• Environmental/Ecologic Economics and Sustainability science
• Bio and Circular Economy
• Sustainable Governance and Policy Recommendations with Collaborative Decision Support Systems
• Sustainable Supply Chain Management: Closed Loop Supply Chains
• Mobility/Logistics and Energy systems: Operational Sustainability
• Smart and Sustainable Urban Regions
• Innovative and digital business model ecosystems

Since October 2019

Executive / Scientific Director, Private Docent
Center for Logistics and Traffic, Joint Center of Urban Studies, University Duisburg-Essen

• Strategic development of the center: strategic development of project portfolio, acquisition and implementation of third-party funded projects, development of publication strategy, identification of funding programs
• Identification of actual sustainability issues of the companies and co-development of sustainability strategies, as well as innovative business ecosystems
• Policy recommendations (co-development of political decisions with the relevant decision-makers) for development of sustainability strategies within food networks, energy, mobility and logistics systems, sustainable and smart regions (urban-rural continuum)
• Development and maintenance of international (e.g. from both Global North and South) and national scientific, industrial and policy networks (including e.g. funding units, foundations)
• Team management of senior-level (thirty-two professors), diverse and international professionals
• Scientific coordination of the third-party funded international projects
• Development of communication strategy to the broader society (including social media and large international conferences)
• Financial reporting, budgeting and organization strategy
• Coordination of the Domain ‘Sustainability and Climate Change’ within the Aurora Network of nine European Universities
• Advisory Board Member of various projects 

Since May 2018

International consulting expert on land use change and adaptation
NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)

• International collaborator of the NASA-funded project: "Land Use Patterns and Political Instability as Predictors for the Re-emergence of Malaria in the Caucasus" 
• Scientific analysis and evaluation of the project results and their viability in the region
• Field work to connect the project coordinating team of the Oklahoma University to the local stakeholders
• Organization of the NASA’s regional network conference in South Caucasus

Since January 2019             

Visiting Professor
Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Department of Geography, University of Oklahoma

• Holding lectures on land-use changes, sustainable supply chains and Environmental Economics

02.2017 – 09.2019

Executive Board Member, Private Docent
Joint Center of Urban Studies, Center for Logistics and Traffic, University Duisburg-Essen

• Strategic development of the project portfolio
• Scientific coordination of the third-party funded international projects
• Communication of the Center’s strategy and financial reporting to internal stakeholders (Rector, vice-rectors, deans)
• Establishment of new research and teaching strategies for the Alliance among the Universities of Duisburg-Essen, Bochum and Dortmund

05.2011 – 02.2015

Docent and senior scientific researcher
Faculty of Biology (Former Faculty of Geography), Department of Applied Climatology and Landscape Ecology, University of Duisburg-Essen

• Scientific coordination of the projects on Climate Change and Sustainable Economics
• Holding lectures, ring-lectures, block seminars
• Publishing in various international peer-reviewed journals, writing reviews and policy papers
• Network Building with local and international stakeholders through events, summer schools, field trips and conferences

06.2007 – 04.2011

Researcher (PhD Student)
Faculty of Biology(Former Faculty of Geography), Department of Applied Climatology and Landscape Ecology, University of Duisburg-Essen

• Scientific analysis and monitoring of air pollution in Germany: Data collection and analysis; policy recommendations
• Holding lectures, ring-lectures, block seminars
• Publishing in various international peer-reviewed journals, writing reviews and white papers
• Presenting own research results in various international conferences: Network Building

03.2006 – 05.2007

Scientific researcher  
Armenian National Hydrometeorological Service, Department of Applied Meteorology and Hydrology 

• Climate Change modeling, estimation and modeling of air pollution dispersion, measurements and analysis of meteorological and climatic parameters
• Assistance in ongoing international projects
• Organization of international conferences (WMO 6th working group in South Caucasus)      

02.2007 – 03.2007

Research Associate
International Centre for Agribusiness, World Bank

• Economic data analysis, macroeconomic research on agricultural economics in developing countries

​​

03.2004 – 10.2004

Research Associate
Caucasus Research Resources Centers in Armenia (CRRC), Eurasia Foundation

• Analysis of macro- and microeconomic data, reporting

​

01.2003 – 05.2003

Research Associate
Ministry of Environmental Protection, UNDP Office in Armenia

• Participation in the international project on climate change impact on desertification: Data analysis, literature review, stakeholder analysis, organization of events and workshops
   

07.2022

Appointed as Professor of the University of Duisburg-Essen

The title was awarded by resolution of the Faculty Council of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Duisburg-Essen  

08.2011 – 04.2015     

Habilitation (Post-Doc) in Environmental Economics

Faculty of Biology (Former Faculty of Geography), Department of Applied Climatology and Landscape Ecology, University of Duisburg-Essen
Title: "Climate Change Impact on Agricultural Economy in Armenia".

06.2007 – 07.2011

Promotion in Environmental Studies

Faculty of Geography, Department of Applied Climatology and Landscape Ecology, University of Duisburg-Essen
Title: "Statistical Analysis of Air Pollution in North Rhine-Westphalia".

09.2004 – 06.2006 

Master in Macroeconomy

Faculty of Mathematical Modeling in Economy, Yerevan State University
Title: "Dynamic Modeling of Economic Impact of Air Pollution" (with distinction).
 

09.2000 – 06.2004

Bachelor in General Economics

Faculty of Economics, Yerevan State University
Title: "Macroeconomic Equilibrium: Demand and Supply Shocks in Transition Economies" (with distinction).

German (business fluent), English (business fluent), Russian (second native), Armenian (first native), Microsoft Office, E-Views, SPSS, Statistica, Sigma Plot, MathLab, Vensim, PROMETHEE

• NASA’s LCLUC (Land Change and Land Use Cover Program) Member
• Die Wirtschafsmacher: Eine Initiative der Logistiker (Economists – an initiative of logistics)
• Environmental Group for Sustainable Future: Environment and Climate Change: A Network to provide a comprehensive list of services and advisory support in the field of environment and climate change
• Scientific Network for Caucasus Mountain Region: an open network of researchers and other stakeholders interested in disciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research on the Caucasus region and academic collaboration
• Verein Hy.Region.Rhein.Ruhr: The city of Duisburg bundles all actors in hydrogen (economy; science; city corporation) in the region of Duisburg, Rhine-Ruhr and the Netherlands in one association.
• Joint Centre of Urban Studies at the University of Duisburg-Essen
• International Scientific Advisory Committee of the Conference "Environmental Impact 2016" in Valencia, Spain (Wessex Institute)
• International Scientific Advisory Committee of the Conference "Sustainable Economy" in Berlin, 25.-26. September 2017 (Ministry of Research and Education, Germany)
• DMG (Deutsche Meteorologische Gesellschaft - German Meteorological Society)
• AK (Arbeitskreis Klima) der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geographie
• Member of DFG (German Research Foundation), DKN (German Committee for Sustainability) Future Earth society
• DiaLogik Group of Logistics Service Providers
• Women in Mobility

• Project ILoNa was awarded as one of the influential projects in the North Rhine-Westphalia – ‘One Step Towards Sustainable Economy’, by the Ministry for Economics, Innovation and Digitization
• DAAD Scholarship for promotion in Germany
• Diploma with distinction in both Master and Bachelor studies for receiving the note "Excellent" for each examination and defending the Theses with "Excellence"           
• Gold Medal for graduating the school with notes "Excellent" for all the subjects

2019

• Women in Mobility Summit: ‘‘Daten regieren die (Mobilitäts)Welt!? ’’; Frankfurt, Germany, 14.-15. November
• Konferenz des Kompetenzfeldes Metropolenforschung der Universitätsallianz Ruhr; Zeche Zollverein, Essen, Germany, 04. November
• NASA’s International Conference on Satellite Imagery in Central Asia; Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, 15.-18. September
• 30th European Conference on Operational Research; Dublin, Ireland, 23.-26. June
• NASA’s Scientific meeting on Land Use Land Change Patterns; Washington D.C., the USA, 10.-12. April       

2018

• Third German Future Earth Summit: ‘‘Water-Energy-Food Nexus in urban areas’’; Berlin, Germany, 08.-09 February
• Transparenz für Nachaltige Entwicklung, organized by the Ministry of Research and Education (Umbrella: Social and Ecologic Research); Loccum, Germany, 26.-27. September
• Innovationshub, COREEN Business Lab, funded by the Ministry of Research and Education: ‘‘Innovation Interactive’’; Essen, Germany, 05.-06. July
• DKN (Deutsches Komitee für Nachhaltige Forschung) Future Earth, Funded by the DFG; Berlin, Germany, 07.-09.02

2017

• International Conference on Sustainable Energy Use in Food Supply Chains; London, the UK, 18.-21. April 8^th International Sustainability Transitions Conference; Gothenburg, Sweden, 18.-21 June 

2016

• Second German Future Earth Summit; Berlin, Germany, 28.-29. January
• Third International Conference on Environmental and Economic Impact on Sustainable Development; Valencia, Spain, 8.-10. June
• Mobility and Digital Transformation ‘‘Challenges and Future Paths’’; Duisburg, Germany, 23 June
• "System Dynamics" Summer School and Conference; Delft, the Netherlands, 12.-16. July

2015

• Billiton Sustainable Communities/UCL Grand Challenges Symposium Series, Global Food Security: Adaptation, Resilience and Risk; London, the UK, 9. -10. November
• Launching the JPI Urban Europe Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda, Transition towards sustainable and livable urban futures; Brussels, Belgium, 29.- 30. September

2014

• Environmental and Economic Impacts on Sustainable Development; Ancona, Italy 14.-16. May

2013

• BIT’s Third Annual Congress of Agricultural Biotechnology; Hangzhou, China, 23.-26 September

2012

• American Meteorological Society (AMS) 92^th meeting; New Orleans, the USA, 23.-26. January
• AMS 30^th conference on Agriculture and Forest Met.; Boston, the USA, 29.-31. May
• 8^th International Conference on Urban Climate; Dublin, Ireland, 6.-10. August
• European Meteorological Society (EMS) meeting; Lodz, Poland, 10.-14. September
• International Biotechnology Sciences (BIT) Second Annual Congress of Agricultural Biotechnology; Dalian, China, 20.-23. September

2009

• Arbeitskreis Klima der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geographie; Würzburg, 1.-3. November

2008

• 7^th International Conference on Urban Climate; Yokohama, Japan, 29. June-3. July

2007

• 6^th International Conference on Urban Air Quality; Limassol, Cyprus, 27.- 29. March
• 5^th Japanese-German Meeting on Urban Climatology; Freiburg, Germany, 6 – 11 October

2006

• WMO (World Meteorological Organization) sub-regional workshop ‘‘Social and Economic Benefits NMHS and Related Services’’; Zagreb, Croatia, 5.-6. February

2005

• 10^th international conference on Harmonization within Atmospheric Dispersion Modeling for Regulatory purposes; Sissi, Crete, Greece, 17.-20. October

1. Peer-reviewed Journal Articles 

Hirschfeld K., de Beurs Kirsten, Brayfield B., Melkonyan A. (2022). Ethnic Conflict as a Risk Amplifier for Resurgent P. Vivax Malaria in Temperate Zones: A Case Study from the Caucasus Region. Global Environmental Change 74, ISSN 0959-3780, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2022.102495.   

Melkonyan A., Gruchmann T., Lohmar F., Bleischwitz R. (2022). Decision support for sustainable urban mobility: A case study of the Rhine-Ruhr area. Sustainable Cities and Society 80, 103806, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2022.103806.  

Ali A., Gruchmann T., Melkonyan A., (2022). Assessing the impact of sustainable logistics service quality on relationship quality: Survey-based Evidence in Egypt. Journal of Cleaner Supply Chains, 100036, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clscn.2022.100036.  

Werning J. P., Spinler S., Melkonyan A. (2022). Transition to Circular Economy on Firm-Level: Scenario-based simulation of Barrier Impact on the Value Chain. Journal of Industrial Ecology (under review). 

Ali A., Melkonyan A., Noche N., Gruchmann T. (2021). Developing a Sustainable Logistics Service Quality Scale for Logistics Service Providers in Egypt. Logistics 5(2), 21, https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics5020021. 

Melkonyan A., Vasanth K. V.P., Koch J., Lohmar F., Munteanu V., Schmidt A., Bleischwitz R. (2020). Integrated Urban Planning Policies for Sustainable Mobility Transformation in Metropolitan Areas: A System Dynamic Approach. Sustainable Cities and Society 61, 102358, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2020.102358. 

Melkonyan A., Gruchmann T., Lohmar F., Vasanth K. V.P., Spinler S. (2020). Sustainability assessment of last-mile logistics and distribution strategies: The case of local food networks. International Journal of Production Economics 228, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2020.107746. 

Gruchmann T., Pratt N., Eiten J., Melkonyan A. (2020). 4PL Digital Business Models in Sea Freight Logistics: The Case of FreightHub. Logistics 4 (2), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics4020010. 

Melkonyan A., Gruchmann T., Lohmar F., Vasanth K. V.P., Spinler S. (2020). Sustainability assessment of last-mile logistics and distribution strategies: The case of local food networks. International Journal of Production Economics 228, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2020.107746. 

Melkonyan A., Krumme K., Gruchmann T., Spinler S., Schumacher T., Bleischwitz R. (2019). Scenario and strategy planning for transformative supply chains within a sustainable economy. Journal of Cleaner Production 231, 144-160. 

Gruchmann T., Melkonyan A., Krumme K. (2018). Logistics Business Transformation for Sustainability: Assessing the Role of the Lead Sustainability Service Provider (6PL). Logistics 2/25, doi:10.3390/logistics2040025. 

Melkonyan A., Gottschalk D., Vasanth K. V.P. (2017). Sustainability assessments and their implementation possibilities within the business models of companies. Journal of Sustainable Production and Consumption 12, 1-15, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2017.04.001.  

Melkonyan A., Gruchmann T., De La Torre G., Krumme K. (2017). Sustainable logistics in integrated food production and supply systems – taking a System Dynamics perspective. Energy Procedia 123 C, 131-138, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2017.07.236. 

Melkonyan A. (2015). Climate change in Armenia and its Dependency on Water Resources and Crop Production. Journal of Agricultural Water Management 161, 86-101, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2015.07.004.  

Melkonyan A. (2014). Environmental and Socio-Economic Vulnerability of Agricultural Sector in Armenia. Science of the Total Environment 488-489, 333-342, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.03.126.  

Melkonyan A., Asadoorian M. O. (2014). Climate Impact on Agroeconomy in Semiarid Region of Armenia. Environment, Development and Sustainability 16 (2), 393-414, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-013-9483-8.  

Melkonyan A., Wagner P. (2013). Ozone and its projection in regard to climate change. Atmospheric Environment 67, 287-295, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2012.10.023.   

Melkonyan A., Kuttler W. (2012). Long-term analysis of NO, NO₂ and O₃ concentrations in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Atmospheric Environment 60, 316-326, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2012.06.048.  

2. Books and Book Chapters 

Schmidt A.J., Schönharting J., Melkonyan A. (2020).   Neue Dimensionen der Mobilität. Kurzfassung. In: Proff H. (eds), Springer Gabler, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-29746-6_21, 237-340. 

Melkonyan A., Krumme K. (2019). Innovative Logistics Services and Sustainable Lifestyles: Interdependencies, Transformation Strategies and Best Practices. Springer Nature, ISBN 978-3-319-98466-7, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-98467-4, 315 pp. 

Melkonyan A., Krumme K. (2019). Integrating Perspectives of Logistics and Lifestyles for a Sustainable Economy. Springer Nature, ISBN 978-3-319-98466-7; Chapter 1; Edited by Melkonyan A., Krumme K., 3-20. 

Gruchmann T., Böhm M., Krumme K., Funcke S., Hauser S., Melkonyan A. (2019). Local and Sustainable Food Businesses: Assessing the Role of Supply Chain Coordination. Springer Nature, ISBN 978-3-319-98466-7; Chapter 7; Edited by Melkonyan A., Krumme K., 143-163. 

De La Torre G., Gruchmann T., Kamath V., Melkonyan A, Krumme K. (2019). A System Dynamics-Based Simulation Model to Analyse Consumer’s Behaviour Based on Participatory Systems Mapping – A ‘Last Mile’ Perspective. Springer Nature, ISBN 978-3-319-98466-7; Chapter 8; Edited by Melkonyan A., Krumme K., 165-194. 

Melkonyan A., Gruchmann T., Huerta A., Krumme K. (2019). Scenario Planning for Sustainable Food Supply Chains. Springer Nature, ISBN 978-3-319-98466-7; Chapter 10; Edited by Melkonyan A., Krumme K., 211-233. 

Gruchmann T., Eiten J., De La Torre G., Melkonyan A. (2019). Sustainable Logistics and Transportation Systems: Integrating Optimization and Simulation Analysis to Enhance Strategic Supply Chain Decision-Making. Springer Nature, ISBN 978-3-319-98466-7; Chapter 12; Edited by Melkonyan A., Krumme K., 265-279. 

Krumme K., Melkonyan A. (2019). Research and Innovation Perspectives on Integrated Supply Chains in a Sustainable Economy. Springer Nature, ISBN 978-3-319-98466-7; Chapter 14; Edited by Melkonyan A., Krumme K., 289-307. 

Melkonyan A., Gruchmann T., de la Torre G., and Krumme K. (2018). Szenarien- und Strategieentwicklung, Praxisleitfaden Innovative Logistik für nachhaltige Lebensstile. Toolbox zur Umsetzung nachhaltiger Logistikmodelle. Springer Essentials, ISBN 978-3-658-22771-5. 

Melkonyan A. (2015). Vulnerability of Agricultural Sector in Armenia and Adaptation Mechanisms. Third National Communication on Climate Change, Republic of Armenia. Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change developed by the Ministry of Nature Protection of the Republic of Armenia with the funding of the Global Environmental Facility and support of the United Nations Development Program in Armenia; “Lusabats” Publishing House, 65-77. 

Melkonyan A. (2011). Statistical analysis of long-term air pollution data in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Hohenwarsleben: Westarp Wiss. XVIII, 141 pp. 

Melkonyan A., Arakelyan A. (2006). Dynamic model of Environmental Pollution. Journal of Information Technologies and Management, Armenian Society of Computer and Information Systems Engineering Academy, Yerevan, 1-15. 

3. Conference Proceedings and Working Papers 

Gruchmann T., Melkonyan A., Krumme K., Böhm M., Hauser S., Funcke S. (2018). Assessing Logistics and Supply Chain Practices to Promote Sustainability of Local Food Networks: Insights from Sustainable Businesses in Germany and Austria. Nachhaltiges Wirtschaften Working Paper No 2, Editors Rainer Waltz and Matthias Gotsch (Fraunhofer ISI).  

Sohofi S. A., Melkonyan A., Karl C. K., Krumme K. (2016). System Archetypes in the Conceptualization Phase of Water-Energy-Food Nexus Modelling. Double Peer-reviewed conference proceedings of the 34th International Conference of the System Dynamics Society, ISBN 9781510830271, Delft, Netherlands, July 17-21.  

Melkonyan A., Kuttler W. (2009). Analysis of predominantly non-meteorological influences on air pollution in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. 5th Japanese German Meeting on Urban Climatology: Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Germany, October 2008. 

Melkonyan A., Melkonyan H., Tonapetyan S. (2007). Estimation of Economic Damage Caused by Air Pollution. Proceedings of the Conference on ''Urban Air Quality'' held in Limassol, Cyprus, 27-29 March.                          

Melkonyan A., Nikhoghosyan H., Melkonyan H., Epremyan M. (2006). Climate Change Impact on Armenian Water Resources. Proceedings of the Conference on Environment and Physical Planning, Macedonia, May. 

Melkonyan A., Melkonyan H. (2005). Mathematical Model of Atmosphere Pollution in Yerevan Caused by Industrial Emissions. Proceedings of the 10-th International Conference on Harmonization, Sissi, Crete, Greece, 17-20 October. 

Melkonyan A., Melkonyan H., Khachatryan L., Khalatyan Y. (2005): The Forecast of Agricultural Harvest in Armenia with Calculation of Climate Variability. Technical Conference, “Climate as a resource” Beijing, China, 1-2 November.