Professor Judy Lee is a Professor in Chemical and Process Engineering at the University of Surrey, affiliated with the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering within the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences. She holds a B.Eng. (Chemical Engineering, Hons), B.Sc. (Physics), PG.Dip.Ed. (Secondary), and a Ph.D. Her research focuses on advanced oxidation processes, sonochemistry, membrane technology, and environmental remediation. She collaborates with industry on projects like wastewater treatment and microplastic mitigation. Current research includes osmotically driven membrane processes for dairy waste and ultrasound-enhanced contaminant removal. She supervises PhD students Dom Falconer and Ben Parrish. She is a member of the European Society of Sonochemistry, British Association for Crystal Growth, and European Membrane Society. Education: B.Eng. (Chemical Engineering, Hons), B.Sc. (Physics), PG.Dip.Ed. (Secondary), Ph.D. Research Interests: Sonochemical degradation of pollutants, membrane fouling mitigation, pharmaceutical removal from water, and crystal growth under sonication. Her work integrates sonochemistry with environmental engineering to address industrial and environmental challenges, such as PFAS remediation and microplastic filtration. Grants and Collaboration: Projects include industry-funded research on dairy waste concentration and wastewater treatment. She leads collaborations on membrane technology and ultrasound applications. Labs/Teams: Active in Surrey’s Chemical Engineering labs, focusing on advanced oxidation and membrane systems.
Dr. Ian Kane is a Reader in Earth and Environmental Sciences at The University of Manchester, leading the 'Plastics in the Natural Environment' theme within the Manchester Environmental Research Group. His expertise spans sediment transport dynamics, deep-marine processes, and microplastic pollution. He holds editorial roles for journals like Sedimentologika and previously served as Editor-in-Chief of Sedimentology (2018–2022). Education: PhD in Geology from the University of Leeds (2007), focusing on submarine channel-levee systems and turbidity currents through fieldwork in Baja California, Mexico, and flume-tank modeling. Research Interests: Transport and burial of microplastics in deep-sea environments via turbidity currents Deep-marine sedimentological processes, including submarine canyons and slope systems Stratigraphic records of sediment gravity flows and anthropogenic impacts Recent articles highlight breakthroughs in understanding microplastic distribution via deep-sea currents and their ecological effects on marine organisms such as sea turtles. His work bridges geology, environmental science, and applied research on pollution mitigation. Scientific Awards: Fearnsides Prize (2008) Roland Goldring Award (2012) Advising and Grants: Supervised over 20 PhD students, with active projects on PFAS transport, microplastic stratigraphy, and deep-marine sedimentology. His research group (SedResQ) explores terrestrial-to-deep-marine sediment transfer. Labs/Teams: Leads SedResQ and collaborates globally on projects like the NEPTUNE Canada observatory, focusing on deep-sea environmental dynamics and anthropogenic impact assessment.
Marcella Lusardi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and the Princeton Materials Institute at Princeton University, leading interdisciplinary research at the intersection of materials synthesis, catalysis, and sustainability. Her educational background includes: Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from MIT (2018) B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Columbia University (2012) Dr. Lusardi's research focuses on designing advanced catalytic materials for environmental challenges, with core expertise in surface science, light-matter interactions, and complex materials processing. Her group develops natural and engineered materials for energy and sustainability applications, emphasizing CO 2 capture/reduction, pollution abatement, and photocatalysis through molecular-level catalyst design. The MatCat Lab integrates experimental techniques like NMR spectroscopy with computational guidance to create scalable solutions for closed carbon cycles and greener chemical processes. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2019-2025) reveals a dominant focus on zeolite-based catalysis for CO 2 conversion and carbonylation reactions, with growing emphasis on supramolecular assemblies and water-tolerant acid catalysts. Her work consistently bridges fundamental material properties with practical sustainability applications, showing progression toward integrated systems for direct air capture and light-mediated reactions. The MatCat Lab employs a highly interdisciplinary approach centered on defect engineering in silica matrices and molecular recognition for supramolecular networks. Current projects target tailored reaction environments for CO 2 reduction and microplastic oxidation, utilizing advanced synthesis methods and structural elucidation to develop practical catalytic technologies for a sustainable future.
Dr. Markus Brinkmann is an Associate Professor in the School of Environment and Sustainability at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, and Director of the Toxicology Centre. He holds the Centennial Enhancement Chair in Mechanistic Environmental Toxicology. His research focuses on exposure and risk assessment modeling, toxicokinetic modeling, and aquatic ecotoxicology, with an emphasis on understanding contaminant effects under realistic environmental conditions. Affiliations: Associate Professor, University of Saskatchewan Director, Toxicology Centre Member, Global Water Futures Program Member, Global Institute for Water Security Education: Ph.D. (Biology) - RWTH Aachen University, Germany (2015) M.Sc. (Ecotoxicology) - RWTH Aachen University, Germany (2011) B.Sc. (Biology) - RWTH Aachen University, Germany (2009) Research Interests: Dr. Brinkmann develops computational models to predict contaminant uptake, effects, and cross-species extrapolation. His work integrates toxicology, environmental chemistry, and hydrology to address challenges like flood-related contaminant remobilization and dioxin-like compound toxicity. Key areas include: Mechanistic toxicology of emerging contaminants (e.g., 6PPD-quinone, PFAS alternatives) Sediment toxicity and bioavailability Wastewater surveillance for public health monitoring Grant Highlights: Global Water Futures Program (2018-2023): Hydrological-exposure models for environmental risk assessment Genome Canada (2016-2020): EcoToxChip for chemical prioritization Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship (2016-2018) Awards: Friedrich-Wilhelm-Award (2016) SETAC GLB Young Scientists Award (2016 PhD, 2012 MSc) Borchers medal (2016) Leadership: He advises on strategic research partnerships between Canada and Germany and collaborates globally on projects like the EcoToxChip and Project House Water . His work bridges academic research with practical environmental management solutions.
Kyle Doudrick serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences at the University of Notre Dame, with his office located in 166 Fitzpatrick Hall of Engineering. His research program bridges environmental engineering and materials science to address critical water quality challenges. Education Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering, Arizona State University (2013) M.S. in Civil Engineering, University of Memphis (2008) B.S. in Civil Engineering, University of Memphis (2006) Research Focus : The Doudrick Lab pioneers physical-chemical treatment technologies targeting emerging contaminants including PFAS, micro/nanoplastics, and oxyanions. His group develops solar-activated photocatalytic systems for water purification and wastewater-to-hydrogen conversion, while investigating fundamental processes in catalytic, adsorptive, thermal, photochemical, and electrochemical treatment. Current work emphasizes understanding contaminant fate in natural and engineered systems through advanced analytical methods. Publication Trends : Recent works (2019-2020) demonstrate a cohesive research trajectory centered on electrochemical and photocatalytic water treatment. Key themes include nanomaterial stability for contaminant degradation, hybrid processes for persistent pollutants like PFOS, and innovative reactor designs such as hydrogel membranes. These publications span environmental engineering, materials chemistry, and sustainable energy conversion, reflecting interdisciplinary approaches to water security challenges. Laboratory Operations : The Doudrick Lab maintains a mission-driven focus on developing cost-effective, scalable solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing water infrastructure. Research activities combine fundamental material science with practical engineering applications, targeting real-world implementation of contaminant removal technologies while advancing scientific understanding of emerging pollutant behavior.
Olli Dahl is a Professor at Aalto University's Department of Forest Products Technology, specializing in Clean Technologies and Environmental Management. His work focuses on waste valorization, biorefinery processes, and sustainable resource utilization. Key areas include microplastic dynamics in composting systems, biochar applications for heavy metal decontamination, and optimization of mineral processing with recycled water. Research highlights include an international award for biorefinery innovation and groundbreaking studies on nickel recovery in flotation processes. He leads interdisciplinary projects addressing water quality impacts on ore processing and thermochemical conversion of agricultural residues into bioenergy. Dahl's recent work emphasizes closing material loops through circular bioeconomy strategies and advancing sustainable industrial practices. Awards: 2015 International Biorefinery Competition 2nd Place (Ministry of Employment & Economy, Finland) Key Themes: Waste-to-resource systems, industrial water management, bio-based materials, and metallurgical sustainability
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.
David N. Thomas is a Professor of Arctic Ecosystem Research and Director of the International Masters Programme for Environmental Change and Global Sustainability at the University of Helsinki. He is affiliated with the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, working within the Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme and the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science. Dr. Thomas is a distinguished Marine-Arctic-Antarctic-Climate Biologist with extensive expertise in sea ice research, polar ecosystems, and climate change impacts. His research focuses on the biogeochemical processes within sea ice, carbon cycling in polar regions, and the ecological implications of a changing Arctic Ocean. He has made significant contributions to understanding how sea ice ecosystems function and respond to environmental change, with particular attention to microbial communities, nutrient dynamics, and carbon fluxes. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on the changing Arctic Ocean ecosystem, carbon and microbial dynamics in thawing permafrost landscapes, and sea ice biogeochemistry. Dr. Thomas has also contributed to important policy documents such as the PAME Synthesis Report on Ecosystem Status in the Central Arctic Ocean, bridging the gap between scientific research and environmental management. Professor Thomas has recently published the 4th Edition of "Sea Ice: Its Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology and Societal Importance," which represents a comprehensive update to this seminal work in polar science. His research spans both Arctic and Antarctic environments, examining how these critical polar regions are responding to global environmental change.
Andrea Carminati is a Full Professor at the Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich. His research focuses on soil-plant hydraulics , rhizosphere dynamics , and drought adaptation mechanisms in crops and forest species. He investigates how root traits , soil texture , and biogenic substances like mucilage influence water uptake , gas exchange , and soil microbial activity . Key Research Areas: Soil-Plant Water Relations Rhizosphere Hydrology Drought Resistance in Maize and Trees Microplastics in Agricultural Soils Hydraulic Redistribution and Isohydricity Contact: Email: andrea.carminati@usys.ethz.ch Phone: +41 44 633 61 60 Recent studies highlight his work on soil texture-specific transpiration responses , rhizosheath properties under drought , and microplastic impacts on soil hydrology . He employs advanced techniques like X-ray computed tomography and neutron radiography to visualize root-soil interactions.
Miriam Diamond is a Professor at the Department of Earth Sciences and School of the Environment, University of Toronto. She holds cross-appointments in Chemical Engineering, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, and Physical & Environmental Sciences. PhD in Chemical Engineering (University of Toronto, 1990) MSc in Mining Engineering (Queen’s University, 1984) MSc in Zoology (University of Alberta, 1980) Her research focuses on chemical contaminant fate, transport, and exposure in indoor and urban environments, Arctic regions, and Great Lakes systems. She develops mathematical models , passive sampling methods , and policy frameworks to address pollution from flame retardants, phthalates, PFAS, and microplastics. Recent publications highlight microplastic extraction techniques , sleeping children’s exposure , and polymeric flame retardant risks . Key awards include the Royal Society of Canada Fellowship and 2025 President’s Impact Award . She supervises PhD candidates Anna Shalin , Lin Boynton , and others. Her policy contributions include serving on the Canadian Chemical Management Plan Science Committee and co-chairing the Earth Commissioner initiative.
Susan D. Richardson is the Arthur Sease Williams Professor of Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of South Carolina, affiliated with the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on improving drinking water safety through environmental analytical chemistry, particularly studying disinfection by-products (DBPs), emerging contaminants like PFAS, and advanced analytical methods such as mass spectrometry. She leads a lab equipped with six mass spectrometers and collaborates on projects involving water reuse, toxicology, and environmental policy. Education: B.S. in Chemistry & Mathematics from Georgia College & State University (1984); Ph.D. in Physical Organic Chemistry from Emory University (1989). Research Interests: Environmental analytical chemistry and drinking water safety Disinfection by-products (DBPs) formation and toxicity Emerging contaminants (PFAS, microplastics, algal toxins) Development of novel analytical methods (e.g., Total Organic Fluorine, VASE-GC-MS) Impact of wastewater reuse and hydraulic fracturing on water quality Article Trends: Recent work emphasizes high-molecular-weight DBPs, iodinated DBPs from cooking practices, and global PFAS hotspots. Innovative methods like tandem mass spectrometry and TOF analysis dominate her approaches. Awards: National Academy of Engineering (2024) Multiple Analytical Scientist Power List recognitions (2023–2019) Walter J. Weber Jr. AEESP Frontier in Research Award (2021) Fellowships from AAAS (2019) and ACS (2016) Advising & Grants: Richardson’s lab supports interdisciplinary collaborations, with funding from agencies like the National Science Foundation and industry partnerships. She mentors students in environmental chemistry and toxicology, emphasizing real-world applications of research. Labs/Teams: Her research group operates in state-of-the-art facilities (GSRC 209/237/238), focusing on cutting-edge technologies for contaminant detection and mitigation.
Wenjing Zhang is a Professor and Head of the Section for Water Technology and Processes at the Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU). She is also affiliated with the DTU Microbes Initiative, contributing to interdisciplinary research in sustainable water technologies and environmental nanomaterials. Professor, DTU Head of Section, Water Technology & Processes Member, DTU Microbes Initiative Her research spans nanofiber technology, electrospinning, membrane processes, and catalytic materials for environmental applications. She focuses on innovative solutions for water purification, plastic waste recycling, CO2 photoreduction, and green hydrogen production, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in advanced materials for environmental sustainability, particularly electrospun nanofibers, heterojunction photocatalysts, and ceramic membranes. These works emphasize applications in microplastic degradation, solid oxide cells, and chemical recycling of plastics, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach combining materials science, electrochemistry, and environmental engineering. Researcher at DTU Energy becomes honorary professor in China Wenjing Zhang actively supervises PhD students and leads multiple research projects, including EU and nationally funded initiatives on decentralized wastewater treatment and biocatalytic membrane systems. She collaborates with leading researchers and institutions, securing funding for high-impact environmental technologies. Her lab focuses on nanostructured membrane design and advanced fabrication of porous ceramics for industrial and municipal applications.
Prof. Morten Hvitfeldt Iversen is a leading researcher in Polar Biological Oceanography at the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI). He serves as Section Head of the Polar Biological Oceanography department and leads the bridging group 'SeaPump' collaborating with University of Bremen and MARUM. His work focuses on organic matter production, export, and transformation in oceans, linking small-scale microbial processes to large-scale biogeochemical cycles in high-latitude regions. Iversen pioneers optical techniques to study marine aggregates and their role in the biological carbon pump. Research interests include Arctic and Antarctic carbon dynamics, microbial ecology, and the impact of climate change on ocean systems. He leads projects like the 'SeaPump' initiative and contributes to the 6.3 sub-topic 'The future of the biological pump' under POF IV. His work integrates field observations, mooring data, and satellite measurements to understand carbon fluxes and their climate feedbacks. Recent articles highlight his focus on Arctic carbon sinks, microplastic impacts, and zooplankton roles in the biological pump. Iversen actively participates in expeditions aboard the Polarstern and uses advanced optical tools to study particle dynamics. His contributions bridge experimental and observational science to address global climate challenges.
Dr. Rebecca Rooney is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Science at the University of Waterloo, specializing in wetland ecology and environmental toxicology. She contributes to graduate studies as Interim Associate Chair and leads the Rooney Lab , which focuses on wetland conservation, invasive species impacts, and contaminant dynamics in aquatic ecosystems. University of Waterloo Ecology and Evolution Research Group Her research spans several critical areas: Wetland hydrology and groundwater interactions Ecological impacts of microplastics and stormwater contaminants Invasive species management (particularly Phragmites australis ) Climate change effects on wetland biodiversity Environmental monitoring techniques The 15 most recent publications reveal consistent research themes in urban stormwater contamination, wetland connectivity, and microplastic pollution. These works employ field experiments, isotope tracing, and multi-metric monitoring frameworks to address ecological risks and inform conservation strategies. She actively investigates pesticide bioconcentration in biofilms, wetland reclamation in oil sands regions, and the ecological consequences of hydrological changes. Her lab integrates field-based methodologies with policy considerations to advance wetland science.
Reto Gieré is a Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Science at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Arts & Sciences. He holds editorial roles as Editor of the Journal of Petrology and Chief Editor of the European Journal of Mineralogy. His research focuses on environmental geochemistry, energy systems, mineralogical processes, and health impacts of pollutants. He has held academic positions at institutions including ETH Zürich, Purdue University, and the University of Basel. Education: PhD in Mineralogy and Petrology (ETH Zürich), Habilitation in Earth Sciences (University of Basel) Research Interests: Biogeochemistry, sustainable materials, atmospheric pollution, and global environmental change Key projects include investigations into tire-abrasion microplastics, charcoal sustainability in sub-Saharan Africa, and lead pollution dynamics in Philadelphia. He has received honors such as the Honorary Doctorate from Université de Haute-Alsace and Fellowships from major geological societies. Grants/Advising: Active in international projects like BIOCOMBUST (EU-funded biofuel research) Labs: Directs the Geochemistry Lab at UPenn, focusing on mineral-environment interactions
