Professor Daniel Segrè is a faculty member at Boston University, holding the title of Professor of Biology, Bioinformatics, and Biomedical Engineering. His research focuses on systems biology, microbial ecology, and metabolic engineering, with an emphasis on understanding complex biological networks and their applications in bioenergy and biomedicine. Segrè leads the Segre Lab ( segrelab.bu.edu ), where theoretical and computational approaches are applied to study metabolism, microbial interactions, and synthetic biology. Segrè earned his PhD from the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel. His work bridges fundamental science and applied engineering, addressing topics such as microbial community dynamics, metabolic pathway design, and environmental microbiome applications. Research Interests: Systems biology of metabolism, evolution of biochemical networks, microbial interactions, bioinformatics, and environmental microbiome engineering. His lab develops computational models (e.g., COMETS) to simulate microbial ecosystems and design synthetic microbial communities for climate change mitigation and bioenergy production. Teaching: Courses include BE 777 (Computational Genomics), BF 821 (Bioinformatics Seminar), and BF 571 (Dynamics and Evolution of Biological Networks). These courses reflect his expertise in integrating computational methods with biological systems analysis.
Carol Smith is an Associate Professor in the Department of Soil & Physical Sciences at Lincoln University, New Zealand, where she serves as Head of Department since 2017. She has been an elected academic staff member of the Lincoln University Council from 2018-2022. Dr. Smith holds a PhD from the University of Aberdeen, an MSc from the University of Reading, and a BSc(Hons) from the University of Portsmouth, forming the foundation of her expertise in soil science and physical geography. Her research spans both fundamental and applied aspects of pedology. On the fundamental side, she investigates Quaternary pedology and paleoenvironmental reconstruction using loess stratigraphy, geomorphology, and micromorphology, which provides critical data for verifying future climate change predictive models. Applied research focuses on sustainable use of recycled organic matter and rehabilitation of degraded soils. She collaborates internationally on multidisciplinary projects involving paleoclimate reconstruction, paleoliquefaction, Antarctic soils, and viticulture. Dr. Smith is passionate about teaching and science communication, employing experiential learning methods to develop practical field skills in soil science through 'soil judging competitions' in New Zealand and Australia. Her research addresses UN Sustainable Development Goals including Life on Land (15), Climate Action (13), and Quality Education (4). Among her notable recognitions are the Norman H Taylor Memorial award 2020 from the New Zealand Society of Soil Science for outstanding contributions to soil science in New Zealand and Fellowship in the Royal Geographical Society, London. She serves as Associate Editor of Natural Sciences Education and was previously editor of Quaternary Australasia. Dr. Smith has supervised numerous graduate students through research-based supervision, with completed projects covering diverse topics from soil patterns in Southland to Antarctic soil ecology. She teaches advanced courses in field research, soil science, and physical landscapes, and has developed innovative approaches to teaching during the pandemic, including virtual field trips.
Angela D. Kent is a Professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she also serves as Director of the Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology within the School of Integrative Biology. She is affiliated with the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. Her research focuses on microbial communities in agroecosystems and natural environments, particularly their roles in nitrogen cycling, soil health, and sustainable bioenergy production. Key research interests include microbial interactions in plant-microbe systems, the impact of genetic variation in crops on microbial processes, and the ecological and biogeochemical implications of soil microbiomes. She has authored over 99 publications and supervised datasets on topics such as denitrification dynamics, rhizosphere microbiome assembly, and microbial contributions to nitrogen retention. Dr. Kent has received the NACTA Educator Award (2012) and has contributed to high-impact studies on topics like microbial community responses to environmental stressors and the application of stable isotopes in bioenergy research. Her work bridges microbial ecology, agronomy, and environmental science, emphasizing practical solutions for sustainable agriculture and ecosystem management.
Jonathan Conway is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Princeton University and an associated faculty member of the High Meadows Environmental Institute (HMEI). He leads the Conway Lab, which focuses on engineering plant-microbe interactions for applications in bioagriculture, bioenergy, and biochemical industries. Education: B.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Notre Dame (2011) M.S. Chemical Engineering, North Carolina State University (2013) Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, North Carolina State University (2017) Postdoctoral Fellow, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill & Howard Hughes Medical Institute (2017-2021) Research Interests: The Conway Lab develops genetic engineering approaches for non-model bacteria at plant-microbe interfaces. Key research areas include: chemical signaling between plants and microbes, microbiome impacts on plant immunity, environmental stress responses in agricultural systems, and enzymatic degradation of lignocellulosic biomass using thermophilic bacteria. The lab employs bacterial genetics, systems biology, and biomolecular engineering to create technologies for sustainable bioindustries. Publication Trends: Recent work demonstrates strong emphasis on molecular mechanisms of plant-microbe communication (2020-2024), enzyme characterization in biomass degradation (2024-2025), and development of synthetic microbial communities for climate resilience (2024). Earlier research focused on extremophile enzymology and metabolic engineering (2012-2019). Student Advising: Currently mentors 4 graduate students and 8 undergraduates. Alumni include 9 former advisees who graduated between 2022-2024. The lab actively recruits students through Princeton's Chemical Engineering graduate program and undergraduate research initiatives. Laboratory: The Conway Lab develops microfluidic systems for root microbiome studies and genetic tools for engineering plant-associated bacteria. Current projects include designing thermophilic microbial consortia for consolidated bioprocessing and characterizing bacterial immune evasion strategies.
Philip Poole is a Professor of Plant Microbiology at the University of Oxford's Department of Plant Sciences and Senior Research Fellow at Somerville College. His research focuses on plant-microbe interactions, nitrogen fixation, and rhizosphere microbiology. He has led major international projects including the BBSRC-NSF Synthetic Symbioses program (2014-2019) and the India-UK Nitrogen Fixation Consortium (2016-2019). With 26 grants as PI from the UK's BBSRC, he has secured over £10.5 million in funding. His work includes pioneering bacterial Lux biosensors for metabolite analysis, transcriptomics under sterile conditions, and metatranscriptomics in soil to study microbiome-plant interactions. Current projects model nitrogen fixation biochemistry in legume nodules and investigate rhizobia lifecycle transitions from rhizosphere colonization to symbiotic bacteroid differentiation. He co-directs the Oxford Centre for Plants for the 21st Century and serves on editorial/advisory boards for Microbiology UK, The Journal of Bacteriology, and Pivot Bio. His contributions include elucidating the ammonia-alanine pathway for nitrogen secretion and demonstrating symbiotic auxotrophy dependencies in bacteroids. Key achievements include developing global mutagenesis strategies (INSeq) and advancing understanding of microbial community structures in the rhizosphere. His research integrates molecular, genetic, and systems biology approaches to address global challenges in sustainable agriculture.
Eric Slessarev is an Assistant Professor at Yale University , affiliated with the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and the Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture. His research focuses on soil biogeochemistry, particularly how soil properties influence carbon and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems, with applications to climate change mitigation strategies like enhanced rock weathering and perennial grass cultivation. Teaches Ecology of Landforms and General Ecology Labs located at KGL 318 (research) and KGL 417 (office) His recent publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches to understanding mineral-organic matter interactions, microbial controls on carbon cycling, and policy implications for soil-based carbon removal strategies. Key methodologies include global data synthesis, isotope tracing, and experimental manipulation of soil-plant systems across depth profiles. Notably, his 2025 work demonstrates drought impacts on carbon persistence, microbial harnessing for CO2 removal, and economic modeling of reversible carbon storage. 2024 studies explore deep-rooted plant effects on carbon fractions, calcium's role in mollisol formation, and policy optimization for carbon sequestration.
Gregory Michael Peck is an Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Plant Sciences Major at Cornell University's School of Integrative Plant Science, Horticulture Section. His research focuses on sustainable tree-fruit production, particularly in organic apple systems , cider apple germplasm evaluation , and crop-load management through pollen tube growth modeling . Award-winning educator (2021 Cornell Teaching, Advising & Mentoring Award) 2018 Grower Advocate of the Year (American Cider Association) Active in outreach through field days, extension publications, and social media Peck's work spans tree-fruit physiology , soil health , and mechanization of orchard practices . He co-teaches Cornell's popular cider appreciation course with microbiologist Kathy Arnink, combining apple production science with fermentation expertise. His research explores phenolic development , nitrogen management , and yeast interactions in cider production systems. Recent publications highlight collaborations in rootstock effects , compost applications , and fermentation chemistry . Peck's career has included work in California, Washington, New York, and Virginia, with training spanning horticulture, plant physiology, soil science, and agricultural economics.
Manuel Kleiner is an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology at North Carolina State University. His research focuses on metabolic and physiological interactions in host-microbe systems, microbial ecology, and the application of metagenomics and high-resolution mass spectrometry to study complex microbiota-host relationships. Research Highlights: Development of metaproteomic techniques to quantify protein expression, analyze community structure via biomass contributions, and track isotope ratios to understand nutrient flow between hosts and microbiota. Creator of the "transductomics" approach to detect horizontal gene transfer via viral transduction in intestinal systems. Collaborates with researchers such as Theriot, Sartor, Sheikh, Ziegler, and Gonzalez. Recent Trends: His 2025 publications emphasize gut microbiome dynamics, maize root-microbe interactions, transplantation biology, and advancements in metaproteomic methodologies. Key themes include dietary impacts on microbiota, stable isotope probing, and synthetic microbial communities for plant and human health. Laboratory Tools: The Kleiner Lab utilizes quantitative metagenomics, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and computational modeling to dissect functional interactions in symbiotic systems across diverse environments, from marine organisms to agricultural crops.
Professor Georg Guggenberger is a distinguished academic at Leibniz University Hannover, where he serves as Professor of Soil Chemistry within the Department of Soil Science at the Institute of Earth System Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences. In addition to his research and teaching responsibilities, he holds several significant administrative positions including Vice Dean for Research in the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Executive Management at both the Institute of Soil Science and Department of Soil Science levels, and Chair of the Selection Committee for the M.Sc. Landscape Sciences program. Prof. Guggenberger's research program focuses on fundamental processes governing soil organic matter dynamics across diverse ecosystems worldwide, from Arctic to tropical regions. His work investigates biotic and abiotic factors influencing the formation, transport, and stabilization of soil organic matter, with particular emphasis on soil fertility maintenance. He employs advanced methodologies including stable isotope approaches, biomarker analyses, microspectroscopic techniques (XPS, ESEM, NMR, NanoSIMS), and molecular biological methods to study biogeochemical interactions on mineral surfaces, dissolved organic matter dynamics, plant-mycorrhizal-soil interactions, permafrost soil organic matter, and impacts of land use and climate change on soil organisms. Analysis of Prof. Guggenberger's recent publications reveals a strong interdisciplinary research program spanning soil biogeochemistry, carbon cycling, soil microbiology, and climate change impacts. His work integrates field experiments along environmental gradients with laboratory manipulation studies to identify underlying mechanisms. The research shows particular strength in understanding organic matter stabilization mechanisms, microbial contributions to soil processes, and development of sustainable soil management practices that address climate change challenges. Prof. Guggenberger actively contributes to academic service through his leadership roles in examination boards and committees, including the Examination Board for Geosciences programs and the Selection Committee for Landscape Sciences. His administrative responsibilities as Vice Dean for Research demonstrate his commitment to advancing research within the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Leibniz University Hannover.
Prof. Ellen Kandeler is a leading academic in soil biology and microbial ecology at the University of Hohenheim , heading the Department of Soil Biology within the Institute of Soil Science and Site Science. Her work focuses on microbial interactions, soil organic matter dynamics, and the impacts of land use and climate change on soil systems. She actively contributes to interdisciplinary projects funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), including studies on mineral-organic matter associations, pesticide degradation, and agroecosystem resilience. Research interests include rhizosphere dynamics, biogeochemical cycles, and the ecological functions of soil microorganisms, with applications in sustainable agriculture and environmental protection. She is also involved in institutional roles as a Deputy Ombudsperson for Scientific Integrity and member of committees overseeing large-scale research infrastructure. Her recent publications emphasize climate-soil feedbacks, microbial community assembly, and the biodegradation of agrochemicals. Projects like the DFG-FOR 1695 on agricultural landscapes under climate change highlight her commitment to addressing global environmental challenges through soil science. Prof. Kandeler’s work bridges fundamental and applied research, with a focus on translating soil microbial processes into strategies for sustainable land management and mitigating anthropogenic impacts on soil health.
Paul Leadley is a Professor at the University of Paris-Saclay, France, where he directs the Population and Community Ecology group within the Ecology, Society and Evolution Laboratory (IDEES). His research focuses on global change impacts on terrestrial ecosystems, biodiversity, and ecosystem functioning through field experiments and mathematical modeling. His educational background includes a B.S. in Science from Pennsylvania State University (1981), an M.S. in Botany from North Carolina State University (1985), and a Ph.D. in Ecology from San Diego State University and UC Davis (1993). Prior to his professorship, he worked as a research technician at San Diego State University, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, and New Mexico State University, followed by post-doctoral research at the University of Basel. Leadley investigates climate change and rising CO2 impacts on plant diversity, biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships, and nutrient competition between plants and soil microorganisms. His experimental work centers on California and temperate grasslands, examining fire, temperature, CO2, nitrogen deposition, and precipitation interactions. He develops multi-scale models from rhizosphere nutrient fluxes to regional climate change projections, collaborating with institutions like INRA, Stanford University, and Northern Arizona University. His research integrates field experiments with mathematical modeling to quantify uncertainties in global change projections. His recent publications (2008-2012) reveal consistent themes: climate change impacts on biodiversity via species distribution modeling, interactive effects of multiple global change drivers on soil nitrogen cycling, and development of biodiversity scenarios for policy. Key methodological approaches include multi-model comparisons, experimental manipulations of grassland ecosystems, and trait-based biodiversity assessments. Scientific Awards: No specific awards listed in the provided text. Leadley has directed five Ph.D. students: Alexandra Gastine, Romain Barnard, Xavier Raynaud, Audrey Niboyet, and Sandrine Fontaine. He has secured major research grants including QDiv (770 k€, 2005-2009), SCION (470 k€, 2010-2012), and HumboldtCES (450 k€, 2010-2012). Current projects focus on biodiversity modeling (MOBILIS), biome boundary shifts, and climate change impacts on forests. He participates in international assessment processes including IPBES and IPCC. He leads the Population and Community Ecology team at IDEES Laboratory, comprising approximately 30 researchers, engineers, technicians, and graduate students. The team operates experimental sites in California grasslands and collaborates with national networks including FRB, AllEnvi, and GIS Climat, Environnement, Société. Current initiatives include eco-evolutionary approaches to climate change impacts and development of adaptive forest management strategies.
Dr. Marion Schrumpf is a Group Leader in the Soil Biogeochemistry research group at the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, affiliated with the Department of Biogeochemical Processes. Her work focuses on soil carbon dynamics, mineral-organic matter interactions, and climate change impacts on soil systems. Research areas: Soil biogeochemistry, carbon cycling, mineral-soil interactions, nutrient stoichiometry, microbial ecology, and climate modeling. Email: mschrumpf@... Phone: +49 3641 57-6182 Office: B2.015 Her recent publications address themes like mineral control over soil carbon stabilization, drought effects on soil processes, microbial stoichiometric adaptation, and the Jena Soil Model's role in simulating carbon-nutrient interactions. She leads efforts to disentangle the complex relationships between land use, mineralogy, and soil organic matter turnover across diverse ecosystems.
Professor Jim Harris is a leading academic in Environmental Technology at Cranfield Environment Centre, Cranfield University. He holds the Chair in Environmental Technology, a position he has held since 2002. His work spans microbial ecology, ecological restoration, soil health, and sustainable land systems, with significant contributions to policy, industry, and international standards. First degree in Applied Biology, North East London Polytechnic Doctoral work on microbiology of stored topsoil on opencast mine sites His research interests are centered on microbial ecology and its role in ecosystem processes, particularly in disturbed landscapes. He investigates soil formation, organic matter dynamics, waste treatment (e.g., landfill leachate), and the quantitative assessment of ecosystem services. He applies systems ecology to urban planning, water treatment, and land restoration. His work bridges science and practice, influencing government policy and industrial applications. The recent publications reflect a strong focus on soil health quantification , microbial community dynamics , nutrient cycling in waste-amended soils , and urban ecosystem services . There is a clear trend toward integrating Bayesian modelling , resilience metrics , and decision-support tools for environmental management. His team frequently collaborates on interdisciplinary studies involving carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycling in agricultural and urban systems. Jim Harris has secured funding from major UK research councils including BBSRC, NERC, and EPSRC, as well as from government agencies (Defra, Environment Agency, Natural England), industry (Syngenta, AECOM, SITA), and international bodies (European Union, Royal Society). His research has informed national and international guidance on ecological restoration and land use. He is actively involved in professional societies such as the Society for Ecological Restoration, British Society of Soil Science, British Ecological Society, and Institution of Agricultural Engineers. He has contributed to major book publications and editorial roles in high-impact journals. His laboratory and research group focus on soil microbial communities , ecosystem resilience , and bioremediation . Projects like RestREco (Restoring Resilient Ecosystems) and Urban BESS (Biodiversity and Ecosystem Service Sustainability) highlight his team’s focus on reconnecting green-blue infrastructure and enhancing urban sustainability. He also leads work on food and nutrition security in the context of global disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Robin Slawson is a Professor and Interim Chair of the Department of Biology at Wilfrid Laurier University's Faculty of Science in Waterloo, Ontario. With expertise in antibiotic resistance , microbial communities , and waterborne pathogens , he leads the Laurier Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, which serves as the Pathogen Resilience Platform for the Southern Ontario Watershed Consortium. Education : PhD in Environmental Microbiology (University of Guelph, 1993), MSc in Biology (University of Waterloo, 1989) His research focuses on microbial water quality , particularly the environmental persistence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Key projects include studying biofilm formation in water distribution systems, constructed wetland bioremediation , and plant-microbe interactions in wetland root systems. Prior to Laurier, he worked as a research assistant professor at the University of Waterloo on microbiological aspects of drinking water treatment. Recent publications highlight trends in waterborne pathogen dynamics , antibiotic resistance in wetlands , and biofilter optimization for contaminant removal. His work integrates ecological modeling , microbial community analysis , and water treatment engineering . The lab's initiatives include the Southern Ontario Watershed Consortium's Pathogen Resilience Platform, investigating microbial responses to environmental stressors in drinking water systems and wetlands.
Dr. Huazhong Shi is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Texas Tech University. His research focuses on molecular biology, biochemistry, and plant stress response mechanisms, with a particular emphasis on gene editing for crop improvement, herbicide resistance development, and computational simulations of protein-small molecule interactions. Ph.D., Wuhan University, China, 1995 Research Associate, University of Arizona, 1999-2001 Research Associate, University of California, 2001-2003 Research Associate, Purdue University, 2003-2004 Dr. Shi’s research explores gene editing strategies to enhance crop traits such as clonal seed production, haploid induction, and herbicide resistance. His lab also investigates molecular dynamics simulations to understand enzyme-herbicide interactions and stress-inducible gene regulation. Key projects include engineering salt-tolerant crops via Na+/H+ antiporter optimization and elucidating the roles of SHI genes in stress response pathways. The 15 most recent publications highlight advancements in gene editing for hybrid vigor preservation, directed evolution of herbicide-resistant enzymes, and computational modeling of stress tolerance mechanisms. These works span disciplines including plant biotechnology, environmental toxicology, and agricultural sustainability, with subfields such as RNA splicing, redox biology, and nutrient-stress interactions. Dr. Shi’s lab includes graduate students Yihui Yuan, Hongjia Qian, Amna Aqdas, Karthik Kalvakuntla, and Shoumik Kundu, alongside research associate Dr. Jianfei Guo. His work contributes to global food security through biotechnological innovations in crop resilience to environmental stresses.
