Dr. Mina Najafi is an academic researcher specializing in sustainable construction, digital transformation in built environments, and place attachment theory. Her work bridges engineering, urban planning, and social sciences. She actively supervises PhD students and contributes to interdisciplinary research initiatives. Research Focus: Sustainable Construction, BIM Technology, Digital Twins, Aging in Place Strategies, and Climate Resilience. Key Projects: Exploration of digital frontiers in construction, policy analysis for energy efficiency, and community-centric design for low-density regions. Her research interests span innovative construction practices, the integration of emerging technologies, and the socio-cultural dimensions of built environments. Recent work emphasizes leveraging digital tools for supply chain optimization and climate adaptation.
Dr. Kathryn Thier is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Center for Climate Change Communication at George Mason University. She holds a Ph.D. in Communication Science and Social Cognition from the University of Maryland and previously taught journalism at the University of Oregon, where she co-founded The Catalyst Journalism Project. Her research examines Solutions Journalism and its capacity to drive pro-social outcomes in Climate Change Communication and Health Communication . She investigates how solution-oriented reporting influences public engagement, policy support, and health behaviors. Recent publications (2019-2025) demonstrate methodological diversity including meta-analyses, content analyses, and experimental designs. Dominant themes include: Health/climate misinformation mitigation Solution-oriented framing effects Equity-focused communication strategies Policy engagement mechanisms She maintains a strong emphasis on quantitative rigor and interdisciplinary applications.
Bohan Chen is a Postdoctoral Scholar Research Associate in the Department of Computing and Mathematical Sciences. Their work focuses on advancing graph-based machine learning techniques and their applications in environmental science, remote sensing, and AI-driven analysis. Research interests include graph neural networks, active learning strategies, hyperspectral image analysis, and knowledge graph integration. Notable contributions include the development of the GLL layer for neural networks, the CUSP permafrost dataset, and hybrid models for multispectral image processing. Key research trends span theoretical advancements in graph-based learning and practical applications such as environmental monitoring, SAR data analysis, and pandemic modeling. Their work bridges computational methodologies with real-world environmental and societal challenges. Advising and grants: No student advisees listed. Contributions include foundational research without explicit grant mentions in provided text. Labs/teams: No specific lab or team affiliations mentioned in the text.
Dr. Sotira Yiacoumi serves as a Professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she leads research at the intersection of colloidal science, environmental systems, and nuclear applications. Her work bridges fundamental interfacial phenomena with critical challenges in nuclear waste treatment and carbon capture, positioning her as a key contributor to sustainable environmental engineering solutions with global implications. Education Diploma of Engineering, Aristotle University, Greece (1985) M.S. in Engineering, Syracuse University (1987) Ph.D. in Engineering, Syracuse University (1992) Research Focus Professor Yiacoumi's research centers on colloidal and interfacial phenomena within environmental and energy systems, with dual emphasis on nuclear waste remediation and carbon capture technologies. She investigates sorption mechanisms of metal ions and organic compounds, particle interactions in aquatic environments, and bubble dynamics in reactive systems. Her experimental and modeling approaches reveal how sorption kinetics influence colloidal stability and flocculation behavior, providing foundational insights for developing novel environmental processes. Publication Trends Her recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate a strategic pivot toward climate mitigation and nuclear safety, with 60% focused on CO 2 capture (particularly direct air capture using amino acid solvents and phase-changing compounds) and 40% on nuclear applications (radioactive iodine capture and uranium recovery). This dual focus reveals an integrated approach where colloidal science principles are leveraged across energy and environmental domains, with recurring themes of solvent optimization, magnetic separation techniques, and atmospheric particle dynamics. Scientific Recognition National Science Foundation Career Award (1997) for research on sorption rates and particle flocculation kinetics Top Teacher Award at Georgia Tech (2021) recognizing excellence in engineering education Organizing Chair for the 77th American Chemical Society Colloid and Surface Science Symposium (2003) Academic Leadership Professor Yiacoumi has secured sustained research funding including her foundational NSF Career Award, directing projects that translate fundamental colloidal science into practical environmental solutions. Her teaching excellence is evidenced by the 2021 Top Teacher Award, while her leadership in organizing major scientific symposia demonstrates commitment to advancing her field. She actively mentors graduate students in experimental techniques spanning adsorption modeling, magnetic separation, and atmospheric particle analysis.
Diego Riveros-Iregui is a Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, recognized for pioneering research in ecohydrology and biogeochemistry. His work focuses on water-carbon-nitrogen interactions in tropical ecosystems, urban-rural gradients, and climate-impacted watersheds, employing high-frequency monitoring and advanced modeling techniques to address critical environmental challenges. His research interests center on tropical ecohydrology, particularly in Andean páramos and Galápagos Islands, examining carbon cycling in peatlands, nitrogen dynamics across land-use gradients, and stormwater impacts on urban streams. He integrates stable isotope analysis, machine learning, and field observations to study how geomorphology and climate variability regulate biogeochemical fluxes, with emphasis on vulnerable ecosystems facing anthropogenic pressures. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2021-2025) reveals dominant trends in high-resolution watershed monitoring, tropical carbon emissions, and urban hydrology. Key methodological innovations include machine learning for water use estimation, isotope-based tempestology, and bias correction in contaminant plume mapping, demonstrating interdisciplinary approaches spanning environmental engineering, climatology, and ecosystem science. Professor Riveros-Iregui has received the following scientific awards: Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the U.S. government's highest honor for early-career scientists, nominated by the National Science Foundation As a PECASE awardee, he leads NSF-funded research programs examining watershed processes across tropical and temperate regions. His collaborative work includes contributions to the EU-funded WELL CARE consortium on water security, though specific grant details and student mentorship records aren't documented in the source material. Current research priorities involve scaling point observations to watershed-level fluxes and assessing climate change impacts on island hydrology. While no dedicated laboratory is specified, his field studies leverage international partnerships in Ecuador's páramos and the Galápagos archipelago, focusing on microclimate-soil microbiome interactions and sustainable water resource management in high-elevation ecosystems.
Prof. Dr. Hans-Jörg Vogel is the Head of the Department of Soil System Science at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) in Halle, Germany. His research focuses on understanding soils as complex systems, emphasizing their porous structure and its role in facilitating water, gas, and matter fluxes, as well as biological processes. He leads interdisciplinary projects integrating experimental and computational approaches to model soil functions under climate and land-use changes. He holds the Emil-Ramann-Medaille 2022 and the Don and Betty Kirkham Soil Physics Award 2022 for contributions to soil science. His work spans soil structure dynamics, denitrification processes, nanoparticle transport, and systemic modeling of soil functions via frameworks like BODIUM. Collaborations include TERENO observatories and the Soil Structure Library (open-access CT data repository). Key affiliations include the UFZ’s Ecosystems of the Future research community and the Soil System Science Team. His research addresses sustainable agriculture, environmental monitoring, and climate change impacts, with over 150 peer-reviewed publications since 2000.
Cen April Yue is an Assistant Professor of Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations at the University of Connecticut and a Visiting Lecturer at ISM (Lithuania). She holds an Affiliate Scholar position at the Internal Communication Research Hub, University of Florida. Her research focuses on internal public relations, leadership communication, organizational change, and corporate social responsibility. She serves as Chief Research Editor at the Institute for Public Relations' Organizational Communication Research Center. Her research explores topics such as employee advocacy, CEO social media engagement, artificial intelligence in communication, and the ethical dimensions of organizational behavior. She has published extensively in journals like the Journal of Public Relations Research and Journal of Brand Management , with a focus on leadership communication strategies, internal stakeholder management, and technology-driven communication trends. Education : Not explicitly listed in provided texts. Awards : Over 10 top paper awards and recognitions from communication associations and conferences. Teaching : Courses include Public Relations (MNG229), Communication Research Methods, and Communication Campaigns. Her work bridges theoretical and practical aspects of organizational communication, emphasizing the role of technology and leadership in fostering employee relationships and managing change. Current research trends include AI's impact on internal communication and ethical challenges in corporate social responsibility.
Ine van der Fels-Klerx is an Associate Professor in Business Economics at Wageningen University & Research, with a focus on food safety and risk management. She is also a Programme and Account Management lead, overseeing interdisciplinary projects. Her work integrates economic analysis with food safety challenges, particularly addressing mycotoxin contamination, climate change impacts, and circular economy solutions. Key collaborations include projects on early warning systems for mycotoxins and cost-effective monitoring strategies for contaminants in food supply chains. Her research spans topics such as alternative protein sources, insect-based feed production, and resilient supply chain designs. Notable projects include developing decision support tools for risk-based monitoring and assessing the economic feasibility of food safety interventions. She has advised multiple PhD candidates, including those studying mycotoxin management in maize and climate change effects on aflatoxins. Media contributions highlight her expertise in food safety, including interviews on predicting grain contamination and smart monitoring techniques. She actively participates in workshops and conferences, discussing digitalization in food systems and the role of artificial intelligence in food safety prevention.
Linda J. Graham is a Professor at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and Director of the Centre for Inclusive Education (C4IE). Her research focuses on education policy, disruptive student behavior, and inclusive pedagogies. PhD, Master of Education, and Bachelor of Arts from QUT and Macquarie University Chaired the 2020 Inquiry into Suspension, Exclusion and Expulsion Processes in South Australia Her work explores the intersection of inclusive education , student voice , and teacher-student relationships . She advocates for systemic reform to address overrepresentation of Indigenous and disabled students in exclusionary discipline. Recent publications highlight accessible assessment redesign , equity in education , and student perspectives on discipline . Notable awards include the Spencer Foundation Mentorship Excellence Award (2021) and Macquarie University's Early Career Researcher of the Year (2011). Scientific Awards: Spencer Foundation Mentorship Excellence Award (2021) Macquarie University Early Career Researcher of the Year (2011) Paul Bourke Award (2011) She supervises PhD and professional doctorate students in projects related to language disorders , student voice , and curriculum adjustments . Her leadership extends to the AARE Inclusive Education Special Interest Group and collaborations with institutions like Speech Pathology Australia and the QCAA.
Jimmy Jaldemark is a Professor at the Department of Education, Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall, Sweden. He serves as Research Leader of HEEL (Higher Education and E-Learning) and Head of Subject for the Discipline of Education. His roles include membership in the Faculty Board of Humanities and representation in the university-wide Education Council. He co-founded GRADE, a national graduate school in digital education, and leads the EARLI Centre for Excellence in AI in Learning and Instruction (AILI). His research focuses on AI, digitalization, lifelong learning, and networked learning. He co-edited *Networked Professional Learning* (2019) and guest-edited special issues in the *British Journal of Educational Technology*. He is an editor for that journal and serves on editorial boards for *Educational Research Review*, *Postdigital Science and Education*, and others. He supervises doctoral students and teaches in Behavioral Science and Education programs. Current projects include HEaD (Higher Education and Digitization) and BLAD (Need-based Learning through Adapted Participation). He collaborates internationally, notably in the AILI network exploring AI's educational impacts. His work spans educational development, organizational learning, and policy frameworks for lifelong learning in the digital era.
Kyle Harper is a Professor of Classics and Letters and the G.T. and Libby Blankenship Chair in the History of Liberty at the University of Oklahoma. He serves as Senior Advisor to the President and is Provost Emeritus at his alma mater. Harper’s research bridges the natural sciences and historical analysis, focusing on the interplay between climate, disease, and human societies. His work examines how pandemics like the Justinianic Plague and environmental shifts shaped the Roman Empire’s decline, as well as broader themes in human ecological impact and biodiversity loss. He has authored four influential books, including The Fate of Rome and Plagues upon the Earth , which integrate historical, climatological, and biological perspectives. Harper’s accolades include Guggenheim and Andrew Carnegie Fellowships, and his research often involves interdisciplinary collaborations, such as tracing ancient marble provenance through geochemistry. Current projects include The Last Animal , a global history of human-animal interactions and their environmental consequences. Research Interests : Historical epidemiology and pandemic dynamics Climate change impacts on ancient societies Human ecological transformation and biodiversity Late Antiquity and Roman social history Interdisciplinary methods in historical research Awards and Honors : Guggenheim Fellowship (2025) Andrew Carnegie Fellowship (2020) James Henry Breasted Prize (2011) PROSE Award in History of Science (2021) Recent Work : Harper’s 2025 paper on the origins of the Justinianic Plague reinterprets its spread via the Hephthalite Empire, while his forthcoming book The Last Animal addresses anthropogenic biodiversity loss. He also collaborates on projects like the Nazareth Inscription’s marble provenance analysis, demonstrating the utility of geochemistry in historical research.
Prof. Dr. Vita Akstinaitė is a Professor and Vice-Rector for Research and Faculty at ISM University of Management and Economics (Lithuania). She leads the Master's program 'Global Leadership and Strategy' and the Executive Master's module on rhetoric/communication. As a Visiting Researcher at IDIAP (Switzerland) and Visiting Fellow at the University of Lausanne, she bridges academic and applied research. Her work focuses on leadership dynamics, hubris, linguistic markers, and AI applications in leadership assessment. Education: MSc Organizational Psychology (King's College London) and PhD in Business (University of Surrey), with research on linguistic markers of hubris. She co-founded The Hubris Hub and Knowledge4Hubris initiatives, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. Notable projects include EU-funded AI leadership research (2021) and NordForsk's remote work study (2023-2026, €99k+). Research emphasizes innovative methods like AI-driven text analysis to evaluate leadership behaviors. Key areas include: executive hubris measurement, AI's role in leadership skill assessment, and ethical leadership frameworks. Her work spans international collaborations with institutions like Umeå University (Sweden), Murdoch University (Australia), and the London School of Economics. Awards include ISM Research Communicator of the Year (2023), Murdoch Teaching Excellence (2021), and EU research grants. Her publications explore topics like linguistic predictors of hubris, AI in leadership diagnostics, and pandemic leadership failures. Recent articles address data-driven executive role transformations and ethical leadership in AI contexts. Grants include €59k for AI leadership research (2021-2023) and €99k NordForsk funding. Active in conferences such as British Academy of Management and interdisciplinary leadership symposia. She advises on leadership development and serves as a module leader for global leadership courses. Labs/Teams: Co-leads The Hubris Hub research collective and directs ISM's executive communication initiatives. Current work explores AI ethics in leadership assessment and cross-industry sustainability leadership preferences.
Professor Ian Jefferson is a Professor in Geotechnical Engineering at the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Birmingham. He has held academic positions at Loughborough University (lecturer from 1992–1995) and Nottingham Trent University (Lecturer/Senior Lecturer from 1995–2001, Principal Lecturer from 2001–2002, and Reader until 2004 before joining Birmingham). His roles include teaching and research in civil engineering disciplines, with a focus on sustainability and geotechnical practices. He is affiliated with the School of Engineering at the University of Birmingham, located in Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK. Education: BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering, Loughborough University PhD in Geotechnical Engineering Professor Jefferson’s research interests revolve around collapsible soils , particularly loess , and their geotechnical implications across Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the UK. He explores ground improvement techniques , including chemical stabilization and vibro-stone columns, with a focus on sustainability. His work also addresses geohazards such as rising groundwater and problematic soils like glacial tills. He investigates sustainability in urban development , sustainable geotechnical processes, and the application of geophysical methods for assessing improved ground conditions. These areas highlight his commitment to integrating environmental and geotechnical challenges in engineering solutions. Professor Jefferson’s recent publications emphasize the intersection of geotechnical engineering and sustainability. His work explores sustainable infrastructure planning, emissions reduction in soil improvement techniques, and geophysical methods for ground assessment. Key themes include the mitigation of collapsible soils, optimizing ground improvement technologies, and sustainability indicators for urban redevelopment. His research frequently addresses environmental impacts, particularly in transportation and utility infrastructure contexts, alongside advancing methodologies for geotechnical practices. Fellow of the Geological Society (FGS) In terms of grants and funding, Professor Jefferson has secured over £4 million in research grants. While his role in advising students is not explicitly stated, he contributes to academic governance through his positions as a Marker/Moderator for the Postgraduate Teaching Certificate and as the Plagiarism Officer for Civil Engineering since 2013. Professor Jefferson is actively involved in several research initiatives, including Loess soil stabilisation , collapsibility in loess soils , and Ground Improvement using stone columns . He also leads projects on Assessment of improved ground using geophysics , Shear strength of glacial tills , and Sustainability Assessments in urban Development . His work contributes to the Sustainable urban redevelopment - Eastside project in Birmingham. These projects reflect his collaboration with interdisciplinary teams and his focus on practical, sustainable solutions in geotechnical engineering.
Sonya Atalay is a Provost Professor of Anthropology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Professor of Anthropology at MIT. She serves as Director and Principal Investigator of the NSF-funded Center for Braiding Indigenous Knowledges and Science (CBIKS). Her work focuses on community-based research with Indigenous and local communities, emphasizing ethical collaboration and the integration of Indigenous knowledges with Western scientific practices. Dr. Atalay holds a BA from the University of Michigan, an MA and PhD from UC Berkeley. Her research explores repatriation, traditional ecological knowledge, and decolonizing institutional practices. She authored Community-Based Archaeology (2012) and is completing Braiding Knowledges , examining how Indigenous and mainstream frameworks coexist to address global challenges. Her awards include the Chancellor’s Medal (2023), Patty Jo Watson Distinguished Lecture Award (2022), and recognition for her NAGPRA-related work. She teaches courses on Indigenous methodologies, public anthropology, and archaeology of food, fostering student engagement with community-driven research. Her current projects include graphic narratives on repatriation and STEM collaborations with Indigenous knowledge systems.
Dr. Michael P. Byrne is an Associate Professor at the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences , University of St Andrews, and a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research Fellow at the Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics Group , University of Oxford. His research focuses on climate dynamics, monsoons, land-climate interactions, and the water cycle. He leads the Climate Dynamics Lab at St Andrews, exploring topics like cloud feedbacks, tropical climate change, and continental-ocean temperature contrasts. He completed his PhD at MIT under Paul O’Gorman. His work bridges theory, models, and observations to address fundamental climate questions, including monsoon dynamics, intertropical convergence zone behavior, and extreme temperature amplification over tropical land. Key contributions include studies on ITCZ width impacts, elevation-dependent warming, and biases in precipitation projections. Education: PhD from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (advisor: Paul O’Gorman) Research Highlights: Cloud feedback mechanisms in tropical climates Land-ocean warming contrasts and their societal impacts ITCZ dynamics and global climate modeling Awards: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship (Oxford) Labs/Teams: Climate Dynamics Lab (St Andrews), ITCZ-MIP collaboration
