Owen Petchey is a Full Professor in the Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies at the University of Zurich (since 2017), and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Science (since 2020). He also directs the Global Change and Biodiversity Priority Research Programme and has held leadership roles including Director of the Ecology PhD Programme and Life Science Zurich Graduate School. His research focuses on predictive ecology, environmental change impacts, and ecosystem modeling. He holds a Ph.D. from Imperial College London (1997) and a B.A. from the University of Cambridge (1994). Key research interests include biodiversity’s role in ecosystem stability, response diversity to environmental perturbations, and statistical computing for ecological prediction. Recent work emphasizes forecasting community dynamics under climate change using trait-based approaches. His articles highlight advancements in measuring response diversity, microbial ecosystem resilience, and biodiversity-ecosystem function relationships. Scientific Awards: Royal Society University Research Fellowship (2003–2011), NERC Research Fellowship (2000–2003). Labs/Teams: Predictive Ecology Group, Global Change & Biodiversity URPP, Experimental Microbial Ecology Hub. Grants/Advising: Directed multiple academic programs, including the Biology Masters in Ecology and the Ecology PhD Programme.
EMİRHAN BERBEROĞLU is a Research Assistant at Akdeniz University's Faculty of Letters, Department of Physical Geography. His research spans physical geography, geosciences, and environmental analysis, with a focus on biodiversity, pollution monitoring, and historical biogeography. Education: MSc in Geography from Akdeniz University (2014–2017), BSc in Geography from Istanbul University (2010–2014) Research Areas: Environmental pollution analysis, biodiversity conservation, GIS applications, paleoclimatology, and historical biogeography Berberoğlu's recent publications (2022–2024) examine heavy metal contamination in Mediterranean coastal sediments, optimal sampling methods for biodiversity assessment, and taxonomic discoveries in Turkish flora. His work integrates GIS, statistical modeling, and field surveys to address climate change impacts and conservation priorities. He has participated in international conferences like the Quaternary Symposium of Türkiye (2024) and the International Biogeography Society meeting (2019). His projects include climate resilience in forest management and Holocene climate change analysis via sediment records.
Dr. Sonja Knapp is a prominent researcher and Co-Head of the Department of Community Ecology at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) in Halle, Germany. She also leads the working group on Macroecology and Vegetation Science and is a member of the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig. Her work is central to understanding biodiversity in human-dominated landscapes. Her primary research interests lie in Urban Ecology , where she investigates plant biodiversity in cities, including species, traits, and phylogenetic diversity, and its link to ecosystem services. Her expertise extends to Functional Ecology , analyzing how plant traits like morphology and phenology shape ecosystems, and Phyloecology , which uses evolutionary relationships to understand community assembly. She also conducts large-scale Macroecological studies on plant biodiversity across regional to national scales, focusing on the drivers of climate and land use. Dr. Knapp's recent research portfolio reflects a strong focus on the intersection of urban development and biodiversity. Her publications analyze the functional diversity of urban floras over centuries, develop frameworks for multi-scale urban biodiversity, and explore the research agenda for urban biodiversity in the face of a global extinction crisis. Her work on nature-based solutions and the links between biodiversity and human health demonstrates a commitment to applied, interdisciplinary science that addresses pressing societal challenges. A recurring theme in her recent articles is the analysis of biological invasions and the functional traits of both native and alien species in urban environments. Dr. Knapp holds editorial roles for several journals, including serving as a Topic Editor for Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution (Urban Ecology section) and as a member of the editorial boards of Urban Ecosystems , Urban Naturalist , and Web Ecology . She is actively involved in numerous current projects funded by organizations like the DFG, iDiv, and the Helmholtz Association, including 'Comparative urban ecology' and 'sGUBIK - Synthesizing Global Urban Biological Invasion Knowledge'. She advises on urban planning through her research on functional traits and ecosystem services and leads teams within the UFZ and iDiv. Her work is instrumental in developing tools like the garden biodiversity index and advancing the science of urban green infrastructure for resilient cities.
Dr. Brian Leung is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology and the Bieler School of the Environment at McGill University, where he also holds the UNESCO Chair for Dialogues on Sustainability and serves as Director of the Neotropical Environment Option (NEO), a collaborative program with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI). Department: Department of Biology School: Bieler School of the Environment University: McGill University Leadership Roles: UNESCO Chair for Dialogues on Sustainability, Director of NEO Collaborations: Panama Research and Integrated Sustainability Model (PRISM), STRI Dr. Leung’s research is centered on predictive ecology and environmental decision-making, utilizing mathematical, statistical, and computational models to address urgent ecological challenges. His work spans terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecosystems at regional, national, and global scales, with a strong focus on biological invasions as a major driver of biodiversity change and a key component of sustainability science. He integrates socio-economic and ecological data to inform policy and management decisions under uncertainty. His recent publications demonstrate a consistent trend in modeling biological invasions, species distribution, economic costs of invasions, climate change impacts, and sustainability frameworks. Key themes include the development of risk assessment tools, analysis of invasion pathways (e.g., pet trade, ballast water), forecasting future invasion scenarios, and the integration of ecosystem services into conservation planning. His lab employs advanced techniques such as meta-analysis, spatial modeling, decision theory, and large-scale data synthesis. UNESCO Chair for Dialogues on Sustainability NSERC Research Fellow Dr. Leung actively mentors a diverse group of students, including postdoctoral researchers, PhD, and MSc candidates, many of whom work on projects related to invasion ecology, forest pests, mangrove conservation, and sustainability modeling. His lab has secured funding for research on topics such as invasive species spread, urban tree mortality, and the Panama Research and Integrated Sustainability Model (PRISM). He has taught courses such as Evolving Earth (ENVR 202), Methods in Biology (BIOL 206), and Environmental Research (ENVR 401), and previously taught Biometry and Applied Tropical Ecology. His lab, the Leung Lab, is involved in multidisciplinary projects including PRISM, which aims to develop a spatially explicit computational model for sustainability science in Panama and the Global South. The lab fosters collaboration with institutions such as Habitat (habitat-nature.com) and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, and emphasizes quantitative skills in ecology and environmental science.
Alec Christie is an Imperial College Research Fellow at the Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London (2024–2028), and holds concurrent roles as Visiting Researcher at the University of Cambridge's Department of Zoology and Associate Lecturer at the Open University. He is also a Bye Fellow at Downing College, Cambridge. His research focuses on evidence-based conservation, AI applications in conservation decision-making, and addressing biases in conservation evidence. Christie holds a PhD in Zoology from the University of Cambridge (2021), an MSc in Conservation Science and Practice (co-convenor role), and a BSc in Marine Biology from the University of St Andrews (2017). Research Interests: Evaluation of evidence-based practices in conservation Cost-benefit analysis of conservation interventions AI-driven tools for accelerating evidence synthesis Quantifying biases in conservation study designs Global conservation priorities and policy alignment Teaching: Co-teaches the MSc Conservation Science and Practice program at Imperial College, specializing in evidence-based decision-making modules. Previously, he held a Henslow Fellowship (2021–2024) and contributed to the Open University's S397 Ecosystems module. Awards: Vice Chancellor’s Award for Research Impact (2023) and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2022). Collaborations: Leads projects with the Conservation Evidence team and develops decision-support tools for practitioners. Active in fieldwork across Antarctica, the Great Barrier Reef, and Türkiye.
Andrew Baker is a Professor in the Department of Marine Biology & Ecology at the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, University of Miami. His research focuses on coral symbiosis, climate change impacts, and coral reef resilience, particularly in the Caribbean and tropical Pacific. He explores how corals adapt to environmental stressors like warming oceans, sedimentation, and disease through symbiont dynamics, genetic diversity, and ecological interactions. Key research areas include thermal tolerance mechanisms, symbiont shuffling, coral disease ecology, and restoration strategies. His work integrates field studies, laboratory experiments, and molecular techniques to understand coral survival under climate change. Recent publications address heatwave impacts on symbiont communities, sediment effects on larval survival, and disease management in Caribbean reefs. Baker collaborates on interdisciplinary projects, such as artificial reef engineering for coastal protection and genomic approaches to enhance coral resilience. His findings contribute to conservation policies, restoration efforts, and global coral reef management strategies.
Ricardo Scrosati is a Professor in the Department of Biology at St. Francis Xavier University (StFX), where he leads the Marine Ecology Lab. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of British Columbia (1997) and a Licenciate from the University of Buenos Aires (1987). Previously, he held positions at the Northwest Biological Research Centre (Mexico), Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre (Canada), University of British Columbia, University of Concepción (Chile), and University of Buenos Aires. From 2004–2014, he was a Canada Research Chair. His research specializes in coastal marine ecology, focusing on: Rocky intertidal community dynamics under climate change Nonconsumptive predator-prey interactions Foundation species (mussels, seaweeds) as ecosystem engineers Latitudinal biodiversity patterns Benthic-pelagic coupling Recovery from extreme climate events Analysis of his 15 most recent articles (2024–2025) reveals dominant themes: Climate-driven shifts in recruitment/recovery of barnacles/mussels Impacts of marine heatwaves and cold snaps on intertidal ecosystems Global patterns in invertebrate metacommunities Biochemical and behavioral adaptations to environmental stress Awards: Canada Research Chair (2004–2014) He mentors students through his Marine Ecology Lab and conducts field research along Canada's Atlantic coast, utilizing long-term monitoring to track ecological change.
Norman Backhaus is a Professor and Head of the Space, Nature and Society unit at the Department of Geography, University of Zurich. He serves as Co-director of both the Department of Geography and the University Priority Program Global Change and Biodiversity. His research centers on spatial appropriation, nature conservation, tourism, and sustainable development, with fieldwork conducted in Asia and Switzerland. His research interests include: Human-Environment Interactions Landscape Perception and Services Political Ecology of Conservation Transdisciplinary Approaches to Sustainability Urban and Rural Spatial Practices Globalization and Local Responses His recent publications reveal consistent engagement with socio-ecological systems, stakeholder values, and participatory governance in protected areas. Themes include landscape services, human-wildlife coexistence, post-pandemic tourism impacts, and innovative methods like chemoethnography and speculative fabulation in environmental research. His scientific awards include: Albert Mountain Award (2014) Transdisciplinarity Award (2006) for the project 'The Power of Images' Norman Backhaus has supervised numerous doctoral and master's students, and has led major transdisciplinary research projects involving collaborations with Swiss National Park, WSL, ETH Zurich, and international partners in Nepal, Georgia, Tajikistan, and Malaysia. He teaches courses in human geography, research methods, and political ecology, and has developed influential educational resources on landscape and sustainability. He leads the 'Space, Nature and Society' research unit, which conducts interdisciplinary work on environmental governance, landscape values, and sustainable spatial development, often in collaboration with public agencies and NGOs.
Dr. Martin Schlaepfer is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Geneva, where he conducts research and teaching in the fields of ecology, conservation biology, and human-environment interactions. His work bridges ecological science with societal values, focusing on biodiversity conservation, urban ecosystem services, and sustainability policy. He is actively involved in interdisciplinary research and policy collaboration, particularly through the GE-21 network. Research Interests: Martin Schlaepfer's research spans conservation biology, urban ecology, and the societal dimensions of environmental protection. He investigates how societal values shape biodiversity goals, the role of non-native species in ecosystems, and the equitable distribution of urban green and blue spaces. His work emphasizes the integration of ecological data with social science to inform sustainable urban planning and climate resilience strategies. The recent publications highlight a strong trend toward interdisciplinary environmental science, combining ecological modeling, policy analysis, and social equity considerations. His work frequently addresses urban sustainability, the valuation of biodiversity, and the science-policy interface, particularly in the context of IPBES and local governance in Geneva. Scientific Awards: No awards explicitly mentioned in the provided text. Advising and Grants: Dr. Schlaepfer has supervised Master’s students, including C. Demoneky and L.M. Bauchot, whose theses focused on urban green space accessibility and cultural ecosystem services. He has contributed to funded research projects such as NOS-ARBRES and climate resilience studies for the City of Lancy, often in collaboration with the canton of Geneva. His work involves partnerships with governmental and academic stakeholders to translate research into practical conservation and urban planning outcomes. Labs and Teams: He co-founded the GE-21 group, a network of specialists dedicated to promoting biodiversity and ecosystem services in the Greater Geneva region. This team collaborates with local authorities to develop and test conservation strategies through real-world case studies, serving as a boundary organization between science and policy.
Dr. Arne Langlet is a Senior Scientist at the Environmental Policy Research Group (EPRG) at the University of Vienna's Institute of Political Science. His current role involves researching marine biodiversity governance and international negotiations. Previously, he worked on the Horizon Europe MARCO-BOLO project analyzing marine biodiversity data utilization and served as a fisheries advisor for the FAO focusing on ecosystem restoration. He holds a Master's in International Relations from Berlin and a Bachelor's in European Studies from Maastricht University. Research interests include marine policy, international organizations, negotiation dynamics, and network analysis. His work bridges environmental governance challenges and policy design, particularly in transnational marine ecosystems. Recent publications explore regime complexity in biodiversity negotiations and digital diplomacy during the pandemic. He contributes to the IUCN High Seas Specialist Group and collaborates with NGOs like CorrelAid on data visualization for social impact. His research emphasizes policy-relevant outcomes, reflected in publications across Global Environmental Politics, Review of International Studies, and Earth System Governance. Langlet leads the MARIPOLDATA ERC project examining marine biodiversity governance frameworks and has advised on policy briefs for organizations like the High Seas Alliance. His work integrates quantitative methods with qualitative policy analysis to address global environmental challenges.
Jordan Goetze is an Adjunct Research Fellow at Curtin University's School of Molecular and Life Sciences, part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering. He holds a PhD in Marine Ecology from the University of Western Australia (2016) and has extensive postdoctoral experience, including work on the Global FinPrint project and Australia-wide baited video data synthesis. His research focuses on fisheries management, marine conservation strategies, and the application of stereo video technology to study fish assemblages. He has collaborated globally and contributed to over 30 peer-reviewed articles. Education: PhD in Marine Ecology, University of Western Australia (2016); earlier research roles at UWA and Curtin from 2007 onwards. Research Interests: Fisheries assessment, conservation management of marine species, ecological impacts of climate events (e.g., ENSO), and the use of advanced sampling techniques like stereo-ROV and diver-operated video. His work emphasizes bridging ecological science with practical management solutions, particularly in coral reef and coastal ecosystems. Awards: 2016 Australian FameLab finalist, 2015 John Glover Award, and multiple scholarships/awards for research and teaching excellence. Grants/Advising: Collaborates with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and maintains academic ties via his adjunct position. His work includes projects on shark conservation (e.g., Nature Ecology and Evolution 2024), coral reef biodiversity, and fisheries policy. Labs/Teams: Active member of global networks including the Global FinPrint consortium and the Coral Reef Futures initiative, contributing to large-scale ecological syntheses.
Veselin Malinov Shahunov serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture at the Faculty of Ecology and Landscape Architecture, University of Forestry, Sofia, Bulgaria. His academic responsibilities include teaching core courses in Landscape Planning and Alternative Forms of Recreation and Tourism within the university's forestry and ecological education framework. His research concentrates on Landscape Planning and Landscape Design , with emphasis on sustainable spatial development and recreational tourism alternatives. This work aligns with Bulgaria's environmental conservation priorities and European landscape management standards. He maintains active teaching duties while contributing to the department's academic mission through curriculum development in landscape architecture education.
Dr James McGinlay serves as a Research Fellow at the Institute for Global Sustainable Development within the School of Cross-Faculty Studies at the University of Warwick. He joined in 2021 and currently leads research on two major projects: the ERC-funded FIDELIO project (€1.5 million, 2019-2024) examining public support for biodiversity conservation policies in Europe, and the ESRC-funded ESCALATE project (€200,000) investigating UK flood defence perceptions. Dr McGinlay holds qualifications from the University of Oxford and University of Nottingham, preceded by over a decade of professional experience in environmental assessment across public, private, and academic sectors. His career includes research roles at the Open University, Cranfield University, Anglia Ruskin University, and the University of Cambridge's Department of Land Economy. His research bridges environmental and social sciences with specialized expertise in biodiversity conservation policy , cultural ecosystem services , and public engagement with protected areas . Employing interdisciplinary mixed-method approaches, he investigates how socio-economic factors and crises like the COVID-19 pandemic influence conservation support, with particular focus on European landscapes and high nature value systems. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals consistent exploration of social dimensions in conservation governance , with dominant themes including protected area management during crises, cultural service valuation methodologies, and stakeholder perception dynamics. His work demonstrates strong methodological emphasis on qualitative case studies and policy-relevant applications across environmental psychology and socio-ecological systems. No major scientific awards are documented in the provided information, though his research is supported by prestigious competitive grants including European Research Council and ESRC funding. Dr McGinlay manages significant grant portfolios through the FIDELIO and ESCALATE projects, though formal student supervision isn't specified. His €1.7 million in active funding reflects capacity for large-scale collaborative research, with project structures indicating mentorship of junior researchers within multi-institutional teams. He operates within the FIDELIO project consortium involving multiple European institutions and the ESCALATE project led by the University of Birmingham, contributing to Warwick's Institute for Global Sustainable Development as a hub for interdisciplinary sustainability research addressing biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation challenges.
Nils Anthes is a Tenured Lecturer at the Institute of Evolution and Ecology, Department of Biology, within the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Tuebingen, Germany. His academic career spans over two decades, with research focusing on evolutionary ecology and animal behavior across diverse taxonomic groups. Dr. Anthes completed his Diploma in Landscape Ecology at the University of Münster in 2002 with research on butterfly ecology, followed by his dissertation in 2006 on mating conflicts in hermaphroditic sea slugs through a joint program between Münster and Tuebingen universities. Since 2006, he has been a continuous member of the Animal Evolutionary Ecology group at the University of Tuebingen. His research portfolio includes three major thematic areas: Marine visual ecology investigating fluorescence patterns in fish; Applied Conservation Ecology focusing on farmland birds and endangered butterflies; and Sexual selection in hermaphrodites examining mating systems in marine invertebrates. His work on animal personality and filial cannibalism in fish with paternal care represents another significant research stream. Current projects include marine visual ecology (fluorescence in fish) and applied conservation ecology, while previous work focused on traumatic mating mechanisms and polyandry dynamics. Analysis of his publication record reveals a clear evolution in research focus. Early work (2005-2015) centered on marine invertebrates and sexual selection mechanisms, while more recent publications (2018-2025) demonstrate a shift toward conservation biology, particularly bird population dynamics, statistical ecology, and habitat management. This trajectory reflects both changing ecological priorities and methodological advancements in ecological research. Dr. Anthes maintains active collaborations with numerous researchers including Nico Michiels, Pierre-Paul Bitton, Ulrike Harant, Matteo Santon, and others across multiple projects. His work appears across diverse platforms as evidenced by his profiles on Google Scholar, ResearchGate, ResearcherID, OrcID, and Publons. His laboratory work spans both field and experimental approaches, with research conducted in marine environments, forest ecosystems, and agricultural landscapes. The evolution of his research interests demonstrates adaptability to emerging ecological challenges while maintaining core expertise in evolutionary processes.
Arlie McCarthy is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity (HIFMB) at the University of Oldenburg, Germany, where she investigates human impacts on polar marine ecosystems since 2022. Her research focuses on biofouling-mediated species introductions to Antarctica and associated biosecurity risks. Her academic journey includes: PhD in Zoology (2016-2022) from the University of Cambridge and British Antarctic Survey Master in Marine and Antarctic Sciences (2013-2014) from the University of Tasmania Bachelor of Science in Zoology with German Language Diploma (2008-2011) from the University of Melbourne McCarthy specializes in marine invasive species ecology, with particular expertise in Antarctic biosecurity frameworks. Her work examines ship-mediated species transport through biofouling and ballast water, employing environmental DNA tools and pathway analysis to assess invasion risks. She investigates how microplastics and shipping traffic create ecological vulnerabilities in polar regions, integrating field studies with policy development for conservation management. Her research bridges marine ecology, molecular techniques, and international governance to protect Antarctica's fragile ecosystems. Analysis of her 2019-2024 publications reveals three dominant research trajectories: (1) Antarctic biosecurity protocols using eDNA and expert frameworks, (2) quantification of invasion pathways through ship traffic and biofouling, and (3) conceptual clarification of marine conservation terminology like 'destructive fishing'. Her interdisciplinary approach connects Southern Ocean microplastic pollution with global shipping networks, emphasizing the urgency of polar conservation in the climate change era. McCarthy contributes to international marine governance through the Joint ICES/IOC/IMO Working Group on Ballast and Other Ship Vectors (WGBOSV), collaborating with global institutions to develop biosecurity standards. Her work at HIFMB integrates with broader Helmholtz Association initiatives studying biodiversity change in marine systems, particularly focusing on ecosystem connectivity between Antarctica and temperate regions through human vectors.
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