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Torbjørn HaugaasenView profile

Professor

• Tropical Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Biodiversity
• +7 more

Torbjørn Haugaasen is a Professor at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management. He leads the Tropical Rainforest Ecology Lab and has over 25 years of research experience in tropical regions, particularly the Amazon, Africa, and Asia. His research focuses on tropical ecology and conservation, including plant-animal interactions, animal movements, floodplain forest dynamics, impacts of land-use change on biodiversity, and sustainable management of non-timber forest resources. He holds a PhD from the University of East Anglia (2004) and previously held a postdoctoral position at the National Institute for Amazonian Research (INPA) and UEA. Haugaasen teaches key courses such as ECOL330 (Tropical Rainforest Ecology and Conservation), NATF300 (Conservation Biology), and NATF320 (Tropical Ecology and Natural Resource Management). His recent publications reveal a strong trend in analyzing biodiversity responses to agricultural land-use strategies (land-sparing vs. land-sharing), deforestation, logging, and climate change, often using large-scale datasets and advanced modeling techniques. His work spans disciplines including ornithology, mammalogy, entomology, and plant ecology. Scientific Awards: No specific awards mentioned in the text. Advising and Grants: Details on specific students or grants are not provided, but he leads an active research lab and collaborates extensively with international researchers. His research is likely supported by grants related to tropical ecology and conservation, given the scale and scope of his field studies. Labs and Teams: He leads the Tropical Rainforest Ecology Lab , accessible at https://tropicalecology.wixsite.com/trecol , and collaborates with researchers globally, particularly in Brazil and the UK.

Andrew MahonView profile

Professor

• Molecular Ecology
• Environmental DNA (eDNA)
• Invasive Species Detection
• +7 more

Andrew Mahon is a Professor in the Department of Biology at Central Michigan University, where he leads the Mahon Laboratory. His research focuses on molecular ecology, environmental DNA (eDNA) applications, and biodiversity in aquatic and marine environments, particularly in the Antarctic. He is actively involved in large-scale collaborative projects, including an NSF-sponsored Antarctic research cruise. Ph.D., Ecological Sciences, Old Dominion University, 2007 M.S., Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2000 M.S., Biology, Truman State University, 1999 B.S., Chemistry, Truman State University, 1997 Dr. Mahon's research centers on using molecular genetic and genomic tools to study biodiversity, evolution, and phylogeography in marine systems. He is a pioneer in applying eDNA for surveillance of invasive species and rare aquatic organisms. His lab emphasizes both molecular and organismal approaches, with ongoing projects in Antarctic phylogeography, sea spider evolution, and functional genomics. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend in environmental DNA applications for detecting fish, invasive species, and microbial communities across diverse aquatic systems. He frequently collaborates with institutions like the University of Alabama and Auburn University, and his work appears in top journals such as Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution , Molecular Ecology , and Conservation Biology . Co-author, Marine Genomics: Methods and Protocols (Springer, 2016) Dr. Mahon has advised numerous graduate and undergraduate students, many of whom are co-authors on his publications. He has secured funding for research projects, including those involving NSF-sponsored fieldwork in Antarctica. His lab is currently recruiting students for Ph.D., MS, and undergraduate opportunities. The Mahon Laboratory is an active research group focused on molecular ecology and biodiversity, with ongoing work in Antarctic ecosystems, invasive species detection, and marine genomics. The lab participates in international collaborations and maintains a public presence via Twitter (@CMU_Antarctica) and a project website (icyinverts.com).

• Marine Plankton Ecology
• Jellyfish Blooms
• Environmental DNA (eDNA) Metabarcoding
• +3 more

Dr. Tjaša Kogovšek is a Researcher at the Laboratory for Evolutionary Ecology (LEE) within the Center for Marine Research at the Ruđer Bošković Institute in Zagreb, Croatia. Her work focuses on marine plankton ecology, with a particular emphasis on jellyfish blooms, environmental DNA (eDNA) applications, and the impacts of climate change on coastal ecosystems. Her research integrates genomic tools—such as metabarcoding and transcriptomics—with traditional ecological methods to study phytoplankton, zooplankton, and microbial communities. Key projects include analyzing long-term data on phytoplankton seasonal patterns, evaluating sampling methodologies for phytoplankton monitoring, and investigating harmful algal blooms (HABs) in the Adriatic Sea. Dr. Kogovšek has contributed to establishing regional reference databases for diatom transcriptomes and eukaryotic plankton diversity inventories. Her studies highlight the ecological roles of jellyfish in modulating microbial dynamics and nutrient cycles, alongside their responses to environmental stressors. She has also explored the biotechnological potential of jellyfish-associated microbiomes and the historical distribution of scyphomedusae in the Adriatic. Her work frequently addresses anthropogenic impacts, including sea warming and anthropogenic nutrient inputs, in shaping plankton communities. Notable contributions include interdisciplinary collaborations on citizen science initiatives for jellyfish monitoring, methodological advancements in eDNA-based plankton surveillance, and ecological comparisons between the Adriatic Sea and other regions like the Inland Sea of Japan. Her research underscores the Adriatic’s unique biodiversity and vulnerability to global change.

Daniela Marić PfannkuchenView profile

Researcher

• Marine Biology
• Phytoplankton Ecology
• Taxonomy
• +3 more

Daniela Marić Pfannkuchen is a Senior Research Associate at the Ruđer Bošković Institute's Laboratory for Evolutionary Ecology within the Center for Marine Research. Her research focuses on phytoplankton ecology and taxonomy, particularly in the northern Adriatic Sea. She holds a PhD in Oceanology from the University of Zagreb and a Biology diploma from the University of Trieste. Her work integrates traditional ecological methods with molecular techniques like environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to assess phytoplankton biodiversity and ecosystem health. Key areas include understanding phytoplankton responses to environmental changes, harmful algal blooms, and the impacts of climate change on marine productivity. Recent studies highlight her contributions to long-term phytoplankton monitoring, revealing disruptions in seasonal patterns due to environmental pressures. She leads projects on genomic resources for Adriatic diatoms and collaborates on coastal observatory initiatives. Her findings emphasize the need for advanced monitoring tools to assess dynamic marine ecosystems. Dr. Marić Pfannkuchen actively participates in international conferences, advancing methodologies for eDNA applications and omics-based approaches in marine research. Her team’s work bridges molecular biology with ecological insights, contributing to both fundamental science and practical environmental management strategies.

Mirta Smodlaka TankovićView profile

Assistant Professor

• Marine litter
• Microplastic
• Molecular biology
• +3 more

Mirta Smodlaka Tanković is an Assistant Professor and Head of Division at the Center for Marine Research (Ruđer Bošković Institute, Rovinj, Croatia). She works in the Laboratory for Evolutionary Ecology , focusing on marine environmental issues. PhD in Marine Science (University of Zagreb, 2015) B.Sc. in Biology (Molecular Biology, University of Zagreb, 2008) Her research spans microplastic pollution , marine diatom physiology , and ecotoxicology . She studies primary colonization of plastics, nutrient limitations in diatoms, and marine eDNA metabarcoding. Her work often integrates phytoplankton monitoring and biomarker analysis . Recent publications highlight her contributions to Adriatic biodiversity , plastic pollution , and diatom transcriptomics . She collaborates on metabarcoding projects and marine biomonitoring using Mytilus galloprovincialis . Notable articles include studies on "Plastic biome" colonization and diatom responses to nutrient stress. As a mentor, she supervises students in Marine Science at Jurja Dobrila University of Pula and other institutions. Her laboratory maintains a marine phytoplankton cell culture collection for Adriatic Sea research.

• Marine Biodiversity
• Algal Pathology
• Bioinorganic Chemistry
• +4 more

Frithjof C. Kuepper holds the **MASTS Chair in Marine Biodiversity** at the University of Aberdeen's **School of Biological Sciences**, based at Oceanlab. Previously, he served as a Reader (2009–2011) and Lecturer (2003–2009) at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), where he also led the Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa (CCAP). His research focuses on marine algal biochemistry, chemical ecology, and biodiversity, particularly in polar and Mediterranean ecosystems. **Education**: Joint French-German PhD (1998–2001) from Universität Konstanz and Station Biologique de Roscoff, followed by postdoctoral research at UC Santa Barbara with Alison Butler. **Research Interests**: Algal pathologies, trace metal dynamics (e.g., siderophores), halogen biochemistry (iodine/bromine roles), and X-ray absorption spectroscopy applications. Key contributions include discovering iodide's antioxidant role in kelp and elucidating photolytic siderophore mechanisms. **Grants & Funding**: Extensive NERC grants (e.g., NE/D521522/1) and Marie Curie Fellowships (2 doctoral, 1 postdoctoral). Active collaborations with institutions like San Diego State University, University of Athens, and University of Delaware. **Awards**: Recognized in DISCOVER Magazine's '100 Science Stories of 2008' for iodide antioxidant work. Marie Curie Fellowship awardee (European Commission). **Fieldwork**: Conducted expeditions to Arctic, Antarctic, Chile, Falkland Islands, and Cyprus. Certified scientific diver (AAUS, HSE, European Research Diver). **Editorial Roles**: Board member of Marine Biotechnology , Peer Review College (NERC), and member of British/Greek Phycological Societies.

• Environmental DNA (eDNA) Metabarcoding
• Molecular Ecology
• Wildlife Genetics
• +5 more

Allan McDevitt is a Lecturer at Atlantic Technological University in the Natural Resources and Environment department. His research focuses on Environmental DNA (eDNA) Metabarcoding , Molecular Ecology , and Wildlife Genetics , with applications in Biodiversity Monitoring and Conservation Biology . Current affiliation: Atlantic Technological University (2022–present) Previous affiliation: University of Salford (School of Environment & Life Studies) Research themes include: Developing and validating eDNA methods for aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity assessment Tracking invasive species dynamics using genetic tools Combining metabarcoding with traditional surveys for conservation Investigating host-microbiome interactions in endangered mammals Monitoring wildlife trade through molecular barcoding Recent publications analyze: Applications of eDNA in estuarine, coral reef, and forest ecosystems Shark and ray trade in Southeast Asia Microbiome studies of critically endangered primates Comparative effectiveness of wildlife survey methods Allan collaborates with researchers across Europe and Brazil on projects related to neotropical mammals , marine conservation , and invasive species management . His work frequently appears in journals like Mammal Review , Environmental DNA , and iScience .

• Bioinformatics
• Genome Analysis
• Next-generation Sequencing
• +7 more

Viacheslav Fofanov is an Associate Professor and Director at the Pathogen & Microbiome Institute (PMI) within the School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems at Northern Arizona University. His interdisciplinary work bridges computational biology, genomics, and infectious disease research. Affiliation: Northern Arizona University School: School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems Institute: Pathogen & Microbiome Institute (PMI) Role: Director and Associate Professor Dr. Fofanov's research focuses on bioinformatics, genome analysis, and next-generation sequencing technologies. His work spans microbial genomics, protein function prediction, and environmental DNA applications such as dietary metabarcoding in wildlife. He develops computational tools for high-resolution pathogen detection and transmission tracking. The recent publications indicate a strong trend in applying genomic sequencing to public health and ecological challenges. His team uses targeted amplicon screening and multiplex assays to achieve strain-level resolution of pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli . Other studies explore zoonotic transmission dynamics and historical impacts of megafauna extinction on disease spread. These works reflect a blend of computational innovation and biological insight. Dr. Fofanov leads the FofanovLab, which has released bioinformatics software such as mtsv_tools for sequence analysis. His datasets are publicly archived on Zenodo and DRYAD, supporting open science. Collaborations span institutions and disciplines, including ecology, epidemiology, and computational biology. He has contributed to significant research outputs, including tools and datasets that have been referenced in media and academic platforms. While no formal awards are listed, his work has been cited in Scopus and picked up by numerous news outlets and social media platforms, indicating broad scientific and public impact.

• Fish ecology
• Restoration ecology
• Acipenseriformes
• +4 more

Dr. Thomas Friedrich is a leading researcher at the Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna. His work focuses on fish ecology, sturgeon conservation, and aquatic ecosystem restoration in the Danube River Basin and beyond. Education: Dipl.-Ing. (M.Sc.) in Biotechnology, Dr. rer. nat. (PhD) in Fish Ecology His research spans sturgeon population genetics, habitat monitoring, and innovative conservation strategies like ex situ breeding and reintroduction. Recent projects include the LIFE-Boat4Sturgeon initiative, aiming to rescue critically endangered Danube sturgeons by 2030. Thomas Friedrich has published extensively on sturgeon biology, aquatic biodiversity loss, and habitat restoration. His work integrates field studies, genetic analysis, and policy engagement to address threats like hydropower, pollution, and poaching. Scientific Awards: Reinhard Liepolt Preis für Donauforschung (2023) Neptun Staatspreis für Wasser (2023) Danubius Young Scientist Award (2017) Wissenschaftlicher Förderpreis der Wiener Umweltschutzabteilung (2012) He leads multidisciplinary teams and collaborates with institutions like WWF Caucasus and SCUTE Consortium. His outreach efforts include media campaigns to raise public awareness about freshwater biodiversity crises in Austria.

Sharon AppleyardView profile

Academic

• Fisheries Genetics
• Molecular Population Genetics
• Population Genomics
• +11 more

Dr. Sharon Appleyard is a Senior Research Scientist and Director of the Australian National Fish Collection (ANFC) at CSIRO National Collections and Marine Infrastructure in Hobart, Australia. She leads integrated taxonomic and genomic research on Australian marine fishes and oversees a major national biodiversity resource. Her work bridges molecular genetics, conservation, and aquaculture, with a focus on population structure, species identification, and environmental DNA applications. Her research interests center on fisheries genetics , molecular population genomics , and marine biodiversity . She applies cutting-edge techniques such as DNA barcoding, SNP analysis, and high-throughput metabarcoding to assess population connectivity, support stock assessments, and identify species—including rare and endangered ones like the spotted handfish. Her expertise extends to degraded DNA from museum and ethanol-preserved specimens, advancing the use of historical collections in modern genomics. Her recent publications reflect a strong trend in generating and curating genomic reference libraries for marine fishes, particularly through the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD). These works emphasize data transparency, reproducibility, and the integration of genetic and morphological data for accurate species identification across life stages. Invited Member, Commonwealth National Handfish Recovery Team (NHRT), Captive Breeding Subcommittee (2024–ongoing) Invited Member, Ocean Biomolecular Observing Network (OBON) Steering Committee for Biomolecular Tools for Fisheries and Aquaculture (2024–ongoing) Dr. Appleyard has been principal or co-investigator on strategic and externally funded projects totaling over $4 million. She leads the CSIRO National Biodiversity DNA Library Marine Vertebrate Campaign and manages over 35 reference sequence projects in BOLD. She does not hold formal university faculty appointments but plays a central role in national research infrastructure and collaborative science. She leads the Australian National Fish Collection, a key node in Australia’s biodiversity research network, and works closely with the CSIRO National Biodiversity DNA Library. Her team supports fisheries management, conservation policy, and taxonomic research through specimen-validated genomic resources.

• Biodiversity
• Forest Ecology
• Mycobiome
• +3 more

Ivo Laros is a Researcher at the Animal Ecology department of Wageningen University & Research . His work focuses on microbial communities in forest ecosystems, particularly examining the interplay between tree vitality , eDNA sampling , and canopy biodiversity . Research Output: 46 publications and datasets Collaborations: Active in European temperate forest studies Key Research Areas Canopy and soil microbial ecology Environmental DNA (eDNA) for biodiversity assessment Pathogenic and symbiotic protist-fungi interactions Deadwood and bark beetle dynamics Dataset Contributions include high-throughput metabarcoding studies of soil protists and canopy bacterial communities. His technical expertise spans DNA sequencing and ecological monitoring systems.

Luca FumagalliView profile

Associate Professor

• Conservation Genetics
• Molecular Ecology
• Population Genetics
• +4 more

Luca Fumagalli is an Associate Professor at the University of Lausanne since 2023, leading the Conservation Genetics Section within the Department of Ecology and Evolution under the Faculty of Biology and Medicine . With a career spanning over two decades at the University of Lausanne, he has held roles such as Maître d'enseignement et de recherche (2005–2022), Privat-docent (2002–2022), and Maître-assistant (2000–2022). Research Interests: His work focuses on conservation genetics , molecular ecology , and environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding , addressing critical issues like hybridization between species , genetic diversity loss , and non-invasive wildlife monitoring . Notable contributions include studies on wolf-dog hybrids , avian malaria vectors , and genetic profiling of large carnivores via snow tracks . Article Trends: Recent publications emphasize eDNA applications for amphibian habitat use , primate dietary variation , and herbivore niche overlap . His group explores hybridization dynamics , MHC diversity in birds , and robotics in biodiversity monitoring . Education and Collaborations: He earned his PhD in Zoology and Ecology from the University of Lausanne (1984–1995) and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Queensland (1996–1997). Collaborations include projects with the Institute of Human Forensic (since 2003) and institutions in Australia, China, and Ghana. Students and Grants: Supervised PhD candidates like Judith Schneider and Eduard Mas-Carrió , and Master’s students such as Loïc Brun and Carlo Ossola . His research is funded by ERC and SNSF Starting Grants , with a focus on conservation policy and genetic forensics . Labs and Teams: Leads the Laboratory for Conservation Biology (LCB) , integrating multidisciplinary approaches for threatened species management . The group collaborates with governmental agencies , NGOs , and forensic institutions to apply genetic tools in species reintroduction , hybrid detection , and ecosystem surveillance .

• Molecular Ecology
• Arthropod Communities
• Island Biogeography
• +3 more

Natalie Graham is an Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, specializing in molecular ecology. She founded the ʻElala Biodiversity Lab and serves as an affiliate researcher at Rausser College of Natural Resources, UC Berkeley. Her work focuses on terrestrial arthropod communities in the Hawaiian archipelago, examining how human impacts alter species interactions and ecological tipping points. M.Sc. in Biology from Sonoma State University (2014) Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management from UC Berkeley (2021) Graham’s research employs age-structured Hawaiian terrains to study biodiversity accumulation over 44 years to 5.5 million years. She uses DNA metabarcoding and environmental DNA (eDNA) tools to analyze species interactions, particularly in plant-arthropod systems. Current projects include NSF-funded Dimensions in Biodiversity research, HI INBRE biomedical studies on introduced arthropods, and a SEED Money Grant project tracking ecosystem shifts due to Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death disease. Her publications include the 2023 Molecular Ecology paper on ecological network structure. She is building a Hawaiian arthropod DNA barcode library and developing rapid sequencing pipelines for pest identification via Oxford Nanopore technology. Graham also mentors students through lab tours and INBRE internships.

• Molecular Ecology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Phylogeography
• +6 more

Dr. Barbara Morrissey is a Researcher at the Institute for Biodiversity and Freshwater Conservation, part of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) in Inverness. She works in the BioMAG lab where she applies molecular genetic techniques to freshwater biodiversity conservation and management. Her educational background includes a PhD in Epidemiology of Paenibacillus larvae from the University of York (2015), an MRes in Ecology and Environmental Management from the University of York (2011), and a BSc in Evolutionary Biology from the University of Edinburgh (2007). Dr. Morrissey's research focuses on molecular ecology and evolutionary biology, with expertise in environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, metabarcoding, phylogeography, and phylogenetics. Her current work on the AMBER Project involves developing eDNA and metabarcoding tools to assess freshwater vertebrate biodiversity in European rivers. Her recent publications demonstrate strong activity in environmental DNA methodologies, freshwater ecosystem monitoring, and microbial community analysis, with multiple publications in 2023-2025 showing her active research program. Dr. Morrissey has developed expertise in applying molecular genetic tools to solve conservation problems, with research spanning from honey bee diseases to freshwater ecosystem management.

Giuliana PanieriView profile

Professor

• Micropaleontology
• Geochemistry
• Extreme Environments
• +5 more

Giuliana Panieri serves as Professor in Geology at UiT The Arctic University of Norway's Department of Geosciences. She is a member of CAGE's WP5 Methane Seep History, Adjunct Scientist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and serves on CHESS's steering board for Changing Climates in the Coupled Earth System. Since 2016, she has held leadership roles in the European Geosciences Union including Biogeosciences Division President and current Education Committee member. Her research employs micropaleontology and geochemistry to investigate extreme environments including Arctic cold seeps, gas hydrates, hydrothermal vents, and anthropogenic sites, with emphasis on paleoenvironmental reconstructions. She leads UiT's Mass Spectrometer Laboratory and directs the ADVANCING KNOWLEDGE OF METHANE IN THE ARCTIC (AKMA) project while coordinating biological response studies in EMAN 7 and educational initiatives in the BridgET Erasmus+ project. Recent publications (2024-2025) reveal three dominant research streams: Arctic methane dynamics using foraminifera as environmental proxies, biodiversity conservation at extreme habitats like the Borealis Mud Volcano, and innovative ocean literacy frameworks connecting ecological awareness with emotional literacy. Her work consistently bridges geoscience, climate impact assessment, and societal engagement through projects like The Deep Network and BLUE REVOLUTION. No scientific awards or fellowships are documented in the source material. She leads multiple externally funded projects including AKMA (Norwegian Research Council Intpart), EMAN 7 (Petromaks2), and BridgET (Erasmus+ KA203), focusing on methane emission tracking, environmental impact assessment, and virtual climate education tools. Her grant portfolio demonstrates strong international collaboration across polar research institutions. Panieri coordinates the Mass Spectrometer Laboratory at UiT and contributes to CAGE's research infrastructure. She participates in the Eurasian Arctic C4 2023 expedition and leads foraminifera studies in the 'Fauna associated with hydrothermal vents and cold seeps in Norwegian waters' project through Artsdatabanken, while collaborating on the BLUE REVOLUTION AI taxonomy initiative with IFREMER.