Dr. Rachel Penczykowski is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Washington University studying disease ecology in changing environments. Her NSF CAREER Award supports research on urban plant pathogens, particularly powdery mildew epidemics in urban heat islands. Combining field observations, lab experiments, and mathematical modeling, she examines how climate, biodiversity loss, and urbanization reshape host-parasite interactions. Her work spans diverse ecosystems—from aquatic Daphnia-parasite systems to terrestrial plant-pathogen networks—revealing how predators, resources, and microclimates indirectly modulate disease spread. Current projects investigate warming impacts on fungal virulence and host resistance evolution in St. Louis-area plant populations. Dr. Penczykowski leads outreach through the PlantSTEM program, engaging K-12 students in pathogen research. She mentors high schoolers via Tyson Research Center apprenticeships and teaches Disease Ecology, integrating modeling with empirical approaches. Her lab collaborates with the Taylor Geospatial Institute to map urban microclimate-disease linkages.
Dr. Anja Schmidt is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ , specifically within the Department of Conservation Biology & Social-Ecological Systems. She has been affiliated with UFZ since 2020 and previously worked at the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) and UFZ's Community Ecology Department. Her research focuses on ecosystem processes, particularly decomposition dynamics driven by invertebrates in tropical and agricultural systems, climate change impacts, and biodiversity conservation. PhD in Ecology (UFZ, 2012–2015) Master's in Ecology, Environmental Science, Bioinformatics (University of Giessen, 2008–2011) BSc in Biotechnology, Animal Physiology, Organismic Biology (University of Erlangen/Nuremberg, 2005–2008) Her work explores the interplay between decomposition processes , invertebrate biodiversity , and human-driven environmental changes . She investigates how climate change, land use, and pollution affect soil and aquatic ecosystems, with a focus on multitrophic interactions. Her research integrates experimental platforms like the iDiv Ecotron and UFZ's environmental observatories (TERENO, MOSES) to simulate and monitor real-world conditions. Dr. Schmidt's recent publications highlight her contributions to understanding invertebrate decline and its cascading effects on microbiomes, soil biodiversity assessments, and policy frameworks for conservation. She collaborates extensively with networks such as iDiv, STACCATO, and LEGATO, bridging experimental ecology with societal decision-making through projects like Faktencheck Artenvielfalt . She is associated with experimental infrastructures including: iDiv Ecotron Project (2018–2020) Global Change Experimental Facility (GCEF) TERENO (Terrestrial Environmental Observatories) MOSES (Modular Observation Solutions for Earth Systems) MOBICOS (Mobile Stream Laboratories) River Experiment Leipzig
Carol Frost, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Renewable Resources at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences. Her research focuses on arthropod community ecology, particularly biodiversity conservation and the impacts of human activities on ecological functions. She holds a PhD in Ecology from the University of Canterbury (2014), an MSc in Entomology from McGill University (2009), and a BSc in Animal Biology from the University of Alberta (2006). Her work spans three key areas: (1) identifying low-cost industrial/urban modifications for biodiversity conservation, (2) advancing ecological network approaches to predict community dynamics, and (3) documenting Alberta's arthropod biodiversity. Recent studies include analyzing pollinator networks, habitat edge effects, and agricultural landscape impacts on hoverflies and canola crops. Frost teaches courses such as Principles of Managing Natural Diversity (REN R 364/765), Exploratory Data Analysis (REN R 581), and Statistical Methods for Environmental Sciences (REN R 582). Her research outputs emphasize ecosystem resilience, keystone species roles, and multitrophic interactions, with a focus on applied conservation solutions.
Dr. Oksana Buzhdygan is a Senior Researcher in Theoretical Ecology at the Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy at Freie Universität Berlin. She holds a PhD in Ecology from Chernivtsi National University and has held postdoctoral positions at institutions including the University of Georgia (USA) and Freie Universität Berlin. Her research focuses on biodiversity-ecosystem functioning links, multitrophic interactions, and ecological network analysis. Education: BSc, MSc, and PhD in Ecology (2000–2008), Chernivtsi National University, Ukraine Postdoctoral Fellowships: University of Georgia (2010–2012), Freie Universität Berlin (2013–2021) Research Interests: Environmental change impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem functions Ecological network analysis of multitrophic systems Food web dynamics in grasslands and freshwater ecosystems Publications reflect her expertise in biodiversity effects on energy flow, human impact on ecosystems, and plant diversity drivers. Her work bridges theoretical ecology with applied conservation challenges, particularly in grasslands and agroecosystems. Labs/Teams: Member of the Tietjen Group (Theoretical Ecology at Freie Universität Berlin), collaborating widely in international projects on biodiversity and ecosystem services.
PD Dr. Günter Hoch is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Environmental Sciences – Botany at the University of Basel , Switzerland. His research centers on the ecophysiology of trees , with a particular emphasis on carbon storage dynamics , drought stress responses , and the resilience of forest ecosystems to climate change. Research Focus: Carbon allocation and storage in trees under carbon limitation Physiological controls of non-structural carbohydrate reserves (e.g., starch, lipids) Drought-induced tree mortality and recovery mechanisms Whole-tree carbon balance and growth under environmental stress Scaling from individual tree responses to ecosystem-level processes Approach: His team integrates field observations , experimental manipulations , and biophysical modeling to understand how trees regulate carbon reserves and water relations under stress. A key goal is to identify biomarkers (e.g., starch concentrations in sapwood) that reflect the carbon status and health of trees. Recent Work: His publications span high-impact journals like Nature Reviews Earth & Environment , New Phytologist , and Global Change Biology , addressing topics such as hydraulic failure, carbon starvation, and the impacts of extreme droughts (e.g., 2018 Central European drought) on forest ecosystems. Collaborations: He contributes to large-scale networks like TreeNet , a Swiss initiative monitoring drought and growth indicators in forests, and collaborates internationally on projects linking plant ecophysiology to biogeochemical cycles. Contact: guenter.hoch@unibas.ch | Tel: +41 (0)61 207 35 14
Thomas Scholten is Professor of Soil Science and Geomorphology at the Department of Geoscience, Faculty of Science, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen. He has been director of the Institute of Geography at Tübingen University since 2006 and has held various leadership roles including President of the German Soil Science Society (2012-2015) and council member of the European Society for Soil Conservation since 2004. In 2016, he was elected as a member of German National Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech). Since 2017, he has been co-speaker of the Collaborative Research Center (SFB 1070) 'ResourceCultures' and since 2019, he has been a principal investigator in the Cluster of Excellence 'Machine Learning - New Perspectives for Science' at Tübingen University. Chair of Soil Science and Geomorphology (full professor) at Eberhard Karls University Tübingen (2005-present) Director of the Institute of Geography at Tübingen University (2006-present) Co-speaker of the Collaborative Research Center (SFB 1070) 'ResourceCultures' (2017-present) Principal Investigator in the Cluster of Excellence 'Machine Learning' (2019-present) Professor Scholten's research focuses on soil science, environment, geomorphology, geoecology, soil erosion, and machine learning applications in soil science. His fieldwork spans Europe, Africa, and Asia with major projects in South Africa, Swaziland, Sudan, Israel, China, Nepal, Switzerland, and Germany. He has published extensively with 9 books, 228 refereed papers, and 378 conference papers to his name. His recent publications reveal a strong integration of traditional soil science with cutting-edge machine learning techniques, particularly in digital soil mapping, soil erosion prediction, and resource management. The research spans multiple continents and addresses critical environmental challenges through interdisciplinary approaches combining soil science, remote sensing, and computational methods. Member of German National Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech) (2016-present) President of the German Soil Science Society (DBG) (2012-2015) Council member of the European Society for Soil Conservation (ESSC) (since 2004) Editorial board member of Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, Pedosphere Professor Scholten has received research grants from over 15 institutions, primarily the European Union (EU), the German Research Foundation (DFG), and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). He serves as a referee for numerous international journals and has advised on scientific policy through various advisory boards and committees. His work has significant implications for sustainable land management and climate change adaptation strategies globally. He leads the Soil Science and Geomorphology work group at the University of Tübingen, with research activities spanning field studies, laboratory analyses, and computational modeling. His team collaborates with researchers across disciplines including geography, ecology, computer science, and archaeology to address complex environmental challenges through the ResourceCultures Collaborative Research Center and other international projects.
Maria Tatiana Pina Desfilis is a Professor at the Faculty of Teacher Training, Universitat de València, and an active researcher in agricultural and environmental sciences. She is affiliated with the Department of Experimental A and associated with the research groups GEOLIT (Literary Geographies) and Didactics of Experimental Sciences. She has also served as a Post-Doc at Universitat Jaume I de Castelló in Ciències Agràries i del Medi Natural. Her work bridges science education and applied entomology, particularly in sustainable citrus farming. PhD in Biological Sciences, Universitat de València (2007) Research focus: biological control, integrated pest management, soil ecology Current affiliation: Universitat de València Email: tatiana.pina@uv.es Her research centers on the biological control of key citrus pests such as Tetranychus urticae (two-spotted spider mite) and Ceratitis capitata (Mediterranean fruit fly). She investigates the impact of cover crops, pollen quality, and soil microorganisms on predator-prey dynamics and natural enemy efficacy. Her work includes evaluating acaricides and alternative control methods, such as petroleum-derived oils, and exploring molecular techniques like multiplex PCR to analyze gut contents of predatory mites. She also studies host adaptation in mite populations and the role of mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen-fixing bacteria in plant-herbivore interactions. Her publications, primarily from 2001 to 2015, show a consistent focus on sustainable pest control in citrus agroecosystems. Key themes include the enhancement of phytoseiid mite communities, the side effects of chemical treatments on natural enemies, and ecological engineering for pest regulation. Her collaborative work with researchers like Helga Montón, G. Camañes, and Josep A. Jacas highlights her integration into a broader network of agricultural scientists. Scientific Awards: No awards mentioned in the provided texts. She has contributed to advising and research projects related to pest management, though no formal list of students is available. Her work has been supported through institutional affiliations and collaborative research, particularly in integrated pest management programs in Spanish citrus orchards. She is involved in field surveys, semi-field experiments, and molecular ecological studies. Laboratories and Research Teams: Research group: 'didacies' – Research group in science education and science teacher training Research group: GEOLIT – Literary Geographies Former Post-Doc at Universitat Jaume I de Castelló Collaborative network in citrus pest management and biological control
Dr. Andreas Schuldt is a researcher at Leuphana Universität Lüneburg specializing in biological and ecological studies. His work focuses on understanding complex interactions within ecosystems, particularly in forest environments and cultural landscapes. Research Interests: Dr. Schuldt investigates multitrophic interactions including plant-insect dynamics, predator-prey relationships, decomposition processes, and biodiversity patterns. His research emphasizes ecosystem functioning and services, with applications in conservation management of cultural landscapes and forest ecosystems. Projects: ÖkoKult: Securing Ecosystem Services & Biodiversity of Cultural Landscapes (2016-2023) - Analyzed ecosystem functions and developed conservation strategies Herbivory's Role in Species-Rich Forests (2014-2016) - Examined herbivore-mediated ecosystem processes Multitrophic Complexity in Forest Systems (2011-2014) - Studied ecological entomology and biodiversity networks
Prof. Chao Dong ZHU is a leading researcher in ecology and biodiversity conservation, affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He serves as Principal Investigator for multiple projects including MultiTroph (2022-2026), analyzing biodiversity mechanisms across trophic levels. His work focuses on plant-insect interactions, phylogenetic signals in ecological communities, and the impacts of tree diversity on herbivore-parasitoid networks. Key projects include SP09c1 Phylogenetic signals in plant-insect interactions and P4C: Associational effects mediated by parasitoids , examining how tree diversity influences herbivore communities and parasitoid dynamics. He has contributed to large-scale biodiversity experiments in subtropical forests, such as BEF-China, investigating species coexistence and turnover patterns. Education: Not explicitly stated in provided texts Research Themes: Trophic interactions, biodiversity gradients, DNA barcoding applications, spatial ecology Publications emphasize data-driven analyses of herbivore community structure, leveraging phylogenetic and functional trait approaches. His work bridges observational ecology with experimental design, contributing to understanding ecosystem resilience under biodiversity loss scenarios.
Paul van den Brink is a WIMEK Personal Professor in Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management at Wageningen University & Research. His research focuses on chemical pollution impacts, ecotoxicology, and environmental risk assessment, particularly in aquatic ecosystems. He has supervised over 20 PhD candidates and contributed to 466 publications, emphasizing pesticide effects, climate change interactions, and multi-trophic community dynamics. Key research areas include the effects of pharmaceuticals, pesticides (e.g., imidacloprid), and heatwaves on freshwater ecosystems. His work integrates experimental, modeling, and mesocosm approaches to assess ecological stability and recovery. Collaborations span global institutions, addressing challenges in biomonitoring and regulatory frameworks. Recent projects include evaluating antibiotic-induced trophic cascades and developing predictive models (e.g., DEB-GUTS) for chemical toxicity under varying temperatures. Media engagements highlight his expertise on water quality crises, microplastics, and emerging contaminants. Advises on 38 active projects, including transdisciplinary risk assessments in the Philippines and climate change impacts. Led workshops on semi-field pesticide risk assessment and ecotoxicological testing strategies. Labs/Teams: Active in the Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management group, collaborating with global networks like ECORISK2050. Involved in data-driven initiatives to enhance environmental decision-making.
Meelis Pärtel is a full Professor of Botany at the University of Tartu’s Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, affiliated with the Faculty of Science and Technology. He has held this position since 2002, with continuous academic service at the university since 1991. His career includes roles such as Editor-in-Chief of prominent journals like Journal of Vegetation Science and leadership in national and international ecological organizations. Education: PhD in Botany (1997, University of Tartu), postdoctoral studies at the University of Regina (Canada) and Uppsala University (Sweden). Honors: Estonian State Science Awards (2024, 2009), Order of the White Star (2023), and Academia Europaea Young Scientist Award (1996). Research focuses on macroecology , plant trait evolution , and dark diversity theory . He explores how environmental heterogeneity and historical processes shape biodiversity. Key themes include community assembly rules, conservation strategies for plant diversity, and impacts of global change. Recent work emphasizes dark diversity —species expected but absent in local communities—and its implications for conservation. His studies span global grasslands, tropical forests, and temperate ecosystems, addressing biodiversity loss mechanisms. Notable projects include analyzing drought impacts on grasslands and quantifying functional diversity changes. Publications highlight methodological advancements in dark diversity modeling and collaborative global ecology initiatives. Supervised over a dozen postdoctoral researchers, fostering international collaborations in biodiversity research.
Dr. Diane Srivastava is a Professor in the Department of Zoology at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Science, and Director of the Canadian Institute of Ecology and Evolution (CIEE). Her research focuses on community ecology, particularly biodiversity's role in ecosystem functioning and responses to environmental changes. Her work addresses how trophic diversity influences ecosystem processes, the regional species pool's impact on local diversity, habitat effects on species richness, and human-driven changes. She leads the Living Data Project, preserving legacy environmental datasets through collaborations with early-career researchers. Key research areas include tropical ecosystem dynamics, climate change impacts, and functional trait-based community assembly. Recent studies highlight cross-ecosystem interactions (e.g., bromeliad microcosms), predator-prey dynamics under climate variability, and urban biodiversity patterns. Her work spans field experiments and collaborative data science initiatives. Dr. Srivastava’s projects emphasize global ecological challenges, including biodiversity loss mitigation and climate resilience strategies. She actively promotes equitable academic practices, such as triple-blind peer review and inclusive working groups. She directs the CIEE, fostering collaborative research across ecology and evolutionary biology. Her work is supported by UBC’s Biodiversity Research Centre and involves international field sites in tropical regions like Costa Rica and Trinidad.
Monika Maurhofer is a Professor at the Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich , specializing in multitrophic interactions within the rhizosphere. Her research bridges plant pathology, microbial ecology, and biological control of plant diseases and insect pests. 1988: Dipl. sc. nat., ETH Zurich 1993: Dr. sc. nat., ETH Zurich Research focuses on biocontrol pseudomonads and their molecular interactions with plants, fungi, and insects. Key projects include: Understanding Pseudomonas protegens mechanisms in rhizosphere colonization Comparative genomics of entomopathogenic bacteria Developing disease-suppressive compost diagnostics Investigating microbial consortia for pest control 2024-2025 publications highlight her work on entomopathogenic pseudomonads and nematode-bacteria symbiosis , with applications in sustainable agriculture. She received the Golden Owl Award for teaching excellence in 2014 and 2017. Current collaborations include Syngenta Crop Protection and interdisciplinary teams at University of Zurich and University of Basel.
Jared Ali is an Associate Professor of Entomology at the Pennsylvania State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences. His research focuses on sustainable agriculture, chemical ecology, and multi-trophic interactions, particularly how plants defend against herbivory and interact with beneficial nematodes and microbes. He leads the Penn State Center for Chemical Ecology and holds the Huck Chair of Chemical Ecology. Key research areas include plant defense mechanisms, insect behavior, and the conservation of beneficial insects. Notable projects include studies on neonicotinoid impacts on monarch butterflies, soil-borne nematode ecology, and plant responses to environmental stressors like salinity and drought. Dr. Ali has secured significant grants, including a $3M award addressing insect biodiversity loss. His work bridges fundamental ecological research with applied agricultural solutions, emphasizing sustainable farming practices and ecosystem health. Director, Penn State Center for Chemical Ecology (2022–present) Huck Chair of Chemical Ecology (2022) Recipient of USDA grants for cover crop research and graduate fellowships Recent publications highlight innovations in biocontrol strategies, plant volatile signaling, and the ecological consequences of pesticide use. His interdisciplinary approach integrates molecular biology, field ecology, and agroecological principles to address global challenges in food security and biodiversity preservation.
Ibtissem BEN FEKIH serves as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Liège within the Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech faculty. She is embedded in the GxABT department and the Sustainable Management of Bio-aggressors research group, operating under the TERRA research unit—a specialized entity focused on biological engineering applications in agronomy, biotechnology, and environmental science. Her position falls under the academic rank of Research Fellow, reflecting her active role in advancing sustainable pest management solutions. Her research centers on biological control methodologies as alternatives to chemical pesticides, with particular emphasis on entomopathogenic fungi for managing aphids, fall armyworm, and other agricultural pests. She investigates integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to replace neonicotinoids in crops like sugar beet, examines multitrophic interactions involving natural enemies, and explores how biodiversity loss impacts pest regulation. Her work spans laboratory validation, field application techniques (including dropleg spraying), and ecological assessments across diverse agroecosystems. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2023–2025) reveals a cohesive research trajectory targeting vector-borne pathogen mitigation through biological control agents. Key themes include the efficacy of Beauveria bassiana isolates against aphids and fall armyworm, intraguild predator dynamics mediated by aphid honeydew, and global assessments of biological control shortfalls. Her field studies in the Democratic Republic of Congo highlight practical applications in resource-limited settings, while genomic analyses of resistant bacteria demonstrate interdisciplinary reach into environmental microbiology. Dr. BEN FEKIH contributes to the Sustainable Management of Bio-aggressors team based at Passage des déportés 2, Gembloux, where the group develops eco-friendly pest control frameworks aligned with TERRA's mission to guarantee high-quality agricultural production that respects environmental boundaries. Her work directly supports the University of Liège's strategic focus on sustainable food systems and biological engineering innovation.
