D. (Dick) de Zeeuw is a Professor at the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Groningen. He focuses on diabetes-related kidney disease, cardiovascular pharmacology, and clinical trial design. Affiliation : University of Groningen, Faculty of Medical Sciences Role : Professor in Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology His research targets chronic kidney disease (CKD) in diabetic patients, exploring: Mechanisms of kidney failure progression Pharmacotherapeutic interventions (SGLT2 inhibitors, RAAS blockers, aldosterone synthase inhibitors) Risk stratification through biomarkers (albuminuria, eGFR dynamics) Cardiorenal protective effects Racial/geographic variability in treatment responses Recent studies include Phase I/II trials of BI 690517 (aldosterone synthase inhibitor) and CANPIONE trial analyzing canagliflozin's impact on pre-intervention eGFR slopes. Collaborative work spans multinational clinical meta-analyses. Scientific contributions: Systematic reviews of ACE/ARB use in advanced CKD Development of prognostic imaging biomarkers for diabetic kidney disease (iBEAt protocol) Validation of biomarkers in PROVALID cohort Analysis of diuretic effects on fluid retention markers
CARMEN PADILLA RASCÓN is a Researcher at the Department of Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering at the University of Jaén. She obtained her Doctorate in 2022 with the thesis "Production of furfural and bioethanol from olive stones." Education: PhD in Chemical Engineering, University of Jaén (2022) Her research focuses on lignocellulosic biomass valorization through biorefinery systems, particularly using agricultural residues like olive stones and vine shoots for producing biofuels and high-value chemicals. Key techniques include steam explosion, acid/alkaline pretreatments, and microwave-assisted processing. Recent publications highlight integrated biorefinery strategies, furfural production optimization, and recovery of bioactive phenolic compounds. The work often involves process engineering, catalytic transformations, and circular economy principles.
Vishnu S Nair serves as Assistant Professor (Grade I) in the School of Earth, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences at IISER Thiruvananthapuram since January 2024, following postdoctoral positions at IRD-France (2022-2023) and UC Berkeley (2019-2021). His research bridges tropical meteorology and climate science with practical applications for monsoon forecasting and climate adaptation. Education PhD in Meteorology & Oceanography, ESSO-INCOIS/Andhra University (2011-2017) Dr. Nair's research centers on monsoon low-pressure systems, investigating their historical variability, climate change impacts, and connections to extreme rainfall events. He develops advanced tracking algorithms and dynamical downscaling techniques to improve climate projections for vulnerable regions like South Asia and Pacific Islands. His work integrates observational analysis, climate modeling, and real-time forecasting systems to address critical questions about monsoon dynamics under global warming. His 14 publications (2014-2023) reveal consistent focus on monsoon system behavior, with recent work emphasizing future projections of low-pressure systems and observed increases in extreme rainfall rates. Key methodologies include high-resolution modeling, global dataset creation, and teleconnection analysis between monsoons and phenomena like ENSO and IOD. Scientific Recognition Gold Medal for Best PhD Thesis, Andhra University (2018) Junior Research Fellowship with Lectureship, CSIR-UGC (2011) CLIPSSA Postdoctoral Fellowship at IRD-France (2022-2023) Monsoon Mission Postdoctoral Fellowship at UC Berkeley (2019-2021) Dr. Nair actively recruits PhD candidates (requiring CSIR-JRF/GATE fellowships) and offers winter/summer internships in tropical meteorology. His research is supported by international projects including CLIPSSA for Pacific Island climate adaptation and India's Monsoon Mission for forecasting improvements. He contributes to global monsoon datasets used by meteorologists worldwide and serves as referee for leading journals like Geophysical Research Letters . He leads the Monsoon Dynamics Research Group at IISER-TVM, collaborating with institutions including Météo-France, UC Berkeley, and Indian climate research centers. Current initiatives focus on dynamical downscaling for island-scale climate projections and real-time tracking systems for monsoon low-pressure systems.
Summer Rupper is a Professor at the School of Environment, Society & Sustainability at the University of Utah, where she has held her position since July 2019. Her research focuses on understanding the interactions between climate, glaciers, and water resources, with particular emphasis on high mountain regions including High Mountain Asia, the Himalayas, and polar regions. She leads multiple research projects examining glacier dynamics, hydrological processes, and climate change impacts on water security for downstream populations. BS in Geology from Brigham Young University (2001) MS in Geology from University of Washington (2004) PhD in Earth and Space Sciences from University of Washington (2007) Professor Rupper's research spans physical geography, environmental geoscience, and climate change science, with specific expertise in glaciology, hydrology, and atmospheric sciences. Her work integrates field measurements, remote sensing, and numerical modeling to understand glacier dynamics, snow processes, and water resource availability in mountainous regions. She has particular expertise in High Mountain Asia, where glaciers provide critical water resources for over a billion people. Her research addresses fundamental questions about glacier response to climate change, hydrological partitioning, and the implications for water security in vulnerable regions. Her recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on understanding glacier dynamics, hydrological processes, and climate interactions in mountainous regions. The work spans multiple methodologies including remote sensing analysis, numerical modeling, statistical approaches, and field-based measurements. Key themes include glacier melt contributions to river systems, precipitation patterns in complex terrain, snow density modeling, and the impacts of climate change on water resources in High Mountain Asia and polar regions. Her research often integrates multiple data sources and approaches to address complex questions about cryospheric processes and their societal implications. Superior Research Award (2024, CSBS, University of Utah) G.K. Gilbert Award for Excellence in Geomorphic Research (2022) Outstanding Utah Higher Education Science Teacher (2021) Top Researcher Award, Celebrate U showcase (2017) Antarctic Service Medal (2010, USAF) Professor Rupper actively mentors graduate students through thesis research courses at both the PhD and Master's levels, as well as individual projects. She has secured significant research funding from multiple federal agencies including NSF, NASA, and USAID, with current projects examining climatic controls on Antarctic ice sheets, glacier dynamics in High Mountain Asia, and historical glacier changes. Her collaborative work extends across international boundaries, working with scientists in Pakistan, Bhutan, and other regions to address shared water security challenges. She also engages in community outreach through workshops with school districts and science teacher associations to communicate climate science to broader audiences. Professor Rupper participates in multiple collaborative research teams including the NASA High Mountain Asia Team (HiMAT), where she contributes expertise in glacier dynamics and hydrology. She serves on several scientific committees including the NSF Ice Core Facility Sample Allocation Committee and the American Geophysical Union Cryosphere Section Fellows Committee. Her research often involves interdisciplinary teams combining expertise in glaciology, hydrology, remote sensing, and climate modeling to address complex questions about mountain water systems under changing climate conditions.
Adele Diamond is a Professor at the University of British Columbia 's Faculty of Medicine , Department of Psychiatry . She pioneers Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience and challenges traditional educational and medical paradigms through her work on executive functions (EFs) and their modulation by dopamine , stress , and educational interventions . Her educational background includes: Philosophy of Science, London School of Economics (1972) B.A. in Psychology and Sociology & Anthropology, Swarthmore College (1975) Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology, Harvard University (1983) Postdoctoral Fellowship in Neuroanatomy, Yale University School of Medicine (1982-1985) Research focuses on: EFs ( cognitive flexibility , working memory , self-control ) and their neural bases in prefrontal cortex Gene-environment interactions like COMT gene polymorphism and sex differences under stress Interventions: mindful movement , Tools of the Mind curriculum, physical activity , and the arts Key scientific awards include: Fellow, Royal Society of Canada Huttenlocher Award (Flux Society for Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience) Two Honorary Doctorates (University of Cambridge, Erikson Institute) She mentors PhD students in Neuroscience, Population and Public Health, and Interdisciplinary Studies. Her lab at UBC's Centre for Brain Health and BC Children's Hospital Research Institute integrates neuroimaging (fMRI) with genetic analysis and intervention studies . Recently organized the 4-day international conference 'A Joyous Celebration' uniting 400+ attendees from 45 countries.
Professor Jeremy Guggenheim is a leading researcher in myopia genetics at Cardiff University's School of Optometry and Vision Sciences. With over two decades of research experience, he has made significant contributions to understanding the genetic and environmental factors contributing to short-sightedness. His work has been instrumental in identifying over four hundred genetic variants associated with myopia susceptibility through international collaborative efforts. His research interests span myopia genetics, genomic epidemiology, and the gene-environment interactions that influence refractive error development. Professor Guggenheim employs advanced genetic techniques including genome-wide association studies, Mendelian randomization, and polygenic risk scoring to unravel the complex etiology of myopia. His work bridges basic science discoveries with clinical applications for early detection and prevention of high myopia. Analysis of his recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on genetic risk prediction, environmental modifiers of myopia development, novel treatment mechanisms, and international consensus building for myopia management. His work increasingly incorporates machine learning approaches for disease detection while maintaining a strong foundation in genetic epidemiology. College of Optometrists Biennial Arthur Bennett Prize for Outstanding Research (2012/2013) ARVO Gold Fellow Award (2022) Professor Guggenheim has supervised numerous PhD students throughout his career and currently leads the Investigative Techniques undergraduate module. He serves on editorial boards for Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics, Translational Vision Science & Technology, and as Associate Editor for Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. His research is supported through multiple international collaborations including the Consortium for Refractive Error and Myopia (CREAM) and the UK Biobank Eye and Vision Consortium.
Dr. Robert M. McCann is the Director of the Leadership Communication Program at the UCLA Anderson School of Management , where he has taught Leadership Communication, Entrepreneurship, and Global Leadership courses since 2010. He also holds a secondary faculty appointment at the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science , serving as Area Director of the Master of Science in Engineering Management Program. Dr. McCann combines academic work with executive education, teaching at the University of Hong Kong and leading UCLA Anderson Executive Education programs in India and the USA. Research Focus : Workplace ageism, intergroup communication, cross-cultural leadership, age diversity, and communication strategies in global business. Teaching & Consulting : Specializes in executive training for persuasion, leadership, and communication, with clients including Jet Propulsion Laboratories, Johnson & Johnson, and Amgen. Awards : Golden Apple Teaching Award; active editorial board member for the Journal of Asian Pacific Communication . Global Engagement : Lived in Asia for 20 years, including roles at Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration in Thailand and Diageo’s Johnnie Walker marketing efforts in Asia. His research on age biases has influenced a U.S. Supreme Court amicus brief. He has authored the book Ageism at Work and contributed to major communication journals. Dr. McCann’s work bridges academia and practice, with emphasis on the societal implications of aging workforces and cross-cultural communication.
Jürgen Sauer is a Full Professor at the University of Fribourg , affiliated with the Department of Psychology under the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences . With over 120 publications, his research focuses on Human-Machine Interaction , Usability Testing , User Experience (UX) , and Automation Design , particularly in high-stakes environments like X-ray baggage screening and spaceflight simulations . Email: juergen.sauer@unifr.ch Phone: +41 26 300 7622 Address: RM 01 bu. C-1.117, Rue PA de Faucigny 2, 1700 Fribourg Orcid: 0000-0003-2105-1694 His research projects, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (FNS), include: Improving work design for airport security officers (2019-2024): Developed pictorial scales for measuring psychological constructs in security environments. Social stress and support in hybrid teams (2018-2023): Investigated machine-induced social stressors and mitigation through social support. Automation in visual inspection tasks (2014-2018): Examined adaptable automation for baggage screening and system reliability effects. Usability testing effectiveness (2012-2016): Analyzed cultural background impacts and non-usability product features influencing test outcomes. Key contributions include the Luggage Inspection Simulation (LIS) environment for modeling work environments and the development of pictorial usability scales for multilingual applicability. His work bridges ergonomics , human factors , and applied psychology , with notable collaborations with researchers like Adrian Schwaninger and Andreas Sonderegger . His recent publications (2025-2014) analyze: Human-machine performance under false alarms and miscues Social stressor dynamics in hybrid teams Usability scale animation effects Phubbing behavior in professional contexts Accessible website design for non-disabled users
Johanna Sörensen is an Associate Senior Lecturer at the Division of Water Resources Engineering within Lund University's Faculty of Engineering (LTH) . She specializes in urban hydrological processes , particularly during extreme precipitation , and advocates for blue-green infrastructure (NBS, SUDS) to enhance climate change adaptation and reduce flood risks . Her work bridges technical performance of water systems with urban planning reforms for sustainable solutions. Research Focus : Urban hydrology, blue-green infrastructure, stormwater management Teaching : Advanced Hydrology, Sustainability, Pipe System Engineering Her research involves Artificial Neural Networks for hydrological modeling, decision support indicators for water planning, and fieldwork in Malmö . She collaborates with Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and companies on leakage minimization in water distribution systems. Recent projects include StormMan (governance for sustainable stormwater) and RörANN (smart pipe monitoring). Scientific Awards: The New Generation Prize by Swedish Association for Water (2018) Supervision: Regularly supervises 2–3 Master's thesis projects with industry partners. Network: Active in EU projects and collaborations across Scandinavia, Brazil, and Eastern Africa .
Anna Michálková is an Associate Professor at the Department of Tourism, Faculty of Commerce, Bratislava University of Economics and Business. Her expertise spans regional tourism, destination management, and tourism economics, with a focus on sustainable development and innovation. Education: Study stays at University of St. Gallen (Switzerland), University of Economics in Vienna (Austria), and University Lüneburg (Germany). Her research investigates institutional frameworks for destination management, tourism cluster dynamics, and economic impacts of tourism, particularly in crisis periods. She emphasizes stakeholder cooperation, societal value metrics, and sustainable growth strategies. Key trends in her publications include regional policy integration, gazelle enterprises in tourism, and cross-border collaboration. She has led projects like KEGA 034EU-4/2020 on innovative teaching methods and VEGA grants on competitiveness and innovation. Anna supervises bachelor and master programs in tourism management, teaches case studies in German, and collaborates with institutions across Europe. Her work bridges academia and practice through projects with local governments and tourism organizations.
PD Dr. Günter Hoch is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Environmental Sciences – Botany at the University of Basel , Switzerland. His research centers on the ecophysiology of trees , with a particular emphasis on carbon storage dynamics , drought stress responses , and the resilience of forest ecosystems to climate change. Research Focus: Carbon allocation and storage in trees under carbon limitation Physiological controls of non-structural carbohydrate reserves (e.g., starch, lipids) Drought-induced tree mortality and recovery mechanisms Whole-tree carbon balance and growth under environmental stress Scaling from individual tree responses to ecosystem-level processes Approach: His team integrates field observations , experimental manipulations , and biophysical modeling to understand how trees regulate carbon reserves and water relations under stress. A key goal is to identify biomarkers (e.g., starch concentrations in sapwood) that reflect the carbon status and health of trees. Recent Work: His publications span high-impact journals like Nature Reviews Earth & Environment , New Phytologist , and Global Change Biology , addressing topics such as hydraulic failure, carbon starvation, and the impacts of extreme droughts (e.g., 2018 Central European drought) on forest ecosystems. Collaborations: He contributes to large-scale networks like TreeNet , a Swiss initiative monitoring drought and growth indicators in forests, and collaborates internationally on projects linking plant ecophysiology to biogeochemical cycles. Contact: guenter.hoch@unibas.ch | Tel: +41 (0)61 207 35 14
Taro Mieno is an Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, specializing in precision agriculture and water resource economics. His work bridges agricultural policy, spatial econometrics, and environmental sustainability. University: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department: Agricultural Economics Academic Rank: Associate Professor Research Interests: Precision agriculture and variable rate technologies Groundwater economics and drought resilience On-farm experimentation and data-driven decision making Agricultural policy and environmental externalities Machine learning applications in agronomic optimization Soil-water interactions and resource management Email: tmieno2@unl.edu
Dr. Sahani Pathiraja is a Lecturer (tenure track assistant professor) at UNSW Sydney , specializing in Data Science . Her research bridges mathematical and statistical foundations with practical applications in environmental and biomedical sciences. Research Focus : Sequential Bayesian inference, Monte Carlo methods, stochastic analysis of non-linear filtering, uncertainty quantification, and real-time parameter estimation. Current Projects : Co-investigator in the ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre: Data Analytics for Resources and Environment (DARE) and the Next Generation Graduate Program (NGGP) in Sports Data Science and AI . Research Supervision : Dr. Pathiraja supervises PhD students in areas including: Bayesian inference Stochastic differential equations Data assimilation Non-linear filtering Scientific Collaborations : Her work intersects with environmental science, biomedical applications, and machine learning. Projects include stochastic hydrology, SDEs, and operator learning for environmental systems. Contact Information : Email: s.pathiraja@unsw.edu.au Phone: +61 2 8065 0836 Office: Room 2070, Level 2, The Red Centre, UNSW Sydney
Professor Stefan Siebert is Head of the Department of Crop Sciences at the Agricultural Faculty of the University of Göttingen, a position he has held since October 2017. His academic career spans multiple prestigious institutions including the University of Bonn, University of Frankfurt, and University of Kassel, where he completed his doctoral studies. University of Göttingen (2017-present): Professor and Head of Crop Science/Agronomy University of Bonn (2016-2017): Temporary Head of Chair Crop Science University of Bonn (2009-2015): Habilitation in Crop Science and Resource Conservation University of Frankfurt (2004-2009): Postdoctoral Scientist University of Kassel (2002-2005): Ph.D. Student and Scientist Professor Siebert's research focuses on sustainable resource use in crop production, climate change impacts on plant growth, plant growth modeling, and drought risk assessment. His work integrates large-scale data analysis with modeling approaches to understand the complex interactions between resource use, crop management, and productivity. He has developed comprehensive datasets on water, soil, and nutrient use in agriculture and pioneered methods for analyzing irrigation systems globally. His recent publication trends reveal a strong emphasis on irrigation systems, climate change impacts on agriculture, and advanced crop modeling techniques. The analysis of his 15 most recent articles shows consistent focus on water resource management, spatial analysis of agricultural systems, and the effects of climate variability on crop production. His work frequently combines remote sensing data with ground-based measurements to create high-resolution datasets for agricultural decision-making. Professor Siebert leads several significant research projects including ZERN (Future of Nutrition in Lower Saxony, 2024-2029), Collaborative Research Center 1502 on Regional Climate Change (2022-2025), and OUTLAST (Development of a global drought hazard forecasting system, 2022-2025). He has been continuously developing and maintaining a global dataset on irrigated areas since 1997, establishing himself as a leading authority in agricultural water management. His teaching portfolio is extensive, covering scientific writing, field production exercises, general crop production, methodical work, plant biology, crop production and breeding, sustainability of production systems, and applications of data analysis to agronomy. Professor Siebert's work bridges theoretical research with practical applications in sustainable agriculture, making significant contributions to our understanding of how to maintain food security in the face of climate change.
Professor Maria Kolokotroni is a full academic staff member at Brunel University's Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, within the College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences. She holds a Professorial rank and has extensive experience in urban environmental engineering and building energy systems. Her academic career began at UCL (MSc 1992, PhD 1995), followed by postdoctoral research on environmental design guidance and moisture management. She joined Brunel University in 1998 and contributed to the Building Research Establishment's indoor environment division prior to her academic appointment. Education MSc in Environmental Design and Engineering, Bartlett School, UCL (1992) PhD in Thermal Performance of Housing, UCL (1995) Postdoctoral Research: Environmental Design Guidance (UCL, 1996-1998) EPSRC-funded Postdoc: Moisture in Residential Buildings (University of Westminster, 1998) Research Interests Her work focuses on urban heat island mitigation, energy-efficient building technologies, ventilative cooling systems, and urban microclimate analysis. She actively collaborates on EU-funded projects like the IEA’s Annex 80 (Resilient Cooling) and Annex 62 (Ventilative Cooling), emphasizing practical applications of sustainable energy strategies. Key themes include: Urban albedo computation and reflective materials Thermal performance of residential and non-residential buildings Integration of renewable energy systems (photovoltaics, hydrogen) Building energy demand modeling Grants & Projects Recent projects include: PRELUDE: Real-time building energy optimization (EU, 2020-2024) PVadapt: Smart building-integrated photovoltaic systems (EU, 2018-2022) ReCO2ST: Near-zero energy retrofit platform (EU, 2018-2021) Urban albedo studies in high-latitude cities (EPSRC, 2017-2020) Advising & Collaborations Professor Kolokotroni leads interdisciplinary teams and collaborates with experts in mechanical engineering, environmental science, and urban planning. Her work bridges academic research with industry applications through projects like COOL ROOFS EU initiative and the IEA’s energy efficiency annexes. Labs/Teams Active in the International Energy Agency’s EBC Annex 80 (Resilient Cooling) and part of Brunel’s Institute for the Environment (IEF). Her research group focuses on building sustainability and climate resilience through advanced simulation tools and experimental validation.
