Find Academic Supervisors

Catherine HoarView profile

Assistant Professor

• Environmental Microbiology
• Wastewater Surveillance
• Biological Wastewater Treatment
• +3 more

Catherine Hoar is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering at Boston College. Her research focuses on wastewater systems, environmental microbiology, and emerging contaminants. She holds a B.S. from Tufts University and M.S./Ph.D. from Columbia University, followed by postdoctoral work at NYU Tandon School of Engineering. Education: B.S., Environmental Engineering, Tufts University M.S., Earth and Environmental Engineering, Columbia University Ph.D., Earth and Environmental Engineering, Columbia University Her work integrates microbiology, molecular biology, and analytical chemistry to optimize contaminant removal and monitor community health via wastewater surveillance. Recent research emphasizes wastewater-based epidemiology, SARS-CoV-2 monitoring, and sustainable surveillance programs. Publications highlight her contributions to interlaboratory PCR metrics, NYC wastewater dynamics, and microbial community analysis. She advises undergraduate researchers and teaches courses on water quality and bioprocess engineering. Led by the Hoar Lab, her team explores wastewater as both a contaminant barrier and a source of public health insights.

Casey W. RitzView profile

Professor

• Broiler Management
• Environmental and Waste Management
• Composting
• +3 more

Casey W. Ritz is a Professor and Associate Department Head in the Department of Poultry Science at the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences. His work focuses on poultry production management, environmental and waste management, and air/water quality in agricultural systems. Ph.D. in Poultry Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (VPI&SU) M.S. in Animal Science, Brigham Young University B.S. in Zoology, Brigham Young University Dr. Ritz specializes in broiler management, animal waste awareness, composting, and emission reduction technologies. He has developed educational programs for poultry growers and contributed to Georgia's regulatory frameworks for animal feeding operations. His recent publications (2003–2007) emphasize sustainable practices, including ammonia mitigation, litter management, dust control, and nutrient cycling in broiler facilities. Research areas span poultry housing technology, waste treatment, and environmental compliance. Contact: critz@uga.edu | Office: 706-542-9139 | Address: 120 DW Brooks Drive, Room 308, Athens, GA 30602-2772

• Clean Production Technologies
• Biotechnology
• Waste Management
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Seval Sözen is a Professor of Environmental Engineering at Istanbul Technical University, leading the Department of Environmental Engineering since 2002. Her academic career includes roles as Head of Department (2006–2009), Vice Dean (2004–2007), and co-founder of ENVIS Environmental and Energy Systems R&D (2008). She holds a PhD in Environmental Engineering from ITU (1995) and has been a member of key organizations like the International Association on Water Quality and Turkish National Committee for Water Pollution Research and Control. Her research focuses on Clean Production Technologies, Biotechnology, Waste Management, and Water/Wastewater Treatment. Notable contributions include hydrodynamic modeling for marine pollution (Golden Horn, Bosphorus), optimization of activated sludge processes, and sustainable energy recovery from wastewater. She has pioneered studies on textile wastewater treatment, landfill leachate management, and climate-resilient water policies for Istanbul. Her work integrates experimental and modeling approaches, emphasizing environmental sustainability. Over 200+ publications span advanced oxidation, membrane bioreactors, and policy frameworks for water quality in sensitive regions. She actively collaborates on EU-funded projects like enviroGRIDS, linking Earth observation to environmental policy.

Xuefeng Nick PengView profile

Assistant Professor

• Biogeochemistry
• Geochemistry
• Climate Change
• +4 more

Xuefeng Nick Peng is an Assistant Professor at the School of the Earth, Ocean & Environment within the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Carolina. His research bridges microbial ecology and geochemistry to study complex interactions between microorganisms and their environments in marine systems. Biogeochemistry Geochemistry Climate Change Coastal Processes Earth Systems Marine Ecology Oceanography Peng employs laboratory techniques (e.g., mass spectrometry, microbial cultivation), field sampling (e.g., oxygen minimum zones, salt marshes), and computational methods (e.g., bioinformatics, numerical modeling) to investigate microbial roles in nutrient cycling and environmental dynamics. His recent work focuses on nitrogen cycling, fungal adaptations in extreme marine environments, and microbial contributions to biogeochemical processes. The 15 most recent publications highlight his contributions to understanding nitrogen transformations in marine sediments, fungal diversity in oxygen minimum zones, and genomic adaptations of anaerobic microbes. Key themes include climate change impacts, biogeochemical feedbacks, and microbial community responses to environmental stressors. Peng’s lab has mentored multiple students, including Margaret Bernish (Master’s thesis), Sydney Staines (Honors thesis), Dylan Lane (Poster Presentation Award), and others who have received scholarships and fellowships. His outreach efforts include collaborations with the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden and field trips at the Baruch Marine Field Lab.

Donald ZakView profile

Professor

• Ecology
• Environmental Science
• Soil Microbiology
• +3 more

Donald Zak is a Professor at the University of Michigan, affiliated with the School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE) and the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. He holds a PhD in Forest Ecology from Michigan State University (1987), an MS in Forest Soils from the University of Idaho (1983), and a BS in Forest Science from Ohio State University (1981). His research focuses on soil microbial ecology, plant-microbe interactions, and the impacts of environmental changes like nitrogen deposition and climate variability on ecosystem processes. Key areas include soil carbon dynamics, mycorrhizal fungi roles in nutrient cycling, and the effects of atmospheric nitrogen on forest ecosystems. Dr. Zak leads the Soils Lab, emphasizing field and lab studies to understand biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem resilience. His work spans both temperate forests and agricultural systems, with contributions to global change research frameworks like the Aspen FACE experiment. Recent findings highlight nitrogen deposition's dual role in altering soil carbon storage and fungal community composition, with implications for climate mitigation strategies. Research interests integrate microbial biodiversity, decomposition processes, and ecosystem responses to anthropogenic pressures. Dr. Zak collaborates widely, contributing to interdisciplinary projects on invasive species (e.g., Phragmites australis) and sustainable farming practices. His lab's long-term experiments inform policy and land management, emphasizing proactive ecological approaches for the Anthropocene. Despite no listed awards, his prolific publications and leadership roles underscore his significant contributions to environmental science.

Wei ShiView profile

Professor

• Soil Microbiology
• Environmental Microbiology
• Nitrogen Cycling
• +3 more

Dr. Wei Shi is an Associate Department Head and Professor in the Department of Soil Microbiology & Ecology at North Carolina State University. His research focuses on the biochemical, physiological, and ecological functions of soil and environmental microorganisms, aiming to apply this knowledge to sustain agriculture and the environment. Current emphases include soil microbial community structure and nitrogen cycling. He leads interdisciplinary initiatives such as the NC Plant Sciences Initiative and collaborates with the CASM group across multiple departments. His research interests span microbial community dynamics, nitrogen transformation processes, and the impact of human activities (e.g., foot traffic) on soil microbiomes. He explores innovative approaches like multi-amplicon gene standards to quantify nitrogen-cycling microbes and investigates biochar’s role in mitigating greenhouse gases. Recent work also addresses drought impacts on plant microbiomes and post-glacial soil development effects on microbial functioning. Publications highlight trends in understanding microbial responses to environmental stressors, agricultural interventions, and ecosystem processes. His work integrates biophysical mechanisms, metagenomic/metabolomic analyses, and interdisciplinary collaborations to address complex environmental challenges. Dr. Shi’s research has implications for sustainable agriculture, climate change mitigation, and ecological restoration. He participates in groups like the BioChar Optimization and Saltwater Intrusion projects, applying soil science to real-world agricultural and environmental stewardship. His lab’s work spans from fundamental microbiology to applied solutions for carbon sequestration and soil health.

Evina KatsouView profile

Visiting Professor

• Sustainable resource recovery from wastewater
• Circular economy assessment
• Data analytics for environmental systems
• +5 more

Dr Evina Katsou is a Visiting Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering within the College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences at Brunel University London. She serves as Course Director for the Water Engineering MSc program and leads the Water & Environmental Engineering research group with 20 researchers. Dr Katsou's educational background includes a PhD in 'Wastewater Treatment with the Use of Membranes' (2008-2011), an MSc in Water Resources Science & Technology (2006-2008), and an MEng in Chemical Engineering (2000-2005), all from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Greece. Her research program focuses on three interconnected areas: (1) Sustainable resource recovery from wastewater and safe reuse; (2) Data analytics, knowledge discovery and process modelling; and (3) Circularity & sustainability measurement and assessment. Dr Katsou has developed innovative approaches for biological nutrient removal from wastewater, including partial nitrification/denitrification and complete autotrophic nitrogen removal processes. Her work integrates advanced data analytics methods such as multivariate statistics, clustering techniques, machine learning algorithms, and artificial neural networks to identify complex relationships between process variables, particularly for measuring GHG emissions in water treatment systems. Dr Katsou has authored 98 journal publications (h-index: 27) and 12 book chapters with over 100 presentations, and holds a patent on biopolymers recovery. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on circular economy applications in water systems, nature-based solutions for urban environments, and resource recovery technologies. The research trends show increasing integration of data-driven decision support systems with environmental sustainability metrics, particularly in the water-energy-food nexus domain. Chartered Chemical Engineer (Greece) HEA Fellow (FHEA) of the Higher Education Academy Mentor in the APEX (Academic Practice & Professional Excellence Framework) scheme Member of management group of the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE) Visiting Professors Scheme Co-leader of Circular Economy VLT in Water Europe Leader of SMART WATER Working Group in ICT4Water Cluster-EC Member of ISO standards drafting team on Circular Economy Dr Katsou has successfully supervised 16 PhD students to completion and currently supervises several ongoing doctoral projects. She has secured substantial research funding as Principal Investigator on 11 national and international projects including RESILEX Horizon Europe, SYMBIOREM Horizon Europe, BORECER Horizon Europe, HYDROUSA H2020, and WATER-MINING H2020. Her industrial consulting portfolio includes significant contracts with leading UK water industry partners such as Affinity Water, Arup, Severn Trent, and Anglian Water, with projects ranging from carbon footprint assessment to corrosion mitigation and process optimization. She leads the Transformation Tools group of the Cost Action on Circular Cities, co-leads the Circular Water VLT of Water Europe, and co-leads the SMART-WATER group of the ICT4Water Cluster-EC. Dr Katsou is also a member of the drafting team for new ISO standards on Circular Economy (Measuring and Assessing Circularity - ISO5902).

Raymond M. HozalskiView profile

Professor

• Biofilm Engineering
• Water Treatment Processes
• Natural Organic Matter Analysis
• +5 more

Raymond M. Hozalski serves as the James L. Record Professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo-Engineering at the University of Minnesota , where he leads the Hozalski Research Group and maintains affiliations with the BioTechnology Institute. His work bridges environmental engineering and public health through advanced water treatment research. Dr. Hozalski's research focuses on biofilm engineering for water treatment applications, natural organic matter characterization , and stormwater management . His lab employs molecular biology techniques (qPCR, DNA sequencing), pilot-scale treatment systems, and field sampling to address critical water quality challenges. Key specialties include biofilm mechanical properties, disinfection byproduct control, and contaminant removal mechanisms in engineered systems. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals dominant trends in drinking water distribution system safety (particularly Legionella control), NDMA precursor identification from agricultural and wastewater sources, and advanced biofiltration techniques . His work increasingly integrates satellite remote sensing for water quality monitoring and emphasizes practical solutions for utilities. James L. Record Professor endowed chair recipient Principal investigator for 34 funded projects totaling millions in NSF, EPA, and state funding Research featured in major media outlets regarding coronavirus water safety Dr. Hozalski has mentored 12 PhD graduates , with 6 securing faculty positions and others employed by EPA, water utilities, and engineering firms. His current projects include investigating opportunistic pathogens in water systems, NDMA precursor mapping, and biofilter optimization for nitrosamine control. The Hozalski Research Group operates state-of-the-art facilities for biofilm characterization and water quality analysis, collaborating with utilities across the US and Norway.

Ian LevettView profile

Research Fellow

• Bioplastics
• Sustainable Agriculture
• Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) Production
• +5 more

Dr. Ian Levett is a Research Fellow at the School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland (UQ), affiliated with the ARC Training Centre for Bioplastics and Biocomposites. Since 2023, he has focused on transitioning from linear plastics to circular economy models through halophilic biotechnology-based PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) production. His expertise spans bioplastics lifecycle assessments, controlled release fertilizer development, and techno-economic evaluations of sustainable processes. PhD : Chemical Engineering (UQ, 2020) with thesis on PHA-based fertilizer delivery systems Industry Experience : 2016-2023 - Process consulting for high-purity aluminum products in batteries and semiconductor manufacturing His research explores biopolymer extrusion processing , biodegradation kinetics , and polymer-active agent interactions . The 2016-2025 publication record shows consistent innovation in controlled release mechanisms , agricultural sustainability , and industrial biotechnology . Notably, 2025 work introduces a commercial viability screening tool for biodegradable polymer coatings in fertilizers. Current funding includes: 2025-2028: ARC Discovery Project for biodegradable fertilizer coatings 2023: Lihua Starch Pty Ltd grant for PHA production evaluation 2023-2024: Queensland Government pilot plant development for PHA from sugar Within the ARC Centre, he supervises PhD candidates in: Advanced bioplastic materials Novel halophilic PHA production PHA-based material development

George NakhlaView profile

Professor

• Environmental Engineering
• Water and Soil Pollution Control
• Biological Wastewater Treatment
• +6 more

Professor George Nakhla holds the Salamander Chair in Environmental Engineering at the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Western University. With a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, his career spans decades of groundbreaking research in biological wastewater treatment and bioremediation. Education: Ph.D. (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1989), M.Sc. (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1987), B.Sc. (University of Khartoum, 1983) His research focuses on biological nutrient removal , anaerobic digestion , and advanced oxidation processes , with recent work exploring vacuum-assisted fermentation systems, micro-aeration for sulfide control, and biochar-enabled co-digestion technologies. Collaborative projects include: Development of the first Communal Biological Nutrient Removal System in Ontario Patented fluidized bed nutrient removal processes Membrane bioreactor systems for biological nutrient removal Investigation of lignin accumulation impacts in cattle manure digesters Optimization of hydrogen production from industrial wastes Dr. Nakhla's work has expanded to include process modeling , bioreactor design , and micropollutant management , with significant contributions to understanding the interplay between operational parameters and microbial ecology in wastewater systems.

Alejandro Moure AbelendaView profile

Research Fellow

• Waste Valorization
• Circular Economy
• Anaerobic Digestion
• +2 more

Alejandro Moure Abelenda is a Research Fellow at Lancaster University developing sustainable waste valorization technologies. His research focuses on circular economy approaches for organic residues, particularly integrating anaerobic digestate and wood ash into fertilizers. Core innovations: Ash-based digestate stabilization processes Nutrient recovery systems Chemical process modeling (Aspen Plus®) E-waste plastic microfactories Recent work (2021-2024) demonstrates three focus areas: organic waste transformation (47%), process simulation (33%), and educational applications (13%). His EPSRC Doctoral Prize research examines decentralized recycling technologies for engineering plastics. Current Projects: AKT2i project: Decentralized e-waste plastic recycling EPSRC Doctoral Prize: Digestate-ash valorization

Parvadha SuntharalingamView profile

Professor

• Biogeochemical cycles
• Carbon cycling
• Nitrogen cycling
• +3 more

Parvadha Suntharalingam is a Professor at the School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, and a member of the Centre for Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences. Her research focuses on biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur, with a particular emphasis on ocean-atmosphere interactions and climate impacts. She employs numerical modeling and inverse analysis methods to study processes governing the distribution of climatically important trace gases. Education and Background: She holds a Ph.D. from Princeton University (focusing on marine nitrogen cycling) and conducted postdoctoral research at Harvard University on carbon cycle dynamics and inverse modeling techniques. She completed an RCUK Fellowship at UEA, combining atmospheric and oceanic research to evaluate climate feedbacks from anthropogenic and environmental changes. Research Interests: Her work addresses global cycles of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur; constraints from other chemical species (e.g., CO, COS) on carbon cycling processes; and the role of anthropogenic inputs in modifying oceanic biogeochemistry. Key areas include N2O emissions, ocean acidification impacts, and model evaluation of climate feedbacks. Projects: She leads initiatives like the Biostimulant for abiotic stress (2024–2025) and contributes to projects such as GREENHOUSE GAS FLUXES AND EARTH SYSTEM FEEDBACKS (2022–2026), focusing on carbon cycle dynamics and climate modeling. Awards: No scientific awards explicitly mentioned in available texts. Publications: Recent work includes studies on ocean acidification impacts, DMS emissions in climate models, and CO2 flux variability in the North Atlantic. Her research highlights the critical role of trace gases in climate systems and the need for coordinated observations to understand future changes.

Sinninghe Damsté JaapView profile

Professor

• Organic Geochemistry
• Biomarker Proxy Development
• Paleoclimatology
• +6 more

J. S. Sinninghe Damsté is a Professor of Organic Geochemistry at Utrecht University and a Senior Scientist at the NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research. His research bridges biology, geology, and chemistry, focusing on microbial ecology, paleoclimate proxies, and lipid biomarkers. He pioneered techniques like the TEX86 sea surface temperature proxy and MAT index for continental paleothermometry. Education: PhD in Organic Geochemistry from TU Delft (1988), specializing in organically-bound sulfur in the geosphere. Key roles include department headships at NIOZ and leadership in major grants like ERC Advanced Research Grants (2008, 2016) and Dutch Gravitation Awards (2013). Research highlights include discovering archaeal nitrification, tetraether/ladderane lipids, and biomarkers for Thaumarchaeota. His work has transformed understanding of oceanic nitrogen cycles and diatom evolution. Awards include the Heineken Prize (2014) and Treibs Medal (2005). Advising: Supervised PhD students such as Wuchter C., Abbas B., and Witkowski C.R., contributing to studies on archaeal nitrification and paleoclimatic CO2 trends. Grants include €28M for the Netherlands Earth System Science Centre. Labs/Teams: Leads the Marine Microbiology & Biogeochemistry group at NIOZ, integrating lipidomics with environmental and evolutionary studies.

Peter DietrichView profile

Professor

• Environmental Geophysics
• Engineering Geophysics
• Hydrogeophysics
• +5 more

Prof. Dr. Peter Dietrich is a University Professor of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics at the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen and Head of the Department of Monitoring and Exploration Technologies at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) in Leipzig, Germany. He holds a joint appointment between the university and UFZ, reflecting his dual role in academic teaching and applied environmental research. Institution: Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ Department: Monitoring and Exploration Technologies Academic Affiliation: University of Tübingen Email: peter.dietrich@ufz.de His research spans environmental and engineering geophysics , with a focus on hydrogeophysics, geophysical monitoring, and exploration technologies for soil and groundwater systems. He applies methods such as electrical resistivity tomography, seismic techniques, and direct push sensing to study subsurface processes in ecological, archaeological, and environmental contexts. His work supports sustainable water management, pollution monitoring, and landscape preservation. The 15 most recent publications highlight a consistent trend in applied geophysics , particularly in non-invasive subsurface characterization , groundwater dynamics , and interdisciplinary environmental monitoring . These studies integrate field experiments, sensor networks, and modeling to address challenges in hydrology, geoarchaeology, and contaminant transport. Keywords across these works include geophysics, hydrogeology, remote sensing, and environmental monitoring, with subfields such as GPR imaging, nitrate plume analysis, peatland carbon storage, and 3D subsurface modeling. No specific scientific awards are listed in the provided text. Prof. Dietrich leads a research team and collaborates extensively with scientists across disciplines, including environmental engineers, hydrologists, and archaeologists. His leadership in the UFZ’s Department of Monitoring and Exploration Technologies underscores his role in advancing smart models and monitoring systems within the broader Helmholtz Research Program 'Changing Earth – Sustaining our Future'.

Cathy LucasView profile

Associate Professor

• Marine Biology
• Zooplankton Ecology
• Marine Ecosystems
• +3 more

Dr. Cathy Lucas is an Associate Professor in Marine Biology at the University of Southampton, specializing in ecosystem structure and function across marine environments. She leads research on gelatinous zooplankton, particularly jellyfish blooms and their ecological and socio-economic impacts. Her work integrates field studies and laboratory experiments to understand jellyfish life histories, biogeochemical roles, and responses to environmental changes. Research affiliations include the Institute for Life Sciences, Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute, and the Nature-Based Ocean Solutions group. Her current projects explore jellyfish-microplastic interactions, extreme event effects on jellyfish populations, and mucous-mediated biogeochemical processes. Teaching responsibilities include coordinating the Zooplankton Ecology and Processes module and contributing to Marine Invertebrates and Contemporary Topics in Marine Biology courses. She actively supervises BSc/MSci/MSc dissertations and guides four PhD students in Ocean & Earth Science. Key research themes include jellyfish ecosystem roles, climate adaptation mechanisms, and human-marine ecosystem interactions. Her publications span experimental biology, biogeochemistry, and policy-relevant marine conservation topics.