Tapio Schneider is the Theodore Y. Wu Professor of Environmental Science and Engineering at the California Institute of Technology. His research focuses on atmospheric dynamics across Earth and other planets, climate modeling innovations, and geophysical turbulence analysis. He contributes to the Climate Modeling Alliance (CliMA) and develops advanced computational tools for climate prediction. Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg (Vordiplom, 1993) Princeton University (M.Sc. 1997, Ph.D. 2001) University of Washington, Seattle (Visiting Graduate Student, 1994-1995) His research spans climate dynamics , atmospheric turbulence , and AI-enhanced climate modeling , addressing challenges in cloud dynamics, extreme weather patterns, and planetary climate systems. Current work emphasizes hybrid machine learning-physical models and computational acceleration for high-resolution simulations. Recent publications highlight trends in AI integration for climate science, with applications in hydrology , cloud microphysics , ocean circulation , snowpack modeling , and climate tipping points . His team develops open-source tools like ClimateMachine for GPU-accelerated simulations. Scientific Recognition: Fellow, American Geophysical Union (2022) Rosenstiel Award (2019) World Economic Forum Young Scientist (2012) David and Lucile Packard Fellow (2005-2010) Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow (2004-2006) Tapio leads climate dynamics research at Caltech, directs the Linde Center for Global Environmental Science (2011-2012), and serves as Editor for the Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems . His group collaborates with NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (2016-2024) and Google Research (2022-present).
Elmira Hassanzadeh is an Associate Professor at the Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering , Polytechnique Montréal, with a focus on integrated water resource modeling and management under climate and anthropogenic changes. She is affiliated with the Global Institute for Water Security (University of Saskatchewan) and the Experimental and Digital Water Flow Engineering Group (GENIE EAU) . Education: PhD in Civil Engineering, University of Saskatchewan Postdoctoral Fellow, McGill University Research interests include climate change impact assessment, socio-hydrological modeling, stakeholder engagement in water management, and sustainable development of water systems in cold regions. Her work emphasizes decision-making under uncertainty and adaptive strategies for ungauged basins. Recent publications (2024–2020) span coastal flood hazard modeling, climate-driven hydrological changes in tropical and Canadian watersheds, evaluation of agricultural practices under warming climates, and integrated approaches to water quality and system dynamics. Keywords include Hydrology , Climate Change , Water Security , and Socio-Hydrology . Supervision: She has mentored 15+ graduate students in projects related to Lake Urmia, Saskatchewan River Basin, and climate adaptation in Africa and the Pacific.
Martin Jakobsson is a Professor of Marine Geology and Geophysics at Stockholm University's Department of Geological Sciences. His career spans international research expeditions and leadership roles, including Dean of Earth Science (2021) and Head of Department (2012-2018). A key member of the Marine Geology group, he studies Arctic and Antarctic glacial history through sediment analysis and seafloor mapping. PhD from Stockholm University (2000) Academy Fellow, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (2004-2009) Professor II position at University Centre of Svalbard (2011-) His research focuses on marine geological archives to reconstruct glacial cycles, ice-ocean interactions, and bathymetric mapping. As GEBCO Vice-Chair (2013-2020), he led initiatives for global seabed mapping through the Seabed 2030 project. Recent publications reveal expertise in: Arctic Ocean paleocirculation Methane release from thawing permafrost Ice sheet sensitivity to oceanic warming High-resolution bathymetric analysis Scientific recognition includes: Election to Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (2012) 1st Vice President, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (2016-2019) Membership in Norwegian Scientific Academy for Polar Research (2016) He leads international collaborations on polar research vessels, with over a year of cumulative ship time and multiple Co-Chief Scientist roles on Arctic expeditions.
Stephen Billings is an Associate Professor of Finance at the Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado Boulder, where he holds the Global Real Estate Capital Markets Chair position. He serves as the faculty director of the MS in Real Estate program and research director for the CU Real Estate Center. His work spans multiple research centers including the Center for Research on Consumer Financial Decision Making and the Michael A. Klump Center for Real Estate. Billings received his PhD in Economics from the University of Colorado, a MS in urban planning from the University of North Carolina, and a BS in economics from Georgetown University. Prior to joining CU Boulder in 2016, he was faculty at the University of North Carolina Charlotte with appointments in both economics and public policy, where he also served as faculty director for the real estate center. His research focuses on the intersection of housing, schools, neighborhoods and crime, addressing critical policy issues including the impact of public investment in light-rail transit on neighborhoods, school segregation's influence on academic achievement and crime, neighborhood gentrification causes, lead-based paint in low-income housing, and the effects of sea level rise and natural disasters on neighborhood sorting and household finances. Billings employs sophisticated analysis of large micro-datasets with studies based on data and policies in Charlotte, NC and Denver, CO. His work connects urban economics with public policy, demonstrating how neighborhood environments shape individual outcomes across multiple dimensions. Billings' recent publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on neighborhood effects, school choice impacts, crime economics, and housing market dynamics. His work frequently examines the intersection of race, housing, and economic outcomes, with particular attention to policy implications. He has developed innovative methodological approaches to studying residential amenities and neighborhood spillovers, with increasing attention to climate change impacts on housing markets. His research appears in top journals including The Quarterly Journal of Economics, American Economic Review: Insights, and Journal of Urban Economics. As an educator, Billings teaches undergraduate and masters classes in real estate finance and economics, as well as doctoral and masters level courses on cost-benefit analysis and statistical methods. He has extensive consulting experience conducting economic impact studies, including assessments of North Carolina's public higher education system, affordable housing needs in Colorado communities, and the economic effects of marijuana legalization on property markets. His practical policy work complements his academic research, creating a bridge between theoretical insights and real-world applications. Billings leads significant research initiatives through the CU Real Estate Center, where he directs studies examining the impact of business improvement districts and other urban development policies. His work bridges academic research with practical policy applications, making substantial contributions to our understanding of how housing, education, and neighborhood environments shape individual outcomes and community development. His December 2023 memo on the HUD Officer Next Door Program exemplifies his engagement with current housing policy issues.
Dr. Tetsu Hara is a Professor at the University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography (URI GSO), specializing in Physical Oceanography. With a lifelong fascination for ocean surface waves, his research bridges civil engineering principles with ocean dynamics to study air-sea interactions under extreme conditions like hurricanes. Ph.D., Civil Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1990 M.S., Civil Engineering, University of Tokyo, 1986 B.S., Civil Engineering, University of Tokyo, 1983 Dr. Hara's work focuses on ocean turbulence, wave dynamics, and their role in air-sea energy exchange. He investigates how surface waves influence hurricane intensity predictions, climate modeling, and coastal processes through numerical simulations and field observations. His research emphasizes the importance of sea state (wave height, wind-wave alignment) in determining heat fluxes, drag coefficients, and gas exchange rates critical for climate science. His publications reveal trends in tropical cyclone modeling, Langmuir turbulence, and wave-current interactions. By combining satellite data with computational models, he explores discrepancies between wind strength and wave behavior, advancing understanding of ocean mixing mechanisms that impact climate change predictions. Dr. Hara has received continuous National Science Foundation grants since 2003, including collaborative projects on hurricane modeling (2018-2020), wind-wave turbulence (2015-2020), and storm surge impacts (2016-present). He previously secured funding from the Office of Naval Research (2009-2012) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (2016). Mentored 15+ graduate students in hurricane dynamics, wave modeling, and air-sea interaction Co-developed advanced courses on geophysical fluid dynamics and tropical cyclone modeling Collaborates closely with Dr. Isaac Ginis (URI GSO) and Dr. Tobias Kukulka (University of Delaware)
Charles F. Harvey is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he investigates hydrology, carbon cycling, and groundwater contamination. His work spans tropical peatlands, arsenic pollution in South Asia, and coastal groundwater dynamics, with field sites in Borneo, Bangladesh, and Vietnam. Education: B.A. in Mathematics (Oberlin College, 1986), M.S. in Applied Earth Science (Stanford University, 1992), Ph.D. in Geological and Environmental Sciences (Stanford University, 1996). Harvey’s research focuses on hydrogeology , carbon sequestration , and contaminant transport . He explores how groundwater flow and biogeochemical processes interact in tropical peatlands and coastal systems, with significant implications for climate change and water security. His recent publications emphasize tropical peatland hydrology , arsenic mobilization , and coastal groundwater exchange , integrating field experiments, remote sensing, and computational models. Scientific Awards AGU Fellow GSA Fellow Meinzer Award (GSA) Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water M. King Hubbert Award for Hydrology NSF Young Investigator Award Harvey leads the Harvey Lab , mentoring students and researchers in projects ranging from groundwater arsenic mitigation to coastal marsh biogeochemistry . His work bridges terrestrial and marine systems , addressing critical planetary challenges.
Britney Schmidt is Associate Professor in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and Astronomy at Cornell University, where she leads the Planetary Habitability and Technology Lab. She develops robotic tools like the Icefin underwater vehicle to study Earth's ice shelves and glaciers, providing insights into climate change and analogs for ocean worlds like Europa. Her research bridges glaciology, planetary science, and astrobiology. Research focuses on ocean world habitability, ice-ocean interactions, and Antarctic climate systems. Fieldwork includes extensive campaigns in Antarctica and the Arctic using robotic explorers. Recent publications explore Europa's habitability, Thwaites Glacier dynamics, microbial communities in hypersaline environments, and planetary analog studies. Technical developments include novel instrumentation for under-ice exploration. Awarded the 2024 Blavatnik National Award for groundbreaking research. Leads multiple international collaborations including NASA's Europa Clipper mission and Thwaites Glacier projects.
Joanna Millstein is a Post-doctoral Fellow in Geophysics at the Colorado School of Mines. She earned her Ph.D. in Geophysics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2023 as part of the MIT-WHOI Joint Program in Oceanography and Engineering, where her dissertation focused on The Flow and Fracture of Antarctic Ice Shelves . She also holds an A.B. in Earth Sciences from Dartmouth College (2017). Her research centers on the deformation and fracture of glacier ice, working at the intersection of fracture mechanics, remote sensing (particularly SAR and InSAR processing), statistical mechanics, and stochastic models. Millstein uses observational data from satellites and field measurements to derive mechanical and statistical models for glacier ice processes, with particular focus on reconciling observations of ice fracture and iceberg calving with theoretical models. Her work aims to resolve the nonlinear physics of glacier ice to better understand future global climate change impacts. Millstein's publication record shows a strong focus on Antarctic ice dynamics, with recent work applying extreme value theory to analyze 47 years of iceberg calving events. Her research demonstrates consistent attention to both theoretical modeling and practical applications for understanding climate change impacts on polar regions. She has developed computational tools including CryoCloud, reflecting her commitment to open science and cloud-based infrastructure for cryosphere research. Her scientific contributions span ice shelf mechanics, fracture prediction, rheology, and statistical modeling of glacial processes. Millstein maintains an active research presence with publications extending to 2025, demonstrating ongoing contributions to the field of glaciology and climate science. She is affiliated with the glaciology research center at Colorado School of Mines and maintains an active GitHub presence with climate-related code repositories. Her work bridges theoretical geophysics with practical climate change impact assessment, particularly regarding ice sheet stability and sea level rise projections.
Miyuki Hino is an Assistant Professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Environment, Ecology, and Energy Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She holds a Ph.D. in Environment and Resources from Stanford University and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Yale University. Her research focuses on climate hazards, governance, and public policy , with emphasis on equitable adaptation to climate change. Key areas include sea level rise impacts, flood risk on property markets, and managed retreat strategies. She has conducted extensive work on floodplain development policies, household relocation programs, and community resilience frameworks. Dr. Hino's interdisciplinary approach integrates environmental science, urban planning, and social equity . She collaborates with academic and municipal partners, such as the Center for Urban and Regional Studies and Annapolis, MD local governments, to develop actionable solutions for climate adaptation. Her work bridges technical analyses (e.g., sensor networks, machine learning) with policy design to ensure both effectiveness and justice in climate responses. Recent projects emphasize preventing future 'trapped households' by analyzing zoning policies and market dynamics that drive risky development. She advocates for climate-smart growth strategies to balance economic needs with environmental safety, while addressing disparities in vulnerability across communities. Her research has been featured in Science Advances , Nature Climate Change , and interdisciplinary journals. She actively engages with policymakers to translate findings into practical measures, such as equitable buyout programs and floodplain management reforms.
Nicole M. Gasparini is an Associate Professor in Tulane University's Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, School of Science & Engineering. She holds a Ph.D. from MIT (2003) and researches fluvial/tectonic geomorphology, landscape evolution modeling, and climate-erosion interactions using tools like Landlab. Her work investigates sediment transport, river network evolution, and human impacts on landscapes. Research integrates field data with numerical models to quantify erosion processes across diverse environments. Publications demonstrate expertise in geomorphic model development, particularly through contributions to the Landlab toolkit. Recent articles focus on climatic controls on erosion, fault geomorphology, and uncertainty quantification in earth-surface models. Awards: Marguerite T. Williams Award for contributions to geosciences and advocacy against harassment in STEM Leads collaborative projects on landscape response to climate change and mentors students/postdocs in geomorphology and computational modeling.
Prof. Dr. Florian Scholz is a Professor of Geology and Biogeochemistry at the University of Hamburg , affiliated with the Institute of Geology within the Department of Earth System Sciences . He joined the university in 2024, following leadership of an Emmy-Noether research group at GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel. His academic training includes a doctorate (summa cum laude) and habilitation from Kiel University, and a Marie Curie postdoctoral fellowship at Oregon State University. Ph.D., Geomar Helmholtz-Zentrum & University of Kiel (2010) Habilitation, University of Kiel (2019) Diploma in Geoecology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology & University of Bordeaux (2007) His research lies at the intersection of marine geochemistry , biogeochemistry , and paleoceanography , with a focus on sediment-water interactions , early diagenesis , and the impact of environmental change on biogeochemical cycles . He investigates trace metal cycling (e.g., Fe, Mo, W, Ni), redox processes, and authigenic mineral formation in marine sediments, using field data, laboratory analyses, and geochemical modeling. His recent publications (2024–2025) reveal a strong trend in paleo-redox proxy development (Mo, W, Ni isotopes), trace metal flux quantification in oxygen minimum zones, carbon cycle impacts of sediment disturbance, and ocean-based carbon dioxide removal via seafloor alkalinity enhancement. His work frequently appears in high-impact journals such as Earth and Planetary Science Letters , Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta , and Communications Earth & Environment . Emmy-Noether-Gruppenleiter, GEOMAR (2016–2023) Marie Curie Fellow, Oregon State University & GEOMAR (2012–2015) Postdoctoral Researcher, SFB 574 & 754 (2010–2012) Prof. Scholz teaches courses including Marine Biogeochemistry , Environmental Geochemistry , and Field Geology at both undergraduate and graduate levels. He leads an active research group focused on marine sediment geochemistry and collaborates widely across international oceanographic projects. His work contributes significantly to understanding past and present ocean chemistry and developing strategies for climate change mitigation.
Holly Michael is a Professor and Unidel Fraser Russell Career Development Chair for the Environment at the University of Delaware, serving as Director of the Delaware Environmental Institute. She holds a BS from the University of Notre Dame (BS, 1990s) and a PhD from MIT (2000s). Her research focuses on coastal hydrogeology, saltwater intrusion, groundwater sustainability, and climate change impacts on water resources. Current projects include investigating coastal critical zones, groundwater salinization dynamics, and arsenic-safe groundwater management in Bangladesh. Dr. Michael’s work integrates field studies, modeling, and experimental economics to address water resource challenges. She leads initiatives on subterranean estuaries, tidal wetland biogeochemistry, and the interplay between groundwater and surface water systems. Her research spans disciplines such as contaminant hydrology, geostatistics, and environmental policy, with emphasis on coastal regions. Notable projects include assessing the impacts of storm surges on coastal forests and modeling groundwater responses to sea-level rise. Dr. Michael collaborates internationally on issues like sustainable groundwater use and climate adaptation strategies. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges hydrology, ecology, and socio-economic frameworks to solve complex environmental problems.
Benjamin J. Keys is a Research Associate at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School within the Public Economics program. His work focuses on public economics, environmental economics, and financial risk management with particular emphasis on housing markets and climate change impacts. University of Pennsylvania - The Wharton School Public Economics Department His research explores: Climate risk capitalization in housing markets Mortgage insurance moral hazard Consumer credit card payment behaviors Emergency credit systems Regional economic redistribution through mortgages Email: benkeys@wharton.upenn.edu Scientific awards include: Fellowships on Consumer Financial Management
Sai Ravela is a Principal Research Scientist in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (EAPS) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His research focuses on nonlinear stochastic dynamics, coherent fluid systems, uncertainty quantification, and autonomous observing technologies. He specializes in developing data-driven methodologies for natural hazard detection, climate change impacts, and environmental risk assessment. Ravela’s work integrates computational science with geophysical applications, including storm surge modeling, extreme rainfall analysis, and geothermal exploration. He pioneers techniques like neural dynamical systems and adversarial learning to improve predictive accuracy in nonstationary climate regimes. His contributions span environmental monitoring systems, autonomous aircraft resilience frameworks, and policy-informed climate vulnerability assessments. Key research areas include: Coastal flood risk in Bangladesh and Vietnam Dynamic data-driven applications systems (DDDAS) Machine learning for geosciences and environmental systems Uncertainty quantification in complex fluid dynamics He leads interdisciplinary projects at MIT’s Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) program, advancing methods for data assimilation, surrogate modeling, and real-time environmental observatories. His innovations bridge theoretical frameworks with practical solutions for climate adaptation and disaster resilience.
Professor Anthony Richardson is a mathematical ecologist at the University of Queensland , holding a joint position with CSIRO Environment since 2005. He leads the Mathematical Marine Ecology Lab , focusing on marine conservation through mathematical, statistical, and computational modeling. School of the Environment, Faculty of Science, University of Queensland Affiliate, Centre for Marine Science Affiliate, Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science Research Interests span marine spatial planning (climate-smart protected areas, 3D ocean zoning), marine ecosystem modeling (lower trophic levels, plankton-dynamics), and climate change impacts (carbon sequestration, fisheries productivity, and marine diseases). His work has been cited in IPCC Assessment Reports and emphasizes international collaboration through projects like the Global Working Group on Climate Change Synthesis . Recent Publications focus on Zooplankton's role in carbon cycling Climate-smart marine protected area design Ecosystem modeling under climate uncertainty Marine megafauna connectivity patterns Supervision is offered for >250 peer-reviewed papers and advanced projects in climate-smart conservation planning, with established funding from ARC Discovery Projects and Norwegian Polar Institute .
