Find Academic Supervisors

• Evolutionary Biology
• Bacterial Physiology
• Mechanisms of Gene Regulation and Transcription Networks
• +7 more

Rutger Hermsen is an Assistant Professor in the Science Biology faculty at Utrecht University , leading the Hermsen lab under the Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics group and the Institute for Biodynamics & Biocomplexity. His work focuses on mathematical and computational models of biological systems, particularly bacterial physiology and evolutionary biology. Email : r.hermsen@uu.nl Contact : Hugo R. Kruytgebouw, Padualaan 8, Kamer N602, 3584 CH Utrecht Research Interests span evolutionary theory, population dynamics, gene regulation, and bacterial physiology. He develops models to study eco-evolutionary interactions, such as antibiotic resistance development, and applies multiscale frameworks to analyze selection pressures in spatially structured populations. His work bridges theoretical biology with bioinformatics and computational methods. Publications highlight his expertise in analyzing spatial selection mechanisms (2024), cellular regulatory networks (2023), and evolutionary transitions (2022). These studies integrate mathematical models with experimental data to address fundamental biological questions. Supervision includes Bryan Verhoef, whose NWO-funded PhD project explores antibiotic resistance modeling, and Charlotte de Vries, a senior postdoc studying aging's role in evolutionary transitions. Collaborations extend to the Tans group at AMOLF for bacterial growth experiments. Laboratory combines computational approaches with interdisciplinary research, focusing on bacterial homeostasis, multilevel selection, and eco-evolutionary demography. The lab contributes to understanding cellular regulatory mechanisms and evolutionary processes through innovative theoretical frameworks.

Koen van BenthemView profile

Assistant Professor

• Multiscale Eco-Evolutionary Processes
• Population Ecology
• Biostatistics
• +3 more

Koen van Benthem is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Groningen, affiliated with the Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences. He leads the Van Benthem group, focusing on Data Science and Biostatistics. His research emphasizes multiscale eco-evolutionary processes and recovering individual-level insights from population data. He holds a PhD in population ecology from the University of Zurich and has prior experience at institutions including Bielefeld University. Education: BSc/MSc in Natural Sciences from Radboud University Nijmegen, followed by a PhD in Zurich. Teaching roles include coordinating Biostatistics II Big Data Management in Ecology and Evolution Quantitative Research Skills and contributing to Advanced Statistics and Biological Modelling courses. Research interests focus on: Multiscale interactions in ecological and evolutionary dynamics Individual heterogeneity and its population-level implications Applications of statistical and computational methods in ecology Recent articles explore topics like nonlinear averaging in population interactions, island biogeography of Asteraceae, and niche mechanisms. His work bridges theoretical models with empirical systems, such as fur seal density patterns and Arctic charr migration. He supervises student research projects and collaborates on grants like 'Teaching coding effectively through interactive formative assessments' (2023–2025). Labs/Teams: Leads the Van Benthem group, integrating data science and biostatistics into ecological research.

Jonathan LenoirView profile

Researcher

• Eco-informatics
• Plant Ecology
• Macroecology
• +9 more

Jonathan Lenoir is a CNRS Research Fellow at Université de Picardie Jules Verne, specializing in Eco-informatics, Plant Ecology, Macroecology, and Forest Sciences. His research focuses on understanding how climate change affects biodiversity patterns, particularly through the lens of microclimatic processes in forest ecosystems. He leads significant research projects including IMPRINT (Impacts of microclimatic processes on the redistribution of forest biodiversity in the context of macroclimate warming), funded by ANR JCJC with 300,000 EUR, and MORFO (Modeling of Microclimatic Warming under Forest Cover), funded by CNRS. Dr. Lenoir's research interests center on how global changes impact biodiversity across multiple spatial scales, with particular expertise in Arctic, mountain, and forest ecosystems. His work integrates field observations with advanced modeling approaches to understand species distribution changes, community dynamics, and the role of microclimates in buffering or amplifying climate change effects. He has made significant contributions to understanding plant range shifts, the impacts of invasive species, and the relationship between climate velocity and species tracking. His publication record demonstrates a strong focus on climate change impacts on biodiversity, with numerous articles in high-impact journals including Nature Ecology and Evolution, Science, and Global Ecology and Biogeography. His research consistently addresses critical questions about how species respond to warming temperatures, with particular attention to differences between land and marine environments, and across elevation and latitude gradients. Dr. Lenoir actively supervises PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, including Jacqueline Souza Lima, Eva gril, Pedro Poli, and Ali Almoussawi. His research is supported by multiple grants totaling over 500,000 EUR, demonstrating the significance and impact of his work in the field of ecological response to global change. His fieldwork extends internationally, including research in Argentina's Nahuel Huapi National Park where he studied plant invasions in mountain ecosystems alongside colleagues Ann Milbau, Jonas Lembrechts, Anibal Pauchard, and Martin Nuñez. This work contributes to understanding how non-native plants are becoming increasingly common in cold and harsh environments, posing threats to native plant species under future climate change.

Lynn ChiuView profile

Researcher

• Philosophy of Biology
• Science Communication
• Immunology
• +3 more

Lynn Chiu is a philosopher of biology and science communicator affiliated with the University of Vienna's Department of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences. She holds roles as Postdoc Researcher and International Scientific Community Manager, co-leading public engagement projects under the INTERREG AT-CZ Mendel Legacy initiative. Her research bridges philosophy, immunology, and evolutionary biology, focusing on niche construction, holobiont theory, and microbiota-host interactions. Education includes a PhD in Philosophy (University of Missouri) and degrees in Psychology and Life Sciences from Taiwan institutions. Educational Background: PhD in Philosophy, University of Missouri (2015) MA in Philosophy, University of Missouri (2011) MS in Psychology, National Taiwan University (2009) BS in Life Sciences, National Yang Ming University (2006) Research interests span philosophy of biology, science communication, and interdisciplinary studies of immunity and evolution. Notable projects include co-organizing the 2016 workshop on ecological developmental biology and microbiota-host co-construction, and authoring synthetic reviews on the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis. Awards include the ISHPSSB Callebaut Prize (2017) and Biosemiotic Achievement Award (2015). Her articles explore topics like gut-brain axis cognition, neuroendocrine-immune systems, and niche construction theory. Grants include leadership roles in interdisciplinary initiatives like the Mizzou Advantage Evolutionary Studies Group. Active in science communication, she manages institutional outreach for the Konrad Lorenz Institute and collaborates with museums like the NHM Wien. Labs/Teams: ImmunoConcept Lab (Bordeaux/CNRS), Extended Evolutionary Synthesis Research Program (St. Andrews), and Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research (KLI). Teaching spans logic, philosophy of science, and bioethics in both traditional and online formats.

Srilena KunduView profile

Research Fellow

• Ecological networks
• Complex networks
• Nonlinear dynamics
• +7 more

Srilena Kundu is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity (HIFMB) at the University of Oldenburg, Germany, since September 2024, focusing on spatial connectivity in ecological systems. Previously, she held postdoctoral positions at the University of Chicago (2022-2024) and Arizona State University (2020). Her educational background includes: Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics, University of Calcutta, India (2015-2022) M.Sc. in Mathematics with Computer Applications, National Institute of Technology Durgapur, India (2013-2015) B.Sc. in Mathematics, Vidyasagar University (via Midnapore College), India (2010-2013) Dr. Kundu's research integrates mathematical modeling and computational simulations to investigate ecological network dynamics , species persistence , and nonlinear phenomena in complex systems. Her work bridges theoretical ecology with physics, emphasizing how spatial structure and network topology influence biodiversity maintenance and community stability. Key methodological approaches include differential equations, agent-based modeling, and statistical analysis of dynamical systems. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2024-2019) reveals a cohesive research trajectory centered on chimera states in ecological networks , eco-evolutionary dynamics of cooperation , and robustness of spatially structured populations . These works consistently apply nonlinear dynamics and network theory to biological questions, with increasing focus on multidimensional systems (3D networks, multiplex structures) and real-world applications like harvested ecosystems. Her publications span high-impact journals in physics, ecology, and interdisciplinary sciences, reflecting strong cross-disciplinary integration. She actively contributes to the Biodiversity Theory research group at HIFMB, where her current work examines how spatial connectivity sustains populations across environmental gradients and temporal scales using advanced computational frameworks.

Frank ThuijsmanView profile

Professor

• Game Theory
• Evolutionary Game Theory
• Operations Research
• +4 more

Frank Thuijsman is a Full Professor of Strategic Optimization and Data Science at Maastricht University's Department of Advanced Computing Sciences. He has held this position since 2016, following roles as Associate Professor (1995–2016) and Assistant Professor (1990–1995) at the same institution. His international engagements include visiting positions at UCLA, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and fellowships at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Jerusalem. Education: Ph.D. in Mathematics, Maastricht University (1989) M.Sc. in Mathematics (with teaching qualification), Radboud University Nijmegen (1985) Research Focus: Thuijsman specializes in dynamic and evolutionary game theory with applications spanning economics, biology, and oncology. His work integrates operations research, stochastic processes, and mathematical modeling to address complex systems such as cancer treatment optimization, public goods games, and federated learning. A key theme is the translation of theoretical frameworks into practical solutions for healthcare and environmental policy. Publication Trends: His recent articles emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, particularly in cancer research (e.g., modeling tumor evolution and treatment resistance) and computational optimization (e.g., AGV scheduling and federated learning). Methodologically, they showcase advanced game-theoretic applications, spatial modeling, and adaptive control systems. Awards & Honors: Dual Silver Reimagine Education Awards (2018) for KE@Work program innovation Teaching Prize from FH Aachen (2013) Wynand Wijnen Education Prize nominee (2014, 2017, 2024) Leadership & Projects: Thuijsman founded the KE@Work program, connecting 200+ students with 70+ businesses. He currently leads a World Bank-funded initiative to develop a Computer Science curriculum at the University of Burundi. As Secretary-Treasurer of the Game Theory Society, he oversees global academic collaborations. His team at the Mathematics Centre Maastricht focuses on evolutionary dynamics and AI applications.

• Mathematical Biology
• Mathematical Cell Biology
• Developmental Biology
• +7 more

Maria-Veronica Ciocanel is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics (Primary) and Biology (Joint) at Duke University's Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, where she has held appointments since 2020. Her research sits at the intersection of mathematical biology, cell biology, and computational modeling, with a particular focus on intracellular transport mechanisms and protein organization in cells. Her research interests include mathematical cell and developmental biology, emergent dynamics in intracellular transport, multiscale modeling of filamentous protein organization, parameter inference for models of biophysics experiments, applied dynamical systems, and applied topological data analysis. She develops mathematical and computational techniques to uncover the basic functions of intracellular proteins in development and injury, with applications to RNA transport in frog oocytes, radial glial cells, and neurons. Her work combines differential equations, stochastic modeling, and topological data analysis to address fundamental questions in cell biology. Her recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on mathematical approaches to biological problems, particularly in cytoskeleton dynamics, intracellular transport, and symmetry analysis in developmental systems. She also maintains an active research program in social justice applications, particularly analyzing racial disparities in federal sentencing through mathematical and statistical approaches. Lee A. Segel Prize for the Best Paper in the Bulletin of Mathematical Biology (2025) for 'Parameter identifiability in PDE models of fluorescence recovery after photobleaching' Red Sock Award (SIAG/Dynamical Systems) for best poster presentation Ciocanel actively mentors undergraduate students through various research programs including DOmath, PRUV, and Muser. Two of her former students, Anna and Niny, have gone on to become Assistant Professors at University of New Mexico and San Francisco State University, respectively. She has secured significant research funding including grants from the National Science Foundation and Pennsylvania State University for projects on microtubule behavior and membrane-actin cortex adhesion. She is also involved in the RTG: Training Tomorrow's Workforce in Analysis and Applications program as a Co-Principal Investigator. Her laboratory focuses on mathematical modeling of intracellular transport processes, with particular emphasis on microtubule dynamics in neurons and mRNA transport mechanisms. She collaborates extensively with experimental biologists at institutions including Brown University, Penn State University, and Duke University to ensure her mathematical models remain grounded in biological reality.