IIASA is proud to announce that no less than 32 researchers and alumni affiliated with the institute have been included in the 2023 Research.com Top Scientists ranking in various areas of expertise.

Research.com, a data-driven platform for scientists that uses machine learning and big data analytics, compiles annual rankings of the best scholars in a variety of academic areas. The areas in which IIASA scientists achieved recognition include biology and biochemistry, Earth science, ecology and evolution, engineering and technology, environmental sciences, and social sciences and humanities. Two IIASA affiliated researchers were also included in the category for rising stars.

The rankings are formulated through a meticulous evaluation of thousands of profiles on Google Scholar and Microsoft Academic Graph. The most recent rankings were compiled using bibliometric data gathered on 21 December 2022. This data was consolidated from various academic sources and citation-based metrics. Additional factors considered for the rankings include the frequency of scholarly publications within a specific field of study, as well as the scholars' notable awards and accomplishments.

The following IIASA researchers and alumni made the list, with some included in more than one area:

Biology and biochemistry:
Keywan Riahi, Energy, Climate, and Environment Program Director

Earth science:
Yoshihide Wada, Principal Research Scholar in Biodiversity and Natural Resources Program. Wada was also recognized as a rising star.

Ecology and evolution:
Ulf Dieckmann, Principal Research Scholar in the Advancing Systems Analysis Program
Michael Obersteiner, Principal Research Scholar in the Advancing Systems Analysis Program
Petr Havlík, Biodiversity and Natural Resources Program Director
Anatoly Shvidenko, Guest Emeritus Research Scholar in the Biodiversity and Natural Resources Program
Piero Visconti, Research Group Leader and Senior Research Scholar in the Biodiversity and Natural Resources Program
Wilfried Winiwarter, Senior Research Scholar in the Energy, Climate, and Environment Program

Engineering and technology:
Linda See, Senior Research Scholar in the Advancing Systems Analysis Program

Environmental sciences:
Keywan Riahi, Energy, Climate, and Environment Program Director
Zbigniew Klimont, Research Group Leader and Principal Research Scholar in the Energy, Climate, and Environment Program
Markus Amann, former IIASA Program Director
Steffen Fritz, Strategic Initiatives Program Director
Nebojsa Nakicenovic, Emeritus Research Scholar in the Energy, Climate, and Environment Program
Volker Krey, Research Group Leader and Principal Research Scholar in the Energy, Climate, and Environment Program
Janusz Cofala, IIASA alumnus
Ian McCallum, Research Group Leader and Principal Research Scholar in the Advancing Systems Analysis Program
Marijn van der Velde, IIASA alumnus
Hugo Valin, IIASA alumnus. Valin was also recognized as a rising star.
Günther Fischer, Emeritus Research Scholar in the Biodiversity and Natural Resources Program
Simon Langan, Senior Guest Research Scholar in the Biodiversity and Natural Resources Program
Florian Kraxner, Research Group Leader and Senior Research Scholar in the Biodiversity and Natural Resources Program
Maximillian Posch, Guest Research Scholar in the Energy, Climate and Environment Program
Chris Heyes, Emeritus Research Scholar in the Energy, Climate, and Environment Program
Pallav Purohit, Senior Research Scholar in the Energy, Climate, and Environment Program
Reinhard Mechler, Research Group Leader and Principal Research Scholar in the Advancing Systems Analysis Program
Fabian Wagner, Capacity Development and Academic Training Unit Dean and Principal Research Scholar in the Energy, Climate and Environment Program
Christian Folberth, Research Scholar in the Biodiversity and Natural Resources Program
Sten Nilsson, Guest Senior Research Scholar in the Biodiversity and Natural Resources Program
Dmitry Schepaschenko, Senior Research Scholar in the Advancing Systems Analysis and Biodiversity and Natural Resources programs

Social sciences and humanities:
Shonali Pachauri, Research Group Leader and Principal Research Scholar in the Energy, Climate, and Environment Program
Sabine Fuß, Guest Research Scholar in the Biodiversity and Natural Resources Program
Michael Thompson, Guest Emeritus Research Scholar in the Advancing Systems Analysis Program 

“It is very reassuring that IIASA is doing so well in this as well as in other recent rankings. For its comparatively small size it seems to have great impact. This is even more significant in light of the inter-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary nature of IIASA research that is typically more difficult to place in good journals than strictly disciplinary research,” concludes IIASA Interim Deputy Director General for Science, Wolfgang Lutz.

Further information
https://research.com/

News

Kiev city

28 May 2026

Nexus of Sustainability: Springer monograph devoted to joint IIASA and Ukraine NMO project

Nexus of Sustainability: Understanding of FEWSE Systems II is a 2026 Springer monograph detailing the interdependencies between food, energy, water, society, and the environment (FEWSE). It focuses on risk management, robust modeling, and sustainable development, featuring recent research of the joint research project between IIASA and National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NASU, Ukraine NMO at IIASA) on “Integrated modeling for robust management of food-energy-water-land use nexus for sustainable development”.
Mountain of vintage televisions burning intensely, creating a large column of smoke, symbolizing outdated technology and information overload

28 May 2026

CAT contributes to Expert Round Table on Climate Misinformation under MIP4Adapt

Researchers from the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) contributed to the Expert Round Table on Climate Misinformation, organized within the framework of the MIP4Adapt initiative. MIP4Adapt (Mission Implementation Platform) is the central support mechanism for the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change, aiding regions and local authorities in planning and implementing climate resilience strategies. It provides technical assistance, community building, and funding guidance to Charter signatories. 
Misty rainforest

05 May 2026

Amazon understory forests show short-term boost in CO₂ uptake – but this comes at a cost

Tropical forests are one of the planet's most important carbon sinks – often also called "the lungs of the Earth". But their future in a high-CO₂ world remains uncertain. IIASA researchers contributed to a new study, which suggests even small understory trees in the Amazon may initially buffer climate change more strongly. Their long-term capacity to store carbon could, however, be restricted by nutrient availability, highlighting the vulnerability of these ecosystems under future climate conditions.