The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and ArtUnited States
Henry Colburn is an Adjunct Assistant Professor specializing in classical art and archaeology, with degrees from the University of Michigan (PhD), University of Colorado, and University of St. Andrews. His research focuses on ancient Iran and interconnected regions including the Near East, Eastern Mediterranean, and Central Asia. Research interests span art historiography, cultural identity, globalization, and material culture studies of seals, coins, and drinking vessels. He serves on the Metropolitan Museum of Art's advisory committee for Ancient Near Eastern galleries reinstallation and is a research associate at the University of Michigan's Kelsey Museum of Archaeology. Major projects include publishing seals from the Persepolis Fortification Archive and studying a 19th-century Persian manuscript documenting Achaemenid and Sasanian sites. His book Archaeology of Empire in Achaemenid Egypt was published in 2020.
Christopher M. Chinn is a Professor of Classics at Pomona College since 2007, specializing in Augustan and Imperial Roman poetry. He teaches Latin and Greek languages alongside translation courses like Ancient Epic and Introduction to the Greeks and Romans . Research Focus: Roman poetry, ecocriticism, art-text relationships Key Contributions: Studies on Statius, Pliny, and intertextual analysis His work bridges visual art analysis with literary interpretation, particularly in Flavian-era texts. Recent publications address environmental themes in ancient Mediterranean literature and the evolution of ekphrastic techniques. Scientific Awards & Honors Jim Greenfield Dissertation Fellowship (University of Washington, 2001-2002) Downing-Pomona Exchange Fellow (2009) Pomona College Summer Research Grant (2011) His teaching includes advanced language courses and senior seminars on classical studies, reflecting his commitment to both pedagogy and research in ancient literature.
Joey Williams is a Lecturer of Classics and Letters at the University of Oklahoma's Department of Classics and Letters. He specializes in Roman material culture, ancient colonialism, and landscapes of conflict/surveillance. Educated at the University at Buffalo (Ph.D. Mediterranean Archaeology), University of Arizona (M.A. Classical Archaeology), and Hendrix College (B.A. Anthropology/History), he has taught globally in the US, Switzerland, Portugal, and Italy. Ph.D.: Mediterranean Archaeology, University at Buffalo M.A.: Classical Archaeology, University of Arizona B.A.: Anthropology & History, Hendrix College His research focuses on Roman surveillance mechanisms in Portugal's Central Alentejo region, ceramic production, and the socio-cultural role of fish sauce. Active in fieldwork, he co-directs an archaeological excavation in Redondo, Portugal since 2010, and leads projects in Ostia Antica and Lugnano, Italy. His upcoming Ficulle project accepts OU student applications. Recent publications include a 2017 monograph on Roman surveillance and a 2022 chapter analyzing colonial landscapes through tower enclosures. His work intersects archaeology with imperialism studies, emphasizing material evidence of power dynamics. No academic awards are explicitly mentioned. Current projects involve legacy data analysis from Ostia Antica and pottery studies in Lugnano. Teaching includes Latin language courses, classical mythology, and advanced archaeology seminars.
Reyhan Durmaz is an Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, affiliated with the School of Arts & Sciences and multiple interdisciplinary programs. Her research focuses on Syriac Christianity, medieval religious dynamics, and the intersection of Christianity and Islam in late antiquity. She holds a Ph.D. from Brown University (2019) and has received prestigious fellowships such as the Dumbarton Oaks Junior Fellowship and the Charlotte Newcombe Dissertation Fellowship. Her seminal book Stories between Christianity and Islam (2022) examines the transmission of saints' stories between religious traditions, earning Honorable Mention from the Middle East Medievalists. Current projects include a study of rural Christianity in the medieval Middle East through soldier-monk narratives and an analysis of the 19th-century Arabic newspaper Kawkab America . She co-leads the Digital Photograph Archive project Visualizing Countryside , documenting medieval religious sites. Dr. Durmaz teaches courses on global Christianity, material culture, and late antiquity, and serves as co-chair of the Philadelphia Seminar on Christian Origins. Her work bridges historical analysis, textual scholarship, and digital humanities, addressing themes of religious identity, cultural exchange, and marginalized communities.
University of California, Los AngelesUnited States
Ali Mousavi is Assistant Professor of Iranian Archaeology in UCLA’s Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures and a core faculty member of the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology. A Berkeley PhD and former fellow of the Smithsonian, Maison de l’Orient and Global Heritage Fund, he has directed excavations and UNESCO World-Heritage projects at Pasargadae, Bam, Susa, Sultaniyeh and Turang Tepe and authored prize-winning volumes Ancient Iran from the Air and Persepolis: Discovery and Afterlife of a World Wonder . Education PhD, Near Eastern Studies (Archaeology), University of California, Berkeley (2005) MA, Archaeology, History and Languages of Old World Civilizations, Université Lyon II, France (1997) BA, Archaeology and Art History of Europe and the East Mediterranean, Université Lyon II, France (1996) Research interests span the archaeology and art history of Iran from the Neolithic to the early-20th century, with particular focus on Achaemenid and Sasanian monumental architecture, ancient irrigation (qanats), landscape archaeology, digital heritage, and the modern historiography of Iranian archaeology. His field projects integrate remote sensing, epigraphy, GIS and conservation science to investigate imperial capitals, rock-cut monuments and water-management systems across the Iranian plateau. Across more than 30 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, Mousavi has re-examined dating criteria for Achaemenid stone monuments, analysed royal inscriptions as visual displays, traced medieval Persian pilgrims’ graffiti at ancient sites, and produced synthetic archaeological surveys of the Sasanian empire and the Central Alborz Iron-Age cultures. The corpus reflects a sustained engagement with primary field data, archival research and critical historiography of 19th- and 20th-century excavations. Selected honours Ehsan Yarshater Book Award (2014) Iranian Ministry of Culture World Book Award (2014) Leon Levy – Shelby White publication grant (2008) UNESCO award for World-Heritage nomination files (2003) Iran Heritage Foundation field-work award (2003) Guitty Azarpay Fellowship, UC Berkeley (2000-2003) IFRI Fellowship, Paris (1998) At UCLA he offers undergraduate courses “Archaeology of Iran” and “Ancient Cities of Iran (4000 BC-AD 1900)” and mentors graduate researchers in the Cotsen Institute. His grants and fellowships from NSF-equivalent European and American agencies underwrite both field seasons and publication of critical archaeological corpora, while his service on Iranian, UNESCO and international heritage boards continues to link scholarly output with heritage-management policy.
Kenneth S. Sacks is a Professor of History and Classics at Brown University, with a focus on Greek intellectual history and American Transcendentalism. He previously served as Dean of the College at Brown (1995–1998) and taught at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1976–1995). Holding a PhD in Ancient History from UC Berkeley (1976), he has authored seminal works such as Understanding Emerson and Diodorus Siculus and the First Century . His research explores the intersection of classical antiquity and American thought, including projects funded by the Mellon Foundation Sawyer Seminar Program. Awards include the Rabbi Joseph L. Baron Faculty Achievement Award and recognition as a top educator by Wisconsin students. He teaches courses on Hellenistic Greece, Transcendentalism, and the history of historical writing. Education: PhD, MA (UC Berkeley); BA (University of Pittsburgh) Research: Currently co-PI on a $105,000 grant for Mediterranean cultural exchange studies (Brill Press publication pending). His teaching spans ancient and American intellectual history, including popular courses like World of Walden Pond and History of Greece . He has held leadership roles in academic committees and boards, including the Howard Foundation and Brown’s Ancient Studies Program.
David J. Pederson is an Assistant Professor of Global Studies at Liberty Divinity School Online since 2010, and serves as Program Director for the Master of Arts in Global Studies Department. He holds a PhD and has extensive pastoral experience, including 12 years overseas in Greece, South Korea, and the Philippines. His research focuses on missions, practical theology, and biblical theology, with notable works analyzing Old Testament pilgrimage themes and Paul's missionary strategies in expatriate communities. Education: PhD (discipline unspecified), seminary training. Research Interests: Missions and World Christianity, Practical Theology, Biblical Studies, and Cross-Cultural Ministry. His articles explore theological frameworks for understanding diaspora communities and missionary practices in historical contexts. Advising & Grants: Mentors doctoral/master’s students but no specific grants mentioned. Current roles include teaching and program leadership. Labs/Teams: Not explicitly detailed, but affiliated with Liberty University School of Divinity’s Global Studies initiatives.
Charles M. Stang is Professor of Early Christian Thought at Harvard Divinity School and Director of the Center for the Study of World Religions, positions he has held since joining the faculty in 2008 and becoming director in 2017 respectively. His academic home is firmly within Harvard University's religious studies ecosystem, where he has established himself as a leading scholar in ancient Christian thought and Mediterranean religious history. His educational background includes an AB from Harvard College, an MDiv from the University of Chicago, and a ThD from Harvard Divinity School. This rigorous training across prestigious institutions has equipped him with interdisciplinary perspectives that inform his boundary-crossing scholarship. Stang's research interrogates the intersections of early Christian thought with broader Mediterranean philosophical traditions, with particular emphasis on apophatic theology, Gnosticism, and Syriac Christianity. His work consistently challenges reductionist approaches to religious studies, advocating instead for what he terms an 'expansive anthropology, ontology and epistemology' that recognizes religion's capacity to transcend mundane frameworks. He has developed a distinctive theoretical framework around 'transcendence and transformation'—concepts he argues should form the core of religious studies in the contemporary academy. His publications reveal a trajectory from focused historical studies of early Christian texts toward more expansive theoretical interventions in religious studies methodology. While his early work centered on figures like Dionysius the Areopagite and Evagrius Ponticus, his recent scholarship increasingly engages with contemporary questions about religion's role in the humanities and the urgent need for what he calls 'superhumanities' that acknowledge dimensions of reality beyond conventional academic frameworks. Manfred Lautenschläger Award for Theological Promise (2013) for Apophasis and Pseudonymity in Dionysius the Areopagite As Director of the Center for the Study of World Religions, Stang has launched the 'Transcendence and Transformation' initiative, positioning the center as both a scholarly hub and a conceptual beacon for reimagining religious studies. His vision frames religious studies not as a marginal discipline but as essential to revitalizing the humanities through its unique capacity to engage with dimensions of reality that conventional academic frameworks often overlook. The Center functions as what Stang describes as 'a beacon, a harbour, and a record' for this reconceptualization of religious inquiry.
Maria Silvia Sarais serves as a Lecturer within the Department of Classical and Oriental Studies at Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY), where she contributes to both undergraduate and graduate programs in Classical Studies. Her academic profile centers on advanced instruction and research in ancient Mediterranean civilizations, with particular emphasis on literary analysis and cultural interpretation. Her research portfolio encompasses a sophisticated interdisciplinary range of classical scholarship: Latin Poetry, examining stylistic innovations and socio-political contexts in Roman verse Greek and Roman Drama, analyzing theatrical conventions and performance traditions Seneca studies, focusing on philosophical contributions and literary techniques Ancient Literary Criticism, investigating early theoretical frameworks for textual analysis Poetic Theory and Metapoetics, exploring self-referential elements in classical composition Classical Mythology and Contemporary Reception, tracing evolutionary adaptations of mythic narratives Gender and Ethnicity in Classical Literature, interrogating identity construction and representation in antiquity No scientific awards or honors were documented in the provided materials. While the available information does not specify doctoral or master's students under her supervision, nor detail external research funding sources, her role as Doctoral Lecturer indicates active engagement in advanced academic mentorship within Hunter College's graduate program structure. There is no reference to dedicated research laboratories, collaborative teams, or specialized research centers associated with her current academic position.
Walter D. Penrose, Jr. is a Professor at San Diego State University specializing in the History of Gender and Sexuality in Ancient Greek, Hellenistic, and South Asian contexts. His work also explores the Reception of Classics in modern periods, Disability Studies, and Ancient Religions. Penrose holds a Ph.D. in History from the City University of New York (2006) and a B.S. in Business Administration from California State University, Long Beach (1988). His research interests span interdisciplinary topics including gender diversity in classical thought, queer historiography, and cross-cultural comparisons of ancient societies. Penrose has published widely on topics such as Amazons in classical and modern media, disability discourse in antiquity, and homoeroticism in South Asian history. His 2016 monograph Postcolonial Amazons is a foundational text in comparative studies of gendered heroism in Greek and Sanskrit literature. Penrose’s publications include over a dozen book chapters and journal articles, with recent contributions analyzing gendered power dynamics in Hellenistic royal courts (2021), visual representations of Amazons in Troy adaptations (2022), and the intersection of disability and identity in ancient Greece (2015). His pedagogical work emphasizes inclusive approaches to teaching challenging classical topics like homophobia and gender variance. While no specific grants or awards are noted, Penrose’s work consistently bridges classical studies with modern interdisciplinary frameworks, contributing to fields such as queer studies, disability studies, and world history. His research continues to explore marginalized voices in ancient texts and their contemporary receptions.
Delbert Burkett is the Jaak Seynaeve Professor of Biblical Studies and Professor of Religious Studies at Louisiana State University. He specializes in New Testament studies, particularly the history, religion, and literature of earliest Christianity. His research focuses on the Synoptic Problem and early Christian textual traditions. Before joining LSU in 1996, he taught at Western Kentucky University, Appalachian State University, and Lebanon Valley College. He served as Section Head of Religious Studies (2004-2007) and Department Chair (2010-2016). Education: B.A. in Koine and Classical Greek, Abilene Christian College (1971) M.T.S., Harvard Divinity School (1973) Ph.D. in New Testament and Christian Origins, Duke University (1989) Research Interests: Burkett's work examines the literary relationships between the Synoptic Gospels, the 'Son of Man' title in the New Testament, and early Christian origins. His publications include Rethinking the Gospel Sources (multi-volume series) and The Case for Proto-Mark . Publications Trends: His recent articles address topics like Markan narrative analysis, Jewish ritual practices, and Luke-Acts theological unity. Earlier work engaged with Johannine resurrection narratives and Coptic liturgical texts. Awards: 2009-2010 ATLAS Grant 2007 Tiger Athletic Foundation Teaching Award Repeated recognition for undergraduate instruction (Alpha Lambda Delta, 1999/2003) LSU Council on Research Summer Stipends (1997, 2000) 1992 Southern Regional Education Board Travel Grant Teaching & Grants: Teaches courses such as 'A History of God' and 'Apocalyptic Literature.' His grants supported research on gospel sources and early Christian texts. No formal lab affiliations are noted, though he collaborates on initiatives like the 'AI & Religion Collaborative.'
Ernest Julius Mitchell serves as Assistant Professor of English and Humanities at Yale University, where he contributes to the Department of English within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. His interdisciplinary work bridges literature, philosophy, and religion with methodological grounding in Black studies. Education: Ph.D., Harvard University, 2019 M.T.S., Harvard Divinity School, 2009 A.B., Princeton University, 2006 Professor Mitchell's research centers on the intersections of literature, philosophy, and religion, with particular focus on the Harlem Renaissance viewed expansively as integral to transatlantic modernism. His work spans aesthetics and phenomenology in German thinkers from Kant to Benjamin, and religious traditions from the ancient Mediterranean to the contemporary Caribbean. He is currently completing three major book projects: a biography of Jamaican writer Claude McKay for Yale University Press, a new edition of Jean Toomer's Cane for the Norton Library, and a study of theological elements in Zora Neale Hurston's work, all reflecting his interest in questions of literary style—charm, revision, and grace. His scholarly publications demonstrate consistent engagement with African American literary traditions, particularly examining figures from the Harlem Renaissance era. Mitchell's work shows strong interdisciplinary connections between literary analysis, philosophical inquiry, and religious studies, with particular attention to how these fields shape modern consciousness and identity formation within Black literary production. Current Teaching: ENGL 351: Fictions of the Harlem Vogue (HUMS 370 / AFAM 354) ENGL 127: Readings in American Literature HUMS 223: Claude McKay: Interpretations (ENGL 242) DRST 002: Directed Studies: Literature
Paul Anderson serves as Professor of Biblical and Quaker Studies at George Fox University's School of Theology, where he has taught since January 1989. His academic journey includes a PhD from Glasgow University, MDiv from Earlham School of Religion, graduate studies at Trinity Lutheran Seminary and Portland State University, and a BA from Malone University. Anderson maintains significant international academic connections as extraordinary professor of religion at North-West University of Potchefstroom (South Africa) and adjunct professor at Barclay College and Portland Seminary. Anderson's research centers on the Gospel of John, Jesus studies, and Quaker theology. He pioneered cognitive-critical analysis of Johannine traditions to address Christological tensions, developing his "Bi-Optic Hypothesis" for understanding John's composition. His influential book The Fourth Gospel and the Quest for Jesus argues for John's significance in historical Jesus research, while From Crisis to Christ provides a contextual New Testament introduction bridging ancient and contemporary contexts. His work on Quaker spirituality, including Following Jesus , explores practical Christian discipleship within the Friends tradition. As a prolific scholar with over 400 published essays, Anderson has shaped Johannine studies through his founding role in the John, Jesus, and History Project (SBL 2002-2016) and co-editing of four major volumes in its series. His recent publications (2021-2024) demonstrate continued scholarly vitality, focusing on Johannine theology, historical Jesus research, and Quaker thought. These works reveal his consistent engagement with dialectical tensions in John, universalism/exclusivism debates, and the application of biblical insights to contemporary spirituality. Founding member of the John, Jesus, and History Project (SBL 2002-2016) Editor of Biblical Interpretation series (E.J. Brill) Editor of Johannine Monograph Series Editor of Quakers and the Disciplines series (FAHE) Former editor of Evangelical Friend (1990-1994) and Quaker Religious Thought (2000-2011) Anderson's academic leadership extends through visiting professorships at Yale Divinity School (where he taught 1998-1999) and Princeton Theological Seminary, along with international appointments as DAAD professor at the University of Mainz and Fulbright Specialist at Radboud University of Nijmegen. His work bridges scholarly rigor and practical spirituality, particularly in Quaker contexts, while maintaining active engagement with contemporary theological debates through his extensive publication record and editorial work.
Sören Stark is a Professor of Central Asian Archaeology at New York University's Institute for the Study of the Ancient World (ISAW). He holds roles as Vice Director (Spring/Summer 2025 & AY2025-26) and Chair of the Visiting Scholar Search Committee (AY2025-26). His expertise focuses on the archaeology of Central Asia, particularly Hellenistic and Late Antique Sogdiana, and the dynamics between agrarian societies and nomadic groups. Stark received his PhD in 2005 from Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg and has conducted extensive fieldwork in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and the Bukhara oasis. Key projects include directing excavations at Bashtepa (since 2015), investigating agro-pastoral communities in Western Sogdiana, and analyzing Bronze/Iron Age petroglyphs and Iron Age kurgans. His research integrates archaeological data with historical sources, emphasizing regional connectivity and cultural interactions during the Hellenistic and post-Hellenistic periods. Stark co-edits Brill's Handbook of Oriental Studies and has published widely on topics such as Türk archaeology, Sogdian material culture, and Greco-Bactrian coinage. Recent work highlights include the 2019 publication on Bashtepa's fortifications and terracotta figurines, alongside studies on urbanization patterns in Bukharan Sogdiana. His field methodologies combine stratigraphic excavation, ceramic analysis, and radiocarbon dating to reconstruct socio-environmental histories. Laboratory and team collaborations involve the Uzbek-American Expedition in Bukhara (UzAmEB) and the NYU Abu Dhabi archaeological initiative. Stark's research bridges ancient history and archaeology, addressing questions of cultural identity, political frontiers, and subsistence strategies in Central Asia's crossroads.
Jay Crisostomo is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies at the University of Michigan's Department of Ancient Near Eastern Civilization and Languages and Civilizations within the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. He holds the George G. Cameron Professorship. His research focuses on the languages and intellectual histories of ancient Mesopotamian cuneiform cultures, with emphases on sociolinguistics, multilingualism, translation, and scribal practices. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in 2014. Teaching encompasses courses on ancient Middle Eastern history, languages, and cultures, including 'Science and Technology in the Ancient Middle East' and 'Madness, Medicine, and Magic in the Middle East.' He also teaches on sport history and language in the ancient Mediterranean. As Director of Graduate Studies, he supports MES program students, advising prospective PhD candidates in ancient Middle East history/Assyriology. Research highlights include his book Translation as Scholarship: Language, Writing, and Bilingual Education in Ancient Babylonia and ongoing projects on the 3,000-year history of Sumerian language use, Babylonian scholars, and Sumerian-Akkadian linguistic contact. Current efforts involve editing 150 lexical tablets in Germany's collections. His work bridges ancient textual analysis with broader themes in cultural transmission and knowledge systems. He collaborates on critical editions of cuneiform texts and maintains affiliations with international research networks. Contactable via cjcrisos@umich.edu, his office is located at 202 South Thayer Street, Ann Arbor.
