Dr. Saana Isojunno is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of St Andrews Centre for Research into Ecological & Environmental Modelling, Sea Mammal Research Unit. She studies behavioral ecology of marine mammals to understand resilience mechanisms to environmental stressors. Her research examines: Energetic consequences of predator-prey interactions (ECOPredS project) Cetacean responses to anthropogenic noise and whale-watching Individual plasticity in foraging and risk-management strategies Bio-logging and bioacoustic monitoring techniques Recent publications establish frameworks for assessing noise impacts on Antarctic species and quantify sonar disturbance thresholds in deep-diving cetaceans. Fieldwork includes killer whale predation studies in Scotland and naval sonar response experiments in Norway.
Joshua Plotkin is a Professor of Biology and holds the Walter H. and Leonore C. Annenberg Professorship of Natural Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a core member of the University’s Center for Mathematical Biology, which focuses on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of mathematics, biology, and ecology. His work integrates evolutionary theory, game theory, and computational models to study topics such as cooperation evolution, population dynamics, and the evolution of social norms. Plotkin’s research interests span evolutionary biology and ecology, with a particular emphasis on mathematical approaches to understanding biological systems. He leads initiatives in the Center for Mathematical Biology, including organizing seminar series and mentoring postdoctoral fellows funded by the Simons Foundation. These fellows are typically advised by mentors from both the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Biology, reflecting the Center’s interdisciplinary mission. His recent work explores topics like the evolution of cooperation, the dynamics of social learning, and the impact of network structures on strategic interactions. Plotkin’s publications frequently address game-theoretic models of human and microbial behavior, including studies on indirect reciprocity, reputation systems, and the evolutionary consequences of environmental feedbacks. His research also examines historical constraints on biological systems, such as the evolution of color naming in human cultures. Plotkin advises graduate students in the Department of Biology and collaborates with researchers across disciplines. He is actively involved in initiatives to model the spread of diseases, such as the multi-strain analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, and has contributed to theoretical frameworks explaining evolutionary rescue and the role of phenotypic plasticity in adaptation. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned in the provided texts, but his contributions to mathematical biology and evolutionary theory are widely recognized. The Center for Mathematical Biology, under his leadership, serves as a hub for collaborative research and training, fostering innovation in quantitative biological sciences.
Olav Rueppell is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Science. He holds expertise in honey bee biology, social evolution, and genomics. Rueppell's research focuses on understanding social evolution across biological levels, with particular emphasis on honey bee aging, behavior, and health challenges like Varroa mites and viral infections. He transitioned from the University of North Carolina Greensboro after 17 years to continue his work at Alberta. His lab emphasizes equity and collaboration, adhering to a detailed code of conduct to foster a productive and inclusive environment. Education: Rueppell completed his undergraduate and doctoral studies at Julius-Maximilians Universität Würzburg, focusing on social evolution in ants. His postdoctoral research at the University of California, Davis introduced him to honey bee studies. He teaches courses such as BIOL 221 (Mechanisms of Evolution), BIOL 411/511 (Ecological and Evolutionary Genomics). Research Interests: Rueppell's work integrates genomic approaches with ecological and evolutionary questions, including adaptation, speciation, and functional genomics. His lab explores honey bee stress responses, hygienic behavior, and sustainable solutions to improve colony health. Recent studies include microbiome differences in hygienic bees and pesticide resistance trends in Varroa mites. Lab Team: The Rueppell Lab includes students and researchers like Yosef, Prabashi, Alexander Walton, Chenoa, Demi, Alyssa, and Rassol, focusing on diverse aspects of honey bee biology. The lab actively participates in conferences and outreach, recently winning awards for student research (e.g., Alexander Walton’s Project ApisM Bellow’s Award). Labs/Teams: The Rueppell Social Insect Lab at the University of Alberta is located in the Biological Sciences Building (CW 405). The lab employs methods ranging from field apiculture to molecular genetics to study pollinator health and social insect behavior.
Dr. Michael Reichert is an Associate Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at Oklahoma State University (OSU), where he has served since January 2019, transitioning from Assistant to Associate Professor in July 2024. Previously, he was a Senior Postdoctoral Researcher at University College Cork (UCC), working under Prof. John Quinn on the evolutionary ecology of cognition in wild great tits. Reichert holds a BSc in Biology from the University of North Carolina and a PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of Missouri (2011). He conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Humboldt University in Berlin before joining UCC. His academic career includes certifications such as a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education from UCC. His research focuses on animal communication and cognition, particularly in frogs and insects, exploring how environmental factors influence behavioral plasticity, sexual selection, and learning. Key areas include acoustic signaling strategies, female mate preference dynamics, and cognitive mechanisms in contests. He leads the Reichert Lab, which investigates bioacoustics, behavioral ecology, and evolutionary processes using interdisciplinary approaches. Reichert collaborates on educational outreach, such as developing free high school lessons on tradeoffs in animal behavior with the Galactic Polymath Education Studio. His work emphasizes broader impacts, including NSF-funded initiatives like the ON-RaMP program for post-baccalaureate researchers. He also engages in interdisciplinary projects, such as analyzing gut microbiota effects on avian behavior and cognition. His lab’s current projects include studying cognition in contests, the effects of noise on signal preferences, and the role of perception in communication networks. Reichert’s contributions span peer-reviewed publications, seminar series (e.g., Braincoustics), and mentorship in organismal biology and ecology.
Dr. Joe MacInnes is a Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at Swansea University's Faculty of Science and Engineering. His interdisciplinary research focuses on visual attention mechanisms through machine learning models that simulate human visual processing. He utilizes high-speed eye tracking and complex visual tasks (foraging, search, memorization) to understand attention allocation, with applications in both cognitive science and AI. His expertise spans machine learning, eye tracking, computational cognitive modeling, and AI. Dr. MacInnes has received multiple awards including the Best Paper Award at AppLens 2018. His research advances understanding of human attention to inform machine attention systems. Current work involves developing experimental paradigms using VR environments to study attention in dynamic scenarios. Dr. MacInnes collaborates with neuroscience labs and industry partners to translate research into practical AI implementations.
Christian Willenborg is the Department Head of Plant Sciences and a Professor at the University of Saskatchewan. He holds an adjunct position at the University of Alberta's Department of Agriculture, Food, and Nutritional Sciences. His research focuses on weed ecology, population biology, and conservation biological control in agroecosystems, particularly seedbank dynamics, seed predation by carabid beetles, and ecosystem service contributions of weeds. He teaches courses like PLSC 260 (Principles of Plant Protection) and PLSC 340 (Weed Biology and Ecology). Dr. Willenborg's education includes a B.Sc. (2002), M.Sc. (2005) in Agronomy/Weed Science from the University of Saskatchewan, and a Ph.D. (2009) from the University of Manitoba (Weed Science). His work is funded by NSERC, Saskatchewan Agriculture Development Fund, and others. Key awards include the 2013 Early Career Agronomist Award and multiple Dean’s Awards for Teaching and Research Excellence. His research integrates ecological frameworks to address long-term weed management challenges, emphasizing integrated strategies for herbicide-resistant weeds and sustainable cropping systems. He explores carabid beetle networks' impact on biocontrol, seed predator interactions, and the role of functional diversity in flax-based rotations. Recent work includes optimizing flax production, reducing pesticide reliance, and mapping glyphosate-resistant kochia populations. He advises on funding sources spanning government and industry partnerships, contributing to both academic and applied agricultural outcomes. His lab collaborates broadly to advance agroecological solutions for pests and sustainable crop systems.
Jeff Brown is a Lecturer and General Manager of CommRadio at Pennsylvania State University, based in the Bellisario Media Center. His research focuses on fundamental neurophysiological mechanisms in invertebrate models, examining neural circuit function, behavioral control systems, and evolutionary neurobiology. Brown's publications investigate diverse aspects of neurobiology including motor pattern generation, sensory processing, neurotransmitter function, and computational modeling of neural systems. His work primarily utilizes gastropods and other invertebrates to explore conserved neural principles. Research emphases include: Neurophysiological basis of locomotion and defensive behaviors Evolutionary conservation of neural architectures Neurotransmitter modulation of behavior Computational approaches to neural circuit analysis His laboratory employs techniques ranging from electrophysiology and neuropharmacology to advanced imaging and computational simulations.
Marta Szulkin is a Full Professor at the Institute of Evolutionary Biology , Faculty of Biology , University of Warsaw . She leads the Anthropocene Biology Lab , focusing on urban evolutionary ecology and avian adaptation to human-altered environments. Her work integrates genomic, ecological, and behavioral approaches to study evolutionary responses to urbanization. Education: BSc (University of Warsaw, 2004), MSc (University of Oxford, 2003), DPhil (University of Oxford, 2008). Previous roles include Magdalen College Research Fellow (2007–2011) and Marie Curie Fellow (until 2015). Appointed Associate Professor in 2015 and Full Professor in 2022. Research interests include urban-driven evolutionary changes, population genomics, and avian adaptation. She pioneered the Global Urban Evolution Project , studying parallel evolution in cosmopolitan species. Key topics: urban pollution impacts, nest material use, and epigenetic modifications in birds. Publications emphasize urbanization's effects on biodiversity, with contributions to Trends in Ecology & Evolution and Science . Her edited volume Urban Evolutionary Biology (Oxford University Press, 2020) defines the field. Grants include Marie Curie Fellowship funding. Lab initiatives include long-term studies on great tits in Warsaw's urban gradient. Collaborations span global projects, fostering inclusive urban ecological research.
Aisling Carroll is a Senior Lecturer in the HE Equine Department within the Department of Animal and Agriculture at Hartpury University, where she has been teaching and conducting research since 2016. She holds a PhD in progress, an MSc in Equine Science, and a BSc in Microbiology, and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Education: PhD in Microbiology (in progress, expected 2026), Hartpury University PG Cert in Teaching & Learning in Higher Education, University of the West of England (2018) MSc in Equine Science, Hartpury University (2016) BSc (Hons) in Microbiology, National University of Ireland, Galway (2013) Her research focuses on the animal microbiome, particularly in equine and dairy calf systems, exploring how microbial communities influence health, disease resistance, and performance. She investigates topics such as calf birth weight impacts, probiotic applications, and environmental stress reduction in veterinary clinics. Her work integrates microbiology, animal welfare, and practical management solutions. The 15 most recent publications reflect a consistent focus on microbiome dynamics in livestock and pets, with strong emphasis on dairy calves and equines. Broad keywords include Microbiology, Veterinary Science, Animal Health, and Probiotics. Subfields span from calf growth and birth weight to microbial load in canine water bowls and stress mitigation in veterinary settings, showcasing interdisciplinary research with real-world applications. Scientific Awards: BSAS Presidents Prize Finalist (2022) Edgar Pye Scholarship (2021) Aisling supervises undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations and leads research projects supported by Lallemand and the Society of Feed Technologists. She is active in outreach, serving as Outreach Coordinator for the Equine Department and participating in the Cheltenham Science Festival. She is a member of the Animal Welfare Arena, Equine Performance Research Centre, and Science Communication Community of Practice, and contributes to conference organization and media engagement. Labs and Research Teams: She is affiliated with the Animal Welfare Arena and the Equine Performance Research Centre at Hartpury and collaborates with industry partners on probiotic and management research. Her role as Convenor of the Science Communication Community of Practice highlights her commitment to public engagement and STEM outreach.
Peter Roberts is a Lecturer in Animal Behaviour and Welfare at Hartpury University, Department of Animal and Agriculture. He has been actively teaching and conducting research since joining the institution in 2021. His academic journey includes a PhD from Oxford Brookes University and an M.Sc. from Walter Sisulu University, both focused on small carnivores. Education: PhD in Anthropology & Geography, Oxford Brookes University (2020) M.Sc in Zoology, Walter Sisulu University (2006) B.Sc (Hons) in Zoology (2001) His research centers on animal behaviour, welfare, and conservation of small carnivores, especially genets and civets. Key areas include behavioural ecology, captive welfare in the civet coffee trade, exotic pet markets, and habitat use in newly colonized regions. He employs field methods such as camera trapping and scat analysis. The recent publications reflect a strong trend in wildlife welfare, particularly concerning civets in tourism and trade, along with biodiversity assessments in Europe and Southeast Asia. His work bridges academic research with real-world conservation advocacy. Scientific Memberships: Member, IUCN Small Carnivore Specialist Group Peter Roberts supervises B.Sc. dissertations and is open to PhD supervision in areas such as small carnivore research, camera trapping, and diet studies. He is currently managing active research projects in Northern Italy and Wiltshire, England, and is open to collaborations. His research has been supported through institutional affiliations and fieldwork initiatives. He is involved in several research teams focusing on small carnivore ecology and welfare, particularly in collaboration with international researchers in Indonesia and South Africa. His lab activities include field data collection, camera trap analysis, and welfare assessment in both wild and captive settings.
Gregory W Thiemann is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change at York University, where he also serves as the Program Coordinator for Sustainable Environmental Management. He holds a PhD and MSc from Dalhousie University and a BSc (Honours) from McMaster University. His research is deeply rooted in Arctic ecosystems, focusing on the foraging ecology, conservation, and physiological responses of top predators such as polar bears and ringed seals. PhD, Dalhousie University MSc, Dalhousie University BSc (Honours), McMaster University His research interests lie at the intersection of ecology, physiology, and climate change. Thiemann investigates how Arctic carnivores adapt their foraging strategies in response to environmental shifts, particularly sea ice loss. He uses biochemical tracers—including stable isotopes and fatty acids—and satellite telemetry to analyze diet, movement, and body condition. His work emphasizes collaboration with northern Indigenous communities, government agencies, and conservation organizations to ensure that research supports both wildlife and human populations in the Arctic. The recent publications of Gregory W Thiemann reflect a consistent and impactful research trajectory centered on polar bear and seal ecology. The articles span disciplines such as conservation physiology, food web dynamics, climate change impacts, and methodological innovation in wildlife monitoring. Key themes include dietary flexibility in apex predators, the use of non-invasive tracking technologies, and the integration of biochemical and spatial data to assess ecosystem health. These works are published in leading journals like Global Change Biology , Conservation Physiology , and Polar Biology , highlighting the interdisciplinary and applied nature of his research. Dr. Thiemann has received research funding and support from several prestigious organizations, including NSERC, WWF-Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNDMNRF), the Government of Nunavut, and the Toronto Zoo. These partnerships enable long-term monitoring and community-based research across the Canadian Arctic. NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council) WWF-Canada Ontario MNDMNRF Government of Nunavut Toronto Zoo Earth Rangers His research projects include long-term studies on polar bear denning, foraging behavior, human-polar bear conflict, and community-based monitoring of marine mammals. These initiatives often operate in collaboration with Indigenous communities, ensuring local knowledge informs scientific inquiry and conservation planning.
Magnus Wahlberg is an Associate Professor at the Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, with cross-affiliations to the STEM Education Research Center – FNUG, the SDU Climate Cluster, and the research group Sound Communication and Behaviour. He is actively engaged in marine bioacoustics and behavioral ecology research. Education: M.Sc. in Physics & Biology, Göteborg University, Sweden (1999) Ph.D. in Biology, University of Southern Denmark (2002) His research focuses on marine mammal communication, echolocation in cetaceans, and the ecological impacts of underwater noise and climate change. He has led and contributed to numerous international studies on harbor porpoises, bottlenose dolphins, and other cetaceans, examining foraging behavior, social interactions, and conservation strategies. His recent publications (2024–2025) highlight trends in bioacoustic monitoring, age determination techniques, and behavioral adaptations in marine mammals, particularly in the Baltic and North Seas. The work spans disciplines including marine biology, behavioral ecology, and conservation science, with subfields such as echolocation dynamics, predator-prey interactions, and climate-driven species distribution shifts. Scientific Awards: SCC Fast track - uddelingsrunde november 2024 Wahlberg is currently co-supervising four Ph.D. students across multiple universities (University of Southern Denmark, Aarhus University, Universität Tübingen, University of Azores), along with two M.Sc. and two B.Sc. students. He has secured significant research funding, including a 25-million DKK project and grants from Carlsbergfondet and Lundbeckfonden, supporting work on anti-predator responses and marine mammal monitoring. He has also organized eight international Ph.D. classes in Marine Bioacoustics. He is involved in key research projects such as 'New marine top predators in Denmark – indicators of climate change?' and 'Development of anti-predator responses in Danish harbor porpoises,' contributing to both national and EU-level initiatives like Horizon2020. His work has been widely disseminated through over 260 media appearances and has impacted scientific discourse through datasets, public outreach, and policy-relevant findings.
Eva K Fischer serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with additional appointments in the Neuroscience Program and Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, and affiliation with the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. Her integrative research program bridges evolutionary biology, neuroethology, and behavioral ecology to investigate mechanistic foundations of animal behavior. Her educational background includes: Postdoctoral Fellow, Stanford University (2017-2020) Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard University (2015-2017) PhD, Colorado State University (2009-2015) BA, Cornell University (2003-2007) Dr. Fischer's research examines how brains and behavior achieve both flexibility and robustness across biological hierarchies (genes to behavior) and timescales (immediate to evolutionary). Using neotropical poison frogs as model systems, she investigates mechanistic constraints and flexibility in behavioral evolution, with particular focus on parental care, vocal communication, and chemical signaling in ecologically relevant contexts. Her work combines field studies in Latin America with laboratory analyses of neural, endocrine, and genomic mechanisms. Analysis of her 2022-2025 publications reveals consistent investigation of behavioral adaptation in poison frogs , with growing integration of genomic tools to examine gene-behavior relationships. Key trends include studies on parental care evolution, individual recognition systems, and environmental modulation of behavior, demonstrating her commitment to multi-level integrative approaches across developmental and evolutionary timescales. Dr. Fischer mentors students through her Fischer Lab using a philosophy that emphasizes boosting morale and productivity through creative techniques like intermittent food rewards. She maintains a strong commitment to building equitable and inclusive research environments that foster growth for all lab members. The Fischer Lab operates as an integrative research unit combining fieldwork in poison frog habitats with laboratory analyses of behavior, neuroanatomy, and endocrinology. The lab emphasizes collaborative projects examining behavioral variation across ecological contexts and evolutionary lineages, with particular attention to how hierarchical biological processes interact to produce adaptive phenotypes.
Dr. Pragya Singh is a chemical ecologist at the University of Bielefeld's Faculty of Biology, specializing in Chemical Ecology. She is actively affiliated with the SFB/Transregio 212 "A Novel Synthesis of Individualization across Behavior, Ecology and Evolution: Niche Choice, Niche Conformance, Niche Construction" (NC³) research consortium. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical approaches to understand how chemical compounds shape ecological and evolutionary processes. Her research interests focus on chemical ecology, evolutionary biology, and insect behavior , with particular expertise in pharmacophagy (the non-nutritional use of plant chemicals by insects), niche construction theory, and sexual selection mechanisms. Singh investigates how chemical compounds influence insect behavior, social structures, and evolutionary trajectories across multiple life stages, often examining the intersection between individual variation and population-level ecological processes. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on reproducibility in ecological research, individual behavioral variation, and the role of chemical compounds in mediating ecological interactions. Her work frequently examines holometabolous insects (those with complete metamorphosis) to understand how different life stages respond to environmental stressors and chemical cues. While specific awards are not documented in the available information, her publication record demonstrates significant contributions to understanding how chemical ecology shapes evolutionary processes. Her collaborative work across multiple laboratories suggests strong networking within the ecological research community. Dr. Singh's research has important implications for understanding how species respond to environmental change through individual variation and behavioral plasticity. Her work on pharmacophagy and chemical defense mechanisms provides insights into potential applications for pest management and conservation biology.
J. Sean Doody serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, teaching core undergraduate courses including Biological Diversity, Conservation Biology, and Vertebrate Biological Diversity. His academic role centers on advancing ecological education and research within the university's biology programs. His foundational academic credential is a Ph.D. in Applied Science from the University of Canberra, Australia, awarded in 2002. Ph.D. in Applied Science, University of Canberra, Australia (2002) Dr. Doody's research program integrates animal behavior and ecological dynamics, with specialized expertise in ethology, terrestrial ecology, and aquatic ecosystem responses. His investigations focus on behavioral adaptations to environmental stressors, particularly invasive species impacts and climate change effects on reptilian and amphibian species. This work examines predator-prey interactions involving toxic prey, reproductive behavior plasticity, and ecosystem-level consequences of species introductions, providing critical insights for conservation strategies in threatened habitats. Analysis of his 2019-2022 publications reveals a concentrated research trajectory on invasive cane toads in Australian ecosystems. His studies document native predator adaptations to toxic prey, climate-driven shifts in reptile reproductive behaviors, and unexpected population resilience in keystone species. This body of work demonstrates consistent methodological rigor through field-based ecological research, highlighting both species vulnerabilities and adaptive capacities in rapidly changing environments. No scientific awards or major honors are referenced in the available documentation. Information regarding graduate student mentorship, research grant funding, laboratory infrastructure, or collaborative research teams is not provided in the current materials.
