Simone Fior is a Lecturer at the Department of Environmental Systems Science , ETH Zürich , focusing on ecological genetics and plant adaptation. Their research integrates genomic, quantitative genetics, and ecological field experiments, particularly on Dianthus (Caryophyllaceae) along altitudinal and climatic gradients. Recent work explores climate-induced range shifts, local adaptation, and genomic responses to environmental changes. Professional experience includes roles at ETH Zürich since 2013 (Senior Assistant, Postdoc) and prior positions at the Edmund Mach Foundation (2009-2012) and University of Insubria (2007-2008). Education spans a PhD in Plant Biology (University of Milan, 2007) and an MSc in Natural Sciences (University of Milan, 2003). Simone co-organizes the Bioinformatics for Adaptation Genomics Winter School . Key research areas include adaptive divergence , polygenic adaptation , climate change biology , and phylogenomics . Articles emphasize genomic selection signatures, functional-structural modeling, and ecological-genetic interactions. Notable collaborations involve Jake Alexander, Alex Widmer, and interdisciplinary teams at ETH Zurich.
Dr. Igor V. Pivkin is a Full Professor at the Institute of Computing within the Faculty of Informatics at the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) in Lugano, Switzerland. His academic journey includes degrees from Novosibirsk State University (B.Sc./M.Sc. Mathematics), Brown University (M.Sc. Computer Science and Ph.D. Applied Mathematics), and postdoctoral research at MIT's Department of Materials Science and Engineering. His research focuses on multiscale/multiphysics modeling , numerical methods , and large-scale simulations of biological and physical systems. Key areas include biophysics, cellular/molecular biomechanics, stochastic modeling, and coarse-grained molecular simulations. He leverages high-performance computing (HPC) and particle-based methods to address complex biological phenomena. His work spans diverse applications, from understanding cellular mechanosensitivity and biofilm engineering to modeling cancer cell behavior and red blood cell dynamics in the spleen. His contributions bridge computational science, biotechnology, and biomedical research. He has published extensively in top-tier journals, with recent work advancing automated biofilm analysis, deep learning for microbial classification, and systems biology approaches to metal bioleaching. His lab collaborates on interdisciplinary projects, emphasizing computational innovation for real-world biological challenges.
Philip Poole is a Professor of Plant Microbiology at the University of Oxford's Department of Plant Sciences and Senior Research Fellow at Somerville College. His research focuses on plant-microbe interactions, nitrogen fixation, and rhizosphere microbiology. He has led major international projects including the BBSRC-NSF Synthetic Symbioses program (2014-2019) and the India-UK Nitrogen Fixation Consortium (2016-2019). With 26 grants as PI from the UK's BBSRC, he has secured over £10.5 million in funding. His work includes pioneering bacterial Lux biosensors for metabolite analysis, transcriptomics under sterile conditions, and metatranscriptomics in soil to study microbiome-plant interactions. Current projects model nitrogen fixation biochemistry in legume nodules and investigate rhizobia lifecycle transitions from rhizosphere colonization to symbiotic bacteroid differentiation. He co-directs the Oxford Centre for Plants for the 21st Century and serves on editorial/advisory boards for Microbiology UK, The Journal of Bacteriology, and Pivot Bio. His contributions include elucidating the ammonia-alanine pathway for nitrogen secretion and demonstrating symbiotic auxotrophy dependencies in bacteroids. Key achievements include developing global mutagenesis strategies (INSeq) and advancing understanding of microbial community structures in the rhizosphere. His research integrates molecular, genetic, and systems biology approaches to address global challenges in sustainable agriculture.
Farooq Azam is a Distinguished Professor of Microbial Oceanography at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego. He has held this position since 1996, following roles as Professor-in-Residence and Research Biologist at the same institution. His research focuses on marine microbial ecology, coral reef microbiology, microbial biogeochemistry, and the ocean carbon cycle. Azam earned his Ph.D. in microbiology from the Czechoslovak Academy of Science, Prague, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Stony Brook University. Affiliations: Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD Key Roles: Long-term leadership in microbial oceanography research Research Interests: His work explores how marine microbes influence biogeochemical cycles, coral health, and organic matter dynamics. He has pioneered studies on microbial regulation of the ocean carbon cycle and the ecological roles of marine phages. Awards: Includes election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2015), Tiedje Award (2004), and recognition as an ISI Highly Cited Researcher (2002). He holds an honorary doctorate from Linnaeus University (2004).
Jennifer Curtis is a Full Professor in the School of Physics at Georgia Institute of Technology and serves as an ADVANCE Professor for the College of Sciences. Her research focuses on the physics of cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions, particularly within glycobiology and immunobiology contexts. Dr. Curtis earned her Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Chicago (2002) and her B.A. in Physics from Columbia University (1997). Her research interests span biophysics at interfaces, quantitative modeling of collective cellular interactions, cell mechanics, motility, adhesion, and the role of bulky sugars in tissue organization. Her laboratory investigates collective and single cell migration, immunophage therapy (combining immune cells with phages to combat bacterial infections), and molecular biophysics of hyaluronan synthase. Recent work demonstrates applications in soft materials, biomaterials, tissue engineering, and advanced characterization techniques. Analysis of her publication record reveals consistent focus on glyco-biophysics and cellular mechanics, with increasing emphasis on microbial communities and therapeutic applications. Her work bridges physics, biology, and engineering through interdisciplinary approaches. Honors include the NSF CAREER Award (2010), Georgia Tech College of Sciences Faculty Mentor Award (2015), and Cullen Peck Award (2020). She serves on the Biophysical Journal editorial board. Dr. Curtis actively mentors students through the Georgia Tech Physics REU program (which she directs) and collaborates with biologists, chemists, and materials scientists. Her laboratory maintains strong partnerships with institutions including Emory University and international collaborators. The Curtis Lab operates the Cell Physics Laboratory in the Molecular Science & Engineering Building, utilizing advanced techniques including holographic optical tweezers, thermochemical nanolithography, and single-molecule imaging to study cellular mechanics and polymer physics at biological interfaces.
Joseph Bailey is a Professor in the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His research focuses on evolutionary ecology, particularly how species interactions link genes to ecosystems, natural selection in community contexts, and scaling genetic processes across geographic and molecular resolutions. He holds a Ph.D. from Northern Arizona University (2003). Education: 2003 – Ph.D., Northern Arizona University Research interests include plant-animal interactions, evolutionary ecology, and the genetic underpinnings of community dynamics. His work integrates molecular, ecological, and evolutionary approaches across diverse systems, including native and invasive species interactions. He has published extensively on topics such as genetic structure of foundation species, plant-microbe interactions, and herbivore-induced ecosystem changes. Lab and Affiliations: His research group operates out of the Joseph Bailey Lab ( http://joebaileylab.com/ ). Publications reflect a focus on community genetics, indirect ecological interactions, and the genetic basis of species interactions.
Dr. Hillel Adesnik is a Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of California, Berkeley, and a leading researcher in the neural basis of sensory perception. His lab focuses on cortical microcircuits, optogenetics, and neural coding, with emphasis on visual processing and memory formation. Key Research Areas: Cortical Microcircuits Optogenetic Tools Gamma Band Rhythms Neural Coding Mechanisms Dr. Adesnik has pioneered high-speed optical methods like 3D-MAP and 3D-SHOT to manipulate neural activity. His work spans cortical dynamics, synaptic plasticity, and cortical layer interactions, with applications in understanding learning algorithms and sensory inference. Selected Trends from Publications: Recent preprints and papers highlight advancements in cortical VIP neuron function, channelrhodopsin structures, and inter-areal computations. His team utilizes two-photon holography, cryo-EM, and computational modeling to decode perception-related neural codes. Scientific Awards: NIH Director's New Innovator Award (2013) Dr. Adesnik's lab collaborates with institutions like NIH and develops tools for awake animal studies. Funding includes grants from the Beckman Young Investigator Program and NIH.
Ian Bradley is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York. His research focuses on creating sustainable biological processes to address needs in engineered and natural systems for water and wastewater treatment and resource recovery. Education: PhD in Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2017) MS in Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2011) MS in Civil Engineering (Structures), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2010) Research Interests: Dr. Bradley specializes in microalgal-based nutrient recovery, wastewater surveillance for public health monitoring, PFAS degradation using nanomaterials, and sustainable resource recovery systems. His work integrates biological processes with environmental engineering to optimize wastewater treatment efficiency and develop predictive models for water quality and health outcomes. Publications: His recent research includes advancements in microalgal cultivation (EcoRecover process), wastewater-based epidemiology for SARS-CoV-2 tracking, and computational enzyme design for PFAS remediation. These studies demonstrate interdisciplinary expertise spanning environmental engineering, biotechnology, and public health analytics.
Professor Bing-Jie (Bruce) Ni is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) within the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and a full Professor at UNSW Sydney. He is an internationally recognised leader in environmental engineering, wastewater treatment, greenhouse-gas mitigation, microplastics fate, electrocatalysis and sustainable energy systems. Education PhD in Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei (2005–2009) Research Interests Professor Ni’s research integrates process engineering, microbial biotechnology, materials science and mathematical modelling to develop sustainable technologies for high-efficiency pollutant removal, minimal carbon footprint and maximal energy recovery from wastewater. He is a global pioneer in: Modelling and control of nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄) emissions from wastewater systems, Micro- and nano-plastics ecotoxicity and mitigation in anaerobic digestion, Transforming sewage sludge into high-value liquid bio-energy (medium-chain fatty acids and long-chain alcohols), Designing cost-effective electrocatalysts from natural minerals for green hydrogen production and wastewater electrolysis. Research Output & Impact Over the last decade he has published 2 research books, 30 book chapters and >400 refereed journal papers , including 35 in Environmental Science & Technology and 85 in Water Research . His work has influenced global policy: the IPCC adopted his nitrous-oxide-emission model in 2019 to revise national greenhouse-gas inventories for the first time in 13 years. Awards & Recognition ARC Future Fellowship & ARC DECRA Fellowship Clarivate Analytics Highly Cited Researcher (Web of Science) Royal Society of Chemistry Highly Cited Researcher (2020–present) Mendeley Data Top 2 % Cited Researchers worldwide Listed among “Australia’s Most Innovative Engineers” (Engineers Australia, 2018) 50+ additional awards including Scopus Young Researcher Award, South Australian Water Awards, UQ Research Excellence Awards, and Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Awards. Research Funding & Leadership He has secured ≈ AUD $10 million in competitive funding (six major ARC grants plus >20 government, university and industry projects). He serves as: Lead Guest Editor, Water Research Editorial Advisory Board, Environmental Science & Technology Associate Editor for Journal of Cleaner Production , Environmental Chemistry Letters , Environmental Research , Journal of Environmental Management Editorial Board member for five additional high-impact journals. Teaching & Supervision At UTS he teaches Renewable Energy Technologies , Environmental and Sanitation Engineering , Process Dynamics and Control , and Water and Wastewater Treatment . He is available to supervise Masters and PhD students in environmental biotechnology, process modelling and sustainable energy systems. Laboratory & Commercial Translation He heads active research teams at both UNSW and UTS and is the inventor of >10 granted patents , some of which are currently being commercialised to deliver real-world impacts in greenhouse-gas-neutral wastewater treatment and renewable energy production.
Hang Lu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication and Media at the University of Michigan's College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. He specializes in science, health, environmental, and risk communication (ComSHER), with a focus on media psychology. His research explores audience responses to media messages about sensitive topics and strategies to enhance message effectiveness. Lu holds a Ph.D. in Communication from Cornell University (2018), along with advanced degrees from Cornell, Marquette University, and Central South University in China. He directs the Media and Risk (MaR) Lab and previously served as a postdoctoral fellow at the Annenberg Public Policy Center. His research spans four main areas: 1) emotion dynamics in media responses, 2) predictors of information behaviors, 3) media effects on stigmatization, and 4) AI applications in sensitive domains. He has published in journals like Journal of Communication , Risk Analysis , and Public Understanding of Science , earning multiple top paper awards. As Vice Chair of the Environmental Communication Division at the International Communication Association, Lu contributes to interdisciplinary dialogue. His work addresses critical societal issues such as climate change communication, vaccination hesitancy, and emerging technology ethics.
Bingzhang Chen is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Strathclyde, Faculty of Science. He previously held positions as a Chancellor’s Fellow at the same institution, a researcher at the Japan Agency of Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), and was affiliated with Xiamen University and Mount Allison University. His academic journey began with a PhD from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Education: PhD in Trophic interactions within the microbial food web, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Awarded 2009) His primary research interests lie at the intersection of biological oceanography and theoretical ecology, with a strong focus on ecosystem modeling. He investigates how biodiversity, particularly of phytoplankton, influences marine ecosystem functioning such as primary production and the biological carbon pump. A central theme in his work is understanding the differential temperature sensitivity between autotrophs and heterotrophs, a question that bridges statistical analysis, metabolic theory, and Earth system science. His recent publications highlight a consistent trend in developing and applying individual-based models (e.g., PIBM 1.0), analyzing large datasets on plankton thermal responses, and studying the impacts of climate change and anthropogenic activities (like nutrient input) on marine microbial communities across diverse regions from the South China Sea to the North Pacific and Scottish coastal waters. His work often combines modeling with observational data to address fundamental ecological questions. Scientific Awards: David Cushing Prize (2015) from the Journal of Plankton Research New Century Excellent Talent (2012) from the Ministry of Education of China Dr. Chen is actively involved in research supervision, currently guiding five PhD students. He has been the Principal Investigator on multiple research projects funded by organizations such as the Leverhulme Trust, FILAMO, and the National Science Foundation. His expertise in programming (R, Fortran, MATLAB) underpins his methodological approach. He also contributes to the scientific community as an Associate Editor for the prestigious journal Limnology and Oceanography . His work is associated with efforts to understand and model invasive species dynamics, such as the spread of Sargassum muticum in Scottish waters, and he is involved with external advisory groups like the MASTS Marine Artificial Intelligence Forum.
Professor Lindsay Turnbull is a Professor of Plant Ecology at the University of Oxford's Department of Biology. Her research focuses on understanding the evolutionary and ecological basis of plant trait diversity and its consequences for ecosystems. Key interests include seed size variation, plant-soil interactions, and the impact of organic farming on biodiversity. She leads a research group exploring topics such as mutualism stability, species coexistence, and island conservation genetics. Turnbull's work integrates experimental, observational, and computational approaches to address fundamental questions in ecology. Her lab, based at the Department of Biology (Mansfield Road and South Parks Road campuses), has contributed to global understanding of biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships and plant-microbe symbioses. Notable projects include studies on Aldabra giant tortoises and coral reef connectivity in the Seychelles, highlighting her commitment to applied conservation science. Her research spans multiple scales—from molecular interactions in legume-rhizobia systems to large-scale biodiversity patterns in grasslands and tropical ecosystems. Recent work emphasizes the role of trait-based approaches in predicting ecological responses to environmental changes such as eutrophication and climate variability. Her publications frequently bridge theoretical and applied ecology, offering insights into both natural and human-managed ecosystems.
Shili Lin is a Professor of Statistics at The Ohio State University's Department of Statistics, within the College of Arts and Sciences. She joined the faculty in 1995 after serving as the Neyman Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of California, Berkeley. Her expertise spans statistical genomics, bioinformatics, high-dimensional data analysis, Bayesian statistics, and Monte Carlo methods. Lin collaborates extensively with medical researchers to address challenges in genomic data such as ultra-high dimensionality, complex dependencies, and sparsity, focusing on diseases like cancer, multiple sclerosis, tuberculosis, and diabetes. She has contributed to developing computational tools for analyzing chromatin interactions, methylation patterns, and metagenomic samples. Lin holds a PhD from the University of Washington (1993). Her professional roles include serving as an Associate Editor for Biometrics , Statistical Applications in Genetics and Molecular Biology , and Statistics in Biosciences , as well as an Editorial Board member for Genetic Epidemiology . She is a standing member of NIH's Biostatistical Methods and Research Design Study Section and has served on multiple NSF and NIH grant review panels. Additionally, she is President Elect of the Caucus for Women in Statistics and has been a member of the ASA Committee on AAAS representation for six years. Her research interests emphasize statistical methodologies tailored to genomic data, including model selection, epigenetic analysis, and integrative approaches for multi-omics data. Lin's work often combines theoretical advancements with practical applications, such as predicting relapse in immune-mediated disorders and improving imputation techniques for single-cell Hi-C analysis. She has pioneered software tools like TopKLists and GrammR to facilitate ranked list aggregation and metagenomic data analysis. Lin's scientific accolades include ASA Fellowship (2004), AAAS Fellowship (2009), and membership in the International Statistical Institute (2014). Her contributions to statistical genetics and epigenomics have been recognized through grants and editorial leadership roles. While her research group focuses on cutting-edge methods, no formal advisees or students are explicitly listed in the provided materials.
Zackary Johnson , the Juli Plant Grainger Associate Professor of Biological Oceanography and Marine Biotechnology at Duke University, leads interdisciplinary research at the intersection of marine microbiology and biogeochemical innovation. Affiliated with the Nicholas School of the Environment and based at the Duke Marine Laboratory , his work spans microbial ecology, algal biotechnology, and climate mitigation strategies. Education: Ph.D. in Marine Science (Duke University, 2004), B.S. in Biology (MIT, 1994) Research Interests focus on marine microbial communities, particularly the model phytoplankton Prochlorococcus , algal cultivation for sustainable bioproducts, and the ecological impacts of ocean acidification. His lab investigates microbial interactions across diverse environments—from coastal estuaries to open-ocean gyres—and develops technologies for carbon-negative aquaculture systems. Publications highlight expertise in microbial biogeography, algal biofuels, and climate-resilient marine food webs. Recent work explores drone-based ocean color sensing, Gulf Stream eddy microbiomes, and the role of Labyrinthulomycetes protists in carbon export. Scientific Awards: Juli Plant Grainger Associate Professorship DOE and NSF-funded projects Grants include high-profile initiatives like the Marine Algae Industrialization Consortium (MAGIC) and REU Site program for coastal research training. His lab maintains a dedicated research site for studying microbial dynamics and sustainable algal cultivation.
Kamal Sarabandi is the Rufus S. Teesdale and Fawwaz T. Ulaby Distinguished University Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan. He leads the Radiation Laboratory, renowned for research in applied electromagnetics, radar remote sensing, and antenna technology. His academic rank is Professor, and he holds affiliations with the College of Engineering. His research spans radar systems for environmental monitoring (e.g., soil moisture, snowpack), automotive radar for autonomous vehicles, metamaterials for antenna miniaturization, and security applications like concealed weapons detection. He has advised over 60 PhD students, many of whom hold academic or industry leadership roles globally. Awards and Recognition: National Academy of Engineering member, IEEE Picard Medal, Humboldt Award, Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and Stephen S. Attwood Award. His work bridges fundamental science with practical innovations, including NASA collaborations and military/defense applications. Labs and Teams: Directs the Radiation Laboratory, a hub for applied electromagnetics and radar innovation. Collaborates with industry (e.g., Qualcomm, SAIC) and government agencies (NASA, Army Research Lab) on projects like the COMBAT center for autonomous systems. Education: Earned his PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan (1989). Alumni of his lab include professors at UW-Madison, Purdue, and international institutions.
