Dorota Kawa is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Science, Utrecht University , specializing in Plant Stress Resilience and Experimental and Computational Plant Development . Her research focuses on plant-microbiome interactions, root development under stress, and bioinformatics approaches to enhance crop sustainability. Education : PhD in Plant Physiology and Cell Biology (2017, University of Amsterdam) MSc in Plant Biotechnology (2011, Warsaw University of Life Sciences) BSc in Biotechnology (2010, Warsaw University of Life Sciences) Research Interests span plant adaptation to abiotic stresses, microbiome-driven root cell modifications, and computational modeling of development. She investigates how microbial communities and genetic pathways regulate root metabolomes and cellular traits, particularly under salt and drought stress. Publication Trends show her work centers on Striga resistance in cereal crops, stress-induced root architecture changes , and microbiome-root interactions . She explores auxin-independent signaling and mRNA decay mechanisms to improve multi-stress resilience. Teaching includes courses on plant development and research design at Utrecht University. Her work contributes to Pathways to Sustainability and Future Food initiatives.
Prof. Jonne Rodenburg is an Associate Professor of Weed Ecology at Wageningen University within the Centre for Crop Systems Analysis . Previously, he served as a Professor of Agronomy at the University of Greenwich (2018–2023) and worked at the Africa Rice Center (CGIAR) in multiple African countries. He holds an MSc (1999) and PhD (2005) from Wageningen University. His research focuses on parasitic weeds like Striga and Rhamphicarpa in African agricultural systems, with an emphasis on sustainable management strategies for smallholder farmers. Education: MSc, Wageningen University (1999) PhD, Wageningen University (2005) Research Interests: He explores the ecology and management of parasitic weeds (e.g., Striga, Rhamphicarpa) in crops like rice and cereals, aiming to enhance yield sustainability through soil microbiome interventions and agroecological practices. His work integrates field experimentation, cropping systems analysis, and interdisciplinary approaches. Key Projects: PROMISE Project : Engineers soil microbiomes to suppress Striga in African cereal crops (funded by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation). Focus on soil microbial volatiles for parasitic weed control. Development of locally adapted Striga management strategies. Grants & Leadership: Leads the PROMISE project, collaborating with institutions like NIOO-KNAW and UC Davis. President of the International Parasitic Plants Society (IPPS, 2024–present). Labs & Teams: Active in the Centre for Crop Systems Analysis , focusing on crop-weed interactions and sustainable farming systems in tropical regions.
Desalegn Etalo is an Assistant Professor at the Laboratory of Phytopathology at Wageningen University & Research. His research focuses on plant-pathogen interactions, particularly on Striga (a parasitic weed) and its impact on sorghum production in agricultural systems. Dr. Etalo's research interests center on understanding plant-microbe interactions, with emphasis on soil microbiome dynamics and their role in plant defense mechanisms. His work explores how rhizobacteria influence plant growth and resistance to parasitic weeds through metabolomic approaches. Key research areas include Striga suppression mechanisms, sorghum resistance traits, Fusarium diversity in plant-pathogen systems, and molecular detection of weed seedbanks in agricultural soils. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on the intersection of plant pathology, microbiome science, and agricultural sustainability. The research trends show increasing integration of metabolomics, molecular biology, and ecological approaches to address challenges in crop protection, particularly in vulnerable agricultural systems. Dr. Etalo actively mentors PhD students, serving as co-promotor on multiple doctoral projects addressing critical plant pathology challenges including Basal Stem Rot in Oil Palm, potato-rhizosphere interactions, tomato immune responses, and Fusarium wilt in banana. His research has garnered significant attention, with publications cited in Scopus, covered by multiple news outlets, and widely shared on social media platforms including X (Twitter) and Bluesky, indicating substantial impact in both academic and broader scientific communities.
Professor Malcolm Press CBE DL is the Vice-Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University, appointed in 2015. His academic career includes roles at the Universities of Birmingham, Sheffield, Manchester, and UCL. As an ecologist, his research focuses on climate change impacts in northern Europe and the Arctic, tropical rainforest regeneration in Malaysian Borneo, and parasitic weeds' effects on African subsistence farming. He serves on the British Council, UCAS, and the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education (IfATE) Board. Previously, he held leadership roles with the British Ecological Society, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, National Trust, Society of Biology, and WWF-UK. In 2022, he was awarded the CBE for contributions to education. His research interests span ecological dynamics, parasitic plant interactions, and environmental policy. Over 40 publications address topics like Arctic tundra nitrogen cycling, Striga resistance in crops, and tropical forest seedling ecology. His work bridges ecological science with global challenges in conservation and sustainable agriculture. Professional accolades include the CBE (2022), recognition for his leadership and contributions to ecological science. His administrative roles emphasize university governance, international education, and partnerships with governmental and non-profit organizations.
Lammert Bastiaans is an Associate Professor in Crop and Weed Ecology at Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands. His primary focus lies in understanding parasitic weed ecology, crop diversification strategies, and sustainable weed management in agricultural systems. He has contributed to over 200 research outputs, including studies on parasitic weeds like Striga and Rhamphicarpa in African rice systems, intercropping designs for weed suppression, and microbial community responses to weed management practices. His research emphasizes crop-weed interactions, spatial-temporal crop diversification, and functional-structural plant modeling to optimize agroecosystems. Notable projects include the PARASITE initiative addressing parasitic weeds in sub-Saharan Africa and studies on intercropping systems' weed suppression mechanisms. Dr. Bastiaans has co-supervised 19 PhD candidates, including projects on spatial crop diversification, weed suppression in intercrops, and parasitic weed management in Malawi. His work bridges theoretical models with practical applications, aiming to enhance food security and sustainable farming practices globally. Key research themes include: Parasitic weed biology and control strategies Agroecological weed management Intercropping and crop rotation systems Functional plant modeling Smallholder farming systems in Africa
Jennifer Kling is a Professor in the Crop and Soil Science Department at Oregon State University , where she has worked since 2001. Her research focuses on plant breeding, quantitative genetics, and experimental design. She teaches courses such as CROP 590 Experimental Design in Agriculture (online, 2017-2020) and PBG 650 Advanced Plant Breeding and Quantitative Genetics (2005-2015, 2019). Education : PhD in Genetics with minor in Statistics (1988, North Carolina State University), MSc in Agronomy with emphasis in Plant Breeding (1983, University of Nebraska), BSc in Crop Science (1980, Oregon State University) Her research spans tropical maize improvement under low-nitrogen conditions, Striga resistance breeding, meadowfoam genetics for oil quality, and Douglas-fir genomics for climate adaptation. Recent publications include work on nurse crops for sainfoin persistence (2020), SNP genotyping arrays for Douglas-fir (2020), and meadowfoam glucosinolate analysis (2011). She has contributed to genomic resources like the Barley Coordinated Agricultural Project (2012). Scientific Awards : Ten-year service award from the West and Central Africa Maize Research Network (1997) Three awards from IITA's Training Program (1997) Jennifer Kling has advised graduate students and collaborated on interdisciplinary projects involving crop physiology, genetic mapping, and sustainable agricultural systems. Her work extends to extension publications on meadowfoam pollination (2015) and technical reports on variety releases (2013). She continues to bridge academic research with practical applications in specialty crop development.
Joel Masanga is a Postdoctoral Scholar at the Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, working in the Lasky Lab. His research focuses on leveraging genomics to study plant resistance mechanisms, particularly in sorghum against the parasitic plant Striga hermonthica , aiming to enhance food security in sub-Saharan Africa. Key research areas include: Crop resistance to parasitic plants Plant genomics and GWAS analysis Plant-microbe interactions under climate stress Management of invasive species and agricultural pathogens His recent publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches spanning genomics, ecology, and agricultural biotechnology, targeting threats like aflatoxins, nematodes, and parasitic plants. Notable collaborations involve Kenyan institutions, addressing region-specific challenges in staple crops such as maize, rice, and coffee. Joel’s work also includes developing protocols for plant regeneration and transformation, focusing on tropical crops. His expertise bridges molecular techniques (e.g., SSR markers, host-induced gene silencing) with field applications for sustainable agriculture.
Dr. Roy Chaudhuri is a Lecturer in Bioinformatics at the School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield. His research focuses on bacterial genomics, particularly exploring the genomics of bacterial pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella. He develops user-friendly software tools such as coliBASE, Xbase, and MicrobesNG to analyze genomic data from pathogenic bacteria. His work includes comparative genomics, transposon insertion sequencing (TraDIS/TnSeq), and understanding gene essentiality in pathogens. Teaching activities include coordinating modules such as MBB344 Genomic Science and contributing to courses across undergraduate levels, including genetics, molecular biosciences, and bioinformatics. His research also addresses global health challenges, such as analyzing Streptococcus pyogenes isolates from low-income settings and genomic studies of plant pathogens like Striga hermonthica. Key publications highlight advancements in understanding antibiotic resistance mechanisms in Clostridioides difficile and Streptococcus suis, as well as functional genomic screens for essential genes in pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus. His interdisciplinary approach bridges bioinformatics, microbiology, and clinical applications.
Alexander Bucksch is an Associate Professor in the School of Plant Sciences at the University of Arizona , part of the College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences . His research focuses on root phenomics, combining computational imaging and geometric/topological analysis to study plant development and environmental interactions. He develops innovative tools like the DIRT platform for root trait analysis and collaborates on cyberinfrastructure projects such as CyVerse. Education: PostDoc, Georgia Institute of Technology, USA Ph.D., Delft University of Technology, Netherlands M.Sc. and B.Sc., Brandenburg Technical University, Germany Research Interests: Root architecture and phenotypic variation Non-destructive sensing technologies (e.g., Fiber Bragg gratings) Plant-microbiome interactions 3D imaging and machine learning applications Grants & Projects: CAREER Grant (2019): Quantifying phenotypic variation in crop roots CyVerse: Cyberinfrastructure for open science Labs/Teams: Plant IT Lab (focus: computational plant biology)
STRIGAS ATHANASIOS is affiliated with the Department of Sports Organization and Management at the University of Peloponnese, under the School of Physical Education and Sport Science. He teaches the course 'Management and Development of Volunteers in Sporting Events,' officially recognized in the Government Gazette 2554/Γ΄/20-10-2021. Contact details include the institutional email astrigas@uop.gr and telephone number 27310-89-675. No research interests, publications, or student advisory roles are documented in the provided text. Similarly, no scientific awards or grants are mentioned.
Dr Jonne Rodenburg serves as Professor of Agronomy at the University of Greenwich within the Faculty of Engineering and Science, joining in January 2018 after 13 years at CGIAR's Africa Rice Center across multiple African nations including Mali, Benin, Senegal, Tanzania, and Côte d'Ivoire. Education: BSc and MSc in Agronomy, Wageningen University (1999) PhD in Agronomy, Wageningen University (2005) Research Focus: His work centers on weed management in rice systems , specializing in parasitic weeds ( Striga hermonthica , Striga asiatica , Rhamphicarpa fistulosa ). He develops integrated solutions including mechanical control, bird-weed interaction studies, System of Rice Intensification, and Conservation Agriculture to enhance smallholder productivity through sustainable, cost-effective practices. Professional Service: Dr Rodenburg contributes as Associate Editor for Field Crops Research (Elsevier) and Subject Editor for Weed Research (Wiley), while collaborating with students and researchers on agronomic innovations for rice farming systems through the Natural Resources Institute.
Athanasios Strigas is a Professor at the Department of Sports Organization & Management within the College of Human Movement Sciences and Quality of Life at the University of Peloponnese. His academic work focuses on volunteer management in sports, economic aspects of sports organizations, and consumer behavior in athletic contexts. Ph.D.: Volunteer Organization in Sports, Florida State University MBA: Business Organization, Indiana State University M.S.: Sports Organization & Management, Western Illinois University B.S.: Physical Education & Sports Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens His research explores sports volunteerism , event management , and athletic consumer behavior . Publications reveal expertise in volunteer commitment , coach competencies , and psychological team affiliation . Key collaborations include scholars like K. Han and J. Quarterman. Notable scientific contributions: Accepted publication in ICHPER-SD Journal of Research on volunteer dedication in sports Co-authored empirical studies in Choregia – Sport Management International Journal Contributed to Routledge publication on Middle East sports management
Robert Richardson is a Professor in the Department of Community Sustainability at Michigan State University's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. His office is located at 480 Wilson Road, Room 305 in East Lansing, MI. He serves as an ecological economist with affiliate appointments in MSU's Environmental Science and Policy Program, Center for Advanced Study of International Development, Center for Regional Food Systems, African Studies Center, and Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Education includes: Ph.D., Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University (2002) M.B.A., New York University (1995) B.S., Tulane University (1989) Richardson's research focuses on ecological economics and sustainable development, particularly examining how ecosystem services contribute to socioeconomic well-being. He employs behavioral and social science methodologies to study natural resource decision-making and environmental valuation. Key research areas include agricultural-environmental linkages, household food security, tradeoffs in environmental management, and sustainable development pathways. His geographic expertise spans Southern/Eastern Africa, Central America, Southeast Asia, and the United States. His recent publications (2016-2021) demonstrate strong research trends in sustainable agriculture systems, climate adaptation strategies, ecosystem service valuation, and food market dynamics in developing regions. Over 80% of his last 15 articles focus on African agricultural systems, with recurring themes of crop diversification, farmer decision-making, and market-based solutions to food security challenges. Scientific awards and leadership positions: Jefferson Science Fellow (2020-2021) Past-President of the U.S. Society for Ecological Economics Member of the International Society for Ecological Economics Richardson has led research projects funded by the National Science Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and U.S. Agency for International Development. He advises graduate students and teaches courses including CSUS 824 (Sustainable Development: Measuring Socioeconomic Well Being), CSUS 300 (Theoretical Foundations of Sustainability), and CSUS 310 (History of Environmental Thought and Sustainability). He directs research through MSU's Food Security Group and collaborates with international teams across Africa and Central America. Current projects examine food system transformations in Mali, Zambia, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, and Cambodia, focusing on sustainable intensification of agricultural systems and market-based approaches to development.
Kamal I. Mohamed is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the State University of New York at Oswego, where he also serves as Director of Rice Creek Field Station. His research encompasses plant systematics with specialization in parasitic plants (Striga spp.), ecological niche modeling of invasive species, and economic botany. Educational background includes: Ph.D. in Plant Ecology and Systematics from Old Dominion University M.S. in Soil Microbiology from University of Khartoum B.S. in Agriculture (Honors) from University of Khartoum Research focuses on: Systematics and taxonomy of parasitic Orobanchaceae Climate change impacts on invasive plant distributions Conservation implications of plant-parasite interactions Field-based botanical education methodologies Recent publications examine: Lycophyte morphology and evolution Undergraduate field education in Tanzania Genetic diversity of Striga populations Global invasion risks of parasitic plants
Michael P. Timko is the Lewis & Clark Professor of Biology and Professor of Public Health Science at the University of Virginia (UVA), serving as Director of the Human Biology Distinguished Major Program. He holds a B.S. (High Honors) from Rutgers University's College of Agriculture (1975) and a Ph.D. from Rutgers University (1980), followed by postdoctoral research at Brandeis University (1980–1982) and the Rockefeller University (1982–1986). His research focuses on three key areas: (1) molecular mechanisms governing parasitic plant-host interactions (e.g., Striga and Alectra), including comparative functional genomics and host defense pathways; (2) phytohormonal regulation of secondary metabolites (e.g., nicotine in tobacco) and their impact on human health via tobacco products; and (3) herbal/probiotic-based therapies for human diseases. His lab employs biochemical, molecular, genomic, and computational approaches. Recent publications highlight work on cannabidiol for arthritis treatment, osteoarthritis biomarkers, and gene cluster evolution in plants. His research bridges plant biology, pharmacology, and public health, with implications for agriculture, medicine, and environmental science. The lab is located in Gilmer Hall, UVA.
