Dermot J Hayes is the Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor in Agriculture and Life Sciences and holds the Pioneer Hi-Bred International Chair in Agribusiness at Iowa State University's Department of Economics and Ivy School of Business. His expertise spans agricultural economics, financial economics, and international trade policy with a focus on commodity markets, farm policy, and China's agricultural impacts. Education: Ph.D. and M.S. in Agricultural Economics from the University of California, Berkeley (1986 and 1982). Research Interests: Includes U.S. farm policy, international trade dynamics, agribusiness strategies, crop insurance, financial derivatives, and China's role in global commodity markets. His work emphasizes policy analysis, market resilience, and emerging challenges like disease outbreaks (e.g., African Swine Fever). Awards: AAEA Fellow (2007), AAEA Enduring Quality Award (2006), and J.H. Ellis Teaching Award (2005). His research on food safety auctions remains influential. Consulting: Since 1995, he has advised the National Pork Producers Association on trade economics. His work informs policy debates on tariffs, trade deals, and market disruptions. Labs & Collaborations: Engaged with Iowa State's interdisciplinary initiatives on agriculture-environmental nexus and bioenergy systems.
Dr. Dennis Buckmaster is a Professor in Agricultural & Biological Engineering at Purdue University, serving as Dean's Fellow for Digital Agriculture. He holds a B.S. from Purdue University and M.S./Ph.D. from Michigan State University. His research focuses on digital agriculture, machine systems engineering, and data science applications in farming. He co-coordinates the Agricultural Systems Management program and teaches courses like Computing Technology with Applications and Ag Tech and Innovation. He leads the Open Ag Technology and Systems Center (OATS Center), advancing open-source solutions for agriculture through platforms like ISOBlue and OADA. His work integrates IoT, robotics, and machine learning to optimize crop production, livestock management, and farm decision-making. He has authored over 150 publications on precision agriculture technologies. Professional memberships include American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers and Fluid Power Society. He emphasizes data interoperability, edge computing, and bridging engineering with agricultural practices through collaborative frameworks like LATTICE and Meta Ag.
Keith Edmisten is a Professor in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at NC State University, serving as Extension Cotton Specialist and Director of Undergraduate Programs. He holds a BS, MS from NC State University, and a PhD in Crop Physiology from Virginia Tech (1987). His career includes faculty roles at Mississippi State University and Auburn University before joining NCSU in 1992. His research focuses on cotton and industrial hemp agronomy, germplasm evaluation, and regulatory science in agriculture. Notable awards include Extension Cotton Specialist of the Year (1997) and Cotton Physiologist of the Year (2015). He teaches courses on biotechnology, seed science, and regulatory frameworks, and advises students in the Plant and Soil Science biotechnology concentration. Edmisten's program integrates applied research with extension efforts, emphasizing sustainable input management, variety trials, and on-farm experimentation. Collaborations span departments like Entomology, Plant Pathology, and Agricultural Economics. Publications highlight fertilizer management, weed science, and crop modeling in cotton and hemp systems.
Nick Haddad is a Professor of Integrative Biology at Michigan State University and serves as the Director of the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) site at Kellogg Biological Station. His research focuses on ecological experimentation, particularly examining how habitat loss and fragmentation impact biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. He specializes in reversing these negative effects through landscape connectivity strategies and diversified working landscapes, with a strong emphasis on insect conservation, including critically endangered butterfly species. Role: Professor, Integrative Biology Directorship: KBS LTER Site Location: 322 Kellogg Biological Station Email: haddadn3@msu.edu Haddad's research spans habitat fragmentation, biodiversity conservation, climate change impacts, and agricultural sustainability. His lab conducts large-scale experiments like the Corridor Project and studies rare butterflies (e.g., St. Francis’ satyr, Miami blue) to understand extinction risks and recovery strategies. Recent work explores pesticide effects, prairie restoration, and long-term ecological trends. The 15 most recent publications highlight habitat fragmentation's ecological impacts, climate-driven phenological shifts, and innovative conservation approaches. Key themes include biodiversity monitoring, pesticide-driven declines, prairie restoration for pollinators, and climate adaptation strategies. His work leverages long-term datasets (e.g., 40-year LTER) and integrates theory with applied conservation. Lab activities include mentoring undergraduate and graduate students at KBS, leading the Haddad Lab, and collaborating on projects like the KBS-LTER and SRS Corridor initiatives. Research spans both terrestrial and agroecosystems, emphasizing actionable solutions for conservation and sustainable land use.
Ben Seiyon Lee is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Statistics at George Mason University's College of Science. His work bridges computational statistics, climate modeling, and environmental risk assessment. Education: PhD in Statistics, Pennsylvania State University (2020) Lee specializes in computational methods for high-dimensional spatiotemporal data and uncertainty quantification in climate models. His research explores climate change impacts on extreme hydrological events, wildfire emissions, and medical decision-making. Recent publications focus on Bayesian spatiotemporal frameworks for extreme precipitation analysis, zero-inflated spatial models, and multisector uncertainty quantification. His work addresses challenges in flood risk assessment, agricultural yield projections, and healthcare compliance metrics.
Giuliano Di Baldassarre is a Professor of Hydrology and Environmental Analysis at the Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University , Sweden. He serves as Head of Division for LUVAL (Air, Water and Landscape Sciences) and directs the Centre of Natural Hazards and Disaster Science (CNDS) (2016–2025). His work bridges water, environment, and society through interdisciplinary methods , focusing on disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, and sustainable development. Education : Details not explicitly provided in the text. His research examines feedbacks between human activities and hydrological processes , including floods, droughts, and reservoir management . Key themes include social-ecological systems , inequalities in water crises , and policy implications of hydrological extremes . He has pioneered sociohydrology and human-water system modeling . Recent articles highlight global drought-flood interactions , urban water inequality , climate service maladaptation , and sociohydrological modeling . His work spans Nature Sustainability , Science Advances , and Hydrological Sciences Journal . Scientific Awards : International Hydrology Prize (Volker Medal) Plinius Medal (EGU) Witherspoon Lecture Award (AGU) European Research Council Consolidator Grant He led Panta Rhei - Everything Flows (2013–2022), IAHS’s global initiative on water-society interactions. Current efforts include transdisciplinary praxis and climate risk reduction frameworks .
Dr. Sajid Alavi is a Professor in the Department of Grain Science and Industry at Kansas State University. He joined the faculty in 2002 after earning his Ph.D. in Food Science/Food Engineering from Cornell University (2002), M.S. in Agricultural and Biological Engineering from Penn State (1997), and B.S. in Agricultural Engineering from IIT (1995). His research focuses on extrusion processing in food, pet food, and feed applications, with expertise in rheology, food microstructure imaging, and process sustainability. He leads global projects in Africa, Brazil, India, and beyond, emphasizing sustainable food technologies and AI-driven processing innovations. Dr. Alavi is a recipient of the 2010 Young Research Scientist Award from the Cereals & Grains Association. He teaches GRSC 620 (Intro to Extrusion Processing) and GRSC 820 (Advanced Extrusion Processing), and has trained over 1,000 industry leaders through his renowned 'Extrusion Processing: Technology and Commercialization' short course. His work bridges food science and engineering, addressing challenges in plant-based meat analogs, nutrient bioavailability, and food aid product development. Key facilities associated with his work include the BIVAP Feed Quality Assurance Lab and Hal Ross Flour Mill. His research spans sensory analysis of meat alternatives, fiber utilization in pet food, and sustainability assessments of novel crops like intermediate wheatgrass. Recent studies explore insect protein in pet food, AI-driven extrusion optimization, and iron bioavailability in fortified foods. Dr. Alavi’s contributions span academic, industrial, and global food security domains, reflecting a commitment to innovative, scalable food solutions.
Dr. Mahendra Bhandari is an Assistant Professor at Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Corpus Christi, affiliated with the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He holds a B.S. in Agriculture from Tribhuvan University (2011), an M.S. in Plant, Soil and Environmental Science from West Texas A&M University (2016), and a Ph.D. in Agronomy from Texas A&M University (2020). Affiliations: Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Roles: Lead researcher in Digital Agriculture, UAS-based phenotyping, and precision agriculture His research focuses on integrating remote sensing (UAS, satellite, ground sensors), big data analytics, and machine learning to improve crop management and breeding. Key areas include high-throughput phenotyping for cotton, corn, and sorghum; UAS data integration for crop yield prediction; and digital twin frameworks for in-season management. Collaborators include Dr. Juan Landivar-Bowles and Dr. Jinha Jung. Publications emphasize UAS applications in crop monitoring, yield estimation, and disease detection. His work bridges agronomic principles with emerging technologies to enhance agricultural resilience. Key Projects: UAS-based HTP system development Satellite-UAV data fusion for precision irrigation Mechanistic models for cotton yield forecasting Labs/Teams: Leads the Digital Agriculture research team at Texas A&M AgriLife, focusing on UAS innovation and AI-driven agricultural solutions.
Dr. Richard Culas is an Associate Professor in Agricultural Economics/Agribusiness at Charles Sturt University's School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences. He holds degrees from the University of Peradeniya (BScAgr), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (MScAgEcon), Norwegian School of Economics (MEcon), and the University of Sydney (PhD). His expertise spans teaching, research, and advisory roles, including external PhD examining and peer-reviewing for 20+ journals. Dr. Culas' research focuses on agricultural economics, environmental economics, development economics, and agribusiness management. He has led and contributed to projects funded by ACIAR, Hort Innovation Australia, and the Soil CRC, totaling ~A$7.5m. Key projects include assessing organic fertilizer benefits and regenerative agriculture's socioeconomic impacts. His work addresses global challenges such as water resource management, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable farming practices. He has published extensively in journals like Agricultural Systems , Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics , and Sustainability . Notable achievements include the Emerald Literati Award for Outstanding Reviewer (2018) and a team award for Research Excellence (2016). He has also contributed to curriculum development for Charles Sturt's Master of Agriculture program. His research and advisory roles include leadership in soil health projects, groundwater management in Pakistan, and value chain analyses in Bangladesh and Nepal. Dr. Culas collaborates internationally on climate adaptation strategies, trade policies, and food security initiatives, reflecting his commitment to bridging academic research with real-world agricultural challenges.
Dr. David Burton is a Professor in the Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences at Dalhousie University's Faculty of Agriculture. He serves as Director of the Centre for Sustainable Soil Management and leads initiatives in soil health, greenhouse gas emissions, and sustainable agricultural practices. His teaching spans undergraduate and graduate courses in soil science, nutrient management, and climate change. Research focuses on microbial metabolism in soil, nitrogen cycling, and the environmental impacts of agricultural practices. He co-founded the Atlantic Soil Health Lab and manages the Greenhouse Gas Analysis Lab. Key affiliations include the Canadian Society of Soil Science (Fellow), Soil Conservation Council of Canada, and Fertilizer Canada's 4R Research Network. Recent work emphasizes soil's role in climate resilience, including presentations on regenerative farming and soil carbon sequestration. He collaborates with government and industry to develop climate-smart soil management policies and tools for nitrogen management optimization. Awards: Fellow of the Canadian Society of Soil Science Labs: Centre for Sustainable Soil Management, Greenhouse Gas Analysis Lab, Atlantic Soil Health Lab Grants: NSERC CREATE Climate Smart Soils
Bryan Brown is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the School of Integrative Plant Science , Horticulture Section , and an Integrated Weed Management Specialist with Cornell Integrated Pest Management . His work focuses on minimizing agricultural and environmental risks through innovative weed control strategies. Ph.D., University of Maine, 2017 B.A., Colby College, 2009 Dr. Brown’s research emphasizes integrated weed management informed by weed species biology, including weed seedbank dynamics and culturally appropriate extension . His projects explore ecologically-based solutions like stacked cultivation, electrical weed control, and cover cropping to address herbicide resistance and labor shortages. He also investigates the interplay between weed management and soil health or economic viability in organic and conventional systems. Dr. Brown’s extension efforts prioritize farmer collaboration through on-farm demonstrations , educational media , and slow-motion analysis of cultivation tools. His outreach includes addressing glyphosate-resistant waterhemp in New York State and clarifying public health risks through the Into the Weeds podcast.
Luca Sebastiani is a Full Professor in Horticultural Sciences (AGR/03) at Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna in Pisa, Italy, since 2014. He currently coordinates the PhD Course in AgroBioSciences and has previously served as Director of the Institute of Life Sciences (2016-2021). His academic career includes roles as Associate Professor (2002-2014) and Assistant Professor (1998-2002) at the same institution. PhD in Plant Biology from Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna (1996) MSc in Agricultural Sciences from University of Pisa (cum laude, 1991) Postdoctoral research in agricultural biotechnology (1996-1998) Research Interests: Focus on plant-environment interactions, particularly abiotic and biotic stress responses in crops. Key areas include: Physiological and molecular responses to climate change stressors Nutraceutical enhancement of food crops Plant germplasm conservation using molecular markers Agriculture 4.0 integrating AI, IoT, and robotics Phytoremediation using poplar and Brassica species Scientific Contributions: His work bridges molecular mechanisms (aquaporin function, heavy metal transport) with ecosystem-level applications (precision irrigation, contaminant phytoremediation). Recent publications emphasize genome sequencing, stress tolerance modeling, and nutraceutical food development. ISHS Medal for SapFlow Workshop organization (2011) Giovanni Spitali Foundation Award for PhD dissertation (1998) Collaborations: Extensive international collaborations with institutions like Beijing Forestry University, Comenius University, and Purdue University. Currently supervises projects in plant phenotyping, omics technologies, and sustainable crop management.
Paul Dodds is Professor of Energy Systems at University College London's Bartlett School of Environment, Energy & Resources, where he holds joint appointments at the UCL Energy Institute and the Institute for Sustainable Resources. He serves as the Faculty Graduate Tutor for the Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment, overseeing all doctoral research programs. His academic progression at UCL has been steady, moving from Research Associate (2011-2014) to Senior Research Associate (2014-2015), Lecturer (2015-2016), Senior Lecturer (2016-2018), Associate Professor (2018-2020), and finally to Professor. His educational background includes a PhD from the University of Leeds (2010) focused on climate change and agriculture in Senegal, where he developed a new crop model for adaptation research and created detailed meteorological datasets for West Africa. He also holds a Master of Natural Science (Honours) from the University of Nottingham (2000). Dodds specializes in energy systems modelling with particular expertise in hydrogen and bioenergy systems, and the importance of energy storage. His research examines the interactions between society and the environment, with a focus on energy and food systems. He has developed the UK TIMES energy systems model, which has replaced the UK MARKAL model and is now co-developed with the UK Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). This model has provided underpinning evidence for the UK's Clean Growth Strategy and Net Zero Strategy. His methodological contributions include formalizing a theoretical approach to analyzing the evolution of energy system models using 'model archaeology'. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on hydrogen energy systems, with multiple papers examining hydrogen trade pathways, integration methods, and environmental impacts. His work increasingly addresses the geopolitical dimensions of energy transition, as seen in studies about Russian gas pivots to Asia and global energy scenarios. He maintains expertise in energy system modeling techniques while expanding into practical applications for policy development, particularly regarding the UK's net-zero transition. Dodds has supervised 15 PhD students at UCL, with eight under his primary supervision. His professional activities include serving as the UK Alternate Delegate to IEA Hydrogen since 2017, acting as a PhD External Examiner at the University of Edinburgh, and participating in the EPSRC Peer Review College. He has contributed to multiple government initiatives, including the UKERC Future of the Gas Networks workshop and representing the UK Government at IEA ETSAP meetings. He teaches an undergraduate module on 'Energy and Environmental Systems Modelling' and guest lectures on several MSc courses. His research group focuses on energy system modeling, with particular emphasis on the UK TIMES model development and application. His work often involves collaboration with government bodies, particularly BEIS, and he has coordinated significant projects like seven reports on overshoot pathways for the UK Government.
Dr. Renske Hijbeek is an Associate Professor at the Plant Production Systems group of Wageningen University & Research. Her research focuses on nutrient management in arable farming systems, emphasizing soil fertility improvement through organic waste recycling, legume cultivation, and minimizing environmental impacts like greenhouse gas emissions. She teaches courses including 'The Carbon Dilemma - A Soil Perspective' and 'Analysing Sustainability of Farming Systems'. Key projects include the GRA Benchmarking Nutrient Circularity and EDF Soil Carbon Sequestration initiatives. Her work integrates agronomy with ecological principles to achieve sustainable agricultural practices globally. Research Contributions: Dr. Hijbeek's projects address nutrient circularity, soil carbon dynamics, and organic amendment efficiency across temperate and tropical regions. Recent work explores dietary impacts on nitrogen fertilizer dependency and systemic redesign of food production systems. Collaborations: Active in international collaborations like the Global Crop Nutrient Removal Database and the CATCH-C Legumes project in Tanzania. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges crop science, environmental management, and policy analysis.
Mariam Zachariah serves as a Research Fellow at the Centre for Environmental Policy within the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Imperial College London. She is a core contributor to World Weather Attribution (WWA), an international scientific collaboration conducting rapid climate change attribution analyses for extreme weather events globally. Her work bridges climate science, vulnerability assessment, and policy-relevant research. Her educational foundation includes a PhD from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB), where she investigated climate impacts on Indian agriculture. This research focused on drought and extreme temperature effects on crop yields in major agrarian regions, recognizing agriculture's critical role in India's climate-vulnerable economy. Zachariah's research centers on near-real-time attribution of extreme events to quantify human-induced climate change influences. Her expertise spans climate modeling, statistical analysis of extreme weather, and integrating vulnerability frameworks to assess compound impacts on communities. She examines how climate change interacts with socioeconomic factors to exacerbate disasters, particularly in agricultural systems and flood-prone regions worldwide. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a dominant focus on rapid attribution of droughts, floods, and heatwaves across diverse global contexts - from the Horn of Africa to Central Europe and South America. These studies consistently demonstrate climate change as a significant amplifier of event severity, while emphasizing how pre-existing vulnerabilities determine actual impacts. Her work increasingly addresses compound hazards and the intersection of climate change with infrastructure failures and land management. As a key member of the World Weather Attribution initiative, Zachariah collaborates with climate scientists, social scientists, and vulnerability experts in a unique operational framework that delivers scientific assessments within days of extreme events. This work directly informs policymakers, media, and affected communities about climate change's role in contemporary disasters.
