Synan F AbuQamar, PhD, United Arab Emirates University, UAE
Synan AbuQamar is a Professor of Biology at United Arab Emirates University. He earned his PhD in Botany & Plant Pathology from Purdue University in 2007, followed by postdoctoral training in 2008. His research focuses on molecular genetics in plant immunity, exploring cellular and molecular mechanisms of defense against necrotrophic pathogens in Arabidopsis, tomato, and date palm. His work also extends to biocontrol applications and environmental remediation. Prof AbuQamar has published over 110 peer-reviewed articles and received prestigious awards, including Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Technology, and King Hamad Prize for Agricultural Development in 2023. Website.
Solange Duhamel, PhD, University of Arizona, USA
Dr Solange Duhamel is an Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Arizona, with a joint appointment in the Department of Planetary Sciences. She also serves as an Adjunct Research Scientist at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University. Dr Duhamel received her BSc in organismal biology and MSc in Biological Oceanography and Marine Environmental Ecology from the University Pierre et Marie Curie, followed by a PhD in Marine Environmental Science from the University of Aix-Marseille, France. As an environmental microbiologist and biogeochemist, her research focuses on understanding the roles of microorganisms in biogeochemical transformations, their environmental adaptations, and stress responses. She investigates how nutrient bioavailability and energy accessibility influence marine microorganisms' functions, diversity, and distribution. Her work extends to studying life's adaptability to extreme environments, with significant implications for astrobiology. Her approach is multidisciplinary and includes laboratory and field based experimental work. Her research has been supported by various grants from organizations such as the US National Science Foundation and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. Website.
Laure Guillou, PhD, CNRS, France
Dr Guillou is Research Director at CNRS and is an oceanographer specializing in marine plankton diversity and the functional role of parasitic organisms in regulating harmful algal blooms. With a focus on estuarine ecosystems, her research spans over a decade and Dr Guillou investigates the complex interactions between plankton and their parasites across various spatial and temporal scales. Using a combination of morphological, genomic, and ecological approaches, she explores the diversity, evolution, and biology of parasitic eukaryotic lineages in marine environments. Her work often involves big data analysis and the enhancement of reference databases in molecular and genomic ecology. Website.
Ning Ling, PhD, Lanzhou University, Nanjing Agricultural University, China
Dr Ning Ling’s research focuses on soil microbial ecology, with particular emphasis on rhizosphere microbial community dynamics and microbial-mediated biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Specifically, Dr Ling investigates how fertilization practices and climate change influence soil microbiome assembly and functioning, aiming to develop microbiome-based strategies for sustainable soil management. His work particularly elucidates the microbial mechanisms driving nutrient transformation processes in terrestrial ecosystems. Dr Ling obtained a PhD from Nanjing Agricultural University and currently serves as a Full Professor at the Center of Grassland Microbiome, Lanzhou University. Additionally, he maintains an adjunct professorship in the Department of Plant Nutrition at his alma mater, Nanjing Agricultural University. Website.
