Josè Luis Rubio, one of the founders of the European Society for Soil Conservation ESSC), has been its president from 1998 to 2011. He began his scientific career at the Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA, Valencia) under the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), studying the dynamics of nutrients in the soils. After his doctorate degree he was awarded with a postdoctoral scholarship from the World Bank for further studies in the USA on the use of stable nitrogen isotopes (N15) in the soil plant systems. He was the Spanish representative at one of the first environmental committee of the European Union: Steering Group on Soil Erosion and Conservation (1984), introducing at European and Spanish level early studies and evaluations on the issue of risk of desertification. He was the scientific advisor of the Spanish Delegation in preparing the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and one of the main actors and writers of the Annex to the Convention which deals with the problems of desertification in Mediterranean Europe (1993-1995). He won the Award Jaime I of the Environmental Protection (1996); he was the founder and first director of the Center for Research on Desertification-CIDE (1996) and also the first Project Leader at the European Topic Center on Soil of the European Environment Agency EU (1996-1998). At present he is the Chief of the Department of Soil Degradation and Soil Conservation at CIDE. He has been the director of Environmental Observatory of the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia and is the Secretary of the Experts Committee of the Prince Felipe Museum of Science in Valencia. In 2003 he received the Gold Medal of the Polish Academy of Soil Science. The council of the European Society for Soil Conservation, at its meeting held in Thessaloniki (Greece) during the 6th ESSC International Congress (May,2011), conferred on Prof. Dr. Josè Luis Rubio the “Gerold Richter award 2011” for his successful career of scientific contribution to soil conservation and to increased social awareness of soil degradation problems. At present he is the Chief of the Department of Soil Degradation and Soil Conservation at CIDE and Vice-Chair of the European Soil Bureau Network – ESBN JRC, European Commission).

José L. Rubio has been involved in many scientific and applied activities of land restoration and conservation including the study, evaluation and implementation of soil conservation measures in different dry lands of the world. His scientific activity was directed towards environmental topics studying various aspects of Mediterranean terrestrial ecosystems. He was a pioneer in Spain in subjects such as development of empirical models of water erosion, indicators development, restoration of degraded ecosystems, use of rainfall simulators, integrated mapping methodologies and study of the impact of forest fires.

Brunetto Anton Chiarelli, born in Florence, Italy, on 15 July 1934, is Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at the University of Florence, Italy. Chiarelli emerged as a pioneering figure in the field of Anthropology & Primatology in 1962, when he discovered the chromosomal mutations which distinguished man from apes (Caryologia 15: 99-121). He was formally recognized for his work by various International Institutions. In subsequent years, he made significant advancements in the comparative study of the chromosomes of Primates, becoming a leading expert on primate caryology, taxonomy and phylogeny. Chiarelli is author of more than 500 scientific publications dealing mainly with comparative genetics, cytogenetics, taxonomy of Primates, biology of human populations and global bioethics. More than thirty years ago Chiarelli established the International Institute for Humankind Studies (IIHS) at the University of Florence to offer an international forum for the promotion of ideas pertaining to the study and conservation of Man. Through seminars, conferences and the publication of three academic, quarterly journals: ‘Human Evolution’, the \'International Journal of Anthropology’ and ‘Global Bioethics’, the IIHS attempts to communicate across ideological and scientific domains, embracing minds from all cultures and creeds, to raise the general level of awareness about the historical, natural, environmental and social forces which have determined our evolution thus far, in the hope of re-directing Man’s efforts towards the formulation and implementation of more equitable and ethical social and economic policies, with the common interest at heart. He was also Founder and Editor of ‘Journal of Human Evolution’ from 1972-86. Chiarelli is also President of the European Association of Global Bioethics and member of the Accademia delle Scienze of Turin, not to mention many other prestigious Italian and international organizations, such as the American Association for the Advancement of Science etc.

His research mainly focus on comparative genetics, cytogenetics, taxonomy of Primates, biology of human populations and global bioethics

Professor Omar Bagasra, M.D., Ph.D. is a Professor of Biology and the Director of the South Carolina Center for Biotechnology at Claflin University in South Carolina, USA. He is one of the pioneers in the development of in situ PCR, quantitative PCR and HIV vaccine based on microRNAs. Published over 200 articles, many in top tier journals like PNAS, New England Journal of Medicine, J. Virology and J of Pathology. First to describe the new phenomenon of small RNAs in 1998 book “HIV and Molecular Immunity”. Recipients of numerous National and International Awards. Currently, working on a new miRNA-based vaccine for HIV and on the role of fragrances in the etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

His research mainly focus on HIV vaccinology and Biofuel by fermentation.

Souvik Kusari is a scientist at the Institute of Environmental Research (INFU), Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund, Germany. He is presently a Visiting Researcher at the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, UK, and also Visiting Lecturer at the University of Yaoundé 1, Cameroon, Africa. Dr. Kusari’s focus and goals have been directed primarily towards endophyte research and bioprospecting, including but not limited to, the following:1. fungal and bacterial endophyte(s) characterization; 2. diversity and chemical ecology of endophytes; 3. biosynthesis of bioactive or novel, or cryptic, or ‘unnatural’ natural products, incl. small molecule inducers; 4. evolutionary plant-endophyte interactions; 5. natural product chemistry of endophytes and associated host plants; 6. metabolomics based chemometrics.He continues to search for endophytes producing novel pro-drugs and drugs, including associated plant compounds,and those providing a multitude of benefits to the hosts plants, and thus evaluates the plant-endophyte cost-benefit relationships using microbiological, molecular, biochemical, bioassay-guided and analytical methodologies with the ultimate goal of industrial and/or agricultural application of endophytes.In addition to his direct research and teaching activities, he has undertaken several value-added professional courses and training in several countries, such as the International Summer Schools (ISS) in 2007 (University of Novi Sad, R. Serbia) and 2009 (University of Maribor, Slovenia) with the funding of DAAD initiative “Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe”. He has also received several professional honors and awards, including the Young Researcher Award 2008 awarded by panel of judges headed by the Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, Prof. Dr. Richard R. Ernst, for his discovery of camptothecin biosynthesis by an endophytic fungus harbored in Camptotheca acuminata. He has been admitted as the member of the RSC (UK) and the Society of Biology (UK). Furthermore, he has been elected as a Chartered Biologist by the Society of Biologyin 2011.Recently, he has been invited to the 63rdLindau Nobel Laureate Meeting 2013, which is one of the world’s most prestigious forums for direct and personal scientific exchange between Nobel Laureates and the selected researchers across different disciplines and nationalities. His professional association also extends to a number of other internationally renowned professional, scientific, and learned societies, such as the European Mycological Association (EMA), the Phytochemical Society of Europe (PSE), the American Chemical Society (ACS), and many more. He is also an ad hoc reviewer of several international journals from reputed publishing houses.For Dr. Kusari’s complete professional candidature, including his publications, books and lectures, please see his official homepage(s).

Kusari’s focus and goals have been directed primarily towards endophyte research and bioprospecting, including but not limited to, the following:1.Fungal and bacterial endophyte(s) characterization; 2.Diversity and chemical ecology of endophytes; 3.Biosynthesis of bioactive or novel, or cryptic, or ‘unnatural’ natural products, incl. small molecule inducers; 4.Evolutionary plant-endophyte interactions; 5.Natural product chemistry of endophytes and associated host plants; 6. Metabolomics based chemometrics.

Danielle Marceau has been professor in GIScience at the University of Montreal from 1993 to 2005 before joining the Department of Geomatics Engineering at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where she is pursuing a research program on Complex System Modelling. She is the author and co-author of more than 100 refereed publications and 200 conferences and invited lectures. She has published a book on Advanced Geo simulation Models in 2011.She has been awarded a Schulich Research Chair in Geo-spatial Information Systems and Environmental Modelling in 2010.

Marceau’s research program is focused on Complex System Modelling. It involves the design and implementation of individual-based models, namely cellular automata (CA) and agent-based models (ABM) to study the interaction and evolution of coupled natural/human systems. These models are used as spatial tools to guide decision making in environmental resource management more specifically in the area of water and energy, land use and spatial planning, and wildlife-human interactions.

Alexander Ivlev received his PhD (1968) at Mendeleev Chemical Technology Institute (Russia) on studies “Thermodynamics of Isotope Exchange of Elements with Middle and Heavy Masses”. After post doctorate studies he worked in All-Union Oil Research Institute. His next PhD (1986) he received at Institute of Chemical Physics of Russian Academy of Sciences on studies “The Regularities of Carbon Isotope Fractionation in Biological Systems”. In 2005 he was awarded by Medal of Russian Academy of Natural Sciences “To Author of Scientific Discovery” for establishing link between carbon isotope distribution in metabolites and temporal organization of metabolic processes. Keeping on his work in Oil Research Institute in 1994 he was invited to lecture for students in Russian State Agrarian University. In 1995 he received Professor’s degree. At present the fields of his scientific interests are photosynthesis, plant physiology, geochemistry, molecular biology. He is author of 4 scientific monographs and has about 200 publications.

Scientific interests of Alexander Ivlev are photosynthesis, plant physiology, geochemistry and molecular biology

Aysegul Tanik is a Full Professor at Istanbul Technical University (ITU) in Turkey. She obtained her B.Sc. degree in Chemical Engineering (1981) and M.Sc. Degree (1984) in Environmental Engineering from Bogazici University, Istanbul. Between years 1981-1983, she worked as a chemical engineer in the Industrial Development Bank of Turkey and as a Research Assistant at Bogazici University during 1983-1984. Her Ph.D. is in Environmental Engineering (1991) and she got her degree from ITU, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering where she has been a member of teaching staff since 1992. She has become Associate Professor in 1996 and Full Professor in 2002. She has worked as a Project and Research Engineer in various Contracting Firms dealing with treatment of water and wastewater within the years 1984-1992. Her current fields of interest are; determination and management of diffuse sources of pollutants, water quality management, water quality modeling, and integrated watershed management. She has 60 papers appearing in international SCI journals and more than 70 papers in the selected international proceedings besides many national conference papers.

Her current fields of interest are; determination and management of diffuse sources of pollutants, water quality management, water quality modeling, and integrated watershed management.

Maria Vladimirtseva has completed her PhD in 2011 from North-East Federal University and postdoctoral studies from Institute for Biological Problem of Cryolithozone under Siberian Department of Russian Academy for Sciences. She is ornithologist-researcher in Laboratory of Mount and Subarctic System of this Institute. She has published 50 papers.

Her research focus on Biological Problem of Cryolithozone and Satellite techniques use in study of ecology and migration of animal in Yakutia(Northeast Asia)

Leocadia Zhou has completed her PhD in 2009 at the University of Fort Hare, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Dr Zhou research expertise is in the area of biodiversity conservation, with extended interest in climate change impacts on food security. Currently she is the Programme Director of the Risk and Vulnerability Science Centre (RVSC) at the University of Fort Hare. The RVSC’s mandate is to generate and disseminate knowledge on risk and vulnerability on global change challenges to local municipalities and other potential users, in so doing provide knowledge brokering support for effective use of the South African Risk Vulnerability Atlas initiated by the Department of Science and Technology. Dr. Zhou’s activities revolve around governance, networking, research, and student training. She supervises Masters and PhD students recruited under the RVSC. Dr Zhou has produced 2 book chapters in press and has also published papers on food security and biodiversity conservation in international refereed journals. Dr Zhou serves as a project steering committee member of the Eastern Cape Anti-Poverty- Food Security.

Zhou research expertise is in the area of biodiversity conservation, with extended interest in climate change impacts on food security.

Bachelor, Forestry Science (Forest Management), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), 1998. Master, Applied Remote Sensing, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), 2001. PhD, Geoinformatics-Remote Sensing and GIS, Cranfield University, UK, 2005.

Forestry Sciences, Forestry Information System and Technology, Remote sensing. Engineering Sciences, Geomatic Engineering, Digital image processing.

Dawen Gao got his PhD (2003) and MPhil (2000) degrees from Harbin Institute of Technology, after receiving his BSc (1991) from Qiqihaer Normal College. Then he worked as a postdoctoral research fellow at Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University and as a visiting scholar at Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Stanford University. He was Associate Professor and Professor at School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University from 2003 to 2007 and joined Harbin Institute of Technology as a professor from 2007. The focus of his research and teaching has been in environmental science and engineering, and the control of environmental contaminations. He won a few awards, including 2 Heilongjiang Province Science & Technology Awards (2008, 2011), Heilongjiang Province Excellent Youth Award (2005), New Century Excellent Talent Award (2005), and China Excellent Doctoral Thesis Award (2005). He has published two books and 80 papers.

Nutrients removal from wastewater Bioremediation and biorestoration of contaminated aquifer Fate and movement of contaminants in environment