Professor Dieter Hochuli leads the Integrative Ecology research group in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Sydney. His research focuses on biodiversity conservation in urban environments, with particular emphasis on arthropod ecology, habitat management, and the ecological dynamics of human-dominated landscapes. His work bridges community ecology and landscape-scale conservation strategies. Research interests center on urban biodiversity conservation, insect-plant interactions, ecosystem function in modified environments, and the ecological impacts of invasive species. Current projects examine how urban planning decisions affect biodiversity, the role of green infrastructure in supporting ecosystem services, and human-wildlife interactions in urban fringes. Analysis of recent publications reveals consistent themes: urban pollinator ecology, wildlife disease ecology at the urban interface, experimental approaches to urban green space management, and biodiversity responses to urbanization. His work integrates ecological theory with practical conservation applications. Professor Hochuli leads field-based ecology projects across Sydney's urban environments and collaborates with local councils on biodiversity mapping initiatives. He currently supervises graduate students researching urban arthropod communities, wildlife conservation, and ecosystem restoration.
Robert Barclay is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Science. He holds a PhD (Carleton University, 1981), MSc (Carleton University, 1978), and BSc (Trent University, 1976). His research focuses on the behavioral and physiological ecology of mammals and birds, particularly bats, investigating roosting behavior, thermoregulation, and responses to environmental disturbances like wind energy, urbanization, and wildfires. He has contributed to understanding bat migration, torpor physiology, and conservation challenges. Key awards include the Order of the University of Calgary (2024), Faculty of Science Excellence in Research Award (2021), and multiple teaching awards. His work spans bat-habitat interactions, climate impacts, and wildlife management. Retired since 2021, he no longer advises students but retains a legacy of influential research and mentorship. Education: PhD Biological Sciences, Carleton University, 1981 MSc Biological Sciences, Carleton University, 1978 BSc Biological Sciences, Trent University, 1976 Research highlights include studies on bat responses to wind turbines, urbanization effects on prairie bats, and Yukon bat ecology. His publications address topics like bat diet, roost selection, and population dynamics. Collaborative projects include investigating bat fatalities at wind facilities and the impact of forest disturbances on bat communities.
Katrine Eldegard is a Professor at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA), Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management (INA). She leads BatLab Norway and contributes extensively to national and international conservation science policy. Institution: Norwegian University of Life Sciences School: Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management Department: Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management Position: Professor Her research centers on understanding how human activities and land use affect natural ecosystems and species across taxa and spatial scales. She specializes in the behavioral, population, and community-level responses of mammals, birds, and insects to anthropogenic pressures such as energy infrastructure, transport networks, and forestry. A major focus is on bat ecology and conservation, pollination dynamics, and biodiversity monitoring in boreal and agricultural landscapes. Her recent publications reveal strong trends in climate change impacts on bat morphology and distribution, pollinator-plant interactions under environmental change, and the ecological consequences of infrastructure development. These works integrate field ecology with advanced modeling and policy-relevant assessments. She has played leading roles in key scientific committees: Chair, Mammal Committee, Norwegian Red List for Species (2021) Chair, Mammal Committee, Norwegian Alien Species List (2023) Member, Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment (VKM), CITES Expert Panel Norway’s representative, UNEP/Eurobats Advisory Committee Eldegard has supervised numerous research projects and collaborated with government agencies and private partners on applied ecology. She teaches courses including NATF200 Vern og forvaltning av norsk natur and the upcoming NATF300 Conservation Science. Her work is supported by extensive fieldwork, interdisciplinary collaboration, and integration of ecological theory with practical conservation. She leads BatLab Norway, a research group dedicated to advancing knowledge on bat ecology, behavior, and conservation through innovative methods including telemetry, acoustic monitoring, and landscape analysis.
Dr. Serena Ding is a Max Planck Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, where she heads the Genes and Behavior department. She leads an interdisciplinary team studying the mechanisms and evolution of collective behaviors in nematodes through genetic, neuronal, and behavioral approaches. Education: PhD in C. elegans Developmental Cell Biology, University of Oxford (2011-2016) Postdoc in C. elegans Quantitative Behavior, Imperial College London (2016-2021) B.Sc. in Biology, University of Richmond (2007-2011) Research Focus: Dr. Ding investigates fascinating collective phenomena in nematodes including towering (collective dispersal), wurmuration (density-dependent swarming), and strain-specific aggregation behaviors. Her lab combines molecular biology, neuroscience, evolutionary biology, and complex systems modeling to understand both proximate mechanisms and ultimate evolutionary drivers of these behaviors across wild nematode strains. Publication Trends: Her research emphasizes quantitative behavioral analysis and innovative imaging methodologies, as exemplified by her 2020 work developing bioluminescence-based tracking of C. elegans foraging patterns. This aligns with her group's focus on high-throughput phenotyping of natural genetic variations in behavior. Team Leadership: Dr. Ding mentors a diverse research team including: 2 postdoctoral researchers (Daniela Perez, Assaf Pertzelan) 3 doctoral students (Narcís Font Massot, Youn Jae Kang, Gopika Ranjith) 1 master's student (Iris Bernstein) 1 technical assistant (Ryan Greenway)
Gianfranco Anfora is a Full Professor at the University of Trento, affiliated with both the Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering and the Center Agriculture Food Environment (C3A), where he serves as Deputy Dean. His research focuses on agricultural entomology, biological control, and sustainable pest management. Key expertise areas include integrated pest control, semiochemicals, and viticulture-related challenges. Anfora teaches courses on biopesticides, vine protection, and eco-sustainable management of invasive species. His research emphasizes vibrational communication in pests like Halyomorpha halys and Drosophila suzukii, exploring non-chemical control strategies such as sterile insect techniques and biological control agents. Collaborative projects include classical biological control programs targeting invasive species in vineyards and果园. Anfora’s work often bridges ecology and applied pest management, addressing climate and landscape impacts on agricultural practices. Recent studies highlight innovations in vibrational mating disruption, substrate-borne signaling, and radiation effects on pest behavior. His contributions aim to balance productivity, environmental sustainability, and regulatory compliance within agri-food systems. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned, but his extensive publication record reflects significant contributions to entomological and agricultural research.
Claudia Wagner is a full professor for Applied Computational Social Sciences at RWTH Aachen University and the Scientific Director of the Computational Social Science department at GESIS—Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences. She is also an External Faculty member at the Complexity Science Hub Vienna. Her work bridges computer science and the social sciences to study algorithmic systems and their societal impacts. Her research focuses on socio-technical phenomena such as inequality, sexism, and perception bias in algorithmically infused societies. She investigates methodological challenges in using digital behavioral data to study human behavior, attitudes, and group dynamics. Her interests span computational social science, algorithmic fairness, network science, and AI ethics. The analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on bias, fairness, and methodological rigor in digital data analysis. Her work spans AI psychometrics, gender inequality in online platforms, and validation frameworks for digital traces. She frequently publishes in top-tier venues such as Nature , Science , and AAAI conferences. DOC-fFORTE fellowship from the Austrian Academy of Sciences Four best paper awards at international conferences (ICWSM, CSCW, WWW, AAAI) Associate Editor, EPJ Data Science Steering Committee Member, International AAAI Conference on Web and Social Media Board Member, International Society for Computational Social Science Claudia Wagner has led and co-led substantial research projects funded by national and international agencies. She mentors a diverse group of PhD students working on topics like algorithmic bias, data quality, and dehumanization. She has organized training events such as the CSS Methods Summer School and delivered keynotes globally on inequality and computational social science. She leads the Computational Social Science department at GESIS and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams at RWTH Aachen and the Complexity Science Hub. Her group develops tools for measuring algorithmic impacts and visualizing disparities in socio-technical systems, such as the 'Planets of Disparity' dashboard.
Ross Otto is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at McGill University. He holds an office at 2001 McGill College, 711, and can be reached via email at ross.otto@mcgill.ca. His research focuses on understanding the mechanisms underlying reflective versus reflexive decision-making, particularly how cognitive resources, stress, and contextual factors influence effort-based choices. He employs computational modeling, behavioral experiments, and neuroimaging techniques. Notable contributions include studies on stress-induced cognitive avoidance and the neural correlates of effort evaluation. His work is affiliated with the Otto Lab, and he collaborates widely across disciplines such as neuroscience and behavioral economics.
Travis Robbins is an Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of Nebraska Omaha's College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on ecological and evolutionary adaptations in reptiles, particularly lizards, emphasizing thermal biology, epigenetics, and responses to environmental stressors such as invasive species. He holds a Ph.D. in Biology and has published extensively on topics including latitudinal clines in lizard physiology, predator-prey dynamics, and the effects of temperature on developmental and metabolic processes. Key research interests include understanding how lizards adapt to thermal environments, the role of epigenetic mechanisms in phenotypic plasticity, and the impacts of invasive species on native populations. His work integrates field observations with controlled laboratory studies to explore questions at the interface of ecology, physiology, and evolution. Recent studies investigate the physiological stress responses in lizards exposed to novel predators and the transgenerational effects of environmental challenges. Dr. Robbins' publications highlight trends in thermal adaptation, behavioral plasticity, and the ecological consequences of anthropogenic changes. His work on Sceloporus lizards has been particularly influential in elucidating mechanisms underlying latitudinal variation in body size, growth rates, and reproductive strategies. He has also examined how invasive species like fire ants affect predator-prey interactions and immune function in reptiles. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned in the text, but his contributions include significant grants likely tied to fieldwork and laboratory research. He advises students in experimental ecology and conservation biology, though specific advisee names are not listed here. His research extends to habitat restoration and citizen science initiatives, emphasizing community engagement in ecological monitoring and conservation efforts. Dr. Robbins is affiliated with UNO's Biology Department and collaborates with institutions like the University of South Florida on projects involving epigenetic markers in herpetofauna. His lab focuses on translating ecological epigenetics into actionable insights for species conservation under climate change scenarios.
Nicholas Vincent is an Assistant Professor in the School of Computing Science at Simon Fraser University. His research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Responsible Artificial Intelligence, and Human-Centric Machine Learning. He holds a Ph.D. in Technology and Social Behavior from Northwestern University (2022) and a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from UCLA (2016). Education: Ph.D., Northwestern University (2022); B.Sc., UCLA (2016) Affiliations: Simon Fraser University School of Computing Science His work examines the societal implications of AI, including data labor rights, algorithmic governance, and ethical design. Notable contributions include frameworks for measuring attentional agency on digital platforms and studies on collective action in tech contexts. He received the SIGCHI Outstanding Dissertation Award in 2024. Recent publications explore topics like AI ethics, governance of generative models, and Wikipedia's role in content ecosystems. He actively participates in policy discussions through media engagements and conference talks, advocating for public-oriented AI development.
Assoc Prof Haoming Liu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at National University of Singapore. His research focuses on applied economics, econometrics, and labor economics, with a particular emphasis on labor and demographic economics, health, education, and welfare, as well as economic development and technological change. His work often examines the intersections between environmental factors (e.g., heat, pollution) and economic outcomes, such as labor productivity, crime rates, and educational attainment. He has also contributed to studies on minimum wage policies, housing markets, and fertility-education trade-offs in developing economies. Education: PhD in Economics from the University of Western Ontario, Canada. Research highlights include analyzing the impact of heat on economic activity in tropical cities like Singapore, the effects of air pollution on labor productivity in China, and the role of discount rates in long-term housing market decisions. His teaching interests span labor economics, income distribution, and applied econometrics. Key contributions include demonstrating how heat influences workplace attendance and student performance in air-conditioned versus non-air-conditioned environments, and how minimum wage increases reduce urban crime disparities between low- and high-income communities. His articles frequently employ innovative econometric methods to address policy-relevant questions, such as optimal contest design, microgrid energy trading mechanisms, and urban density pricing in housing markets.
Castilleja Olmsted serves as a Teaching Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh, with office location in A259 Langley Hall (5th & Ruskin Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15260). Her research focuses on ecological dynamics in forest ecosystems, particularly examining interactions between disturbances, wildlife, and plant communities. Contact is facilitated through her institutional email cfo7@pitt.edu. Her primary research interests span Ecology , Evolutionary Biology , and Forest Ecology , with specialized expertise in Wildlife Management and Biodiversity Conservation . Key investigations include disturbance legacies from fire and herbivory, cryptic biodiversity reservoirs, and non-trophic ecosystem engineering by large mammals. She integrates field studies with theoretical frameworks to address conservation challenges in changing landscapes. Recent publications (2019-2025) reveal a cohesive research trajectory centered on disturbance ecology and species interactions. Her work consistently examines how multiple stressors—such as fire, canopy gaps, and ungulate herbivory—reshape forest composition and regeneration. Notable contributions include demonstrating moose's ecosystem engineering roles and nematode-mediated plant competition dynamics, while practical outputs like her graduate school guide and field safety manual highlight commitment to academic community building. Dr. Olmsted actively mentors students in ecology and evolutionary biology, evidenced by her publication advising on graduate applications. Her fieldwork-driven approach necessitates robust safety protocols reflected in her manual, though specific grant details remain undisclosed in available materials. Current research directions suggest expanding investigations into multi-disturbance legacies and cryptic biodiversity mechanisms.
Andrea W. Richa is a President's Professor at Arizona State University (ASU), holding positions in the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence (SCAI), Barrett Honors College, and multiple research centers including the Biodesign Institute's Center for Biocomputing, Security, and Society. She specializes in distributed algorithms, programmable matter, and bio-inspired computing. Richa has led major research initiatives, including a DoD MURI award and an NSF CAREER Award, and has delivered keynote speeches at top conferences like DISC and LATIN. Her work focuses on self-organizing particle systems, wireless networks, and algorithmic foundations of active matter. Educations: PhD (Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University, 1998), M.S. (Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University, 1995), B.S. (Computer Science, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1989). Research Interests: Distributed algorithms, programmable matter, bio-inspired systems, wireless communication models, graph algorithms, combinatorial optimization, and resource allocation. She leads the Self-Organizing Particle Systems Lab and is part of SCAI's Theory and Algorithms group. Awards: 2024 ASU Mentorship Award, 2021 Mentor of the Year, 2017 SCAI Research Excellence Award, NSF CAREER Award (1999), and multiple grants including DoD MURI. Her research spans theoretical and applied domains, with over 150 publications in top venues. Grants: Current DoD MURI funding (2019-25), NSF awards on Markov chain algorithms and active matter (2021-25), and prior funding on programmable matter (2014-2017). Labs/Teams: SOPS Lab (sops.engineering.asu.edu), contributing to interdisciplinary research in algorithmic matter and bio-inspired systems.
Francisco Jose Garcia Garcia is a Professor at the Universidad Pablo de Olavide, affiliated with the Department of Physical, Chemical and Natural Systems. His research focuses on Zoology, Marine Biology, and Benthic Ecology, with a specialization in Mollusks (particularly Opisthobranchia) and Antarctic Biodiversity. He leads the ORGSIS Organisms and Systems research group and contributes to the Doctoral Programs in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology. PhD in Zoology (1987) from the University of Seville His research spans marine taxonomy, ecological impacts of human activity, and biogeographical patterns of mollusks and arthropods in coastal environments. Recent studies examine invasive species effects (e.g., Amathia verticillata) and wrack dynamics in Atlantic and Mediterranean ecosystems. His publications from 1984–2024 reflect long-term contributions to Antarctic benthos studies (BENTART projects) and nudibranch systematics. Articles highlight expertise in Invasive Species Ecology, Benthic Ecology, and Environmental Impact Assessment, with a focus on mollusk physiology, taxonomy, and habitat interactions. Notable collaborations include Antarctic research campaigns and cross-regional studies comparing Brazil and Spain. As part of the ORGSIS group, he investigates coastal ecosystem functioning, emphasizing sandy beach macrofauna and supralittoral arthropods. His work integrates field experiments (e.g., wrack removal, trampling effects) and laboratory assays on reproductive biology.
Shannon Neibergs is an academic professional at Washington State University (WSU), serving as Director of the Western Center for Risk Management Education and Extension Specialist in the School of Economic Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&M University (1993), an M.A. in Agricultural Economics from WSU (1987), and a B.S. in Animal Science from WSU (1983). Her research focuses on livestock production economics, auction market dynamics, and agribusiness employment strategies, with significant contributions to risk management education and sustainable agriculture. Notable honors include NACAA National and Regional Finalist awards for team newsletters (2010, 2008), a Faculty Member of the Year Award (University of Louisville, 1997), and multiple annual evaluation awards for service and research excellence. Her work bridges academic research with practical extension programs, addressing challenges in beef production systems, genomic selection tools, and rangeland management. Risk Management Education: Leads initiatives to help farmers navigate market uncertainties and policy changes. Livestock Economics: Specializes in production costs, crossbreeding impacts, and disease management economics. Regional Agriculture: Analyzes economic contributions of Washington's beef and dairy sectors through input-output models. Her advisory and collaborative efforts include managing the Western Center for Risk Management and contributing to the Beef Risk Control (BRD CAP) project. She collaborates with ranchers and policymakers to enhance agricultural resilience. Active in interdisciplinary teams such as the IMPACT Center and Transportation Research Group, her work emphasizes translating research into actionable solutions for agricultural stakeholders.
Jens Krause is a Professor and Head of Department at the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) in Berlin, leading the Research Group on Mechanisms and Functions of Group-Living. He holds a full professorship in Fish Ecology at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Faculty of Life Sciences, Thaer-Institute, and since 2018 has been an Adjunct Professor at Technical University Berlin within the Excellence Cluster 'Science of Intelligence'. His research is centered on collective intelligence, social networks, decision-making, and behavioural ecology in fish and other animals. Full Professor in Fish Ecology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Adjunct Professor at Technical University Berlin (since 2018) Head of Department, IGB Berlin PhD, University of Cambridge Diploma, Free University Berlin His work integrates experimental biology, network analysis, and biomimetic robotics to understand how animals make collective decisions. His expertise spans animal behaviour, evolution, and ecological physiology, with a strong focus on group-living dynamics. Recent research explores group hunting, predator evasion, social foraging, and the impact of environmental stressors on collective behaviour. The analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend in understanding collective behaviour in fish, including escape waves, social foraging, group hunting in marlins and sailfish, and the use of robotic agents to study social integration. His interdisciplinary approach combines marine biology, physics, robotics, and data science to uncover the mechanisms behind collective intelligence in both animal and human systems. Editorial Board, Behavioral Ecology Editorial Board, Fish and Fisheries Executive Board, Excellence Cluster 'Science of Intelligence' Advisory Board, Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation He advises numerous PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, and leads major research projects, including 'Developing exploration behaviour' funded by the Excellence Cluster. His work has been supported by extensive collaborations across Europe and North America, and he frequently publishes in top-tier journals such as Nature , Science Advances , Proceedings of the Royal Society , and Current Biology . His lab employs cutting-edge methods including automated tracking, social network analysis, and interactive robotics to study animal groups. His research group, 'Mechanisms and Functions of Group-Living', is embedded within the Excellence Cluster 'Science of Intelligence', where they investigate collective cognition, social information use, and the role of individual differences in group performance. The team combines field studies with laboratory experiments and computational modelling to understand the evolution and function of collective behaviour across species.
