan, South Korea, China, and Europe through multi-authored studies on Miscanthus and cotton genetics. His datasets focus on phenotypic analysis, genomic prediction models, and environmental response modeling for bioenergy crops.

• Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning
• Audio Signal Processing
• +3 more

Shubhr Singh is a Visiting Professor at Queen Mary University of London's School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science, based in the Peter Landin building (Room CS 403). His research focuses on artificial intelligence, machine learning, audio signal processing, and their applications in bioacoustics and financial technology. He has contributed to advancements in graph neural networks (GNNs) for audio identification and classification, few-shot learning for bioacoustic event detection, and AI-driven innovations in banking systems. His work spans interdisciplinary areas such as perceptual music similarity metrics, intelligent audio control systems, and agricultural studies on crop growth optimization. Singh collaborates on international challenges like the DCASE series, exploring cutting-edge methods in sound event detection and domain adaptation. Key research trends in his publications include leveraging GNNs for complex audio analysis tasks, addressing data scarcity via few-shot learning, and integrating AI into real-world applications like neobanks and agricultural sustainability. His articles reflect a blend of theoretical advancements and practical implementations across diverse domains.

• Remote Sensing
• Agricultural Science
• Rice Crop Management
• +3 more

Vidya Nahdhiyatul Fikriyah is a researcher affiliated with the Department of Natural Resources, focusing on remote sensing applications in agricultural science, particularly rice crop management using Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellite data. Her work involves synthetic aperture radar (SAR) analysis, vegetation indices, and machine learning techniques for crop establishment classification. Research Interests Her research explores: Sentinel Satellite Utilization Rice Crop Phenology and Monitoring SAR Backscatter Dynamics Machine Learning in Agricultural Mapping Vegetation Index Modeling Multi-Temporal Data Analysis Scientific Contributions Vidya’s publications (2017–2025) highlight advancements in: Ratoon Rice Mapping Crop Establishment Discrimination Philippine Rice Cultivation Analysis Support Vector Machine Applications Geospatial Informatics Agricultural Data Fusion

Lim Lam GhaiView profile

Lecturer

• Neuroimaging
• Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS)
• Brain-Computer Interface
• +3 more

Dr. Lim Lam Ghai is a Lecturer at the School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia. He holds a PhD in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (2022), along with a Master of Science (2017) and Bachelor of Engineering (2014) from the same institution. His research focuses on non-invasive neuroimaging (fNIRS) for mental health applications and AI-driven precision agriculture. He teaches Engineering Numerical Analysis and Applied Artificial Intelligence. Research Interests: Dr. Lim’s work bridges neuroimaging and AI, with projects on fNIRS for neurological diagnostics and AI in crop management. His contributions include enhancing fNIRS clinical applicability and developing autonomous agricultural systems. Collaborations span neuroscience, engineering, and sustainable development. Awards: He has received multiple accolades, including the IEEE SPS Malaysia Best PhD Thesis Award (2022), IChemE Training & Development Award (2022), and the International Illnovasi Competition prize (2022). Grants & Projects: He leads a project (2023–2026) on cognitive load estimation using deep learning. His work aligns with UN SDGs, particularly in health and sustainable agriculture. Active in peer review for journals like Biological Psychology and Frontiers in Human Neuroscience . Labs/Teams: Engaged in interdisciplinary research teams focused on neuroimaging technology and smart agriculture solutions.

Rachel WatsonView profile

Lecturer

• Second Language Pedagogy
• 20th/21st-Century French Theater
• Francophone Theater
• +6 more

Rachel Watson is a Lecturer in French at Yale University, specializing in 20th/21st-century French and Francophone theater. Her work bridges theater studies, performance studies, and pedagogy, emphasizing embodied learning through performance. She holds a Ph.D. from NYU, M.A. from Columbia, and B.A. from Dartmouth College, with prior teaching roles at NYU, Sarah Lawrence, and Dartmouth. Education: Ph.D. in French, New York University M.A. in French Cultural Studies, Columbia University B.A., Dartmouth College Her research focuses on diaspora representations, forced migration, embodied memory, and political theater. Her manuscript-in-progress, (Re)Membering the Body , examines diaspora dramaturgies. Publications appear in The Drama Review , Theater , and Arab Stages . She translates for Béatrice Picon-Vallin's work on the Théâtre du Soleil. Her teaching integrates theater performance to enhance language proficiency and cultural analysis, using immersive methods inspired by her training at the Rassias Center and Jacques Lecoq's theater school.

• Agricultural Sensing Technologies
• Precision Agriculture
• Machine Learning/Deep Learning
• +3 more

Gustavo Alckmin is a Lecturer at the UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, University of Western Australia. Previously, he worked as a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Missouri and as a lecturer at the University of Melbourne. He holds a B.Sc. (Agronomic Engineering) from Universidade de São Paulo, double M.Sc. degrees from Universidade Politécnica de Madrid and Montpellier SupAgro, and a double Ph.D. in Agriculture from Wageningen University and the University of Tasmania (2021). His research focuses on agricultural sensing technologies and analytics, including sensor prototyping, IoT integration, machine learning, and MLOps. Key applications involve multispectral UAV data, canopy reflectance analysis, and precision agriculture solutions. He explores spectral data analytics for biomass and feed quality assessment in crops like perennial ryegrass. Alckmin is fluent in Portuguese, English, French, and Spanish, with intermediate Italian and basic German. His work bridges engineering and agronomy, emphasizing actionable agricultural technologies. Collaborations span global institutions, reflecting his expertise in remote sensing and spectroscopy.

Raheel NawazView profile

Professor

• Artificial Intelligence
• Digital Education
• Educational Data Science
• +4 more

Professor Raheel Nawaz is the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education and Research) at Staffordshire University, leading academic strategy across four strategic priorities: Next Generation Education, Experience, Environment, and Engagement. He previously served as Pro-Vice Chancellor (Digital Transformation), driving transformative digital initiatives recognized as sector-leading. His career spans leadership roles in diverse institutions, including Russell Group universities and private further education organizations. He is a top-10 global scholar in 'Applied AI' and 'Digital Education', with over £14M in grants and 200+ publications (h-index 47). He advises international educational programs and sits on boards like JISC and UVAC. Research interests focus on AI-driven education, work-based learning, and industry-academia collaboration. His National Teaching Fellowship (NTF) recognizes groundbreaking work on Degree Apprenticeship pedagogies, improving outcomes for underrepresented students. He has advised governments and policy bodies, including Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Task Force on Science and Technology. Notable contributions include AI applications in Urdu language processing, healthcare diagnostics, and robotics for autism therapy. Awards: NTF, PFHEA, Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023 Grants: DARPA, CERN, World Bank, UKRI, Innovate UK Leadership: Spearheaded digital transformation, advised three continents’ educational programs Labs/Teams: Led Staffordshire’s Digital Transformation research center and collaborates with global organizations like the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence (Pakistan).

Giovanni BrogginiView profile

Lecturer

• Genomics
• Plant Breeding
• Agricultural Biotechnology
• +3 more

Dr. Giovanni Broggini is a Lecturer in the Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH Zurich, specializing in plant genetics and breeding. His research focuses on advancing apple breeding through genomic selection, cisgenic modifications, and phenotyping technologies. He leads initiatives leveraging genomic data and environmental variables to enhance crop resilience against diseases like fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) and apple scab (Venturia inaequalis). His work integrates molecular biology techniques, including CRISPR/Cas9 and LiDAR-based phenotyping, to develop disease-resistant cultivars while ensuring biosafety through omics analysis. Broggini collaborates with Swiss breeding programs to utilize core genetic resources, such as the Swiss Apple Core Collection, for sustainable cultivar development. Key projects include cisgenic apple line C44.4.146 demonstrating resistance to fire blight without unintended effects, and the FruitPhenoBox device for rapid fruit quality assessment. His teaching includes the course 'Applied Laboratory Techniques in Agricultural Sciences' (Autumn 2025). Publications highlight innovations in genomic prediction, non-destructive phenotyping, and transgene stability assessment, contributing to both fundamental and applied plant science.

Hakim WeatherspoonView profile

Professor

• Computer Networking
• Distributed Systems
• Cybersecurity
• +3 more

Hakim Weatherspoon is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Cornell University, serving as Associate Director of the Cornell Institute for Digital Agriculture (CIDA) and CEO/co-founder of Exotanium, Inc. He holds a PhD from UC Berkeley (2006) and a B.S. from the University of Washington (1999). His research focuses on distributed systems, networking, and digital agriculture, emphasizing fault-tolerance, security, and performance. He has led projects such as the Software-Defined Network Interface Card (SoNIC) and contributed to initiatives like the Supercloud and wireless data centers. Education: PhD in Computer Science, UC Berkeley (2006); B.S. in Computer Engineering, University of Washington (1999). Research interests include network architecture, cloud computing, and interdisciplinary digital agriculture solutions. Notable achievements include the Kavli Frontiers Fellowship (2014), NSF CAREER Award (2011), and Sloan Research Fellowship (2011). Teaching includes courses on advanced systems (CS 6410), operating systems (CS 4410), and computer system organization (CS 3410). His work spans industry collaborations, startup leadership, and graduate student mentorship. Grants include $25M for digital agriculture tools (2021), NSF Early Career Award ($600K), and DARPA funding for network research. His lab explores topics like oblivious reconfigurable networks and edge computing frameworks.

Angelos DeltsidisView profile

Assistant Professor

• Postharvest Physiology
• Fruit and Vegetable Storage
• Agricultural Technology
• +3 more

Dr. Angelos Deltsidis is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Horticulture at the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (CAES). His role includes serving as a Post-harvest Extension Specialist with a focus on postharvest physiology of fresh produce, particularly fruits and vegetables. He leads research on extending shelf-life through technologies like ozone treatments, modified atmospheres, and storage optimization. His work emphasizes improving marketable quality and reducing postharvest losses. Dr. Deltsidis holds a B.S. in Agriculture & Crop Production (University of Thessaly, 2009), an M.S. in Agribusiness (University of Florida, 2015), and a Ph.D. in Horticulture (University of Florida, 2015). Prior to UGA, he served as an International Postharvest Specialist at UC Davis. His current appointments are divided into 30% research, 65% Extension, and 5% service. His research interests span postharvest technologies, storage environment optimization, and food safety. Notable projects include ozone-based treatments for peaches, photoselective devices for blueberry productivity, and the Container Mini Packhouse for small-scale farmers. He contributes to the CAES Vegetables Team and manages the Vidalia Onion Research Lab in Tifton, GA. Publications highlight his work on berry quality, muscadine grape preservation, and innovative storage solutions. His Extension efforts focus on translating research into practical guidelines for growers, including handling protocols and postharvest best practices. He collaborates on sustainability initiatives to enhance food availability in emerging economies.

• Remote Sensing
• Biomass Burning Emissions
• Land Surface Phenology
• +3 more

Xiaoyang Zhang is a Distinguished Professor of Geography and Senior Research Scientist at the Geospatial Sciences Center of Excellence (GSCE), South Dakota State University (SDSU). He holds additional roles as Co-Director of GSCE and Graduate Coordinator for the Geography Ph.D. program. Prior to joining SDSU in 2013, he held research positions at institutions such as Boston University, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and NASA/NOAA-affiliated organizations. Education: Ph.D. in Geography (King's College London, 1999), M.S. in Geography (Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, 1991), B.S. in Geography (Peking University, 1984). Research interests focus on satellite remote sensing applications, including land surface phenology, biomass burning emissions, and climate-ecosystem interactions. His work integrates geostationary and polar-orbiting satellite data to monitor vegetation dynamics and wildfire impacts. He has led over 40 grants totaling millions in funding, emphasizing operational satellite product development for agriculture, air quality, and environmental forecasting. Key achievements include the VIIRS Land Surface Phenology product, NOAA's biomass burning emissions algorithms, and real-time crop monitoring tools. His research has been featured in prominent journals like Remote Sensing of Environment and Nature Climate Change. Awards and recognition include media coverage from SDPB Radio, Environmental Research Web, and The Philadelphia Inquirer for contributions to air quality and wildfire research. He advises over 20 graduate students and postdocs, mentoring projects on crop phenology, fire emissions, and remote sensing methodologies. Labs/Teams: Leads the GSCE's remote sensing group and collaborates with NOAA, NASA, and international institutions on satellite algorithm development and operational monitoring systems.

Xufei YangView profile

Assistant Professor

• Air Quality Monitoring
• Environmental Engineering
• Waste Management
• +3 more

Xufei Yang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at South Dakota State University (SDSU), concurrently serving as an SDSU Extension Environmental Quality Engineer. His work bridges environmental engineering and agricultural systems, focusing on air quality solutions for livestock operations and precision agriculture innovations. He teaches Agricultural Waste Management and leads research in bioaerosol mitigation, sustainable waste-to-resource systems, and cyberinfrastructure development for smart farming. Education: Ph.D., University of Illinois; M.S. & B.S., Tsinghua University. His professional experience includes roles in environmental management outreach targeting South Dakota livestock producers, emphasizing practical solutions for reducing emissions and optimizing resource use. Research Interests include: Development of cost-effective air quality monitoring technologies for agricultural environments Optimization of algal-based bioremediation systems using photobioreactors Cybersecurity frameworks for agricultural IoT systems Wastewater nutrient recovery and energy-efficient treatment processes Grant Activities: Current projects include a $500k FFAR-funded study on bioaerosol characterization in swine facilities, a $250k SD Cyber-Ag-Law initiative for LPWAN-based precision systems, and multiple industry collaborations addressing feed waste reduction and soybean byproduct utilization. Past work includes noise exposure studies in forestry operations and UAV-based methane monitoring systems. Labs/Teams: Leads SDSU's Agricultural Environment and Energy Lab, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams on biofilter design, microbial fuel cell sensors, and smart agriculture infrastructure. Active in extension programs delivering environmental management training to producers across South Dakota.