Michael Wara is a Senior Research Scholar at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment and Director of the Climate and Energy Policy Program. He holds a JD from Stanford Law School, a PhD in Ocean Sciences from UC Santa Cruz, and a BA from Columbia University. His work bridges legal, scientific, and policy domains to address climate and energy challenges through bipartisan technical assistance and research collaboration with economists, engineers, and scientists. His research focuses on carbon pricing mechanisms, energy innovation, and regulatory solutions for climate policy. He advises policymakers on designing effective laws and regulations, with particular expertise in international environmental treaties like the ozone and climate regimes. Wara also teaches courses on energy law, wildfire policy, and carbon taxation at Stanford Law School. Key contributions include analyzing the economic impacts of EPA regulations, evaluating California’s carbon market mechanisms, and advancing strategies to decarbonize building electrification. His interdisciplinary approach emphasizes practical solutions to global environmental challenges, leveraging Stanford’s expertise in energy systems and policy. Wara’s policy practicum courses engage students in real-world projects such as evaluating carbon pollution standards and wildfire management policies. His work frequently appears in peer-reviewed journals and media outlets like The Atlantic and New York Times , addressing topics like the Supreme Court’s EPA rulings and wildfire insurance issues.
Christopher D.P. Baxter is a Professor and Department Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the College of Engineering, University of Rhode Island , with expertise in geotechnical engineering, offshore wind energy, and coastal resilience. He holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech (1999), an M.S. from Purdue University (1994), and a B.S. from Tufts University (1990). Research Focus: Geotechnical characterization of marine sediments, liquefaction resistance analysis, fiber-optic sensing for infrastructure monitoring, and coastal protection systems. Recent Publications: 15+ articles (2011–2025) covering topics like shear wave velocity, offshore wind foundation dynamics, and tsunami hazard modeling. Grants: Led projects on offshore wind monitoring (2019–2024) and fiber-optic seismic sensing (2021–2023). Key Collaborations: Work with teams on submarine landslide analysis, coastal dune reinforcement, and Rhode Island infrastructure resilience. His work bridges experimental geomechanics with practical coastal engineering solutions.
Dr. Yongjia Song is an Associate Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering at Clemson University's College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences. His research focuses on optimization under uncertainty, stochastic programming, and network interdiction with applications in disaster logistics, energy systems, and humanitarian operations. BS in Computational Mathematics (2009), Peking University MS in Industrial Engineering (2012), University of Wisconsin-Madison MS in Computer Sciences (2012), University of Wisconsin-Madison PhD in Industrial Engineering (2013), University of Wisconsin-Madison His work addresses complex systems under uncertainty through: Stochastic and robust optimization frameworks Integer programming for discrete decision problems Applications in disaster response and transportation networks Evacuation planning and shelter management Human trafficking disruption modeling Recent publications demonstrate trends in: Multistage stochastic programming for dynamic disaster response Bayesian preference elicitation for complex design problems Network interdiction models for security and trafficking disruption Integration of logistics and evacuation planning under uncertainty Adaptive algorithms for large-scale optimization Professional affiliations include: Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) Mathematical Optimization Society (MOS) Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) He teaches graduate courses in risk modeling (IE 8090) and actively works on practical implementations of optimization techniques in real-world systems.
Assoc Prof Chia Wai Mun is an Associate Professor of Economics and Associate Chair (Academic) at the School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University (NTU). She holds a PhD from NTU, MSc from the London School of Economics, and BSc from the University of London, all in economics. Her research focuses on international macroeconomics, cost-benefit analysis, transboundary pollution, and environmental policy. Prof Chia has served as a consultant to Singaporean government agencies including the National Environment Agency (NEA), Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), and ASEAN Secretariat. She currently co-directs NTU's Economic Growth Centre and serves as Treasurer of the Economic Society of Singapore. Awards include the Nanyang Education Award (2021) and Singapore National Day Commendation (2011). Her work bridges macroeconomic theory with policy applications, particularly in environmental valuation and international financial dynamics. Recent research explores behavioral heterogeneity in financial markets, optimal monetary policy frameworks for emerging economies, and the economic impacts of transboundary environmental issues.
Tyler Wry is an Associate Professor of Management at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania . His research focuses on hybrid ventures and social enterprises that balance conflicting commercial and social goals. He has published in top-tier journals such as Academy of Management Annals , Academy of Management Journal , and Organization Science . He serves on the editorial boards of Administrative Science Quarterly , Academy of Management Journal , and Academy of Management Review . Research Highlights : Hybrid organizations, social entrepreneurship, nanotechnology startups, disaster philanthropy, microfinance dynamics, institutional logics, and strategic adaptation during crises. Teaching : Courses on entrepreneurship, social impact, venture creation, and research methods, including project-based learning and hands-on venture development. Scientific Awards include the IACMR Presidential Award, ONE/NBS Research Impact Award, Carolyn Dexter Award, and multiple best paper recognitions. His work has also been recognized through fellowships and teaching awards. Notable Contributions : Demonstrated how corporate disaster involvement accelerates recovery, how patriarchal societal logics affect microfinance lending to women, and how contextual factors shape social-financial tradeoffs in hybrid organizations.
Reed Maxwell is the William and Edna Macaleer Professor of Engineering and Applied Science in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the High Meadows Environmental Institute at Princeton University. He serves as Director of the Integrated Groundwater Modeling Center (IGWMC) and leads a research group comprising graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and staff. His academic appointments include concurrent roles in both the School of Engineering and Applied Science and the High Meadows Environmental Institute. Maxwell's research focuses on understanding connections within the hydrologic cycle and how they relate to water quantity and quality under anthropogenic stresses. His work centers on hard problems in hydrology including groundwater, evapotranspiration and snow. His research group uses integrated hydrologic modeling, field observations, and remote sensing products to study terrestrial freshwater systems. Key research areas include surface water and the terrestrial hydrologic cycle; interactions of the land-surface, surface water and groundwater; and human health risk assessment. Maxwell has authored more than 185 peer-reviewed journal articles with an H-Index of 66 and over 19,000 citations. His recent work emphasizes machine learning applications in hydrology, continental-scale modeling, and physically rigorous scenario generation through projects like HydroFrame and HydroGEN. He teaches courses including CEE 306/ENV 318 Hydrology: Water and Climate and CEE 586/ENV 586 Physical Hydrology. 2020 Distinguished Henry Darcy Lecturer American Geophysical Union Fellow (2019) 2018 Boussinesq Lecturer Belle van Zuylen Chair (visiting), University of Utrecht 2017 School of Mines Research Award recipient Maxwell has mentored 17 PhD students and 20 MS thesis students throughout his career. His current research group includes multiple postdocs, research software engineers, and graduate students working on projects spanning continental-scale hydrologic modeling, groundwater-stream interactions, and machine learning applications in hydrology. The IGWMC maintains an active education and outreach program including STEM fairs, school visits, and digital educational tools like the HydroFrame Education Team's virtual sandtank aquifer model.
Pinar Keskinocak serves as the H. Milton and Carolyn J. Stewart School Chair and Professor in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. She co-founded and directs the Center for Health and Humanitarian Systems, demonstrating leadership in both academic administration and research innovation. Her career includes prior roles as College of Engineering ADVANCE Professor and interim associate dean for faculty development, alongside industry experience at IBM T.J. Watson Research Center. Her educational foundation includes a Ph.D. in Operations Research from Carnegie Mellon University and M.S. and B.S. degrees in Industrial Engineering from Bilkent University. This rigorous training underpins her interdisciplinary approach to complex societal challenges. Dr. Keskinocak's research pioneers operations research applications for societal impact , with dual emphases on health systems and humanitarian logistics . She develops advanced models for infectious disease dynamics (including COVID-19, malaria, and Guinea worm), vaccination strategies, disaster response, and supply chain optimization. Her work uniquely bridges engineering analytics with real-world implementation through partnerships with the CDC, American Red Cross, Carter Center, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Analysis of her 2023-2025 publications reveals intensifying focus on eradication program modeling for polio and Guinea worm, with increasing integration of machine learning for predictive accuracy in vaccine distribution. A pronounced trend addresses health equity through targeted interventions for under-immunized populations in Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasizing resource allocation under constraints and cross-border coordination challenges. Her scientific recognition includes: INFORMS Fellow (2015) NSF CAREER Award (2001) Outstanding Professional Education Award, Georgia Tech (2018) Denning Award for Global Engagement, Georgia Tech (2016) Women in Engineering Excellence Teaching Award (2005) Moving Spirit Award, INFORMS (2005) Dr. Keskinocak has secured extensive project funding through collaborations with federal agencies and NGOs, directing research on pandemic response systems, vaccine logistics, and disaster debris management. While specific advisees aren't publicly cataloged, her leadership in the Center for Health and Humanitarian Systems mentors numerous graduate researchers through interdisciplinary projects. She significantly influences national policy via National Academies committees addressing supply chain resilience and vaccine distribution infrastructure. The Center for Health and Humanitarian Systems operates as a dynamic hub where engineering rigor meets humanitarian action, coordinating multi-institutional teams to develop deployable solutions for global health crises and disaster response systems.
Dr. Jiaqi Gong serves as Associate Professor in Computer Science and Adjunct Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering at The University of Alabama's College of Engineering, while directing the Alabama Center for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence. His academic foundation includes: B.S. in Engineering, China University of Geoscience (2004) Ph.D. in Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (2010) Dr. Gong's research pioneers human-AI convergence through cyber-physical systems and smart health technologies, developing mobile/wearable platforms to enhance human perceptual, cognitive, and physical capabilities. His work spans artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision, and IoT with applications in healthcare, environmental monitoring, and education. The Sensor-Accelerated Intelligent Learning (SAIL) laboratory he founded drives innovation in behavior change interventions, human movement modeling, and educational data mining. Recent publications reveal strong interdisciplinary trends: healthcare AI dominates with medication adherence prediction and surgical classification systems, while environmental applications feature flood-risk communication and drought analysis. His work increasingly integrates generative AI and LLMs across domains, demonstrating methodological innovation in federated learning, knowledge graphs, and explainable storytelling frameworks. Notable recognitions include: Best Student Paper Award, IEEE/ACM Connected Health Conference (2022) Best Student Paper Award, Body Sensor Networks Conference (2019) Data Challenge Win, IEEE Biomedical Health Informatics (2018) Best Paper Award, Body Area Networks Conference (2014) Best Demonstration Award, IEEE Wireless Health Conference (2014) Dr. Gong leads significant funded projects including a $2M CDC/NIOSH grant for first responder safety and $3M NSF funding for hydrologic research. As SAIL laboratory director, he mentors students in developing clinically deployed technologies for multiple sclerosis, dementia, and mental health. Future work focuses on scaling AI applications in chronic disease management and climate resilience through the Alabama AI Center. The SAIL laboratory (founded 2017) operates as a multidisciplinary hub developing wearable/mobile systems for health applications, with active collaborations across medical clinics and engineering departments for real-world deployment of behavior change interventions and movement analysis tools.
Dr. Farha Sattar is a Lecturer in Education (Mathematics) at the Faculty of Arts and Society, Charles Darwin University. With over thirty years of teaching experience in Mathematics, Science education, GIS, Remote Sensing, and e-Learning technologies at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, Dr. Sattar brings extensive expertise to her academic role. She holds a PhD in Geospatial Science from Charles Darwin University, focusing on Spatial Mathematical Modelling for 3D Gully Mapping and Erosion Quantification. Her educational background includes: PhD in Geospatial Science (Three Dimensional Gully Mapping and Erosion Quantification within a Geoinformatics Framework), Charles Darwin University (2012) Prior academic experience at several Asian and European universities Dr. Sattar's research spans multiple interdisciplinary fields with a strong focus on the intersection of education and technology. Her primary research interests include Mathematics Education, STEM Education, Geoscience Education, Spatial Mathematical Modelling, Drone Technology, Remote Sensing, Geographic Information Systems, and Innovative Pedagogies such as experiential learning and inquiry-based approaches. She has developed expertise in cognitive development, particularly in fostering critical and creative thinking skills through iSTEM approaches. An analysis of Dr. Sattar's recent publications reveals a consistent trajectory toward integrating emerging technologies like drones, augmented reality, and geospatial artificial intelligence into educational contexts. Her work demonstrates a progression from foundational geospatial research on erosion mapping to innovative applications in STEM education. Recent publications increasingly focus on drone technology for educational purposes, spatial data infrastructure for policy development, and computational thinking development through technology-enhanced learning. Dr. Sattar has received numerous accolades for her contributions to education and research: NT Science Week Awards – Inspired NT STEM Hero of the Year award (2021) Long Service Recognition Award (2023) Finalist, CDU Alumni Award (2023) Multiple Best Presentation Awards (2008, 2010, 2017) Australian College of Educators - 2021 College Medal Nominee As a supervisor, Dr. Sattar mentors postgraduate research students including Ayesha Farhan, who is working on "A Framework for Cognitive Development: Fostering Critical and Creative Thinking Skills, Using iSTEM Approach." She actively secures research funding through various projects such as "DBELaSTEM: Drone-Based Experiential Learning and STEM Education," "STEM_D & VR: Youth STEM Learning and Empowerment with Drones and VR," and "CodProg Drone Lab." Her research is supported by grants from NT Government projects and other external funding sources. Dr. Sattar leads the CodProg Drone Lab, an innovative research space exploring drone technology applications in education. She is a certified drone pilot and aeronautical radio operator, which enables her to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical applications. Her work with the "Flying Forward: Drones, STEM Equity, and Indigenous Empowerment" initiative demonstrates her commitment to community engagement and addressing educational disparities through technology.
Professor Michael C.L. CHAU serves as Professor and Deputy Area Head of Innovation and Information Management at The University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Business and Economics. He also holds the position of Associate Director at the HKU HKJC Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, and serves on the HKU Senate and Court. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Management Information Systems from the University of Arizona and a B.Sc. in Computer Science (Information Systems) from the University of Hong Kong. Dr. Chau's research spans business analytics, artificial intelligence, web mining, fintech, smart health, and security informatics. His work focuses on applying data/text/web mining techniques to business, education, and social domains. He leads the Artificial Intelligence Research Group at HKU Business School, which has secured significant funding from the Hong Kong Research Grants Council, Food and Health Bureau, and other agencies for projects including 'The Invisible Hand in Crowdfunding' and 'Factors Moderating the Predictive Power of Social Media Sentiment on Stock Returns'. His publication portfolio includes over 150 articles in premier journals like MIS Quarterly, JMIS, and IEEE Transactions, with recent work exploring large language models, hate speech detection, and disaster-related social media analysis. His research demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections across computer science, information systems, and business applications. INFORMS ISS Design Science Award (2020) IEEE ITSS Leadership Award in Intelligence and Security Informatics (2020) AIS Sandra Slaughter Service Award (2016) HKU Outstanding Young Researcher Award (2014) Faculty Research Postgraduate Supervision Award (2020 & 2025) Cited over 9,400 times (h-index = 47) Dr. Chau actively mentors doctoral students and has supervised numerous PhD graduates who now hold academic positions at institutions including Fudan University, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, and the University of Maryland. His research grants portfolio demonstrates sustained funding success across diverse areas including blockchain, mental health applications, and social media analytics. The Artificial Intelligence Research Group he leads maintains strong industry connections through projects with Hong Kong Red Cross and the Hospital Authority.
Miyuki Hino is an Assistant Professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Environment, Ecology, and Energy Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She holds a Ph.D. in Environment and Resources from Stanford University and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Yale University. Her research focuses on climate hazards, governance, and public policy , with emphasis on equitable adaptation to climate change. Key areas include sea level rise impacts, flood risk on property markets, and managed retreat strategies. She has conducted extensive work on floodplain development policies, household relocation programs, and community resilience frameworks. Dr. Hino's interdisciplinary approach integrates environmental science, urban planning, and social equity . She collaborates with academic and municipal partners, such as the Center for Urban and Regional Studies and Annapolis, MD local governments, to develop actionable solutions for climate adaptation. Her work bridges technical analyses (e.g., sensor networks, machine learning) with policy design to ensure both effectiveness and justice in climate responses. Recent projects emphasize preventing future 'trapped households' by analyzing zoning policies and market dynamics that drive risky development. She advocates for climate-smart growth strategies to balance economic needs with environmental safety, while addressing disparities in vulnerability across communities. Her research has been featured in Science Advances , Nature Climate Change , and interdisciplinary journals. She actively engages with policymakers to translate findings into practical measures, such as equitable buyout programs and floodplain management reforms.
Yang Liu is a tenured Associate Professor at the Department of Management and Engineering , Linköping University, Sweden, and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Oulu, Finland. His expertise spans smart manufacturing, clean energy transition, and Industry 4.0 applications. He holds an M.Sc. and D.Sc. from the University of Vaasa, Finland. Research & Awards: Liu's work focuses on sustainable systems, decision support systems, and AI-driven energy efficiency. He has authored over 140 Web of Science publications, including top 0.1% ESI Hot Papers. He is ranked among the world's top 2% scientists (Stanford-Elsevier) and leads globally in 'big data analytics in manufacturing' and 'Industry 4.0-driven circular economy' research. Leadership & Projects: He leads projects like FlexSUS (EU Horizon 2020) and PERSEUS, developing tools for smart urban energy planning and 15-minute city models. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of Cleaner Engineering and Technology and Guest Editor for multiple journals. His research emphasizes bridging data science with sustainability challenges in manufacturing and energy systems. Key Achievements: Top-ranked in global citations, ESI Highly Cited Papers, and industry-driven sustainability frameworks. Grants: Leads EU-funded projects and collaborates with Siemens Energy on energy transition solutions. Labs & Teams: Part of the Environmental Technology and Management (MILJÖ) division and Unit for Product Service Innovation (MILJOPSI) at Linköping.
Dr. Dmytro Matsypura is an Associate Professor in the Discipline of Business Analytics at the University of Sydney Business School. He holds a BA (Hons) from Kyiv Polytechnic Institute (KPI), an MS (Hons) from KPI, and a PhD from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His research focuses on optimization methodologies, network science, and their applications in finance, transportation, ecology, and graph theory. He is a recipient of multiple teaching awards, including the Wayne Lonergan Outstanding Teaching Award (Early Career) in 2010. Education: PhD in Management Science, University of Massachusetts Amherst (2006) MS (Hons) in Information Systems, Kyiv Polytechnic Institute (2000) BA (Hons) in Business Administration, Kyiv Polytechnic Institute (1998) Research Interests: Dr. Matsypura’s work spans operations research and management science, with a focus on mathematical optimization and network science. His methodological contributions include developing efficient optimization algorithms, while his applied research addresses real-world challenges in finance, engineering, and ecology. Notable applications include wildfire fuel management, portfolio margining, and credit card fraud detection via graph-based models. Awards and Recognition: Teaching Excellence Award (2008, 2013, 2018) Wayne Lonergan Outstanding Teaching Award (Early Career) (2010) Grants and Projects: Current projects include Bushfire Analytics: Optimization of Fuel Reduction (2023, ARC Discovery Project). His research frequently integrates interdisciplinary collaborations, such as applying graph theory to biomedical problems and cybersecurity. Labs/Teams: Active in the Sydney Environment Institute, contributing to projects at the intersection of analytics and sustainability. Collaborates with industry on fraud detection and supply chain optimization.
Devis Tuia serves as Associate Professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), holding appointments in the Institute of Environmental Engineering (IIE) within the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC). He leads the Environmental Computational Science and Earth Observation Laboratory (ECEO) since 2020 and contributes to EPFL's Doctoral Program in Civil and Environmental Engineering. His academic journey began in Lausanne with studies at UNIL and EPFL, culminating in a PhD in remote sensing from UNIL. Postdoctoral research followed at institutions in Valencia, Boulder, and EPFL, focusing on machine learning model adaptation. He progressed from Research Assistant Professor at University of Zurich to Associate and Full Professor at Wageningen University before joining EPFL. Tuia's research bridges Earth observation with artificial intelligence, specializing in interpretable deep learning for environmental applications. His lab develops algorithms for making remote sensing accessible, with particular emphasis on digital wildlife conservation through automated censuses using drone and satellite imagery. Current projects tackle the 'black box' problem in environmental modeling while advancing spatial intelligence for sustainable urban development. His 2023-2025 publication portfolio reveals three dominant trends: (1) species distribution modeling using incomplete observations, (2) multimodal fusion of satellite/drone data with textual descriptions, and (3) interpretable AI frameworks for environmental decision-making. This work consistently addresses real-world challenges like wildfire forecasting and biodiversity monitoring. As an educator, Tuia supervises 12 current PhD students and has graduated 4 former EPFL doctoral candidates. His teaching portfolio includes Frontiers of Deep Learning for Engineers , Sensing and Spatial Modeling for Earth Observation , and Image Processing for Earth Observation courses. The ECEO laboratory maintains active collaborations with ESA-NASA initiatives and conservation organizations globally.
Michael R. Dove is the Margaret K. Musser Professor of Social Ecology and Professor of Anthropology at Yale University, where he also serves as Curator of Anthropology at the Peabody Museum and Co-Coordinator of the Combined YSE/Anthropology Doctoral Program. With over forty years of research experience, his work focuses on environmental anthropology, particularly the environmental relations of local communities in South and Southeast Asia. Dove earned his B.A. from Northwestern University and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Stanford University. His academic journey has spanned decades of field research in Asia, including more than a dozen years conducting long-term studies on human ecology in Borneo and Java, developing government research capacity in Indonesia, and advising the Pakistan Forest Service on social forestry policies. Professor Dove's research interests encompass the anthropology of climate change, cultural and political aspects of natural hazards and disasters, indigenous environmental knowledge and practice, environmental institutions and movements, history of environment-related sciences, and multispecies ethnography. His work often examines how local environmental systems interact with national and global markets, politics, and ideologies, with a focus on problematizing orthodox approaches to conservation and development. He has made significant contributions to understanding human-environment relations through both theoretical frameworks and practical applications. Dove's recent scholarly output demonstrates a progression toward more integrated approaches to environmental challenges, blending historical perspectives with contemporary issues. His publications increasingly focus on the intersections of climate change, social justice, and indigenous knowledge systems, while maintaining his longstanding interest in Southeast Asian environmental relations. The work shows a growing emphasis on post-humanist approaches and multispecies ethnography, reflecting broader trends in environmental anthropology while maintaining his distinctive focus on political ecology and institutional analysis. As an educator, Professor Dove has supervised numerous doctoral and master's students, many of whom have gone on to win research awards and secure prestigious positions. He organizes separate research labs for doctoral students from Yale School of the Environment and other departments, as well as for joint YSE/Anthropology doctoral students. His advisees typically conduct international research and have excellent records of obtaining research support both within and beyond Yale. The Dove Lab at Yale School of the Environment serves as a hub for environmental anthropology research, focusing on topics including natural resource management, property rights, power struggles, household energy transitions, and human-wildlife interactions. The lab fosters a collaborative environment with 30-50 students working on related issues each year, characterized by supportive peer dynamics rather than competition. It also contributes to policy and social change through its research and the work of its alumni.
