Tom Abel is an Associate Professor specializing in anthropology and human development at Tzu Chi University in Hualien, Taiwan. His research is interdisciplinary, integrating aspects of anthropology with ecological economics, ecosystem science, evolution, world-systems theory, and complex systems science. Tom employs principles and methods from systems ecology and computer modeling, notably utilizing emergy analysis in his studies. His academic work aims to bridge the gap between human social systems and ecological principles, offering insights into the sustainability of various systems. He collaborates with various external faculty and researchers, contributing to both local and global discussions on environmental building design and interdisciplinary approaches in academia.