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Steven AdamsView profile

Researcher

• Timber engineering
• Wood science
• Sustainable construction
• +3 more

Dr Steven Adams is a researcher at Edinburgh Napier University's School of Computing Engineering and the Built Environment , specializing in wood properties and sustainable timber engineering. He actively contributes to forest research projects focused on improving timber grading standards and promoting species diversification for climate resilience. Research Focus: Timber engineering, wood science, sustainable construction Key Affiliations: Engineering Research Group, Centre for Conservation and Restoration Science His work examines how physical and mechanical properties of wood affect structural applications, with particular emphasis on optimizing grading for UK-grown species like Sitka spruce and exploring alternative tree species for national deployment. Recent projects include Oak Shake (NDT for timber assessment) and An easier route for strength grading UK hardwoods . Research trends show consistent focus on timber properties (2015-2024), strength classification methodologies, and sustainable forestry practices. Publications span technical reports, conference contributions, and book chapters bridging academic research with industry applications. Current projects (2023-2026) address multi-criteria tree species prioritization, timber grading optimization, and post-felling wood property assessment.

Daniel Harrison ChitwoodView profile

Associate Professor

• Computational Biology
• Plant Biology
• Machine Learning
• +3 more

Daniel Harrison Chitwood is an Associate Professor at Michigan State University , holding appointments in the Department of Computational Mathematics, Science and Engineering and the BioMolecular Science Gateway . As a dual-trained computational scientist and plant biologist, he emphasizes algorithmic approaches to plant science and fosters equity in interdisciplinary collaborations across cultures, countries, and disciplines. His research integrates machine learning and plant morphology to model leaf shape variation, analyze herbarium specimens, and predict tissue identity from gene expression. Recent work explores international education frameworks and the impact of terroir on vineyard leaf morphology. Publications highlight his focus on morphometrics , phylogenomics , and data-driven agriculture , with applications in synthetic biology and historical biogeography. While no awards or student advisement details are listed, his work emphasizes inclusive scientific practices.

Nick BalsterView profile

Professor

• Soil Ecology
• Plant Physiological Ecology
• Environmental Education
• +6 more

Nick Balster is a Professor in the Department of Soil Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. His research integrates soil ecology, plant physiology, and environmental education to study energy and material cycling in natural and anthropogenic ecosystems, with a focus on urban soils, global change impacts, and invasive species dynamics. Key research areas: Stable isotope ecology Soil aggregation and hydrology Rain garden functionality Ecosystem response to climate change Environmental pedagogy Recent publications highlight his work on freeze-thaw cycles , vegetation-soil interactions , and science education programs . He also contributes to innovative teaching tools and urban stormwater management research.

• Urban Planning
• Climate-Responsive Design
• Sustainable Development
• +3 more

Anja Pejovic is a Ph.D. candidate in Urban and Regional Development (39th cycle, 2023-2026) and a Research Fellow at the Interuniversity Department of Regional and Urban Studies and Planning (DIST) at Polytechnic University of Turin. She also serves as an external lecturer and teaching assistant at the Department of Architecture and Design (DAD). Ph.D. Supervisors : Riccardo Pollo, Luca Staricco Research Interests : Focused on urban climate modeling, adaptive architecture, and sustainable development, her work addresses climate-responsive design tools and socio-sanitary infrastructure metamorphosis to align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Publications explore urban microclimate simulations, health-centric built environments, and Industry 4.0 applications in architectural design. Teaching Contributions : Collaborates on the Healthy and Connected Built Environment course (Architectural Technology module) for the Architecture, Construction, and Cities master's program (2023/24 and 2024/25). Previously contributed to the Architectural Technology - Culture and Fundamentals bachelor's course (2023/24). Publications : Recent works include climate-adaptive design frameworks, urban climate modeling tools for SDGs, and transformations of community health facilities. Her research bridges architecture, environmental policy, and sustainable urbanization.

Craig ThomsonView profile

Professor

• Urban Sustainability
• Sustainable Construction
• Sustainability Management

Professor Craig Thomson serves as Associate Dean for Research at Glasgow Caledonian University. His research specializes in urban sustainability, sustainable construction practices, and sustainability management frameworks. With extensive project leadership, he has directed initiatives like the Erasmus Mundus Master's in Urban Climate and Sustainability and the MUrCS program. His research explores sustainable urban development, climate adaptation strategies, and circular economy implementation in built environments. Recent publications demonstrate interdisciplinary approaches to urban challenges, spanning environmental planning, construction management, and public policy domains. Professor Thomson's scholarly contributions have been recognized with multiple RICS Best Paper awards and the Rod Howes Commemorative Award. His research consistently addresses the intersection of environmental sustainability, urban systems, and construction innovation.

José David Bienvenido HuertasView profile

Professor

• Building Engineering
• Thermal Comfort
• Energy Efficiency
• +3 more

José David Bienvenido Huertas is a Professor of Architectural Constructions at the University of Granada’s School of Architecture. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Seville (2020), specializing in thermal characterization of building envelopes. His research addresses energy efficiency, thermal comfort, climate adaptation, and heritage conservation using computational tools like EnergyPlus and Python libraries (e.g., accim). Recent work analyzes courtyard microclimates, AI in education, and climate-resilient regulations. He develops non-destructive testing methods for heritage buildings and studies occupant behavior in energy use. Educational interests include gamification and flipped classrooms. Key projects: Development of the 'accim' Python library for adaptive thermal simulations Climate adaptation studies in Italy, Ecuador, and Spain

Lav KhotView profile

Associate Professor

• Precision Agriculture
• Agricultural Automation Engineering
• Crop Sensing
• +4 more

Lav Khot is an Associate Professor of Biological Systems Engineering at Washington State University (WSU), serving as Director of AgWeatherNet, the largest agricultural weather network in the U.S. He leads research in precision agriculture, focusing on sensing and automation technologies for crop management. His work integrates crop sensing, IoT systems, and decision support tools to optimize resource use in specialty crop production. Dr. Khot holds a Ph.D. from North Dakota State University and advanced degrees from institutions in India, Thailand, and the U.S. His career includes postdoctoral research at the University of Florida. He balances roles at WSU’s Pullman campus and Prosser Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center (IAREC). Research Interests: His program emphasizes site-specific precision management, including crop sensing via ground/aerial systems, IoT-enabled cyber-physical systems, edge/cloud computing for decision support, smartphone apps for data delivery, and data-driven agricultural machinery design. Recent projects address heat stress mitigation in fruit crops, drone applications in vineyards, and fixed spray systems for efficient chemical delivery. Awards: Recipient of the 2022 National Excellence in Multistate Research Award for UAS (drone) applications in agriculture, named to Fruit + Vegetable 40 Under 40 (2021), and winner of the 2024 CAHNRS Early Career Excellence Award. Advising & Grants: Supervises graduate students (e.g., Mark Schrader, Abhilash Chandel) and collaborates on multi-state research initiatives. Funds projects through USDA-NIFA, state grants, and industry partnerships. Leads AgWeatherNet, providing real-time weather data for growers. Labs/Teams: Directs WSU’s AgWeatherNet and collaborates with the Center for Precision and Automated Agricultural Systems (CPAAS). Active in ASABE and the IEEE, presenting at national/international conferences. Hosts Ag Tech Day events to showcase innovations like spray technologies and robotic systems.

Carol AdairView profile

Associate Professor

• Global Climate Change
• Ecosystem Ecology
• Biogeochemistry
• +7 more

Carol Adair is an Associate Professor at the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Vermont, where she also serves as the Gund Fellow and Director of the Aiken Forestry Sciences Laboratory. Her research focuses on understanding ecosystem responses to global environmental changes, particularly through quantitative modeling and experimental approaches. She holds a Ph.D. in Ecosystem Ecology and Biogeochemistry from Colorado State University (2005), an M.S. in the same field (2000), and a B.A. in Environmental Science and Political Science from Allegheny College (1991). Her expertise spans global climate change, ecosystem ecology, and biogeochemistry, with a focus on decomposition processes, nutrient cycling, and greenhouse gas emissions. Her work integrates field studies, lab experiments, and computational models to explore how ecosystems respond to anthropogenic and natural disturbances. Notable projects include investigations into the impacts of extreme weather events on decomposition rates, nitrogen dynamics in agricultural systems, and the role of cold-air pooling in forest composition. Recent research highlights include studies on winter nutrient export in watersheds, the effects of manure application on greenhouse gas emissions, and the development of best management practices for Vermont agroecosystems. Her lab collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to address pressing environmental challenges, such as climate adaptation in agriculture and soil resilience under changing climatic conditions. Affiliations: Gund Institute for Environment, George D. Aiken Forestry Sciences Laboratory Key Projects: USDA Climate Hub 360 Project on Agroecosystems Climate Change Adaptation in Agriculture High-Elevation Watershed Studies (Mt. Mansfield) Carol’s team has produced influential publications on topics like nitrogen cycling in hayfields, ice storm impacts on mycorrhizal fungi, and the legacy effects of soil microbial communities. Her work emphasizes bridging gaps between ecological theory and practical applications for sustainable resource management.

Allison GardnerView profile

Assistant Professor

• Medical Entomology
• Vector-Borne Disease Ecology
• Disease Transmission Dynamics
• +5 more

Allison Gardner is an Assistant Professor in the School of Biology and Ecology at the University of Maine. She holds affiliations with the Ecology and Environmental Sciences program, the Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions, the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center, and the Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering. Her interdisciplinary research focuses on the ecology of vector-borne diseases transmitted by arthropods such as mosquitoes and ticks, integrating field studies, lab experiments, and quantitative tools to address public health challenges. Education: PhD Entomology (2016), MS Statistics (2015), MS Veterinary Pathobiology (2012), and BA History and Biology (2010), all from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, complemented by a BA in History from Williams College (2010). Her research interests include understanding vector biology, developing sustainable vector management strategies, and predicting disease transmission hotspots. Current projects investigate Lyme disease expansion in Maine, Zika virus vectors in the Caribbean, and socio-economic drivers of disease risk. She employs ecological theory and collaborative modeling to bridge environmental, human, and policy dimensions of disease systems. Her recent work combines spatial epidemiology, land-use analysis, and citizen science to address tick control, mosquito habitat dynamics, and human behavior influencing disease prevention. Collaborations span disciplines, including ecologists, public health experts, and policymakers to create actionable solutions for vector-borne disease mitigation.

Antonios TourlidakisView profile

Professor

• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Turbomachinery Design
• Renewable Energy Systems
• +4 more

Antonios Tourlidakis is a Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Western Macedonia, where he has served since 2003 in roles including Head of the Department (2012–2015) and Rector (2015–2019). He holds a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and a PhD from Cranfield University, UK. His research focuses on computational fluid dynamics (CFD), turbomachinery design, renewable energy systems, and energy harvesting. He has led projects on wind turbine optimization, thermal power generation, and lignite-fired power plant efficiency. Tourlidakis has collaborated internationally, including as an external examiner at Nazarbayev University and a Visiting Academic at Cranfield University. His work earned the 2002 Arthur Charles Prize for research on power generation. He leads the Laboratory of Fluid Mechanics and Turbomachinery and Laboratory of Internal Combustion Engines, contributing to infrastructure and educational reforms at the University of Western Macedonia. Education: Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Cranfield University, UK Research Interests: Computational methods for turbomachinery analysis and optimization Wind energy systems and microclimate impact analysis Energy harvesting from human biomechanics and industrial applications CFD-driven design of pumps, turbines, and combustion systems Transition to renewable energy in coal-dependent regions Mathematical modeling of power plant efficiency Key Achievements: Developed aerodynamic optimization methods for axial and centrifugal compressors Pioneered work on piezoelectric energy harvesters for wearable biosensors Directed EU-funded projects on wind farm microclimate modeling Authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications Grants & Collaborations: National and international projects on renewable energy systems Industry partnerships for turbine design and coal utilization optimization Active in EU initiatives for Western Macedonia's energy transition

Sean BaileyView profile

Associate Professor

• Atmospheric Turbulence
• Unsteady Vortex Flows
• Small-Scale Turbulence
• +5 more

Sean Bailey, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Kentucky. His research focuses on using small uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) to study atmospheric turbulence, particularly in the boundary layer. He has pioneered methods for measuring turbulence structures and their interactions with complex terrains and fluid interfaces. Bailey holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Ottawa and has held faculty positions since 2009, advancing both experimental and computational fluid dynamics. Education: PhD, Mechanical Engineering, University of Ottawa (2002-2006) M.E.Sc., Mechanical Engineering, University of Western Ontario (2001) B.E.Sc., Mechanical Engineering, University of Western Ontario (1998) Research Interests: Bailey investigates wall-bounded flows, vortex dynamics, and turbulence suppression in rotating systems. His work bridges fundamental fluid mechanics with applied atmospheric science, leveraging UAS for high-resolution measurements in extreme environments such as solar eclipses, river valleys, and stratospheric conditions. Recent projects include the Nationwide Eclipse Ballooning Project and LAPSE-RATE field campaigns, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration. Key Contributions: Bailey’s team has developed novel sensor systems and data assimilation frameworks for improving weather predictions and aviation safety. His lab explores the integration of UAS observations into numerical weather models, enhancing forecasts of fog, turbulence, and microclimate phenomena. Experimental studies on spallation in arc-jet environments advance thermal protection systems for aerospace applications. Grants & Collaborations: Active in federal and industrial partnerships, Bailey’s research has supported advancements in unmanned systems, turbulence modeling, and climate monitoring. He mentors students in field campaigns and lab-based experiments, fostering innovation in both academic and applied contexts.

Joshua FarleyView profile

Professor

• Ecological Economics
• Environmental Policy
• Sustainability Science
• +5 more

Joshua Farley is a Professor in Community Development & Applied Economics and Public Administration at the University of Vermont, affiliated with the Gund Institute for Environment. His research focuses on ecological economics, balancing biophysical limits with social equity, and advancing regenerative agricultural systems. He has held roles such as past President of the International Society for Ecological Economics and led initiatives at institutions like the University of Maryland International Institute for Ecological Economics. Farley’s expertise includes ecological macroeconomics, social dilemmas, and policies promoting agroecology. His work integrates transdisciplinary approaches, addressing topics like ecosystem services, climate resilience, and monetary system reforms. He collaborates with students and global partners on projects such as silvopastoral systems in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest and transnational knowledge commons frameworks. His recent publications explore post-growth development in the Global South, land stewardship taxation models, and the application of nucleation theory in agroecology. Farley emphasizes interdisciplinary solutions to sustainability challenges, advocating for equitable resource allocation and systemic ecological-economic integration. While no specific awards are listed, his extensive contributions to ecological economics have positioned him as a leading voice in the field. His research and teaching emphasize real-world applications, including case studies in Brazil and policy advocacy for sustainable land use and climate adaptation.

William C SullivanView profile

Professor

• Urban Landscape Design
• Green Infrastructure
• Human Health and Wellbeing
• +6 more

William C Sullivan is a Professor at the University of Illinois with appointments in multiple departments: Landscape Architecture, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, Human Development and Family Studies, and the European Union Center. His research explores how urban landscapes influence human health and wellbeing through physiological and psychological mechanisms. Research Interests: Urban landscape design, green infrastructure, attention restoration, climate adaptation, biodiversity impacts on health His work employs interdisciplinary methodologies to measure stress hormones, heart rates, brain activity, and attentional functioning in response to designed environments. Recent studies focus on virtual nature exposure, police violence mitigation through green spaces, and pandemic-related environmental interventions. Scientific Awards: CELA Excellence in Research Award (2015), CELA Fellow (2019), Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture Fellow (2019) Active in academic outreach, Sullivan has delivered invited talks on urban productivity benefits and participated in editorial activities for Landscape Architecture Taiwan since 2013. His research spans collaborations across disciplines and international boundaries.

Lei ZhaoView profile

Assistant Professor

• Urban Climate
• Multi-scale Earth System Modeling
• Land-Atmosphere Interactions
• +7 more

Dr. Lei Zhao is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), affiliated with the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) and the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE). His research focuses on urban climate dynamics, land-atmosphere interactions, and climate change adaptation, integrating Earth system modeling, remote sensing, and AI methods. He holds a B.S. from Nanjing University (2009), a Ph.D. from Yale University (2015), and completed postdoctoral work at Princeton University (2015-2018). Education: B.S. in Physics & Atmospheric Physics, Nanjing University, 2009 Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Yale University, 2015 (Advisor: Dr. Xuhui Lee) Postdoctoral Research Associate, Princeton University, 2015-2018 (Supervisor: Dr. Michael Oppenheimer) Research Interests: Urban climate modeling, multi-scale Earth system modeling, machine learning applications in environmental science, climate change impacts, and sustainable infrastructure. His work emphasizes understanding urban thermal dynamics, biophysical feedbacks, and adaptation strategies in the context of global climate change. Awards and Honors: NSF CAREER Award (2022) Timothy Oke Award (2023) AGU Global Environmental Change Early Career Award (2023) Beckman Fellow (2024) Grants and Leadership: Leads NASA-funded projects on urbanization modeling and serves as Associate Editor for Urban Climate and Earth's Future . His lab, the Urban Climate AI Lab, develops innovative frameworks for high-resolution climate modeling and urban sustainability solutions. Labs/Teams: Directs the Urban Climate AI Lab at UIUC, focusing on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of environmental science, AI, and climate policy.

• Fluid Mechanics
• Wind Energy
• Urban Flows
• +7 more

Marco Placidi is Senior Lecturer in Experimental Fluid Mechanics at the University of Surrey's School of Mechanical Engineering Sciences, part of the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences. He holds Chartered Engineer (CEng) status and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). His affiliations include the EnFlo Laboratory, Centre for Aerodynamics and Environmental Flow, and the Institute for Sustainability. Education: BEng (Aerospace Engineering) and MEng (Aeronautical Engineering) from Sapienza University of Rome (2006, 2010), followed by a PhD in Engineering Sciences from the University of Southampton (2015). Research focuses on urban flows, atmospheric stratification, wind power aerodynamics, and turbulent boundary layers. Key projects include the £1.8M EPSRC-funded FUTURE project on urban tall-building clusters and the NERC-funded ASSURE project on urban environmental flows. Collaborations span institutions like Imperial College London, University of Reading, and Transport for London. Teaching roles include leading the Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics module and contributing to courses on renewable energy and wind power. Leadership roles: Head of Area 8 Health & Safety Forum, Sustainability Cluster Research Lead, and National Flying Laboratory Centre Coordinator. Member of the Royal Aeronautical Society and American Physical Society. Research highlights: Developed models for wind turbine wakes, explored cyclist pollutant exposure in urban settings, and advanced understanding of roughness-induced turbulence in boundary layers.