Monika Maurhofer is a Professor at the Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich , specializing in multitrophic interactions within the rhizosphere. Her research bridges plant pathology, microbial ecology, and biological control of plant diseases and insect pests. 1988: Dipl. sc. nat., ETH Zurich 1993: Dr. sc. nat., ETH Zurich Research focuses on biocontrol pseudomonads and their molecular interactions with plants, fungi, and insects. Key projects include: Understanding Pseudomonas protegens mechanisms in rhizosphere colonization Comparative genomics of entomopathogenic bacteria Developing disease-suppressive compost diagnostics Investigating microbial consortia for pest control 2024-2025 publications highlight her work on entomopathogenic pseudomonads and nematode-bacteria symbiosis , with applications in sustainable agriculture. She received the Golden Owl Award for teaching excellence in 2014 and 2017. Current collaborations include Syngenta Crop Protection and interdisciplinary teams at University of Zurich and University of Basel.
Dan Shao is an Associate Professor and current Department Head (since January 1, 2024) in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. She holds additional affiliations with the Gender and Women Studies Department, Women & Gender in Global Perspectives Program, Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies, and Department of History. Her educational background includes a PhD in History from the University of California Santa Barbara and an LLM from the College of Law at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Shao's research focuses on the historical roots of contemporary problems concerning boundaries and borders in Chinese society, with special attention to marginalized peoples and places. Her work bridges Asia-based and Europe/U.S.-based studies on social boundaries and legal borders, traversing conventional historical distinctions between 'modern' and 'pre-modern' periods as well as national borders defining China. She examines cultures of law in China, legal history, nationality law, gender studies, medical history of ethics and law, borderland studies, ethnic groups in China, and U.S.-East Asia relationships. Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on medical history within political contexts, borderland studies, and legal history, particularly examining how state power interacts with medical practice and border definitions throughout Chinese history. Conrad Humanities Scholar Award (2012-2016) CAS Resident Associate (2013-2014) IPRH Fellowship, UIUC (2011-2012) Beckman Fellowship, Center for Advanced Studies, UIUC (2009-2010) An-Wang postdoctoral fellowship, Fairbank Center for East Asian Research, Harvard University (2003-2004) Chancellor's Call to Action to Address Racism & Social Injustice Research Program grant (2022-2023) Andrew Mellon New Directions Fellowship (2012-2015) Dr. Shao has directed both the Graduate Program (2020-2021) and Undergraduate Program (2017-2020) in EALC and served as a faculty senator (2015-2017). She leads several significant research projects including 'Cross-cultural Understanding of Power Harassment' and 'Yellow Peril Redux: American Cultural Responses to Economic Rise of Japan and China.' Her grant portfolio includes substantial funding from the Chancellor's Call to Action program, Illinois Global Institute, Title VI Grants, and Andrew Mellon New Directions Grants. She mentors numerous graduate students as evidenced by blog posts announcing new graduate students joining her research group and celebrating their achievements. Dr. Shao directs the 'Yellow Peril Redux' research group and has been actively involved in multiple interdisciplinary initiatives including the INTERSECT-Cultures of Law in Global Contexts project and the Center for Advanced Studies Initiative on Cultures of Law in Global Contexts.
József Garay is a Senior Research Fellow at the ELTE-MTA Theoretical Biology and Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, part of the Department of Plant Systematics, Ecology and Theoretical Biology at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Hungary. His research spans evolutionary biology, mathematical ecology, and game theory, with a particular focus on evolutionary stable strategies and their applications to biological systems. Dr. Garay received his M.Sc. in Biology from Eötvös University (1981-1986), followed by postgraduate studies in Mathematics (1985-1989). He completed his PhD at the Hungarian Academy of Science in 2004, after doctoral studies in the Department of Plant Taxonomy and Ecology (1990-1994) and a summer school on Evolutionary Models of Cooperation in Seewiesen, Germany (1994). Garay's research interests center on evolutionary game theory and its applications to biological systems. He has made significant contributions to understanding evolutionarily stable strategies (ESS) in sexual populations, the evolutionary roots of morality, and the mathematical foundations of population dynamics. His work bridges theoretical mathematics with practical ecological applications, particularly in areas like optimal foraging, habitat selection, and the evolution of cooperation. A key aspect of his research involves extending classical game theory concepts to more complex biological scenarios, including multi-species systems and time-constrained evolutionary processes. His work on the evolutionary stability of self-sacrificing behavior and the relationship between individual fitness and group survival has provided important insights into the evolution of altruism and social behavior. Analysis of Garay's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on evolutionary game theory applied to biological systems, with increasing sophistication in modeling approaches. His work has evolved from foundational studies on evolutionarily stable allele distributions (ESAD) to more complex applications in areas like cannibalism dynamics, predator-prey interactions, and kin selection. There's a clear trajectory toward more integrative models that combine mathematical rigor with biological realism, often addressing questions at the intersection of evolutionary theory, ecology, and behavior. Notably, his research increasingly incorporates mathematical modeling techniques to analyze complex ecological phenomena, demonstrating the power of theoretical approaches to address empirical biological questions. Dr. Garay has received several prestigious awards and fellowships throughout his career: Juhász-Nagy Pál junior fellowship at Collegium Budapest Institute for Advanced Study (1999-2000) NATO research fellowship at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada (2002) Research fellowship at Konrad Lorenz Institute, Austria (2005) Bolyai János fellowship of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (2006-2008) While specific information about his advising activities is limited in the provided materials, Garay's extensive publication record spanning over three decades suggests he has likely mentored numerous graduate students and early-career researchers. His collaborations with colleagues like Zoltán Varga, Manuel Gámez, and Tomás Cabello indicate a strong network of research partnerships. Garay has secured multiple research grants supporting his work, including the Bolyai fellowship and international research opportunities that have enabled him to extend his theoretical models to practical ecological applications. His work on ecological monitoring systems demonstrates how theoretical frameworks can be applied to real-world environmental challenges. Garay is a core member of the HAS Theoretical Biology Group at Eötvös Loránd University, where he contributes to a vibrant research environment focused on mathematical approaches to biological problems. His work intersects with several research teams studying evolutionary ecology, population dynamics, and mathematical biology, creating opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration on complex biological questions that require both theoretical insight and empirical validation. The group's research has significant implications for understanding fundamental biological processes and developing more effective conservation and management strategies.
Daniel Barreto is a Professor at Edinburgh Napier University , specializing in Discrete Element Method (DEM) simulations and soil mechanics . His research emphasizes particle shape and size distribution effects on granular material behavior, with applications in permeability estimation, liquefaction mitigation, and nature-inspired ground engineering. Education : PhD in Soil Mechanics (Imperial College London, 2010), MSc in Soil Mechanics and Engineering Seismology (Imperial, 2005), Civil Engineering (Universidad de los Andes, 2003). Research : Focuses on DEM, grading entropy theory, and particle-scale interactions in sand-rubber mixtures, with implications for seismic isolation and sustainable soil stabilization. Awards : Royal Academy of Engineering Leverhulme Trust Fellowship COST Action Chair for Open Network on DEM Simulations (ON-DEM) Emeritus Member of Royal Society of Edinburgh Young Academy of Scotland Publications : Pioneering studies on DEM-based critical state behavior, particle breakage quantification, and permeability models for granular soils, with a 2023 Transportation Geotechnics paper on hydraulic radius applications. Collaborations : Leads ON-DEM, a global network advancing open-source DEM tools, and contributes to interdisciplinary projects involving synthetic root mimics and microbial soil interactions.
Laura Wasylenki, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Northern Arizona University. Her research focuses on isotope geochemistry, particularly the biogeochemical cycles of metals like nickel (Ni), tungsten (W), and zinc (Zn) in marine and environmental systems. She investigates mechanisms of isotope fractionation during mineral surface interactions, such as sorption to manganese oxides (e.g., birnessite), and their implications for paleoenvironmental reconstructions and modern marine budgets. Her work addresses critical questions in marine geochemistry, including the role of Mn oxyhydroxides in Ni cycling, the fidelity of carbonate records for Ni isotopes, and the impact of sorption processes on isotope fractionation. She also explores biogeochemical controls on metal transport, such as uranium sequestration in plant roots and the environmental health implications for communities like the Navajo people. Her recent studies emphasize experimental validation of isotope fractionation mechanisms and their application to understanding Earth's history, such as linking Siberian Traps aerosols to the end-Permian mass extinction via Ni isotopes. Collaborations with NAU's Chemistry Building, Wettaw Biochemistry Building, and Science Lab Facility enable advanced laboratory and field-based research. Key themes in her publications include refining marine nutrient budgets, developing cleaning protocols for ancient seawater proxies, and advancing methodological frameworks for interpreting metal isotope systems in environmental and paleo contexts.
Peter Avis is an Assistant Professor in Ecosystem Genetics at the University of Maine's School of Biology and Ecology. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota (2003). His research focuses on fungal biology, ecology, biogeography, and evolution, employing molecular ecology and biomonitoring techniques. Key areas include fungal community dynamics in ecosystems, molecular methodologies for eukaryotic studies, and ecological restoration. His work often involves collaboration with Maine e-DNA initiatives, exploring topics such as chytrid fungi ecology, island biogeography of ectomycorrhizal fungi, and coarse woody debris decomposition. He is affiliated with the Avis Lab and Research group, emphasizing fieldwork and lab-based analyses. Despite no listed awards, his extensive publication record highlights contributions to mycology and ecological processes. Advising and grant details are not explicitly stated, though his lab engages in collaborative projects. No lab/field teams are named beyond the Avis Lab. Education: Ph.D., University of Minnesota, 2003 Research interests span three core areas: fungal ecology & phylogeny, molecular methodology development, and ecological restoration. Recent projects include studying freshwater-to-marine gradients for chytrids, ectomycorrhizal fungi on Maine islands, and fungal communities in blueberry root systems. His work bridges theoretical and applied ecology, addressing global change impacts on fungal biodiversity. Publications reflect interdisciplinary approaches, spanning fungal taxonomy (e.g., Russula species), educational pedagogy, and methodological innovations. Articles emphasize fungal community responses to environmental changes, genetic sampling challenges, and symbiotic interactions with plants.
Dr. Luke Adamson is a tenure-track Researcher in Research Area 3 'Syntax and Lexicon' at the Leibniz-Zentrum Allgemeine Sprachwissenschaft (ZAS), Berlin. Previously, he held a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Harvard University (2020–2022) and served as Lecturer at Rutgers University (2022–2023). He earned his PhD in Linguistics from the University of Pennsylvania (2019) and holds dual degrees from Oberlin College: a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance (2010–2014). His research focuses on nominal features, grammatical gender, and syntactic modularity, with notable projects exploring gender locality hypotheses, coordination resolution in three-gendered languages, and suppletion phenomena. Collaborators include prominent linguists such as Elena Anagnostopoulou (University of Crete), Ruth Kramer (Georgetown University), and Stanislao Zompì (Universität Potsdam). Key contributions include work on gender assignment constraints in languages like Greek, Swedish, and Lithuanian, as well as syntactic interfaces in Jarawara and Italian. Recent presentations include invited talks at the University of Geneva (June 2025), Yale University (October 2024), and the Brussels Conference on Generative Linguistics (December 2024). He co-edits Linguistic Inquiry Squibs & Discussion and organizes the ZAS Brown Bag Lunches. His work has been supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and the European Research Council. Adamson’s academic networks span formal linguistics and typological studies, with ongoing projects addressing politeness pronouns in Romance languages, emotive predicates in clausal complements, and allosemy in Greek gender systems.
Tim Paulitz is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at Washington State University (WSU) and a Research Plant Pathologist with USDA-ARS. His research focuses on root diseases of cereal crops, soil microbiome dynamics, and sustainable management strategies. He has held roles such as Editor-in-Chief of the American Phytopathological Society Press and Section Editor of the *Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology*. Paulitz has supervised over 25 graduate students and contributed to over 175 refereed publications. His work emphasizes understanding soilborne pathogens like *Rhizoctonia*, *Fusarium*, and *Pratylenchus*, alongside the impacts of glyphosate, tillage, and crop rotation on microbial communities. Research Interests: Ecology and management of root diseases in wheat, barley, and Brassica Soil and rhizosphere microbiome analysis Effects of agricultural practices (e.g., glyphosate, lime, no-till) on microbial communities Biological control of soilborne pathogens Awards and Recognition: Fellow, American Phytopathological Society (2009–present) USDA-ARS National EEO/CR Outreach Award (2008) California Regents Graduate Fellowship (1983) Advising and Grants: Supervised 18 MSc, 4 PhD students (1989–2000), and 9 PhD, 3 MSc students (2000–2020) as an adjunct. Collaborated with CIMMYT on global wheat root health initiatives and served on over 50 student thesis committees. Labs/Teams: Affiliated with USDA-ARS Wheat Health Unit and WSU’s Department of Plant Pathology, contributing to interdisciplinary projects on soil health and crop resilience.
Tianna DuPont is a Tree Fruit Extension Specialist at Washington State University’s Tree Fruit Research & Extension Center in Wenatchee, WA. She leads applied research and outreach programs focused on sustainable orchard management, organic production, fire blight control, and integrated pest management (IPM). Her work bridges academic research with industry needs through trainings, field days, and collaborative projects with growers. Research Interests: Her key areas include: Orchard floor management (cover crops, mulching) Bio-renovation strategies for replant disease Irrigation efficiency and soil health X-disease phytoplasma and Little Cherry Disease management Next Generation Tree Fruit Network development Advising & Grants: She mentors students like Gabriela Bolonas (Masters in Horticulture) and oversees projects funded through specialty crop grants. Recent collaborations include USDA NIFA grants for pear IPM and fire blight research. Labs & Teams: Leads the DuPont Lab team (see attached group photo), collaborating with postdocs and industry partners on trials like Alternative Controls for Replant Trial and Biorenovation Strategies .
William Armstrong is an Adjunct Professor at the School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, where he conducts research on plant responses to hypoxic conditions and flooding stress. His scholarly work bridges fundamental plant physiology with practical applications in agriculture and wetland ecology. His research interests include: Wetland Plant Adaptation to Oxygen Deficiency Root Physiology Under Hypoxic Conditions Plant Metabolic Responses to Flooding Oxygen Transport Mechanisms in Plant Tissues Global Patterns in Wetland Plant Traits Adaptation Strategies in Agricultural Crops Analysis of Professor Armstrong's publication record reveals a consistent focus on understanding how plants, particularly agricultural species like chickpea and wetland plants, adapt to low-oxygen environments. His work spans from detailed physiological measurements of oxygen diffusion in roots to global ecological patterns in plant trait expression, with particular emphasis on the molecular and metabolic mechanisms that enable plant survival in waterlogged conditions. The 2020 Nature Communications paper on global wetland plant patterns represents a significant contribution to understanding ecosystem-level adaptations. Professor Armstrong maintains an active international collaboration network, working with researchers across multiple continents to advance understanding of plant stress physiology. His work has generated substantial scholarly impact, with his 2020 Nature Communications paper accumulating 73 citations and receiving attention from news outlets.
Jenna Loyd is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Her research focuses on the intersections of geopolitics, migration, trauma, and carceral systems. She examines how displacement, borders, and racialized policies shape human experiences, with particular attention to refugees, marginalized communities, and the legacies of colonialism. Her work spans multiple disciplines, including critical race theory, carceral geography, and feminist methodologies. Key themes include the geopolitics of trauma in refugee resettlement, the racialized dynamics of policing and detention, and the ethics of slow scholarship as resistance to neoliberal academia. Her articles explore topics such as the spatial dimensions of refugee trauma, the historical roots of US migration policies, and the abolitionist critique of carceral systems. She critiques border regimes and advocates for open movement frameworks, while analyzing how violence and resistance manifest in urban and global contexts. Loyd emphasizes collaborative, ethical research practices and has written extensively on the need for 'slow scholarship' to counteract academic precarity. Her work bridges theoretical insights with grassroots activism, particularly in movements around sanctuary cities and anti-prison organizing.
Chandra Jack is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Clark University, where she leads research on plant-microbe interactions and eco-evolutionary dynamics. She holds a Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology from Rice University (2011) and a B.A. in Biology from the same institution (2005). Her research program examines how microbial communities influence plant fitness, functional traits, and population structure, with particular focus on invasive species adaptation. The Jack Lab employs experimental, molecular, and computational approaches to study below-ground ecological processes in agricultural and natural systems. Research publications demonstrate interdisciplinary approaches spanning microbial ecology, evolutionary biology, and invasion science. Recent work explores soil microbiome influences on plant development, rapid evolution in invasive plants, and methodological advances in analyzing plant defensive compounds. The lab maintains an inclusive environment with multiple undergraduate researchers and a graduate student. Current projects include investigations into prairie soil effects on wheat development and habitat-specific microbiome variations in Hypericum perforatum.
Ullas Pedmale is an Associate Professor at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL), leading the Pedmale Lab. His research focuses on understanding how environmental cues, such as light and temperature, modulate plant growth and development. This work has significant implications for agriculture and climate resilience. Pedmale earned his Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of Missouri (2008) and completed postdoctoral training at the Salk Institute under Joanne Chory. He is also an Adjunct Faculty Member at Stony Brook University. His research interests include plant-environment interactions, light signaling pathways, and the molecular mechanisms underlying plant adaptation. Key projects involve studying shade avoidance responses, DNA damage repair in plants, and the role of histone modifications in flowering time regulation. Pedmale’s lab utilizes advanced technologies like state-of-the-art growth chambers to simulate climate change effects on plants. Notable achievements include the NIH Outstanding Investigator Award (2017) and recognition for groundbreaking work on plant photoreceptors. His recent publications highlight discoveries in RNA methylation, ubiquitin regulation, and epigenetic mechanisms controlling plant growth. Pedmale has mentored numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, fostering a collaborative environment focused on advancing plant science. Lab activities emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, combining genetics, molecular biology, and computational tools. Current projects explore how plants integrate light and temperature signals to optimize resource allocation, with potential applications in crop improvement. The lab’s innovations, such as rapid protein expression in tobacco for pandemic response, demonstrate versatility in addressing global challenges.
Abied Alsulaiman is an Associate Professor at KU Leuven 's Faculty of Arts , specializing in Arabic Studies . He co-founded the Arabic Translators International (ATI) and co-edits its publication series. His teaching focuses on history of Arabic culture, legal translation, business translation, and interpreting. Research Interests : Translation studies, legal terminology (Arab states, Belgium, Netherlands), Arabic linguistics, Islamic studies, Judeo-Arabic literature, and Semitic languages. Projects : Functional equivalence in legal terminology, translation's role in Saudi students' historical awareness, OCR solutions for Arabic/Persian scripts, and diplomatic terms in Saudi Arabia. Publications : Recent works include co-edited handbooks on terminology, legal translation analysis of the US Constitution, and studies on Qur'anic lexicography and Islamic traditions.
Shan Lu is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Chicago. He is affiliated with the UChicago Systems Group and holds a faculty position at the Crerar Library. His research focuses on software systems, reliability, and program analysis, with an emphasis on improving software correctness and efficiency through automated tools and methodologies. Lu earned his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in 2008, under the guidance of Yuanyuan Zhou. His work spans multiple areas, including concurrency bug detection, performance optimization, and machine learning integration in software systems. His research interests include developing automated tools for detecting and fixing software bugs, optimizing database-backed web applications, and enhancing the reliability of distributed systems. Recent work highlights include innovations in large language model serving, retry bug detection, and hybrid data plane optimizations. Lu has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the SOSP Best Paper Award (2019), OSDI Best Paper Award (2022), and ACM Distinguished Member status. He actively contributes to program committees, including roles such as Vice Chair of the ACM Publications Board and Chair of ACM SIGOPS. His advising spans over 20 students, many of whom have secured notable positions at top institutions and companies like Google, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Lu’s research has also led to impactful tools like SkyWay, Yak, and DCatch, addressing critical challenges in software systems.
