Prof. Akshat Tanksale is a Professor in Chemical & Biological Engineering at Monash University, leading the Catalysis for Green Chemicals group. He specializes in heterogeneous catalysis for CO2 and biomass conversion into sustainable fuels/chemicals. His roles include Deputy Director of the ARC Research Hub for Carbon Utilisation and Recycling, and Carbon Theme Leader of the Woodside Monash Energy Partnership. Education: PhD (2008, University of Queensland) in nanomaterials/chemical reaction engineering, followed by postdoctoral research at UQ on biomass-to-fuels and hydrogen storage. Joined Monash in 2011. Research Focus: Innovating low/negative carbon emission technologies via catalyst design and CCU processes. Key areas include CO2 valorisation, biomass depolymerisation, and nanomaterials for energy storage (e.g., Zn-air batteries). His work aligns with UN SDGs addressing climate action and sustainable energy. Projects: Active in 11 projects (2021–2029), including leadership in carbon recycling via direct air capture and syngas conversion to acetic acid. Collaborates internationally on catalyst development and CO2 conversion. Awards: Multiple recognitions including Dean’s Award for Innovation (2020), Caltex Award (2018), and Australia-India Science & Tech Award (2010). Active in professional service, chairing IChemE Research Working Groups. Teaching: Offers courses CHE2162 (Mass/Energy Balances) and CHE3165 (Separation Processes).
Morten Ambye-Jensen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering at Aarhus University, specializing in biorefinery technology and sustainable protein production. His work focuses on optimizing green biorefining processes for agricultural residues to produce high-value products like biochar, proteins, and bio-based materials while minimizing environmental impact. Key research interests include: Development of integrated biorefinery systems for grasses and legumes Protein extraction from residual biomass for food and feed applications Life cycle assessment of bio-based technologies Waste-to-resource valorization strategies Climate-smart agricultural practices He leads or collaborates on major projects such as Green Valleys 2.0 (2023-2025) and ENTRANCE (2022-2025), which aim to create circular bioeconomies and reduce reliance on imported soybeans. His research also explores energy-efficient processing techniques and biochar applications in agriculture. Notable achievements include advancing fractionation technologies for alfalfa and grass-clover biomass, and demonstrating how pyrolysis integration can enhance biorefinery energy efficiency while producing valuable biochar.
René Bohnsack is a Full Professor of Strategy and Innovation at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP), Lisbon. He serves as Academic Director of the Lisbon MBA and Director of the Digital+Sustainable Innovation Lab (DSI-Lab), leading European R&D projects in energy, eHealth, and deep tech. His research focuses on digital transformation, sustainable innovation, and AI-driven business models, with over 30 peer-reviewed publications in journals like Research Policy and Journal of Management Studies . Recognized as a Top 2% Global Scientist (2023), he advises companies on AI adoption, digital ecosystems, and business model innovation. Education: PhD in Strategy and Innovation (not explicitly stated, inferred from academic role). Research Interests: Digital transformation dynamics, generative AI applications, sustainable business models, and entrepreneurial ecosystems. Key Venture Experience: Co-founder of fitbase.de (sold to PE 2020), scoocs.co, and co-mind.ai. His work emphasizes balancing speed and intentionality in AI adoption, advocating for strategic acceleration across three horizons: tactical implementation, workforce evolution, and systemic business model innovation. He frequently speaks at global conferences and is a TEDx speaker. Awards: Gold Award for Smart Business Modeler, Stanford University ranking recognition. Labs/Teams: DSI-Lab collaborates with over 40 European companies, focusing on AI-driven business modeling and sustainable tech. Bohnsack’s recent articles explore AI’s role in strategy, NFT business models, and the ‘Death of the Founder Team Trinity’ framework for AI-native startups.
Josep Llach is a Senior Lecturer at the Barcelona School of Management, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, and a part-time Professor Agregat in the Department of Business Administration, Management and Product Design at the University of Girona. He is an active researcher in innovation management, organizational innovation, sustainability, and operations, with extensive involvement in European and national research projects. University: University of Girona Department: Department of Business Administration, Management and Product Design Secondary Affiliation: Barcelona School of Management, Universitat Pompeu Fabra Academic Rank: Senior Lecturer Part-Time: Yes His research focuses on the intersection of innovation, quality, and sustainability in manufacturing and service firms. He studies how lean practices, digital transformation, circular economy strategies, and green technologies impact firm performance. His work often employs advanced statistical methods such as structural equation modelling and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis. The recent publications highlight a strong trend toward sustainability, digital transformation, and methodological robustness in empirical models. His work spans industries including manufacturing, hospitality, and education, with a methodological emphasis on survey-based research and configurational analysis. Scientific Awards: Emerald Literati Awards – Most Outstanding Paper in 2018 for 'Creating value through the balanced scorecard: how does it work?' Top Downloaded Paper 2018–2019: 'Socially responsible companies: Are they the best workplace for millennials?' Josep Llach has directed five doctoral theses and actively mentors PhD students. He collaborates with the Catalan University Quality Assurance Agency (AQU) as a methodological secretary in accreditation processes. His research is supported by multiple national and European grants, particularly through participation in the European Manufacturing Survey. He is a member of the Grup de Recerca Avançada sobre Dinàmica Empresarial i Impacte de les Noves Tecnologies a les Organitzacions (GRADIENT), a research group focused on organizational dynamics and the impact of new technologies.
Professor Michael De Volder is a Fellow and College Lecturer at St John's College, University of Cambridge, holding the position of Professor of Advanced Materials Engineering in the Department of Engineering. His research focuses on energy storage solutions, nanotechnology, and scalable manufacturing methods for sustainable battery technologies. Belgian Royal Academy Laureate Co-founder of Echion Technologies (niobium-based anode materials) Expert in Li-ion/Zn-ion battery innovation Research activities center on improving battery sustainability through novel synthesis techniques, extending battery lifetime via structural optimization, and developing high-energy-density materials. His work spans nanoscale engineering, electrode design, and fundamental electrochemical investigations. Scientific publications from 2022-2025 demonstrate expertise in: Li-ion/Zn-ion battery systems, nanotube integration, electrode manufacturing, and degradation analysis. Recent work explores mechanochromic displays, dual-gradient electrodes, and aqueous-organic electrolyte formulations. Belgian Royal Academy Laureate Co-founder of battery technology startup Echion Technologies
Prof. Dr. Martin Luccarelli serves as Professor of Industrial and Material Design and Deputy Head of the Teaching and Research Centre for Interactive Materials (LFZ IMAT) at Reutlingen University's TEXOVERSUM School of Textiles. His expertise bridges sustainable design, material innovation, and user-centered product development. Teaching Areas: Industrial/material design Location: Building 1, Room 116 Research focuses on green design cues , interactive materials , and sustainable product personality , particularly in automotive contexts. Publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches to design education , eco-friendly material perception , and user interface optimization . Key projects include InBiO (bio-based car interiors) and KICKup (AI-driven cellulose cycles). Contact: martin.luccarelli@reutlingen-university.de
Professor Clara Brandi is a leading academic at the University of Bonn's Department of Economics, holding a professorship in International Economics/Development Economics since September 2022. She simultaneously serves as Head of the Research Department 'Transformation of Economic and Social Systems' at the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) since December 2020. Her extensive academic background includes a PhD from the European University Institute, an M.Phil. in Politics from the University of Oxford, and a Diplom in Economics from Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg. Prof. Brandi's research focuses span International Economics, Development Economics, Environmental Economics, Political Economy, Transformation to Sustainability, and Global Governance with particular emphasis on trade, climate, energy, and sustainable development. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical policy implications, examining how trade agreements can better address environmental concerns, how sustainability standards interact with development goals, and how global governance structures can be reformed for greater effectiveness. She has made significant contributions to understanding the interlinkages between voluntary sustainability standards and due diligence mechanisms, climate finance innovation, and the design of trade agreements that seriously incorporate climate considerations. Her scholarly output demonstrates a clear trajectory toward increasingly integrated approaches connecting trade policy, climate action, and sustainable development. Recent publications show her deepening engagement with climate finance mechanisms like 'climate impact auctions,' the role of trade provisions in advancing environmental goals, and the complex interplay between voluntary sustainability standards and mandatory due diligence requirements. This evolution reflects the growing urgency of addressing climate change through multiple governance channels while ensuring development priorities are not compromised. Scientific Advisory Board of the project 'ENTICE – Enhanced understanding of Trade Impacts on the Climate and the Environment' (since 2025) ADBI Advisory Council 2024-2026 Economic Advisory Network of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (since 2023) Price Committee of the KfW Promotion Prize (since 2023) Evaluation Working Group of the Johannes-Rau Research Association (since 2023) Scientific Advisory Board for Program Evaluation of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (since 2022) Co-Chair of the VSS Academic Advisory Council (since 2020) Prof. Brandi's advisory work demonstrates significant influence in shaping policy discussions at national and international levels. Her engagement with the German Federal Ministry, international research councils, and development institutions reflects her standing as a trusted expert at the intersection of trade, climate, and development policy. Her research often informs practical policy recommendations, particularly regarding how trade agreements can better incorporate environmental and climate considerations without disadvantaging developing countries. Through her dual affiliation with the University of Bonn and IDOS, Prof. Brandi bridges academic research with policy-relevant analysis, contributing to both scholarly debates and practical governance solutions for the most pressing global challenges of our time.
Duong Nguyen serves as an Assistant Professor in the School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering at Arizona State University. His research integrates operations research, artificial intelligence, economics, and engineering to develop mathematical models for decision-making in large-scale networked systems including cloud/edge computing, smart grids, and crowdsourcing. He directs the NEMO research group focused on building intelligent multi-agent platforms through optimization and market design. His educational credentials include: Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of British Columbia (2020) M.Sc. in Telecommunications from INRS, University of Quebec (2014) B.Sc. in Electronic and Telecommunications from Hanoi University of Science and Technology (2011) Dr. Nguyen's research spans Operations Research, Artificial Intelligence, Decision-Making, Market Design, and Optimization with applications in edge computing, power systems, and network economics. His work emphasizes robust algorithms for uncertain environments and secure multi-agent platforms, recently expanding into quantum machine learning and privacy-preserving distributed systems. Current projects address decentralized federated learning, dynamic pricing, and EV charging network design. Analysis of his publication record reveals consistent focus on distributed optimization techniques for edge/cloud systems, with increasing integration of game theory and quantum computing. His work demonstrates strong methodological innovation in handling spatio-temporal uncertainty while addressing practical challenges in energy flexibility and secure genomic computation. His scientific recognition includes: Finalist for Best Student Paper Award at American Control Conference (ACC) 2024 Finalist for Best Paper Award at International Symposium on Modeling and Optimization in Mobile, Ad Hoc, and Wireless Networks (WiOpt) 2023 Dr. Nguyen actively mentors Ph.D. students including Jiaming Cheng and Long Vu, with student-led research achieving significant recognition. His NEMO group collaborates with institutions including ETH Zurich on projects spanning autonomous driving, edge AI, and quantum optimization. Current research directions emphasize fair resource allocation, privacy-preserving learning, and dynamic pricing frameworks for next-generation networked systems.
Barbara Bigliardi is an Associate Professor at the Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Parma, with national scientific qualification for full professor in Economic-Management Engineering (SSD ING-IND/35). She serves as President of the Management Engineering Program at University of Parma and Director of Bachelor's/Master's programs at University of San Marino, co-leading double-degree initiatives between the two institutions. Over 100 publications (57 SCOPUS-indexed) with H-index=20 Editorial roles: Cambridge Scholars Publishing (2019), MDPI Sustainability, Sci, European Journal of Innovation Management Key research areas: Open Innovation, Technology Transfer, Food Industry Innovation, Industry 4.0, Supply Chain Sustainability Recent Publications (2024-2025) demonstrate leadership in: Industry 4.0 integration with circular economy AI applications in public administration and healthcare Digitalization of food supply chains Green startup resource orchestration Simulation-based optimization in remanufacturing Sustainable additive manufacturing Scientific Recognition : 2005 Emerald Highly Commended Award 2013 Most Cited Paper in Trends in Food Science & Technology 2019 Highly Cited Paper in Review of Policy Research Research Leadership includes: National Observatory on Start-ups (President since 2021) National Observatory on Reputation (Vice President since 2019) INAIL-funded mobile risk assessment systems (2018-2020) INAF space technology transfer projects (2018-present) Academic Contributions : Supervised over 300 theses Deputy Coordinator of Industrial Engineering Doctoral Program Director of Management Engineering Programs (Parma & San Marino) Founder of academic spin-offs: Sistemi per il marketing di contenuto S.r.l. (2016-present), Univenture SrL (2006-2010)
Dr. Tamas Mona is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Cambridge , affiliated with the Epidemiology and Modelling Group . His work focuses on environmental suitability models for large-scale epidemiological forecasting, particularly in wheat rust outbreaks across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Collaborations include the UK Met Office, CIMMYT, and institutions in Ethiopia, Kenya, Bangladesh, and Nepal. PhD in Environmental Sciences (2019), Eötvös Loránd University MSc in Meteorology (2013), Eötvös Loránd University BSc in Physics with Meteorology (2011), Eötvös Loránd University Research interests integrate meteorological applications with epidemiological models to predict crop disease outbreaks. Key projects involve tracking transmission pathways for stem rust pathogens and analyzing how irrigation creates green bridges for intercontinental pathogen spread. Publications emphasize environmental science and computational epidemiology . Current collaborations span Sub-Saharan Africa (EIAR, ATI, KARLO) and South Asia (BWMRI, NARC) through initiatives like the Global Food Security IRC . Modeling frameworks developed by Mona contribute to policy advisory systems for emerging pest threats, aligning with DEFRA and UK government strategies.
Dr. Anna Hatton is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences , The University of Queensland. As Co-Director of the UQ Centre for Neurorehabilitation, Ageing and Balance Research and Associate Editor for Gait & Posture , she leads interdisciplinary research into sensory-based rehabilitation technologies. Her work bridges clinical practice with engineering innovation, focusing on footwear devices for balance enhancement. Research themes: novel textured/vibratory insoles , neurological gait analysis , age-related mobility Key funding: NHMRC IDEAS Grants , Bionics Queensland Challenge , Diabetes Australia , PA Research Foundation Her Young Tall Poppy Science Award (2016) recognizes contributions to plantar sensory stimulation. Current supervised projects explore bionic insole neurophysiology , combat sports injury prevention , and sport performance optimization . Media engagements focus on electromyography , sensorimotor function , and footwear interventions .
Dr Monica Chien is an Associate Professor at the School of Business, Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, The University of Queensland. With multidisciplinary expertise in marketing, psychology, and tourism, her research focuses on consumer behavior, tourist-host dynamics, and branding strategies. She has led international projects on sport scandals, tourism sustainability, and resident-tourist intergroup relations. Bachelor of Business (Administration), Queensland University of Technology Master of Business (Coursework), Queensland University of Technology Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland Her research bridges experimental studies with practical applications in traveler behavior , social identity theory , and pro-environmental tourism practices . Recent projects explore sport scandals' impact on brands, international education-tourism nexus, and resident responses to tourism development. She supervises PhD candidates in topics like augmented reality marketing, cultural policy, and First Nations legacy planning. Key funding includes grants from the Japan Science and Technology Agency , ARC Linkage Projects , and The Academy of Korean Studies . Her work appears in top journals like Journal of Sustainable Tourism , Annals of Tourism Research , and European Sport Management Quarterly , with themes spanning social identity, sustainable practices, and behavioral interventions.
Keenan Gibbons is a Lecturer in Environment Sustainability and Development at the University of Michigan’s School of Environment, Art, and Society. A licensed landscape architect and urban design professional based in Detroit, he specializes in sustainable green infrastructure, parks, streetscapes, and innovative stormwater management strategies. With expertise in digital media, parametric modeling, and FAA-certified drone operations, he conducts research on urban heat island effects supported by the Landscape Architecture Foundation. Education Master of Landscape Architecture, Ball State University Bachelor of Science in Horticulture, Michigan State University His research interests integrate environmental sustainability with urban design , focusing on climate resilience through drone-based thermal imaging and low-impact construction . Publications highlight his work on UAV thermal disparity visualization and community-driven urban regeneration , including notable projects like Riverside Park Detroit . He received the LAF Deb Mitchell Research Grant for his heat wave visualization toolkit. Keenan’s projects include concrete-free construction for fences, decks, and planters, emphasizing reclaimed materials and DIY innovation . His work has been featured in CNN , The Weather Channel , and professional journals like MiASLA SITES . As an educator, he bridges environmental theory with hands-on design practice , often involving community stakeholders in his projects.
Professor Harriet Bulkeley is a leading scholar in environmental governance and urban climate politics, affiliated with Durham University's Department of Geography and the Faculty of Social Sciences and Health . She also holds a part-time appointment at Utrecht University's Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development . Her work bridges academic research with policy impact, evidenced by her Royal Geographical Society Back Award (2018) and recognition as a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (2016-2017) . Research Interests: Focus on climate change governance, nature-based solutions, socio-technical transitions, energy systems, and urban sustainability. Explores intersections of environmental justice, policy innovation, and global-local dynamics. Recent Articles: Investigate urban climate experimentation, transnational governance frameworks, and integration of nature-based solutions in European and African cities. Trends emphasize policy standardization, biodiversity-climate synergies, and infrastructural reconfiguration. Supervision: Advises doctoral students Rebecca Pearl-Martinez and Robbie Gilmore . Projects: Co-ordinates the H2020 Smart Cities NATURVATION project (2016-2020) and contributes to the REINVENT project on decarbonization challenges.
Xuesong Zhou is a Professor of Transportation Systems at the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment , Arizona State University (ASU). He leads the ASU Transportation+AI Lab and develops open-source tools like DTALite, NEXTA, and OSM2GMNS with over 100,000 downloads. His research focuses on multimodal transportation planning , dynamic traffic assignment , and rail scheduling with methodological contributions to traffic flow theory and operations research . Dr. Zhou's research bridges transportation system operations , computer applications for ITS , and logistics optimization . His work on differentiable programming reformulations and state-space-time network modeling has advanced real-time traffic prediction and multi-echelon facility scheduling . Scientific awards include: 2022 Elsevier Multimodal Transportation Best Article Award 2018 Transportation Research Part C Best Associate Editor Award 2012 INFORMS Railway Applications Section Best Paper Award He has advised 9 PhD students and 6 postdoctoral researchers to completion, with mentees now at institutions like Georgia Institute of Technology and Michigan State University. Current projects include NSF CONNECT and DOE Argonne collaborations on multi-scale traffic simulation and smart campus cyberinfrastructure .
