Editorial Team
Penny Pretty
Group Publisher
Penny has extensive experience in both the editorial and sales aspects of business-to-business publishing. She worked for US-based publisher Photonics Media for many years, successfully expanding its reach and sales in Europe for their global publication Photonics Spectra. In 2008, she was promoted to Associate Publisher for their European magazine EuroPhotonics. Educated in England, France and Argentina, Penny received a degree in psychology. She speaks six languages and considers herself a citizen of the world. She is an inveterate reader, theatergoer and, with a strong intellectual curiosity, is always learning new skills. Located in the English Chiltern hills, she enjoys outdoor country pursuits, skiing, as well as being a keen gardener and cook. Penny is passionate in her commitment to creating a greener tomorrow in both her personal and business life.
Anne Fischer
Managing Editor
A seasoned journalist specializing in technology, Anne wrote the highly acclaimed “GreenLight” section in Photonics Spectra magazine, which focused on achieving environmental sustainability through technology. During the 1990s she was a freelance technology writer for magazines, market research firms, and web sites including Fortune, PC World, and CNET. She has written three books on computers and technology and was managing editor of McGraw Hill’s BYTE magazine, which she brought into the age of desktop publishing.
Anne tries to “live green” in her daily life; telecommuting from her small town in New Hampshire, volunteering at a weekly community supper, working on her town’s Conservation Commission, and enjoying kayaking, skiing, hiking and gardening.
Drs. Robert Molenaar
European Editor
Robert Molenaar lives in The Netherlands where he enjoys boating, gardening and reading.
Robert received a Master’s degree in astronomy and physics from Utrecht University. During his research work there, he contributed to the development of spectroscopic and photometric measurement instruments for the observation of binary stars.
In Robert’s career as a technical journalist he was the Managing Editor of EuroPhotonics magazine for many years. He also founded Molenaar Optics, an engineering and consultancy company in The Netherlands.
In both Robert’s business- and private life, green technology plays a special role. His dedication to optical and laser technologies is leading to a continuous stream of challenging applications for improving the environment.
Andreas Breyer
Senior Editor - Germany
Andreas Breyer started his writing career during his assignment at the German Association for Motor Trade and Repairs, where he contributed a multitude of articles in the business field for several national and international magazines. He is co-author of a management book for the automotive retail business. Currently, he is a market research consultant with the European Machine Vision Association (EMVA).
He also writes about the automotive and energy technology industries, in particular the research activities in the field of electric vehicles. His bicycle and the British sports car convertible act as concession to the current lack of affordable electric vehicles.
He is a passionate reader and likes to work off his affinity toward good food – whether from his own kitchen or someone else’s – by playing badminton and running half marathons.
Sandra Henderson
Research Editor - US
Sandra’s diverse 18-year journalism career straddles the US and her native Germany, where she received an M.A. in sociology and political science from the University of Constance, Germany. She has been a local newspaper reporter, staff writer at a women’s magazine, head of marketing at the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Continuing Education Office and corporate editor. In recent years, she has covered topics ranging from composite manufacturing to renewable energy to sustainable and healthy living and more.
Sandra lives outside Boulder, Colorado, where she enjoys skiing, hiking, yoga and designing her imaginary off-the-grid mountain cabin.
Dave Wilson
Contributing Editor - UK
A UK-based freelance journalist, Dave Wilson has worked for numerous technical and trade publications over the past thirty years, including Digital Design, The OEM Integrator, Computer Design, Technology Horizons, The Engineer and Vision Systems Design.
During his career, he has written editorials, blogs, news stories and feature length articles describing developments in the fields of electrical, electronic and mechanical engineering and computer science. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Physical Electronics from the University of Warwick.
When he’s not in front of his computer poring over dissertations on the latest advances in technology, Dave can be found travelling to peaceful locations in mainland Europe or attempting to control the weeds in his garden.
Nancy Lamontagne
Contributing Editor - US
Nancy D. Lamontagne has written about science and technology for over a decade. She’s held management positions at industry-leading B2B magazines and currently writes for high-tech companies, science web sites, and the journals of the American Chemical Society and John Wiley & Sons.
She holds degrees in science communication and biology and also authors a microscopy blog. Nancy is a member of the National Association of Science Writers and the Science Communicators of North Carolina.
She loves outdoor activities such as biking and hiking, and volunteers at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, NC, where she leads visitors in hands-on scientific experiments.
Nadya Anscombe
Contributing Editor - UK
Nadya Anscombe is a science and technology journalist. Her work has appeared in many different publications including New Scientist, Nature Photonics and Science. Her portfolio covers a range of topics including environmental science, renewable energy, nanotechnology, photonics, optoelectronics and materials science.
Nadya has done conservation work through the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers including planting trees in Japan; monitoring turtles in Greece; conserving meadows in Poland; building dry-stone walls in England; and managing woodlands in Iceland. Today her carbon footprint is much reduced as she now works from her home in Bristol, UK instead of jetting off around the world.
Jonathan Gourlay
Contributing Editor - US
With more than 20 years of editing and writing experience for newspapers and magazines, Jonathan was most recently senior content manager at Desktop Engineering magazine where he wrote and edited articles for design engineers in the manufacturing and process industries.
Jonathan lives in rural New Hampshire where he enjoys all things “green” including skiing, hiking, and biking. He hopes to one day install solar on his south-facing roof.
Sydney Kaufman
Contributing Editor - US
Sydney Kaufman received a B.Sc. from McGill University, then worked on rural energy issues in Alaska. She is currently a PhD candidate in chemical physics at the University of Colorado Boulder working on basic research for renewable energy. She has been a co-director of the Forum on Science Ethics and Policy (FOSEP) since 2010.
In her free time, Sydney enjoys hiking around scenic Colorado with her dogs, skiing, and reading in her backyard.
Rob Bogue
Contributing Editor - UK
Robert Bogue is a physicist with a strong background in environmental sciences, after serving as a technical advisor to the UK Environment Agency. He spent the first part of his career in industrial R&D where he developed an enduring interest in sensors and instrumentation. He is a veteran writer and consultant—and has delivered nearly 200 presentations and publications over the past 25 years.
Rob is based in the UK on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon, where he treks the mountains in his free time.
Eliane Maingard
Correspondent - Latin America
Born in Bordeaux, France, Eliane now lives in the vibrant city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her business career has ranged from real estate to, more recently, importing machinery with applications in the food and biotech industries.She is passionate about green technology, and strives to educate the less fortunate on greener ways of living.
She enjoys riding horses, painting and gardening. She is also involved in charity work dedicated to teaching the poorest communities the benefits of recycling. Eliane is fluent in French and Spanish.
Jiang Zhu
Contributing Editor - China
Jiang Zhu is a PhD candidate from the Department of Optical Science and Engineering, Fudan University in Shanghai, China. His research interests focus on the photoluminescence of nanocrystalline silicon and its optical gain. Photoluminescence--the conversion of light frequency or the spectrum reformation--can be used to improve the efficiency of solar cells.
He was the leader of Yanyuan drama group and he also enjoys basketball.
Jane Morrill
Special Projects Editor
A resident of Colorado, the epitome of a “green” state, Jane has spent most of her career in technology journalism. As an editor for BYTE magazine, Windows NT Magazine, and SAP Professional Journal, she edited highly technical computer publications and served as launch editor and managing editor on various magazines and newsletters, both in print and online.
Jane has been part of the environmental movement since the 1970s, and in her non-working life, she tries to follow an organic life style. She loves to read and learn new things and is addicted to the Colorado Mountains.
Andrew Williams
Contributing Editor - UK
A freelance journalist based in Cardiff, Wales, UK, Andrew holds an M.Sc. in Sustainability and Environmental Policy and has more than ten years experience in researching and writing about green technology and renewable energy. He has worked as a research associate at Cardiff University focusing on sustainable consumption and production.
Apart from keeping fit chasing after his two young children, Andrew loves running and biking in the Welsh countryside, reading and cooking spicy foods. He is also a long-suffering supporter of the Welsh football and rugby teams.
Varun Mittal
Contributing Editor - India
Varun Mittal is a business manager with a green building solutions firm in India. He holds an MBA from Department of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee and Bachelor of Engineering from Panjab University. In his free time, Varun enjoys traveling—either by bike or car and he takes part in professional public speaking sessions at Chandigarh Toastmasters Club in his hometown in Punjab, India.