Rahul Sarpeshkar is a Professor of Engineering, Microbiology & Immunology, Physics, and Molecular & Systems Biology at Dartmouth College, holding the Thomas E. Kurtz Professorship and chairing the Neukom Computational Science Cluster. His research bridges analog circuits with quantum physics, synthetic biology, and ultra-low-power systems. BS in Electrical Engineering and Physics from MIT (1995) PhD in Computation and Neural Systems from Caltech (1998) His research focuses on analog synthetic biology , quantum circuit design , and bio-inspired supercomputing , emphasizing noise, thermodynamics, and energy efficiency. He develops cytomorphic chips to model biochemical networks and quantum-inspired circuits for spectrum analysis. Recent work integrates quantum and classical computation for biological simulations, drug cocktail formulation , and ATP energy measurement in living cells. Patents highlight innovations in quantum emulation and medical devices. Scientific awards include: Fellow, National Academy of Inventors (2018) IEEE Fellow (2018) NSF CAREER Award ONR Young Investigator Award Packard Fellow Award Junior Bose Teaching Award, MIT He leads a wet lab for synthetic microbial circuit implementation and a dry lab for quantum and nanoelectronics, mentoring a multidisciplinary team of physicists, bioengineers, and computer scientists.
Haagen Klaus is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at George Mason University, specializing in bioarchaeology, paleopathology, and forensic anthropology. Since 2013, he has directed research on the north coast of Peru, focusing on human skeletal biology, mortuary practices, and the impacts of colonialism and environmental stressors on prehistoric and historic societies. Ph.D., Department of Anthropology, The Ohio State University (2008) M.A., Department of Anthropology, Southern Illinois University (2003) B.A., Department of Anthropology, State University of New York at Plattsburgh (2000) Klaus's research explores biocultural transformations in complex societies, with emphasis on health, violence, identity, and ethnogenesis. His Lambayeque Valley Biohistory Project (founded 2003) investigates skeletal markers of disease, stress, and violence across 10,000 years of Andean history. Methodologies include isotopic chemistry, ancient DNA analysis, and dental phenetics. Recent work (2025) examines oral microbiomes during Spanish colonization, syndemic processes in colonial dynamics, and stress indicators in pre- and postcontact populations. Projects integrate osteoimmunology, ecoimmunology, and life history trade-offs to understand physiological and cultural resilience. Current graduate students under his supervision include Rae-Ocean Blake, Kimberly Hargrave, Megan Jankowski, Emily Schopmeyer, and Celeste Schultheiss. He leads international collaborations involving Peruvian, Japanese, Canadian, and American researchers through the Lambayeque Valley Biohistory Project.
Dr. Stephanie Spahr is a Research Group Leader at the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) in Berlin, Germany, where she leads the Organic Contaminants research group within the Department of Ecohydrology and Biogeochemistry. Previously, she served as a Junior Research Group Leader at the University of Tübingen's Center for Applied Geoscience (2019-2021) and as a Postdoctoral Researcher at Stanford University's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (2016-2019). Dr. Spahr earned her PhD in Environmental Chemistry from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag) in 2016. Her doctoral research focused on the formation of N-nitrosodimethylamine during water disinfection with chloramine. She completed her MSc in Geoecology at the University of Tübingen in 2012, with thesis work on carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of benzotriazoles conducted at Eawag, and her BSc in Geoecology/Ecosystem Management at the same institution in 2010. Dr. Spahr's research focuses on trace organic contaminants in aquatic systems, with particular expertise in transformation processes of contaminants in natural and engineered systems, advanced oxidation processes for water treatment, urban blue-green infrastructure, and compound-specific isotope analysis. Her work bridges environmental chemistry, engineering, and ecology to address water quality challenges in urban and natural water systems. She employs advanced analytical techniques to track contaminant sources and transformation pathways, with a strong emphasis on practical applications for water treatment and environmental protection. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on biochar-based water treatment technologies, particularly for stormwater management. She investigates how biochar amendments can remove trace organic contaminants from urban runoff, with recent work examining persulfate activation mechanisms, the role of chloride in reactive species formation, and the performance of engineered media filters under dynamic conditions. Her research also extends to understanding contaminant transport in rivers, the ecological impacts of pollutants, and developing analytical methods for environmental monitoring. The interdisciplinary nature of her work connects chemical processes with ecological outcomes. Outstanding Review Paper Award 2023 in Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology Selected for the Falling Walls Female Science Talents Intensive Track 2023 Selected mentee in the Leibniz Mentoring Programme 2022-2023 Best poster award (1st prize) at the Wasser 2022 of the Water Chemistry Society Selected fellow in the Postdoc Academy for Transformational Leadership 2020-2022 (Robert Bosch Stiftung) Selected fellow in the Athene Program for early female career researchers at the University of Tübingen, 2020-2021 As a Research Group Leader, Dr. Spahr supervises multiple research projects including 'POllution in UrbaN ponds, eco-evolutionary Dynamics, and Ecosystem Resilience (POUNDER)', 'Dynamic hyporheic zone', 'NYMPHE', and the 'Incident-related special investigation programme for the environmental disaster in the Oder River'. She serves on the Executive Board of the German Water Chemistry Society and heads its Expert Committee on 'Oxidative Processes'. Her collaborative work spans numerous institutions across Germany and internationally, addressing critical water quality challenges through interdisciplinary approaches. Dr. Spahr leads the Organic Contaminants research group at IGB Berlin, which focuses on understanding the fate and treatment of organic pollutants in water systems. Her team employs advanced analytical techniques including compound-specific isotope analysis to track contaminant sources and transformation pathways. The group collaborates extensively with other departments at IGB and with international partners on projects addressing urban water challenges and ecological impacts of pollution. Current research emphasizes innovative water treatment technologies, particularly biochar-based systems for stormwater management, and investigating the complex interactions between contaminants, aquatic ecosystems, and human activities.
Farooq Azam is a Distinguished Professor of Microbial Oceanography at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego. He has held this position since 1996, following roles as Professor-in-Residence and Research Biologist at the same institution. His research focuses on marine microbial ecology, coral reef microbiology, microbial biogeochemistry, and the ocean carbon cycle. Azam earned his Ph.D. in microbiology from the Czechoslovak Academy of Science, Prague, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Stony Brook University. Affiliations: Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD Key Roles: Long-term leadership in microbial oceanography research Research Interests: His work explores how marine microbes influence biogeochemical cycles, coral health, and organic matter dynamics. He has pioneered studies on microbial regulation of the ocean carbon cycle and the ecological roles of marine phages. Awards: Includes election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2015), Tiedje Award (2004), and recognition as an ISI Highly Cited Researcher (2002). He holds an honorary doctorate from Linnaeus University (2004).
Berat Z. Haznedaroğlu is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Environmental Sciences, Bogazici University, Istanbul, where he has been serving since 2014. He previously held an Assistant Professor position at the Department of Civil, Structural, and Environmental Engineering, University at Buffalo, New York (2012–2014), and completed postdoctoral training at Yale University. His research is highly interdisciplinary, bridging environmental engineering, microbiology, and biotechnology. Education: Postdoctoral, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, USA (2012) PhD, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California-Riverside, USA (2010) MS, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Villanova University, USA (2005) BS, Biology, Middle East Technical University, Turkey (2003) His research interests include Environmental Microbiology , Microalgae Functional Genomics , Systems Biology , and the Fate and Transport of Pathogens . He is particularly known for his work on microalgae-based solutions for wastewater treatment, biofuel production, and space life support systems. His lab explores the integration of algae-bacteria consortia for sustainable biorefineries and environmental remediation. The recent publications reflect a strong trend toward applied environmental biotechnology, with emphasis on microalgae applications in wastewater treatment, high-value product recovery (e.g., phycocyanin), and thermal processing effects on algal nutritional quality. The work spans from fundamental metabolic pathway analysis to real-world implementation in biorefineries and space missions. Scientific Awards and Grants: INDEPENDENT Project (€6.9M, 2019–2024) – Integrated Biorefinery for Bioeconomy MICRO-JET Project ($448K, 2020–2023) – Algae-Based Bio-Jet Fuel VirALGin Project ($185K, 2022–2024) – Algae-Derived SARS-CoV-2 Inhibitors UzMAn Project ($65K, 2023–2024) – Microalgal Life Support for Space Renew-IST Project ($521K, 2022–2023) – Renewable Energy Center in Istanbul Dr. Haznedaroglu leads a dynamic research group with multiple funded projects and collaborative networks across institutions in Turkey and the U.S. He advises graduate students and has co-authored several book chapters and journal articles with junior researchers. His work is supported by major national and international funding bodies including TUBITAK, TUBITAK-Uzay, and the Ministry of Industry and Technology. Future research directions include closed-loop life support systems for space habitats and commercial-scale algal biorefineries. Laboratories and Research Platforms: His team operates within the CBE Institute at Bogazici University, utilizing facilities for microbial culturing, genomics, and environmental analysis. The INDEPENDENT and UzMAn projects involve advanced bioreactor systems and space-simulated environments.
Prof. dr. Tessa Quax is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, leading research in Molecular Microbiology . Her work focuses on archaeal virology and virus-host interactions, supported by prestigious grants including an ERC Starting Grant (2022) and NWO Vidi Grant (2023). Key Research Areas: Archaeal virus entry/egress mechanisms Cell surface dynamics and motility Extreme environment microbiology Genetic tool development for archaea Recent publications in Nature Reviews Microbiology (2025) and Current Opinion in Microbiology (2024) highlight her work on viral host recognition and structural diversity. Her lab's 44 research outputs span archaeal cell biology, viral evolution, and ecological impacts of virus-induced lysis. Scientific Recognition: KNAW Beijerinck Premium (2022) KNAW Early Career Award (2021) Hector Research Career Development Award (2021) ERC Starting Grant (2022) As Chair of the International Society for Viruses of Microbes SAB and Speaker of the German Microbiology Society's Microbial Viruses group, she coordinates global research networks including a HFSP grant (2023) with Japan/Australia/USA collaborators. Her lab currently includes PhD candidate Zaloa Aguirre Sourrouille and multiple postdoctoral researchers.
Joseph Bailey is a Professor in the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His research focuses on evolutionary ecology, particularly how species interactions link genes to ecosystems, natural selection in community contexts, and scaling genetic processes across geographic and molecular resolutions. He holds a Ph.D. from Northern Arizona University (2003). Education: 2003 – Ph.D., Northern Arizona University Research interests include plant-animal interactions, evolutionary ecology, and the genetic underpinnings of community dynamics. His work integrates molecular, ecological, and evolutionary approaches across diverse systems, including native and invasive species interactions. He has published extensively on topics such as genetic structure of foundation species, plant-microbe interactions, and herbivore-induced ecosystem changes. Lab and Affiliations: His research group operates out of the Joseph Bailey Lab ( http://joebaileylab.com/ ). Publications reflect a focus on community genetics, indirect ecological interactions, and the genetic basis of species interactions.
Eric Slessarev is an Assistant Professor at Yale University , affiliated with the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and the Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture. His research focuses on soil biogeochemistry, particularly how soil properties influence carbon and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems, with applications to climate change mitigation strategies like enhanced rock weathering and perennial grass cultivation. Teaches Ecology of Landforms and General Ecology Labs located at KGL 318 (research) and KGL 417 (office) His recent publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches to understanding mineral-organic matter interactions, microbial controls on carbon cycling, and policy implications for soil-based carbon removal strategies. Key methodologies include global data synthesis, isotope tracing, and experimental manipulation of soil-plant systems across depth profiles. Notably, his 2025 work demonstrates drought impacts on carbon persistence, microbial harnessing for CO2 removal, and economic modeling of reversible carbon storage. 2024 studies explore deep-rooted plant effects on carbon fractions, calcium's role in mollisol formation, and policy optimization for carbon sequestration.
Dr. Hillel Adesnik is a Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of California, Berkeley, and a leading researcher in the neural basis of sensory perception. His lab focuses on cortical microcircuits, optogenetics, and neural coding, with emphasis on visual processing and memory formation. Key Research Areas: Cortical Microcircuits Optogenetic Tools Gamma Band Rhythms Neural Coding Mechanisms Dr. Adesnik has pioneered high-speed optical methods like 3D-MAP and 3D-SHOT to manipulate neural activity. His work spans cortical dynamics, synaptic plasticity, and cortical layer interactions, with applications in understanding learning algorithms and sensory inference. Selected Trends from Publications: Recent preprints and papers highlight advancements in cortical VIP neuron function, channelrhodopsin structures, and inter-areal computations. His team utilizes two-photon holography, cryo-EM, and computational modeling to decode perception-related neural codes. Scientific Awards: NIH Director's New Innovator Award (2013) Dr. Adesnik's lab collaborates with institutions like NIH and develops tools for awake animal studies. Funding includes grants from the Beckman Young Investigator Program and NIH.
Prof. Dr. Anja Meryandini is a Professor in the Department of Biology at IPB University (Bogor Agricultural University), Indonesia. She leads research in microbial biotechnology with a focus on enzyme technology, probiotics, prebiotics, and fermentation processes for food and agricultural applications. Her educational journey includes a Bachelor's degree in Biology from Padjadjaran University, a Master's degree in Biology from IPB University, and a PhD in Microbiology from Albert Ludwig Universitaet, Germany. This strong academic foundation has supported her extensive research career spanning over three decades. Professor Meryandini's research interests encompass: Microbial enzyme technology (protease, mannanase, xylanase) for animal feed processing Development of probiotics and prebiotics for food and animal applications Flour production using microbial technology Fermentation processes for various agricultural products Soil microbiome analysis in relation to land use changes Biodegradation of environmental pollutants Her recent publications reveal a consistent focus on lactic acid bacteria, yeast fermentation, enzyme characterization, and biodegradation processes, often utilizing Indonesian indigenous microorganisms. She has made significant contributions to understanding cocoa fermentation microbiology, tempeh processing, and agricultural waste valorization. Professor Meryandini has been actively involved in important research projects including 'Impact of rainforest transformation on phylogenetic and functional diversity of soil prokaryotic communities in Sumatra (Indonesia)' which is part of a larger CRC 990 program. Her work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between microbiology, environmental science, and food technology. With over 100 publications documented from 1994 to 2024, Professor Meryandini maintains an active research program with significant contributions to microbial biotechnology in the Indonesian context and beyond.
Samarpita Roy is an Assistant Professor at TU Delft's Faculty of Applied Sciences, leading the Environmental Biotechnology department's Samarpita Roy Group. Her research focuses on microbial ecology in engineered bioprocesses, integrating metagenomics and quantitative physiology to study microbial metabolisms and community interactions. Key projects include exploring phototrophic and polyphosphate-accumulating organisms in wastewater treatment for nutrient/resource recovery. She actively seeks industrial collaborations and is hiring PhD candidates in metagenomics/microbial ecology. Research emphasizes understanding microbial community dynamics under fluctuating conditions, developing sequencing/data analysis workflows, and applying findings to enhance bioprocess efficiency. Her work aims to advance circular bioeconomy solutions through innovative biotechnology approaches.
Andy Ball is a Distinguished Professor in the School of Science at RMIT University, specializing in environmental microbiology and biotechnology. He leads the ARC Training Centre for the Transformation of Australia’s Biosolids Resource and has held key roles at institutions including the University of Essex and Flinders University. His research focuses on bioremediation, organic waste treatment, and environmental pollution solutions, with over 300 peer-reviewed publications and significant industry collaboration. Andy's academic career spans 30 years, with roles such as Director of the Centre for Environment and Society at Essex and Director of Flinders Bioremediation. He has attracted >$22M in research grants, particularly in applied environmental microbiology. His awards include the Royal Society of Victoria Medal (2021) and RMIT Research Excellence Award (2018). Research interests emphasize sustainable remediation of contaminated environments, leveraging microbial ecology and biotechnology. His teaching spans environmental science and biotechnology programs at RMIT. Andy advises on projects addressing bioremediation, bioenergy, and pathogen survival, with active collaborations with industries like Shell and Melbourne Water.
Dr. Chenming Zhang is an Advanced Queensland Industry Research Fellow at the School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland. His research focuses on hydrological processes in coastal and terrestrial groundwater systems, with particular emphasis on evaporation-driven mass and heat transport in soils and tailings, and hydrogeochemical dynamics in aquifers and mine waste systems. Specializes in IoT-based environmental monitoring Develops numerical models for coastal aquifer dynamics Conducts field and laboratory experiments on tailings behavior Research interests span coastal hydrology, groundwater modeling, mine waste management, and environmental monitoring. He works on contamination transport, aquifer protection, and climate impacts on water systems. Recent publications analyze: Iron curtain formation in subterranean estuaries Sea water intrusion mechanisms Salinity dynamics in tidal wetlands Smart sewer monitoring systems Scientific awards include the prestigious Advanced Queensland Industry Research Fellowship. He supervises multiple PhD projects on mine waste hydrology and coastal aquifer management, with notable collaboration on: Evolution Mining's gold tailings projects ARC Discovery Projects on coastal processes Grange Resources' PAF cell instrumentation His work combines field measurements, laboratory testing, and computational modeling to address critical environmental challenges in mining and coastal zones.
Sharon Rozovsky is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Delaware's College of Arts & Sciences, where she leads research on oxidative stress response mechanisms and protein quality control pathways. Her work bridges biochemistry, chemical biology, and structural biology with direct implications for understanding neurodegenerative diseases and viral pathogenesis. Her academic foundation includes a B.S. from Tel Aviv University (1994) and a Ph.D. from Columbia University (2000), establishing her expertise in protein dynamics and redox biochemistry. These credentials underpin her innovative approaches to studying cellular stress responses. Rozovsky's research program centers on selenoproteins—proteins containing the rare amino acid selenocysteine—and their critical roles in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress resolution. She investigates how membrane-bound selenoproteins like Selenoprotein S and K regulate the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway, with recent work revealing their surprising autoproteolytic activity and involvement in SARS-CoV-2 replication. Her lab pioneers chemical tools including expressed protein ligation and advanced 77Se NMR spectroscopy to characterize these systems at molecular resolution. Analysis of her 2021-2025 publications shows dominant themes in selenoprotein structure-function relationships, ER stress mechanisms, and viral interactions, alongside methodological innovations in cryo-EM grid technology and NMR. This body of work demonstrates consistent focus on redox biochemistry with expanding applications in virology and structural biology. No major scientific awards or fellowships were explicitly documented in the available materials, though her research impact is evident through high-impact publications and methodological contributions. She directs the active Rozovsky Research Group, mentoring graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in biochemical and biophysical techniques. Her laboratory operations are supported by competitive funding including an NSF CAREER award (2011) focused on selenoprotein reactivity, reflecting sustained recognition of her innovative research program.
Ian Bradley is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York. His research focuses on creating sustainable biological processes to address needs in engineered and natural systems for water and wastewater treatment and resource recovery. Education: PhD in Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2017) MS in Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2011) MS in Civil Engineering (Structures), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2010) Research Interests: Dr. Bradley specializes in microalgal-based nutrient recovery, wastewater surveillance for public health monitoring, PFAS degradation using nanomaterials, and sustainable resource recovery systems. His work integrates biological processes with environmental engineering to optimize wastewater treatment efficiency and develop predictive models for water quality and health outcomes. Publications: His recent research includes advancements in microalgal cultivation (EcoRecover process), wastewater-based epidemiology for SARS-CoV-2 tracking, and computational enzyme design for PFAS remediation. These studies demonstrate interdisciplinary expertise spanning environmental engineering, biotechnology, and public health analytics.
