Lukas Zenk is a Professor of Innovation and Network Research at Danube University Krems, Austria. He serves as Deputy Research Leader and is affiliated with the Department of Knowledge and Communication Management. His work bridges creativity, network analysis, and organizational improvisation, focusing on complex environments and societal challenges. Current research themes: Creativity & Innovation, Social Network Analysis, Applied Improvisation Key projects: Meta-competences for unpredictable situations, Framework of organizational improvisation, TISE sustainability education Methodologies: Agent-based modeling, dynamic network visualization, LEGO Serious Play workshops Zenk's research explores how organizations adapt through improvisation, with publications analyzing network dynamics in post-merger integration, pandemic responses, and sustainability transitions. His work emphasizes transdisciplinary collaboration and complexity literacy in education and policy. Recent studies investigate: Meta-competencies in crisis scenarios Personality traits' impact on pandemic conspiratorial thinking Dynamic models for organizational and societal resilience
Dr. Juliane Helm is a Project Coordinator (Scientific and Administrative) at the Department of Environmental Politics , Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ in Leipzig, Germany. Previously, she served as Project Lead at the Thuringian Institute for Sustainability and Climate Change (ThINK) in Jena and as Scientific Project Coordinator for the GreenGaDe project at the University of Potsdam. She completed her PhD in Environmental Sciences at the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry and University of Basel (2018–2023). Education: M.Sc. in Evolution, Ecology, and Systematics (Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, 2016) Research stays: University of Avignon (2015), Rijksuniversity Groningen (2014) B.Sc. in Biology (Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, 2013) Research Interests focus on environmental governance, sustainability narratives, and science-policy-society interfaces. Her work bridges transdisciplinary governance research with futures studies to address challenges in chemicals policy, microplastics, and transformative community engagement. She applies arts-based methods (e.g., theatre techniques) to enhance decision-making processes. Notable Publications include studies on tree stem gas exchange dynamics, carbon allocation under stress, and Mediterranean steppe restoration. These span plant physiology, ecological modeling, and environmental monitoring methodologies. Affiliations include coordination roles in the Kili-SES Phase 2 project (2025–) and the nanoINHALE PhD cohort (2024–2026) investigating microplastics in environmental governance. Team Members in her research group include Dr. Anran Luo, Paula Roos, and others working on topics like airborne nanoplastics and governance narratives.
Candace Croney, PhD is a Professor of Animal Behavior and Well-being in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology at Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. She serves as Director of the Center for Animal Welfare Science and leads the Croney Research Group, which focuses on improving animal welfare through scientific research. Her work has established rigorous standards for animal care, particularly in commercial breeding environments. Dr. Croney's research spans multiple areas of animal welfare science, with specializations in canine and feline welfare, agricultural animal bioethics, and human-animal relationships. Her work employs non-invasive assessment methods to evaluate animal welfare and improve quality of life for both animals and humans. She has developed evidence-based standards that have been implemented in nationwide certification programs. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on canine welfare assessment in commercial breeding facilities, veterinary care access, and evidence-based approaches to animal management. Her research integrates behavioral science, ethics, and practical applications to address complex animal welfare challenges across multiple species. American Veterinary Medical Association Humane Award (2023) Black Graduate Student Association Distinguished Service Award (2023) Dr. Croney founded the Canine Care Certified program, the only nationwide certification program that comprehensively addresses both physical health and behavioral well-being of dogs in commercial breeding facilities. Her research group develops educational resources to make animal welfare science accessible to breeders, veterinarians, and the public.
Pablo Marquet is a Professor of Ecology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, where he has served on faculty since 1994. He holds additional prominent roles as External Professor and Science Steering Committee member at the Santa Fe Institute (SFI), and President of the Instituto de Sistemas Complejos de Valparaíso (ISCV). His interdisciplinary work bridges ecology, anthropology, and complex systems theory. Marquet earned his Bachelor in Biology from Universidad de Concepción (Chile) in 1987 and Ph.D. in Biology from the University of New Mexico in 1993, followed by postdoctoral work at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. His research spans macroecology, theoretical ecology, conservation, and global change with particular focus on scaling laws, metabolic theory, and climate change impacts. His lab investigates the emergence of biological complexity through multiple interconnected programs: scaling of abundance in communities, evolution of body size, metapopulation dynamics in changing landscapes, and the intersection of energy use with human social complexity. Recent work integrates cancer ecology with broader ecological theory, examining how stoichiometric niches drive metastatic processes. Analysis of his 2024-2025 publications reveals dominant themes in metabolic scaling across biological hierarchies (from cells to catchments), thermal response universality in biological systems, and urban metabolism applications. His work consistently applies network theory and power-law dynamics to biodiversity patterns in both natural and human-altered systems, with increasing emphasis on climate change resilience. Marquet's scientific recognition includes: Fellow of the Ecological Society of America Member of the Chilean Academy of Science Member of the National Academy of Sciences Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences Member of the World Academy of Sciences He actively mentors graduate students and leads collaborative initiatives including BioFI (Biodiversity Forecasting Initiative) and OcéanIA (AI for ocean-climate modeling). His research informs policy through contributions to the Earth Commission and IPBES-IPCC workshops, with specific focus on Latin American conservation challenges and Chilean sustainability strategies. Marquet directs research groups at both Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and ISCV, fostering interdisciplinary teams that combine mathematical modeling, field ecology, and anthropological perspectives. His SFI affiliation since the 1990s has been instrumental in developing complex systems approaches to ecological questions, particularly regarding the emergence of social complexity through cumulative cultural evolution.
Pauline Kamath is an Associate Professor of Animal Health at the School of Food and Agriculture , University of Maine System, with a research focus on Wildlife Disease Ecology and Microbial Genomics . Her work bridges Environmental Microbiology and Pathogen Transmission Dynamics , addressing critical questions in Conservation Genetics and zoonotic disease management. 2016-Present: Associate Professor, University of Maine System Research Interests: Wildlife disease dynamics, pathogen persistence, microbiome interactions Her research leverages genomic approaches to investigate bacterial pathogens like Bacillus anthracis , viral outbreaks in wildlife populations, and microbiome composition across migratory species. Recent work explores metagenomic methods for pathogen detection, tick-borne disease co-infections, and environmental factors affecting spore longevity . She contributes extensively to peer review, evaluating work in Molecular Ecology , PloS One , and other journals.
Leluo Guan is a Professor in the Department of Applied Biology within the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia (UBC), holding the prestigious Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Animal Functional Genomics and Microbiome. Based in Vancouver's Food, Nutrition and Health building, he leads cutting-edge research at the intersection of animal science and microbiome biology. His academic foundation includes: 1985-1989: BSc in Biological Sciences, Wuhan University, PR China 1990-1993: MSc in Pharmaceutical Science, Kyoto University, Japan 1993-1996: PhD in Pharmaceutical Science, Kyoto University, Japan Dr. Guan's research program centers on host-microbiome interactions in food-producing animals, primarily cattle. He employs metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, metabolomics, and functional genomics to characterize bovine gut microbiomes, elucidate molecular mechanisms of host-microbe crosstalk, and investigate associations between microbial ecology and feed efficiency, methane emissions, and gut immunity. His work bridges microbial ecology with economically significant livestock traits through advanced omics integration. Analysis of his publication record reveals consistent emphasis on rumen microbiome dynamics across cattle production systems. Key trends include multi-omics approaches to link microbial communities with host physiology, investigation of early-life microbiome development, and exploration of host genetic influences on microbiome composition. His work increasingly focuses on functional characterization of microbial activities rather than mere taxonomic identification. His scientific recognition includes: Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Animal Functional Genomics and Microbiome Dr. Guan mentors graduate students in applied animal biology while directing a research program funded by the Canada Research Chairs initiative and competitive grants. His team develops innovative methodologies for microbiome analysis, contributing to sustainable livestock production through improved understanding of host-microbe symbiosis. Current work integrates host genomics with microbiome functional profiling to develop precision nutrition strategies for cattle.
Dr. Jill Zwicker is a Professor in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy within the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia, holding concurrent appointments as a Scientist (Level 1) at the Child and Family Research Institute, Clinician Scientist at Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children, Affiliate Investigator with NeuroDevNet, and Research Associate with CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research. Her academic journey began with dual Bachelor's degrees in Occupational Therapy (Honours) and Psychology from Queen's University (1990), followed by clinical work in brain injury rehabilitation before transitioning to pediatric practice. Her advanced education includes a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology (Learning & Development) from the University of Victoria (2006), a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences from UBC (2010), and a 3-year postdoctoral fellowship in Developmental Neuroscience within UBC's Department of Pediatrics. Appointed as Assistant Professor in 2013, she has maintained continuous faculty progression to her current professorship. Dr. Zwicker's research program centers on developmental coordination disorder (DCD), with particular emphasis on its co-occurrence with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). She employs multimodal approaches including neuroimaging (white matter integrity, functional connectivity), genetic animal models (BXD mice), and clinical intervention studies—particularly the Cognitive Orientation to Occupational Performance (CO-OP) framework. Her work consistently addresses functional outcomes, quality of life, and accessibility barriers for children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Analysis of her 2025 publications reveals three dominant research streams: (1) neurobiological mechanisms of DCD-ASD-ADHD comorbidities using advanced imaging, (2) development and validation of rehabilitation interventions with focus on neuroplasticity, and (3) population-level studies examining service accessibility and quality-of-life impacts. This triad demonstrates her commitment to translating basic science into clinical applications while addressing systemic barriers. Her scientific contributions have been recognized with two major awards: Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar Award (2014-2019) Career Enhancement Award from the Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist Program (2014-2019) Dr. Zwicker actively mentors graduate students and postdoctoral trainees through UBC's Rehabilitation Sciences program and clinical research networks. Her grant portfolio, supported by these prestigious awards, enables innovative studies on early identification of motor disorders, rehabilitation efficacy, and neurodevelopmental outcomes in high-risk pediatric populations. She maintains robust collaborative ties through her affiliations with the Child and Family Research Institute (where she conducts neuroimaging studies), Sunny Hill Health Centre (clinical rehabilitation programs), NeuroDevNet (genetic mechanisms research), and CanChild (knowledge translation initiatives for childhood disability).
Antje Hunger is a Professor at the Hochschule Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences , affiliated with the Faculty of Social Sciences and Cultural Studies . Her research focuses on Clinical Psychology and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy , particularly in Impulse Control Disorders , Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders , and Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors . Specializes in Trichotillomania , Excoriation Disorder , and Body Dysmorphic Disorder Develops evidence-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy protocols Advances in Digital Interventions for mental health Her work includes both experimental studies and clinical assessment development, with notable contributions to understanding compulsive buying and dissociative mechanisms in disorders. Contact: antje.hunger@hs-duesseldorf.de | Office: Room 03.1.007, Building 3, Münsterstraße 156, 40476 Düsseldorf
Kamal Birdi is Professor in Work Psychology and Head of the Institute of Work Psychology at Sheffield University Management School, University of Sheffield. He holds a PhD in Psychology, MSc in Occupational Psychology, and BSc (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Sheffield. He is a Chartered Occupational Psychologist registered with the British Psychological Society and Health and Care Professions Council, and a Chartered Member of the European Federation of Psychologists Associations. His research focuses on multiple aspects of work psychology: Creativity and innovation processes in organizations Evaluation of training and development programs Effectiveness of workplace learning systems E-learning implementations Organizational learning mechanisms Impact of ageing on workforce dynamics Attitude-behavior relationships in work contexts His publication trends show consistent focus on innovation processes, organizational learning, and training effectiveness, with recent work expanding into policing knowledge sharing and educational leadership. Methodologically, his work employs multilevel modeling, longitudinal designs, and cross-cultural case studies. Awards: BPS Division of Occupational Psychology Academic Contribution to Practice Award (2010) for research on training evaluation and innovation As Head of the Institute of Work Psychology, he leads research initiatives and currently supervises doctoral candidates including Jiacheng Zhang. Previous PhD students completed theses on creative style measurement, leadership paradoxes, and AI in professional services. His research has received funding from ESRC/EPSRC Advanced Institute of Management and European policing bodies.
Jonathan Jeschke is Professor of Ecological Novelty at the Free University of Berlin's Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, and Head of the Evolutionary and Integrative Ecology Department at the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB). He holds a Heisenberg Professorship funded by the DFG (2014-2019) and is a member of the Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB). His research focuses on theoretical ecology, invasion biology, ecological novelty, evolutionary ecology, predator-prey relationships, biodiversity research, and urban ecology. Jeschke employs interdisciplinary integration and research synthesis approaches to understand biological invasions, species distribution dynamics, and ecological responses to global change. His work spans from theoretical frameworks to practical applications in invasion management. Analysis of his recent publications reveals strong emphasis on invasion mechanisms (niche dynamics, propagule pressure), cross-taxonomic impact assessment (GIDIAS database), cultural dimensions of invasions, and theoretical advances in ecological novelty. His work shows increasing integration of computational approaches with field studies. Heisenberg Professorship (DFG, 2014-2019) Jeschke leads the Jeschke Group focusing on Ecological Novelty, coordinating research across multiple institutions including IGB and FU Berlin. His work involves substantial grant funding for projects addressing biological invasions, ecological novelty, and biodiversity conservation. He actively contributes to international initiatives like the Alliance for Freshwater Life and develops standardized assessment protocols for invasive species.
Rachel Gallery is an Assistant Professor at the School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, specializing in soil microbial ecology, biogeochemical cycles, and climate change impacts. Her research spans diverse ecosystems including alpine forests, semi-arid regions, and tropical alpine páramos, with a focus on microbial responses to disturbances like wildfire, drought, and climate warming. Research Themes : Microbial community dynamics, carbon cycling, mineral weathering, critical zone science, and ecosystem resilience. Methodological Focus : Integration of field measurements, genome-resolved metagenomics, remote sensing, and modeling approaches to understand soil processes. Recent work highlights seasonal snowmelt effects on microbial activity, novel applications of the MIMICS model, and soil connectivity mechanisms. While her publications emphasize collaborations through CZNet and Critical Zone Observatories, no specific advising or grant details are listed in the provided data.
Dr. Alik S Widge is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at the University of Minnesota and a key member of the Institute for Engineering in Medicine. His work bridges neuroscience and biomedical engineering to advance brain stimulation therapies for severe mental illness. Board-certified psychiatrist Expert in deep brain stimulation (DBS), vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) Research Interests Dr. Widge specializes in developing implantable neurostimulation technologies for treatment-resistant psychiatric conditions such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and addiction. His lab has pioneered closed-loop brain stimulation algorithms and connectivity-modifying methods, using rodent models for prototyping and human trials for biomarker discovery. Projects & Grants Current projects include: Ultrasonic Neuromodulation for Fibromyalgia (SPIRE Therapeutics, Inc.) FIRMM MRI Monitoring Software Commercialization (Turing Medical Technologies, Inc.) Striatal DBS Mechanisms (NIH) Subcallosal Cingulate DBS for Depression (Abbott Laboratories) Visual Biofeedback for MRI Motion Reduction (Turing Medical Technologies, Inc.) Clinical & Collaborative Work Dr. Widge co-leads initiatives to enhance neurostimulation technologies in central/peripheral nervous systems and standardize clinical biomarker research. He collaborates internationally on biomarker discovery and technology safety/efficacy trials. Dataset Development He contributed to PyBEHAVE , a Python-based framework for behavioral neuroscience experiments.
Per-Eric Betzholtz is a Researcher in the Department of Biology and Environmental Science at Linnaeus University's Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. His work focuses on ecological and evolutionary mechanisms in insect populations, particularly moths and butterflies. Specializes in climate change impacts on insect biodiversity Studies species traits driving range expansions and conservation Active in urban ecology and population viability analysis His recent publications analyze drought effects on moth populations (2025), long-term range shifts (2023), and coloration as adaptive trait (2020s). Research trends emphasize climate-driven phenology shifts, thermophilic species' responses, and trait-based conservation strategies. Betzoltz collaborates with Dr. Anders Forsman and Dr. Mats Franzén on multi-decade projects including urban moth communities (2020), species-area relationships (2019), and historical range expansions (2013-2023). He leads the project 'Cascading effects of drought on farming/grazing and farmland biodiversity' within the Evolutionary Ecology group at EEMiS research center.
Roger Persson is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Lund University with cross-appointments as Associate Professor in Environmental Health and Occupational Health and Researcher at the Centre for Healthy Indoor Environments. His interdisciplinary work focuses on improving work conditions, population health, and societal productivity through evidence-based research. His research spans workplace psychology, occupational health, and mental health with emphasis on school leadership, work environment factors, bullying, and job satisfaction. He investigates organizational-social dynamics impacting work-life balance and well-being among Swedish professionals, particularly school principals, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals for health and well-being. His fingerprint reveals dominant expertise in Workplace Psychology (100%), Personality Traits (56%), Swedish Social Sciences (54%), and Bullying Psychology (51%). Recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate consistent focus on Swedish school principals' challenges, analyzing sustainable leadership models, mental health interventions, job security implications, and work-life balance through interdisciplinary lenses combining psychology, public health, and education. His scientific contributions are recognized with five major awards: Scientific Distinction Award for early career achievements Best Paper Award for open office environment research 2nd place poster award for workplace bullying/sleep study Best Poster Award for bullying consequences research Citation award for cortisol variation studies Persson actively secures research funding through projects like 'En chef som mår bra är en bättre chef' (improving elderly care management work environments) and 'Skolledares arbetsmiljö' (school principals' organizational conditions), often collaborating with AFA-insurances. His media engagement includes interviews in Dagens Nyheter, Helsingborgs Dagblad, and Sydsvenskan discussing quiet quitting and moral stress in workplaces. He is a core member of the Centre for Healthy Indoor Environments (CHIE) network and participates in the Pufendorf Advanced Study Group 'Work on Mars', driving interdisciplinary collaborations on environmental health and organizational psychology.
Kirsti Akkermann is a Professor of Clinical Psychology at the Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tartu since January 2024. Previously, she served as Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology (2021-2023), and has held various academic positions at the University of Tartu since 2004, including Lecturer and Research Fellow. She is also a licensed clinical psychologist-psychotherapist and supervisor at the Center for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy since 2014, working 0.20 FTE. Dr. Akkermann earned her Doctor's Degree in 2010 from the University of Tartu with a dissertation on "Serotonin-related Biomarkers and Symptoms of Eating Disorders," supervised by Jaanus Harro and Anu Aluoja. She completed her Master's Degree in 2003 with a thesis on "Convergence between self- and other ratings of personality traits in eating and anxiety disorders patients," supervised by Kenn Konstabel. Her educational background includes undergraduate and graduate studies in Psychology at the University of Tartu from 1995-2010. Dr. Akkermann's research primarily focuses on eating disorders, with particular emphasis on emotional eating, binge eating mechanisms, and the role of emotion regulation. Her work examines age and sex differences in eating disorder risk factors, latent profiles in eating disorders, and the relationship between eating disorders and the serotonergic system. She also investigates gene-environment interactions in psychopathological processes, biomarkers of eating disorders, and digital health interventions for psychological problems in chronically ill children. Her research employs various methodologies including latent profile analysis, experience sampling, and registry-linked longitudinal studies. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on transdiagnostic approaches to understanding eating disorders through personality-based latent profiles, gender differences in emotional eating patterns, and the development of digital health interventions. She has led major national studies including the Estonian National Mental Health Survey, examining mental health problems in the adult population and supportive services across Estonia. 2023 Publication award, Institute of Psychology, University of Tartu 2022 AcademiaNet nomination by Swiss National Science Foundation 2021 University of Tartu Badge of Distinction 2019 Recognition for societal activities, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tartu 2018 Publication award, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tartu Dr. Akkermann has supervised postdoctoral researchers, including Kadri Haljas on the project "Reducing psychological problems in chronically ill children through digital intervention." She has secured significant research funding, currently serving as Principal Investigator for the Estonian National Mental Health Survey and participating in the Estonian Center of Excellence of Well-Being Sciences. She has been involved in numerous research projects funded by the Estonian Research Council, Ministry of Education and Research, and Estonian Science Foundation, often collaborating with Jaanus Harro on large-scale studies examining personality, behavior, and health. Dr. Akkermann is active in professional organizations including the Estonian Association for Dialectical Behavior Therapy (founding member), European DBT Association (founding member), Union for Estonian Clinical Psychologists, and Union of Estonian Psychologists. She co-leads working groups on standardization of diagnostic assessment methods and has developed treatment guidelines for eating disorders and overweight/obese patients. She regularly organizes national and international conferences and conducts skills training for clinical psychologists across the Baltic region.
