M. Henry H. Stevens is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at Miami University, affiliated with the Ecology Research Center, Miami Ecological Big Data Initiative, and the Institute for the Environment and Sustainability. His research focuses on population and community dynamics in human-dominated landscapes, particularly forest dynamics. He teaches courses such as Ecology of North America, Fundamentals of Ecology, and graduate-level ecology seminars. His lab investigates determinants of forest structure and composition, including invasive species impacts and historical management legacies. Collaborative work with Dr. Ross explores the biogeography and genetics of Diospyros virginiana (American persimmon), involving field studies across multiple U.S. states. Stevens emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, integrating ecological and ethnobotanical perspectives. Students in his program access facilities like the Miami University Ecology Research Center and engage with broader initiatives such as the Miami Natural Areas and Hueston Woods State Park. His teaching and research emphasize diversity in scientific practices and collaboration across disciplines.
Gerald Presley is an Associate Professor with Tenure in the Department of Wood Science & Engineering at Oregon State University's College of Forestry. His research focuses on wood durability, preservative treatments, alternative wood modification techniques, and biomass conversion into fuels and materials. He also explores applied mycology and mycoremediation for environmental sustainability. Education: Ph.D. from University of Minnesota (2018), B.S. from Eastern Illinois University (2011) His work addresses critical environmental impacts of treated wood systems while developing innovative solutions for resource optimization. Recent studies examine copper migration in garden boxes, Douglas fir bark utilization, and fungal interactions with wood. As a graduate major advisor, he mentors students including Javier Illescas Guevara, Shane Johnson, Leon Rogers, Ray Van Court, and Cody Wainscott. He contributes to outreach through Oregon State University Extension Service and collaborates on projects like the Utility Pole Research Cooperative.
Dr. Diane Srivastava is a Professor in the Department of Zoology at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Science, and Director of the Canadian Institute of Ecology and Evolution (CIEE). Her research focuses on community ecology, particularly biodiversity's role in ecosystem functioning and responses to environmental changes. Her work addresses how trophic diversity influences ecosystem processes, the regional species pool's impact on local diversity, habitat effects on species richness, and human-driven changes. She leads the Living Data Project, preserving legacy environmental datasets through collaborations with early-career researchers. Key research areas include tropical ecosystem dynamics, climate change impacts, and functional trait-based community assembly. Recent studies highlight cross-ecosystem interactions (e.g., bromeliad microcosms), predator-prey dynamics under climate variability, and urban biodiversity patterns. Her work spans field experiments and collaborative data science initiatives. Dr. Srivastava’s projects emphasize global ecological challenges, including biodiversity loss mitigation and climate resilience strategies. She actively promotes equitable academic practices, such as triple-blind peer review and inclusive working groups. She directs the CIEE, fostering collaborative research across ecology and evolutionary biology. Her work is supported by UBC’s Biodiversity Research Centre and involves international field sites in tropical regions like Costa Rica and Trinidad.
Dr. Brian J Wilsey is a Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Iowa State University. His research focuses on the ecology and restoration of prairie grasslands, particularly the mechanisms maintaining biodiversity, impacts of non-native species, and ecosystem resistance/resilience to environmental changes. He leads the Wilsey Lab, which investigates grassland diversity, productivity, and restoration strategies. Education: Ph.D., Syracuse University, 1995 M.S., Louisiana State University, 1988 B.S., Henderson State University, 1986 Research Interests: Plant diversity and ecosystem process rates Invasive species effects on biodiversity Grassland restoration techniques Climate change impacts on grasslands Plant-microbe interactions The Wilsey Lab explores how grassland biodiversity influences community stability and productivity. Recent work highlights the role of exotic species in altering ecosystem functioning and the importance of functional traits in predicting temporal stability. Research also addresses restoration challenges, such as overcoming recruitment limitations and optimizing seed mixes. Labs/Teams: The Wilsey Lab collaborates on projects involving prairie restoration, biodiversity impacts, and climate adaptation, with a focus on translating ecological findings into practical management strategies.
Anita Diaz Isla is a Professor in the Department of Life and Environmental Sciences at Bournemouth University, Faculty of Science and Technology. Her work integrates research, education, and public engagement in conservation ecology, with a focus on cultural habitats such as heathlands, meadows, and woodlands. Her research interests span conservation ecology, ecological restoration, biodiversity dynamics, human-wildlife interactions, and climate change impacts. She investigates how traditional and modern land uses affect ecological feedbacks like grazing and pollination. A key focus is on heathland restoration, soil-plant-animal interactions, and the role of citizen science in conservation. She promotes public involvement in nature through initiatives like NatureVolunteers.uk. Her recent publications reveal a strong trend in long-term ecological monitoring, soil biogeochemistry, biodiversity change, and the effectiveness of restoration techniques. Themes include carbon storage in restored heathlands, pH effects on soil enzymes, and plant-insect co-dynamics over decades. Her work often involves collaborations with the National Trust, Natural England, and international partners in Spain. Anita actively mentors students and involves them as co-researchers in real-world conservation projects. She has led educational innovations in fieldwork and student-staff research communities. Her work is supported by HEIF funding and partnerships with conservation organizations. She is involved in several research teams and collaborative networks focused on heathland conservation, ecological restoration, and citizen science. Her projects often integrate fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and community engagement, forming interdisciplinary teams across institutions.
Namiko Mitarai is an Associate Professor in the Biocomplexity group at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, where she has been employed since 2009. She is also affiliated with CMoL (Center for Models of Life) and focuses on theoretical approaches to complex biological systems across multiple scales. University of Copenhagen, Niels Bohr Institute (2009-Present) Guest Professor, Department of Physics, Kyoto University (2022-2023) Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, Kyushu University (2007-2009) Her research interests span bacterial physiology and persistence, phage-bacteria interactions in spatial contexts, species competition and diversity, and complex systems in statistical physics. She employs theoretical methods from physics including dynamical systems, stochastic processes, and individual-based models to investigate complex living systems. Her recent publications (2023-2024) demonstrate strong focus on microbial dynamics, particularly examining phage-bacteria interactions, bacterial persistence mechanisms, and spatial organization in microbial communities. Her work bridges physics and biology through quantitative modeling approaches that reveal fundamental principles in complex biological systems. The Young Scientists' Prize from the Japanese Minister of Education (2015) Young Scientist Award of the Physical Society of Japan (2008) Jens Martin Knudsen Prize (2024) Mitarai actively contributes to the academic community through numerous invited talks and presentations, with scheduled appearances through 2025. She teaches courses including 'Dynamical Models in Molecular Biology' and 'Diffusive and Stochastic Processes,' which are recommended for students interested in conducting research in her lab.
Francisco Dini-Andreote serves as Associate Professor of Plant Science at Penn State University's College of Agricultural Sciences and holds the endowed Huck Early Career Chair in Microbial Community Ecology. His research integrates microbiome science, plant-microbe interactions, and ecological theory to advance sustainable agriculture. Affiliations include the Huck Institutes' Microbiome Center, Center for Root and Rhizosphere Biology, and Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics. Research focuses on: Microbiome assembly in response to environmental gradients (e.g., urbanization, climate change) Engineering rhizosphere communities for crop resilience against drought and pathogens Soil health restoration via anaerobic disinfestation techniques Recent publications (2024-2025) reveal strong emphasis on: Ecological processes governing microbial coalescence and food web dynamics Molecular mechanisms of plant-microbe signaling under stress Cross-kingdom synthetic communities for agricultural applications Awards include the Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Early Career Chair (2024). Grant leadership encompasses USDA-funded projects ($1M+) optimizing organic farming through microbiome manipulation. Actively advises graduate students and leads the Dini-Andreote Lab, which collaborates with international teams to study soil-plant-microbe interfaces.
Gaurav Baruah is a researcher in the Faculty of Biology at the University of Bielefeld , specializing in Theoretical Biology . His work explores ecological systems through mathematical and network-based approaches, aligning with the university’s strategic research area on the Changing World , which investigates societal and environmental dynamics under uncertainty. Research Focus: Network science in ecological systems, including food web recovery, mutualistic networks, and climate change impacts on biodiversity.Eco-evolutionary feedbacks and trait-based modeling for species coexistence and population resilience. Grants & Collaborations: Participation in interdisciplinary projects under DFG Collaborative Research Centres and European Commission-funded initiatives, emphasizing complex systems and global change biology. Contact: Email gaurav.baruah@uni-bielefeld.de | Office: UHG W4-113 | Phone: +49 521 106-5572
Max C. N. Castorani is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Virginia . As a marine ecologist, he focuses on population and community ecology in coastal ecosystems such as kelp forests, seagrass meadows, and oyster reefs. His research combines long-term observations, experiments, and models to address biodiversity patterns and inform coastal conservation. Ph.D., University of California, Davis and San Diego State University, 2014 Research Interests : The lab investigates ecological dynamics across multiple spatial scales, including disturbance ecology, nutrient cycling, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem recovery. Key habitats studied are kelp forests, seagrass meadows, and oyster reefs, with interdisciplinary collaborations in biogeochemistry, oceanography, and mathematical modeling. Publication Trends : Recent work emphasizes disturbance regimes in coastal ecosystems, meta-analysis of restoration success, and spatial synchrony mechanisms. Studies often integrate climate change impacts, invasive species interactions, and ecological modeling. Teaching : He teaches courses in Fundamentals of Ecology , Coastal and Estuarine Ecology , Spatial Ecology , and Messy Data: Statistical Methods in Ecology . Research Group : The lab operates in the Department of Environmental Sciences, conducting interdisciplinary research that connects ecological theory with conservation applications.
Prof. Dr. Josef Settele is a leading academic and researcher in conservation biology and social-ecological systems. He is the Head of the Department of Conservation Biology & Social-Ecological Systems at the Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) in Halle, Germany. He also holds the academic rank of Professor of Ecology (apl.) at Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg and has been an Adjunct Professor at the University of the Philippines, Los Baños. His work is deeply interdisciplinary, bridging ecology, policy, and societal engagement. His primary research interests lie in the ecology of insects in cultural landscapes , the interplay between biodiversity, land use, and social-ecological systems , and the critical interface between science, society, and policy . A central theme of his career has been understanding and mitigating the impacts of human activities on biodiversity, with a particular focus on pollinators. He has led major international projects such as ALARM, LEGATO, CLIMIT, and the current SPRING project, which is preparing the EU Pollinator Monitoring Scheme (EU PoMS). His recent publications (2020–2025) demonstrate a consistent focus on long-term biodiversity monitoring, the impacts of climate change and land use, and the development of policy-relevant science. He is a prolific author on topics including butterfly population trends in Europe, the assessment of Natura 2000 sites, the genetic diversity of insect populations, and the role of science in environmental policy debates, particularly concerning the EU’s Nature Restoration Law. His work heavily utilizes large datasets and citizen science, exemplified by the 'Tagfalter-Monitoring Deutschland' (Butterfly Monitoring Germany). Member, German Advisory Council on the Environment (SRU) (since 2020) Member, Multidisciplinary Expert Panel (MEP) of IPBES (since 2022) Co-Chair, Global Assessment of IPBES (2016-2019) Scientific Coordinator, SPRING Project (2021-2024) Member, Senate Committee Competition (SAW) of the Leibniz Association (since 2020) Review Board Member, German Research Foundation (DFG) (2016-2024) Prof. Settele is a highly active advisor and grant coordinator, having led numerous large-scale, multi-national research projects funded by the EU (FP5, FP6), the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), and other national and international bodies. His leadership in projects like ALARM, LEGATO, and SPRING, which involve dozens of partner institutions and hundreds of scientists, underscores his role as a principal investigator and scientific coordinator of the highest caliber. He is deeply involved in the governance of science, serving on prestigious review boards and advisory councils. He leads the research team on 'Animal Ecology and Social-Ecological Systems' at the UFZ and is the driving force behind the 'Tagfalter-Monitoring Deutschland' (Butterfly Monitoring Germany) project. His work is also connected to larger research units and platforms at the UFZ, including the 'Community Ecology' department and the 'Research Ecosystems of the Future' initiative. His research is fundamentally collaborative, involving extensive national and international networks of scientists, stakeholders, and policy-makers.
Dani Boix Masafret is a Senior Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences and a leading researcher at the Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona. With a career spanning since 2010, he focuses on aquatic community ecology, particularly Mediterranean temporary ponds, analyzing biotic-abiotic interactions, trophic networks, and biodiversity drivers. Education: PhD in Environmental Sciences (2000) and MSc in Biology (1992) from the University of Girona. His research emphasizes metacommunity resilience, environmental restoration, and conservation of Mediterranean wetlands. Key projects include Horizon 2020’s PONDERFUL and national initiatives on coastal system recovery. Recent publications highlight zooplankton network complexity, invasive species modeling, and climate change impacts on temporary ponds. He serves as Associate Editor for Annales de Limnologie and Hydrobiologia , and has co-edited special volumes on pond ecology. Boix has directed 7 PhD theses, including studies on trophic networks, biodiversity in man-made wetlands, and invasive species dynamics. His work bridges ecological theory, applied restoration, and multi-taxa conservation strategies.
Professor Otso Ovaskainen holds a permanent position at the University of Helsinki , where he serves as Research Director in the Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Program. He is also a Visiting Professor at a Norwegian Centre of Excellence since 2014. Supervisor in the Doctoral Programme in Wildlife Biology Established the Research Center for Ecological Change (REC) with 60+ members ERC Starting Grant recipient (2008-2013) Research Interests: Ovaskainen bridges mathematical theory with empirical ecology, focusing on metapopulation dynamics, movement ecology, and statistical community ecology. His work integrates: Ecological theory with data Individual-based modeling Fungal community dynamics Probabilistic taxonomic placement Environmental DNA analysis Multi-species movement modeling Scientific Leadership: He has led major projects including the Finnish Centre of Excellence in Metapopulation Research (2015-2017) and the LIFEPLAN biodiversity inventory project (2020-2026). His HMSC modeling framework remains a benchmark in joint species distribution modeling.
Dr Mark Ledger is a Senior Lecturer in Ecology at the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham. His research focuses on environmental change in freshwaters, particularly the impacts of climate change and extreme events such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves on aquatic ecosystems. He leads several NERC-funded research projects and supervises doctoral and postdoctoral researchers. Institution: University of Birmingham School: School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Position: Senior Lecturer in Ecology Email: m.e.ledger@bham.ac.uk Location: Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK Mark Ledger's research interests lie at the intersection of community ecology, biodiversity, and environmental change. His group employs empirical approaches across spatial and temporal scales—from laboratory microcosms to natural ecosystems—and has developed advanced mesocosm facilities for interdisciplinary water science research. Key areas include disturbance ecology, food webs, species interactions (especially plant-herbivore dynamics), and stressor effects on ecosystem function. His recent publications reflect a strong focus on drought impacts, urban pond networks, and functional responses of aquatic communities. Themes across his work include the resilience of freshwater systems, the role of extreme events, and the integration of experimental and field-based methodologies. Scientific Roles and Service: Director, Birmingham ECOLAB facility Programme Lead, Environmental Science Treasurer, Aquatic Ecology Group of the British Ecological Society Assessor, Australian Research Council Member, Natural Environment Research Council Peer Review College Associate Editor, Ecology and Evolution Guest Editor, Freshwater Biology special issue on Extreme Events in Running Waters He is actively involved in teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate Geography and Environmental Science programs, covering topics such as river ecology, ecological systems, research methods, and fieldwork. He supports a team of doctoral researchers and collaborates with an international network of scientists. His laboratory, the Birmingham ECOLAB, enables controlled experimental studies on freshwater systems, contributing to a mechanistic understanding of ecosystem responses to global change. This infrastructure supports interdisciplinary research in water science and environmental management.
Barbara Campbell is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Clemson University's College of Science, where she leads research on microbial ecology and biogeochemical cycling across diverse ecosystems including estuaries, deep-sea vents, and terrestrial habitats. Her work integrates genomic approaches to unravel microbial roles in environmental processes. Her educational background includes: Ph.D. in Microbiology, Cornell University (1993) B.S. in Biology, SUNY Geneseo (1983) Dr. Campbell's research employs metagenomics and metatranscriptomics to investigate bacterial activity in river-estuarine-coastal gradients, functional redundancy in microbial communities, and microbiome contributions to plant drought tolerance. Current projects span wildfire impacts on forest microbiomes, marine biofilm engineering for naval applications, and rhizosphere microbiome manipulation for crop resilience, reflecting her focus on microbial responses to environmental change. Her 15 most recent publications (2021-2025) demonstrate consistent emphasis on environmental genomics, with recurring themes of climate stressors (wildfires, drought), microbial community dynamics, and translational applications in agriculture and ecosystem management. High-impact journals like Nature, Cell, and Environmental Science & Technology highlight the interdisciplinary significance of her work. Scientific recognition includes: Excellence in Discovery Award, College of Science (2023) Dean’s Distinguished Professorship (2023-2025) Sigma Xi Outstanding Young Investigator Award (2014-2015) She mentors five PhD students, one MS student, and seven undergraduates while leading five active grants including an NSF Rules of Life project. Her lab maintains extensive collaborations across computing, plant sciences, and forestry, presenting findings at major international conferences like ASM and ASLO. Current research infrastructure includes specialized laboratories in the Life Sciences Building for genomic and metabolomic analyses of environmental samples.
Andrea Swei is a Professor in the Department of Biology at San Francisco State University, leading the Swei Lab focused on infectious disease ecology and vector-borne pathogens. Her research integrates field studies, laboratory experiments, metagenomic analyses, and mathematical modeling to investigate how habitat disturbance, climate change, and community interactions affect disease transmission dynamics. Current projects examine tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease, with emphasis on microbiome-pathogen interactions and ecological interventions. Her publication record demonstrates consistent focus on vector ecology, with recent work examining climate impacts on tick phenology, Rickettsia distribution patterns, and host community effects on pathogen prevalence. Research employs cutting-edge molecular techniques alongside field ecology approaches.
