Dr. Naresh Kumar is an Assistant Professor at Wageningen University & Research, specializing in Soil Chemistry and Chemical Soil Quality. He previously held roles as a Junior Group Leader at the University of Vienna (2018–2021) and a Postdoc at Stanford University (2014–2018), following his PhD in Earth Sciences from CEREGE - Aix-Marseille University, France (2010–2013). His research focuses on Biogeochemistry , Bioremediation , Chemical Speciation , and Contaminant Dynamics . Key projects include studying PFAS in soils and developing predictive models for nutrient management and pollutant behavior. He teaches courses such as Environmental Analytical Techniques and Soil Pollution and Protection . Publications highlight advancements in understanding DNA-mineral interactions, redox-driven colloid mobility, and innovative waste-to-resource solutions like aluminium dross for eutrophication control. His work bridges laboratory studies with field applications, emphasizing sustainable environmental management. Labs/Teams: Head of the Soil Chemistry and Chemical Soil Quality subdivision, coordinating interdisciplinary research on environmental geochemistry and bioremediation strategies.
Florian Doster is a Professor at Heriot-Watt University, affiliated with the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society and the Institute for GeoEnergy Engineering. He leads the MuPhi Research Group, focusing on multi-scale modeling of subsurface flow phenomena, particularly in porous media and fractured reservoirs. His work addresses challenges in CO2 storage, hydrocarbon production, and groundwater management. He actively supervises PhD students, including Amanzhol Kubeyev, and collaborates with industry and research councils. Research interests include multi-scale simulation, reactive transport, and AI-driven uncertainty quantification, with applications to geological carbon sequestration and reservoir engineering. His group develops open-source tools, such as the Carbonate Reservoir Group HWU code. Notable projects include regional screening of saline aquifers in Malaysia and fracture mechanics studies. Publications highlight advancements in AI for subsurface modeling, CO2 leakage risk assessment, and pore-scale interactions. Funding sources include industry partnerships and research councils. The MuPhi Group’s activities span geomechanics, fracture network analysis, and environmental sustainability.
Mark van der Meijde is a Full Professor of Geophysics at the University of Twente, leading the Department of Earth Systems Analysis (ITC-ESA). His research focuses on Earth structure imaging through satellite geophysical sensors, with expertise in crustal dynamics, seismic methods, and geohazard analysis. He holds an MSc from Utrecht University and a PhD from ETH Zurich. Research interests include satellite geophysics integration, seismic imaging, and applications in resource exploration and disaster risk reduction. Key contributions include the ECM24 global crust model and studies on crustal composition in Africa and the Mediterranean. He has supervised 14 academic works and contributed to datasets on geothermal manifestations and landslide monitoring. Notable awards include the 2017 ECIU European award for Innovation in Teaching and Learning. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to climate action and clean energy. Recent activities include organizing the NEEDS conference and presenting on crustal imaging techniques. Labs/Teams: Active in the Earth Systems Analysis department at ITC, leading projects on seismic tomography, unmanned geophysical sensing, and global crustal modeling.
Dr James Lawrence is a Professor in Geological Engineering at Imperial College London, within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (Faculty of Engineering). His affiliations include the Earth Observation Network, Geotechnics Group, and the Grantham Institute. Previously, he held roles at the University of Brighton, University of Leeds, and Radioactive Waste Management Ltd (RWM). He leads research in geotechnics, Cretaceous geology, and geophysical methods, with a focus on InSAR technology for monitoring ground movements and radioactive waste disposal. Education: MSc in Mineral Resources from Cardiff University, followed by a PhD at the University of Brighton. Research interests include the geological evolution of chalk cliffs, infrastructure challenges posed by geological formations, and the safety of geological disposal facilities (GDF). Recent projects involve InSAR monitoring for rural UK deformation and nuclear decommissioning. He has authored over 30 journal articles and led 15+ research projects. Teaching includes Rock Engineering, Soils, and Geomorphology at Imperial College, with fieldwork in the UK and Greece. Management roles include coordinating the Civil Engineering (MEng) course. Professional memberships include the British Geotechnical Association (BGA), International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM), and editorial board of the Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology.
Roger Fu is a Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Harvard University, leading the Paleomagnetics Lab since 2017. He holds a PhD in planetary sciences from MIT and specializes in paleomagnetism, studying planetary magnetism, tectonic reconstructions, and early Earth history. His research integrates geodynamical modeling with advanced tools like the quantum diamond microscope (QDM), enabling high-resolution magnetic imaging of geological samples. Education: BS from Harvard University (2009, Earth and Planetary Sciences & Astrophysics), PhD from MIT (planetary sciences). Post-PhD research included living with the Mapuche people of Chile to study traditional astronomy. His work focuses on Earth's geodynamo, Martian crustal magnetism, and the solar nebula's magnetic fields. Research interests span planetary formation, early Earth dynamics, and the application of QDM technology to study magnetic minerals. Notable contributions include detecting early plate motions and a reversing geodynamo by 3.5 Ga, and analyzing Martian meteorite magnetism to infer crustal cooling processes. His articles emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, linking paleomagnetic data with geodynamic models to address questions about planetary interiors and climate history. The QDM has been pivotal in visualizing magnetic mineral distributions, enhancing confidence in paleomagnetic interpretations. Labs/Teams: Director of Harvard's Paleomagnetics Lab. Collaborates with applied physics groups to advance QDM technology. Research group includes the Fu Group and the QDM development team.
Prof. Lidunka Vočadlo is a Professor of Mineral Physics at the Department of Earth Sciences, University College London. Her work focuses on computational mineral physics, particularly the thermoelastic and rheological properties of materials under extreme conditions relevant to planetary cores. She leads research into Earth’s core dynamics, planetary ices, and volatile distribution in deep-Earth environments. Her group, Crystallography and Mineral Physics, applies ab initio simulations and experiments to study iron alloys, planetary materials, and their roles in planetary evolution models. Education and affiliations are not explicitly detailed here, but her research emphasizes high-pressure, high-temperature phenomena. Key research themes include the Earth’s core-water reservoir, light elements in planetary cores, and isotope fractionation during core-mantle differentiation. She teaches the course GEOL0012: Global Geophysics. Her publications span computational modeling of iron alloys, planetary ices, and geochemical tracers, with a focus on advancing understanding of core-mantle interactions and planetary formation. Labs/Teams: Active member of the Crystallography and Mineral Physics Group at UCL Earth Sciences.
Stephan M. Krämer is a Professor and Head of the Department of Environmental Geosciences at the University of Vienna. He also serves as Vice Director of Studies in Environmental Geosciences and Vice Director of the Doctoral School VDS-MES within the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science. His research focuses on biogeochemical processes at the interface of living and non-living materials, including pollutant transport, nutrient dynamics, and mineral weathering. His team employs advanced techniques like non-traditional stable isotope geochemistry and synchrotron spectroscopy to study molecular-scale interactions. Key research areas include environmental DNA (eDNA) preservation mechanisms, mineral-nucleic acid interactions, and pollutant behavior in soils and sediments. The group collaborates with anthropologists through the MINERVA platform to explore ancient DNA (aDNA) preservation in mineral matrices. Recent projects investigate copper mobilization via methanobactin and the redox reactivity of asbestos minerals. Group members include Anita Brijit, Aliz Szekeres, and Dr. Wenhao Wang. Current initiatives address maximizing aDNA recovery from sediments and understanding microbiome-driven planetary health through the Cluster of Excellence.
Dustin Sweet is an Associate Professor at the Department of Geosciences , Texas Tech University , specializing in Sedimentology and Stratigraphy . He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma in 2009 and previously worked as an exploration geologist at Chevron Energy Technology Company , focusing on basins in West Africa, Greenland, and Colombia. Education: Ph.D., University of Oklahoma, 2009 Research Interests: Late Paleozoic Ancestral Rocky Mountains: Tectonic and Climatic Evolution SEM Analysis of Quartz Grains for Transport Histories Quaternary Climate Records of the Southern High Plains Digital Archiving of Permian Basin Biostratigraphic Data Students: Current: John Brotherton (PhD), Garrett Williamson (PhD) Former: Valerie Tewell, Cameron Ramsey, and 7 others Courses Taught: GEOL 4325: Sedimentation & Stratigraphy GEOL 5426: Sequence Stratigraphy GEOL 5422 (even years): Sedimentary Geology of Carbonates GEOL 5322 (odd years): Sedimentary Processes Projects: PABZT Project : Digitizing biostratigraphic data from >7,000 Permian Basin wells Quaternary climate studies via SHP sediment cores Collaborations: Center for the Geologic Storage of CO2 (GSCO2) High-Resolution Age Dating Projects Publications: 15+ recent articles on topics spanning from Permian eolian systems to Quaternary climate proxies
Dr. Ahmad Ghahreman is an Associate Professor at Queen's University, holding joint appointments in the Robert M. Buchan Department of Mining and the Department of Chemical Engineering within Smith Engineering. His research focuses on hydrometallurgical processing, biohydrometallurgy, and environmental remediation of mineral processing wastes. He joined Queen’s in 2014 to establish a Hydrometallurgy Research Group, building on his postdoctoral experience at Barrick Gold Corp. Education: PhD in Materials Engineering (2012, University of British Columbia), MSc (2007) and BSc (2005) in Materials Science and Engineering from Sharif University of Technology. He actively collaborates with Canadian and international mining firms, government agencies, and serves on the editorial board of Clean Technologies & Recycling . Research emphasizes sustainable extraction of metals (gold, copper, lithium) and innovative waste management solutions, including arsenic and mercury immobilization. His work integrates electrochemical studies, flowsheet modeling, and industrial process optimization.
Daniel Beat Müller is a Professor at the Industrial Ecology Programme within the Department of Energy and Process Technology at NTNU. His research focuses on understanding material and energy flows in urban systems and global metal cycles to support sustainable development. Müller chairs the International Society of Industrial Ecology’s ConAccount section and contributes to initiatives like the Swiss National Research Programme 65 on urban quality. Education: Not explicitly stated in text. Affiliations: Industrial Ecology Programme, NTNU U.S. National Research Council’s Committee on Defense Stockpiles Swiss National Science Foundation’s NRP 65 International Society of Industrial Ecology His research integrates design, modeling, and decision-making to address urban infrastructure stocks, material criticality, and climate mitigation. Collaborations with governments and industries aim to translate academic insights into practical solutions. Recent Article Trends: Focus on critical minerals (nickel, graphite, cobalt), circular city strategies, and stock-flow analysis for decarbonization. Publications emphasize transdisciplinary approaches to energy transition challenges and urban metabolism. Awards: None explicitly mentioned. Advising & Grants: Supervises over 15 graduate students in MFA modeling, circular economy, and resource systems. Engaged in funded projects on battery recycling, urban building stocks, and phosphorus cycles. Labs/Teams: Leads the Industrial Ecology Programme’s research groups on material cycles and urban systems. Collaborates with institutions like the UNEP Resource Panel and ETH Zurich.
Dr. Beata Sternal is an assistant professor at Adam Mickiewicz University, affiliated with the Geohazards Research Unit. Her research focuses on marine geology, particularly sedimentation processes in coastal and shelf environments across diverse regions including the Vietnamese Shelf of the South China Sea, Thailand Coast of the Indian Ocean, Sendai Plain in Japan, SW Spitsbergen in the Arctic Ocean, and Northern Norway's fjords. She employs sedimentological (grain-size, X-ray imaging), geochemical (radioisotopes, TOC, SEM-EDS), and mineralogical (heavy and clay minerals) methods. Education: BSc and MSc in Geology (Vietnamese Shelf studies), PhD in Earth Sciences (Arctic Ocean/SW Spitsbergen research). Her publications highlight expertise in heavy mineral analysis, mine tailing dispersion, and paleoenvironmental reconstruction. She has contributed to understanding human-induced environmental changes in Arctic fjords and sediment dynamics from catastrophic events like the 2004 Indian Ocean and 2011 Tohoku tsunamis.
Joseph P. Stains, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Orthopaedics with secondary appointment in Physiology at University of Maryland School of Medicine. He leads the Division of Musculoskeletal Science and maintains affiliations with multiple research centers including the Center for Research on Aging and Center for Stem Cell Biology. Education: B.S. in Molecular & Cell Biology (1994), PhD in Biochemistry (2000) from Penn State University Appointments: Postdoc at Washington University (2001-2004), then continuously at University of Maryland since 2004 Dr. Stains' research focuses on bone cell signaling through connexin43-containing gap junctions , examining how intercellular communication coordinates osteoblast differentiation and osteocyte mechanotransduction . His work mechanistically links cytoskeletal dynamics to sclerostin regulation via NOX2-ROS-TRPV4-CaMKII pathways. His lab has produced over 65 peer-reviewed publications with recent emphasis on microtubule rheostats and Ca²⁺-dependent bone remodeling . Funding includes NIH R01 grants (2013-2025), DoD , and Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund awards. Scientific Leadership: ASBMR Fellow (2020), NIH Study Section Member Academic Service: Graduate Council, School of Medicine Council, Course Director for GPLS 645
Dr. Clare Miller serves as an Adjunct Researcher in Environmental Geochemistry at the CODES ARC Centre within the School of Natural Sciences at the University of Tasmania. Simultaneously, she works as a Senior Scientific Officer at the Environmental Protection Agency, Tasmania (EPA), where she focuses on the Savage River Rehabilitation Project - a unique joint arrangement between Government and Grange Resources aimed at reducing impacts of past mining at Savage River. Dr. Miller earned her PhD from Queen's University Canada in 2020 with research titled 'Arsenic mobility in a changing northern climate: Implications for geochemical baselines and long-term stability of contaminants in lake systems.' Her undergraduate studies also took place at Queen's University Canada, where she completed a BScH in 2013 with research on 'Removal of arsenic trioxide from a simulated human gastrointestinal system through adsorption onto Fe-oxides.' Dr. Miller's research spans three primary areas: (1) informing remediation activities at legacy mine sites; (2) developing innovative strategies to mitigate mining impacts on environmental and community health; and (3) understanding climate change effects on mining activities, metal mobility, and baseline geochemical conditions. Through field-based sampling and microanalytical laboratory techniques, her work aims to minimize natural resource development impacts on ecosystems and human health. Her research often focuses on mineralogical controls on metal(loid) mobility in mine waste and environmental systems, with particular attention to arsenic behavior in changing environments. Analysis of Dr. Miller's publication record reveals a strong focus on environmental geochemistry with emphasis on mining impacts and climate change interactions. Her research consistently examines how contaminants move through ecosystems, particularly in northern environments, with special attention to arsenic mobility. Much of her work combines field-based sampling with advanced laboratory techniques to understand long-term contaminant stability. A significant portion of her recent publications addresses remediation strategies for legacy mine sites, particularly in Western Tasmania, demonstrating practical applications of her research. Beach Meadows Teaching Assistant Award, 2019 Greg Heath Teaching Assistant Award, 2018 Gord and Katherine Keep Teaching Assistant Award, 2017 Hemmera Teaching Assistant Award, 2017 Griff Murphy and Anny Raymond Teaching Assistant Award, 2016 Dr. Miller actively supervises doctoral students on projects related to mine waste characterization, remediation strategies, and geoenvironmental studies. She has secured substantial research funding through multiple consultancy and contract research projects, totaling over $500,000, primarily from the Department of State Growth (Tasmania) and Natural Resources Canada. Her funded projects focus on innovative solutions for mine rehabilitation, geoenvironmental characterization of mine wastes, and understanding climate change impacts on mining activities. Dr. Miller's teaching experience spans geoscience subject areas including geological field methods, earth systems engineering, hydrogeology, and engineering site investigation. Dr. Miller collaborates extensively through the CODES ARC Centre at the University of Tasmania and the Off-Campus Collaboration Network. Her work with indigenous communities in northern Canada during her graduate studies has informed her approach to community engagement in environmental research. At the EPA, she works within multidisciplinary teams focused on environmental protection and remediation projects, particularly the Savage River Rehabilitation Project which represents a significant government-industry partnership.
Robert R. Gaines is the Edwin F. and Martha Hahn Professor of Geology and Chair of Geology at Pomona College, where he has been affiliated since 2003. His research focuses on the Cambrian Explosion, Burgess Shale-type preservation, and microbial-mineral interactions, with field sites spanning Canada, China, and the American Great Basin. Education includes a Ph.D. from the University of California, Riverside, an M.S. from the University of Cincinnati, and a B.S. from the College of William and Mary. Gaines' work deciphers the geochemical and taphonomic mechanisms enabling exceptional fossil preservation, particularly in Cambrian seas. His research integrates sedimentary geology, paleoredox conditions, and early animal evolution, revealing links between ocean chemistry and the fossil record. Awards include the Wig Distinguished Professorship Award for Excellence in Teaching (2007, 2013). He has secured major grants such as NSF EAR-1554897 for Burgess Shale research and a Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation award ($922,816) for stable-isotope facility development. He advises graduate and undergraduate researchers, including Brian S. Murphy and Michael A. Torres. Grant leadership includes National Geographic and NSF projects exploring Cambrian fossil sites.
Christoph Rosinger is a researcher at the Institute of Agronomy (iPBAU) within the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). His work focuses on soil microbiology, conservation farming, and carbon-nutrient dynamics in agricultural and forest soils. Research Themes: Soil organic carbon stabilization, microbial community responses to amendments, and agricultural pollution mitigation using struvite/zeolites Methodologies: On-farm studies, multi-model simulations, and biogeochemical stoichiometry analysis Publication Trends emphasize microbial pathways in carbon sequestration, amendment effects on nutrient cycling, and seasonal soil processes. Recent work explores AI vs. process-based modeling for SOC prediction and volcanic ash pedogenesis. Earlier studies address subtropical soil nutrient limitations and post-disturbance fungal dynamics.
