Find Academic Supervisors

Tesfaye KidaneView profile

Professor

• Structural Geology
• Tectonics
• Paleomagnetism
• +6 more

Dr. Tesfaye Kidane is a tenured Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Geology at Wayne State University (WSU), College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Previously, he held academic leadership roles at Addis Ababa University (AAU) and the University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. His career includes postdoctoral research fellowships in Hawaii, Japan, Germany, and the United States, along with visiting professorships in Japan. He serves on the American Geophysical Union (AGU) publication committee and as an associate editor for Tectonics since 2017. **Education**: Ph.D. in Internal Geophysics, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, France (1999) M.Sc. in Structural Geology, Addis Ababa University (1993) B.Sc. in Geology, Addis Ababa University (1989) **Research Interests**: Dr. Kidane’s work focuses on structural geology, tectonics, and paleomagnetism. He uses paleomagnetic and rock-magnetic techniques to study continental rifting (e.g., the Afar Depression and East African Rift), Pangea/Gondwana reconstructions, and sedimentary processes in extreme environments. His recent projects include the Afar Dallol Drilling (ADD-ON) initiative to explore rift basin dynamics and hydrothermal systems. **Grants & Awards**: Notable awards include the African Fulbright Scholarship (2012–2013), Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship (2012–2013), and JSPS Fellowship (2005–2008). He has secured over $1.4 million USD in grants for equipment and field research, including projects on geothermal exploration and continental rifting mechanisms. **Teaching & Mentoring**: Current courses include Structural Geology , Sedimentology and Stratigraphy , and Geomorphology . While no named advisees are listed, his research collaborations and grant leadership imply extensive mentorship of students and junior researchers. **Labs & Collaborations**: Involved in international initiatives such as the AGU committees and the ADD-ON drilling project. His work integrates field studies, laboratory analyses, and numerical modeling to address tectonic and environmental questions in Africa’s major rift systems.

• Marine Biology
• Coral Reef Ecology
• Environmental Science
• +4 more

Britta Schaffelke is a prominent researcher at James Cook University specializing in marine ecology, particularly coral reef systems and environmental impacts. Her work focuses on the effects of pollution, dredging, and climate change on the Great Barrier Reef . Research Themes : Coral reef resilience and restoration Water quality and pollutant impacts Microbial community responses to environmental stress Policy frameworks for marine conservation Her publications highlight critical threats like sedimentation, herbicides, and climate change, alongside management strategies to mitigate these risks. Collaborative projects include the 2017 Scientific Consensus Statement and research on macroalgal blooms and coral disease dynamics.

Eugenia Nijgh de Sampayo GarridoView profile

Research Fellow

• Marine Ecology
• Coral Reef Studies
• Symbiotic Relationships
• +3 more

Dr. Eugenia Nijgh de Sampayo Garrido is a Research Fellow at the University of Queensland 's School of the Environment within the Faculty of Science . Her research focuses on coral reef ecology , particularly the symbiotic relationships between corals and Symbiodinium algae, and how these associations influence reef resilience under climate change . Education : PhD in Coral Symbiosis (University of Queensland, 2008) Key Research Areas : Symbiotic flexibility in climate-stressed corals Latitudinal range dynamics of coral communities Larval recruitment and settlement ecology Microbial community interactions in reef systems Publication Trends show consistent focus on coral-Symbiodinium interactions (2008-2023), with recent work on marine heatwave impacts (2023), microbiome plasticity (2020), and adaptive mechanisms in marginal reef populations (2017). She collaborates extensively with Prof. John Pandolfi 's lab and contributes to PeerJ consensus studies (2023). Supervision : Available for supervision, with completed roles as associate advisor for three PhD projects (2019-2022) examining coral range dynamics , early life history interactions , and maternal investment trade-offs .

Andrew BabbinView profile

Associate Professor

• Chemical Oceanography
• Marine Microbiology
• Nitrogen Cycling
• +4 more

Andrew Babbin is the Cecil and Ida Green Career Development Professor and Associate Professor of Chemical Oceanography and Marine Microbiology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (EAPS). He joined MIT as faculty in 2017 after serving as an NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Civil and Environmental Engineering (2014-2016). In 2024, he was appointed Mission Co-director for the MIT Climate Project's 'Restoring the Atmosphere, Protecting the Land and Oceans' initiative. He holds a B.S. in Earth and Environmental Engineering (minor in Applied Mathematics) from Columbia University (2008) and a Ph.D. in Geosciences from Princeton University (2014). Research Focus Dr. Babbin leads the Bablab research group, investigating microbial interactions with chemical environments to understand climate regulation. Key research areas include ocean biogeochemistry, nitrogen cycling, carbon sequestration, and greenhouse gas dynamics. His work combines field expeditions across global oceans, laboratory experiments, and computational modeling to study microbial control of atmospheric gases. Publication Trends His recent publications (2021-2023) demonstrate a strong focus on marine nitrogen cycling, particularly in oxygen-deficient zones. Research themes include microbial niche partitioning in anoxic environments, denitrification dynamics in marine particles, and novel bacterial/archaeal metabolisms. Methodologically, his team employs microfluidics, genomics, and isotope tracing to resolve microscale biogeochemical processes. Awards and Honors National Science Foundation CAREER Award (2022) Cecil and Ida Green Career Development Professor (2021) Simons Foundation Early Career Investigator (2019) MIT First Year Advisor Rookie of the Year (2019) MIT Sea Grant Doherty Professor (2018) Academic Engagement He actively integrates undergraduates into climate research and advises graduate students through the MIT-WHOI Joint Program. His educational initiatives include developing high school chemistry modules with oceanography contexts and creating hands-on MIT lab courses. Current projects include NSF-funded work on marine snow carbon transport and J-WAFS-supported development of nitrogen-scrubbing biocapsules. Institutional Leadership As Climate Mission Co-director, he coordinates MIT-wide efforts to develop atmospheric restoration and ocean protection strategies. His lab collaborates globally with research institutions in Mexico, Israel, Ukraine, and Norway to study extreme marine environments and develop biotechnological solutions for water treatment.

David SuggettView profile

Visiting Professor

• Coral Reef Ecology
• Climate Change Biology
• Marine Conservation
• +3 more

David Suggett is a Visiting Professor in the Climate Change Cluster (C3) at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), affiliated with the Faculty of Science. He leads the Future Reefs Program, focusing on coral reef resilience and restoration. His work integrates industry collaboration, notably through the Coral Nurture Program, which pioneers tourism-driven reef rehabilitation. He chairs the Coral Restoration Consortium's propagation working group and serves as Vice President of the Australian Coral Reef Society. Education: Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Lecturer in Marine Biogeochemistry at the University of Essex (UK) before joining UTS as an ARC Future Fellow in 2014. Research interests include coral symbiosis, active fluorescence monitoring, ocean deoxygenation impacts, and coral propagation techniques. His 2020 UTS Medal for Research Impact recognizes contributions to reef management tools. Key grants focus on deoxygenation thresholds, symbiont adaptation, and coral restoration efficacy. He co-leads SCOR Working Group 156 on fluorescence applications and advises on global reef conservation strategies. Teaching includes coordinating the Coral Reef Ecosystems course (91126). Impact initiatives include transforming tourism stewardship via coral propagation partnerships. Awards: UTS Medal for Research Impact (2020) Labs/Teams: Future Reefs Program, Coral Nurture Program, SCOR Working Group 156 Grants: ARC Discovery Projects, Royal Society of New Zealand funding

Sarah JacquetView profile

Assistant Professor

• Paleobiology
• Sedimentology
• Functional Morphology
• +3 more

Dr. Sarah Jacquet is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Missouri's College of Arts and Science. Her research focuses on paleobiology, sedimentology, and functional morphology of fossil groups, employing micro-CT, petrographic, and geochemical techniques to study taphonomic biases across geological periods. She investigates Cambrian small shelly fossils, Silurian jellyfish, and Eocene coprolites to reconstruct paleoenvironments and evolutionary patterns. Her educational background includes a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Macquarie University (2013-2016), Honours in Palaeobiology (2012), and a B.S. in Palaeobiology (2009-2011) from the same institution. Her recent publications predominantly explore Cambrian small shelly faunas, taphonomic methodologies, and geochemical proxies in sedimentary systems. Research trends show strong emphasis on integrating high-resolution imaging with stratigraphic and geochemical analyses to resolve preservation biases in the fossil record.

Daniel WangpraseurtView profile

Researcher

• Coral Ecophysiology
• Coral Restoration and Engineering
• Aquatic Benthic Photosynthesis
• +3 more

Dr. Daniel Wangpraseurt is an Associate Researcher at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, where he leads the Coral Reef Ecophysiology and Engineering Lab. He joined Scripps in summer 2024 and co-founded Hybrid Reef Solutions, a startup developing sustainable coral reef protection technologies. Wangpraseurt serves as associate editor for Frontiers in Marine Science: Coral Reefs and sits on the Coral Restoration Consortium advisory board. His educational background includes: PhD from University of Technology Sydney, Australia MSc from Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology & Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Ecology, Germany BSc from James Cook University, Australia Wangpraseurt's research bridges coral reef science, engineering, and biophysics with core interests in coral ecophysiology, restoration engineering, benthic photosynthesis, and blue technology. His work develops innovative tools for reef restoration while investigating fundamental coral physiological processes and optical properties. Analysis of his 2024-2025 publications reveals dominant themes in coral restoration technology development, including biomimetic settlement substrates, acoustic larval enrichment, and engineered biofilms. His optical research focuses on coral microstructure imaging via the Benthic Underwater Microscope (BUMP) and light-harvesting mechanisms across depth gradients. No specific scientific awards are mentioned in the source material. He directs the Coral Reef Ecophysiology and Engineering Lab and leads Hybrid Reef Solutions. His collaborative research includes NSF-BSF projects on Red Sea mesophotic corals and IntBIO grants integrating nanobiotechnologies for coral symbiosis studies. Wangpraseurt maintains active roles in the Coral Restoration Consortium advisory board and Frontiers in Marine Science editorial board, driving both technological innovation and scientific discourse in coral reef conservation.

• Climate change adaptation
• Coral reproduction
• Coral symbiosis
• +3 more

Dr. Emily Howells is a Senior Research Fellow at the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, based at the National Marine Science Centre in Coffs Harbour. Her research focuses on coral reef ecology and evolution, particularly the impacts of climate warming on reef-building corals. Climate change adaptation Coral thermal tolerance Population genetics and genomics Coral symbiosis and reproduction Her work integrates field ecology , experimental biology , coral husbandry , and genomic analysis to assess coral evolutionary potential. Recent publications highlight thermal tolerance variation , adaptive genetic markers , and environmental drivers in symbiont dynamics. She holds a PhD and BSc (Honours) from James Cook University. Contact: emily.howells@scu.edu.au

Matthias WolfView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Phylogenetics
• Phycology
• Protistology
• +3 more

Matthias Wolf is an Academic Director at the Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg. He holds a Doctor rerum naturalium (summa cum laude) from Free University of Berlin (2002) and has been a faculty member since 2003, progressing through roles including C1 Assistant Professor (2003–2008), Lecturer (2008–2015), Senior Lecturer (2015–2024), and now Academic Director. His research focuses on phylogenetics, phycology, and RNA secondary structure analysis, particularly using ITS2 databases. He has over 85 peer-reviewed publications and an h-index of 46. Awards include being listed among the top 2% scientists in his field (2020) and recognition for 25 years of service in Berlin and Bavaria (2023). Education highlights include a Diploma in Biology (1999) and PhD studies on molecular systematics of green algae (2002). He has held visiting roles at Research Center Jülich and contributed to expeditions aboard the research vessel METEOR. His grants include DFG funding for ITS2-based phylogenetic algorithms (2007–2011). He serves on editorial boards for BMC Ecology and Evolution and Biology , and is active in societies like GfBS and DBG. Research interests emphasize using ITS2 sequence-structure data for phylogenetic reconstruction, species delineation, and molecular systematics. His work spans algae, protists, and fungi, with a focus on resolving evolutionary relationships and taxonomic ambiguities. Teaching responsibilities include courses in bioinformatics, phylogenetics, and computational tools for biology. Labs/Teams : Chair of Bioinformatics, ITS2 Database Project Grants : DFG MU 2831/1-1 (2007–2011) Advising : Supervised numerous PhD/Master’s students in microbial systematics and bioinformatics

Frank StewartView profile

Associate Professor

• Aquatic microbiology
• Symbiosis
• Genomics
• +4 more

Frank Stewart is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology at Montana State University (MSU), affiliated with the College of Agriculture. His research focuses on aquatic microbiology, symbiosis, and genomics, particularly in marine low-oxygen zones and host-associated microbiomes. Stewart leads the Stewart Lab, which investigates microbial processes in oxygen-deficient environments and coral-algal interactions. Education: B.S. Biology, Middlebury College (2000) M.S. Environmental Science, University of Nevada, Reno (2002) Ph.D. Biology, Harvard University (2008) Research Interests: Dr. Stewart’s work examines microbial ecology in extreme environments such as oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) and coral reefs. Key areas include microbial nitrogen cycling, symbiotic relationships, and the impacts of environmental changes on microbial communities. His lab combines field studies, metagenomics, and meta-omics to understand microbial adaptations and ecosystem functions. Grants & Engagement: Stewart has secured funding from NSF, DOE, and the Simons Foundation for projects on microbial nitrogen dynamics, methane cycling, and coral microbiome resilience. He co-leads the MLOxE REU program, training students in low-oxygen ecosystem microbiology. He also serves as an editor for The ISME Journal and Environmental Microbiology . Labs & Teams: The Stewart Lab at MSU collaborates with institutions like Georgia Tech and the Marine Megafauna Foundation. Current projects include studying microbial roles in coral health, ocean deoxygenation impacts, and viral dynamics in OMZs.

• Coral Reef Ecology
• Climate Change Impacts
• Marine Biology
• +3 more

Ove Hoegh-Guldberg is a Professor at James Cook University specializing in coral reef ecology and climate change impacts. His research focuses on coral symbiosis, bleaching mechanisms, and the resilience of marine ecosystems under global environmental pressures. Key research interests include coral reef biodiversity, ocean acidification, and the development of conservation strategies for tropical marine environments. He has contributed to high-impact studies on coral reef vulnerability, mesophotic coral ecosystems, and the application of artificial intelligence for reef monitoring. His work integrates molecular, ecological, and policy perspectives, addressing challenges such as coral bleaching, cyclone damage, and the adaptation of fisheries to climate change. Collaborations span institutions globally, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to marine conservation.

Santiago HerreraView profile

Associate Professor

• Deep Sea Molecular Ecology
• Environmental DNA (eDNA) Biodiversity
• Evolution and Behavior
• +2 more

Santiago Herrera serves as Associate Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences at Lehigh University, where he leads the Deep-Sea Molecular Ecology Lab. His interdisciplinary research bridges oceanography, molecular biology, and computational analysis to study deep-sea ecosystems. Affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), and the Argentine Deep-Sea Studies Group (GEMPA), he has participated in over 45 oceanographic expeditions spanning all major ocean basins. His research focuses on deep-sea molecular ecology , environmental DNA biodiversity , and evolutionary processes in extreme marine environments. Herrera's lab employs high-throughput omics techniques, oceanographic field work, and computational modeling to investigate how environmental variability shapes deep-sea biodiversity across temporal and spatial scales. Current projects emphasize eDNA applications, comparative genomics, and ecosystem responses to anthropogenic stressors. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on Developing molecular tools for coral biodiversity assessment Understanding connectivity in deep-sea populations through physical-biological modeling Characterizing symbiotic relationships in extreme environments Assessing impacts of climate change and pollution on deep-sea ecosystems Scientific recognition includes: Early-Career Research Fellowship from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Faculty Research Award from Lehigh's College of Arts and Sciences Frank Hook Professorship Herrera actively mentors graduate and undergraduate researchers, with former students pursuing advanced degrees at institutions including Johns Hopkins University, Harvard Medical School, and Texas A&M University. His lab collaborates extensively with physical oceanographers, geochemists, and resource managers to address conservation challenges in vulnerable marine ecosystems. Current fieldwork includes expeditions to the Juan de Fuca Ridge, Mar del Plata Canyon, and American Samoa using submersibles like HOV Alvin and ROV SuBastian.

Marie StraderView profile

Assistant Professor

• Ecological Epigenetics
• Marine Invertebrate Biology
• Climate Change Adaptation
• +3 more

Marie Strader is an Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University, leading the Strader Lab. Her research focuses on ecological and evolutionary responses of marine invertebrates to environmental change, particularly through integrative approaches combining epigenetics, physiology, and genomics. She holds a B.Sc. in Biology from the University of Oregon (2010) and a Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior from the University of Texas at Austin (2017), followed by postdoctoral research at the University of California, Santa Barbara (2017–2019). Her research emphasizes three core themes: ecological evolutionary epigenetics, genetic basis of responses to multiple stressors, and phenotypic plasticity in global change contexts. She uses marine models like corals, sea urchins, and jellyfish to explore how organisms adapt to rapid environmental shifts. Key topics include DNA methylation’s role in transcriptomic plasticity, transgenerational effects of parental environments, and symbiotic relationships influencing resilience. Strader’s work has advanced understanding of coral reproductive behaviors via ROV observations, coral mucus composition post-bleaching, and CRISPR/Cas9 applications in coral genome editing. Her lab collaborates broadly, addressing critical questions in marine conservation and climate adaptation. Notable contributions include studies on transgenerational plasticity, coral heat tolerance through selective breeding, and the molecular mechanisms underlying symbiotic relationships. Her research bridges laboratory experiments with field observations, aiming to inform strategies for marine ecosystem resilience.

Katherine AmatoView profile

Associate Professor

• Gut microbiota
• Primate ecology
• Human evolution
• +3 more

Katherine Amato is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Northwestern University's Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences. Her research focuses on the role of gut microbiota in host ecology and evolution, using non-human primates as models to understand microbial contributions to nutrition, energetics, and health. She holds a Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (2013) and completed postdoctoral work at the University of Colorado Boulder. Dr. Amato is affiliated with the Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Graduate Program and the Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems. Professional roles include President of the Midwest Primate Interest Group, Associate Editor at Microbiome , and Editorial Board member at Folia Primatologica . Her key research areas include microbiome adaptation to environmental stress, host genetics-microbiome interactions, and the evolutionary origins of human fermented food consumption. Education: A.B., Biology (Dartmouth College); Ph.D., Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology (UIUC) Affiliations: CIFAR Fellow (Humans & Microbiome Program) Her work bridges biological anthropology and microbial ecology, exploring how microbiomes buffer hosts against nutritional challenges and shape inter-specific metabolic differences. Recent studies investigate global human microbiome variation and its links to local adaptation. She teaches courses such as Primate Behavior and Ecology , Human Microbiome and Health , and Microbiome Analysis . Notable contributions include identifying fermented food consumption in wild primates and its ecological drivers, and highlighting microbiome disparities linked to health inequities. Her lab employs multi-omics approaches to study microbiome dynamics across species and environments.

Trent BiggsView profile

Professor

• Hydrology
• Water Quality
• Sediment Dynamics
• +3 more

Trent Biggs is a Professor of Geography at San Diego State University (SDSU), affiliated with the Department of Geography within the College of Arts and Letters. His research focuses on land use impacts on hydrology, water quality, and sediment dynamics. He employs satellite imagery, fieldwork, and modeling to address water-related environmental challenges affecting human welfare. Key field locations include the US-Mexico border region, American Samoa, the Himalaya, and southern India. Education: PhD (2003), MA (2000) from University of California, Santa Barbara; B.A. (1995) in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Princeton University. Research interests emphasize watershed processes, including sediment budgets, channel morphology, and water quality. Current projects involve studying urbanization effects on the US-Mexico border’s estuaries and collaborating on the NSF Amazon project. His lab (Biggs Watershed Science Lab) integrates remote sensing, modeling, and fieldwork to analyze human-water interactions. Key collaborations include work with regional stakeholders on Blue Gold and the Watershed Science Institute. Advising includes notable students like Margot Mattson (Sea Grant Fellow), Ibisia Jack (AEP Scholar), and Stephany Garcia (CBS-featured). His work bridges environmental science with policy, particularly in cross-border water management and farmworker health. Labs/Teams: Leads the Biggs Watershed Science Lab at SDSU, focusing on human-environment interactions in watersheds. Collaborates with international researchers and local agencies to address water scarcity and sedimentation issues.