Hak-Joo Songis a Junior Professional Officer, Environmental Engineer at the World Bank, working for Disruptive Technology at the Environment, Natural Resources & Blue Economy Global Practice. Hak-Joo joined the WBG in 2019 and is focusing on geospatial data analysis, research on information systems & data platforms, capacity building and data analysis/visualization of sustainable environments with a broad range of skills and knowledge of emerging technologies (Drone, VR/AR, Blockchain, and GIS) to support the global sustainable development agenda. He is a Civil Engineer and Drone Specialist/Pilot with a national license. Prior to joining the World Bank, he worked in both the public and private sectors, developed UAV services and solutions as a Team Leader at a drone start-up company, and also worked as a research engineer at the Seoul Institute of Technology for smart city data management. He holds a BSc and MSc degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).

Akash Mehta is an Analyst, Disruptive Technology in the Environment, Natural Resources and Blue Economy Global Practice at the World Bank. He supports the team with research, geospatial analysis and development/packaging of knowledge and data elements and deployment of interactive e-products including storymaps, e-books, web maps etc. Akash holds over five years of experience on aspects related to data analysis & visualization, designing climate-resilient solutions for public infrastructure, impact assessments, communications, behavioural economics, fiscal governance, and budgeting working for different departments at the Government of India, Government of Senegal, Reserve Bank of India, and the University of Cambridge. He holds a Bachelor in Economics (H) from Shri Ram College of Commerce and Masters in Public Administration with a specialization in International Development from London School of Economics.

Afua Owusua Oguah is a Technology Specialist, currently working with the ENB KIDS Team on research, e-books, story maps, other interactive knowledge products and training, she also works with the Digital Development Global Practice on Greening Digital Projects, supporting the team Telecom and Climate Change expertise. She contributed to the “Outlook 2050: Strategic Directions Note” which outlines how the World Bank can help countries plan for and achieve long-term decarbonization. Prior to working at the Bank, she worked in the Telecom Industry in Ghana for several years as a Service Delivery Professional, managing Data and Messaging projects, Telecom vendors, and internal clients. She has a BSc. in Electrical Engineering from KNUST, Ghana, and an Ms. In Engineering Management from GWU, Washington DC.

Luke Gates is an International Development practitioner focused on the intersection of environmental management, human rights, and economic growth. Joining the World Bank after grad school in 2017, his research includes exploring the causes of social unrest in local economic contexts and the management of water utilities in the Middle East through the principal-agent framework. In the forthcoming publication “The Economics of Water Scarcity in the Middle East”, Luke performed data analysis that demonstrated the link between mismanagement of local water resources and local economic disruption. He has also organized several learning weeks at the Bank connecting staff members with outside organizations and government clients. Luke holds a BA in Arabic and Political Science from Indiana University and an MA in International Development from American University. He is currently pursuing a certificate in Data Analytics from Columbia University.

Yolande Munzimi has a PhD in Geographical Sciences, with a specialization in Water Resources. She is interested in large scale hydrological modeling using remote sensed data. She has characterized hydrological processes within the data-scarce environment of the Congo Basin. She came in the US from the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a Fulbright scholar to pursue a Master in Water and Wetland Resource completed in 2007. In 2012, she joined the Geographical Sciences Department at the University of Maryland to pursue her PhD Program under Professor Matthew C. Hansen. Yolande has joined the World Bank KIDS team in 2020 to contribute to E-books creation, Knowledge Explorer compilation and to other products relevant to World Bank clients.

Marcel Giovanni Prieto Castellanos is a water resources and environmental engineer with over 20 years of professional international experience. He is a Senior Water Resources Management and Environmental specialist-consultant for the World Bank; and has worked in similar roles for the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the USA Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funded projects, NASA funded studies, governmental agencies, and private engineering companies. His experience includes working in both developing and developed countries in different regions. Mr. Prieto Castellanos has served as a Flood Risk Subject Matter Expert for national programs. He has also been lecturer at university level, and invited presenter at international technical conferences, workshops, and forums. He holds a Master of Science degree in Water Resources and Environmental Engineering and a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering.

Shaffiq Somani, a registered professional engineer in Maryland, is a water resources specialist at the World Bank working for Disruptive Technology in the Environment, Natural Resources, and Blue Economy Global Practice at the World Bank. He supports the team with research, knowledge products, and geospatial and water resource analysis. He has worked on disaster risk management, geospatial analysis, hydrological analysis, remote sensing, knowledge products, and e-learning at the World Bank. Prior to joining the World Bank, he worked on hydrology and hydraulic analysis for various public and private projects in the Mid Atlantic (United States). Shaffiq holds a Bachelor of Mathematics from the University of Waterloo, a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering from Montana Technological University, and a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering and Science from Johns Hopkins University.

Aminul Islam has a background in Urban Planning and Geographical Science, and has been working on the Geospatial Analysis and Mapping of the environment, water and disaster since 2000. Before joining the World Bank, he worked at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in Colombo, and the Institute of Water Modelling (IWM) in Dhaka.

Nfamara K Dampha, a World Bank Consultant, earned his Ph.D. in Climate Change and Natural Resources Management and a master’s in International Development Practice, from the University of Minnesota, USA. He has over 13 years of professional, academic, and leadership experience working with international organizations, government institutions, universities, and nonprofits/NGOs. As (STC/190days), Nfamara is working on (a) climate change, fragility, conflict, and violence advisory services and analytics (ASA) in Burundi, (b) the integrated urban and coastal resilience project in The Gambia, as part of the West Africa Coastal Areas Program (WACA ResIP), and (c) also supporting the Disruptive KIDS team in research and developing e-books and knowledge platforms.

Isabel Ramos has been part of the Disruptive KIDS helpdesk since February 2019. She works as a Disruptive Technologies Analyst in the Environment, Natural Resources and Blue Economy Global Practice at the World Bank. She supports the team with research and documentation tasks for e-books, data portals and literature platforms, and develops data visualization products such as interactive maps, online apps, and quick dashboards. She is also active in promoting knowledge sharing activities such as seminars and learning events. Prior to joining the team, she worked as a Trade and Investments Analyst at the Spanish Embassy in Washington D.C. focusing on International Financial Institutions. Isabel holds an MBA in International Management from the International University Menendez Pelayo and a bachelor’s degree in Law and Economics from the University of Zaragoza, Spain.

Hrishikesh Patel (Hrishi) is a consulting Spatial Data Specialist with the Knowledge Information and Data Services (KIDS) team in the Environment Global Practice. He has provided technical expertise and capacity building at the World Bank Group since 2008 on GIS and Remote Sensing, Knowledge Management, and the use of ICT and Disruptive Technology for projects. He holds a master's degree from Boston University in Geography specializing in Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing with a focus on Environmental Science.

Ranjan K. Bose is an innovative leader with 30+ years of experience in the energy and environmental sustainability space. IPCC won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize and acknowledged him for his substantial contribution. Joined World Bank initially in 2008 as ESMAP’s Senior Energy Specialist, and currently serving as a Bank’s Consultant. Proven track record in addressing complex urban energy and mobility systems, delivering value and innovation in Tools, Policy, Strategy and Planning. Influential communicator with a distinguished record of publications and contributions made as a Fulbright Post-doctoral Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania. Received a Ph.D. in Sustainable Energy and Environmental Management from IIT, Delhi.

Michael B. Jones is Founder and Chair of TMA BlueTech™ – a non-profit industry association / BlueTech (ocean & water tech) cluster – established in 2007. Its Mission Statement is “Promoting Sustainable, Science-Based Ocean & Water Industries”. It has members across the U.S. and abroad and is a leading voice for BlueTech and sustainable Blue Economy development internationally. Michael is also Co-Founder and Managing Partner of San Diego-based SubSeaSail®, LLC, which is making Autonomous, 100% Clean, Long-Duration Vessels & Unique Sensors. He studied in Germany, Italy, Peru and US. He has a Masters’ Degree from Johns Hopkins University “School of Advanced International Studies” (SAIS).

Matt Classen joined TMA BlueTech as the Executive Director in September 2021. He has worked with small, medium, and multinational organizations in a wide variety of sectors in areas as diverse as communications, corporate strategy development, project management, sports sponsorship, organizational change management, and corporate culture development. One of his proudest professional highlights was co-producing an award-winning documentary that was filmed in both the US and Myanmar. He sits on the board of directors of two nonprofits, is a dual citizen of the US and Germany and speaks four languages.

Danielle Muller began her maritime journey in 2003 working on SCUBA diving liveaboard vessels as either a SCUBA instructor, marine biologist or a captain leading ships on voyages throughout the Bahamas, Caribbean, and US. She moved to San Diego in 2007 and interacted regularly with TMA while working as the Program Coordinator at Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System at UC, San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Danielle also sits on the board for San Diego’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), which participates in the approval hierarchy of marine mammal research.

Nagaraja Rao Harshadeep (Harsh) is a Global Lead for Disruptive Technology at the World Bank. In over 25 years at the World Bank, he has led and supported several environmental, water, and natural resources projects and analytical support operations around the world. He has also been a Global Lead for Watersheds, currently co-leads the Bank’s HydroInformatics focal area, and leads a Disruptive KIDS (Knowledge, Information & Data Services) Helpdesk. He holds a Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-Madras), a Master’s in Environmental and Resource Engineering from Syracuse, and a PhD in Water Resources and Environmental Systems Engineering from Harvard University.