Dr. Anh TN Nguyen is an ARC DECRA Research Fellow and Head of the GPCR EcoPharmacology Lab at Monash University's Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Her research focuses on decoding drug-receptor interactions at G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to develop next-generation therapeutics, particularly targeting cardiovascular and neuronal diseases. She integrates molecular pharmacology, AI, and high-throughput screening to create GPCR-targeted drug platforms. She also investigates how environmental pollutants like microplastics disrupt GPCR signaling. Education: PhD in Pharmacology (2017, Monash University), co-supervised by Prof. Arthur Christopoulos and Assoc. Prof. Lauren May. Teaching: Lecturer in Monash Enhanced Doctoral Program (2022–present), specializing in advanced receptor theory (allosterism and biased agonism). Grants: Principal or co-investigator on seven grants totaling ~$8.9M, including projects on adenosine A1 receptor modulators for heart failure and epilepsy, and GPCR response mechanisms to pollutants. Awards: Certara New Investigator Award (2022). Labs/Teams: Leads the GPCR EcoPharmacology Lab, collaborating on projects like pollutant-GPCR interactions and AI-driven drug discovery.
Dr. Henry Obanya is a Research Fellow at the MR Centre for Blue Governance, University of Portsmouth, specializing in aquatic toxicology and marine pollution research. His work focuses on the environmental impacts of tire-derived compounds and plastic additives in marine ecosystems, contributing significantly to understanding emerging pollutants. His research interests span aquatic toxicology, marine ecology, and environmental pollution with particular expertise in tire-derived compounds and microplastics. Dr. Obanya investigates how chemical leachates from tires and plastics affect marine organisms at cellular and behavioral levels, with implications for environmental risk assessment and policy development. Dr. Obanya's publication record shows a strong focus on emerging contaminants, with particular attention to 6PPD-quinone and plastic additives. His research demonstrates how these pollutants affect marine microalgae and invertebrates, revealing impacts on cellular function and behavior. The collective perspective he's contributed to has helped establish research priorities in tire particle pollution. Dr. Obanya has received significant attention for his research, with his work being picked up by numerous news outlets and discussed across social media platforms including X and Bluesky. His publications have garnered substantial readership on academic platforms like Mendeley. As a recent PhD graduate (2025), Dr. Obanya has established himself as a promising researcher in environmental toxicology, working collaboratively with international researchers to address pressing issues in marine pollution.
Gilberto Martins is a Researcher at the Centre of Biological Engineering (University of Minho), specializing in microbial biotechnology and environmental engineering. His work focuses on microbial electrochemistry, anaerobic digestion, and bioremediation, with an emphasis on the application of conductive materials and nanotechnology to enhance bioprocesses. Research interests include the optimization of microbial fuel cells for energy recovery, the role of iron and carbon-based materials in methane production, and the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients in aquatic systems. Key contributions involve advancing understanding of how conductive substrates influence methanogen activity and developing computational models for wastewater treatment and bioremediation. Recent studies explore microbial degradation of microplastics and the use of machine learning to predict biogas yields. His interdisciplinary approach bridges microbiology, environmental engineering, and material science to address challenges in sustainable energy and pollution control.
Dipl.-Ing.Dr. Astrid Allesch is a researcher at the Institute of Waste Management and Circularity under the Department of Landscape, Water and Infrastructure at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). Her work focuses on waste engineering, recycling technologies, landfill systems, waste prevention, and contaminated site remediation. She has presented extensively on topics like material flow analysis for waste systems, tire wear particle pollution, circular economy strategies, and beverage deposit schemes. Her research emphasizes transdisciplinary collaboration and environmental sustainability. Key publication themes: Waste Systems Optimization , Plastic Additive Lifecycle , Microplastic Pollution , and Policy Benchmarking .
Sabine Lenz is a researcher at the Institute of Waste Management and Circularity within the Department of Landscape, Water and Infrastructure at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). Her work focuses on waste management, plastic pollution, and circular economy solutions, with particular emphasis on river systems, especially the Danube River Basin. Her research interests span waste management systems, plastic pollution monitoring, microplastic analysis, landfill management, and circular economy approaches. Dr. Lenz has developed expertise in analytical methods including FTIR spectroscopy for monitoring waste sites and assessing plastic pollution. Her work bridges environmental science with practical engineering solutions for sustainable waste management. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on plastic pollution in river systems, particularly the Danube River Basin. Her research examines both macro and microplastic pollution sources, transport mechanisms, and monitoring methodologies. She has also contributed to research on biodegradable plastics, landfill leachate analysis, and material flow assessments for waste management systems. Dr. Lenz has supervised multiple Master's theses, including research on microplastic quality control in river samples and FTIR monitoring of biodegradable plastics. Her work is supported by numerous research projects, many of which are EU-funded initiatives focused on plastic pollution reduction and circular economy development. Her research is conducted within the Institute of Waste Management and Circularity, which is part of BOKU's Department of Landscape, Water and Infrastructure. This institute focuses on sustainable approaches to waste management and circular economy solutions, aligning with Dr. Lenz's research focus on plastic pollution and sustainable waste management practices.
Professor Gary Hardiman is a faculty member at Queen's University Belfast, holding the rank of Professor in the School of Biological Sciences under the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences. He is affiliated with the Institute for Global Food Security and maintains an active research program with office location at Room 0G.107, Biological Sciences building in Belfast, United Kingdom. His work focuses on systems biology and computational approaches to complex health and environmental challenges, with recent media coverage highlighting applications in space travel research. Research interests include: Systems biology and multi-omics data integration for genotype-phenotype prediction Effects of microplastics and persistent organic pollutants on marine ecosystems and human health Racial disparities in prostate cancer linked to vitamin D deficiency and BAZ1A regulation Physiological impacts of space radiation, microgravity, and torpor on hepatic/intestinal biology Rat models for opioid abuse vulnerability and neuronal correlates of addiction His publication trends (2023-2025) emphasize prostate cancer disparities, space biology mechanisms, and microplastics toxicity using computational frameworks. Key methodologies involve network pharmacology, multi-omics integration, and cross-species modeling (mice, rats, zebrafish) to address UN Sustainable Development Goals in health and environmental protection. Scientific Awards: No specific awards or honors were documented in the provided text Advising and Grants: Hardiman actively supervises PhD students with 10 supervised works recorded, accepting new applicants in computer science, bioinformatics, biochemistry, microbiology, or marine biology requiring funding strategies. He serves as Principal Investigator for R5254GFS (microplastics characterization) and Co-Investigator for R1499PSY (PTSD research) and R1906ECS (proteoform peptide index). Additional funding includes an NIH U01 grant for opioid dependence research at Medical University of South Carolina, demonstrating substantial grant acquisition in environmental health and biomedical fields. Labs and Teams: He leads research within Queen's University Belfast's Institute for Global Food Security, collaborating with international teams from University of California, Medical University of South Carolina, Wake Forest School of Medicine (USA), Università di Camerino (Italy), National University of Ireland Galway, and University of Aberdeen (Scotland). These partnerships focus on space omics, environmental contaminants, and cancer disparities using systems biology toolkits. His group contributes to the European Space Agency's space biology initiatives and develops computational models for public health risk assessment.
Emilio Hernández-García is a CSIC Research Professor at the Institute for Cross-Disciplinary Physics and Complex Systems (IFISC) , a joint research center between CSIC and the University of the Balearic Islands . His career spans nonlinear dynamics, complex systems, and interdisciplinary applications in oceanographic and biological contexts. Education : PhD in Physical Sciences (1990), University of the Balearic Islands; Degree in Physics (1986), University of Barcelona. Positions : Research Professor at IFISC (since 2001); Associate Professor at UIB (2015-2020); Research Associate at McGill University (1990-1991). Research Interests focus on Nonlinear Dynamics , Complex Systems , and Statistical Physics , with applications to ocean dynamics (Lagrangian transport, mesoscale eddies) and biological modeling (ecological networks, vegetation patterns, marine ecosystems). He has led projects like EDEN (ecological diversity) and LAMARCA-SC (marine microplastics transport). Scientific Output includes 15 recent articles on topics such as Lagrangian transport in marine systems , vegetation pattern formation , and network-based climate predictions . His work bridges physics , ecology , and climate science , with methodological contributions to chaos theory and particle tracking . Scientific Awards : ORCID ID 0000-0002-9568-8287; ResearcherID B-1271-2008; Scopus Author ID 7003938014. Collaborations include European networks (EURO-OCEANS, BIOSIM, EXYSTENCE) and interdisciplinary projects integrating fluid dynamics , genetic modeling , and marine conservation . His teaching involves Complex Systems and Cooperative Phenomena courses at the Master's level.
Dr. Ioana Andreea Brezestean is a Scientific Researcher III (R2 rank) at the National Institute for Research and Development in Isotopic and Molecular Technologies (Cluj-Napoca, Romania). She holds a PhD in Physics (2022) and Master's degrees in Medical Physics (2013, 2015) from Babeș-Bolyai University . Her work focuses on nanomaterial synthesis , SERS substrate development , and environmental/health monitoring through advanced spectroscopic techniques. Current projects include NanedisSERS (bioinspired 3D nanoplatforms for neurodegenerative disease diagnostics) and AL-DIBI SERS (Alzheimer's biomarker detection using gold nanourchins). Her expertise spans nanoparticle fabrication (silver/gold), microfluidic sensor design , and multi-modal characterization (Raman, FT-Raman, SERS, TERS, microscopy). She contributes to eco-friendly nanocomposite development in projects like ECONANO4AUTO (bio-PA materials with chicken feather derivatives). Key collaborations include SINTEF AS (Norway), University of Medicine and Pharmacy 'Iuliu Hațieganu' , and NANOM MEMS SRL . Her methodology integrates DFT calculations , quantum chemistry modeling , and statistical pattern recognition for pathogen resistance analysis.
Dr. Yahya Al Naggar is an Egyptian experimental entomologist and ecotoxicologist currently serving as Associate Professor in the Zoology Department at Tanta University (Egypt) and Visiting Scientist at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ (Germany). With over 13 years of research experience, he specializes in honeybee health and ecotoxicology , focusing on environmental stressors like pesticides, heavy metals, and microplastics. Education : B.Sc. (2007), M.Sc. (2011), Ph.D. (2015) in Insect Ecology from Tanta University, with visiting doctoral research at University of Saskatchewan and Dalhousie University (Canada) His research employs omics approaches (metabarcoding, transcriptomics) to study microbial diversity and molecular mechanisms in honeybee responses to stressors. He has led studies on pesticide-pathogen interactions and microplastic impacts on pollinators, with 15 most recent publications spanning 2022-2023. Key trends across his articles include: pesticide synergism in stingless bees, microbiome disruption by agricultural chemicals, nanoparticle toxicity mechanisms, and environmental stressor impacts on pollinator physiology. His work also intersects with global change ecology and conservation biology . Scientific Honors : 5 major awards (2014-2023) including COLOSS Award, Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship, and Sheikh Salem bin Sultan El Kasemy Prize Collaborations span Germany's iDiv Biodiversity Research Centre , University of California Riverside, and Canadian institutions. His work addresses One Health implications of pollinator declines and contributes to the GLIMPSE PhD cohort on sustainable land use.
Vitor Filipe Silva Antunes is a researcher at the Faculty of Engineering, focusing on asphalt recycling technologies and sustainable infrastructure materials. His work examines the reuse of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) in bituminous mixtures. Active in asphalt mixture innovation Specializing in RAP multi-recycling Investigating plastic waste incorporation in road materials Recent research involves rejuvenator optimization for RAP mixtures and lifecycle assessment of pavement rehabilitation strategies. Projects include Advancing towards litter-free Atlantic coastal communities , targeting macro/micro litter reduction through collaborative engineering solutions. Key contributions span bitumen rheology, asphalt durability, and environmental impact analysis. Collaborations extend to European research teams, with a focus on material characterization using dynamic shear rheometers.
Urszula Aleksander-Kwaterczak is a Professor at the AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków, affiliated with the Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection and the Department of Environmental Protection . Her research focuses on environmental contamination, particularly heavy metals in sediments and water systems, microplastics pollution, and pollutant transport mechanisms. Key Research Areas: Environmental Science, Hydrogeology, Sediment Analysis, Microplastics in Water Systems Contact: aleksa@agh.edu.pl | Room 211, Building A-0 Her work spans interdisciplinary investigations into metal mobility in mine-affected floodplains, urban watercourse contamination, and the role of hyporheic zones in pollutant transfer. Recent studies analyze arsenic distribution in Carpathian waters and microplastics in Polish bottled water, reflecting her commitment to understanding both natural and anthropogenic environmental impacts. Current affiliations include the Disciplinary Council for Environmental Engineering, Mining and Energy, and the Council for the Quality of Education in Environmental Engineering at AGH UST.
Dr. Oliver Lechtenfeld is a leading scientist in environmental analytical chemistry at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ , heading the BioGeoOmics research group since 2018 and serving as Deputy Head of the Department since 2024. His work focuses on ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) applications in environmental and biogeochemical contexts. Education : PhD in Marine Biogeochemistry (University of Bremen/AWI, 2008–2012); Chemistry degree (University of Ulm, 2002–2008). Research interests span Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM) molecular characterization, stable isotope labeling , chemoinformatics , and MALDI-MSI for spatial molecular imaging. Projects include E=OC² , STRUCTOMICS , and nanoINHALE , addressing carbon cycling, PFAS detection, and soil-water interactions. Recent publications highlight DOM degradation in aquatic systems, PFAS identification, and microbial impacts on carbon fluxes. Key collaborations involve Prof. Thorsten Reemtsma and institutions like the University of South Carolina. Tools developed include defendeR and Lambda-Miner for DOM data processing. Technologies : FT-ICR MS, MALDI-MSI, CSSIA Projects : SPP 2322 (Maddoms), InCeTo, nanoINHALE
Erik Borchert is a postdoctoral researcher at GEOMAR - Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, working within Research Division 3: Marine Ecology in the Research Unit Marine Symbioses. His research focuses on utilizing marine microorganisms for biotechnological advances toward a blue bioeconomy, particularly studying microbial consortia that degrade complex substrates like plastics and bones. Education: PhD in Environmental Microbiology, University College Cork, Ireland (2014-2017, BluePharmTrain - Marie Skłodowska Curie fellowship) MSc in Biochemistry, Friedrich-Schiller University Jena, Germany (2011-2013) BSc in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Friedrich-Schiller University Jena, Germany (2008-2011) Dr. Borchert's research interests center on marine microbiology, host-microbiome interactions, metagenomics, and enzyme discovery. He specializes in deciphering whole microbial consortia and their capabilities to degrade complex substrates synergistically, using 'Multi-Omic' approaches to identify enzymatically active microorganisms and enzymes. His work aims to apply targeted evolution to microbial consortia to enhance activity for biotechnological applications, particularly in plastic and bone degradation. He also explores bioprospecting of the marine environment for novel pharmaceuticals, biocatalysts, and biopolymers to support sustainable resource use. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on marine plastic pollution (the "plastisphere"), bone degradation microbiomes, and novel marine bacterial species. The research spans from fundamental microbial ecology to applied biotechnology, with a clear trajectory toward developing solutions for environmental challenges through marine microbial resources. His work combines advanced genomic techniques with practical biotechnological applications for sustainable resource utilization. Scientific Awards: Poster prize at the EMBRIC workshop "Treasures from the Deep", Brussels, Belgium (March 2019) Marie Skłodowska Curie initial training network (MC-ITN) fellowship, BluePharmTrain (2014-2017) Dr. Borchert has supervised numerous master's theses from international students and has been involved in significant research projects including AI MareExplore (2025-2027), XTREAM (2025-2028), P-LEACH, BioProMare, Capri Sun, and ERA-NET Marine Biotechnology's ProBone project. His collaborative network spans multiple institutions across Europe, including research partners in Germany, Norway, Spain, the Netherlands, and the UK. He has participated in several research expeditions, including SO279 on RV "Sonne" to study plastic pollution in the North Atlantic Garbage Patch. Dr. Borchert is actively involved in both fundamental research through projects like XTREAM and applied research through industry collaborations like Capri Sun. His laboratory work focuses on marine microbial communities, particularly those associated with plastic pollution (the plastisphere) and bone degradation, using advanced genomic and metagenomic approaches to identify novel enzymes and biocatalysts.
Jean-Michel ANDANSON is a Research Fellow at the Clermont-Ferrand Institute of Chemistry (CNRS), affiliated with the Thermal and Physicochemical Analysis department at Clermont Auvergne University. His work focuses on developing novel solvents and materials for sustainable applications, such as CO₂ capture, plastic recycling, and polymer analysis. Key research interests include deep eutectic solvents (DES), microplastic detection, and thermodynamic analysis of working fluid pairs for energy systems. Dr. ANDANSON holds a Doctorate in Chemistry-Physics from the University of Bordeaux (2005) and has conducted postdoctoral research at institutions including ETH Zurich, Imperial College London, and EPF Lausanne. His expertise spans infrared spectroscopy, nanocalorimetry, and molecular simulations to study solvent structures and material interactions. His research projects emphasize sustainable development, addressing challenges in environmental remediation and energy efficiency. He collaborates within the Thermodynamics and Molecular Interactions (TIM) team and the Gas Absorption Mechanism (GAM) theme, focusing on interdisciplinary solutions for industrial and environmental applications. Publications highlight advancements in solvent design, microplastic quantification, and nanoparticle synthesis. His work integrates experimental and computational methods to bridge fundamental research with practical applications in green chemistry and renewable energy systems.
Zuzi Kurt is a Professor at Hanze University's Life Sciences & Renewable Energy school, affiliated with the Centre of Expertise Energy . They focus on sustainable technologies, green energy production, and environmental remediation. Their work addresses UN Sustainable Development Goals related to clean energy and environmental protection. Research interests include: Biological systems for green energy production Novel enzyme discovery and biocatalysis AI-driven process optimization Biodegradation pathways and microbial reactions Waste reduction and valorization strategies Recent publications explore: Catabolic pathways for toxic compounds Microplastic removal in wastewater Biochar applications in agrochemical remediation Solar-powered desalination systems Accepting PhD students for projects in: Waste reduction valorization Bio/electrocatalytic green energy systems
