Find Academic Supervisors

Massimo IorizzoView profile

Professor

• Genetics
• Genomics
• Germplasm Improvement
• +3 more

Dr. Massimo Iorizzo is a Professor in the Department of Horticultural Science at North Carolina State University, specializing in plant genetics and genomics. His research focuses on improving small fruit and vegetable crops through genetic approaches, with particular emphasis on phytochemical content and fruit quality traits. He holds a PhD and MS from the University of Naples 'Federico II' in Italy. His work integrates genomic tools, machine learning, and sensory science to enhance crop traits like texture, nutrient content, and bioactive compound accumulation. Recent projects include developing high-throughput phenotyping systems for cranberry and blueberry, mapping genes controlling carotenoid and anthocyanin pathways, and creating standardized ontologies for blueberry breeding. He collaborates on initiatives like VacciniumCAP and VacCAP to advance genetic resources for berry crops. Key contributions span improving flavor compounds in sweetpotato, understanding epigenetic stress responses, and optimizing protein-based delivery systems for plant nutrients. His research bridges basic genetics with applied breeding, aiming to create consumer- and grower-preferred varieties through interdisciplinary approaches.

Donna HarrisView profile

Assistant Professor

• Plant Breeding
• Genetics
• Crop Science
• +3 more

Dr. Donna Harris is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Wyoming, based at the Sheridan Research & Extension Center. Her academic career includes roles as Senior Scientist at BASF Vegetable Seeds (2015–2020), Research Professional III at the University of Georgia (2007–2015), and prior industry experience with Monsanto and Pioneer Hi-Bred International. She holds a PhD (2014) and MS (2001) in Crop Science from the University of Georgia, alongside a BS (1998) in the same field. Her research focuses on plant breeding and genetics, addressing crop needs for Wyoming producers and consumers. Key areas include soybean rust resistance, quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis, and germplasm evaluation for disease resistance. She has contributed significantly to soybean breeding programs, identifying novel resistance genes and developing resistant cultivars. Dr. Harris has published extensively on soybean pathology and genetics, with work appearing in Theoretical and Applied Genetics , Molecular Breeding , and Crop Science . Her publications emphasize molecular mapping of resistance genes, germplasm screening, and disease management strategies. While no awards are explicitly listed, her impactful research has shaped soybean improvement efforts in the U.S. and globally. Her professional experience spans academic and industrial settings, with expertise in both theoretical genetics and applied breeding. Current research integrates field-based evaluations with genomic approaches to enhance crop resilience against biotic stresses.

Gregory J. CarboneView profile

Professor

• Climate Variability
• Drought Monitoring
• Climate Change Impacts
• +1 more

Gregory J. Carbone is a Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of South Carolina. His research investigates climate variability and change impacts on water resources and agriculture, with emphasis on drought monitoring systems and climate scenario development. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1990), M.A. from University of Kansas (1984), and B.A. from Clark University (1982). His research develops tools for drought assessment in data-scarce regions and examines how spatial scale affects climate impact assessments. Research focuses on drought monitoring techniques, climate extremes, and the application of climate information in water resource management. Recent work explores uncertainty in precipitation indices, agricultural sensitivity to drought, and regional climate projections. He co-developed the Carolinas Dynamic Drought Index tool used by water managers. His publications demonstrate consistent innovation in drought monitoring methodologies, with recent advancements in spatial visualization of climate impacts and statistical downscaling techniques. Research integrates geospatial analysis, remote sensing, and statistical modeling. Teaching excellence recognized through multiple awards: Michael J. Mungo Distinguished Professor of the Year (2025) Mortar Board Excellence in Teaching Award (2012) Mungo Undergraduate Teaching Award (2005) He has supervised 6 MS students and served on 50+ thesis committees. Major grants include $3.75 million from NOAA for the Carolinas Integrated Sciences & Assessments program. Professional service includes editorial roles for Physical Geography and leadership in the American Association of Geographers.

Reza FotouhiView profile

Professor

• Robotics (Dynamics and Control)
• Structural Dynamics and Vibrations
• Computational Mechanics (Finite Element and Optimization)
• +4 more

Reza Fotouhi is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan, specializing in Robotics (Dynamics and Control), Structural Dynamics and Vibrations, Computational Mechanics, and Biomechanics. He leads research in agricultural robotics, finite element modeling, and teleoperated systems. Education: BSc, MSc (Iran) MSc, PhD (University of Saskatchewan) His research focuses on human-robot interaction, vibration control for flexible manipulators, composite material applications, and teleultrasound systems. He has developed mobile platforms for crop phenotyping and optimized control strategies for robotic arms. Recent Article Trends: His work spans telerobotic medical systems, agricultural automation, advanced control algorithms (e.g., Particle Swarm Optimization), and structural analysis of composite materials. Key subfields include musculoskeletal imaging, path planning, and dynamic modeling of flexible systems. Research Groups: Applied Mechanics and Machine Design Control Systems, Robotics and Fluid Power Engineering for Agriculture

Kaushalya G. AmarasekareView profile

Associate Professor

• Integrated pest management (IPM)
• Biological control
• Pest and natural enemy monitoring
• +6 more

Dr. Kaushalya G. Amarasekare is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in Entomology at the Department of Agricultural Sciences and Engineering, College of Agriculture, Tennessee State University. Her research focuses on integrated pest management (IPM), biological control, and pesticide efficacy. She joined TSU in November 2015 and holds a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Florida, an M.S. from Oklahoma State University, and a B.S. (Honors) in Agriculture from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Her research interests include pest-natural enemy interactions, effects of reduced-risk pesticides, and invasive pest management. She has authored numerous publications in journals like Journal of Economic Entomology and Biological Control , focusing on pesticide selectivity, insecticide residues, and biological control strategies in orchards. Her work often combines field and laboratory studies to assess ecological impacts of agricultural chemicals. Dr. Amarasekare has received grants totaling over $300,000 for projects like improving IPM practices for cucurbits and enhancing biological control in orchards. She is actively involved in professional societies such as the Entomological Society of America and the International Organization for Biological Control. Awards include the Outstanding Young Researcher Award (2019) and multiple ESA participation awards. Teaching responsibilities include AGSC 5900/7900 Applied Entomology (graduate) and AGSC 4900 Entomology (undergraduate). She leads Extension activities including farmer training, K-12 outreach, and stakeholder field visits. Her lab, the Fruit, Vegetable and Field Crop Entomology Lab, contributes to applied research and community education.

• Agricultural Economics
• Food Security
• Environmental Economics
• +3 more

Dr. Di Zeng is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Economics and Public Policy at the University of Adelaide, within the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics. He is affiliated with the Centre for Global Food and Resources. His research focuses on agri-food systems, water, and environmental economics, examining linkages between food, health, and economic development. He has conducted studies in Sub-Saharan Africa, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the United States, addressing challenges such as agricultural input allocation, hybrid seed adoption, and food security. Dr. Zeng’s work has been funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and Australian government agencies. His teaching includes advanced economic analysis courses and global food market studies. Notable research includes evaluating the impact of agricultural technologies on poverty reduction in Ethiopia and analyzing supermarket access effects on childhood obesity. He received the Executive Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research (2016) and has supervised higher-degree research students. His grants include a DAWE-funded project on small-scale agricultural exports to China. Dr. Zeng collaborates with CGIAR centers and governmental agencies, contributing to policy-relevant research in global food systems and sustainable development.

Chaopeng ShenView profile

Professor

• Hydrology
• Deep Learning
• Physics-Informed Machine Learning
• +9 more

Chaopeng Shen is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Pennsylvania State University. His research bridges hydrology with state-of-the-art deep learning and differentiable modeling techniques, focusing on advancing our understanding of hydrologic cycles and their interactions with ecosystems, energy, and carbon cycles. He leads the Multi-scale Hydrology, Processes and Intelligence group (MHPI) and has developed the Process-based Adaptive Watershed Simulator (PAWS) for large-scale hydrologic modeling. Shen's work emphasizes physics-informed machine learning , where deep learning components are integrated with process-based equations through differentiable modeling. This approach enables training neural networks using big data while respecting physical laws, leading to improved generalizability and robustness. His group has demonstrated advantages of differentiable models in rainfall-runoff prediction, routing, ecosystem modeling, and water quality studies. Notably, his team's deepLDB project addresses landslide prediction using AI and big datasets. Recent publications highlight his contributions to global water modeling (grid-LSTM, differentiable Muskingum-Cunge routing), extreme flood forecasting (probabilistic diffusion models), and hydrologic uncertainty quantification . Shen actively engages in interdisciplinary collaborations through the PRISM Cooperative Institute, which aims to integrate multi-domain data for systemic risk assessment. His group has advised students including Dapeng Feng, Wen-Ping Tsai, Kuai Fang, Xinye Ji, and Tasnuva Mahjabin. Shen's research is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy (DoE), USGS, Google.org, and the Gates Foundation. He serves as Editor for the Journal of Geophysical Research - Machine Learning & Computation and Chief Editor for Frontiers in Water: Water & AI. His open-source software tools like PAWS and deepLDB are available through dedicated project websites.

• Remote Sensing
• Bidirectional Reflectance
• Image Processing
• +3 more

Craig Coburn is a Full Professor in the Department of Geography and Environment at the University of Lethbridge, where he has served since 2002 with promotions to Associate Professor in 2009 and Full Professor in 2019. His research centers on remote sensing physics, specializing in bidirectional reflectance properties and the development of low-cost remote sensing instrumentation for environmental monitoring and satellite calibration. Dr. Coburn's academic foundation includes: B.Sc. (Honours) in Geography from the University of Saskatchewan (1994) M.Sc. in Geography from the University of Alberta (1996) Ph.D. in Geography/Remote Sensing from Simon Fraser University (2002) His work spans instrument design to data processing algorithms, with emphasis on surface bidirectional reflectance. He pioneered world-leading goniometers and low-cost camera systems deployed via aircraft, UAVs, and high-altitude balloons for agricultural monitoring, biological system analysis, and global satellite validation. His research bridges theoretical physics with practical environmental applications. Analysis of his 2017-2021 publications reveals sustained focus on radiometric calibration, BRDF characterization, and sensor development. Key trends include interdisciplinary collaborations in atmospheric science (airborne metals), ecology (riparian systems), and soil science (erosion detection), alongside growing emphasis on UAV platforms and low-cost sensor validation for democratizing remote sensing. No scientific awards were specified in the source material. Dr. Coburn holds Principal Investigator status for the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration-funded cattle wintering sites project ($45,000) and contributes as Co-Investigator to Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Water Research initiatives totaling $568,000. His grant portfolio spans riparian ecology, watershed analysis, and historical projects including National Land and Water Information System (Agriculture Canada) and Mountain Pine Beetle monitoring. His laboratory innovations include robotic goniometers for surface reflectance measurement and thermal imaging systems deployed globally for satellite calibration, supporting both research objectives and hands-on student training in remote sensing physics.

Simone FatichiView profile

Professor

• Hydrology
• Biogeosciences
• Climate Change
• +5 more

Simone Fatichi is a Full Professor at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore (NUS), since July 2024. Previously, he held roles as Associate Professor at NUS (2020–2024), Research Associate/Lecturer at ETH Zurich (2011–2020), and postdoctoral fellow at the University of Firenze (2010–2011). He earned an International PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering (2010) and MSc/BSc degrees in Environmental Engineering from the University of Firenze (Italy). His research focuses on hydrology, biogeosciences, and climate change impacts, addressing vegetation functioning, water/soil resources, carbon cycle dynamics, and urban ecohydrology. He leads developments of models like AWE-GEN (weather generator), Tethys-Chloris (ecohydrological model), and Urban Tethys-Chloris (urban model). His work spans global change effects in natural and urban environments, with emphasis on mechanistic process understanding. Key awards include the 2023 NUS Young Researcher Award, 2020 AGU Hydrologic Sciences Early Career Award, and the prestigious 2019 Antonio Feltrinelli Prize. He serves as an editor for Water Resources Research and reviewer for over 50 journals. His recent articles highlight urban climate impacts, soil carbon dynamics, and ecohydrological modeling advancements. His contributions bridge environmental engineering, climate science, and ecological processes, with applications to sustainable urban planning and natural resource management. Current projects include modeling crop yields under climate change and quantifying vegetation cooling benefits in cities.

Hannes TaubenböckView profile

Professor

• Remote Sensing
• Global Urbanization
• Urban Structure Analysis
• +6 more

Prof. Dr. Hannes Taubenböck holds the Chair of Global Urbanization and Remote Sensing at the Julius-Maximilians University of Würzburg (Faculty of Philosophy, Institute of Geography and Geology) since 2022 and collaborates with the German Aerospace Center (DLR). His research bridges remote sensing with urban geography, focusing on: Global urbanization patterns and structural analysis Informal settlements (slums/refugee camps) Climate change and natural hazard vulnerability Migration dynamics via remote sensing and social media He obtained his PhD (2008) and habilitation (2019) at JMU Würzburg, preceded by geography studies at LMU Munich (1999-2004). His recent publications analyze: Climate impacts on African agriculture Urban permeability and walkability Border region disparities Heat exposure modeling Methodologically, he specializes in: Deep learning for earth observation Multi-modal data fusion Urban pattern classification Building stock analysis His work informs policy applications in: EU cohesion programs Disaster risk reduction Environmental justice Urban sustainability

Saumik BasuView profile

Assistant Professor

• Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
• Entomology
• Plant Pathology
• +5 more

Saumik Basu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of Georgia (UGA), based at the Tifton Campus within the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences. His research focuses on developing sustainable integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for vegetable crops in South Georgia. He leads the Vegetable Entomology Lab, which investigates pest complexes like whiteflies, diamondback moths, and pepper weevils, along with their interactions with plant pathogens. His work emphasizes molecular ecology, plant defense mechanisms, and the role of abiotic factors (e.g., climate, soil microbiota) in pest management. Education: B.S. in Human Physiology, University of Calcutta M.S. in Biotechnology, Visva-Bharati University Ph.D. in Molecular Plant Virology, Jawaharlal Nehru University Postdoctoral Research: University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and Washington State University (WSU) Research Interests: Molecular mechanisms of plant-insect interactions Sustainable IPM for vegetable pests Plant defense signaling and phytohormonal crosstalk Impact of soil microbiota on pest-pathogen dynamics Climate change effects on agroecosystems Lab & Collaborations: The lab collaborates with county extension agents, growers, and other research groups to translate findings into practical solutions. Current projects address pest attack order effects on plant defenses and the role of biopesticides like Metarhizium fungus. Graduate students and postdocs work on topics such as soil amendments for pest resistance and vector-borne disease transmission. Advising & Grants: Advises Ph.D. candidate Sourav Pal and M.S. student Rajesh Udavant. Technical staff includes Charles Laney Gruver, an expert in field trials and insect rearing. Undergraduate Alexis Crossgrove supports lab activities. Labs/Teams: Vegetable Entomology Lab (UGA), previously affiliated with Molecular Plant Sciences at WSU.

Shiguo JiangView profile

Associate Professor

• Geospatial Information Technologies
• Land Use/Land Cover Change
• Forest Ecosystem Dynamics
• +4 more

Shiguo Jiang is a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Geography, Planning, and Sustainability at the University at Albany's College of Arts and Sciences. Currently on sabbatical during Fall 2025, he maintains active research leadership through the Spatial Analysis Laboratory. His affiliations extend to the PhD Program in Information Science (College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity) and the MS Program in Biodiversity, Conservation, and Policy (Department of Biological Sciences), reflecting his interdisciplinary approach. Dr. Jiang's educational background includes a PhD from Ohio State University (2012), an MS from Peking University (2004), and dual BS/BA degrees from Peking University (2001). His research integrates geospatial technologies with spatial statistics to investigate land use dynamics, forest ecosystems, and human-environment interactions. Key application areas include urban systems analysis, climate change modeling, and crime pattern detection, with notable fieldwork in the Maya Forest of Belize. His publication portfolio reveals an evolution from urban fractal analysis (early Beijing studies) toward integrated socio-ecological research, with recent emphasis on crime geospatial modeling and climate-ecosystem interactions. The 15 most recent articles demonstrate methodological innovation in remote sensing reconstruction and spatial statistics, applied across environmental, criminological, and public health domains. Dr. Jiang actively mentors graduate students across departments including Geography, Sociology, Information Science, and Criminal Justice. While currently unable to fund Graduate Research Assistants, he collaborates with students who secure external funding. His Spatial Analysis Laboratory requires technical proficiency in programming (Python/R/Matlab) and geospatial software, welcoming undergraduates through postdoctoral researchers with relevant skills.

Emmanuel C. OmondiView profile

Assistant Professor

• Industrial Hemp Agronomy
• Sustainable Agriculture
• Cropping Systems Agronomy
• +3 more

Dr. Emmanuel C. Omondi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural Sciences and Engineering at Tennessee State University's College of Agriculture. His research focuses on industrial hemp agronomy, sustainable agriculture, and conservation practices. He holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Agronomy from the University of Wyoming and a B.Sc. in General Agriculture from the University of Nairobi. His research explores industrial hemp’s role in crop rotations, reduced tillage systems, and economic viability in Tennessee. Key projects include USDA-funded studies on organic farming impacts, soil health, and hemp production economics. He has led over $6.8 million in grants, including a USDA NIFA project on organic hemp assessment and a William Penn Foundation initiative on soil health and water quality. Awarded the Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society and multiple fellowships, Dr. Omondi’s work spans international development, including conservation agriculture projects in Kenya and Uganda. He has authored 20+ peer-reviewed articles on topics like soil carbon dynamics, organic farming profitability, and phytoremediation potential of hemp. Education: Ph.D. (Agronomy, University of Wyoming), M.Sc. (Agronomy, University of Wyoming), B.Sc. (General Agriculture, University of Nairobi) Grants: Over $6.8 million in funding for projects on hemp agronomy, soil health, and sustainable farming systems. His honors include the A.K. Dobrenz Student Paper Competition First Prize (2011) and recognition for international academic excellence. Current initiatives focus on bridging agricultural innovation with environmental stewardship through collaborative research.

• Food Safety
• Postharvest Biology
• Agricultural Science
• +3 more

Professor Robyn McConchie is a Professor at the University of Sydney and holds leadership roles including Director of the Fresh Produce Safety Centre Australia & New Zealand, Director of the ARC Training Centre for Food Safety in the Fresh Produce Industry, and Theme Leader for Quality Food at the Sydney Institute of Agriculture. She specializes in postharvest quality of perishable and grain crops, with a focus on food safety and microbial control. Education: BSc (Plant Science) from Wye College, University of London; MA (Education and Work) from Macquarie University; PhD from Louisiana State University (USA). Research Interests: Postharvest biology, microbial safety in food production, nanotechnology applications in food safety, reducing postharvest losses in developing countries, and sustainable agricultural practices. Her work integrates food safety management systems with industry needs, emphasizing both scientific innovation and practical implementation. Grants: Secured funding for projects like 'Flexible and Printable Sensors for Early Detection of Food Spoilage' (ARC Linkage Project) and collaborations with Horticulture Innovation Australia. Her research has contributed to $7.5M in competitive industry-linked funding. Labs/Teams: Member of Sydney Institute of Agriculture, Sydney Southeast Asia Centre, and Charles Perkins Centre. Engaged in international collaborations, including studies on village chicken production's role in household nutrition and food security in Bangladesh.

• Plant Community Ecology
• Savanna Ecology
• Fire Ecology
• +6 more

Dr. Aisling Devine is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Biosciences at Swansea University, within the School of Biosciences, Geography and Physics. Her research focuses on plant community ecology, particularly African woodlands and savanna ecosystems, emphasizing ecological and socio-economic impacts of vegetation change. She specializes in fire ecology, Miombo Woodlands, and biodiversity conservation. Dr. Devine is available for postgraduate supervision and teaches modules including BIO018 (Biology Transition), BIO232 (Plant Ecology), and BIO347 (Tropical Ecology in Borneo). Her research explores savanna dynamics, biochar applications in agriculture, and circular economic approaches to waste management. Recent work investigates biochar effects on tomato growth and nutrient recovery from faecal sludge. She has supervised projects on African savanna tree conservation and non-native macropod impacts on Isle of Man ecosystems. Dr. Devine’s teaching spans field ecology, conservation strategies, and scientific research methods, preparing students for careers in ecology, conservation, and environmental consultancy. Her research integrates classical ecological theory with practical field techniques, addressing global biodiversity challenges and sustainable resource management.