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Xiaoli LiView profile

Associate Professor

• Unconventional Reservoirs
• Gas Transport in Porous Media
• Phase Behavior Thermodynamics
• +3 more

Dr. Xiaoli Li is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering at the University of Kansas. Her research laboratory (PVT Lab) focuses on complex fluid behavior in energy systems, with particular emphasis on phase equilibria, gas transport phenomena, and enhanced hydrocarbon recovery techniques. She maintains active research programs in unconventional reservoirs, CO 2 geostorage, hydrate technology, and nanoscale fluid dynamics. Her core research domains include: Confined phase behavior: Thermodynamics of fluids in nanoporous media Gas transport mechanisms: Rarefied flow and apparent permeability modeling Hydrate science: Structure stability and phase boundaries CO 2 utilization: Enhanced oil recovery and geological sequestration Asphaltene dynamics: Precipitation mechanisms in EOR processes Dr. Li teaches across the petroleum engineering curriculum, including core courses: Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics (C&PE 221), Reservoir Engineering (C&PE 327), Well Logging (C&PE 528), and Petroleum Engineering Design (C&PE 628). Her instructional portfolio emphasizes fundamental thermodynamics, reservoir characterization, and practical field applications. Her publication record (35+ articles) demonstrates consistent focus on reservoir thermodynamics and transport phenomena, with recent emphasis on: CO 2 -oil interactions (2020-2023), gas hydrate stability (2020-2022), shale gas transport (2019-2021), and equation of state modifications for confined fluids (2018-2020). Research methodologies combine molecular simulations, experimental studies, and novel thermodynamic modeling approaches.

Russell DetwilerView profile

Associate Professor

• Fluid Flow in Porous Media
• Subsurface Contaminant Transport
• CO2 Sequestration
• +4 more

Russell Detwiler is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Samueli School of Engineering, University of California, Irvine. He holds a Ph.D. and B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Colorado and University of Vermont, respectively. As Associate Director of the UCI WEX Center, his work combines laboratory experimentation with computational modeling to study subsurface fluid dynamics. Education: Ph.D., Civil Engineering, University of Colorado B.S., Civil Engineering, University of Vermont Research Focus: Detwiler's research examines fluid flow processes in porous and fractured media, with emphasis on multiphase flow, subsurface property alteration, and environmental applications. Key areas include contaminant remediation, CO2 sequestration, geothermal energy, and nuclear waste management. Publication Trends: His recent work (2022-2024) emphasizes subsurface PFAS behavior, coastal aquifer modeling, and fracture clogging dynamics. Earlier research (2019-2021) focused on mineral precipitation effects and kinetic modeling for contaminant removal. Common sub-fields span fracture sealing mechanisms, particle retention, and reactive transport modeling. Laboratory: Leads the Subsurface Processes Visualization Lab, developing parallel computational models to scale laboratory observations to field applications. Research integrates high-resolution imaging with numerical simulation for subsurface system analysis.

• Multiphase Systems Engineering
• Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
• Sustainable Industrial Processes
• +6 more

Professor Ronny Pini is a Professor of Multiphase Systems at Imperial College London's Department of Chemical Engineering within the Faculty of Engineering. His research focuses on sustainable industrial processes, particularly carbon capture and storage (CCS), porous media dynamics, and imaging-based process design. He holds a PhD in Mechanical and Process Engineering from ETH Zurich and has held academic positions including Senior Lecturer and Reader at Imperial College since 2015. His educational background includes a Postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University (2010-2013) and prior roles at the Colorado School of Mines. Research interests span multiphase flow mechanics, adsorption science, and environmental engineering applications. Key projects include the InFUSE Prosperity Partnership and Digital Rocks Lab, leveraging X-ray tomography, positron emission tomography, and computational models to study subsurface CO2 storage and sustainable materials. Professor Pini's work integrates chemical engineering with material science and earth sciences, addressing global challenges like industrial decarbonisation. He collaborates on developing advanced imaging techniques to characterise porous media behavior and optimise processes for energy transition. Current focus areas include direct air capture technologies and enhancing oil recovery via CO2 utilisation. His research outputs include over 150 peer-reviewed articles, with recent emphasis on adsorption-based CO2 capture systems, pore-scale transport phenomena, and sustainable process design frameworks. He is actively involved in training early-career researchers through Imperial College's Chemical Engineering programs and international collaborations.

G. Philip RobertsonView profile

Professor

• Agricultural Sustainability
• Biogeochemistry
• Nitrogen Cycling
• +3 more

G. Philip Robertson is a University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University (MSU), affiliated with the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences within the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources. He leads research on agricultural sustainability, focusing on ecosystem services, nitrogen cycling, and greenhouse gas mitigation. His work integrates field crop systems, biogeochemistry, and climate science. Education: B.A. from Hampshire College and PhD in Biology from Indiana University. Research Interests: Dr. Robertson studies the sustainability of field crop ecosystems, including corn, soybean, and bioenergy crops like switchgrass. He investigates nitrogen availability and loss, soil carbon dynamics, and greenhouse gas fluxes (CO₂, N₂O, methane). His lab addresses climate change impacts on agroecosystems and strategies for reducing agricultural nitrogen pollution and carbon emissions. Recent Trends in Publications: Recent work emphasizes the climate mitigation potential of bioenergy crops via albedo effects, soil carbon sequestration, and reducing nitrous oxide emissions. Studies also address farmer conservation practices, phosphorus management, and the scalability of sustainable agricultural practices. Awards: Elected to the National Academy of Sciences for contributions to sustainable agriculture. Grants & Collaborations: Leads long-term agroecosystem research at the Kellogg Biological Station (KBS), part of the USDA Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) network. Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on climate policy, bioenergy systems, and ecosystem modeling. Labs/Teams: Directs research at the Kellogg Biological Station, focusing on agroecology and global change studies. Engages with the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center and the Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) program.

• Materials Science
• Solid Mechanics
• Advanced Manufacturing
• +5 more

Michael Sangid is the Reilly Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Professor of Materials Engineering at Purdue University. His academic roles include being a University Faculty Scholar (2022–2027) and Executive Director of the Hypersonics Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center. He holds dual appointments as a Professor in the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics and a courtesy Professor in the School of Materials Engineering. Dr. Sangid earned his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (2002–2010). His research integrates materials science, solid mechanics, and advanced manufacturing to develop physics-based models for structural materials, including high-temperature alloys, composites, and additive manufacturing processes. His ACME Laboratory focuses on microstructure-sensitive modeling, defect analysis, and experimental validation using advanced techniques like synchrotron X-ray diffraction and in-situ imaging. Key research interests include fatigue crack propagation, microstructural defect characterization, and computational tools for material lifing. He leads projects on rotating detonation rocket engines, ceramic matrix composites, and damage tolerance in aerospace materials. Notable awards include the NSF CAREER Award (2017) and DARPA Director’s Award (2016). Education: B.S. Mechanical Engineering, UIUC, 2002 M.S. Mechanical Engineering, UIUC, 2005 Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, UIUC, 2010 Lab & Teams: Advanced Computational Materials and Experimental Evaluation (ACME) Lab, focusing on integrated computational and experimental approaches. Awards: NSF CAREER, DARPA Director’s Award, TMS Early Career Fellow, ASME Orr Award, and Purdue University Faculty Scholar.

Dirk SchneiderView profile

Professor

• Membrane Biochemistry
• Biophysics
• Protein-Lipid Interactions
• +4 more

Prof. Dirk Schneider is a Full Professor (W3) of Biochemistry at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz since 2010, with previous appointments at the University of Freiburg (2003-2009) and postdoctoral training at Yale University. His research spans membrane biochemistry, biophysics, and transmembrane protein folding/assembly, focusing on thylakoid membrane biogenesis and protein-lipid interactions in cyanobacteria and chloroplasts. Current roles: Full Professor, University Mainz Previous roles: Assistant Professor (W1), University of Freiburg Education: PhD (summa cum laude) from Ruhr-University Bochum His research interests include: Membrane protein folding and stability ESCRT-III/Vipp1/PspA family structural dynamics ABC transporter activity regulation (e.g., BmrA) Protein-lipid interaction mechanisms Thylakoid membrane remodeling Comparative membrane biology between prokaryotes and eukaryotes Development of spectroscopic and computational methods Recent publications reveal trends in bacterial membrane remodeling (SynDLP, PspA), lipid effects on transporter activity (BmrA), and IM30/Vipp1-mediated membrane fusion. His work combines structural biology, biophysics, and functional assays to elucidate membrane dynamics. Awarded the Dr. Heinrich Kost Award (2001) and Leopoldina Fellowship (2001) , he has held leadership roles including Study Section Speaker (2010-2014) , Director of Institute of Pharmacy and Biochemistry (2013-2015) , and Dean of Faculty of Chemistry (2015-2020) . His scientific advisory roles include editorial board memberships and study section leadership.

Yashar MehmaniView profile

Assistant Professor

• Porous Media Flow
• Multiscale Computing
• Subsurface Energy Production
• +5 more

Yashar Mehmani is an Assistant Professor in the Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering at Pennsylvania State University. His research focuses on porous media flow and mechanics, with an emphasis on multiscale computing to bridge microscale physics and macroscale observations. Applications include subsurface energy systems, CO2 storage, and groundwater contamination. He holds a faculty position within the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences and is affiliated with the IEE (Institute for Energy and the Environment). His research interests span computational geomechanics, multiphase flow modeling, and pore-scale to continuum upscaling. Recent work includes developing machine learning-enhanced preconditioning methods for porous media simulations and kinetic theories for bubble dynamics in subsurface systems. He has received a NSF CAREER Award (2022) for integrating computational and experimental approaches in porous material studies. Key Projects: Impact of CO2 Mineralization on Microstructure Evolution, Multiscale Preconditioning Algorithms Grants: NSF CAREER Award (2022), IEE Seed Grants (2023) Dr. Mehmani collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on energy transition challenges. His lab develops advanced numerical tools for simulating subsurface processes at multiple scales, with applications in carbon sequestration and geothermal energy systems.

Wenyuan FanView profile

Associate Professor

• Array seismology
• Marine geophysics
• Environmental seismology
• +4 more

Dr. Wenyuan Fan is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics (IGPP) within the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. His research focuses on array seismology, marine geophysics, environmental seismology, and earthquake dynamics. He holds a PhD from UC San Diego and degrees from Peking University. Research Interests: Array seismology and waveform modeling Marine geophysics and ocean-solid earth interactions Earthquake source kinematics and dynamic triggering mechanisms Microseismicity imaging and fault zone processes Recent Work Trends: His recent publications emphasize understanding earthquake rupture mechanics through dense array data, exploring submarine landslide dynamics via hydroacoustic signals, and applying machine learning to seismic catalog development. Studies often bridge tectonic processes with environmental factors, such as storm-induced seismicity and human-induced seismic events. Advising & Grants: No students listed; active in NSF-funded projects on fault dynamics and marine geohazards. Labs/Teams: Affiliated with IGPP's Seismology and Geodynamics Group, collaborating with international networks like IRIS and CTBTO.

• Environmental Microbiology
• Wastewater-Based Epidemiology
• Antimicrobial Resistance
• +8 more

Jennifer Weidhaas is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Utah since 2016. She holds a PhD and MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of California-Davis, and a BS in Civil Engineering from Montana State University. A registered Professional Engineer, her research spans environmental microbiology, wastewater epidemiology, and sustainable water treatment technologies. Education: BS, Civil Engineering, Montana State University (1999) MS, Civil and Environmental Engineering, UC Davis (2002) PhD, Civil and Environmental Engineering, UC Davis (2006) Her research focuses on environmental microbiology , quantitative microbial risk assessment , and water treatment innovations , particularly for munition compounds and PFAS. She leads the E-Sure Research Lab, integrating biotechnology with civil engineering to address challenges in wastewater reuse, biosolid application, and contaminant fate. Her work on ion exchange systems and nanofiltration models has advanced sustainable treatment train design. Key findings from her publications include: Optimized ion exchange systems for NTO removal with 99% efficiency NSF CAREER-funded wastewater surveillance models for pathogen tracking Life cycle assessments showing 22% lower environmental impact with IX-AGR-ozone configurations Development of microbial degradation pathways for insensitive munition compounds Scientific recognition includes: Outstanding Mentor (2018, University of Utah) Multiple Teaching Excellence Awards (2015-2017) Best Paper Award (ASEE, 2017) NSF CAREER Award (2016) She actively engages in community outreach, training 80 K-12 teachers in engineering and organizing water quality testing events for Salt Lake City households. Her teaching portfolio includes graduate thesis supervision and undergraduate courses like Life Sciences in Engineering .

Sheng C. DaiView profile

Associate Professor

• Energy Geotechnics
• Nature Inspired Engineering
• Geomechanics
• +5 more

Sheng C. Dai is an Associate Professor and group coordinator in Geosystems Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, holding the Georgia Mining Association Early Career Professorship in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering with courtesy appointments in Ocean Science and Engineering and the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. Dr. Dai earned his Ph.D. from Georgia Tech in 2013 following ORISE postdoctoral fellowships at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (2013-2015). His educational background includes specialized training in geosystems engineering and energy-related subsurface processes. His research focuses on energy geotechnics and nature-inspired engineering, addressing critical challenges in energy sustainability and environmental protection through studies of geomechanics, granular dynamics, and porous media flow. Key applications include gas hydrate systems for energy recovery, waste-to-fuel conversion, and biomimetic solutions inspired by natural processes like rock-boring clams. Analysis of Dr. Dai's 2023-2025 publications reveals strong interdisciplinary integration of computational modeling (DEM, SPH), machine learning, and experimental techniques across energy geotechnics, granular material flow, and bio-inspired mechanisms. His work bridges petroleum engineering, environmental sustainability, and space exploration contexts. Dr. Dai has received numerous accolades recognizing his research, teaching, and service contributions: 2025: Early Career Researcher Award (USUCGER) 2024: Emerging Leaders Program (EVPR/Georgia Tech) 2023: Interdisciplinary Research Award and Woodruff Academic Leadership Fellows 2022: NSF Game Changer Academies and CREATE-X Faculty Fellowship 2020: NSF CAREER Award 2017: Bill Schutz Teaching Award and NETL Research Spotlight His Subsurface Processes Laboratory secures funding from DOE, NSF, NASA, and DOT for projects including $1M awards for waste-to-fuel conversion and methane clathrate research. Dr. Dai serves as Associate Editor for Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth and leads ISSMGE's TC308 Energy Geotechnics Task Force while advising USGS and NETL programs. The laboratory conducts cutting-edge experimental and computational research on hydrate-bearing sediments, granular biomass flow, and bio-inspired geotechnical solutions, maintaining strong industry partnerships for real-world application of subsurface engineering innovations.

Sujit S. DattaView profile

Associate Professor

• Soft Materials Engineering
• Porous Media
• Microbial Communities
• +5 more

Sujit S. Datta is an Associate Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Princeton University, with a joint appointment at the Omenn-Darling Bioengineering Institute. He leads the Datta Lab, which recently relocated to Caltech. His research integrates soft matter physics, fluid dynamics, and biological systems to address challenges in sustainability, health, and energy. Education: Ph.D., Physics, Harvard University, 2013 A.M., Physics, Harvard University, 2010 M.S., Physics, University of Pennsylvania, 2008 B.A., Physics and Mathematics, University of Pennsylvania, 2008 Research Focus: Datta's work centers on three interconnected areas: (1) Complex fluids in porous media, examining how polymer solutions and colloidal dispersions flow through confined spaces with applications in environmental remediation; (2) Mechanics of porous hydrogels, studying swelling behavior and fracture mechanics for water harvesting and agricultural applications; (3) Microbial collectives, investigating how bacteria move, grow, and form communities in complex environments for bioremediation and medical applications. His approach combines advanced microscopy, microfluidics, and theoretical modeling. Publication Trends: Recent articles (2019-2022) demonstrate a focus on bacterial dynamics in confined environments, hydrogel mechanics under constraint, and anomalous fluid transport in porous systems. His work consistently bridges fundamental physics with applications in biotechnology and environmental engineering. Honors and Awards: AIChE Allan P. Colburn Award (2023) Society of Rheology Arthur B. Metzner Award (2023) American Physical Society Early Career Award (2023) Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar (2022) Pew Biomedical Scholar (2021) NSF CAREER Award (2019) ACS Unilever Young Investigator (2020) Andreas Acrivos Dissertation Award (2015) Advising and Funding: Current advisees include Anna Hancock and Sanjana Kamath. Major grants support his work, including awards from NSF, ACS Petroleum Research Fund, and Pew Charitable Trusts. His laboratory develops experimental platforms for studying transport phenomena in complex environments.

Wang XuanView profile

Assistant Professor

• Chemistry Education
• STEM Education
• Porous Materials
• +3 more

Wang Xuan is an Instructional Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University's Department of Chemistry. She teaches General and Organic Chemistry to diverse student populations, emphasizing foundational science education for first-year students. Her research focuses on applying porous materials in environmental contexts and mentoring underrepresented students in STEM. She has held leadership roles in the American Chemical Society South Texas Local Section and organizes academic engagement initiatives like poster symposiums. Education includes studies at the University of Texas-Dallas (2021–Present), Texas A&M University (2011–2016), and Oklahoma Christian University (2008–2011). Her professional experience includes roles at Texas A&M (2018–Present) and Colorado State University-Pueblo (2017–2018). Research interests span STEM education, porous material applications, and environmental chemistry. Key publications include works on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for sensing, catalysis, and carbon capture. She has received multiple grants supporting educational initiatives and research. Awards include Texas A&M Higher Education Center grants (2020–2022) and travel awards from the American Chemical Society. She advises the McAllen Aggie STEM Club and leads initiatives to enhance student success through skill-building workshops.

Ulrich H.E. HansmannView profile

Professor

• Biophysical Chemistry
• Protein Folding
• Aggregation Mechanisms
• +3 more

Ulrich H.E. Hansmann is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Oklahoma. He holds a Ph.D. from Freie Universität Berlin (1990), followed by postdoctoral research at Florida State University and ETH Zürich. His research focuses on computational biophysical chemistry, specifically protein folding, aggregation, and enhanced sampling techniques. His lab develops algorithms and software, such as the SMMP package, to study biomolecular processes relevant to diseases like Alzheimer’s and cancer. Recent work includes investigating the role of microbial infections in amyloidogenesis and SARS-CoV-2 interactions with proteins. He leads the Hansmann Group, which collaborates on projects involving protein-ligand binding and membrane interactions. Education: M.A. (1983), Diplom (1985), Ph.D. (1990) from Freie Universität Berlin. Research Keywords: Protein folding, aggregation, enhanced sampling, amyloidosis, computational modeling. His research explores mechanisms of protein misfolding and aggregation, with applications in drug design and disease pathology. Collaborations include studies on viral proteins’ effects on amyloid formation and antibiotic peptide stability. The SMMP software, developed by his group, enables efficient simulations of large biomolecules.

• Artificial Intelligence
• Explainable AI (XAI)
• Green AI
• +12 more

Dr Andrew Starkey is a Reader in the School of Engineering at the University of Aberdeen, where he also completed his PhD in 2001. He holds an Honours degree in Applied Mathematics from the University of St Andrews. He is actively involved in research and currently accepting PhD students in Engineering. His work bridges academia and industry, with a focus on AI applications in engineering, bioinformatics, and geosciences. University: University of Aberdeen School: School of Engineering Academic Rank: Reader Email: a.starkey@abdn.ac.uk Phone: +44 (0)1224 272801 Dr Starkey's research centers on Explainable AI (XAI) , Green AI , and Autonomous AI , with applications in robotics, econometrics, bioinformatics, seismic data analysis, and virtual reality. He has developed novel methods for feature selection, autonomous learning, and knowledge abstraction from agent-environment interactions. His work emphasizes low computational cost and transparency in AI systems. The most recent publications reflect a strong trend in applying AI to complex real-world problems, including digital rock technology, robotic grasping, real-time event detection, and medical data analysis. His interdisciplinary research combines machine learning with domain-specific knowledge in engineering and life sciences, often resulting in practical, industry-ready solutions. Millennium Product Award John Logie Baird Award for Innovation Enterprise Fellowship from Royal Society of Edinburgh and Scottish Enterprise Dr Starkey has supervised multiple research projects and secured funding from major bodies including EPSRC, BBSRC, and industry partners. His past work on the GRANIT project led to the development of AI-based condition monitoring for ground anchorages, resulting in commercialization through BlueFlow Ltd. He has collaborated with researchers across disciplines, including Dr Alasdair MacKenzie (bioinformatics), Dr Anne Schwab (seismic analysis), and Dr David Hazlerigg (genomics). He leads research in AI-driven engineering solutions and is the CEO of BlueFlow Ltd, a spinout company commercializing AI technologies developed at the University of Aberdeen. His lab focuses on developing autonomous, explainable, and environmentally sustainable AI systems for real-world deployment.

• Flow in underground porous media
• Geoenergy
• Underground energy storage
• +12 more

Dario Viberti is a Full Professor at the Polytechnic University of Turin, affiliated with the Department of Environmental, Land and Infrastructure Engineering (DIATI). He is a member of the Interdepartmental Center Ec-L - Energy Center Lab and actively contributes to the Master's and Continuing Education School. He serves as Coordinator for both Master’s levels I and II of the Natural Resources Development and Storage program and participates in doctoral colleges for Civil and Environmental Engineering and Materials, Sustainable Processes, and Systems for the Transition. His research focuses on flow in underground porous media , geoenergy , and underground energy storage , particularly hydrogen and CO₂ storage. His expertise spans numerical modeling, reservoir engineering, fluid mechanics, well testing, and energy transition systems. He is involved in commercial research projects with ENI Corporate University and leads initiatives related to sustainable energy applications. His recent publications reveal a strong trend in underground hydrogen storage , biogeochemical modeling , pore-scale simulation , and PVT analysis of gas mixtures . These works emphasize safety, efficiency, and long-term integrity of subsurface storage systems using advanced computational and experimental methods. Scientific Manager, Underground CO2 Storage Project (2022) Scientific Manager, Reservoir Modeling Project (2022) Coordinator, Master’s Program in Natural Resources Development and Storage Member, SEASTAR Competence Center Committee (2020–2025) He mentors several PhD students, including Michel Tawil, Marialuna Loffredo, Alice Raeli, and Alice Massimiani, supporting research in microfluidics, Lattice Boltzmann simulations, and thermodynamic characterization. He teaches courses such as Numerical Modeling for Multiphase Flow , Underground Energy Storage , and Well Logging and Testing across multiple degree programs. His work aligns with UN SDGs 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and 13 (Climate Action).