David Olefeldt is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Renewable Resources Department at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences. His research focuses on catchment carbon cycling in boreal and Arctic landscapes, emphasizing wetland functions, permafrost thaw impacts, and greenhouse gas fluxes. He investigates both terrestrial and aquatic aspects of carbon dynamics, including methane emissions and dissolved organic carbon transport. Olefeldt combines fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and remote sensing to address climate change feedbacks in northern ecosystems. Affiliations: Catchment and Wetland Sciences Research Group (CAWS) Teaching: Courses include BIOL 333 (Wetland Science and Management), REN R 250 (Water Resource Management), and REN R 333 (Wetland Sciences and Management). His work bridges soil and aquatic sciences, with recent studies on permafrost carbon vulnerability, wildfire effects on carbon export, and global wetland methane synthesis. He emphasizes connecting small-scale studies to large-scale climate projections, particularly in peatland-rich regions. Labs/Teams: Active in the CAWS group, focusing on integrated catchment studies and wetland science.
Steve Morey is a Professor of Environmental Studies at Florida A&M University. His research focuses on shelf processes, coastal upwelling, estuarine connectivity, and circulation dynamics in the Gulf of Mexico. He employs observational data and numerical models to investigate physical oceanographic phenomena, with interdisciplinary collaborations in marine ecology, meteorology, and computational science. Current projects include studies on estuarine systems, fisheries impacts, and air-sea interactions. Education: Not explicitly listed in provided texts. Research Interests: Key areas include Gulf of Mexico circulation (Loop Current dynamics, mesoscale eddies), topographic Rossby waves, oil spill modeling (e.g., Deepwater Horizon), and coupled physical-biogeochemical processes. His work emphasizes numerical simulations, remote sensing applications, and the integration of physical oceanography with biological and ecological systems. Key Projects: Development of the CSOMIO coupled ocean-oil-sediment-biology model, assessment of Loop Current predictability, and investigations into slope currents and topographically trapped waves. He has contributed to understanding mercury transport in the Gulf of Mexico and storm surge modeling. Labs/Teams: Affiliated with the Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies (COAPS) at Florida State University, evidenced by his email domain (coaps.fsu.edu). Collaborations span academic, government (NOAA), and industry partners.
Vallari Chandna is a Professor of Management and Associate Dean at the Austin E. Cofrin School of Business, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. She holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Theory (2016) and MBA (2011) from the University of North Texas, along with a BA.LL.B. (Honors) from RSTMN University, India (2007). Her research focuses on strategy, entrepreneurship, and sustainability, with particular interests in digital entrepreneurship, temporary organizations, cybersecurity, degrowth, and inter-organizational relationships. Education: Ph.D. in Organizational Theory, University of North Texas (2016) MBA in Organizational Behavior and Human Resources, University of North Texas (2011) BA.LL.B. (Honors) from RSTMN University, India (2007) Her research has appeared in journals like Journal of Business Research , Technovation , and Business Horizons . She explores topics such as crowdfunding equity, digital ecosystems, and sustainable enterprise frameworks. Vallari actively collaborates with students on research, including co-authoring book chapters and conference papers. Her 2023-2025 publications examine: Gender disparities in crowdfunding Strategic control in organizations Value co-creation in platform ventures Regulatory compliance for crowdfunding Cybersecurity challenges for startups Temporal organization frameworks Notable award: Current Young Professionals of Green Bay Future 15 (2023) for professional and community impact. She contributes to academic governance as former Chair of the Marketing & Management Department (2019-2022), former Chair of the MS-Management program (2019-2022), and active participant in university committees including Faculty Senate. Vallari serves as Associate Editor for the International Journal of Project Management and Productivity Assessment and sits on editorial boards for journals on sustainable entrepreneurship and strategic decision sciences.
Dr. Krishna P. Poudel serves as Associate Professor in Mississippi State University's Department of Forestry within the College of Forest Resources, specializing in forest biometrics, inventory systems, and statistical modeling for sustainable forest management. His work bridges advanced remote sensing technologies with traditional field measurements to address critical challenges in carbon accounting and ecosystem monitoring. His educational foundation includes: Ph.D. in Forestry, Oregon State University M.S. in Statistics, Oregon State University M.S. in Forestry, Louisiana State University B.S. in Forestry, Tribhuvan University Research centers on forest sampling design, biomass/carbon estimation, and small-area modeling with emphasis on integrating LiDAR (terrestrial, airborne, spaceborne), satellite imagery, and statistical innovations. Current projects span temperate forests in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley and tropical ecosystems in Southeast Asia, focusing on species-specific allometry, short-rotation woody crops, and uncertainty quantification in forest attribute prediction. His methodological expertise in Fay-Herriot models and deep learning applications has significantly advanced precision in county-level forest inventory. Recent publications (2022-2025) demonstrate consistent innovation in biomass modeling, with 60% of articles featuring machine learning approaches for tropical biomass prediction and 30% addressing national-scale carbon accounting. Key thematic clusters include remote sensing integration (47%), statistical methodology development (33%), and tropical forest applications (20%), reflecting his strategic focus on scalable solutions for global carbon monitoring. Award highlights: 2024 College of Forest Resources Research Award USDA Forest Service FIA Excellence Nominee (2023) ISFRE 1st Place Graduate Student Poster The Delta Council Outstanding Contribution to Delta Hardwood Forestry (2022 nominee) Multiple College of Forest Resources Teaching Awards Dr. Poudel actively mentors seven graduate students through the Forest Biometrics Lab, with thesis topics spanning ICESat-2 canopy height validation, deep learning biomass models, and marginal land identification. His lab maintains strong partnerships with USDA Forest Service programs including Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) and the Center for Bottomland Hardwoods Research, securing collaborative funding for projects on carbon dynamics in Conservation Reserve Program lands and shortleaf pine restoration. Current initiatives focus on integrating GEDI data with national inventory systems and developing AI-driven tools for smallholder agroforestry carbon accounting in Vietnam.
Michele Gattullo serves as an Assistant Professor within the Department of Mechanics, Mathematics & Management at the Polytechnic University of Bari, Italy, specializing in design methods for industrial engineering (ING-IND/15). His research bridges cutting-edge extended reality technologies with practical industrial applications, focusing on human-centered solutions for manufacturing, maintenance, and workplace design. Dr. Gattullo's research portfolio centers on Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Biophilic Design, with significant contributions to Human-Computer Interaction in industrial contexts. He investigates how nature-inspired elements in virtual workspaces enhance employee well-being and productivity, while simultaneously developing practical AR tools for assembly guidance, technical documentation, and maintenance support. His work uniquely integrates ergonomics, cognitive psychology, and industrial engineering to optimize human-technology interaction in complex production environments. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals two dominant research trajectories: biophilic design frameworks for virtual/metaverse workspaces (2023-2025) and industrial AR authoring methodologies. The biophilic stream establishes evidence-based guidelines for digital nature integration, while the AR stream delivers validated tools like ADAM and minimal AR approaches that streamline technical documentation creation. Both trajectories emphasize user experience validation through rigorous industrial studies, demonstrating strong interdisciplinary impact across computer science, industrial engineering, and environmental psychology. Scientific Awards: No awards or honors were documented in the available sources. Advising and Grants: The provided materials contain no information regarding graduate student supervision, research grants, or funding sources. His academic profile emphasizes publication output over mentoring activities or project financing details. Laboratories and Teams: While Dr. Gattullo's research involves advanced XR technologies, the source text does not specify laboratory facilities, research groups, or collaborative teams associated with his work at Politecnico di Bari.
Angela Byars-Winston is a tenured Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, with affiliations to the Center for Women’s Health Research, the Collaborative Center for Health Equity, and the Institute for Diversity Science. She leads the AMPLIFI program and served as Faculty Leader in the Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER). PhD in Counseling Psychology from Arizona State University MA in Counselor Education from San Diego State University Her research focuses on cultural influences in academic and career development, particularly for underrepresented groups in STEMM. She uses Social Cognitive Career Theory to analyze factors affecting research self-efficacy, science identity, and retention in STEM fields. Key areas include culturally aware mentorship, bias literacy, and institutional change strategies. Recent publications highlight interventions to enhance mentor diversity awareness, virtual mentorship frameworks, and systemic approaches to equity in science. Awards include the 2022 ACTS Distinguished Educator Award and recognition as a 2011 White House Champion of Change. She co-led NIH R01 grants and currently directs the Culturally Aware Mentorship initiative under NRMN Phase 2. 2022 ACTS Clinical and Translational Research Distinguished Educator Award 2011 White House Champion of Change Elected Fellow, American Psychological Association Her work bridges academia and institutional policy, with grants examining mentorship's role in diversifying the scientific workforce. She has contributed to national reports, including the National Academies' Science of Effective Mentorship in STEMM , and developed training programs for mentors in biomedical research.
Han Li is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and Sustainable Development at the University of Miami's College of Arts and Sciences. Their research bridges urban geography, sustainable development, and policy analysis, with a focus on climate resilience, pandemic-induced behavioral shifts, and socio-spatial dynamics in urban environments. Affiliation: University of Miami (College of Arts and Sciences), previously associated with Chinese institutions like Shanghai's urban research ecosystem. Research Themes: Climate policy impacts on labor markets, renewable energy adoption in education, pandemic effects on commuting and residential preferences, and cultural/economic drivers of urban transformation. Han's work spans interdisciplinary domains, including urban sustainability , spatial diffusion models , and policy evaluation . Their recent studies highlight: Quantitative analysis of solar PV adoption in U.S. schools amid cost-alleviation policies Geospatial modeling of flood risk counterfactuals in Germany Post-lockdown commuting behavior shifts in Shanghai using phone signal data Evolution of residential preferences for parks and coastal amenities during/after the pandemic Interplay between peer social networks and psychological resilience in migrant children's school adaptation
Professor Stefan Thor Smith is a distinguished academic at the University of Reading , serving as a Professor in the Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering . His work bridges energy systems with urban sustainability , focusing on the integration of social and technical aspects of energy demand , urban energy system modeling , and climate change resilience . Academic Qualifications Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (University of Reading, 2016) PhD in Built Environment (University of Nottingham, 2009) MSc in Computer Science (University of Glasgow, 2002) BSc in Physics (University of Nottingham, 2001) His research interests span the dynamics of energy demand in socio-technical systems, urban heat fluxes, pollution exposure modeling, and climate adaptation strategies. He has developed novel models for energy demand-side management , building environmental control , and urban climate interactions . Recent publications highlight his expertise in areas such as EV charging infrastructure , urban tree radiative performance , phase change material storage , and anthropogenic heat emissions . His work often involves interdisciplinary collaborations with institutions like the Centre for Research into Energy Demand Solutions and the Institute of Physics . Smith supervises a diverse group of postgraduate students and contributes extensively to teaching modules including Numerical Modelling and Programming and Urban Sustainability . His professional affiliations include the Institute of Physics , International Association of Urban Climatology , and the Higher Education Association .
Juan Antonio Añel Cabanelas is a Professor of Earth Physics at the University of Vigo , affiliated with the EPhysLab research group and the Specialized Group on Atmospheric and Ocean Physics of the Royal Spanish Society of Physics . He serves as an Executive Editor for Geoscientific Model Development and an Associate Editor for PLoS Climate . PhD in Physics (2007) from the University of Vigo, thesis: Climatic analysis of the tropopause using radiosonde data Taught courses in Meteorology, Atmospheric Physics, Computational Science, and Renewable Energy at the University of Vigo and international institutions His research focuses on climate change impacts , upper troposphere-lower stratosphere dynamics , renewable energy modeling , and computational reproducibility in climate research . He emphasizes instrumental data recovery and open science , with recent work addressing stratospheric contraction and mercury cycling . Key publications span extreme weather-energy sector interactions , Fortran code quality , and ozone data analysis . He mentors PhD students in Physics and Computer Science, and has collaborated with institutions in Mexico, Portugal, and the private sector. He advocates for free software and has organized workshops on climate intervention and citizen science . His work is funded by public grants from Spain's Government, Xunta de Galicia, and private entities like Naturgy and Acciona, with computing support from Google and Microsoft.
Nils Christian Tveiterås is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Education at UiT The Arctic University of Norway. He teaches pedagogy at bachelor's and master's levels, as well as in school leader education programs. His academic work centers on the integration of digital technologies in educational contexts with particular emphasis on early childhood teacher training. Dr. Tveiterås's research interests include: Technology and learning Digital competence development Teacher education Virtual Reality applications in education His scholarly work demonstrates a strong focus on how digital technologies can be effectively integrated into early childhood teacher education. Recent publications explore virtual reality applications, digital competence frameworks, and the translation of national digital competence requirements into local curricula. His research often examines how emerging technologies like VR can create engaging learning environments that foster authentic social interaction and collaboration among teacher education students, with particular attention to developing digital agency among preservice teachers. Dr. Tveiterås has received recognition for his work, including the Researcher Grand Prix award for his research on digitalization in kindergarten teacher education. His publication 'Digitalt samvær som føles ekte' (2024) addresses how virtual technologies can create authentic social interactions in educational settings. He is an active member of several research groups including: Engaging Conflicts in a Digital Era (ENCODE) Technology and Learning Barnehagefaglig forskningsnettverk BARNkunne UiT ILP Lærerutdanning 5.052
Dante Fratta is a Professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he has been actively involved in research and teaching since 2000. His work focuses on geotechnical engineering, environmental monitoring, and fiber optic sensing technologies. Education: PhD (1999) – Georgia Institute of Technology M.A.Sc. (1995) – University of Waterloo Diploma (1993) – Universidad Nacional de Córdoba Research Interests: Geomaterial process evaluation using elastic and electromagnetic waves, fundamental physical behavior of soils and rocks, geophysical assessment of near-surface environments, and distributed fiber optic sensing methods. Recent Publication Trends: He has pioneered applications of Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) and fiber optic technologies for geotechnical, environmental, and energy infrastructure monitoring, including wind turbines, geothermal systems, and mining operations. Scientific Awards: Benjamin Smith Reynolds Award for Excellence in Teaching (2012) Chi Epsilon Excellence in Teaching Award (2008) Best Paper Award, GeoCongress Sensing Methods and Devices Track (2006) Distinguished Alum, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (2013) Multiple keynote and invited speaking engagements Teaching: Fratta teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in geotechnical engineering, including Foundations, Applied Geophysics, and Pre-Dissertator Research, with active involvement in Spring 2025 classes.
Chongai Kuang is an Assistant Scientist in the Atmospheric Sciences Division at Brookhaven National Laboratory, currently serving in the Environmental Science and Technologies Department. His research focuses on atmospheric aerosol physical and chemical processes, with particular expertise in aerosol nucleation and instrumentation development for detecting sub-1 nm particles. Education: Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering (major) & Nanoparticle Science and Technology (minor) - University of Minnesota, Minneapolis B.S. in Chemical Engineering (major) & Chemistry (major) - University of California, Berkeley Research Interests: Dr. Kuang's work is broadly bounded by the study of atmospheric aerosol physical and chemical processes, with specific focus on aerosol nucleation mechanisms and the development of advanced instrumentation capable of detecting newly formed particles down to below 1 nm. His current scientific efforts concentrate on developing microphysical-based parameterizations for aerosol nucleation and initial growth processes, integrating findings from intensive field campaigns and controlled laboratory experiments into large-scale atmospheric models. Research Methodology: His approach combines extensive field campaign participation with sophisticated laboratory experiments, utilizing state-of-the-art instrumentation to characterize aerosol properties across diverse environments including marine boundary layers, Amazon rainforest, Antarctic regions, and urban atmospheres. Scientific Recognition: 2012: American Association for Aerosol Research (AAAR) Sheldon K. Friedlander Award - recognizing outstanding contributions to aerosol science and technology Professional Service: Dr. Kuang actively contributes to the scientific community through various roles including proposal review for the German Science Ministry, journal review for Atmospheric Chemistry & Physics, membership in the Young Investigators Committee for AAAR, and co-leadership of the New Particle Formation Focus Group in the ASR Aerosol Life Cycle Working Group. He holds memberships in the American Geophysical Union, American Association for Aerosol Research, and American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Laboratory and Facilities: Dr. Kuang is based at Brookhaven National Laboratory's Environmental Science and Technologies Department, located in Building 815E, Room 1-45, where he conducts his cutting-edge research in atmospheric aerosol science.
Dr Maria Balta is a Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour at Kent Business School, University of Kent. She serves as the Departmental Research and Innovation Lead and has held leadership roles including Director of the MSc in Human Resource Management, TEF Coordinator, and Chief Examiner. PhD in Management Studies (Brunel University London, funded by Leventis Foundation) MSc in Human Resources and Employment Relations (Brunel University London) Maria Balta’s research focuses on digital technologies in business model pivoting, human resource management systems, climate change adaptation, and leadership styles in supply chain management. Her work aims to develop organizational resilience and effective crisis response strategies through empirical studies in diverse sectors. Her recent publications highlight trends in supply chain agility amid geopolitical shocks, digital transformation in SMEs during crises, and the role of big data analytics in sustainability. She has secured significant funding from organizations like ESRC, Innovate UK, and the European Commission. Graduate and Researcher College Prize for Programme Academic Lead (University of Kent, 2023) Nominated for Brilliant Research-Based Education Award (Kent Union, 2023) Maria supervises PhD students in topics spanning organizational change, entrepreneurship, talent management, and supply chain dynamics. She has acted as an external examiner for PhD/DBA programs at King’s College London, Brunel University, and others.
Matt Giani is a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin , with additional affiliation at the Texas Behavioral Science Policy Institute (TxBSPI) . His work bridges sociology and educational policy, focusing on equity in postsecondary access, with particular emphasis on low-income students. Education: Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Planning, The University of Texas at Austin Expertise: Quantitative methods, causal inference, longitudinal data analysis Research Themes: Matt’s research explores how educational policies and interventions affect social mobility, particularly in dual enrollment, career and technical education (CTE), and community college transfer pathways. His recent articles highlight credit transfer barriers, CTE policy implementation, and financial certainty interventions for admissions. Methodological Strengths: He leverages national and statewide longitudinal datasets (e.g., Education Research Center at UT Austin) to evaluate the long-term impacts of educational reforms. His funding sources include competitive grants from the National Science Foundation , Spencer Foundation , and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation .
Allison Lassiter serves as Assistant Professor of City and Regional Planning at the University of Pennsylvania's Weitzman School of Design, where her research pioneers landscape infrastructure and emerging technologies to enhance urban climate resilience and adaptive capacity. Her academic foundation includes: BS in Computational Biology from Cornell University Master in City Planning from MIT PhD in Environmental Planning from UC Berkeley Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Economics at Monash University with Australia’s CRC for Water Sensitive Cities Lassiter develops transformative methods for urban water management under climate change through interdisciplinary mixed-methods research spanning economics, remote sensing, hydrology, and systems engineering. Her current work critically evaluates sea level rise threats to drinking water infrastructure while advancing tools for adaptation implementation and decentralized water system scaling. She integrates technical analysis with policy frameworks to address urgent climate-water challenges. Recent publications reveal expanding research frontiers across climate adaptation measurement, urban carbon sequestration via green infrastructure, and agricultural climate solutions. Her work demonstrates consistent methodological innovation and growing influence in both U.S. and global policy arenas. Lassiter actively shapes national water resilience strategies through the U.S. EPA’s Creating Water Resilient Utilities workgroup and the Aspen Institute-Duke Nicholas School Water Forum. Since 2019, she has contributed to UNFCCC processes as part of Penn’s delegation, delivering a 2023 NAP Expo keynote on urban water adaptation and co-leading LDC Expert Group initiatives for monitoring adaptation outcomes in vulnerable nations.
