Neha Sharma is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Auburn University. Her research focuses on nutrient recovery, electrochemical resource recovery, water reuse, trace metal cycling, and pollutant fate and removal.
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Tutar is a faculty member in the Department of Chemistry at Sakarya University . His academic activities include teaching courses such as Organic Chemistry I/II , Organic Synthesis Design , and Stereochemistry , alongside supervising numerous master's theses in organic synthesis and humic substance applications. Research Interests: Focus on bromination reactions , BODIPY dye synthesis , humic/fulvic acid characterization , computational chemistry , and pharmaceutical applications of organic compounds. Key Article Trends: Recent publications emphasize photobromination methods , metal-organic frameworks , and biological activity of brominated derivatives , with keywords spanning organic synthesis , biochemistry , and environmental chemistry . Thesis Supervision: Guided 35+ master's theses (2007-2013) on topics like synthesis of brominated indan derivatives , humic acid extraction , and photobromination of terpenes .
Peter K. Kitanidis is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Institute for Computational and Mathematical Engineering at Stanford University . His research focuses on groundwater flow , hydrologic forecasting , and stochastic inverse modeling , with applications to pollutant remediation and CO₂ storage monitoring . Education : Diploma, National Technical University of Athens (1974) M.S., MIT (1976) Ph.D., MIT (1978) Research Interests : Groundwater modeling and contaminant transport Hydraulic tomography and aquifer characterization Stochastic methods for uncertainty quantification Bioremediation and enhanced in-situ pollutant decay Dilution and mixing processes in heterogeneous media Real-time river flow forecasting Scientific Awards : L.G. Straub Award (1979) W.L. Huber Research Prize (1994) ISI Highly Cited Researcher (2001) AGU Hydrologic Sciences Award (2011) ASCE Pioneers in Groundwater Lecturer (2011) Advising and Grants : Advised 20+ PhD and MS students (1978–2018) Principal investigator on NSF, EPA, and DOE-funded projects Developed software for groundwater data analysis and CO₂ monitoring Contributed to bioremediation protocols and hydraulic tomography algorithms Labs and Teams : Kitanidis Laboratory for groundwater crisis solutions Collaborated with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Stanford Hydrogeology Group Mentored postdocs (2000–2017) in reactive transport and inverse modeling
Dr. Frank Heitmuller is an Associate Professor at the University of Southern Mississippi, affiliated with the Department of Geology and Geography within the College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on fluvial and coastal geomorphology, sedimentology, and hydrology, particularly along the northern Gulf Coast. He collaborates across disciplines to address ecosystem dynamics and land-use policies. He holds a PhD (2009), MA (2002), and BS (1998) from the University of Texas at Austin and Florida State University, respectively. His teaching includes courses like Physical Geology, Geomorphology, and Hydrology. Research interests include river dynamics, sediment transport, coastal ecosystems, and the interplay between abiotic factors and environmental policies. His work emphasizes fluvial systems in Texas and Louisiana, with studies on flood impacts, channel adjustments, and sedimentologic processes. Publications span topics such as flood sedimentation, lithologic controls on river channels, and policy-related sediment transport modeling. He is affiliated with organizations like the Geological Society of America and Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists. Languages: English (native), Spanish (limited working). His expertise includes environmental science and soils.
Professor Behzad Fatahi is a distinguished academic in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), specializing in geotechnical engineering, railway infrastructure, and sustainable construction technologies. With a career spanning over 16 years at UTS, he has served as Deputy Head of School - Teaching and Learning (2024-present), Head of Discipline (2020-2024), and School Research Coordinator (2012-2017). His research focuses on unsaturated soil mechanics , dynamic soil-structure interaction , and green infrastructure solutions . Academic Appointments : Professor (2024-present), Associate Professor (2017-2024), Senior Lecturer (2011-2017), Lecturer (2008-2011) Research Leadership : Supervised 21 PhD students to completion, developed groundbreaking techniques for landfill waste reuse and tyre-derived aggregates in railway construction His work on seismic resilience of LNG tanks and bioengineered soil stabilization has received international recognition, including the 2023 Best Research Paper Award at the Australasian Association for Engineering Education conference. Professor Fatahi's industry experience includes geotechnical engineering roles at Coffey International and SES Engineering prior to academia. Key Research Contributions : Developed green corridor models for railway lines using coupled flow-deformation equations Pioneered AI-integrated teaching frameworks for civil engineering education Advanced machine learning techniques for intelligent compaction and structural buckling analysis As a Category 1 supervisor , he mentors graduate researchers in Civil Engineering , Geomechanics , and Earthquake Engineering . His peer-reviewed work (>240 publications) demonstrates technical excellence and innovation across multiple geotechnical domains.
Dr. Laura L. Van Eerd is a Professor of Sustainable Soil Management at the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus, affiliated with the School of Environmental Sciences. Her research focuses on biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen and carbon in agroecosystems, emphasizing cover crops, soil health, and sustainable agriculture. She holds a BSc (Env), MSc, and PhD from the University of Guelph. Her research addresses: (1) cover crop roles in soil health and productivity, (2) nitrogen use efficiency, and (3) mitigating environmental impacts of agricultural practices. Current projects include cover crop nitrogen losses, remote sensing for crop nitrogen deficiency, and pest control product environmental impacts. She has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles, including the 2018 Best Paper in the Canadian Journal of Plant Science. Education: BSc (Environmental Science), University of Guelph MSc, University of Guelph PhD, University of Guelph Her awards include recognition as one of Canada’s Influential Women in Agriculture (2020), the Dr. Ron Pitblado Teaching Excellence Award (2016), and the OAC Distinguished Extension Award (2011). Her work bridges research, teaching, and extension to support Ontario’s agricultural sector. Advising and grants: Laura leads research teams at Ridgetown Campus, focusing on vegetable production systems and sustainable soil management. Her grants include funding for cover crop nitrogen dynamics and soil health indicator studies. Labs/teams: Active in Ridgetown Campus’s agricultural research initiatives, collaborating with growers and government to develop practical solutions for soil health and environmental sustainability.
John S. McCartney is a Professor and Hal Sorenson Endowed Chair in the Department of Structural Engineering at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). He directs the Englekirk Structural Engineering Center and holds editorial roles at journals such as ASCE Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering and Computers and Geotechnics. His research focuses on unsaturated soil mechanics, energy geotechnics, and geosynthetics engineering, with applications in thermal energy systems, landfill covers, and seismic response analysis. Education: B.S. and M.S. in Civil Engineering from University of Colorado Boulder (2002), Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from University of Texas at Austin (2007). Research interests include thermo-hydro-mechanical behavior of soils, geothermal energy piles, tire-derived aggregates, and seismic performance of geotechnical systems. His work combines laboratory testing, centrifuge modeling, and numerical simulations to address challenges in sustainable infrastructure and energy systems. Key awards include the Walter L. Huber Research Prize (2016), NSF CAREER Award (2011), and multiple teaching and service recognitions. He actively contributes to ASTM standards and serves as President of the IGS-NA chapter. Lab facilities are located in the Structural and Materials Engineering Building (SME 409). Courses taught include advanced soil mechanics, energy geotechnics, and geotechnical earthquake engineering.
Kamal H. Khayat serves as the Jones Professor of Civil Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology and directs the Center for Infrastructure Engineering Studies (CIES), focusing on advancing concrete technology for sustainable infrastructure development. His research spans high-performance concrete (HPC), ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), self-consolidating concrete (SCC), and concrete rheology, with specialized expertise in 3D printing applications, fiber reinforcement systems, and shrinkage mitigation techniques. He investigates innovative materials like superabsorbent polymers and alternative binders to enhance durability and sustainability in concrete infrastructure. Analysis of his recent publications reveals dominant trends in digital fabrication of concrete, particularly 3D printing optimization and rheological modeling for structural build-up. His work increasingly integrates machine learning for material property prediction while emphasizing eco-friendly formulations using recycled aggregates and carbon-mineralization techniques. As Director of CIES, Khayat leads multidisciplinary research initiatives in infrastructure materials engineering, overseeing projects related to concrete rehabilitation, sustainable construction methods, and advanced material characterization techniques for civil infrastructure systems.
Dr. Nicholas Brake is an Associate Professor at Lamar University's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, focusing on reclaimed materials, wireless power transfer applications in concrete, and fatigue fracture modeling for pavements. His research spans recycled concrete aggregate, coal ash utilization, and electromagnetic cementitious composites. Education: Ph.D., M.S., B.S. in Civil Engineering from Michigan State University Awards: Anita Riddle Fellowship (2018), Lamar Merit Award (2018), Presidential Faculty Fellowship (2015), and multiple scholarships during his studies. His research emphasizes three key areas: 1) Material reclamation using recycled concrete aggregate, coal combustion residuals, and EAF slag. 2) Electromagnetic transport properties for wireless vehicle charging applications. 3) Fatigue damage modeling in concrete pavements. Through 3D printing integration and design-build-test pedagogy, he enhances student learning outcomes. Recent publications focus on international engineering education (2020), magnetic concrete composites (2019), and advanced testing methodologies for civil infrastructure (2018). His teaching innovation includes developing nine Lamar University courses with active learning strategies that improved student design confidence (p Scientific Awards: Anita Riddle Excellence in Teaching Fellowship (2018) Presidential Faculty Fellowship for Teaching Innovation (2015) Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award at Michigan State (2011) Dr. Brake mentors undergraduate and graduate researchers, including doctoral candidates Mahdi Feizbahr and Hossein Hariri Asli (2023-2024). His lab (LUMS) houses advanced testing systems like Instron 5965/8803, MTS Insight 100SL, and thermal analyzers for material characterization.
Upaka Rathnayake is a Professor of Civil Engineering and Principal Investigator at the Mathematical Modelling and Intelligent Systems for Health and Environment (MISHE) research unit at Atlantic Technological University Sligo, Ireland. He has held academic and research roles globally, including in Sri Lanka, Japan, the UK, New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji. His research focuses on water resources management, hydrological modeling, climate analysis, and AI-driven solutions for environmental challenges. He holds a PhD from the University of Strathclyde and advanced certifications from Hokkaido University. Education: PhD in Optimal Management of Urban Sewer Systems (University of Strathclyde, 2013) Professional Memberships: Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka, Engineers New Zealand, International Association of Hydrological Sciences Research interests include: Hydrological modeling and climate change adaptation Multi-objective optimization and soft computing techniques Explainable AI applications in environmental systems Remote sensing and GIS for water resource management Recent articles highlight AI-driven solutions for air quality prediction, soil nutrient analysis, and flood risk assessment. Awards include the 2023 Presidential Award for Scientific Publications and multiple university excellence awards. He actively advises PhD students on projects like urban water systems optimization and climatic trends analysis. Rathnayake is an editorial board member of journals like Scientific Reports and PLoS ONE , contributing to peer review and policy-oriented research. His work bridges data-driven methods with traditional hydrological practices to address global environmental challenges.
Loring Nies is a Professor of Civil Engineering/Environmental and Ecological Engineering at Purdue University, holding roles in the School of Civil Engineering. He serves on key committees such as the University Senate and the Professional Practice Advisory Committee. His research focuses on environmental engineering challenges, including nanomaterial impacts, bioremediation, anaerobic digestion, and sustainability strategies. He has contributed to advancing interdisciplinary education through initiatives like the foundational graduate course in Environmental and Ecological Engineering. Research interests emphasize understanding nanomaterial interactions with soil microbiology and developing sustainable solutions for water reuse, waste recycling, and end-of-life treatment. His work spans laboratory studies on microbial community dynamics to large-scale analyses of water resource management in HUC-4 basins. He has pioneered methods for economic input-output analysis in advanced manufacturing contexts and explored innovations in environmental engineering education curricula. Notable contributions include studies on fullerene toxicity, metal oxide nanomaterial effects, and bioaugmentation strategies for methane production optimization. His research bridges environmental science with engineering applications, addressing modern challenges in energy storage technologies and industrial symbiosis. While no specific awards are listed, his extensive committee involvement reflects institutional recognition of his expertise. Loring Nies advises on recovery alternatives for wind turbine end-of-life management and has explored frameworks for integrating environmental and business aspects in sustainable product development. His work integrates molecular genetic techniques to assess bioremediation efficacy in contaminated sites, demonstrating a commitment to both theoretical and applied environmental solutions.
Dr. Esmaeel Esmaeeli is a Senior Lecturer in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Brunel University London, serving as Course Director for the MSc in Structural Engineering. His work focuses on sustainable structural retrofitting solutions, safety, and resilience of concrete and masonry structures. Brunel University London (Current: Senior Lecturer) Queen’s University Belfast (Postdoctoral Fellow, Horizon 2020 MSC Fellowship) University of Minho (PhD research on Hybrid Composite Plate) K. N. Toosi University (MSc research on seismic strengthening) His research spans advanced materials like Strain-Hardening Cementitious Composite (SHCC) and Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) for seismic retrofitting, computational modeling of FRP-concrete interfaces, and dynamic response under extreme loads. Recent work includes the SMArtPlate and Hybrid Composite Plate (HCP) systems. Scientific recognition includes the Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship and a Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) scholarship. He has advised on structural vulnerability assessments and leads teams in consultancy projects.
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.
Jacob Fish is the Robert A.W. and Christine S. Carleton Professor and Chair of the Department of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics at Columbia University. He directs the Multiscale Science and Engineering Center and leads Columbia's Computational Science and Engineering initiative (iCSE), coordinating 65+ faculty. With 35 years of pioneering research, he specializes in multiscale computational methods bridging aerospace, automotive, and healthcare industries. His research integrates multiscale computational science with applications in: Homogenization and reduced-order methods for complex materials Stochastic modeling of heterogeneous systems Coupled thermo-chemo-electro-mechanical processes Data-physics driven frameworks for industrial processes Recent work emphasizes AI-enhanced modeling for composites, porous media, and environmental systems. His 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate strong trends toward: Data-physics integration in manufacturing (e.g., resin transfer molding) Multiscale environmental applications (canopy flows, CO2 mineralization) Advanced numerical methods (discontinuous Galerkin, solver-free homogenization) Digital twin development for composite lifecycle management Scientific Awards & Honors: 2018 JSCES Grand Prize 2010 IACM Computational Mechanics Award 2005 USACM Computational Structural Mechanics Award 2003 Rensselaer Research Award Fellowships: AAM, USACM, IACM Two Best Paper awards He founded the commercial Multiscale Designer software suite (250+ global clients) and secured major grants including an NSF-DFG collaboration on thermoplastic interfaces. His textbooks are used in 200+ universities worldwide. Leads the Multiscale Science and Engineering Center focusing on industrial-scale computational challenges and mentors researchers through Columbia's iCSE initiative. Former President of USACM and current IACM Vice-President for the Americas.
Professor Riikka Rinnan (University of Copenhagen) is a leading expert in ecosystem-atmosphere interactions, focusing on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in Arctic environments. Her groundbreaking discovery of VOCs in permafrost has advanced climate prediction models, revealing complex interactions between climate warming, insect herbivory, microbial activity, and vegetation shifts. Current position: Professor, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen Major research themes: Permafrost VOCs, Arctic climate feedbacks, plant-insect-microbial interactions International collaborations: China, Germany, Russia Her work combines field expeditions in extreme Arctic conditions with laboratory experiments and advanced VOC analysis. Climate warming experiments show VOC emissions could increase 40-fold with combined warming and insect attacks, while Arctic soils may act as unexpected VOC sinks. Key publications appear in Nature Communications , Nature Geoscience , and Global Change Biology . Riikka Rinnan has received prestigious awards including the EliteForsk Award, European Research Council Consolidator Grant, and Sapere Aude Research Leader. She leads international research teams, advises five PhD candidates, and supervises four postdocs (including two Marie Curie fellows). Her Siberian expedition plans demonstrate commitment to real-world scientific challenges.