Professor Fay Couceiro is a Professor of Environmental Pollution in the School of Civil Engineering and Surveying at the University of Portsmouth. She leads the Microplastics Research Group and the 'Evaluating change across the plastics lifecycle' theme for the Revolution Plastics Institute, focusing on pollution sources, interventions, and collaborations with industry. She holds editorial roles at Cambridge Prisms: Plastics and peer reviews for multiple journals and funding bodies. Education: BSc in Marine Biology (Queen's University Belfast), PhD in Biogeochemistry (funded project on Strangford Lough), postdoctoral research at the University of Plymouth. Research Interests: Contaminants' fate, microplastics' environmental and health impacts, nutrient dynamics, heavy metals, and organic pollutants like PAHs. Her work integrates pure science with civil engineering solutions. Publications span 2007–2025, emphasizing microplastic toxicity, soil-oil interactions, and pollution mitigation strategies. Over 27 peer-reviewed articles highlight her contributions to environmental science. Advising & Grants: Supervises MSc/PhD students and collaborates with companies like Southern Water. Active in STEM outreach and UK research policy, including the EU's HR Excellence in Research accreditation process. Labs/Teams: Microplastics Research Group, Revolution Plastics Institute, and interdisciplinary teams in environmental technology and resilience.
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.
Prof. Dr. Anja Meryandini is a Professor in the Department of Biology at IPB University (Bogor Agricultural University), Indonesia. She leads research in microbial biotechnology with a focus on enzyme technology, probiotics, prebiotics, and fermentation processes for food and agricultural applications. Her educational journey includes a Bachelor's degree in Biology from Padjadjaran University, a Master's degree in Biology from IPB University, and a PhD in Microbiology from Albert Ludwig Universitaet, Germany. This strong academic foundation has supported her extensive research career spanning over three decades. Professor Meryandini's research interests encompass: Microbial enzyme technology (protease, mannanase, xylanase) for animal feed processing Development of probiotics and prebiotics for food and animal applications Flour production using microbial technology Fermentation processes for various agricultural products Soil microbiome analysis in relation to land use changes Biodegradation of environmental pollutants Her recent publications reveal a consistent focus on lactic acid bacteria, yeast fermentation, enzyme characterization, and biodegradation processes, often utilizing Indonesian indigenous microorganisms. She has made significant contributions to understanding cocoa fermentation microbiology, tempeh processing, and agricultural waste valorization. Professor Meryandini has been actively involved in important research projects including 'Impact of rainforest transformation on phylogenetic and functional diversity of soil prokaryotic communities in Sumatra (Indonesia)' which is part of a larger CRC 990 program. Her work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between microbiology, environmental science, and food technology. With over 100 publications documented from 1994 to 2024, Professor Meryandini maintains an active research program with significant contributions to microbial biotechnology in the Indonesian context and beyond.
Anna Salvati is an Associate Professor specializing in nanomedicine and drug delivery systems. Her research focuses on nanoparticle-cell interactions, biomolecular corona formation, and the physicochemical properties governing nanomaterial behavior in biological environments. Key research themes include cellular uptake mechanisms, toxicity of nanomaterials, and nanoparticle targeting strategies. Recent publications highlight her work on nanoparticle stability, membrane interactions, and environmental impacts of microplastics. Her studies integrate multiomics approaches, advanced imaging, and interlaboratory validation to address challenges in nanomedicine design and safety testing. Current projects explore the role of high-density lipoproteins in nanoparticle functionality and the modulation of drug release kinetics through material engineering.
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.
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.
Boxin Zhao is a Professor and University of Waterloo Endowed Chair in Nanotechnology in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo. His research spans surface science, bionanomaterials, and biomimetic adhesion, with a focus on advanced polymers, hydrogels, and smart materials for biomedical and industrial applications. He leads the Surface Science and Bio-nanomaterials Laboratory Group, which develops innovative materials such as self-cleaning surfaces and antimicrobial coatings. Education: Doctorate in Chemical Engineering, McMaster University (2004); Master's from Chinese Academy of Sciences (1999); Bachelor's in Mineral Engineering from Central South University (1996). He has held prestigious fellowships, including the NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship and IMMS Research Fellow at UC Santa Barbara and Los Alamos Lab. Research Interests: Biomimetic adhesion, soft robotics, polymer composites, and advanced manufacturing. Notable contributions include gecko-inspired adhesives, self-healing hydrogels, and conductive polymers for electronics. Recent work focuses on 3D-printed medical hydrogels, soft robotic devices, and microplastic degradation. His lab collaborates with industries like Proctor & Gamble and 3M, addressing real-world challenges in materials science and biomedical engineering. Awards: 1996 IET Scholarship, 2005 NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2007 IMMS Research Fellow. Teaching: CHE 313 (Heat/Mass Transfer), CHE 612 (Interfacial Phenomena). Lab Facilities: Advanced equipment for nanomaterial synthesis, surface characterization, and soft robotics prototyping.
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
Dr. Zahra Abbasi is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Electrical and Software Engineering, University of Calgary (since 2021), with expertise in designing passive and active RF/microwave sensors for non-invasive real-time detection and monitoring. She holds a PhD in Nanosystems and Microsystems from the University of Alberta (2020) and a postdoctoral fellowship at the Waterloo Microfluidics Lab (University of Waterloo). Her research focuses on sensor systems for environmental, biomedical, and industrial applications, including microfluidic sensing, chipless tags, and wearable devices. Dr. Abbasi’s educational background includes degrees from Iran University of Science & Technology (BSc 2014, MSc 2016) and advanced training in Canada. She chairs IEEE MTT-S/AP committees in Alberta and has received notable awards such as the ASTech Finalist (2024) and Alberta Immigrant Impact Award (2023). Her work emphasizes collaboration across disciplines to address challenges in precision agriculture, healthcare, and environmental monitoring. Her sensor research spans diverse fields: microplastic detection in water, hydrocarbon contamination monitoring, real-time medical diagnostics (e.g., fibrinogen levels), and nutrient assessment in agriculture. Recent advancements include disposable sensors for medical implants and non-invasive hydration tracking for aging populations. Awards Finalist: ASTech Early Career Academic Change Maker (2024) Early Research Excellence Award (Schulich School of Engineering, 2023/2024) Alberta Immigrant Impact Award (2023) Advising & Labs Dr. Abbasi leads the Calgary Sensor Laboratory, fostering innovation in microwave and microfluidic sensor technologies. Her team collaborates on industrial and biomedical projects, emphasizing practical applications of novel sensor designs. While no named advisees are listed, her research group actively engages in multidisciplinary projects.
Julie M. Goddard is a Professor of Food Science at Cornell University , affiliated with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Department of Food Science . Her research focuses on Biomaterials and Biointerfaces , with emphasis on food quality, safety, and sustainability. She leads the Goddard Research Group, which develops innovative polymeric materials and coatings for food packaging, bioprocessing, and equipment. Key projects include antimicrobial/nonfouling coatings, biocatalytic materials, and active packaging to reduce synthetic additives and food waste. Dr. Goddard holds a Bachelor of Science (1999) and Ph.D. (2008) in Food Science from Cornell University. Her work is supported by grants from USDA NIFA, NIH, NSF, and FFAR. Notable awards include the National Excellence in Multistate Research Award (2019) , APLU Junior Moulton Medal (2015) , and Institute of Food Technologists Young Scientist Award (2013) . Her research spans nonmigratory active packaging (e.g., antioxidant, antimicrobial films), biofilm inhibition , and enzyme immobilization . Recent articles highlight advancements in PETase engineering for microplastic degradation and optimization of curcumin-grafted biodegradable materials. She collaborates across disciplines, including materials science, chemical engineering, and microbiology. Labs/Teams: The Goddard Group operates in Stocking Hall, Cornell. Projects include biocatalytic packaging , hydrogen sulfide formation in canned beverages , and consumer acceptance of novel food technologies . Key grants fund exploration of bio-based materials and food safety innovations.
Dr. Jake O'Brien is a Senior Research Fellow at the Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS) within the University of Queensland. He holds an NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellowship and serves as Chair of the EMCR@UQ Committee. His work focuses on wastewater-based epidemiology, antimicrobial resistance, and environmental chemical exposure assessment. O'Brien co-leads the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program and has contributed to understanding pharmaceutical impacts on wastewater systems. His research spans analytical chemistry, environmental toxicology, and public health, with particular emphasis on antimicrobial resistance gene mobility and plastic pollution in air/water matrices. Key research areas : Wastewater-based epidemiology, antimicrobial resistance surveillance, plastic pollution, pharmaceutical fate in environment Techniques : High-resolution mass spectrometry, non-target screening, in-sewer stability analysis O'Brien's recent publications examine antidepressant correction factors, tobacco product monitoring, and antimicrobial resistance gene dynamics. He has advised over 15 PhD students on topics including microplastics in biosolids, SARS-CoV-2 wastewater tracking, and novel psychoactive substance detection. Scientific Awards NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellowship His team's work impacts national drug policy evaluation, environmental health monitoring, and wastewater treatment regulations.
Tao Huan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry , University of British Columbia , and holds the Canada Research Chair in Metabolomics and Exposomics . His research focuses on advancing mass spectrometry (MS) for metabolomics , integrating bioinformatics to address challenges in cancer metabolism , disease biomarker discovery , and exposome characterization . Education: Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry (University of Alberta, 2015), Postdoctoral Research Associate (The Scripps Research Institute, 2015-2018). Dr. Huan’s work emphasizes systems biology , combining metabolomics with genomics and proteomics to decode complex biological mechanisms. He has pioneered methods for chemical isotope labeling and multimodal data integration , enhancing metabolite identification and pathway analysis. His recent publications (2020-2019) highlight innovations in LC-MS/MS workflows , freeze-thaw sample stability , and applications in colorectal cancer and Alzheimer’s disease . Dr. Huan’s lab actively recruits students and postdocs in analytical chemistry, metabolomics, and bioinformatics. Awards: Fred Beamish Award (2025), President’s Award, Metabolomics Society (2025), UBC Killam Faculty Research Award (2024), Michael Smith Health Research BC Scholar Award (2023). He serves as a faculty member in UBC’s Graduate Program in Bioinformatics , Genome Science and Technology , and the Cluster for Microplastics, Health and Environment . Lab alumni include Ph.D. and M.Sc. students now in academia and industry.
Joonhyuk Suh is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Food Science & Technology at the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences. His research focuses on applying analytical chemistry and metabolomics/flavoromics to enhance food flavor, quality, and safety. Research Interests : Multidisciplinary food chemistry analysis Metabolite and flavor profiling Nut and fruit quality evaluation Dairy product flavor chemistry Food safety biomarkers Recent Publication Trends (2025-2022) show expertise in: Metabolomic evaluation of agricultural products Flavor chemistry in tropical fruits and nuts Food processing safety and contaminant analysis Plant-based food characterization Microbiome and nutritional interventions
