José Ramón Escuriet Peiró serves as an Associate lecturer at the Blanquerna School of Health Sciences, Ramon Llull University, where he focuses on maternal and women's health research. His scholarly work centers on improving healthcare practices related to childbirth, decision-making processes, and women's experiences within healthcare systems. His primary research interests include: Obstetrics and gynecological practices Cesarean section utilization and alternatives Maternal care quality assessment Decision-making processes in maternal healthcare Public hospital maternity services Women's healthcare accessibility Dr. Escuriet Peiró's recent publications reveal a methodological diversity spanning quantitative epidemiological studies, qualitative phenomenological analyses, and implementation research. His work consistently addresses the intersection of clinical practice, patient experience, and healthcare system factors in maternal health outcomes. He currently leads several significant research initiatives: PROYECTO I-MAST (2023-2025): Analyzing discrimination risks and healthcare resource utilization among mastectomized women QUALI-DEC (2020-2024): Promoting appropriate cesarean section use through quality decision-making by women and providers An internal research project from 2020 focusing on similar maternal health quality issues With an h-index of 14 and 662 total citations across 58 research outputs spanning from 2007 to 2025, his scholarly contributions demonstrate sustained impact in the maternal health research community.
Vasilis Valdramidis is an Associate Professor of Food Chemistry at the Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. His research focuses on food safety, sustainable technologies, and the impact of climate change on microbial dynamics in food systems. Affiliation: Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Research Areas: Food chemistry, microbial inactivation, predictive modeling, climate change adaptation Valdramidis utilizes advanced technologies like high-power ultrasound, hydrodynamic cavitation, and cold atmospheric plasma to enhance food preservation while minimizing environmental impact. His work addresses critical challenges in microbial safety, including pathogen adaptation mechanisms and stress response. Recent publications highlight his leadership in quantitative microbial risk assessment (Q4MRA), life cycle analysis of non-thermal technologies, and climate change interactions with dairy safety. He explores astaxanthin stability in food matrices and ultrasonic decontamination efficacy. Key trends in his research include: (1) Non-thermal processing for food safety, (2) Climate change-induced microbial risks, (3) Data-driven modeling for spoilage prediction, and (4) Sustainable innovation in dairy and seafood preservation.
Fur-Chi Chen serves as a Research Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at Tennessee State University's College of Agriculture, where he has contributed to food safety research since joining the faculty in 2002. His expertise focuses on developing rapid detection methodologies for foodborne hazards through molecular and immunological approaches. Dr. Chen's educational foundation includes: Ph.D. in Food Science from Auburn University M.S. in Food Science from University of Wisconsin-Stout B.S. in Nutrition from Chung Shan Medical & Dental College, Taiwan His research program centers on three interconnected pillars: developing molecular fingerprint and biosensor methods for pathogen detection, creating immunoassays for food allergens and toxins, and modeling microbial risks in food processing environments. This work addresses critical gaps in food safety surveillance from farm to consumer settings, particularly investigating cross-contamination pathways in home and retail environments. Analysis of his publication record reveals consistent innovation in detection technologies, with increasing emphasis on consumer-level food safety challenges after 2010. His collaborative work spans poultry safety, produce handling, and allergen detection, demonstrating practical applications of laboratory-developed methods in real-world scenarios. Dr. Chen's scientific contributions have been recognized through: National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection membership (2010-2014) Distinguished Research Scientist Award from IAgER (December 2007) Tennessee State University Faculty Research Award (April 2007) In academic service, he teaches core food science courses including Food Chemistry, Experimental Food, and Senior Project, mentoring students in food safety principles while maintaining an active research program that bridges laboratory innovation with industry applications.
André RAVEL is an Associate Professor at the Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, specializing in epidemiology and veterinary public health. He holds an honorary professorship and leads the GREZOSP research group. His research focuses on zoonoses, foodborne diseases, and the impact of climate change on public health, particularly in Arctic regions. He has supervised multiple graduate students and leads interdisciplinary projects addressing dog-related health issues among Inuit communities and Campylobacter risk modeling. RAVEL's work integrates One Health and EcoHealth approaches, emphasizing collaboration between human, animal, and environmental health sectors. Education: D.M.V. (1987), Université Lyon I M.Sc. en sciences vétérinaires (1992), Université de Montréal Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences (1995), Université de Montréal Research Interests: Surveillance system design and evaluation Risk analysis of foodborne/zoonotic pathogens Infectious disease transmission dynamics Climate change and vector-borne diseases Indigenous community health interventions Key Projects: Community-led wildlife health monitoring in Nunavik (2022-2025) Campylobacter risk modeling in Canada (2018-2024) Human-dog interface wellness initiatives (2017-2023) Grants & Awards: Recipient of the Hillman Student Poster Award (2015) for Lyme disease research Lead investigator on multiple IRSC and FRQNT-funded projects Labs/Teams: Directeur du Groupe de recherche en épidémiologie des zoonoses et santé publique (GREZOSP), member of RRSPQ and CReSP networks.
Joan B. Rose is the Homer Nowlin Chair in Water Research and Professor at Michigan State University (MSU), affiliated with the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources. She directs the Water Alliance and co-leads the Center for Water Sciences and Center for Advancing Microbial Risk Assessment (CAMRA). Her expertise spans water microbiology, public health safety, and microbial risk assessment. Rose holds a Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Arizona and has pioneered global initiatives in water quality, including the Global Water Pathogens Project. Research Interests: Rose focuses on molecular methods for pathogen surveillance, microbial source tracking, and risk assessment. Her work addresses waterborne disease outbreaks, wastewater treatment efficacy, and innovative technologies like qPCR for rapid contamination detection. She collaborates with agencies such as the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy on beach water testing and wastewater surveillance. Key Projects: Cryptosporidium detection, septic system contamination studies, and viral metagenomics in Great Lakes. Global Impact: Advised Singapore’s water sustainability framework and led post-Flint water crisis efforts. Awards: 2016 Stockholm Water Prize, 2018 Milliken Award, and honorary citizenship of Singapore (2015). She chairs international task forces, including the IWA Global Water Award committee. Grants: Includes NSF-funded WaterCube project, EPA grants for pathogen risk mitigation, and NIH-supported QMRA initiatives. Labs/Teams: Water Alliance, CAMRA, and collaborations with UNESCO on global water safety.
Professor Stefan Krause is a faculty member at the University of Birmingham, holding the position of Professor of Ecohydrology and Biogeochemistry within the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences. His research is highly interdisciplinary, focusing on the complex interactions between groundwater and surface water systems under global environmental change. He is also an active member of the Birmingham Plastics Network, contributing to holistic research on sustainable plastics futures. His research interests include: Ecohydrology and biogeochemical cycling Groundwater-surface water interactions Contaminant and nutrient transport in aquatic systems Impacts of land-use and climate change on hydrological fluxes Microplastic pollution in freshwater and terrestrial environments Development of innovative modeling and experimental techniques His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on microplastics, nutrient dynamics, and hydrological modeling, with a growing emphasis on environmental policy and sustainable solutions. His work spans from field-based investigations to advanced computational modeling and interdisciplinary collaboration. Professional service and affiliations include: Editorial board member, Ecohydrology (since 2011) Editorial board member, Frontiers in Hydrosphere (since 2013) Associate Editor, Grundwasser (since 2013) Guest editor for special issues in Water Resources Research , Advances in Water Research , and Hydrological Processes Committee member, European Geoscience Union (Eco-Hydrology, Wetlands & Estuaries; Catchment Hydrology) Member, Hydrogeology Group of the Geological Society of London He has supervised visiting research and PhD students through EU-funded programs and engaged in consultancy for international projects, including the Underground Coal Gasification Partnership and assessments of German water resources under climate change. His research group actively investigates the implications of environmental change on water and nutrient conditions using adaptive modeling strategies. Professional memberships include: European Geoscience Union (EGU) American Geophysical Union (AGU) International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) British Hydrological Society (BHS) UK Higher Education Academy
Salvador Garrigues Mateo is a Professor at the University of Valencia in the Faculty of Chemistry and Department of Analytical Chemistry . He leads the research group SOLINQUIANA (Solutions & Innovation in Analytical Chemistry) , focusing on green analytical chemistry and innovative spectroscopic methods. Education: PhD in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Valencia (1993) with a thesis on Quantitative analysis by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry . Research Interests: Green Analytical Chemistry, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS), environmental and biomedical analysis, sample preparation techniques, and forensic chemistry. His recent publications highlight trends in environmental analysis (wastewater drug monitoring, bioaerosol assessment), forensic chemistry (illicit drug detection, synthetic cannabinoids), and green sample preparation (natural sorbents, microextraction techniques). He also contributes to food analysis (oil degradation, essential oil authentication) and biomedical applications (urinalysis for drug exposure, serum diagnostics). His work emphasizes green chemistry principles , focusing on reducing solvent consumption, developing non-invasive testing protocols, and applying chemometrics for improved analytical accuracy. He has published extensively on spectroscopic methods for both environmental and clinical applications, often combining FTIR with ion mobility spectrometry for enhanced detection capabilities. Contact: salvador.garrigues@uv.es
Dr. Tina Beck Hansen is a Senior Researcher at the Danish Technical University (DTU) , specifically within the Research Group for Food Microbiology and Hygiene at the National Food Institute. Her work focuses on quantitative food preservation, safety, and hygiene, with expertise in predictive microbiology and HACCP applications. PhD in Food Preservation , KVL (Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University), 1993–1997 Master of Food Science , KVL, 1984–1991 Her research prioritizes inactivation and survival of foodborne pathogens like Bacillus cereus , Listeria monocytogenes , and Salmonella . She develops predictive models to assess microbial risks in food processing, storage, and outbreak investigations, contributing to SDGs in food safety education and environmental hygiene . Recent publications highlight her work on pathogen growth modeling in starchy foods, ready-to-eat salads, and leafy greens. These studies integrate predictive microbiology with practical food safety frameworks, emphasizing temperature control and risk assessment. Supervised PhD project on sporeforming bacteria in plant-based foods (2024–2027) Lead consultancy projects for temperature risk management (2019–2025) She actively participates in food safety workshops and serves as a supervisor in multidisciplinary initiatives, including SvampeMad (fermentation of organic waste for protein ingredients) and FF4 (generic risk management tools).
Associate Professor Son Hong Nghiem serves as Principal Research Fellow & Affiliate at the Centre for Health Services Research at The University of Queensland. He is currently the Head of the Health Economics Research and Modelling Unit, bringing 18 years of extensive experience in health services research, health economics, and health technology assessment. His leadership extends to successfully developing the Queensland Cardiovascular Disease Cohort Linkage Study, Australia's first data linkage cohort study for cardiovascular disease. Professor Nghiem's research interests span health economics, health services research, health technology assessment, public health genomics, econometrics, data linkage studies, cardiovascular disease research, climate change and health, and microfinance. His work demonstrates a strong interdisciplinary approach, bridging economic analysis with public health outcomes and policy implications. His publications reveal a consistent focus on applying quantitative methods to address complex health system challenges, with increasing emphasis on genomic surveillance, climate-health interactions, and innovative health technology assessment frameworks in recent years. With an impressive publication record of 150 peer-reviewed articles, three book chapters, and one book, Professor Nghiem's work has garnered over 4,000 citations and maintains an H-index of 36. His research output shows a clear evolution from earlier work on microfinance and economic development toward increasingly sophisticated health economics and services research with strong policy relevance. Professor Nghiem has secured significant research funding, serving as chief investigator on 18 research grants totaling more than $15 million, with ten of these as chief investigator A. His collaborative approach is evident in the extensive co-authorship networks across his publications, reflecting strong interdisciplinary partnerships within and beyond The University of Queensland.
Caitlin Dreisbach, PhD, RN is an Assistant Professor at the University of Rochester School of Nursing with a dual affiliation at the Goergen Institute for Data Science. She maintains active clinical practice on the high-risk obstetrics unit at Strong Memorial Hospital while leading interdisciplinary research at the intersection of nursing science and data analytics. Her educational background includes a PhD in Nursing from the University of Virginia (2020), BSN from Johns Hopkins University (2013), and undergraduate studies at Cornell University. Her research interests span women's lifelong health trajectories , quantitative clinical assessment during pregnancy , microbiome dynamics , and social determinants of health in reproductive outcomes. She employs advanced data science techniques including natural language processing, machine learning, and microbiome analysis to address complex questions in maternal-child health. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a strong focus on leveraging large-scale datasets (particularly the All of Us Research Program) to investigate pregnancy outcomes, symptom science, and chronic disease patterns. Key methodological themes include predictive modeling of birth outcomes, extraction of clinical data from unstructured notes, and analysis of microbiome-diet interactions during gestation. Scientific awards and recognition include: Josephine Craytor Nurse Faculty Award (2024) Most Promising New Investigator (2023) Phyllis J. Verhonick Dissertation Award (2020) Wood Family Award for Data Science (2018) The Raven Society membership (2017) Dr. Dreisbach serves as Principal Investigator for multiple funded projects including an NIH/NINR grant on neural network approaches to fetal weight estimation (2022-2025) and a Heilbrunn Foundation grant examining surgical weight management before pregnancy (2024-2026). Her lab (DreisbachLab) develops open-source tools for reproductive health research, including the GAP_Projection repository for birthweight prediction algorithms. She also contributes as a data science consultant on projects like the Significance of Symptom Onset-To-Angiography Time study at CTSI. Her work bridges clinical practice, data science innovation, and nursing education through initiatives advancing data competencies for PhD students and exploring implications of generative AI in nursing science.
Distinguished Professor Brajesh Singh is an internationally recognized expert in functional ecology and soil biology at Western Sydney University. His work identifies quantitative relationships between soil biodiversity and ecosystem functions and how natural/anthropogenic pressures affect these relationships. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment and holds leadership positions with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, including Chair of the International Network on Soil Biodiversity (NETSOB) and membership on the International Technical Panel on Soils. Professor Singh's research spans multiple critical areas of ecosystem science, particularly linking soil biodiversity (microbial and faunal) to key ecosystem functions and services. His current research focuses on the relationship between soil biodiversity and their biotic interactions with plant diversity on ecosystem functions (e.g., primary productivity, climate regulation, and pollution abatement). He has extensively applied ecological theories to explain patterns of soil biodiversity and the shape of biodiversity-ecosystem function relationships from microscopic to global scales. His work in agriculture productivity harnesses soil health and microbiomes to increase farm productivity, food safety, and industrial innovations, developing tools to improve farm productivity, increase soil organic matter, and provide climate adaptation strategies for agriculture. Professor Singh's research has had significant global impact across multiple domains including climate change, microbial diversity, and environmental biotechnology. His work on soil microbiome responses to climate change has challenged current estimates of soil carbon loss under future climates. His research has informed multiple policy decisions from regional to global levels, including key recommendations for bilateral engagements in agribusiness and trade between Australia and India, and Australia and the European Union. His publication record demonstrates strong focus on soil microbiome-climate interactions, plant-microbe relationships, and sustainable agricultural solutions with numerous high-impact papers in leading journals. Professor Singh has received numerous prestigious awards and recognitions: Ranked as the Leading researcher in the field of Microbiology, The Australian's 2025 Research magazine Clarivate Highly Cited (HiCi) Researcher, 2024 (in two categories - Environment and Ecology and Microbiology) Arrell Global Food Innovation Award, 2024 Dorothy Jones Prize for Microbiology, 2023 Australian Academy of Science Fellowship, 2023 Soil Science Australia Fellowship Award, 2022 Western Sydney University Distinguished Professor title, 2022 Humboldt Research Award, 2018 Professor Singh leads numerous significant research projects with funding from various organizations including Hort Innovation, Cotton Research and Development Corporation, Australian Research Council, Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment, and international funding bodies. His current projects span integrated disease management for the Australian Potato Industry, drought resilient cotton development, sustainable fertigation for high yield vegetables, soil biological mechanisms underpinning soil health and productivity, and soil fauna roles in nutrient transformation of agricultural soils. Professor Singh collaborates globally with 72 countries including USA, UK, Spain, India, and China. He serves as President and Scientific Chair of the Global Initiative of Crop Microbiome and Sustainable Agriculture, which has over 150 scientific partners worldwide. His editorial responsibilities include Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment and Senior Editor of Biodegradation. He also serves on the editorial boards of multiple high-impact journals including Journal of Ecology, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, and Environmental Microbiology.
Steven K. Lower is a Professor at The Ohio State University with appointments spanning the School of Environment and Natural Resources, School of Earth Sciences, and Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity. His interdisciplinary research bridges environmental science, earth sciences, and medical microbiology, focusing on the molecular interactions between microorganisms and mineral surfaces. Dr. Lower's educational background includes a B.S. in Biology & Geology, an M.S. in Environmental Chemistry from Kent State University, and a Ph.D. in Microbiology & Mineralogy from Virginia Tech. His career path took him from an Assistant Professor position at the University of Maryland (2001-2003) to his current professorship at Ohio State University (2003-present). His research interests center on environmental mineralogy and chemistry, geological and environmental microbiology, and medical microbiology. Dr. Lower specializes in studying how bacteria interact with mineral surfaces at the nanoscale, with particular focus on magnetotactic bacteria that orient along Earth's magnetic field and pathogenic bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus that form biofilms on medical implants. His laboratory employs atomic force microscopy and other nanoscale techniques to measure the fundamental forces governing these interactions. Analysis of Dr. Lower's recent publications reveals a strong interdisciplinary trend spanning environmental science, medical microbiology, and biophysics. His work connects fundamental physical principles with practical applications in environmental remediation and medical device safety. The research consistently applies nanoscale measurement techniques to understand bacterial behavior in both natural and clinical settings, with particular attention to how bacteria form aggregates and adhere to surfaces. Dr. Lower's scientific achievements have been recognized with several prestigious awards: National Science Foundation CAREER Award PECASE Award (presented by President Obama at the White House) Kavli Fellow, National Academy of Sciences Department of Energy (DOE) Best Research Award Clinical Research Forum Outstanding Research Award As a principal investigator, Dr. Lower has secured research funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Department of Energy (DOE). His laboratory maintains active collaborations across disciplines, particularly with his brother Brian H. Lower, and focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of bacterial adhesion to both natural mineral surfaces and medical implants. The research has significant implications for developing strategies to prevent bacterial infections on medical devices and understanding microbial processes in environmental systems.
Chris Richards is a Professor in the Department of Animal & Food Sciences at Oklahoma State University since 2017. He holds a PhD in Animal Sciences from the University of Kentucky (1999), an MS in Animal Sciences from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (1996), and a BS in Animal Sciences from Texas A&M University (1992). His research focuses on beef cattle genetics, feed/water efficiency, methane emissions, and health management , with significant contributions to climate adaptation strategies and sustainable livestock production. Education: PhD, Animal Sciences, University of Kentucky (1999) MS, Animal Sciences, University of Nebraska–Lincoln (1996) BS, Animal Sciences, Texas A&M University (1992) His work on genetic heritability of water intake behaviors, methane prediction models , and feedlot health protocols has been published in journals like the Journal of Animal Science and Translational Animal Science . He has secured continuous funding from the U.S. Geological Survey (2017–2025), U.S. Department of Agriculture (2014–2021), Novus International (2012–2029), and Lallemand Animal Nutrition (2007–2015). Richards teaches graduate-level courses including Doctoral Research and Dissertation and Master's Thesis in International Agriculture , emphasizing independent research in beef cattle systems. His extension publications on topics like water requirements and PI-BVDV management provide practical guidance for producers. Collaborations span institutions such as the University of Nebraska, Texas A&M, and industry partners like Kemin Industries and ABS Global.
Paul Hynds is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Civil Engineering at McMaster University, specializing in environmental risk assessment and public health intersections. His work spans groundwater contamination, climate change impacts, food waste analysis, and quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA). Key research areas: Environmental Risk Assessment, Climate-Health Nexus, Water Quality Collaborations: McMaster Experts Co-author Network Recent Publications (2024-2025) demonstrate: Machine learning applications for water contamination analysis Climate change impacts on food systems and mental health One Health framework for dietary pattern sustainability assessment Extreme weather event risk modeling Technical Expertise includes: Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) Big data hydrological modeling Antimicrobial resistance surveillance Geospatial environmental analysis
Melanie Braun is a full Professor at the Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES) , University of Bonn, Germany, specializing in Soil Science and Soil Ecology . Her research focuses on understanding the fate of pollutants in soil ecosystems, including plastics, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and nanoparticles, with emphasis on climate and land-use impacts. She has received significant funding through the Annemarie Schimmel Scholarship (2016-2017) DBU Scholarship for her dissertation on inland navigation emissions (2011-2016) Her recent publications (2021-2025) address critical issues in soil contamination, including microplastic dynamics in composting, antibiotic dissipation in flooded soils, and climate effects on phosphorus availability in sub-Saharan Africa. These studies span environmental science, analytical chemistry, and agricultural sustainability. Selected scientific awards include: Annemarie Schimmel Scholarship DBU Scholarship Melanie teaches courses on Soil and Water Protection , Nature Conservation , and Soil Ecology . She leads projects like PAPILLONS and SOPLAS , focusing on microplastic pollution and sustainable soil management.
