Emmanuel Ekeoma is currently a Walsh scholar and a PhD student at the University of Birmingham. His PhD is focused on understanding tree anchorage and its implications for forest resilience in the face of climate change. He received his BEng in Civil Engineering at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike and his MSc in Geotechnical Engineering at the University of Dundee. He also works as an Assistant Lecturer at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, (2019 – till date). He is corporate member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and a licenced engineer by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). He has won several scholarships including Walsh scholarship (2022 - 2026), Petroleum Technology Development Fund Scholarship (2018 - 2019), University of Dundee International Students Scholarship (2018 - 2019), and Agbami Scholarship for Nigerian Undergraduate Students (2012 - 2016). He was also part of the team that received the Royal Academy of Engineering (UK) Pandemic Preparedness – Engineering X funding in 2020 for research on the Handwashing Culture of Primary School Pupils in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. His research topics mainly include Bioengineering, Tree Stability, Soil Stabilisation, Soil Erosion, Soil Structure Interaction and Climate Change.

Prof. Mark Sterling is the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Staffing) for the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Manchester Metropolitan University. He is also an adjunct Research Professor at Western University. Prior to his current roles, he worked at the University of Birmingham for 25 years holding several leadership positions. He is an international expert in Wind Engineering and has carved out two distinct areas of research, the effect of wind on plants and the effect of extreme wind events.

Nicole Metje is a Professor of Infrastructure Monitoring and Head of Enterprise, Engagement, and Impact within the School of Engineering at the University of Birmingham, UK. She is also the Director of the National Buried Infrastructure Facility (NBIF), part of the UK Collaboratorium for Research on Infrastructure and Cities. She leads the Geophysics research of the Birmingham-led Quantum Technologies Hub for Sensors and Timing, working closely with industry to develop sensors and novel processing methods to see through the ground to ensure that any excavation is safer and results in fewer delays. She also has an interest in soil-structure interaction. She is involved in several utility committees both in the UK and internationally, developing standards and working on best practices and training. Her paper on assessing the impact of PAS128 in the UK won the ICE’s James Hill prize in 2021.

Dr. John Spink received his Ph.D. degree in agricultural science from the University of Leeds in 1988. He previously served as the Head of Crop Physiology, Agronomy, and Protection at ADAS from October 1990 to April 2009. He moved to TEAGASC - The Agriculture and Food Development Authority and was promoted to Head of the Environment, Crops and Land Use Programme. His skills and expertise mainly include Wheat, Plant Physiology, Crop Improvement, Plant Biology, Agriculture, and Disease Resistance.

Niall Farrelly is a Senior Forestry Research Officer at Teagasc. He received his B.Agr.Sc. in Forestry at University College Dublin, his H.Dip. in Computing at Griffith College Dublin, and his Ph.D. at University College Dublin. His research focuses on how genetics, forest management, and environmental factors influence the growth and productivity of plantation forests. His research areas include tree breeding, which aims to identify species and seed origins adapted to current and future climate conditions, and the potential of genomic selection to assist in the tree breeding of Sitka spruce. Other areas of research include evaluating thinning strategies that improve the economics and timber quality of softwood plantations.

Owen Fenton is a Principal Research Officer working in the fields of soil hydrology, soil water management, (land drainage and rewetting), soil physics including soil physical indicators to determine soil quality and health, hydrogeology, and bio-based fertilizer use characterisation and fertilizer equivalency value within the bio-economy at Teagasc, Environmental Research Centre, Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford, Ireland. He obtained his M.Sc in Hydrogeology at the University of Birmingham and his Ph.D. at the University of Galway. He is also a member of the FACCE-JPI Scientific Advisory Board (from 2022), an editor of the Irish Journal of Agricultural and Food Research, an Adjunct Professor at NUI-Galway, a Visiting Professor at the University of Sheffield, and a Visiting Scientist at CAU & CAAU Beijing, China.