Find Academic Supervisors

Patricia HoldenView profile

Professor

• Environmental Microbiology
• Microbial Ecology
• Water Quality
• +5 more

Professor Patricia Holden is a faculty member at the Bren School of Environment at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her research focuses on environmental microbiology, microbial ecology, water quality, and biodegradation with particular emphasis on wastewater treatment, nanomaterial ecotoxicology, and environmental health. She holds a PhD in Soil Microbiology from UC Berkeley and a MEng in Civil & Environmental Engineering from UC Berkeley, alongside additional degrees from Purdue University and the University of Tennessee. Her research group investigates microbial processes in environmental systems, including the impacts of nanomaterials on legume symbiosis, stormwater biofilter performance, and tobacco/cannabis debris pollution. Key areas include wastewater-based epidemiology for public health monitoring, fecal source tracking in recreational waters, and assessing environmental risks from emerging contaminants. Recent work highlights include studies on SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance, microfiber pollution from textiles, and ecological impacts of tobacco product waste. She teaches courses like Environmental Biogeochemistry (ESM 202) and Microbial Processes in the Environment (ESM 219). Education: PhD, Soil Microbiology, UC Berkeley MEng, Civil & Environmental Engineering, UC Berkeley MS, Civil Engineering, Purdue University BS, Civil Engineering, University of Tennessee Awards: None explicitly listed in provided text. Advising: Supervises PhD candidate Liviu Iancu and postdoctoral researcher Dong Li. Labs/Teams: Leads research group focused on environmental microbiology and biogeochemistry with active projects in coastal water quality, nanomaterial toxicity, and green infrastructure.

Rhonda MillerView profile

Professor

• Meat Science
• Sensory Science
• Food Technology
• +3 more

Dr. Rhonda Miller is a Professor in Meat Science at Texas A&M University's Department of Animal Science, affiliated with the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences. She holds additional roles in the Faculty of Food Science and Technology and the Graduate Faculty of Nutrition. Her research focuses on meat quality, safety, and value-added products, with emphasis on sensory science and automated grading technologies. Dr. Miller earned all her degrees (B.S., M.S., Ph.D.) from Colorado State University, with doctoral research conducted at the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Nebraska. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in meat and sensory science and directs the Sensory Testing Facility and Sensory Science Evaluation Laboratory. Her work includes developing over 300 meat products during her tenure at Monfort, Inc., and managing expert sensory panels supported by industry contracts. These panels evaluate meat products for flavor, texture, and palatability. Dr. Miller's research spans antemortem/postmortem factors affecting meat quality, dry-aging techniques, and non-meat ingredients to enhance shelf-life. She also investigates consumer preferences for beef, pork, and chicken, particularly among millennials. Key projects include the National Beef Tenderness Survey and studies on volatile aroma compounds, fatty acid profiles, and cooking methods' impact on meat quality. Her contributions bridge academia and industry, addressing both scientific and practical challenges in meat production and consumer satisfaction.

• Microbiology
• Biomedical Sciences
• Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT)
• +3 more

Reetta Satokari is a University researcher and Researcher at the Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Helsinki. She serves as a supervisor in multiple doctoral programmes including Human Microbiome Research, Drug Research, Biomedicine, Clinical Research, Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Food Chain and Health, and Microbiology and Biotechnology. Her research focuses on microbiota dynamics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), antibiotic resistance, probiotics, and gastrointestinal health. She leads the EU Horizon Europe project ENDOTARGET (2023-2026) and has contributed to over 100 peer-reviewed articles. Notable work includes studies on FMT efficacy in Parkinson's disease and chronic pouchitis, and the prolonged effects of antibiotics on gut microbiota. Her scientific accolades include the Nutrients 2020 Best Paper Award. She actively participates in conferences, media interviews, and thesis supervision. Projects include investigating fetal intestinal microbiota's role in immune development and advancing FMT safety protocols. Her work bridges microbiology, immunology, and clinical applications, with a focus on translational therapies for gastrointestinal and neurodegenerative disorders.

Quinn WebberView profile

Assistant Professor

• Behavioural ecology
• Disease ecology
• Conservation biology
• +3 more

Dr. Quinn Webber is an Assistant Professor at the University of Guelph's Department of Integrative Biology, College of Biological Science. His research focuses on the causes and consequences of animal behavior, particularly in bats and caribou. He examines how individual behavioral variation and environmental factors influence fitness and disease outcomes, leveraging contemporary statistical methods to analyze ecological scales. His work contributes to One Health initiatives and species conservation. Research Interests: Behavioral ecology of bats and caribou Disease ecology and pathogen transmission Spatial ecology and habitat selection Conservation biology and species management Integration of social and spatial behavior Lab Environment: The lab emphasizes collaborative learning, with weekly meetings, writing groups, and interdisciplinary collaborations. Recent achievements include student publications, scholarship awards (e.g., NSERC, Vanier), and ongoing projects on behavioral aging, migration, and microbial transmission. Follow lab activities via Instagram (@uog_web_lab) or Bluesky (@qwebber.bsky.social). Grants & Advising: Mentors graduate students in PhD/Master's programs, focusing on behavioral ecology and conservation. Lab members have secured notable scholarships, reflecting strong mentorship and research impact. Labs/Teams: Active in the Department of Integrative Biology, collaborating on multi-layer social network analyses and telemetry data applications. The lab prioritizes EDI initiatives to foster inclusive research environments.

Zofia KarczewskaView profile

Assistant Professor

• Public Finance
• Healthcare Expenditures
• Local Self-Government Financing
• +4 more

Zofia Karczewska is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Finance (Division of Public Finance) within the Faculty of Economics and Finance at the University of Białystok. Her research focuses on public finance mechanisms, healthcare expenditures analysis, and environmental health risks. She holds office hours at Białystok’s Warszawska 63 building, room 229. Her work integrates fiscal policy analysis with practical health system challenges, particularly in local self-government financing and Legionella contamination control. Key research areas include: Public finance optimization at subnational levels Epidemiological risk assessment in healthcare facilities Health behavior studies among youth populations Recent studies examine lead exposure in students across three countries and healthcare workforce needs for elderly care in Podlaskie. Her 2020 comparative study on Legionella in Polish hotels advanced water safety protocols. Ongoing work bridges fiscal governance with healthcare delivery systems. Publications span 18 years, covering topics from 2007 youth health studies to 2025 transnational environmental health research. She actively participates in institutional cooperation initiatives and maintains a Google Scholar profile with 12+ indexed works.

Yongqun HeView profile

Professor

• Computational Medicine
• Bioinformatics
• Ontology Development
• +8 more

Dr. Yongqun He is a Professor at the University of Michigan Medical School with primary affiliation in the Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine (ULAM) and joint appointments in the Department of Learning Health Sciences and Department of Microbiology and Immunology. He holds affiliations with the Rogel Cancer Center, MIDAS, and other institutions. He earned his D.V.M. from Jiangxi Agricultural University (China) and Ph.D. in Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences from Virginia Tech (USA). His research focuses on computational medicine, ontology development, vaccinology, and microbiology. He pioneered Vaccine Informatics, developed tools like VO, Ontobee, and Ontofox, and contributed to Kidney Precision Medicine through ontologies like KTAO. He has mentored numerous students and serves on NIH review panels, international conferences, and advisory boards. His work includes over 300 publications, with recent topics on ontology-based vaccine design, AI applications, and kidney disease modeling. Education: D.V.M. (1991), M.S. Veterinary Medicine (1996), Ph.D. Biomedical Sciences (2000) from China Agricultural University and Virginia Tech. Research: Integrates AI, ontology, and bioinformatics to study vaccines, pathogens, and kidney diseases. Services: NIH grant reviewer, organizer of international ontology workshops (VDOS, CELLS), and editorial board member for journals like Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology .

Maria Chatzidaki-LivanisView profile

Academic

• Microbiology
• Human Gut Microbiota
• Bacteroides fragilis
• +7 more

Maria Chatzidaki-Livanis is an Instructor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Ohio University, part of the College of Arts and Sciences. She previously held academic positions at Harvard Medical School, including Postdoctoral Research Associate (2006–2009) and Instructor in Medicine (2009–2018), following her Ph.D. from the University of Florida in 2004. Research Interests: Her work centers on the molecular biology of the human gut symbiont Bacteroides fragilis , exploring its dual role as both a mutualistic bacterium and an opportunistic pathogen. She investigates mechanisms of bacterial symbiosis, pathogenesis, and competition, with a focus on secretion systems, antimicrobial proteins, glycan synthesis, and host-microbe signaling. Publication Trends: Her research, published in top journals such as Cell , PNAS , and MBio , reveals a consistent focus on microbial adaptation in the gut, particularly how Bacteroides species utilize molecular mimicry, protein modification, and interbacterial competition to colonize and persist in the intestinal environment. The integration of genetics, biochemistry, and microbiology underscores a systems-level approach to understanding gut microbiota dynamics. Academic Background: Ph.D., University of Florida, 2004 Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Florida, 2004–2006 Postdoctoral Research Associate, Harvard Medical School, 2006–2009 Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 2009–2018 Instructor, Ohio University, College of Arts and Sciences Advising and Grants: While no formal students or grants are listed in the provided text, her extensive collaborative research, particularly with Dr. Laurie E. Comstock, suggests mentorship and leadership in laboratory settings. Her long-standing research program implies grant support, though specific funding sources are not mentioned. Laboratories and Teams: Her research has been conducted within prominent microbiology labs, particularly at Harvard Medical School and now at Ohio University, focusing on bacterial genetics and host-microbe interactions. She is part of a broader scientific network studying the human microbiome and its implications for health and disease.

• Molecular Microbiology
• Immunology
• Bacterial Pathogenesis
• +13 more

Stefan Bagby is a Reader in the Department of Life Sciences at the University of Bath, affiliated with the Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology and the Centre for Bioengineering & Biomedical Technologies (CBio). He is an active faculty member with a strong research profile in molecular microbiology, immunology, and biophysical biochemistry. His work integrates genomics, structural biology, and nanotechnology to study bacterial pathogenesis and host immune responses. His research focuses on Staphylococcus aureus and Bordetella pertussis , exploring mechanisms of immune evasion, protein-protein interactions, and post-translational modifications such as lipoylation and palmitoylation. He also investigates cancer immunology, autoantibodies in myositis, and the application of nanopore sequencing and graphene-based biosensors for diagnostics and biotechnological applications. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in nanopore-based metagenomics for respiratory infection diagnostics, pan-cancer immune gene signatures , and bacterial genomics for understanding pathogen evolution. His work bridges fundamental molecular mechanisms with translational applications in infection, autoimmunity, and cancer. Scientific Contributions: Extensive research on Staphylococcus aureus immune evasion proteins (Efb, Sbi). Pioneering use of nanopore sequencing in bacterial genomics and clinical metagenomics. Development of graphene-based biosensing platforms using supramolecular enzyme complexes. Investigations into autoantibodies in myositis and their clinical implications. Supervision and Collaboration: He is actively accepting doctoral students and has supervised at least 10 research projects. His interdisciplinary work involves collaborations across biochemistry, immunology, oncology, and nanotechnology. Laboratory and Facilities: His research is supported by the Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology and CBio, providing access to advanced instrumentation for protein biophysics, genomics, and nanomaterial-based sensing.

• Analytical Chemistry
• Food Safety
• Mycotoxin Analysis
• +3 more

Rufino Mateo Castro is a Professor at the Universitat de València in the Department of Analytical Chemistry . His work focuses on mycotoxin analysis , fungal contamination control , and analytical methods for cultural heritage . Research Interests: Development of advanced analytical techniques (mass spectrometry, electrochemical methods) Mycotoxin detection in food and feed Application of bioactive compounds (e.g., essential oils) for toxin prevention Archaeometric studies of artworks and ancient materials Publications highlight his contributions to mycotoxin mitigation in cereals, environmental risk factors for fungal growth, and chromatographic/electrochemical methodologies . He has collaborated extensively on food safety and cultural heritage projects.

Pawel WargockiView profile

Professor

• Indoor Air Quality
• Air Pollution Control
• Thermal Comfort
• +6 more

Pawel Wargocki is a Professor at the Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU). His research focuses on indoor environmental quality, air quality management, and human health impacts of building systems. He leads projects addressing airborne infection risk, thermal comfort, and ventilation strategies in schools, offices, and healthcare settings. Key research areas include: Optimization of ventilation systems for infection control Thermal insulation in sleep environments Low-cost sensor validation for pollutant exposure CFD modeling of aerosol dynamics Public health implications of CO₂ levels Healthy building frameworks Notable projects include: IEA EBC Annex 86: Energy-Efficient IAQ Management in Residential Buildings WHO Collaborations on Airborne Infection Risk Assessment International sleep quality studies funded by Danish Research Councils His 396+ publications emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, with recent work published in Building and Environment , Infectious Disease Modelling , and Indoor and Built Environment . He supervises PhD students exploring cognitive performance in classrooms and HVAC energy savings.

• Postharvest Biology
• Food Quality Assessment
• Food Safety
• +6 more

Dr. M. Carmen Alamar is a Senior Lecturer in Postharvest Biology at Cranfield University's Centre for Soil, Agrifood and Biosciences. She holds a PhD in Food Technology from Polytechnic University of Valencia (2007) and has maintained continuous academic-industrial collaborations with USDA, Unilever, and Zespri. Key research areas: Postharvest Biology, Food Quality Assessment, Food Safety, Non-Destructive Technologies Research themes: Postharvest technology implementation Plant physiology and biochemistry under storage Chemometric analysis of quality markers Dormancy gene identification Transcriptomic understanding of plant senescence Recent publications demonstrate significant contributions to: potato dormancy regulation, mango ripening prediction models, citrus postharvest biomarkers, metallurgical site remediation, and food loss reduction strategies. Supervises MSc and PhD students in sustainable food systems. Scientific awards: Postgraduate Fellowship (Rank 1st) by Spanish Research and Food Technology Department (2009)

Bradley MarksView profile

Professor

• Food Safety Engineering
• Microbial Inactivation Modeling
• Thermal Processing Validation
• +3 more

Dr. Bradley P. Marks, P.E., is a Professor of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at Michigan State University (MSU) with a dual appointment in Food Science and Human Nutrition. As Chairperson of the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering in the College of Engineering, he leads research in food safety engineering, focusing on microbial inactivation modeling and process validation for ready-to-eat foods. His work spans low-moisture foods, meat/poultry, and fresh produce, and has secured over $20M in federal and industry grants. Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering, Purdue University (1993) M.S. in Agricultural Engineering, Purdue University (1992) B.S. in Biosystems Engineering, Michigan State University (1989) Dr. Marks’ research encompasses: Thermal inactivation modeling for Salmonella and other pathogens Predictive microbiology uncertainty quantification Low-energy x-ray irradiation for food pasteurization Bacterial transfer/transport modeling in fresh-cut produce Thermal process validation for meat, poultry, and nut products Recent publications analyze Salmonella inactivation trends across food matrices and storage conditions. Awards include the MSU William J. Beal Outstanding Faculty Award (2017), multiple Withrow Teaching Awards (2002-2018), and the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (1989). He served as Biosystems Engineering Undergraduate Program Coordinator for 13 years, guiding ABET accreditation cycles. Scientific Awards: ASABE A.W. Farrall Young Educator Award (2006) CIC Academic Leadership Program Fellow (2013-2014) 20+ industry and academic partnership awards MSU Food Fellow

Griffiths G. AtunguluView profile

Associate Professor

• Grain Processing
• Post-Harvest Systems Engineering
• Food Safety
• +7 more

Griffiths G. Atungulu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Food Science at the University of Arkansas, where he also serves as the Director of the University of Arkansas Rice Processing Program. His work bridges grain processing, post-harvest systems engineering, and food safety, with a strong emphasis on innovative technologies like infrared and microwave drying. He is actively involved in research, teaching, and outreach, contributing significantly to advancements in rice quality, safety, and processing efficiency. Doctor of Philosophy, Agricultural Engineering, Iwate University, Japan Masters of Science, Agricultural Engineering, Iwate University, Japan Bachelor of Science, Agricultural Engineering, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya Dr. Atungulu’s research focuses on engineering solutions for grain and rice processing, particularly in drying, storage, aeration, and mycotoxin mitigation. His interests include infrared heating , microwave drying , automated quality monitoring , and post-harvest system optimization . He applies lab and field experiments, mathematical modeling, and simulation tools to improve food safety and processing efficiency across the food, feed, and pet food industries. His teaching includes Advanced Food Engineering, Cereal Science, and Alternatives to Conventional Food Processing. The most recent publications highlight a strong trend in microwave and infrared drying technologies , moisture and quality monitoring , and mycotoxin control in grains . His work spans from fundamental studies on rice microstructure and protein functionality to applied engineering of drying systems and storage technologies. The interdisciplinary nature of his research integrates food physics, agricultural engineering, and food safety. Associate Editor, Transactions of ASABE Associate Editor, Applied Engineering in Agriculture Associate Editor, Cereal Chemistry Journal, AACCI Dr. Atungulu has advised numerous graduate students, particularly in drying and storage technologies, and has secured significant research funding to support his program. His grants often focus on improving the efficiency and safety of grain processing systems. He leads a multidisciplinary research team working on both fundamental and applied aspects of food engineering. His outreach includes extension publications and collaborations with industry stakeholders to implement new technologies on farms and in processing facilities. He directs the University of Arkansas Rice Processing Program, overseeing a research, teaching, and outreach initiative focused on advancing rice processing technologies. His team conducts experiments in controlled environments and in the field, utilizing advanced instrumentation and modeling software to develop scalable solutions for the agricultural sector.

• Neuroinflammation
• Alzheimer's Disease
• Neurodegenerative Diseases
• +6 more

Sue Griffin is a Professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences , affiliated with the College of Medicine and the Department of Geriatrics . She holds secondary appointments in Neurobiology & Developmental Science, Pediatrics, Physiology and Cell Biology, and Psychiatry. Her research focuses on neuroinflammation, Alzheimer’s disease, and the role of apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotypes in neurodegenerative pathogenesis. NIH/National Institute on Aging R01AG084472 (2023–2028): Principal Investigator on neuroinflammation, protein aggregates, and autophagy rescue NIH R01HD037989 (2000–2007): Principal Investigator on cytokines in neurodegeneration and Down's syndrome NIH P01AG012411 (1995–2021): Principal Investigator on early events in Alzheimer pathogenesis Her work spans interdisciplinary fields including neuroimmunology, protein homeostasis, and cytokine signaling. Publications highlight connections between inflammation (e.g., IL-1β), amyloid pathology, and genetic risk factors like APOE4. She has contributed to understanding neuroinflammatory mechanisms in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Down’s syndrome. Griffin’s recent articles focus on therapeutic strategies targeting autophagy, neuroinflammatory signaling in glioblastoma, and microbial contributions to Alzheimer’s neuropathology. Her research has been supported by NIH grants for over three decades, with collaborations across neurology, genetics, and pharmacology. She is affiliated with the Institute on Aging and the Center for Translational Neuroscience . Her work has been cited in over 50 scientific concepts, including Alzheimer Disease, Epilepsy, and Apolipoproteins E.

• Mycotoxicology
• Food Safety
• Microbiome Research
• +3 more

Dr. Chibundu Ngozi Ezekiel is a Senior Researcher at the Institute of Bioanalytics and Agro-Metabolomics within the Department of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). Previously, he served as Professor and Associate Professor of Food Microbiology and Mycotoxicology at Babcock University, Nigeria (2018-2022) and held roles at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Education: Ph.D. in Mycology/Mycotoxicology (University of Ibadan, 2009-2013), M.Sc. in Microbiology (University of Ibadan, 2005-2007), B.Sc. in Microbiology with First Class Honours (Babcock University, 2000-2004) Research Interests: Focus on mycotoxin contamination in food systems, microbiome interactions in agricultural products, and food safety in sub-Saharan Africa. Key areas include dietary exposure assessment, probiotic applications for toxin reduction, and molecular characterization of fungal communities. Recent Research Trends: His 15 most recent publications (2024-2025) span mycotoxin biomonitoring in infants, probiotic strain genomics, cereal contamination analysis, and microbiome-exposome interactions. Studies emphasize analytical methodologies (LC-MS/MS, MALDI-TOF), global health implications, and risk assessment frameworks. Scientific Awards & Fellowships Brigitte Gedek Science Award for Mycotoxin Research (2023) Top 50 Food Safety Expert Globally (2023) No. 2 Food Safety Expert in Africa (2021-2023) EU MycoRed Fellowship (2010) Babcock University First Class Graduate Assistantship (2005) Academic Service: Editorial Board Member for Mycotoxin Research (2023), Associate Editor for Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems (2019), and reviewer for 20+ journals including Food Control , Environment International , and World Mycotoxin Journal . Active in EU-China-Safe and FoodSafeR advisory boards.