Roman Modlinger is a Researcher at the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology (Czech University of Life Sciences Prague) with primary academic focus in Forest Entomology , Forest Protection , and Remote Sensing Applications in Forestry . His work addresses critical forest health challenges, particularly bark beetle ( Ips typographus ) infestations in Central European spruce forests. His research integrates: Entomology : Behavioral and genetic studies of bark beetles Remote Sensing : UAV-borne multispectral imagery and LiDAR for forest monitoring Microbial Ecology : Gut microbiome analysis in forest pests Chemical Ecology : Application of semiochemicals for pest control Forest Resource Management : Impact assessment and mitigation strategies Roman Modlinger has contributed to 15 recent articles (2023-2024) focusing on: Bark beetle outbreak modeling and prevention Machine learning applications for multispectral forest analysis Microbial community dynamics in forest pests Wood quality assessment post-infestation Chemical repellent formulations Sniffer dog applications in forest monitoring He has also developed innovative software (PHENIPS) for bark beetle development prediction and leads practical forest protection methodologies. His work includes significant collaboration with European researchers on climate change impacts on forest ecosystems.
David Buckley Borden is a Research Fellow in the Landscape Architecture Department at the University of Oregon’s College of Design. His work focuses on bridging ecological science and design through innovative communication methods. A recipient of the 2024-2025 LAF Fellowship in Innovation and Leadership, his research explores how landscape architects can collaborate with ecologists to close the science-communication gap and foster public engagement with environmental issues. Key affiliations include the Harvard Forest (a Harvard University research unit) and the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest (Oregon State University). He leads interdisciplinary projects such as the Feral Fellowship catalog, Helves and Hallmarks of Collaboration , and the Fieldscape Fellowship , which engage communities through design, art, and education. His work has been exhibited nationally and supported by grants from the Fuller Initiative for Productive Landscapes and NSF-funded LTER programs. Research interests span ecology, climate action, and public art, with a focus on transforming scientific knowledge into accessible, culturally resonant forms. Notable projects include Warming Warning , a climate data sculpture, and PNW Tree ID Signs , an educational signage system. He mentors graduate students in design-research collaborations and advocates for landscape architecture’s role in STEM-driven environmental stewardship. Awards include the LAF Fellowship and recognition for his contributions to science-communication frameworks. His Unfinished Book Bureau publishing initiative democratizes access to creative and scholarly works through affordable zines and free digital copies. Future projects aim to expand interdisciplinary models for ecological advocacy and community-driven design.
Barbara Rocha Venancio-Meyer-Sand is a Research Associate at the Department of Forest and Nature Conservation Policy at Wageningen University. She completed her PhD in 2024 under the supervision of Prof. Zuidema and Dr. Smulders, focusing on genetic and chemical methods for timber tracing. Her research interests center on timber authenticity verification , spatial genetic analysis of tropical tree species , and forensic applications of mass spectrometry . She has pioneered methods combining genomic data and elemental profiling to trace timber origins and combat illegal logging. Her work spans international collaborations in Cameroon, Indonesia, and Central Africa, addressing challenges in biodiversity conservation and sustainable forestry. Recent publications highlight advancements in plastid genome analysis and multi-element wood fingerprinting. Barbara contributed to the Genetic methods applied to tracing of tropical timber species project (2019–2024), which developed tools to combat illegal logging. Her research has been cited in policy documents and adopted by timber certification bodies.
Marco Domaneschi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Structural, Building and Geotechnical Engineering (DISEG) at Politecnico di Torino, Italy. He teaches courses in Earthquake Engineering, Structural Design, and Seismic Protection Systems. He previously served as a Research Associate and Contract Professor at Politecnico di Milano and has extensive experience as a structural engineer and R&D consultant. His research focuses on bridge engineering, earthquake engineering, structural monitoring, disaster resilience, and sustainability . He employs advanced numerical simulations and experimental techniques to assess and enhance the safety and performance of civil infrastructure. His work integrates digital technologies, machine learning, and smart materials for structural control and health monitoring. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in resilience assessment, seismic protection systems, sustainable retrofitting using exoskeletons, structural health monitoring (SHM), and digital innovation in infrastructure management . His research increasingly combines computational modeling with real-world applications, including blockchain for asset management and AI for dynamic identification. Top 2% most-cited scientist (Stanford/Elsevier, 2022) Takuji Kobori Prize (2014) Best Presentation Award, ASEA SEC 5 (2020) Best Presentation Award, ISHMII 2017 Multiple MSC Research Assist Program Awards (2012–2014) Marco Domaneschi has supervised several PhD students and has scientific responsibility for multiple EU and national research projects, including Horizon Europe’s RESUME, BIO-RESTORE, and VIBRATIONCLEAR. He supports PIs in coordinating ERC projects and serves as a scientific advisor for international PhD researchers. He has led numerous commercial and departmental research contracts focused on structural monitoring, BIM implementation, and sensor integration. He is actively involved in the scientific community, serving as Associate Editor for journals including Journal of Vibration and Control and Frontiers in Built Environment , and as a member of editorial boards for Structure and Infrastructure Engineering and Bridge Engineering (ICE) . He has chaired and organized major international conferences such as WCEE2024 and IABMAS 2024, and has led over 15 conference sessions.
Henry G. Spratt, Jr. is a Professor in the Department of Biology, Geology, & Environmental Science at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. His research focuses on healthcare-associated infections, microbial ecology in clinical and natural environments, and bioremediation. He has led numerous collaborative projects with institutions like Erlanger Hospital and the Tennessee Valley Authority, investigating bacterial contamination in healthcare settings and environmental systems. Education: PhD in Microbiology Research Highlights: Studied MRSA contamination in clinics and hospitals Developed disinfection protocols for medical equipment Explored bioremediation strategies for polluted ecosystems His recent work includes analyzing bacterial colonization in pediatric intensive care units, evaluating UV-C radiation for shoe sole disinfection, and investigating microbial degradation of industrial pollutants. He has authored/co-authored over 30 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, including contributions to American Journal of Infection Control and Physiotherapy Theory and Practice . Grants & Collaborations: Received funding from the National Science Foundation, TVA, and HealthySoles Corporation for projects totaling over $1M. Leads the Clinical Infectious Disease Control Research Group (CIDC), focusing on infection prevention in healthcare and veterinary settings. Teaching: Teaches courses in Microbiology, Immunology, and Bioremediation, mentoring students in thesis research and internships.
Nickolay Angelov Tsvetanov serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Dendrology at the Faculty of Forestry, University of Forestry, Sofia, Bulgaria. He earned his MSc (2013) and PhD (2017) in Forestry from the same institution, establishing his academic foundation in Bulgarian forest ecosystems. M.Sc. Forestry, 2013, University of Forestry, Sofia Ph.D. Forestry, 2017, University of Forestry, Sofia His research centers on natural disturbance dynamics in mountain forests, with specialized expertise in dendrochronology, tree anatomy, and xylogenesis. Through extensive fieldwork in protected areas like Vitosha Mountain and Pirin Mountains, he investigates Norway spruce forest responses to windthrow events, climate extremes, and self-thinning processes using tree-ring analysis. His methodological innovations include blue intensity measurements for climate reconstruction and satellite-based soil moisture integration in dendroecological studies. Analysis of his 15 publications (2011-2021) reveals three dominant research trajectories: (1) disturbance ecology of Bulgarian spruce forests, (2) dendroclimatological applications across Mediterranean conifers, and (3) interdisciplinary extensions into archaeology through wood analysis. His work consistently emphasizes natural forest dynamics in protected areas, often involving international collaborations with Swiss and German researchers. No scientific awards were documented in the provided materials. While specific student advisement records remain unreported, his collaborative publication pattern indicates active mentorship within research teams. The absence of grant documentation suggests either undisclosed funding sources or institutional project support through the University's Center for Project Support. His research operations appear intrinsically linked to field sites in Bulgarian mountain reserves, particularly Vitosha Nature Park and Pirin Mountains, with laboratory work likely conducted through the university's Dendrology Department facilities and the Mathematics with CAS Workshop for computational analysis.
Noëlle Lynn Wenger Streeton is a Professor of Conservation at the University of Oslo , where she leads the ERC-funded project POLYCHROME focused on the survival of damaged medieval polychromed heritage in the Nordics. She specializes in historical art technology, medieval material culture, and cultural heritage ethics. PhD (2011) and MA (2003) from University College London BA (1993) in History of Art/Cultural History from University of Chicago Her research spans late medieval Scandinavian art , polychrome sculpture conservation , and the politics of cultural heritage . Recent work includes studying pigment trade networks and material degradation in medieval church art. Professor Streeton has published extensively on medieval painting, conservation science, and interdisciplinary approaches to cultural heritage. Notable projects include After the Black Death and Medieval Colours , examining Norwegian-Portuguese comparative studies.
Endre Hofstad Hansen is an Associate Professor in Forestry at the University of Inland Norway (INN), specifically in the Department of Forestry and Outback Studies within the Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology. He is based at the Evenstad campus and coordinates the Bachelor in Forestry program while teaching courses in Resource Mapping and Applied Forest Ecology. Dr. Hansen's primary research interests center around remote sensing for forest mapping , forest pricing and planning , and tree measurement and forest registration . His work integrates advanced technologies like airborne laser scanning (ALS) with traditional forest inventory methods to improve forest management practices. He has particular expertise in using remote sensing data for forest attribute prediction, biomass estimation, and species composition mapping across diverse forest ecosystems. His extensive publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on improving the accuracy and efficiency of forest inventory methods. His recent work has examined heartwood rot detection using ALS and satellite data, developed taper and volume models for Norwegian tree species, and investigated terrain slope effects on forest attribute predictions. His research spans both temperate and tropical forests, with significant contributions to biomass estimation methodologies in Tanzania's miombo woodlands and rainforests. Dr. Hansen is actively involved in research projects including CarniForeGraze (focusing on grazing in carnivorous forest ecosystems) and TaigaClimate, contributing to the Forestry research group at INN. His work bridges the gap between theoretical remote sensing applications and practical forest management needs.
Dr. Kerstin Meyer is a Researcher at the Institute for Work and Technology (IAT) of the Westfälische Hochschule Gelsenkirchen Bocholt Recklinghausen, where she has been working since October 2016 in the research area of 'Spatial Capital.' She is also a doctoral candidate at the Technical University of Dortmund in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning within the Faculty of Spatial Planning, pursuing her doctorate on 'Urban Production as a Building Block of the Mixed-Use City of the Future' since 2020. Additionally, she serves as a lecturer at TU Dortmund University's Faculty of Spatial Planning and at Witten-Herdecke University's Studium fundamentale program since 2022. Dr. Meyer earned her B.Sc. in Geography and BA in International Economics and Development from the University of Bayreuth, followed by a Master's degree in Urban and Regional Development from the Technical University of Kaiserslautern. Her academic journey reflects a strong foundation in both geographical and economic perspectives on urban development. Her research focuses on transformative urban and regional development, with particular expertise in urban production, commercial area development, circular economy, startup ecosystems, and transformation knowledge through real-world laboratories. Dr. Meyer's work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications, as evidenced by her involvement in numerous research projects and her contributions to municipal strategies. She has developed comprehensive approaches to integrating production back into urban environments, analyzing the spatial distribution of manufacturing, and creating sustainable economic models for challenged regions. Her extensive publication record demonstrates a clear trajectory of deepening expertise in urban production systems. The most recent publications show increasing sophistication in analyzing spatial patterns of urban manufacturing, developing circular economy frameworks, and examining the relationship between industrial activity and urban form. Her work spans empirical analyses, conceptual frameworks, and practical implementation guides, with a growing emphasis on climate-neutral industrial development and spatial optimization through concepts like 'stacked production.' Dr. Meyer actively contributes to academic and professional communities through membership in the Young Talent Forum of the Academy for Spatial and Regional Planning (ARL), the Regional Studies Association (RSA), and the Transformative Knowledge Regions (TRAKR) network. She has organized the Transformation Talks NRW in 2023 and 2024 and was a member of the Urban Production Working Group of the ARL Forum NRW from 2020-2023. Her research is supported through significant projects including FAB.Region Bergisches Städtedreieck (2024-2026), Ecosys4you – Engaging Entrepreneurial Ecosystems for the Youth (2023-2026), and TRAKR – The Regional Studies Association Research Network on Transformative Regions (2023-2026), among others. These projects demonstrate her capacity to secure competitive funding and lead interdisciplinary research initiatives focused on sustainable urban economic development. Dr. Meyer's work with real-world laboratories, particularly through the UrbaneProduktion.Ruhr initiative, shows her commitment to translating academic research into practical urban interventions. Her projects often involve collaboration with municipal authorities, businesses, and community organizations to develop implementable strategies for urban economic development.
Doris Ehrbar serves as a Lecturer at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts within the School of Engineering & Architecture, specifically affiliated with the Institute of Interior Design (IIA). She has maintained dual professional roles since 2011 as Co-Lecturer for the core module "Building Renovation and Conversion" and since 2019 as Co-teacher for "Renewal of existing buildings," while simultaneously working as Client Representative for Regimo Basel AG and Architect at Burckhardt Immobilien AG. Her academic credentials include: Dipl. Arch. ETH from Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich (1985-1992) Higher Education Teacher Training at ETH Zurich (1996-1999) Master of Advanced Studies in Architecture (MASA) from University of British Columbia (2000-2005) CAS in Building Physics from University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (2015-2016) Ehrbar's research focuses on sustainable building transformation, with particular expertise in holistic renovation strategies for post-war residential structures. Her work bridges energy efficiency requirements with monument preservation constraints, emphasizing practical implementation through prefabricated timber systems and solar integration. Current investigations explore climate-responsive densification methods and cooperative governance models for condominium retrofits, addressing Switzerland's urgent building stock renewal challenges. Her publication trajectory reveals evolving specialization from foundational solar architecture studies toward industrialized renovation systems, with recent work emphasizing cost optimization in prefabricated timber retrofits and climate adaptation for historic districts. Key thematic clusters include energy-monument preservation balance, strata property renewal frameworks, and collaborative delivery models for large-scale retrofits. Award recognition includes: Wolfgang Gerson Prize in Architecture (2001) Research leadership spans multiple national and international projects including SanStrat, E2Rebuild, CABEE, and IEA SHC Task 41, with funding from Swiss energy research programs and EU frameworks. Current initiatives focus on developing decision tools for condominium owners and optimizing prefabricated retrofit systems for cold climates. She maintains strong industry integration through her dual professional practice, ensuring research remains grounded in real-world construction challenges. As former Head of the "Advanced Retrofit" Focus Area (2010-2015) and long-term Scientific Assistant at the Competence Center Typology & Planning in Architecture (CCTP), she continues to shape HSLU's research direction through the Institute of Interior Design's renovation research group.
Joris C R Van Acker is a Professor at Ghent University, affiliated with the Laboratory of Wood Technology. His research focuses on various aspects of wood science, with particular emphasis on timber construction, wood decay mechanisms, and species identification techniques. His research interests span multiple areas of wood science: Wood decay and mould growth in timber frame constructions Timber species identification using chemical fingerprinting and machine learning Wood physics, including moisture dynamics and thermal modification effects Tropical forest ecology and dendrochronology Advanced imaging techniques for wood analysis, particularly X-ray computed tomography Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on applying advanced analytical techniques to solve practical problems in wood science. His work combines traditional wood science with cutting-edge technologies like deep learning, mass spectrometry, and advanced imaging. A significant portion of his research addresses sustainability issues in tropical forestry, particularly concerning vulnerable species like those in the Entandrophragma genus. His methodological approach often involves developing experimental setups to study dynamic boundary conditions that better reflect real-world scenarios. Dr. Van Acker leads research at the Laboratory of Wood Technology at Ghent University, where his team investigates the physical, chemical, and biological properties of wood and wood-based materials. Their work has practical applications in improving the durability and performance of wood products in construction and other applications.
Tomislav Sedlar is an associate professor at the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, University of Zagreb, located at pavilion IV, room 142. He holds a PhD and has served in academic roles since 2009, progressing from assistant to his current rank. His work focuses on wood technology, material science, and non-destructive testing of wood properties. He teaches courses in special wood products and communicates in Croatian and English, with consultations available Tuesdays 10-11 AM. Professional Experience: 2024–current: Associate Professor 2019–2024: Assistant Professor 2015–2019: Postdoctorate 2009–current: Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, University of Zagreb Research interests include wood mechanical properties, composite reinforcement, defect detection via deep learning, and the application of novel testing methods. His work bridges traditional wood science with modern materials engineering, emphasizing sustainability and structural preservation of historical timber structures. Publications span over 15 years, with recent trends in assessing wood durability through steam treatment, fiber implant efficacy, and non-destructive evaluation techniques. His studies often explore juvenile/mature wood transitions and environmental impacts on material properties. No scientific awards are explicitly listed, though his extensive publication record reflects significant contributions. He advises no listed students but collaborates on interdisciplinary projects through the Faculty's institutes, including the Institute of Wood Science and the Institute for Materials Technology. Labs/Teams: Active in multiple university institutes focusing on wood technology, materials science, and forest engineering. His research often involves cross-departmental collaborations on cultural heritage preservation and sustainable forestry practices.
Gerald Koch is a Privatdozent (PD) and habilitated senior researcher at the Institute for Wood Research, part of the Thünen Institute in Hamburg-Bergedorf, Germany. His work bridges academic research with practical applications in wood science and conservation. His core research focuses on: Anatomical wood species identification and database development Impact of climate change on wood formation and properties Trade regulation for CITES-protected timber species Genetic reference data for origin determination of wood Durability analysis of wood products and alternatives to endangered timbers Dr. Koch leads critical projects including automated image recognition systems for wood identification, digitization of the scientific wood collection (xylothek), and climate adaptation studies for future wood use. His completed work spans tropical wood identification in paper products, nanotomography for wood structure analysis, and sustainability frameworks for small private forests in Vietnam.
Michael Grabner is an Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Wood Technology and Renewable Resources, part of the Department of Natural Sciences and Sustainable Resources at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). He specializes in dendrochronology, wood technology, and historical wood utilization, with research addressing climate impacts on forests and sustainable resource management. Education: Doctorate (Dr.nat.techn.), Universität für Bodenkultur Wien (2005) Diplom-Ingenieur (Dipl.-Ing.), Universität für Bodenkultur Wien (2002) Research Focus: His work bridges wood science, climate adaptation, and cultural heritage. Key areas include dendroecological responses to environmental stress, historical wood utilization patterns, and innovative applications of hardwood resources. Recent projects explore tree-ring based climate reconstructions, wood mechanics under changing conditions, and sustainable transformation of forest biomass. Publication Trends: Grabner's recent articles (2024-2025) demonstrate a strong emphasis on climate-wood interactions, with themes spanning drought resilience in European forests, mechanical properties of hardwood, dendroarchaeology, and sustainable construction. Methodologically, they integrate field data, material testing, and spatial modeling to address forestry challenges in changing environments. Awards: Congress Award der Stadt Graz (2020) World Wood Day Grants (2017-2021) Josef Umdasch Forschungspreis (2008) Theodor Körner Preis (2006) Preis der Stiftung „120 Jahre Universität für Bodenkultur“ (2003) Klaus Fischer Innovationspreis (2002) Projects & Collaboration: He leads 41 projects including climate-adaptive forestry studies (e.g., Klimafitte Wälder ), historical wood analysis ( Holzhandwerk revisited ), and wood quality assessments ( Schadholz-Qualität ). Collaborates across BOKU departments and international institutions on dendrochronology applications. Manages laboratory facilities for wood anatomy and dendroecological analysis at BOKU's Tulln campus.
Edwin Reynders is a Professor at the Department of Civil Engineering , KU Leuven , specializing in Structural Mechanics and Building Acoustics . His research focuses on numerical prediction and optimization of airborne/impact sound insulation, signal processing, and structural health monitoring (SHM) of bridges and concrete structures. He leads a research team with three postdoctoral researchers and five PhD candidates , and has supervised five PhD dissertations and one postdoctoral researcher. His recent projects include an ERC Starting Grant on metamaterial noise reduction and collaborations with institutions like the University of Cambridge . 2024: IOMAC Leadership Award 2009: Best PhD Thesis Award (Royal Academies of Belgium) His work integrates advanced modeling techniques such as Bayesian updating , topology optimization , and cross-laminated timber analysis , with applications in fire safety, corrosion monitoring, and vibroacoustic metamaterials. He contributes to journals like Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing and the Belgian Acoustical Society .
