Zahra Gharineiat is an Associate Professor at the University of Southern Queensland , affiliated with the School of Surveying and Built Environment . She has over 8 years of tertiary teaching experience and 11 years of administrative responsibilities. Bachelor of Surveying (BSurv), University of Tabriz Master of Engineering Management (MEngMgt), University of Melbourne PhD, University of Newcastle Research Interests : Zahra specializes in Geomatic Engineering and Machine Learning , with a focus on applications like Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) , LiDAR , Digital Twins , and Remote Sensing . Her work spans Earth Science Observations , Satellite altimetry , and Geodetic data capturing , integrating Computational Modelling and Geoinformatics for innovative solutions. Professional Affiliations : She is a member of the Surveying and Spatial Sciences Institute (SSSI) and the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) . Her research affiliations include the Centre for Future Materials (CFM) , Institute for Advanced Engineering and Space Sciences (IAESS) , and Centre for Astrophysics (CA) .
Matej Varga is a Scientific Assistant and Postdoctoral Researcher at ETH Zurich's Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, working in the Geosensors and Engineering Geodesy group under Prof. Andreas Wieser since 2021. His research spans geometrical geodesy, physical geodesy, and satellite geodesy, with applications in both theoretical and practical domains. Dr. Varga's research interests focus on spatial, temporal and spectral analysis of geodetic data, with particular expertise in geodetic reference systems and frames, gravity and geomagnetic field modeling at all temporal and spatial scales, and multi-GNSS multi-frequency positioning and monitoring. His work integrates geometrical and physical aspects of geodesy to address complex Earth observation challenges, particularly in infrastructure monitoring and geophysical applications. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward high-precision geodetic applications for major scientific infrastructure, most notably the Future Circular Collider project, alongside important contributions to earthquake impact analysis, geomagnetic network development, and gravity field modeling. His research bridges traditional geodetic methods with modern computational approaches, including machine learning applications for point cloud registration. Dr. Varga is actively involved in the GSEG research group at ETH Zurich, contributing to the development of geodetic infrastructure and reference systems. His work has practical applications in infrastructure monitoring, earthquake analysis, and scientific projects requiring extreme geodetic precision.
Brian Calder is a Research Professor at the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping, University of New Hampshire, with a strong affiliation in Ocean Engineering and Earth Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Image Analysis and Electronics Communications Engineering from Heriot-Watt University. His academic work is centered on advanced methods in seafloor characterization and hydrographic data processing. Ph.D., Image Analysis, Heriot-Watt University M.S., Electronics Communications Eng, Heriot-Watt University His research focuses on the development and application of computational techniques for seabed mapping, bathymetric uncertainty modeling, and autonomous ocean sensing. He integrates machine learning, signal processing, and remote sensing to improve the accuracy and reliability of marine geospatial data. His work supports navigation safety, coastal zone management, and deep-ocean exploration. Recent publications highlight trends in automated nautical chart generalization, trusted community bathymetry systems, and wireless ocean-of-things networks for volunteer data collection. His article portfolio reveals a strong emphasis on data quality, uncertainty quantification, and algorithmic innovation in hydrography and marine geodesy. Brian Calder has received multiple research grants, primarily from NOAA and the U.S. Navy, supporting projects such as IT support for NOAA personnel at UNH, development of bathymetric uncertainty models, and autonomous mapping using Saildrone technology. These grants reflect sustained funding and recognition in the field of hydrographic science. He teaches graduate courses including Seafloor Characterization , Seabed Mapping , and Doctoral Research , indicating active mentorship and academic leadership. His work is conducted within the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping, a leading institution in hydrographic research, where he collaborates extensively with experts like Yuri Rzhanov, Larry Mayer, and Christos Kastrisios.
Filip Biljecki is an Assistant Professor jointly appointed at the Department of Architecture within the College of Design and Engineering and the Department of Real Estate at the NUS Business School, National University of Singapore. He is the founder and principal investigator of the NUS Urban Analytics Lab and was awarded the prestigious NUS Presidential Young Professorship in 2020. With over 150 peer-reviewed publications, his research bridges geomatic engineering, geospatial technologies, and urban data science to advance digital twins and data-driven urban planning. Dr. Biljecki's educational background includes: PhD in 3D GIS (cum laude), Delft University of Technology, Netherlands (2017) MSc in Geomatics, Delft University of Technology, Netherlands (2010) BSc in Geodesy and Geoinformatics, University of Zagreb, Croatia (2008) His research interests focus on emerging urban data sources, particularly urban imagery, and their application in 3D city modeling, digital twins, and GeoAI. He explores how crowdsourcing and open science can inform cutting-edge techniques for urban sensing and analytics at city-scale. His work significantly contributes to establishing smart cities through innovative methods that integrate recent advancements in computer science, geomatics, and urban data science. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on street view imagery applications for urban analytics, digital twin development, and geospatial AI. His research spans multiple domains including urban morphology, environmental assessment, public health applications, and urban comfort analysis. The interdisciplinary nature of his work is evident in collaborations with researchers from diverse fields, producing impactful studies that address complex urban challenges through innovative methodological approaches. His notable scientific achievements include: Annual Teaching Excellence Award (ATEA), 2025 College Educator Award AY2023/2024, 2025 Urban Informatics Paper of the Year Award, 2023 Top 2% scientists worldwide (Stanford University), 2021 Presidential Young Professorship (NUS), 2020 As an educator, Dr. Biljecki has supervised dozens of students leading to publications in leading journals and placements at top universities and organizations. He has delivered talks at over 120 universities and organizations worldwide including MIT, Stanford, Harvard, and ETH Zurich. His research is supported through various grants and affiliations including his role as Principal Investigator at the Future Cities Lab Global at the Singapore-ETH Centre. The NUS Urban Analytics Lab, which he established, brings together scholars from diverse disciplines to drive research on making cities smarter and more data-driven. The lab has developed innovative tools like ZenSVI for street view imagery analysis and has produced influential research on urban digital twins, urban morphology, and GeoAI applications. Through his leadership, the lab continues to pioneer methods that advance data-driven urban planning and smart city development.
David Al-Attar is a Professor at the University of Cambridge's Department of Earth Sciences, actively involved in theoretical and computational geophysics research. He serves as a supervisor within the Cambridge NERC Doctoral Landscape Awards (Training Partnerships) program, particularly in the CREATES initiative focusing on climate and environmental science. Education: While specific educational details aren't provided in the text, his extensive publication record and professorial position at Cambridge indicate advanced training in geophysics and applied mathematics. Research Interests: Professor Al-Attar's work spans several interconnected areas within geophysics. His primary focus includes theoretical and computational problems in geophysics, with particular emphasis on continuum mechanics as applied to Earth systems. He develops new physical and mathematical theories for understanding Earth processes, including rigorous function space methods for inverse problems and uncertainty quantification. His sea level change research aims to constrain ice sheet evolution during the last glacial period to better understand modern contributions to sea level rise. Additionally, he investigates solid Earth dynamics including seismic free oscillations, body tides, and Earth rotation, contributing to our understanding of deep Earth structure and mantle dynamics. Research Themes: His publications demonstrate expertise in adjoint methods, glacial isostatic adjustment, mantle viscosity, planetary seismology, and computational methods for geophysical problems. Recent work emphasizes 3-D Earth modeling, sensitivity analysis, and the integration of satellite observations with theoretical models. Current Projects: Potential projects for students include inverse problems related to deglacial sea level change with focus on uncertainty quantification, modern sea level monitoring using satellite data, and solid Earth dynamics particularly regarding outer core viscosity in tidal and rotational dynamics. Contact: He can be reached at da380@cam.ac.uk for research inquiries and collaboration opportunities.
Karl Ulrich Schreiber is an Adjunct Professor at the Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Canterbury, New Zealand, and an apl. Professor at the Institute for Astronomical and Physical Geodesy at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). He is a scientist at the Geodetic Observatory Wettzell, jointly operated by TUM and the Bundesamt für Kartographie und Geodäsie (BKG). His work bridges fundamental physics and geodetic applications, with leadership roles in major international projects including ESA’s MAGIC/Science, QSG4EMT, and Baltic+ Theme 5, as well as DFG Research Units NEROGRAV and UPLIFT. His research focuses on Space Geodesy , Satellite and Lunar Laser Ranging , and Ring Laser Technology . He has pioneered the use of large ring laser gyroscopes for measuring Earth's rotation, polar motion, and seismic rotations. His work enables high-precision monitoring of geophysical phenomena such as Earth tides, Chandler wobble, and rotational ground motions from earthquakes. He is a key contributor to multi-technique co-location studies (VLBI, SLR, GNSS) and time transfer experiments, advancing the Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS). His recent publications show a strong trend in developing and applying large-scale ring laser arrays (e.g., ROMY) for geophysical sensing, photon-counting laser ranging for space debris and satellite tracking, and optical timing systems for synchronization across geodetic networks. These efforts span disciplines including geodesy, seismology, quantum optics, and fundamental physics. Scientific contributions include: Development of the Wettzell Large Ring Laser (G-ring) for continuous Earth rotation monitoring. First direct measurements of Earth's diurnal polar motion and Chandler wobble using ring lasers. Pioneering work in rotational seismology, validating ring laser data against seismic arrays. Contributions to lunar laser ranging and its role in reference frame realization. Leadership in ESA and DFG projects advancing space geodesy and inertial sensing. He advises doctoral and master’s students within the DFG Research Training Group UPLIFT and collaborates with international institutions on instrumentation and data analysis. His lab at Wettzell hosts advanced laser ranging and ring laser systems, serving as a fundamental geodetic observatory. Future work includes enhancing clock ties for global geodesy, expanding multi-component rotation sensing, and advancing space-based geodetic technologies.
Prof. Roland Pail is a full Professor of Astronomical and Physical Geodesy at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). He leads the Chair of Astronomical and Physical Geodesy, part of the TUM School of Engineering and Design. His research focuses on physical and numerical geodesy, global/regional gravity field modeling, and satellite gravity missions like GOCE, GRACE, and future initiatives like MAGIC. He has held leadership roles, including President of IAG Commission 2 (2015–2019) and Vice Dean of TUM's Department of Aerospace and Geodesy. Pail earned his doctorate (sub auspiciis praesidentis) from TU Graz (1999) and habilitation in 2002. He is a Fellow of the International Association of Geodesy and has received numerous awards for his contributions to geodesy. His work integrates satellite data with geophysical modeling to monitor mass transport processes (e.g., ocean circulation, ice melt) and Earth's interior dynamics. He collaborates internationally on missions such as the DFG Research Training Group UPLIFT and the MAGIC constellation. Key publications include gravity field models (e.g., XGM2016, GOCO06s) and studies on future mission design, stochastic modeling, and climate monitoring. Pail’s scientific awards include the IAG Fellowship (2011), Young Authors Award (2006), and the Allmer-Löschner Prize (2000). His research also addresses quantum sensor applications in satellite gravimetry and the development of next-generation gravity field retrieval techniques.
Dr. Penina Axelrad is a University of Colorado Distinguished Professor and Joseph T. Negler Professor of Aerospace Engineering Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder. She has held academic roles since 1992, serving as Department Chair from 2012–2017. A member of the National Academy of Engineering since 2019, her research focuses on GNSS technology, satellite navigation, and remote sensing applications. She has authored over 223 publications and secured $17.5M in research grants. Education: Ph.D., Aeronautics and Astronautics, Stanford University, 1991 S.M., Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, MIT, 1986 S.B., Aeronautical Engineering (Avionics Option), MIT, 1985 Research Interests: Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), multipath mitigation, GNSS reflectometry, orbital dynamics, and quantum sensing for Earth science. Her work bridges astrodynamics, satellite navigation, and environmental monitoring. Awards: Member, National Academy of Engineering (2019) Women In Aerospace Educator Award (2016) Institute of Navigation Samuel Burka Award (2012) AIAA Summerfield Book Award (2011) Advising & Grants: Advised numerous students (no names listed) and led major grants including NASA Quantum Pathways Institute and Sentinel-6 orbit determination projects. Active in Institute of Navigation leadership roles. Labs/Teams: Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research (CCAR), Quantum Pathways Institute, and collaborative efforts on CubeSat atomic clock experiments.
Miaki Ishii is a Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Harvard University, affiliated with the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. She leads the Harvard Seismology Group and has held academic roles at Harvard since 2006, progressing from Assistant to Associate Professor and then Full Professor. Education: Ph.D. in Geophysics (2003), Harvard University Hon.B.Sc. in Physics (1998), University of Toronto Research Interests: Ishii specializes in seismic imaging of Earth's internal structure, including the mantle and core. Her work focuses on earthquake mechanisms, signal processing, and theoretical seismology. She uses seismic data to study rupture dynamics, subduction zone processes, and free oscillations of the Earth. Key Contributions: Notable projects include analyzing the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake rupture, developing the DigitSeis software for analog seismogram digitization, and studying inner core anisotropy using normal mode splitting. Her research integrates high-performance computing and waveform inversion techniques. Awards: James B. Macelwane Medal (2009) Kavli Fellow (2012) Charles F. Richter Award (2008) Alice Wilson Award (2004) Labs/Teams: Directs the Harvard Seismology Group, collaborating internationally on seismic networks like Hi-net and USArray. Her work bridges computational seismology with observational geophysics.
Dr. Steven G. Wesnousky is the Foundation Professor and Director of the Center for Neotectonic Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). He holds a Ph.D. in Seismology from Columbia University (1982) and a B.A. in Geology from the University of California, Santa Barbara (1975). His academic career spans over three decades at UNR, where he combines geology and seismology to study earthquake mechanics, seismic hazard quantification, and crustal deformation. Research focuses on neotectonics, active fault systems, and the Himalayan seismic hazard. Key areas include fault slip rates, paleoearthquake reconstruction, and integrating geological data into seismic risk models. He teaches advanced courses on photogeology, neotectonics, and seismic hazard analysis. Publications emphasize Quaternary fault mapping, Himalayan tectonics, and rupture mechanics. Notable works include studies on the Walker Lane deformation zone and the 2015 Gorkha earthquake in Nepal. Awards include the Foundation Professorship (2008), F. Donald Tibbetts Teaching Award (2008), and a Fulbright Scholarship (2005). Professional roles include presidency of the Seismological Society of America (1995–1997), board memberships, and international collaborations at institutions like King Abdul University and the Institute of Nuclear and Geological Sciences, New Zealand. His work bridges field geology, geochronology, and computational modeling to advance understanding of continental deformation and earthquake processes.
Dr. Gaël Kermarrec is a researcher at the Boundary Layer Meteorology Group , part of the Institute of Meteorology and Climatology within the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics at Leibniz University Hannover . His work focuses on atmospheric turbulence, GNSS applications, and remote sensing for environmental monitoring. Boundary layer meteorology Turbulence theory GNSS signal processing Terrestrial laser scanning Climate change impacts Geodetic time series analysis His research integrates advanced mathematical models like LR B-splines and Matérn covariance with large eddy simulations to study: Atmospheric turbulence effects on optical/GNSS signals Hydrospheric mass loading Deformation analysis of terrain/port infrastructure Climatic sea-level changes Machine learning for remote sensing The 15 most recent articles (2025-2023) demonstrate his focus on: GNSS-based turbulence detection AI-enhanced climate mapping Advanced surface approximation techniques Multi-sensor data fusion Stochastic modeling of geodetic observations Environmental impacts on optical measurements He has developed tools like the Klimascanner QGIS plugin for urban climate resilience and contributes to: Understanding atmospheric scale lengths Improving TLS/GNSS deformation monitoring Analyzing hydrospheric changes Wavefront modeling Ionospheric corrections
Jiaxuan Li is an Assistant Professor of Geophysics in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Houston's College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. His research focuses on developing fiber-optic sensing technologies for seismic monitoring across diverse geological environments including volcanic, crustal, and glacial settings. Dr. Li's educational background includes a Ph.D. in Geophysics from the University of Houston (2015-2020) and a B.S. in Geophysics from Peking University (2011-2015). He previously held a postdoctoral position at Caltech Seismolab under Prof. Zhongwen Zhan. His research program centers on distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) applications, with major contributions in volcanic eruption forecasting through minute-scale magma migration imaging, earthquake rupture dynamics via high-frequency fault asperity analysis, and subsurface characterization for carbon sequestration and geothermal energy. Recent work demonstrates DAS capabilities as dense geodetic arrays for real-time volcanic monitoring systems deployed in Iceland through collaborations with the Icelandic Met Office and Reykjavik University. Analysis of Dr. Li's publication record reveals a strong emphasis on operationalizing fiber-optic networks for geophysical monitoring, with significant advancements in eruption early warning systems, earthquake source characterization, and subsurface imaging techniques. His work bridges fundamental seismological research with practical hazard mitigation applications. Dr. Li actively mentors graduate students and recently welcomed postdoc Dr. Tianfan Yan to his research team. His lab operates real-time DAS streaming systems for volcanic eruption monitoring in Iceland, developed through international collaborations involving the University of Houston, Caltech, Ljósleiðarann, and Reykjavik University. Current research directions include expanding DAS applications for carbon sequestration verification and deep geothermal reservoir characterization.
Frederik J. Simons is a Professor of Geosciences and Associate Chair of the Department of Geosciences at Princeton University. He holds affiliations with the Program in Applied & Computational Mathematics, High Meadows Environmental Institute, and Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment. His research focuses on global geophysics, seismology, and geodesy, emphasizing the lithosphere's physical properties through seismic tomography and spectral analysis. Simons developed methods for oceanic instrumentation, including the EarthScope-Oceans consortium, and pioneered wavelet-based signal processing for seismology. His work integrates computational inverse methods and statistical techniques, with a commitment to reproducible research. Education: PhD in Geophysics (MIT), M.Sc. in Geology (KU Leuven, Belgium). Previous roles include Lecturer at University College London and Hess Postdoctoral Fellow at Princeton. Research interests span seismic tomography, lithospheric mechanics, and planetary science, with notable contributions to mantle structure imaging and earthquake early warning systems. Awards include the Vladimir Keilis-Borok Medal (2022). Simons advises graduate students and mentors researchers in computational geoscience. His teaching emphasizes clarity and engagement, blending theoretical foundations with hands-on applications.
Eric Hetland is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Michigan. His research focuses on geophysical natural hazards, particularly earthquake dynamics from a geodetic perspective. He investigates fault loading processes during interseismic and postseismic periods, and collaborates on modeling volcanic eruption conditions with Prof. Becky Lange. His work integrates machine learning methods into geodetic data analysis, addressing climate studies and hazard vulnerability. Applied mathematics and computational science are central to his interdisciplinary approach. Education: PhD in Geophysics from MIT (2006), MA in Geology from SUNY Binghamton (2000), BS in Physics from UC Santa Cruz (1996) Research Interests: Seismology, Geodesy, Crustal Deformation, Geodynamics, Magmatism and Volcanism Lab/Teams: Active collaborations with interdisciplinary teams, leveraging geodetic and computational tools His recent publications emphasize coseismic slip distribution modeling, Bayesian stress inversion, and transient strain analysis using advanced statistical methods. He has no listed scientific awards but maintains an active research program funded through collaborative grants. Advising focuses on graduate student training in geophysical hazards and computational geophysics.
Prof. Jürgen Müller is a Full Professor at the Institute of Geodesy, Leibniz University Hannover, leading research in physical geodesy, satellite gravimetry, and relativistic geodesy. He holds positions as Executive Director of the Institute and contributes to global geodetic initiatives like the Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS). His work focuses on advancing quantum technologies for Earth observation, including cold atom interferometry and optical clocks, to enhance gravity field measurements and test fundamental physics principles. Research Interests: Müller's expertise spans gravimetric Earth observation, lunar laser ranging (LLR), relativistic geodesy, and the application of quantum sensors in space missions. His team explores novel sensor concepts for future satellite gravimetry, such as hybrid accelerometers and gravity gradiometry systems, addressing challenges in climate monitoring and Earth system dynamics. Publications Overview: His recent work emphasizes quantum accelerometers for satellite missions, deployable solar panels for GRACE-like satellites, and LLR-based tests of general relativity. Key contributions include improving Earth rotation parameter estimation and exploring optical clock networks for height system unification. Grants & Collaborations: Müller collaborates on international projects like the CARIOQA quantum pathfinder mission and the GENESIS space observatory. He leads teams in simulating quantum sensor performance and analyzing LLR data for lunar and Earth dynamics studies. Labs/Teams: As head of the Institute of Geodesy, he oversees research groups working on quantum gravimetry, space geodesy, and geodetic reference systems, leveraging facilities like the 10-meter atom interferometer at Hannover.
