Find Academic Supervisors

Robert HuberView profile

Lecturer

• Sustainable Agriculture
• Agricultural Policy
• Ecosystem Services
• +4 more

Dr. Robert Huber serves as a Lecturer at the Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH Zürich, specializing in Agricultural Economics and Policy. His research focuses on the integration of interdisciplinary knowledge to analyze and evaluate management and policy options that promote sustainable development in the agricultural sector. Institution: ETH Zürich Department: Agricultural Economics and Policy Research Focus: Sustainable Agriculture and Policy Methodologies: Bio-economic and agent-based modeling Dr. Huber's research explores how multifunctional agricultural sectors can provide essential non-market goods and services while maintaining their primary economic function of food production. His work applies bio-economic and agent-based modeling techniques to understand farmers' decision-making processes regarding ecosystem services provision, coupled with economic valuation techniques to analyze societal demand for these services. His research aims to identify effective and efficient policy measures that align supply and demand for ecosystem services at landscape scale. His recent publications demonstrate strong expertise in agricultural policy analysis, climate change mitigation strategies, sustainable farming practices, and innovative modeling approaches. His work spans topics from herbicide-free agriculture using remote sensing technologies to biodiversity enhancement in agricultural landscapes and the cost-effectiveness of different climate change mitigation policies at various scales. Remote sensing applications in sustainable agriculture Behavioral aspects of farmer decision-making Policy evaluation methodologies Climate change adaptation in farming systems Economic valuation of ecosystem services Digitalization impacts on agricultural policy Dr. Huber has published extensively in high-impact journals including Journal of Agricultural Economics, People and Nature, and Q Open. His collaborative research often involves interdisciplinary teams addressing complex agricultural sustainability challenges. His publications demonstrate a consistent focus on practical policy implications derived from rigorous empirical analysis.

Yayun DuView profile

Assistant Professor

• Bioelectronics
• Intelligent Systems
• Wearable and Implantable Sensors
• +7 more

Dr. Yayun Du is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Vanderbilt University School of Engineering. She holds a Ph.D. in Robotics and System Control (Minor: Solid Mechanics) from UCLA (2022) and was a postdoctoral scholar at Northwestern University's Rogers Group through 2024. Current faculty at Vanderbilt University Ph.D. from University of California, Los Angeles Postdoctoral experience at Northwestern University Her research integrates bioelectronics and robotics through three core directions: 1) Developing multimodal wearable/implantable sensors for health monitoring, 2) Creating human-in-the-loop interaction systems using brain-computer interfaces, and 3) Applying machine learning to medical environment robotics. She has deployed four sensor types across seven hospitals globally, serving users from neonates to elderly patients. Dr. Du's recent publications focus on wireless bioelectronic devices ( PNAS ), sustainable sensor materials ( ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering ), and agricultural robotics ( ICRA , IROS ). She serves as Associate Editor for ICRA 2025 and has received two Best Paper Award final nominations at IROS 2021. Finalist - Best Paper Award in Agri-Robotics (IROS 2021) Finalist - Best Paper Award in Robot Mechanisms and Design (IROS 2021) As head of the Du Group, she leads interdisciplinary research with applications in both healthcare and agricultural contexts, collaborating with Vanderbilt Institute for Surgery and Engineering (VISE) and clinical partners. Her work emphasizes deployable systems that transition from academic research to real-world implementation in medical and industrial environments.

• Agronomy
• Crop Physiology
• Plant Response to Environmental Stress
• +4 more

Dr. Yunfei Jiang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences at Dalhousie University's Faculty of Agriculture. Her research focuses on improving crop resilience to climate change and sustainable agronomic practices in Atlantic Canada, with expertise in agronomy, crop physiology, and environmental stress responses. She holds a Ph.D. in Plant Science from the University of Saskatchewan (2017), an M.Sc. from Dalhousie University (2013), and a B.Sc. in Horticulture from Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (2010). Her research includes evaluating enhanced efficiency fertilizers, biochar, and intercropping systems to enhance soil health and crop yields. She teaches courses such as AGRN2001 (Cereal-Based Cropping Systems) and PLSC2001 (Plant Propagation Techniques). Funding and awards details, along with her graduate students' projects, are available on her lab website at jiangdal.ca . Dr. Jiang is affiliated with professional organizations including the Nova Scotia Institute of Agrologists and the American Society of Agronomy. Her lab, the Agronomy and Crop Physiology (ACP) Lab, emphasizes sustainable agriculture and crop adaptation to environmental challenges. Contact her via email at yunfei.jiang@dal.ca or visit her lab's address: PO Box 550, Truro, NS B2N 5E3.

Kevin KochersbergerView profile

Associate Professor

• Dynamics and control
• Autonomous aerial systems
• Applied aerodynamics
• +7 more

Dr. Kevin Kochersberger is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech , with a career spanning academic research, technical innovation, and educational leadership. His work focuses on autonomous aerial systems , robotic control , and applied aerodynamics , particularly through the Uncrewed Systems Laboratory . Kochersberger's research has pioneered UAV-based radiation detection , 3D terrain mapping , and low-resource drone applications , including establishing the African Drone and Data Academy in Malawi . Education: Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech (1994) M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech (1984) B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech (1983) A.S., Engineering Science, Jamestown Community College (1981) Kochersberger's publications demonstrate expertise in UAV path planning , smart material actuation , and radiation source localization , with over $9M in research funding. His scientific awards include AIAA Associate Fellow (2009) and Aviation Week Aerospace Laureate (2003). Notable projects involve helicopter-deployable robotic systems and urban canyon navigation without GPS. Recent articles highlight BVLOS drone simulators , 2.5D terrain mapping , and autonomous negative obstacle traversal , reflecting his focus on real-time adaptive control and heterogeneous robotic systems . He teaches Drone Technology and Flight Operations and Advanced Design Projects , emphasizing student-driven innovation and industry collaboration .

• Invasive Species Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Population Dynamics
• +4 more

Richard DUNCAN is a Professor in Conservation Biology at the University of Canberra's Science School and Department of Centre for Conservation and Ecology Genetics. His research focuses on the ecology of invasive species, particularly understanding how introduced species arrive, establish, and spread in new environments. Key areas include invasive weeds and pests, ecological community structure, and applying quantitative methods to address both fundamental and applied ecological questions. Education: PhD in Forest Ecology, University of Canterbury (1989, award date noted as 2024 in text) Research Interests: His work spans invasive species ecology, population dynamics, and restoration strategies. He employs diverse methods including field experiments, modeling, and genomics, with recent focus on grasslands and aquatic systems. Current projects address amphibian chytrid fungus, carp invasions, and rodent control. Articles Trends: Recent publications emphasize invasive species impacts on ecosystems, pathogen-driven niche contractions, and conservation tools like geospatial modeling and genomic simulations. Themes include species distribution modeling, pest management, and restoration ecology. Awards & Grants: Lead investigator on 35+ projects, including ARC Plant Biosecurity Training Centre and chytrid fungus mitigation efforts Associate Editor for Proceedings of the Royal Society B and Diversity and Distributions Advising: Accepting PhD students in invasive species ecology, with focus on using biological invasions to explore ecological theory and management applications. Labs/Teams: Collaborates widely on conservation genetics, aquatic invasions, and biosecurity, including work with the Biological Heritage Science Challenge and Indigenous Grasslands Trust.

Mehdi SavaghebiView profile

Professor

• Power Electronics
• Microgrids
• Smart Grids
• +11 more

Mehdi Savaghebi is a Professor in Power Electronics-Enabled Power Systems and Head of the Energy Technology and Computer Science Section at the Department of Engineering Technology, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Ballerup, Denmark. He has previously held academic positions as Associate Professor at Aalborg University and the University of Southern Denmark, where he also served as a Research Team Leader. He is currently accepting PhD students and is actively involved in research, supervision, and editorial work. His research interests focus on modern power systems enabled by power electronics, particularly in the domains of renewable energy integration, microgrids, smart grids, and Power-to-X technologies. His expertise lies in control strategies for inverters, power quality improvement, harmonic mitigation, and protection of distributed energy systems. He is deeply engaged in advancing grid-forming and grid-following inverter technologies, energy islands, and sector coupling for sustainable development. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in advanced control methodologies for power electronic converters, particularly in microgrid applications. His work emphasizes active damping, capacitor voltage decoupling, disturbance rejection, and dynamic performance enhancement in both grid-following and grid-forming inverters. These efforts support broader goals in renewable integration, industrial energy efficiency, and resilient low-carbon grids. Mehdi Savaghebi serves as Editor for IET Smart Grid . He is a member of review committees at Tallinn University of Technology and Nanyang Technological University. He has delivered guest lectures at international institutions, including Tallinn University of Technology. As a main supervisor, he advises PhD student A. July on the project 'Coordinated control of energy storage units and grid-forming converters in energy islands'. He leads multiple research projects, including GRACE (Grid Capacity-Aware Investment Roadmap for Eco-Industrial Clusters) and Communication Technologies for Control of Microgrids. His lab and research team focus on power electronics, microgrid control, and energy system integration, working on real-world applications such as the CLA-µGrid for the Alcântara Launch Center in Brazil and electric weed control in agriculture.

Jenny Kao-KniffinView profile

Professor

• Weed science
• Urban ecology
• Rhizosphere biology
• +4 more

Jenny Kao-Kniffin is a Professor in the Horticulture Section of the School of Integrative Plant Science at Cornell University. Her research focuses on the belowground ecology of horticultural landscapes, particularly the ecology and management of invasive plants and weeds in horticultural landscapes, wetlands, and urban ecosystems. She applies concepts from microbial ecology to understand how soil microorganisms impact plant populations both beneficially (aiding in plant growth and fitness) and negatively (keeping populations in check). Dr. Kao-Kniffin's research interests include: Weed science and ecological management of weeds Urban ecology and urban agriculture Rhizosphere biology and plant-microbe interactions Soil microbiome selection and manipulation Ecological approaches to sustainable agriculture Her work centers on three main research areas: selection of rhizosphere microbiomes that modulate plant traits, identifying functional roles of microbiomes that mediate plant growth, and assembly of plant-microbial communities that enhance ecosystem services. She has demonstrated that microbiomes can be manipulated to alter flowering time in plants and has developed ecological approaches for weed management through soil carbon amendments. Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on urban soil microbiomes, nitrogen cycling in agroecosystems, and the application of microbial ecology to sustainable agriculture. The research spans from fundamental plant-microbe interaction studies to practical applications in urban agriculture and weed management, with particular emphasis on how soil amendments and microbial communities can be leveraged for ecological management of plant systems. Notable scientific achievements include: The White House Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), 2019 Weihenstephan Science Award, International Collaboration for Early Career Scientists 2017 Cornell University CALS Award for Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Students in Independent Research 2013 Dr. Kao-Kniffin actively mentors graduate students and has developed extension programs focused on assisting public and private audiences with methods to manage weedy and invasive plants in horticultural landscapes. Her lab has developed a web-based software program that allows users to select weed management methods based on conventional or organic preferences. She teaches PLSCI 4900: Reflection on Plant Sciences Experiential Learning and maintains an active research program with several ongoing projects in urban agriculture, particularly working with New York City farmers to construct clean soil from local materials.

Bryan BrownView profile

Adjunct Assistant Professor

• Integrated weed management
• Culturally appropriate extension
• Weed seedbank dynamics
• +3 more

Bryan Brown is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the School of Integrative Plant Science , Horticulture Section , and an Integrated Weed Management Specialist with Cornell Integrated Pest Management . His work focuses on minimizing agricultural and environmental risks through innovative weed control strategies. Ph.D., University of Maine, 2017 B.A., Colby College, 2009 Dr. Brown’s research emphasizes integrated weed management informed by weed species biology, including weed seedbank dynamics and culturally appropriate extension . His projects explore ecologically-based solutions like stacked cultivation, electrical weed control, and cover cropping to address herbicide resistance and labor shortages. He also investigates the interplay between weed management and soil health or economic viability in organic and conventional systems. Dr. Brown’s extension efforts prioritize farmer collaboration through on-farm demonstrations , educational media , and slow-motion analysis of cultivation tools. His outreach includes addressing glyphosate-resistant waterhemp in New York State and clarifying public health risks through the Into the Weeds podcast.

• Agricultural Science
• Plant Genetics
• Forage Crops
• +6 more

Mustafa TAN is a Professor at Havsa Vocational School of Trakya University and currently serves as Vice Rector of Trakya University since August 2024. He has held various administrative roles, including Director of Edirne Rose and Red Application and Research Center (August 2024–October 2024) and Director of Havsa Vocational School (2020–2024). Previously, he was a Professor and academic leader at Atatürk University's Faculty of Agriculture from 1995 to 2019, serving as Vice Dean (2008–2012) and Department Head. His research focuses on forage crops, quinoa genetics, and agricultural sustainability. Notable projects include studying genetic diversity in forage pea and developing herbicide-resistant quinoa varieties. He has authored/co-authored over 100 publications, including articles on crop improvement, silage quality, and climate-resilient agriculture. Dr. TAN has supervised numerous PhD and MSc students and contributed to books like Alternatif Yem Kaynakları . His work emphasizes practical applications, such as optimizing forage production and enhancing crop resilience in Turkey's high-altitude regions. He has led projects funded by TÜBİTAK and university grants, addressing challenges like quinoa adaptation to arid conditions and nitrogen use efficiency. His contributions extend to editing educational materials and promoting sustainable agricultural practices through publications and conferences.

Rene Van AckerView profile

Professor

• Agricultural Sustainability
• Plant Science
• Agroecology
• +8 more

Rene Van Acker is a Professor in the Department of Plant Agriculture at the Ontario Agricultural College (University of Guelph). Currently serving as Interim President of the University of Guelph, he previously held the Dean and Associate Dean External positions at OAC, and chaired the Department of Plant Agriculture. With a B.Sc. and M.Sc. from University of Guelph and a PhD from University of Reading , his leadership has transformed OAC through strategic initiatives like Our Shared Priorities and OAC Space Visioning Plan . Co-founded Arrell Food Institute and Guelph Centre for Urban Organic Farming Established over 20 externally funded chairs and raised $90M+ for OAC Led creation of B.Sc. in Indigenous Environmental Science and other innovative programs His research focuses on agroecology , organic farming systems , weed science , and temperate forest garden systems . Recent publications examine herbicide effects on crops, microbial community dynamics in agroforestry, and novel crop establishment methods. Key projects include evaluating compost applications and woodchip mulching impacts on apple orchard productivity and soil microbial abundance . As an active faculty member, he supervises graduate students , co-teaches OAC capstone courses , and serves on university committees including Budget Committee and Micro-credentials Committee . Externally, he contributes to Rural Ontario Institute and leads the Deans Council (Agriculture, Food & Veterinary Medicine).

Miguel CastilloView profile

Associate Professor

• Forage Science
• Grassland Management
• Silvopasture Systems
• +4 more

Miguel Castillo is an Associate Professor in the Crop and Soil Sciences Department at North Carolina State University (NC State), leading the Forage & Grassland Program and serving as Grassland Science Specialist. He holds a Ph.D. in Agronomy from the University of Florida and an MBA from NC State. His work focuses on improving ecosystem services in agricultural and pasture-based livestock systems through integration of silvopasture, agroforestry, and advanced technologies like near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for management decisions. Dr. Castillo's education includes a B.S. in Plant and Animal Sciences from Zamorano University (2006), followed by M.S. and Ph.D. in Agronomy from the University of Florida (2009, 2013). His research spans international collaborations in tropical/sub-tropical environments, with expertise in forage crop management, bioenergy grasses, and sustainable livestock systems. He is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. Research Interests: Forage-Livestock Systems Optimization Silvopasture Development Bioenergy Crop Production NIRS Applications in Agriculture Pasture-Based Livestock Management Climate Resilient Forage Crops Recent work emphasizes NIRS for rapid forage quality analysis, evaluating new bermudagrass cultivars, and advancing silvopasture systems in the southeastern U.S. and Peruvian Amazon. His publications address topics like poultry litter impacts, switchgrass management post-freeze, and frost-seeding clover into tall fescue pastures. Grant-supported research includes USDA-funded projects on forage conservation techniques and bioenergy crop development. He advises graduate students on forage systems and collaborates with industry partners on applied agronomic solutions. Labs/Teams: Directs the Forage & Grassland Program at NC State, collaborating with USDA and international research networks. Active in extension programs, publishing guides on forage management, hay production, and silvopasture implementation.

Xavier MartiniView profile

Associate Professor

• Integrated Pest Management
• Insect Behavior
• Chemical Ecology
• +3 more

Xavier Martini is an Associate Professor in Entomology at the University of Florida's North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC). His work focuses on integrated pest management (IPM), insect behavior, and chemical ecology, particularly targeting plant pest vectors like the Asian citrus psyllid and ambrosia beetles. He leads research on citrus greening disease, laurel wilt, and invasive species management. His roles include 70% research and 30% extension, bridging academic and applied pest control strategies. Research emphasizes vector biology, semiochemical-based pest control, and community engagement. He collaborates on publications addressing cucurbit production, onion pest management, and organic vegetable systems. Current projects include repellent development for citrus pests and biological control of invasive vines. His lab group works on ecological interactions between plants, pathogens, vectors, and predators. Key achievements include developing traps for small insect vectors and exploring floral resource enhancements for pollinator populations. He contributes to Florida's citrus and vegetable industries through extension guides and workshops, ensuring practical applications of his research.

Jason HendersonView profile

Professor

• Pesticide-free management methods
• Turfgrass establishment techniques
• Soil modification
• +2 more

Jason Henderson is a Professor of Soil Science in the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture at the University of Connecticut's College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources. His research focuses on developing sustainable turfgrass management practices through innovations in pesticide-free techniques, soil modification, and root zone assessment. Dr. Henderson holds a PhD in Crop and Soil Sciences from Michigan State University. Research Interests: His work encompasses turfgrass establishment optimization, laboratory methods for evaluating root zone constituents, and innovative approaches to enhance turf performance under traffic stress. Current projects investigate organic management systems, soil physical properties, and environmental sustainability in turf settings. Teaching: Dr. Henderson instructs courses including Introduction to Soil Science (SAPL 300), The Great American Lawn (SPSS 1060), and Advanced Turfgrass Management (SPSS 3150).

• Digital Agriculture
• Agricultural Informatics
• Data Science
• +3 more

Ankita Raturi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering at Purdue University, leading the Agricultural Informatics Lab. Her work focuses on human-centered design, information modeling, and software engineering to enhance resilience in food systems. She develops decision support tools for cover cropping, agronomic data services, and soil health technologies. Her research integrates digital agriculture applications across field crops, livestock, and food systems, emphasizing open-source solutions. Key projects include modular decision tools for diversified farming systems and information management frameworks for community food resilience. Publications highlight her expertise in sustainable tech adoption, precision agriculture, and ecosystem impact design. She actively bridges engineering and agriculture through interdisciplinary collaborations. Dr. Raturi's lab explores digital tools for smallholder farmers, pandemic response systems, and ecological wealth restoration through technology. She emphasizes trust-building in tech-mediated research and advocates for nonhuman-centric design in agroecosystems.

• Nanomaterials Synthesis
• Hydrothermal Synthesis
• Photocatalytic Materials
• +3 more

Dr. Peter Dunne is an Assistant Professor in Inorganic Energy Materials at Trinity College Dublin's Department of Chemistry. His research focuses on sustainable nanomaterials synthesis, particularly hydrothermal and solvothermal methods for producing inorganic nanocrystals. He has expertise in photocatalytic materials, layered double hydroxides, and 2D nanocomposites for water purification. Dunne's work emphasizes scalable production techniques and environmental impact assessment of nanomaterials. Education: BSc (Hons) Chemistry, National University of Ireland, Galway (2005) PhD in Chemistry, National University of Ireland, Galway (2009) Research Interests: His research integrates sustainable synthesis methods with advanced material characterization, emphasizing: Development of carbon dots from seaweed derivatives for optoelectronics Continuous-flow hydrothermal systems for energy materials Environmental lifecycle analysis of nanomaterial production Photocatalytic activity of transition metal-doped nanocrystals Current Project: Leading the SEAI-funded C-Weed project (2023–2026), exploring seaweed-derived carbon dots for energy applications like LEDs and photovoltaics. This work addresses sustainable materials design and renewable energy needs. Awards: No specific awards listed, but active in professional societies including the American Chemical Society. Grants/Labs: Recipient of SEAI funding for C-Weed project. Collaborates with international teams on nanomaterials projects, particularly in energy and environmental applications.