Climate Week Committee Members
Climate Week Committee Members brought together global leaders, each a beacon of hope. In a bustling auditorium, diverse voices merged, weaving a tapestry of ideas. Energy pulsed through the air as they shared innovative solutions and bold commitments. With eloquence and passion, they painted a picture of harmony between nature and humanity. The audience, inspired and determined, left with a renewed mission to forge a greener future. The panel had ignited a fire, illuminating the path to a sustainable tomorrow.
Jia-Zhong Zhang
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, USA

Jia-Zhong Zhang
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, USA
Jia-Zhong Zhang is a principal Investigator working at the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratories, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Miami, Florida, USA. He developed novel analytical techniques to quantify nutrient content in natural environments. He study the land source of plant nutrient (N, P, Si) input to the coastal waters and biogeochemical cycles of nutrient in coupled with carbon and oxygen in the ocean. He has published 80 scientific papers on nutrient biogeochemistry. He currently serves as an editorial board member for Scientific Reports.
Jia-Zhong Zhang is a principal Investigator working at the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratories, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Miami, Florida, USA. He developed novel analytical techniques to quantify nutrient content in natural environments. He study the land source of plant nutrient (N, P, Si) input to the coastal waters and biogeochemical cycles of nutrient in coupled with carbon and oxygen in the ocean. He has published 80 scientific papers on nutrient biogeochemistry. He currently serves as an editorial board member for Scientific Reports.
Patrizia Piro
University of Calabria, Italy

Patrizia Piro
University of Calabria, Italy
Prof. Patrizia Piro is a Full Professor at the Department of Civil Engineering of University of Calabria (Italy). She is currently Vice-Rector of University of Calabria (Italy) and chair of the "Urban Hydraulic Center Studies (CSDU)" in Italy. Her research principally focuses on urban water management, with main focus on real time control of urban drainage networks and on LID (Low Impact Development) systems implementation. Her main interests are: combined sewer overflows, water pollution, flood risk mitigation, water saving, urban stormwater management, water treatment, urban drainage, low impact development, soil science, experimental analysis, and numerical modeling. She is currently: Guest Editor of Special Issue "Innovative, Smart and Sustainable Solutions for Urban Storm water Management" in Water (an Open Access Journal by MDPI); Guest Editor of Special Issue "Sustainable Urban Stormwater Management" in Sustainability (an Open Access Journal by MDPI); Guest Editor of Special Issue "Soil–Water–City Nexus in Urban Environment: Experimental Investigations and Numerical Analysis in Urban Hydrology Science" in Hydrology (an Open Access Journal by MDPI); Guest Editor of Special Issue "Climate Change Impacts on Urban Stormwater Management" in Atmosphere (an Open Access Journal by MDPI). Department of Civil Engineering, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy.
Prof. Patrizia Piro is a Full Professor at the Department of Civil Engineering of University of Calabria (Italy). She is currently Vice-Rector of University of Calabria (Italy) and chair of the “Urban Hydraulic Center Studies (CSDU)” in Italy. Her research principally focuses on urban water management, with main focus on real time control of urban drainage networks and on LID (Low Impact Development) systems implementation. Her main interests are: combined sewer overflows, water pollution, flood risk mitigation, water saving, urban stormwater management, water treatment, urban drainage, low impact development, soil science, experimental analysis, and numerical modeling. She is currently: Guest Editor of Special Issue “Innovative, Smart and Sustainable Solutions for Urban Storm water Management” in Water (an Open Access Journal by MDPI); Guest Editor of Special Issue “Sustainable Urban Stormwater Management” in Sustainability (an Open Access Journal by MDPI); Guest Editor of Special Issue “Soil–Water–City Nexus in Urban Environment: Experimental Investigations and Numerical Analysis in Urban Hydrology Science” in Hydrology (an Open Access Journal by MDPI); Department of Civil Engineering, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
Isabella Velicogna
University of California, USA

Isabella Velicogna
University of California, USA
Isabella Velicogna is a Professor of Earth System Sciences at the University of California Irvine and a Faculty Part time at NASA/Caltech’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA. She uses novel geophysical methods and satellite remote sensing techniques to understand the physical processes governing ice sheet mass balance and the hydrologic cycle of high latitude regions, with an emphasis on time-variable gravity from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission, follow-on gravity missions, and other geophysical data (GPS, precipitation reanalysis, laser altimetry, regional climate models, and in situ observations).
Isabella Velicogna is a Professor of Earth System Sciences at the University of California Irvine and a Faculty Part time at NASA/Caltech’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA. She uses novel geophysical methods and satellite remote sensing techniques to understand the physical processes governing ice sheet mass balance and the hydrologic cycle of high latitude regions, with an emphasis on time-variable gravity from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission, follow-on gravity missions, and other geophysical data (GPS, precipitation reanalysis, laser altimetry, regional climate models, and in situ observations).
John J. Qu
George Mason University, USA

John J. Qu
George Mason University, USA
John J. Qu is Professor, Geography and GeoInformation Science, George Mason University, USA. His research projects include land, water and atmosphere environmental remote sensing, and will involve collaborations with international partners. His major research focus is already underway to develop integrated early warning and decision-support systems for sustainable Water-Energy-Food-Health (WEFH) Nexus.
John J. Qu is Professor, Geography and GeoInformation Science, George Mason University, USA. His research projects include land, water and atmosphere environmental remote sensing, and will involve collaborations with international partners. His major research focus is already underway to develop integrated early warning and decision-support systems for sustainable Water-Energy-Food-Health (WEFH) Nexus.
Irene Nicotra
Province of Livorno, Italy

Irene Nicotra
Province of Livorno, Italy
Irene Nicotra is the responsible of the special project unit “ELBA Island” and deputy member of the monitoring committee - European cooperation pro-gramme IT-FR maritime 2021-2027 with Province of Livorno. Her responsibilities include strategic development, local public transport and development functions, coordinating the technical committee of the intercommunal coordination on European Policies (SAPE - European Policy Associated Service) and the provincial territorial office for the management of local public transport.
Irene Nicotra is the responsible of the special project unit “ELBA Island” and deputy member of the monitoring committee – European cooperation pro-gramme IT-FR maritime 2021-2027 with Province of Livorno. Her responsibilities include strategic development, local public transport and development functions, coordinating the technical committee of the intercommunal coordination on European Policies (SAPE – European Policy Associated Service) and the provincial territorial office for the management of local public transport.
Dai-Yeun Jeong
UNESCO World Network of Island and Coastal Biosphere Reserves, South Korea
Dai-Yeun Jeong
UNESCO World Network of Island and Coastal Biosphere Reserves, South Korea
Dr. Dai-Yeun Jeong is presently the Acting Director of UNESCO World Network of Island and Coastal Biosphere Reserves based in South Korea. He received BA and MA degree in sociology from Korea University (South Korea) and PhD in environmental sociology from University of Queensland (Australia). He was a professor of sociology at Jeju National University (South Korea) from 1981 to 2012, and served as the President of Asia-Pacific Sociological Association from 2002 to 2004, and as a delegate of South Korean Government to UNFCCC and OECD Environmental Meeting from 2003 to 2005. He has published 13 books including Environmental Sociology, and 60 academic research papers in domestic and international journals. Since 2000, he has conducted 15 research projects on environment-related projects funded by domestic and international origination.
Dr. Dai-Yeun Jeong is presently the Acting Director of UNESCO World Network of Island and Coastal Biosphere Reserves based in South Korea. He received a BA and MA degree in sociology from Korea University (South Korea) and Ph.D. in environmental sociology from the University of Queensland (Australia). He was a professor of sociology at Jeju National University (South Korea) from 1981 to 2012, and served as the President of Asia-Pacific Sociological Association from 2002 to 2004, and as a delegate of the South Korean Government to UNFCCC and OECD Environmental Meeting from 2003 to 2005. He has published 13 books including Environmental Sociology, and 60 academic research papers in domestic and international journals. Since 2000, he has conducted 15 research projects on environment-related projects funded by domestic and international origination.
Maurizio Filippo Acciarri
UNIMIB, Italy

Maurizio Filippo Acciarri
UNIMIB, Italy
Maurizio Filippo Acciarri, is associate professor of Physics at UNIMIB. His research is mainly addressed to the study of photovoltaic cells and more generally to the physical aspects of energy efficiency and energy storage. In this area, he studied CO2 capture from industrial fumes and use. He is the coordinator of the GEM (Green Energy Management) Summer School and is president of the international network "SILKWAY - Energy, Connectivity, Environment, People" made up of universities, local and international stakeholders and other external partners from Europe and Central Asia.
He participates to the Network for the Sustainable Development of Universities energy working group as a contact for UNIMIB for the energy sector and he is the coordinator of the Energy Committee of the Milano-Bicocca University. Since 2019 he has been a member of the Institutional Research Committee of the National Energy Cluster as a representative of physicists (Physics for energy).
Maurizio Filippo Acciarri, is associate professor of Physics at UNIMIB. His research is mainly addressed to the study of photovoltaic cells and more generally to the physical aspects of energy efficiency and energy storage. In this area, he studied CO2 capture from industrial fumes and use. He is the coordinator of the GEM (Green Energy Management) Summer School and is president of the international network “SILKWAY – Energy, Connectivity, Environment, People” made up of universities, local and international stakeholders and other external partners from Europe and Central Asia. He participates to the Network for the Sustainable Development of Universities energy working group as a contact for UNIMIB for the energy sector and he is the coordinator of the Energy Committee of the Milano-Bicocca University.
Akos Mesterhazy
Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Hungary

Akos Mesterhazy
Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Hungary
Prof. Dr. Akos Mesterhazy is a research professor and full memkber of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. He is working in the Cereal Research non-profit Ltd. since 1972, Szeged, a research unit of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences Gödöllő, Hungary. His main research topic is the resistance of the cereals to the toxigenic fungi, with strong food safety aspects. The scientific results were published in 80 papers in international journals. In recent years the reorganization of the production chain is in the focus. The huge losses during production and storage should be significantly decreased and the production chain should be organized organized as a unit not to waste valuable grain. Even a total control is not possible, the reduction of total waste by 25% would make it possible to feed another 3-4 billion people.
Prof. Dr. Akos Mesterhazy is a research professor and full memkber of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. He is working in the Cereal Research non-profit Ltd. since 1972, Szeged, a research unit of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences Gödöllő, Hungary. His main research topic is the resistance of the cereals to the toxigenic fungi, with strong food safety aspects. The scientific results were published in 80 papers in international journals. In recent years the reorganization of the production chain is in the focus. The huge losses during production and storage should be significantly decreased and the production chain should be organized organized as a unit not to waste valuable grain. Even a total control is not possible, the reduction of total waste by 25% would make it possible to feed another 3-4 billion people.
Hans-Joachim Ziesing Germany
Cologne University, Germany
Hans-Joachim Ziesing Germany
Cologne University, Germany
Dr Hans-Joachim Ziesing is a Senior Policy Advisor at Ecologic Institute. From 1969 to 2006, Hans-Joachim Ziesing worked at the German Institute for Economic Research in Berlin (DIW Berlin). He started as a researcher and from 1982 to 2004, he headed the department "Energy, Transportation, Environment"; from 2004 to 2006, he was Senior Executive. As of 2007 he works as an independent consultant. He is Managing Director of the "Working Group on Energy Balances" since 1994, responsible for the energy balances in the Federal Republic of Germany. Since October 2011 Dr Hans-Joachim Ziesing is a member of the energy expert commission, which supports the monitoring process "Energy of the Future".
Dr Hans-Joachim Ziesing is a Senior Policy Advisor at Ecologic Institute. From 1969 to 2006, Hans-Joachim Ziesing worked at the German Institute for Economic Research in Berlin (DIW Berlin). He started as a researcher and from 1982 to 2004, he headed the department “Energy, Transportation, Environment”; from 2004 to 2006, he was Senior Executive. As of 2007 he works as an independent consultant. He is Managing Director of the “Working Group on Energy Balances” since 1994, responsible for the energy balances in the Federal Republic of Germany. Since October 2011 Dr Hans-Joachim Ziesing is a member of the energy expert commission, which supports the monitoring process “Energy of the Future”.
Giuliana Quattrone
National Research Council, Italy

Giuliana Quattrone
National Research Council, Italy
Giuliana Quattrone is a senior researcher in Urban planning for the National Research Council. Architect, Doctor of research, Phd in Territorial Planning, enabled to the status of associate professor. She carries out an academic and professional activity in the field of environmental spatial planning. She attended international masters and postgraduate courses both in Italy and Europe (European Master in Environmental Management, at Fondation Universitaire Luxembourgeise de Arlon, European Master in environmental engineering and management at Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Master in Management and Evaluation of Integrated Territorial Systems at University of Reggio Calabria) She received several grants of research from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs to carry out research at international scientific institutions. She did research activity at Czech Technical University of Praha, National Technology University of Athens, Polytechnic Fédérale School of Lausanne, University Savaria of Szombathey, Cyprus University of Nicosia.
Giuliana Quattrone is a senior researcher in Urban planning for the National Research Council. Architect, Doctor of research, Phd in Territorial Planning, enabled to the status of associate professor. She carries out an academic and professional activity in the field of environmental spatial planning. She attended international masters and postgraduate courses both in Italy and Europe (European Master in Environmental Management, at Fondation Universitaire Luxembourgeise de Arlon, European Master in environmental engineering and management at Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Master in Management and Evaluation of Integrated Territorial Systems at University of Reggio Calabria) She received several grants of research from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs to carry out research at international scientific institutions. She did research activity at Czech Technical University of Praha, National Technology University of Athens, Polytechnic Fédérale School of Lausanne, University Savaria of Szombathey, Cyprus University of Nicosia.
Eeva Kuntsi-Reunanen
Finnish Meteorological Institute, Finland

Eeva Kuntsi-Reunanen
Finnish Meteorological Institute, Finland
Eeva Kuntsi-Reunanen works as a senior researcher in the Weather and Climate Change Impact Research unit at Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI). She is currently acting as a head of Climate Change and Innovation Research group at FMI. The focus of the group is on reconciling climate change and innovation-oriented research with predictions and views of the future foresight studies. The group examines impacts of weather and climate change for mitigation and adaptation policies and efforts, with emphasis on the economic dimension. Kuntsi-Reunanen has a PhD in Economic Geography. Before her career in FMI, Kuntsi-Reunanen used to work at the Finland Futures Research Centre on energy and climate policy related issues. Her fields of expertise are CO2 emissions and intensity development, scenario and model development and burden sharing as well as future emission targets. Currently she works on issues related on economics and impacts of climate change.
Eeva Kuntsi-Reunanen works as a senior researcher in the Weather and Climate Change Impact Research unit at Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI). She is currently acting as a head of Climate Change and Innovation Research group at FMI. The focus of the group is on reconciling climate change and innovation-oriented research with predictions and views of the future foresight studies. The group examines impacts of weather and climate change for mitigation and adaptation policies and efforts, with emphasis on the economic dimension. Kuntsi-Reunanen has a PhD in Economic Geography. Before her career in FMI, Kuntsi-Reunanen used to work at the Finland Futures Research Centre on energy and climate policy related issues. Her fields of expertise are CO2 emissions and intensity development, scenario and model development and burden sharing as well as future emission targets. Currently she works on issues related on economics and impacts of climate change.
Pr. Lingai LUO is Research Director of the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS). She was a Direction member of LTEN and the director of LOCIE, both Laboratories of CNRS. She was the co-founder and coordinator of the Sino-French Collaboratory for Environmental and Process Engineering and the director of its successor Sino-French Laboratory for Sustainable Energy of French CNRS and Chinese Academy of Sciences. She is mainly engaged in the intensification of heat and mass transfer and the efficiency optimization in different energy components, systems and processes. She has developed an original strategy on the optimization of energy systems by a multi-scale approach associated with an innovative method of optimized management of fluid distribution. She is the author of 2 books and over 128 journal articles. She is serving as subject editor of Energy Journal, and associate editor of three others Journals.
Azzaro Maurizio
National Research Council, Italy

Azzaro Maurizio
National Research Council, Italy
Azzaro Maurizio’s research activities are mainly focused on the study of the functioning of polar ecosystems with an interdisciplinary approach dedicated to various topics ranging from microbial ecology and the study of the microbial food web to the study of biodiversity and the functioning of marine and terrestrial ecosystems. During his career, he has addressed issues related to the development of new technologies in polar areas (areas marginal to marine glaciers), the effects of pollution (heavy metals, oil, plastics, etc.), and global changes on marine and terrestrial microbial communities. During his career, he has published more than 100 publications in national and international journals.
Azzaro Maurizio’s research activities are mainly focused on the study of the functioning of polar ecosystems with an interdisciplinary approach dedicated to various topics ranging from microbial ecology and the study of the microbial food web to the study of biodiversity and the functioning of marine and terrestrial ecosystems. During his career, he has addressed issues related to the development of new technologies in polar areas (areas marginal to marine glaciers), the effects of pollution (heavy metals, oil, plastics, etc.), and global changes on marine and terrestrial microbial communities. During his career, he has published more than 100 publications in national and international journals.
Marika Tatishvili
Georgian Technical University, Georgia

Marika Tatishvili
Georgian Technical University, Georgia
Marika Tatishvili- Dr. of Physical and Mathematical Sciences since 2006. She is Head of Weather forecasting, natural and technogenic disaster modeling division of the Institute of Hydrometeorology of Georgian Technical University. She published 104 scientific articles including high rated journals. She is the member of Scientific and Editorial Board of Institute of Hydrometeorology and Institute of Geophysics. Also, she is the Scientific Committee Member of the International Scientific Conference on Environment and Renewable Energy (ICERE 2014,15,16.17). She collaborates with High Education Institution Accreditation Expert of Ministry of Education of Georgia.
Marika Tatishvili- Dr. of Physical and Mathematical Sciences since 2006. She is Head of Weather forecasting, natural and technogenic disaster modeling division of the Institute of Hydrometeorology of Georgian Technical University. She published 104 scientific articles including high rated journals. She is the member of Scientific and Editorial Board of Institute of Hydrometeorology and Institute of Geophysics. Also, she is the Scientific Committee Member of the International Scientific Conference on Environment and Renewable Energy (ICERE 2014,15,16.17). She collaborates with High Education Institution Accreditation Expert of Ministry of Education of Georgia.
Mosaad K. Hassanein
Ministry of Agriculture, Egypt

Mosaad K. Hassanein
Ministry of Agriculture, Egypt
Mosaad K. Hassanein is a professor of agrometeorology at the Climate Change Information Center and Renewable Energy and Expert Systems (CCICREES), Agriculture Research Centre (ARC), Ministry of Agriculture in Egypt. He is currently the supervisor of Egypt's protected cultivation. He is a member of the team preparing the Egyptian agricultural strategy, "Sustainable Agricultural Development Strategy toward 2030." His applied research principally focuses on integrated farm management, with a main focus on climate change. He designs and uses novel agricultural growth conditions to simulate climate change impacts and adaptation options consistent with his mission to safeguard natural resources and promote sustainable development. member of the Egyptian delegation negotiated under the United Nations "UNFCCC."
Mosaad K. Hassanein is a professor of agrometeorology at the Climate Change Information Center and Renewable Energy and Expert Systems (CCICREES), Agriculture Research Centre (ARC), Ministry of Agriculture in Egypt. He is currently the supervisor of Egypt’s protected cultivation. He is a member of the team preparing the Egyptian agricultural strategy, “Sustainable Agricultural Development Strategy toward 2030.” His applied research principally focuses on integrated farm management, with a main focus on climate change. He designs and uses novel agricultural growth conditions to simulate climate change impacts and adaptation options consistent with his mission to safeguard natural resources and promote sustainable development. member of the Egyptian delegation negotiated under the United Nations “UNFCCC.”
Ashraf Mishrif
Sultan Qaboos University, Oman

Ashraf Mishrif
Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
Ashraf Mishrif is the founding director and research chair of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry Research Chair for Economic Studies, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman. Prior to that he was Associate Professor at King’s College London and taught at various universities including Qatar University, Ahmed bin Mohammed Military College Qatar, Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge, and the University of Greenwich, London, UK. He assumed several executive posts including Cultural Advisor for the Egyptian Embassy Cultural Bureau in London, Managing Director of the London-based consulting firm EU-Med International, and International Advisor and member of the Academic Board of Directors, Boston Business Management School, Singapore.
Dr Mishrif is the founding director and research chair of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry Research Chair for Economic Studies, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman. Prior to that he was Associate Professor at King’s College London and taught at various universities including Qatar University, Ahmed bin Mohammed Military College Qatar, Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge, and the University of Greenwich, London, UK. He assumed several executive posts including Cultural Advisor for the Egyptian Embassy Cultural Bureau in London, Managing Director of the London-based consulting firm EU-Med International, and International Advisor and member of the Academic Board of Directors, Boston Business Management School, Singapore.