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.
Yong Zhang is a Professor in the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Alabama, serving as Undergraduate Program Director. His research focuses on stochastic hydrology, contaminant transport in soil/water/aquifers (including heavy metals, PFAS, microplastics, and antibiotics), and surface water-groundwater interaction. He has held postdoctoral positions at the University of California, Davis; Desert Research Institute; and Colorado School of Mines. Current research includes the 'Groundwater 2070' project in Baldwin County, Alabama, addressing climate change impacts and seawater intrusion. Education: BS in Hydrogeology and Geo-Engineering (Nanjing University, 1993), PhD in Hydrology and Water Resources (Nanjing University, 1998). He teaches courses like GEO 101, GEO 306, and specialized topics such as Fractional Calculus and Hydrogeophysics. His work integrates fractional calculus with hydrogeology, yielding models for non-Fickian transport and pollutant source identification. Students under his advisement include Jonathan Frame, Chaloemporn Ponprasit, and Hossein Gholizadeh. Research outputs emphasize environmental geochemistry, numerical modeling, and groundwater sustainability. Notable collaborations involve Dr. Geoff Tick on co-advised PhD students.
Koenraad Muylaert is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Science, KU Leuven, and head of the Biology department at KU Leuven Kulak. His research focuses on microalgae ecology and phytoplankton physiology , with applications in eutrophication studies , wastewater treatment , and biofuel production . Based in Kortrijk, Belgium, he works with international teams in Ecuador, Qatar, and Belgium. Current projects on mountain lake eutrophication and urban aquatic systems Specializes in nano-material flocculation and omega-3 fatty acid production from microalgae Research Trends from his recent articles show emphasis on: Microalgae harvesting innovations (cellulose nanocrystals, PDMAEMA polymers) Comparative processing techniques (DAF vs sedimentation, drying methods) Biotechnological applications in flavor chemistry and microbiome interactions Laboratory operates at KU Leuven's Kortrijk campus, with strong collaborations in environmental engineering and food science . His work bridges fundamental ecological research with industrial biotechnology for sustainable solutions.
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.
Marika Kokko is a Professor of Bio- and Circular Economy at the University of Tampere, affiliated with the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences and the Department of Materials Science and Environmental Engineering. Her research focuses on sustainable solutions for carbon dioxide utilization, nutrient recovery, and bioelectrochemical systems. She leads projects such as isoSUS (developing short-chain fatty acid conversion) and BioNH4 (recovering ammonium nitrogen from wastewater). Education: Doctor of Science (Technology), Tampere University of Technology (2013) Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Freiburg, Germany (2014–2016) Tenure-track career progression at Tampere University since 2016 Research Interests: CO₂ conversion via microbial electrosynthesis and bioelectrochemical processes Electrochemical nitrogen recovery from wastewater Microplastic analysis in environmental matrices Bioremediation of industrial waste streams Grants & Collaborations: Funded by Business Finland, Ministry of the Environment, and international consortia Active in interdisciplinary projects like CICAT2025 and UPCE Labs/Teams: Her research group investigates bioelectrochemical systems, microbial communities, and circular economy innovations. They collaborate with industry partners to scale sustainable technologies.
Dr. Jordan Crago is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Toxicology at Texas Tech University and affiliated with the STEM CORE program. His research specializes in aquatic toxicology, investigating how environmental chemicals impact development and reproductive success in fish and invertebrates through integrated field-laboratory approaches. Education: Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Bachelor of Science, Ohio University Dr. Crago's research employs field observations to guide laboratory experiments focused on adverse outcome pathways across diverse contaminants. His work spans pesticides, microplastics, perfluorinated compounds, and emerging pollutants, emphasizing multi-pathway effects on development and reproduction. He prioritizes identifying high-risk environmental chemicals through mechanistic studies using model organisms like zebrafish and fathead minnow. Analysis of his 2019-2025 publications reveals consistent focus on molecular, physiological, and behavioral endpoints in aquatic toxicology. Key themes include developmental/reproductive toxicity, transgenerational effects, and advanced methodologies like predictive molecular signatures and benchmark dose modeling. His work frequently addresses pesticide impacts, microplastic fate in food webs, and PFAS alternatives using zebrafish as a primary model system. Dr. Crago actively mentors undergraduate researchers, integrating them into data collection, analysis, and publication. Three mentees have co-authored peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. He contributes to STEM education through Texas Tech's STEM CORE program and volunteers with Lubbock's Boys and Girls Club for after-school programs.
Daniel Vallero is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Duke University . He holds a Ph.D. from Duke (2000) , an M.S. from the University of Kansas (1996) , and a B.A. from Southern Illinois University (1974) . His career spans environmental engineering, exposure assessment, and climate change adaptation, with affiliations including North Carolina Central University (2012-2013) as Associate Professor. Education B.A., Southern Illinois University, 1974 M.S., University of Kansas, 1996 Ph.D., Duke University, 2000 Key Research Areas Environmental systems science Air pollution modeling and control Hazardous waste bioremediation Climate change governance Exposure-based chemical prioritization Biogeochemical cycling under climate stress Publication Trends Focus on PFAS exposure pathways , climate adaptation strategies , and pollutant fate in ecosystems Recent work includes high-throughput exposure models and environmental justice in global warming Scientific Awards Federal Honor Awards (2025) from the U.S. EPA Jeffrey B. Taub Award (1999) at Duke University Notable Contributions Authored Air Pollution Calculations and Environmental Systems Science Developed exposure prioritization tools like Ex Priori Post-9/11 environmental contamination studies in New York City
Lianne Lefsrud serves as Associate Professor and Risk, Innovation, and Sustainability Chair (RISC) in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Engineering. Her interdisciplinary research bridges engineering, social sciences, and policy to transform risk management practices across energy, mining, construction, and railroading industries, directly influencing regulations, building codes, and industry operations for sustainable development. Her academic credentials include: BSc in Civil Engineering (Cooperative Program), University of Alberta (1994) MSc in Interdisciplinary Civil & Environmental Engineering and Sociology, University of Alberta (1996) PhD in Strategic Management and Organization, Alberta School of Business (2014) Dr. Lefsrud's research centers on risk management frameworks for sustainability challenges. She examines hazard identification, social license to operate, and technology adoption drivers in high-hazard industries, with emphasis on prospective risk assessment (e.g., hydrogen infrastructure design) and retrospective analysis (e.g., microplastic pollution impacts). Her work integrates circular economy principles into energy systems while addressing unintended consequences across UN Sustainable Development Goals. Recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate heavy focus on machine learning applications for rail and construction safety, hydrogen infrastructure risk analysis, and science denial mitigation. Key patterns show cross-industry adaptation of AI for incident prediction, regulatory gap analysis for emerging energy systems, and socio-technical approaches to reconcile sustainability goals with operational realities. Scientific recognition includes: Erb Post-Doctoral Fellowship (University of Michigan) Dow Sustainability Research Fellowship (Ross School of Business) Dr. Lefsrud mentors graduate students through industry-integrated projects like her Sustainable Design course where teams generated patents and city solutions. Her research secures Alberta Innovates funding with 1:4 industrial-to-federal matching, collaborating with Suncor, Transport Canada, and Canadian Standards Association. Grants target practical implementations including railcar inspection systems and hydrogen safety protocols. She co-founded Insight Risk Systems and leads the Lefsrud Lab, prioritizing inclusive teams with under-represented groups (women, Indigenous, LGBTQ2S+, neurodiverse) to tackle 'wicked problems' in sustainability. The lab leverages interdisciplinary partnerships across engineering, computer science, psychology, and environmental sociology for real-world risk management solutions.
Matteo Minghetti is an Associate Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at Oklahoma State University's College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on fish physiology and ecotoxicology, particularly investigating the toxicity and bioavailability of metals and emerging contaminants such as nanoparticles and microplastics in fish. He leads a research group that collaborates with environmental engineers and geologists to uncover toxicity mechanisms and develop alternative testing methods to reduce animal use in toxicity testing. Dr. Minghetti obtained his PhD in Ecotoxicology from the University of Stirling in the United Kingdom in 2009 and completed his Laurea in Biotechnology from the University of Bologna, Italy in 2003. His postdoctoral training included research positions at the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), King's College London, and the University of Stirling, where he studied transcriptional regulation of lipid metabolism, primary gill cultures for environmental biomonitoring, and mechanisms of toxicity of metal nanoparticles. His research program centers on developing and utilizing in vitro fish cell models (particularly RTgutGC and RTgill-W1 cell lines) to study metal toxicity, nanoparticle effects, microplastic interactions, and contaminant bioavailability. He has secured multiple significant grants including NIH, NSF, Alltech, and Alternatives Research & Development Foundation funding to support this work. His publications demonstrate a consistent focus on understanding how environmental conditions, such as chloride concentration, luminal composition, and plastic aging, influence metal speciation, bioavailability, and toxicity in fish systems. Dr. Minghetti actively mentors students through undergraduate research, Niblack Research Scholars program, and graduate thesis/dissertation supervision. He teaches courses including Physiology, Environmental Physiology, and Chronicles of Extreme Physiology, emphasizing both human and comparative animal systems.
Daniel Beat Müller serves as Professor at the Industrial Ecology Programme within the Department of Energy and Process Engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim. His office is located at Realfagbygget Gløshaugen (E4-120) with contact details daniel.mueller@ntnu.no and +4791897755. His research centers on analyzing human needs in relation to material/energy flows and environmental impacts, with two primary focus areas: (i) urban evolution and associated material flows for managing building/infrastructure stocks, and (ii) national/global metal cycles to identify supply constraint reduction strategies. His methodology integrates design, modeling, and decision-making through transdisciplinary stakeholder engagement. Müller teaches Material Flow Analysis and Systems Analysis of the Built Environment for Industrial Ecology and Civil Engineering Master's students. His research outputs demonstrate strong trends in circular cities, critical mineral management, and urban metabolism, with recent publications emphasizing building information modeling, electric vehicle battery systems, and phosphorus cycling. His work consistently addresses resource criticality within energy transition contexts. As (ad interim) chair of the International Society of Industrial Ecology’s MFA-ConAccount section, he contributes to methodological standardization. He previously served on the U.S. National Research Council’s Committee on Defense Stockpiles and remains active in Switzerland's National Research Programme 65 "New Urban Quality". Müller supervises numerous Master's and doctoral students, with thesis topics spanning lithium-ion battery recycling, building stock dynamics, and urban resource flows. His projects frequently involve industry collaboration for practical implementation of material stewardship strategies.
Summary Bina Bhattarai is an Assistant Professor at the National Food Institute within the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) , specializing in the Research Group for Analytical Food Chemistry . Her research focuses on evaluating the chemical safety of food contact materials, particularly recycled plastics, using advanced mass spectrometry techniques (HR-GCMS/LCMS) and QSAR modeling to assess toxicity. Education: Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry (2017-2020), Aarhus University M.Sc. in Organic Agriculture and Food Systems (2016), University of Hohenheim Research Interests: Non-target screening of plastic additives, recycled material compliance, and environmental impacts of microplastics. Key Projects: InPlasTwin (2024-2027), enhancing micro/nanoplastics analysis through international collaboration. Professional Activities: Active in conference presentations (e.g., 2022-2023) and committee work with the European Food Safety Authority.
John Anthony (Tony) Byrne is Professor of Photocatalysis and Research Director in the School of Engineering at Ulster University. He leads the Clean Technology research theme within the Nanotechnology and Integrated BioEngineering Centre (NIBEC) and heads the Photocatalysis Research team. Byrne earned his 1st class honors degree in biology and chemistry at Ulster University, followed by a DPhil in chemistry under Dr. Brian Eggins. Appointed as a lecturer in the School of Engineering in 2005, he was rapidly promoted and made Professor in 2012. Professor Byrne's research focuses on photocatalytic nanomaterials for environmental remediation and renewable energy applications, with particular emphasis on metal oxides. His work significantly contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially in clean water and sanitation. He has developed expertise in titanium dioxide-based photocatalysis, water disinfection technologies, and nanomaterial fabrication and characterization. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward practical water treatment applications, particularly in household and rural settings. The research spans photocatalytic, photoelectrocatalytic, and UVC-based disinfection methods, with increasing focus on contaminants of emerging concern and waterborne pathogens in diverse water matrices. Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry Byrne serves on multiple professional committees including the RSC Northern Ireland Section Committee, the Chemical Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Interest Group, and chairs the Professional Bodies Forum supporting the All Party Group on Science and Technology in the NI Assembly. He is a founding Board Member of the Northern Ireland Science Festival. His research portfolio includes numerous projects such as SAFEWATER POC, funded by Invest Northern Ireland, focusing on commercializing water treatment technologies. Professor Byrne leads the Photocatalysis Research team at Ulster within the Nanotechnology and Integrated BioEngineering Centre (NIBEC), where he directs the Clean Technology research theme. His laboratory work focuses on developing and testing photocatalytic nanomaterials for water treatment applications, with strong emphasis on practical implementation in real-world settings.
Lee Ferguson is a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Duke University, with additional appointments as Associate Professor in the Division of Marine Science and Policy. His research focuses on environmental analytical chemistry, particularly using high-resolution mass spectrometry to study per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) , microplastics , and endocrine disruptors . Ferguson Lab develops methods for contaminant detection in water systems and investigates chemical leaching from polymers. Ph.D. in Chemistry from Stony Brook University (2002) Former Assistant Professor at University of South Carolina (2003-2009) Recent work includes PFAS analysis in lithium-ion batteries, glyphosate detection in hard waters, and microplastic dye toxicity studies. Key publications explore urban watershed contamination, Sri Lankan drinking water CKDu links, and novel analytical methods for environmental pollutants. Applied Research Fellowship (2022), Kavli Frontiers of Science Fellow (2011) Testified before U.S. Senate on nanotechnology risks Co-founder of NC PFAS Testing Network As an advisor, he mentors Doctoral Candidates Patrick Faught and Anna Lewis , who investigate microplastic dyes and polymer additives. Lab research spans environmental fate of nanomaterials, contaminant bioavailability, and exposomics for health outcomes.
Allen Burton is a Professor at the University of Michigan's School for Environment and Sustainability and Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences . He holds an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Roskilde (Denmark) and serves as Editor-in-Chief of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry . His research spans global ecosystems, with Visiting Scientist roles in China, Denmark, Italy, New Zealand, and Portugal. Education: PhD in Environmental Science (Aquatic Toxicology), University of Texas at Dallas MS in Environmental Science, University of Texas at Dallas MS in Microbiology, Auburn University BS in Biology and Chemistry, Ouachita Baptist University Dr. Burton's research focuses on chemical bioavailability , stressor causality in aquatic systems , and ecological risk assessment . He develops innovative tools like the in situ Toxicity Identification Evaluation (iTIE) and DEEAR (Drifting Exposure and Effects Assessment Ring) for oil spill monitoring. His work addresses contaminants in freshwater/marine sediments, stormwater, and microplastics, with a strong interest in hyporheic zone dynamics and metal remediation . Key article trends include: Contaminant bioavailability in sediments Metal speciation and toxicity Microplastics as pollutant vectors Oil spill assessment technologies Groundwater-surface water interactions Multi-stressor impacts on ecosystems Scientific honors include: Honorary Doctorate, University of Roskilde Brage Golding Distinguished Professor of Research Fellow, Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry Dr. Burton leads the Burton Lab , emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to diagnose ecologically significant stressors in human-dominated ecosystems. His team investigates contaminants across urban, agricultural, and industrial landscapes, integrating chemical, biological, and hydrological data for ecosystem management.
