Find Academic Supervisors

Vinayak Agarwal is an Assistant Professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology with joint appointments in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and School of Biological Sciences within the College of Sciences. His research investigates natural products—small organic molecules produced by living organisms that form the basis of most clinical antibiotics and drugs, while also addressing environmental toxins and pollutants. Dr. Agarwal's work integrates (meta)genomics, biochemistry, structural and mechanistic enzymology, mass spectrometry, and analytical chemistry to answer fundamental questions about natural product biosynthesis. His lab specializes in marine systems, particularly marine sponges and associated microbiomes, with a focus on enzyme discovery, pathway elucidation, and biosynthetic engineering. Key research themes include halogenation enzymes, polyketide synthases, and peptide natural products, driven by the dual goals of drug discovery and environmental protection. Analysis of recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on marine natural product discovery, enzyme characterization, and biosynthetic pathway engineering. His team frequently combines genomic mining with chemical and biochemical validation, with growing attention to environmental implications of natural product chemistry and applications in antibiotic development. Dr. Agarwal has received significant recognition for his research and teaching: ASP Matt Suffness Young Investigator Award (2024) Camille Dreyfus Teacher Scholar award (2023) NSF CAREER award (2023) Cottrell Scholar Award (2021) Blanchard Assistant Professorship (2020) Harold Nation young faculty award (2019) He has mentored multiple PhD students to completion (Ipsita, Dongqi, Luna) and currently advises Vidya and Grace. His lab secures major funding from the NSF (CAREER), NIH (NIGMS MIRA), and Research Corporation for Science Advancement (Cottrell Scholar), alongside the Camille Dreyfus award and Petit Institute seed grants for collaborative marine research. The Agarwal Lab operates from the Petit Biotechnology Building at Georgia Tech and maintains a dynamic team structure with postdocs (Weimao Zhong, Nirmal Saha), graduate students (Sophia, Vidya, Beeta, Grace), and undergraduates. The lab emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly with marine biology groups at Georgia Tech and external institutions for sample collection and structural analysis.

• Natural Products
• Antibiotics
• Biochemistry
• +7 more

Henrik Rasmus Andersen is a Professor at the Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Water Technology & Processes at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). His research focuses on water treatment processes, particularly the occurrence, transformation, and removal of micropollutants like pharmaceuticals and hormones. Key Research Areas: Chemical analysis, bioassays, ozonation, biofilter optimization, by-product profiling, and advanced oxidation processes. Projects: Leads initiatives like BIZON (ozone technology for fish farms) and Sustainable Industrial Laundry Wastewater Treatment , emphasizing sustainable solutions. Collaborations: Works with institutions such as University of Copenhagen and industry partners on municipal and industrial wastewater challenges. Education: Master of Science in Environmental Chemistry from Copenhagen University (1998).

• Water Treatment Processes
• Chemical Analysis of Water Micropollutants
• Bioassays and Ecotoxicity
• +7 more

Kan Haidong is a Distinguished Professor and Associate Dean at the School of Public Health, Fudan University (Shanghai, China). He holds the Chang-Jiang Scholar Professorship from the Ministry of Education and serves as an Associate Editor for Environmental Health Perspectives and International Journal of Epidemiology . His research focuses on environmental epidemiology, air pollution impacts, and climate change health effects. He has authored over 114 h-index papers and been recognized as a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher and Stanford Top 2% Scientist. Education: PhD in Environmental Epidemiology, Fudan University (2003) MS in Environmental Health Sciences, Fudan University (2000) MD in Preventive Medicine, Shanghai Medical University (1997) Research Interests: Kan’s work bridges environmental exposures (air pollution, climate change) with human health outcomes. Key areas include particulate matter toxicity, heatwave mortality, and policy-driven health interventions. His studies often involve large-scale epidemiological analyses and global health collaborations. Key Awards: Wu-Jieping Paul Janssen Medical-Pharmaceutical Award (2018) US EPA Scientific Achievement Award (2015) Elsevier Top Influential Chinese Scholar (2014–2023) Grants/Editorial Roles: He leads WHO air quality guideline projects and chairs editorial boards for top journals. His grants focus on climate health adaptation and pollution mitigation strategies in China and globally. Labs/Teams: Directs Fudan’s Environmental Health Department and collaborates with global networks like the China Kadoorie Biobank and Lancet Planetary Health initiatives.

• Environmental Epidemiology
• Air Pollution and Human Health
• Global Climate Change
• +3 more

Samuel Dorevitch is a Professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). His primary affiliation is with the School of Public Health. His research focuses on water quality monitoring, environmental health, and occupational hazards, with an emphasis on preventing waterborne diseases and assessing health risks associated with environmental exposures. He has contributed to studies on recreational water safety, lead exposure prevention, and the health impacts of climate change. Key research areas include microbial water quality, occupational safety for healthcare and construction workers, and public health interventions in low-resource settings. He has evaluated novel water treatment methods like solar-powered ozonation and explored the use of wastewater-based epidemiology for disease surveillance. His work spans both local (Chicago) and global contexts, including studies in Kenya. Dr. Dorevitch has published widely on topics such as the health effects of waterborne contaminants, occupational injuries, and the relationship between environmental factors and chronic diseases. His research often bridges epidemiology, environmental science, and public policy to inform practical health protection strategies.

• Environmental Health
• Public Health
• Water Quality Monitoring
• +3 more

Dr. Rachel Scholes is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of British Columbia. Her research focuses on protecting human and environmental health through the study of contaminants in urban water systems, with an emphasis on optimizing contaminant removal in engineered and nature-based treatment systems. She holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Northwestern University and M.S. and Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. Her research interests include environmental chemistry, trace contaminants, water reuse, nature-based treatment systems, and stormwater treatment. She teaches courses such as ENVE 301 (Environmental Engineering Intermediate Design Project) and CIVL 562 (Environmental Data Collection and Analysis). Her lab, Scholes Lab, actively investigates contaminant dynamics in constructed wetlands, bioretention systems, and subsurface treatment environments. Key research contributions include enhancing contaminant removal via Fe (III)-EDTA-amended wetlands, studying 6PPD-quinone dynamics in salmon streams, and optimizing pharmaceutical attenuation in benthic wetland biomats. Her work bridges fundamental environmental chemistry with applied engineering solutions for sustainable water management. Dr. Scholes' lab collaborates on projects funded by grants focused on urban water systems, green infrastructure, and contaminant fate. She advises students through the Scholes Lab (www.scholeslab.org), which emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to environmental challenges.

• Environmental Chemistry
• Water Reuse
• Trace Contaminants
• +4 more

Professor Ian Cousins is a leading researcher in the Department of Environmental Science at Stockholm University, specializing in the study of persistent organic pollutants, particularly per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). With over 200 peer-reviewed publications and recognition as a Highly Cited Researcher in 2018 and 2020, his work has significantly influenced environmental policy and scientific understanding of chemical pollution. BSc (Hons) in Chemistry, University of York (1989) Master's in Environmental Management, University of Surrey (1991) PhD in Environmental Science, Lancaster University (1998) Prof. Cousins' research focuses on the sources, transport, fate, and exposure pathways of contaminants in the environment, with particular emphasis on PFAS. His work combines experimental and modeling approaches to investigate how these persistent chemicals move through ecosystems, with recent studies examining sea spray aerosol transport of PFAS and their global distribution. His research has contributed to understanding PFAS as a planetary boundary issue, demonstrating that environmental contamination by these substances has exceeded safe operating limits. Prof. Cousins' extensive publication record shows a clear trend toward addressing the complex challenges of PFAS pollution, including their environmental behavior, risk assessment methodologies, regulatory frameworks, and the application of the essential-use concept for phasing out non-essential PFAS applications. His work spans fundamental environmental chemistry to policy-relevant research that has directly influenced European environmental decision-making. Highly Cited Researcher (2018, 2020) Listed among 30 EU politicians and professionals with greatest impact on European environmental policy (2023) Associate Editor of Environmental Science and Technology (2020-present) Associate Editor of Environmental Au (2021-present) Prof. Cousins actively supervises master's students focusing on organic pollutants and has coordinated major research projects including PERFORCE3, a Europe-wide doctoral training program on PFAS, and ZeroPM, targeting PFAS and persistent, mobile substances. His research has been supported by multiple European Union Horizon 2020 grants, reflecting the significance and impact of his work on global environmental challenges. He leads a research group that works closely with analytical chemists to better understand the behavior of PFAS and other contaminants, contributing to the development of evidence-based approaches for managing chemical pollution and protecting environmental and human health.

• Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
• Contaminant Fate Modelling
• Pollutant Dynamics
• +6 more

Jonathan Abbatt is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Toronto, specializing in environmental chemistry with a focus on atmospheric processes. His research examines multiphase chemistry in indoor and outdoor environments, particularly aerosol particle interactions and their impacts on climate and air quality. He leads the Abbatt Group, which investigates topics such as Arctic chemistry, indoor chemical transformations, and brown carbon aging. Research interests span indoor/outdoor chemical reactions, aerosol physics, and environmental modeling. Notable projects include studies on ozone deposition on indoor surfaces, biomass burning emissions, and reactive chlorine sources in urban areas. His work integrates lab experiments, field measurements, and computational models. Recent studies highlight indoor surface reactivity, wildfire impacts on ozone, and multiphase oxidation mechanisms. Collaborations with institutions like Environment and Climate Change Canada ensure practical applications of his findings. Students and postdocs in his lab contribute to advancing knowledge in air quality and climate change mitigation.

• Environmental Chemistry
• Atmospheric Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• +3 more

Charles Winter is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Wayne State University, affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on synthetic organometallic/inorganic chemistry, materials chemistry, nanoparticles, and thin film growth via atomic layer deposition (ALD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). He leads the Winter Group, collaborating with institutions like Helsinki University of Technology and Duke University. Education: B.S. from Hope College (1982), Ph.D. in Chemistry from University of Minnesota (1986), followed by an NIH postdoctoral fellowship at University of Utah (1986–1988). Research interests include precursor development for ALD of metal oxides/nitrides, surface chemistry of nanoparticles (e.g., silicon nanocrystals), and energetic materials using nitrogen-rich ligands. Recent work explores metastable materials synthesis via ALD and thermal stability of strontium/barium/lanthanide complexes. Key collaborations include ALD experiments with Prof. Lauri Niinistö in Finland and engineering partnerships for silicon nanoparticle applications. Students participate in internships and cross-institutional projects. Courses taught include Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (CHM 7010), Organometallic Chemistry (CHM 6090/7090), and seminars in Inorganic Chemistry (CHM 8820).

• Synthetic Organometallic Chemistry
• Materials Chemistry
• Nanoparticles
• +4 more

Daniel Jacob is the Vasco McCoy Family Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry and Environmental Engineering at Harvard University, affiliated with the Harvard University Center for the Environment and the Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences. His research focuses on atmospheric chemistry, greenhouse gas emissions, and satellite remote sensing, with a strong emphasis on methane monitoring and climate policy applications. He leads the Atmospheric Chemistry Modeling Group and has pioneered tools like the Integrated Methane Inversion (IMI) system using TROPOMI satellite data. Recent work includes high-resolution global methane emission quantification, stratospheric ozone contributions, and urban landfill emissions assessment. His research integrates satellite observations with advanced modeling to inform environmental policy. Notable contributions include developing methodologies for diagnosing particulate nitrate sensitivity, quantifying aviation NOx impacts on air quality, and analyzing transpacific transport of pollutants. He advises students like Hannah Nesser (Ph.D. '23) and collaborates on NASA missions such as Carbon-I for greenhouse gas observation. His lab's work spans environmental chemistry, geostationary satellite data analysis, and interdisciplinary climate solutions. Awards and recognitions are not explicitly listed in the provided texts, but his extensive publications and leadership roles reflect significant academic impact. His research has implications for global climate mitigation strategies, air quality management, and sustainable agricultural practices.

• Atmospheric Chemistry
• Environmental Engineering
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• +5 more

Seth Blumsack is a Professor at the Pennsylvania State University in the Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering and serves as Director of the Center for Energy Law and Policy . He holds an Adjunct Research Professor position at the Carnegie Mellon Electricity Industry Center and is affiliated with the Santa Fe Institute as an External Faculty member. His research spans energy economics , power grid reliability , and complex infrastructure networks . Key projects include: Interdependent natural gas and electricity systems analysis Governance of regional transmission organizations Smart grid consumer behavior studies Power grid reliability tools development He has secured funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation , Department of Energy , Environmental Protection Agency , and private industry. His Best paper award at Hawai’i International Conference on System Sciences (2011) and John T. Ryan, Jr. Fellowship (2011-17) highlight his scientific recognition. Publications emphasize electricity market deregulation , energy infrastructure resilience , and consumer response to smart grid technologies . His work has been cited in major media outlets like The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times , and he has consulted for National Renewable Energy Laboratory , U.S. Department of Energy , and other industry stakeholders.

• Electricity and Natural Gas Industries
• Energy Infrastructure Resilience
• Network Science
• +4 more

Oliver Shorttle is a Professor of Natural Philosophy at the University of Cambridge, holding a joint position between the Department of Earth Sciences and the Institute of Astronomy. His research focuses on planetary evolution, extrasolar planets, and geochemical cycling, integrating geological and astronomical perspectives. He explores topics such as exoplanet habitability, volcanic processes on distant worlds, and the role of volatiles in planetary systems. Education and Career: Shorttle earned his undergraduate degree in Natural Sciences from Cambridge, followed by a PhD in Earth Sciences. He held postdoctoral positions at Caltech and as a JSPS fellow in Japan before returning to Cambridge as faculty. Research Themes: His work spans planetary chemistry, magma dynamics, and the interplay between planetary interiors and atmospheres. Key projects include analyzing protoplanetary disks, simulating volcanic activity on exoplanets, and investigating phosphorus’s role in prebiotic chemistry. Collaborations: Leads the Planetary Chemistry group, collaborating across disciplines at Cambridge and internationally. Current projects involve modeling exoplanet atmospheres, studying mantle melting processes, and developing geochemical methods to probe planetary formation. Labs/Teams: Directs the Planetary Chemistry research group, fostering interdisciplinary research between geology and astronomy. Active in fieldwork, lab analysis, and computational modeling.

• Extrasolar Planets
• Geochemical Cycling
• Planetary Evolution
• +4 more

Professor Bruce Jefferson is a Professor of Water Engineering at Cranfield University's Water Science Institute. He holds visiting positions at RMIT and the University of New South Wales in Australia. With a BEng and PhD from Loughborough University, he joined Cranfield in 1997, progressing through roles including Senior Research Fellow (2003) and Senior Lecturer (2006). His research focuses on optimizing water and wastewater treatment technologies, particularly resource recovery, anaerobic processes, and advanced oxidation. Key interests include low-energy nutrient removal, control of NOM and algae, and sustainable water production techniques like slow sand filter skimming. Education: BEng (Chemical Engineering) and PhD from Loughborough University. Research spans innovative treatment methods, such as microbubble applications in ozonation and coagulation strategies for PFAS removal. He collaborates with major water utilities (e.g., Anglian Water, Thames Water) and agencies like the EPA. Current projects include NextGen circular water solutions, pollution resilience in rivers, and phosphorus removal via wetlands. Advises six doctoral students and oversees research teams at Cranfield's Water Institute. Labs/Teams: Cranfield Water Science Institute, leading research groups in wastewater treatment, resource recovery, and environmental engineering.

• Water Science and Engineering
• Wastewater Treatment
• Resource Recovery
• +3 more

Dr. Beata Gorczyca is a Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Manitoba, affiliated with the Price Faculty of Engineering. Her research focuses on potable water treatment, with expertise in solid/liquid separation, chlorine disinfection by-products control, and fractal analysis of materials. She leads a research group collaborating with Canadian water utilities like Portage la Prairie and Pembina Valley Water Co-op. Education: PhD in Chemical Engineering (2000, University of Toronto), M.Sc. in Civil Engineering (1992, University of Toronto), B.Sc. in Geological Engineering (1986, AGH University, Poland). Active roles: Member of the Particle Specialist Group at the International Water Association, keynote speaker at conferences. Research interests include water purification processes, membrane filtration, and bioremediation. Her work addresses challenges in high-DOC and high-hardness water treatment, with contributions to nanofiltration fouling mechanisms and microbial remediation solutions. She has supervised numerous graduate students and is involved in advancing water treatment technologies through interdisciplinary collaborations.

• Environmental Engineering
• Water and Wastewater Treatment
• Solid/Liquid Separation
• +5 more

Drew R. Gentner is an Associate Professor of Chemical & Environmental Engineering at Yale University, with an additional appointment in the School of the Environment. His research focuses on air quality, atmospheric chemistry, and their intersections with climate, energy, and health. He holds a B.S. from Northwestern University and a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley. Affiliations: Yale School of Engineering & Applied Science, Yale School of the Environment Research Interests: Complex organic mixtures, urban air quality, non-traditional emissions (e.g., volatile chemical products), indoor air pollution, climate impacts of energy systems. Dr. Gentner leads the Gentner Research Group, which employs advanced analytical techniques and sensor networks to study atmospheric processes. Recent work highlights the role of asphalt and commercial cooking emissions in urban pollution. His team collaborates on large-scale field campaigns like AEROMMA and ASCENT. Key findings include identifying gaps in emissions reporting and demonstrating the health risks of aged wildfire smoke. His group develops low-cost sensors and calibration methods for high-spatiotemporal air quality monitoring. Grants & Funding: NSF, NOAA, EPA, and private foundations support his work on energy efficiency, sensor networks, and pollution mitigation. Labs/Teams: SEARCH Center at Yale, Atmospheric Science and Chemistry mEasurement NeTwork (ASCENT), and collaborations with Environment and Climate Change Canada.

• Atmospheric Chemistry
• Air Quality
• Climate Science
• +5 more

Simon Carn is a Professor in the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences at Michigan Technological University, specializing in satellite-based monitoring of volcanic degassing and atmospheric pollution. His work leverages NASA satellite constellations to quantify sulfur dioxide emissions and their climate impacts. Education: PhD in Volcanology from Cambridge University MS in Volcanology and Magmatic Processes from Université Blaise Pascal BA in Earth Sciences from Oxford University Research Focus: Carn pioneers the use of space-borne sensors like OMI and TEMPO to measure volcanic SO 2 , ozone, and other trace gases. His research bridges satellite observations with climate modeling to understand sulfate aerosol formation, volcanic cloud transport, and anthropogenic pollution sources. Key methodologies include DOAS/FTIR remote sensing, satellite-ground data validation, and aviation hazard mitigation systems. Publication Trends: Recent work (2023-2025) centers on high-cadence monitoring via geostationary satellites (TEMPO, DSCOVR/EPIC), analysis of major eruptions (Hunga Tonga, Raikoke), and extending 20+ years of global SO 2 records. Research emphasizes volcanic-climate interactions, eruption response protocols, and quantifying underreported passive degassing that affects climate models.

• Volcanology
• Remote Sensing
• Atmospheric Chemistry
• +5 more