Dr. Corey T. Callaghan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida . Based at the Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center , his research focuses on global change ecology using big data from citizen science platforms like eBird and iNaturalist, combined with geospatial analyses and macroecological theory . Ph.D. (2019) from UNSW Sydney M.S. (2015) from Florida Atlantic University B.S. + B.S. (2013) from Canisius College His work examines urban ecology , including how species traits influence urban tolerance across birds, amphibians, and butterflies. He develops adaptive sampling frameworks to optimize citizen science data collection while addressing biases. Current projects analyze human-nature interactions through citizen science participation, secondary data in photographs, and machine learning for biodiversity monitoring. He actively contributes to conservation strategies for urban biodiversity and data-driven restoration efforts . Recent publications highlight his expertise in cross-taxa comparisons , continental-scale analyses , and ecosystem service quantification . He leads the Global Ecology Research Group at the University of Florida, emphasizing collaborative science and open-source methodologies .
Peter A. Raymond is the Oastler Professor of Biogeochemistry at Yale University's School of the Environment and Department of Geology and Geophysics. He serves as Senior Associate Dean of Research & Director of Doctoral Studies and is Co-Director of the Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture. Raymond leads the Raymond Biogeochemistry Lab, which investigates the biogeochemistry of inland waters, enhanced weathering, methane cycling, and blue carbon systems through cutting-edge field, laboratory, and modeling approaches. Education B.S., Marist College Ph.D., College of William and Mary/Virginia Institute of Marine Science Research Focus Raymond's research fundamentally reshapes our understanding of carbon cycling in aquatic systems, demonstrating that rivers serve as dynamic conduits rather than passive pipes in the global carbon cycle. His work examines how biology and watershed variables alter carbon chemistry in streams, rivers, and estuaries, with particular emphasis on understanding global carbon cycles in relation to climate change. Raymond employs radiocarbon measurements to explore the age and turnover of carbon in aquatic ecosystems, revealing that rivers are variable sources of both old and young terrestrial dissolved organic carbon to oceans. The Raymond Lab is particularly known for developing the Pulse-Shunt Concept, which challenges traditional views of riverine biogeochemistry by emphasizing the episodic and dynamic nature of elemental fluxes. Current research directions include enhanced weathering and alkalinity studies for carbon removal, global greenhouse gas budgets through projects like RECCAP 2, natural methane cycling in aquatic systems, and blue carbon ecosystems such as mangroves and salt marshes. Publication Trends Raymond's recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate a strong focus on global carbon and methane cycling, with particular attention to inland water systems' role in the Earth's climate system. His work increasingly integrates large-scale datasets with field measurements to understand how climate change and human activities affect greenhouse gas emissions from rivers and streams. A significant portion of his recent work contributes to international efforts like the Global Carbon Project, aiming to refine estimates of global carbon and methane fluxes. His research also shows growing emphasis on carbon removal strategies, particularly enhanced rock weathering through the Earthshot-funded GOAL-A project, and their potential for climate mitigation. Scientific Recognition Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science Member of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering Coastal and Estuarine Research Federations Cronin Award for Young Scientists ISI highly cited author Past Editor and Chief of the American Geophysical Union's journal Global Biogeochemical Cycles Mentorship and Funding Professor Raymond currently mentors four doctoral students (Jon Gewirtzman, Shou-En "Samuel" Tsao, Benjamin Saalidong, and Mingyu Zhang) and masters student Bella Garrioch. His research is supported by multiple grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF), including CAREER awards, and participation in the Earthshot-funded GOAL-A (Global Ocean And Land Alkalinization) project. Raymond has also been involved in significant collaborative projects with USGS data to research how climate and land use change alter carbon export from US watersheds, and with Lamont Doherty to develop methods for measuring air-sea gas exchange of CO2 in rivers and estuaries. Research Infrastructure The Raymond Biogeochemistry Lab at Yale is a dynamic research group comprising research scientists, postdocs, doctoral and masters students, and postgraduate researchers. The lab recently acquired a Mini Carbon Dating System (MICADAS) at Yale, significantly expanding their research capabilities in ecosystem carbon turnover and verification of natural climate solutions. The lab collaborates globally on projects in the Arctic, Hudson River, and middle Atlantic Bight, and is actively involved in the NASA Carbon Monitoring System BlueFlux field campaign to assess carbon exchange in coastal wetlands.
Craig Davis is a Professor and holds the Bollenbach Chair in Wildlife Management at Oklahoma State University's Department of Natural Resource Ecology & Management. He has been a faculty member since 2001, advancing from Assistant Professor (2001-2007) to Associate Professor (2007-2012), and has served as Bollenbach Chair since 2014. Davis earned his PhD in Wildlife Science from Texas Tech University (1996), an MS from Iowa State University (1991), and a BS from Ohio State University (1988). He is also a Certified Wildlife Biologist through The Wildlife Society. His research focuses on avian ecology, wetland restoration, and gamebird management, with specific interests in fire-grazing interactions, invertebrate communities, and climate change impacts on ecosystems. Key areas include grassland bird survival, wetland classification systems, and the effects of anthropogenic development on wildlife habitats. Davis actively collaborates with conservation organizations and agencies, addressing challenges like invasive species management and water infrastructure resilience. Teaching responsibilities include undergraduate courses on Wildlife Management Techniques and Wetland Ecology, as well as graduate courses like Advanced Wetland Ecology. His grants emphasize wetland restoration outreach, climate adaptation strategies, and studies on northern bobwhite and wild turkey populations. Notable projects include evaluating cellular transmission technology in wildlife monitoring and assessing the impact of extreme weather on gamebird survival. Grants (Selected): Expansion of potential wetland restoration opportunities in Oklahoma (2024-2027) Linking Research and Stakeholder Engagement for Wetland Conservation (2024-2026) Effects of Extreme Weather and Hunting on Northern Bobwhite (2023-2025) Research Themes: Aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals 15 (Life on Land), 13 (Climate Action), 6 (Clean Water), 11 (Sustainable Cities), 14 (Life Below Water), and 9 (Industry/Infrastructure).
Gavin McNicol is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). His research focuses on soil biogeochemistry and its connection to Earth’s climate system, particularly methane emissions from wetlands, temperate rainforests, and waste systems. He employs field measurements, laboratory experiments, and data science to study greenhouse gas dynamics across scales. McNicol teaches courses on data science (EAES 420) and climate-ecosystem interactions (EAES 579). His work integrates machine learning with satellite remote sensing to monitor global wetland methane emissions. Key collaborations include FLUXNET-CH4, CRMRCN, and the SOIL NGO in Haiti. McNicol holds a BS from the University of Stirling (2010) and a PhD from UC Berkeley (2016). Research interests span wetland methane budgets, carbon cycling in coastal ecosystems, and climate impacts of sanitation systems. He has secured grants from NASA, DOE, and NSF, totaling over $87,000. His team, the McNicol Lab, emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches combining fieldwork, lab analysis, and computational modeling. Recent publications (2023–2025) address global methane upscaling, tropical wetland monitoring gaps, and boreal-Arctic methane feedbacks. McNicol’s work bridges local measurements to global climate models, with applications in climate change mitigation and sustainable development.
Jacob Bukoski is Assistant Professor and Director of the Forests and Climate Change graduate certificate at Oregon State University's College of Forestry. His research examines forest carbon dynamics, climate mitigation, and international forestry. Education includes: PhD in Environmental Science from UC Berkeley MS in Environmental Science from Yale University BA in Environmental Studies from UNC Chapel Hill Research focuses on carbon accumulation in forests, mangrove conservation, and climate policy integration. Teaches interdisciplinary courses on social-ecological systems and forest carbon analysis. Recent publications quantify carbon storage in global plantations and mangrove ecosystems. Current projects investigate albedo impacts on reforestation protocols and coastal conservation synergies. Directs graduate studies in Forests and Climate Change.
Dr. Frank Heitmuller is an Associate Professor at the University of Southern Mississippi, affiliated with the Department of Geology and Geography within the College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on fluvial and coastal geomorphology, sedimentology, and hydrology, particularly along the northern Gulf Coast. He collaborates across disciplines to address ecosystem dynamics and land-use policies. He holds a PhD (2009), MA (2002), and BS (1998) from the University of Texas at Austin and Florida State University, respectively. His teaching includes courses like Physical Geology, Geomorphology, and Hydrology. Research interests include river dynamics, sediment transport, coastal ecosystems, and the interplay between abiotic factors and environmental policies. His work emphasizes fluvial systems in Texas and Louisiana, with studies on flood impacts, channel adjustments, and sedimentologic processes. Publications span topics such as flood sedimentation, lithologic controls on river channels, and policy-related sediment transport modeling. He is affiliated with organizations like the Geological Society of America and Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists. Languages: English (native), Spanish (limited working). His expertise includes environmental science and soils.
Matthew D. Potts is the S.J. Hall Chair in Forest Economics and Professor at UC Berkeley's Department of Environmental Science, Policy, & Management. He also serves as Associate Director for Sustainable Development at the Blum Center for Developing Economies. With interdisciplinary training in mathematics, ecology, and economics, his research focuses on nature-based climate solutions and ecosystem service co-production. Research addresses carbon sequestration through forest management, biodiversity conservation, land use planning, and sustainable development in tropical ecosystems. Recent work examines cost-effectiveness of reforestation, climate-driven migration patterns, and plantation carbon modeling. Publications demonstrate strong focus on quantitative analysis of land-use impacts, with methodological innovations in remote sensing applications and spatial modeling for carbon accounting. Awards include recognition for young faculty research and leadership in international environmental assessments. Leads the Potts Research Group, mentoring graduate students working on tropical ecology, restoration, and climate adaptation projects.
Holly Michael is a Professor and Unidel Fraser Russell Career Development Chair for the Environment at the University of Delaware, serving as Director of the Delaware Environmental Institute. She holds a BS from the University of Notre Dame (BS, 1990s) and a PhD from MIT (2000s). Her research focuses on coastal hydrogeology, saltwater intrusion, groundwater sustainability, and climate change impacts on water resources. Current projects include investigating coastal critical zones, groundwater salinization dynamics, and arsenic-safe groundwater management in Bangladesh. Dr. Michael’s work integrates field studies, modeling, and experimental economics to address water resource challenges. She leads initiatives on subterranean estuaries, tidal wetland biogeochemistry, and the interplay between groundwater and surface water systems. Her research spans disciplines such as contaminant hydrology, geostatistics, and environmental policy, with emphasis on coastal regions. Notable projects include assessing the impacts of storm surges on coastal forests and modeling groundwater responses to sea-level rise. Dr. Michael collaborates internationally on issues like sustainable groundwater use and climate adaptation strategies. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges hydrology, ecology, and socio-economic frameworks to solve complex environmental problems.
Dr. Samuel Cheng is an Associate Professor at the Gallogly College of Engineering , University of Oklahoma , specializing in Electrical and Computer Engineering . He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University (2004), preceded by M.S. and M.Phil. degrees from the University of Hawaii and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Education: B.S. (University of Hong Kong, 1995), M.Phil. (HKUST, 1997), M.S. (University of Hawaii, 2000), Ph.D. (Texas A&M, 2004) Professional Experience: Senior Research Engineer at Advanced Digital Imaging Research (2004-2005), prior internships at Microsoft Asia and Panasonic Technologies His research focuses on Information Theory , Signal and Image Processing , and Pattern Recognition , with applications in remote sensing, urbanization analysis, and disaster monitoring. His publications span topics including urban impervious surface mapping , nighttime light analysis , and machine learning for environmental data . His work often integrates multi-source datasets (e.g., Landsat, LiDAR, social media) for spatiotemporal modeling. Technical Expertise: Spectral unmixing, machine learning, thermal remote sensing, GIS integration Key Applications: Power outage detection, vegetation-crime correlation, PM2.5 estimation, smart meter data fusion Dr. Cheng holds three US patents in digital watermarking and is affiliated with IEEE, Sigma Xi, and AAAS. His recent articles demonstrate a trend toward leveraging AI for remote sensing challenges and analyzing urbanization impacts on ecosystems.
Min Chen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, affiliated with the Russell Labs. His research focuses on terrestrial ecosystem modeling, remote sensing applications, and human-Earth system interactions. He holds a PhD in Earth & Atmospheric Sciences from Purdue University, an MS in Remote Sensing and GIS from Beijing Normal University, and a BS in Computer Science from Beijing Normal University. His postdoctoral work included roles at the Carnegie Institution for Science and Harvard University. Research interests include forest carbon dynamics, methane emissions from wetlands, wildfire risk analysis, and the integration of remote sensing with Earth system models. His work emphasizes advancing methods for global-scale environmental monitoring using satellite and drone technologies. Notable contributions include studies on forest edge dynamics, vegetation-climate feedbacks, and the application of machine learning in ecological modeling. Recent publications highlight advancements in leaf trait prediction using transfer learning, global wetland methane flux modeling, and the impacts of climate change on land-use patterns. His lab develops innovative approaches to track terrestrial carbon cycles and assess human-driven environmental changes. Ongoing projects explore urban land expansion effects on carbon balances and phenological shifts under global change scenarios.
Bryan Watts is the Director of the Center for Conservation Biology and holds the Mitchell A. Byrd Research Professorship in Conservation Biology at William & Mary. He has a B.S. in Biology from Virginia Tech, an M.A. in Biology from William & Mary, and a Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Georgia. His research focuses on avian conservation, wetland ecosystems, and the impacts of environmental changes on bird populations, particularly in coastal regions. He leads long-term monitoring programs for species like ospreys, red knots, and black rails, emphasizing habitat conservation and population dynamics. His work integrates citizen science, toxicology assessments, and climate adaptation strategies for vulnerable species. Watts collaborates with federal agencies and NGOs to inform policy decisions and habitat management. His projects include the Virginia Marshbird Survey, Whimbrel migration tracking, and assessments of contaminants in apex predators like peregrine falcons and bald eagles. Key areas of focus include the demographic responses of birds to fluctuating fish stocks, the effects of human activity on nocturnal roosting behaviors, and the development of conservation strategies for coastal wetlands under climate change. His research outputs span over three decades, addressing both applied and theoretical questions in conservation biology. Watts also advises on wildlife management policies, such as landfill use by bald eagles and wind energy siting to minimize bird collisions.
Steven Loheide is a Professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His work bridges hydrogeology, ecohydrology, and environmental engineering with a focus on groundwater-dependent ecosystems. PhD (2006), Stanford University MS (2001), Indiana University BS (1999), University of Northern Iowa Loheide's research examines hydroecology , vegetative water use , and stream-aquifer interactions , particularly in the context of climate change , urban greening , and managed aquifer recharge . His recent publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches combining remote sensing , hydrologic modeling , and ecosystem services analysis . Key trends in his 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) span: groundwater-forest interactions during drought, urban ecohydrology impacts on energy balance, MAR design for multi-benefit ecosystems, and tree sway monitoring as ecohydrologic stress indicators. 2022 - Distinguished Professorship of Water Resources Engineering 2021 - Harvey Spangler Award for Innovative Teaching 2018 - Vilas Faculty Mid-Career Investigator Award 2014 - Fulbright Scholar (Argentina) 2010 - NSF CAREER Award Loheide teaches courses in groundwater hydraulics , ecohydrology , and hydroscience , advising graduate students through master's research , pre-dissertation , and thesis projects.
Paola Passalacqua is a Professor of Environmental and Water Resources Engineering and Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin, holding the L.B. (Preach) Meaders Professorship in Engineering. She leads research at the intersection of water resources engineering, geomorphology, and hydrology, focusing on river networks, coastal restoration, and remote sensing applications. Her work addresses delta dynamics, floodplain connectivity, and community resilience to compound hazards. Dr. Passalacqua earned a PhD in Civil Engineering (2009) and MS in Water Resources from the University of Minnesota, and dual MS/BS in Environmental Engineering from the University of Genoa (2002). Her technical expertise includes hydrological connectivity, network theory, and morphodynamic modeling using LiDAR and satellite data. Research interests emphasize river delta structure/dynamics, floodplain sedimentation, and translating science into community adaptation strategies. She co-developed tools like GeoFlood for large-scale flood mapping and the pyDeltaRCM numerical delta model. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates socio-technical vulnerability analysis with environmental systems. Awards include the endowed Meaders Professorship. Current projects involve coastal Alaska infrastructure resilience, SWOT satellite data applications, and delta sustainability in the Anthropocene. She leads the Passalacqua Research Group, engaging in citizen science through initiatives like UTBiome.
Dr. Michael Philben is an Associate Professor of Chemistry and Geological and Environmental Science at Hope College, where he joined in 2019 after postdoctoral positions at Memorial University (Canada) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. His research focuses on climate-carbon cycle feedbacks in vulnerable ecosystems, particularly peatlands and Arctic tundra. His educational background includes a Ph.D. in Marine Science from the University of South Carolina (2014) and a B.A. in Earth and Planetary Science from Northwestern University (2010). At Hope College, he teaches Environmental Science courses and contributes to the Day1: Watershed program. Philben's research centers on carbon and nitrogen cycling in ecosystems containing vast organic carbon stocks. He leads an NSF CAREER-funded project investigating Michigan peat bogs as natural laboratories for climate change impacts, using a north-south transect from Portage to Newberry as a 'space-for-time' experiment. His work examines methane emissions, nitrogen availability, and net carbon balance under warming conditions, with particular attention to Sphagnum-dominated peatlands at the southern edge of their climate range. His 15 most recent publications (2020-2024) reveal a strong focus on peatland biogeochemistry, with increasing emphasis on methane dynamics, nitrogen cycling, and the role of specific biochemical compounds like sphagnan. The research combines field measurements across climate gradients with laboratory experiments, often involving Hope College students in all project phases. NSF CAREER Award for peatland climate research Philben actively mentors undergraduate researchers through the Philben Research Group, which investigates how warming impacts carbon cycling in peatlands. His projects involve interdisciplinary work spanning analytical chemistry, geology, and ecology. The group maintains a network of seven Michigan peat bog field sites and collaborates on international research, including Arctic studies in Alaska and Canada. His laboratory focuses on using analytical chemistry tools to predict climate-carbon cycle feedbacks, with particular attention to southern Michigan peatlands as sentinels for larger northern peatland complexes. The research group employs techniques including greenhouse gas flux measurements, radiometric dating of peat cores, and analysis of organic matter composition.
Peng Gao is a Professor in the Department of Geography and the Environment at Syracuse University, affiliated with the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. His work bridges river geomorphology and urban geospatial analysis, leveraging GIS, remote sensing, and UAV technologies to address environmental and social challenges. Education: Ph.D., Physical Geography, State University of New York at Buffalo (2003) M.S., Physical Geography, Lanzhou University (1993) B.S., Solid Mechanics, Lanzhou University (1990) Professor Gao specializes in river morphodynamics—particularly in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau—and geospatial applications for urban planning. His research examines braided/meandering river systems, peatland hydrology, and how urban built environments influence social inequities and public health outcomes through spatial analysis. His 2020-2024 publications reveal a dual focus: (1) fluvial processes in high-altitude regions (e.g., neck cutoff dynamics, braided river discharge estimation using Landsat), and (2) urban applications (e.g., green building design, lead poisoning exposure mapping). This reflects a strategic integration of field geomorphology with computational geospatial modeling. Professor Gao actively mentors through SOURCE undergraduate research grants and PhD committees. Current funded projects include peatland mapping in the Andean Altiplano, I-81 Viaduct impact analysis in Syracuse, and studies on urban built environments affecting childhood lead poisoning. His work utilizes UAVs for BVLOS operations and collaborates with Syracuse CoE on urban environmental simulations, emphasizing technical innovation in geospatial data acquisition and analysis.
