Professor John Parnell is the Chair in Geology & Petroleum Geology at the University of Aberdeen , affiliated with the School of Geosciences and Department of Geology and Petroleum Geology . His research focuses on geochemistry, paleoenvironmental reconstruction, trace element cycling, and sedimentary systems , with significant contributions to studies of the Rhynie Chert, Bowland Shale, and Lewisian Complex. Research Interests Professor Parnell's work spans: Geochemical analysis of Paleoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic systems Trace metal mobility in sedimentary and metamorphic environments Organic carbon burial and its tectonic implications Planetary analog studies for Mars exploration Shale resource characterization and environmental impact assessment Recent Publications His recent articles highlight investigations into: Graphitization processes in Scottish Highlands marbles Sulphur isotope records in Precambrian successions Trace element dynamics in the Bowland Shale Biogeochemical cycling at the Precambrian-Cambrian boundary Labs & Collaborations He leads research in the Geofluids Group and collaborates with the Planetary Sciences Department on Mars analog studies.
Stephen L. Bearne is a Professor in the Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Chemistry at Dalhousie University, affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine. He has been a department member since 1996 and served as Department Head from 2012 to 2022. His research focuses on enzymology, enzyme catalysis, and protein engineering, with a particular emphasis on transition state analogues, enzyme inhibition mechanisms, and the chemical basis of disease-associated enzymes. His work integrates organic synthesis, biophysical techniques, and computational modeling to explore enzyme function and design inhibitors for therapeutic applications. Dr. Bearne holds a PhD from the University of Toronto and an MDCM from McGill University. His lab is part of the Protein Assembly Research Team and the BioActives CREATE Training Program. Current research themes include understanding carbon acid substrate catalysis in mandelate racemase, developing inhibitors for CTP synthase and racemases involved in diseases like cancer and neglected tropical infections, and proteomic tools for enzymatic activity profiling. His research leverages advanced techniques such as site-directed mutagenesis, isothermal titration calorimetry, NMR spectroscopy, and macroion mobility spectrometry. His lab supports equity, diversity, and inclusivity and has been funded by NSERC, CIHR, and other agencies. Recent publications highlight advancements in enzyme inhibition strategies, allosteric regulation mechanisms, and enzyme filamentation roles in metabolic pathways.
Professor David J.A. Evans is a distinguished glacial geomorphologist at Durham University's Department of Geography. His research spans three interconnected themes at the interface of glacial geology and Quaternary science, focusing on palaeoglaciology and the reconstruction of former glaciers and ice sheets through time. With extensive field experience across the Arctic, North Atlantic, and Southern Hemisphere, he has contributed significantly to the understanding of glacial landscapes and processes globally. BA (Hons), St. David's University College, University of Wales, Lampeter, 1982 MSc, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada, 1984 PhD, University of Alberta, Canada, 1988 Professor Evans' research centers on glacial landsystems, glacial sedimentology, and Quaternary palaeoenvironments of glaciated basins. His work develops conceptual landsystems models for glacial process-form relationships, with field sites ranging from the Canadian High Arctic to mid-latitude mountains. He has pioneered research connecting subglacial process-form relationships to landform development models, particularly through his studies of active temperate glacier margins in Iceland. His sedimentological work has established a genetically framed classification scheme for tills and glacitectonites. Evans has contributed to major ice sheet reconstructions worldwide, including the British and Irish Ice Sheet (through the BRITICE-CHRONO project), Laurentide Ice Sheet, and Arctic Norway. His extensive publication record demonstrates consistent research activity with 15 recent articles focusing on ice sheet dynamics, glacial landform evolution, and Quaternary environmental reconstruction across multiple continents. These works reveal a strong emphasis on methodological innovation in mapping and analyzing glacial landscapes, with increasing integration of remote sensing and quantitative approaches to understand both contemporary glacier behavior and past ice sheet dynamics. Scientific Recognition: Busk Medal (Royal Geographical Society), 2017, for excellence and originality in the study of glacial landscapes and processes and empowering the next generation Professor Evans has collaborated extensively with international research teams on major projects including BRITICE-CHRONO and has contributed to engineering geology applications through technical guides for glaciated terrains. His work bridges pure academic research with practical applications in engineering geology and environmental management. He has supervised numerous field guides and edited influential publications in glacial geomorphology. His research involves extensive fieldwork in Iceland (particularly on the Vatnajökull ice cap), the British Isles, Canadian Arctic, and other glaciated regions, often using modern glacier systems as analogues for reconstructing past ice sheets. Evans has developed significant expertise in glacial landsystem mapping and interpretation, contributing to both academic understanding and practical engineering applications in glaciated terrains.
Professor Jason Hall-Spencer is a globally recognized marine biologist at the University of Plymouth and a full professor at the University of Tsukuba (Japan), with an adjunct role at Xiamen University. His research focuses on ocean acidification, invasive species (e.g., lionfish), and climate change impacts on marine ecosystems. He pioneered the use of underwater CO2 seeps as natural analogues for climate change studies, a methodology now adopted globally. His work has influenced policies to protect deep-water corals and Arctic reefs, and he leads projects like RELIONMED to combat lionfish invasions in the Mediterranean. Education: Studied Applied Marine Biology at Heriot-Watt University, completed a PhD on coralline algae at Millport Marine Station, and conducted fieldwork across Europe, Asia, and the Pacific. His career includes discovering UK deep-water coral reefs and Arctic reefs, leading to their legal protection. Research Interests: Ocean acidification effects on marine organisms, invasive species management, CO2 seep dynamics, coral reef ecology, and marine conservation. His work combines field experiments, policy advocacy, and community engagement to address global marine challenges. Grants and Collaborations: Secured €1.7M from the EU Life Programme for lionfish control and a $400K grant on plankton dynamics. Collaborates with organizations like the Marine Biological Association and international researchers on projects such as the Ocean Organ to visualize CO2 impacts. Labs/Teams: Leads the Marine Conservation Research Group at Plymouth, coordinating initiatives like RELIONMED and influencing global marine policies through partnerships with governments and NGOs.
Associate Professor LAM Yulin is affiliated with the National University of Singapore (NUS), specializing in bioorganic and medicinal chemistry with a focus on green synthesis methodologies. His research interests include developing anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and neurological agents, alongside creating recyclable catalysts for sustainable organic transformations. He holds a Ph.D. (1992) and B.Sc. (1987) from NUS, with prior research fellowships at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (1994–1996) and The Scripps Research Institute (1992–1994). Teaching contributions include courses such as CM2122 Organic Chemistry, CM3225 Biomolecules, and CM5224 Emerging Concepts in Drug Discovery. His research highlights include synthesizing chondroitin sulfate analogs for molecular recognition via surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and developing fluorous boronic acid catalysts for amide bond formation under eco-friendly conditions. Research focuses on glycosaminoglycan structure-function relationships, novel mycobacterial inhibitors, and autophagy-inducing agents. His work bridges organic synthesis with biomedical applications, emphasizing sustainability and translational potential.
Dr. FARKAS Dávid is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME). His office is located in Building K, basement level, room 12/7, and he holds weekly consultation hours on Mondays from 1–3 pm. Educational contributions include teaching core courses in hydrogeology and groundwater engineering: Groundwater (BMEEOVVMV63) Hydrogeology (BMEEOGMMG62) Infrastructural Design Project (BMEEODHAI41) Research activities concentrate on quantitative hydrogeology, with a special emphasis on karstic groundwater systems, seepage hydraulics, and the safety of flood-protection levees. He couples field investigations in iconic Hungarian cave systems (Buda Castle Cave, Molnár János Cave) with laboratory sandbox experiments and numerical modelling to advance understanding of flow and transport processes in fractured carbonates. Over the past decade his work has evolved from fundamental hydrogeological mapping toward the design and deployment of automated monitoring networks that integrate classical hydrological instruments with modern sensor technologies. This progression is evident in his most recent publications (2024-2025) that document the establishment of high-resolution cave monitoring systems capable of capturing rapid responses to precipitation events. Scientific awards currently listed: none. Advising and grants: no specific student names, grant numbers, or funded project titles are provided in the supplied text. Laboratories and teams: while no dedicated laboratory name is stated, his affiliation with the Department of Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering implies access to the faculty’s hydraulics and hydro-environmental laboratories, including sandbox and seepage modelling facilities.
Dr. Joanne M Leach is a Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham's Department of Civil Engineering within the School of Engineering. Her work focuses on urban liveability, sustainability, and resilience, emphasizing transdisciplinary collaboration and the science of team science. She holds a PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Birmingham (2020) and earlier degrees in Design Management (MSc, Salford) and International Business (BSc, Trinity University). Dr. Leach has extensive experience in EPSRC-funded projects, including the Liveable Cities Programme Grant (£6M) and the UK Collaboratorium for Research on Infrastructure and Cities (UKCRIC). Her research integrates infrastructure, urban planning, and wellbeing, with notable contributions to policy consultations, media engagements, and international collaborations. Key projects include the Healthy Low-Carbon Transport Hub (2025–present) and the Road to Net Zero initiative (2024–present). Education: PhD in Civil Engineering, University of Birmingham (2020) MSc (Distinction) in Design Management, University of Salford (2010) BSc (Hons) International Business with Mathematics, Trinity University (1995) Research Interests: Dr. Leach's work bridges urban sustainability, infrastructure resilience, and transdisciplinary methodologies. She develops diagnostic tools to assess urban challenges and communicates findings to policymakers. Her recent focus includes low-carbon transport, net-zero urban systems, and the role of infrastructure in wellbeing. She has contributed to high-impact publications and won awards for her work on urban design creativity and sustainable solutions. Awards: 2015 Reed Mallik Prize for Best Paper in Proceedings of the ICE 2020 Richard Trevithick Fund Prize Advising & Grants: Dr. Leach has led or contributed to over £20M in EPSRC-funded projects, including Liveable Cities (£6M) and Designing Resilient Cities (£3M). She advises on policy commissions, such as Future Urban Living (House of Lords) and National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) projects. Her collaborative networks span over 20 UK universities and 200+ industry/government bodies. Labs & Teams: She is integral to UKCRIC and the Centre for Urban Wellbeing at Birmingham, fostering innovation in urban systems through labs like PLEXUS (UKCRIC Pump-Priming Project) and the Urban Living Birmingham pilot.
Dimitrios E. Anagnostou is Associate Professor in the Institute of Sensors, Signals & Systems within Heriot-Watt University’s School of Engineering & Physical Sciences, Edinburgh. He directs an anechoic-chamber & microwave characterisation facility, leads a thriving research group, and is currently recruiting PhD candidates. Education & Career: BSEE, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece (2000) MSEE, University of New Mexico, USA (2002) PhD, University of New Mexico, USA (2005) Post-doc, Georgia Tech (2005-2006) Assistant → tenured Associate Professor, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology (2007-2016) Associate Professor, Heriot-Watt University (2016-present) Research Focus: His work spans compact & reconfigurable antennas, 5G Massive-MIMO arrays, metasurfaces, metamaterials, functional materials (VO 2 ), RF-MEMS, microwave packaging, radar sensing for assisted-living, and AI/deep-learning applications in electromagnetics. He pursues “green” RF electronics printed on paper/organic substrates and hybrid integration of antennas on solar cells. Recent Publication Trends (2022-2025): Output is dominated by metasurface-enabled beam-steering antennas, VO 2 -based reconfigurable devices, radar absorbers/rasorbers, biomedical radar for vital-sign monitoring, and AI-assisted signal processing, with strong emphasis on experimental validation and open-access dissemination. Scientific Awards & Fellowships: IEEE John D. Kraus Antenna Award DARPA Young Faculty Award Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship (H2020) ASEE Campus Star Award Young Alumni Award, University of New Mexico Honored Faculty Award, SDSMT (×4) Distinguished Scientist Living Abroad, Hellenic Ministry of Defense Advising & Grants: He has mentored numerous PhD and MSc researchers; his students have won Best PhD Thesis and faculty-wide Engineering Prizes. He is supported by EU and UK research grants and continuously seeks motivated doctoral applicants. Facilities & Teams: He manages the Microwave Facility (anechoic chamber, mm-wave measurement systems) and collaborates with international academic/industry partners across Europe, North America and beyond.
Hyun-soon Chong is a Professor of Chemistry at the Lewis College of Science and Letters , Illinois Institute of Technology. The Chong group focuses on interdisciplinary research spanning organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry, and nuclear medicine to develop targeted therapeutics for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Education : B.S. from Kyung Hee University, Ph.D. from the University of North Texas Research interests include: Organic synthesis using aziridinium ions Development of bifunctional chelators for radiotherapy/imaging Bioconjugate chemistry for antibody-drug conjugates Targeted cancer therapies and diagnostics Nuclear medicine applications with isotopes like Cu-64, Y-90, and Lu-177 Key publication trends show expertise in chelation chemistry, bioconjugation, and radiopharmaceutical development. The group has advanced aziridinium ion-based methodologies and created novel agents with preclinical efficacy. Labs/teams: The Chong group specializes in synthetic strategies for enantiomerically enriched molecules and biomedical chelators. Contact: chong@illinoistech.edu
Federico Toschi is a Full Professor at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), holding joint appointments in Applied Physics and Mathematics and Computer Science departments. His research focuses on multi-scale transport phenomena, combining statistical physics, fluid dynamics, and computational methods. He leads projects in the 4TU Centre for Multiscale Phenomena and EAISI. Education: PhD in Physics (University of Pisa, 1998) and academic background at Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa. Interdisciplinary expertise in fluid dynamics turbulence, Lagrangian turbulence, crowd dynamics, and Lattice Boltzmann methods. Recipient of APS Fellow (2015), Euromech Fluid Mechanics Fellow (2012), and Ig Nobel Prize for Physics (2021). Research emphasizes turbulence modeling, pedestrian dynamics, and active matter, with applications in environmental flows and crowd management. His work bridges computational innovations with experimental validations. Recent articles explore kinetic data-driven turbulence modeling, pedestrian flow optimization, and turbulence effects in biological systems. Projects include digital twins for seismicity modeling and rarefied gas dynamics. Teaches fluid mechanics, computational physics, and chaos theory courses. Founded Flow Matters Holding BV, applying research to practical solutions.
Jessie P. Buckley, PhD, MPH is an Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health. She serves as Director of Chemical Exposure Methodology for the NIH Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program, focusing on data harmonization and pooled analyses of chemical exposures in children's health. Education: PhD in Epidemiology (UNC Chapel Hill, 2014) MPH in Environmental and Occupational Health (George Washington University, 2007) AB in Biology and English (Bowdoin College, 2002) Her research investigates environmental toxicants' health effects, particularly: Exposure assessment of environmental chemicals Methods for estimating effects of exposure mixtures Environmental influences on cardiometabolic and bone health Endocrine-disrupting chemicals Children's environmental health Recent publications analyze: PFAS exposure trends in adolescent bone health Chemical mixture effects using item response theory Perinatal exposure to melamine analogues Diet-exposure interactions in ultra-processed foods Scientific Awards: Teaching Innovation Award (UNC Gillings, 2025) NIEHS ONES Award (2019) Pediatric Loan Repayment Program Awards (2020, 2022, 2023) Dr. Buckley contributes to academic service as: Member of the PhD Admissions Committee (2024-present) Co-Chair of the North America Chapter, International Society of Environmental Epidemiology (2023-present)
Clifford Cheung is a Professor of Theoretical Physics at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). He is affiliated with the Department of Theoretical Physics within the Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy. His research focuses on fundamental questions in quantum gravity, scattering amplitudes, string theory, and effective field theories, with particular emphasis on bootstrap principles, black hole dynamics, and gravitational wave physics. Cheung's work bridges high-energy physics, astrophysics, and mathematical physics. He has pioneered methods to reconstruct scattering amplitudes using symmetry principles and positivity bounds, contributing significantly to our understanding of string theory's uniqueness and the interplay between gravitational systems and gauge theories. His research also explores the implications of effective field theories for extreme mass ratio binaries and gravitational wave phenomena. Key themes in his work include the development of novel symmetry-based approaches to quantum gravity, the application of bootstrap methods to constrain fundamental theories, and the exploration of connections between scattering amplitudes and black hole thermodynamics. His findings have advanced our knowledge of gravitational interactions, string universality, and the foundational structure of spacetime. Cheung has been featured in Caltech news for his contributions to theoretical physics, including insights into the 'miracle and beauty of physics' and his work on the Sloan Research Fellowships. His research outputs consistently address cutting-edge topics in theoretical physics, with a focus on unifying principles and rigorous mathematical frameworks.
Prof. Dr. Gerhard Huisken is a Professor at Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen and Director of the Mathematical Research Institute Oberwolfach. His research focuses on geometric analysis, differential geometry, and mathematical relativity, with significant contributions to mean curvature flow, Ricci flow, and geometric evolution equations. He has authored numerous influential papers on topics such as curvature flows, singularity analysis, and applications to general relativity. Key positions include leadership at Oberwolfach and teaching roles in advanced courses like 'Mathematical Relativity' and 'Introduction to Ricci Flow'. His work bridges geometric analysis with physics, contributing to the Poincaré conjecture through Ricci flow studies. Collaborations include projects with S. Brendle and C. Sinestrari on convex solutions and flow surgeries. Research highlights include the Riemannian Penrose inequality, inverse mean curvature flow, and long-term behavior of geometric flows. His academic contributions are documented in top journals like Inventiones mathematicae and Journal of Differential Geometry .
Apurba Dutta is an Associate Professor and Interim Chair in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy. His research focuses on asymmetric synthesis of bioactive molecules, development of synthetic methodologies, and natural product-based drug discovery. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from North-Eastern Hill University (1989) and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Kansas (1994) and a Humboldt Fellowship at the University of Konstanz (1992). Research Overview : Dr. Dutta’s work includes total synthesis of antifungal peptidyl nucleosides (e.g., polyoxins, nikkomycins), proteasome inhibitors like salinosporamide A, and cytotoxic marine natural products. He also explores combinatorial libraries of biomimetic compounds (nucleosides, azacarbohydrates) for high-throughput screening. Key Projects : His lab investigates antifungal agents targeting chitin synthase, endotoxin sequestration for septic shock, and proteasome inhibition for cancer therapy. Notable contributions include synthetic routes to Jaspine B and structural studies of polyoxamic acid. Publications : Recent work includes stereoselective iminosugar synthesis (2025), SAR analyses of lipopeptides (2010), and neurochemical studies of enantiomers (2016). Over 100 publications span medicinal chemistry, organic synthesis, and drug discovery. Awards & Recognition : While no specific awards are listed, his contributions to antibiotic design and synthetic methodology reflect sustained excellence in the field. Current Activity : Not currently accepting students/postdoctoral fellows, but actively engaged in grant-funded research projects focused on antifungal agents and combinatorial chemistry.
Hongyi Xu is a Senior Lecturer at the Australian National University's Research School of Chemistry and a researcher/principle investigator at Stockholm University (0.2 FTE). He holds a PhD in Materials Engineering from the University of Queensland (2013) and a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronics) from the same institution (2008). His research focuses on developing electron crystallography methods for studying materials, small molecules, peptides, and macromolecules, with applications in drug design and structural biology. He has pioneered MicroED techniques, including solving the first new protein structure using this method and demonstrating protein-inhibitor binding analysis. Key research areas include electron crystallography methodology, multidimensional electron microscopy toolkits, metalloenzyme charge state analysis, and fragment-based drug design. He has secured grants such as the Swedish Research Council Starting Grant and has collaborated with over 25 international groups. Notable achievements include the development of SerialED and contributions to cryo-EM advancements like Single Particle Analysis (SPA) and cryo-ET. Recent publications highlight advancements in perovskite photovoltaics, electrocatalytic hydrogen peroxide production, and zeolite structural analysis. His work bridges materials science and biology, addressing challenges in structural determination through innovative microscopy techniques. Awards include the Dean’s Accommodation for Academic Excellence (2013) and the Best Thesis Award (2013).
