by Ian Khan | Oct 10, 2023 | Futurist Blog
Dr. Angela Belcher – As a biological engineer and materials scientist, Dr. Belcher is renowned for her groundbreaking work in evolving novel materials for energy, electronics, and the environment using nature-inspired techniques, particularly using viruses and other organisms to grow and assemble materials.
Prof. Sir Andre Geim – A Nobel laureate, Geim is recognized for his isolation of graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms. His work has spearheaded research into the remarkable properties and potential applications of this two-dimensional material.
Dr. Jennifer A. Lewis – With a focus on the design and fabrication of functional, structural, and biological materials, Dr. Lewis is a pioneer in 3D printing and has developed innovative methods for creating multi-material structures with intricate architectures.
Prof. C. N. R. Rao – An eminent scientist in the field of solid-state and structural chemistry, Rao has made significant contributions to the synthesis and understanding of novel materials, including high-temperature superconductors, graphene, and 2D materials.
Dr. Yet-Ming Chiang – As a materials scientist, Dr. Chiang's research revolves around the design, synthesis, and characterization of advanced materials for energy storage. He's been instrumental in developing next-generation batteries.
Prof. Joanna Aizenberg – Inspired by natural structures, Aizenberg's work delves into biomimetic inorganic materials synthesis, studying natural material systems and designing new, tunable materials for various applications.
Dr. Julia Greer – A pioneer in creating and studying new classes of micro- and nano-architected materials, Greer's work combines multiple materials into composite structures to achieve properties not available in monolithic materials.
Prof. Jing Kong – Specializing in the synthesis of novel nanomaterials and their applications in devices, Kong has made vital contributions to the understanding of carbon nanotubes and graphene.
Dr. Elsa Reichmanis – Her interdisciplinary research has paved the way for advancements in the microelectronics and photonics sectors. She's explored the chemistry, properties, and application of photoactive materials, impacting flexible electronics and sustainability.
Prof. Geoffrey Ozin – Known as a pioneer in the field of nanochemistry, Ozin's research explores the fabrication and functionality of nanostructured materials, with a particular focus on innovative solutions for environmental and energy issues.
by Ian Khan | Oct 10, 2023 | Futurist Blog
Dr. Anny Cazenave: A globally recognized expert in satellite altimetry, Cazenave's research has significantly contributed to our understanding of sea-level rise and its causes. As a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), her insights have shaped global climate assessments.
Dr. Sarah Parcak: Termed as a ‘space archaeologist', Dr. Parcak utilizes satellite imagery to uncover ancient archaeological sites. Winner of the 2016 TED Prize, she's advanced the use of remote sensing in archaeology.
Dr. John Reilly: A lead researcher at MIT's Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change, Reilly specializes in integrating satellite data into models to understand climate change impacts on agriculture, forests, and water resources.
Prof. Chris Justice: Holding a key role in NASA's MODIS and VIIRS land data teams, Justice's work has focused on global-scale monitoring of vegetation dynamics and wildfires using Earth observation.
Dr. Catherine Nakalembe: Awarded as one of the Earth observation community's top young professionals, Nakalembe focuses on using satellite data for agricultural monitoring in Africa, assisting policymakers in food security and related decisions.
Dr. Josef Aschbacher: As the Director-General of the European Space Agency (ESA), Aschbacher is pivotal in guiding Europe's space-based Earth observation efforts, especially the ambitious Copernicus program which is pivotal in environmental monitoring.
Dr. Barbara Ryan: Former Director of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Secretariat, Ryan's leadership has facilitated international collaboration in Earth observations, promoting the idea that data about the Earth should be a public good.
Dr. Will Marshall: Co-founder and CEO of Planet Labs, Marshall's pioneering work in deploying CubeSats for Earth observation has revolutionized the frequency and accessibility of satellite imagery, aiding sectors from agriculture to disaster response.
Prof. Penelope Boston: As a NASA astrobiologist, Boston explores caves and uses Earth observation technologies to study our planet's most extreme environments, drawing parallels for potential life on other celestial bodies.
Dr. Sandra Cauffman: Acting Director of the Earth Science Division at NASA, Cauffman's leadership ensures the continuous observation of Earth's land, atmosphere, and oceans, helping understand the planet's intricate systems and changes.
by Ian Khan | Oct 10, 2023 | Futurist Blog
Dr. Katharine Hayhoe: A renowned climate scientist, Hayhoe focuses on developing high-resolution climate projections. She actively communicates climate change through various media outlets and has been named one of TIME's 100 most influential people for her work in atmospheric science.
Dr. V. “Ram” Ramanathan: At the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Ramanathan has been groundbreaking in discovering the greenhouse effect of halocarbons. He's been instrumental in researching atmospheric brown clouds and their impact on climate.
Dr. Gavin Schmidt: As the Director of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, Schmidt's work encompasses the use of climate models to understand past, present, and future climate change, making critical contributions to our understanding of atmospheric dynamics.
Prof. Veerabhadran Ramanathan: Recognized for his research in cloud-climate feedback, greenhouse effects, and the atmospheric effect of aerosols, he has pioneered the study of the global warming potential of short-lived climate pollutants.
Dr. Inez Fung: Focusing on biogeochemical cycles, Fung's work predicts how plants and soil will respond to climate change. Her studies also include global atmospheric observations to verify these predictions.
Dr. James Hansen: A former NASA scientist, Hansen is often called the “father of climate change awareness.” He's been at the forefront of atmospheric modeling and climate research, providing testimony on climate change to congressional committees.
Prof. Susan Solomon: Known for her essential work in explaining the cause of the Antarctic ozone “hole,” Solomon's research has been fundamental in understanding and projecting atmospheric and climate changes.
Dr. Myles Allen: As the head of the Climate Dynamics group at the University of Oxford's Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Planetary Physics Department, Allen's work has been central to the development of the “event attribution” science, understanding how human influence affects extreme weather events.
Prof. Brian Hoskins: A leader in the field of meteorology and climate science, Hoskins has contributed significantly to our understanding of weather systems and atmospheric predictability.
Dr. Michael E. Mann: Known for the famous “hockey stick graph,” Mann's research primarily focuses on paleoclimate and human-induced climate change. He's been vocal about the risks of unchecked emissions and the impact on global atmospheres.
by Ian Khan | Oct 10, 2023 | Futurist Blog
Dr. Iain Douglas-Hamilton: Founder of Save the Elephants, Dr. Douglas-Hamilton has been a pioneer in using radio and satellite tracking for monitoring elephant movements, thus gaining insights into their behavior and migratory patterns.
Dr. Jane Goodall: Although best known for her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees, Dr. Goodall's legacy includes embracing modern technologies, such as satellite imagery and tracking, to monitor and conserve wildlife habitats.
Dr. Krithi K. Karanth: As the Chief Conservation Scientist at the Centre for Wildlife Studies in India, Dr. Karanth is involved in using tech for conflict resolution between humans and wildlife, utilizing data analytics and geospatial modeling.
Dr. Greg Asner: With the CAO (Carnegie Airborne Observatory), Dr. Asner combines LiDAR technology and hyperspectral imaging to map out and study intricate ecosystems, focusing on biodiversity conservation.
Steve Gulick: A notable figure in the field of bioacoustics, Gulick has innovated software for the automatic identification of bird calls and songs, making it easier to monitor avian populations.
Dr. Lucy Hawkes: An expert on animal movements, Dr. Hawkes uses advanced telemetry techniques, such as satellite and archival tracking, to uncover the mysteries of migratory patterns in various species.
Dr. Tanya Berger-Wolf: As a computational ecologist, she co-founded Wildbook, a software platform that uses AI and computer vision to identify individual animals through photographs, helping in population tracking.
Dr. Meredith Palmer: She has been instrumental in integrating technology with wildlife research, using trail cameras and other remote sensing tech to study predator-prey interactions in various ecosystems.
Martin Wikelski: As the director of the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, he leads the ICARUS initiative, which uses satellite technology to track small animals worldwide, providing vast data for migration and behavior studies.
Ollie Wearn: Known for his work with the ZSL's (Zoological Society of London) Instant Wild project, Wearn has been pivotal in leveraging camera trap images and citizen scientists for monitoring wildlife.
by Ian Khan | Oct 10, 2023 | Futurist Blog
Dr. Dawn Wright: As the Chief Scientist at Esri, Dr. Wright has contributed extensively to ocean informatics, marine data science, and geospatial standards. Her work bridges the gap between marine biology and geospatial tech.
Jack Dangermond: Founder and president of Esri, the world's leading GIS software company, Dangermond has been an instrumental figure in promoting the use of GIS technology across various sectors for spatial understanding and planning.
Dr. Sarah Parcak: A space archaeologist, Dr. Parcak uses satellite imaging to discover ancient sites. Winner of the TED Prize, she's an advocate for the application of geospatial technology in archaeology.
Dr. Vanessa Lawrence CB: Serving as the Director-General of the Ordnance Survey, the UK's national mapping agency, Dr. Lawrence has driven the adoption of geospatial technologies at national and international levels.
Prof. Michael Goodchild: A notable academic in the field of GIS, Professor Goodchild's work at the University of California, Santa Barbara, has laid the groundwork for many current geospatial technologies and methodologies.
Charlie Loyd: As a satellite imagery specialist formerly with Mapbox, Loyd has been at the forefront of capturing and utilizing high-resolution images for enhanced geospatial applications.
Nigel Clifford: Former CEO of the Ordnance Survey, Clifford has played a pivotal role in advancing geospatial tech, particularly focusing on the integration of new technologies with traditional mapping practices.
Dr. Karen Kemp: A professor at the University of Southern California, Dr. Kemp has significantly impacted the geospatial realm through her interdisciplinary approach, connecting geospatial tech with environmental and urban studies.
Steven Ramage: As Head of External Relations for the Group on Earth Observations, Ramage focuses on promoting the importance of earth observation data and its integration into geospatial technologies.
Rebecca Moore: As the Director of Google Earth, Moore's initiatives, especially ‘Google Earth Engine,' have made geospatial analysis accessible to the masses, allowing for in-depth environmental monitoring and assessment.
