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Susan PrescottView profile

Professor

• Planetary Health
• Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD)
• Allergy and Immunology
• +5 more

Susan Prescott is a Professor of Planetary Health at The University of Western Australia (UWA) School of Medicine. She holds roles as Senior Principal Research Fellow in the UWA Medical School, Paediatrics, and serves as Editor-in-Chief of Challenges journal and founding Director of the Nova Network. Her research focuses on early environmental determinants of health, particularly noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like allergy, obesity, and mental health. She leads the $30M ORIGINS Project, examining lifelong health impacts of early-life environmental factors. Education: BMedSc MB BS PhD (UWA), Fellowships include FRACP, Royal Australasian College of Physicians, and Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. Key achievements: Over $52M in research grants, authored 350+ publications, and books like The Secret Life of Your Microbiome (2018 Gold Medal winner). Leadership roles: Founding President of DOHaD Australia/New Zealand, Scientific Advisory Board member of the Ekskäret Foundation, and Heidelberg University. Research Interests: Susan’s work bridges personal and planetary health, emphasizing holistic approaches to social and ecological justice. Her expertise spans microbiome dynamics, early-life immune development, and the impacts of ultra-processed foods on public health. She advocates for transdisciplinary solutions addressing climate change and health equity. Grants & Collaborations: Lead investigator in major projects like the Healthy Environments and Lives (HEAL) initiative (NHMRC-funded). Collaborations span global institutions, including the NOVA Institute for Health in Baltimore. Awards: Winston Churchill Fellowship, NHMRC Practitioner Fellowship (2009–2018), and recognition in Australia’s “10 of the Best” (2010). Labs & Networks: ORIGINS Project (KIDS Research Institute), Nova Network (global planetary health initiatives), and the AIRWAY EPITHELIUM RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES AND ALLERGY (AERIAL) cohort .

Francois M. LutzoniView profile

Professor

• Evolutionary Biology
• Ecology
• Genomics
• +3 more

Francois M. Lutzoni is a Professor of Biology at Duke University, affiliated with the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. (1995) and M.S. (1990) in Biology, and a B.S. (1987) in Natural Sciences. His research focuses on the evolution, ecology, and genomics of symbiotic systems involving fungi and photoautotrophic organisms, particularly lichens and their microbiomes. He also studies endophytic and endolichenic fungi across diverse environments. Key research areas include understanding symbiotic networks, environmental drivers of biodiversity, and the molecular mechanisms underlying fungal symbioses. His work spans field surveys, experimental laboratory studies, and genomic analyses. Recent grants include NSF-funded projects on Arctic symbioses, bryophyte-lichen digitization, and cyanolichen networks. Education: Ph.D., Duke University (1995); M.S., Ottawa University (1990); B.S., Grinnell College (1987) Affiliations: Director of the Lutzoni Lab; Principal Investigator on multiple NSF grants Lab Website: Lutzoni Lab (Duke University) Notable awards include the Edward Tuckerman Award (2009) and the Alexopoulos Prize (2005). His recent publications explore ice-nucleating agents in lichens, Trebouxia photobiont diversity in southern Africa, and environmental drivers of endophyte biodiversity. He advises graduate students such as Carlos Pardo de la Hoz (now at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center) and Diego Garfias Gallegos. Current teaching includes courses on symbiosis, systematic biology, and general microbiology. His professional service includes NSF grant panel roles and editorial activities.

Jonathan ShawView profile

Professor

• Bryology
• Plant Evolution
• Molecular Phylogenetics
• +4 more

Jonathan Shaw is a Professor of Biology at Duke University's Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, where he has held this position since 2001. He specializes in the evolution and diversity of bryophytes, particularly Sphagnum mosses, focusing on molecular phylogenetics, hybridization, and cryptic speciation. His research addresses critical ecological questions, such as peatland resilience under climate change and microbial interactions in peatmoss ecosystems. Shaw has received prestigious awards including the Richard Spruce Award (2010) and the William Starling Sullivant Award (2000). His education includes a B.S. from Cornell University (1977), M.S. from the University of Alberta (1980), and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan (1983). He has led major grants, including NSF-funded projects on bryophyte digitization and DOE-supported studies on microbial controls in peatlands. Shaw teaches courses like Plant Diversity and Grant Writing, emphasizing field-based learning and scientific communication. He serves as a leader in professional societies, including presidency of the American Bryological and Lichenological Society. Shaw’s work bridges evolutionary biology and ecology, with a focus on Sphagnum’s role in global carbon cycles. Recent publications highlight genomic insights into sex chromosomes, microbial community dynamics under warming, and the phylogenetic resolution of mosses. His research underscores the importance of bryophytes in ecosystem engineering and climate adaptation strategies.

Grace KimView profile

Associate Professor

• Entrepreneurial Behavior
• Finance
• Economics Education
• +3 more

Grace Kim is an Associate Professor of the Practice of Economics at Duke University, affiliated with the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. She serves as the Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies in Economics and previously directed the MA Economics (MAE) Admissions program. Her research focuses on entrepreneurial behavior and finance, with leadership roles in Duke's Innovation & Entrepreneurship initiatives including directing the Duke in Silicon Valley program (2016-17). She is also a faculty affiliate of the Duke Financial Economics (DFE) Center and has contributed to the Duke in NY Financial Markets & Institutions Program as a Faculty-in-Residence. Prof. Kim teaches courses such as ECON 375: The Economics of Entrepreneurship and ECON 496S: Honors Seminar , emphasizing experiential learning. Her academic leadership includes membership in Duke's University I&E Steering Committee since 2020. Her work bridges economic theory with practical applications in innovation ecosystems, financial markets, and undergraduate education reform. While no formal awards are listed, her sustained contributions to interdisciplinary academic programs and pedagogical innovation reflect her impact in higher education. She advises students through independent study courses and honors programs, fostering research in entrepreneurship and economic analysis.

Tim BarracloughView profile

Professor

• Evolutionary Biology
• Speciation Mechanisms
• Genomics
• +3 more

Professor Tim Barraclough is a Professor of Evolutionary Biology at the University of Oxford, affiliated with Magdalen College. His research focuses on understanding the evolutionary mechanisms behind species diversity, including speciation, adaptive divergence, and the role of genetic and environmental factors in shaping biodiversity. He leads the BarraLab, which employs interdisciplinary approaches combining genomics, experimental studies, and fieldwork to investigate topics such as bdelloid rotifers' asexual reproduction strategies, fungal pathogen evolution, and microbial community dynamics. Education details are not explicitly stated here, but his work spans diverse organisms—animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria. Key projects include comparative genomics of bdelloid rotifers, evolutionary time-series analyses of Fusarium fungi causing coffee wilt disease, and studies on microbial community evolution under environmental stressors. Research interests emphasize how species interactions and environmental pressures influence diversification, with a focus on genomic innovations enabling adaptation. For instance, his work on bdelloid rotifers highlights the role of horizontal gene transfer in their survival despite asexual reproduction. In plant pathology, he explores how fungal pathogens evolve through genetic variability and horizontal transfers to cause devastating diseases. Publications since 2020 reflect his exploration of thermal adaptation in proteins, CRISPR dynamics in bacterial-phage interactions, and the ecological consequences of species richness on microbial cooperation. While no specific awards or grants are listed here, his contributions to evolutionary genomics are widely recognized in the field. Advising and mentoring details are not provided, but the BarraLab likely supports graduate students and postdocs in evolutionary biology. His work bridges theoretical models with empirical data, offering insights into the interplay between ecological and evolutionary processes in shaping life's diversity.

Bridget WadeView profile

Professor

• Micropalaeontology
• Palaeoceanography
• Biostratigraphy
• +5 more

Prof Bridget Wade is a Professor of Micropalaeontology at University College London's Department of Earth Sciences. She leads a research group studying Cenozoic palaeoceanography, focusing on planktonic foraminifera to reconstruct climate variables like temperature, pH, and ice volume. Her work spans field expeditions in Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean, including contributions to Ocean Drilling Program Legs and IODP Expeditions. She chairs the Paleogene Planktonic Foraminifera Working Group and co-authored the Atlas of Oligocene Planktonic Foraminifera . Research Highlights: Climate change studies using microfossil chemistry Biostratigraphic refinement and calibration Evolutionary responses to climatic events Awards & Honors: Fellow of the Geological Society of America (2021) Geological Society Bigsby Medal (2020) Charles Schuchert Award (2013) NSF CAREER Award (2009) Grants & Collaborations: NERC-funded projects on Oligocene icehouse dynamics and biostratigraphy International Ocean Discovery Program collaborations Labs/Teams: Active in the UCL Micropalaeontology Research Group, leveraging interdisciplinary tools like Mikrotax for taxonomic analysis.

Doug SoltisView profile

Professor

• Plant Evolution
• DNA Sequencing
• Next-Generation Sequencing
• +5 more

Doug Soltis is a Distinguished Professor at the University of Florida, holding dual affiliations with the Florida Museum of Natural History and the Department of Biology. His research focuses on plant evolution, leveraging modern DNA technologies and computational methods to address fundamental questions in evolutionary biology. Key areas include plant phylogeny, genome doubling (polyploidy), floral evolution, and angiosperm diversification. He leads the Soltis Lab, which actively collaborates on large-scale projects such as the 1KP initiative (1,000 Plant Transcriptomes Project) and the Amborella Genome Sequencing Project. Recent work includes constructing phylogenetic frameworks for angiosperms and investigating the evolutionary significance of polyploidy in plant diversification. His lab also explores phylogeographic patterns in North American and Chinese flora, with a focus on responses to climate change and invasive species dynamics. Research highlights include sequencing the Amborella genome, identifying its basal position among flowering plants, and proposing the 'fading borders' model for floral organ identity in basal angiosperms. The lab has pioneered studies on polyploidy's role in genetic versatility and has used Tragopogon as a model for studying natural polyploidization processes. Recent projects also integrate microbial diversity with plant phylogenetics to understand co-evolutionary patterns. Notable collaborations include building a plant tree of life for China and Florida, and leading NSF-funded initiatives like the Dimensions of Biodiversity grant. The lab supports graduate students and postdocs through numerous grants and provides resources for high-performance computing and data management. Doug Soltis is a key figure in advancing plant systematics and evolutionary genetics through interdisciplinary approaches.

Charles DelwicheView profile

Professor

• Evolutionary Biology
• Phylogenomics
• Algal Evolution
• +3 more

Charles Delwiche is a Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Maryland, affiliated with the Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. He specializes in evolutionary biology, particularly the origins of plants and plastids, using phylogenomic approaches. His research combines molecular methods with classical fieldwork to study algal evolution, focusing on dinoflagellates, haptophytes, and charophyte green algae. Education: Ph.D. in Plant molecular systematics and plastid evolution from the University of Wisconsin. Teaching includes courses on microbial ecology, responsible research conduct, and diversity in the biological sciences. He leads the BEES, CBBG, and MOCB graduate programs in the Biological Sciences Interdisciplinary Program (BISI). Research interests emphasize early plant evolution, including chloroplast origins and land plant emergence from green algae. Recent work includes defining dinoflagellate species via rDNA, analyzing Marsilea vestita genomes, and exploring salinity tolerance mechanisms in Chara algae. His publications span algal biodiversity, phylogenomics, and evolutionary transitions. Scientific recognition includes AAAS Fellowship (2020). Ongoing projects involve transcriptomic analyses of green algae and genomic studies of charophycean Coleochaete orbicularis. Collaborative grants focus on microbial eukaryotic diversity and plant evolutionary developmental biology.

Kristjana EinarsdottirView profile

Research Fellow

• Obstetrics
• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• +3 more

Dr. Kristjana Einarsdottir is a Senior Research Fellow at the Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University (Perth campus). Her work focuses on maternal and child health, obstetric outcomes, public health policy, and epidemiological research. She has contributed to studies analyzing trends in cesarean sections, gestational diabetes, labor induction practices, and the impact of health policies on fertility rates. Position: Senior Research Fellow Affiliation: Curtin School of Population Health Key Roles: Member of the Office of the Provost Her research interests emphasize obstetric interventions, perinatal epidemiology, and the effects of medication use during pregnancy. Notable studies include analyses of postpartum hemorrhage risk factors, antibiotic resistance trends in UTIs, and the impact of lockdowns on preterm births during the pandemic. She also investigates socio-economic factors influencing birth outcomes and healthcare disparities in migrant populations. Her publication trends reflect a focus on pregnancy-related complications, drug safety in antenatal care, and public health policy evaluations. Key themes include: gestational diabetes management, labor induction timing, maternal BMI impacts, and obstetric guideline effectiveness . Recent work explores the psychological impact of childbirth and long-term outcomes of parental leave policies. Grants/Advising: No specific grants/advising roles explicitly mentioned in text Labs/Teams: Collaborates internationally (e.g., Co-OPT Consortium, Nordic studies) but no dedicated lab/team named

Nasrin AfsarimaneshView profile

Lecturer

• Sensor Technology
• Nanotechnology
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• +5 more

Nasrin Afsarimanesh is a Lecturer at Curtin University's School of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering. She is affiliated with the Curtin Perth campus, located in Room 206 of the Eng. General Facilities Building. Her research focuses on sensor technology, nanomaterials, and IoT integration across biomedical, environmental, and industrial applications. Key areas include graphene-based sensors, energy harvesting systems, and smart sensing platforms for healthcare and environmental monitoring. Her work spans interdisciplinary collaborations, with notable contributions to AIoT applications in aquaculture, wearable strain sensors, and impedance-based biosensors for bone health monitoring. She has authored over 40 publications, including book chapters and peer-reviewed articles in journals like Sensors and Actuators , Biosensors , and IEEE Access . Her research emphasizes practical solutions for challenges in food safety, renewable energy, and biomedical diagnostics. Dr. Afsarimanesh has contributed to the development of IoT-enabled sensing systems, such as laser-inscribed sensors for water quality monitoring and molecularly imprinted polymer sensors for early detection of bone loss. Her recent work explores the impact of generative AI on educational assessment tools and the design of bio-signal sensors for medical applications. While no specific grants or awards are mentioned, her consistent output in high-impact journals underscores her active role in advancing sensor technology and nanomaterial applications. Her expertise bridges engineering and healthcare, with a focus on translating research into real-world technologies for sustainability and human health.

Todd LaJeunesseView profile

Professor

• Coral Reef Ecology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Symbiosis
• +4 more

Todd LaJeunesse is a Professor in the Department of Biology at The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State), affiliated with the Institute for Energy and the Environment (IEE). His research focuses on the evolutionary ecology of mutualistic symbioses, particularly coral-dinoflagellate associations. He investigates ecological, biogeographic, and phylogenetic patterns to understand microbial eukaryote interactions and coral community responses to climate change. Affiliations: IEE Faculty Member Member of the Climate and Natural Systems and Water Sustainability research themes Recipient of the Wilson Hewitt Professorship of Biology and Maskalick Biodiversity Seed Grant Research Interests: His work explores symbiotic relationships in marine ecosystems, including coral-algal mutualisms, thermal tolerance mechanisms, and the impacts of climate change on coral reefs. Key areas include symbiont diversity, host specificity, and adaptation strategies in dinoflagellates (Symbiodiniaceae). Recent studies highlight the resilience of Indo-Pacific corals compared to Atlantic species and the role of symbionts in acclimatization to environmental stressors. Publications & Awards: Over 70 publications since 2005, including high-impact studies on symbiont genomics, coral transplantation, and symbiotic plasticity. Recognized for contributions to coral reef science with awards such as the Tyge Christiansen Prize (2017). Labs & Facilities: Based in Mueller Lab at Penn State, he collaborates with global researchers on projects funded by NSF and other agencies. His work involves genomic analyses, field experiments, and lab-based physiological studies.

Griffiths G AtunguluView profile

Associate Professor

• Grain Processing
• Post-Harvest System Engineering
• Rice Quality Optimization
• +2 more

Griffiths G Atungulu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Food Science at the University of Arkansas, affiliated with the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. As Director of the University of Arkansas Rice Processing Program, he leads research on post-harvest technology and grain quality optimization. Education includes: Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering, Iwate University, Japan M.S. in Agricultural Engineering, Iwate University, Japan B.S. in Agricultural Engineering, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya His research focuses on grain processing innovations and post-harvest system engineering, particularly: Developing novel drying techniques to reduce fissures in rice kernels Optimizing milling processes to improve yield and quality Mitigating mycotoxin contamination during storage Advancing microwave and radiofrequency technologies for food preservation Recent publications (15 most current) emphasize experimental and statistical approaches to rice processing challenges. Core themes include moisture sorption modeling, thermal treatment efficacy, cultivar blending effects, and quality prediction methods. This body of work demonstrates systematic integration of engineering principles with food safety objectives. Laboratory leadership includes the Rice Processing Program and Grain Processing Research Facility, where interdisciplinary teams develop scalable solutions for agricultural industries.

Mike WilliamsView profile

Part-Time Lecturer

• Plant Systematics
• Restoration Ecology
• Plant Reproductive Biology
• +3 more

Mike Williams is a part-time lecturer and research affiliate in the Biology Department at Western Washington University (since 2015), previously serving as a full-time faculty member at Butte College (2006–2015). He holds a Ph.D. in Botany (Plant Ecology, 1995), an M.S. in Botany (1980) from the University of Tennessee, and a B.A. in Botany from the University of California, Santa Barbara (1976). His research focuses on plant systematics, restoration ecology, and plant reproductive biology, with technical expertise in wetland inventories, endangered species surveys, and ecological restoration design. His professional experience includes leading a 6,000-acre natural reserve for the University of California, Santa Barbara, and serving as a principal ecologist in his own firm, managing projects across the western U.S. Notable awards include the Outstanding Teacher of the Year (2014), Excellence in Teaching (2012), and a National Science Foundation Dissertation Improvement Grant (1986–1988). He has contributed to ecological restoration initiatives, policy reviews on exotic genotypes, and wildlife management studies in national parks. Williams has actively engaged in advising roles through his consulting work and academic service. His grants include NSF support for dissertation research. He has been involved in the Society for Ecological Restoration, Botanical Society of America, and other environmental organizations. His work extends to tribal lands stewardship and collaborative projects like the Golden Gardens Park restoration and Sagehen Creek Basin vertebrate studies.

Jean-David GrattepancheView profile

Assistant Professor

• Microbial Ecology
• Marine Biology
• Protistology
• +4 more

Jean-David Grattepanche is an Assistant Professor of Research in the Department of Biology at Temple University's College of Science and Technology. His research investigates microbial eukaryotes in marine ecosystems, particularly focusing on plankton food web interactions in polar environments. Using integrative approaches combining microscopy, molecular tools (amplicon sequencing, transcriptomics), and bioinformatics, he examines diversity patterns and trophic relationships within microbial communities. Research Focus: Mixotrophic impacts in Antarctic ecosystems Spatiotemporal dynamics of protist communities Prey-predator interactions in planktonic food webs Molecular ecology of ciliates and testate amoebae Bioinformatic pipelines for microbial phylogenomics Current projects with the Sanders Lab investigate how mixotrophy influences polar marine ecosystems, with field studies conducted in Antarctica.

Todd BarkmanView profile

Professor

• Evolutionary Biochemistry
• Plant Systematics
• Molecular Evolution
• +3 more

Todd Barkman , Professor of Biological Sciences at Western Michigan University, specializes in evolutionary biochemistry, plant systematics, and molecular evolution. His research focuses on enzyme function evolution within the SABATH multigene family and tropical plant biodiversity in Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia. He leads the Barkman Lab, which combines fieldwork in rainforests with lab-based ancestral protein resurrection studies. Education: Postdoctorate, Pennsylvania State University (1998–2000) Ph.D., Botany, University of Texas (1998) M.S., Botany, Michigan State University (1993) B.S., Botany, Michigan State University (1990) Research Highlights: Dr. Barkman investigates the evolution of plant specialized metabolism, including caffeine biosynthesis in plants and the enzymatic mechanisms of parasitic plants like Rafflesia. His work integrates genomic data with biochemical experiments to understand how proteins evolve new functions over time. Recent studies focus on the systematics and conservation of tropical species such as Schefflera (now Heptapleurum) in Borneo. Current Projects: Documentation of rare tropical flora in Malaysia Resurrection of ancestral enzymes to study functional divergence Analysis of parasitic plant mitochondrial genomes Advising & Grants: Supervises three advisees: Emily Catania and Bahar Saadaie Jahromi (PhD candidates) and Liberty Kostrewa (M.S. candidate). Collaborates on grants supporting field expeditions and lab-based genomic studies. Labs/Teams: Leads the Barkman Lab, which emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to plant evolution and conservation. Active in international collaborations, particularly with Malaysian research institutions.